Guldrin’s Gluttony: Family Bound by Speed & Food

The blinding light faded, leaving Guldrin and Shiro in the comforting familiarity of their shared room. The transition back to their world always felt abrupt, like waking from a vivid dream, but this time it was different. There was a weight to it, a heaviness that settled deep in their bones. They weren't just returning home; they were bringing back scars, memories, and the echoes of another world.

"Ding, the hosts' bodies will assimilate with the changes that occurred during the mission. The assimilation time is 1 month. Scars, cuts, bruises, and any other non-essential changes will be present forever more. Suggestion: wear long sleeves and long pants if you don't want unneeded questions."

The room looked exactly as they had left it, untouched by time. The faint smell of oil and metal hung in the air, a reminder of the countless hours Guldrin had spent tinkering with his Chevelle. Shiro let out a soft breath, her shoulders relaxing for the first time in weeks.

"We're back," she whispered, her voice carrying a note of disbelief, "And we don't need to worry about our physique being a point of notice. Toss me a long sleeve, my beanie so I can hide my hair, and you should change as well… Don't want them seeing our clothes and asking unwanted questions. Plus, you smell like weed, go shower."

They got to work, both stripping out of their zombie survival clothing and storing it in their inventory. You would think they would be flustered to change together, but after a month in that world, they had gotten used to it, and their relationship had progressed quite a bit. Neither felt comfortable with doing anything more than kissing, but that would come with age, they were sure of it.

After a quick show, standing in a black hoodie, and sweatpants, Guldrin nodded, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah. Feels… weird. Like we never left, but everything's different." Shiro nodded, donning Guldrin's blue-white sweatshirt which she had stolen from him years ago, she smiled, the comfort ever-present. "Yeah, you would never think we just spent a month away killing zombies, and surviving in a world on fire." She spoke as she tucked Guldrin's hair into his black visor'd beanie, so as to hide his increased hair-length.

They moved to the window, peering out at the familiar streets of their neighborhood. The sun was high as it casts a warm glow over the rooftops. It was quiet, and serene, a stark contrast to the chaos they had just left behind. It was almost unnerving how normal it felt.

Shiro nudged him, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "Think they noticed we were gone?"

He snorted. "Mom and Mia? Not likely. Let's go find out."

Leaving their bedroom in the shop, they heard the faint hum of the television in the café. Mia's laughter drifted through the air, followed by Letty's voice teasing her about something trivial. 

Guldrin and Shiro stepped into the café, their presence unnoticed at first. Letty was sprawled on the counter barstool, a bottle of beer in hand, while Mia flipped through channels with casual ease.

"Hey," Guldrin said, his voice cutting through the mundane chatter.

Both women looked up, startled but quickly recovering. Letty raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Well, look who finally decided to come out of their cave. What's it been? A couple of hours?"

Mia chuckled, shaking her head. "You two are like ghosts. Always disappearing and reappearing without a word. At least we know if Shiro isn't on her PC, then she is with you, it gives us comfort at least."

Shiro exchanged a glance with Guldrin, the unspoken realization of confirmation sinking in. To Letty and Mia, they hadn't been gone for weeks, let alone an entire month. Time had been warped as the system said it would, time was frozen till we completed the quest." 

Emily rolled her eyes, meowed, and leaped off his shoulder, and approached the fish Mia had left for her on the counter. She missed this, being waited on and fresh fish, frozen fish just wasn't as good, and she sure wasn't going to eat zombie water fish; that's just nasty.

"Yeah," Shiro said smoothly, "just lost track of time. Been working on something."

Letty waved a hand dismissively. "As long as you're not blowing stuff up, we're good."

Mia shot them a warm smile. "Dinner's in the fridge if you're hungry."

Guldrin felt a pang of something, relief, maybe? He nodded and took a deep breath, something inside him wanted to tear up… They were home again, "Thanks."

They retreated to their room, the weight of the conversation, or lack thereof, settling in. It was surreal, knowing they had fought tooth and nail in another world, only to come back to a place where their absence barely registered.

"Well," Shiro said, flopping onto the bed, "at least we don't have to explain anything."

Guldrin grunted in agreement, his mind already drifting to the system reward. The notification hovered in his vision, a persistent reminder of the promise of power and advancement.

"Ding, Congratulations! You have completed your objective in the alternate world: 

Quest Name: "Trial by Fire; or DEAD as it is."

Objective: Enter the portal of the designated dimension. Survive, thrive, evolve, conquer. Time will stop on origin world until return.

Requirements: Kill 500 Zombies, build a thriving base, and gain loyal followers x5. Completion will unlock return function both ways and synchronization of time flow.

Status: Completed!

Quest Rewards: Based off Score; 

Rating: A.

All of the main cast survived, save for Takashi, who chose the wrong path. The users created a self-sustaining base, rescued the cast, saved Yuriko and her group, prevented the death of Maki, and led them to your base. Upon arrival, you scouted the area, found a lost girl, saved her, and learned of Asami's capture. You set out to save her, found a woman Yumi, saved her, and learned that Shido and Takashi had passed the point of no return. You saved Asami and Alice, killed Takashi (Hence the lower grade) and finished off Shido. You met Rika, and learned she is a reincarnation of Quiet, she joined you, and after that, everything was smooth sailing. You brought the overall combat rating of the base to (B-), earned a second draw reward for killing 100 zombies in one day, and set up a worldwide broadcasting system. All in all, this earned you an (A) rating, the max rating could have been (SSS) lowest could have been (F-)... 

Calculating rewards…

1 unlimited potential random class, for one host, and 1 chosen class (GAMER) for the other; choose wisely.

2 random gacha roles for abilities, skills, traits, or anything in between.

1 random item draw for the multiverse.

Interdimensional Travel (Cooldown for the new world: 3 years) Note: This doesn't affect the hosts' abilities to past worlds traveled.

Guldrin leaned back against the wall, his arms crossed as he reread the notification in his mind. The glowing interface seemed to hover with a sense of importance, as if daring him to make the next move.

"So," Shiro said, sitting up and swinging her legs off the bed, "we already know what class I'm getting." She grinned, her excitement barely contained. "The Gamer class. It's perfect."

Guldrin nodded, smirking at her enthusiasm. "Yeah, it fits you like a glove. But you better use it well. No slacking off and relying on me for everything."

"Pfft," Shiro said, rolling her eyes. "Like I ever slack. Just make sure you don't roll something useless for yourself. I don't want to carry you."

"Ha, very funny," Guldrin retorted, his grin widening. "Alright, let's do this."

He selected the Gamer class for Shiro first. As soon as the choice was made, a rush of energy enveloped her. Shiro gasped, her eyes widening as the system interface expanded around her. Streams of data flowed past, filling her vision with rows of stats, skill trees, shops, and menus.

"Whoa," she whispered, her voice filled with awe. "It's like… everything is laid out in front of me. My stats, my potential skills… even future paths I can take. This is insane."

"Insane good or insane bad?" Guldrin asked, watching her reaction closely.

"Insane amazing," Shiro said, her grin practically splitting her face. "I can track my progress, optimize my skills, and even grind XP efficiently through actions, kills, and other hidden objectives. It's like living in one of my games, but way better, plus a freaking store! I got a gamer's mind, and it is a toggle! Gamer's body, all I need to do is sleep, and I heal to 100! This is EPIC!" She didn't mention that she now had a relationship meter, and that Guldrin was 100 (Max) which made it incredibly giddy.

Guldrin chuckled. "Good. That's settled. Now for me."

The notification for the random class hovered in his vision, pulsing gently. He took a deep breath and selected it. The familiar sensation of energy coursing through his body took hold, but this time it was different, sharper, and more focused on his mental capacity, as if his very essence was being restructured.

"Ding! Congratulations! You have been assigned the class: Innovator!

Class Description: The Innovator is a class built on the foundation of intelligence, adaptability, and creativity. With the right knowledge, materials, and skills, the Innovator can achieve unparalleled feats. This class allows the user to learn and replicate skills from any other class, though the process requires intense intellectual effort. The potential is limited only by imagination and resources."

Guldrin blinked, letting the words sink in. The possibilities this class presented were staggering. His mind raced, already thinking of ways to exploit its potential.

"Looks like I've got a class that can do a little of everything," he said, his voice tinged with excitement. "But it's not going to be easy. I'll need to study, experiment, and push myself harder than ever."

Shiro smirked. "Sounds like a class made for you, Mr. Overachiever."

Before Guldrin could respond, the system chimed again.

"Ding! Random Skill rolls commencing. First skill for Host, Guldrin: Innovation.

Skill Unlocked: Innovation: This skill allows the user to conceptualize, design, and execute groundbreaking creations by merging existing knowledge with innovative thinking. Every use enhances intellectual capacity, enabling more complex creations over time. (Current Progress: 5/100%) [Remark: You Make Things]

Second skill for User, Guldrin: Fishing.

Skill Unlocked: Fishing: A seemingly humble skill, but with the Innovator's influence, it evolves. Allows for crafting custom fishing gear, locating rare aquatic species, and uncovering treasures lost beneath the waves. Enhanced for creative problem-solving beyond simple angling. (Current Progress: 0%) [Remark: Fish Baby, FISH!]

Skill Rolls for The Gamer:

First skill: Wind Magic.

Skill Unlocked: Wind Magic: Grants control over the air, from sharp, cutting gusts to shields of compressed wind. Wind Magic evolves dynamically, intertwining with Shiro's Gamer stats for explosive growth and synergy. (Current Progress: 1%) [Remark: Woooosh]

Second skill for User, The Gamer: Gun Proficiency.

Skill Unlocked: Gun Proficiency: Mastery over firearms, encompassing aim, tactical use, and modifications. Guns are an extension of the user, adapting based on skill level and unlocking unique maneuvers. Perfectly complements ranged versatility. (Current Progress: 10%) [Remark: Bang, Bang, You Dead]

"Ding! Initiating Item Rolls."

The air around them grew heavy as the system interface shimmered. Two item slots spun like a roulette wheel before settling.

"Item received: Riptide – Percy Jackson & The Olympians."

Guldrin stared in awe as a pen appeared in his hand. Almost instinctively, he uncapped it. The pen extended and morphed into a celestial bronze sword, its edge gleaming with an otherworldly aura.

Taking it into his hand, Guldrin was flooded with the knowledge of what this pen, or transforming sword was and how to use it, "Riptide… A blade that only materializes for its wielder. Unbreakable, capable of banishing enemies to their rightful realms. An item that only wounds monsters, or what he deems in his soul of souls as a monster, and Deities."

Shiro's slot stopped spinning next, her gaze locked onto the wheel while she bounced on her feet.

"Item received: Dominator – Psycho-Pass."

Shiro gasped as the futuristic firearm materialized in her grip. Its sleek black frame pulsed with energy, its form intimidating yet elegant. She activated it, watching as the weapon's barrel adjusted and glowed faintly. 

"No Sibyl System detected: Lethal Eliminator, and Destroyer Decomposer are locked, Only Non-Lethal Paralyzer is available." A synthetic mechanical voice spoke with authority from the Gun in Shiro's hand. 

"A weapon capable of discerning intent and adapting lethality… Perfect," she muttered, running her fingers along its surface. "What do you think my overachieving badass… You think you might be able to bypass this system it seems to require?"

Guldrin chuckled, "I have no idea where to even begin… But I guess I could try to run tests, but I don't think it is going to bear fruit, at least not at my level."

Shiro tilted the Dominator in her hand, her gaze flickering between the sleek weapon and Guldrin. "So, we're stuck with a high-tech taser for now, huh? Not bad, but…" She sighed, clearly wanting more out of the iconic weapon.

Guldrin crossed his arms, leaning back against the wall as his thoughts began racing. "The Sibyl System, it's way beyond anything we've dealt with. If I had schematics or access to the back-end somehow… maybe. But to bypass something like this? That could take decades."

Shiro frowned, clearly frustrated but not defeated. "Well, we don't have decades. What if we could emulate the system? Create a fake signal that makes it think it's connected?"

"That's… an interesting angle," Guldrin admitted, scratching his chin. "But it's not just about tricking the Dominator. We'd need to mimic the Sibyl System's entire framework. Decision-making algorithms, psycho-pass scans, the whole deal. That's an AI architecture leagues beyond anything I've seen. Wait… Why do I know what that is? Did I also receive the information when you rolled the item? Must have."

She smirked. "You're the Innovator, right? Push that big brain of yours. And to answer your last question; yes, I also received the information on your Riptide, so I believe we both learn the ins and outs of what we receive."

Guldrin gave her a look, half-amused and half-resigned. "Sure, and while I'm at it, I'll solve cold fusion and invent faster-than-light travel. But seriously, we're talking about rebuilding or undermining a system designed by an entire society. It's not impossible, just… improbable in the near term."

Shiro flopped onto the bed, letting the Dominator rest against her stomach. "Alright, fine. Baby steps. What about unlocking the other modes? Even the non-lethal setting is better than nothing, but I'd kill to have the Lethal Eliminator back in play."

"That might be easier," Guldrin conceded. "I could work on understanding the lockouts. If it's hardware-based, we'd need to mod the gun itself. If it's software… well, I'll have to dig into that system you're so fond of."

Her eyes lit up. "You mean the Gamer interface?"

"Exactly. It might have debugging features or something we haven't unlocked yet. I'll need your help to dig through every menu, subroutine, and setting."

'Holy, how do I know this stuff?'

'Because it is your new class, you gained the knowledge needed to advance progressively.' Emily spoke inside his mind, as she enjoyed his ignorance, 'Check your intelligence lately.'

'Status'

[Level: 4]

[Class: Innovator 1%]

[Attributes:]

[Strength: 11] (Average Human: 5)

[Endurance: 15] (Average Human: 5)

[Dexterity: 12] (Average Human: 5)

[Agility: 12] (Average Human: 5)

[Intelligence: 17.5 (+25%)] (Average Human: 5)

[Charisma: 10] (Average Human: 5)

[Luck: ???] (Average Human: 1)

[Magic: 3] (Average Human: 0)

[Unassigned Attribute Points: 5]

'Oh, so my class gives me a base 25% increase to my Intelligence… That explains a lot… Cool.'

Shiro, unaware of his thoughts, nodded eagerly. "Deal. So, what's the plan for now? This world's peaceful, but I don't want to get soft. We've seen what happens when you're not prepared."

Guldrin pushed off the wall, pacing. "First, we follow Rika's advice. Stock up on supplies, tools, and anything else that might help in a pinch. This world's a treasure trove compared to where we've been, and I'm not wasting that advantage."

"Agreed," Shiro said. "But let's be real. How long do you think it'll take us to adjust to this place again? No constant threat of death, no endless waves of zombies, no scheming megalomaniacs…"

Guldrin paused, his gaze distant. "It's… jarring. Coming back here, it feels too quiet. But maybe that's why we have to adapt. If we're always on edge, we'll burn out."

She sat up, the Dominator resting against her thigh. "Yeah, but being ready for peace doesn't mean letting our guard down. We need to stay sharp."

"Agreed," Guldrin said. "We'll train, experiment, and stockpile resources. And while we're at it…" His gaze fell on Riptide, its celestial bronze edge catching the light. "We'll master what we've been given. These rewards aren't just for show. Hopefully, they will serve us well, and at the very least, they will be a good project for us to take apart and figure out."

Shiro grinned. "Think you'll be able to fish with that fancy sword of yours?"

He snorted. "Riptide's not exactly a fishing rod, but who knows? Innovation and fishing might have some synergy. Maybe I'll invent the ultimate fishing sword."

"Please do," she said with mock seriousness. "I want to see you pull a giant tuna out of the ocean with a blade, zombie tuna?" She shivered, "You know what, no, forget I said that, stick to normal tuna.

Guldrin rolled his eyes but smiled. "Let's get moving. If we're going to stock up, we need to hit every shop on Rika's list."

They spent the next few hours methodically combing through their options, planning their shopping spree like a military operation. Guldrin took inventory of their current supplies, making note of gaps they could fill, while Shiro mapped out the most efficient routes through the city. It may not be needed, but survival habits die hard, and it doesn't hurt to have a critical-thinking mentality.

(Give me your POWER, Please, and Thank You! Leave reviews and comments, they motivate me to continue.)