Gatecrash: Awakening

I shut the door of my room behind me, for the second time today resisting the urge to flop down on something comfortable since I was filthy. But before I hit the shower, I checked my Status.

Class: Trainee

Level: 1

XP: 0/100

Coins: 1100

HP: 751/1124

AP: 2023/2144

Might: 105

Dexterity: 117

Fortitude: 104

Resistance: 113

Potency: 235

That fall had apparently done a number on me, taking away almost a third of my Hit Points. I was surprised I was able to lose so many without suffering anything worse than aches and bruises. That, alongside Forrest's missing teeth and broken nose, implied that where someone was hit had a lot more bearing on physical injury than how hard they were hit.

The AP usage must have been from Appraisal and charging my phone. But most exciting on the main screen were my Coins: the prize for first place had been a cool thousand. Still not enough to buy anything worthwhile in the Tutorial Shop, but more than enough to buy a full set of solid starter equipment for whatever Class I ended up with after the Tutorial.

My Inventory and Skills/Feats tabs both had a red circle denoting new additions. I went to the Inventory first to see what consumable item I'd earned as a reward. Next to my phone was a red potion labeled "Potion of Might, Lesser". The only information the System gave me besides the name was its rarity (Uncommon) and a basic description which read, "A potion which temporarily increases Might."

Unsatisfied with this, I appraised it. This was more informative, stating, "To use, uncork and drink the contents. Increases the user's Might by 250 for 1 hour. If multiple potions which increase Might are used concurrently, only the highest bonus will apply."

That was great to know. Might would dictate how hard I hit things, so tripling that had a lot of potential. I was sad not to have earned anything which would increase my Growth, but that had only been the first Instance. I checked my Feats/Skills next.

I had earned two Feats from my performance. The first was straightforwardly titled "Obstacle Course Champion". The second was called "Neophyte Nudist". I was in disbelief at the name, but I ignored the bout of dizziness it brought on and began with the first one. Since the previous System descriptions hadn't been adding much, I skipped straight to appraising it: "Awarded for finishing first place in an Obstacle Course Instance. Increases Growth of Might, Dexterity, and Fortitude by 5 each."

I threw my arms above my head in a victory pose, the vigor jiggling my breasts and knocking my towel loose. I left it where it fell to the floor around me, eagerly going back to the main page of my Status and appraising my stats. Sure enough, all of the listed ones' Growth had increased by 5. They were still only barely better than a quarter as good as average, but that was huge progress. I started bouncing up and down at the confirmation that Growth increase was indeed possible, and that in just the first Instance I had accomplished significant progress in saving my career. I winced a bit as my wild movements set my tits swinging uncomfortably. But even as I grabbed one in each hand to keep them under control, I couldn't help shaking with excitement.

Once my giddiness had subsided a bit, I went back to the Skills/Feats tab. There, looming in front of me in white font within the blue window, was the Feat labeled "Neophyte Nudist". I'd begun to leak downstairs again when I'd first read it, the name reminding me of how I'd shown off for all of the other Hunters to see. I appraised the Feat.

"Awarded for completing an Instance without equipment, including weaponry. Unarmed Damage and the bonus granted by Resistance to all Physical Defenses are doubled. Upgrade by completing another Instance without equipment." So the System was rewarding me for streaking. Encouraging me, even, since I could apparently upgrade this Feat by doing it again.

I was weak at the knees as the realization struck me. Was it... lucky that I had shown up in the Tutorial without clothes? That the Tutorial Shop had charged an obscene sum of Coins for them? I grabbed the corner of my desk while my head spun like a top. Even beyond the benefit of this Feat and its upgrades, I'd taken a step into my perverted fantasies that I'd barely even imagined before this Tutorial. I wondered if I'd have time for a nude photoshoot, or to film exhibitionist content and post it on amateur sites, once I got home and started working as a Hunter.

Despite the chill, I felt hotter than when I'd been sprinting to reach the end of the obstacle course. I stepped over my towel into the bathroom, turning the handle on the shower. Steam quickly billowed into the bathroom, and I stepped under the warm water. I started by rinsing the grease and dirt off, but I didn't grab the soap yet. Instead, I checked the showerhead. It was detachable.

I unhooked it from the wall and started with my shoulders. At first I just enjoyed the feeling of pressure right against my stiff muscles. But I gradually worked my way lower, the head finding its way to my breasts. They were still tender from the ladder, especially my sensitive nipples.

I took on a flush much deeper than the one brought on by the heat of the water. I'd been going through a bit of a dry spell in recent months, and while my hands and toys could keep the edge off, my impromptu foray into exhibitionism was getting me even more hot and bothered than usual.

The hot water on my sore buds had me gasping; the day's events had left them even more sensitive than usual, and the split stream was like being fondled by a hundred fingers. All the while, I thought back to everything that had happened. Most fresh in my mind was flashing Forrest, and the look of dumb shock on his face as he took in my chest in all its glory. I had nothing but contempt for him, and that made the awe he regarded my assets with all the more gratifying. I vividly recalled the thrill of showing that loathsome creep exactly what he'd wanted, and the price he'd paid for it. Victory had never tasted sweeter.

I moved the showerhead down, groaning appreciatively as it flowed over my ticklish stomach before reaching my crotch. My inner thighs and lower lips were especially vulnerable thanks to the rope burn I'd put them through, and the hot water was intense. I let out staccato "ah--ah--ah--"s, falling to my knees at the feeling. I grabbed one of my breasts with my free hand, delicately circling the nipple with my thumb. I remembered my path up the ramp, the smooth stone sliding against my nipples. I recalled too the eyes of every Hunter on me as they saw me baring everything while I took first place. At least two-dozen people must have seen my bare pussy on full display. Had they noticed it was wet with more than just the grease of the slope? I shuddered violently as I imagined some of them in their showers, rubbing one out while thinking of me. Seeing a woman as sexy as me on full display in person was something they'd remember for the rest of their lives.

While my intentional exhibitionism had been one thing, the unwilling exposure I'd been subjected to at the beginning of the Tutorial made my chest tighten so much that it hurt. The memory of the humiliation made it impossible to even kneel. Soon I was facedown against the porcelain tub, my arm snaked between my breasts and through my legs to keep the showerhead against my aching pussy. The constant pressure with no release on my sensitive lower lips was overwhelming as I remembered the dozens upon dozens of eyes on me while I'd huddled in a ball, dying of embarrassment at being seen naked by so many people. I was torn between crying and cumming from the unbelievable shame. And then I remembered him.

No one had gotten a better view than the first Hunter who'd noticed me when we'd first arrived in the Tutorial. I pictured myself from his perspective. I'd stood there, legs apart to steady myself, ample tits and slightly-spread slit in full view and glistening with the water from my shower. My raven hair had plastered my alabaster skin, perfectly framing my immaculate curves and hiding nothing. How had I first reacted? I'd reached out to the side to find the wall. My breasts must have bounced enticingly at the gesture, sending a spray of droplets onto the floor. I'd even flicked my hands after that to dry them, which must have jiggled my curves even more. And when I'd finally gotten the water out of my eyes, I was stunned by what I saw. How many seconds had I stood there, dumbstruck with everything on display?

What sent me over the edge was picturing what had happened next. The look of horror I must have been wearing once I'd realized what had happened, the dismayed shriek I'd let out. I'd crouched to hide myself, but he'd already seen everything.

I came hard as I felt the intimacy of the moment. The rest of my cohort had only seen my nipples and pussy once I'd allowed it, that man had gotten the best view before I'd made the decision to go streaking through the Tutorial. I convulsed with unbridled pleasure at the raw vulnerability. I'd been building up to baring everything for so long, but the decision had been stolen from me. Even if I never did a nude photoshoot, never filmed myself flashing and streaking, I'd already gone all the way.

Once I'd come down from my climax, I finished getting cleaned up. I emerged from the shower feeling refreshed. I dried myself off with a few smaller towels, then found another big one to replace the one I'd sullied the next time I left my room. I figured most of the other Hunters would start doing laundry as soon as they finished the Instance. Not wanting to deal with that, I flopped onto my bed with my hair wrapped up in a towel and pulled my phone from my inventory.

The only thing to do was check HunterNet. I still only had access to the section for the Tutorial, but I gave it a look anyway. There was a new pinned post titled "Rest Area Info". Inside was an explanation of the amenities we'd have access to. There were two laundry rooms (one for men and one for women), a workshop in case anyone found materials and/or got a crafting skill, and a few lounges scattered around for Hunters to hang out and play games. At 8 am and 4 pm, food would be served in the main room where the Gates appeared. The post also had a link to a list of movies, books, and tv shows we could download to pass the time.

I looked through the archive, which was actually pretty impressive. I'd expected something similar to the in-flight entertainment on a long-haul trip, but they had enough material to rival one of the big streaming services, all for free. I downloaded the next few seasons of a show I'd been meaning to watch. We'd been pulled into the Tutorial around noon, and it had been about two hours since then. I killed some time by watching a few episodes. Lounging around in my room naked, it was almost like being back in my apartment except without the looming deadlines or other responsibilities cutting my free time into smaller and smaller chunks. As four approached, I wrapped back up and headed to the entrance hall.

The area below the stage had long tables set up, like a high school cafeteria. Also like a high school cafeteria, the food was being served buffet style. A table right in front of the stage had been set up with catering-style chafing dishes, complete with little burners for the stuff that needed to stay hot.

Several Hunters were already present and eating. Some were helping serve the meal, however. One was bringing another dish out of a side room, and Garrick was giving instructions to another.

Once he'd finished speaking, I approached him (mostly out of curiosity) and asked, "Are you collecting volunteers? I guess feeding all of these people is a lot of work for one person."

"Kind of." Garrick glanced down at my towel before catching himself. "The Hunters who perform the worst in the Instances are given the opportunity to help keep the rest area running in exchange for some Coins."

I nodded, uncertain how to feel about that. Before the Tutorial, I probably would have thought of it as a great example of AHU taking care of the weaker Hunters. But now, I couldn't help but feel that it was already creating an underclass, conditioning the poor performers for their future as gofers for their betters.

Not that bringing that up to Garrick would help anyone or anything. I gave him a perfunctory reply, then made my way over to the buffet line. Loading food onto my plate in a towel proved more tedious than challenging. I kept one hand on the towel at all times, set the plate down next to each dish I was interested in, got the food onto the plate, then picked the plate back up. I was conscious of the Hunters behind me ogling the bottom half of my ass as it hung out of the towel. My cheeks reddened at the attention, but rather than furtively adjusting it, I allowed it to ride up as I moved. It was in danger of uncovering my entire bottom half as I moved along the table, and I had to hold back a smirk as I saw more and more eyes each time I glanced behind me. By the time I'd reached the end of the line, I was keenly aware of the cool air of the rest area on my damp pussy. I pulled it back down before I went to find a place to sit.

I took a seat near the back of the room at an empty table, sitting on the end. As much as I liked attention, I preferred to be admired from a distance. The backless benches did little to hide my bare thighs and what lay beyond, so I was careful to keep my legs crossed while I ate, relying on my Dexterity to keep my balance. The food was better than I'd expected, about as good as the catering at a symposium I'd gone to earlier in the year. As I worked my way through my plate, I looked around the room.

A few hunters were taking furtive peeks at me, though at this point they were more likely to be reminiscing about what I'd shown off in the first Instance rather than finding my current attire particularly appealing. I was essentially wearing a white tube dress, after all.

Forrest was sitting near the front of the room, joined by three other burly men. They were laughing and joking as if they were the best of friends. They took glances at me from time to time, always with a scowl. Perhaps Forrest wanted backup when we finally had our rematch.

As I neared the end of my first course, my hopes of a peaceful meal were dashed by a man standing in front of me. "May I join you?" he asked. He was average height and build, with wavy brown hair which was a bit damp. He had on blue grease-stained coveralls with a nametag: "Elias J."

As I considered how to answer him, my heart skipped a beat with a flash of realization. When I'd first arrived in the Tutorial, I hadn't gotten the best look at my surroundings in my haste to cover up. But I definitely recognized this man: he was the one who'd gotten an eyeful of me while I was getting my bearings.

A blush began creeping up my face and across my bare decolletage. My mind went back to the thoughts I'd had of him in the shower, how the memory of his bewildered gaze had brought me over the edge. I tried to push the thoughts away, giving a wooden response: "Fine."

He sat down across from me, setting his own plate beside mine. Once he was settled, he said, "I thought I should get on good terms with the lady who took first place. From what I hear, the Tutorials tend to snowball." He kept his eyes locked on mine as he spoke, not once wavering.

I was only a little disappointed that he hadn't approached me with impure motives. Still, I wondered if he was approaching me out of pure admiration of my performance in the first Instance, or if he felt like he needed to apologize. I decided to be direct. "I remember you looking at me when we first arrived. Before I'd realized what was happening."

He gritted his teeth. He looked up and away, perhaps resisting the urge to look down at the table since such a move could easily be misinterpreted. Then he turned his expression back to me, looking like the picture of contrition. "Sorry about that. I was looking around all confused, and then you were standing there... like that. I kinda froze up for a sec."

I felt a twinge of perverse pride as I decided that it had been a perfectly reasonable reaction to seeing my sublime form soaked from the shower and on full display. And I could hardly say I'd been all that upset with him. "You are forgiven," I replied.

He gave a bright smile. "Thank you. I'm Elias, as you can see. What's your name?" He tilted his head a bit at mine. "Callisto? I've never heard of anyone with that name before. Is it foreign?"

"It's from a Greek myth; she's a famous huntress," I replied. It was a pretty name and quite obscure, but that could be a double-edged sword. I sometimes wished my parents had just named me 'Artemis'.

Elias's smile only became more genial as he said, "Fitting you awakened, then."

A thought occurred to me as the introduction was wrapping up. I held out my hand for a shake, saying, "It's good to meet you." He eagerly returned the gesture. As I felt his rough callouses and firm grip, I appraised him. I felt a bit bad about prying into him like this. But I soothed my guilt by telling myself it was fair recompense for the display I'd given him earlier.

Name: Elias Jones

Class: Trainee

Level: 1

XP: 0/100

HP: 1638/1638

AP: 980/991

Might: 119

Dexterity: 84

Fortitude: 143

Resistance: 177

Potency: 137

His stats were arguably better than mine despite my immense Potency, and the distribution would make for a great tank. If he could snag a Rare Class that made good use of his own excellent Potency like Paladin, he'd have a bright career ahead of him as a frontliner in a top Guild.

"What do you do for a living?" Elias asked. "You sound like you've been to college, and you crushed that race. Are you some kind of professional athlete?"

I laughed a bit at the assumption. I wasn't quite ready to tell him why exactly I'd kept in such good shape even after graduation, but I was impressed by his insight. "I was on the varsity swim team, but we were in Division III so my main focus was my engineering degree. I specialize in power generation, and I work for a company that designs generators."

His eyebrows arced a bit. "Oh wow, I wonder if our backup is one of your company's. I trained as an apprentice electrician after I got out of high school, but I got sick of wiring the same cookie-cutter houses so I went into maintenance at a steel mill instead of getting my license. Just got promoted to supervisor last year."

"Supervisor?" I asked, surprised. He didn't look to be any older than me, without a speck of gray in his hair or the weatherbeaten visage common to middle-aged men in blue-collar jobs. "You look pretty young for the position."

"Well that's kind of you to say." He gave me a winning smile that emphasized his youthful appearance. "I'm twenty-seven, but s'easier to get a role like that when you've got ten years of experience. And when people keep leaving for greener pastures."

While this was hardly a first date, it was refreshing to talk to a man who wasn't trying to show off how accomplished he was. I'd hooked up with investment bankers, corporate lawyers, and surgeons, but this humble steelworker was putting them all to shame. I instinctively smiled sweetly, leaning forward a bit to emphasize my breasts even as he kept his eyes on mine. "Where are you from, Elias?"

He smiled with pride. "Chicago, born and raised. Moved down to Cal City for my current job, but I'm a Chicagoan at heart. What about you? Hope you don't take this the wrong way, but you sound pretty generic, like a national news anchor."

"I went to school in Boston, and stayed there for work. I'm from Louisiana originally, but I worked pretty hard to drop the drawl." My smile faded a bit as I considered his comment on my dialect. It had been one of the last reminders of what I'd escaped from. "I got mocked pretty mercilessly by my classmates," I added; it was the easiest explanation.