Ch 16 Crafting Time Again

Waking up, I wasn’t as groggy as yesterday. I checked the time is 1pm. Unsure of why I slept for four hours, I went to stand. A screen popped in front of me.

Level 2 promotion

Skill points

20

Credits

5000

Rollover Exp

2.4%

What? I leveled yesterday? I never checked my status, I guess. I dismiss it and another screen pops into view.

Personal interface Intergrated.

Personal terminal integrated

Please state designation for personal interface:

What? What does a personal interface mean exactly? Why does it need a name? Is it a person, a computer? What's an interface, like the white room? Is this my own personal white room? Is that what this means?

I can't tell if I'm giddy or shocked. Being in the white room was important on another level. Being able to answer so many questions for me. Being able to use skills on me. Will this be a being too? I look at the open text box and think of a name. Is it like an AI? What would be a good name?

For some reason Hugin and Mungin come to mind, thought and memory. So, I type in Raven.

Designation Accepted: Raven

Ok, now what. “Raven.” I say aloud. Seeing what happens. My eyes burn as a hologram of figure less than four inches tall floats a foot in front of me. It looks exactly like the being from the white room. Faceless and all.

It just floated there, unmoving. I thought for a moment. “What do you do?” I asked it.

“Purpose, to interface with user and provide help with system.” it responded. The voice was emotionless and ambiguous. Ok, this seems really weird.

“How do you provide help to the user?” I asked.

“Answer stated questions, expanded system knowledge, and expand system capabilities based on user competence.” the reply.

Ouch, based on competence. So, everyone was expected to buy this soon as they could.

“What do you mean buy expand system capabilities?” I ask.

“Based on user, unlock system store items and bypass specific requirements.”

Ok, so there wasn’t things we could get yet for reasons that I don’t know.

“Are you saying the store has more stuff in it than what we have now?”

“Current planet, designated Earth is newly integrated into System. 16 trillion planets previously integrated. All items available from previous planets after competence reached.”

I sit down, hard. 16 trillion planets. The reason there was so little in the store? We haven't made it yet. My breath shudders for a few moments, Raven floats in front of my face.

“And what is the competence level needed to reach previous planets stores?” ii ask, dreading the answer.

“When any user reaches level 150.”

I shudder again. Ok that isn't too bad. That’s years away at least. I hope. Please gods let that be years away.

“Can I request things be available in the store?” I wonder.

“If item currently exist on planet with minimal components.”

What counts as minimal components? Not a toilet I'd guess. Or a shower. Ok. Focus. Take a deep breath.

“It said I have a person terminal, yeah?”

“Correct, terminal can be viewed by user or user can designate Raven to complete tasks through terminal.”

Ok, the tiny being can shop for me. Great. And I don’t have to keep going to a bus stop, even better. Another deep breath. Focus.

“What is my current credit amount?”

“5,365 credits available”

Ok. So, I can buy shit. What do I want to buy though. There's nothing I currently need from the system store, except maybe food. And if I have a personal terminal, I can buy that at any time.

“Can personal terminal be used in the dungeon?”

“Negative, personal terminal is deactivated. Personal interface is activated.”

Ok, that’s great. I can get answers wherever I am. I can ask all the questions I want, anytime. This is still too weird.

“Ok, for now I'm making wands, and tags. Then I'll worry about it later.”

“Notice, can designate Raven to complete tasks in within knowledge.”

I blink, what.

“Are you saying, if I know how to do it, you know how?”

“Correct. Any activity user knows and can perform Raven can perform.”

I sigh and sit down in my computer chair.

“So, you're saying, if I told you to make a bunch of pristine wands, you would?”

“Please designate amount, users' mana will be used in creation.”

Ok, so it's like I'm still making them. But I will have spare time.

“Start with 5, can you pull stuff from my inventory?”

“Raven can pull designated items form users' space with permission.”

Ok, it has to have permission. That’s good, I guess. But I can have a little workbot and work on new things myself. I pause. A workbot? I look over Raven.

“How to you complect the same movements I do?” I ask.

“Raven will perform actions as user has done.”

That sort of makes sense? Raven does the exact same as I did it. So, I guess I have a workbot that answers all my questions. I sigh.

“Pull all needed items from inventory to make 5 pristine wands. Notify me when completed.” I say, that should be enough for now. Maybe I'll have it do some tags too. I might have time for a short nap.

“Can you perform actions when I'm asleep?”

“Negative, user must have input into actions performed.” worth a shot, I guess.

Pulling out one of the pavers I set it on the floor. Then I sat on the floor. I pulled the chisel I first bought and a sharpie. After marking the pristine on the paper is lowly start chipping away. It doesn’t seem to be going well. I can't get clean lines. Getting back up I go to my computer and video search on carving cement.

Most of them say to do it when they're wet. I suppose I could make my own. But I want to try this first. I found one that said to do V-shape lines and it works. But it's best if you plan on filling the lines in with something. Maybe I could carve the lines then paint them in? That might work. There's waterproof painting. Or caulk. That would work. Would technically be all one piece then if I can do it smoothly too.

Taking my time, I slowly carve the paver with the v shape in the lines. Getting dust everywhere. I'll need pristine later. I blow a few times to clear what I'm seeing. I should have done this outside. Too late now. Maybe I could try just caulking the bottom of the bucket too, and skip the pavers? I pause. Now I feel dumb.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

I look over to Raven.

“How far can you be from me?” I ask

“Within eyesight.” was the reply.

“Well, I need to run to the store.”

“Current action terminated.”

The dowel and knife Raven was using drop to the floor. I pick them up and put them into my inventory. I notice Raven even has sharpied the pristine on the end of the dowel. Exactly like I did. Huh.

Driving back to the store wasn’t too bad. Lunch traffic was mostly over, and there didn’t seem to be a lot of people wondering about. Getting there and parking, however, was a nightmare. It felt like the entire store was full. There was someone every five feet. Skipping the basket this time I head straight for plumbing.

Looking over the different caulks I look for a bathroom one, especially tub/shower. I found a silicone one, so I grabbed three bottles. Then a caulk gun. I think that’s all I need for this. Reading the directions on the caulk I notice that along with 24 hours to cure it doesn’t stick well to smooth surfaces. So, I go to the tool aisle and get a few sheets of sandpaper. That should work well enough. Thinking about it for a moment I grab some super glue as well. Need to keep the toilet seat on.

After checking out I drive home. Half considering setting up a teleport at the big box store. And maybe one at the sub shop. I don’t think Lucas would mind too much.

Getting home I instruct Raven to continue the wand making while I go for the toilets. I scrub the bottom in the buckets with sandpaper. Then sharpie the pristine. There's no dust as the pristine took care of it. So even if it's scuffed it works. Good to know. Reading the directions on the caulk I insert it in the gun and cut the nib. It says slow and steady movements. I place the bucket in my desk chair and press it against my desk. This way I'm not bent over awkwardly.

Starting with the square I press the trigger on the gun. Trying to keep it smooth I move my arm following the pattern I placed. I pick up the gun when there is a gap or to start a new line. The caulk smells horrendous. But it looks smooth enough. Like a piping of frosting actually. Soon as I complete the last line I stand up. My back is sore. It took me 30 minutes to pipe that. I look it over. My lines are neat and even though. So, it should work as intended. I might not need the pavers or the other buckets. I guess I'll find out tomorrow.

***

I watched Raven continue the pristine wands for a little while. They make them just as fast as I do, which seems odd to me. Thinking for a moment I take a pristine for myself and set it up. Which reminds me, I need holsters for my wands.

“Are there any holsters or something I can use for my wands in the system store?” I asked Raven.

“Negative, there is currently no wand holster in store.”

Ok, let me retry that. “Is there any holsters that can be reappropriated to be used for wands in the store?”

“Confirmed, Holder for working tools is compatible with wands. Can hold three wands in different sections. Would you like to purchase?”

Hah, that works well for me. Maybe I should get a few? Nah, just for me. Maybe one for each side? Yeah, that works.

“I'd like two, how much are they?”

“Confirmed, 30 credits is your total. Deposited into inventory.”

Have a force bolt on each side, gravity on the right. Sealant on left. Maybe pristine on left too? I pull a holder from my inventory. Its straight leather with a loop to attach to a belt. Three open, deep pockets. I could probably fit more wands than I need in these, but I might get them confused. Maybe keep spare force bolts in the last pocket to hand out or sell at the dungeon portal? Or for tags to use? I’ll think about it later.

Putting it back into my inventory. I think about a shower. Pristine works for me, but not everyone. Especially if there is going to be a mass movement into the parking garage. They’ll need a public shower for everyone. Could I make a shower head? Or an emptying box? Could have used that for the toilet too. Maybe I'll try both. If the toilet idea works out, I can use that for the shower basin.

But a shower head. Running water is needed. Maybe start with a sink? Less adjustment for temperature at least. Or somehow to empty something? Make it vanish or disappear? The way I set the toilet up it will clean the water. But will the water level rise? I should have thought of that. Maybe don’t add water and just leave the caulk? Or try and just do pristine on the bottom of the bucket? I'll try that for now.

Getting another bucket, I draw pristine onto the inside bottom in sharpie. Pausing, maybe I should have used paint. Is sharpie waterproof? I can't remember. I think it's permanent though. I pull some food from inventory, a spoonful of alfredo and drop it into the bucket. Nothing happens. I touch the bottom of the outside bucket and feed a little mana. The pristine works and the alfredo dusts. So, it needs mana to use it. Which won't work for everyone.

Maybe a cistern? One for showers, one for toilets? Maybe pipes into a septic tank and then back into the cistern? Be pure water, I think? Or just dust? Need to figure it out.

I check the bucket with pristine written in sharpie. No dust, nothing visible. So, the septic tank would be empty every time they pristine it. So, whenever it got full, they would just immediately empty it out with pristine? How many pristine would it need? Or maybe just make buckets that people have to feed mana too? Can I make it where the toilet stores mana?

There's an idea, have it where anyone who uses it feeds it a little mana when they sit. When they get it, the mana gets used. But what about guys who don’t sit? Make it a requirement? There will be people who won't though. Could I make urinals? After the toilets. Or make it if they stood close enough to use it their mana gets used? That could work. I'd need feedback or something though.

This is looking a lot more complicated than I could imagine. Ok, so I need a way to collect mana, a way to temporarily store mana, and a way to trigger the use of the mana. Shit, do kids even have mana?

“Raven, do kids have mana?”

“Confirmed, all sapient beings have mana. Humans under the age of 15 do not have system access or mana capabilities. Humans at the age of 15 have system access. Humans the age of 20 have dungeon access.”

Super powered teenagers, great. Just what the world needed. I remember the bank robber. Could that have been a teen? Maybe, yeah. Now that I think about it, it seems likely.

“Completed task, Five pristine wands.”

I pause, I don’t feel faint. I checked the time, not quite 4pm. Not enough time for a nap. I still have to do the military run at 6pm, so I can't use all my mana right now.

“Raven make 4 force bolt wands, please.”

“Task confirmed.” Raven started pulling items from my inventory. I need to keep track of how much I have. But this way I won't have to buy them for whoever I'm running tonight. Hopefully I'm running with someone I have before already.

****

Getting close to six, Raven has finished the wands. Remembering something.

“Can you buy a platter of mashed potatoes and a platter of roast beef?”

“Confirmed, deposited into inventory. Total credits 12”

I equip my dungeon outfit and prepare to teleport to my spot. Unsure if there will be someone there, I call Raven.

“What happens if there is someone in place when I teleport?”

“User will be displaced to adjacent space.”

That’s comforting I suppose. Here goes. I focus on button #2. Opening my eyes I'm right where I was earlier today. The shrub looks the exact same even. I walk towards the military area, to the side of the parking garage. Hoping to find someone that can point me in the right direction.

I'm stopped before long and explain who I am and what I'm doing there. The guard radios in. Standing around and waiting doesn’t take long before I see a familiar face. It’s Moore, I ran the dungeon with him the first time. I let out a relieved sigh. He comes up to me.

“Nice to see you again, but you’re early, and that’s not a thing around here.” he sniffs. I snort. He’s more talkative now, at least.

“wasn't sure how long id be hanging around looking for people, so.”

“Come with me, we have three guys we're running today, you and me.” I sigh, I only brought enough for two.

“Do they have any equipment?” I asked him.

“Nope. Gonna pay you for it.” his replies leaves me to sigh again.

“Raven buy two more force bolts, three gravity wands and three scale mail shirts, please. I don’t need to total cost.”

“Confirmed, deposited into inventory.”

I follow Moore, as we walk along, I realize he's heading to the bus stop.

“You know what the first clear reward is?” I ask him.

“Nope, too expensive still.”

“A personal terminal. And an AI to answer all questions.” I told him.

He stops. Then turns, and stares at me.

“You’re telling me, you have direct access to the system to answer any question?”

“I'm saying anyone who purchases it will.”

He huffs. Then continue to head to the bus stop. I follow. He waves over three men. Introducing us.

“Clark, Harris, Thompson, meet your fairy godmother.” the snicker.

“Yeah, laugh it up. Stop if you want the magic presents, I brought.” They stop laughing immediately.

I started pulling armor from my inventory. I forgot something I realized.

“Raven, purchase three auto sizes please.”

“Confirmed, deposited into inventory. 45 credits total”

I pull those next and hand them out. Explaining as I go. After they have the shorts on and resized, I start handing the wands out. One by one this time. Explaining everything before we go into the dungeon this time. I can feel their eyes glazing over. It is a lot at once.

Moore snaps at them. “Attention!” They all snap to attention. Right back to being professionals. I continue to explain the wands, the need for two force bolts, and how to duel wield. How to set a trigger. The usage of each wand. I e3sxplain the singular target versus area of effect. After a while I feel they got everything they need. Moore does as well.

“Now then, we’re heading into the dungeon. Turner and I will take the first two rooms then you three will start helping, understood?” they nod.

****

After showing off in the first room, Moore has them handle the second and third room. All of us are needed in the fourth room. Before the boss room, I call a break. As per usual I started feeding everyone. It feels like we’ve been here hours.

As I pull out the stools, I hand Moore one and set the other up for one of them. They argue about it for a moment. Clark is the winner for the stool. I set the table up and put two platters down. I'm glad I remembered to buy a set of dishes and silverware.

I pull out the mashed potatoes and the roasted beef I bought earlier. seems like a decent meal. I forgot to buy the tea though. I pull my water from my inventory and explain it.

“So, I don’t know what we’re going to face this time. When there were six of us it was 2 hobgoblins mounted on boars and three regular hobgoblins. We might see mounted hobgoblins, in which case id like ya’ll to focus on the regular hobs and I'll take the mounted ones.”

They all gave me looks, Moore nodded.

“The mounted took more shots and he's faster with duel wielding than any of us. If there isn't too many hobs, we should be fine. Though, if we finish first, I'll take a crack at the mounted one too.” I nod to him.

We take a few more minutes. Then we clean up and get ready.

**

As we step near the end of the hallway we see into the room, there is only one mounted hob and three normal hobs.

“If each of you want to take a hob Moore and I can take the mounted one.” I say. This seems easy actually. Not sure why.

We all stepped in and started shouting. I aim for the legs of the boar while Moore aimed for the hob riding it. We both hit, taking them down together. It takes five more shots to take out the boar. Moore takes the hob out with fewer, more precise shots. I checked the three we brought in with us. They already took down the three hobs and were waiting on us.

“Well, that seemed easier than usual.” I mutter. “let's get the reward and get out of here.” I called them.

The false wall drops, and we enter. The screen pops in front of me.

Party-5

Clear Reward

150

Contribution

15%

Contribution Reward

7 Exp

Ouch, I know I didn’t do much but still. I'll check my status when I leave here.

Moore heads to the exit portal and we all follow through, I feel like I need a nap. But first I need to call Lucas.