The crowd’s murmur was one full of curiosity. The sudden emergency meeting for a majority of Blue Oaks was cause for concern. Yet, word spread quickly. The guard force under Captain Henderons’ control worked how it was intended. Chain of command now existed for the entire military side.
Mathew walked out onto the stage and didn’t give a moment for people to quiet down. “Today, marks the first day of Blue Oaks' future. Today we become an official town not only in the eyes of The System, but to us and the world. If you don’t like that, you can leave now and never come back.”
He didn’t save a breath for people to think about leaving. “I am going to establish how things are going to work with the Laws. If you are against their wording, or have questions, a legal team has been established under Mr. Melton, Leo, and my own creation. You can ask them for clarifications, or to submit a change then do so there. Know that I take the law seriously. I was attacked last night, and I realized that anyone else could be attacked at any point.”
“We have worked on defending ourselves from outside threats. Infernals, Dinosaurs, Goblins, and worse. Yet there is the human factor I’ve neglected. That changes today.” Mathew opened the folder infront of him, and opened the Menu.
“I, Mathew McGonald, enact the following laws that any citizen of Blue Oaks shall be privileged to… For the people here I will shorthand them, as I lack the desire and time to give the exact wording of every law. For most of you, they should sound familiar so long as you lived in America for longer than two days.”
A familiar pressure built up as Mathew spoke. He let it flow, reinforcing his words with his Axiom.
“1) Everyone has the right to freedom of speech, religion, assembly, press, and the right to petition your Government. AKA Me. I refuse to take that away from anyone, and anyone who properly follows it, will receive my support. We have actual Gods now. Until we further understand them, everyone here is safe to follow their guidance or quests. If anything you do directly conflicts with the betterment of this town, you will be punished.
2) Nobody here has any restriction on any weapon to protect themselves, this town land, and their people. That means you can use magic, guns, swords, bows, anything. So long as it’s to protect and defend. Using your powers for personal benefit against another in this town is illegal. That includes mind control. Power is everything in our new way of life, I won’t be the one to restrict you.
3) As a Lawyer, I ensured everyone here has full legal rights. That means you will be given a unbiased trialed infront of a fair jury. Everyone has the right for legal representation, which could be me, Leo, or anyone else who wishes to take up that mantle.
4) Nobody will be turned down for medical care so long as you follow the rules and are a citizen here in Blue Oaks. Medical professionals will be paid a salary. I don’t want anyone here dying because of a new disease or type of injury. I will even be getting a checkup from Doctor Garcia. I already established a medical contract so anything to do with your stats, titles, or anything else on your menu is confidential. Nobody here want’s to know your secrets, just ensure you are healthy and safe.
5) Taxes are still a thing, but they are a one time thing. Everyone get’s taxed proportionally. You own a shop? Tax. Own land? Tax. Bring resources in? Tax. You won’t get taxed for buying or trading meat and a new sword. There is a proper list available for you to all see. The prices will adjust over time. Tax money will go into buying upgrades for the Hearth Crystal and equipping our guards and ensuring our town receives proper maintenance.
6) Voting still exists, everyone who has access to a Menu can vote. That is our new ‘legal age’. If The System deems you old enough to throw magic around, we deem you old enough to be an adult. That drops it from the old age of 18 to 14. If you have a problem with that, good thing this law exists.
7) Any forms of theft, assault, burglary and other crimes we all know are bad are detailed in this one. Each one with a range of punishment that can be delivered depending upon your court tria. Don’t expect those things to magically be allowed now, they are not. Common human decency is fully expected here.
8) You are allowed to leave Blue Oaks at any time, no questions asked. You will have your citizenship removed instantly, and all the perks that come with it. However, to rejoin, you will have to work twice as hard to gain citizenship. We will question why you left, and if you don’t have a good answer, we will always assume the worst. Nobody likes a rat, people hate rats that jump ship before it sinks even worse. That’s because they know something and didn’t try to fix it.
9) Equity, not equality. Man, Woman, Human, Infernal, Talking Tree, Black, White, Asian, Religious, not Religious, Four arms, Two Tails, whatever you are, congratulations in the eyes of the law and this town, you are now the same. You all have the same chances as everyone else over the age of 14. However, I will not take away one’s right to treat others differently, this is how the law will see things, not people. I will not force people to treat others fairly. Either be adults and talk it out, or don’t talk to each other. That said, outright slander is not allowed. Remember, we are in this together against the Dungeons that threaten our lives including The System.
10) The last Law is simple. Citizenship can be granted to any sentient being. That includes all creatures including non human. Take Di for example, the beloved shop keeper. There are races, groups, and much more that exist out there. I will not limit our town to only Humans. If you don’t like that, then pack your things and leave.
These are the first ten laws of Blue Oaks. They are binding in the eyes of The Council.”
A dozen blue screens started to appear infront of Mathew enacting each one, including the sub-laws and clauses for them. At least 80% of the wording is reused from the American Amendments and every major law that existed. The hard part was including magic and advanced technology.
Mathew was in no mood to play games. He didn’t bother to respond to the random outbursts from those who didn’t agree with the laws. Once he said his piece, the pressure from his Axiom ended. He felt enlightened. Who was he to not enforce his own laws. They were his, he would reinforce them however he could. Nobody would defy them.
His thoughts became clear for just a moment, he could somehow grasp something, an idea. Then it was gone as a hand shook his shoulder. “Mathew.” Henderson said. “Come on, let’s get you out of the firing sight of everyone. You did a good job, even had me fully invested. What did you do with your voice?”
“I just put my all into those words. Happens when you believe in something.”
Henderson smirked, “Mathew believing in something other than himself? That’s a surprise. You gave me an aura of not caring.”
“I do care about what is important to me. Come on, I’m sure Mr. Melton will need help answering a dozen questions.”
Mathew gave a quick scan over his notifications. All of them were expected. Conformation of the new laws for Blue Oaks. He closed them all then summoned Agnox. The imp stood as tall as he could. They prepared this part already.
“Agox, do you accept becoming a Citizen of Blue Oaks?” Mathew asked.
“I do!” Mathew nodded and pulled out a contract. This was a citizenship forum. Everyone will be signing these for the next few days. However, Agnox will be one of the first to do it.
Agnox has become a citizen of Blue Oaks.
Mathew smiled and Agnox let out a fist pump. “Woo! That’s the tigers roar!”
“Cat’s meow. And I don’t think that even applies to this situation.” Henderson said with a groan.
He shrugged and started to float in the air. “Eh, don’t care. I’m the first non-human citizen before anyone else. Suck it!”
Mathew shook his head, he couldnt’ stop a grin showing. Another notification showed up, he almost just closed it automatically, but stopped at it’s sheer size.
World Wide Quest: The First Trial
Congratulations on surviving the first month of Phase 1. As part of your integration with the greater universe, there will be trials for you mortals. You will be forced to face things that do not exist naturally outside this unique situation for you all. As such, the first Trial will commence in 45 days.
As it is the first, the entire world will vote on what they will face. Select from the following options. There are two important things to know before you vote.
Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.
1) Voting automatically invites you to the quest and is equal to accepting it, even if you vote for a different trial. You can not take back your vote without dying.
2) If you do not vote, you can not directly help those who did vote in the trial.
----
Please make your decision below:
1) Monster Swarm - Swarms of monsters will attack your safe zones. Defend yourself and your zones. Each wave you succeed will reward you tokens that allow you to spend at the nearest Hearth Crystal. The reward list is far grander than any Merchant can sell to you currently.
2) Treasure Hunt - Enter a realm of unique creation and compete to find treasure. Use any method possible to take what will become yours. You will enter with no items.
3) Special Dungeon - A unique Dungeon entrance will appear near your nearest Hearth Crystal. It will consist of multiple levels, each increasing in power. Every floor completed will give you an increase to your overall reward. You have a 33% chance to keep anything found within this Dungeon that is a physical item.
4) World Race - Each participant will appear in a realm of unique creation. You will all compete to reach the other side to the best of your ability. Results depend upon how far you reach by the end of a count down. Additional rewards for crossing the finish line.
Mathew’s eyes widened. He turned to Agnox and started to shake him to bring him to a level head.
“Wha- WHAT - DO - YOU -WANT.” Agnox said as he was being shaked.
“World Quest. Explain.”
“A what quest?” Agnox rubbed at his face. “What’s it say?”
Mathew read everything, word for word. He then wrote it down on a piece of paper using his skill, so Agnox could read.
“This…oh….” Agnox said. “I haven't a clue, but this is either good news or bad.”
“Stop with the vagueness. Just tell me what you think, please.”
“Okay. So The System does shit like this all the time in the form of Area Quests or other types of quests. It’s rare to receive a quest, I’ve never seen a quest before outside the one for being in the Infernal Dungeon to defeat you guys. My bet? This is going to cause a lot of people to die. Area Quests give rare treasures, like those fruits we found. If this is for the entire World? I can’t imagine what kind of rewards we will get.”
“Which one should I vote for?” Mathew asked, then looked at the crowd . “Shit, we should talk to everyone else. Come on!”
Mathew stood back on the stage and grabbed the microphone. “Everyone shut up! Listen to me!”
The crowd came to a quieter mumble. A few shouts of fear or telling Mathew to shut up in response echoed. “I have no clue what this is either, but we are going to all agree to the same thing. Right now I’m considering either the Swarms or the Dungeon. With the swarm, we can work together and buy things to reinforce the Safe Zone to protect us. If we work together, it will be an easy win for Blue Oaks.”
“The Dungeon doesn’t say we can’t bring in items. We can go in teams, equip those teams with the best money we can buy, and win all the rewards for our town. A Treasure Hunt is dangerous. We will go in with nothing but our own hands. Classes that need weapons and armor are useless. The Race seems similar to the Dungeon, but the rewards are too small. You get rewarded based on how far we go. Plus the environment is unknown. We could be racing across space or water. Then what? Anyone here got a boat or spaceship?”
That got the crowd to listen and overlapping voices picked up again. Everyone was discussing what to pick. Mathew did see a few people already making a selection, but only a couple. He really wanted to do the Swarm. With enough upgrades, walls, turrets, and anything else money can buy, they would weather that storm.
The Dungeon was equally appetizing. If it had a Dungeon Core and he claimed it. Just how strong would it be? For the entire world to enter it, it needed to be massive. If all the elites in Blue Oaks teamed up with him…the thought made him grin giddily.
He was about to talk, but the sound of a crying baby made him turn and look. That’s when he remembered children can’t use the menu. Would they be forced to sit inside their Safe Zone without helping? Could they even defend themselves or would they teleport away?
“Shit, technicalities. I fucking hate not knowing the exact details of everything.” He looked at the crowd, and sighed. “So much for an easy win. Nobody would risk the lives of their families like that. Unlike some brothers I know of…”
“Everyone. I am voting for the dungeon. Only vote if you fully believe you can do it. Myself and the entirety of Blue Oaks will do our best to help and prepare everyone. But we can’t force you to vote. Go to your friends, family and loved ones. Talk it out with them. We have thirty days to prepare.”
Mathew hopped down onto the ground and ran off to meet with the important people. Leo, Henderson, Mr. Melton and a few others like Master Sergant Jackson and Lucas. The adrenaline was leaving his body, letting him take a deep breath.
“I talked to the crowd already. It should dissipate soon once they make their vote.”
“Mathew, what did you vote for?” Lucas asked.
“I’m going to vote for the dungeon. I suggest everyone do the same. We can’t do the Swarm, as much as I wanted to.”
Mr. Melton started to sweat, “Why not the swarm? We have the entire Safe Zone to help defend us.”
“Firstly, kids have no menus. Secondly, only those who vote participate. That means we are defending a bunch of helpless and fragile bodies. How can we fight like that?”
Mr. Melton rubbed his face. “I never thought of that. Good catch Mathew. What about the race?”
“Rewards are shit. Dungeon is the best choice in my opinion.”
“What did the fire rat say?” Jackson asked.
“You want to ask him yourself?” Mathew asked as he pointed behind him at the Imp.
“Didn’t know much.” Mathew said. “All I know is those rewards are going to be something top tier. Better than the fruit Mr. Melton.”
The bald man let out a whistle. “Okay, yea this is something everyone should vote on who can fight.”
“Are you joining as well?” Mathew asked the man.
“Of course not, not if we are not doing the swarms. Someone needs to stay here and watch over the town. I imagine both you and Henderson are going.”
“My thoughts exactly. All the elites.”
“What about the Undead?” Lucas asked.
“We will have to clear them out quickly. Go in, glass em, take the core, come back, reequip, and go spulunking.” Mathew said. He sat down, feeling exhausted still.
“And the two other safe zones?” Jackson asked.
“They help, or get none of the benefits. I’m going to try and bring them into our fold, but I doubt it. People hate giving up power.”
Jackson scoffed, but said nothing.
“So this is it. A culling.” Lucas muttered.
“Don’t be so pessimistic about it.” Mr. Melton said. He looked up at Mathew. “We will be fine.”
Mathew nodded, “Of course we are. I’m going in there. Last I checked, I’m 2 for 2 on beating Dungeons. Perfect track record.”
“Pft, isn’t Henderson and the others 3 for 3?” Lucas asked as a joke.
“Exactly, everyone has a 100% track record. Just have some faith.”
Lucas and Mathew selected the Dungeon option. The voting block was replaced with the percentage of votes for each option. Mathew eyed the numbers going up and down across all four feeling very worried about the results.