2025-02-23 19:12:36As Rico lay on his back, staring up at the ceiling, he felt anticipation and a bit of nervousness bubbling up inside.
He had an eagerness to explore the new abilities and powers he had received in this realm.
Determined to access his stats, he tried speaking aloud:
"Open," he murmured, but nothing appeared.
"System open," he repeated, with no luck.
Finally, he muttered, "Luna open," and with a soft chime, a translucent blue window materialized before him.
Glowing softly in the dim light, it displayed neatly arranged options that he scanned eagerly:
• [Quests]
• [Inventory] • [Stats] • [Skills]Rico focused on Stats, and the display shifted smoothly, bringing up his current attributes in a structured layout.
---
[Name]: Rico Tiyaga Santos
[Rank]: Warrior(Novice) [Occupation]: Trainee of Ares [Trait]: Favour of the Gods [Title]: none---
STATS
• HP: 200
• Stamina: 80 • Divine Energy: 20Strength: 22 (+20)
Agility: 12 (+10) Intelligence: 70 (+40) Endurance: 23 (+20)---
TRAIT: Favour of the Gods
As a recipient of divine favor, Rico enjoys a significant boost in his Intelligence and Wisdom, and receives random blessings from the deities of Mount Olympus.
This trait also increases Rico's compatibility with divine powers and enhances his ability to connect with other deities.
---
BLESSING: Blessing of Ares
Integration Progress: 65% (Partially Integrated)Granted by the war god Ares, this potent blessing temporarily enhances Rico's stats and bestows a series of powerful abilities that will unlock fully upon complete integration.
• Passive Enhancements (Active):
• Warrior's Strength: +20 Strength • Swift Reflexes: +10 Agility • Endurance of the War God: +20 Endurance • Battle Insight: +40 Intelligence---
Abilities (Partially Unlocked)
These abilities are latent until full integration; current effects are limited to stat boosts.1. Unbreakable Courage
• Grants immunity to fear and boosts morale. (Passive)2. Combat Mastery
• Amplifies weapon handling and close combat skills. (Passive)3. Aura of Intimidation
• Projects an unsettling presence, unnerving weaker opponents. (Passive)4. Warfare
• Enhances strength and focus in combat situations. (Active, Locked)5. Berserker's Wrath
• Triggers a controlled berserk state in intense battle, temporarily boosting all combat stats.(Active, Locked)6. Battlefield Awareness
• Heightens perception, allowing Rico to detect threats and opportunities instinctively. (Passive)7. Warrior's Healing
• Accelerates recovery after combat. (Passive)8. Weapon Enhancement
• Temporarily infuses any weapon held with divine power, increasing damage. (Active, Locked)9. Tactical Insight
• Analyzes enemy weaknesses and anticipates movements. (Active, Locked)Side Effect: War Craving – Extended peace periods may cause restlessness due to Ares' influence, igniting a craving for battle.
---
SKILLS
Passive:
• Intimidation: Increases Rico's aura, deterring weaker beings. • Gauge: Allows Rico to read names and basic traits of nearby beings.Active:
• Holy Magic (Locked) • Warfare (Locked) •Tactical Insight (Locked)---
Rico took in the details with awe.
Each line glowed brightly as he studied it, the numbers and descriptions etched into his mind.
His anticipation grew with the realization that much power lay dormant within him, awaiting the full integration of Ares' blessing.
"Rico Tiyaga Santos " he thought with a smile in his face before he fell asleep.
---
Thud Thud Thud
Rico jolted awake to the sound of footsteps echoing through the halls.
The early morning light barely seeped through, but he could see the dark silhouettes of other trainees streaming out of the residence, all heading for the training grounds.
Joining them, he was surprised by the sheer number of trainees who had gathered, each clad in the same uniform, proudly marking them as new recruits of Ares.
Rico's own uniform was pristine, giving him a sense of purpose and anticipation as he walked alongside the others.
His eyes scanned the crowd, a mixture of awe and nervous energy.
As they arrived at the training field, rows and rows of trainees lined up.
Rico found himself somewhere in the middle, surrounded by an ocean of warriors-to-be.
At the front of the assembly, on a slight incline, stood Demetrius, gazing over them all with a commanding presence.
"Greetings, warriors of Lord Ares!" Demetrius's voice boomed, resonating with pride and power.
Every trainee stood at attention, captivated.
"Today, your new chapters shall begin!" His words rang with certainty, his tone laced with confidence and pride as he praised their shared cause.
"We are the warriors of Lord Ares, under the King of Gods, Zeus, under the shadow of Nyx, and in the name of the Creator, Elohim!" His voice was like thunder, invoking a shared purpose that electrified the air.
Demetrius paused, his gaze fierce.
"The underworld does not rest. Its minions continue to torment the souls of the innocent. It is our duty to protect the weak and the realms devoid of light!" His words struck a chord within Rico.
Demetrius had spoken of their duty to shield the innocent, and the mention of a "new chapter" stirred something in him.
Were they all newly ascended souls? he wondered.
Somewhere close by, other trainees seemed equally entranced by Demetrius's speech, murmuring words of solidarity.
Then, Demetrius raised his sword toward a towering statue of Ares at the edge of the training ground.
His words were a call to action: "Training begins now!"
A chorus of enthusiastic agreement erupted, echoing through the field.
Rico, caught up in the energy of the crowd, raised his voice with the others.
He felt something come alive within him, a spark he hadn't felt before.
Demetrius's next words were sobering:
"For the next few days, we will begin with basic combat—weaponless. And the first training will be all for one until only ten of you are left standing."
Suddenly, Rico noticed a trainee pushing his way through the crowd.
Late to join, the figure was lean yet muscular, exuding a quiet intensity.
His eyes scanned the group with a look that suggested he wasn't an average warrior, and his presence made the nearby trainees subtly shift in acknowledgment of his strength.
Ding!
The system chimed in his head, startling Rico.
[Guardian Mode Activated]
[Alert: Your roommate has arrived and he is not an average warrior.]Huh, Luna? Rico thought, surprised by the sudden notification.
[Congratulations on becoming a warrior!]
"Back already, huh?" he muttered under his breath.
[Focus!!!]
Luna's response was sharp, cutting through his thoughts.
Rico grumbled internally at the command, frustrated but intrigued.
Demetrius, in the meantime, was finishing his orders.
"Let the training commence!" With a sudden motion, he raised his sword high, pointing toward the statue of Ares.
As if on cue, the trainees around Rico erupted into action, grappling with each other, some launching punches, others tackling nearby opponents.
Rico froze, wide-eyed, uncertain of what to do.
[Dodge!!!]
The command blared in his mind, and his body moved instinctively. He ducked just as a fist came flying toward his face.
Spinning out of the way, he narrowly missed another blow.
His pulse raced as he quickly assessed the chaos around him, the instinctual dodge heightening his senses.
The training had begun, and Rico was in the thick of it, his first real test as a warrior unfolding before him.
As the initial clash of training unfolded, Rico's instincts sharpened, his body moving fluidly through the chaos.
Opponents came at him from every side, but he twisted and weaved, dodging each blow with a surprising ease he hadn't expected.
His steps were swift, evading hands and kicks like a natural reflex honed by the strength and agility that Ares' blessing had granted him.
[It's time to make the name Tiyaga echo in the heavens!]
Luna's voice rang through his mind, a fierce encouragement that electrified his resolve.
Across the field, other exceptional trainees began to make themselves known.
Some had grounded themselves firmly, standing in battle-ready stances, and their eyes flashed with unyielding determination.
These warriors fought back with skill and strength, barely flinching even as waves of opponents bore down on them.
A few even wore slight smiles, savoring the adrenaline rush of battle as they deflected strikes and returned them with equal force.
Around them, less experienced trainees stumbled back, intimidated by their sheer presence.
The ground beneath Rico was soon littered with those who couldn't keep up, either knocked back or grappling to regain their balance.
His opponents' footwork faltered as he ducked one jab after another. And then, Luna's voice thundered again in his mind.
[Fight back!]
Without thinking, Rico pivoted sharply, fists clenched.
He brought his arm up and threw his first punch. His knuckles connected with his opponent's chest in a solid blow.
Thud!
The trainee staggered backward, visibly stunned, eyes wide. Rico blinked in amazement, looking down at his hand.
He hadn't anticipated the sheer force of that strike.
It was powerful, even brutal—his strength, amplified by the blessing, had made a far bigger impact than he'd expected.
His shock only lasted a moment before it morphed into exhilaration.
Rico clenched his fist again, feeling the rush of energy surging through him.
He dove back into the fray, launching attacks with newfound confidence. His movements became sharper, his punches more controlled yet fierce.
Each strike he landed seemed to ignite something within him, as if he were discovering a part of himself that had been hidden until now.
With each dodge and counter, he grew faster, his steps lighter and more assured.
Rico's strikes were met with gasps and nods of respect from nearby trainees who watched in awe as he moved.
His presence, once hesitant, had become a whirlwind of aggression, every blow leaving its mark on the field.
From the sidelines, Demetrius and several instructors observed, their eyes tracking Rico's progress with a mix of surprise and admiration.
His raw power and untrained, natural instinct were unmistakable, catching their attention as he handled himself with the spirit of a true warrior.
Demetrius exchanged a knowing look with his fellow instructors, the faintest hint of a smile breaking through his usual stern expression.
As Rico moved through the crowd, he became a force on the field, catching the attention of the other trainees who'd been fighting fiercely.
His intensity and skill left many awestruck, and soon, he wasn't just fighting to stay standing—he was dominating the space around him.
In that moment, as his fists and feet met every challenge, the heavens themselves might have echoed his name, for 'Tiyaga' had arrived.
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As Rico lay on his back, staring up at the ceiling, he felt anticipation and a bit of nervousness bubbling up inside.He had an eagerness to explore the new abilities and powers he had received in this realm.Determined to access his stats, he tried speaking aloud:"Open," he murmured, but nothing appeared."System open," he repeated, with no luck.Finally, he muttered, "Luna open," and with a soft chime, a translucent blue window materialized before him.Glowing softly in the dim light, it displayed neatly arranged options that he scanned eagerly: • [Quests] • [Inventory] • [Stats] • [Skills]Rico focused on Stats, and the display shifted smoothly, bringing up his current attributes in a structured layout.---[Name]: Rico Tiyaga Santos [Rank]: Warrior(Novice)[Occupation]: Trainee of Ares [Trait]: Favour of the Gods [Title]: none---STATS • HP: 200 • Stamina: 80 • Divine Energy: 20 Strength: 22 (+20) Agility: 12 (+10) Intelligence: 70 (+40) Endurance: 23 (+20)
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Rico's eyes widened as he saw the glowing text appear before him, floating in the air.This was no dream. His life, as he knew it, was about to change forever. The being holding the scroll waved his fingers once more.Suddenly, Rico's body shimmered, glowing faintly before disappearing from the spot.All around him, the scenery shifted, and soon everything was consumed by a vast expanse of white clouds.!!!"What now?" Rico muttered to himself, looking around in confusion."Where am I? What is this place?"Ting!A soft chime echoed in the void, followed by a voice in his head.[System integrating with Tiyaga...]Huh? What's with this system? Rico thought, bewildered by the sudden intrusion of the voice.[Integration complete!][Congratulations on making it to heaven, Rico Tiyaga Santos.][I am called Luna, your heavenly guide.][I was your monitoring spirit or let's say, your guardian angel—while you were in the Earth realm.][I shall be your guide from now on.]What?! Rico's mind ra
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Huff! Huff! Huff!"Not... not... no... not Reyna," Rico panted, his breath ragged as he forced himself onward. His legs burned, his breath ragged from exhaustion.He had been running for what felt like hours, dragging himself across the streets toward the abandoned construction site around Dominga Street, where he knew Reyna and her friends were.His body screamed for rest, but the thought of what they might do to her pushed him onward.He had to warn her.Finally, the towering unfinished building came into view. Rico saw the cars parked outside, his heart sinking.They're here.Desperation fueled his legs as he charged forward, calling her name with every ounce of strength left in him."Reyna!! Reyna!!" His voice echoed through the half-built structure, his throat raw.He darted inside, climbing the rough concrete stairs two at a time.At the rooftopLaughter and music filled the rooftop.Six of them—Mateo, his friends, and the girls—lounged around with music playing from a portabl
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