Chapter 2: Level 1 – Mixing Fantasy and Reality

"Mark, you are going to be late!" I heard my sister yelling.

I sluggishly rubbed my eyes and looked at the alarm clock.

Yesterday was extremely tiring, so I must have forgotten to set the alarm.

Slowly getting out of bed, I was about to get dressed but noticed that I also forgot to turn off my game. The screen was still on, showing my name and some random Stats. 

Still half-asleep, I tried to turn the screen off but quickly noticed that there were no buttons. I rubbed my eyes and looked closer again, seeing that this wasn't my TV but a floating HUD-like screen. Am I dreaming or something?

I stood up and moved around. The screen followed alongside. "What the hell..."

Suddenly, the door opened, and my sister barged in. "Hey, you are going to be late." 

I was still trying to process what I was seeing and waved my hand in front of the HUD. 

My sister looked at me, confused. "What are you doing?"

I pointed toward the HUD. "What is this?"

"Uhmm... Air?" She tilted her head, puzzled at my question. "Are you alright?"

"There is a gigantic floating HUD with stats in front of me!" I said, frantically waving my hand in front of the screen.

My sister slowly picked up her phone, "I knew those games weren't healthy for you." She sighed, "I'm calling the doctor."

"Wait, wait. Hold on. I was just kidding!" I lied, frantically trying to prevent her from phoning anyone.

"I was half-asleep and must have dreamed it up or something. I'm wide awake now!"

My sister looked at me questingly, "Alright, if you say so..."

I quickly shooed her away and closed my door.

The floating HUD is still clearly in front of me. "This is definitely not a dream..." I mumbled to myself.

I tried touching the HUD, and it, seemingly reacting to my hand gesture, changed the contents. Instead of some Stats, it now displayed a list of skills.

What is this? Shaking my head, I tried to make sense of this thing in front of me, but it seemed like I had no time. Looking at my alarm clock I noticed that I was going to be late for class.

I hurriedly tried to put on my clothes, but the HUD blocked my vision, making everything ten times harder. Dammit, can this thing just disappear

As soon as that thought hit my mind, the HUD vanished. I blinked a few times in confusion, but as I was already late for school, I just counted my blessings, got dressed, and went outside.

---

On my way to school, I still wondered about the weird screen I saw. It definitely wasn't my imagination.

I thought for a moment and tried different hand gestures to make it appear again. And after a few tries, it popped up.

This really looks like one of those RPG Menus, doesn't it...

Still showing the skill screen, I wondered about the abilities it displayed. Knuckle Sandwich I could guess, but "Analysis" was a bit weirder.

What does it do? 

And as if it could read my mind, a description box popped up, explaining the ability.

Analysis:

Allows you to view the Stats of any person, as long as they are not significantly stronger than you or other abilities block it.

Curiosity took over me, and I wondered if this could work. I mean, a floating RPG screen was already weird enough, so it actually working isn't such a far stretch, is it?

But the question was now, how would I activate a skill? There must be a way to use it. I tried out different hand gestures in front of me, but none of them seemed to do anything. I sighed and looked around, noticing a few stares from people across the street. I walked a bit quicker and tried to avoid their gaze. I must look like a maniac right now. It seemed like only I could see the screen

Then a thought came into my mind. Maybe it isn't only gesture activated but can also be controlled with my mind. It seemed to do things even without me touching it.

I was focusing my thoughts on using the skill "Analysis," and to my surprise, it worked. 

A textbox appeared: Analysis activated. Please select a target.

I looked around again for a person and found an old lady across the street. Again, I focused my mind on her, and the skill seemed to have worked.

A second Menu box appeared, with details like her Health and Stats. Her name, however, was blocked. 

"This is amazing..." I mumbled to myself. This thing worked like magic. All sorts of thoughts went through my mind.

How does it work, who created it, and why do I have it? But the biggest question on my mind was, does it actually work like an RPG?

I mean, the interface and details looked similar to one, so maybe it was possible to gain more skills and maybe even level up.

Before I could continue my thoughts, though, I looked at my watch. 

"Crap, I'm about to be late for school!" I picked up the pace and ran as fast as I could.

---

I plopped on my seat and caught my breath. Somehow, out of breath and barely alive, I was still able to make it to class. Looking around the classroom, I activated my analysis skill again and looked at some of my classmates' stats. To my surprise, the names of some of them are showing up. Maybe it shows the name, as long as I know the person?

Disappointingly, however, I noticed that my stats were quite underwhelming compared to the others. There wasn't a huge difference, but most of them were still a bit higher than mine — especially strength, agility, and defense. However, I could kind of guess that already, as I wasn't the most athletic person. 

With a loud thud, the door to our classroom opened. Suddenly there was a shift in the atmosphere. The talking stopped, and everyone looked behind me. Wondering what was going on, I also turned around. Then I saw Neil with a badly bruised face. It looked like he got into a fight and lost badly. Neil wasn't a pushover either, so the person who did this must be strong as hell. 

"What are you looking at," Neil shouted. Everyone quickly turned around, including me.

Then Neil got closer to me, "Hey Mark, I had a pretty bad day. So I hope you have my money today. Otherwise, I might use you as stress relief."

Shit, I completely forgot about that!

Panic set in, and I tried my best to maintain my composure. Neil silently went to his seat and sat down.

I thought about my options. Either I could run away, and he would beat me up the next time he found me, or I could be honest and say that I forgot the money... And then he would beat me up anyway.

There is no safe way out of this for me...

I was already giving up and quietly prepared myself for whatever was coming. 

Suddenly, the HUD activated on its own. I looked up again and noticed that it neither displayed my Stats nor skills. But instead, it now showed something completely different: 

What?

I was surprised that it had a quest system, but more problematic than that was the contents of the quest. Defeat Neil Harper? You mean the dude who was at least ten times as strong as me and is incredibly angry right now. I looked over at Neil and activated my analysis skill.

All his Stats are way above mine! How am I supposed to beat him?

His Health was the only Stat lower than mine - other than intelligence. But I don't really know how much damage I could do to him. The only way would be with the other skill I had, "Knuckle Sandwich." It sounded at least like an offensive skill. 

I opened up the description of it.

Knuckle Sandwich:

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A simple straight punch towards your enemy. 

The text didn't really explain much. I had no idea how much damage it could cause or how it worked if I used it. 

Maybe I could still talk it out with Neil...

---

The school bell rang with the last lesson coming to a close. Neil and I were the only people left in the classroom. 

"Hey," Neil called out to me, "follow me."

I slowly nodded, packed my things, and walked alongside him.

We went to the backside of the school, where teachers rarely came. I could already guess why he chose this place. 

His two goons were already waiting for us, this time without the two girls. 

Neil slowly picked a cigarette from his case, lit it up, and began smoking it.

He then directed a puff into my face. "So, do you have the money now?"

I fell into a coughing fit and had to collect myself first.

"I'm really sorry, but I forgot it this morning. Don't worry, though! I'll bring you double the amount next week!" Maybe a bit of bribery would calm him down.

He retook a puff and looked as if he was deep in thought.

"You know, I'm kinda happy that you forgot. Now I get a reason for beating your face into a pulp."

He quickly took a swing at me, which I was able to dodge, barely.

I guess talking it over isn't an option anymore!

"Hey, stop running away, or it's only going to get worse!" His face got visibly more enraged.

And he tried to take another swing at me.

I was able to block it with one of my arms, but the immense pain immediately settled in. 

What am I supposed to do?

Out of reflex, I tried to punch back. It seems like he didn't expect that, as I was able to hit him straight in the face.

I took a few steps back and opened up his Stat screen again. It still showed his HP at 20. What!? That did nothing! Is his face out of metal!?

He stared at me, surprised that I tried to fight back. There was a long silence before he suddenly burst out into laughter. "Hey, look at this little piece of shit. Was that supposed to be a punch?" His goons also began cackling.

He threw down his cigarette and trampled on it, putting it out.

Then, he took a step toward me.

Tauntingly he said, "Here, try again." 

Neil mockingly pointed toward his cheek. Out of sheer arrogance, he seemed to think I couldn't hurt him, no matter what. Well, he wasn't wrong. A normal punch from me would probably do nothing to him.

There was no other option. I have to use it.

Out of desperation, I used my other ability, hoping it might do some damage.

I focused again.

Activating skill: "Knuckle Sandwich."

My fist felt lighter and somehow more potent at the same time. As if being controlled, my body moved on its own and directly landed a punch in his face.

He staggered a few steps back. Blood from his nose dribbled on the ground.

It worked!

But I had no time to celebrate my small achievement.

"What the fuck?" Even angrier than before, Neil lunged toward me, trying to grab me.

No backing out now!

I activated the skill again, and somehow it hit him again. 

He was already about to tumble towards the ground, but be it the adrenaline or me wanting to be absolutely sure. I activated my skill once more.

My fist hit him one final time before he fell to the ground.

Both his goons stared at me in shock. 

A few seconds passed before one of them mumbled to the other, "What are we supposed to do now? Neil is completely out."

Usually, they could have easily taken me out, but seeing Neil on the ground, taken out, must have scared them.

"Is someone there?" A voice suddenly shouted.

"Shit! It's one of the teachers!" One of them called out.

Deciding this was my cue, I bolted in the opposite direction and ran as far as my legs could take me. I looked back, and both the goons seemed to let Neil lie on the floor and ran away without him. 

I was lucky that a teacher had just approached.

Turning my head back forward, I immediately bumped into someone on accident and fell to the ground.

"Are you alright?" The deep voice called.

I looked up and saw a guy towering over me. He also wore a school uniform, although this one had a different emblem and a blue-white color scheme. 

"Ah, yes. I'm fine. Sorry for bumping into you..."

Looking closely at him, I noticed his calm demeanor contrasted with his actual appearance: red hair, sharp eyes, and a brawny build.

He put his hand forward to help me stand up again.

I took it and thanked him. 

Still afraid that the other two might be following me or that Neil somehow stood up again and was ready for round 2, I started running again. 

---

Back at home, I quickly closed the front door and tried to regain my composure. 

My sister must have been still at work, which was lucky for me. Otherwise, I would have to explain my disheveled look and why I was sweating out of every pore.

The HUD appeared again in front of me

 

 

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