Beneath the message was a box that said “Ready!” It looked like she would be able to catch a breather. She reloaded and holstered her pistols and, with a deep breath, pulled up her store info. Her coins were sitting at 210. She knew what she wanted to buy but thought it through anyway. Going to the Upgrades tab, she saw the same cost of 100 for the armor upgrade. The pistol upgrade, however, went to 300. So she could up her personal defense or wait for better weapons. She could also improve her battlefield control by buying the jersey barriers and other defenses they unlocked. They were all good ideas and most of them were probably the safe bet. She knew, however, where she was going to spend her money. The extra body and skill the Badass would provide would trump the advantages the others provided.
Jean selected “Badass Survivor” with a little squeak of happiness and a new screen appeared. A picture of a young woman with startlingly green eyes took over the left side. She was wearing leather armor outlined with green cloth that matched her eyes. Her hair was lustrous and shiny even as it was pulled back into a ponytail. She held a bow accented in stone in one hand and a ball of light in the other. She appeared to be staring off into the distance. Jean's eyes were drawn to the text on the right side. There was no name but there was a description:
An archmage that can lighten the battlefield in these dark times. Her cheery attitude will make sure you don't become too jaded.
Starting Ability: Flash Attack. Creates light that dazes all enemies in a ten-foot radius.
A “Select” button was at the bottom along with arrows pointing left and right. She looked at the girl one last time but wanted to see what the others she had available. She touched the arrow pointing right. The screen swiped and a man with a fox head and a wicked-looking ax appeared. His fur was black as midnight and she could see three tails swaying behind him. A huge bird with azure feathers was in the sky behind him.
A druid pulled from his world to help protect a place of magic. He will make certain that you will remain on the way.
Starting Ability: Transform. The right to bear arms, baby.
Jean blinked at the last comment. She was certain she could infer what it meant but she was still tempted to select him just to make certain. Still, her curiosity had her select the next arrow. On the next screen, a man who looked to be in his early twenties wearing Army fatigues and a rucksack stood. She could see silver eagles pinned to his lapels but it looked like they were facing the wrong way. Also, for some reason, he had what looked like a beer can in his ruck. She hit next without looking at his description. Two people in an action pose were next. One was a man with two pistols like her dressed like he stepped out of an anime. He had a dark vest over a white shirt and black pants and a ridiculous scarf covering the lower part of his face. The other was a girl with fairy wings that looked like she was casting a spell. Her gray hair was whipping around her as she peered out with amethyst colored eyes. She was in a gray dress over black shorts and tennis shoes, like she couldn't make up her mind if she wanted to be cute, punk, elegant, or some combination in between.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Jean kept tabbing through seeing if any caught her eye. Most ranged centered characters, she dismissed outright. She had plenty of range for now. She needed a meat shield or at least someone who could survive up close. Also, most mages were discarded, too. She felt she could get by with what she had. Mostly, she wanted a complement to her skills. As the selections kept going, she was worried that she would have to settle when she stopped. There in the window, standing tall and proud, was a woman in heavy armor. She recognized it. It was the same patched and scrounged metal armor that her first avatar selection had. The other woman even had the same majestic sword. Light surrounded her and Jean was mesmerized. Her hair was long and braided, so blonde it was almost white. Her eyes were a deep dark blue, sapphires in the tanned skin of her face which also had small spots of freckles. While she wasn’t sure, Jean thought she could almost see wings coming from her back. Her eyes darted to the description.
A paladin who uses sword and light to protect those around her. With her by your side, you feel you can always pull through.
Starting Ability: Blessing. Gives all weapons in group one additional star of holy damage. Cannot be stacked with other holy damage increases. Lasts five seconds.
This was it. This was the one Jean had been looking for. She tapped the “Select” button. Words appeared over the paladin.
“NOT YET IMPLEMENTED”
Jean gaped at the words. She hit the button again.
“NOT YET IMPLEMENTED”
“No, no, no, no,” she said, frustration edging into her voice. She kept hitting the button but the same message kept appearing.
“NOT YET IMPLEMENTED”
“NOT YET IMPLEMENTED”
“NOT YET IMPLEMENTED”
“Are you kidding me?” she screamed. “Is someone really playing a damn joke on me?” She ranted for a minute, gesticulating wildly. She even tried to kick the transparent screen in front of her but, as there was nothing to hit, she overbalanced and fell on her backside. She screamed in frustration again.
“Ms. Jean,” Eddi’s calm voice cut in around her. “Your blood pressure has spiked and your heart is beating rapidly. Per Caretaker Mode, I must ask about your well being.”
“I’m fine, Eddi,” she replied, her anger easing a little. “Just,” she sighed. “Really disappointed.”
“I see,” the AI said, artificial worry in its voice. “You haven’t been immersed for long but perhaps a break would be in order?” She sighed again.
“No, not yet. I’m going to see if there’s something that can help.”
“As you wish. I will continue to monitor you. Please let me know if you need anything.”
“Thanks, Eddi,” Jean remarked, lying on the ground.”You’re the best.” She used a mental command to bring up the game menu and selected “Title Screen”. It asked her to confirm and she selected “Yes.” She found herself standing again and looking at the same options as before. It was time to see about some answers.