Astraeus, lying on the ground, slowly stirred blinking his eyes open.
"What the hell is this"
Standing up, he noticed that wherever he was, it wasn't the forest. It was pitch black, like he was in the depths of space.
All of a sudden, a blue screen appeared in front of him.
[System Integration Begining]
Shocked by its appearance, Astraeus stumbled backwards falling back onto the ground.
"This is a dream right?"
Astraeus pinched himself in order to check if this was simply a strange nightmare.
"Damn, definitelty not a dream then, unless my dreams suddenly got hyper realistic."
[The Milky Way Galaxy and subsequently Planet Earth have just been integrated into the Ascension System}
"What is the Ascension System?"
[...}
"Alright, fantastic conversation."
[Earth has just been integrated into the Ascension System, as the planet is currently undergoing changes, you have been transferred into an alternate space untill the changes have finished.]
[Dormant Mana is beeing awakened from within the planet]
[Dormant Mana is beeing awakened from within each species]
[Planet Designation Grade: F]
[Root Grade: F]
"Root Grade... Planet Designation Grade... is this like a game? It did say that a system was being integrated. If its a game then surely..."
"Stats Window" Astraeus called out
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name: Astraeus Fuller
Human (F)
Level: 0
Class: None
Root Grade: F
Titles: N/A
Physical Stats ------
Strength: 8
Endurance: 7
Agility: 6
Vitality: 8
Mental Stats --------
Wisdom: 6
Willpower: 7
Charisma: 3
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"So... this really is like a game then. I have stats for each aspect, however my physical stats average seems to be way higher then my mental stats. Everything seems pretty self explanatory besides whatever "Root Grade" means."
"Hey system, can you at least give me a little more information about what is going on. I dont know anything about whatever Root Grade means or how to get a class or literally anything."
[...]
"I guess it isn't going to be talking to me about anything going on. Perhaps it will only respond to simpler questions?"
"Well then, how much time is left untill I am able to go back to Earth?"
[Estimate: 14:21:34:56]
"What the fuck, am I supposed to wait here for nearly 15 days for me to go back? How am I supposed to eat or drink anything?"
[You will not grow tired, hungry, or thirsty within this space. You will also have the option of completing tasks once 14 days remain until full planet integration.]
"So, I have around 21 hours to do anything I want before being able to take on tasks. But why do I have to wait until 14 days remain."
[14 Earth days is the standard starting line for each planet integrated into the system.]
"What is going on right now, everything is becoming a mess."
"Well, since I dont know what is happening outside with mana and everything, I might as well try and prepare myself as much as possible. I dont know how to work on my mental stats, but my physical stats seem pretty standard."
"There might not be any weights, but I do have my body. It seems like my agility is a weakness right now, but I only have a limited time until I can take on tasks. I think I'll just focus on shoring up my strenghts. Assuming that 10 is the highest level achievable before the system and Mana, my strength and Vitality are both sitting at 8 pushing them close to that limit. Vitality is a little more troublesome to train since it is more about how many hits I can take. Seems I'll try and train my Strength up then."
"Before I begin, hopefully the system is able to tell me anything about training up my stat points."
"Hey system!" Astraeus yelled out "Is there any way to get stat points besides training my body or like mediating or something for my mental stats? How about the class section? How do I get a class?"
[There are ways to improve your stats within the tasks and challenges that await if you choose to participate. Classes can also be found the same way.]
What followed was 13 hours of brutal non-stop training that finally resulted in a slight change to his status window.
[Strength Increase: +1]
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name: Astraeus Fuller
Human (F)
Class: None
Root Grade: F
Titles: N/A
Physical Stats ------
Strength: 9
Endurance: 7
Agility: 6
Vitality: 8
Mental Stats --------
Wisdom: 6
Willpower: 7
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Panting, Astraeus took in the change.
"Whew... Finally managed to get something out of that."
"It's strange though, if that was all it took then I should have a Strenght stat of 10 since long before coming here."
Thinking, Astraeus thought back to anything he did differently but nothing came to mind.
"Wait... the system said that dormant mana is currently being reawakened inside of all species. If I had to take a guess, then that is surely the cause of it. Well, might as well keep pushing untill the end. If I don't get tired here, there is no reason to stop."
With renewed vigor, Astraeus continued trying his hardest to reach what he theorized was the human limit before becoming fully awakened.
[Estimate: 14:08:21:52]
[Estimate: 14:07:15:38]
[Estimate: 14:05:03:02]
[Estimate: 14:03:34:59]
[Estimate: 14:01:57:21]
[Estimate: 14:01:10:59]
[Estimate: 14:00:8:32]
...
[Strength Increase: +1]
Astraeus felt his body tense up as his strength increased in points.
Struggling to adjust to this increase in strength, Astraeus found himself stumbling over himself as he moved around.
"If I can get all these bonus stats right now before I return to Earth, then my chances of survival for whatever awaits would be much greater."
"Seems then I have to spend the next 14 days getting as many points as possble. I dont know what is going to be happening on Earth when I'm back, but theres no way its going to be anything good. I'll have to make sure that I get all the benefits before this time ends then."
With only 8 minutes left until tasks became available to be completed. Astraeus decided to spend the remaining time getting used to his strength and clearing his mind.
...
[Estimate: 14:00:0:00]
[Tasks are now available to be completed]
"Ok, I am still not fully used to the changes in my strength, but it is good enough. Show me the tasks."
[Please choose a category]
1. Trial of Self
2. Architect of Will
"Hmm"
"I am going to assume that one focuses on my physical stats while the other focuses on my mental stats. Since I already decided to push my strength as much as possible, I'll continue to focus on that for now. Based off of the two options, Trial of Self seems to be more focused on my physical stats then Architect of Will. Trial of Self it is then."
[Trial of Self Selected]
[Please choose your difficulty]
1. Nightmare
2. Hard
3. Medium
4. Easy
[Note that you gain more rewards for a higher difficulty. You must also complete the challenge within before being allowed to leave. If you do not finish the challenge by the time 14 days are up. You will die.]
"The higher difficulty the higher the reward. Its clear they dont mind us dying as well." Astraeus pondered
"If what I am seeing here is how this world works, then its clear that strength is what matters most. If I am not strong enough, then someone will take what is mine. Humans already do it nowadays, they simply have to hide it because of reprecusasions. However, in this new world, no one will say anything if they are stronger then you. If I dont want this to happen to me, then I need the strength to back up my beliefs."
[Nightmare Difficulty Selected]
[Partial Self-Realization Accomplished]
[Willpower Increase: +1]
[Teleportation to new location occuring]
The moment Astraeus heard this notification everything went black.
...
Lying on the ground within a bed of grass, Atreaus slowly opened his eyes.
Ugh...
Atreaus groggily came to his senses and stood up taking in the scenary around him.
"This looks exactly like the area around my cabin... But why is everything so damn huge?"
Trees toward above and seemed to be close to, if not over 300 feet tall.
Dense foliage shrouded the forest making for a serene image. It made him feel small and insignifigant.
"So... What am I suppoed to do here now? Is there some objective or thing to achieve?"
[...]
"I really should just stop trying to ask the system anything."
Astraeus spent some time looking around wondering what to do. He noticed the "sun" setting. By "sun" it was really just a large ball of light that seemed to cycle like a normal day-time cycle would.
"Alright, I've decided. I think I'll just wander around. Can't just sit out here waiting for night to come without having any shelter. In fact, I am starting to feel hungry and tired already; I guess the bodily limits only apply to that "waiting room" I was in."
Setting off, Astraeus starting making his way toward what he perceived to be East based on where the sun was setting.
Navigating through the dense folliage, he heard a slight scuffle off to his right.
*Rustle-Crackle*
Halting his movement, Astraeus felt his heart rate rising and breathing pickup.
*Rustle-Crackle*
Waiting, Astraeus held his bated breath.
All of a sudden, something came out of the bush on his right impacting his side.
*Shhhh-thwack*
*CRUNCH*
*UGH!*
Feeling the impact, Astraeus got sent flying to his left crashing into the middle of a clearing.
Bringing his hand to his right side, he could tell he, at the minimum, cracked a rib.
Struggling to his feet, Astraeus managed to stand up and take a look at his attacker that had just stepped into the clearing.
[Boar Level: 5]
Nasty fucker it was. It was a boar with two tusks hanging out the edges of its mouth. It looked like it was high off whatever the strongest drug you could find with the way it was slobbering everywhere.
He couldn't see its stats, but based off the impact he felt and it's level, they had to be above his own.
Making eye contact with the wild animal, Astraeus took a low stance readying himself for its charge. Circling the animal, he navigated into a position that he thought would be much more favorable for him.
Losing patience, the boar made its move.
*ROAR*
It charged at him head on. Running at full speed, it was upon Astreaus within just a few seconds.
Seeing the slobbering boar in front of him Astreaus attempted to turn his body to the side and let the boar run past him. Unfortunately for him, the boars tusk caught on his leg ripping out a chuck of flesh.
*AGGHHH*
He let out a roar of pain falling to the ground and feeling his vision swim. However, what he was originally planning on ended up happening.
*CRASHH*
The Boar ran head first into a tree and was stunned for a second until it found its footing again.
"Damn... That doesn't seem to effect it much. I think I have to try getting one of its tusks stuck within the wood for me to do anything."
Staggering to his feet, Astraeus got up and steadied himself ignoring the pain zipping through his thigh and the blood leaking out of the wound.
Taking the low stance he did earlier, he positioned himself infront of another large tree and awaited the boars impending charge.
Seeing his movement, the boar immediatly aligned itself and sped forward.
Astraeus waited until the boar was practically right in front of him and then shifted his right foot backward and threw a left-handed hooked punch right into the side of the boars head.
*THWACK*
The punch landed and Astraeus immediatly felt the impact on his knuckles as he felt at least a few bones crack on impact.
However, the purpose was served. The boars headed twisted to the left as its tusk alighned perfectly with the tree trunk in front of it.
*CRASH*
The tusk went straight into the wood and Astraeus wasted no time in charging at the helpless boar stuck in the tree.
"GET OVER HERE!" he roared as he pounced on top of the boars head.
He knew from his punch earlier that he needed more than just haymakers to kill this beast. So, he went for the only part he knew was open and would not be as tough-the eyes.
Taking his left and right hand, he jabbed his fingers into the eye socket of the roar and blinded it. Blood spurted out coating both Astraeus, the grass, and the tree in front.
*ROOOARRRRRR*
The beast let out a cry as it thrashed out in pain sending Astraeus flying again, hitting the ground with a crunch.
*Aghhh*
Groaning, he stood back up with rage filling his eyes.
"I SWEAR TO GOD ILL KILL YOU!" He screamed as he charged back onto the top of the boar.
Raising his fists above him, he brough them together and cupped them then proceeded to smash it over and over again into the boars skull.
"I DON'T GIVE A DAMN WHATS HAPPENING, I DECIDE MY OWN PATH AND YOU WONT STOP ME FUCKER." He screamed out as the scene turned into a bloody mess.
"DAMNIT, I CAN'T GET THROUGH HIS SKULL, I AM NOT STRONG ENOUGH. I NEED SOME WAY TO DO MORE DAMAGE!"
[Due to your grit and determination, an attribute has been awakened in your root]
[Root Attribute Unlocked: Weight (F)]
All of a sudden, Attreaus attacks felt heavier, like they had more impact. With one final roar he brough his fists down unto the skull of the boar and splattered it everywhere.
"DIE!"
*SQUISH*
[Boar Level: 5 - Killed]
[Title Awarded: Monster Slayer]
[Monster Slayer - Slay a being 5 levels higher then yourself]
[Monster Slayer - +5 to each stat]
[No Class Detected - Essence Supplementing]
[Essence Assimilated]
[You have just pushed past your boundaries. All Stats +1]
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name: Astraeus Fuller
Human (F)
Class: None
Root Grade: F
Root Attributes: Weight (F)
Titles: Monster Slayer
Physical Stats ------
Strength: 16
Endurance: 13
Agility: 12
Vitality: 14
Mental Stats --------
Wisdom: 12
Willpower: 14
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________