Walking along the rough uneven pathway surrounded by forests on each side all Jake could think was how surreal everything was.
The gnarled roots of ancient trees clawed at Jake's worn boots, each step a precarious negotiation with the uneven forest floor. A chill, damp breeze whispered through the dense canopy, rustling leaves that seemed to mock his disorientation. He was, to put it mildly, lost. Lost in a world he'd only ever seen on a screen, a world where anime waifus were not just pixels but tangible, breathing entities.
He glanced over his shoulder, a nervous habit he'd developed since his… summoning. Ram and Rem, the twin maids from Re:Zero, walked a few paces behind him, their identical expressions a blend of stoicism and wary observation. It was still surreal. One moment, he was in the orphanage recovering from a failed attempt at summoning and the next, he was here, in some godforsaken forest, with two anime maids following his every move.
How did this happen? he thought, his mind replaying the events. The glowing circle, the surge of energy, the system notification—it all felt like a fever dream. "Summoning successful. Ram and Rem have been added to your party." The words echoed in his mind, the robotic voice of the "Gamer System" still jarringly fresh.
He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to quell the rising tide of disbelief. He was a gamer, sure, but this was beyond anything he'd ever experienced. This wasn't a VR simulation; this was… real. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, the forest sounds a symphony of rustles and chirps. He could feel the rough texture of the bark beneath his fingertips, the chill of the breeze on his skin.
"Is there a problem, Jake?" Rem's soft voice cut through his internal monologue. Her blue eyes, usually filled with a gentle warmth in the anime, now held a careful, analytical gaze.
"No, just… thinking," he mumbled, turning back to face them. "About, uh, where we're going."
Ram, her pink hair swaying slightly, crossed her arms. "Indeed. It would be prudent to locate shelter before nightfall. This forest does not exude a hospitable aura."
He had to admit, she was right. The light was already fading, the shadows lengthening into menacing shapes. The forest, once a picturesque backdrop, now felt like a predatory entity, watching and waiting.
Just as a wave of anxiety threatened to overwhelm him, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.
[New Quest Available!]
Beginner Quest: Survival 101
* Objective:
* Reach a nearby town or locate suitable shelter before nightfall.
* Optional: Engage and defeat a group of Goblins (Rookie Killers).
* Rewards:
* Experience Points (Variable)
* Basic Supplies (Variable)
* Gamer System Currency (Variable)
[Accept/Decline]
Jake blinked, the familiar interface of the Gamer System a comforting, if bizarre, presence in this strange world. "Accept," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
[Quest Accepted!]
The notification vanished, replaced by a rudimentary map on the corner of his vision. A small, flickering icon indicated a possible town a few miles to the east. Another icon, a crude representation of a cave, showed a potential shelter option closer by. And, of course, a cluster of red dots, labeled "Goblins (Rookie Killers)," was marked a short distance into the forest.
"Looks like we have options," he said, pointing towards the map, which only he could see. "There's a town to the east, but it's a bit of a hike. There's also a cave nearby, and… goblins."
Ram's eyes narrowed. "Goblins? They are known to be vicious in small groups."
Rem nodded. "They are also known to be foolish. If we must engage them, we will do so swiftly."
Jake swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. He'd fought countless goblins in games, but this was different. These were real, and they could kill him. "Right. Uh, let's… let's check out the cave first. It's closer, and we can decide what to do from there."
He started walking again, his steps more determined now. The Gamer System, sothe quest, the familiar mechanics—they were a lifeline, a way to make sense of the chaos. He was still lost, still disoriented, but he had a goal, a purpose. And he had Ram and Rem, two powerful allies, even if they were the most surreal allies he could have ever imagined. The forest, however, still watched, and the goblins, somewhere in the shadows, waited.
Jake, after a moment of deliberation, decided against the immediate allure of Roswaal's mansion, a place that reeked of potential plot-holes and convoluted schemes. "Town first," he muttered, adjusting the makeshift sling he'd fashioned for his meager supplies. "Gotta get my bearings, see what I'm working with."
He tapped his temple, bringing up the Gamer System interface. His stats, initially pathetic, had seen a slight bump from just existing.
[Jake]
Race:????!!
Exp:150/1500
* Level: 1>5
* HP: 150/150
* MP: 120/120
* Strength: 8
* Agility: 7
* Vitality: 10
* Intelligence: 12
* Wisdom: 10
*Luk:????
*Charisma:70
*Unused sp:0
*Skills:
[Makima's Bang] * Description: Unleashes a concentrated burst of force from the user's index finger, capable of inflicting blunt force trauma and knocking back targets. The strength of the "Bang" scales with the user's Strength and Intelligence.
* Mana Cost: 10 MP
* Cooldown: 5 seconds
He scrolled down, shocked at his levels wondering before remembering the fight he got into earlier while helping ram and rem, finding the newly acquired skill: [Makima's Bang]. A shiver ran down his spine. He remembered the sheer destructive power of that ability. "Hopefully, I don't have to use that on anything… sentient,again" he mumbled.
"Ram, Rem," he said, turning to the twins. "Would you mind if I… checked your stats?"
A flicker of surprise crossed their faces, but they nodded in unison. "As you wish, Jake," Rem said, her voice soft.
[Ram]
* Level: 15 (Weakened State)
* HP: 70/70
* MP: 150/150
* Strength: 18
* Agility: 20
* Vitality: 15
* Intelligence: 25
* Wisdom: 22
* Skills: Wind Magic (Advanced), Oni Bloodline (Weakened), Maid Skills (Expert)
[Rem]
* Level: 15
* HP: 100/100
* MP: 180/180
* Strength: 22
* Agility: 25
* Vitality: 20
* Intelligence: 20
* Wisdom: 20
* Skills: Water Magic (Advanced), Oni Bloodline, Maid Skills (Expert), Morningstar Mastery (Advanced)
Jake's eyes widened. Ram's "Weakened State" was a glaring red flag. Her stats were significantly lower than Rem's, and the "Oni Bloodline (Weakened)" skill explained a lot. I'll have to find a way to fix that. He thought.
He closed the interface, a grim determination settling over him. He needed to get stronger, and fast. "Alright, town it is. But first, we deal with those goblins."
As if on cue, a chorus of guttural snarls echoed through the trees. A group of five goblins, their eyes glowing with malicious intent, emerged from the shadows. They were small, but their crude weapons and savage expressions spoke of a viciousness that belied their size.
"Stay close," Jake said, drawing a rusty short sword he'd found in his inventory. He adjusted his stats, placing a few points into vitality, then some into strength, and agility, to increase his odds of survival. He did not want to be a glass cannon.
Rem stepped forward, her morningstar glinting in the fading light. Ram, however, seemed to hesitate, her breaths shallow.
"Ram, are you alright?" Jake asked, his voice laced with concern.
"I… I can still fight," she said, her voice strained.
"No," Jake said firmly. "Rem, take the lead. I'll back you up."
Rem nodded, her expression hardening. She charged, her morningstar a blur of motion. The first goblin fell with a sickening crunch, its skull crushed. The other goblins, momentarily stunned, swarmed around her.
Jake, despite his lack of combat experience, moved with a surprising agility, his movements enhanced by the points he had invested. He slashed at a goblin's flank, the rusty sword biting into its flesh. He then delivered a kick to the goblin's chest sending it flying into a tree.
Ram, despite her weakened state, tried to support them, but her movements were sluggish, her wind magic sputtering. A goblin lunged at her, its crude axe raised high.
"Ram!" Jake yelled, his heart pounding. He dashed forward, shoving Ram aside just as the axe fell. He felt a searing pain in his arm, the goblin's axe grazing his skin.
He retaliated, his adrenaline surging. He grabbed the goblin's arm, twisting it until he heard a snap. He then cused the goblin's momentum to slam it into the last remaining goblin. Both of them fe ll to the ground, unmoving.
Rem, her morningstar dripping with goblin blood, stood over the fallen creatures, her expression impassive.
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Ram's Oni bloodline has detected a strong bond forming.]
Jake, his arm throbbing, turned to Ram. "Are you alright?"
She nodded, her eyes wide. "You… you saved me."
"We're a team," Jake said, his voice firm. "We look out for each other."
A blush crept up Ram's cheeks, and Rem's eyes softened. "Indeed," Rem said, her voice filled with a newfound respect. "We, Ram and Rem, swear our loyalty to you, Jake."
"We are your maids, and we will serve you faithfully." Ram said.
Jake felt a warmth spread through him. He had earned their trust, and maybe, just maybe, a little more. He also noticed the faint blush on both of their faces,and a small grin crept onto his face. This could be interesting. He thought.
Jake, flushed with the adrenaline of the goblin skirmish, couldn't help but let his mind wander. The sight of Ram and Rem, their maid uniforms slightly disheveled, their faces flushed, sparked a series of decidedly lewd thoughts. He imagined… well, he imagined things that would make a saint blush.
"Jake?" Rem's soft voice cut through his reverie. He looked up, his cheeks burning. Both maids were staring at him, their expressions a mix of confusion and… disapproval?
"You're being a pervert," Ram stated bluntly, her pink eyes narrowed.
Jake stammered, his face turning a shade of crimson that rivaled Ram's hair. "I… I wasn't—"
"Yes, you were," Rem said, her voice gentle but firm. "It is inappropriate."
He groaned inwardly. Damn it. He'd been caught red-handed, or rather, red-minded. He decided to change the subject. "Right, sorry. Let's, uh, let's deal with these goblins."
The maids, with practiced efficiency, began demonstrating how to harvest usable materials from the goblin corpses. Jake watched, fascinated, as they extracted crude weapons, scraps of leather, and even a few surprisingly sharp teeth. He noticed that the twins looked younger than they did in the anime. Did the summoning process alter their ages? he wondered.
As they began their trek towards the town, Jake checked his stats again. He was still reeling from the shock of seeing [Makima's Bang] listed among his skills. It's not as overpowered as hers, not yet anyway. He reassured himself. He then retrieved a medium-grade healing potion from his system inventory and gave it to Ram. "This should help with your… weakness," he said.
Ram accepted the potion, her eyes widening as she felt its effects. Her complexion regained a healthy glow, and her movements became more fluid.
Rem, however, seemed to be staring at her hands, a flicker of anxiety in her blue eyes. "I… I was not as efficient as I should have been," she murmured.
Jake placed a hand on her shoulder. "You were amazing," he said, his voice sincere. "You saved my life. We're a team, remember? We'll get stronger together."
Rem's anxiety subsided, replaced by a grateful warmth. Suddenly, Ram gasped, pointing to her head. "My horn! It's growing back!"
Jake checked his stats, noticing that Ram's "Oni Bloodline (Weakened)" skill had vanished, replaced by the standard "Oni Bloodline." He also saw that the optional mission "Defeat Goblins (Rookie Killers)" was marked as complete.
They found a secluded cave to take shelter for the night. Jake then took inventory of his beginner items.
* 3 x Medium Grade HP Potions
* 3 x Medium Grade MP Potions
* Naruverse Magic System (unlocked, but basic)
* 1000 Platinum Coins
* 10000 Gold Coins
* 5000 Silver Coins
* 5000 Bronze Coins
* 3 Freebie Titles: "The Gamer," "Marked by the Akashic Root/Void," and "???!!!"
* Akashic Grimoire (Locked)
* 2 Magical Scrolls (One containing Makima's Bang)
* Standard Beginner's Rusted Sword
He checked the girls' stats again, seeing slight improvements. They settled in for the night, preparing for the journey to town in the morning.
The next morning, as they approached the town gates, they were met with an unexpected sight: Roswaal L. Mathers, his flamboyant attire and unsettling grin unmistakable.
"Well, well," Roswaal said, his voice a drawn-out drawl. "What do we have here?"
Ram and Rem, without hesitation, stepped forward, their expressions firm. "We are Jake's maids," Rem said, her voice clear and unwavering. "We are bound to serve him."
Roswaal's grin faltered slightly. He had clearly expected them to return to his service. "How… unfortunate," he said, his eyes narrowing.
Jake, realizing he had inadvertently foiled Roswaal's plans, decided to play along. "We're just heading into town," he said, his voice casual. "Looking for supplies."
He learned from the gate guards and Roswaal that the economy of this world was based on a tier system of coins, and that his starting inventory made him very wealthy. After entering the town he sold the goblin loot and then rented a room at a high class inn. He then set a save point in his system, intending to return to this moment in 10 years if necessary.
[New Mission: Secure a permanent residence]
After the encounter with Roswaal at the town gates, and after understanding the value of his newly found wealth, Jake's gamer instincts kick in. He realizes the importance of establishing a secure base of operations.
Here's a continuation of the previous scene:
"...We're just heading into town," Jake said, his voice casual. "Looking for supplies."
But in his mind, he was already calculating. Supplies are good, but a base is better. I've got the cash, might as well use it.
Once inside the town, while Rem and Ram explored the local market, Jake made inquiries about available properties. He wanted something substantial, a place that could serve as a future stronghold. He located a real estate agent and began to look at properties.
"I am looking for a large property, a mansion or estate, something that provides security and privacy." Jake said to the agent.
With the amount of Platinum and gold coins that he had, he was able to look at the finest properties available.
After looking at several properties, Jake found a large estate that was on the edge of town, it had high walls, and a large main building, and several out buildings. He purchased the estate, and hired a crew of workers to begin to make improvements to the property. He had the walls reinforced, and had hidden rooms and passages built.
Before using the system to travel back to his original world, Jake made sure that everything was in order. He gave Rem and Ram instructions to oversee the work being done to the estate, and told them that he would return soon.
"I will return, please look after the estate for me." Jake told the twins while leaving behind 2000 gold and platinum coins for the management and upkeep of the mansion.
With the mansion secured and the maids in place, Jake felt a sense of accomplishment. He had established a foothold in this new world, a place to return to when he was ready.
Then, with a mental command, he activated the system, and returned to his original world.
[Scenario End: Tutorial world]
Jake then decided to use the system to return to his previous world to check on his orphanage.
He found himself back in the familiar, slightly dilapidated building. He saw two young girls with pink and blue hair playing in the common area. He then met Grandfather Isshin Arima, a stern but kind man.
Isshin revealed that Jake was the heir to the Arima Corporation, a massive conglomerate. He was shown his grandmother's last will, which included marriage contracts and allegiances. "Goodbye, peaceful life," Jake muttered. "I need to get stronger to survive, and live how I want. And maybe , just maybe, a harem is possible in this world."