Words caught in my throat and a surprised expression was plastered across my face. Not to mention the fact that my eyes were as wide as saucers. My amazement jumped a few levels as the small dog floated up a few inches in the air. My now empty hands, relieved of their weight, remained motionless, still cupped as my eyes followed her up further until she hovered up to the level of my face. “Hi,” was all I could muster in response, my voice far less elegant. In actuality, it sounded more like a drawn-out question. A smile stared back at me, no other words forthcoming until words appeared again in my vision. The message was spaced evenly between us, like a pop-up message from an old computer screen. The window was translucent, complete with a small border encompassing it “What, what… is… how do I…” My mind felt like it was sputtering. Unknown to me, two conflicting lifetimes of memories were warring with each other.
One part was saying humorously, “That’s just an instant message,” and, “Oh cool, it’s floating in front of me. Weird. ” The part of me that had been my only known existence was desperately asking, “What the hell is a computer?” The effect was quite unsettling.
Warning – # Error # - Race Selection Required.
After reading the message, my muscles locked ridged as if I was suddenly and completely changed into a statue. The inability to move or turn my gaze away from the message, nor shout in surprise to the animal behind it, threatened to bring my jumbled mind crashing down in flames. Struggling with all my might, fear gripped tightly until the realization dawned on me that I was, at least, still breathing. For some reason though, I was not able to move any other part of my body.
“I apologize for the suddenness of that,” Stella tilted her head to the side as if looking around the message between us. “But you’re not supposed to be picking a race right now. The System is… a little confused because we’re in the world.” She was speaking as if I knew everything that was happening to me. Swiping her paw in the air, Stella continued. “Looks like you’re required to choose your starting race and the System won’t let you do anything else until you do. I know you have a ton of questions, so please bear with me. All of your questions will be answered, I assure you. To get this moving, think race selection.”
Had I been able to control myself, I would have been hyperventilating. What the hell was happening? It was as if my brain was moving at a thousand miles an hour while simultaneously trying to walk through molasses. How can you understand and not understand what’s being told to you?
“Think race selection,” Stella repeated, her voice soothing. That helped calm me, at least a little so I took a deep mental breath and thought race selection, feeling like an idiot all the while.
Please make your race selection. Warning – This choice is irreversible.
Well, that certainly wasn’t helping my mood, but before my eyes the window changed, and proceeded to list dozens upon dozens of races, not to mention combinations of races. What the hell was a ‘Galgonian’? The list seemed endless but failed to include any information beyond the name. With an inability to utter the questions I had flitting through my mind, I resigned to the situation and had ‘Human’ highlighted. But, the second half of my mind was warring for dominance and was pulling me towards another listed a few lines down. ‘Half-Elf’, it showed. Both aspects of my mind understood that one. In my haste of going through the massive list, I had seen other races that I had been familiar with, such as dwarf, goblin, or even orc. Both parts of my psyche were finally in lockstep as I knew what those were. Other than half-elf, my twin selves outright dismissed all of those. I liked Humans, I was one. I could agree with my other self.
For a reason I wouldn’t fathom at that moment, my mind was being pulled towards that half-elf option. The feeling was as if, whenever presented with this type of choice in the past, that’s what I always picked. My new companion, Stella, was hovering patiently behind the window giving me as much time as I needed. Seeing as I couldn’t speak and was still locked ridged, it made sense. So, as the seconds passed and without any other thought on the matter I chose.
Selection: Half-Elf. Confirm this as your Hunter race? Y/N
Mentally selecting yes, a cool sensation in my toes began traveling upwards, touching every part of my body up to the top of my head. In the wake of this magic, and thankfully without any pain whatsoever, my body changed. My muscles, which were previously akin to that of a skinny youth who barely engaged in any physical activity, became well-defined and taut. Under my shirt, I felt my stomach muscles flex. My legs grew longer, suddenly feeling like I could pounce away like a gazelle in a fraction of a moment. My cheeks flattened and my jawline had an edge that felt like it could now cut stone. My curly dark locks, which had been tussled daily by many a villager, straightened and became a shade lighter. Beyond feeling stronger than I had ever felt a day in my life, the other most notable change was my eyesight. My vision had always been fine, but now, well it was as if I was wearing glasses for the first time and fully realizing how perfect my eyesight could be. Everything was crisp and I could suddenly make out the tiny drops of dew clinging to the small blades of grass a good twenty paces away. It was a miraculous change.
Reaching my hands up, my ears now had a slight point that reached up to the few clouds that were lingering in the sky above. In a matter of seconds, I went from a lanky youth to a young, fit man. “Well, actually a half-elf now,” I said aloud with a hint of wonder that tugged the corner of my lips upwards. Limbering up, my body felt like I was ready for a small marathon, “This feels good.”
“You look good,” Stella said as she appraised my new form, her tiny head looking me up and down. “Like going from the runt of the litter to the prized foal from a prodigious bloodline. It suits you.”
“What, what?” I asked with a bit of trepidation edging into my voice. “How do I know… No, why did I pick half-elf as a race? A part of me wanted to choose that, like I’ve done the very thing a dozen times before. Just what is happening to me?” My mind swam through possibilities, but before she could even consider forming an answer, an ocean of memories came crashing down upon me like an avalanche, burying me beneath its crushing weight. A life locked behind a veil of impenetrable darkness had been granted a pathway and, like a blazing beacon of light, that meteor reached the deepest corners of my psyche. Simultaneously overwhelmed, yet also narrowed down to smaller than a needle point, twin lives that were worlds apart were slammed irrevocably together.
Memories, experiences, and aspects of who I was from Earth charged a blazing path through my mind. I remembered everything. Everything before a life on this world.
In the first few moments, it was as if two aspects of who I was were preparing to wage a war, where I innately knew neither could or would be victorious. Yet, as the seconds ticked by, two completely different sets of memories found a rhythm, stepping forward in this new world together. Footsteps into the past, a life on earth, and footsteps from the present, as Xazorus, had fused irrevocably together.
Realization and understanding dawned. Like two life-sized puzzles that had never meant to interact, much less be aware of the other, combined in new and wonderous ways, creating a wholly unique and singular being. I was still Xazorus, yet I was also… more. I had two lifetimes of memories, two births, two sets of parents, and two lives that were so unlike the other that before neither would have been able to recognize the other.
The name of my previous life from Earth flittered in my mind but was then lost to the eddies that silently formed near the countess dams of memories, only to be overflowed as new pathways and new ideas were absorbed into who I now was. My former life was no longer locked away, as time passed, my twin lives, my existence, solidified. It simply yielded to who I was now, in this moment. Confusion gave way to acceptance. Fear turned into a strength that radiated from the core of my being. Before I had been two, with a universe separating each other, now I had become one. “I… am… Xaz.”
Acceptance, this is who I now was. Before I could ask Stella for guidance, several messages speared in my vision, one after the other as I read each in turn.
Abilities (Unlocked): Darkvision, Keen Senses
Traits (Unlocked): Adaptability, Mind and Matter, Accelerated
“Okay, I need some help here. Stella? That’s your name, right?” My eyes focused beyond the message to the inquisitive eyes of the poodle floating there. She nodded. The window in front of me minimized, my desire to know more about my situation seemed far more pressing. Stella’s smile never faltered as it was clear I was struggling inwardly, her patience helped calm my nerves somewhat. “You’re an accelerator? Who and just what are you exactly.”
With a cheery voice Stella responded, “My name, my designation, is Stella. My name is an analogy for the unique accelerator that I am. It stands for Sentient, Terrestrial, Exploration, Life, and Logistics Accelerator.” While she spoke, Stella took a step back in the air and then settled gently on the grass in front of me. Taking a seat, her voice took on the quality of a trusted instructor. While I processed what she was saying, another part of my mind was amazed at her graceful ability to fly, or float, or whatever she did. Nothing I could sense or feel explained how she was able to do that. There was no gust of wind or sound while she had moved. For her, it looked as natural as walking.
“While I can feel and am aware of who and what I am, most would call me simply an artificial intelligence,” she continued. “My role as an accelerator is to assist a Hunter as you progress through this world and beyond. That’s what you have now become, a Hunter. Through me, you can access the Game interface like your character status, inventory, system messages, and a myriad of other useful tools that we’ll be discovering together. As you grow in power, levels, and experience, so will I."
The most interesting part of what had just been explained was that I had understood everything Stella said. The lingo, the new words that the person I was just this morning would have had no way of comprehending, but now… Now, I knew so much more, frighteningly so. It felt like my mind was accessing memories from something outside my life, yet it was my life. While disconcerting as it was to be able to access all of this, the memories allowed me to comprehend what was happening.
“Here, let me show you,” Stella said and waved a paw. As she did, the message that had previously minimized itself reappeared. As my eyes took in the message once more, she continued. “Focus on certain words within the System message and you’ll be able to pull up additional information.” Following her advice, more messages popped up one after the other.
Darkvision (Ability) – Grants the ability to change vision to allow sight in near-total darkness. Maximum vision in low light is 300 feet. Maximum vision in near-darkness is 100 feet.
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Keen Senses (Trait) – Grants enhanced visual and auditory acuity.
Adaptability (Trait) – Grants a 10% bonus to all ability scores to represent your varied and adaptable nature.
Mind and Matter (Trait) – Through the combination of your elvish and human heritage, you are equally suited to both the mental and the physical. You are versatile. You are capable of advancing far in either of these pursuits. Grants a 10% bonus to experience earned towards the advancement of all skills, abilities, and spells.
Accelerated (Trait) – As a Hunter, you receive 4 attribute points to distribute per level. You’ll go far, Hunter. Fight well.
Notice! Extreme affinity detected with the unique accelerator, S.T.E.L.L.A., Racial Bonus upgraded to Extreme Acceleration.
Extreme Acceleration (Trait) – Your ‘Accelerated’ ability has combined with the unique Accelerator known as S.T.E.L.L.A. to magnify the number of attributes you receive per level. As a Hunter, you now receive 6 attribute points to distribute per level. You’ll go farther, Hunter. Crush your enemies.
“Nicely done,” Stella said as the last message closed. “Now that your abilities have been unlocked, let’s take a look at your level. Like your race selection, this would normally have been completed before you entered the world, but this one is far easier. Focus on the blinking icon at the bottom left of your vision, the one that looks like a golden up-turned arrow. Mentally click on that and we’ll get that taken care of.” As I selected the blinking icon, as an afterthought Stella added, “Keep in mind that you can only level up when you are out of combat.”
Level Up! Congratulations on reaching level 1. You have 6 attribute points to distribute. Please make your selection now.
“Excellent. Now, as a Hunter, whenever you level you can grow stronger. How you wish to do that is entirely up to you and is measured through the ability scores that you saw before when your character status was displayed. As a half-elf, and because I am a unique accelerator, the typical number of points you receive has been amplified. You should note that typically only Human Hunters begin in this world. Normally, if you would have chosen a half-elf race, you would have been seeded elsewhere.” Stella motioned with a paw as if waving that last thought away. “We can talk about that later. For now, let’s look at your abilities scores and get more information on those. Mentally select each characteristic and additional information will be displayed.” Following her advice, additional messages were displayed.
Strength is one factor in determining how much damage is inflicted with melee weapons, skills, and abilities. It also impacts total carry weight before suffering movement penalties and, in part, total Stamina. Each point of Strength grants 0.5% increased damage with melee attacks, an additional 4 pounds of carry weight, and +5 Stamina.
Dexterity is one factor in determining how much damage is inflicted with ranged weapons, skills, and abilities. It also impacts accuracy, the likelihood of scoring a critical hit and dodging incoming attacks. Each point of Dexterity grants 0.5% increased accuracy, 0.5% increased critical strike chance, and 0.5% increased chance to dodge.
Constitution is one factor in determining maximum Health, the regeneration rate of Health, and, in part, total Stamina. Each point of Constitution grants +10 Health and +5 Stamina.
Intelligence is one factor in determining maximum Mana, the regeneration rate of Mana, and the ability to successfully cast spells. Each point of intelligence grants +10 Mana.
Wisdom is one factor in determining Mana regeneration, magical resistances, and, to some extent, resistance to mental attacks.
Charisma is one factor in determining the overall ability to influence those around you. It also impacts the price of goods and services from NPC merchants, as well as the likelihood of earning hidden quests and rewards. Each point of Charisma grants 0.5% improved prices of goods and services from NPC merchants, and a chance of receiving hidden quests and rewards.
Luck is one factor in determining the likelihood that an event, situation, or similar instances will have a positive result.
“Okay,” I sighed, just a hint of exhaustion in my voice. “I feel better with those descriptions, they seem pretty typical. Strength affects how hard I hit, as well as how much I can carry. Dexterity determines how accurate I am with my attacks and will help me avoid being hit in turn. Constitution impacts my total health pool and, in combination with my strength, how long I can fight. Intelligence governs my mana, how many times I can cast spells, and, well, if I can even use a spell or not. Wisdom is most mana regeneration and magical resistances. Charisma marks how positively I can connect with other people, like how much I might be charged when buying something. Finally, luck, makes it likely for good things to happen to me. Is that about right?”
With a nod, Stella agreed with my assessment, “Yes, but as the System mentioned, there are many factors that come into play here. There are a thousand subtle ways that your attributes touch everything around you. If you think about it, it’s kind of hard to narrow down all that you are to just these five ability scores. For ease of use though, that’s what we have. Now, you have six points to distribute since you’ve reached level one. I see your hesitation, for now, I would recommend that you try for a balanced approach until you can figure out what you want to do.”
“I think that’s a good idea.” Looking over my attributes, a plus symbol was next to each and I was able to play around seeing that I could change them around with ease. “Let’s put one into strength, one into dexterity, and two into constitution. Having more health right away seems like a good idea. Last, let’s put the final two points into intelligence. I’m not too worried about wisdom, charisma, or luck for now, but that could change later. I guess we’ll find out.” After using all six points, an option to confirm appeared which I selected.
As soon as the level-up was confirmed, a rush of warmth flooded throughout my body. The change was similar to when I changed to a half-elf in how quickly the change took. My muscles became slightly larger and more defined. I felt healthier like I could run a mile without needing to pause for rest. For my intelligence, well that was harder to distinguish, but my mind did feel clearer like I could focus that much more than I had seconds before. “Damn, that feels nice,” I uttered as I arched my back. My eyes closed as I took in a deep breath. Cool air entered my lungs, and I felt more at ease. It was like I had just woken from the best night of sleep of my life.
“Does it feel like that every time,” I asked, opening my eyes to witness Stella floating upwards. Her motion reminded me that I was still sitting on slightly damp grass, so I picked myself up.
Stella’s gaze looked over my body, nodding her head in approval at the changes. “Sure does. Take a look at your new attributes and also bring up your new health, mana, and stamina pools.” As she spoke, I focused once more on my status page. While the changes seemed minor, they would only get better as time went on.
Attributes
Strength: 7
Dexterity: 7
Constitution: 8
Intelligence: 8
Wisdom: 6
Charisma: 6
Luck: 6
Health: 75
Mana: 75
Stamina: 75
Confused at my health and mana, I looked over to Stella who was patiently waiting. “Why do I only have seventy-five health and mana? My constitution and intelligence both show the new value of eight. Before when they showed to be five, I had fifty for both. Shouldn’t they both be at eighty now?” I had an idea of why this could be, but it would be best to ask my resident expert, wouldn’t it?
“It’s from adaptability, one of your traits,” Stella must have seen the slight confusion that crossed my features when she mentioned the word ‘trait.’ I had only dimly considered the word before. This had been a lot of information to unpack, even if part of me had a solid guess of what this all meant. She continued without a hint of irritation in her voice, “A trait is a special power granted by the System and can vary greatly depending on the race you’ve selected. Different from an ability which can usually be toggled on and off with a thought, a trait gives a bonus that is almost always constant.”
“Wait, so you’re also saying that everyone who picks a Human, for example, may not receive the same traits and abilities?” I asked. “If that’s true, then are any of mine good or noteworthy?” It's not like I could change what I had been granted after all, but the thought nagged at me.
Darkvision would likely be handy down the road as being able to see in the dark would certainly ease any anxiety one would normally fear at the lack of seeing anything. Keen senses, well, it seemed underwhelming at first. Being able to see farther and smell better was nice, but it wasn’t game-changing, per se. Then again, I could be wrong. I didn’t lie earlier when it felt like I could see everything around me for the first time. I certainly didn’t want to go back to before that trait was unlocked. For adaptability, receiving a straight ten percent boost to all stats seemed awesome, but in this blank canvas of a world, was that percentage high or was it low? The same went for mind and matter, ten percent experience could be awesome, or it could be crap. Leveling too quickly could sometimes be bad for you, well, as far as I seemed to recall. Finally, there was extreme acceleration, now that one seemed quite powerful if I just looked at the bonus it gave. Compared to a base human, I would be receiving half again as many attribute points. A fifty percent bonus there would make a world of difference as the levels added.
Stella must have caught on to my internal musings because she hadn’t responded to my question right away. Seeing my eyes reach back up to hers, with a slight smile she responded. “Normally this type of information may not be available to Hunters. There are varying degrees of rarities with Accelerators. We’ll talk about that later, but as I am considered unique, I have much more access to the System and information behind the scenes, so to speak. Sadly, darkvision and keen sense are listed as common, so nothing to be excited about. Still, with your vision ability, it can mean life or death if you are ambushed at night. So don’t let the common tag worry you.” A breeze came through nearby trees and for a moment I caught the scent of burning wood, but I quickly put it out of my mind. Stella didn’t seem to notice other than her curly locks gently caressing her small frame.
“Your adaptability is rare. The ten percent bonus is higher than you normally see and flat percentage bonuses can be hard to come by. Well, other than when you reach certain thresholds with your attributes, but we’ll get to that later. Mind and matter is rare for the same reasons. Now, your extreme accelerator that’s listed as epic quality.” Stella smirked at that and puffed her chest out. Her jaw worked back and forth in satisfaction at that, “Feel free to thank me for that one.”
She seemed honestly proud of herself, not at all arrogant, just happily prideful so I was inclined to agree with her. Stella had been incredibly patient and kind with me thus far, her light humor and charm was already feeling endearing. “Thank you,” I said as the corners of my lips curled upwards.
My eyes were drawn to my interface and I noticed three bars to the bottom right of my view. The top bar was red, which I understood represented my health. Below that was a blue one that clearly represented my mana. Below both of those was a green bar, and the knowledge I had unlocked made me easily guess it to be my stamina. Spotting a small folder, I found that I was able to open it at will, pulling up previous System messages.
Stella’s eyes had followed my gaze exactly so I got the sense she could see exactly what I was looking at. Well, she did say she was responsible for these connections, right? So, that made sense. She continued guiding me along, “Your interface is fully customizable and is incredibly user-friendly. If you wish additional details to show up, simply think about it. For example, for those three resource pools, for health, mana, and stamina, think about adding the numeric value or percentage remaining. Or, you could have both if you want.”
The percentage remaining sounded good to me, so with Stella’s guidance, I made the change. Now, a white one hundred percent sat in the middle of the three bars. It had an old-school RPG-vibe to it. Role-playing game, yet again I was astonished I knew exactly what that was. “So, you’re my accelerator, and you’ll help me through this game,” I looked inquisitively at Stella. “But, can I ask why? What do you gain from all of this?”
Before answering my question, Stella turned in the air towards the crumpled form of the man Duke had murdered. Her shoulders slumped in defeat, and she let out a long sigh. “He was my friend. Other accelerators would have just called him ‘master’, but he was more than that to me. His name was Stouter the Fortunate. Before the end… yeah, he knew his life was coming to an end. Duke was hot on his trail, but before he… before Duke found him, Stouter charged me with finding someone like him. Someone who is so unlike the thousands of other Hunters that ravage these worlds. Only a person of like spirit could have heard my call. That someone is you.” Stella turned to face me, a serious expression coming over her canine features, “Someone who has the will to end the Game.”