Standing upon the cliff where the rock giant met its demise, Daimon slowly took in the scenery which had changed dramatically. No longer was the peak filled with rocky ledges and lush greenery, instead, alien-like plants sprouted out of the ground, purple and radiating a smell filled with decay. The new form of life changed the beautiful landscape and made it look deadly.
"How does all of this happen within a few hours?” Daimon questioned.
A voice replied behind him and scared Daimon senseless, thankfully it was the orb.
Somewhat calmed down, the orb which had in the end, decided to follow Daimon out of the cave replied.
"I mentioned early that you would not be able to get home for the foreseeable future, the reason being is that your planet is not the only one changing. Right now the entire universe is being saturated with Laws and mana produced by the system. All lifeforms had access to the Laws before this. Your planet also gained a little bit more due to an incident that occurred millions of years ago. This is why your people understand the concept of magic and have the ability to create fire, wind turbines, hydropower, and much more. However, due to the entire universe being saturated all at once, The System did not have enough energy to fill every planet. This led to a decision being made to merge multiple planets, thus the entire planet will be changed. Other races will roam the land and the strong will survive. The other races, like your people, are currently in tutorial villages and once the training is complete all will be released back into this planet".
Daimon was completely shocked, "so when you said I won't get back home it was because my home will no longer be there? How many races will there be? What is the purpose of this?" firing out dozens of questions, Daimons’ mind was on the verge of collapse due to the sudden shock.
"The system will reveal all in 6 days and 7 hours. However, what I can tell you is that all hope is not lost. Races will be segregated at the start and will face the low-level monsters in their starting area. Unfortunately for you,” snickered the orb “due to the terraforming here this doesn't look like the human area". replied the orb.
Sensing a glimmer of hope and excited by the idea of magic daimon forgot all about the fear which plagued him and arrogantly stood tall "I will gain the strength necessary to protect my family. I have some knowledge of magic and powers related to this new world due to the books I have read. Humans will use this to our advantage and stand tall before all who stand before us".
"Getting a bit ahead of yourself, aren't you? Maybe you can stand tall if you don't die of starvation first.”
Reality came crashing back with the low growl of Daimons’ stomach.
"Let's think logically," said Daimon. "I came from the left and the rock giant chase only lasted about 100 meters, so my backpack should be pretty close. I will be careful though in case there are any other creatures around here".
Activating Stealth, he felt the energy slowly seeping out of his body. Crouching along the ground he began to look around trying to spot his backpack. Around 50 meters in, there it was sitting on top of a solitary purple plant roughly 2 meters in height. Not sensing any danger, Daimon began to move towards it. While standing next to the plant about to grab the much-needed food, a message appeared.
Stealth has reached level 2
About to celebrate his first skill level up, he found his left arm bound by a purple vine which was roughly the thickness of a baby's arm. Following the vine, to his horror, he saw that the plant had grabbed hold of him.
"Activate your Inspect skill" shouted the orb while giggling like a girl again.
Getting pulled in slowly by the flower, Daimon cast inspect.
Level 2 piranha plant “Well this isn't good!” cried Daimon. Using his other hand he reached over and ripped the vine off his arm. Finally free he tried to run back only to find that his legs were bound. Tripping over he fell flat on his stomach. Fear coursed through him and as he turned around he saw a huge maw open up from the top of the plant. His backpack disappeared down the throat of the beast and the maw came towards him. During the panic, his mind suddenly entered a moment of clarity and he quickly used adrenalin shot. Rolling out of the way the plant squished into the ground on his left. Rolling back over he pulled himself on top of the plant stem and tore it in half using the extra strength gained from Adrenaline shot.
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Level 2 Piranha Plant killed Experience awarded.
Adrenalin shot has reached level 2
In no mood to celebrate he stared at the orb hatefully "Why didn't you warn me?".
"Relax, it was only level 2. Its teeth could not have damaged your skin but it was hilarious" giggled the orb once again like a girl.
Still slightly fearful and angry, Daimon replied “how am I supposed to eat now? This horrific plant swallowed my backpack!".
"That's easy, just put your hand on the body and connect your mind. A collect option should appear”.
Items received
Large Backpack, contains a tent, rations, water, and a small knife.
5 Star Credits received
Getting what he came for, Daimon rushed back to his cave.
After the fight with the giant plant, Daimon quickly returned to his cave to consolidate his gains and consume the long-awaited food. From his backpack, he first pulled out a tent and placed it in the corner beside the compound bow. Following closely behind, an apple, two slightly damaged sandwiches and a packet of beef jerky appeared, followed by a few bottles of water The food is mediocre but unfortunately it would have to do unless he wanted to eat a decaying plant. After enjoying a rather large meal in which he ate most of his remaining food, Daimon asks the orb a question which he had been putting of since it first appeared,
"Are you a male or female, you talk like an old man but laugh like a young girl what's the deal?
"I was given the profile and data pertaining to all things related to this planet, from this. I chose the voice and laugh which most appealed to my tastes. As for gender I do not have one".
"Well" replied daimon " Your voice and Laugh do not match. It is kind of creepy. A dark haze immediately intruded on the area. Sensing the atmosphere change, Daimon quickly changed the subject: Do you have a name?
"I do not have a name. If I was to choose I would be honored by the name Albert after Albert Einstein who discovered the most about the laws on this planet before they were even here. However I will not be changing my speech patterns or laugh, the fact that it annoys you amuses me".
At a loss for words, Daimon decided to simply go with the flow and call it Albert from now on.
So my main concern right now is finding food. I also don't know how to cook monster meat, and I will not be eating rock giants, so how to get food? Didn't Albert say something about a shop? I gained 5-star credits when I looted the plant, how much food I could buy for that?. Although on Earth these credits would be worth millions, as they were made out of what seemed to be gold shaped like a star they were beautiful.
"Soooo Albert I am going to assume you have access to this store you spoke of".
"Yes I do" replied Albert in an upbeat tone happy about the name change.
"How about you do me a favor and purchase for me"?
It is against the rules," replied Albert.
"Is almost letting me get eaten by a plant part of the rules as well, how would the system respond if it was to find out". Daimon was backing on his luck stat right now, he was going to go hungry if he didn't get more food.
Albert sighed "OK OK relax what do you want this will be a one-off".
"I need food, whatever you can get for 5-star credits. I want quantity not quality".
"Right now the market has crashed for bread in one of the main planetary suppliers. I can get you 20 loaves for 5 coins, replied Albert".
Screwing up his face Daimon replies ``fine I'll take it". The 5 coins in Daimon's hand disappear and on top of the tent, the promised bread had instantly arrived.
What is the monetary value of this currency anyway? questioned Daimon and why did the bread arrive so fast.
"Ten thousand star credits are worth one planetary credit and one hundred planetary credits are worth one universal credit, there is no longer any need for your earthling money. The bread arrived so quickly because of the laws I can say no more than that".
A food source found and no longer worried about going hungry, it was time for Daimon to come up with a plan. "I have roughly 6 days until the planet is populated again. Currently, there are loads of monsters running around which will eat me in a second. For now, my goal should be to get as strong as possible. I'll focus on training my body followed by entering into my inner world and learning how to cast mana arrow, I won't leave until I have learned it. Firstly it is time to sleep defeating two monsters in one day is tiring".
With a plan in motion, Daimon pitched his tent, protected the bread inside his backpack, and drifted off to sleep. In his dreams, he saw a crazy orb named Albert giggling madly like a little girl.