2
As Darren stepped through the doorway, a blinding white light engulfed him. Weightlessness followed, fleeting and surreal, before he found himself unceremoniously dropped into a plastic chair. Blinking the spot from his eyes, Darren looked around. He was in an endless-looking white room. In front of him was a desk and what looked like a mannequin.
“Welcome, Darren Peterson, to the Level 0 orientation.”
Darren looked around again, trying to figure out where that voice came from. “Who’s there? What is this?”
“I am your System Advisor for this orientation, destination SA1,” said the mannequin.
Darren glanced back at the mannequin just as its form began to shift. Its smooth surface rippled, reshaping itself into an older gentleman with a neatly trimmed white beard. “What the fuck is going on here?”
“As I said, you are at your Level 0 orientation, and I am your System Advisor, SA11, or Sall if you prefer. I am here to introduce you to the System.” Sall said with a smile. “We know it can be a shock when the System integrates a new world. After some, let’s say, trial and error, the System Advisors were created to assist.”
Darren stared blankly for a minute at Sall. “Wait, you’re telling me Earth has been taken over by some alien entity known as ‘The System’ and that you’re some sort of liaison?”
“Yes. Planet 8719962, ‘Earth’, has matured enough to be granted admittance to the System.” Replied Sall.
“Ok…so what does that mean and where am I? The last thing I remember was walking out of the store with my new game and snacks.” Darren looks around himself, his new possessions gone. “Where are they?”
“They have been taken as resources for the System integration. As for where you are, this is a processing room.”
“Processing, what does that mean? Are you going to probe me?”
Sall sighs, “Always with the probing question. No, Darren, you’re not going to be probed. We’re going to get your base class and attributes assigned.”
Darren perked up. Was it just him, or was Sall sounding less robotic? “Two questions. First, a base class and attributes, like a video game character? Second, why are you sounding more human?”
“As we spend time with those newly integrated into the System, we adopt their mannerisms. As for the base class and attributes, that’s not an inaccurate way to interpret what’s happening. Allow me to show you.” With a flick of Sall’s finger, a window popped into Darren’s view.
Name: Darren Peterson
Level: 0
Race: Human
Class: NA
Affinity: NA
Attributes:
HP (Health Points): 100
SP (Stamina Points): 100
MP (Mana Points): 100
Strength - 10
Dexterity - 10
Endurance - 10
Constitution - 10
Intelligence - 10
Willpower - 10
Cunning - 10
Perception - 10
Unspent Attribute Points: 6
Skills:
Universal Skills:
Universal Translation (Very Rare) = As a new being to the System, you understand all spoken and written languages.
Magic Resistance (Common) = You naturally resist magical damage related to your Elemental Affinity. As you increase this skill, you increase your resistance.
Elemental Affinity (Uncommon ~ Mythic) = You are naturally attuned to an element. As you increase this skill, you may unlock additional Affinities or Sub-affinities.
Regeneration (Rare) = You naturally regain a small amount (5% per minute) of Health, Stamina, and Magic when not in Combat. As you increase this skill, your rate of regeneration increases.
Darren was stunned. “Is this a character sheet?”
“It is. As you can see, it is not yet complete. You have unspent Attribute points, and your class has not been set. But before we can do that, we need to do a prescan. Please hold still.” Sall raised his hand, and a red beam shot out and scanned Darren. “Scan complete. Reassigning Attributes.”
Darren looked at his character sheet.
Name: Darren Peterson
Level: 0
Race: Human
Class: NA
Affinity: NA
Attributes:
HP (Health Points): 120
SP (Stamina Points): 140
MP (Mana Points): 150
Strength - 14
Dexterity - 12
Endurance - 14
Constitution - 12
Intelligence - 12
Willpower - 15
Cunning - 10
Perception - 10
Unspent Attribute Points: 6
Skills:
Universal Skills:
Universal Translation (Very Rare) = As a new being to the System, you understand all spoken and written languages.
Magic Resistance (Common) = You naturally resist magical damage related to your Elemental Affinity. As you increase this skill, you increase your resistance.
Elemental Affinity (Uncommon ~ Mythic) = You are naturally attuned to an element. As you increase this skill, you may unlock additional Affinities or Sub-affinities.
Regeneration (Rare) = You naturally regain a small amount (5% per minute) of Health, Stamina, and Magic when not in Combat. As you increase this skill, your rate of regeneration increases.
Darren’s eyes widened. “That’s a bit of a jump.”
Sall chuckled. “It’s fairly standard. Your habit of jogging on the weekends added to your Strength and Dexterity, but where it really helped was your Endurance. Your education added to your Intelligence and Willpower; the fact that you hadn’t gone crazy from your previous job also added to your Willpower.”
“Huh, who knew mind-numbing work would actually help. No additions to Cunning or Perception?”
“No, and if 10 wasn’t the minimum set by the System for someone your age, they’d be lower.”
“Ouch.” Darren knew he wasn’t exactly a social prodigy, and according to Tyson and Liz, his talent for spotting flirtation ranked somewhere below a blind man describing a criminal to a sketch artist.
“The truth hurts. Now getting back on track, before you can assign your unspent points, you must first choose a class.” Sall flicked his finger again, and a new window filled Darren’s vision.
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Available Classes -
Warrior: A Strength-based class. Proficiencies in Medium and Heavy Armor, Shields, Ranged (Throwing), and Melee Weapons.
Primary Stats: Strength, Constitution, and Endurance.
Warrior Specialties:
Sword and Shield - Sword and Shield Warriors specialize in Defensive Combat. They are the wall that enemies break against.
Two-Handed Weapons - Two-Handed Warriors specialize in Crushing Combat. They crush their enemies in a single blow.
Dual Wielding - Dual Wielding Warriors specialize in Burst Combat. They turn battlefields into blenders.
Rogue: A Dexterity-based class. Proficiencies in Cloth and Light Armor, Ranged and Melee (One Handed) Weapons.
Primary Stats: Dexterity, Cunning, and Perception.
Rogue Specialties:
Ranged - Ranged Rogues specialize in Distance Combat. They hit enemies before they reach them.
Duelist - Duelist Rogues specialize in Single Combat. They separate an enemy from the pack and take them out before they can regroup.
Dual Wielding - Dual Wielding Rogues specialize in Hit and Run Combat. They dart around the battlefield, sowing chaos as they take out random enemies.
Mage: An intelligence-based class. Proficiencies in Cloth Armor, Staff Weapons, and Daggers.
Primary Stats: Intelligence, Willpower, and Cunning.
Mage Specialities:
Destruction - Destruction Mages specialize in High Damaging Spells. They rain death and destruction upon their enemies.
Control - Control Mages specialize in Battlefield Control. They set the pace of battle.
Runic - Runic Mages specialize in traps and enhancement. They set up land mines and add runic damage to an ally’s weapons.
Healer: A Willpower-based class. Proficiencies in Light and Medium Armor, Shields, and Melee Weapons.
Primary Stats: Willpower, Intelligence, Constitution.
Healer Specialties:
Support - Support Healers specialize in Buffing and Debuffing Spells. They boost their allies and nerf their enemies.
Medic - Medic Healers specialize in Healing and Restoration. They keep their allies alive.
Syphon - Syphon Healers specialize in afflictions. They curse and steal health from their enemies to support their allies.
Darren whistled. Wow, this really is like a video game. Let’s see. My current stat spread lends to being either a Warrior or a Healer. I could use my unused points to boost myself to a Rogue or Mage, but would that be the smartest move? Looking at Warrior, the Dual Wielder does sound fun, but so does a Syphon Healer. Hold on. “I’m guessing I’m not the only person going through this, and everyone will be getting a class. Are we expected to go alone or party up?”
“That entirely depends on you. Some across the System choose to blaze their own paths, while others band together. Ultimately, the decision is yours. The System does not force you in one direction or the other.” Sall paused. “As a System Advisor, I will say that in the beginning, there is safety in numbers.”
Darren rolled that over in his mind. “I’m guessing from it saying Level 0, that there’s a leveling system in place?”
“Correct. As you gain and grow skills, fight monsters, and eventually master your Affinity, you will gain XP and level up.”
Darren looked back at his options. Well, that helps. If I can find Tyson and Liz, we could group up. Knowing them, Tyson will be drawn to a Two-Handed Warrior, but ultimately pick a Duelist Rogue. Liz, on the other hand, would be drawn to the Mage or Healer routes, most likely a Support Healer. That would lead me to be a Warrior to round us out. But that’s if I can find them. “What happens after I select a class and assign my points?”
“You will be placed in a random 90-day tutorial. In this tutorial, you will be able to get used to your new skills and abilities.”
A random tutorial, that’s good to know. Chances are, I won’t even be able to look for them until after the tutorial, and if that’s the case, I need to do everything I can to make that happen. “Ok, I choose to be a Duel Wielding Warrior.”
“Very good. Now assign your unspent points.”
Darren thought about it for a minute before deciding.
Name: Darren Peterson
Level: 0
Race: Human
Class: Warrion (Duel Wielding)
Affinity: NA
Attributes:
HP (Health Points): 140
SP (Stamina Points): 140
MP (Mana Points): 150
Strength - 16
Dexterity - 12
Endurance - 14
Constitution - 14
Intelligence - 12
Willpower - 15
Cunning - 10
Perception - 12
Unspent Attribute Points: 0
Skills:
Universal Skills:
Universal Translation (Very Rare) = As a new being to the System, you understand all spoken and written languages.
Magic Resistance (Common) = You naturally resist magical damage related to your Elemental Affinity. As you increase this skill, you increase your resistance.
Elemental Affinity (Uncommon ~ Mythic) = You are naturally attuned to an element. As you increase this skill, you may unlock additional Affinities or Sub-affinities.
Regeneration (Rare) = You naturally regain a small amount (5% per minute) of Health, Stamina, and Magic when not in Combat. As you increase this skill, your rate of regeneration increases.
“Alright, I think that should do it.”
“Congradulations. Now it’s time for you to pick your starting gear. You will need to select an Armor set and your Weapons.” With another flick, Sall sent Darren a new screen.
Starting Equipment:
Armor:
Medium Armor (basic): Armor rating 9
Includes: Iron Cuisses, Iron Bracers, Iron Breastplate, Iron Helm.
Heavy Armor (basic): Armor rating 12 (Strength of 18 or Higher Required)
Includes: Iron Greaves, Iron Cuisses, Iron Bracers, Iron Breastplate, Iron Pauldrons, Iron Helm.
Weapons:
Iron Longsword (Basic): Base Damage 7 (Slashing)
Iron War Axe (Basic): Base Damage 7 (Slashing)
Iron Mace (Basic): Base Damage 7 (Bludgeoning)
Iron War Hammer (Basic): Base Damage 7 (Bludgeoning)
Iron War Spike (Basic): Base Damage 7 (Piercing)
Iron Morning Star (Basic): Base Damage 7 (Piercing)
“Hey, Sall, can I try the weapons before I select what I want?”
“Not the actual weapons, but I can give you a training version.” Sall snaps his fingers, and one training weapon of each type is laid across the desk.
“Thanks.” Darren stands up and starts giving each weapon a test swing. Hmm, the sword feels good in my right hand but not in my left. The axes feel good in both, but they’re slowing to swing. The others just feel clunky. “ Do I have to use the same weapon in each hand, or can I mix and match?”
“While it’s not required to use the same weapons in each hand, there are bonuses to using a matching set.” Sall snapped his fingers again, leaving two swords and two axes. “Try wielding them at the same time.”
Darren picks up the two swords. That does feel better, but they feel strange. Darren sets the swords down and picks up the axes. Whoa, these feel amazing, and that slowness is gone. “Ok, I think I’ve made my picks. I’ll take the medium armor and two war axes.”
Sall snaps his fingers one more time, and the armor and axes sit on the table. Next to them is a small belt pouch and a knife. “Here is your gear. Along with your arms and armor, you receive a small inventory bag and a utility knife. The inventory bag has 15 stackable slots, meaning you can hold 15 items. If you have multiple of the same item, they will stack in the same inventory slot. Now, you have 5 minutes until you are assigned to your tutorial location. Do you have any further questions?”
Darren thought for a minute. Truthfully, he had so many that he didn’t know where to start. “I’m trying to take everything you’ve said in stride, but how is this possible? What is the System and where did it come from?”
Sall frowned. “Unfortunately, I am unable to answer your question fully. What I can say is that the System has always been around. Many across the System have theorized that the System is what created the universe. At the same time, others theorize that the System was put into place by the being that created the universe. As for how it's possible, it just is. I’m an entity of the System and have only known it working. Now it is time for you to depart. We shall not meet again.” With that said, the light enveloped Darren.
