Free Origin ARS 5 by Scottie Futch Page B

him to
recognize simple items. Eventually, he would even be able to sense
the abilities of his opponents.
    Instead of a screen popping up in front of
him he felt a strange connection to the garment, like he somehow
understood it better. He still did not know what its stats were. He
would need to analyze it further before he had a good idea of what
it could do. The only thing he could tell for certain was that it
was a light leather vest, it was of standard quality, and he could
probably equip it without reducing his combat ability.
    Scott put on the vest then took out a pair of
strange looking pants that expanded to a size that would fit him.
After analyzing them he recalled what they really were. They were
chaps, specifically batwing chaps. They were a leather item meant
to be worn over the top of his pants.
    Batwing chaps were cut wide with a flare at
the bottom for easier leg movement. They had several straps along
the waist and thigh that were used to fasten them, and were the
same color as the vest. Upon further inspection he noted a second
set of straps near the bottom flare.
    His ability to analyze items was still low,
but he could tell that this was a customization option. It also did
not take long to realize why they existed. He would need to kick a
lot. He might trip on his own chaps if he performed a lot of fancy
footwork in a low-position. The straps would allow him the
protection of the leather armor, and the ability to kick like
normal as the flare would be negated.
    There were a few other items in the box. He
pulled out a leather strap that had a wide oval-shaped metal disk
on the front. It was sewn together tightly in a complete circle.
Scott slid the headband over his head and positioned the disk in
front. It tightened when it was put into place and he sighed in
relief. It actually helped his headache a little due to the slight
increase in pressure.
    The other items were a light brown cloth bag,
a light brown leather belt, and a pair of leather gloves with a
hardened leather band across the knuckles. He equipped them all
then nodded.
    Scott performed a few experimental punches
and kicks. The new items were light weight, not that their weight
would have mattered much with his level of strength anyway, and
felt comfortable.
    He put the envelope back into the letter and
then the envelope and his money into his little bag. When he did so
he was delighted to see that the letter shrank down to the size of
his pinky. The little bag could hold a lot more than it seemed!
Though the coins remained the same size, about the size of an
American nickel.
    After looting the metal box he tried to pick
it up and take it with him. It refused to budge no matter what he
did.
    The metal cot proved to be comfortable when
he checked it, a little too comfortable. He wanted to take a nap as
soon as he sat down. Scott had to force himself back to his
feet.
    "Man, this is great!" Scott smiled to
himself. The headache aside, everything he had seen of this world
had him excited.
    There was nothing else to do in the room, so
he moved to the only exit. Scott took a deep breath then released
it slowly. There were forty monsters in this area that he had to
deal with before this mission was completed. They should have
levels equal to his stats, but were low grade monsters. He was not
certain what that meant, but he was about to find out.
    Scott opened the door and stepped out into
the subterranean transit authority building. The first thing he
faced was a wall. He stepped further out and turned to see the door
close behind him on its own. The door faded partially from sight.
It was like it was trying to enter stealth mode. Perhaps it was
doing exactly that. It led to a safe room after all.
    He looked around and noticed that he was
currently in a dead-end corridor that had little in the way of
decoration. There was a sizeable map on the back wall that caught
his attention. It held the floor plan for the building.
    The old Scott, the one who