Kieran pondered the System's question about how Hunters acquire skills. He had done some reading on the subject, mostly out of boredom during his long confinement, and recalled a few key methods.
"From what I've learned online," Kieran began, "there are a few main ways Hunters gain mana skills. The most common, and perhaps the easiest, is through skill crystals. You use the crystal, and the knowledge of how to activate the skill is... imprinted on your mind, right? Then, the Hunter just needs to practice to become proficient."
"That's correct," the System affirmed.
"Another way is through magic tomes," Kieran continued. "Hunters have to read and understand the often complex instructions and nuances of the skill as it's written in the tome. This method requires a lot of study and comprehension."
"Also correct," the System said, sounding slightly impressed.
"And finally," Kieran concluded, "a Hunter can receive direct guidance from a higher-ranking, more experienced Hunter. They can teach the skill, correct mistakes, and provide personalized instruction."
"Yes, those are the primary methods," the System confirmed. "But given that I'm basically running on fumes right now, all I can offer you is a... modification of skill crystal or magic tome. It's the most I can manage in my current state." The System's voice was noticeably weaker now.
Kieran sighed, a wave of disappointment washing over him. "You really are unreliable, you know that?"
"Hey!" the System protested, its voice taking on a slightly whiny tone. "That's rude! I'm still just a child, you know? And whose fault is it that I had to expend so much of my essence in the first place?"
"Alright, alright," Kieran conceded, though he couldn't quite suppress a wry smile. "It's still better than nothing, I guess. Besides, I heard that if I register with the Lumina Concord as a Hunter, I'll be rewarded with a skill crystal. But that would tie me to their organization, right?"
The System's tone shifted, becoming even fainter. "I hate to break your bubble, but I asked you that question about how Hunters gain skills because it's directly related to the magic skill that I'm going to give you."
Kieran's good mood vanished. He didn't like the sound of that. "What do you mean?" he asked, a knot of unease forming in his stomach.
The System explained, its voice now barely a whisper, "Well, because of my... circumstances, I can't directly give you a skill without a medium. I lack the power to do so."
Confused and increasingly wary, Kieran sought clarification. "A medium? What are you talking about?"
"Basically," the System said, "I need you to provide me with your own skill crystal or magic tome. You have to have the base skill available for me to modify."
Kieran flared up in anger. "Modify? What's the difference? Why can't you just give me a skill directly?"
The System responded, its voice weak but firm, "For starters, through me, you won't need to spend time practicing the skill. You will automatically master it. You'll gain complete proficiency instantly."
Upon hearing this, Kieran heaved a sigh of relief. The prospect of not having to spend countless hours training was definitely appealing. He was eager to start hunting in the Gates and didn't want to be bogged down by lengthy practice sessions.
But he still pressed the System, "Is that all? Is that the only benefit?"
The System gathered what little strength it had left and answered proudly, "No! Because the skill is given to you through me, there will be no cooldown time for the skill. You can spam it as much as you like, without any restrictions!"
Kieran was momentarily stunned by the System's words. He closed his eyes, a vivid image flashing through his mind: himself, surrounded by hordes of grotesque otherworldly creatures, unleashing a barrage of powerful, devastating skills. He imagined fire raining from his hands, the earth trembling at his command, and bolts of pure energy tearing through his foes. A thrill shot through him. Oh, how exciting would that be!
But the System's voice quickly brought him back to reality. "There's a catch, of course," it said, its tone matter-of-fact. "You'll need to have enough mana to actually spam those skills. Even with no cool down, your mana capacity will limit you."
The System was right. Kieran's excitement cooled, replaced by a more pragmatic understanding of his situation. He needed to get stronger, and fast. The fastest way he could think of to achieve that was to start hunting in the Gates, to face those otherworldly creatures head-on and gain experience.
"Hey, System," he said, a new determination in his voice. "You mentioned something about daily quests? What's mine?"
"Ding!"
A crisp, metallic sound echoed in his mind, and a new screen appeared in his vision, displaying the details of his first task.
Daily Quest Available!
Quest Description: Kill 10 otherworldly creatures.
Quest Reward: Stat point +1
Quest Penalty: Random stat -1
Time Limit: 24 hours
A chill ran down Kieran's spine. He had spent years confined to his apartment, his interactions with the outside world limited to online forums and deliveries. The thought of actually going out, of facing real danger, of killing something, filled him with a mixture of fear and exhilaration. It was terrifying, but also... exciting. He could become like those hunters he watched on TV, powerful and respected.
"So, what's the plan now?" the System asked, breaking his train of thought.
Kieran took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. "Well, first, I need to register as a Hunter. And that's a problem. The Lumina Concord is the gathering spot for all the strong hunters, and they offer a free skill crystal upon registration. But I'm afraid my freedom will be limited there. It wouldn't take them long to discover that I'm... different from other Hunters."
"You're smarter than you look," the System commented dryly. "So what are you going to do?"
Kieran nodded, his mind already working through the options. "The only choice I have left is to join the Hunters Association. It's a government-run organization, which means I'll have some degree of privacy. I won't be required to reveal everything about myself, and I'll have more autonomy."
He paused, a new problem surfacing in his thoughts. "The problem now is how to acquire a skill crystal. I can't expect to kill ten otherworldly creatures without any skills. That's suicide."
The System didn't offer any immediate solutions, and a heavy silence filled Kieran's apartment. He knew what he had to do. He had to step outside. He had to face the world he had been hiding from for so long.
With a deep breath, Kieran walked towards the door of his apartment. His hand trembled as he reached for the doorknob, the cold metal a stark contrast to his clammy skin. He hesitated for a moment, a thousand doubts and fears swirling in his mind. But then, the image of himself wielding incredible power, of finally being free, spurred him forward.
He turned the knob. He opened the door.
And Kieran, the boy who had been a prisoner of his own isolation, took his first step outside.