“Mom, Dad, I need to set the Nexus in the center of our house right away. The maximum range right now is only a one-hundred-foot radius.” Anton said, still keeping the blue window prompt open.
His parents looked at each other before his mother asked. “Does anything happen if your Nexus gets damaged?”
“Well, it did say all the effects will essentially be destroyed along with it.”
“In that case, let’s set the Nexus here. It’s the safest place. The barrier likely won’t get all of the house, but since this room is closer to the street it will protect the exposed front side. We will just have to pay extra attention to the backside of the house.” Sandra then turned to the others and asked, “Is everyone else done? We need to familiarize ourselves with our abilities.”
The mother of two—maybe three, if her husband decided to also play ‘baby’—looked up at the monitor with the Sky Clock, adding, “Five minutes. Familiarize yourselves and review your new classes and items. Try to come up with strategies and other potential uses. We will discuss our classes and give input and ideas afterward. There are little over twenty minutes left. Understood?”
Everyone nodded, and Anton hurried off his swivel chair to the only vacant space—left open for the family of four to sleep on with their sleeping bags should they need to. Selecting ‘Yes’ from the screen, the light blue diamond-shaped crystal flew off Anton’s hand and hovered in the air. It rapidly pulsated a white light, glowing brighter and brighter as it sent wave after wave of foreign energy through the walls of the house.
The blinding light caught everyone off guard, especially Ansel, who squinted his eyes and complained, “Jeez, Anton! Where was the heads-up?!”
However, soon the pulsating flood of light stopped as a circular dome of a thin translucent barrier encased the majority of their house—leaving only a portion of their kitchen and the exit to the backyard unprotected. The light inside the room dimmed and returned to normal as the small Nexus crystal glowed a faint blue in the air like a distant star.
“Sorry, I didn’t know that was going to happen,” Anton said and apologized.
Ansel huffed and they all returned to reviewing their System interface. Suddenly, another blue screen popped up in front of Anton.
[System Notification]
Congratulations!
You are amongst the first ten to set up a Nexus Zone—the soon-to-be ultimate safe spots and refuges for all!
10 rewards will be given, with each only able to be selected once, starting by the order of first to set up their Nexus!
* Title: Little Sanctuary
* 30 Mana Points
* 10 Stats Points
* 40 System Points
* Skill: Enhanced Harvesting Techniques
* Skill: Inventory
* Town building schematics: Mill
* Town building schematics: Well
* Town building schematics: Blacksmith
* Town building schematics: Crop Fields
Anton's eyes gleamed with greedy interest. If he could, he would take all the rewards and more. However, one by one, the rewards disappeared—leaving only four remaining options: 30 Mana Points, 10 Stats Points, Blacksmith, and Enhanced Harvesting Techniques. And now it was Anton’s turn to choose as the sixth person to set up a Nexus Crystal.
Dang it, much of the good stuff was already taken!
Anton sighed and selected the 30 free Mana Points. His mana was nearly gone after being permanently consumed by the Nexus Crystal. Though the other options would eventually be useful, he refrained from the stat points as they could be earned through rigorous training or leveling up. The popup window disappeared leaving him with the first blue screen.
[Nexus Interface]
[Stats Page] [Class Page] [Quest Page] [System Marketplace]
Name: Nexus 0006 - Strain of the Argonaut Faction
Nexus Spirit Animal: Krios the Golden Ram - Dormant (Press for requirements to unlock)
Contracted to: Anton Randson
LVL: 001
Crystal Durability HP: 10/10
Available Stored Mana: 10/50
Barrier HP: 500/500 (Maxed Range)
Area of Influence:
100ft radius
Available Nexus Point balance:
None (Needed for Upgrades)
Resources Collected:
None (Can Reduce Mana Consumption)
Currently allowed persons:
Anston Randson and deemed affiliates
Current Abilities: (Needs Nexus Points to level up)
Absorption LVL 1 - Active - New!
Consumes and digests offered tribute to convert to Nexus Points or Mana
Barrier LVL 1 - Active- New!
Consumes 200 Mana, recovery of 100 HP requires 10 mana, Creates a transparent spherical shield of mana up to the maximum range of influence, 2000 HP at current maximum expansion, HP increases by 100 per 10 ft reduction in radius of Area of Influence due to increased thickness of barrier
Deterrence LVL 1 - Passive - New!
Keeps away monsters or hostile forces the same level or lower as the Nexus from the Area of Influence, only functions while Barrier is active
Summon Aid LVL 1 - Active - New!
Summons two aids per level, one combat-based and the other non-combat-based, must feed and equip aids, must pay contractual obligations or the assistants may leave, poor relations may also cause aids to leave, draws are random but using Nexus points can increase chances of 3-star contracts or higher rating assistants
Purchasable Abilities:
Town Building Schematic: Arrow Tower - 80 points
Creates a tall tower with crossbows, requires a person to operate, automation will require necessary targeting and other upgrades, and requires the following resources: wood, metal, and stone, Manual installation will reduce Nexus Points costs, the more precise the resource components provided the fewer points are required, durability: 1000 HP
Town Building Schematic: Wall - 80 points
Creates a wall of varying types depending on resources provided, Manual installation will reduce Nexus Points costs, durability: dependent on material, large sizes will require more resources and/or Nexus Points
(Press to see more)
Anton glanced at the empty balance of Nexus Points, recalling the same sad feeling when looking at his bank account. However, he shook off the thoughts and quickly opened the tab to his Status Page to review before their family meeting.
[Status Page]
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
[Class Page] [Quest Page] [System Marketplace] [Nexus Interface]
Name: Anton Randson
Age: 21
Sex: Male
Race: Human (System Ascended)
LVL: 000
Combat Occupation: None
Non-combat Occupation:
Frontier Settler, Remanant holder of the Golden Fleece (Rare/Unique) - Evolvable (Press to see requirements to enhance)
Forging destiny in a new and unknown environment, fortunes and riches await those who are first to risk danger. However, the unknown is plagued with threats and death, awaiting the new survivalist hoping to thrive. As a Nexus fragment imbued with the creature spirit of the mythical Golden Fleece, once awakened the Nexus Spirit can heal the lands and restore mortal wounds. Upon awakening, it shall bring forth a ‘Golden Era’ and additional Unique upgrades. Gives additional bonuses when surviving in new and strange places.
Grants the following LVL 1 skill: Survival: Mind and Body.
Grants: STR+.05, CON+.05, DEX+.05, AGL+.05, INT+.05, CHR+.05, +10 Free Stats, and +10 Skill Points per level up.
Assistants: None
Free Stat Points: 000
Remaking Skill Points: 000
Stats: (Max LVL: 00 average stat threshold for a human is 25, while average is 10)
Strength: 12/19 (+2) -> 14/19
Constitution: 15/22
Dexterity: 13/18
Agility: 13/19
Intelligence: 16/20 (+2) -> 18/20
Wisdom: 15/21
Charisma: 12/16
Health Points: (CON) x3 -> 45
Satiety Fullness: 10/10
Mana Pool: CURRENTLY LOCKED - (INT+WIS) x1.50 -> 48 + (-50) + (30) -> 28
Endurance: (STR+AGL+SAT) x1.20 -> 44.4
Experience to next Level: 75 EXP
(Note: Current stat limits reflect thresholds as regular humans. System Ascended Humans become superhuman as levels increase, which also increases stat potentials. The closer to the maximum potential per level up, the higher the subsequent threshold. If the level is increased before the max threshold is achieved, the following average max threshold by stat will be lowered by .50 times the difference from the previous level.)
Skills:
Mana Manipulation LVL 1 - Passive - New!
Allows the circulation and use of Mana, Bend the laws of Nature, and alter reality, but may require additional skills for intended uses.
Danger Sense LVL 1 - Passive - New!
Enhances the senses, perception of subtleties in surroundings increased
Survival: Mind and Body LVL 1 - Passive - New!
Granted by job: Frontier Settler, removes limits for class restrictions on skills but costs quadruple to increase skills of non-primary classes, increases rates of learning and leveling up skills, +2 to INT, increases body’s robustness, +2 to Strength
Anton looked through the blue screen displaying his Status Page. Although it wasn’t terrible, there was not much he could personally do skills-wise. The Nexus Crystal did offer more options, however. It would likely be what he could bring up to discuss with his family.
“Alright, times up!” Sandra announced, “We have fifteen minutes left on the Sky Clock. Let’s make this quick so we can take any additional needed actions. I’ll go first. I chose the Hybrid Class - Summoner. And this is my first summon. Come out, Lutheran!”
A crack of white light fractured the air, expanding and growing into a circular swirling misty portal. A tall, pale half-naked man with a chiseled smooth muscular torso stepped through the dimensional doorway with nothing up but a much-too-tight pair of white boxer briefs—exposing much more than what the men in the room wanted to see. The summoned man’s long hair, black as night, waved in the air as he confidently strode over with his long legs and kneeled before the mother of the family. With a deep earthy voice that seemed to rattle the floor boards, Sandra’s new summon spoke.
“My queen, Lady Sandra, thank you for choosing me and helping me fulfill my requests. In return, I pledge to honor our agreement and do whatever you shall ask of me. It is my honor to serve you. What is your first command, Most Gracious One?”
“Thank you, Lutheran. You-“
Theo stomped over, his lips flat in a stiff line, and gave his wife the ‘dubious eye’ by lifting one furrowed eyebrow. He then snapped into a turn and stood in front of her and between the unknown man, whose glossy black hair further enhanced the ivory sheen of his practically naked body.
With an icy tone, the husband uttered, “Lutheran, right? Let me tell you now. Sandra is my wife. Don’t get any funny ideas, got it?”
Sandra grinned at her jealous but protective husband, but she got straight to the point. “Nothing to worry about, dear. Lutheran, as my first contracted summon, you will help protect all of my family here.”
“By your command, my Lady,” Lutheran acknowledged, placing his hand over his heart and bowing his head.
Sandra then looked at her children. “Say hello, everyone. Lutheran is a Lycanthrope who will protect us. However, we are also helping him find some special resources per our contract. We will need to help him fulfill some additional conditions as well. Lastly, we will need to pay him monthly in System Points for his services.”
Anton did a double take on his mother’s new summon. He titled his head. Lycanthrope? As in werewolf? The rugged man looked much too human to be a werewolf.
Ansel, however, with gleaming widened eyes, he looked eagerly at his father and the new man—waiting with excitement to see a fight happen.
Theo and Lutheran looked at each other, and invisible sparks started flying from their colliding heated glares. The two did not budge, and Sandra helplessly continued, “Let’s keep going. I also obtained potions just like Anton. My goal is to summon enough helpers to cover any missing roles we need, and for now, front-line fighters are who we need. Questions?”
“We need to talk after this, Sandra,” Theo said, snorting while glancing suspiciously with squinted eyes at the muscular male model, Lutheran.
“Sure. Anyone else? Real questions this time…None? Let’s keep moving then. Time is running out.”
“I’ll go next,” Theo huffed, now ignoring the half-naked man. “I chose Warrior - Paladin as my main role, and my sub-occupation is Butcher. Not only does Butcher boost my warrior role, but I can also help process meat for our meals. Besides that, I bought a few skills as well.”
“My turn!” Ansel shouted, unaffected by the awkward atmosphere. “He. He. He. I bought the coolest job, Mage - Spacial Manipulator! I also bought some skills with my remaining System Points! And my affinity is pretty okay for the space element too! So I should be able to learn Teleport quickly!”
Everyone else nodded but only Sandra smiled, feeling the excitement from Ansel. Theo stood cross-armed, keeping a glaring watchful eye on his wife’s unwelcome new summon. And Anton….well, he knew his younger brother was going to have something to say about his choices. As the last to go, they all looked at Anton with expectant eyes, and the young man sighed knowing he would not fulfill all their expectations.
“Let’s get this over with. My job is Frontier Settler, but it’s my non-combat role. For now, it doesn’t seem to do much other than increase my rate of learning skills.”
“Bro. That’s it? There’s no other skill?” Ansel questioned with a slightly disdainful irksome tone.
Anton sighed, knowing he was right about his prediction of his younger brother’s reaction. Since his parents have been getting on his case lately, his brother has been taking advantage of it and nitpicking and scrutinizing every detail of his life. But at least Anton was prepared.
He responded, “Yeah, my job doesn’t have much use, but the Nexus is different. We can fortify the ‘Area of Influence’ of the Nexus with walls and defensive buildings, even build crop fields. However…to do so, I needed Nexus Points, which are obtained by offering the Nexus tribute.”
“So you need System Points, and your Nexus needs Nexus Points, too? Bro. Like, are you going to borrow, or something?”
“No, Ansel. There’s no option to borrow. I need to offer collected tribute and harvest resources to reduce the point costs.”
“You need to do that much more, too?! Dude! You should have gotten something useful!”
“It will be, you munchkin! It’ll take more time for now, but it will pay back itself later. It’s supposed to be the ultimate safe zone!”
“Yeah, right. That just sounds lame.”
“You know what? I don’t have to argue with a kid.”
“Ha! You know it’s true!”
Anton ignored his younger brother and glanced back at his parents. “If we're done, I need to summon my assistants.”
Their father shrugged and looked at his wife. Sandra shook her head and said, “We’re done, Anton. And Ansel, your brother has a good point. His decision will benefit us greatly in the long run.” Looking at her older son, Sandra approvingly said, “Do what you need to do, Anton. There’s only a few minutes left.”
Anton looked at the screen with the Sky Clock that displayed:
00:04:39
“Oh, crap!” Anton shouted before swiping the Nexus Interface open. Clicking on the skill, Summon Aid LVL 1, two popup screens appeared with one large spinning image on each window. Simultaneously pressing the button that said, “Press to Stop and Collect your Assistants,” the rolling set of images halted, displaying the image of a giant brown-furred Dire Wolf and a young pointy-eared woman with golden hair in a maid’s uniform.
Suddenly, the screens popped with an explosion of smoke. Everyone in the room coughed, swatting away the hazy fumes that oddly vanished into the air. But the smoke left behind two figures. Immediately, Sandra rushed over and covered Ansel’s eyes.
“Mo-m!” What are you doing?! You know I’m fourteen, right?! I’ve seen more than a pretty lady in a bikini.”
Ansel flinched from the sharp tone in his mother’s response. “Is that so, Ansel Randson?” Her eyes darted toward Theo with a chilling glare. “Dear hubby, it seems like you haven’t had that talk with Ansel here, regarding certain naughty websites we discussed and agreed upon months ago to not visit anymore.”
Theo’s hands started to get clammy as beads of sweat formed on his forehead. He saw no issues as many young men frequented the sites—his younger self being one of them—but his wife did not agree. Lucky for the husband, a happy gravely barking noise drew away all their attention.
“Hey, boy!” Anton laughed as the massive brown-furred wolf knocked him over to the ground and licked him happily.
“Oh, cool! We finally got a dog!” Ansel shouted, running over to pet the wolf.
The mother of the two playing adolescents hesitated as her nose twitched.
“It’ll be fine, Sandra. It’s not a dog anyway,” Theo said, trying to calm his wife who was allergic to dogs.
“I suppose that’s true. I didn’t start sneezing my nose off when the wolf appeared.”
“Yeah. Neither did you when Lutheran here appeared. You were too preoccupied looking at his muscles.”
“I was not! Ok, maybe a little.” Theo’s eyes stretched wide from his wife’s admittance, and she grinned before quickly changing subjects. “But, anyway. Maybe it is a dog thing.”
Theo was about to start complaining when a low growl from Anton’s assistant drew the family of four’s attention. At first, they thought the wolf was growling at Lutheran as Anton’s new assistant bared his sharp jagged canines in the Lycanthrope’s direction. However, the curvaceous elf—clad in a thin bikini that revealed her soft porcelain skin—beside the wolf spoke, sending a chiming light voice ringing ominously in the safe room.
“Master, the end has begun. There is a major disturbance in the atmosphere. Please prepare immediately.”