Chapter 3: Named Terror, Living Horror
'What... this?'
The newly born Unique Dragon Deviant thought rather simply as the screen of black and violet floated in front of her eyes.
She wasn't particularly surprised by its sudden appearance. More so, as the 'System' deemed her as a sentient lifeform, she somehow gained some basic knowledge.
She simply looked at the screen with a slightly tilted head.
She didn't get a sense of danger from it, nor any sense that would warrant a negative reaction. The screen of the System in front of her actually seemed strangely familiar and safe.
{<Violet Star Growth System>}
<Status Analysis> = Initiation Complete, Data Loading Complete
And with that, the screen disappeared.
'?'
Waving her hands where the system screen had just been moments before disappearing, she felt nothing there, just the empty space and air molecules.
'What... was that?'
She thought as she tried to remember how it appeared in the first place.
Thinking deeply about it, something somehow clicked in her head as her eyes were closed.
'System Initialize... Who... Am I?'
And just like that.
Information filled her mind.
[<System Intelligence> Now Available]
[Tier 1 Knowledge May Now be Learned]
[Classes Available for Choice! [6] ]
[Certain Achievements Complete and Points Acquired!
Open Achievements List? Y/N]
[Congratulations on Being Born With [6] Innate Talents!
Open Talents Tab? Y/N]
[Certain Titles Acquired as Supplementary Achievements Awards!
Open Titles Tab? Y/N]
{<Violet Star Growth System>
[Name: Junko Starscourge]
[Class: Unchosen]
[Titles: [Apex Being]
[The First To Dive]
[Cosmic Consumer]
[Voidling Absorber]
[Unique Deviant: Terror] ]
[Gender: Female]
[Race: Youngling Dragon Terror]
[Tier: 1]
[Level: 1]
[Properties:
[Vigour: C]
[Mana: B]
[Strength: C+]
[Agility: B-]
[Mind: A-]
[Endurance: C]
[Arcane: SS+] ]
[Elements: [Space], [Gravity], [Star] ]
[Skills: N/A]
[General Skills: [Mana Sensory LV 1]
[Mana Absorption LV 2]
[Mana Manipulation LV 1]
[Time Flow Resistance LV 3]
[Lost Consumption Resistance LV 1]
[Heat Resistance LV 1]
[Cold Resistance LV 1]
[Star Resistance LV 1]
[Void Resistance LV 1] ]
[Innate Abilities: [Dragon Heart LV 1]
[Pure Blood Dragon LV 1]
[Horror Infliction LV 1]
[Terror Physique LV 1]
[Blessing of The Goddess of All and Nothing LV #] ]
[Talents: [Genius of Mana]
[Knowledgeable Adaptability]
[Void Eyes]
[Muscle Density Increase]
[Ambidexterity]
[Natural Born Terror] ]
[Achievement Points: 88]
<System Marketplace>
<System Intelligence>
<Status Analysis>}
'Juunko. Name. Sta- Staer Scrudge. Ahh..'
An influx of information.
The dragon child, now named Junko, with an accent placed on the 'ju' part, as she so decided, attempted to sort through all the information she could, yet her mind that was previously empty of any thoughts was now pumped full of information that was all about her.
Furrowing her brows slightly, she couldn't really get a grasp on the details so she opened her eyes.
Screens with the exact same information as in her head now filled her vision.
She can't escape.
Though the information in her mind was clearer as she didn't really need to read anything, the information just inserted itself and she only needed to sort through everything, even if it was draining.
The screens, however, needed to be read. It might be easier for some but for little Junko here, she couldn't understand any language as no newborn would.
She can think to herself and sort through information but those actions didn't require any knowledge of language or reading.
The System screens in front of her eyes now, however, held text and numbers.
Though she had no idea what they were exactly saying, she somehow understood the 'meaning' behind the words, letters and numbers.
To some degree at the very least.
The screens of information at the very front of the bunch stood out immediately.
[<System Intelligence> Now Available]
[Common Tier 1 Knowledge May Now be Learned]
[Classes Available for Choice! [6] ]
[Certain Achievements Complete and Points Acquired!
Open Achievements List? Y/N]
[Congratulations on Being Born With [6] Innate Talents!
Open Talents Tab? Y/N]
[Certain Titles Acquired as Supplementary Achievements Awards!
Open Titles Tab? Y/N]
The first one that little Junko tried to fully comprehend was <System Intellligence>. The notification seemed strange. There was no Y/N on the lone screen that simply stated that she may now learn 'Common Tier 1 Knowledge' yet for some reason she felt that she could still 'agree' to the statement.
Reaching out her open palm she tried to caress the screen only for her hand to phase through. It was as if she was grasping the air.
'Learn... Knowledge? Yes?'
Her face didn't flinch. There was no pain. Her brows didn't furrow from feeling uncomfortable. The information wasn't wedged into her head like a steel stake.
But there was information, or rather knowledge, that was slowly flowing into her mind like a warm and gentle stream.
Common knowledge about being fully 'Sentient' and about 'Who she was'.
Knowledge of the System. Of Classes, Skills, Levels, Tiers, Titles and Talents.
Achievements, Achievement Points, Properties and their Grading System for Tier 1 beings, Elements, Race, Gender.
What was a name, how to 'think' in the language the System uses, what was <System Intelligence>, the 'Marketplace', the 'Analysis'?
So on and so forth. All Common knowledge for sapient beings that could access the System.
The information was clear. It was as if she just got an education. Not the most precise or great education as all the information she had was for Tier 1 beings and below but nevertheless, her 'sentience' had grown. She could now clearly think. She knew, to some degree, about 'who' and 'what' she was.
This is where it started.
...
'Gen- gentle stream... of... of knowledge.'
Junko opened her eyes.
The screens floating in front of her were as silent as her surroundings.
Blinking once. Twice. Thrice. She looked down at herself.
'Junko. I am Junko. The Starscourge. The Ter-ror.'
Unconsciously, she used the <Status Analysis> feature provided by the System.
Information about her current 'Status' filled her mind. It did not appear as a screen but the information was near instantly provided to her.
<Status Analysis> = Mana Amount 100%
<Status Analysis> = Health Amount 100%
<Status Analysis> = Status is Stable
'Ah. Ma Na. He Alth. Ma na is important. Right?'
She thought while looking at the rest of the screens in front of her eyes that blocked the information on the large screen that held her name and was floating behind the few smaller notifications.
[Classes Available for Choice! [6] ]
The next notification she set her eyes on.
'Class ses. Classsses. Classes. Was the...'
She racked her brain for a moment, trying to remember the word that was used to describe them and the meaning behind the word.
'Was... are the definition... and the ahh special... category of... people who are sentient?'
She continued her line of thought.
'Then my class is... Junko too? I am ahh class-si. Classified as Junko Starscourge, right?'
Well, no matter how wrong her guesses were, she undoubtedly knew her name. The source of her slowly growing pride and ego was her name. So she got something right.
For now, she turned her attention away from the' Classes' screen and as she did, the notification vanished and she wasn't even surprised. It was as if she was expecting it, even if she wasn't.
[Certain Achievements Complete and Points Acquired!
Open Achievements List? Y/N]
'Achie-ve-ments.'
She spelt it out in her head, remembering the word's definition.
'Things that have happened to me and are diffi-cult to do. I. think?'
Feeling the meaning behind the Y and N options, she reached her palm out for the glowing Y option.
As her hand reached and touched the option, the screen morphed and changed into a different one.
[Completed Achievements]
[1. Born to an Apex Species.
Reward: 5 Achievement Points.]
[2. First to Dive Achievement.
Reward: 20 Achievement Points and 1 Title.]
[3. Born as a Unique Deviant.
[Reward: 30 Achievement Points.]
[4. Consumer of Cosmic Waters Achievement.
Reward: 10 Achievement Points and 2 Titles.]
[5. Born with more than 1 Talent.
Reward: 2 Achievement Points for Each Talent.]
[6. Receive Your First General Skill.
Reward: 3 Achievement Points.]
[7. Receive Your First Resistance Skill.
Reward: 3 Achievement Points.]
[8. Receive a Blessing.
Reward: 5 Achievement Points.]
[Current Point Total: 88]
[<System Marketplace> Available.]
Slowly reading through the list of Achievements and doing the math in her head, with the help of some finger counting, she was 'satisfied' with the number of Points because it took her a while to count that high so it must be a huge ton of points.
Unconsciously making the screen disappear and moving on to the next, Junko barely even read through it before reaching her palm for the Y option.
[Congratulations on Being Born With [6] Innate Talents!
Open Talents Tab? Y/N]
As before, the screen morphed and changed along with the text shown on it.
[Talent List and Descriptions]
[1. Genius of Mana]
[Description: Naturally born with the Talent of extreme Mana Affinity, Mana Sense, Manipulation and Mana Holder Capabilities.
The Genius of Mana Talent Grants a calculated Increase of 2 Major Grades to Mana Affinity, Sense and Manipulation, a 1 Major Grade Increase in the Mana Property, and a 200% Natural Increase in the Amount of Mana the Body can Hold.
Further, training with Mana is calculated to be Exceptionally Easier and Resistance to Magic, Naturally Greater.]
[2. Knowledgeable Adaptation]
[Description: Naturally Born with an Ever Adapting Physique that Hinges on Knowledge.
The Talent to Learn New Concepts, Strategies and the User's own Power is Greatly Increased. The User may Learn and Overcome Difficulties with Greater Ease.
It is calculated that a Natural Increase in Arcane over time might appear.
It is calculated that an Increase in Arcane by 3 or more Major Grades as the User is Born will most likely be obtained.]
[3. Void Eyes]
[Description: Naturally Born with an Unnatural Talent for a Sentient Being.
Eyes that See Into the Darkness,
Eyes that See Across the World,
Eyes that See Beyond the Void.
This Unnatural Talent is calculated to provide and enhance Greater Nightvision, Greater Sight Range, Greater Reaction Time, Greater Visual Learning Capabilities, Greater Illusion Resistance, Minor Entity Appraisal, Minor Probability Prediction and Minor Matter Sight.
A calculated Secondary Effect of the Talent further Increases the Effects of Matter Sight, which now allows the user to see through all Types of Living Matter as well. It is calculated that visual adaptation is strengthened to a certain degree. ]
[4. Muscle Density Multiplication]
[Description: A Blessed Natural Physique Talent that was once wielded by an Ancient Hero of the Past who United the 8 Great Kingdoms of the Eastern Isles.
Your Physical Power is not what it seems to the Outside World.
This Talent Multiplies the User's Muscle Density by a factor of 20. To keep the Biological Body from Breaking Down due to its Density and Weight, the Talent is calculated to have Naturally Evolved through the Void of the Cosmic Waters.
This Talent now also Provides an Enhancement to Both the Vigour and Endurance Properties.]
[5. Ambidexterity]
[Description: An Uncommon Natural Talent that Enhances the Dominant Aspect of 1 side of the body while balancing it out with the other.
The Effect of the Cosmic Waters is Calculated to have forced the Skill to Evolve.
Balance is a Necessity. This Talent now also Enhances all Properties to be balanced by a factor of at least 1 Major and 2 Minor Grades.]
[6. Natural Born Terror]
[Description: A Unique Talent for a Unique Deviant. Naturally Born and Gifted yet through Unnatural Means.
A Being Born to Instill Fear, Fright, Horror and Terror onto all Living Beings Within its Domain.
This Talent Provides an Innate Physique Skill, an Innate Debuff Skill, a Title and an Increase to all Properties from G- Grade to C Grade at the Minimum when Born.
A calculated Secondary Effect of the Talent Passively Increases the User's Innate Power Permanently when people Fear or Start Fearing the User. The Permanent Increase is Non-Property Related and Holds No Limit.
Make them Fear, Make them Fright.
Make them Prey. And Become Blight.]
'Ahmm. Mmm!'
Satisfied with what she understood from all that reading, she could at the very least tell that she was Special. Unique.
'Junko Strong!'
She happily thought in her mind as she pushed the notification that had now become her favourite away unconsciously and moved on to the next.
[Certain Titles Acquired as Supplementary Achievements Awards!
Open Titles Tab? Y/N]
Pressing the Y option without much thought, the notification screen morphed like usual and new text filled her eyes.
[Title List and Descriptions]
[Apex Being]
[Description: Born to the Apex Species on the User's Planet, the User Naturally Obtains the Hightened Instincts of a Predator and a Minor Grade Increase in the Agility and Strength Properties.]
[The First To Dive]
[Description: The First to Ever Dive into the Cosmic Waters of Rebirth and Survive.
The Effect of All Properties will Permanently be Increased by 10%.]
[Cosmic Consumer]
[Description: A Being who Consumed an Infant Cosmos in its State of Liquid Death.
Go Little Consumer, Eat Your Fill of Space.
The User Naturally Obtains the Evolved version of Light Magic Resistance, [Star Resistance] along with an Innate Resistance to Cosmic Elements and a Differing Increase in the Mana, Mind, Agility and Arcane Properties.]
[Voidling Absorber]
[Description: A Young Voidling who has Absorbed only a Small Serving of the Void.
Go Fast Little One, Devour the Void.
The User Naturally Obtains the Evolved version of Shadow Magic Resistance, [Void Resistance] along with [Lost Consumption Resistance] and a Differing Increase in the Mana, Mind, Agility and Arcane Properties.]
[Unique Deviant: Terror]
[Description: A Unique Deviant among the Apex Dragon Species Born to Instill Primal Fear into All.
The Title Grants a Natural Increase in Innate Power, Adaptability and the Fear Debuff Infliction Efficiency.
As a Terror is supposed to be Feared, a Terror must be Powerful enough to be Feared.
The Additional Effects of the Title are calculated to be a Further Increase in Property Grade Values and Effects by 10% and a Greater Granted Knowledge of Magic to a Certain Degree depending on Tier.]
'Ah! Junko Scary!?'
Little Junko thought with traces of both delight and worry. If she was 'scary' to everyone then she must also be respected by everyone. That was her line of thought as she imagined a pack of creatures bowing at her knees while she stands on a tall rock or whatever strong and scary individuals do with their free time.
The worry was minor as it stemmed from the question of 'what if her prey runs away too fast?'
In the end she got rid of her worries and decided to just become faster than her prey.
'Scary Good! Yezs!'
Little Junko thought happily as she moved on to the last notification.
It was a large screen that held a small amount of information about all her attributes, status, abilities and talents.
Her Status Screen.
Looking through it a few times, little Junko couldn't help but smile while thinking aloud.
'Ooohhh!'
She landed her gaze on the top of her Status Screen and her smile widened.
'That's me! Junko-des!'
Closing the last screen while completely forgetting about the existence of Classes, Junko simply stood in place while further taking in her surroundings.
With her increased knowledge of the world, she could better appreciate it all.
Looking up at the dark blue sky, she felt uncomfortable as her gaze landed on the shining ball of bluish and yellow fire in the sky.
"Ahn."
She sounded out as she raised her hand to block the light of the sun.
Peeking through her almost entirely closed eyelids, she saw a huge 'thing' in the sky near the blue light source.
Since she couldn't block out the light with only her hand for the entire time that the light was shining at her eyes without stopping, she thought about moving the big red and dotted up thing in the sky to block the light for her.
With that wish in her head, her [Genius of Mana] Talent and the benefits of her Title of [Unique Deviant: Terror], an instinct of something appeared in her head.
Opening her status with a single thought, she opened her eyes and tried to look at it but her head was still pointed directly at the sun of the planet and she hurt her eyes slightly because of it.
"Ah!"
She sounded out in surprise before moving her head away and smacking her eyes with her open palms.
After a second of blinking and rubbing her eyes, she looked at her Status Screen.
The thing that stood out to her was the Elements.
She barely understood the meaning behind Space and Star but she could understand a small amount of the meaning behind Gravity.
Push and Pull. Move Big Things.
That was all she got from it.
Though from where she was sitting, the thing in the sky didn't seem very big, she thought about trying it out.
She blocked the light of the sun with one hand while pointing her other at the distant thing in the sky, one of the moons of this planet.
Trying to reach out for it even if it was that far, she felt her instincts scream at her yet her only thought about her instincts screaming at her to stop was: 'Feelings fear Junko!'
And she pushed further.
A word was engraved deep in her mind that she had started to slowly dig out even in the protest of her own instincts as she focused on the distant moon.
'G-Grav... Uhmm...'
She tried and tried to find the word she was looking for. It seemed like a word of power to her, something she needed to sound out instead of think about the thing she wanted to do to work.
Her Mana was long depleted, the mana in the surroundings was being sucked towards her with incredible speed.
Two, no four notifications sprang out next to her vision which was slowly darkening, reddening as small drops of blood formed near the bottom of her eyes.
'Gra-Gravi...'
The notifications of the System, as they kept increasing, read as follows:
[General Skill: Mana Absorption Becomes LV 3]
[General Skill: Mana Absorption Becomes LV 4]
[General Skill: Mana Absorption Becomes LV 5]
[General Skill: Mana Manipulation Becomes LV 2]
[General Skill: Mana Manipulation Becomes LV 3]
[General Skill: Mana Manipulation Becomes LV 4]
[General Skill: Mana Sensory Becomes LV 2]
[Gained General Skill: Mana Deprivation Resistance LV1]
Drops of blood rolled down little Junko's cheeks as she gripped her hand, the 'Word of Power' she was searching for on the tip of her tongue.
"Gravit... Gravitaaa aa.."
At this point, she was trying to sound it out. She didn't know the language, she didn't know what 'Magic' even was.
Her usage of Mana was Primal.
She gripped her outstretched palm that was pointed at the far moon into a fist and pointed two of her fingers, her pointer and middle finger towards the bright light in the sky with swift and smooth movements.
"Gravitas."
Her first Spell.
The 'Chant' gave the Magic more power.
The faraway moon seemed to have a microscopic dent made on its surface, on its side, as it was pushed by a very, very small margin, towards the shining sun in the sky.
Exhaustion hit like a bullet train on space steroids.
Her hands had no strength to be stretched out as they fell to her sides, her eyes were heavier than anything she had ever experienced (which wasn't a lot, but still).
As her hands fell to her sides, the light of the sun attacked her eyes.
"..ah.."
And she fell face first forwards.
*SPLASH*
Barely, her face touched the cosmic waters of the small lake in front of her. She began to slowly heal.
[General Skill: Mana Deprivation Resistance Becomes LV 2]
Meanwhile, the planet she was on was already feeling the effects of what had transpired.
Small shards of the red moon floated through space as the extreme gravitational pull of the planet pulled them towards itself.
And as the Little Terror, Junko rested against the faint water line, few Kingdoms and Empires were working on plans.
Something involving the Great Dragon Continent.
Junko's very existence currently remains unknown to all. Her concept, however, widespread through the upper echelon of society.
...
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone