The journey back through the levels of the Fortress to the Plunderer was long but uneventful, as Eric insisted the team go through the floors more thoroughly so they could get a more complete and nuanced sense of the Fortress’ facilities and general condition. As before, one of Luna’s flying drones led the way, with the Vessel Interface providing directions and commentary regarding the various rooms and chambers that they entered. Most of it was more of the same however, rooms stripped bare and empty of anything of value, but it was apparent by the time they arrived at the lowest level that the Fortress, if it was to be returned to its full capacity, would be a formidable redoubt and base provided it had the full complement of thousands of people to man and defend it.
Once safely aboard the Plunderer, Eric and his companions quickly washed up, chose their rooms among the cabins available, and prepared for their first real full night’s sleep in this new universe.
They did not immediately occupy the better cabins though, since Osar had suggested that all of them should temporarily take cabins that the regular crew had not been occupying to avoid any traps that may have been left behind by the former occupants. It was a paranoid thought but probably fair, considering the type of people that had once manned the captured ship. It was hardly an inconvenience for anyone but Cid, since for the career soldiers among the Terrans, namely Eric and Serra, the mere fact that they could have individual cabins aboard a voidship was already the height of luxury, accustomed as they were to the Service practice of making ground-pounders like them sleep stacked into four-leveled bunkbeds in cramped quarters. The Corps quarters at H-X troopships and transport liners had been a distinct improvement in the quality of troop accommodations of course, but even those paled in comparison to the amenities they found available for their convenience aboard the Plunderer.
The small room Eric had selected for the night contained a narrow bed, provided with cream-colored beddings and two comfortable looking pillows, a foldable desk, a small closet and footlocker as well as a small, smooth orb set into the wall that Osar had identified as a ship communicator. Looking around, he wondered how everything could be kept so clean and pristine on a ship without any servants or robotic helpers? What magical innovation could possibly perform all the upkeep and housework a ship like this needed?
Rubbing at his eyebrows and forehead and feeling ready for sleep, Eric sat down on the bed, appreciating the comfortable firmness of the mattress. He didn’t really know if it was an actual mattress like what was used back in his old Universe but right now, he truly didn’t care as long as he could get a good night’s sleep off of it.
“Perhaps you’d like to look a bit through your notifications before you retire for the night, sir?”
Eric paused, tired enough that he was inclined to decline Pig’s suggestion, but knew he had put the chore off long enough. As a compromise, Eric laid himself out on the wide bed, making himself comfortable by propping his back up with pillows, before asking Pig to show him the earliest message.
You have killed an adult Sesang Beast.
200 Gens Points have been added to your total.
Looked like a pretty standard notification, nothing to get excited about. The Gens Point addition was good, although a bit low in Eric’s opinion. Of course, his only frame of reference for those was what he had gotten from killing the dragon, which admittedly, was a whole other level of beast.
You have killed a Sesang Broodmother.
750 Gens Points have been added to your total.
Eric quickly brushed that notification aside, since it featured nothing new except an increase to his Gens Point total.
“Pig, these types of notifications would probably be better just disposed of quickly… Take note of any unusual or useful points but I don’t think I need to read them all.”
“Roger that sir,” Pig answered. “I will do so with any and all future similar notifications.”
“Also do the same with any weapons or armor claiming messages,” Eric quickly added, thinking about the dozens of weapons and armor and other equipment he’d handled today, which he was sure comprised a good chunk of his pending notifications. He was gratified then when a moment later, he saw that the notifications stack had been diminished by nearly half.
“Wilco sir.”
“Okay, what’s next?”
Congratulations! Your Gens has reached the Mid-Novice Tier.
You gain an additional ability slot.
You also gain a single-use minor artifact; an Ability modification scroll. Read the scroll to remove an existing ability from a slot or evolve a target ability.
Gaining an additional ability slot was always welcome, though he would like to gain Osar’s promised explanation on how the System worked before he actually tried getting new abilities. The Ability modification scroll he had received as a reward was interesting though; if he could remove and then replace an ability, then that would relieve some of the anxiety and stress involved with actually choosing an ability. The long list of choices possible as well as the many factors that could be affected had given Eric a headache, in spite of having Pig to help him sort things out; he could only imagine the difficulty other people would have in choosing theirs without that AI advantage. Using such a rare and useful resource like the scroll just for correcting a mistake sounded wasteful to Eric though, and he hoped he would never have an occasion to do so.
Ability Evolution though, that sounded like something important.
“Abilities also have evolution tiers or levels, sir,” Pig offered helpfully just as the thought crossed Eric’s mind. “Most go all the way up to evolution level ten, wherein they become selectable for carry-over to the Transcendent Stage where all of the chosen abilities undergo a new evolution that aligns with the Archetype that the adept supposedly gains. I would further theorize that the same rules apply to abilities through all subsequent stages.”
“That must be what Osar was talking about earlier.”
“It seems likely, sir,” Pig agreed. “Though I would still prefer further clarification regarding the nuances of carry-over and ability reconfiguration.”
“Is that what the System calls it; ability reconfiguration?”
“Yes, sir; it’s when abilities transform or maybe even merge to align with the new archetype.”
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
“That sounds like it could be an important consideration for any future builds.” Eric mused, absent-mindedly running a finger over the designs carved onto the surface of the ring/bracelet he had acquired from Vashanka.
“I agree.”
When Eric did not respond after a few moments, Pig continued with the notification presentation.
You have claimed the Obsidian Key.
This is a Recognizance Seal Device that grants its bearer the authority to claim command over the Ark Voidship designated as the Obsidian Moon. As the bearer of the Obsidian Key it will accept no other as long as you live and you can sense the general direction of the Key's location as long as it is within the bounds of the System's influence.
The Obsidian Key is an artifact purposefully crafted by the High Astrogator Keeretar Rel and his Prime Smith Cadre.
Ah, about time he got to the good stuff. Eric read this particular notification carefully, rubbing at his chin. There were some new terms there, like a High Astrogator and his Prime Cadre working to create the Obsidian Key. Was this Keeretar Rel the architect of the Moon then? Or was he just the creator of the Key? Did any of this historical stuff matter?
Eric’s attention shifted over to one of the lines: Having claimed the Key, he would now be able to sense its general whereabouts wherever he was as long as he was still within an area where the System held sway. Which was probably, for all intents and purposes, everywhere in this Universe!
At least he wouldn’t have to worry about misplacing the Obsidian Key! Eric shuddered at the thought; Losing such an important artifact would be nothing short of a disaster that would probably have a detrimental effect to his group’s overall chances of survival!
Shaking his head, Eric moved on to next few messages, which were admittedly, very interesting things:
You have placed the Key, been acknowledged and accepted by the Vessel Interface, and taken command of the Ark Voidship the Obsidian Moon.
The Obsidian Moon is an Arkship commissioned by the Ashin-Vetel Sect to act as a research an exploration vessel.
The Ashin-Vetel Sect had commissioned the Moon, which meant they probably owned the vessel. Would that be a problem later? Is the Sect even around to launch a protest? Perhaps he could gain some answers from Luna.
You have gained the unique Title Commander of the Obsidian Moon
Commander of the Obsidian Moon
You are now mystically linked to the Ark Voidship the Obsidian Moon.
Effect 1: You can command the Obsidian Moon’s Vessel Interface and it will attempt to perform your commands to the best of its abilities. Whenever you are physically within the Moon and as far as a kilometer out from its outer hull you gain +1 to all Attributes.
Further Effects may become available if certain conditions are met.
Another Title, huh? Well, this was one that Eric had actually had been expecting, considering that the System had actually given him a quest regarding that very same thing. A Title was probably normal for these kinds of undertakings.
You have gained a unique Title.
As the only person to hold this title in the entire System Universe, you gain an additional ability slot above your current Stage Limit and a Unique Ability Ticket x1
“Hellfire!” Eric whispered in amazement as he sat up and read the text on the notification before him. He’d received a unique title, and unexpectedly received amazing rewards for doing so. Not just an additional ability but also a Unique one. It looked like gaining not only Titles but more importantly rare and unusual ones were the ways to get the System to cough up the good rewards.
Congratulations! You have completed Step 1 of 10 of the Hidden Quest: Revive the Obsidian Moon by using the Key and Awakening the Ship Soul.
Reward: Transcendent Ability Ticket x1
Hidden Quest Activated: Revive the Obsidian Moon
Step 2 Objective: Clear the Stage and Claim Authority over the Level
Time Limit: One Imperial Month
Step 2 Reward: Transcendent Ability Ticket x1
Do you accept this active quest? Yes/No
Yes, Eric answered, although he was a bit disappointed, especially after the rewards he had received for the previous Quest. Although the Hidden Quest line had been modified and was now on level two, Eric saw that the reward was the same as the one for Step one. Not much of an incentive there System, he mused as he directed Pig to continue with their notifications review.
The next notification Pig showed him was one that he had already seen, which was the one he received when he had accepted Osar’s Oath. Eric re-read it again to make sure there was nothing he missed regarding his new bond with the Urgan and was relieved to find nothing untoward.
The succeeding notification after that was another quest notification, although this one was grayed out, the writing on its surface presenting a faded appearance:
Quest Activated: Claim the Fortress Belzond
Step 1 Objective: Overcome and remove the Beast that is siphoning energy from the Fortress Belzond’s central aether conduit.
Time Limit: None
Step 1 Reward: Gold Item Ticket x1
Do you accept this active quest? Yes/No
Eric tried to press Yes, figuring since he and the team had already done the deed then perhaps, he could gain retroactive rewards. Unfortunately, a new window immediately appeared:
Quest Failed: Claim the Fortress Belzond
For not accepting the quest before it was completed you gain no rewards.
Eric shook his head with regret as he read the words. So, these System-given quests could be failed simply because he was not able to activate it immediately. He had lost a gold ticket because of his negligence… which was a loss even though Eric had no idea what a gold ticket would have netted him.
“Gold tickets, well any ticket with a metal designation, draws from the System Items Pool sir,” Pig answered Eric’s unspoken thoughts without any prompting. “That would usually mean you could have received weapons, gear, and items that range from mundane but exceptionally well-made pieces to legendary artifacts from some bygone era or age.”
Eric grimaced at Pig’s exposition, feeling more put out now that the AI had spelled out what could have been his potential gains. “Can you make sure that doesn’t happen again?”
“I can sir,” Pig replied with confidence. “But may I suggest that you allow me to display any notification with a yes or no question attached to it as well as any that may be important?”
“Right,” Eric said, after thinking over the matter for a few minutes. “As long as it doesn’t affect my field of vision during active combat.”
“I shall choose the exact moments of revelation with great care, sir.”
Eric’s eyes narrowed at Pig’s reply. Was the damned AI actually getting lippy with him? Although he could surely sense the question, Pig ignored it, which only made Eric more amused.
There were no other notable notifications afterwards though, and Eric contemplated his gains as the last notification window faded away. He shifted his position on the bed, propping himself up on one elbow.
Perhaps he should use one of the tickets he’d received?
He pulled out the two tickets from Vashanka’s Ring, admiring the beautiful design and calligraphy of their printed text. The Unique ticket was made of a thick material, similar to high grade card stock, and was printed out in beautiful gold and silver, the text red. A faint shimmer danced across its flat surface, highlighting the quality and importance of the item.
The other ticket, the transcendent one, was less ornate, though still beautifully made in gold and green ink. Eric tapped the two tickets lightly on his left palm, examining them closely as he thought about which of the two to use: Obviously, the Unique ticket was the more valuable of the two, especially since he had received it after gaining a Title that was unique across the entire System Universe. Because of this, wouldn’t it be a waste to use such a ticket at his current low-level Tier? Given his possible rate of progression through the Tiers, it would probably be more efficient to use the ticket at the later Tiers.
Satisfied with his decision, Eric returned the Unique ticket to his bracelet, then quickly ripped the beautiful gold and green Transcendent ticket in half. An instant later a green and gold screen appeared before him.
You have used a Transcendent Ability Ticket.
You have received the following ability:
Serene Void Soul (Breathing Technique ability)
Requirements: Void 3, Possess a Mind Flaw
Effect 1: Gain a permanent +3 to Psyche. For 24 hours after using Serene Void Soul breathing technique you are immune to Confusion and Fear, and gain 50% Resistance against all Mind effects.
The corresponding Technique crystal has been attuned to you and deposited into your personal storage device.
Feeling a stress headache forming, Eric massaged the peak of his nose as he read and re-read the message.
What in all the hells was a Breathing Technique?