The System now suffused absolutely everything, influencing reality even on the molecular level. Magic hadn’t existed in the world previously, but Gordeau had explained that the System Dust carried magic almost as though it were a plague. It’d come from a universe where magic was everywhere, and it was built into the bones of every speck of System Dust. Classes were cellular redesigns, microscopic surgeries performed by System Dust and supplemental nanorobotics. If he hadn’t been unconscious after choosing his class, the experience might’ve been excruciating. System Dust was now bonded to his DNA, merged with his cells, and even influenced the mitochondria. It’d used the leftover vestiges of matter in his body to create a small muscle connected to his cervical spine that was responsible for the use of magic. It influenced him to the very molecules, in that the System Dust now bonded to his cells infected him with “mana”.
A chill wind blew past Arthur, the beef that he was chewing long cold. The cicadas and crickets were less combative than before, but still filled the air with intermitted chirps and buzzes. His armor kept him warm against the cold, almost as though it was insulated, but his face had become rosy with the chill as he thrashed another bite from the tough meat. The rustle of leaves around him was soothing to the soul, and nature’s symphony brought a slight peace to his raging mind.
As he shifted his weight to get more comfortable, he felt the sword at his hip rustle with the movement. He looked at it for a moment, then after popping the remaining beef in his mouth, drew it with a grease covered gauntlet. Shifting it to his other hand, he reread its only ability as he attempted to wipe his hand clean on his Champion’s Mantle.
[Lifechained Dreamscape]: Allows the user to visit the dreamscape once a month until they reach Level 51. May give rewards if certain conditions are met.
Level 51 seemed like a random number, but part of Gordeau’s information dump was that until The Quine was over, the level cap was 50. He would have until The Quine was over to meet the mystery conditions, of which he had absolutely no idea what they could be. It was also strange that it was perfectly timed with a Quine’s lifespan.
Arthur looked at the blade for a long moment, admiring its simplicity. It looked like a plain, broad longsword, albeit with the barely visible sapphire as the pommel. It looked like an older, thicker version of The Alexandria blade, and its weight felt very comfortable in his hands. Focusing on the skill, he stumbled back into a tree and sunk to the ground, the sudden vertigo startling him, as darkness fell like a metal shutter.
Eyelids fluttering, Arthur attempted to force his eyes open. There was an almost blinding light piercing through a leafy canopy above him, forcing him to put a hand up to shield his eyes. Feeling the warmth of the sun on his hand, he realized his armor was gone. Standing up, he looked about. He was in a small patch of nature, much like he was previously, but the landscape was vastly different. Large bricks of mortar lied in random places, overgrowth claiming them as though they were normal rocks. The sun was golden and radiant, but the entire place had a blue hue, as though dipped in a half transparent light blue paint. The wild plant growth gave the area an ancient feel, as though Arthur was the first person in ages to step foot there.
After looking about for a while longer, Arthur began walking toward the structures in the background. Almost every building he passed by was destroyed. The few that were intact were aggressively derelict, lending credence to the ancient atmosphere. While the man-made constructs were broken and abandoned, the wildlife in the entire dreamscape was vibrant. Vines hung from building tops and lined the cracked streets, and flowers grew from what looked like bricks and concrete. There were trees of all sizes, the occasional leafy ceilings blocking off the vibrant sun. The blue tint was ever present, making the dream scape look truly like a dream space. Arthur supposed this would be what Earth would look like in the future, if it still existed at all.
Eventually, he made it to a castle-like structure that’d kept at least some of its previous grandeur, albeit just. He was entering the courtyard in the front, the plants far more wild than they were likely planned to be. The combination of lush, brick and sun was even headier than previously, and Arthur took it in breathlessly. He wasn’t sure where he was going, but had a feeling he’d find something in the only castle-like structure around. Before he could move any further, however, a titanic voice pierced the air. It was all around him and nowhere at once, as if both blasted in his head and from a megaphone. He’d just been alert at first, but as it spoke, he truly froze in terror.
“A NEW HAND TOUCHES THE-”
“NO.” Arthur said, putting more force in the word than he ever had before. “Just… don’t.”
There was a long silence after Arthur’s interjection. The voice seemed almost appalled, like it’d never experienced such an interruption in its life. After a while of intermittently confused sputtering, it finally spoke again, nonplussed. “Wh-… What?”
“Don’t finish the sentence you were about to say.” Arthur said matter-of-factly. “If you do that… we can still salvage this interaction.” After he finished speaking, a figure appeared in front of him, seeming completely deflated. His shoulders slumped with befuddled defeat.
[Lifechained Knight]
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Unknown
This was the first time Arthur had seen another humanoid entity since the System conquer, not including Mira. It was a suit of armor, much like his own, but it was completely empty. As if a ghost were haunting it, the faceplate was open and vacant, but its body language couldn’t have been clearer in conveying its letdown. On its back, Arthur could see a hilt poking out that was identical to his Aged Blade.
“Do you do this to everyone you meet?” The voice was still strong, though less potent than before. With its volume now at a normal pitch, Arthur could appreciate its dulcet tones. Its voice was like cream wrapped in satin and velvet, deep and infinitely soothing.
“Not at all. My name’s Arthur, by the way. What’s yours?” He said, unapologetic about stopping the horrific reference that somehow transcended reality. The armor continued to stare at him, looking dejected.
“Alright Arthur… have you perhaps come into possession of an article of weaponry of dubious origin?” The armor spoke in an annoyed and roundabout manner, avoiding its previous unknown faux pas. Arthur nodded, noting that the suit of armor avoided his question. “Yeah, I got it from a chest. What is this place?” The armor’s crestfallen mood was promptly replaced by righteous indignation as it crossed its arms. “I’ll tell you what it isn’t; the Social Skill Leveling Club. Are you serious with interrupting me like that? A child has more social grace than you!” Arthur’s mouth fell open. “That’s rich, coming from you! You didn’t even tell me your name!”
The armor scoffed. “I’m an empty suit of armor, dummy. Why would you think I even had a name?” When Arthur didn’t have an immediate comeback, the armor gained a smug look that only piqued Arthur’s vexation. “That logic doesn’t even make sense. That’s like saying you shouldn’t name legendary weapons or other equipment.” The armor flinched back, somehow perfectly conveying a cringe despite its lack of a face.
“Why would you name your weapons? Are you some kind of nerd?” Arthur’s face fell open for the second time that day. “What do you mean?! The System names weapons all the time!”
“Yeah, and the System sucks. That’s like saying ‘hey, that guy has a point’ about a genocidal maniac.” While he didn’t want to admit defeat to the rude suit of armor, Arthur conceded the point. “Yeah, it does at that. So, are you going to do anything other than razz me, or should I just pawn off this hunk of metal?” The armor looked behind it at the large double doors to the castle.
“Well… I suppose I could give you a tour. Come on, then.”
“N’ then… n’ then he told me to ignore them! Can you believe that?!”
Arthur and the suit of armor were currently in a wing of the castle that they’d reached after a moderate walk. There were tables and chairs strewn about, with a bar on one side of the room that the two currently sat at. While most of the room was destroyed, the cabinets containing alcohol were intact, despite their relative fragility. When they’d arrived, Arthur was not only skeptical of partaking himself, but also the armor’s ability to partake as well. Said armor was now draining a mug nearly as large as its helm into the empty space in its faceplate, coughing and sputtering afterwards as if it’d went down the wrong tube. Beforehand, Arthur had informed it that he wasn’t exactly a drinker. When he told it he’d been drinking alone on the first night he’d tried it, he was promptly called a nerd and told that drinking alone was never fun. It was a sentiment that currently eluded Arthur as he leaned heavily on the bar, trying his hardest not to succumb to his light weighted nature.
“You see… that’s why you can’t trust System related… er, managers.” The word “admin” escaped the armors tongue as it spoke. Its voice was now more like melted cream and wet velvet, as it slightly slurred and gesticulated with its far-too-large mug. “Or System related anything, really. That guy clearly… doesn’t have anyone he cares about!” The suit of armor looked down into his mug, suddenly saddened by its own words. “Oh. That’s sad.” After a moment, it took another huge swig, spilling some down its front to drown the moment, and incurred another round of hacking coughs.
“But… what am I supposed to do??” Arthur moved his free hand about, nearly smacking the armor right in the faceplate. “Gor… Gordo has a point! I have to help people, but I can’t jus’ leave my family behind!” The armors arm shot out to stop Arthur from falling, as his gesticulating nearly cost him his balance. The armors “help” nearly caused them both to fall, however, as it gripped Arthur with both hands to catch itself from falling as well with the clumsy movement.
“The Quine has been going for a while, right? Maybe your family has already made it to a… survivor camp!!” The armor spoke as though the idea had struck it like golden lightning, glorious and brilliant. Arthur looked at it, his eyes wide and wet with drunkenness. “That’s… you’re right! That’s so smart!” If the armor had a nose, it would’ve grown twice its size, as it looked more smug than ever. “Of course I am! Now, you said you use a shield?” Arthur straightened out, slumping over the bar once again. “Yeah… so?” Arthur said with wariness, the mood swings of drink swinging him as well, like a puppet. The armor paused for a while, as though trying to remember how to do something. Finally, it made a noise that sounded like it’d found the answer to the DaVinci Code, as it outstretched its index finger in Arthur’s direction.
A blue light began coalescing in the space the armor was pointing, deeper and richer than the perpetual blue hue of the dreamscape. It changed color several times, becoming a rainbow before returning to its original blue, but this time with a golden shell. Leaning forward onto the bar itself, the armor lazily flicked the point of light towards Arthur, who watched it slowly drift towards him. The moment it touched his forehead, he jerked back with a sudden searing pain.
You have learned the Miscellaneous Skill
[Martial: Shield]: Level – 1
Miscellaneous Skill
[Martial: Shield]
Has leveled up!
[Martial: Shield]: Level – 50
New Skill!
[Aegis Arts]: Attack an enemy with your shield using various methodology.
- Method 1: A wide swing of the shield to slam the enemy. Deals moderate to high blunt damage but results in a moderate cooldown.
- Method 2: A quick and short jab of the shield while keeping your guard up. Stuns the enemy for half a second. Short cooldown, but only usable when an enemy strikes your shield.
- Method 3: Shield tackle an enemy as an initiation. High chance to stagger the enemy. Deals moderate blunt damage but requires a running start.
- Method 4: Charge with your shield out front. High chance to stagger any enemy struck. You are much harder to stop during this attack. Deals high blunt damage but requires a running start.
- Method 5: Swing at an enemy with the edge of your shield. Does greater or lesser bludgeoning damage depending on the area struck.
“Use that to save your family!” the armor said, its drunken tone no lesser for the miracle it’d just performed. After a moment of silence, it looked over at where Arthur had been previously. He was sprawled out in his own vomit, out cold.
“Oh.”