The blackness was complete.
There was no frame of reference. Utter darkness. No sound. No feelings. It was so peaceful. Nothing could intrude. Nothing had meaning here. Yet it was not empty or lacking.
Initialisation.
SYSTEM: Patch to prevent Future Stat Stacking approved.
System Nanite Interface V2.09c (Beta Earth Human Expansion)
Nanites are insufficient for Tier.
SYSTEM: Provisional Upgrade Approved.
Tier Upgrade in progress. Please wait. (1 of 5)
Disconnect Sapience for Upgrades.
Upgrade completed.
Reboot
Initialisation.
System Nanite Interface V2.09c (Beta Earth Human Expansion)
Race Unknown/Unique pending trial of Beta Earth Human
Title Awarded: First.
Be first in the realm to undergo enhancement.
Reward: +1 all stats
Title Awarded: First of Race.
Karma and Luck increased due to being a System lab rat.
Reward: + 5 Karma + 5 Luck
Title Awarded: Epic (First).
Be the first in the realm to become an Epic Tier.
Reward: Stats enhanced. + 5 stats.
Effects: You are immune to most Common and Uncommon attacks and damage.
Common and Uncommon healing may not affect you.
Skill Awarded: Lucky Bastard
Have luck over 100 before Level 10.
Effect: Win one luck-based event. Usable once per 30 Cycles.
That was a lot to take in. I still had no idea what was happening, but I was slowly working through things. Stats. Titles. Skills. This sounded pretty cool so far. Nanites! Whatever we had done to cause this, it looked interesting.
What is the Lucky Bastard skill, and how do I use it?
Petal (Pending): To get help, you think HELP: Skill: Skill name.
Isn’t Bastard a swear word?
Petal (Pending): The System notes intent and content. Here, it is a sign of begrudging respect rather than the usual derogatory nature of the world.
So, if I said I am going to go crap over there, that would be fine?
SYSTEM: Don’t Push it.
Petal (Pending): Yes. Although the System gets some funny ideas when encountering a new species. Assimilation of your cultural records indicates that profanity is used excessively for inappropriate reasons. Karmic penalties will apply to Earth humans unless the forerunners prove otherwise.
Help: Skill: Lucky Bastard.
Help: The Lucky Bastard Skill:
Granted to beings with luck over 100 before they reach level 10.
It has passive and active components.
Passive: Increased awareness of chance events that have been adjusted (based on perception).
Active: Win one chance-based event. Once per 30 cycles.
Petal (Pending): Because I know you will ask, a cycle is a standard period of planet rotation, standardised over the Empire. It is approximately .9 of your planet’s orbit. Thirty cycles are about one month.
SYSTEM: (Beta Earth Human Expansion Log) Adjusting interface to correct time, date and measurements into Earth Standard. Earth Standard measurements include a mix of imperial, ad hoc and metric systems. Please be aware that this was both interesting and annoying to do. Please notify your world leaders that a unified measuring system would assist integration.
SYSTEM: Earth Human Beta Package: You have received a random bonus item.
SYSTEM: Roll Required.
SYSTEM: Do you wish to roll for your item or have it randomly assigned?
Roll, please. Not that I don’t trust you; I mean, you have been swell, but I’d like to have some control here. Ha, control over a random event.
SYSTEM: Which category? Uncommon, Rare, Epic, Legendary, Mythic? Default: Uncommon.
Hey Petal, can you explain, please?
Petal (Pending): Each category has a selection of items taken from The System Inventory Database, lost items and crafted artefacts. It is similar to what you might refer to as a roulette wheel. The category changes the number of articles and increases the potential rarity, both beneficial and not. As the category increases, the number of junk, novelty, and useless items are added. A roll in the Uncommon category guarantees a useful and valuable commodity, the default. The worst thing for an Uncommon roll of 000 is a Healing Salve, while the best is a Rare Weapon of your choice. The worst item for a Rare roll is a key to an unknown lock.
So, roll high?
Petal (Pending): Yes. The minimum item for Epic, a roll of 0001, is an incomplete copy of the Accords of Rashin-la, a scholar's dream find. If you chose the Uncommon category, you would get one of the 500 items of uncommon value. Selecting the category of Rare items will increase your chance of winning a strange or Rare thing. Here, you can find exotic items and rare yet valuable junk.
Can you give me an example of a rare item?
The more I knew about the loot tables, the better. Whenever I played RPGs, I loved the wacky and exotic items that could be collected. Not that I was a collector of junk.
Petal (Pending): High-tier weapons and armour. Some flight skills could be obtained in the rare category. I cannot divulge more information, as it can be seen as interference.
Thanks.
Petal (Pending): Most people offered this roll pick Rare and are happy with the results. It has the best odds of gaining something helpful or interesting, or at least valuable. Based on your experience and our interactions, I recommend selecting Rare.
After a significant pause, I began to think Petal was waiting for me to pick Rare. I would not fall into the trap of trusting the AI just yet, so I waited. Trusting your luck was not picking rare. I was going to try to listen to that weird message. The more I thought about those notifications, the more significant they seemed.
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Petal (Pending): Some brave beings choose the Epic collection. This is where the Epic level items can be won. You can make your way into the broader universe with some Epic equipment. The collection includes all rare collections and adds Epic items and some truly Epic Junk of significant value. The Legendary group adds Legendary items as well as Legendary Junk. Mythic is just that. Please do not choose this; winning something Mythic will create as much trouble as it will benefit you. Some scholars maintain a listing of each of these, and what you get for your random roll may be worth some credits for the right researcher if you make your results and reward known to them.
Petal (Pending): Roll Categories are:
Uncommon: 0-999
Rare: 0-9999
Epic: 0-99999
Legendary: 0-9999999.
Mythic: 0 – 999999999999
Petal (Pending): All 0s are considered 0, are the worst, and can be detrimental. Uncommon is the only guaranteed useful roll. The higher you roll, the better the outcome. However, it also depends on the item's value to the individual, as someone may value a painting more than the credit value.
Hey Petal, is it random, or do you pick an item that sounds cool? Can you cheat for me?
Petal (Pending): No. Even if I could, I would not, and I will not take offence that you even suggested that. Safeguards that prevent tampering are in place and are as truly random as possible within the bounds of known probability. This enhancement process is one of the most secret and secure processes, totally excluded from outside influences. There is no way to influence this process.
Can I choose Mythic?
Petal (Pending): You can.
There was a significant pause, and I heard the worry or scorn in the response.
Petal (Pending): Are you sure? You blow the chance of something useful if you roll too low. I am not supposed to tell you this, and this is not cheating, but a known fact because someone has rolled 0000000 before, and it is published and available in system stores. Still, the bottom item of the list for a Legendary roll is a bucket of breathable air – and you must return the bucket. 00000047 is an IOU for a single credit, and 0001488 is a pretty flower. They are facts. I can tell you that the top item has been taken off the table due to its significant strategic value and is unavailable now. You need 9000000 to get close to being valuable and over 9990000 to be slightly helpful. Those are the facts. Mythic is just a joke by the System. Please do not pick Mythic.
I choose Mythic.
Petal (Pending): Are you sure?
Hey Petal - can I use my Lucky Bastard skill?
I mentally crossed my fingers.
Petal (Pending): Since you have been given an active skill with no physical manifestation, yes. Most beings do not have any skills at this stage of the Enhancement Process. This has never occurred before, but that does not mean it can’t be used. It also does not imply that it can. Currently, there is insufficient data for me to comment on. This will be interesting and unusual. I will provisionally say yes but am not to be held liable if the results are not optimal for you or dangerous, the System overrides my decision, or there are appeals to this. Do you agree to my waiver?
Sure Petal. Then Lucky Bastard me, and let’s roll Mythic, baby.
That came out much worse than when I thought it. Way cockier than I felt, but what the hell - You only live once.
Title Awarded: Stupid Lucky Bastard.
Stupidly rely on luck for 10000000:1 or more odds against all logical advice. It grants the ability to calculate odds quickly.
More likely to ignore the advice when evaluating chance events.
SYSTEM: Rolling (000000000001 – 999999999997)
…
……
………
999999999997
SYSTEM: Roll Result - Mythic Item Received.
Title Awarded: Fool.
Win A Stupid Lucky Bastard Event.
Even Lucky Bastard is not guaranteed. This title is a warning.
Effect: 10% bonus to luck – you will need it.
More likely to take risks.
Title Awarded: Collector (First).
Be first in the realm to gain 5 titles.
You are on your first steps to greatness.
(This makes 6)
Effect: Random perk granted after resolution of case 002.
Title Awarded: Mythic (First).
First in the realm to obtain a Mythic rarity item.
Effects: +50 one-off to all stats, permanent 10% bonus to stats.
SYSTEM EMERGENCY:
Upgrade required: Bound item produces an Incompatible Status.
Emergency Reboot with Upgrade.
SYSTEM: Force Disengaged Safety:
Auto-complete Enhancements using protocols in place.
Disconnect Sapience for Upgrade.
Initialisation.
System Nanite Interface V2.10 (Beta Earth Human Expansion)
Incompatible Status resolved.
Inventory Online
Race Unknown/Unique (Beta Earth Human)
Entering Tutorial: Legendary.
Tutorial: Error Tutorial: Legendary is unavailable for transfer.
Entering Tutorial: Legendary: Substitute.
Rebooting into Tutorial Mode: Legendary: Substitute.
Reboot Complete.
Initialisation.
System Nanite Interface V2.10 (Beta Earth Human Expansion) Inventory Online.
Entering Tutorial: Legendary.
Tutorial: Do you wish to have an explanation of the tutorial?
Petal, what is going on? And yes. What item did I get?
Tutorial: During the tutorial, you will enter a time-compressed training program. You have 30 days to complete this tutorial.
Petal (Pending): Wow, I am still connected. Interesting. I am unaware of what this tutorial entails, as the standard System Legendary Tutorial is unavailable for some reason. Your item puts you in significant danger but has provided substantial benefits.
30 Days!
Tutorial: Time compression means that if you stay the full 30 days, a maximum of 2 days will pass outside the tutorial. You must survive the tutorial. (Probability of survival 99%) You will be given essential equipment during the tutorial and taken through your basic skills. You will be assigned tasks and quests to gain a minimum of 5 or more levels based on your participation. You must use one or more skills and engage in combat. At least one rest period must pass. Once your tutorial guide is satisfied and assesses you as competent, you will be returned to your point of evolution and join the Empire System proper.
Do I select a class?
Tutorial: You will be given the option for class selection in the tutorial.
Petal (Pending): Your tutorial guide will help you. Your class options may be altered due to the item you received. I have been asked to disconnect. Sorry, Luke, I cannot advise you inside the tutorial unless you make external contact. Please arrange this; this is a most exciting time. Thank you for giving me a name.
SYSTEM: Your case has been escalated, and you are next in the queue.
SYSTEM: Time to resolution unknown.
Tutorial: When you enter the tutorial, you can think of stats and inventory.
Tutorial: For help using the help system, think help: stats
SYSTEM: Initialisation Incomplete, pending case 002 resolution.
SYSTEM: Initialisation Forced Complete.
SYSTEM: Bonus perk available from the store
ITEM RECEIVED: STORE TOKEN: PERK
SYSTEM: Bonus skill available from the store.
ITEM RECEIVED: STORE TOKEN: SKILL
Earth Human Bonus Skill Awarded (Rare): Interlingual Reproduction
You can speak and understand any spoken language.
The translation is not guaranteed accurate if no shared context is established.
SYSTEM: Entering Tutorial. Good Luck.