I wake up on a bed feeling well rested, now all alone in a room back at Garuda Hospital, it is now just after dinner. We were rescued with the arrival of Mr Herman and a few of the guards, when they came to check on all the commotion, only to be stunned silent by the scene. One good thing came out of this, Dianti ended up giggling at the looks on their face. As It turned out, she was probably the luckiest of us all with the dungeon rewards, getting a custom made magic item and a title that is tailored to support her being a herbalist-slash-alchemist; a Slimerge alloy made tool than can eat tools and mimic them and a Title that grants bonuses to alchemy.

I had summoned my ninth and tenth disks, then remembered to place VLoS and Latent Coating up for sale before bed this morning, for 1000 and 500 creds, respectively. Not at all cheap, considering they're only at Early mastery, but I feel they are worth such. Snatch'a Soul-inator I keep to myself for now. While still within the store's interface, I also claim sales of my spells for the last three days. Magico Disk had 431 upgrades from intermediate to Advance, and 87 that went straight to Peak, as well as 512, 273 and 38 new purchases of each mastery, totaling 329,580 creds. Where as Conjure Trilattic Swarm had 57 sales, earning me another 9,579. Then 4 local and 16 out-world sales of Will-o'-Weal for 11,480. Lastly, no sales for the Novice Repository mod, guess spell mods are not much a thing. My parents, Antonio and Claudia, must have gotten 19,152 creds each. Nice!

Next, I bought a Virtual Computing System, aka VCS, along with several upgrades that comes up to a total of 12,800 creds, most of that to pay for better coverage. The way they work is that each unit has their own individual range for how far data may be sent through mana, which is upgradeable for a cost in the Store. The default range that comes with unlocking the VCS interface is within an individual's mana emission which is approximately within arms reach, the next upgrade is within a territory's mana, then a continent through use of ambient mana, and lastly the distance of a whole planet by making use of LeyLines. They are 100, 1000, 10000, and 100000 Creds respectively, I got the ambient mana upgrade, as anything else beyond that is too expensive for me. Besides those, there are upgrades to the VCS functions like notes and layout settings that didn't cost much.

Honestly, that abbreviation is awkward, hmm~, Virtual Computing System--- a VICOS. In my opinion, much better than VCS that might simply mean voice chat or, even a plethora of other meanings... I chuckle. Though, there is no way in, anywhere really, that I can change an abbreviation that's been used for longer than our planet has existed.

** CLING **

** CLING **

** CLING **

** CLING **

** CLING **

A series of chimes rang through my mind, out of habit, I reached into my pockets… before realizing it's empty, then proceed to open the new System Interface with a simple tug of my mind. A blue box appeared before my eyes. It has tabs for the various available functions, a lot like old world web browsers. Mail, Knowledge Database, Calculator, Notes, Grid Notes, Marked Cycle that also shows current time and date, and Customization. Some of those are pre-System earth words. Mail? Database? I guess the Multiverse calls a year a cycle, like the planets completes one cycle around the sun?

** DING **

Upon integration of a new sapient race, every culture and language and everything found within are too, integrated

'I understand, explains how everyone suddenly understands each other.'

Precisely. Though no more

'Hmm, why not?'

Within the week of a new integration, an overabundance of mana rushes in, allowed to freely run amok unconstrained, this density allows free use of privileges that are inefficiently unsustainable for longer periods of time. Past that timeframe, the mana wanes before stabilizing into the proper levels for the given area. A Safe Zone, assisted by our involvement, better regulates available mana to sustain these privileges within its perimeters.

Right. So because a newly integrated is empty of mana, they rush in from everywhere when its newly opened, like air to vacuum. The rushing in means it gets oversaturated, then it peters out. I was about ask how The System and a Safe Zone regulate mana to allow that, but decided I'd leave understanding how they work another time, if ever.

The Mail tab is blinking at me, has been for a while now. Like the common web messengers, it is divided into two columns the left narrower one contains three entries;

[Zane Fair Prayoga]

[Rascarna the space mage]

[Arya Wildebelle]

Both names below are blinking. The right wider column is blank. I promptly selected to customize the top most entry to Zen. Then, I click on the second name, that's a woman's name, don't judge!

Arya Wildebelle: What stony material?

Uhh~, I managed to write out an answer by thinking about it.

Zen: Who is this? What do you mean by stony material?

Send! Unlike hers, my text is grayed out. Maybe delivering? But mine can only reach someone within the continent… let's wait and see. I mentally click on the other name.

Rascarna the space mage: Oi! What's the big idea?

Rascarna the space mage: You implying my spell sucks?

Rascarna the space mage: Where you from? Tell me and I promise I won't visit to wreak havoc!

Rascarna the space mage: What too AFRAID to talk back?!

Rascarna the space mage: You don't have a VCS do you? Delivered but not received. Who doesn't now days!

Rascarna the space mage: Poor... or newly integrated?

Rascarna the space mage: Hey, you selling anything else?

Rascarna the space mage: There is a spell that is similarly named to the mod you made, is that you?

Rascarna the space mage: Course ya' won't reply!

Rascarna the space mage: Make a Store brand already!!!

Rascarna the space mage: Tsk! Mortals….

His cursing me continued on further down the interface, very creative words. Would make for an amazing writer, I don't bother replying. Though one thing he wrote caught my attention, a Store brand?

** DING **

Register Store Brand. 10,000 Creds. Register a brand Name on the CredStore, all items sold may be enlisted under the brand.

Heck why not! I confirmed the purchase.

** DING **

Please enter Brand Name…

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Right~, I want a name that reflects my creation of spells and, eventually, items created out of pure mana. I mull over the choices for at least half an hour, plenty that I can think of, like; Mana Smith, Arcane Artificer, Occult Engineer, Maestro Crafts, etcetera, even the most ordinary Magic Craftsman are unavailable. Deep in thoughts, I absentmindedly twiddle with the blanket until my hands came upon the layers of tag sewn into a corner. I registered the change in touch and picked it up only to read, Made in China…

Not this time. Instead, 'Made in Mana.'

Entry available…

Confirm selection?

Y / N

'Yes, thank you.'

** DING **

Brand Name logged

Mercantile rank up, Bronze > Silver

InCredible

OMG! The System is making a pun…

After the shock receded to more manageable levels, I registered all my original spells and spell mod into the brand… As of now I've had enough of Store stuff. So after quickly claiming the quest reward for DUNGEON TAKEOVER II, earning me another System Point that I have no idea what to do with, besides hoarding for an emergency. I stand and touch the cube of swarm while moving for the door as they gradually cover me in armor.

Stepping down on the ground floor after several flights of stairs, I ask a nearby Security for where the logistics personnel are, they don't have one. Instead, I was directed towards a makeshift office where the Territory's Manager is.

** knock knock **

"Come in."

I open the door and enter, Henry sits there in an elaborate office set up, amidst stacks of papers. Without looking up he asks, "hello, what's your name and what brings you here?"

"Hey! Come with me if you want to live."

He looks up at that. "Oh, hey. Are you asking me out on a breakfast date?"

"...Sure, if you're paying." I shrug.

"What pay, food is currently free. Unless you're getting something from the System Store." He replies, "one moment."

He finishes up then stands, "was getting hungry anyways."

"Sure, let's eat. Though I do have some items to drop off for the Territory." I tell him.

We walked to the lobby where an outdoor kitchen has been arranged, skewered mystery meat is served along with delicate portions of vegetables and rice. "Nice~, why outdoor?"

"Less clean up." This meat smells pretty good~.

"Oh come on, there's a spell to do that now!" I say while looking at my breakfast options.

"Not everyone has deep mana pools and a monstrous regeneration." Henry said, "doesn't take a genius to count how much mana you use, I can guess a mana pool of roughly, upwards of three times mine, and I know you can regenerate 30 a minute with that skill of yours. Damn cheat!"

I grinned at him, "well, remember I also got some things to donate."

"Later~."

We grabbed a little of everything, me stacking my plate significantly higher than him. We ate while conversing about spell ideas and upgrades, and of Jen, her healthy fetus, as well as the Territory. Done, we returned to his office where I dropped off any excess potions and materials and received instructions of where to find Dianti.

I caught up to her in a lab repurposed to be her workplace, where she may work on her alchemy. I gave her the herbs from both dungeon runs, as well as the sacks of dirt and fertilizers. She then invited me to rerun the Druidant Dungeon for more seeds to populate her garden, along with Kirana and any volunteers. I agreed.

I ran into Mr. Herman and managed to get in contact with my sister, who is the only one to upgrade their System to the continent wide coverage, jointly paid for by both mom and dad. Through her, I got my parents ID, sadly they do not yet have the excess funds required to buy their own upgrade, but will receive any messages I send. An ID consists of 21 random numbers, and can be found by expanding our name in the chat list, numbers I ignored the first time I saw

They are doing well and keeping healthy, so eager as I might to get going and visit them, I decided to stay around here for a few more days to help stabilize the Territory that is now known as Rumah, or house when translated to english. May all humans still alive find themselves a new home in this dangerous world.

I spend the day getting to know the people, and helping expand Rumah. During dinner, I taught the girl genius, Linda, Mana Sense, further expanding her astral scouting range. Her level is up there along with the more active members of the security, helps that she can hunt whilst remaining within the safe zones, even if all her experience gains are penalized by The System. She mentions hunting three cowardly goblins hiding in a security post.

The System rewarded Safe Zone for owned Territories on the seventh day only encompassed the walls surrounding Garuda Hospital. So about upwards of a dozen men and I end up spending the whole of our ninth day expanding that with makeshift stone walls while demolishing unused buildings to create free lands. Fortunately, the Territory can claim those rubbles as materials to use on future constructions, saving us the effort of clearing them out. I felt like I could've eaten a good amount of them, but did not really find the idea appealing. On the other hand, I did manage to sneak in a few noms for attributes when the other workers are not looking, mostly consisting of stray Vespas, as the rats and mosquitoes are still beyond my mental block, eww~. Magicaly demolishing empty buildings is a lot of fun.

Strength + 3

Constitution + 8

Dextirity + 8

Intelligence + 2

Will + 4

I managed to devour five Baron Vespas and three Viscounts, save their head and wings, that looks wholly unappetizing. Out of those, I also managed to get my hands on two whole souls each, which may have involved a little slurping, and live mukbang. Might be a good idea to have some way to automatically trap them, something akin to Skyrim's Soul Gems.

The day goes on. I hate to admit, but the more I devour and experience myself getting stronger from the act, the more I find it less distasteful. It helps that my new constitution makes almost everything taste fine, or at worst tolerably bland.

Combat summary

Enemies slain:

Baron Vespa lv 1 x 8

Viscount Vespa lv 1 x 10

Big Rat lv 1 x 4

Giant Rat lv 2 x 3

Sire Rats lv 5 x 1

Huge Mosquito lv 3 x 5

ShadowRoach lv 5 x 7

DarkRoach lv 6 x 4

AbbysRoach lv 8 x 1

115 syscred and 278 exp awarded

Skill obtained Parry

Skill level up, Artificial infusion 2 > 3

Skill level up, Soul Sense 7 > 8

Skill level up, Artificial infusion 3 > 4

Skill level up, Artificial infusion 4 > 5

Skill level up, Dagger Proficiency 7 > 8

Skill level up, Unarmed Combat Proficiency 8 > 9

Skill level up, Parry 1 > 2

Skill level up, Evasion 9 > 10

Skill level up, Poison res 3 > 4

Skill level up, Mana Sense 15 > 16

Skill level up, Unarmed Combat Proficiency 9 > 10

Skill level up, Taunt 10 > 11

Skill level up, Parry 2 > 3

Skill level up, Soul Sense 8 > 9

Spell mastery rank up, Conjure dagger Basic > intermediate

Spell mastery rank up, Unsoil Basic > Intermediate.

Spell mastery rank up, Mend Basic > Intermediate.

Spell mastery rank up, Coat Basic > Intermediate

Apprentice spell learnt condense Water

Spell mastery rank up, Condense Water Early > Basic.

The hard labor, and the occasional enemy encounter where I get in up close and personal so as to more easily consume them did come with the benefit of several skill levels and improved spell masteries. Conjure dagger now recovers half the mana spent when it's dismissed or timeouts, I was being stingy and tried to reabsorb the dissipating dagger after an encounter.

Construction is messy business, literally, dust everywhere, even Unsoil creates dust. Turns out it was a simple matter of mana-grinding them into microscopic dust. I then took inspiration from a Watering Can of Condense Water that was loaned to keep the workers hydrated to learn the spell myself when we ran out of drinking water. On the other hand, Mend, it seems, is capable of very slightly increasing an item's durability by over infusing them with mana during a repair, these mundane tools are weak! And an over using mana on the repair gave it significantly more use before another Mend is required. Coat too allowed me to improve a tool's duration, it's only downside being the spell's short duration which I managed to eventually solve by slightly stitching the mana into the object to allow for a sginificantly longer-lasting Coat.

By the end of the day, between the fifteen of us, Mold Earth and Shape Stone. We almost managed to construct a stone fence 30 centimeters thick by five meters high that spans as long as approximately eleven thousand meters, though the wall is effectively only three meters above the ground. The wall encompasses the area between Garuda Hospital and the boarding house; two gates are constructed where the road passes. Such building speed was unprecedented during pre-System times.