This Central Park is literally that, a park smack dab in the central area of a metropolis. If by metropolis I meant thousands of colossal buildings perfectly surrounding the park with nary a gap; the park itself is larger than, well, I have no idea for now. It's multiple times larger than a planet, that's for sure! Needless to say there are large circular teleportation pads available. I step into one, which is about 100 meters in diameter where a System prompt prompts up to provide millions of options; Area 1, section A. Area 14707, section Y, you get the idea—oh, and note that among the few I checked, there are no Section Z. Even now, people are rapidly teleported off and into this pad, randomly as an individual or in selected groups with no pattern, rhyme or reason. This is advanced spatial teleportation stuff!

Speaking of people, my eyes observe the surroundings as I cancel the teleportation and step off of the pad, the term person itself is used as loosely as possible in this case. As there are our Humans; distinguishable by the mix of fantasy and more modern clothes we have on. Then there are the 100% fantasy Humans, significantly different skin colored Humans, the typical fantasy humanoids, elemental humans; fire, metal, mist, everything! Followed by a plethora of were-animal humanoids, and an even greater variety of non-humanoids. I saw a dragon walk down the street! Walking side-by-side with a fairy… Well, one of them is walking at least.

To my side, where the smell of coffee permeates the air, a phoenix is perched before an ornate table enjoying said liquid of blissful delight. Taking in the sights, a wide grin slowly decorates my face. Now this is starting to feel more like fantasy! As a clown once said, I'm loving it!

—

I assume that since we're currently in a pocket of time that moves but does not really move, my devouring quota would not reset for the whole month, right? So I set that thought aside and explored to my heart's content for the rest of my 1st day here. Everywhere, it's just people meeting more people and greeting each other merrily, sitting at a table together to feast… Can it be that the only reason we're here is for a multiverse wide meet and greet? The System must have a hidden agenda in store for us, a hidden quest! Maybe it'll answer if I ask nicely?

** DING **

True, not true and not true

Huhhh? So~. True no devouring cooldown, and that people are not feasting?---that does not make sense… That making merry is not the only reason we're here---a much more reasonable assumption. But what else is not true; maybe that there is no hidden quest. Though us having an unspecified act to accomplish and it being not hidden is slightly contradictory...

'System, will you answer if I ask very nicely?'

Yes

Uh, 'what if I just ask normally?'

Yes

Yeap, so that's probably the second not true it mentioned; no need to ask nicely, just ask. Very pragmatic, as should be expected. 'So do you have a hidden quest for us, an unmentioned reason for why we're here?'

Yes

'And what, pray tell, is that?'

Classified, even if you pray for it

'You said you'd answer!'

We did

'With; it's a secret!'—Which is an answer unto itself, so I guess that counts. At least it confirmed there is something we need to do, now to find it in a lot less than 30 days. Because we will need time to accomplish whatever it is.

We may not tell, but know that similar events never fail to happen with all newly integrated. It is both cause for success and the bringer of destruction. Remember that communication is the key, unto both doors or everything in between. I pray ye find friends to stand by in both the fairest and the foulest of weather

Not sure I like the sound of that. 'Thank you very much for the clues, System!'—determine our success or destruction... Not one to keep the survival of our planet all to myself, I texted the bigger brained or significantly important fellow former Earthlings. Promising to meet them at a famous cafe in Area 482,749. Time to go chew on some chows and consume coffee at a cafe in Section C!

"I feel this is important enough that we should not delay." Henry said the moment I took a seat. Present is; Ardi Tenolo and the bored Roy, Polina as the leader of Argead Vampires along with Luka the magic knight—grandson and leader of team 8 who has been successfully converted, Ludovica and Sonya our local Ares and Athena from Parthenon Avantgarde, Captain Pangea and Fingergun. The majority of our ladies are busy window shopping, some others are making important purchases and going on an out of the world date, literally.

"I have doubts! How could you believe the words of this rude monster?" Fingergun voices. "If I were a girl, I wouldn't date him even if we're the last two people in existence!"

"That makes two of us, as I definitely am not interested in some dumb loli uncle wanna-be." For some reason, rather than get angry at me, her eyes seem to sparkle at my comeback.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

"I should change my hero name to Loli Uncle… No! To Loli-Ojisan!" She yells, jumping off her seat with an upraised fist.

Didn't occur to me that she is a fan of Japanese culture, Henry the old world Indonesia—Japanese born immigrant, facepalms. Though I did not laugh out loud that instant, it was more of a gradual process that eventually reached a climax when I hear Ardi, Vica, and Sonya, our three most serious individuals, congratulate her on the new name.

"You should consult with Tinknomagus regarding that new name," Ardi said to the former Fingergun after Henry was kind enough to explain amidst my laughter.

"Alright, enough of that." Vica insists. She reminds everyone that those who refuse to contribute may leave. Before asking me to repeat what The System told me, word for word. "I think this last part is a major clue; friends in both the fairest and the foulest of weather… I believe this refers to an all weather friend; which is used to describe people who will always be there for you through thick and thin."

"I thought that was referring to some kinda permanent System registered party or maybe a guild or faction… An all weather friend did not occur to me at all, but I think that does make sense." Henry said next. He paused to think, we all do. Proof that sometimes experience trumps over talent.

After a moment, he continues. "Yes, analyzing those words from end to front; we need friends that will stand with us through thick or thin, or anything in between. Friends we find by communicating, here in this System event. Finding the correct ones will allow us to prosper while any wrong will bring forth our destruction."

"And this has occurred repeatedly with single time a new planet, galaxy or the likes are integrated." Sonya concluded.

"Glad that all you smarter people figured that out!" Polina exclaimed, "I'll help spread the words."

"As will I," Henry and Captain Pangea mirrored at the same time.

"We all should." Sonya concluded… After everyone paid for their food and drinks, we part ways. I alone spent 100 Creds, perks of never getting fat!

1st order of business, finding something to keep SYMPHONY active. This should have been my priority but the sight of such fantastical lifes detoured me. It is currently about two hours before midnight, most shops are closing down and the streets are emptying out as people and creatures settle down among the lush grasses or return to rest. An elven male, assumably a ranger? Sits among his companions near a massive tree; a pair of large wolves with grayish stripes of fur, a small green bear as tall as half a door and about a dozen basketball sized horned rabbits. Up on the tree, a bird of prey keeps watch. No wait, two birds of prey, one sleeps. Soon, a female elven spellcaster approaches with a basket in tow. Good to know that picnics are Multiversal.

On another patch of nature, a family of Wererabbits nest, a couple with upwards of three dozen litters. The roofs, too, are occupied by a multitude of air related creatures. As my multiple attentions piggybacks upon my Mana Sense to wander off and observe all the fantastical wonders, an inorganic voice; like rocks clanging against metal, pulled me out of the deep recesses of my wonderment. "Welcome, please do come and take a look at my wares."

Snapped out of my partial haze, I turn to look at a simple stall on a carpeted patch of land set aside the path. On the bare ground beyond said carpet a humanoid shape made out of a mix between metal and manner of minerals sits, his wares are neatly organized on the carpet. "Welcome kind sir, I am Schisaturn. An Earthling Gemmancer."

"Sorry, a what?" I ask, did I hear correctly. An Earthling? "You're from earth?"

"Yes, I am born from the land below into the space above and under the skies to bring life unto my breathens!" He replies with glints of manic devotion in his inanimate sapphire eyes, even if the tone of his voice is calm; like a typical old wise teacher.

"Oh, that's great!" I misunderstood, he probably meant earth, as in soil and stone rather than Earth, our pre-integration planet.

"Yes, may I interest you in adopting these neonates, I promise you they are the best of their generation!" His hand presents the various jewel shaped gems laying on his carpet stall. Gently caressing a dark-bluish gem in the shape of a thick ring, "maybe this Sodalite of Slashing?" Then moving onto a green emerald formed into the shape of an intricate feather brooch, "or this Emerald of Evasion?" Followed by various others.

"I assure you they are well taught, I am strict with all my students. Even if we're related." He said in his clanky calm voice. I think I get it! He's some kinda earth creature who's taken on the responsibility of teaching various artistically reformed gems, imbuing them with a Skill. Only how do these accessories work?

"With active Skills you own, these little cuties will both boost their effectiveness and assist in activating them during opportune times. Free your mind for other more important actions, like keeping an eye on your enemy's blade. If you do not know the Skill, you can only rely on them to use it for you." He explains without me asking. I was just about to, too.

"Are you reading my mind?"

"Not at all, dear customer. Just millenias of experience!" He replies with a grin. He's ancient! I thought inwardly "Now where were we… with passive Skills, well, its effects are similar in general just without automated activations. In exchange, they offer a little bit more bonus."

"Cool! Do you have something with SYMPHONY?"

"… I'm afraid I do not." He replies after a pause, "in fact, it is not a Skill I have heard of in my… by your count, 4,727 years of life."

"Huh, I did not know it is some very rare skill." I reply, slightly stunned.

"Not quite rare, no, it is rather something much more than that. But fear not for I may still assist you, assuming you assist me in return." He says with a monk-ly smile.

"May I know how much this will cost me?" His service must be very expensive.

His smile persisted for a fraction of a second, "rather than name a price, how about we make a trade. I have here a pair of twin borne Sillimanite Cat's Eye. Together, in between my valuable mastery and one half of this precious child, along with your most valuable knowledge; we shall impart onto each of them the Skill. Thereupon you are free to adopt one, while I am, in turn, free to adopt the other."

The oval gem is a very dark shade of brown, upon a glance, it is easily identified as black. Cutting vertically across its middle is a bright line that somehow contains all the colors of a rainbow, depending upon the angle from which you view it. 5 parts mesmerized, the last part of my mind had enough consciousness to say, "that thi— gem, looks lightyears beyond precious."

"I am glad you noticed."

"Nah, I don't think it takes much to tell. Unfortunately, this means I do not feel that this is an equivalent trade." For some reason, he chuckled at my words.

"Allow me to reveal to you a tiny piece of mine secret." He says with a mysterious smile.