《Wisdom of a Jack-of-All-Trades》 Chapter 1 - First things first ¡°Welcome to Terra, a world of swords, magic and steam!¡± ¡®What the heck happened¡­'' I thought to myself. I rose up only to see that I was lying on what seems to be nothing at all. Around me was a room of pure white and what appears to be another twenty or so other bewildered people. The first person to respond to the very obvious godly figure in front of us was Joel, ¡°What the fuck is this? Are you the one who did this? I was in the middle of a ranked match you asshole!¡± Well, that was something unexpected. Apparently, when you find yourself seemingly standing on nothing, the first thing you should do is rudely talk back to an evidently divine being. Joel is your typical trash talking douchebag, not that I talk to him much he¡¯s just infamous. I sit up cross-legged. glancing around, I recognized 3 people (considering I have no friends this is quite a feat). The first was the top basketball player in my school, I didn¡¯t have a bad impression of him but we never really spoke much in the first place. Next was the school¡¯s student council head, they seem to be an asshole but they probably just have a narrow mindset and they haven¡¯t done anything bad technically. Lastly was an old friend of mine, we¡¯ve known each other since we were kids. She doesn¡¯t seem to be doing well, ¡¯maybe it¡¯s acting up again¡¯ I thought to myself. I stood up and started walked across the room? Space? The white box thing I''m in. I feel uninvited stares at me¡­ but that''s not important. I squat down beside the curled up little girl and fit my hand into her skirt pocket to retrieve her medi¡ª ¡°HEY! IS THIS THE RIGHT TIME TO BE A PERVERT?¡± It seems to be directed at me. ¡°Is there ever a time to be a pervert? Please quieten down, she¡¯s not feeling very well.¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t that mean we should keep her away from creeps like you?¡± ah. He (princess) carried her away. Ugh¡­ this guy¡¯s annoying. ¡°I¡¯ll never let you lay a hand on h¡ª ARGH!¡± I kicked him on the back of his knees causing him to fall over. I grab hold of her before she fell and took a tablet from my hand using my mouth (since I had to use both arms to carry her) and stuffed the tablet into her mouth. ¡°Swallow,¡± I said to her ¡°don¡¯t choke on it though.¡± ¡°H-HE JUST KISSED HER?¡± ¡°HE¡¯S SERIOUSLY A PERVERT?¡± ¡°I THOUGHT THE OTHER GUY WAS JOKING!¡± Oh god. I forgot. There were people watching. I didn¡¯t want to stand out. Well, that''s out the window. ¡ºReset¡» What? What happe¡ª ¡°Well now, you guys sure are a quirky bunch. There have been weirder groups but are still rare. Hahaha! Summoning people is really entertaining!¡± says divine being. I already squandered being unnoticed might as well take advantage of this. ¡°So, is this one of those ¡®summoned to another world to save it scenario?¡± ¡°Ah, looks like you''re pretty familiar with this situation. have you been summoned before?¡± ¡°no no, I''ve read about these types of situations back in my old world¡± ¡°oh? looks like I have something to look forward to then? haha. well, what he says is right. partially that is.¡± Partially? ¡°I plan to destroy this world in 3 years time. I''ve grown bored of this world.¡± ¡°what?¡± ¡°how can you say that so casually!¡± ¡°didn''t you create it?¡± ¡°now now, don''t you guys realize that all these worlds are just for my entertainment?¡± ¡°let me continue alright? just destroying it is a pity, I''m going to go under the guise of an evil god and you guys are supposed to decide if you think the world is to be saved! hahaha! isn''t that some great plot?¡± ¡°this god has got a screwed up head man¡­¡±This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ¡°well, anymore exposition and you might as well not be sent down. Have fun!¡± ¡°W-wai¡ª¡± ah shit, I''m falling asleep¡­ ¡°Where am i¡­?¡± I was on a bed, in a wooden hut. well, it seems like a big room, where''s everyone else? let''s check the rest of the house firs¡ª ¡°what¡­?¡± slipped out of my mouth. I mean who wouldn''t? I was assuming I was simply in a room but it was instead the entirety of the hut, and now I''m in the middle of a forest... ...is that a giant troll? ¡°inspect?¡± That didn''t work. Uh, how about ¡ºStatus¡». Oh, it did something. [David Whitlock] [Lv13] Class: - Str: 21 Int: 21 Dex: 22 Luk: 21 Equipped: [Simple dark gray mantle] [White T-shirt] [Black work gloves] [Black pants] [Covered shoes] Not what I wanted but it¡¯s fine. Huh? Why am I already level 13? I guess my name is David Whitlock now oh I am wearing a mantle and my clothes have an edgy feel to it. weird. Also, my stats are really balanced. that''s not good¡­ specialization is almost always the way to go. ¡°UWAAAAGH!¡± ¡®shit. I need to ¡ºDodge¡»¡ª!?¡¯ my body moved by itself and I flickered back into the hut. the spot where I was on had a deep indent. fuck. that''s bad. the troll swung its club again, this time at the hut with insane might. With a single swing, the roof of the hut had disappeared, leaving me vulnerable to its next attack. I had to do something quick. ¡ºAppraise¡» [Red Flesh Golem] Often mistaken as a [One-eyed Troll] An artificially created monster with the sole purpose of killing everything it sees. ''Haa?'' fuck me this is bad. Why is this monstrosity here? Well, first things first I need to get away. Fast. ¡ºDodge¡» ¡®it''s the only skill I currently know I have. it has to work!¡¯ once again I flickered away from the Troll¡¯s ¡ª I mean Flesh Golem¡¯s attack. ¡®it said that it destroys anything it sees¡­ so it means that if it can''t see me then I''ll lose its aggro?¡¯ while thinking this, I quickly hid behind a half destroyed wall. while I stood there breathless, the Flesh Golem slowly walked past me dragging its club behind it. ¡®I made it. I actually did it. I survived!¡¯ ¡®but I can''t stay here for long let''s see if there¡¯s anything I can use as a weapon just in case.¡¯ I noticed some pieces of metal with straps attached to it. ¡®armour? Well, it''s better to have a little than none at all.¡¯ I equipped [Simple chest plate] (which is really just metal that straps nicely on my chest) and [Simple shoulder pads]. ¡®weapon, weapon. Oh, that''s interesting.¡¯ it''s an umbrella. a metal umbrella, with cogs and stuff. ¡ºAppraise¡» [Swiss arm-brella (incomplete)] A weapon made by David Whitlock Has a rapier embedded in it as its main weapon. Can change its form into different weapons. Currently has: [Lance] [Shield] [Mace] What in the world? this looks amazing! Also, has the worst name in the world! But why would anyone need a weapon like this? specializing in one weapon would be easier and more effective. ¡®this was made by ¡®me¡¯ which could mean it¡¯s for myself to use, might as well equip it then.¡¯ when I held it, I felt a wave of memories hit me. ¡°Sheath.¡± It glowed for a second before turning into a sheathed sword. I tried to pull out the blade to no avail, I guess this is just to disguise my weapon. ¡°Lance.¡± It didn¡¯t transform¡­ ¡°Unsheath.¡± With a glow, it returned to its original form of a silver and copper metal umbrella. ¡®The sheathed form is pointless then isn¡¯t it¡­¡¯ From then on, I never touched sheath mode. Now ¡ºSkills¡» Unique: ¡ºAppraise¡»[Basic] [1/1] Gives information on monsters, items etcetera Only given to those God chose ¡ºJack-of-All-Trades¡»[Basic] [2/10] Cannot have class Can learn all skills regardless of class restrictions (Weapon restrictions are still active) Cannot use skills beyond [Intermediate] level (Exception:¡ºJack-of-All-Trades¡») Highest stat cannot exceed beyond 10 levels of lowest stat Cannot use Intermediate/Advanced magic spells ¡ª ¡ºStrike¡»[Basic] [2/10] Basic melee skill Amplifies next attack Form depends on weapon equipped ¡ºDodge¡»[Basic] [2/10] Basic movement skill Enables user to subconsciously dodge an attack Over usage is bad for the body ¡ºMana Bolt¡»[Basic Magic] [1/10] Lowest non-elemental magic Fires a small amount of mana out of the user ¡ª Three skills. The most basic of basics. ¡®Well, at least now I know why my stats are so balanced. Still, previous me should¡¯ve specialized man. Even a little would¡¯ve helped¡¯ Now, as prepared as possible. I look toward the Flesh Golem and rose my weapon in a combat stance. ¡®Time for my first real fight.¡¯ Chapter 2 - [Red Flesh Golem] [Red Flesh Golem] Often mistaken as a [Troll] An artificially created monster with the sole purpose of killing everything it sees. ¡°HEY ONE-EYED FREAK! FACE ME, FOR I AM YOUR ENEMY!¡± Is what I would¡¯ve said if not for its incredible stupidity. Sure it¡¯s cool and all, but it has a height three times my size and I''m the one with the disadvantage here. I need all the advantages I can get. As quietly as my shoes would let me be, I sneak up behind the [Red Flesh Golem] armed with my umbrella. I unsheath the rapier from within the umbrella, ¡®with thick skin, this should pierce through it¡¯ or so I thought. ¡ºStrike¡» My body moved on its own and stabbed the Golem three times in quick succession. Except that it hit its leg, leaving only small scratches due to its skin being tougher. ¡®Well, shit.¡¯ ¡°UWAAAAAAAAAAAAA!¡± ¡®Why is it even angry? I barely did any damage to it!¡¯ Jumping to the side, I dodged an unusually quick side swipe by the Golem¡¯s left arm. Although I had dodged it, the air pressure the swipe created blew me aside. ¡®Well, being sneaky is out the goddamn window. Again.¡¯ ¡°Lance.¡± Slotting the rapier back. The shaft extended to a sizable grip. The canopy stretched itself while the rib held its shape, a glow emitted causing the umbrella to gain considerable weight. ¡ºStrike¡» Incredible momentum pushed me forward as I held the lance. With a slight jump, I flew towards the golem. ¡®he''s not dodging this attack!¡¯ The golem never dodged any attack anyway, with its insane defense it never had a need to. Despite this, the lance head pierced through the Golem''s skin and caused it to retaliate automatically. ¡®Fuck, I don''t know how many times is bad but I gotta use it¡¯ ¡ºDodge¡» With that, I flickered to above the golem. An intense wind hit me from below ¡°Mace.¡± ¡ºStrike¡» [Lack of mana, casting canceled] ¡®Ofcourse. of all times to run out of mana, it''s now.¡¯ Despite this catastrophe, I put in as much weight and as much force as I could into this attack. ¡°EAT THIS!¡± A cry of pain was heard along with a loud cracking sound. I was falling. I had no way to stop myself from falling to my death. In case you were thinking of the umbrella, it¡¯s made of metal. ¡®Oh god. He¡¯s way stronger than I imagined.¡¯ The golem was no ordinary monster and was in no way any monster a beginner should be facing. ¡®Dammit!¡¯ ¡ºAppraise¡» [Red Flesh Golem (Enraged)] Often mistaken as a [Troll]Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. An artificially created monster with the sole purpose of killing everything it sees. Empowered by a blind rage. Physical attack raised tremendously, Defense lowered. The Flesh Golem now had a Red aura surrounding it, and it''s giving me a heck load of goosebumps. I was still falling and very much in the range of the Golem''s attacks. ¡®Please have regenerated enough mana!¡¯ ¡ºDodge¡» Success! I barely activated it in time which resulted in a friction burn on my left arm. ¡®Fuck. his hits are no joke!¡¯ My arm was left pink and raw, ¡®Damn, it really hurts¡­ this is my new reality now.¡¯ I had to finish the golem of quick, or my arm would get worse. I drew the rapier from the umbrella. ¡°Shield.¡± The umbrella opened its glowing canopy to reveal the solid metal replacing the original sheet one. It retracted the shaft while wrapping the handle around my left hand, making a grip for the shield. With the shield in my left, rapier in my right, and only a couple drops of mana left in me, I ran toward the enraged Flesh Golem. ¡°UWAGHHHHHH¡± ¡®I¡¯m not dying so early into my new life!¡¯ The eye. Ofcourse. I¡¯ve been so blind this whole time. This is real life, with real weak points. ¡®Focus and you can get past this¡¯ A tree four times my height flies by my head by a hair¡¯s breadth as I duck by the trunk. I vault up, dodging a fist sent by the golem while landing on its arm. Like a blue streak, I ran up the Golem¡¯s arm reaching the edge. I threw my shield toward the golem¡¯s eye and leapt in the same direction. ¡°ARRRGH!¡± A low and loud growl reverberated throughout the forest as the Golem shut its eye in agony. ¡®Grab on as your life literally depends on it!¡¯ I clutched onto the Golem¡¯s eyelid with as much might as I could muster, while stabbing its eye as many times as I could. ¡ºStrike¡» [Lack of mana, casting canceled] ¡ºStrike¡» [Lack of mana, casting canceled] ¡ºStrike¡» [Lack of mana, casting canceled] ¡ºStrike¡» [Lack of mana, casting canceled] ¡ºStrike¡» [Lack of mana, casting canceled] ¡®God DAMMIT!¡¯ I was slowly losing my grip as I kept trying to activate my skill. The golem¡¯s palm was already two meters from crushing me and my tiny existence. ¡®ACTIVATE DAMM¡ª ¡ºStrike¡» [Activation allowed, power temporarily increased.] ¡°AAAAAARGH!¡± As the twinging bellow resounded throughout the forest, the [Red Flesh Golem]¡¯s body glowed a bright blue before shattering into a million pieces and disappearing. [Level Up!] [Level Up!] [Level Up!] [Level Up!] [Level Up!] [Level Up!] [Level Up!] [Level Up!] [Level Up!] [Level Up!] [Level Up!] [Title Gained! One who beat the odds] I fell flat onto the lush forest floor, rising up despite my fatigue. I had to get something to ease the pain of my left arm with the adrenaline ¡®painkillers¡¯ wearing off. ¡®Real physical pain¡­ this is no fucking joke.¡¯ Enduring the pain I opened my ¡ºStatus¡» [David Whitlock] [Lv24]+11! Title: [One who beat the odds] Class: - Str: 21 Int: 21 Dex: 22 Luk: 21 55 Sp unassigned! Equipped: [Torn dark gray mantle] [White T-shirt] [Simple chest plate] [Simple shoulder pads] [Black work gloves] [Black pants] [Covered shoes] ¡®That one monster gave me eleven levels?!¡¯ Seriously, the world made me fight an insanely difficult monster as my first encounter? Well, on the bright side I level up eleven times. I tore up more of my mantle to wrap up my left arm to ease the pain a little. The [Red Flesh Golem] also dropped some items. [Small Red Potion] x5 Heals small injuries and boosts natural healing for larger ones Can be drunk or applied [Red skin gloves] Eases strain on arms when used heftily [Skill book: Shield] Uses mana to create a shield Requires a shield equipped Requires melee class I applied a potion on my abrasion, it eased the pain greatly. I also equipped the [Red skin gloves] and used my skill points. [David Whitlock] [Lv24] Title: [One who beat the odds] Str: 38(+17) Int: 32(+11) Dex: 38(+16) Luk: 32(+11) Equipped: [Torn dark gray mantle] [White T-shirt] [Simple chest plate] [Simple shoulder pads] *[Red skin gloves] [Black pants] [Covered shoes] I packed whatever rations and water I could find in the destroyed hut, and picked up my umbrella to use as a support as I hike through the forest. I found some dried meat and a water skin, I filled it up with water and packed all the stuff into a haversack I found. With all the preparations completed, I left in search of any sort of civilization. I decided to follow a river out of the forest. Not sure where I heard of this but apparently, rivers lead to civilization. I could be very wrong but it¡¯s all I can count on for now. While hiking, I opened up the skill book for ¡ºShield¡», it seems that simply reading it doesn¡¯t automatically register it as a skill I''m able to use. The book¡¯s contents tell me the theory of how the shield blocks incoming attacks, but not how I cast it¡­ Well, i have a lot of time to experiment.