Cue dramatic music.

Ah, greetings mortals, demigods, and those who skipped directly to this chapter hoping for spoilers! It is I, your delightful and all-knowing Narrator-sama! Back again to drop some wisdom, sprinkle in some charm, and dazzle you with my superior sense of humor. But wait! Before we dive into the juicy and mind-blowingly fascinating information. Let’s take a short detour. A filler, you say? How rude. I prefer the term educational delight.

Today, we’ll be unraveling the glorious phenomenon known as Strands (see what I did there?) - the power system that defines this chaotic yet fascinating world. Buckle up, kiddos. It’s time for some lore!

STRANDS: THE BEST POWER SOURCE™

First things first - what are Strands? Simple! Strands are fancy, glowy threads that connect people to gods. Picture an umbilical cord to divine awesomeness. Wait, that was kind of weird. PICTURE GODLY Wi-Fi, connecting chosen mortals to divine power. When you acquire a Strand, you gain access to an exclusive connection to a god’s domain - be it strength, knowledge, or, I don’t know, cosmic fabulousness.

And here’s the kicker: as soon as you’re granted a Strand, the System instantly awakens within you, regardless of age. Even if you’re still trying to figure out long division, bam, you’ve got a fully functioning, divine skill tracker. You’re officially in the big leagues now.

When activated, a Strand shows up as a sick tattoo-like symbol on your body (it can be anywhere). Very edgy. It’s also a major flex - like wearing limited-edition merch of Sean Combs*. But remember, this power isn’t yours forever. The god can snatch it back faster than you can say, “Oops."

*I'M JOKING.

ACQUIRING A STRAND

Beware though, only a select few can have these bad boys. BUT here are two ways to get one of them:

1. Be Chosen

If you’re naturally cool, have some heroic feats, or embody a god’s vibe, they might slide into your DMs like, “Hey, wanna rep my brand?” They’ll gift you a Strand, no questions asked (usually). Maybe you showed courage in a battle or demonstrated wisdom beyond your years. Or maybe they’re just bored. Whatever the reason, poof, you’re chosen.

2. Seek It (The Hard Way)

Not chosen? No problem! Just find a god, knock on their celestial door, and say, “Hey, I want power!” Spoiler: They’ll laugh, then toss you into a trial straight out of your nightmares.

* Personal Challenges: Face your inner demons. Cry about it later.

* Physical Challenges: Punch a dragon. Don’t die.

* Moral Dilemmas: Save the puppy or the kitten. Choose wisely.

Pass the trial? Congrats, you get a Strand! Fail? Well… let’s just say you might walk away with a curse or a really bad Yelp review from the god. (Second chances are hard, man.)

STRAND UPGRADES

Strands don’t just stay the same. Oh no, they evolve. As you bond with your god - whether through epic feats, moral growth, or just vibing with their ideals - your Strand levels up. Imagine going from, “I can lift a rock,” to, “I can lift a mountain and throw it at my enemies.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

But beware! If you lose faith in your god or stray from their ideals, your Strand’s power can shrink faster than your Wi-Fi during a storm.

DEMI-STRANDS: STRANDS FOR THE PEOPLE™

Not everyone gets the full VIP package. Some folks settle for Demi-Strands, which are like the lite version of a Strand. Limited power, but still better than nothing. Think of it as a trial subscription to divine energy. Impress the god enough, and you might get upgraded to the full version!

THE SYSTEM™

Ok. Earlier I said only a select few can have a god's strands. Technically, gods can hand out as many Strands as they want. But most keep it exclusive—less Spotify Family Plan, more Netflix Premium for One.

Anyways, onto the system. Think of it as a tool to track your growth, refine your abilities, etc. etc. It also encourages collaboration - mentorships, teamwork, and shared knowledge. By learning from those who’ve mastered an Occupation, you can awaken the System for yourself. This means even if you don’t have a Strand, you’re not powerless. The System ensures there’s a place for everyone in this divine playground. Well, even if you don't have anyone to teach it to you, you can learn it the hard way too... or you can wait until your 18. (it awakens for everyone at that age)

OCCUPATIONS: JOBS, BUT MAKE THEM COOL

Occupations are essentially professions or life paths, but instead of a paycheck, you get supernatural abilities. They can be learned by being taught by someone more experienced or through sheer determination. Once you unlock one, it’s like gaining a blueprint for greatness.

* Combatant: Punch things. Stab things. Be awesome at it.

* Evolves into Magi-Combatant, Warrior, Scout, Ranger, Berserker, or Tank.

* Sorcerer: Manipulators of the arcane (mana and magic). They sparkle. A lot.

* Evolves into Elementalist, Warlock, Magus, or Healer.

* Support/Artisan/Other: The unsung heroes who keep everyone alive and equipped.

* Evolves into Craftsman, Alchemist, Bard, Enchanter, or Forger.

Yes, yes, I know what you’re thinking - how does one person choose between being a Berserker (Hulk smash) or a Bard (musical chaos)? Life’s full of hard choices, my friend. And no, you can't have multiple occupations at the same time... well you can, that's just like really hard (I would try going one by one if I were you - UNLESS YOUR AS TALENTED AS ME).

And there you have it, folks! A crash course in Strands. If your brain hasn’t melted yet, congratulations. You’re ready for the chaos to come. And if it has… well, Narrator-sama isn’t responsible for medical bills. AND NO, THIS IS A TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY UNIQUE IDEA THAT GREAT LORD AVOCADO... You caught me! Fine, yes, inspiration struck Mr. Avocado after indulging in countless nights of reading about overpowered protagonists and systems so detailed they’d make your head spin. So he says a big thank you to many other litRPGs including but no limited to "The Great Works of Fiction That Shall Not Be Named." ... Ok, that's not what he said BUT here’s the twist - our Strands are not just about leveling up and showing off. They’re about growth, connection, and, most importantly, looking cool while doing it. So, to those litRPG classics that paved the way: thank you for your service. Now step aside and let this magnificent story that was definitely not Great Lord Avocado's first claim the spotlight.

(Let’s face it, nothing screams originality like Narrator-sama... Right?)

Aw, my screen times over. But don’t worry, Narrator-sama will be back to drop more wisdom and dazzle you with unparalleled charm (even if big man says no). Back to the story! Let’s see who gets a Strand next, shall we? (Spoiler: No spoiler.)