There’s one notification that looks more urgent than all the rest, so I open it first. There are so many even without the kill notifications; I wave those away for later, or perhaps never. Maybe one day I’ll want to review what’s happened here. Maybe.
Unique Event… Calculating
!!...error…!!
Recovering…. failure.
!!...error…!!
Recovering… failure.
Pathway found.
Forced Evolution executed.
!!...error…!!
Corrective action required, assistance needed.
!!...error…!!
Intervention successful. Refreshing notifications.
Significant Event - Planetary destruction averted!
Unique Event - Dark Mana and Mana core exposure survival!
Unique Event - SMI Evolution!
Due to a unique series of events combined with your Class and Skills, you have survived elevated AMLs far beyond previously recorded parameters.
Your SMI has integrated and synergized with a portion of your Skills and Evolved.
Intervention has stabilized your Evolved SMI. New Parameters currently unknown.
Expect a period of fluctuation and unpredictable outcomes from Skills.
Expect a period of reduced detection Skill sensitivity during recalibration.
Congratulations! Title Granted - Savior of Earth
You have, through your actions, prevented your entire world from obliteration caused by a unique extinction level event. Over a billion humans and their potential have been preserved. You have truly embodied your unique Human Sentinel Class.
Effect: +10,000,000 XP
Effect: Charisma +500
Effect: Unique Ascended Class Unlocked
Congratulations! Unique Title Granted - Dark Mana Tempered
You have survived something impossibly improbable.
Unique Effect: 2 Skill points per Level
Effect: Gain Mana Affinity, current potential not yet calculated
Effect: +1000 Luck - your destiny bends the Universe
Effect: Unique Ascended Class Unlocked
As soon as I open the notifications the world warps around me as my Charisma and Luck skyrocket. It feels almost like I have the ability to exert my will on things that I previously took for granted were not able to be changed. Influence things in my favor that I could never control.
It’s a lot to take in with a mind that’s still not settled and reality continues to waver for a few seconds while I adjust.
A Mana Affinity? Two Skill points per Level? This opens up so many possibilities for me to Evolve more Skills.
What unique Class choices have I unlocked?
I try to take stock. What’s happened to me? Am I reborn, or broken, or both?
“Whoa!” exclaims Taiwo, a look of concern and surprise on his face. I wonder if my Charisma is as high as his now. Higher? I’m tempted to ask.
“A few things in those notifications,” I agree. “Still have a bunch to go.”
“I recommend you rein that in a bit,” he suggests while gesturing at me. “It’s not nearly as strong as Tenebris and my Charisma is high enough to counter it, but your new… disposition… is threatening as hell.”
Perfect. Instead of immensely likable and influential, I radiate threat level. Not exactly the direction I would have chosen, given I’m supposed to be a leader. I focus on my Charisma and find I can pull in its range and the influence of its effect with a flex of my will. I leave the influence of my Luck at full power. It’s clearly been with me on this Dungeon dive, but who couldn’t use a little more?
I open up the next two notifications; they’re a familiar type and I welcome them wholeheartedly.
Level Up! *3
You have reached Level 21 as a Human Sentinel
+12 Aura, +12 Mana
+195 free Attribute points to assign
You have 195 free Attribute points to assign
Would you like to allocate them now?
(Y/N)
You have 10 unallocated Class Skill points
Would you like to allocate them now?
(Y/N)
Level Up! *3
You have reached Level 24 as a Human Sentinel
+12 Aura, +12 Mana
+195 free Attribute points to assign
You have 390 free Attribute points to assign
Would you like to allocate them now?
(Y/N)
You have 16 unallocated Class Skill points
Would you like to allocate them now?
(Y/N)
“I’m going to need some time,” I advise Taiwo.
“I can’t imagine anywhere else in the Universe more interesting than this right now,” he replies and settles back into his chair, then pulls out a table full of food and drink from his Inventory. I laugh, not sure if my body is ready for food and a bit surprised he’s content to just lounge around. Maybe this situation is a bit unique.
“Need a sounding board?” he asks, genuinely curious. Not pushy, not invasive. Just curious as he watches and eats some seaweed with a three pronged fork that looks suspiciously like a mini trident.
I shake my head, feeling these decisions need to be mine, free of influence. Am I ready to make these calls so soon? Surely I should have a stand down period, but I feel clear headed. A bit overwhelmed, but clear headed. Unsure, I decide to work it through.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
Four hundred Attribute points is a hell of a lot, but the real prize is 16 unallocated Class Skill points and the fact I’ve unlocked my Tier 3 Skills, with only one more Level to go to my Tier 4 Skills. I am feeling my Strength and Agility lag behind my other Attributes and decide now is the time to rectify that. I drop 113 Attribute points into Strength and 109 into Agility, bringing them both up to an even 500. Looking at the Skill I want in Tier 4, Runic Recall, I drop another 134 in Aura and the last 34 in Constitution, my biggest advantage.
My body feels euphoric as the changes take place and I hear Taiwo breathe out heavily as I’m transformed further into something even more powerful than before.
I’m keen to experiment before making a final decision and I won’t have enough Class Skill points to Evolve 3 Skills anyway, so I drop 1 Class Skill point in each of my Tier 3 Skills. There seems to be some resistance from my SMI, but they flow through and I take a deep, calming breath as the knowledge of how to use them rushes into my mind.
I call up the Skill descriptions and my Status to review everything, and maybe just a bit to put the feelings of near death behind me and focus on moving forward and the new power I’ve just gained.
Psychic Eruption (Human Sentinel Skill - Tier 3) (Level 1 of 10)
The Sentinel channels unparalleled vision, briefly seeing through the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of their enemies to exploit through a wave of psychic energy that damages and stuns them.
Effect: direct psychic damage inflicted upon enemies; Sentinel can choose lethal or non-lethal force
Cost: 1500 Stamina
Additional Skill points grant additional damage and ability to overcome Resistances
Guardian’s Blessing (Human Sentinel Skill - Tier 3) (Level 1 of 10)
A pulse of translucent white aura pulses from the Sentinel with mystical energy, providing moderate physical and magical damage protection for allies plus, increased healing and reduction of negative Status effects
Effect: +30% Resistances, +100% Health regeneration for up to 4^Skill Level allies
Cost: 500 Stamina per second
Additional Skill points grant increased coverage of the Skill
Marked for Glory (Human Sentinel Skill - Tier 3) (Level 1 of 10)
Through the Sentinel’s blessing, special humans are recognized for their potential and contribution to humanity’s survival.
Effect: One human per Skill Level bestowed a 20% XP and regeneration multiplier
Cost: Mana regeneration reduced by 5 permanently
Additional Skill points grant increased number of individuals who can be named
There’s no question in my mind who I’m using Mark for Glory on, and I bestow it on Logan immediately. The Skill wavers and although I can feel a connection to Logan through it, the Skill doesn’t lock on and settle. A new notification pops up so I open it.
Skill Trigger Failure
Due to the current disruption and recalibration of your SMI, this Skill has failed to form and execute.
Performing diagnostics….
Unable to reach resolution.
Great. Perfect. I’ll have to run through all my Skills to see what’s working and what’s not. I can only hope that it’s a limited impact, and temporary. I review my Status to make a plan, and maybe just a bit to take in how far I’ve come.
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="4">
Status Overview
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Name
</td>
<td>
Bronwic Cadimus
</td>
<td>
Class
</td>
<td>
Human Sentinel
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Race
</td>
<td>
Human (male)
</td>
<td>
Level
</td>
<td>
24
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="4">
Titles
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="4">
Exterminator, Overachiever, Powerhouse, Explorer, Bane World Delver, Survivor, Bastion, SSA High Enforcer, Mark of Tenebris (Hidden), Savior of Earth, Dark Mana Tempered
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Health
</td>
<td>
10890
</td>
<td>
Health Regeneration
</td>
<td>
237533 /min
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Stamina
</td>
<td>
16335
</td>
<td>
Stamina Regeneration
</td>
<td>
237533 /min
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Mana
</td>
<td>
2340
</td>
<td>
Mana Regeneration
</td>
<td>
610 /min
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="4">
Status Conditions
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="4">
SMI Recalibration Active
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="4">
Attributes
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Strength
</td>
<td>
500
</td>
<td>
Perception
</td>
<td>
1550
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Constitution
</td>
<td>
1089
</td>
<td>
Charisma
</td>
<td>
570
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Agility
</td>
<td>
500
</td>
<td>
Luck
</td>
<td>
1250
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Aura
</td>
<td>
500
</td>
<td>
Mana
</td>
<td>
234
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="4">
SMI Skills and Affinities
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Danger Sense
</td>
<td>
80 (40)
</td>
<td>
Observe
</td>
<td>
60 (30)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Affinities
</td>
<td>
Dimensional Manipulation, Mana
</td>
<td>
Survivor Damage Resistance
</td>
<td>
+20% when under 20% Health
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="4">
Class Specific SMI Dynamics
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Physical regen
</td>
<td>
Base + Base*AML
</td>
<td>
Mana regeneration
</td>
<td>
200%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Personal Weapon
</td>
<td>
Base damage: 956
</td>
<td>
Tech functionality
</td>
<td>
-25%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Mental Resistance
</td>
<td>
Invulnerable
</td>
<td>
All Resistances
</td>
<td>
80%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Damage Reduction
</td>
<td>
80%
</td>
<td>
Potion/Buff Penalty
</td>
<td>
-80% / -90%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Explorer Bonus
</td>
<td>
+20% XP
</td>
<td>
Penetration
</td>
<td>
1050%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Foresight
</td>
<td>
-50%, recalibrating
</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="4">
Class Skills
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Lesser Detection
</td>
<td>
1*
</td>
<td>
Power Strike
</td>
<td>
1*
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Charge
</td>
<td>
1*
</td>
<td>
Instantaneous Inventory
</td>
<td>
1*
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Clan Shield
</td>
<td>
1*
</td>
<td>
Force Projection
</td>
<td>
3*
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Greatest Need
</td>
<td>
3*
</td>
<td>
Critical Strike
</td>
<td>
1*
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Regeneration
</td>
<td>
Max*
</td>
<td>
Unbound
</td>
<td>
1*
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Accelerate
</td>
<td>
1
</td>
<td>
Rise Again
</td>
<td>
1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Penetration
</td>
<td>
1
</td>
<td>
Greater Regeneration
</td>
<td>
Max
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Imbue
</td>
<td>
1
</td>
<td>
Environmental Sense
</td>
<td>
1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Unbreakable
</td>
<td>
Evolved
</td>
<td>
Strength of the Clan
</td>
<td>
1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Wall of the Clan
</td>
<td>
1
</td>
<td>
Fury of the Clan
</td>
<td>
3*
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Omnipresent
</td>
<td>
Evolved
</td>
<td>
Group Party Chat
</td>
<td>
1*
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Gift of Gaia
</td>
<td>
Evolved (+30 AML)
</td>
<td>
Sword of the Sentinel
</td>
<td>
1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Know Thy Enemy
</td>
<td>
1
</td>
<td>
Wraithstrike
</td>
<td>
1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Elemental Aegis
</td>
<td>
1
</td>
<td>
Guilty as Charged
</td>
<td>
1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Psychic Eruption
</td>
<td>
1
</td>
<td>
Marked for Glory
</td>
<td>
1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Guardian’s Blessing
</td>
<td>
1
</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="4">
Spells
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Minor Healing
</td>
<td>
1
</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
You have 13 unassigned Class Skills.
Would you like to allocate them now?
(Y/N)
I need to figure out what my SMI being recalibrated really means, and recover.
But it’s clear I’m alive and potentially more powerful, more dangerous than I’ve ever been. I sit back in the chair and let myself relax for a few minutes before I ask Taiwo whether I imagined Tenebris saying something about going to an Academy, or if that was real.