Reality Quest: Lookism

I inserted the shimmering Gold Key into the glowing lock at the center of the panel. As the key slid into place, the chains covering the panel turned golden, their metallic sheen glinting for a brief moment before crumbling into dust.

The screen shifted, revealing a new panel. At the top right, the number 100 Credits was displayed in bold. Below it were four distinct sections, each labeled with a glowing title:

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[Active Skills]

Active Skills are specialized abilities that require mana to activate. Unlike passive abilities, they must be consciously triggered and consume mana to unleash effects ranging from offense and defense to utility. Mastering them requires careful mana management.

[Passive Skills]

Passive Skills are always active and do not require mana. They function as long as their conditions are met, providing continuous benefits like stat boosts, resistances, or unique effects. This section was currently empty.

[Items]

Items grant passive enhancements or unique effects when equipped or carried. Some are time-limited, offering temporary bonuses or abilities. This section is also currently empty.

[Martial Arts]

A section dedicated to techniques and fighting styles. Like the passive and Items section, it was completely empty for now.

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Curious, I tapped on the Active Skills section, and a list appeared with three skills available for purchase:

1. Multi-Strike Destruction - 500 Credits

2. Falcon Drop - 300 Credits

3. Blind Spot Strike - 100 Credits

'So these are all attack skills.' I thought, eyeing the prices. With only 100 credits, my options were limited.

But before buying anything, I wanted to see if these credits could be used for something else. Thinking about the coins brought up a new panel:

[Do you want to withdraw Credits?]

I raised a brow and said, "Okay." The panel shifted to ask:

[How many?]

"One." I replied.

A single black and blue coin with a "C" embossed on it appeared in my pocket. I reached in and pulled it out, inspecting it carefully. The texture felt real, solid, like actual currency.

'So these credits can exist physically.' I thought, turning the coin over in my hand. I didn't see any immediate use for it, so I decided to deposit it back into the system. The panel appeared again, and once I confirmed the deposit, my balance returned to 100 Credits.

Satisfied, I glanced at my Stats Panel, where a small "+" icon had appeared beside each stat. Clicking on it brought up a prompt:

[Increase Stat: 10 Credits per point]

[Increase 100 HP or 10 MP: 10 Credits per upgrade]

'Interesting. So I can increase not just my stats but my total HP or MP pool.' I mused. But with only 100 credits, I needed to think strategically.

Returning to the Active Skills section, I hovered over Blind Spot Strike, the cheapest skill available. The description popped up:

[Blind Spot Strike]

Price: 100 Credits

A swift attack that targets an opponent's blind spot, bypassing their defenses. Effective for quick, unexpected strikes.

'This could come in handy.' I thought. Without hesitating further, I confirmed the purchase.

The moment I purchased the skill, the screen vanished, and I was immediately enveloped by a black and blue aura. The energy coursed around me like an electric current, making the hair on my arms stand on end.

"What the hell-" Before I could finish, the ground beneath me shifted, and in an instant, I was no longer in the hallway.

I stood in an arena. The massive circular space was surrounded by endless darkness, the only light coming from an unseen source above. The floor was a smooth, dark stone, and a faint breeze carried the scent of… nothing.

I looked around, my brows furrowing. "Where the hell am I?"

As if answering my question, a panel appeared in front of me:

[Blind Spot Strike: 0%]

"Huh?" I muttered, staring at the glowing notification.

I thought 'status', but nothing appeared. My confusion deepened until the ground a few feet in front of me started to ripple. A black, inky substance rose from the floor, swirling and twisting as it began to take shape.

My eyes narrowed as the figure solidified. It was me. An exact replica.

I sighed, rubbing my temple. "Hahh… don't tell me-"

Before I could finish, the copy moved. A fist crashed into my chin with enough force to snap my head back. Blood flew from my mouth as my body staggered, my vision briefly going white.

"Shit!" I cursed, stumbling back and trying to steady myself. But the moment I regained my footing, the copy was already on me.

It was relentless. Every punch and kick landed with surgical precision, striking me where I couldn't see or react in time. My ribs, my back, my shoulders, all were fair game.

"Damn it!" I snarled, throwing wild punches of my own, but they either missed or were easily dodged.

The copy dashed to my side, and before I could track it, another blow slammed into the back of my head. I collapsed to one knee, panting, the metallic taste of blood coating my tongue.

'What the hell is going on? Why can't I stop it?'

Then it hit me. The copy was using Blind Spot Strike. Every attack came from an angle I couldn't see, exploiting my blind spots with terrifying efficiency.

I clenched my fists in irritation. I had to find a way to counter it.

When the copy launched another attack, I forced my body to move. I twisted at the last moment, narrowly avoiding its fist. Seeing an opening, I lashed out with my own strike, my fingers aiming for its throat.

The blow connected with the copy's adam's apple, and it staggered back, coughing violently.

A panel appeared in front of me:

[Blind Spot Strike: 1%]

I stared at the notification, my lips curling into a grin despite the pain in my body. 'I get it now.' I thought.

This wasn't like Dowan's system, where skills were handed down on a silver platter. No, this system made me earn it. Every percentage point came from me understanding the skill's foundation, from learning its intricacies firsthand.

'I don't buy the skill.' I realized, wiping the blood from my mouth. 'I buy the right to learn it.'

The copy recovered, its cold eyes locking onto mine. But now, I felt something I hadn't felt since the fight started.

Excitement.

"Alright." I said, cracking my neck. "Let's see who learns faster."

The other me lunged forward again, its movements precise and fluid. I could barely keep up, each attack narrowly missing as I twisted and turned to avoid the hits. My breathing was ragged, and every muscle in my body screamed in protest, but I couldn't stop now.

Its fist shot out in a cross, aiming for my temple. I ducked low, feeling the air from the strike brush past my head, and countered with a quick jab to its ribs. The hit landed, but the copy barely flinched, retaliating with a knee aimed at my chest.

I twisted to the side, deflecting the blow with my forearm and trying to create distance, but it was relentless. A spinning kick came next, forcing me to block with both arms, the impact rattling my bones.

[Blind Spot Strike: 3%]

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1207 words.