Nate trailed down the small hill and back to his Harley. The bike was a beautiful affair of slick lines and unadulterated speed. The bike’s earthy tones mirrored his complexion, forging a visual symbiosis between man and machine. Nate briefly considered putting on his helmet, but it was too late. The cops were already on their way, and what’s one more broken law at this point?
As the law yelled at him to stop, a second drone appeared to watch the scene. Nate simply revved up the engine, drowning out their voices. Without firearms, the police were practically useless. Though, if they planned on clubbing him to death, that wouldn’t be unheard of. However, if they were going to kill him, he’d take a few of them down with him. It wouldn’t be the worst way to go out.
As he cast a final gaze upon Seattle’s desolation, Nate sensed the tempest within him, a storm that had long dwelled beneath a façade of numbness. Depression and rage, two volatile companions, now converged in an icy confluence. They said that depression and rage were two sides of the same coin, and now Nate was flipping it. He had no plans for what came next and didn’t care. This was a one-way trip. He needed it to be. The fiery exit he once envisioned was no longer a feasible choice post-blip, but Nate was determined to pen his own dramatic finale, one worthy of a battle-hardened Marine.
A fresh onslaught of police cruisers screeched to an aggressive halt, barricading his escape route. Nate met their challenge with a resolute gaze and shifted his Harley into first gear, the mechanical reverberation a somber anthem of resilience. He may have lost everything, but the indomitable spirit of a Marine coursed through his veins, unyielding and unwavering. Surrender was an alien concept in his lexicon, and he would not relinquish his life without a fight.
The world shuddered right before Nate could slam the throttle down. Instead of rocketing forward, he hurtled backward into The System’s abyss. His anger, anxiety, and all his emotions were stripped away, replaced with a chilling emptiness that spread through him like a plague. For a moment, he was trapped in a void of nothingness, unable to move or think, until a single thought pierced through the darkness. Were his emotions manipulated by an unknown force, or had they simply been severed from his body? His scattered thoughts coalesced, only to be shattered by the appearance of text.
> Greetings from the Innomatte Protectorate!
>
> This Blip has been generated in accordance with the Terms and Conditions.
>
> Your species has been fully assessed, and The System will now start integration.
>
> You have been assigned the rank of Soldier. Soldiers have access to [Inspect] and advanced combat abilities.
>
> Please select an origin.
>
> Note: Some results have been omitted due to incompatibility.
>
> * Traditional.
>
> *Mutant
>
> *Faith
>
> *Technological
Soldier? That seemed appropriate, but what did it mean by rank?
> We have determined ranks of beneficiaries: Rules, Soldiers, Workers, and Meat. Please note: Changing from one rank to another is possible through luck or effort. Loss of rank is also possible by similar means.
If Nate still had eyebrows, they’d have arched skyward in sheer surprise, practically disappearing into his hairline. The System had responded—what an intriguing twist. However, the information it dished out was thoroughly FUBAR. A sliver of Nate’s consciousness acknowledged that he should be infuriated, but it dawned on him that perhaps it was a blessing that The System had detached his emotions during the Blip. With his emotions intact, he’d probably be reduced to a sputtering mess rather than making rational decisions in the face of this revelation.
Despite his military background, any form of classism grated on Nate’s nerves more than a bare-skinned biker hurtling through the aftermath of a high-speed crash. He believed classism lay at the root of most of the world’s woes. No one should ever consider themselves superior to others based on superficial virtues like skin color or wealth. Yet here was The System, tossing another divisive measure into the arena for humanity to turn upon itself.
Thanks to his emotional detachment, Nate could dismiss it with a mental shrug and redirect his focus to the next item on the agenda: his rank. “Soldier” seemed like a fitting moniker for a Marine. The origins listed below piqued his curiosity, each beckoning like a hyperlink, rendered in bold blue and underlined. In that peculiar moment, Nate made a mental choice, selecting the first.
> Traditional:
>
> Usability: Easy
>
> Select from available classes. Each level you are granted 2 assigned Ability Points, defined by class selection, and 1 free point. You are also granted their choice of available abilities every other level, defined by class selection.
>
> Available Classes:
>
> Assassin
>
> Barbarian
>
> Knight
>
> Mage
>
> Ranger
>
> Warrior
“Looks interesting,” Nick thought, “kind of like traditional video game roles. A mage might be cool. Wait, is there magic now? If that is the case that might explain the need for advanced combat skills.” A wave of panic threatened to well up inside Nate, but the system quickly squashed it away. I guess the world is going to be headed for even more turmoil. As if what was happening wasn’t enough. Mage really does sound interesting. But [Warrior] and [Knight] might be better if I need to fight. Those seem more suited to conflict. I but better check out the other options.”
> Mutant:
>
> Usability: Medium
>
> Each level you are granted 12 Power Points. Points can be spent on Ability Points, mutations, and upgrading mutations. Unless specifically noted, mutations do not cause visible changes to physical appearance.
>
> Available mutations:
>
> Burrowing
>
> Communication
>
> Comprehend
>
> Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.
>
> Create
>
> …
>
> …
>
> …
>
> Summon
>
> Swimming
>
> Teleport
>
> Weaken
The [Mutant] class looked like a throwback to Nate’s comic book days with Kelsey, and now he could build his own superhero. He scrolled through the information again. There were a lot of options available, each with its own cost. And each option was further customizable. To compound matters, some of the ability upgrades were one-time costs, and some added to the overall cost of the power. Some more expensive abilities, like shapeshifting, cost upwards of eight points. And he hand to split those choices alone with Ability Points. And abilities cost 2 Power Points to points to raise. “Wait, what are Ability Points?”
> Ability Points are a measure of your physical and mental abilities.
>
> The six basic scores are Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. The base ability score for your species is 10.
>
> “Interesting. It seems like this is more interactive than I thought. Can I see my ability score? Um, Please?” Nate thought.
>
> Nate Fredmon:
>
> Rank: Soldier
>
> Class: [Undefined]
>
> Level: 1
>
> STR: 14
>
> DEX: 11
>
> CON: 12
>
> INT: 10
>
> WIS: 11
>
> CHA: 9
A flicker of annoyance briefly rippled through Nate’s mental landscape as he perused his abilities, only to have the Blip ruthlessly whisk away the irritation. On a subjective level, Nate concurred with the assessment, though he found it slightly irksome. Granted, he wasn’t the epitome of sociability, but he believed he could conjure up a facade of charm when circumstances demanded it. Yet, with no one left to file a grievance with, Nate begrudgingly shifted his focus toward the next available option.
> Faith:
>
> Usability: Medium
>
> Select from available classes. Each level you are granted 2 assigned Ability Points, defined by class selection, and 1 free point. You are also granted their choice of available abilities every 5 levels and a spell specialization every second level.
>
> Available specializations:
>
> Priest
>
> Cleric
>
> Monk
>
> Zealot
>
> Paladin
“Faith-based?” Nate wondered, his thoughts meandering through the labyrinth of unexpected revelations. He had been raised Catholic, uttering his fair share of desperate prayers in times of crisis, but he’d never considered himself devoutly religious. Years had passed since he last attended Mass, and in the wake of the galaxy-expanding revelations that humanity was no longer alone in the cosmos, the very concept of God had become a nebulous enigma.
But what indeed weighed on him was the notion of a faith-based choice being compatible with him. It was as if the universe was raising an eyebrow, casting a searching gaze into the depths of his soul. Nate couldn’t help but ponder the implications of this revelation. Should he unearth it, the answer might reveal truths he wasn’t quite prepared to confront. In haste, he shifted his attention to the next section, reluctant to delve further into the theories of self.
> Technological:
>
> Usability: Difficult
>
> Each level you are granted 3 free Ability Points. Starts with one free specialization. Every three levels you may choose a new specialization or advance a current specialization. Requires access to materials.
>
> Available specializations:
>
> Armor
>
> Weapon
>
> Industrial
>
> Agricultural
>
> Cybernetic
Nick muttered to himself, taking in the sheer number of choices before him. The void of emotion made his thoughts clear, and he carefully weighed the pros and cons of each potential class. He immediately dismissed the technological class; it had never piqued his interest, and the warning about needing access to materials only reinforced his decision. Although the idea of power armor was intriguing, it wasn’t enough to sway him. Shifting his focus, Nick considered what would be most efficient for him and what would align with his desires. If he was stuck with a choice, it might as well be something he enjoyed.
After reviewing things again, [Mutant] seemed to be the odd one out. The point buy system was different, and while the other classes received three Ability Points per level, [Mutant] required him to spend half of his Power Points to purchase the same amount of AP. He could focus all of his Power Points into AP and grow twice as strong, but he would miss out on any of the other origins’ abilities, which must be worth 6 Power Points per level. Despite this, the [Mutant] origin had a flexibility in design that the others lacked.
What really sold Nate on the idea was the nostalgia that came with it. Mutants and superpowers brought back memories of his elementary school days when he and Kelsey argued about the best superpowers. Kelsey always went for invulnerability, like the big S Man, but Nate argued that they always had super weaknesses and were always falling under mind control. Nate did a quick double-check and found that mind control was not on the list of available options. Maybe the IP really did value free agency?
Nate believed it wasn’t the strongest who would win but the one who used what they had most creatively. Hidden powers could be a lot more effective than a brute with a fist. Nate remembered Kelsey disagreed, but maybe she just had a thing for muscular guys in tights.
Nate scanned the list of available abilities, looking for one that would give him an edge. His mind kept returning to telekinesis, a power he had always found fascinating. It was versatile, able to move objects from a distance and give him an upper hand in various situations. After some consideration, he settled on the ability [Move Object].
As he read through the ability description, he couldn’t help but feel underwhelmed. The information was lackluster, stating that he could interact with objects remotely using an invisible force. The amount of force he could exert was determined by his rank and his [WIS] score, and the range was determined by his rank and his [DEX] score. It was a sustainable effect, but it would cause a minimal drain on his willpower.
“Wait, how do you define willpower?” Nate thought.
> It is a hidden statistic, a flexible derivative of Wisdom and Constitution affected by physical, mental, and external conditions.
Nate’s thoughts swirled in a disorienting dance as he delved into the myriad modifiers for [Move Object]. An overwhelming assortment lay before him, offering everything from sensory enhancements like colors and scents to the disturbing prospect of remotely experiencing an object’s tactile sensations. There were also opportunities to augment range and strength, but ultimately, Nate gravitated toward the fine motor control option, demanding an additional Power Point. Currently modest in its potential, he recognized that with time, it could evolve into something truly extraordinary—an unseen hand jabbing bad guys in the eyes, à la the Three Stooges.
Returning to the list, Nate contemplated his other options. While [Move Object] granted versatility, he needed capabilities for offense and defense, ideally in a single choice. After some pondering, he settled upon [Energy Control]. This path offered an array of energies to manipulate—electricity, water, gravity, plasma, lava, and beyond. The idea of summoning lightning from his fingertips held a visceral appeal, yet in this emotionless Blip, the practicality of gravity manipulation loomed large. Nate envisioned not only manipulating external gravitational forces but potentially even altering his own gravity for flight. This notion simmered on the back burner as he continued perusing the list.
Ultimately, he opted for [Kinetic Force], recognizing its versatility. With it, he could erect barriers to absorb impacts or unleash potent energy blasts upon adversaries. Much like [Move Object], [Energy Control] presented various options, from cosmetic choices to pricier enhancements blending various energy types. The superhero enthusiast within Nate contemplated these as additional tools against opponents with specific resistances, although the doubled cost per level deterred him. Instead, he selected the precise control option, akin to [Move Object], costing only a single Power Point. The concept of sculpting the kinetic field into a surgical blade of precision held immense allure.
The sea of possibilities stretched before him, and Nate sensed he could lose himself exploring them for an eternity. Yet, an instinctual certainty told him he had already made his choices. The one-time bonuses cost him two Power Points, but their value was undeniable, especially considering the potential to double up on his abilities at the next level. A realization dawned upon him, a stark awareness that the Blip would conclude with a confrontation against a horde of law enforcement officers. He understood that at the moment before the Blip, he was headed to his death. But now, without the burden of emotion, he found the desire to live.
Nate couldn’t quite pinpoint the reason—perhaps it was a thirst to explore his newfound abilities or the desire to prove Kelsey wrong. Regardless, today wouldn’t be the day he met his end. With resolute determination, Nate allocated the remaining six points to his Stat Points, bolstering his strength and charisma. Because screw being below average. With a final review, he clicked the submit button.
> Thank you, Participant, for accepting The System.
>
> Please note: There is a planned Blip in 0.017 nano UTM.
>
> Planned update: To encourage the growth of local species, pathways access will begin, and essence-rich growth devices will be inserted into your macrocosm.
>
> Thank you for your participation as we now return you to your existence, already in progress.