And now the power is out.....Just one more reason to leave. Touching the first duffel bag I try to place it in my inventory.
*ding* non-system items cannot be placed within spatial storage.
*ding* Salvage skill cannot be used on multiple items simultaneously.
So much for the easy way. Ok guess I carry them. And that ding is going to get annoying. Once more into settings and sure enough you can turn of the noise off.
Taking a moment to download offline maps onto my phone, grab both bags and the door closes silently behind me, the building is insulated for noise and it is eerily silent. I can sense other people moving around like a whisper of noise in the background. The hallway is dim with just a few emergency lights scattered along the way, casting shadows along the walls. The emergency door is decorated to blend into the background and looks similar to the suite doors with the exception of the emergency light above and the small sign indicating it is the stairwell.
Pushing the door all the way open I hear the clink of the magnetic catch on the bottom holding the door open, it echoes faintly off the metal and walls. Hotel stairs have always been a bit creepy to me, limited decoration, bland colors, and nothing to block the noise from echoing back at you. With the power out the air is already going a bit stagnant, glancing behind me to make sure nothing is sneaking up on me I move into the stairwell, pretty sure I've watched to many zombie movies this feels like the scene were something jumps out at you.
Expecting it to be dark I am surprised that the stairwell is fairly well lit by the emergency lights above the door and on each of the landings.
As I step towards the first stair down an odd feeling comes over kind of like I left something behind while at the same time I have a sense of finding something if I go up rather than down. Looking around I don't see anything but with the next step down the feeling grows stronger, I 'know' something is just above me and I should go up not down. I can't tell if it's good or bad just that it is something.
Giving In to intuition I change directions, setting my bags to the side on the next upper landing, I travel slow keeping an eye out for.....something? Two floors later I finally see a shape against the wall near the emergency door, slumped and un-moving at first I think it's a pile of clothing or a mannequin but that doesn't make a lot of sense. Closer inspection and a bit of Perception lets me see the outline of a person, propped against the closed door.
One of my class skills is Identify, my Visionary class, though I'm not 100% sure how to use it. Staring at the...person I use Perception to pick out details like part of a hand lying limply on the floor or the brown hair spread around body. It takes about 20 seconds of staring intently for a pop-up to finally appear.
*Dead Body*
That's not ominous at all, A silent pop-up telling me what I know. At least I have confirmation. Looking around I don't see anything alarming even with my new skills helping out. I take a step forward and some combination of Mana Sense, Perception and Premonition skill I think, draws my eyes above the body into the upper corner where the wall meets the bottom of the next landing. Attributes and Skills seem to work better if you just accept that they are there and use them without to much thought, At least the passive effects seem to be that way. Standing still I focus on the entire area I can see a small shape outlined in the shadows, I can just sense it watching me.
I can just make out the eight legs of a spider like insect, about the size of my hand. Looking around I don't see or sense any others.
Perception is really nice, by focusing my eyes like binoculars the spider creature jumps into focus with details in high definition. Then with a brief flare of Mana Energy? It disappears in the gloomy corner and its gone. Creepy, but spiders I can deal with, staring at the area I add Mana Sense to my Perception and I feel one or two of my skills kick in as well, making the eight legged critter appear wreathed in shadows and moving slowly along thick strands of smokey colored webbing, strung throughout the area. Once I find the first strand the entire web network becomes visible spread all across the walls and ceiling. Sensing movement out of the corner of my eye the spider is slowly moving in my direction, It's movement slow and deliberate as it creeps across the stringy highway, I don't think it knows I can see it.
Before I move or Indicate I'm aware of the small creature I try my Identify skill again, the second time seems easier and only takes a moment.
Arachnid
Level 1
Strengths: Dexterity
Offense: Poison
"Spiders.....mutant level 1 half invisible magic spiders, And It is slowly stalking me" I mutter. The little guy is still over the corpse and I definitely don't want it dropping on me, Thinking through the items in my inventory I settle on the Bo Staff, longer than a knife and more useful than an axe. I drop back a few steps on the stairs and open my 'Inventory'. Once it opens up I notice a few of the boxes are sitting inside the next landing like they are illusions. Strange.....magic.
Ok....the staff is in the Crafter class box, spinning the wheel the Crafter box is now highlighted, and trying not to overthink it I grab the staff and it appears in my hand, As a 2 foot length of some dark lightweight metal about the thickness of a two inch closet rod. not quite the staff I was after. Closing my Inventory I examine the item.
(sys) Bo Staff / Weapon / Blunt / 1-2 handed / Complete Description
I think this time I do need the complete description.....
(System) Telescoping Bo Staff - Combat
-Offense - Blunt damage / Piercing Damage
-Type - One or Two Handed
-Benefits - A telescoping weapon designed for a variety of combat styles including but not limited to baton, one handed short staff, two handed long staff, and spear. When enhanced with Mana Energy the length of the weapon can be adjusted. When Infused with Mana Energy durability and damage is increased.
-Description - Crafted from system materials this item can be modified up to 10% each time it is withdrawn from spatial storage. System store items are made from system materials and not individual not multiple parts.
-System material bonus - System items will be cleaned, repaired, reloaded, refilled, etc when the item is stored or infused with Mana Energy. If there is no Mana Energy available the item will not be affected. Costs vary.
-Name bonus - System items that have been infused with enough Mana Energy over a long time period may be upgraded and named. Once upgraded the item can no longer be modified but attributes and effects may be enhanced by the naming process.
Examining the 2 shaft of dark metal in my hands and realizing it has a nice weight to it, I think about the description on this Item and........hmmmm how do you infuse Mana Energy into an item........
Gripping the metal stick I concentrate on it trying to imagine it....growing? This is awkward. Looking up and checking on the spider I see it stopped moving when I moved out of its area. Now that I know what to look for Its easier to spot.
Remembering the tugging sensation from my core when I used my Items earlier I focus my Mana Sight inward and find a source of energy pulsating just behind my sternum in the center of my chest. Like the other times if I don't overthink it it seems to work better, concentrating on the energy inside me I think of moving some energy to my hand and out of my hand. And it works.
Reminiscent of a dual sided light saber the batons metal ends begin to expand from both ends, during the process my Mana Sense allows me to see the added length glowing or fluorescing with a smokey dark color reminiscent of the metal itself. When its done I'm holding a 5 foot staff made of metal about the weight of a digging bar, both ends were flat and it is well balanced. My Mana Energy seems to be attached to it still as I can see the thread of energy connecting my Mana Energy Core?......to the staff. Giving the new staff a quick twirl I can hear it whistle as it spins. I head back up and towards the body.
If this was a horror movie there would be ominous music and a closeup of the spider slowly and quietly moving in my direction, My perception allows me to pick out the fine hairs covering legs that are the length and thickness of my fingers. The front set of arms?....legs? are waving as it moves, almost like it is testing the air or making sure the way is clear. Larger than any spider I've ever seen, as it moves closer a mist of shadowy brown Mana Energy emits from its body and fine hairs covering its legs and carapace begin to blend in with the colors of the surrounding material. Is it going into stealth mode? or would that be camouflage.
Focusing on the weapon in my hands I target the spider waiting for it to enter my range. Gripping the staff slightly lower than center I thrust the end up and with a sound like crushing a watermelon and a pop can at the same time I squish the bug.
A splat and a hiss that sounds like escaping gas the spider explodes. Instead of staying stuck on the ceiling it's body and goo begins to drip down onto the landing. A stream of pop-ups appear on my left screen and from the carcass of the spider a tiny burgundy glowing marble appears floating just above its remains, hovering for a moment then drops to the ground and sticks in the bug goo. With a look around to make sure no more stealthy spiders are sneaking up on me I check my notifications.
CRITICAL HIT - ARACHNID - MANA WEAVER
MANA WEAVER IS KILLED INSTANTLY
LEVEL UP
SKILL LEARNED - STAFF ATTACK - CRITICAL STRIKE
Unexpected but rewarding. I notice a new tab appeared on my interface titled 'battle log'. I guess it's a good way to make sure somethings actually dead. I look down at the glowing marble sized ball, Quickly I identify it
Mana Energy Core / Tiny
With a thought and a touch I add it to my larger general inventory space all the while thinking about playing a game of marbles with tiny cores, I wonder if they explode when you slam two of them together? Funny where your mind goes sometimes. I'm a little surprised it works and disappears.
Ok very much like a game now. Not a game I've played but still with Mana Energy, magic, enhanced weapons, skills, experience points, level ups, etc. very game like.
Back to the dead body, The whole time I had a silent battle with a glowing spider from magic land I had noticed another tremor shaking the building. Making me a bit worried about being inside if things continue.
Pulling out my cell phone I use the flashlight function and now the combination of light, my perception attribute, and the nifty Mana Sense check all the walls and ceilings, The weird webbing is slowly breaking down and turning into smokey dust. Moving to the body I check for a pulse though I don't hold hope of this person making it. She is still warm but with no pulse I agree with the system and acknowledge she has passed.
As I stand up I notice some items on the ground in a small pile, picking them up I use Identify on them
(sys) Taser / Stun / 15 charges
(sys) Hair Brush / Item / color changing
(sys) Lipstick / Item / Enhanced charm, color changing, hidden storage
(sys) Charm Earring / Accessory / Charm +1
Touching the taser I will it into my Inventory and I'm only slightly surprised when it disappears. Ok, either this lady dropped her system store Items or they appear when you die.
Taking a glance at my notifications there is more than a few to go through and I saw a level up notification. Adding the other 3 items to my general inventory, take a last look around, head down to my bags. Pausing to read my notifications I sit on the steps and begin scrolling.
SKILL LEARNED - DANGER SENSE
CRITICAL HIT - ARACHNID - MANA WEAVER - ADDITIONAL DAMAGE MODIFIERS APPLIED
1ST KILL UNLOCKS LEVELING
TITLE AWARDED........ERROR TITLE SYSTEM NOT AVAILABLE.......
MANA CORE ACQUIRED
SKILL LEARNED: ATTACK - CRITICAL STRIKE
SKILL LEARNED: WEAPON - BASIC STAFF
SKILL LEARNED: MEDICAL - CHECK PULSE / LIFE SENSE
LEVEL UP
-1 CLASS POINT
-CLASS ADVANCEMENT AVAILABLE
Class advancement sounds like just the thing. Without seeing instructions on how to go about it, I check out the system menu tabs and find a new category up to at the end. Class Advancement, with a click I have new lists.
CLASS POINTS: 17
() Basic Classes: 7
() Advanced Classes: 0
() Specialty Classes: 8
() Superior Classes: 0
() Unique Classes: 1
Basic Class - Gambler
Basic Class - Card Mechanic
Basic Class - Drunkard
Basic Class - Crafter
Specialty Class - Parkour
Basic Class - Medic
Specialty Class - Opportunist
Basic Class - Brawler
Basic Class - Warrior/Ranged
Specialty Class - Gunfighter
Specialty Class - Visionary
Specialty Class - Courier
Specialty Class - Scavenger
Specialty Class - Pathfinder
Specialty Class - Restorer
Unique Class - Spatial Artificer
ADVANCE CLASS
SPECIALIZE CLASS
COMBINE CLASS
CREATE NEW CLASS
Choices. Whatever this system is it should of come with a better set of Instructions. I'll look over the options later now.....now time to head down.
This time I make decent time past 6 or 7 landings and as I race over the 68th step the door I'm approaching slams open and 3 voices can be heard.
I start making noise as I approach the people. A man's head appears and looks both ways through the door, I wave and say "All clear here, just heading down, I'm Ben".
"Powers out" the man states the obvious "I'm Fred"
As he introduces himself three people step into the stairwell, Fred is a 6 foot guy in casual clothes, blonde hair. I try out my Identify and I get a small pop-up for Fred
Fred / Driver / Level 0 Human / Perception
Behind him steps a 20ish brunette, 5 foot something, In shorts and a shirt.
Jill / Artist / Level 0 Human / Charisma
The third person is an older man with gray hair in casual vacation clothes. He is carrying a suitcase and a shoulder bag.
Brad / Cook / Level 0 Human / Dexterity
Giving a quick glance to my system screen I see the Identify pop ups for each person. Short and efficient name, class, level, and what I assume is the strongest attribute.
"HI! My name is Jill I'm a content creator although the class I got was called artist I have no idea what is going on, did you get a class, we all have classes and skills and I am so confused." She catches her breath and continues "I even got to shop and buy stuff did you get to do that too, what class did you pick did your skills help you get a good class do you know what's going on I don't understand it and these screens are annoying!" Taking another breath the third person cuts her off and simply states "I'm Brad, guess I'm a cook If were saying classes. Pre-whatever this is I was In sales"
The building shakes again, in the distance you can hear a deep creaking noise and glass shattering.I comment "I think we keep moving" below us other people can be heard using the stairs and there is a scream above us, probably someone finding the body.
As a group we begin to travel down, we move quickly and soon there is a mob of people streaming down the stairs. I lose track of the three people I just met and let everyone stay in front of me. Never hurts to be at the back.
Staying behind the group I use identify on everyone I can. They all seem to be level 0 and the variety of classes is amazing. Architect, Clerk, Waiter, Gamer, Beautician, Manager, and more. The gamer 'dude' named Craig keeps muttering about low stats and finding a good spot to 'level up'.
As a group we make it to the Lobby door which is still the 2nd or 3rd floor of the casino. There is a rush to get out of the stairs and people are searching for their car keys. Tapping Craig on the shoulder I ask him "Hey, do you have a moment, I got a question"
"Sure man, what's up?"
"Let the people clear out" We move to the side of the hallway, near the elevator doors. Looking at the kid, well he's probably 21 since he's in a casino "I'm curious If you got warped to a strange place where you were able to select a class and buy stuff from a store.....hopefully I don't sound to crazy"
"Yeah, It was the best. I haven't figured out the system yet but I got the Gamer Class, skills, and at the store I got a PS5 with every game ever made it even runs on Mana Energy. So I'm set, just got to get out of this place before it falls."
"I'm Ben by the way. How many stats did you get? and do you have a second class?"
"Only one class, and the stats suck, it's like 1 in everything and then 3 extra points from my class. Can't wait to level I hope I gain power by playing COD"
"Thanks Craig, I don't know about the gamer class and leveling by playing, but I was able to smash a level 1 spider up above and got a level up so maybe that will help you."
"Seriously! That is insane, I wonder if it works for anything. I need to find Randy and then something to kill, I'm not sure where he went he wasn't in the room when I got back from Classen up"
"Well, good luck Craig. I'm getting out of here" with a wave I move towards the street, knowing that cars won't get me anywhere outside.