I sat up, stretching while trying to not wake Treia. Mia, on the other hand, cracked open an eye to look up at me and seemed to be content with staying on my chest. It had been a week since the Dungeon fiasco and a lot had happened since then.
I looked at the closed eye that was on my arm suspiciously.
There was a mental groan as Systie’s eye opened.
<’Cause you’re bad at pretending,> Mia responded.
I sighed as Systie and Mia started to argue mentally and I tuned them out to again look at the [All Seeing Eye of the Abyss] and the newest addition to me and Mia’s arsenal.
All Seeing Eye of the Abyss - Tier 4
This eye is always watching over you, even in the most unlikely times. As an evolved version of the Identify Skill All Seeing Eye of the Abyss, it still has some of the original functions of the original Skill, such as blocking Identify attempts and being able to ignore Identify Blockers. However, as it has been connected to the Consciousness of [REDACTED], it has gained more functions:
You now have an All Seeing Eye on your body, which can float and either split into more eyes for surveillance or, if given Mana, give various buffs and/or Healing.
When given 20000/50000/100000/200000 Mana, you will gain the following Effects : Increases effective Strength by 10%/50%/100%/200%, Increases Speed and Mental Processing Speed by 20%/40%/150%/300%, Increases Mana and Health regen by 50%/75%/150%/300%, Increases Mana use reduction by 10%/40%/75%/90%, Increases all Damage by 20%/50%/100%/200%. These Buffs last for 1 hour/45 min/ 20 min/ 10 min. These can only be used once every 4 hours/9 hours/18 hours/36 hours. Only one instance of these buffs can exist at any time. Also, when given the same amounts of Mana, you gain a quota of universal healing. Depending on the Mana given, you can heal yourself or someone else for 100000/250000/500000/1000000 Heath. These can only be used once every 2 hours/5 hours/10 hours/12 hours. This healing cannot be stacked over one another.
You have reached Bond Level III!
You and your Bond can now share emotions and thoughts more fluidly along with being able to communicate with All Seeing Eye of the Abyss.
You and your Bond can use one another’s Manipulation Skills with 75% Effectiveness.
You now each gain 50% of the other’s Elemental Damage multipliers.
Bonded Battling now increases one another’s damage by 75% when you fight together.
Overall, it was all welcome, except for the constant blabbering of Systie.
Systie groaned before leaving the mental conversation with Mia and peeling off my arm to float over my shoulder like usual. Yeah, yeah, I know. If you want Treia to hear as well later, just feed me a bit of Mana and I’ll be able to speak aloud to whoever’s around you at the time.
“Good,” I said quietly, getting ready to get up.
I kissed the forehead of the sleeping form of Treia before slowly getting out of the bed and quietly walking out the room with Mia in my arms and Systie floating over my shoulder.
When I reached the kitchen, I left Mia and Systie to converse (gossip), while I went to cook while thinking about the week that had passed.
Directly after the Dungeon, the Break had finally stopped, with most of the Beasts falling dead or dissolving. While I was unconscious, Leah was able to get me back to the city, according to Systie. I woke up the day after the end of the Break, to Mia’s joy. It was then when our Bond Level increased, which was a welcome surprise. The next three days following it, Treia refused to let me leave the manor and it had been a test of will to make her allow me to cook. During that time, there were repairs underway throughout the entire city.
Leah and Char had stayed at Mayflower, knowing that if they went back to the Valkyries, they’d be branded as traitors. I knew it was a matter of time before I was revealed to the city that I was an Abyssal, but it wasn’t currently a problem, since I was currently viewed as some sort of savior. While this was all happening in the city, Treia was having her own host of problems, most caused by the King and Queen trying to get her to come back to the Capital. She refused to go unless me and Mia were invited to stay as well, so they were in a stalemate.
As I mused, Systie caught my attention.
You know, you have a Quest that was completed. Let me read it out… actually nevermind, just read it yourself.
I rolled my eyes and opened the pending notification.
Quest Complete : Society is Real!
(Due to extenuating circumstances, the rewards for this quest have been overwritten and new rewards will be distributed to your party members.)
Rewards :
Jason Andromeda - Cloak of Deception
Miana Andromeda - Orb of Snowstorm
Treia Kia - Skill Upgrade : Identify -> Void’s Eye + Void’s Eye -> Tier 1
+ Party Quest : Rumbling Under the Surface
New Party Quest!
Rumbling Under the Surface
After the fall of the {Corrupted} Dungeon, new information came into light: It isn’t the only {Corrupted} Dungeon. There are still two more left on this continent. Find them both, starting in the Elven Kingdom.
Requirements :
All Party Members Reach Level 100 (Jason - 99/100, Mia - 99/100, Treia - 72/100)
Go to the Elven Kingdom and gather information on recently active Dungeons (0/??)
Destroy the {Corruption} Dungeon (0%)
Rewards :
Varies
Quest Update
Cloak of Deception - Level 150 | Tier Growth
A Cloak woven from the will of the God of Deception. This cloak will keep anyone who looks upon you to only see either a Dark Elf or a Human. Whenever you’re Identified, they see your selected Level and your chosen Race.
+ 50% Void and Abyss Damage Bonus
+ 2% Void/Abyss RES shred per hit (Max of 20%)
Orb of Snowstorm - Level 150 | Tier Growth
A catalyst containing the wrath of a vicious snowstorm. Whenever an Ice or Lightning attack is launched, it launches an additional, weaker version of that attack, dealing 25% of the original’s damage and lowering the respective RES by 20%. Additionally, any physical damage dealt will be converted to either Ice or Lightning damage, depending on preference.
+50% Ice and Lightning Damage bonus
+30% Ice/Lightning Skill Effectiveness
I gave Systie a suspicious look as the cloak fell into my arms and I heard Mia squeal in happiness.
“You rigged it, didn’t you?”
Pshh, no, Systie said, unconvincingly. She went silent for a few moments before sighing. Alright, maybe I minimally rigged it. I don’t want to be a floating eyeball forever, you know.
I frowned. “You’re going to change?”
The eye bobbed. Every 25 Levels. Your next doesn’t count, unfortunately.
“I have a lot of questions for that, but I don’t care right now,” I said.
It’s really uncomfortable when you block your mind off like that. I feel far too alone. Mia can say the same.
I glared at her. “Don’t try to guilt-trip me by bringing Mia into this.”
It’s working though, right?
I stared at her for a few more seconds before sighing. “I hate you already.”
You’ll hate me more soon, don’t worry. I’ll try not to spout the secrets of the multiverse often.
Grumbling under my breath, I heard a door upstairs open, then a few seconds later, knocking on another door. Judging by the distance of the door, it was Xaila waking Treia, who I could faintly hear complaining. A minute later, the two of them walked down into the kitchen and greeted Mia who was still trying to understand the description of her weapon without my help.
I fed Systie a trickle of Mana so she could speak to the girls as Treia walked directly over to me and wrapped her arms around me, nearly crushing Systie.
Hey! I still exist! Systie complained, popping out from between us and letting out a mental huff.
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
“Morning to you too,” I said, amused.
“Mhm,” Treia murmured. “Why didn’t you wake me?”
I shrugged. “Tomorrow you’re leaving for the Capital, right? You need the rest if your aunt and uncle are like that all the time.”
Mia proceeded to giggled uncontrollably as she rolled around in Xaila’s lap. I shook my head at her antics as Treia groaned.
“I told them that I’m not going without you,” she said. “And I told you that too.”
“Well, I kinda have an important Quest,” I said. “Can’t exactly stay there with you.”
“Jason. I’m about to be Tier 4 and it’s a Party Quest. I need to reach Level 100. And I’m going to do it with you,” Treia argued. Even without looking at her, I could tell she was pouting.
I sighed. “But how exactly are you going to explain going to the Elven Kingdom?”
“Simple. Tell them it’s a System assigned Quest, which it is.”
I glared at Systie, who’s singular eye gave me a smug look. “Rigged.”
The only response I got was her faint amusement. I shook my head. “Fine. I don’t really have any other reasons to deny you.”
“Good. I love you,” she said, leaning over to kiss me.
“I love you too,” I responded as she pulled away. “Anyways, your mom should be down here in about a minute- scratch that she’s already here.” I cut myself off as a blur shot into the room and stopped next to us, causing Treia to yelp and let me go.
I rolled my eyes, one of Systie’s copies mimicking me. “Morning, Flaming Flash.”
Treia’s mom scowled. “Where did you even learn that name?”
You gave him the Rune book with the names of your Party in it, Systie responded for me as I finished up cooking.
Mrs. Kia blinked. “Right. Anyways, you damned eye, you promised answers to why you’re possessing him.”
I snorted. “She’s not possessing me. I can decide whether or not I allow her to float around. Also, Sys, you can take those eyes off the Governors’ building. I’m pretty sure we have more than enough information from them.”
Aww… you don’t want to learn more about the celebration they’re planning for you?
“No. I don’t need a national Jason Day. That’d be weird.”
Whatever then. Also, I am planning to give answers. Just after you eat the food he painstakingly prepared.
After a few seconds, half a dozen eyes flew inside from a window and merged with Systie’s main eye. Treia raised an eyebrow.
“‘Sys’? You’re giving everyone nicknames but me?” She complained.
“Oh, no. You’ve had a nickname. So has Xaila,” I responded.
Xaila looked over to me, curious. “Oh, really?”
Systie bobbed, her muffled laughter just barely noticeable. Oh, yes. Since he’d learned your names. There’s even an entire chapter named after it.
I frowned. “Either you’re being weird or breaking some sort of fourth wall, though I’m betting on the first, though the second would be hilarious.”
Treia nudged me. “What are they then?”
I snorted. “Tree and Xylophone.”
Xaila and Treia vocally complained while their mother burst out in laughter.
~~~
Both Tree and Xylophone were still mumbling their complaints as we ate breakfast, Mia and Mrs. Kia racing to see who could eat four plates of egg and sausage first. Mia beat her easily, as expected, even eating a fifth. I shook my head at their antics and finished my plate, getting seconds.
Treia sat next to me, occasionally watching me for up to a minute before nodding slightly and eating her own food. I pretended not to notice her, but would occasionally send small bursts of Void at her.
When we were finally done, I looked over to Systie, who’d plastered herself on my arm again and was patiently waiting. I tapped the skin next to her and she let out a mental sigh.
I don’t want to talk now, Systie complained.
“You promised,” I chided.
Annoyance fluttered through her. You’re forgetting who I am.
“Interestingly enough, I’m not. You clearly need my help, since you wouldn’t be reduced to a tattoo on my arm if you didn’t. Say your part already.”
She was quiet, thinking for longer than an all-powerful System should.
Fine. But I can’t tell them everything that I can tell you. There’s a lot more that only you, Miana, and Treia can know that the other two cannot know. There’s also things that only you and, possibly, Mia can know.
I frowned. “That makes… some amount of sense.”
Treia nudged my side, frowning. “What’re you two arguing about?”
I sighed. “She’s just complaining. No worse than Mia.”
Hey!
Both Systie and Mia glared at me, though how a singular eye could glare was beyond me. I shrugged before poking the skin below Systie. She let out a long sigh in my head before peeling off my arm. Mrs. Kia’s eyes locked onto Systie as I began to feed her my Mana.
“Alright, floating eyeball: who are you?” she asked immediately, abandoning her challenge with Mia.
Systie looked at her, annoyance already pulsing through her. I’m formally known as the System, but with the ounce of respect I have for you, you can call me Systie
“Uh huh, and I could’ve been Queen,” Mrs. Kia said. “Who are you really?”
I don’t remember my actual name, but most people call me the System. Or “You gods forsaken-”
Sensing her next words, I interrupted her. “I hate to believe it as well, but she’s already rigged multiple of my Quests and given me items that my Quest definitely shouldn’t have,” I said, mentally nudging her to get along with her information.
Systie looked at me for a moment before sighing.
Anyways, the main reason I’ve integrated with him is because he’s practically my last hope if I don’t want you all dead within four centuries. She seemed to think as horror flashed upon Treia and Xaila’s faces. Well, not dead, but certainly not happy. There’s been a problem with my main processing body. She’s been {Corrupted}.
Treia’s mother cursed. “That again!? I thought it was completely purged millennia ago! Not that I believe you’re the System or anything.”
I tilted my head. “You know about this?”
Mrs. Kia muttered under her breath for a few moments before sighing. “{Corruption} is… think of it like poison. Or like a fungus that controls something for its own gain.”
“The only fungus I know that’s like that is cordyceps,” I muttered.
Don’t worry, there’s worse. Think of the Last of Us, but toned down slightly.
“Ah. Makes sense. Also, how in the actual hell do you know about that?”
I watched your world for a while before Integrating it. From the beginning to end.
I groaned. “Also, what exactly does ‘slightly’ mean?”
Anyways, to answer your question in more detail, I’m one of the System’s subconsciouses. I used to help run the show by watching over a few pieces of her domain. Then, we were {Corrupted}. Pieces of us that’d we’d broken up to turn into Dungeons were also {Corrupted}. There’s more to that I can’t go into, but, to sum it up, when Jason was fighting the Orchestrator, he’d accidentally flooded the room with Abyss, which, even though the it and {Corruption} are similar in ways, cleansed the Dungeon Core awakening me. So, I integrated with one of his essential Skills that he never used to its full potential and used it to host me.
For a few moments, there was no speaking. I watched as Treia frowned and opened her mouth.
“So, in all, you’re a very small shard of a very small fragment of the System?” she asked. “If that’s the case, shouldn’t you be stronger than just an eye?”
Systie snorted. I am. If I was given Mana by Jason, then I’d be far stronger than I am now. But, alas, if he did, this entire room would be completely flooded with Abyss and you all, except you and Mia, would most likely die.
Mrs. Kia shook her head. “So, you’re actually the System.”
Yep. My minimal power is to lightly alter his Quests and their rewards, along with helping him support more Skills. So, he can basically cast all of his offensive Skills at once and have an easier time maintaining his Mana-over-time Skills.
I nodded. “I noticed that. It’s not as straining as it was before.”
Anyways, you need more offensive Skills, like your girlfriend’s Void Barrier Skill.
Treia scowled. “You can see my Status through the Party screen?”
Yes. I’m the System.
Silence.
Then-
“You’re completely bluffing, aren’t you?”
I felt a mental scowl as the Systie glared at me. How do you have such perceptive people around you?
I shrugged. “You’ve just gotta find ways to get around ‘em. It may take some time, but you just get used to it. Be happy you have better processing power than me.”
We share processing power, idiot.
I waved my hand in the air. “Details, details, all so insignificant. Anyways, who’s up for some morning desert?”
Mia’s hand shot up into the air from my lap as she yipped,
~~~
“Nah, I think I’ll sit this part out,” Leah said, leaning back in her chair. “I’m trying to be a bit less reckless now that we’ve settled down for now.”
“Leah, you haven’t settled down anywhere. You’re barely sixteen.”
“Yeah. And that’s considered an adult here.”
I gave Char a disappointed look. She looked away nervously. “She’s, well, taken it fully in stride. I’m pretty sure she’s also the one who got half the city riled up about you being the savior. I’m sure that even if they learned that you’re an Abyssal, you’d be completely safe here; they all love you.”
“Hmph.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m sure that not all of them do. Plus, Leah and you helped as well.”
“But you and Mia did all the work,” Leah responded.
I frowned. “Now I feel guilty. I should’ve let you guys help more.”
Leah shrugged. “I’m Level 80 now. It’s good enough for me. Also, you do understand now, right?”
I blinked. “Understand what?”
Leah sighed, her now completely purple hair covering her face. “That this isn’t a game?”
About to retort that I never saw this as a game, I thought about it. The way I’d treated people, especially Treia, Char, and other people who I’d met and dismissed as just another person that wasn’t important. Ever since the System had thrown me into this completely new world, I’d treated it like some sort of RPG and not real life, which it was now.
This game I took for granted was my life now.
I sighed. “I do understand now. It took only until Mia was nearly killed for me to, but I do now. I’m not going to treat this life like a game anymore. This is our new life, huh?”
Leah smiled. Not a grin, but a genuine smile. “Great. Now I know that loving you back then was a good choice. Now get outta here. You have a King and Queen to impress.”
“Right,” I muttered. “Them.”
As I walked out the door, I processed the beginning of Leah’s statement. “Wait a moment. Did you just-”
The door promptly slammed shut in front of me and Systie snorted inside my head.
Guess you won’t know, huh?
“Oh, bug off.”
~~~
The next day was busy. Very busy. There were people from the Capital who were packing up Treia’s belongings and she had to chase someone down who’d packed her new sword, not realizing that she needed it.
Me, Mia, and Systie simply watched in amusement as people filed around, not realizing that I wasn’t a Dark Elf. Occasionally, Treia would glare at me and I’d shrug, Mia copying me and Systie’s eye bobbing up and down innocently.
Never realized that lazing around could be so nice.
“So floating around as a Dungeon Core wasn’t lazy enough?” I asked her smugly.
Nope. I wasn’t even conscious most of the time. How can that be lazy?
“Hmm. Good point.”
Mia nodded along with me, as if she was paying any attention to anything other than the plate of sandwiches that was slowly decreasing in volume in front of her. Shaking my head, I rubbed her horn and looked back at the almost empty room that was Treia’s.
“Well, guess we better get going. Do we have everything in the Storage or are you messing with me, Systie?”
Definitely messing with you, but, yes, we have everything, she responded after a second.
I sighed. “Good. Let’s go see Treia then.”
As we walked to the carriage, which would be better described as a house on wheels, I spotted Treia outside of it, arguing with someone. I frowned as I recognised the person. It was none other than the Queen herself.
Treia noticed me out of the corner of her eye, turning to me, her frustrated look morphing to joy. The Queen followed Treia’s eyes and scowled.
“Well, damn,” I muttered. “Here we go, huh? Off on our first real adventure.”
Hooray, Systie said emotionlessly. Another adventure we go. This could be very entertaining, now that I think about it.
Mia looked up at me.
I looked down at her. “Not a chance. But we’ll get stronger. Don’t worry; you’ll evolve too.”
She smiled.
I wholeheartedly agree with that statement.
“You don’t even have a heart,” I responded.
Details, Jason. Details.
I shrugged and began walking towards the end of my first adventure, but the beginning of many more.
End Of Book 1 of the New World Series.
New World : The Elven Kingdom coming soon...