As they made their way through the forest the slope on their right became steeper as to be practically impassable should they be forced to climb, while to the left, the drop off became deeper. They were forced to stay on the remaining road as much as possible, but the overgrowth of the forest made trailblazing a slow endeavor. Joe, Bixby and Mirabella cast Pass Without Trace on the group repeatedly to assist with maneuvering through the dense foliage. Mirabella’s new belt helped in the management of Mana, however, they all decided to be frugal in case they met any high-level monsters. That meant a longer time traversing the forest, but the tradeoff meant better survivability.
Fortunately, because they were on the side of a mountain, using what was once the only carved path through, and that it was so overgrown, it worked in their favor. Most animals and the few monsters that they spotted kept to the lower part next to the river. Nothing had cleared a new trail along the actual pre-integration roadway which kept them relatively safe.
After an hour they came to an area where the forest had left the road alone. The roadway was still pockmarked with damage as plants fought to drive upwards through the asphalt, but it made walking much easier. The group decided to stop and take a break. The trek to get to this point had been quiet. The party members were content to refrain from conversation to not alert any roaming beasts, but here at the beginnings of a clearer road, they sat, ate, and adjusted their gear and allowed their Mana to regenerate. Joe finally gave in and checked his notifications.
Greetings gentle-being and congratulations! You have survived the tutorial and have been safely transported back to your world of origin [Earth]. Immigration from other worlds is now open to those of both Basic and Advanced Grade Classes. Your world will be open for unlimited immigration by those of Master Grade Class and higher in 200 days. Thank you for your cooperation and good luck!
Joe studied the wording for a few minutes and asked Iona, “I have a note talking about Basic and Advance grade classes as well as Master grade. What is that?”
“Your System basics knowledge is sore lacking.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “Once you get your Class, tis at what is called a Basic Grade. You must get yourself up fifty levels and then your Class becomes Advanced Grade. At that point you can keep following your Class path or choose an upgraded path which’ll change your Class name and type. Another fifty levels here and you get to the Master Grade and another Class upgrade. The trend keeps going to Heroic, then Epic, Legendary and finally Celestial. One thing to keep a’mind of is that the higher your level and grade, the more experience it takes to keep leveling.” She waved a hand to encompass everyone around, “We’re all Basic Grade classes. The boys and I have been leveled up to forty, mostly by training and then adventuring. On a new world like this, we can probably hit Advance grade before long, and assuming we donnae die doing some’at stupid,” She winked at Joe, “we can probably hit Master Grade in a couple of years.”
Rory chortled and added, “Unless we keep sticking with a chancer like yourself and sponging up the experience with you and Bixby. Being in a party with you is pure barry.”
Joe pondered the answer for a bit then asked, “How long does it take to get to the last grade? Celestial?”
Kier answered this time. “Probably a few millennia. Nae anybody knows really. Tis no true record of anyone reaching such a grade. There’re rumors that some on the Pan-Dimensional Control Council members are at such a level, but at that point, you’re basically a god.
“So how high of a level do you think those that survived the tutorial are?”
Kier shrugged, “Depends on how much they embraced the System. Tis said the experience is double in the tutorial. At a guess, I’d say somewhere between ten and twenty-five, depending on how actively they hunted monsters.”
“And how much experience is required to get to that level?” Joe’s mind started to chew on a thought.
“Tis a steady jump level to level for the first five, then it increases each level after that. Lessee…” Kier got lost in some mental calculations for a few minutes, “To get to level five, you’d need…”
Mirabella blurted out, “Five thousand.” She then blushed. “Sorry. I like math and equations.”
Kier smiled, “Aye. You’re right lass.”
Joe looked at Mirabella, “Ok, can you tell me how much to get to level twenty-five?”
She raised an eyebrow and looked off in the distance for a moment, “I think about two-hundred thousand.”
Joe took a deep breath and finally asked, “So what level would two and a quarter million get me to?”
Everyone goggled at Joe. Mirabella looked shocked to her core and Rory sputtered, “You have…? That’s years of experience.”
Kier sat stroking his beard, “A’body could do it in a few years and a bit if they only killed monsters well above their own level constantly. But to do it in a month? Boyo, you’ve got gods meddling into your life.”
Mirabella didn’t seem to know who to look at, she appeared completely at a loss for words as Joe asked her, “So can you calculate that?”
“Are you even real?” she asked almost reverentially.
Joe smiled, “Yeah, I’m afraid so.” He then lifted an eyebrow as a reminder that he asked a question.
Mirabella shook her head, “Um, yes, right. At a conservative guess, that would put you well into the Advanced Grade of whatever Class you choose.”
“Tis nae fair. You’re a right monster as is. Once you get your class, you’ll be…” Rory let the thought trail off.
Joe felt like he should apologize to everyone for what seemed to be some sort of lucky break or more likely divine intervention, but it was all out of his hands and all he could do was go with the flow. With a sigh, he stretched his neck left and right, rolled his shoulders then dropped the subject altogether, “I have a few more notices to check and then I’ll be good to go.” He glanced at Bixby who was busy chewing on a paw next to Mirabella, who was absently petting him. Joe opened his next notification scroll.
Legendary Achievement Unlocked! Apocalypse Master! You are the first being in several millennia to survive a new world integration without the aid of the Tutorial! You are either a titan among your people or you have unfathomable luck! Rewards Unlocked! You and your companion gain +5 to all your statistics. Your Survival Skill has increased to Tier 5. Exp earned, 50,000 (Banked). Gold earned 25,000.
Legendary Title Unlocked! Apocalypse BAMF! You have survived your world’s integration without the aid of the Tutorial! You are one Bad Ass Monster Fighter! Rewards Unlocked! You and your companion gain +5 to all of your statistics. Your Survival Skill has increased to Tier 5. Exp earned, 50,000 (Banked). Gold earned 25,000.
Joe shook his head in amazement. This System. Jeez. Is it trying to turn me into something? I wish I knew.
The next screen shocked him and the look on his face caused Iona to shake him back to alertness. “Joe? You a’right?”
The others stopped their conversations and turned towards Joe. Bixby was by his side in an instant. Rory, raised an eyebrow, “You look like you’ve just seen your nan nekkid.”
Joe peered around at his friends, “I think the System is talking to me.”
Iona, perplexed took Joe’s hand, “What d’ye mean?”
The shock remained, but he managed to clear his head a bit, “Can I share any of my screens with you?”
Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.
Kier answered, “You can just will the screen to be shared with the party, or you can choose just one person.”
Joe focused and sent his notification to the party. Everyone’s eyes went wide. Mirabella made a soft “Oh.” Even Bixby dropped his ears and cocked his head staring into space.
Congratulations Joe Sherman! You have exceeded my expectations. It seems that my trust was not misplaced. I am well pleased. You have much to do in your world. Consider this an unofficial quest, stay alive and you will be greatly rewarded. Please accept this token of my appreciation… Apijkrpw309*7w98502lkarp@90391
The scroll stuttered in everyone’s view for a few seconds and then disappeared. The party sat stunned until Bixby licked Joe’s hand and butted his head against Joe’s arm. Joe came to and glanced around the group. For once Rory was quiet and it was Iona that spoke first. “That’s nae possible.”
Kier harumphed and stood. He walked over to Joe, placed a hand on his shoulder and leaned in close, “You’ve been teched by some’at beyond our ken and that scares me something fierce. But…” He clapped Joe on the shoulder and stood, “It does nae change our quest, nor our friendship.” He stepped back as Rory stepped forward and Iona stood. “You’re a right mystery Joe, an Mithra knows you’ve got a fate ahead of you that’d make any hero afraid of the dark. But you’re a braw an’ brawny lad and you have the Stoneshear Clan with you to face your troubles for as long as you’ll have us.” Kier held out his hand and Joe took it and stood.
“This shit gets crazier by the day, but I am so glad you guys have my back.” Bixby stood with Joe, wagging his tail.
Rory clapped Joe on the arm, “You’re a numpty longlegs, but I s’pose you’re our numpty now.” He looked down at Mirabella, “Are you sorry you’ve tied your cart to Joe’s horse yet, lassie?”
Mirabella smiled a wicked smile, “Not one bit. I came looking for adventure with my husband. He’d want me to not spend my time in mourning and get on with my life. When I have the chance, I’ll deal with his loss, until then, my blades are yours. And I’m curious to see where fate takes us.”
“Well, enough gabbing around. Let’s get cracking!” Rory hawked and spat as he began walking West while pulling out more jerky. Bixby quickly trotted next to him waiting for a handout.
Everyone laughed and the party moved on in a good mood. As they walked down the asphalt, Rory called out, “Who wants what from the goblin loot?”
Joe didn’t even bother to look at the party loot and said, “You guys divvy it amongst yourselves. You earned it for protecting Bixby and I.” Rory grunted and nodded then the rest began discussing the loot. Joe checked his last few notices.
Congratulations! You have gained the legendary ability Void Walker. This legendary ability allows you travel to any attuned Travel Stone from anywhere in your world [Earth] at no cost. Note, you may only travel to a Travel Stone but not back to your starting location. Additional note, this will not allow you to travel to other Worlds. You will need to use a Travel Stone to travel between Worlds, however, once on a new World, you may use this ability to travel to any attuned Travel Stone in that World.
Joe raised an eyebrow as he walked down the road. Well, that’s certainly an Ace-in-the-Hole ability. Wow. Joe opened his Inventory that was blinking at him and took a look at the newest entry.
Umbral Armor of Tyrannus Mhurghal
This Legendary armor once belonged to the Arcane Umbral Warden, Tyrannus Mhurghal a millennia ago. This is a set of Soulbound armor. The Soulbound Umbral Armor of Tyrannus Mhurghal is crafted from a slain Umbral Shade and affords the wearer 1200 points of armor. Additionally, the wearer gains [Shadow Merge]. [Shadow Merge] allows the user to become intangible for the duration of the spell, becoming immune to most physical attacks. [Shadow Merge] costs no Mana. This Legendary armor also grants the wearer the unique spell, [Umbral Soul Strike]. [Umbral Soul Strike] casts spikes of Umbral energy from the wearer in any direction the wearer wishes. Each strike does 200 points of Health damage and drains the target of 100 Mana. Each strike bypasses the target’s protection be it armor, natural resistances or magical shielding. Note: Any Soul Shielding spell will deflect 100% of Umbral Soul Strike’s damage! The damage from [Umbral Soul Strike] increases by +50 Health damaged and +25 Mana drained for every 10 of the wearers Levels. [Umbral Soul Strike] costs 100 Mana to cast. All Soulbound items can be summoned from and dismissed to the Ethereal plane at will.
Would you like to Soulbind the [Umbral Armor of Tyrannus Mhurghal]? Y/N?
Joe stopped in his tracks. Everyone around him stopped as well, looking either expectant or in Rory’s case, annoyed at yet another delay. “Sorry guys, but I just received an item, I think it’s from my unknown benefactor. It’s Soulbound armor and I’m positive it’s the companion armor to my swords.”
Rory, used his new clawed gauntlets to scratch at his rear end, shook his head and muttered, “Just take it and be done, you right lucky bastard.”
Iona turned on Rory, “Hold your tongue! You’re being a right scunner! Tis nae Joe’s fault some’at’s looking out for him. You’re just jealous.” She looked at Joe, “Pay him nae mind. He’s being a pure arse. You just do what you need to do for you and Bixby.” She made sure Joe was listening and added, “Take it one moment at a time. We can figure out the rest as we go.”
Joe nodded and took a breath and smiled, “Thank you. This is all so overwhelming at times.” He paused, “When I accept this, it may kick my ass for a minute. The swords did. Even Bixby felt that one.” He turned to Bixby, “You ready?” Bixby gave a yip and sat down. “OK.” Joe breathed out and accepted the Soulbind.
The forest shifted away from him as if in a drug induced dream. Images flooded through his mind in rapid fire sequence, many of which Joe thought were repeats of the images he saw when he accepted the swords. The man in black, smoking armor was swinging the swords in battle, but this time there were moments when dark shadows coalesced around him and lanced out in evil looking spikes to skewer his opponents or other times when he became like a shadowy fog in humanoid form and attacks passed harmlessly through him. The scenes played out one after another with the man in black a force of nature on the battlefield. Finally, the images slowed, and Joe found himself back in his own skin, but this time he was sitting cradled in Iona’s arms and not sprawled on the ground.
“Well, that wasn’t so bad.” Joe gulped air and felt someone wiping his forehead with a cloth. “How long was I out?”
Joe opened his eyes to see Kier kneeling next to him, “Jus’ a few minutes. Nae too long.”
Joe sat up and noticed that Bixby was leaning against him, breathing heavy as well. “You alright?” Bixby answered with a tail wag and stood up and shook himself. He licked Joe’s face and then trotted over to Rory and sat in front of him expectantly.
Rory looked irritated, “What? Your Master takes you through a brain scramble and you come looking ta old Rory for a handout?” He stood his ground with his hands on his hips. Bixby cocked his head and his tongue lolled out as he stared down Rory. After a few moments, Rory finally caved and pulled some jerky from his inventory. “I’m getting soft in the head.” He fed Bixby and patted his head, “You’re just lucky I like you.” Turning back to the others, “Can we get on with things now? I’d like to get away from this level fifty zone if you don’t mind.”
Joe smiled and stood. Everyone else began moving as he checked the armor in his inventory. Just as he had suspected the name of the armor changed to the Umbral Armor of Joseph Sherman. He also received a new notice which he checked as they moved.
Achievement Unlocked! Armed and Dangerous! You have equipped an integrated set of armor and weapons. Rewards Unlocked! You and your companion gain +2 to Agility and Perception. Exp earned, 8,000 (Banked). Gold earned 3,000.
Title Unlocked! Soul Antiquarian! You have become Soulbound to three or more items/creatures. Are you sure it’s a good idea to keep fracturing your soul? Rewards Unlocked! You and your companion gain +2 to Intelligence, Willpower and Luck. You have gained the ability Soul Barrier. Exp earned, 50,000 (Banked). Gold earned 25,000.
Congratulations! You have gained the Legendary ability Soul Barrier. This legendary ability protects you from spells and abilities that damage your Soul. Damage from any Soul Strike spells, or abilities is reduced by 10%. You will gain an Extra 5% for every five levels. Maximum resistance is 80%.
And the hits just keep on coming. Joe wiped his hair from his face and, with a resigned sigh, accepted what he could not control.
A few minutes of walking brought them to an old wooden train trestle parallel to the road they were traveling. The entire structure was covered in thick, ropey spider webs. Once upon a time there was a dirt road that led under a cutaway in the bridge to allow foot traffic through, but that entrance was now a web lined tunnel that no one in the party viewed as inviting. The entire forest behind the trestle was blanketed with webs. Joe, much to the groups dismay approached the opening.
“Wheesht! Joe! Donnae be a nutter!” Iona whispered loudly.
Right at the entrance, his nerves screaming at him to leave, a notice popped up.
Dungeon! Death Weaver Tunnels (50)
Status: Inhabited
Joe stepped back immediately and rejoined his friends. Quietly, “It’s a level fifty spider dungeon. Time to go.”
Rory snorted, “You’re just figuring that out?”
With wary eyes and senses alert, the group left the area without an encounter. A thousand feet later, they received a notice that they had entered a level thirty zone. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief as they crossed the zone threshold. And while they did not let their guard down, they did decide to move with a bit less stealth.