I knew I needed storage space. In the Volunteer economy of the Metaverse, at least as far as I had experienced, storage was the most limited and necessary commodity. No upgrade or enhancement was possible without it. I transferred 40 of my unassigned value straight into storage, boosting my core total to 270 (290 with my soft cap increase).
I immediately felt somehow more expansive, even though the physical size and shape of my avatar was unchanged. Perhaps just an illusion, like sensing a phantom limb. But some sort of internal, invisible capacity had increased, and it felt good. Of course, I was now going to actively eat into that extra storage by sinking my last 20 unassigned value into my stats.
My first choice was Accuracy. I wanted to be able to use my one and only ranged weapon more effectively. That left me with 10 value, which meant I could only afford to raise one additional stat from the baseline of 10 up to 20. I was torn between Adeptness, Agility, Perception and Probability. I could see how each would improve my chances of success. Chances of survival.
Perception it is.
I had been taken by surprise several times already, and it had nearly killed me. It wasn’t much, but perhaps an extra 10 value would give me an edge. Finishing my business, I unlocked the metal door and exited the Data Forge, hustling the short distance to the Restoration Point towering over the center of The Commons. I was glad not to be carrying around an embarrassing self-made pouch of valuables.
I approached the inverted, arching walls of the Restoration Point tower and stepped through the wide, open entryway. I located one of the empty, angled, translucent tubes and scanned by code on the panel.
Welcome to the Restoration Point.
Volunteer 01001110 01101111 01100010 01101111 01100100 01111001
Your last backup was {1} cycle ago.
Would you like to backup your data?
Yes I would.
100 Crypt will be deducted.
The round light on the panel shifted from red to white.
Please enter the Restoration Station to backup your data.
As before, I climbed onto the small platform and was raised up into the tube. I placed my arms and planted my feet in the indicated holders, stretched out. The Vitruvian Volunteer. I soon felt the hot beams of light penetrating every nanometer of my body, burning an image of my gestalt.
Your data backup has been successfully completed.
Climbing out of the tube, I checked the small screen on the nearby panel, reading the details of my backed up information.
DESIGNATION
* VOLUNTEER ID
* * 01001110 01101111 01100010 01101111 01100100 01111001
* COSMETICS
* * WAVY ASYMMETRICAL CROP (hair)
* * ALMOND (skin tone)
* MODS
* * NEURAL-INTERFACE AXIS PORT
* * * B3-9S7-C10K CHIP
STATISTICS
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
* ATTACK - (40)
* * STRENGTH - 20
* * ACCURACY - 20
* DEFENSE - (30)
* * ESSENCE - 20
* * RESISTANCE - 10
* ABILITY - (40)
* * ADEPTNESS - 10
* * ENERGY - 30
* MOVEMENT - (30)
* * SPEED - 20
* * AGILITY - 10
* PROCESSING - (50)
* * PERCEPTION - 20
* * PERSUASION - 10
* * PROTOCOL - 10
* * PROBABILITY - 10
SKILLS
* Clurichaun
* {empty}
* {empty}
* {empty}
EQUIPMENT
* WEAPONS
* * PUSH DAGGER
* * SNUBNOSED REVOLVER
* * * 5 / 5 .32 caliber ammunition
* ARMOR (40)
* * HELM: N/A
* * BODY: BALLISTIC VEST
* PROMOTIONAL T-SHIRT
* * ARMS: TACTICAL PANTS
* * LEGS: TACTICAL BOOTS
* ACCESSORIES
INVENTORY
* CARDS
* FRAGMENTS
* * {common} Hellhound 4/10
* CONSUMABLES
* MATERIALS
* * 2 {common} fern flowers
* * 1 {uncommon} coco de mer nut
* * 1 white linen cloth
* * 1 vial of pure water
ECONOMY
* CRYPT
* * 1,330
* CRYSTALS
MEMORY
* STORAGE
* * 269 / 270 (290)
* SCHEMAS
* * Tincture of Fortune
* HISTORY
STATUS
TASKS
* Remove Clurichaun from Private Residence in Royal Heights (Complete / Paid Out)
* Remove Hellhounds from MAR Station Service Tunnels (Complete / Paid Out)