Part of me felt strangely proud, and another part of me felt strangely amused, that I had effectively gotten a woman to beat up, kiss, and then later give a blowjob to a four year old boy, simply for what was, to me, a paltry sum of money.
I had the body of a four year old, but the mind of a nineteen year old, hence, to me, the sexual act was nothing new. Of course, Riko didn't know that, and from her perspective, she had become a pedophile for cash. Though, considering that I had asked her to do it, did it really count?
Meh. It didn't matter. This wasn't "Earth" with its fixed rules and morality.
I needed my Physical Endurance skill to go up, because my experience with playing a particular game called Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, once had me with a character that was nigh-invulnerable thanks to an enchanted armor set which reduced all physical damage by 80%. The only thing that gave me trouble in that game had been enemies that used magic to attack, rather than physical strikes.
The results, after one week of our "sessions" had proved to be fruitful, as it came threefold.
[Physical Endurance (Passive) Level 62] – [Reduces Damage done by Physical Strikes by 62%]
The first, was the eventual increase of my Physical Endurance to a total proud level of 62, and the ultimate reduction from the amount of pain I now felt overall. Of course, seeing as how I now felt 62% less pain from being hit or cut or whipped or stabbed – it had made it intensely more difficult to increase the skill any further, as Riko's energetic whip against my back and all her spanking had ultimately began to feel nothing more than love-taps.
The level cap for the Physical Endurance skill was probably hundred, and I did not want to imagine just how much pain I would need to get it to that level. Of course, considering the life which I intended to live, something told me that I would be levelling it up one way or another.
The second result of the one week of Fifty Shades of Shotacon, had come in the surprise of a new boon.
From repeating certain pattern of actions, you have unlocked a new boon!
Serial Masochist
20% of All Damage Taken is Converted to HP
Yes, I had become a masochist. I could care less about labels, when the benefits were directly in front of me, in the form of always regaining health whenever I was attacked. This, in collaboration with my increased physical endurance, absolutely guaranteed that I would survive any and all assassination attempts and/or lynching attempts by any angry mobs.
Yes, what I had planned in mind was dangerous enough for me to need that precaution.
Finally, the last, and arguably most rewarding thing about getting whipped nonstop for a week, had come in the form, of the SPEC boosts.
For getting the Physical Endurance Skill to Level 10, your endurance has gone up by one! Your Perserverance has gone up by one! You have gained permanent +5HP and +1CHK!
For getting the Physical Endurance Skill to Level 20, your endurance has gone up by five! Your Perserverance has gone up by three! You have gained permanent +10HP and +5CHK!
For getting the Physical Endurance Skill to Level 30, your endurance has gone up by ten! Your Perserverance has gone up by five! You have gained permanent +15HP and +10CHK!
For getting the Physical Endurance Skill to Level 50, your endurance has gone up by fifteen! Your Perserverance has gone up by ten! You have gained permanent +20HP and +15CHK!
31 Endurance, 19 Perseverance, 50HP and 31CHK – all for allowing a woman whip me.
I was tempted to rush back and tell her to continue, if only slightly, but this had been a one-time thing, and my Physical Endurance skill would grow no higher. And there was also the fact that she had skedaddled out of the Land of Water the second I handed her the promised four million Ryo. Smart woman, she was. A shame though, because I would have loved to turn things around and have her be the one I whipped.
With all of this now present, I took some time to glance over my stats once more.
Name: Gato Junior
HP: 150/150
CHK: 41/41
Level: 2
SPECIAL
Strength: 4 (-2) [E– Rank]
Perseverance: 25 (-2) [D Rank]
Endurance: 37 (-2) [C Rank]
Charisma: 9 (+20) [D Rank]
Intelligence: 4 (+20) [D– Rank]
Agility: 4 (-2) [E– Rank]
Luck: 0 [F Rank]
As it stood, I had C Rank Endurance, which meant I, a four year old boy, had as much Endurance as the average Chunin. The D Rank Charisma and Perseverance also indicated that I had the average stats for an average Genin, which was good. It meant that I could now outlast Academy students in a fight if need be – though, with my pitiful Strength and Agility scores, they would have no problem overpowering me.
I wondered if there were any shortcuts like I just used that would help me raise my Strength and Agility very quickly? Shaking my head, I realized that it didn't matter, for now. Instead, I turned my attention towards my D Rank charisma, and I realized that if I got one more point in it, I'd get it to D+ Rank, which meant, I would have more Charisma than the average Genin, being sort of like a squad leader in that sense.
Being as charismatic as a Genin might seem like something completely menial, but, that was only if you forgot to take into account the roles that Genin played in the Shinobi Villages. They were hired by the people, gained rapport with them via helping them with certain tasks and menial chores, increasing the people's sense of pride and trust in them.
Why?
Because when an enemy village attacked, or in times of war, who stayed behind to help the civilians evacuate?
Who rushed the civilians to the shelters and stayed there to protect them from possible intruders?
Who ensured that people were accounted for, and that no one had gone missing or straggled off in their time of danger and need?
While the Chunin and Jonin focused on repelling the attackers, the Genin focused on saving and protecting the Civilians. Hence, the average Genin was far more charismatic and commanded more appeal and authority than the average civilian. And having the Charisma of an Elite Genin, would likewise increase how I could influence the civilians around me, and get them to listen and obey my orders or instructions.
This meant… I was finally ready.
"Why exactly did you ask us this again, Gat-sama?"
There, in the dead center of Waterlily Town, I stood.
"Because if it failed to occur to you, I'm a bit on the small side, and the people wouldn't be able to see me without the podium."
Kitami rubbed his nose. "I meant, why are we building a podium in the middle of the town square?"
I smirked, easily noticing the numerous eyes that were on my form. "Simple. To draw the people's attention and get them to gather round."
Kitami growled. "And why do you want the people," he said this with his left hand threateningly placed on one of his blades, particularly as the gathered crowd grew larger and larger "to gather round, Gat-sama?"
My smirk grew wider, as I immediately put one hand to my ear and gestured. "Just… listen."
And so… he did.
"Isn't that –"
"The boy who stopped those men –"
"He stood up for Qin's mother –"
"I heard he killed four, fully grown men who wanted to harass her –"
"I heard it was eight! And they were all armed, but he charged in valiantly –"
"I thought it was sixteen? And weren't they shinobi –"
Kitami's eyebrow rose, but his voice lowered. "It appears rumors of your deed have grown… rather exaggeratedly too."
"Of course, I had absolutely nothing to do with how fast it spread. But the people, they want to believe in a hero, now don't they?"
I failed to resist the tug on my lips, and Kitami's eyes widened.
"You didn't –"
I nodded, whispering. "You'd be surprised what a few well-placed ryo here and there can do."
Reputation with Kitami Hiro has gone up!
I blinked at the notification, before realizing that the man was actually smiling for once, even as he shook his head.
"Unbelievable. Simply – unbelievable."
"Well then, get ready to become a believer."
I walked up to the center podium, the whispers and murmurs growing larger and louder, until, all at once, I rose my hand.
{25/29} Charisma Check Passed!
The manner in which silence overcame everyone was almost bone-chilling. Maybe it was because I had worn my good clothes today. Maybe it was because of how my eyes were sharpened like razors and needles, and my posture was straighter than trees and rulers. Regardless of what it was, I could also feel myself get more confident.
And so, I began.