Chapter 5: Who Is My Mother?
[Goodluck, MonarchSano.]
Sano blinked, her vision adjusting to the sudden brightness that surrounded her, used to the darkness of the void.
She found herself resting her head against a solid but thin metal table with a sleek design of blue neon lights and pristine, untainted white metal.
A small pool of drool had formed at the corner of her mouth and was starting to trail down.
Sano lifted her head from the table, wiping the drool away with the back of her hand as she took in her surroundings. The area was alive with activity, people, ages varying from adolescence to old-head, milling about in small conversations.
'Lucky me, huh? Spawned in civilization right off the bat!' She happily noted with a smirk.
Around the space, two other similar tables were arranged in sat down. Each equipped with a fresh, hovering, blue touch-screen interface in the middle. Sano's eyes lingered on the details of the table and their surprisingly smooth texture against her fingertips.
Shaking off her awe, Sano unfocused her eyes and summoned her stats window. She didn't seem to be in any immediate danger after all.
[Name: Peach (Sumra)]
[Ironford Ranking: None]
[HP: 25/25]
[Quotes: $0]
[Titles: None]
[Innate Talents: Fragrance - Strong-willed]
[Skills: Basic Fragrant Power Manipulation (Lv 1. Exceptional) - Pact (Lv 1. Rare)]
[STR: 4] - Strength
[CON: 5] - Constitution
[INT: 7] - Intelligence
[DEX: 4] - Dexterity
[CHA: 2] - Charisma
[WIS: 8] - Wisdom
Sano took a deep breath, trying to steady her excitement as she processed the information displayed before her. Her stats seemed well-balanced, with a very strong emphasis on intelligence and wisdom most likely a Fragrant Power centered build.
But what really caught her attention were her innate talents and skills. Fragrance and Strong-willed seemed useful enough, though she only got two innate talents, but it was her skills that intrigued her the most.
Having a character spawn in with a skill, let alone multiple off the get-go was definitely rare.
'Pact? Pact in what sense, like a bet that both parties are forced to fulfill?" She pondered to herself before the information windows for her innate talents appeared in front of her vision, breaking her line of thought.
[Fragrance
Keenly sense the emotional atmosphere surrounding them. Like a scent lingering in the air, they possess an acute awareness of the undercurrents in any situation. This heightened sensitivity enables them to tap into Fragrant Power more effectively.
+50% increase in power when using Fragrant Power aligned with primary negative emotional state - +25% increase to Charisma resistance.]
[Strong-willed
An unshakable resolve and unwavering determination in the face of adversity. Their minds are fortified against doubt and fear, and their willpower is a force to be reckoned with.
-50% backlash of Fragrant Objects - +1 Charisma per second when showing presistance.]
"Woah, this is really good! It's like their setting me up to be a perfect Fragrant Power user," Sano murmured to herself in excitement.
Her innate talents left her pleased as they seemed to bounce off her stats well, she closed the two windows with just a glance. Returning her mind back to her skills. She guessed that she didn't have to check the description of Basic Fragrant Power Manipulation as the name itself was self-explanatory.
She only really cared about Pact.
Sano's curiosity piqued as she focused her attention on the skill window, her eyes scanning the text that hovered before her.
[Pact (Lv 1. Rare)
Forge an agreement. The terms of the pact are mutually agreed upon between both parties and are limited to simple exchanges.]
Sano's mind flared with possibilities at the sight of the skill. The ability to forge agreements with others would prove to be incredibly useful, especially in a world as dangerous as the one she found herself in.
And the multitude of ways she could use it to her advantage made her toes curl in her shoes. Not just manipulation but so many other pathways had opened up for her, but their was one that she seemed particularly interested in.
She sighed a sigh of relief before her eyes flickered to her name at the top of the interface.
"Sumra.." she murmured.
Sano pondered the meaning behind the bracketed name next to hers. It was a peculiar addition that she couldn't quite make sense of. Was it a surname? A title? Some sort of game mechanic she wasn't yet familiar with?
She shook her head, deciding to push the thought aside for now. There were more pressing matters at hand. Sano needed to gather information about her current location and figure out her next steps in this game world.
Eyes flaring with determination, Sano pushed herself up from the table and glanced around the lively area. Amidst the commotion, Sano spotted a group of three people, three NPCs, engaged in conversation nearby.
They seemed to be discussing something excitedly, gesturing towards a holographic map displayed in front of them. Curiosity piqued, Sano approached the group nonchalantly, her eyes scanning their faces for any signs of hostility.
The NPCs turned to look at her, their expressions registering complete surprise before two of the three men exchanged concerned glances.
A middle-aged man with a rugged face spoke up first, his voice gruff with confusion. "Hey now, ain't you the daughter of that one powerful tyrant? What's a sheltered girl like you doin' in a place like this?"
Sano's confusion deepened at the man's words. Daughter of a powerful tyrant? What was he talking about? She was just a regular person, wasn't she?
"You idiot!" One of the boys, a short man with blonde hair spoke through gritted teeth. He jabbed the tough middle-aged man hard with his elbow forcing him to lean over to his head level.
Quickly, he cupped his hands around the man's ear, whispering something.
Sano strained to hear their conversation, she was very curious now. What were they talking about? And why did they seem so concerned?
"What the hell are you doing talking so boldly to her!" The short man whispered angrily. "One wrong word and her mother will raise all hell on us and we'll never be able to live normally again!"
Sano's brows furrowed deeper in confusion. Mother? Daugther of a powerful tyrant? What were they talking about? She had no idea what they were whispering about, and it only served to deepen her confusion.
"Excuse me?" she replied tentatively. "I'm new here. Can you tell me where we are and what you mean by my mother?"
The NPCs exchanged glances once again, their expressions wary as they regarded Sano. The middle-aged man hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"We're at the Ironford Explorers Union," he replied. "And... what do you w-want us to elaborate about your mother?"
"You mean to tell me I have a mother, and she is a powerful tyrant?" Sano looked at them seriously.
Her voice was laced with disbelief as she processed the information. The NPCs exchanged another glance, this time with a hint of uncertainty in their eyes.
The final man, a stout red-haired man spoke up, "Well, uh, it's just... you know, rumors and all that. People talk, you know? But it's probably best if you don't stick around here for too long. Your... uh, mother might not like it."
Sano's mind was filled with more questions than answers, but she could sense the unease in the NPCs' words. It was clear they weren't trying to stay around her for any longer than they had to, and she didn't want to press further and risk causing trouble for herself.
"Right, I understand," she replied with a nod, trying to mask her confusion with a polite smile. "Thank you for your concern. I'll be sure to keep that in mind."
With a quick nod to the NPCs, Sano turned to leave, her mind swirling with thoughts and questions. Who was this supposed mother they spoke of? And why did they seem so fearful of her? It was all too strange.
Sano stepped out of the Ironford Explorers Union, the stale breeze of the city air hitting her face as she moved through the crowd. Despite the confusion and uncertainty swirling in her mind, she couldn't help but be captivated by the vibrant cityscape before her.
The buildings towered overhead, their sleek designs reaching towards the sky with a futuristic elegance. Neon signs flickered and buzzed, casting colorful hues across the streets below. People of all shapes and sizes walked past her, their footsteps echoing against the pavement as they went about their business.
Sano couldn't help but feel a sense of awe as she took in the sights and sounds of the city. It was like nothing she had ever seen before, truly a revolutionary game.
But still the question stood, who was this mysterious mother they spoke of? And why did they seem so afraid of her?
"Young Lady, Young Lady! Please, wait right there!"
Suddenly, a voice broke through the bustling noise of the city, cutting through the chatter and drawing Sano's attention. She turned to see a man in a sharp grey suit running towards her with an urgency that caught her off guard.
Sano's instincts kicked in, and without a second thought, she turned and bolted in the opposite direction. Fear surged through her veins as she raced away from the approaching figure, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Hey, wait! Young Lady, please!" the man called out, his chest heaving as he tried to catch up to her.
Sano's heart pounded in her chest as she ran, she turned to look over her shoulder at the man.
"Who the hell are you, you creep!" She yelled.
The man suddenly stopped, intaking a large amount of air.
Exhaling deeply, he seemed to flicker out of sight right before Sano's eyes. Confused and startled, she stumbled, her momentum causing her to collide with a sturdy object. Falling backward, she landed hard on her backside, pain shooting up her spine.
Looking up, Sano's eyes widened in shock as she realized the man who had been chasing her was now standing right in front of her, a faint smirk playing on his lips. He reached down, effortlessly lifting her from the ground by the back of her collar, his fingers pinching the fabric like one would hold a misbehaving puppy.
Sano's heart raced as she squirmed in his grasp, fear and anger coursing through her veins. "Let go of me, you pervert!" she yelled, thrashing against his hold.
The man sighed, his grip firm but gentle as he held her suspended in the air. "Now, now, Young Lady," he said, his voice calm but clearly held amusement. "It's dangerous to be near such an unruly building, you know. And I'm quite certain your mother wouldn't be pleased if anything were to happen to you."
Sano's eyes narrowed as she glared at him. "Who the hell is my mother?" she demanded, her voice sharp with anger.
"And why is everyone such a bitch about the fact she's my mother!"
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
nectarifle
nectarifle hi
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone