The beach was nice today. My leave of absence had finally been approved. After years of going from place to place hunting whoever the agency paid me to they decided I deserved a break. Of course my next contract was already planned and paid for but the target wouldn’t be reachable for a month or so. Until then I had this time to myself on this nice little private island off of the coast of Thailand. When I first arrived there was a whole host of people here including a chef, cleaners, a masseuse, and other miscelaneous workers to provide for my general happiness and well being. However when I told the all to leave and get off the island because I wanted to be alone. My job is constantly around people and there is nothing I want more than some alone time. At first they were apprehensive about leaving but with how much they were being paid and how insistent I was they finally relented and left.

               Now I could get down to relaxing. I had to go through the island and see where everything was because I knew that at the very least I wanted to get set up fishing so I could make myself some lunch. After about ten minutes of walking around I found the fishing poles in a shed by one of the two docks attached to the island this one was the one attached to the house and the nicer of the two. I’m assuming because this one was the one meant for the guest and not the one they brought all the islands neccesities in on. No bait though only crappy plastic lures that I was fairly certain wouldn’t even stand up to the salt water with how old and worn they looked. So I grab and throw net and began casting it out and dragging it back up to catch some small bait fish. Not entirely sure what these were called but I did know they were good enough to catch some larger fish to the chop up and use as bait for something worth eating. There was food in the house of course but there is something to be said for using your own hands and investing your own time in to something that just makes it feel more worth it. Once I have a bucket with enough minnows I bring it out to the end of the dock and bait three hooks and toss them out as far as I can with a big back swing and a quick step forward to the end of the dock. Typically if I were trying to catch something bigger I would either kayak out deeper or I would use a drone to drop the bait but I was just trying to enjoy the weather right now and just wanted the sound of the waves against the dock and the wind in my hair.

               As the second hook is in the air and I’m watching it arc the sky lights up a bright white which is very obviously out of the norm, but what catches me off guard is the sudden lack of sound and the fact that I can see the line just hanging there frozen in the air unmoving. I try to look around but I can’t. I can’t even breathe. Everything seems to be stopped and I can feel myself wanting to freak out but I know that I can’t either someone has gotten the drop on me, I’m hallucinating, or something is seriously wrong here. The whiteness of the sky begins to encroach and everything begins to be consumed by it. I’m not entirely sure what to make of this situation but my years of training and instincts tell me not to freak out and think. That’s when the fading reaches the fishing line and I can see in my peripheral vision that the light is encroaching in on every side not just the front. I’ve always wondered what death was like but I can admit that this isn’t even remotely close to what I expected. The light reaches me and for a moment everything stops. Gravity relents it’s constant hold over me and it feels like I’m floating in the worlds largest sensory deprivation tank. No heat to be felt, no wind, no smells, no anything other than myself floating in this expanse of nothingness. Then my perception of reality shatters.

“Error code – 004, Error code – 798, Error code – 981”

“Elevating…”

“Error code – 004 acknowledged elevating to Archon status admin”

“Archon received… Processing.”

“Hello, please be patient with me while I assess the situation…”

“Ahh there it is. Sorry for the inconvenience I see that your species is called humanity. Well Humans I suppose today will either be seen as the greatest day in your collective histories or the worst. The error codes you’ve just seen are because the automated check in of the system warden for the prison system you currently call home has detected that your species has developed into sentient life something that we do not see often on non-system worlds. You’ve all been pulled into a pocket reality while this is resolved as your being here is both a very large security risk as can be seen by the small few of you who discovered the prison facility deep in your home planets crust. Which is what brought you to our attention. I am Archon Eristontel and I will be fixing these unforeseen errors and hopefully be helping most of you on your way into system integration. I would say hold please but it’s not like any of you could do anything but in your current states.”

               My mind spins as thoughts race. I’m not dead that’s nice. We as in humanity are some cosmic mistake not surprising I suppose. There are aliens I’m glad that one isn’t up for debate anymore. There is some kind of system that governs parts of reality. I mean I had heard of ideas like that in some fiction genres and I’m sure those writers are mentally either excited as all hell or terrified that may be about to live through the horror only depicted in their imaginations. As my mind finally processes that this being just said our home world was meant to be a prison for something they continue.

“For those of you interested the error text you all saw floating before you is a much more dramatic version of how system text normally appears Error – 004 is a safety mechanism that automatically alerts a system admin when a sentient species is discovered that is compatible with the system so that they can if they choose be integrated. Error – 798 is slightly more problematic showing that system integrated individuals are already present within a planetary system that does not have system access but has developed sentient life. The most problematic and the one that triggered the failsafe bringing all of you all to this pocket reality is Error – 981 possible prison break in process. If it hadn’t been triggered humanity would have experienced an immense amount of death the likes of which your species would have never seen other than in works of fiction. As system integrated individuals problematic enough to warrant sealing would have been unleashed onto an unsuspecting populous.”

               The being goes quiet for a moment and I’m unsure as to whether or not it is for dramatic effect I can’t really tell but then they continue.

“Now you will all be given the choice to integrate with the system or not. Take your time as this is an irreversible decision and while I have personally risen there is a very high the likelihood that many of you will die after as system regulated space is very different than what most of you are used to.”

“Welcome Human designated Jay Woods. Do you wish to integrate into the system? This will give you access to a new integration package that includes a full scan of your past to allow you access to a class from the start of your journey, a secondary class slot for choosing a new start if you wish, a minor starting gear boon, a minor and major boon, the title *Outsider*, and lastly random placement on a number of host worlds that are deemed beginner friendly.”

“Yes or No”

               I think for a few minutes before realizing that the options before me if I understand what this Archon person said is essentially join the system and be free of this obligation to Shade the organization that raised me and turned me into the assassin I am now or die back on earth to some sort of calamity and still probably be free. I think I choose the chance at a new life. Then I realize I still can’t move so I’m not sure how to select yes. As soon as I think yes however the section of floating words before me seems to become highlighted in such a way that its almost like I was hovering a mouse over it and when I think about selecting it the floating words before me fade away and then new ones appear.

“Congratulations Outsider Jay Woods you have chosen to integrate. You will now be scanned and assigned a primary class then shown your status for the first time. At any time you may access your personal system menu or status by thinking Menu, Status, or any custom command you set. Would you like to choose boons before or after your scan as they may affect the class you receive?”

               I’m starting to realize that this system is much more in depth than just a governing system and I want to ask questions before I make a decision. I know how to make a snap decision and have done so many times before but this just doesn’t seem to be that kind of situation. So I try to ask a question and for the first time since this experience began I’m able to speak.

               “What is a boon?”

“A boon is a system given gift typically received for doing something extraordinary or breaking your own limits. These can sometimes be inherited and most system integrated are born with at least one. As you are being integrated now with more or less no warning it has been determined that each of your species shall receive this as a way to bring you up to standard. Boons can take many forms such as giving you access to different forms of magic, changing something about you physically, or even allowing you to receive a soul bound item.”

               The existence of magic shouldn’t really be a surprise to me at this point with the talk of pocket dimensions and systems governing whole swaths of space but I’m for just a second caught off guard.

               “I see will the boons I have access to change depending on the class I receive or if I choose to receive them before the class?”

“Yes”

               “I see. I will choose my boons before I receive my class then thank you.”

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A list appears before me stretching into what seems to be infinity and I realize then that the system wasn’t exactly just allowing us to pick something new to help us through the integration process it was allowing us to define who we were. Who we will be. Just based on the A’s in this it was allowing us to become more than human with things like armored skin, and alloy bones, or even something as crazy as amphibious lungs and these were just the minor boons. I couldn’t access the major boons yet. Or rather I’m sure I could be these were already life altering I felt the need to take my time and process these before I went ahead and went bigger. After scrolling through options for what was probably around thirty minutes I went ahead and asked the system If I could filter options that wouldn’t change my physiology too much since I had been using my body as is for my entire life an instant change to myself to add extra arms or doubling my size would perhaps be more a detriment than a boon. To which it silently filtered my options and I was left with a still immensely long list but seemingly much more reasonable. Seeing all of these options left me with some ideas as to what I would want so I asked the system if I could create a search bar that would allow me to create queries into the list to which it accommodated yet again. After a few searches I was able to find something which while not as drastic as some of the other options that I still had available to me I felt would be able to be useful more or less always. True night vision. The ability to switch from normal vision to a mixture of infrared vision and image enhancement based on light levels. As soon as I picked and confirmed it I felt a searing pain start behind my eyes and into my brain and I felt like I would pass out but I wasn’t being allowed to. I screamed out in pain but still couldn’t move. After what felt like hours but what I’m sure was only a few minutes the pain faded. I couldn’t feel any difference right now but it was also just a large black white space with words floating in the air.

“Congratulations on your first boon Outsider Jay Woods your compatibility with this boon was quite high. You may now choose your major boon.”

A list even longer than the first began to pour down the space in front of me and then upon reaching the end of my vision it started again and again repeatedly until I was completely surrounded. This list was exhaustive with everything to changing something called affinities to weapons that would grow with you and more. Unsure what to pick with so many options and knowing that the more I looked the more lost I would get I spoke out to the system once more.

               “System are there any boon options that would help me learn faster? Or that would help me get used to the system as a whole more easily?”

               “Yes Outsider Jay Woods there is a boon that would suit you well and do just that. It is called Learner it will allow you to learn new skills twice as fast and level skills you already have at one and a half times the speed you normally would. This boon also allows skill synergies and combinations which would normally be limited by class. It is not a boon that will help in combat or even immediately but it will allow you to learn and grow at a pace that others will struggle to keep up with. This is a rarer boon as it is not a boon that can be inherited only ever earned through the completion of specific tasks. While still only qualifying as a major boon it is only just.”

With a description like that I felt that it would be idiotic to pass it up but it did bring up something that I hadn’t even thought to ask before.

“System what are the rankings for boons?”

“The rankings for boons are as follows minor, major, epic, legendary, and finally unique. Within each of those ranks is a 1-5 grading system. All boons can be improved as well by combining them with similar boons. Once you have access to your status you will be able to see and track your boons as well as quantify yourself in many ways you may not even think to now.”

With that I chose the Learner boon. Upon choosing I expected to feel pain again but instead the words floating in from of me describing the boon began to pulse and shattered in to a nebulous blue and green cloud that flowed towards me and absorbed into my very being. Once the cloud surrounding me was gone another prompt showed.

“System scanning Outsider Jay Woods…”

“Outsider Jay Woods quantified… Assigning class… Unlocking secondary class…”

“Allocating beginner gear boon… Task complete. Outsider Jay Woods Integrated.”

“You may now think or say status to view your status. Once you are satisfied you may say or think close which time you will be assigned a list of new home worlds to choose from.”

Then the system was silent. After waiting a few minutes to be sure there was nothing else I think to myself status.

Name: Jay Woods

Title: Outsider – Marks you as a new inductee into the system. This title has no effects.

Primary Class: Shade Stalker 1– an advanced beginner class mixing both assassin and hunter

Health: 143

Mana: 180

Secondary Class: None

Might: 9

Dexterity: 16

Celerity: 18

Willpower: 20

Aptitude: 16

Perception: 18

Species: Human – Humans have an average stat base of 10 in each stat with a max natural stat of 20

Boons: True night vision – Grants a +2 bonus to base perception and allows you to see clearly in all darkness based on both heat and image enhancement at will

Learner – Doubles the effect of Aptitude and enables the skill synergy system

Skills:

Acrobatics 1

Backstab 1

Called shot 1

Dodge 1

Hand to hand combat 1

Identify 1

Marksman 1

Poisoner 1

Small blades 1

Stealth 1

Tracking 1

I looked through my status and while seemingly intuitive I see stats that I understand what I think they mean but I’m not sure. Like earlier however when I think about a section in particular I see it becomes highlighted like I can select it so I do. First with Might and get a system prompt which I proceed to do with all of the stats.

“Might is the measure of ones strength and endurance.”

“Dexterity is the measure of your reflexes, balance, and ability to manipulate your body.”

“Celerity is the speed at which you act and is often seen as a multiplier to might and dexterity.”

“Willpower is the strength of the mind both inside and out. It is the main stat for casting.”

“Aptitude is your ability to learn but also the speed at which you process information.”

“Perception is your ability to pick out details others might not as well as a connector stat for physical and mental stats.”

After looking through the stats and reading their explanations I feel that I have at least a base understanding of what is going on. After that I look through the skills listed and notice that all of the skills have a line stating that actual skill level may not be accurately represented until used and will advance more quickly until they match actual skill. I think close and almost immediately a system prompt appears before me.

“System integration completed you may select your secondary class at anytime once you reach your new home. A list of likely homes will now appear before you. You must choose one and then you will be placed randomly on the surface of that planet or the nearest safe approximation if you choose a planet with an uninhabitable surface.”

Atarax III – A low population dungeon world known for its large spanning forests dangerous for beginners.

Lestra IV – A high population cityscape planet with near zero natural land almost all space is utilized for industry, housing, and entertainment.

Nibiru Prime – An ancient and highly established planet with many fairly peaceful factions known for taking in new and promising cadidates.

Peraxus – An interesting super planet known for being almost entirely oceans and archipelagos fairly low population, tropical, highly dangerous for a beginner.

Resitania Core – A core world for the Resitanian Empire likely to be interested in recruiting an outsider like yourself.

“Please choose an option to begin your journey within the system and may your life be fruitful.”

There are two of these options that immediately stand out to me as the obvious choice but I take a couple minutes to think about each because I don’t want to get caught up in a rash decision or regret it later. Atarax seems good at first glance low population so I don’t have to be around people unless I want to. I know how to survive in wilderness and it would allow me to have free reign to learn and grow as I please but I have no idea what a dungeon world is. Lestra would be good if I wanted to fall back on my previous occupation and I’m fairly certain that is why it was recommended. However no nature sounds like a nightmare to me so I discount that just as quickly as one might drop something that just burned them. Nibiru sounds interesting being peaceful and established but it talks about promising candidates and factions making me think either they’ll want to recruit me because of my previous occupation or because I have a class slot open they might want to take advantage of. Peraxus is my favorite of the group being tropical and low population but I’m hesitant to immediately pick it because it is stated as being highly dangerous. That being said that also means other humans are unlikely to pick it even if it is an option and the system said earlier that it would pick planets based on its suitability. That and I had a vacation to get back to. Lastly Resitania sounds like I would be scooped up and forced into a similar situation to my current one. After going through my option the only ones that really sound appealing to me are Atarax and Peraxus but before I make my decision I ask aloud.

               “System what is a dungeon world?”

“A dungeon world is a world that has allowed dungeons to take over more than fifty percent of its surface and are considered a highly sought after recourse as dungeon while highly dangerous are more often than not lucrative as they produce materials and items that can only be found within them and provide ample grounds for leveling both skills and classes. They create items out of ambient mana as well as increase the ambient mana of a planet the larger they are.”

               “You said dungeon planets are planets that have more than fifty percent of their surface taken over by dungeons does this mean that dungeons are on planets that aren’t dungeon planets?”

               “Yes dungeons are spawned by intersections of leylines on a planet when the concentration of mana reaches a point at which it condenses into a dungeon core and develops a semi-sentient or in some cases sentient mana construct.”

               “Interesting thank you.”

At this point I knew I was going to pick Peraxus since I wouldn’t be strictly missing out on dungeons and the tropics sounded nice. Before I selected Peraxus I asked the system if I would be getting my starter gear now or if I would be getting in when I arrived at my destination to which I was promptly told that when I appeared at my destination the bag would be at my feet. So I selected Peraxus and found that I could feel a tingling sensation on my skin before a severe sense of vertigo took over. I doubled over but tried to keep it together as I saw the white light surrounding me began to darken into colors. Not just the colors of wherever it was that I was being transported to but every color I had ever seen in a swirl. With a loud pop I then felt myself thud onto warm sand. I could hear waves lapping on an unseen shore and the heat began to beat down on me.

               “Welcome to Peraxus Outsider Jay Woods. Your translocation was successful.”