"So you are hoping to access the under halls by way other then combat. There is a way to do this, but it will be a daunting task. Using a divine object with your permission I will put you into a dreamscape where you will attempt to complete a mission. The mission will depend on the option you select. You will not a be a demigod with power for the duration of the dream. Instead you will be a mortal with a job to do. How you complete that mission will determine how much access you will get to the under halls, if you get access at all." Tinkerson listened to this and then spoke.
"Can I ask some questions?"
"You may. But I may not answer depending." Tinkerson nodded to this.
"First some background. Knowing what I know about the academy, I must mention that I have once been an mortal. Just not in this universe." Johns blinked at this. "The question I wanted to ask is thus; Will this affect the score I can get and access?"Johns sat there motionless for a moment. then spoke.
"While what you have said about coming from another universe is unique as far as I know, This will not affect your score and access. However if I may ask a question in return, did you ever serve in combat or combat related position in your old life?" Tinkerson shook his head. "Then we will be ok. While you may have skills that prove advantageous from that period, Most of this test is to see how you will react to combat related part of the dreamscape. Now as to your options." He shifted in his seat to make himself more comfortable.
"By coming here you have decided to avoid the direct combat side of it. There is no shame in this. Some people are not suited to this. However, the universe being what it is, the heights you may hope to climb, combat will come to you and you must meet it in some shape or form. Some people lead. Some serve. Others carve their own paths. In this, we must find out what you will do. So tell me, do you wish to lead? To serve? or do you desire the ability to choose your own way? Know that if you take the last option, it is an all or nothing proposition. With the other two you may only gain some degree of options within the under halls from basic to full. With the last, you will either pass to all the halls can offer, or you will fail, and this option will not be offered again in any trial given in this city. Pick wisely."
Tinkerson muilled over this. He did not wish to serve. He didn't particuarly want to lead either. But that omnious warning given about the third option made him question if he should take one of the first two options. However, when had he ever taken the conventional way? "It going to be the all or nothing for me please." Johns nodded and guestured him to lay back. Tinkerson did so, and then began to feel sleepy.
He found himself walking down a road with a heavy pack on his back. He blinked and tried to bring up his status. Nothing. It seemed as if he was in the dreamscape. He marvelled at the suddeness of it. He could see a city in the distance. It looked a bit shabby but the walls surrounding it looked formidable. He guessed he was headed to this city so he continued in this direction. As he neared the city he saw a bench and decided to put his pack on it and examine it and himself. He was holding a staff and he realised with a start that although he did not have access to his skills, he still retained the knowledge on the staff. How to use it and fight with it. He was dressed in what looked to be some protective light leathers suitable for journeying in troubled areas. He then went through his pack. From what he determined, it was the pack of a tinker. Trade goods, with some tools that he could use to repair stuff if he had the materials. It seemed he remembered the basics of being a merchant and repairing and crafting. He shouldered the pack and continued walking to the city. At the gates he was recieved by a guard at the gate. Who told him that he was conscripted into the forces of the city to protect against the monster wave that was coming. He was to report to the city hall were he would be asked questions. Depending on the answers to those quesions, would depend on what he would be doing. He was then escorted with some others to the city hall by some guards. Some of the people walking with him were full of anger. Some were weeping or looking like they were going to their death. Others were just silently waking along. He looked about as they walked through the city making note of some of the things he saw. Eventually they came to the biggest building in the centre and walked inside. They were shown to a room with a bunch of chairs. Told to sit until called. Tinkerson sat and waited til one of the guards pointed at him and told him to come along. He did so, being shown to a room that held a man sitting at desk.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"First, I must apologise for having to conscript you like this. But you know the laws of the land. Monster waves must be fought with all available resources. I notice you have a tinker's pack on your back. It may be I do not need to conscript you as a soldier if you have skills that could be useful elsewhere. May I ask your name? Tinkerson replied with his name. "Bit on the nose that. May I ask what skills you have?" Tinkerson told him about the merchant skills and repairing. "hhhmmm I have you in mind for a couple of positions. However, is there any other information you can give me that might help to let me make a decision?"
The skills that Tinkerson had given were those he had learned as a demigod. However before he had ever become that, back before he had ever became in fact Tinkerson, he had another name and another life. He could no longer remember much of it. However there had been one thing he could remember. He had loved his job. His job as a logistic administrator. He spoke at length about how he had seen that most of the supply warehouses and repair foundries were in the centre of town. no doubt due to these monster waves. However, he had also noticed that it was a long way to the walls. In the district he had came through, he had noticed there were some buildings empty. No doubt by people fleeing the monster wave before the city had been able to conscript them. So he propose that the city should commandeer some of these buildings, creating a small supply depot where people could re-equip and drop off items to be mended and returned. This would cut down on the amount of time it would take them to be able to rest and reprepare for fighting the monster wave, which would be two weeks of constant attacks. The administrator listened fascinated. In this world Tinkerson had recreated a position that he had heard about back on his own world when he had been a mortal. Quartermaster.
"You have convinced me of the need for something like this. So I am going to take a building in the western quarter. You will speak to the soldiers on the western wall and get some idea of the needs they will have. Once you have done so you will submit a request to the warehouses and foundries for the supplies and equipment you need. Depending on your success in this monster wave, will inform what will happen after. If it is shown to have improved that wall's need and defence, then you will be rewarded. If it doesn't you will be punished. If the wall falls, I will make sure you died a very painful death." So saying, the adminstator sent off Tinkerson to the west wall saying someone would find him once the building was chosen and commandeered.