"All right since everyone has looked at their status window. Let's go down the tabs so next is Inventory." Viktor shared his screen with everyone and we all saw just an empty inventory.
"Well, this—" he gestures to the shimmering screen in front of him, "—is your basic Inventory. You need to have one to store your loot." He pats his chest as if to demonstrate that his inventory was tucked away somewhere hidden.
He reached behind his chair and took out two backpacks. One was a small backpack with a yellow mouse on it and the other was a normal-size black bookbag. "See here? You can use a backpack to hold stuff, and the System shows you everything inside. If you don't have a bag, well, tough luck. You're stuck carrying everything in your hands, which, trust me, doesn't make you look cool when you're running from goblins."
Viktor's grin widens as he puts on the backpack and his interface changes, showing his inventory. "Since I am wearing the bag, you'll see it says Equipped. Whatever you're wearing, carrying, or using, that goes straight to the front. This is for your Weapons, Armor, and, Equipment."
Viktor stands up from his chair in excitement as he looks around at the group. "Alright, alright, let me explain the next one—skills! You know, in a good RPG, your character has abilities, right? Stuff you can use to make things easier or harder. This is no different—looks like you have active ones and passive ones. I'm guessing that's how we get better at doing stuff."
He taps on the Active Skills tab. "So these are the things you do—stuff like Combat Proficiency or Marksmanship. You use them when you fight or even when you're running from the monsters. They probably get stronger the more you use them. Like, I'm guessing if I shoot my gun a hundred times, I'll get better at it, right?"
He shrugs, looking at his team for confirmation, but he's mostly talking to himself. "Makes sense anyway. You probably have to focus on using the skill a lot to level it up. So, Combat gets better the more you fight. Simple stuff."
Viktor points to the Passive Skills section. "Now, these ones... they're not stuff you actively think about, I reckon. You don't have to keep doing them over and over. Things like Survivalist or Situational Awareness. They just kind of... happen as you move around and do your thing. They get better as you live, I guess. Like, the more you survive out here, the better you'll be at staying quiet, finding food, or even just not getting caught."
His eyes flicker to his screen. "Looks like I got a couple of those Passive skills—Situational Awareness, Survivalist. So, I'm gonna guess those are about staying alive. Combat Proficiency, on the other hand? Guess I'll need to throw a punch to get good at it. Can't just think about it."
Viktor taps the Skill Points area. "Now, this is where it gets interesting. I'm assuming we get Skill Points every time we level up. You use those to unlock better tiers for the stuff you're good at. Right now, you're all probably at Novice, like me, but as we keep using these, we level up to something else. I honestly don't know what the rank system is until I level mine but that takes time."
He laughs to himself. "I mean, this whole thing's a guessing game right now, but I'll bet you that the more you use a skill, the more it levels up. Combat Proficiency will get better the more you fight, right? You'll eventually start getting extra moves, better critical hits, and all that fun stuff."
Then, with a little more thought, he adds, "But, I don't know... this whole System feels a little more complex than just leveling up through fighting. Maybe we get special quests tied to each skill or things that unlock with your reputation? Who knows? I'm just throwing ideas out there based on the games I've played."
He waves his hand dismissively. "Guess we'll all figure it out soon enough. One thing's for sure though—if we want to survive, we better be good with our skills."
Viktor pauses for a moment, then adds with a chuckle, "And hey, maybe I'll start learning how to not scream anime battle cries when I swing my axe. That might help me too." He laughs at his own joke before clapping his hands together, the excitement still visible in his eyes.
Viktor taps his screen, his fingers hovering over the Quest tab with an exaggerated, thoughtful expression on his face. "Ahh, now this is where things get interesting. So, quests, yeah? This looks like it's the System's way of guiding us, giving us some missions to do to... get stronger, get better gear, or whatever the hell we need. Just like in any RPG."
He raises his eyebrows and looks at the group. "Now, this is just a guess, but I think quests are gonna be our way of getting rewards. They'll probably pop up as soon as we finish something important, like defeating a monster or solving a problem. Objective-based stuff, yeah? The kind of missions where it's like 'kill X monsters' or 'find Y item,' all that standard RPG business."
He waves his hand as if to dismiss the simplicity of it. "But, I also reckon that these quests will be how we get some serious loot. And not just loot, but maybe class unlocks, or skill boosts. You know the kind of story-driven quests that make you go, 'Whoa, I didn't know I could do that!'"
He gives a knowing grin. "In my opinion, you'll probably need to complete these quests to unlock the next level of what we can do. Like... 'Hey, you did that hard thing? Now you can do this.' Classic game logic. It could be anything, right? New skills, new weapons, new quests."
His smile widens, clearly enjoying himself. "For example, there might be a quest later that gets us into Viktor's Vault," he adds with a sly wink, "but that's a different kind of loot altogether."
Viktor taps his fingers on the screen, looking thoughtful again. "But here's the thing—quests might not just be about fighting or finding stuff. We might get quests based on our reputation, or how we interact with people. You know, decisions matter. That's the cool thing about this kind of system—it's not always about brute force. It could be about making the right connections, or helping people, or… hell, being nice to the right person."
He pauses, then his expression grows serious for a moment. "What I'm saying is, quests are how we grow. They're like breadcrumbs, guiding us through all this chaos. And the better we complete them, the stronger we get. Hell, maybe we'll even unlock hidden quests that no one else knows about."
He chuckles to himself, clearly excited by the potential. "This system, I swear—it's just like playing an MMORPG, except with real stakes. Just gotta keep our heads on straight and play the game. And... take advantage of everything it throws at us."
Viktor shrugs, throwing his hands up. "And hey, don't forget—if things get crazy, maybe we can cheat a little. But that's a secret. I won't tell the system... unless it's too late." He grins again, clearly joking, but his tone shows he's ready to see what this system has to offer.
"Bottom line: Complete your quests, stay on the path, and we'll see what we can unlock. Simple, right? We'll figure it out."
He taps the Quest tab again, then looks up with an exaggerated seriousness. "But remember... don't be too quick to dismiss the small ones. Sometimes, side quests lead to real treasures. Or the hidden stories."
I concentrated on the quest tab to see if there was any quest currently and there was.
Active Quests:
Conquer the Goblin Maw
Objective: Clear the dungeon of goblins and secure the area. Find any special items or bosses within.
Requirements: Complete the dungeon's main objectives and defeat the goblin pack.
Progress: 0%
Rewards:
Experience
Loot
Special System unlocks
Barrier falls
Reach Level 10
Objective: Level up to 10 by gaining experience through combat, exploration, and quest completion.
Requirements: Gain 100 experience to reach Level 10.
Progress: 2/10
Rewards:
Unlock Class Specialization
Access to higher-level skills
Investigate the Disappearance of Women in the Mall
Objective: Investigate the strange disappearances of women in the mall. Look for signs of unusual activity and possible leads that could explain the mystery.
Requirements:Explore the mall for signs of where the women have gone.Collect evidence or talk to witnesses who may have seen something suspicious.
Progress: 0%
Rewards:Experience
The quests are pretty straightforward. The mall became the dungeon Goblin Maw and we had to clear the dungeon to leave if we wanted to get stronger and our class, we needed to level up. Now the only weird quest is the third one, while we were running I did notice some woman being dragged off but I wondered why the system made it into a quest.
"Do you know why women are disappearing in the mall?" Nicole asked and I focused back on Viktor.
"Women are disappearing?" he asked confused.
"Yes, I have that quest also asking to investigate the disappearances of the women in the mall. While we were trying to get here, some women were getting dragged off but I just assumed they were being eaten like the men." I said confirming what Nicole said.
"Oh! I got the quest now also. Well from all the goblin tropes in anime and fantasy books, I would assume they are being used for breeding." Viktor said shrugging.
"Breeding?!" a random girl from Mitch's gang shouted.
"Yep, from some of the fantasy books I read. Goblins are known for pillaging, raping, and multiplying rapidly. But they could be experimented on by a goblin shaman or used as a food source for their people. Could be anything." Viktor said absentmindedly reading something off his screen.
"Why are you so calm about this? We got to find them!" the girl said looking around trying to find people who agreed with her. People started vocally agreeing with her and I noticed that Nicole just had a pensive look on her face.
"Well, I am calm because we honestly have bigger problems than some random people who may or may not need saving. We need weapons, food, a bigger shelter, and to level up more. My store is already starting to be overcrowded and all these weapons around the store are fake. I got my axes, Medusa's old gear, some knives that aren't good for combat, and some throwing knives. I'm not planning on being a hero, especially for people I don't know." Viktor said making the girl more upset.
"He is right. We must take care of ourselves before we can help others." Nicole said cutting in before a huge fight broke out. Mitch grabs the girl's arm who is starting to move towards Viktor and whispers something in her ear. She stares at him in disbelief before scoffing at him tugging her arm away. She glared at everyone before walking out of the office and slamming the door.
"Will she be a problem?" I asked Mitch.
"No, and if she is I will handle it." He said. I stare into his eyes and he holds my gaze. I nod toward him and then look towards Viktor.
"You have my weapons?"
"Da," Viktor replies with a wide grin. He turns toward the back of his office, his large frame blocking the view for a moment before he pulls aside a heavy curtain that leads to a hidden room behind the counter.
The air inside the small, dimly lit room smells of old leather, metal, and something faintly metallic, like the lingering scent of freshly forged steel. Viktor's eyes gleam as he steps aside, revealing the custom case resting on a pedestal, almost like a relic.
I approach, my heart pounding, and he opens the case slowly, with exaggerated reverence.
"Your toys," Viktor says, voice low but playful. "Still sharp, still hungry."
I can already feel the weight of them, the memories flooding in. Viktor watches me as I reach for them, but before I can pull them out, he speaks up.
"You want to know what they are, da? Use your skills." His smile is wide but carries an edge of seriousness. "These are not just weapons. They have stories. They have power. You should know them better now."
I raise an eyebrow, my fingers hovering over the pistols. "How?"
Viktor chuckles, the sound rumbling in his chest. "You have this thing now," he taps the side of his head, grinning. "A System. You can use it to learn what these can do. Like looking at a map and seeing the roads, not just the name of the town."
I blink, realizing what he's saying. "Appraisal?"
"Da. Appraisal. You speak to it or think about it. Use your mind. It listens to you. Gives you info. Whatever you want."
He taps his head and grins wider. "You can say it aloud, but I find it quicker to just think it or you can just focus on the item." Viktor picks up the katana with ease, as if the weight is nothing to him, and holds it out. "Try it. Think 'Appraise,' then think of the sword."
I do as he suggests, focusing on the katana and muttering under my breath. "Appraise."
A soft, blue light flickers in front of my eyes, and a screen appears. It's a clean, simple interface, the words appearing like an overlay in my mind.
Silent Fang
Type: Melee Weapon (Katana)
Rarity: Rare
Damage: 25–40 (Slashing)
Durability: 120/120
Weight: Medium
Stat Bonus: +20% Physical Damage
Requirements: STR 12, DEX 15
Critical Chance: 15%
Attack Speed: Fast
Description: Silent Fang is a katana forged with black steel, said to drink the light. Last wielded by Medusa, this blade is a symbol of death in the shadows. Known for its flawless craftsmanship, it is perfectly balanced, silent in its swing and capable of slicing through the darkness with lethal precision. The blade has seen countless deaths and now carries the legacy of its master.
I take a moment to process it, feeling a strange satisfaction, almost like the weapon is speaking to me through the words on the screen.
"Well?" Viktor asks, watching me closely, his arms crossed. "Now you know. And, every item has something to tell you if you look hard enough. Might help you later."
I nod, feeling the familiar weight of the blade in my hands. "This is... exactly how I remember it. They're perfect."
Viktor laughs. "These weapons, they know you too. That's why they're sharp. They know what they've done. And they'll keep doing it if you let them."
I turn to the pistols, the screen flashing again as I think "Appraise" with a mental command. The same blue light fills my vision, and the stats for my twin pistols appear in front of me, confirming their legacy and strength.
Whisper & Echo
Type: Firearm (Dual Pistols)
Rarity: Rare
Damage: 30–40 (Physical, Non-Magical)
Durability: 80/80
Weight: Light
Stat Bonus: +10% Accuracy when dual-wielding; +5% Stealth when firing from concealment.
Requirements: DEX 14, Marksman Skill
Critical Chance: 10%
Attack Speed: Fast
Description: Medusa's custom pistols, Whisper and Echo, are expertly crafted with a silencer for stealth kills. These pistols are designed for precision, accuracy, and silence, with their sleek appearance reflecting the deadly grace of their user. These weapons were specially forged for Medusa by an underground gunsmith, tailored for her hand, making them deadly in the right hands.
Viktor smirks, watching me carefully. "Now, you can see your toys are more than just blades and bullets, da? You can track their history, and see their power. This system will show you more as you get better at it. Trust it. Here is a holster belt for the pistols and there are already bullets in it. I will get some extra mags give me a second."
I put the holster belt on and slid the pistols back into their holsters. I then slide the katana into its sheath, feeling the power and precision of the weapons I haven't used in so long. A strange, heavy silence settles in the room, but it's not uncomfortable. It's the silence of knowing something has returned to where it belongs. "I see. Thanks for taking care of them, Viktor."
He winks, the playful grin never leaving his face. "You have many things to kill with now, Medusa. And I think this is just the beginning."
"Do you mind if I appraise them?" Nicole's voice came from behind me. I just look at her for a second before taking out Echo before passing it to her. She appraises Echo and then takes out another pistol that she has to compare. Her eyes shot up at the difference before passing Echo back. I put my hand out for her gun and she passed it to me. Appraise.
Military-Grade Pistol (Common)
Type: Pistol
Rarity: Common
Damage: 15–25 (Physical)
Durability: 100/100
Weight: Medium
Stat Bonus: None
Requirements: Strength 10
Critical Chance: 5%
Attack Speed: Fast
Description: A standard military-issued pistol. Reliable and easy to use, this weapon is perfect for close combat and quick defense. While not specialized or enhanced, it gets the job done with decent power and speed. A solid choice for anyone in need of a basic firearm.
There is a big difference between our two guns and I can only assume it's because of the rarity. I just don't understand why, sure my guns were enhanced but it shouldn't be too big of a difference. While deep in thought Viktor returned with four extra mags. I thanked him and showed him the two weapons.
"Do you know why it's such a big difference?" Nicole asked.
"I don't know. Maybe Jasmine killed more people with it or because it was custom-made. It could be many reasons. The system just appeared maybe an hour or two ago. We need to do more research. For example, my axe is most definitely stronger than your fire axe. See?" Viktor said taking an axe from the wall and presenting it to us. Everyone moved closer to see the two-handed axe.
Brynhildr
Type: Two-Handed Axe
Rarity: Rare
Damage: 40–55 (Physical)
Durability: 120/120
Weight: Heavy
Stat Bonus: +10% Damage against humanoids
Requirements: Strength 14
Critical Chance: 10%
Attack Speed: Medium
Description: A heavy battle axe with a sturdy blade, ideal for powerful strikes. It's well-crafted, though worn from use, and perfect for cutting through tough enemies. A weapon named after a Valkyrie, it carries the weight of many battles fought.
I held out the fire axe to compare:
Fire Axe
Type: Melee Weapon (Axe)
Rarity: Common
Damage: 10–18 (Slashing)
Durability: 100/100
Weight: Medium
Stat Bonus: None
Requirements: Strength 12
Critical Chance: 5%
Attack Speed: Medium
Description: A standard fire axe used by emergency personnel. Its strong steel head and wooden handle make it a reliable tool for breaking down doors or close combat. It's not the most specialized weapon but works well for general use in tight situations.
Yep, that's a huge difference. Everyone started to appraise their own equipment which wasn't much. Sol passes me the knife that was dropped from the goblin I killed before and what looks like an ear. Appraise
Goblin's Dagger
Type: Melee Weapon (Dagger)
Rarity: Common
Damage: 5–8 (Slashing/Piercing)
Durability: 40/40
Weight: Light
Stat Bonus: None
Requirements: Dexterity 8
Critical Chance: 3%
Attack Speed: Fast
Description: A crude, hastily forged dagger often used by goblins. Its uneven edges and poorly balanced design make it less than ideal for prolonged combat, but its lightweight and speed give it an edge in quick strikes. Despite its rough craftsmanship, it can still deal significant damage in the right hands, especially in close quarters.
Goblin Ear
Type: Material
Rarity: Common
Description: A goblin's severed ear. It can be used in crafting or alchemy, often for potions or as an ingredient in traps and poisons.
I showed the goblin ear to Viktor and he started giggling.
"Are you ok?" I asked stepping away from him.
"Ok? I am great. This is the first material to appear and it can be used for crafting. That means there are jobs or maybe sub-classes for crafting. Think of the skills and other materials we can use to create literally anything. Maybe if I get the right materials someone can craft the real Brynhildr." Viktor said with excitement.
"Sure but that ear is Sol's since he picked it up," I said pointing to Sol who had his hand out.
"Of course. Of course, I wouldn't dare to think of stealing loot, especially from you. Here is a book bag for him to have so he isn't just walking around with an ear in his pocket." Viktor said handing the bookbag and ear back to Sol.
"So, what is the plan next?" Mitch said with his arms crossed.
"First take this fire axe since I don't need it and that is a great question anyone have any ideas," I said looking around the room.