The Place Where Everything Begins

The first one, [Footwork], aka 'basic footwork skills', of which if anyone only looked at its skill name, they would realize that it was pretty 'broad' by itself.

As its name suggested, 'footwork' was the way someone used their 'feet' in sports, dancing, fighting, and so on.

As for the skill's ability, it was a passive skill that would increase the owner's capability and familiarity with the footwork. In other words, Jeremy would be able to learn and develop his footwork faster by some degrees.

Regarding developing the skill into the next level, Jeremy decided to upgrade and practice his footwork in the direction of fighting-related footwork, be it advancing, dodging, or retreating; he would have to develop his footwork step by step slowly.

Actually, Jeremy knew quite some decent footwork skills, as he had occasionally sparred with his 'subordinates' in his previous life.

So, if he tried those footwork techniques again this time, its levels might jump up quite some levels...

Now, the second skill, [Ambidextrous], as its name suggested, Jeremy would be able to use his two hands with more sync and could familiarize himself with his two hands better.

Currently, Jeremy might be able to use his two hands quite well, like when he used his two hands to cast two spells simultaneously, but he knew all too well that they were not equal yet; as there was still a long way to go before they were completely equal in dexterity.

Even in his past life, Jeremy had to spend his free time for almost an entire era of practice in ambidextrous before he could finally bring his two hands into an absolute equal level.

That's the two main reasons he decided to buy [Ambidextrous]. It was akin to a 'tool' or 'convenience' to help him practice his two hands to reach the same level as in his previous life faster.

Lastly, the lesser reason was that this skill also had some usefulness in his current situation; Jeremy had to wield a spear instead of magic as his primary weapon to fight with the outlanders.

Those three reasons alone had ranked the [Ambidextrous] skill to be a must-buy skill for Jeremy.

The third and last skill was an active skill called [Disguise]; this skill let Jeremy change his outward appearance into other people's ones, that was... with some side effects.

This skill might not seem that useful, but it could actually be a life-saving skill in a time of crisis.

Even if it was a short duration of 5 minutes, but if used appropriately, it could certainly take down even a formidable foe.

'Alright, it's time for the last part, Leaderboard.'

Upon focusing on the [Leaderboard] option, the interface suddenly changed into another one...

...

[Leaderboard]

Zone: 82,364

Survivors: 8,294

Your Ranking: 1st Place ?

[Your ranking has been ranked according to your total Survival Points earned]

...

'I'm first? Not surprising at all, for I've earned more than 13,000 SP. No one should have successfully cleared a do...'

"Whatcha doin'? You've been standing here for almost 15 minutes, ya know."

Came a deep voice of a man wearing his military outfit interrupted Jeremy's thoughts so suddenly.

The man who had a title, Gunner above his head, was none other than Eddie.

After dismissing the interface, Jeremy turned his head to look at Eddie, then he said...

"I see; you guys have finally finished your meeting. Also, you are not afraid of me anymore, eh?" Jeremy said playfully with an amusing smile plastered on his face.

*Flinch*

Eddie suddenly flinched after hearing those playful yet meaningful words of Jeremy's.

It was as if Eddie had just realized the gravest mistake of his life. He then hurriedly backed away from Jeremy, trying his best to increase the distance between the two of them.

However, before Eddie could scurry away from the devil incarnation in front of him, Jeremy called out to him unexpectedly...

"Wait, big guy, what's the hurry? It also happens that I have something to talk to you about. Follow me."

Upon hearing Jeremy's words and seeing that the man was readily walking to the place where there was no people's presence, Eddie suddenly got scared for his life.

He shouldn't have forgotten that the man in front of him was akin to a devil who had radiated those goosebumps feelings not long ago,

'What should I do? I have to call Mitchell... no... I can't risk his life with my silly mistake. I... I have to... to go alone...'

Really, did he have any other choice at all?

The answer was clear as day, for he had nowhere to run away to in this square chamber...

So, he could only do as the devil pleased...

Just like that, Eddie walked hesitatingly, following Jeremy with a certain distance between the two of them.

Not long after, they finally reached an empty place.

Then Jeremy turned back to look at Eddie carefully.

"Eddie..." Said Jeremy.

*Gulp*

"Wha, what?"

Eddie, the big and muscular adult man whose height was more than 190 cm, actually gulped and stuttered.

"How do you feel about me?"

'What the...?'

Feeling a bit stumped at the sudden question, Eddie tried to explain, "Fa, feel about you? No, no, don't misunderstand me. Actually, I don't like men."

With a roll of his eyes, Jeremy replied back, "I didn't mean it like that. I meant, why do you feel afraid of me? Tell me honestly; I will accept only the truth, though."

"..."

With an uncomfortable expression on his face, Eddie didn't know what to do for now.

One thing, he didn't want to reveal his talent inside the Status Window.

Another thing, he didn't know the man's motives for asking a question like that.

"..."

"So, you don't want to tell me, huh. Never mind it then."

With a slight shake of his head, Jeremy prepared to walk to an empty corner; he wanted to try something...

However...

'Have I just angered him? No, no, I'm a dead fucking meat.'

"Please wait!"

Jeremy stopped at the sudden call from Eddie.

"You want to tell me now huh?" Jeremy shot a glance at Eddie's face.

*Gulp*

Upon feeling such a glance firsthand, Eddie gulped loudly.

"Let, let me ask you first. What is your purpose of asking?" Eddie asked Jeremy back with a shaky voice.

However, as if he didn't want to answer that question, Jeremy's demeanors suddenly changed, with his abyss-like blue eyes peered deeply and directly into Eddie's shaky eyes.

As a result, Eddie felt goosebumps all over his body...

'It comes again, that, that awful sensation. Mitchell... please take care of my wife...'

Eddie's body was stiff as a stone.

"So, it is a skill? Hmm... Maybe, a talent?"

With a nod of his head, Jeremy started listing skills and talents that might have something to do with Eddie's current behavior.

However...

Soon Jeremy realized that most of his memory about those miscellaneous things like that was still inside his sea of consciousness.

Without retrieving the dormant memory out, he was utterly clueless...

'Well, I really don't want to burden my still-fragile mind by accessing for information within my sea of consciousness with some miscellaneous trivial things like that. Let's just ask from him directly then.'

With those thoughts in mind, when Jeremy saw that Eddie's conditions were not looking good, he then retracted his mysterious intent.

*Thud*

With his utterly limping body, Eddie dropped down to the ground with a thudding sound.

"Alright, if you want to sit down, why didn't you tell me in the first place."

Upon witnessing such a sight, Jeremy decided to sit down on the ground too.

…

[A/N: Eddie doesn't have any wife or girlfriend.]