This is it. I've trained for this moment. Time to see if it all paid off. I trudged through the forest ready for anything the dungeon boss may throw at me. My reserves are good enough for two clones to help me in the upcoming fight. My chakra control is perfect. My taijutsu will have to do since I haven't mastered it yet. I don't have any weapons to speak of other than my fists.
Overall, I don't think I'm ready for this… but Stubs is the closest thing I have to a friend. In the months I've spent here he has helped me survive these woods and followed me without question. He has done more for me than I had ever asked for and the only thing I gave him in return was to be his brother. Well, I'm coming for you Stubs. Don't worry… your big brother's coming to save you.
***
I arrived at the clearing. The surrounding area was full of Imps floating around the trees. In the middle of it all… Stubs laid there, dents covered his rusted metal frame. I clenched my fists hard before I entered the clearing. I walked towards Stubs with all the Imps watching my every move. None of them stopped me as I neared the bot,
"B-brother..." Stubs groaned. I placed a hand on his head,
"It's alright Stubs. I've got you" I said. Stubs shook his head,
"Watch...out" he mumbled. Instantly I went on alert as a dark presence entered the clearing. From the shadows, a large Imp approached. This one was a lot taller than the others I've killed. It towered over me standing well above 7 feet, its wings stretched far snapping off branches as it approached. It's fat red body little with piercings and scars, I hit the thing with an Observe,
Imp Lord
Level 10
HP: 300/300
Description: A grunt of the Underworld, the Imp Lord may look terrifying but in all honesty… an Imp will always be an Imp. No matter how big they get.
Okay, time out. I thought this was supposed to be a Level 1 dungeon?
Information Found! Because you've spent so long in this dungeon and have killed so many Imps the dungeon has mutated spawning the Imp Lord!
And why wasn't I aware of this?
Settings Updated! You will now be notified if a dungeon mutates!
Great! Now onto the matter at hand,
"Stubs," I said, "Can you fight?"
The bot didn't answer, only giving me a small groan in reply. Guess it's up to me. The Imp Lord chuckled as his yellow eyes gleamed over my small form,
"This is the one that has killed so many of my brethren? A quivering child? Watch and learn maggots!" he bellowed as his wings flapped hard pulling him towards the sky. I watched him as he dove towards me. I rolled away as the Imp Lord crashed into some trees. Running back towards Stubs I put him into the Companion Slot to keep him safe.
The demon grunted as he turned to face me. Thinking fast I formed two Kage Bunshin and rushed him activating Ninja Run. As my clones rushed towards him, the Imp Lord grinned as he slashed at us. Dodging the strike I shot forward landing a jab to the demon's stomach.
Critical Strike! —30HP!
My clones tried to follow up with strikes to the head. Unfortunately, the Imp Lord swatted them away dispelling them, I used the smoke to my advantage and moved around the demon. With his stance so wide I was able to land a solid kick to his crotch,
Critical Strike! —45HP
The Imp Lord let out a high pitched shriek as his knees buckled. I moved around and reared my fist for a left-hook. The demon snarled and tried to backhand me away. My Reversal Style kicked in and I spun to avoid his punch, using that momentum I went back again for the left-hook,
He snapped his head back and grinned, shrugging off the hit instantaneously. Jumping away I used Ninja Run to get some distance between us. The Imp Lord flapped his wings and took to the air once again smiling down at me with a toothy grin. What the… oh shit! Flames gathered around the demon's hands and formed into small fireballs,
"Enough! Die human!" he screamed as he threw the fireballs down at me. I used Ninja Run and tried to dodge the flaming barrage. I barely dodged as I ran around the clearing,
Your skill has leveled up!
Ninja Run
Skill Level: 2
CP: 25 per minute
Speed Record: 30 mph
Holy shit! That boost literally saved my life as I ran through the forest. I guess with the major boost comes a slightly more significant chakra use. I hid in the trees watching the demon fly around in search of me. The Imps Wings had long since left the clearing. They must've left during our fight… where could they have gone?
"FOUND YOU!" suddenly I found myself being lifted into the air and thrown back into the clearing. I tumbled down hard unto the earth rolling to a stop on a nearby tree,
—50HP!
Bruised but not beaten, I stood and faced the Imp Lord . He chuckled as he landed,
"I have to admit..." he said, "In all my years of conquest I didn't expect this much trouble from a child. What is your name, boy?" his question brought forth the memory of my character creation. The uncertainty of who I was. With a smile, I looked up at the demon who watched me with an amused glint in his eye,
"Well?" he asked. Getting into a battle stance I replied,
"My name is Taichi. Remember that name when I send you to hell," that… probably didn't sound as awesome as it did in my head considering I was in the body of a five-year-old. Seems that the demon agreed with that sentiment as he laughed, forming two fireballs in his hand,
"Very well child. Hit me with your best shot!" he bellowed. I let out a war-cry as I rushed him. He wasn't expecting me to be much faster than I had been moments before. I used this to my advantage closing the distance between us and landed an uppercut,
I didn't let up! I kept at it with continuous jabs and hooks to his head,
Imp Lord
HP: 75/300
The demon grunted as he pushed my small body off of him. I needed to finish this and fast! Thinking quickly I opened my inventory and pulled out an Imp Fang. In my tiny hands, the curved fang could easily be used as an improvised weapon. I ripped a strip of fabric from my shirt-sleeve and quickly wrapped it around the base of the fang,
Ping! You have created Fang Shiv!
Description: An improvised weapon made of a small tooth and a bit of fabric.
Damage: 2 x STR
Dodging more fireballs I used the trees as cover while I made another shiv. Looping around wielding the new weapons I jumped out of the brush and stabbed the Imp Lord surprising him. I didn't stop. I kept at it stabbing the demon's back. He grunted in pain with every strike and tried desperately to throw me off. I held on for dear life driving the shivs deeper into him. Covered in blood and sweat I didn't stop. Eventually, I stabbed my way up to the back of his neck killing him. I breathed hard standing above the fallen Imp Lord completely covered in his blood. A new notification popped up,
Congratulations! You have defeated the dungeon boss!
You have gained +5000EXP
Please select your reward:
+15 Stat points
+10000R
+1 Mystery Chest containing 1 Legendary Item (LUC Based)
Achievement Unlocked! Brutality!
Rewards:
x2 to all stats
+10000R
I ignored it for now and started walking. Eventually, I made it to the river, stripping down I dived into the frigid waters. I floated downstream before I pulled myself out of the water. Walking back to retrieve my bloodied clothes I made the long trek back to camp. Imp Wings would float around me every so often but they left me alone. Eventually, I made it. Pulling up my inventory I pulled Stubs out of the Companion slot. He still looked a little battered but his eyes still had a glow left in them.
Satisfied that my friend would pull through I looked at the rewards once again. Wow, I didn't imagine it… all my stats have doubled. Next, I checked on the other rewards. Without a second thought, I selected the Mystery Chest. After a few moments, another notification popped up,
Ping! Congratulations! You have received a Legendary Item!
The Book of Manipulation!
Description: An ancient text containing the forbidden knowledge of a once great sorcerer.
Warning! Absorbing this skill book will grant you access to ancient magic! Magical techniques will use CHA as with all jutsu because… spiritual energy… chakra… don't question it!
Would you like to learn from the Book of Manipulation? Y/N?
I...I'm not even going to question this game anymore. I'll take whatever power-boost it gives me and just smile and walk away. I hit the yes button and my brain was assaulted with images of spells and techniques. I think if I didn't have the Gamer's Mind I would have lost it from the information overload,
Ping! You have gained multiple skills!
—Forget
Skill Level: 1
Description: The ability to make one of a lesser mind forget anything the user wishes.
CP: 30 (lesser mind, INT based) +100 per higher level (greater mind, INT based)
—Control
Skill Level: 1
Description: The ability to control one of a lesser mind.
CP: 50 per minute (lesser mind, INT based) +100 per higher level (greater mind, INT based)
—Enrage
Skill Level: 1
Description: The ability to put a lesser mind into an uncontrollable rage making them attack anyone or anything they see. Grants the target +5 to STR, VIT, and DEX as long as the target remains under the influence of the spell.
CP: 40 per use (lesser mind, INT based) +100 per higher level (greater mind, INT based)
—Despair
Skill Level: 1
Description: The ability to put a lesser mind into a state of complete depression. Inflicts -5 to STR, VIT, and DEX as long as the target remains under the influence of the spell.
CP: 40 per use (lesser mind, INT based) +100 per higher level (greater mind, INT based)
—Inspire
Skill Level: 1
Description: The ability to put a lesser mind into a state of hope and elation. Grants the target +5 to STR, VIT, DEX, and LUC as long as the target remains under the influence of the spell.
CP: 40 per use
All spells used from the Book of Manipulation cannot be detected or broken unless done so by the caster.
Five spells from that thick book? Okay...at least I've got something to play with once I get back to Konoha. I went over to Stubs and gave him a couple of soft knocks on the head,
"Hello? You okay little brother?" I asked. The little bot groaned as he tried to stand,
"I-I think so. My systems are all scrambled. The big one came out of nowhere..." he said. I helped him up,
"Yeah, I don't blame you. He was definitely tougher than the others. I took care of him so you won't have to worry about the demon ever again" I said. Stubs' eyes shined,
"Wow, you've gotten so strong! Brother...I want to be strong like you!" the bot exclaimed. Suddenly without warning Stubs' body shook violently for several moments. Then he stilled,
"Insufficient parts...damn it!" he yelled. I placed my hand on top of his little head,
"It's okay Stubs we'll figure it out together," I said, "Just tell me what you need" Stubs looked to be deep in thought before he replied,
"Raw materials. My systems can engage in an automatic upgrade as long as I can gather the right materials," once he said that a new quest popped up,
Ping! A new quest has been added!
Improvising Improvements 1!
Gather raw materials so that Stubs can upgrade himself!
Materials Required:
—Scrap metal: 1 ton
Optional Materials:
—Steel: 1 ton
—Titanium: 1 ton
Rewards
A stronger Companion to help you in battle
?
Failure: Stubs remains his cute little self… and will probably die if you bring him to battle.
Do you accept? Y/N?
I hit the yes button. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. For now, I placed the exhausted Stubs into the Companion Slot and gathered my things. I closed my eyes and focused on leaving this place,
Ping! Exit request confirmed! Please wait…
***
I opened my eyes. I was back, staring at the academy wall just as I had before. Immediately I pulled up my skills and activated Gamer's Body: Hidden Strength which caused a new notification to pop up,
Ping! You have activated Gamer's Body: Hidden Strength! Please select a level!
A level? I guess by that it means how much of my strength should be shown based on a level… I selected Level 3 as a good base.
Ping! You have selected Level 3! To change level simply pull up the skills list at any time!
Alright, I've got a lot of work to do and not a lot of time… unless I can find the other natural dungeons in Konoha. I have three years before the Kyuubi shows up. Seven years before I became a Genin. A lot can happen in seven years. I have magic now. An actual power I can use to forward my plans. There lies a long road ahead before I can even think of revealing my true self. But as long as I have the dungeons… I have all the time in the world.
***
Magic… not even our strongest champion was given such a gift. The others will see now...t hey will catch on to our plans. It's only a matter of time.
Time is on our side brother. For this one has the means to take full advantage of our gift. Even when the others find out… it will be too late. Our champion will become our vessel. We will wage this long-awaited war against them and we will emerge victoriously from the shadows!
We have spent several millennia searching for the perfect vessel. Not once in the thousands upon thousands of years did you ever give one the gift of magic. What makes this one so different?
I see a bit of myself in this one. As you said we have spent millennia trying to find the perfect vessel. If this one does not succeed then no one ever will. This is our last gambit brother. I'm putting it all on the line.
Then this may be our last moments. If he fails and the others erase us from existence. I want you to know...
Ha! Don't get all sentimental, brother! We will succeed in this one. We will overthrow the others and finally have our share of the power!
I hope you're right, sister. I hope you're right. Come on. We must leave this place now. They will find us if we stay. We'll know if this one succeeded or not.
Very well brother, lead the way.