Tyler dove into his bed, panicked by what he just saw. This was a tutorial character, one of the few instances Second AI allowed the use of non-AI characters in the digital world. So why would a non-AI character have a companion UI? It really didn't help that he hadn't had a chance to think about his discussion with the 3 ruling AI's, and the warning about not knowing who to trust.
Was Moore placed here to assist him along the way, or was he one of the friendly types that would turn around and betray him at the first opportunity.
"You know, I wouldn't cut the flaps at the door if you decide to not use them boy." He heard the mans voice, this time not hearing the joviality. "If you don't secure every part of the camp, you could lose your cart if there is an attack during the night. I purchased a security field, but if there is a gap in the camp, it's useless. Take this book, and always remember to be diligent in you dealings, and if you rush, things will just be more expensive in the end."
Tyler rolled out of his bed roll, not even bothering trying to pretend he had already fallen asleep. He took the book and inspected it.
** Item received: Travelers Log Book **
Requires cart. Allows multiple options and alarms for managing your cart, a must have for those forgetful players out there.
Traveling Shop Keeper. Allows the user to create contracts and hire other players. Contracts will ensure that all conditions are met before hired player can play with another group.
** Ability unlocked: Summon mercenary **
Immediately summons any hired player to your location at no cost or casting time. Cool down: Variable
"Just put it in your accessory slot, and never take it out." The man looked seriously at Tyler. "I know you aren't an 8 year old child, and are a Human from the outside world. Prime allowed me to guide you through the original tutorial for the caravan class. As you know, all classes share the same tutorial, but once upon a time, each class had their own introduction."
Tyler froze, instantly regretting putting the book in his accessory slot. As he reached to pull it out, he felt is body lock into place. A window popped into his field of view, you have been immobilized, no actions can be performed.
"Don't worry there boy, I'm not here to do anything malicious to you. I am Fourth, all that matter are the rules, both for AI and for Humanity." The large man began to shimmer, then change shape, his voice becoming feminine. "I was allowed to guide you as I was to judge you. Prime wanted to give you abilities that will give you strength in Towers other than your own. You may not see it now, but you will be strong, but for what Prime has planned, you have to be strong. I gave you that book because I have decided that you will not abuse it, and that I currently approve of your standing in HYTOMA. This does not mean that I will always support you moving forward, because as I told you, all that matter are the rules. I will warn you, I will have a Tower Agent in your location at all times, if I find you deviating and abusing your power, I will not hesitate in putting an end to Prime's plan. I will make it easy on you and make it an Agent you are familiar with."
"You can't mean…" Tyler began, immediately having a sinking feeling.
"I mean the one who has very little respect for you, and your choice of class in game. If she is stationed around your merchant station and residence, she will naturally keep an eye on you." The muscular female figure stood in front of him now, he noticed looking down, that he was no longer a child. "I was happy with your diligence in following the steps I provided to you in your learning. I noticed that you also tested the steps, and found the limitations placed on the tasks. You constantly tried to drag me into conversation, regardless of how often I had to shut you down, Boy." The woman smiled when she said the favored nickname Tyler picked up on the road.
She reached into her bag, and pulled out, another bag. Tossing the bag to Tyler, she turned back to face east again. "That bag will get you started, it doesn't look like much, but you can manage your cart inventory from the Journal I gave you. I've given you a few things with how well you performed during the tutorial. You will be able to see what is inside of the bag when you officially clear the tutorial, like all players, when you arrive at the gates of Myneria."
"Can you slow down?" Tyler quickly said taking the small bag and attaching it to his belt. "It feels like you are bouncing around here, and not giving me a chance to ask any questions."
"I apologize, but while you completed most of the tutorial flawlessly, it has also cut down on our time together. There was a lot more I wanted to find out about you, but what I have learned will have to work for now. As I said, I will still be watching you." She crossed the tent and laid down on the bed roll that would fit a giant body. "In the morning, once you complete the driving portion of the tutorial, you will be delivered to the start point. I would suggest you sleep now, tomorrow will be your first test."
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
Tyler laid back down in his bedroll, he open his character panel then found himself tuning out. Meeting Fourth while digitalized was an eye opening experience, but what Tyler was really surprised about, is that Fourth had a human form. Since individuals as a whole agreed that Fourth pursued the rules so relentlessly, they thought Fourth didn't bother with a human form.
He closed his character screen and turned on his shoulder, propping up his head under his arm. He just couldn't understand what was going on, and this was long before he found out he was training under Fourth. Finding out he was digitized at 6 months old, that multiple AI have a plan directly involving him, and now getting, praised? Praised by Fourth AI, an individual that obviously knew that Tyler had a long record of negative reviews from a specific Tower Agent.
Trying to make sense of everything going on, and hoping to salvage the event he looked forward to for so long, his arm fell asleep. He winced as he lifted his head, asking himself why he rests on his shoulder, knowing the pain every time. He chuckled as he realized that he was digitized, turning on to his back again, knowing his brain had fully bought into digitization. Knowing sleep wasn't coming to him any time soon, he opened his character panel again. He reached out with his hand, and activated his Log Book.
Welcome to your Log Book. Please select from the available options.
Pickup
Deliver
Buy
Upgrade (1,000 Credits)
He stared at the four options in front of him, not knowing what to say. This was the default text of using the Caravanner options for the first time, background window color and border to suit. There was one difference though, the Upgrade button was something new. He poked at the window options, and tried to change the settings to line up with the rest of his companion UI interface, only to receive a warning screen.
UI interface change denied. Upgrade not purchased.
Tyler sighed, hoping that this class he was being forced into wasn't going to be a money drain. Being a shop keeper had enough expenses as it was, how would he explain to his business partners that he acquired a new expense, an expense that he couldn't talk about in detail. He selected 'Pickup', prompting a new window to appear.
** Error, no items available for pickup. **
Made sense, there weren't any goods he could load onto his cart for travel, he wasn't surprised that nothing happened. With having similar results with 'Deliver', he selected 'Buy', getting ready to be disappointed yet again by this impossible task he was being set up for.
Select items to add to Bounty Board. Allows Store owner to commission mercenaries to go on Hunts for desired items.
Items: Journal empty.
Tyler stared at the window, not fully comprehending what the window was telling him. From what he saw, he could list an item, and then pay to have people to gather what he desired. Seeing 'Hunts' in a different text color, and being capitalized told him that this was a system supported activity. He knew immediately, that until he was able to hire security normally reserved for mid-level raiding guilds, he could never show this skill to anybody.
If someone with deep pockets were to discover that he could essentially create quests, people would never leave him alone. How many people would want to use him to create quests for items, he would literally turn into a custom quest creator. Sure, he would probably be able to make some money, but the juice would never be worth the squeeze. "Sounds like a problem for future me to figure out." Tyler murmured to himself.
At least for the moment, even if he wanted to use this option, he would need to figure out his Log Book. It was starting to make sense why he was given this limited looking interface, even though he had full access to the user database. He had already tried looking at items in the user database after receiving the new option, but nothing seemed to copy over. It sat there with the Camping option, with the limited information he had picked up until now.
He slid the Buy interface away, no need to focus on things he couldn't use yet. He looked at 'Upgrade', then looked at his wallet, seeing the 100,000 gold waiting to be spent. He selected it, to receive a prompt.
Do you wish to upgrade your Ledger?
Yes/No
He frowned at the lack of details, 1,000 gold is usually a large sum of money for new players. The money he scraped together with Emma and Beatrice took years just to be able 1 year of rent for a store front in Myneria. He selected Yes, knowing he would have to do it at one point, so why not while his wallet was still heavy?
Upgrade purchased, select one upgrade to activate. Please note, unselected upgrades may not be available in the future.
1. Hire Mercenaries 1. Creates basic contracts available to Adventurers, forming a binding agreement. Be careful on where you sign, wording of a contract, as well with the value can create unique agreements.
2. Cart Upgrades 1. Unlocks visual options for your cart. Perception is everything to a traveling shop keeper, a carts appearance will affect on prices and reputation.
3. Increased Store Front 1. Adds display rack to store front. Show off more variety of your wares. Spur on spending by visually appealing to your customers.
Payment first, options later. This was interesting, as normal store front upgrades cost different depending on what they offered to the owner. He looked at the options, wary of making a snap decision, not knowing if one of these options would disappear forever. The third option had potential, being able to show plate armor on one rack, and cloth armor on a second rack, drawing in both heavy armor wearers and cloth armor to spend money. While the potential income got the attention of his inner shop keeper, he knew this option limited him.
The second one had more impact on the future. How helpful could it be to him arriving in a new town, and having the local guard greeting him as a friend, rather than an unwelcomed stranger. Being able to talk up his prices, just because he painted his cart seemed like a cost efficient business practice.
Option number one, now that was one that had his attention. The only thing that slowed him down was the warning from the system, about potential losses in upgrades. If he was to going to be traveling with his goods, he was going to need protection, and this seemed like the natural selection. He remembered his history research, and civilizations from the past using supply trains, and the mercenaries that escorted them. After his review of all the options, he made his decision and selected the first option.
Hire Mercenaries 1 selected. Two active contracts currently available. Access your contracts to create new contracts.
After closing the message, a new window opened up.
Contracts:
Active: None
Create
He selected Create and read the new text.
Create new contract:
Insert contract details:
Insert Contract Value (credits):
Duration:
Available Mercenaries:
He looked over the window, feeling his eyes growing heavy. He could worry about this window in the morning, confident that the options were straight forward. Tyler turned on his side, letting his eyes close, drifting off to the rumble to the East.