Stats in King's Cradle were slightly different from other games. For one, it is not something that increases the capabilities of the user; in fact, it's quite the opposite. Stats are a reflection of your capabilities, or so the game manual says.
Gifts and Skills, however, are still a mystery even to Fran. For example, it can give you additional strength or stamina, but where does that come from? Magic? A mysterious force?
"3 stamina, huh..."
For a non-player of King's Cradle who's used to other games, they might have thought Fran was overreacting to such a thing.
"Twice the stamina as a normal person to start with." Fran sighed in envy.
That's right, in King's Cradle, any stat of 3 is considered to be twice the capabilities of a normal human. In fact, having a stat of 5 is quadruple that of a normal human. This was how King's Cradle's system was made.
"More than that..."
"My back hurts."
Standing up, Fran stretched his body. He was in a small and shabby room. Dusk was accumulating, and creaks could be heard when he made each step.
[This is the result of your masterful plan, King Fran.]
"Shut up."
That's right, this was none other than the Cradle's Inn. Fran was a bit reluctant to sleep in this place as it was unmaintained and was practically a ghost building until just when he arrived.
"Still, I keep forgetting this is a newbie cradle... There's not even any NPCs..." He said regrettably.
Newbie Cradle.
Or so-called new cradles that aren't as well developed. There were times when players would be the first Pawn in a cradle, which meant that all facilities were practically unmaintained and had poor living conditions.
Players weren't the only ones summoned in the Cradle; occasionally, "non-players" would be summoned. All sorts of backgrounds were made for these people, and they would engage in life-like conversations even with players like Fran. Language wasn't a problem, as the game somehow translates everything.
It was all ambiguous, even Fran found it suspicious when the company just explained it was their "Highly-Intelligent Artificial Intelligence".
<<----------->>
"...!"
"..."
Two people stared awkwardly at each other, it seems they had left their rooms at the same time.
"Good morning, Mr. Fran."
"Ah, yes. Good morning, Ms. Aria."
The two went down the stairs into the main lobby of the inn. It seems they were the last ones to awaken from their slumber. As they began to reach the first floor, they were noticed by the other people in the room.
[Albert ✦]
[Lvl. 1]
[Strength - 1 (95%)] [Agility - 1 (72%)] [Intelligence - 1 (10%)] [Endurance - 1 (87%)] [Stamina - 1 (60%)]
[Unique Gift - Born to be a Warrior]
[1.1x efficiency in developing (Strength). Gain a permanent (Intelligence -10%).]
[Vaclova Jath ✦]
[Lvl. 1]
[Strength - 1 (85%)] [Agility - 1 (41%)] [Intelligence - 1 (32%)] [Endurance - 2 (12%)] [Stamina - 1 (82%)]
[Unique Gift - Arrogant]
[Gain a naturally provoking aura that enrages (Living Entities).]
"Good morning, Albert, and V."
"At least these two didn't fully lie about their name," Fran thought to himself.
He looked back at the person he was just with. As if getting the signal, everyone gathered around a table.
"I've had my assistant explain the situation... it seems this is all real."
Slam
"You've got to be kidding me! This is just kidnapping!"
The muscular woman cried out, slamming the table with the blunt side of her fist. Her build and intimidating face made everyone instantly quiet—it seems she is annoyed and furious by the sudden situation she was in.
"I refuse to work for this nonsense!"
"Let's.... Let's all calm down for now."
The one who called herself Aria spoke out.
[Clear the first stage on the first fragment]
[Deadline: 2 days]
"This was what my assistant had given me. It seems this is a task we must complete—or else." Albert calmly said.
It seems the person named Albert was getting used to the assistant's presence.
"Grr... they're using us as slaves! In the first place, how are we gonna go home!? Don't you all have families to return to!?"
"..."
Fran went silent, he felt guilty. While he had friends and family, he wasn't particularly attached to them or anything. In fact, the thought of him going back to his home never crossed his mind.
"Well, it's possible to return. Isn't that right, Mr. Fran?"
The group turned to Fran for answers, watching his next words. Fran cleared his throat and spoke.
"Yeah, that's right. There is an Item called [Returner's Scroll], which is said to teleport you to the place you've been to before. This includes your former world."
Of course, Fran omitted the fact that it was hard to get and most would never really encounter one unless they're really lucky. What's more, players rarely find a use for it, other than traveling conveniently through the fragments.
Aria, or Moo Hee-Young, knew this too and had signalled to Fran that this was the best way to make the aggravated Vaclova calm down.
"Hmm... you guys said you were 'players'?"
"That's right."
After yesterday's summoning, the system had teleported the four to the Cradle's Inn after a short chit-chat. There wasn't much time to catch up as it was late in the evening. They were then advised to consult their assistant.
Even "non-players" were given assistants, as to how different they were from the players' assistant, not a lot of people know. As they are apparently different for each non-player. Fran had known a few non-players who had an assistant in the form of a spirit, an imaginary figure, or an invisible book.
With no time to waste, the two proceeded to explain their situation and the rules of King's Cradle. Before long, breakfast time had arrived, and somehow, food was instantly brought to their table as if by a mysterious force. Fran, however, sighed at the sight of basic hard-black bread, the staple starter food of King's Cradle.
<<----------->>
[Will this be alright, King Fran...?]
The bright, pure white crystal gate was towering in front of them. It was still radiating light, as if still welcoming another visitor. He had gone last.
"Yeah."
[What will you do?]
"Of course, we'll clear the first stage."
The task that he sent out to the pawns was to clear the first stage within two days. This did not mean he couldn't clear it on his own. In any case, Fran knew the tutorial would last for a fixed time of 3 hours. That was plenty for him.
"Now, let's start the hunt for the first fragment."
As he declared that, his sword materialized on his hip along with the holster. He moved forward, ready to start his first battle in the game he had always played time and time again.