Gamer of Capes and Worms

[Slycerr]

Let your thoughts flow through you, like a leaf through the wind.
Mind like a still pond, serene and reflective.
Don't think about a pink elephant.
…
"That wasn't in the book, was it?"

My calm state completely broken, I open my eyes to look at the book beside me.

The title read [Meditating for Dummies], and while it wasn't very flattering, I was grasping at flies at this point and catching nothing.

Sitting in the still somewhat unfamiliar room, I can't help but lament what my life has become.

Getting transported into what I once thought was just a very depressing story and de-aged to 17 wasn't my version of a good time though.

What did make it a little bit better was the gift I got with it though.

---

[Initializing integration of Gamer System 4.0 into Chosen User]
[…]
[Integration Complete.]
[Choosing starting Template]
[…]
[…]
[Template chosen: Nie Li (Tales of Demons and Gods)]
[Integrating Template]
[…No compatibility issues found]
[…]
[…]
[Template integration complete]
[Tales of Demons and Gods Skill Tree Unlocked.]

---

[Status]
Name: William Brooks
Class: NA
Soul Realm: Red
Soul Form: Disordered / [Redacted]
Soul Attribute: Neutral
Sp. Physique: NA
Soul Force: 3
Body Force: 31
Money: $5437

---

That was the first thing I saw when I woke up.

Now, like most avid fanfic readers, at first I was ecstatic. Like, who doesn't want to become a [Gamer]?

That joy slowly faded the longer I went without receiving any skills and found no way to increase or even feel my Soul Force.

Hell, the only thing I've been doing these last two weeks is going to the gym, which is the only thing that made something increase on my status page.

And buying books on meditation and reading online to get any idea of how to increase my Soul Force.

I can't even feel it.

I've been playing hide and seek with something that should be fucking obvious, considering I didn't have it before.

At least my bank account transferred with me to this godforsaken place and rent was already paid for a few months, because if I was going to need to find a job with all that's happening,

I'm gonna have an aneurysm.

I don't know what kind of being picked me and set me up in this world, or what exactly it wants me to do, but since there wasn't even a note or a message in the system it stuck me with, then I can just assume it wants me to do what I would do naturally in the situation it put me in.

*piep pip piep pip*

In my rumination on the clusterfuck that is my life right now, my alarm warns me I need to get going for boxing classes.

20 minutes later, I arrive at The Furious Boxing Gym. It wasn't a big place, but that was fine. I could just do the workout the coach gave me in the beginning until it didn't strain me anymore, and ask someone to spar at the end for a bit.

By now, I'd gotten into a rhythm that calmed me more than any meditation session ever did.

Doing my movement drills and focusing on my footwork sharpened my mind like few things could.

So it shouldn't have surprised me that the notification I'd been waiting two weeks for finally appeared in front of me.

[You grasped your Soul Force for the first time! +5 SF!]
[Skill Created! 'Moving Meditation' Unlocked]

The first thing that came over me was shock, and then elation that I'd finally created a skill.

The second thing that happened… was me tripping over the equipment I was using and falling flat on my face.

"What was that?!"

Pushing myself off the ground, I answered the big man that came powerwalking over.

"I fell, coach!"

Now in front of me, the man crouched and pushed his face so close to me I thought he was going to headbutt me.

"And why, for god's sake, did you do that, Brooks!"

"I was distracted, coach!"

"Distracted?! Why would you do that, for Christ's sake, Brooks!"

"I don't know, coach!"

"Well now that you're on the ground anyway, because you apparently love it so much you don't even know why you kissed it—give me twenty and continue your workout plan!"

"Yes, coach!"

If you couldn't tell, the coach of this place is a military man…

That wasn't, sadly, the only time I fell, and I think I broke my personal record for pushups in a day.
It also probably—maybe—not a good idea to end my training session with a few spars.

If it wasn't obvious with that decision that I don't have a lot of brain cells, then doing that reduced that already low number even lower.

Moving Meditation levelled up twice thought!

I was even debating with myself whether I should jog back to my apartment, but my body was firmly against that idea.

Thinking over whether I should listen to it, or go try for some more skill gains, I didn't notice the coach walking toward me.

"Brooks, you okay today? I know we go hard in this gym, but at the end of your sparring I couldn't help but be a bit worried."

A warm feeling came up in my chest at that—it feels good to have someone worry for you.

"I'm okay, coach. There's just been a lot going on in my life right now that I have to figure out. It distracted me today more than normal."

That didn't really alleviate his worry apparently, but he didn't inquire further.

"Okay then. If you want to talk about it, then my door is always open. While I know you aren't as troubled as some of the youth that comes here, I don't want you to join them in their circumstances. This city has enough of them already."

"I will if I need to, coach." And I give him a smile, hoping to convey my understanding of the offer.

It appears he got that, and ended the conversation with, "Good. And call me Mr. Laborn when your session is done—I'm not drilling you into the ground outside of training."

Letting out a laugh at that, I can't help but say with a small salute, "HAH. You got it, Mr. Laborn. Sir!"

He walks off after that, grumbling about disobedient youth and rebellious youngsters, but I saw the small smile he tried to hide.

Getting on the bus, I look over my first skill.

---

[Moving Meditation - Lvl. 3]
Meditation doesn't always have to be sitting still and trying to think of nothing. Some people need to get moving to reach that special state of mind.
You are one of them.

Allows you to enter a meditative state even while moving your body.
Increases Soul Force gain by 1.5%

---

It even increases Soul Force?!
…
Would it be weird if I started running up and down the bus?
It definitely would be weird…
Could I try to feel my Soul Force now?

Closing my eyes and focusing on my breathing, I try to feel the energy.
And while I couldn't feel it on the ride home, I somehow felt like I was getting closer to grasping it than I ever was.
I wanted to start immediately after eating, but tiredness hit me and I decided it's better to give my body the rest it clearly asked for.
Falling into my bed, it didn't even take 10 seconds for sleep to take me.

Waking up refreshed, I had a quick breakfast and did a small workout more focused on flexibility.

[Body Force +1]

Yes!

It's only one point, but progress is progress. When my Body Force reaches 100, I will officially be a Bronze 1-Star Fighter. I'm hoping there's a reward waiting behind it.

[Received a Quest]*

---

Quest: Become a Fighter!
Reach Body Force 100.
Reward: [Skill]
Accept Quest? Yes/No

---

My first Quest!

I really wanted to start on that quest, but my body was tired and needed rest. It was vexing, but I wasn't 100% sure my body was changed to become more like a gamer character, besides the obvious system.

I still got tired, still felt my body burn after a workout. I couldn't risk being injured in this hellhole I called home.

After all, living in the Cape Capital of a world that is being controlled by a shadow organization and threatened by a depressed space worm isn't that great for my health—physical or mental.

This brought me back to my previous dilemma: stay inside or go outside.

I'm not that social a person… I mean, I can talk with people just fine, but I firmly fall in the introverted category.
And considering my rather abysmal showing yesterday at the gym and how exhausted I felt, I don't think Mr. Laborn would like to see me working out so soon.

…
Who am I kidding—I already decided before I even clearly thought about my options.

Going back to my bed and finding a comfortable position to sit, I focus on my body, looking for that elusive energy.

It's weird, nothing really changed from my previous meditation attempts. I focused less on my breath maybe, and I could feel every movement of my body a bit more clearly.

But there wasn't anything I actively changed about my approach.

So imagine my surprise when, not even 30 minutes later, a wisp of something was felt inside.
Sadly, the moment I shifted my focus, it disappeared.

This did prove to become a familiar pattern. I finally had something to focus on in these sessions, which appeared to make all the difference.
Each attempt to feel my Soul became shorter and shorter—from 30 minutes to 25, to 20, to 10, to 5.
With each try, my excitement became stronger and stronger, but at the same time more focused.

My mind was made up apparently—I will grasp that energy today.

*grumble grumble*

After some food…

-----

Putting my empty instant noodle cup into the trashcan, I cleaned my face up a bit and got back to the grind.

Somehow, I felt that my next attempt was going to be successful.

Sitting on my bed, my breath was even, my body still.

The sounds from outside faded away, and the only thing I perceived… what I could perceive… was my body.

The energy, my Soul Force, appeared again, around my navel.

I held in my excitement that previously got the better of me every time and kept focus on my breath and movement.

Slowly, the energy started to spread—or maybe my awareness of it did.
It felt like it was flowing out from my navel, going toward my heart and into my head and limbs.
Carefully, I shifted my focus toward it, approaching it like a scared animal.
Ever so slowly, my concentration moved until it was fully on my Soul, and I could finally attempt the next step.

I grabbed it.

*Gasp*

The feeling of touching my Soul Force was indescribable—it was like before, I was only half complete and didn't realize it.

I wanted to bask in that feeling.

My system didn't let me.

[Skill Created! 'Soul Force Manipulation' Unlocked]
[Skill Created! 'Meditation' Unlocked]

Opening the notifications, I look at my two new skills.

---

[Soul Force Manipulation – Lvl. 1]
The art of moving and controlling your own Soul Energy.

---

[Meditation – Lvl. 1]
Meditation is all about connection with something—from everything to yourself or the world around you.
Or in this case, your Soul.
Increase Soul Force gain by 1%

---

Soul Force Manipulation was pretty simple and didn't give any bonuses, but every game knew that control of your own energy pool was paramount and something to continue training in.
Meditation was what I expected it would be from the info I got from [Moving Meditation], though the bonus was stronger in the former.

Suddenly, another notification popped up in the corner of my eye. Opening it, saying I was surprised would have been an understatement.

[You have 2 Meditation Skills. Do you wish to fuse them? Yes/No]

What?

Uh… should I? I don't think the system would give me the option if it wasn't to my benefit, and I couldn't deny that my curiosity also played a large part in it.

Clicking Yes, the next pop-ups felt like there was a lot more going on behind my system and its processes than I was previously aware of.
That wasn't much, to be fair, but I found it noteworthy enough.

---

[Fusion of 'Meditation' and 'Moving Meditation'…]
['Meditation' is a higher-ranked Skill. 'Meditation' chosen as Primary Skill]
[Fusing 'Meditation' and 'Moving Meditation'…]
[Fusion Complete!]

---

[Meditation – Lvl. 2]
Meditation is all about connection with something—from everything to yourself or the world around you.
Or in this case, your Soul.
Increase Soul Force gain by 2%
While in movement and meditative state, increase Soul Force gain by 1%

---

Well damn…
The flavor text stayed the same, but now I could train my body while also training my Soul. This would massively increase my training speed.
I could maybe even become a Spiritualist in a reasonable time!

---

[Received a Quest]*

---

Quest: My Soul is My Strength!
Become a Bronze 1-Star Demon Spiritualist in 3 months' time.
Reward: [Cultivation Technique]
Accept Quest: Yes/No

---

I never clicked Yes so fast.
Being a Demon Spiritualist is what being a cultivator in Tales of Demons and Gods is all about, and probably where most of my strength is going to come from.
Seeing a path toward actually meaning something in this place, I fully dive back into meditation and can't wait for tomorrow so I can go work out again.

Chad the grinder would be proud.

 

[KenKara]

Never hit the watch button so fast in my life

 

[mpbjunkie]

I read the comic for a good while. Don't really remember how it went, but remember it was fun. Watched.

 

[Slycerr]

Never hit the watch button so fast in my life

Click to shrink...

Thanks for the complement, the next chapter will probably be posted tonight or tomorrow (trying to space myself)

 

[Slycerr]

I read the comic for a good while. Don't really remember how it went, but remember it was fun. Watched.

Click to shrink...

Thanks! The manga is basically caught up now with the novel. I don't know how long it was since you last read it it ( was years for me) but it has around 480-490 chapters now.

Who knows, maybe you get an idea that's so good I have to use it in the story

 

[KenKara]

Thanks! The manga is basically caught up now with the novel. I don't know how long it was since you last read it it ( was years for me) but it has around 480-490 chapters now.

Who knows, maybe you get an idea that's so good I have to use it in the story

Click to shrink...

Are you familiar with soul land / doulu dalu i have an idea that i think its neat

 

[Slycerr]

Are you familiar with soul land / doulu dalu i have an idea that i think its neat

Click to shrink...

Yes, I'm familiar with it, I completely forgot about the series though

But any ideas you have are welcome

 

[Neondagger]

Nice work dude

 

[KenKara]

Yes, I'm familiar with it, I completely forgot about the series though

But any ideas you have are welcome

Click to shrink...

So in soul land they absorb spirit ring from spirit beast up to 10 rings, tales of demons they can use demon soul like it was their stand but limited to only one demon soul
In the second series MC of soul land di something similar to demon spiritualist, bonded to a spirit beast's soul
What about combining the two cultivation system, since the MC of your story have nie li template who have a cultivation technique that allows him to have iirc 10 or 12 demon soul i think its possible
Meh forget it the idea seem like it was incomplete

 

[Slycerr]

So in soul land they absorb spirit ring from spirit beast up to 10 rings, tales of demons they can use demon soul like it was their stand but limited to only one demon soul
In the second series MC of soul land di something similar to demon spiritualist, bonded to a spirit beast's soul
What about combining the two cultivation system, since the MC of your story have nie li template who have a cultivation technique that allows him to have iirc 10 or 12 demon soul i think its possible
Meh forget it the idea seem like it was incomplete

Click to shrink...

It's certainly something to think about, and there are multiple way I could add it, if it happens though, it'll be around the middle of the story. I would need to make several AU changes though to make it work, not that I'm not willing to put in said work.

It's anyway a very good idea, that if I use it I'll credit you for

 

[Slycerr]

Having 2 Quests I can complete now gave me a more visible path to follow.

Obviously, I will focus my attention on 'My Soul is My Strength' as it has a time limit.

The only reason I can imagine one quest having a limit and the other not is that the limited

Quest has a better reward.

So that's how my new schedule began.

Monday, Wednesday, Friday I went to the boxing gym and worked out while trying to meditate (not while sparring—I learned my lesson the first time).

The other days were fully spent meditating at home to the absolute possible minute. I did take breaks in between meditating though—sitting still so much has a way of making you go stir-crazy.

Normally, you'd assume being constantly on the move would be the better option, but it's damn hard to stay in a meditative state while working out or going on a run with all the noise around you.

Not that it isn't getting easier with every level up, but just sitting at home made entering that mindset a lot easier, even if I couldn't hold it as long as I would've liked.

A month went by like that. Having just finished my workout in the gym, I looked at my progress in the locker room.

---

​

[Status]
Name: William Brooks
Class: NA
Soul Realm: Red
Soul Form: Disordered/ [Redacted]
Soul Attribute: Neutral
Sp. Physique: NA
Soul Force: 33
Body Force: 53
Money: $5021

---

It's solid progress. Normally I would be worried that succeeding the quest would be very close to the deadline, but the skill level-ups should increase my gains.

Talking about skills, they also got a nice bump.

---

Meditation Lvl. 13

Meditation is all about connection with something—from everything to yourself or the world around you.

Or in this case, your Soul.

Increases Soul Force gain by 13%
While in movement and meditative state, increases Soul Force gain by 6.5%

---

11 level-ups wasn't that bad. I would've wished for more, of course, but my System apparently didn't come with a growth boost.
Soul Manipulation was lagging behind at lvl 5, but the skill was too low to do anything with, and I didn't have the time to play with it and level it up.

Cleaning up and going out of the locker room, I saw that Coach Laborn was talking with a big Black young man I hadn't seen in the gym.

Seeing me walk away, Mr. Laborn signaled me to come over, and after a second of thinking it over, I went towards them.

"Yes? What is it, Coach?"

With a small scowl, he replied, "What did I tell you about calling me Coach?"

"To only call you that when in training, Coach," I answered. I knew the next training session would be hell, but I couldn't help but needle the old man a bit.
That he only grumbled a bit just told me he was in a good mood for some reason.

"Youngsters these days, no respect." Taking a small breath, he continued,

"Anyway, this here is my son Brian. He thought it was finally time to come back to the gym for once."

At that, I looked to the man who apparently was the son of my trainer.

As I previously mentioned, he's a big man—probably nearing six and a half feet—and has the well-built physique that tells me martial arts runs in the family. He has a big jaw and that rugged look.

It's his eyes, however, that unnerve me a bit—they have a calculating look for some reason…

Is it that weird that his dad introduces somebody to him?

He gave me what I think is a friendly smile and greeted me with his hand extended.

"Brian Laborn. Nice to meet you. It doesn't happen often that my dad feels the need to introduce me to someone in the gym. Well, I know most of them already from the past, haha."

Brian Laborn… Why is that name familiar?

Anyway, I shook his hand and introduced myself.

"Haha. Yeah, I've been coming here for the last two months. I'm William Brooks, but call me Liam."

After giving me a strong handshake, he looked back at his father.

"Well anyway, Dad, I gotta go again. I need to go pick up Aisha."

At the name, I saw a hint of sadness in Mr. Laborn's eyes, but it was gone as fast as it appeared.

"Yeah, you go do that."

At the rather abrupt ending of the conversation, everyone went their separate ways.

On the way home I couldn't help but think back to my short talk with the two men, and why Brian's name was so familiar.

And than it clicked.

A big black young man, a physique that was made for fighting…

And last but not least, his name… Brian Laborn and the name Aisha…

I just met Grue, leader of the Undersiders, or in the future anyway, considering I haven't heard anything on them online yet.

And I have been training under his father the last two months…

Just sitting there, I let all that wash over me.

To be fair, while I don't know how many people have the last name Laborn, I would have never linked the man with Grue.

After all, Coach Laborn looks like the typical white construction worker—maybe a bit more built and fit than that because of his boxing.

Going home, I don't even go into meditation immediately like I normally do. I just take a drink out of my fridge, noting that I'll need to go grocery shopping soon, and just sit in my kitchen.
…
I just met a cape…

While normally people would assume you'd immediately recognize a named character, I've already been here two months and this is the first time I've seen one up close.

Yes, I've seen some of New Wave fly over some buildings before, but I don't really count that.

I live in downtown where capes don't really patrol. The only reason gang violence is so low here is because it's a somewhat better neighborhood in the Merchant territory.

Yes, they have those, even if not a lot.

It's too nice to peddle drugs on the street, but just not nice enough to be worth stealing.

That's also the reason there aren't a lot of patrols in the area. So far as I know, there have only been three in the last two months—and I missed all of those.

After the knowledge that I've met my first cape (that I know of) has set in, I make a quick meal for myself and go back to the grind.

The next few weeks when I'm at the gym, I see Brian more and more. Sometimes just walking around speaking with some people, other times we train at the same time, but we never really talk to each other except for greetings and goodbyes.
Is it because I know that he's a cape that I'm so hyper-aware of him, or does he just have that presence?

I mean, you need quite some charisma to keep a bunch of teenagers in a cape group, shadow boss or not. And smarts too, to survive so long as a cape like Grue did.

And he was active—even if not in Brockton Bay itself. The man was a known man-for-hire in New York, though so far as I know, he isn't currently involved with the Adepts, as I know he will be for a short period.

One time, when I had just finished my workout and was in the locker room, I saw Brian in there just getting ready to train.

"Sup, Brian."

Somewhat surprised—he didn't hear me come in—he looked back and gave me a friendly smile.

"What's good, Liam? Just done?"

"Yeah, I wanted to get home before rush hour."
Nodding with an 'ah of understanding,' he replied.

"Anyway, now that I got you—do you want to go bowling with some of the guys from the gym this Saturday?"

At the rather abrupt invitation, I needed a second to process this. I couldn't help but question it.

"Don't take this the wrong way, Brian, but where does this suddenly come from? You've known me for a few weeks now and never really started a conversation with me, so this is a bit out of nowhere."

He let out a small smile at that, and even seemed a little embarrassed.

"Well, to be honest with you, man. My dad asked me to invite you. He's worried since he sees you so much at the gym but doesn't see you interact with the people here much except for sparring."

Now I had that look of understanding on my face—so it was Mr. Laborn that basically asked me.

"Ah, well in that case, I'd be happy to join if I'm welcome. I basically just moved here and don't know the city that well."

At that, he looked rather shocked.

"I didn't know you were new to the city. Do you know The Dancing Bowling Ball? No? Wait, let's exchange numbers and I'll send you the address."

After that exchange, we did a bit more small talk before he needed to go train and I needed to catch my bus.

On the bus, I reviewed the conversation in my head. Brian seemed truthful, and if it was a lie, it was one too easily checked with just a short talk with Mr. Laborn.

It's true that right now I don't really have a social life, and while not completely happy, I am fine with it—I never was the outgoing type.

This does give me the opportunity to get close to a cape for my eventual debut in this Hero and Villain world.

It also wouldn't be amiss to go and get to know the people from the gym better.

Getting off at my stop, I walked the last bit home and stepped into my apartment.

Putting my gym clothes in the wash, I made a quick egg on toast and went back to meditating.

It's starting to become easier and easier to get into a meditative state, now not even taking a minute.

Granted, the moving version of it still isn't easy, but getting into the 'zone' is becoming more consistent by the day. And I'm dreaming that one day I will never leave that state of pure peace and focus.

It does sometimes get boring though—in the beginning, just seeing my Soul Force move was fascinating, but it's kinda terrifying how fast humans can get used to something.

But for good things and bad.

Trying to use Soul Manipulation in this state has a chance of pulling me out of [Meditation], but somehow I'm feeling pretty confident today.

Using Soul Manipulation feels weird to me. Trying to move my Soul Energy one way can feel so much more difficult than another.

I've been mostly trying to move it in more difficult directions, but today I wanna see if I can basically try to push it in the way it already wants to go.

Grabbing my Soul Force, it feels like I'm basically feeding a rope into something.

Following the energy and gradually speeding up appears to make it more active.

Seeing something new happen, my concentration peaks—and so did apparently something else.

*Ping ping ping*

Being abruptly yanked out of my meditative state is always going to be jarring, but seeing 3 notifications pop up brings my mood right back up.

[Meditation has leveled up!]
[Soul Manipulation has leveled up 2x]
[Skill Created! 'Soul Circulation' Unlocked]

---

Soul Circulation Lvl. 1

The natural flow of Soul Force through the body has many benefits. That doesn't mean it can't be improved though.

While active, increases Soul Force gain by 5%

---

What?! This is huge! 5% at Lvl. 1 is insane.

Kicking myself mentally for not trying this earlier, I do the mental math on when I can activate everything at once.

That would be… 24.5% faster Soul Force gain. That's not bad considering I'm basically flying in blind. Maybe I have some more wiggle room than I thought before.

But I can't get complacent—I still need to put my all into completing my quests. It isn't good to get cocky now when I still haven't arrived at the starting line of being a cape.

Getting back on the grind, I meditate for a few more hours and make dinner. After that, I watch some videos online and go to bed.

Before Morpheus takes me, a thought came to me.

What should my cape name be?

---

AN: No really, what should it be? Because I have no idea. Half the time my writing does whatever it wants and doesn't follow the little bit of plotline I had prepared.

ANN: I've been messing with some AI stuff to help with correcting some spelling and grammar mistakes an it's been kicking me in the genitals.

I think I have nice middle ground now where it's actually useful and I can focus on writing the story without going over it with a comb (which I'm very bad at)

Again, sorry for the many changes, still in the figuring everything out fase.

Next Chapter will be posted friday!

 

[Neondagger]

Name suggestions: young master(joke), jade blade, soulflame, demous

 

[Slycerr]

Name suggestions: young master(joke), jade blade, soulflame, demous

Click to shrink...

Young master would be legendary