Tom and Alex made their way toward the library, the muted hum of settlement life filling the air around them. Makeshift structures stood side by side with scavenged materials, and the occasional laugh or bark of orders echoed through the bustling hub.
"Alright," Alex began, ticking items off her fingers. "Food stocks are looking good, and we set up your scribes. Duncan's trying to wrangle the crafters. Abaddon should be making potions. Skippy and Travis are training people."
Tom nodded as he stepped over a stray piece of rubble. "What's our population looking like?"
Alex sighed, pulling a rough ledger from her bag. "We’ve got a little over five thousand now. A thousand of which are orphaned kids. Two hundred elderly, and the rest are ages thirteen to thirty."
Tom let out a low whistle. "That’s a lot of kids. What’s the breakdown of skills and experience?"
"Pretty grim fucking grim. The average level is ten, but that's almost entirely due to the quests you handed out. So from the experience angle, they are basically noobs. We’re training them, and plenty are interested. Skippy’s got his hands full trying to teach the basics without breaking them. Unfortunately I think we'll end up with a problem. Most of our people are larpers and teenagers. So we have a lot of interest from people being warriors. But very little in anything else. Unfortunately, we have the opposite problem with everyone else." Alex said, her tone somewhere between admiration and frustration.
"And crafting supplies?" Tom asked, his mind already sorting priorities.
"Pretty good, actually," Alex replied with a smirk. "Travis managed to disassemble a couple of houses, so we’ve got a few tons of wood to work with. We also dismantled some cars for metal, and the hunters brought in plenty of animal hides from the last outing."
Tom nodded as he looked out the window. "At least the materials are coming in. Duncan will need to start using them more strategically. Maybe set up a workshop rotation or assign specialists."
"That's his problem," Alex said as she jotted something down in his notepad. "Anything else?"
They reached the library of the digital dream. The entire place felt like he was cozying up under the covers with a good book, causing Tom to pause for a moment and let the quiet settle over him.
"Tim, for my class upgrade," Tom said as he let out a breath.
This wasn't going to be a standard class upgrade. In fact, he was going well off the beaten path with this one. If he wanted to stay ahead he was going to need to cheat the system. Hopefully, his soul wouldn't explode from the attempt.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Alex asked.
Tom's eyes narrowed as he stared at her.
"Are you asking that so you can avoid work?" he asked.
"I can't believe you would suggest such a thing!" Alex said in mock outrage. "And even if it was true, you couldn't prove it anyway."
"You can keep people away from me while I work on myself. This one is going to take some time," Tom said.
"Sure," she said with a shrug.
He immediately plopped his ass down in a beanbag and activated [Soul Forge], descending into his soul space. The place had changed so much since the last time he had been here, and he almost didn't recognize it. His [Tactician] Class was a nebula of green in a constellation of little birds, barely out of its shell. Despite that, it looked a little stretched thin, like butter on too much toast. He would really need to add more levels to that one; actually, he could use more levels for everything.
The [Augur] Class was golden but smaller than he would have liked. The [Augur] was supposed to be the cornerstone of his build, but he kept needing to put it aside.
He shook his head as he turned to focus on his two new classes. The [Scribe] was a book in a brown nebula, and the [Pro-Gamer] was in a blue nebula and looked like a chess piece.
You couldn't normally hurt yourself in your own soul space. But Tom was pretty sure this was going to be extremely painful. He had made sure to save his three skill points so he could spend them on this attempt, and he wanted to see if he could trick the system. A little while ago, he came across an online form about a player who had acquired a legendary artifact for his guild, the black dragons.
The item allowed them to modify their own or their characters' souls. Practically speaking, this meant they could manipulate their own classes and skills, a nearly exact copy of what Tom's bloodline allowed him to do.
The difference was that the black dragons took soul damage with every use of the item. So, clearly, Tom's bloodline was more practical. But the black dragons had posted everything they did on YouTube, and he had happened to watch the video. He then downloaded the videos from YouTube and rewatched them last night—all thirty-seven of them. Most of them were just the players killing themselves, but it did give him a lot of insight into how to use his [Soul Forge] skill.
Honestly, Tom owed the black dragons a lot. If not for those videos, he wouldn't have even considered this approach, nor would he have been able to cheat the system like he was about to. He just hoped his resistance to soul damage meant he wouldn't explode like that guy in the video had. He brought the two classes together and waited for the notification.
DING!!!
You are attempting to combine [Scribe] + [Pro-Gamer]
Would you Like to be a [Biblomancer] or [Exorcist]?
This was the critical part. According to the video, he needed to select both options at the same time. Normally, the system would just send him an error message and ask him to select again. But if he held it in place with his bloodline, then he would technically be both a [Biblomancer] and an [Exorcist] at that moment.
He would also immediately start taking soul damage, so he had to make this quick.
Tom pressed the button and then willed the notification to lock up, freezing it in place with his bloodline just like he had seen in the video. Immediately, he could feel it, even though his resistance to soul damage, like he was being stretched thin, was the first sign he was taking soul damage. Then came the second symptom, a deep, all-consuming itch. It wouldn’t be long before it became so intense he would start clawing skin from his flesh. But it worked. He checked his status and confirmed it. Right now, according to the system, he was both a [Biblomancer] and an [Exorcist].
He quickly opened the skill store as his body started to squirm and twitch. He quickly began buying up skills.
DING!!!
[3x0rc1st B1bl0m@nc3r] Skills
1. [B@n1sh] - C0mm0n: F0rc3 @n 3xtr@-pl@ne@r be1ng t0 r3turn t0 its h0m3 pl@ne 0r r3m0v3 1t fr0m @ l1v1ng b0dy f0rc1ng 1t b@ck t0 its h0m3. R3duc3 th3 m@na c0st 0f this sk1ll by 0.5% p3r sk1ll l3v3l.
2. [@rt 0f Sp1r1ts] - R@r3: +2.5% t0 @ll Sp1r1t M@g1c M@st3ry p3r sk1ll l3v3l
3. [Pur1fy] - Unc0mm0n: R3m0v3 @ny @ffl1ction 0r d3buff fr0m @ t@rg3t. Y0u m@y @ls0 us3 this sk1ll t0 3l1m1n@te 1mpur1ti3s fr0m subst@nc3s. Such @s r3m0v3 t0x1c m@t3r1@ls fr0m w@t3r. R3duc3 th3 m@na c0st 0f this sk1ll by 0.5% p3r sk1ll l3v3l
4. [H0ly @usp1c1ous] - 3p1c: Y0u c@n n0w [Pr@y]. By pr@y1ng t0 @ g0d, d0n@t1ng y0ur f@1th @nd m@na, th3 g0d m@y gr@nt y0u th31r f@vour 1n th3 f0rm 0f @ numb3r 0f sp3lls y0u c@n us3 p3r d@y. Th3 numb3r 0f sp3lls @s w3ll @s th3** qu@l1ty 0f th3 sp3lls is d3p3nd3nt 0n y0ur** g0d's f@vour. +2% t0 M@st3ry t0 @ll H0ly m@g1c.
5. [P@p3r @rm0ur] - 3p1c: M@nipul@t3 th3 n34rby p@p3r int0 f0rm1ng @ sut 0f @rm0ur @r0und y0u in th3 styl3 th**@t b3st f1ts y0u. +3% t0 @rm0ur r@t1ng p3r sk1ll l3v3l
6. [Scrib3's T00ls] - Unc0mm0n: gr@nts kn0wl3dg3 @nd th3 @b1l1ty** t0 cr3@t3** th3 t00ls 0f th3 scr1b3. P@p3r, 1nk, B00ks, p3ns, 3tc. 1ncr3@s3 @ll cr@ft1ng r3l@t3d t0 wr1t1ng by 1.25% p3r sk1ll l3v3l
7. [P@p3r W1ngs]** - 3p1c: Y0u m@nipul@t3 n34rby p@p3r, cr3@t1ng** m**@gn1f1c3nt w1ngs 0f p@p3r up0n y0ur b@ck. @ll0w1ng y0u t0 fly t0 y0ur h34rt's c0nt3nt. +1% t0 y0ur fl1ght sp33d p3r sk1ll l3v3l. +1% t0 y0ur @3r0 m@n3uv3r@b1l1ty p3r sk1ll l3v3l
8. [Sp33d R34d1ng]** - L3ss3r: 1ncr3@s3 y0ur r3@d1ng sp33d by** 5% p3r sk1ll l3v3l
9. [Sh@p3 P@p3r] - 3p1c: Y0u n0w h**@v3 @uth0r1ty** 0v3r p@p3r, b3nd1ng** @nd f0ld1ng n34rby p@p3r @cc0rd1ng t0 y0ur w1ll. +2.5% t0** m@nipul@t1ng p@p3r p3r** sk1ll l3v3l
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Ok, that wasn't what he expected. In fact, this was the single most disturbing system notification he had ever received. For a moment, he wondered if the admin was about to show up and ban him. The sudden spike of itchiness cut off that thought. This was real; it wasn't the game, and the admins didn't need to show up. His soul would tear itself apart if he didn't do this quickly.
Tom tried to understand what the hell he was reading. He wasn't even going to try to read the descriptions, which were beyond him in the time he had remaining.
"[P@p3r @rm0ur]? Paper? If it just changed the letters around, then that would make that [Paper Armour]. Then that makes the others."
Tom quickly made his selections.
DING!!!
Congratulations: You have purchased the following Skills
[Paper Armour] - Uncommon: Manipulate the nearby paper into forming a suit of armour around you in the style that best fits you. +3% to Armour Durability per skill level
[Paper Wings] - Uncommon: You manipulate nearby paper, creating magnificent wings of paper upon your back. Allowing you to fly to your heart's content. +1% to your flight speed per skill level. +1% to your Aero maneuverability per skill level.
[Shape Paper] - Lesser: You now have authority over paper, bending and folding nearby paper according to your will—+2.5 % to manipulating paper per skill level.
Tom's eyes glistened with tears. He didn't know if it was due to his joy at his success or the all-consuming itch ravaging his body. God, whose idea was to make soul damage feel like overwhelming itchiness. Tom's body felt like it was on fire. His mind was breaking under the stress. Even his teeth itched. How do teeth itch?!
He had just enough self-awareness left to realize he needed to finish up before he ripped his soul in two. He pushed his mind out towards the frozen notification as red marks started to appear on his body. Pushing with every last ounce of will, he selected the [Exorcist] class.
DING!!!
Congratulations: Class Fusion
[Pro-Gamer] + [Scribe] → [Exorcist] - Historic
A man who banishes malevolent spirits purifies and sanctifies a place. An Exorcist does not heal, but they cure and purify their patients of what ails them.
[Contract] - Common → [Karmic Contract] - Epic: You can now back your contracts through karma. Breaking a contract will now unleash bad karma on the unfaithful.
[Exorcist] level 7
Tom dropped to the floor in relief as the itching stopped.
"Oh my god." Tom groaned. "I am never doing that agia---"
And then the damage he had done to himself hit him all at once like a truck.
"Oh shit," Tom groaned.
His eyes snapped open as spots decorated his vision. His stomach pulled taunt, and he felt sick. He tried to stand up, and his vision swam as he quickly realized that standing was a mistake. He could hear the blood pounding through his ears as his vision went from shifting to some kaleidoscope of incomprehensible and blurry images. Tom felt himself retch as a stream of acidic bile dribbled down his chin.
The room was spinning as he tried to stay standing, and then he felt the floor leap up and attack him. It was a distant feeling, as though he wasn’t in his body.
Tom struggled to breathe as he lay on the floor in a pool of his own vomit. As blackness crawled into the edge of his vision and then he passed out.
You may skip to the next chapter.
Name: Tom Bruner
Race: Half-Elf ()
Type: Humanoid
LVL: 20
SubRace: High Elf / Caucasian
Age 18
Health: 1000
Stamina: 1400
Mana: 4000
Health Regen: 14.0 per hour
Stamina Regen: 18.0 per min
Mana Regen: 24.0 per min
Titles: Beta-Tester, First, Awoken Myths, Guild Master
Immune
None
Resistances
Mental 67% Soul 43%
Weakness
None
Bane
Manslayer
Classes: Augur 10, Tactiction 3, Exorcist 7
Total
STR: 40
AGIL: 40
DEX: 40
CON: 80
END: 40
PER: 220
INT: 200
WILL: 180
SPIRIT: 60
EGO: 40
CHA: 140
LCK: 40
Base
STR: 40
AGIL: 40
DEX: 40
CON: 80
END: 40
PER: 220
INT: 200
WILL: 180
SPIRIT: 60
EGO: 40
CHA: 140
LCK: 40
Personal: +4 PER +4 WILL +3 INT +3 CHA
Racial: +3 WILL +2 CON +2 CHA +1 SPIRIT
Bloodline: +5 PER +5 INT
Level Bonus: +2 to all Stats
Bloodline:
[Bloodline of the Keeper of Akashic Records]—Forgotten: Through your vein runs the blood of the forgotten Keepers of the Akashic Records. These monks, scribes, and scholars helped create the system, and within their blood are the keys to its secrets.
* [The Pen is Mightier than the Sword] - Level 32
* [Words Will Always Retain their Power] - Level 26
* [Library of Akashic Records] - Level 21
* [Universal] - Level 20
* [Wordsmith] - Level 27
* [My Mind is My Temple, My Soul the Altar] - Level 34 >> Level 43
* [Thirst for Knowledge] - Level 17
* [Visions of Akashic Records] - Level 11
* [Soul Forge] - Level 25 >> Level 30
* +5 PER per level
* +5 INT per level
Skill Slots: 18/60: Skill Points: 1
Personal Skills
* [Analyze Person] - Level 25
* [Best of Both Worlds] - Level 13
* [Art of Water] - Level 14
* [Art of Earth] - Level 14
* [Teacher] - Level 9
Augur 07/16
* [Augurs Eye] - Level 7
* [Bright Arts] - Level 28
* [Art of Life] - Level 25
* [Prophetic Meditation] - Level 44
* [Far Seeing] - Level 17
* Capstone: [Hand of Mercy] - Level 48
* [Quest Giver] - Level 12
Tactician 05/6
* [Nascent Guild Leader] - Level 22
* [Leadership Ⅱ] - Level 24
* [Raider Ⅰ] - Level 20
* [Coordinate Ⅱ] - Level 21
* [Logistics Ⅲ] - Level 19
Exorcist 05/11
* [Spell Trap] - Level 4
* [Karmic Contract] - Level 4
* [Shape Paper] - Level 1
* [Paper Armour] - Level 1
* [Paper Wings] - Level 1