Sophie felt her consciousness shift, suddenly finding herself in a massive workshop. Piles of unknown metals filled the walls, along with hundreds of shelves all containing different electronics and parts. Unfortunately, Sophie had no idea what any of the pieces did and many of the metals were odd looking. Deciding to ignore the strange workshop, she turned her attention to the system.
“System, can you show me a catalogue of available sandevistans?”
Opening Catalogue…
* Dynalar Sandevistan Mk.2
* QianT ‘Warp Dancer’
* Zetatech Sandevistan
* Militech Apogee
* Time’s Bane
* …
“Right. That’s not actually that helpful. Can you set up a basic sandevistan project?”
The screen in front of the girl shifted, becoming similar to a hologram.
“First, I want it to be installed like David Martinez’s. A full spine replacement.” The hologram rippled, then displayed a spinal implant. “I want to be able to displace myself through time, backwards and forwards.” The implant began to glow a soft blue.
Warning: Successful construction, installation and usage of this implant is 0.5%.
“What!? Why!?”
The materials used in the construction of this implant cannot support the immense amount of time energy being infused. Please change the materials.
“Right. That makes a lot of sense actually. What materials would make it as strong as possible?”
Adamantium and Enchanted Uru from the Marvel Universe, Element X from the DC Universe are recommended. They can be blended together into a special alloy known as Kraetis. Kraetis combines the durability, strength and magic affinities of each base metal to form the strongest material in the Omniverse.
“Sounds great. Can I use that?” The system didn’t respond, instead changing the holographic implant. The soft blue glow disappeared only to be replaced by strange looking runes. The entire spine was now home to a line of these runes, each shining with blue time energy.
“Hmm. It would be pretty hard to explain this thing if someone saw it. When it’s not being used, can the runes not shine? I don’t want to be known as Sophie Shinyback. Also, I’d like it to be completely DNA locked to me and for it to grow with me as I get older,” she paused, “also add in a function that allows it to automatically install itself and assimilate into any cyberware I may install in the future. If I become a full ‘borg I don’t want to lose access to it after all.”
Sophie continued to add functions though unfortunately she was quite ignorant and wasn’t actually doing much. The system had to make up for it’s host’s deficiencies, implementing as many of the features as possible.
Warning: Successful construction, installation and usage of this implant is 50%
“How can I get it higher?”
50% is as high as you can go for now. Construction and installation can be completed. However it will be nearly impossible to use in your current state.
“Why’s that?”
Your body is that of a six year old. Your brain, nerves, skeleton, organs and muscles are not tough enough to withstand such intense stimulus. You will have to be at least eight years old before you can even use this sandevistan. Alternatively, you can replace parts of your body with additional cyberware which will allow you to use it. Even at that age however, there will be severe limitations placed on your usage and advanced functions will be locked until further notice.
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
“Why is it so damn hard to use this thing!?” Sophie cried out in despair.
This implant is tagged as a God Tier Relic due to its abilities. Such things are supposed to be used by Gods, all of whom are immensely powerful beings. You are currently a basic human. Would you like to install this sandevistan?
“Wait, one more thing. I want to be able to learn netrunning as well. Is that possible with the current version?”
Editing… Now it is. There will be an area for further modifications around your neck, including space for a Cyberdeck.
“Whew,” Sophie was aware that installing the sandevistan now was a risk, but she believed it would be a necessary advantage, even if she wasn’t able to use it for a few years. “Go ahead and install it.” With those words, the space around her fractured and all she knew was pain.
-----------------------
Sophie struggled to her feet in the abandoned laundromat. It seemed that the system didn’t bother with anaesthetic, instead choosing to painfully remove her spine before stuffing the sandevistan in.
Red liquid had pooled around her when she lay on the floor, on the verge of unconsciousness. As she stood, more droplets spilled onto the floor. She could feel it stuck to her face, yet wiping it didn’t seem to make it any better. It was only when she found a piece of broken glass did she realise she was crying blood. She had also bitten her lip, hard, so that too was spilling blood all over the room.
The small girl sat down and leaned against the wall, wincing when the cold metal of the sandevistan clinked against the concrete.
“Status,” she whispered.
Name: Sophie Mortimer
Age: 6
Class: Available
Profession: Available
Traits
Ghost
Skill
N/A
Cyberware
Chronos Sandevistan: Unavailable (Requires Interface System Cyberware) (God)
Store: Available
M-Coins: 1000
“Heh. Fuck. Can’t even see what restrictions there are until I get a basic IS.” Sophie sat on the cold ground for a few minutes, then made her choice. Shaking from the pain, she stumbled over to one of the washing machines. It was a fairly large model, so Sophie opened it up, checked it over and, once satisfied with its cleanliness, jumped in. Leaving the lid cracked, she quickly fell asleep, deciding to finish her system business the next morning.
-----------------------
Sophie woke the next morning feeling significantly better. Huddled in her washing machine, she decided to finish looking over her system so that she could properly start living her new life.
“Alright system, can you show me what classes I have available?”
Current Classes Available…
* Thief
* Soldier
* Amateur Netrunner
* Apprentice Swordswoman
* Boxer
* Warrior
* Mage
* …
The list scrolled on and Sophie was completely overwhelmed by the number of choices.
“Alright, stop. Show me classes that fit this world. No magic or anything.”
The number of options dropped sharply however there were still hundreds of available classes. Sophie spent the next hour narrowing down her options, eventually finding four classes that she was interested in starting with. Thief, Gunner, Apprentice Swordswoman and Amateur Netrunner.
“Hmm, I can't do netrunning yet. I need money for a cyberdeck and some soft’. Gunner and Apprentice Swordswoman sound good but are reliant on weapons. I could get a weapon if I run around the city but I’m not confident in doing that any time soon. I guess I’ve really only got one choice then.”
Class selected: Thief
Skills Unlocked: Quick Hands, Parkour (Basic), Stealth (Basic), Thievery (Basic)
Quick Hands: Lvl.1
Increases the dexterity and agility of the hands.
Parkour (Basic): Lvl.1
Grants basic knowledge of Parkour.
Stealth (Basic): Lvl.1
Grants basic knowledge of Stealth.
Thievery (Basic): Lvl.1
Grants basic knowledge of Thievery.
As soon as Sophie confirmed her choice, a rush of knowledge entered her head, quickly making it ache. A few minutes later, Sophie was standing in the middle of the abandoned laundromat, marvelling at the new knowledge the system had given her.
“System, can you explain what just happened?”
Many class skills are entirely knowledge based. Only when you start taking more advanced classes do skills become more unique. Every time you level a knowledge skill, more knowledge will be provided. Once your class is upgraded, different types of skills become available.
“Right. What about the ‘Basic’ tag? I assume that there are higher levels of those skills? And how do I level them up?”
Yes. Those skills are contained in more advanced classes or can be bought in the system store. Knowledge skills are levelled up by utilising the knowledge the skill provides. By doing parkour, you will level up the parkour skill.
“What about the ‘Quick Hands’ skill? My hands are all tingly and I can move them around in ways I definitely couldn’t before.”
Skills such as ‘Quick Hands’ are like passive skills. They will boost your performance in class related activities.
“I see. This system is pretty interesting huh. Do you have any missions for me, or shall I figure this city out myself?” The influx of knowledge had provided a great boost to Sophie’s confidence, along with hope in her chances for survival.
Mission
First Robbery: Successfully steal a valuable object from someone.
Difficulty: Medium
Reward: 100 M-Coins, 500 Eurodollars, 1 Thief level.