Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Training Delivers Its Fruits
'Seriously, what have I done to deserve this?' I think as I stare at the status window.
Being transported into the middle of a forest in another world - a fantasy world from what it looks like - with a martial arts themed system and with nothing more than a shirt, pants and shoes to my name. This kind of crazy situation that should have stayed in the minds of fiction writers suddenly became very real.
I hold my head in my hands, sigh, and then look down.
As my gaze turns downwards, I end up taking a close look at the clothes I was currently wearing.
"...And I'm even in my practice uniform as well."
I was currently wearing the same clothes I use when I practice my mantis kung fu.
It was nothing fancy, just some baggy pants, shoes and a shirt with a stylized picture of a mantis on it and the words "Seven Star Mantis" written with Chinese characters.
I was sure I hadn't gone to sleep in these, I guess this is just another "gift" or what have you from the system - it did seem to be weirdly focused towards martial arts after all. In a twisted sort of way, it seems fitting that it would equip me with my training wear since the message from before seemed so hell bent on this so called "Martial Arts Journey".
So what, am I expected to just go and punch monsters in the face now?!
I sigh again, then do a few deep breaths.
A few minutes of this later and I'm a bit more calm.
"...Whatever, there's no point in panicking or getting angry at this system thing now. My priority should be to find some form of civilization, punches and kicks can't fill bellies after all." I ponder as I get up and look around, the forest was quiet and the trees were sparse. There was no sign of sentient life nearby, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Since this is a fantasy world, then things that fall into the category of "sentient life" might also include things such as bandits and monsters, things that I definitely do not need to run into right now.
First of all, since cities are frequently built near bodies of water, then my best bet would be to follow a river downstream, wouldn't it?
However, I don't hear the sound of flowing water, so I guess that option is out of the window for now.
I just hope I'm not so far away from a town that I'll be forced to sleep in the wild - who knows just what might find me while I sleep?
Seeing no other choice, I choose a direction and start walking in a straight line, or as close to it as possible, with the hope that I'll eventually exit the forest and/or find something that points me to a better direction.
I'll also use this chance to have a better look at how this system works.
The sound of wet grass and soil being stepped upon reverberates though the forest as I start walking.
I open the status window once again.
----------
Ding!
----------
Status:
Name: Andrew
Level: 1
Experience Points: 0/100
Style Points: 0
Styles Known: Seven Star Praying Mantis
-------
Attributes:
HP (Health Points): 35
Qi (Qi Points): 45
Strength: 15
Endurance: 13
Dexterity: 20
Agility: 25
Internal Power: 15
Attribute Points: 0
-------
(Open Martial Achievement List)
(Open Skill List)
----------
Well, first things first - let's go down the order, shall we? First, let's look at these "Styles Known" and "Style Points" thing...
----------
Ding!
----------
Tutorial: Style Points
Style Points are valuable rewards earned through leveling up every 25 levels or achieving special accomplishments. Each Style Point grants you the opportunity to learn an additional Chinese martial arts style.
To unlock a new style:
Level Up: Gain a Style Point every 25 levels. For instance, reaching levels 25, 50, 75, and so on will grant you additional opportunities to learn new martial arts.
Special Achievements: Certain extraordinary accomplishments also reward you with Style Points. However, only high difficulty achievements award such extravagant rewards.
Learning a Style: Once you have acquired a Style Point, a new option will appear next to "Styles Known". Clicking it will open a new window where you may choose any style of traditional chinese martial art you wish.
----------
Interesting... so any style of chinese martial arts I want? That's... pretty awesome actually!
I grin as I rub my chin.
Sure, these style points seem pretty rare by the looks of it, but it's still very nice that I can just up and learn a style all on my own without needing formal instruction.
Not that I'm dissatisfied with my current style, but it's always a good thing to broaden your scope, you know? Besides, with this, I can carefully plan which martial arts are best suited to cover my weak points - I won't need to rely only on the styles whose masters I can find and train under.
It's not a big priority right now, I'm still only level 1 right now after all. But I should eventually sit down and ponder more carefully on which styles I should choose in the future.
Next, the "Styles Known" tab. I'm prety sure I know plenty about the style I've been practicing for several years, but it's good to have a little look on what the system says about it.
----------
Ding!
----------
Style Known: Seven Star Praying Mantis
This style is a powerful and agile Northern Chinese martial art known for its swift and precise strikes. Emphasizing a balanced and defensive stance, the Seven Star Praying Mantis focuses on quick reflexes, unyielding agility, and the ability to counterattack with deadly precision. Due to it's wide and all encompasing range of techniques, it's fighters are down to be very versatile and competent in most combat situations.
----------
Hmm... Not bad, not very descriptive but it got the gist of it right.
Anyway, what about "Qi" and "Internal Power"?
----------
Ding!
----------
Tutorial: Qi Points
Qi Points represent your character's internal energy reserve. It influences the effectiveness of certain special abilities and skills that rely on harnessing and manipulating internal energy. Keep an eye on your Qi Points during combat, as using abilities will consume this resource. Resting or meditating may replenish Qi Points. Manage your Qi wisely to optimize your combat capabilities.
----------
Ding!
----------
Tutorial: Internal Power Attribute
The Internal Power attribute represents the size of your Qi Pool, which is a reservoir of internal energy (Qi) that fuels certain skills. A larger Qi Pool allows you to sustain powerful techniques and perform advanced maneuvers more effectively.
Certain skills in your arsenal will calculate their effects based on your Internal Power level. As your Internal Power attribute increases, your Qi Pool expands, granting you greater endurance and potential in combat.
This attribute can be increased with free Attribute Points or by practicing Meditation
----------
So Qi is basically the equivalent of MP, and Internal Power is the combination of WIS and INT?
Hmm... Well, at least by combining two attributes into one I won't need to micromanage as much, that's for sure.
Okay. Next is "Achievements".
----------
Ding!
----------
Achievement List:
(Blank)
Number of Achievements: 0
----------
Figures. No list to choose from nor a hint as to which achievements there are. Though they probably have something to do with fighting, seeing as the system seems so combat oriented.
"Skills"?
----------
Ding!
----------
Passive Skill: Chinese Martial Arts (Northern Mantis - Seven Star Mantis), Level 1/100
Description: The character has trained extensively in the Northern Mantis style, specifically the Seven Star Mantis variation. This passive skill enhances their combat abilities and provides unique advantages in battle.
Effects:
Seven Star Stance: During combat, Andrew automatically assumes the Seven Star Stance, a balanced and defensive posture. While in this stance, his Agility increases by 25%, improving his dodging, attack speed and mobility during battle.
Precision Strikes: Andrew's strikes gain precision and accuracy. Every successful consecutive hit on an opponent increases his Strength by 5% for the remainder of the combo, up to a maximum of 15% additional Strength.
Counter-Strike: After successfully evading or parrying an opponent's attack, Andrew gains a temporary boost in Strength and Dexterity, each increasing by 10% for the next attack he performs. This boost remains active for 3 seconds.
Mantis Grapple: When grappling with an opponent in close combat, Andrew can unleash the power of the Northern Mantis style. He gains an increase of 15% in Strength during grapple encounters, allowing him to overpower adversaries and gain a tactical advantage.
Deflection Mastery: Andrew's proficiency in deflection allows him to use his weapon or bare hands to redirect incoming enemy projectiles or attacks. He gains an additional 25% chance to deflect ranged attacks or magical projectiles away from him.
----------
Passive Skill: Iron Palm, Level 1/30
Description: Iron Palm is a foundational Chinese martial arts technique that focuses on developing the hand's striking power and precision. By channeling internal energy and conditioning the hands, Andrew can deliver devastating strikes capable of causing significant damage to opponents.
Effects:
Power Strike: Andrew's strikes gain additional power, allowing him to deal 20% more damage.
Breaking Strength: The Iron Palm training grants Andrew the ability to break through weak barriers or obstacles, such as wooden boards or thin walls, with his palm strike. This skill can be useful for creating escape routes or accessing hidden areas. Additionally, it allows him to block attacks made with sharp objects, using his hands as if they were made of metal.
----------
Oh... They're all level 1. I guess it was too naive to think they'd start at level 60 or something...
However...
Are these really level 1 skills? They seem a bit too strong.
No, no matter how you look at it, these are totally not level 1 Skills! Specially the Mantis Style passive!
I mean, five different effects?! I get that styles are a limited resource here but c'mon!
"And they're not weak effects either - seems I might not be as defenseless as I had previously thought." I couldn't help but wonder out loud.
At that thought, I couldn't help but release a sigh of relief, knowing that if something did happen, at least I had a few good skills to back me up.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
KungFu_Nerd
KungFu_Nerd Welp, the exposition took more words than I had expected. In the end these more technical bits took a whole chapter to write.
The actual fight is gonna happen in the next chapter then. Anyway, thanks for reading.
— New chapter is coming soon — Write a review
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone