Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Guaaaaah!
I tried to scream, but in fact I couldn’t even squeeze out a groan.
Am I that bad?
Okay, calm down. Inhale and exhale.
I don’t feel any pain, although before this it was monstrously strong.
What actually happened?
As usual, I was just sitting in my classical literature class, when suddenly distant explosions began to be heard. Or was it one explosion? After this there was some kind of disgusting whistling with a grinding sound, followed by pain.
Apparently I passed out from pain shock.
Terrorist attack? Disaster?
First of all, where am I anyway?
When I open my eyes, everything is filled with darkness. I don't have a single thought about where I might be.
In fact, I practically can’t even move, as if I was wrapped in something.
No, not even like that. I was literally wrapped in something, some material, hard enough to prevent me from moving.
I can barely hear any sounds outside. Either a rumble or footsteps.
Okay, what could be going on here? Am I kidnapped?
No, let's be honest.
What benefit can be gained by kidnapping an unimportant girl like me?
Okay, let's try to get out of this situation.
And again!
Ugh, it didn't work out.
Again!
Nothing too. Wherever I am locked, it is securely secured.
Awww! Is there someone there? What are your requirements?
Yeah, I don't even make any sounds. Well, or they ignore me.
Wait, what if these are the cultists that were rumored? Are they going to sacrifice me?!
No, it can not be! Why would they attack a school and kidnap someone!
Don't panic! NO PANIC!!! Inhale and exhale.
Ahhh, it doesn't work!
Think about something else! That's right, math! She's boring enough to calm down!
So, well...yes, power of two!
2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64...8,192, 16,384, um... 32,768...
<Experience has reached the required level. Acquired skill [Arithmetic Processing Lv.1].>
What is this? Kidnappers?
No, it was like a voice in my head.
Phew, so, I calmed down...I guess.
Who was it that spoke to me? Aw, can you hear me?
No answer.
So, since it was in my head and it announced something...let's call it the Divine Voice for the time being. What did it say? Something about experience and acquired skills...
Okay, now I'm even more confused. Obviously, this does not and cannot exist on Earth. This looks more like a message from some game.
Oh, is this really the same thing that is now so super popular on the Internet?! No, as long as it’s not this! Please, someone tell me this isn't true!
Silence.
Come on. It's better to put up with it for now. Mmm, maybe it’s better than ending up with cultists?
If I died, then it probably had something to do with this sudden pain, but...
...I don’t have a single thought about its origin. Eh.
The more important question is: what am I?
Since there is darkness everywhere, then most likely I just wasn’t born yet. If I am lucky enough to become a human, then this place is my mother's womb. What if I'm a monster...
Well, I can't find out anything now.
Let's get back to the elephant in the room. I was given the skill...[Arithmetic Processing]? Yes, I think this one. Is it because of my mental calculations? Probably.
Hmmm, since there are skills here, then maybe there is something like an appraisal skill?
<Number of skill points available: 12,300. Number of skill points required to acquire the skill [Appraisal Lv. 1]: 700. Acquire skill?>
Whoa. What? …Seriously? The mechanical voice, completely devoid of any emotion, was heard again in my head. This is amazing from any point of view.
First of all, I hear voices, which is not new to me.
Secondly, it confirms that there really is a skill system here and I'm not crazy.
Since this is not Earth and there is some kind of system here, we can assume that monsters exist here. Being a monster in a parallel world? Sounds like a path to certain death. It's better not to think about it. No no no. I'm definitely not a monster...I hope.
More importantly, the Appraisal skill exists! Woohoo! Now we'll talk! With such a cheating skill it will be much easier, no matter who I am! Obviously my answer is YES!
<[ Appraisal Lv. 1] purchased. Remaining skill points: 11,600.>
So. I spent my points and I still have a bunch more. I don't know if they have any other use besides buying skills. It's better to forget about it for now. Not that my skills would be of much use here.
Time to use my super-duper new Appraisal skill to figure out the crap from my surroundings!
...
Yes, that’s right, I haven’t been born yet... It was awkward.
Okay, let's leave this for now.
It's dark and lonely here, but I'm not used to it. In fact, it looks a lot like my old room. Before I was taken from them. Only then I had books, but now I’m here on my own. And it’s also much more crowded here than it was there!
I'm not one of those who suffer from claustrophobia, but even so, it's too much even for me!
Need a distraction. Since I have a skill, I might as well try to increase its level. There's nothing to do anyway.
So, 3, 9, 21, 63...2,187...19,683, ummm...177,147, probably...
<Experience has reached the required level. Skill [Arithmetic Processing Lv.1] became [Arithmetic Processing Lv.2]>
Oooh, it worked! Although I don’t know what it does, besides speeding up the calculation. It is unlikely that I will become an excellent mathematician, even if this skill is of a high level.
It's just boring!
A? It was somehow quiet outside. Is it night now?
Well, I can't know. Although there are still some sounds.
Let's take a look at what other skills there are. I'm not going to buy them unless absolutely necessary, but it won't hurt to take a look at the assortment.
Why am I not going to buy any skills?
Mainly because I don't know all the functions of skill points. I remember a game where skill points were used to upgrade and synthesize already leveled skills. Without them, the player was essentially stuck at a certain point.
Since this is a game-like world, such a scheme is possible. And my gamer soul tells me that there are hidden possibilities in this, in addition to the obvious ones.
Well, let's see. Maybe I can look outside? Is there a detection skill?
<Number of skill points available: 11,600. Number of skill points required to acquire the skill [Detection Lv. 1]: 11,200. Acquire a skill?>
NO!
Wow, what a scam! Where does this cost come from?! Reminds me of how I was scammed when buying a collectible figurine.
But seriously, why is detection so expensive? It must be quite powerful, otherwise I can’t explain it. If so, it will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to use.
At least now I know it exists.
Maybe there is a weaker option? Feeling, sensation...um, perception?
<Number of skill points available: 11,600. Number of skill points required to acquire the skill [Material Perception Lv. 1]: 900. Acquire skill?>
Oh, that's right. And it's much cheaper than detection. YES!
<[ Material Perception Lv. 1] purchased. Remaining skill points: 10,700.>
Great. Now let's see where I am!
I focus on a skill and feel as if I'm looking at something beyond my capabilities. Is this what the sixth sense is like? No, it's more like I have an intangible hand that is touching something distant. Wow, unusual.
And what I see is... some kind of hard material.
Come on! I was hoping to see beyond this...something! I can barely see beyond my own nose (if I have a nose)!
Okay, okay. OK! Calmly. The reason lies in the name, [Material Perception Lv. 1]. The level is indicated there, and it is quite logical that the first level will be of little use. This is like comparing a boxing champion to a beginner. If I improve it, the effect will increase.
Hmm...What's the fastest way to level up a skill?
<Number of skill points available: 10,700. Number of skill points required to improve the skill level [Material Perception LV. 1]: 1,796. Improve skill?>
...
Nevermind. We will improve it using an already proven method.
[Arithmetic Processing] and [Material Perception]. I’ll stick with these two skills for now, and when I get tired of it, I’ll check what other skills I can get.
Well, at least I have something to do besides just wait.