Bast was not surprised when he received the passive skill in dual handling. His grandfather deeply ingrained in him the knowledge of how to use both hands at the same time without favoring one or the other. The slight advantage it gives obscures his moves from enemies excelling in movement predictions and counters. A split-second indecision to guess his dominant hand would give him enough time to tilt the fight in his favor. For Bast, gaining the said skill makes little to no difference at all as he already perfected the skill even before the system. Except for the little bonuses it gives to his control stat, the System registered his already existing skill only as an acknowledgment to his talents.

Talents.

This was also a testament to the potential of humans to survive.

There are a vast number of expertise humans excels at. Soldiers who constantly fought war in the frontlines would find themselves with greater efficiencies in their base willpower, battle instinct, survival instincts, and danger perception. Martial Artists and athletes would be even better at hand-eye coordination, dodging and counters, improved body performance, metabolism and endurance. Genius level people would love the notion of mana and its application in spell invocations, easily memorizing the new concepts and theories governing the laws of magic. Convicts would be susceptible to the powers of Qi (Aura) as they are more attuned to killing, transforming their dormant aura to something sinister, the baleful killing intent. Politicians would find themselves with heightened cunning, their shrewdness would give even the devil a run for his money.

Bast proved his theory after observing his companions yesterday. Evelyne was a girl of renown attractiveness even before the great change. Now she was a showstopper, a woman with ethereal beauty. Alexia, the archer, was an Olympic level bow-woman. Her eyesight now was akin to a telescope which can pierce you from miles away. Had Alexia stayed far from Bast’s detection range, he won’t be her match. He would’ve drop dead from her arrows. Alexia’s boyfriend, Amanogawa, is the opposite of eye-catching. He might be good-looking if his long hair doesn’t hide his face, but he’s the type that you’d easily lose sight of in a busy mall. After the System’s descent, his presence became thinner that Bast struggled to find him even with all his presence detection passives.

In short, talents would ever be more pronounced. And weaknesses would give a refined Achilles’ heel. The good would be more saint-like and selfless. And the bad would be an embodiment of great evil.

There are many more unmentioned unique traits, but Bast was more worried for the normal people. The normies tend to regress to their wilder, more primitive nature in order to survive. All records dictate that humans, if ever cut off from their normal lives with the descent of worldwide war, famine, and/or apocalyptic situations, would do anything in order to go back to how things were.

And in doing so wouldn’t care if what they’re doing was right or wrong. Morality and decency would cease to exist for them. Most humans would be like lambs, dependent on someone who can save them from such misery and strife. All while hiding their inner wolves full of greed, ambition and viciousness.

No wonder multiple religions were born.

Humans need someone powerful and influential to guide them. Someone who can provide them all the comforts they desire. Someone who can give them security, away from the dangers of impending doom. Someone who they can trust and truly depend on.

And Bast knew he cannot be that someone.

For that someone would also be humanity’s scapegoat, someone they can put the blame on if things go awry. Someone to direct their envy and hate. Someone to use and discard after getting what they want. Not all humans tend to be evil. But being forced to live in a harsher world, nobody would want to be the lone sheep that strays from the flock. Politics would lead them to internal destruction. All would tend to have one mindset, the rule of the society. They wouldn’t allow for divergence. For the destiny of the solitary would always lead to one fate.

Death.

Bast had no intention of pampering humans. True, he wishes to save his race. But he will do it his way. The humans would probably make him a dispensable hero. Bah! He doesn’t even want that. Humans defined such a title differently. They think being a hero is the same as being a martyr, a person dying for their sake, their own selfish benefit. A disposable chess piece in the board for the survival of the king. The sacrifice of one to save the remaining.

No, he has another thing in mind.

He would not be depended upon. He would treat them the way his parents treated him, with hard love. He will not lead them. He will only give them the foundations and from there teach them to stand on their own toes. Bast won’t allow them to use him to their own benefit and would be decisive in his actions to deter other humans that brings trouble. He might shoulder the calamitous monsters but will never allow complacency and distance from danger, all in order for the humans to grow.

It may sound haughty or conceitedly arrogant to proclaim the authoritative seat. But the potential of his skills, 2 legendary tier, 5 rare tier and a few unique and uncommon, and his titles would put him in the top spot. Taking a risk and killing monsters two hundred time your own level was no laughing matter.

Before the System, he was just a docile kid. He avoids fights as much as possible and made lesser friends than most. Besides studying, regular jogging and not counting all the summers he spent in the Philippines with his lolo (Grandfather), all Bast ever did was collect and play games. His favorites were RPGs which were the best moments of his normal life. He did have girlfriends but they would eventually leave him, complaining about him being self-absorbed, distant and forgetful.

Bast can’t really blame them, he even admitted he loved playing games more than he loved them. He even had a gnawing thought that the relationship only lasted for a few more months because of the sex! But that would be utterly boastful and presumptuous. He was still a young teenager, still wet behind the ears and too distracted by other forms of entertainment. The idea never held much footing on his mind since then as he continued being nonchalant, detached from the world.

But now’s different. He knew he had a greater responsibility. One might argue as to why he cared less about saving his family as soon as possible but the thought earned him mirth and half a chuckle.

He stayed far away from home when he decided to attend school abroad. His parents raised him well. To be independent and be virtuous to only those who need it. He was staying in his deceased mum’s house, alone for two years now. Before cancer took his nanay (mother), he was the one who took care of her. She made him decent before passing away. His good for nothing tatay (dad) would be protected by his ever present step-mom, a direct disciple of a hidden grandmaster kalista, his dreaded old lolo.

Furthermore, Bast’s half siblings were staying with his lolo since then. For him that was forcefully trained only in the summer, how monstrous would his brother and sisters be when everyday would be hell training for them? Bast knew in his heart that they would be safe and sound, wherever they are. They are hardcore gamers as well, well more than him at least. The thought of Kezia, Viel, and John snickering madly while killing monsters using their family-style kali gave Bast the shivers.

Kali was not a restrictive martial art, it’s an evolving one. It was not hindered by morals and restrictions of tournaments. Kali was never a sport to begin with. It was a tool to kill. To use kali as self-defense? Ha! Preposterous. You have the pussy, watered-downed version like arnis/ eskrima for that. Batons are great for giving bruises, but replace those with bolos (native Filipino swords) and long daggers? You’ll only be able to block a few times before your whole arm gets amputated by continuous strikes that arrive five times per second. The true forbidden kali techniques are not taught to outsiders, specially foreigners. Only a select few families inherited it from the ancient clans even before the colonialization. The ancient cutthroat’s killing art.

And Bast’s family unluckily inherited it.

The forbidden Kali is less on defense, more on offense. It’s a debauched and immoral way of fighting an opponent. Nobody would be honorable in a street scramble. If you don’t stab, it’s sure as hell’s tits that you’ll get knifed as kali masters are almost unblockable. Fast hand speed coupled with relentless dagger strikes forces one not to block but to evade, unless you wear armor all over your body.

Other martial arts focus on wearing down the enemy, aiming for a knockout. Kali however, aims to kill, targeting the vulnerable spots like the heart, kidneys, liver, brain, joints, throat and eyes. When fighting a kali practitioner, don’t expect to be sliced or stabbed just once. The scarier part is, this forbidden skill set is highly compatible to use with other martial arts such as crahgmaga, jiu-jitsu, muai thai and more. Nobody’s saying that kali is the best martial art in the entire world, not even Bast. But no martial arts can compare with kali in handling knives and short weapons. No martial art can even compare to the swiftness of kali when used in face to face assassination.

Smiling weirdly, Bast was amused when he was notified that his Dagger Mastery was already in the Intermediate 7. The bonus stats from the skill was highly welcomed. It seems pushing skills to the limits may present extra rewards. And talents were a lucrative source of stat bonuses. Primordial Meditation didn’t disappoint as well. A few more months of abusing the skill would make his mana pool rival those of the mage profession.

When learning the system skills, they would always start with Novice 0 (N0) and by repeated usage the System will decide what level you are with the skill. From novice to beginner to intermediate to advance to master and till grandmaster. No wonder Alexia’s arrows came from impossible angles and shots that seems to curve. She’s probably in the late intermediate in skills as well. The arrows also pack one heck of a punch!

“Status”

Bast was boiling water the traditional way outside the treehouse while studying his stats. Three large stones held the boiling pot and dry branches were continuously shoved inside to fuel the burn. Bast knew the three would wake up late due to the stress of the events that transpired yesterday. He was made sure by the loudness of their snores that they would probably wake a little late for lunchtime.

Perception +1

Willpower +1

“So stats are not fixed. That’s new” Bast mumbled while sipping a cup of coffee.

Even though the stats presented in the notification table have a definite value, it didn’t mean that Bast can harness the full potential of the stat. he guessed that there’s a min-max value to a selected stat that rises and fall depending on the situation. For example, arm wrestling between two people with equal strength values in the status notification would not result to a stalemate. The one with the tougher muscle density and power control would win 9 out of 10 times.

The stats are not permanent. Even sipping a coffee would temporarily increase Bast’s perception and willpower stat for a couple of hours but would not appear in the status plate. This just means that the potential one has for the stat would get nearer the maximum potential to use the stat well.

His way of living starting now would be just like in a game, with avatars represented by his real body.

Knowing the small things that came with the System is never a bad thing. And the humans including Bast knew too little. Bast thought it was now the time to proceed with his plans. And for the plan’s success, he would need the power of other people. He had a plan. Code name: Orgasm.

Organize

Reconnaissance

Gather

Adapt

Survive

Massacre

After munching a cold hamburger, Bast left the pot with a lid and water outside. He also pinned a note on the back of the door saying ‘heading out. left food. Stay hidden.’ and did left a few cold rations in the winding corridor. He then started climbing the gigantic Fairy’s Oak tree. He already (1) organized his activities for the day in his head. First, he would look for human survivors and try to (3) gather as many as he can before lunchtime. To do that he need a full (2) reconnaissance of the surrounding area to guarantee their safety but first he needs to survey the expanse by using the height of the tree as a vantage point.

All this effort would be important if he wants to survive for the next few months. After a whole day’s jogging, Bast met a number of survivors on the way. Some he had to save from trash mob critters that are more difficult to hunt than a mature lion. Some he had to restrain due to their violent reactions. Some are hungry, others thirsty. A few, completely given up and on the verge of suicide. Half of them resembled players, thinking that this world they’ve been transferred to was a virtual reality game and seemed higher in levels comparable to Alexia and Rei. All of them, weary and guarded against Bast. Yet mostly, all of them agreed to his invitation.

An invitation to a grand party.

Bast lured them through the use of food as bargaining chip. Since the start of the apocalypse, humans now need to hunt for their own food. It has only been the second day, but by now, most of the fleeing humans are tired, thirsty and hungry. In order for his information gathering plan to work, it was only logical to invite the survivors to an all-expense paid banquet. Bast knew how to cook. He also had the tools for the job. He received varied reactions to his proclamation but all agreed it was better to check it out than wander into the unknown. For most, the food was their only motivation for going, but to the real survivors, it was the information exchange that will be held after the celebrations.

After all, they could hunt their own food.

Although it was scheduled the next day during dinnertime, most of the folks made their way to the assigned location, near the lake in the northwest. They were also notified by Bast to spread the word that he will be holding a party come the morrow. So as the survivors met more and more people, they continued to talk and bump into more. It was also convenient for them to gather in larger numbers. It would discourage predatory monsters to attack a larger number of people.

It was already late in the afternoon when Bast went home to the treehouse. The flocks that he thought were moving mushrooms were actually enormous cuboidal sheeps. their wool were cream-white threads that imitates the shape of mushrooms at night when you’re not attentive enough. Because Bast was now numb from the shock of the action-packed first day when the monsters descended, he wasn’t surprised now by the sudden revelation.

He was in fact, happier.

If logic still exists in this world, these tame flock of sheep would give him fresh ample meat to feed a few hundred people. And he had a feeling the meat would taste amazing. His only concern was that he need to lure one quietly without the other sheep knowing. He saw how these little fluffs desecrated the large coyote’s body the night before. These ruminants are savages when pissed. But with his increased intelligence, he hatched another evil plot. In a distance he observed another mob. From his observation from atop the Fairy’s Oak he knew the territory of the titan hogs resides near. All he has to do is act like a bait.

It was too easy.

Bast was further convinced that these mushroom sheep are not to be messed with when he tried luring a truck sized mountain boar towards the sheep flock. Not even the thick hide of the pig can save it from the sharp curling horns of the elder ram. He also deducted that they weren’t highly sentient as even though Bast was the one that lured the pig, he wasn’t attacked by the herd. In fact, he helped killed the pig alongside the herd. Bast was now past the issues of human morality towards food. What he did was a lesser evil that must be done. You don’t see humans feeling sorry when eating steak on their plate (except vegans). So was Bast. He felt nothing toward his scheme.

Suck a cock Peta.

Half a dozen sheep died when the Titan Hog charged. Bast was considered an ally as he can even pet the enormous sheepies without getting speared. The herd left after a few licks of affection towards their fallen brethren. Bast received a few licks as well. He took his chance when they departed to store all the bodies in his ring and covered the spilt blood with dirt to lessen the smell of death. One can never be too careful. He then decided to come home as his objective of the day was quite finished even though it was rather late.

*swoosh*

An arrow almost lodged itself in his thighs as he approached the Fairy’s Oak. He doesn’t have to guess the culprit as there’s only one person, mad enough to attack him despite almost being killed by him in the past. The shot wasn’t laced with mana nor the intent to kill which only made it harder to dodge. It wasn’t worth taking revenge so Bast did nothing more. He almost killed her yesterday after all.

Evelyne raced through the door when she saw Bast and decided to tackle him only to find herself hugging the cold hard earth. Bast obviously evaded. They weren’t that close yet. And lower part of him would wake the fuck up if he let her hug him. Women are dangerous beings alright.

“Kyaaa~”

“Tsk. I missed again. Hey Eve, are you okay? Bast stay still will you?!”

“Umuuu~ my heels” Evelyne sobbed, clutching her broken signature flops.

“Yareyare~ Slippery as usual I see…Saw yer performance, ne~ if tha’ ‘terspatial ring of yers is as special as I think it is, we don’t have to worry ‘bout food for a year ne?”

Now Bast was surprised. Amanogawa was standing just behind him, catching him unaware. His presence gets thinner and thinner by the day. If these two ever found out how to fully control their killing intent, and unleashing it only at appropriate times, they would be a force to be reckoned with. These two lovers were becoming more and more dangerous. Specially in their own territory. Bast would never fight them at night in the woods, even he would come to fear them there. But with Evelyne’s presence, Bast was glad he doesn’t have to duel them again. With these two as allies, he was more confident in hosting a feast full of desperate, instinct driven people.

(tbc)