Living Life As A Game: Through And Through 3 Functions, Starter Pack

As Adrian walked back to his room, P began explaining in detail what the "functions" she had previously mentioned were as well as how to use them. She said "Now, now… Don't get frightened every time you hear my voice! We'll be bounded like this for quite a while, so you better get used to my voice randomly popping up from time to time.

Anyways, you probably have questions as to what the functions I mentioned early mean. To put it simply, you've been turned into a "RPG character." Just like in a game, as the player, you can view and manipulate your physical and spiritual traits represented as numbers through the status functions. You can will for a small map to hover over the top left section of your vision or for a larger, more detailed, map to take up your entire vision with the map functions. As for the quest functions… I will be the one primarily giving your quests, and you can manage them through their functions."

As P finished her basic explanation of the functions Adrian had gained, he finally reached his room. It was right on cue for P to continue her explanation as a stack of objects manifested atop Adrian's bed. P said "Those things on your bed are the contents of your "starter pack." Let's see… you built yourself up to be a speed and time mage, who practices… medicine? Strange choice, but at least it isn't worthlessly bad.

With your "build," you were awarded with a couple things. First of all, you see those clothes?" As P spoke, Adrian walked over to his bed and picked up what he considered to be plain white clothes accented with red outlines, yet they appeared to be made of high quality fabrics. P continued "Those are [Elizabeth's Beginner Armor Set] and now would be a good chance to try out of the various functions under the status function. As you hold an item in your hands, will it within your mind to view its [Status] and a detailed description of the item will appear in your mind. Note that calling for [Status] while not focusing on an object you want to examine will just display your own [Status]."

Adrian followed through with P's instructions and a breeze-like sensation flooded his mind as he experienced a direct transfer of information from his status functions for the time. The sensation wasn't unpleasant, but it wasn't euphoric either. It was strange for Adrian to put it into words, like playing with dirt and mud. But thankfully, since the information transferred wasn't anything too capacity-heavy, the sensation didn't last long. In the end, the clothes' status read as:

[Elizabeth's Beginner Armor Set

Grade: F

Defense: +20 (5*4)

Description: Woven from the highest quality mortal-grade fabrics in the universe, these clothes were the only thing Elizabeth's master managed to gift her before having to regrettably take away her cultivation and have her descend onto the mortal world. The set of clothes consist of chest armor, waist armor, leg guards, and arm guards.]

"Elizabeth? Oh, right! That was the character I made last night… Wait! You! You!!! WHAT?!" It was only after reading through the clothes' description that Adrian finally put two and two together to discover he had actually been turned into the character he had made! Naturally, he didn't immediately assume that to be his situation, but after clues just kept pouring in, too much evidence had piled up for him to not understand the root of his predicament.

"Yeah, you were turned into a girl because of your character creation choices. But, considering how quick you were to resolve the situation before, I don't think you should be reacting so extremely." P's voice had a bit of confusion instilled in it. Why had her chosen acted normally after figuring out that he had caused his own transformation? He literally didn't care about it a couple minutes ago, so now shouldn't be any different, right?

"So you're telling me that if I had just chosen to make my character a male I would have stayed the same? I wouldn't have turned into a girl!? Can I still change back?" While Adrian had resolved the issue within his heart earlier, if he could still be a guy, he'd rather not have changed. He wasn't exactly thrilled to be turned into a woman, as he didn't have a desire to attract guys; or anyone for that matter. But more importantly, he didn't want to experience any of the social norms of womankind, if ever he had the displeasure of having to interact with others…

"Um… no, for both of your questions. If you had made your character a male you would have stayed male, but your body would not have stayed the same. And no, you can't "change back." I've already exhausted a great portion of my strength just to change you once, and I'd need **********'s permission even if I did want to alter your body again." Oddly enough, this was the first time Adrian could detect a pity and sorry in P's voice.

Adrian took a couple seconds to calm down and though he still somewhat lamented his fate, he reasoned that it wouldn't matter in the long run. When he thought about things more critically, it wasn't like he achieved much as a guy anyways. Even if he hadn't been turned into a girl, with a function as suggestive as "quest functions," it was more than likely that he would be "socializing" in the future. And upon taking a critical (misogynistic) view of his situation, for his antisocial and cold personality it would probably serve him better to be a girl anyways. He had learned from experience (games) that a cold "arrogant" guy would be bad, while girls with the same disposition, as long as they were pretty enough, would be well received.

In the end, Adrian said "Its fine, I guess I'll just have to embrace being a girl now. Elizabeth Ultimatia… I guess that will be my new identity." Though her words sounded like they had conviction behind them, the way she said them would make anyone sigh and shake their head.

P said "Well, it's good that you've accepted this change. Who knows? Maybe you'll actually come to like being treated as a girl." Elizabeth couldn't help but scoff at the obviously pandering tone in P's voice, but P just laughed it off and continued on with her introduction to the items in the starter pack.

"...So, getting back on track, pick up the cyan-colored book next. That one will be your gateway magic which, thanks to your great decision in picking Time Affinity, will make both our lives very convenient in the near future." Elizabeth did as P asked and some more information surfaced in her mind.

[Grimoire of Time: Shadow Realm Gateway

Grade: F/SSS

Time Energy Cost: 0 (1D) 1,000,000 (Active)

Description: Blessed by the Goddess P********, this grimoire can be activated without status requirements. Upon activation, the caster can transport themselves into the Shadow Realm. Passive activation requires a cooldown of one day, at no cost to the caster's time energy, while "active" activation requires one million time energy units to activate the spell at no cooldown cost.]

"Shadow Realm?" Elizabeth was still trying hard to accept the fact that she had been made into a game character, but this was a little advanced, no?

"Yeah, yeah… It's not as serious as you think. The Shadow Realm simply refers to an alternate dimension where you will go to complete several of the quests I assign you." Honestly, it sounded just as serious as Elizabeth had initially though...

"Wait! Does that mean I won't have quests in the real world?!" Elizabeth's eyes shined with such luster that even P in her non-physical presence actually shuddered at the her demented hatred for avoiding social interactions.

P said "NO! I said several quests, not all! You'll probably have several quests in the real world as well, so stop being so reclusive!" Before Elizabeth had time to frown in disapproval and regret of her inevitable emergence in the real world, P continued to rush her way through the introduction of the last couple items of Elizabeth's starter pack.

"As for the last five items of your starter pack, the glowing orb will give you the option to pick a beginner weapon, while the smaller stack of needles are your beginner medicine kit. The remaining books are introductory manuals for medicine, time energy cultivation, and whatever weapon you choose. Now that all is said and done, I can finally give you your first quest!"

[Quest Alert!

Main Quest 1: Reach Level 5!

Difficulty: F

Objective One) Pick a weapon.

Objective Two) Enter the Shadow Realm and gain experience.

Description: P has given you your first quest to get you prepared for the inevitable Cataclysm. Level 5 will be nowhere near the level of strength you'll need to survive the Cataclysm but the purpose of the mission is to inspire a sense of pressure in you to get used to gaining experience and leveling in a short span of time.

Deadline: 6D 23H 59M

Side Quest Detected!!!

Side Quest 1: Elegant Return

Difficulty: (Incomprehensible to the user)

Objective 1) Storm back up to the ninth layer of Heaven and take revenge for yourself.

Objective 2) Reunite with your previous master.

Optional Objective 1) Take revenge while wearing your beginner armor set.

Optional Objective 2) Prove your strength by taking revenge with only Time and Space powers.

Description: They tried to put you down, but like a phoenix rising from the ashes, you rebelled against Heaven's fate and now want revenge. Climb back up the martial ranks of cultivation and deal the same fate that was dealt to you by Sublime Council of Heavenly Sovereigns.]

Chapter end