First Encounter with Selena (5)

I'd heard to take my time browsing, but holy shit, how many were there? Even a rough count put it at hundreds.

'Pick out exactly what I want from all this?' No way I had time to read every single one, and even if I did, fully grasping how to use them just from descriptions was bullshit.

Still, since Selena had gone out of her way, I figured I'd check a few. Combat skills first—they were what I was most curious about.

"Selena, can this thing search or sort?"

"Of course, Master. What category would you like to see?"

"Show me combat skills. Start with melee attack ones only, highest rank I can pick first."

"Understood."

Selena waved her hand, and a new window popped up. This one ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠had under a hundred, it looked like.

What the hell? SS-rank skills, two of them? New characters were supposed to max out at A-rank in the tutorial.

"I heard it's three minimum to six max based on stats... Am I special or something?"

"Ah, my apologies. I assumed you'd know and skipped the explanation."

Even as an NPC, she wasn't perfect. Kinda made her more likable, actually—more human.

"Souls from other worlds visiting the Novel Continent for the first time get two skills by default, with extras based on total stats."

One extra starting at 50 total, then the thresholds widen: 100, 200, 400, 600. Theoretical max from random roulette was 594, so up to four extras.

"But ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠mine's 1,200. How many can I grab?"

"You can select seven right now. Also, stat total bonuses are separate from regular skill acquisitions."

"So theoretically 100?"

"In theory, yes... but would it even matter?"

Fair point. Managing 100 skills in-game? No way. Raising proficiency on all of them? Forget it. Plus, jobs lock you out of some entirely or slap penalties that neuter them.

"So what about those SS-rank ones I can pick?"

"That's Master's privilege. Note that meeting certain conditions unlocks advanced skills or special gear too."

"What conditions?"

"Can't tell you that. It's a secret for your growth and fun."

Nothing I could do about that. She was a guide/support NPC, not a cheat code.

"By the way, I've prepared skills that match Master's goals too."

My goals? Picking up chicks, huh. Selena gave a sly, mischievous look as she gestured in the air.

"Picked out some recommendations. SS-ranks are bonuses outside the seven."

"Regular skills cap at A-rank?"

"Who knows? Hehe. Check 'em out first."

The top one was a passive. The name alone screamed OP.

"...What the fuck is this? A walking aphrodisiac?"

"A skill to make Master an even more irresistible man. Oh, and the last one? +1% per Charm point."

"So my 200 Charm doubles the base effects?"

"No. 100% boost is double, then Charm doubles that—total quadruple."

Insane. Not addition—multiplication. And that wasn't even the kicker. Selena dropped a bomb.

"Base stat average is 20. Master's 200 Charm is ten times normal. +100% makes it twenty times, then double again: forty."

...Compound interest had nothing on this. A giving tree straight out of a fairy tale.

Bottom line: Anyone fucking me gets forty times the satisfaction of banging a Charm 20 normie. Crank pleasure to +100%, that's eighty times max.

'They'd die orgasming.' In reality? Brain fry or heart attack. But game's safe—capsule cuts sensation if it's too much.

"Of course, picking only sex skills would be trouble. Grab these two too."

Selena's next recs: Battle Mastery (SS) and Weapon Mastery (SS).

Battle Mastery pumped general combat prowess; Weapon Mastery handled gear proficiency.

"Essential for efficient growth. Beyond that, pick what you want."

"Hold up. SS-ranks are limited to two."

"Sacrifice four regular slots for a third SS. Another perk for Master. Your call."

Grab all three SS? Leaves three regulars—total six. Still OP compared to others.

"Fine, three SS it is. For the rest..."

Selena didn't suggest more, her help done. After some thought, I picked Insightful Evil Eye (A), Wind Step (B), and Emergency Escape (B).

"This is it."

"Really?"

"What, more hints? Spill."

"Maybe swap the last one?"

She just smiled. So the first two were fine.

Emergency Escape's solid for me too. Simple: Teleport to saved point at 20% HP or below. Resets at midnight—no cooldown. Lifeline once a day.

'Regression or not, sudden amputation? Fucked.' Plus, blind rewinds meant grind loops. Convenience pick.

"No need to swap?"

"Master's choice."

Harsh for a tutorial, but she had reasons. I had my plan anyway—locked it in.

"Just do it."

"Oh, Master."

"What?"

"Nothing. Granting skills now."

Selena pressed her palm to my chest. Golden light enveloped me as acquisition messages popped.

First up: Insightful Evil Eye. Tested it on Selena right away. What info would show?

Like this, huh. Scanned the tooltip for her full status.

'Charm only 120? And she's that gorgeous?' No wonder she said prettier women existed. So how hot did my 200 Charm make me look?

'Other stats probably higher than mine—hidden.' Lewdness unlocked from sex; Obedience from maid setting. The issue? Favorability's bracket.

Recent change.

'Dropped? Why?' Post-fuck, should've been 100. Minus 3 recently. From not swapping the skill?

"And finally, the basic authority for the Hero's Treasury owner."

"Basic authority?"

"...Ah, fuck."

Curse slipped out. That's why she pushed the swap.

"Note: From Hero's Treasury, teleport to any saved point."

Dumbass infinite shuttle ticket. Perfect pants-running insurance. Up to five times a day.

I'd wasted a slot like an idiot.

"...That was a tutorial quest?"

"You could see it that way? No official register, so no rewards or penalties."

No penalties my ass. Favor at 97 meant no full sex till 100. Sucking and licking? Sure. Pussy? Locked. No clue how to raise it.

"Can't be helped."

Done was done. Stick to plan.

"Now, to the combat training room."

"The fuck? You're nuts?"

"Pardon?"

Snap! Fingered a rewind to pre-skill pick.

"Pussy!"

"...Master?"

Selena blinked blankly. Didn't matter—I roared at the air.

My personal fuckhole forever. No matter what, protect it.