Only moments had passed from the blinding colors, bright lights, and deafening noise but time is funny, one moment I'm at the bar in the casino and the next I'm in a large open space surrounded by countless other people. I'm not tall enough to see over the ones around me but there is a mob of people and we are all stuck in place, I can turn my head and wave my arms but I can't move anywhere or touch the people around me.

The information is continuously scrolling in front of my eyes....in my eyes?....It was similar to wearing virtual or augmented reality glasses. Large bold letters scrolling down from the top of my vision to the bottom seemingly floating in front of me but as I try to touch them my hands go through them, even when I touched my eyes I have no effect on the screen. The information feed is slowing down to a stop and now I read.....

WELCOME

IF YOU CAN READ THIS YOUR LANGUAGE SKILL AND INTERFACE IS WORKING CORRECTLY.

AS-TIN/TUGER7 INTERFACE AND PRIMARY CONTROL IS NOW UP AND RUNNING FOR PLANET T6-#B835. RESIDUAL MANA ENERGY CAN NOW BE UTILIZED BY RESIDENT SPECIES. ROOT RACES WILL BE RE-ESTABLISHED AND CONSOLIDATED TO ESTABLISHED VILLAGES AND SAFE ZONES. UN-INTEGRATABLE INDIVIDUALS WILL BE CYCLED OUT AS THEY ARE PROCESSED. NON-INTELLIGENT LIFE FORMS WILL BE ADAPTED TO MANA ENERGY AND ADDITIONAL MISSING LIFE FORMS WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED AS NEEDED TO MAINTAIN BALANCE

YOU ARE PART OF GROUP J-01. MANA ENERGY ACCLIMATIZATION HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL. SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION IS COMPLETE. YOU HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 87% HUMAN

PROCEED WITH SKILL SELECTION

SYSTEM ENHANCED SKILL SELECTION:

CHOOSE THREE SKILLS FROM THE LIST BELOW WHICH WILL BECOME YOUR FIRST SYSTEM ENHANCED SKILLS. YOU HAVE 5 TIME UNITS FOR SELECTION BEFORE AUTOMATED SELECTION WILL OCCUR. FUTURE SKILLS MAY BE LEARNED BY UTILIZING MANA ENERGY IN COMBINATION WITH SKILL AND ATTRIBUTE USE

SYSTEM SKILL SELECTION:

-SOCIAL (BASIC)

-ENHANCED CHARM (BASIC)

-POISON RESISTANCE (ALCOHOL)

-MOVEMENT (BASIC)

-COUNT THE BET

-QUICK MATH (MONETARY)

-ODDS (BETTING AND GAMBLING)

-CARD SENSE (BASIC)

-GAMBLERS LUCK

-LUCKY DRAW

-ANGER MANAGEMENT

-HAIL

-BLUFF

-READ TELLS

-SLEIGHT OF HAND

-COMMUNICATION

ADVANCED SKILLS:

NONE AVAILABLE

A bit confused I find myself frowning at this odd list, I focus on GAMBLERS LUCK hoping for a description and heard a *ding* much like a notification on a cell phone or a counter top bell like you find to summon an employee at a store.

"Gamblers Luck, skill acquired" a high pitched mechanical voice announces inside of my head. "You have 1 of 3 skills chosen. Please choose a second skill. you have 4.3 time units remaining".

"Stupid voice, I didn't choose anything" muttering to myself I focus on the pop-up window with the title GAMBLERS LUCK.

BASIC SKILL - GAMBLERS LUCK: Unlocks the Luck attribute +2 (20%). Additional effect, when participating in gambling or games of chance your total Luck Attribute will be doubled.

Looking over the list and failing to get additional information I soon end up with LUCKY DRAW and POISON RESISTANCE (ALCOHOL) as my other selections. When the third skill is chosen the list of skills scrolls up and new information fills the screen.

STARTING CLASS SELECTION:

CHOOSE YOUR NEW CLASS. YOU MAY ONLY SELECT ONE CLASS FROM THE FOLLOWING SELECTIONS. CLASSES LISTED BELOW HAVE BEEN RANDOMLY COMPILED FROM THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:

-BASIC CLASSES (AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE)

-SPECIALTY CLASSES (AVAILABLE WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL HAS ONE OR MORE SPECIALIZED SKILLS, HIGH ATTRIBUTES, OR EXISTING PROFICIENCIES)

CLASSES AVAILABLE:

STARTING STANDARD AVAILABLE CLASSES (HUMAN)X16:

-WARRIOR (SUB CLASSES / WEAPON SPECIALIZATION AVAILABLE)

-POLITICIAN (SUB CLASSES AVAILABLE, BONUS ATTRIBUTE 'CHARISMA' UPON SELECTION)

-MAGE (SUB CLASSES AND AFFINITIES AVAILABLE)

-CRAFTER (SPECIALIZATIONS AVAILABLE)

-ROGUE (SUB CLASSES AVAILABLE)

-WOODSMAN (SUB CLASSES AVAILABLE)

-ACCOUNTANT

-SOCIALITE (BONUS ATTRIBUTE 'CHARISMA' UPON SELECTION)

-ASSISTANT (EXTENDED CLASS AVAILABLE)

-DRUID (SUB CLASSES AVAILABLE)

-SMITH (SUB CLASSES AVAILABLE)

-GAMBLER (BONUS ATTRIBUTE 'LUCK' UPON SELECTION)

-CIVILIAN

-DRIVER (TRANSPORTATION SPECIALIZATIONS AVAILABLE)

-SERVICE (SUB CLASSES AVAILABLE)

-POTION TESTER (BONUS RESISTANCE UPON SELECTION)

-RANDOM CLASS (HIGH PROBABILITY OF 1 CLASS FROM ABOVE OR A CLASS NOT LISTED)

ADVANCED CLASSES:

ATTRIBUTES TO LOW

-NO ADVANCED SKILLS SELECTED

NONE AVAILABLE

SPECIALTY CLASSES:

-ATTRIBUTES TO LOW

-NO APPLICABLE SKILLS SELECTED

NONE AVAILABLE

NO CLASS / DEFAULT SELECTION IN CASE NO CHOICE IS SELECTED

This would all make sense if i was starting some type of game. I shake my head and look around but the screen is stuck in my vision and follows my line of sight blocking out what's around me. Through the edges of the......screen? I can see other people doing the same as me, trying to swipe, or scroll, or see. Despite everything I try the timer is still counting down. The same high pitched voice says "3 time units remaining, please select your class"

Wishing there was a way to see a description of the classes I spend a moment thinking on the choices. Some of the choices on the list seems to be straight from an RPG game or good old D&D. Warrior, Rogue, Woodsman I can imagine the sub classes specialize the class or provide a skill of sorts. The class of Civilian i am not even sure what that means and Socialite, just save me from whatever that class would do. The advanced and specialty options may of been nice if I had any choices there.

"1 time unit remaining, no class will be selected if no choice is selected, class selection is permanent"

Down to the wire I try to select the class Gambler, and realize this is not a touch screen and I find myself flailing around like like a drunk monkey. If this was a game warrior or mage would be nice but I'll stick with what I know, and with a class revolving around gambling, bluffing and a bit of Luck I can at least be myself. Finally I'm successful by thinking really strongly and shouting "I select Gambler Class!" I hear a *Ding* and after a moment the list disappears and text bubbles pop-up in front of the screen.

BASIC CLASS - GAMBLER: This class has been made available due to the skill Gamblers Luck. The Class of Gambler increases the specialized attribute Luck 3 (30%, Luck previously unlocked).

BASIC CLASS - GAMBLER: Gambler Class provides an additional class skill Limited Premonition

CLASS SKILL ACQUIRED: Gamblers Limited Premonition: the player will experience a strong feeling about the outcome of a decision, action, or the immediate future, be it good or bad. Other skills, classes, and items can block Limited Premonition. Limited Premonition acts as a limited version of skill Danger Sense.

When the bubbles disappear I see a new screen.

EACH BASIC STARTING CLASS RECEIVES ONE SMALL SOUL-BOUND SPATIAL STORAGE AND 10 CREDITS TO SPEND ON STARTING ITEMS IN THE SYSTEM STORE. THE SYSTEM STORE WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE DURING THIS INTEGRATION PERIOD. ALL ITEMS, SKILLS, SPELLS, KNOWLEDGE, ATTRIBUTES, AND OTHER PERKS ACQUIRED FROM THE SYSTEM STORE WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AGAIN UNTIL IT IS ACCESSIBLE THROUGH THE MERCHANT CLASS OR SYSTEM STORE OPTIONS. PHYSICAL ITEMS PURCHASED THROUGH THE STORE WILL BE IN YOUR SPATIAL STORAGE UPON THE COMPLETION OF THE INTEGRATION. NON PHYSICAL ITEMS PURCHASED FROM THE STORE WILL BE APPLIED BEFORE COMPLETION OF THE INTEGRATION.

Too many decisions. One after another with no context. Spatial storage and a system store it really is similar to the start of a game.

Thinking of the system store and going shopping the screen in front of me slides sideways disorienting me for a moment, catching my balance before falling over I notice the new screen. The layout resembles a search engine with a standard search bar with a favorites and checkout tab. At the bottom of the new screen is a counter listing 10 credits and opposite there is a timer counting down from 10.

A new window pops open describing how the store will find and systemize any item, skill, spell, knowledge, attribute, weapon, armor, clothing, electronics, and more. In other words everything available throughout our world which will be replicated by the system and will now work with Mana Energy of course there is no description of what Mana Energy even is. Items currently available in the store have a value of less than 10 credits, items above this value will not be available. To use the search function think of an item that you would like and the available options will be brought to the foreground If the item is not available make sure you clearly think upon the features of the item that you want and the item will be created and or made available. Similar looking items may have different features so make sure you do your research before choosing your final selections. Compile your shopping list and then proceed to checkout. Remaining credits will convert to coins in your inventory, coins can be traded with others via the system using standard system features the conversion ratio is one credit for 52 coins.

Once again an option with too many features and not enough context creating confusion and definitely not enough time to search through what could be millions of useful things.

Concentrating on the search feature I think of binoculars with a screen capture option. The screen begins to fill up with the binoculars available. The first options seem to be standard binoculars that you could find in any outdoor store, as the list grows longer the options become more bizarre from vintage flying goggles with zoom features, another option is eye implants then all the way to what looks like a space helmet with auto mapping capabilities. Expanding my search I add lightweight, high resolution zoom, screen capture, and auto mapping to the mix and end up with still to many options.... scrolling through I find customize-able sunglasses with adjustable tint and polarization, enhanced zoom options, and something called Mana Energy enhanced lenses. These don't have screen capture but they come equipped with the other features I want. I add them to my favorites list.

So shopping will be a bit over the top.

"8 time units remaining, choose your options before the time is expired or your credits will be converted into system coins"

Spending the next few minutes just searching general items I see weapons of every sort from swords to archaic looking maces, combat knives and kitchen knives, small handguns, hunting rifles, a massive club called a tetsubo, a futuristic looking energy pistol, and so many others.

In another moment I'm looking at heated gloves in the category of hand coverings. The options include war gauntlets that have retractable Mana Energy claws and climbing gloves that use enhanced microfibers to adhere to any surface. Scanning categories I skim past rope and grappling hooks and end up looking at Mana Energy infused utility tape, a 25 foot roll (reloads the roll when stored in spatial storage) auto camouflaging surface, enhanced adhesion, un-breakable, releases when infused with Mana Energy. It even has a little yellow duck on the inside. I toss a roll into my favorites list, 1 credit seems fair.

"5 time units remaining, choose your option before the time is expired or your credits will be converted into system coins"

"That is not helping" I tell the voice, "and now I'm talking to voices in my head".

Skimming through the categories I search out enhanced clothing. The options are all over the place with auto sizing, armored, heated and cooling, weather resistant, enhanced camouflage, self repairing, and many other features appearing on them. The one feature that appears on every item I can find is the phrase 'System created items are 100% resistant to the affects of unrefined wild Mana Energy and increased Mana Energy density. System items can be stored and recalled from spatial storage, when stored most items will self-repair, self-clean, and recharge depending on item type. Items are resistant to skill and attribute effects that may damage or destroy non system items'.

"2 time units remaining, choose your items before the time is expired or your remaining credits will be converted into system coins"

Alright already. Resetting the search bar from flashlights, I mean really who needs a Mana Energy infused light ball in their skin, I go back to my favorites and the sunglasses I liked. They resemble my RayBan Wayfarers that are somewhere in my hotel suite, at a spendy 4 credits hopefully the glasses are worth it. Also in my favorites is the utility tape I selected earlier and the coolest item I found for 1 credit is a shot glass (color, size, and shape modifiable) that refills with the last liquid it held when stored in spatial storage.

With 4 credits left I quickly concentrate on the options that I passed by earlier. There were skills, spells, items and attributes. The one that I decide on is Attribute Boost - Vitality +2 for 4 credits. If this is a game or even just a drunken dream Vitality is always one of the most important attributes.

".5 time units remaining, choose your items before the time is expired or your remaining credits will be converted into system coins"

Quickly adding the bonus Vitality to my checkout I concentrate on buying them and a small *Ding* sounds off in my ears and I hear "Enhanced sunglasses, Enhanced tape, and Shot Glass of Endless Liquid added to spatial storage. Vitality +2 added to attributes"

"Generating bonus class item for basic class 'GAMBLER'.

An eternity seems to go by, in reality probably only a few seconds, then the voice says "Class item created Gamblers Tool, upon command this item will appear in hand or nearby. The Gamblers Tool can become any gaming item used for gambling such as cards, dice, stones, tiles, darts, and many other shapes. Any small item or group of items intended for gambling can be created as long as the Gambler understands and can envision the item needed. The created gambling tool will always benefit the Gambler and not the other opponents or players. Infuse with Mana Energy to directly control the item, Infusion may be detected.

Basic Class - Gambler

Foundation - Skill / Gamblers Luck

Attributes - Intelligence +1, Perception +1, Class specific Attribute unlocked - Luck +3

System Enhanced Skills:

-Gamblers Luck, +2 luck

-Lucky Draw

-Poison Resistance - Alcohol

-Class skill - Limited Premonition

10 credits:

-Enhanced Sunglasses (4)

-Shot Glass of Endless Liquid (1)

-Attribute Boost - Vitality +2. (4)

-Enhanced Duct Tape - Refillable roll 25' (1)

-Class item - Gamblers Tool

WORLD LANGUAGE IS ESTABLISHED

INTEGRATED SYSTEM MANAGEMENT AND MANA ENERGY DISPERSEMENT INITIATED

SYSTEM SKILLS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN

CLASS, CLASS SKILL, AND CLASS ITEM ACQUIRED

INDIVIDUAL ROOT RACES HAVE BEEN RE-ESTABLISHED

TOWN, FORT, AND SAFE AREAS CREATED (ALTERNATIVES AND ADVANCED VERSIONS AVAILABLE)

SYSTEM STORE FEATURE IS 'LOCKED'

THE MANA ENERGY FROM THE WORLD CORE WILL BEGIN TO PERMEATE THE ATMOSPHERE OVER THE NEXT 200 ROTATIONS. AS MANA DENSITY INCREASES THE WORLD AND ALL 'NATURAL' RESOURCES WILL BE AFFECTED. EACH REMAINING INDIVIDUAL IS NOW A PART OF THE PLANETS MANA ENERGY LOOP.

SYSTEM MENU FEATURES ARE UNLOCKED AND AVAILABLE TO ALL 'CLASSED' INDIVIDUALS

'MENU' FEATURE HAS BEEN ADDED TO YOUR INTERFACE, TO UTILIZE THE MENU SYSTEM SUBVOCALIZE THE WORD - 'MENU'

NEW FEATURES, OPTIONS, AND UPGRADES MAY BECOME AVAILABLE AT FULL MANA DENSITY (UPGRADE REQUIRED)

YOU WILL BE RETURNED TO YOUR STARTING POINT WHEN INTEGRATION IS COMPLETE. ENDING GROUP J-01 STARTING GROUP J-02

everything goes dark.

Have you ever had Deja Vu or just experienced an event over again. Well I came to in the exact same spot, with the same message about selecting skills and the same stupid timers. Either I had more to drink than I thought I did or I get to choose a second set of skills and another class. My skill choices are the same except the ones I chose previously are no longer there and a couple of new ones have appeared. A bit familiar with the process I quickly work my way through skill selection, class selection, and soon I'm shopping again. Selecting a few of the Items I had already looked at including a nice espresso machine that runs on magic and 50 lbs of medium roast espresso.

Basic Class - Card Mechanic

Foundation - Skill/Sleight of hand

Attributes - Dexterity +1, Perception +1, Class Attribute unlocked Luck +2

System Skills:

-Simple Bluff

-Read Tells

-Sleight of hand

-Class skill - Switch

10 credits:

-Pocket Knife/Multi-tool (2)

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

-Lockpick Kit (4)

-Espresso Machine, Small. Powered by ambient and infused Mana Energy. Includes grinder and frother (3)

-50lbs of Medium roast espresso (enhanced effects) (1)

-Class Item - Lucky token

I decided to choose a class that boosts luck again, also who doesn't love magic tricks.

With 2 time units to spare, whatever the hell a time unit is, I explore the menu system and my stats.

Name: Benjamin Bateman

Also Known As: Ben

Active Title: -

Race: Human

Active Class: (b) Gambler

Inactive Class: (b) Card Mechanic

Level: 0

Loyalty: -

Notoriety: -

Health - 30

Passive Health Regeneration - 3 per hour

Mana Energy - 16

Mana Energy Regeneration - 8 per hour

Stamina - 18

Stamina Regeneration - 9 per hour

Class Points: 2

Attributes:

Mind: 4

-Intelligence - 2

-Wisdom - 1

-Willpower - 1

Body: 5

-Endurance - 1

-Strength - 1

-Vitality - 3

Movement: 4

-Dexterity - 2

-Agility - 1

-Speed - 1

Awareness: 4

-Perception - 3

-Mana Sense - 1

Class Attributes:

Luck - +7 (70%)

Skills:

-Gamblers Luck +2

-Lucky Draw

-Poison resistance - Alcohol

-Simple Bluff

-Read Tells

-Sleight of hand

Class Skills:

Gambler - Limited Premonition

Card Mechanic - Switch

Quests:

I have no context if my stats are good or bad, I like the thought of being lucky and danger sense sounds useful. I hope my Alcohal Resistance doesn't mean I have to drink even more now to get a buzz.

As the time runs down the world goes dark again. The last thing I see as the screens slow down is

YOU WILL BE RETURNED TO YOUR STARTING POINT WHEN INTEGRATION IS COMPLETE. ENDING GROUP J-02 STARTING GROUP J-03