Del studied the three rotating holograms carefully as if they could hold the answers to this problem. He was out of luck there, unfortunately.
“Alright, Teach, the fighter guy is out. I really can’t see myself doing that swordy stuff,” Del said, shaking his head.
“Now, while being a bit of a Gandalf could be fun, it strikes me as very loud and attention-grabbing,” he continued, his fingers tapping absently on his leg. “And I really want to avoid attention if I can. Better survival prospects, I think.” He nodded to himself. “Decision made, Teach, my old chum.”
He looked up at one of the images floating in front of him, the figure holding a bow.
“Just call me Robin Hood,” he laughed, the joke easing the tension in his chest.
There was a pause.
“Your name is Del Axholm. Would you like to change the status of your name to Robin Hood?” Teach asked.
Del let out another laugh. “No, Teach, leave my name. That was a joke—never mind, it’s not important, and jokes never work if they need explaining.”
“In which case, Del, I shall update your status to reflect your path choice.”
For a moment, something felt off. It wasn’t pain exactly, but his body felt… strange, like it wasn’t entirely his. A twist in his gut, a faint tingling in his limbs. Then it passed, leaving him feeling subtly different. Stronger, maybe? More flexible?
“Um, Teach,” he said cautiously, “are things supposed to be going on in my body? It feels damned weird.”
“Adjustments are being made,” the voice intoned. “Adjustments complete.”
‘I miss Menolly; at least she didn’t sound so mechanical,’ he thought with a faint grumble. “I guess that’s a yes, then,” he said aloud. “Alright, Teach, teach me.”
“A status is unique to every being within the purview of the Overmind,” Teach explained. “You can only call up and see your own status and, as you have a companion, that of your feline.”
‘Status.’ He focused, and the screen appeared before his mind’s eye again. His name, level, and path were listed at the top: Level 1 Human, no skills beyond the basics. ‘Nice to see I’m so talented,’ he thought, smirking at the row of numbers, no longer 10's all-round. He decided to examine the screen properly later and dismissed the screen with a thought, bracing for more of Teach’s explanation. “Your name, level, and path are at the top,” Teach continued. “If you are currently using an alias or hidden identity, it would also be shown here.”
“Hold up,” Del interrupted. “Level? What’s that all about?”
“Have you ever played games—computer type or role-playing style?” Teach asked.
Del thought for a moment. “Nope, can’t say it was ever something that appealed to me. I had a guy at work who kept inviting me to games nights, but not my type of thing, so I never went. Why?”
“When a species is undergoing monitoring for potential integration, various mechanisms are introduced gradually. Often these will be in the form of games and activities that embody systems used by the Overmind. These are designed to add basic concepts to the subconscious knowledge base of the species, making integration, should it happen, smoother and less disruptive.”
‘Hmph, makes sense, I guess,’ Del mused. ‘Closest I ever got to one of those games was ignoring ads on social media.’
“Fair enough,” he said aloud. “Consider me a complete idiot in terms of my knowledge.”
“Levels 0 to 3 are basic beings, which make up the largest number of sentients in the Overmind. Level 4 would be the equivalent of somebody with a well-honed body, such as a sportsman or combat specialist. Level 5 would generally be the elites of any unintegrated world.” Teach explained. “The primary way to increase level is through interaction with the environment. Often, this involves besting opponents, whether animal or sentient. This gains experience, and as thresholds are reached, your level will increase.”
“Are you telling me it’s truly a dog-eat-dog cosmos full of conflict?” Del asked, taken aback. He hadn’t expected harmony and light, but neither had he envisioned a galaxy running on unbridled killing.
“Not necessarily, Del,” Teach replied. “While rising through strength is a fundamental truth of all sentient life, there are other paths. A crafter can advance through creation, a diplomat through successful negotiation. The key is to advance by finding and following your own path.”
“Why wasn’t I given those options?” he asked, irritation creeping into his voice. “Everything you offered me was a path of combat and conflict.”
There was a pause, as if Teach were considering its answer. “You led a sedentary life—first in an office, then limited by disability and pain. Yours was not a life of conflict or real challenge.”
“Had you been given the option of a role as a shopkeeper or crafter—or any of a myriad of other sedentary jobs—what would the Overmind have been able to infer from that?”
‘I guess it makes sense, but even so,’ Del thought. ‘All you can do, Del, is give it your best and bugger the consequences.’
“OK, I assume gaining levels will help me, then?” he asked.
“You are correct. Each level will affect your status. You’ll discover exactly how as you progress.”
“So what’s next?”
“The status is divided into various fields, all based on your race, path, and level,” Teach explained. “Health is exactly what it sounds like—I’d advise against letting this get to zero.”
‘Damn, was Teach attempting humour?’
“Mana powers spells and special attacks, and Spirit is similar, providing energy for resistance-type effects. Healers also rely on Spirit for their work.”
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
‘Healers? I guess that’s like a doctor path.’ His head began to feel foggy. ‘Damn, there’s a lot to learn, and I’m struggling.’
“Stamina, Dexterity, and Agility are linked,” Teach continued. “The simplest way to think of it is: Stamina affects how long you can run, Dexterity helps you not trip while running, and Agility allows you to turn that trip into a neat roll back onto your feet.”
‘Or, in my case, puff-puff, oops-oof,’ Del thought, chuckling to himself.
“Intelligence is not just how smart you are but also affects how fast you can learn new skills, special moves, or, eventually, spells. With a companion, it’s especially important for communication.”
“Hold up,” Del interrupted. “I can talk to my cat like some sort of Dr. Dolittle?”
“I do not know this term, ‘DoLittle,’” Teach responded, “but you will be able to communicate mentally. At first, it will be more about conveying feelings and simple thoughts over short distances. However, as your Intelligence—and especially Misty’s—rises, communication will improve.”
‘Well, I’ll be damned,’ he thought, a smile spreading across his face. ‘I always wondered what that bloody cat was thinking.’
“If Intelligence is understanding that a thing can be done, Wisdom is understanding if it should be done and anticipating the potential results, for good or ill. Finally, Presence is the impact you have on the world around you. It determines if you’re liked, feared, respected, or mistrusted—basically, how you’re perceived.”
“Is that all of it?” Del asked, feeling his brain start to fog again.
“Apart from skills, yes,” Teach replied. “Skills work in their own tiers or levels. As you use a skill and improve, it may level up. With higher levels, more difficult special skills may become available. You have the basic skills needed to start your path, and you’ll find ways to learn more as you explore.”
I feel the air around me shifting, the space I’m in becoming less tangible, as though reality itself is slipping through my fingers.
“I will now transport you to Gondowa,” Teach announces, its tone as neutral as ever. “This is the land where you shall start your path on the planet known locally as Terras.”
Gondowa. The name sounded strange and foreign. Yet there was something about it—an allure, a promise of the unknown.
I glance down at Misty, her small frame tucked safely against me. I stroke her fur, letting its softness ground me. “So, Teach,” I begin, trying to keep my voice steady, “what am I supposed to expect in Gondowa? Any pointers for a clueless guy trying not to die on his first day?”
Teach hesitates—if such a thing is possible for a disembodied voice. “The land of Gondowa is diverse, with regions of varying climates, cultures, and challenges. Your starting location has been chosen for its suitability to your current level and skills. As an archer, you will begin in a region known as the High Hills. The nearest major town, Hybern and its surroundings will provide ample opportunity for you to develop your abilities.”
“Hybern, huh?” I nod, chewing on the name. “Sounds quaint. What are the people like? Should I expect warm welcomes or pitchforks?”
“Hybern’s population is largely human, though other sapient and sentient species can be found throughout the land. Interaction will depend on your actions and choices.”
“Ah, the old ‘make your choices and live with the consequences’,” I note. “But seriously, Teach, if this place has people, creatures, politics, and who knows what else, surely there’s more I should know before being dropped into the deep end.”
“There are limits to what I can reveal, Del,” Teach replies. “However, I can assure you that Gondowa is a living world. Events will unfold with or without your intervention, and your choices may influence outcomes. Your primary task remains survival. Everything else is secondary.”
Survival. It always came back to that. I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of life this world offered if merely staying alive was considered an accomplishment.
“Alright,” I say after a moment of silence. “Survival it is. But let me ask you something, Teach. Do people ever… fail?”
There’s a pause before it responds. “Yes, Del. Many do not complete their trials. Some succumb to physical dangers, others to the psychological strain of adaptation. For many, the transition is simply too much.”
I tighten my hold on Misty, her warmth a small comfort in the growing uncertainty. “Comforting,” I mutter.
“However,” Teach continues, “your selection was not random. The Overmind evaluates potential candidates based on resilience, adaptability, and untapped potential. You have been deemed capable of succeeding.”
I snort. “You sure you’ve got the right guy? Last I checked, ‘untapped potential’ wasn’t on my résumé.”
“You underestimate yourself,” Teach says matter-of-factly.
I glance at the screen still floating in my mind’s eye. My stats and skills are all there, neatly laid out, quantified like the specs on a cheap smartphone. It’s surreal to think that my life, my survival, could boil down to numbers and levels.
“So, I’ve got some basic skills—enough to scrape by, I guess,” I say, scanning the list again. “But Misty…” I pause, eyeing her stats with a raised brow. “She’s got more health than I do. Should I be worried that my cat might outlive me?”
Misty mewls softly in response, licking my finger as if to say, Don’t worry, I’ve got this.
“Your feline companion has been adjusted to complement your path,” Teach explains. “Misty’s skills and attributes are tailored to provide support and defence, ensuring your survival.”
“Great,” I say, smiling down at her. “Looks like you and I are going on an adventure, girl.” She responds with another small mewl, her whiskers twitching.
The screen fades as I let out a long breath, my mind churning with questions I’m not sure I want answers to. I glance around at the fading space, the light dimming like the slow close of a curtain.
“Teach,” I say softly, “if this is all about survival, then why give me a companion? Why not let me go it alone?”
There’s a faint hum before it responds. “Companionship fosters resilience, Del. The bonds you form may be as critical to your success as your skills. Misty’s presence is not merely functional—it is essential.”
I nod, understanding the logic even as a knot of anxiety tightens in my chest.
As the darkness begins to envelop me, I think, ‘Status.’
The screen lights up one last time, the details scrolling across my mind like a preview of the challenges ahead:
Name : Del Axholm
Level : 1
Path : Archer
Health : 12
Strength : 15
Dexterity : 16
Stamina : 15
Intelligence : 11
Wisdom : 12
Mana : 5
Spirit : 6
Agility : 16
Presence : 10
Animal companion: Misty; feline
Skills:
Archery lvl 1 – Able to use all manner of handheld bow and crossbow
Woodcraft lvl 1 – Basic survival skills in wooded areas. Can safely make fires and create crude shelters.
Tracking lvl 1 – Can find and follow obvious tracks or blood trails.
Traps lvl 1 – can make basic snares and pit traps
Sneak lvl 1 – Able to hide in available cover. Movement increases the risk of being seen or heard.
Attacks:
Bow lvl 1 – Simple Shot
Dagger lvl 1 – Stab, Slash
Special Attacks:
Bow:
Sneak attack Lvl 1 – Doubles damage
Dagger:
Backstab lvl 1 – Double damage
Name : Misty
Level : 1
Path : Feline companion
Health : 22
Strength : 8
Dexterity : 15
Stamina : 11
Intelligence : 4
Wisdom : 6
Mana : 2
Spirit : 3
Agility : 18
Presence : 12
Skills:
Charm lvl 1 – can influence the attitude of someone in eye contact with her.
Attacks :
Claw lvl 1 – Attacks with front claws.
Rake lvl 1 – Double rear leg attack.
Bite lvl 1 – It’s teeth all the way.
Special attacks :
Pounce lvl 1 – Can be used with any or all of the standard attacks. Double damage.
Sneak Pounce lvl 1 – As above; Triple damage