Healer Arc 2 -- Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Because he wasn’t technically part of the Coalition and therefore didn’t have access to the entirety of the building, Thaden hadn’t been up to the second floor.  Now that he was finally there, he realized that he wasn’t missing much; the entirety of the second floor was basically nothing more than a nearly empty attic, illuminated by a singular box on a pedestal set up in the exact center of the floor.  The light that seemed to come out of the transparent box was a dull yellow color, making everything within range of the illumination look sickly, as his own skin appeared jaundiced.  It also pulsed like a very slow heartbeat, increasing and decreasing in intensity as he stared at it.

“What is that?” he asked, having never seen anything like it.  “I thought we were going to simply fill out some paperwork like I did back in my developmental world.”

“Paperwork?  That isn’t necessary here on Plangea, as everything it taken care of via the Coalition network,” the Representative said dismissively.  “As for the Codexical Access Point, it’s a way to connect with the entirety of the Adventurer Coalition throughout the world, allowing any information to be instantly passed between locations on the aforementioned Coalition network.  Unlike a developmental world, the System doesn’t watch over every single thing we do like we’re infants that need to be coddled, so it simply created the network and let the Coalition handle its normal operation. 

“It also registers new members of the Coalition—which is what we’re here for, aren’t we?”  Benalio seemed quite impatient by that point, pushing Thaden roughly forward, which nearly caused the Human to trip and fall.  Thankfully, he was able to keep his feet underneath him, but he was forced to quickly cross the distance to the transparent glowing box on the pedestal. 

“First, before you register, I need your payment,” Benalio stated, his massive paw on Thaden’s shoulder keeping him a few feet away from touching the box.  It took a few seconds for Thaden to tear his gaze away from the yellow cube, and almost like he was in a trance, he pulled out the 3 silver required for registering and handed it over to the tiger-demon’s other paw, which quickly disappeared.

The reason he was so distracted was because he could feel the sheer power coming from the box, which had the familiar feeling of the Assimilation System… and yet, it was also different.  The particular “flavor” of power that he associated with the System was there inside the cube, but it was more of an echo of it, as if it was only a kernel of what it should be.  Instead, what he mainly felt was much less concentrated, and a different “flavor” altogether, while being significantly weaker than what he was used to when directly interacting with the System.  He could only assume that while the System had originally built this “Codexical Access Point,” it had left running and powering it to the Adventurer Coalition – which was a good thing.

He and the System hadn’t really seen eye-to-eye when he was in Tarth, and he couldn’t help but think that it might be the same here on Plangea.  However, he also hoped that, based on everything he’d heard about the System being more “hands-off” on Plangea, which was further confirmed by the Coalition Representative just a moment ago, that he wouldn’t have to worry about accidentally calling attention to himself; or if he did, then the System wouldn’t suddenly swoop in and try to kill him.  He was told by one of the System’s Assimilators, a race that looked like the classic “greys” from science fiction, that it would rather have people it could control than let someone that was ostensibly outside of the System running around – which was why it tried to eliminate him rather than send him onto Plangea after he completed the developmental world.

That didn’t work out as either of them had planned, but he was at least alive, even if he had essentially been sent back to square one. 

“Alright, go ahead and place one hand on either side of the Codexical Access Point, and it will handle the rest automatically,” Benalio informed him, taking a step back while lifting his hand from Thaden’s shoulder.

Now that he was right up next to it, Thaden realized that the glowing box was positioned nearly above his head, as it was likely set up to accommodate the Netherines that inhabited the town.  Still, he thought he’d be able to touch it, even if he felt like a small child trying to reach something on the kitchen counter with the way he had to stretch his arms above his head.

Taking a deep breath, as all his hopes were dependent that something positive would happen, he stepped forward, reached up with his arms, and placed one hand on the left side of the transparent yellow cube.

Nothing happened.

As soon as he placed his other hand on the right side, there was a sudden jolt that passed through him, followed by a sharp stab of pain that seemed like it was trying to split his head in half.

Ah, crap; not agai—!

Thaden was unable to tear his hands away from the Access Point, which he definitely tried to do when he sensed something might be going on; unfortunately, it was as if his muscles had completely locked up and kept him from moving even an inch, forcing him to keep his hands planted against both sides of the box.  That was only a minor inconvenience compared to the pain flowing through his mind, and he felt his consciousness trying to slip away as the incredible agony continued without abatement…

…but oblivion was just out of reach.

While it felt like he was stuck in between unconsciousness and having to suffer unimaginable pain for hours, later he was told it was less than a minute before he fell backwards, letting go of the glowing box – which was significantly dimmer than it had been before – as he collapsed onto his rear end, before losing any control he might have had as he slowly fell onto his side.

Breathing heavily as the pain he’d been experiencing quickly bled away, leaving him conscious but completely wiped of any energy that had previously been keeping him upright.

“What was that?  Get up, Human.  If you’ve somehow broken the Access Point, Rivella is going to skin you alive.” 

He felt a not-so-gentle kick to his back, but he couldn’t move even if he wanted to; thankfully, he was able to speak, though his throat felt like he’d been inhaling hot smoke and ash, as it felt raw and dry, as if he hadn’t had anything to drink in weeks.  “I… can’t move.  Give me… a few… minutes… to recover.”

“You have until I come back with Rivella to get up, Human.  Then, we’ll see if you’ve done something to damage the CAP; if you have, you’ll be lucky to survive the night.”  Thaden barely heard Benalio stalk away, as every Netherine walked with near-silence on padded paws; he thought he heard the Coalition Representative start to descend the stairs when his mind had finally cleared enough to look at the notifications that were practically pounding on the outside of his mind for his attention.

#459931 Codexical Access Point connected

subject source detectedinitializing_

Welcome to the Felith Adventurer Coalition Branch!

Scanning for information…

Coalition Member information not found!

New Member Registration initiated…

ERRORsubject source not in Assimilation System database_rescanning_ERROR_subject source not in System database_

initiating manual override protocolssiphoning vital information from subject_

Name: Thaden

Primary Class: F&3034^## )@#GGH$#2

Primary Class Level: 1

ERRORsubject Primary Class not found in System database_attempting fix_ERROR_attempting alternate fix_ERROR_unable to resolve_

Primary Class assessment protocol bypassedSecondary Class not found_ERROR_

assessing potential originsERROR_prior Contender status unconfirmed_Secondary Class requirement not met_compiling Secondary Class options for subject_

ERRORassessment reveals current Coalition Rank 10_Secondary Class options expanding_

Please choose a Secondary Class from the available options—

ERRORnon-member status and Level incompatible with current Coalition Rank_attempting to resolve_unable to resolve_ERROR_

multiple incongruities detectedPrimary Class unknown_missing Secondary Class_Coalition Rank incompatible with status and Level_initiating restart protocol_failure_

accessing further resourcesscanning subject_Support Class detected but too advanced for current subject_attempting to replace_ERROR_

subject is undergoing physical and mental distressreaching critical threshold_searching for acceptable solution_

potential solution foundSecondary Support Class initiated to bolster subject stability_unable to allow Class choice due to mental distress_selecting Secondary Support Class at random_Class selected_

Random Secondary Class assigned!

Category: (SUPPORT)

Secondary Class: Novice Enthraller

resolving ERRORsbypassing incongruities and establishing existing Member status_

Congratulations, Thaden!  Your Adventurer Coalition membership has been updated!

Congratulations on receiving your new Secondary Class!

Current Member Status:

Name: Thaden

Primary Class: Unknown

Primary Class Level: 1

Secondary Class: Novice Enthraller

Secondary Class Level: 1

Adventurer Coalition Rank: Platinum+

It was a lot to go over, and while some of it didn’t make sense, Thaden managed to understand the gist of what had happened.  He was somewhat surprised that he was able to see behind-the-scenes of the System like he had in Tarth, as he figured that would be unique to the developmental world, as well as the fact that only a small portion of the Access Point contained System energy – but he was glad to have some context on what just happened.

From what he could determine, the Codexical Access Point used its connection to the Assimilation System to access the records of everyone that was supposed to be on the massive planet, and when it couldn’t find him – because he shouldn’t exist to the System’s perception – it manually tried to scan him.  Since he was never recorded in the Plangea System, which included his Fortunate Catastrophe Class, the glowing box had no idea what his Class was.  To try to resolve that issue, it moved on to his Secondary Class, only to find that he didn’t have one; that was an impossibility since he wasn’t classified as being a recent Contender, even if he actually had been, so it decided to give him one. 

That was when his non-reset Adventurer Coalition Rank came into play, giving him more options to choose from for his Secondary Class, but since he was still a Level 1 and wasn’t ever recorded as being a member of the Coalition, this inconsistency gave the Access Point a headache – which really started to affect Thaden.  Noticing that it was essentially killing him, the Coalition’s little box—aided by the System—fixed it by making a decision to give him a Secondary Class to help his too-powerful Primary Class, therefore resolving most of the errors that had occurred, and releasing him from the torture he’d been undergoing.

As he breathed out, knowing that he was fortunate that it had resolved the issue relatively fast rather than let him die, he realized that what he’d read wasn’t even all of the notifications he’d received.  The rest had to do with the final portion of what had been done with the Access Point, as it revolved around his new Secondary Class.

Novice Enthraller (Rare): While originally an evolution of a Control Class, The Novice Enthraller has been deemed incompatible with many of the necessary components necessary for a complete Control Class; as a result, it has morphed to become an experimental Support Class that can be a pivotal role in any Party.  Using spells to enthrall their targets, temporarily taking control of them, the Novice Enthraller can siphon Health from them and transfer it to another target, apply available non-damaging beneficial or detrimental status effects, or use them purely for defense against physical and magical attacks.    

·         Can learn spells at Weak, Minor, or Lesser strength

·         Relies heavily on Personality and Mentality

·         Has access to 3 starting spells

·         Provides Spiritual Spellcasting Competency, Support Spellcasting Competency, and Mana Management Competency  

ERRORsubject already possesses provided Competencies_searching for resolution_found_

You have received an extra Competency Advancement in your Spiritual Spellcasting, Support Spellcasting, and Mana Management Competencies!

ERRORMana Management Advancements inaccessible_rerouting Advancement reward_

You have received an extra Competency Advancement in your Spiritual Spellcasting Competency!

As he looked over the notifications regarding his new Secondary Class, which was something called a Novice Enthraller, he tried to imagine how this would help him.  From its description, it seemed as though it was based on his Personality stat, which he’d never really had great luck with keeping above 1 in the past without a lot of help; in addition, it didn’t appear as if he would be able to use whatever target he enthralled as an attacker to do any damage, as they would only be able to transfer Health, use any abilities that provided non-damaging beneficial and detrimental status effects, and in defense – like a blocker to prevent anything from getting to him.

What was interesting, though, was that he received more Competency Advancements to pick from, adding to what he already had available; he had been holding off from choosing anything yet, as he wasn’t exactly sure what he would need once he was able to actually fight monsters, but now he had even more to choose from.

He could hear voices coming from down the stairs, but they didn’t seem to be coming up yet, so he had some additional time to check out his Character Report to see what had changed. 

Thaden

Primary Class – Fortunate Catastrophe

Primary Class Level – 1

Secondary Class – Novice Enthraller

Secondary Class Level – 1

Progressive Internal Combat Knowledge (PICK) – 0/100

Adventurer Coalition Rank: Platinum+ 705/810 RP

Nothing changed about his stats, unfortunately, but he could now see that his Secondary Class was listed on his Character Report.  He largely skipped over the Celestial strength spells provided by his Fortunate Catastrophe Class, which was thankfully separated from his new Class, as he looked to see what he had gained from Novice Enthraller.

Spells: (125 to select)

Secondary Support Spells:

Weak Health Siphon (Single Cast) – 1 Access Slot

Secondary Spiritual Spells:

Weak Enthrall (Channeled) – 1 Access Slot

Weak Subjugation Aura (Reserved) – 1 Access Slot

Access Slots: 286

Competencies:

Support Spellcasting Competency (Level 31,524, 22%)

(9 Advancements pending)

Defensive Spellcasting Competency (Level 34,228, 78%)

(8 Advancements pending)

Spiritual Spellcasting Competency (Level 1,417, 35%)

(7 Advancements pending)

Natural Regeneration Competency (Level 456, 36%)

(4 Advancements pending)

Emboldened Leadership Competency (Level 1,239, 82%)

(5 Advancements pending)

Psychic Resiliency Competency (Level 2,028, 26%)

(5 Advancements pending)

Mana Assassin Competency (N/A)

Mana Management Competency (N/A)

Before he could do more than look at the 3 new Weak-strength spells he’d received with his new Class, he encountered a new notification he’d never seen before.

Spiritual spell synergies encountered – apply synergistic Class effects?

There was no further explanation, but he was worried at what it might mean if he said yes.  The last thing he wanted was to somehow lose the new spells he’d received, or perhaps even have them increase in strength so that he couldn’t cast them.  Therefore, he thought, “no,” and figured that he might look into it later when things were a bit more stable—

ERRORunable to execute subject command_synergistic application initiating_

Wait, what?!  Before he knew it, there was a flash of tingling pain throughout his entire body, but it only lasted for a little more than 2 seconds, when it then dissipated.  What just happened? he asked himself, but he was interrupted before he could investigate when he heard the deliberate stomps of tiger-demon feet behind him near the stairs.

“What’s this I hear about you breaking our Access Point?  If that’s true, I’ll be enforcing the Coalition rules to have you stripped of your membership and—” a gruff, female voice growled out before it cut off abruptly.

There was silence for a few seconds, and since he was facing away from the stairs, Thaden couldn’t see who was talking – but he assumed it was this Rivella that the Coalition Representative had gone and told about what was happening.  Any second, he was expecting to be attacked, but nothing happened.

“Benalio?  Did you happen to even look at our guest here after he touched the CAP?” the newcomer asked, a strange tone in her voice that Thaden couldn’t identify.

The Coalition Representative scoffed.  “What?  No, of course not.  Why would I—?  Oh.  Oh, no.  I’m so sorry; I didn’t know—”

“Enough.  Leave us,” the female voice ordered.

A second later, he heard the quick footsteps of someone going down the stairs, and a few seconds after that, he felt large tiger paws wrapping around his upper arms, pulling him up until he was sitting up.  While he was still almost entirely drained, he found that he was able to keep himself upright as a Netherine crouched down in front of him.

Rivella – Felith Adventurer Coalition Leader {Densartis Faction}

Netherine

Level ???

“I apologize for how my subordinate treated you, Thaden.  As a Platinum+ Rank Adventurer visiting out humble Branch, please let me know what I can do to make it up to you.”

Oh, good; it seems as though they can finally acknowledge my Badge Rank.

“I… well, I could certainly use something to eat.  It feels like all my energy has been drained away,” he stated, and Rivella nodded.  “Apart from that, I think I just need some sleep and time to evaluate my new Class.  After that’s taken care of, I would love access to some information that the Coalition can provide to me.”

“That is something easily handled.  Please, come with me and I’ll make sure that you are well taken care of.”

Thaden just nodded as she helped him to his feet, before practically carrying him down the stairs. 

Well, that wasn’t exactly what I expected, but I’m hoping that it will be enough.