Sam skipped getting a snack, even though Toren recommended it, but rather found himself in a toilet booth. He had wondered how it would be using his Psyhands for everyday tasks, like if his hands were damaged or just to make things easier. And usually, you need to go to the toilet a few times a day, meaning this could become weirdly needed at some point.

Even though this was a public toilet, the fact that it was in the TAC headquarters in New York seemed to mean something as the toilets were extremely clean. Cleaner than at the hostel he was staying at. Sitting down to avoid accidents he proceeded to do his business as normally as he could, but for everything; rather than using his normal hands he used his Psyhands. To his joy but also strangely disappointing, it felt entirely normal doing it this way. Using the Psyhands was intuitive enough that they felt like normal hands with a weird reach and weight limit. The good thing was that this didn’t feel weird and kind of just worked, so if this logic extends to other day-to-day tasks there shouldn’t be an issue if needed. The negative thing was that it felt a bit lacklustre, parts of him hoped for it to be at least a bit neat or weird in a positive way, but not really.

Completing his business he did feel that it was also kind of neat that, in practical terms, he didn’t need to wash his hands as he hadn’t touched anything in there. However, he still did so out of habit and it’s rarely negative to have clean hands.

Returning to the room they were in before he found a small line to the various carts of gear, so he lined up like the others did. Everyone got similar kits, a backpack, some simple tools, the simplest of camping gear and an armour set. The difference between them was weaponry and class-specific things. The fighters got a sword and perhaps a shield, the mages got an item that helped them focus ever so slightly, and so on.

Before it was Sam’s turn, he was pondering what would make the most sense for him to request, a rogue’s kit felt like a good fit for him. Light weapons, some tools and gear like that. But he didn’t have any skills in lockpicking or trap disarming, nor did he know how locks worked well enough to even try picking them. So he just needed some random bits and bobs. But he liked the idea of having a few light blades with him, and as Janik hinted perhaps some needles or sharp spikes for him to flail about if needed.

It was finally his turn and as soon as he stepped up he got an uncertain look from the female instructor he forgot the name of. She didn’t seem entirely sure what kit to give him.

“I... don’t know what to give you, from what I saw before I think swords and daggers might be too heavy for you?” Her statement’s tone lifted at the end, almost like she was asking him more than helping him.

“I think I have some ideas. Can I have a Rogue’s kit? I don’t need the picking tools but instead can I have some needles, sharp spikes and more daggers?” It sounded like a horrible kit at first glance, but he didn’t care.

Based on what Janik stated he might be good with just the spikes and a blade or two, he would need the experience to request something better later anyway. And you could rarely go wrong having a few extra simple tools anyway.

She pondered for a few seconds before failing to stop herself from shrugging. “Sure, give me a moment.” Seeming supportive enough of his ideas she proceeded to put together his requested package.

Taking a Rogues kit she took out the picking tool package, opened it and went through it, leaving the sharp and pointy tools like needles and things looking like sharp spike-like objects. She took two more daggers from other kits and put them in his, giving him a total of three daggers and miscellaneous pointy objects.

Everything was placed in the backpack for simple storage and transport, she handed it to him afterwards, and though she seemed to have an honest smile on her lips it was also a bit hesitant.

Sam took the bag as it was given to him and thanked her, going to a roughly vacant spot in the large room to put things on. Having seen what the others did and at least halfway paying attention during the briefing, he knew how to put everything on easily enough. It was somewhat idiot-proof as it was just to put them on like normal clothing and fasten things until comfortable. Having his extra hands allowing weird angle usage just made this all that much easier.

As soon as he put things on properly, a little System window popped up in his view.

[ Simple TAC Armour - E: Defense 3 ]

[ Simple Dagger - E: Held: 6 dmg, Psyhand: 5 dmg, (5 base) ]

Further investigation shows that the [ Defense 3 ] simply gave him a flat low-level damage absorption of 3, so this seemed to be a 1:1 scale.

Checking the math for weapon damage, with his own low STR of 3 giving a percentage added damage, but no math for Psyhand damage. And since the daggers he had with him had a low base damage of 5. Well, he wasn’t going to one-shot many things, though the one boon he had was that where other people could only dual-wield, with his current Energy stores he could flail around 7 daggers if he held two of them. Though the two in his hands had considerably shorter range.

He was again feeling a bit better about things, he didn’t have the training or experience yet, but that’ll come in time. And though he won’t do the same amazing damage as combat-focused people, he felt that with what he saw now, hopefully, he could do something!

It didn’t take too long before everyone had geared up and looked ready, the mages were carrying rune-engraved staves, which looked kind of like a thick broom handle with runes on them. Everyone else got some form of more normal-looking weapon.

“We’re almost ready, everyone get yourself a walkie-talkie.” Toren barked out as people were ready. He gestured to a new cart rolled in by another instructor, which had a bunch of walkie-talkies with earpieces.

“Keep the earpiece in at all times, and keep it on channel 1.”

Sam walked over and got his like everyone else did, during the briefing, it was explained that normal phones and most communication tech didn’t work, as there were no antennae, satellites or such in Aetheria, but walkie-talkies broadcasted locally from each unit, allowing any other unit to pick it up, due to this self-contained nature it still worked fine in there.

He used a short while to get it properly fastened, getting the cable to run under his armour to not get in the way, but loose enough that he could move his head around with the springy-bit at the end. Everyone else went through the same process.

“Seems that we’re ready, let’s go!” Toren barked out before he started walking down the hallway.

Everyone followed him and they soon found themselves in the plaza, walking towards the illogically massive tower in the distance. Toren quickly turned around and yelled at everyone. “I’ll be talking over the walkie-talkie now, if you can’t hear me let us know so we can get it fixed before we enter.”

Giving people a few seconds to process this he continued over the earpiece.

“Now, as we enter some of you might get a quest from the System, if that happens it’s very good, we’re going into an E-rank zone so just accept it and get hold of one of us, and we’ll try to help you get it done. Everyone will get to try everything, so don’t worry and just stay safe.”

People nodded at his explanation, others were just getting stoked. Some of the people already here with friends started getting competitive and intended to do more of something than the other one. Sam was alone, but no less excited about it, he might be the odd one out as far as class went, but none of that mattered. Like many others, this has been a dream for most of his life, and he’s finally going!

“When we get in range-” Toren continued. “-you’re going to get a window asking if you want to enter the Tower, after accepting it’ll ask if you want to enter alone or with the group. Choose with the group, if you pick alone you’re on your own, no matter what happens to you.” His voice sounded like this had happened before, and that it didn’t turn out well.

Walking closer to the gargantuan Tower, it looming tall enough that it was hard to see the top of it even if you tilted your head back, there was this odd feeling that grew denser and denser the closer they got. It was like walking into a smoke-covered area and walking towards the source, just for your mind.

Suddenly, several of the group let out a small startled noise, it only took a fraction of a second for Sam to get a small window opening. It was as Toren stated.

[ Do you wish to enter the Tower? ]

The options were Yes and No. As Sam chose Yes the second window opened confirming if he wanted to go solo or with the group. He chose with the group.

The feeling of comfortable warmth washed over him as a bright light blocked out everything around him, like sinking into a hot tub. Then the instant he felt submerged in the warm light it all faded just as fast and he found himself standing in a large area. In front of him there were grass plains for miles, in the distance all around them were massive mountains reaching tall enough for their peaks to disappear into the clouds. The sky was large, open and blue, save a few clouds gathering around the mountains in the distance and above them. Turning around he saw that they were standing at the foot of a mountain, a similar collection of clouds hiding its peak, with a village to one side and a thick forest to the other.

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

As far as he could see, everyone else had also landed here and was just as amazed as him.

The instructors gave them a few moments to take it all in, before speaking over the earpiece.

“We’ll walk through the village to the other side, this is just to expose you to some of the people here, on the other side we’ll focus on teaching you.”

Murmuring about things they guessed or hoped to see in the village, the group discussed internally on the way. But before Sam could make up his mind they were passing through the outer gate. The village itself was nicely made, with wooden buildings made of logs or planks, and rustic or kind of old-looking construction methods. Most buildings were just one floor with wooden roofs, a few buildings had a turf roof with grass and plants growing there. Around the whole place was a palisade made of logs with the top sharpened, a simple walkway on the inside allowed people to look over the edge.

The first people they saw were humans, some looked like Players, based on their clothing and armour, weapons at their hips or back. But others just looked either local or were non-combatants. Sam had read about certain Players getting crafting-based classes instead of combat, in a scenario like this they might prefer this world to Earth. Or so he guessed, he didn’t know but materials might be easier to come by if you’re actually in Aetheria rather than obtaining it outside.

Sam’s mindset and focus on what could be the motivation behind things changed drastically as they got a bit further into the village. The local populous changed, there were still mostly humans but now other creatures started to shine through. Sam noticed a few kobolds, small lizard-based creatures, walking upright on their hind legs with a long and strong tail. They had scaled skin and looked surprisingly adorable. The other non-humans he saw were a couple of Centaurs and a Harpy perched on one of the wooden roofs.

All of them looked friendly, and they kind of had to be to live alongside the humans in the village, but it didn’t make them any less exciting to see first-hand.

He knew they existed, he had been reading things online, after all. He also knew that there were servants brought to Earth, bound to subservience through the System there were plenty of ‘totally not slaves’ on Earth. Though they didn’t often walk outside in the streets.

He had heard of the individuals from Aetheria who were servant-bound and brought to TAC for sale. TAC, or their side branches, handled the slave trade that had become legal on Earth after the Towers came. Though they were rarely called slaves, they were all non-humans. Sam had read about certain people getting a servant through a quest reward, found as an item or egg and hatched it, or just found individuals who chose to bind themselves to the Player, the System handling the contract and eternally binding them to servanthood. They could be sold and bought through special auctions, though often at a high price.

Sam didn’t know if the ones in this village were like that, but if nothing else they looked healthy, so hopefully it was all good.

After a while of walking, they found themselves exiting the other side, into another open landscape between the village behind them, a forest ahead, open plains to their side and a mountain on the other.

The earpiece chimed in as Toren’s voice spoke. “We’ll start with some material gathering. In the forest ahead there are a lot of herbs, crystals and otherwise. Those of you who can appraise should help the others with identifying good or bad things. Everything will be shared and split up as a group so don’t go all apeshit and try to get the best things for yourself.”

Tone of voice suggested this was not a suggestion, and had been a problem before.

Earpiece chimed in again, this time it was another voice, a female. “Excuse me... Sir.. I.. I got a... Quest... Thing..”

Toren stopped and turned around. “That’s great, raise your hand.”

Everyone looked around, wondering who it was, it only took a second before a hesitant hand lifted.

Toren walked around the group and walked over to her, Sam was close enough to hear them speak without the earpiece so he got a little insight into things as they discussed details.

She had gotten a quest to pick three poisonous mushrooms without getting affected. If she did this she would be rewarded with some bonus experience and a Random Skill Crystal.

“That’s great!” The instructor commented, perhaps a bit loudly. “The Skill Crystals can contain any skill, once unlocked it stays with you forever. Most are sadly very specific and perhaps a bit random-seeming, but she might get lucky. It’s a good simple quest!”

The radio chimed in again, and Sam now heard Toren’s voice both local and through his earpiece, creating a weird echo feeling. “Everyone, if you spot any poisonous mushrooms, don’t pick them, let one of the instructors know and Samantha will pick them.”

Most people nodded, and some confirmed vocally off the earpieces. Sam just made a mental note to keep his hands off mushrooms, they were dangerous enough from beforehand if you didn’t know what you were doing, knowing there were specific poison mushrooms in an otherwordly zone where superpowered people walk about sounded... dangerous.

Following the group as Toren went back to lead they found themselves entering the forest soon enough. The instructors split up into groups so it was easier to see what they were doing. They explained how to pick mushrooms, not taking the roots so they could grow back. Same with plants, you could take their fruit but leave a few for further growth. Most of the flora harvesting was learning how to not damage the roots unless that was what you needed, and how to leave enough so it’ll keep growing. Gloves were needed for a lot of things, certain mushrooms and fruits were good for Alchemy but extremely bad for your sensitive skin.

Sam could cheat and ignore a lot of this as long as he used the Psyhands to pick up things. The envious looks fueled his ego a lot. Parts of their backpack kit were a small removable bag inside for hazardous materials like this, it was a thick and solid zip-lock bag which had a dedicated pocket in the backpack.

They continued, and the instructors showed them how to harvest other materials like Arcane Crystals, they were fragile but surprisingly easy to get loose from their cluster, but due to their fragility, they needed to be padded or packed tightly.

Several others reported that they had gotten a quest, though most of it was simply collecting or exploring stuff. For the exploration stuff they called in someone from the village to take them around, collecting happened naturally as part of this job.

As they continued a window popped up in Sam’s view.

[ A quest is available, will you accept it? ]

It didn't have any details, nor was he able to find out anything about it. Just a Yes or No. Not knowing any better and being told to accept the quests that pop up in the area, he did as instructed. He accepted the quest.

[ Quest: Personally deliver the killing blow on 5 Goblins.

Optional: Personally deliver the killing blow on a goblin chieftain.

e optional step is completed. ]

“Err...” Sam started over the radio as he lifted his arm. “I just got a quest.”

It didn’t take many seconds before Toren came over, looking intrigued. “That’s great, what’s it about?”

Sam explained how it just popped up, not giving any details, he had to accept it blind. Then the details of the quest itself. Also mentioning that the Rank letter for the Random Box is an X.

Toren considered this a moment.

“Hmm... This isn’t an uncommon type of quest to get in these parts, but it’s not often a Level 1 Player gets something like this. The Random Boxes are also not entirely uncommon, not normal but fine. The X in this case is just to hide the value, it could be an E-box or an S-box, impossible to know.”

He stopped talking for a long time, just long enough to get a bit awkward as he closed his eyes and seemed to think hard about things.

“The problem is the Goblin Chieftain, they are much stronger...” He stopped again and thought hard for a few seconds.

His worried expression changed to a big smile as he landed a strong punch in his other hand’s palm.

“OK, I think the two of us should be fine. I’ll go with you. Let’s go kill some Goblins.”