《Mana Seeds ~*~The penthouse~*~》 The balcony apartment ¡°Ugh my head.¡± Kira mumbled slowly opening her eyes. Wha? Where? Huh? She had no idea where she was. Nothing was familiar. The Room she had awoken in was dark, with some early morning light sneaking into the room from around the edges of a large black curtain. In the dimly lit room was high end modern and expensive furniture. Everything was black and gray and dark blue. The bed was soft, softer than her normal bed. The exquisite sheets were soft, cool and smooth. There was a picture too dark to see, but it seemed to have 4 people in it. She turned around slowly away from the shifting light of the curtain looking all around the big bedroom. She sees three more doors, closet, bathroom and exit probably she thought. It¡¯s like a fancy hotel, but more personality. The desk had a gaming computer, some unidentifiable in the low light figures, and a bookshelf with lots of movies maybe. One door was cracked open, revealing tile, and a sink, so a bathroom. A small hallway led to another door, that¡¯s probably the way out. I don¡¯t know where I am, and I need to get home. I have no idea how I got here! What happened last night? I was going out with my friend for the first time ever. I got a drink, and then I remember laughing and dancing and feeling a slight buzz. I just don¡¯t know. Did I go back to her place? No¡­ this wouldn¡¯t be her room; this room screams male. She¡¯s book obsessed and girly as can be. Realization hit her; did I have a one-night stand? ME? I know I was just getting over my ex, but I would never¡­ not sober. Reaching under the blankets she felt clothes¡­ okay good, I have clothing on. Wait, this isn¡¯t mine. Sitting up and wincing with pain, she noticed she had on an oversized T-shirt, with some band she couldn¡¯t read upside down on it. And a pair of heart boxer shorts. Okay, this is guy clothing, so where¡¯s mine? She looked around again more awake and noticed the night stand next to her. Her phone! Under it, a handwritten note. Next to it a bottled water and two clear blue pills, Advil. Grabbing her phone, fully charged, she closed her eyes as the bright screen made her head scream. ¡°OW!¡± Nope I will not be looking at that yet. She put her phone down and grabbed the note, reading it while clutching her head. Low light meant nothing to this bookworms¡¯ eyes. Hey, I¡¯m not sure if you will remember me, but I went out to have a run and get some breakfast. Advil and water for that headache you are sure to have. Your clothing is in the dryer, it had to be washed. We did not sleep together. Stick around and we can talk about last night. You are safe here. We won¡¯t let anything happen to you. ~Jake ¡°Jake? Who is Jake? And who is we?¡± Ugh, I¡¯ll take the damn pills first she thought. Taking 2 and drinking the water down. She was hung over and dehydrated. I feel like I¡¯ve been hit by a bus. Should I stick around? Feeling a little better after the water, she got out of bed. She went to look out the window. Except it wasn¡¯t a window, it was a door to a balcony. A very high balcony. What. Below was her city. Bathed in the dull morning light of early autumn. Some fog and clouds a cool looking breeze. Blowing leaves far down below. Nothing else was as high up as she was. Am I in the penthouse of some rich guy¡¯s condo? I do not belong here! Deciding to make a hasty exit, she checked the doors one by one. Big fancy bathroom, no dryer, huge walk-in closet, nope. Ahh the door into the living room. She opened it, sneaking out hoping he wasn¡¯t back, or whoever we is, wasn¡¯t awake yet either. Nothing. All the lights are off, windows closed. There, just off the impressive kitchen, looked like a large laundry room. Sneak, sneak, sneak. If she wasn¡¯t so concerned with getting her clothes and getting out, she would have noticed the photos up on the wall all had her friend from the bookstore in them. But she didn¡¯t. When she went to open the dryer, it made a very loud jingle. ¡°Fancy machine shhh!¡± Kira whisper screamed. ¡°Kira? Are you up?¡± an unknown female voice called out. Whirling around at the voice a scream ready to lose in her throat, Kira came face to face with her friend from the bookstore. ¡°AHH! Jackie, oh my fucking god.¡± Seizing both her head and her chest Kira wheezed, ¡°You-ow my head- Scared the crap out of me. Why are you here?¡± Jackie ran and gave Kira a tight quick hug looking her over up and down. ¡°Yes yes, you¡¯re okay. Thank goodness.¡± ¡°What is going on?¡± Kira asked bewildered snuggling into the comforting hug of her best friend. ¡°I was afraid of this.¡± Sighed Jackie still holding Kira by the shoulders and staring at her with so much love and concern. ¡°We went out last night, for the first time together ever, I was hoping to introduce you to my, uh brother. But things went south, fast. ¡°Your ex,¡± She spoke with vile, ¡°showed up and we think he spiked your drink. You guys fought a lot. Me and my partner didn¡¯t know what to do, you started getting fuzzy after he showed up. You only had 2 drinks. He tried to get you to leave with him and threatened me if I tried to stop him. My brother showed up at that time, and well one thing led to another, and your ex is in jail. He got some good hits on my brother, but my brother still knocked him out cold. ¡° ¡°WHAT?!?!¡± Oh, crap she thought. I¡¯ve never gone out with her because my ex-boyfriend would never let me. I couldn¡¯t take it anymore and finally broke up with him a week ago, the owner of the bookshop had a room open above the shop and let me move in rent free to get away from him. ¡°He said you deserved to be beat to death. You were a cheating whore, and he would kill you.¡± Jackie eyes were watery a little sob came out as she continued, ¡°The cops wanted to know if you wanted to press charges and if you wanted to go hospital, but I know how you feel about hospitals so I said I would bring you home. And we would go if absolutely necessary. My brother is pressing charges though and we have good lawyers. You¡¯ll be safe here. You can¡¯t go back home yet. We¡¯ll get someone to take you to gather your things. ¡° ¡°I uh, He was going to kill me?¡± Kira said breathlessly sliding down to the ground. ¡°You, you must think me an idiot, I¡¯m so sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to impose. You don¡¯t need to take care of me. I¡¯ll figure it out. I¡¯ll get my things. I¡¯ll go¡­ ¡° Where could I go? I had only myself. I couldn¡¯t possibly be a burden on my friend. She was always so kind. Even when others made fun of me. Or treated me like crap. Since I was younger I¡¯ve been working, and she¡¯s been coming in to buy new books and just be pleasant. She would hang out with me on my breaks and tell rude customers off for me. She would tell me about all her favorite books and her adventures with her family. But I never saw her outside of the bookshop. I either didn¡¯t have time, money, or was allowed to go at all. Sitting down next to her Jackie just hugged her friend and quietly whispered, ¡°I do not think you¡¯re an idiot. I think you are brave and strong and my best friend in the whole wide world. You never once cared if I was rich, about my power, about using me to get higher in life. You were always generally interested in the things I was into and listened to my stories with so much wonder and enthusiasm and always got my drink order right. When I found out your mom died, You cried telling me. You didn¡¯t care what other people thought of those tears. And when I started crying too, you made us hot chocolate. We spent the next three days reading together in the back of the bookshop, telling stories of how strong your mom was. How you were going to make it. You never asked me for help. You never asked me for a loan. You trucked on, I didn¡¯t know if I should offer, and I wish I did. Everyone needs help now and then. And right now, you really need help and that¡¯s why you are here. Safe. And I won¡¯t just let you do your own thing. Not because I think you¡¯re an idiot. But because I think you don¡¯t know how to ask. Just like I didn¡¯t know how to offer back then. I thought you were older than me, but when I was taking your id out to give to the officers, I saw that you¡¯re the same age as me. You have been working since 13 to support yourself.¡± Sighing and taking a deep breath Jackie changed tone, ¡°Anyway. Let¡¯s call my brother and tell him to hurry with breakfast. You must be hungry. We will talk more about this later, okay. First sustenance, then a shower, then we tackle your problems together because I want to help you, and I want you to accept it. Okay?¡± The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. Kira sniffled twice, ¡°Okay.¡± I¡¯ll listen, my head still hurts, and this shirt and shorts are soft and comfortable, and I am hungry. I¡¯ll listen for now, and when I feel better, I¡¯ll figure it out. ¡°Why am I wearing, I¡¯m assuming, your brother¡¯s clothes? Did I do anything with him?¡± I blushed hoping I didn¡¯t make a fool of myself in my drunken, no¡­ drugged stupor. So many things were happening, I just didn¡¯t know what to feel or do or think or ask. ¡°No! I did, well me and Martha. He¡¯s never worn those boxers, they were a gag gift a friend had gotten him ages ago, and I didn¡¯t have any bottoms that would fit you.¡± She stares at her back end sadly, ¡°Yup Flat as a pancake.¡± She laughed somberly. ¡°Okay that¡¯s good, the only guy to see me naked was my ex, so I was a little worried.¡± Resigning myself to staying put, I Pushed up off the floor and headed to a chair by a set of big windows glad I didn¡¯t jump Jackies brothers¡¯ bones. Martha came out from down the hall, yawning, ¡°Is she up? Oh, good morning, Kira. I¡¯m guessing last night was a blur huh? It¡¯s okay, let¡¯s take it slow today and just enjoy the little things. Do you mind if I open the curtains, I love natural light in the morning.¡± They asked sleepily. They were wearing a sports bra, and shorts, their pink half shaved hair in a messy bun on top of their head. I nodded ¡°Sure.¡± and closed my eyes to brace against the harsh light. It wasn¡¯t that bright clouds had moved in looking like it might be a cloudy day today. Jackie was texting her brother furiously because she was starving. Her long blonde hair sticking up in a few places. She always looked perfect when I saw her, so this was a surprise. She smiled at me and gave me a thumbs up running to the, I¡¯m guessing, front door. Where her brother walked in, and in his arms was a bag of food, a cupholder with 4 drinks, and ¡°¡­ NUTMEG!¡± I sprinted off the chair almost falling onto my face, to get to the cat carrier carrying my cat. Jackie quickly and effortlessly catching the drinks and Martha catching the bag. All wearing smiles on their faces. ¡°Is it okay that I caught her? You kept crying about leaving your cat alone and hoping nothing happened to her, so I went and got her first.¡± The unknown male sheepishly asked. I¡¯m assuming Jackie¡¯s brother Jake. Wait their names are similar She always talked about her brother, but I didn¡¯t realize they were twins. ¡°Thank you thank you thank you. Oh, my baby, Are you okay? Can I take her out? She¡¯s not a fan of kennels? Or is that a no I don¡¯t have a litter box¡­¡± I asked my voice shaking a bit. ¡°Sure I already sent for cat supplies, I got a can from your apartment and ordered a few more, and the same type of litter and a new box. Also, a cat tree so she doesn¡¯t scratch the furniture. Should be delivered in a few minutes.¡± Jake said sounding almost embarrassed. ¡°You really go out of your way when you want to, don¡¯t you brother. You know I¡¯ve told you she doesn¡¯t like handouts, I just told you to get the cat and we would worry about it later, but you always gotta be so good at everything ugh¡­ haha.¡± Turning to me she said in her firm voice, ¡°Please don¡¯t worry about it. I know that cat is your life Kira. She¡¯s your family. You even have her at the bookstore when you have long shifts. She¡¯s as much my friend as you are, we weren¡¯t going to leave her anywhere she could be in danger.¡± ¡°Omg you guys stop she looks so startled like a lost puppy, or uhh kitty¡± Martha laughed. ¡°She is my family¡­ and thank you¡­ I¡¯m not sure how to pay you back but I will. Her comfort and safety is first.¡± I said my voice dropping and tears starting to run down my face. Jackie came over from the table and helped me open the cage, Nutmeg jumping in my arms, purring.. ¡°You are both safe here till we figure everything out. We will need to fix up the guest room into a proper room but after breakfast come on let¡¯s eat. As I got up off the ground, there was a knock at the door, about 15 men had boxes, and packages and taking them into another room, just a constant stream of personal¡­ Is that my stuff? Ya those are the boxes I hadn¡¯t even had time to unpack since I moved yet. Jake had already put a bowl down with Nutmegs food and was sitting at the table smiling awkwardly. ¡°Uhh okay,¡± I said letting nutmeg go to stuff herself on the food. ¡°I don¡¯t remember you but I¡¯m guessing your Jake?¡± I had no idea what to make of the procession of my items, new items, A BED? A MATTRESS? A NIGHT STAND??? I will pay them back for this no matter what, even if it takes me the rest of my life. ¡°Uh huh, that¡¯s me, my sisters evil twin, mwahahaha¡­¡± he said laughing manically. Both Jackie and Martha covered their faces with their hands making groaning noises. ¡°Please ignore him, he¡¯s a bit dramatic, and though he looks good, he¡¯s pretty nerdy, and awkward when he¡¯s stressed out. And though he goes overboard, she gestures to the procession of people, he means well.¡± ¡°O..Okay.¡¯ I said sliding into a seat at the table next to Jackie Just so confused and overwhelmed. Grabbing a pastry that had been pulled out of a bag and Jackie handing me a cup of¡­ wait is this my favorite breakfast tea? Awe! I knew Jackie was from a rich family, but not this rich I thought to myself. This is like fairytale rich. I¡¯ll think about it after food, I¡¯m starving! Munching was definitely helping, we all ate silently watching the workers put together a cat tree, take both my personal items and new furniture into another room. it was only 8 am on a Saturday after a crazy night, so we all were tired. Eventually the procession stopped and a older man, came up to Jake to sign something and be on his way. Thinking if this was a story, something dramatic would have to happen right now, I looked outside the window, and should have knocked on wood. Suddenly everything changed. ¡°Wa¡­¡± I started¡­ I had racing thoughts before, but they were absolutely pointless thoughts. Thoughts that meant nothing in the grand scheme of things. My racing brain went blank. I couldn¡¯t process what was happening. What I was seeing, What I was feeling, All my senses in overdrive. My cat sitting on my lap, when did she get there, was growling and digging her claws into me. Her eyes as wild as mine. I would take ordinary but dramatic problems I could deal with those¡­ WHY DID I HAVE TO THINK ¡°If It¡¯S a StOrY¡± Why, why, why? Rainbow lights flashed around blinding us. The sound of a tablet clattering to the ground behind me, Jake standing there staring towards the door, Martha and Jackie slack jawed looking outside the window like me. The hum of all the electronics in the place stopped. It was like the world went silent. Then everything paused. It was like time stood still, nothing moved, nothing not even the cat made a sound. A new haptic buzzing started getting louder. All of us are straining to listen. What is that. What¡¯s going on We all thought. Rainbow lights dancing and sparking everywhere then suddenly, a screen, in front of my face. I glanced at the others who also looked like they were staring at something in front of them. Nutmeg started growling again and swiping at something in front of her too. Sound came back, we could move but we didn¡¯t. Focusing back on the screen, words showed up and an announcement like voice started reading it out loud¡­ to everyone all at once. We all looked around looking for the voice, the screen never moving from my center eyesight. ¡°HELLO, and welcome to the system Aridari, Reading and hearing this means you have survived the initial spark! Congratulations! Those that couldn¡¯t adapt have degenerated. Roughly 20% of the apex species on the planet have been reclaimed and fed into the system! Other creatures close to the apex species have had their intelligence upped, so to have a fighting chance in this new world! Around 5 years ago, mana seeds were scattered across your world, absorbing into many things, Radiating and infecting the world with the programing required to save your world! Other worlds will be able to visit yours to help you grow stronger! The introduction to mana seeds will help keep the universe safe from a looming virus that will, if no mana is introduced, wipe the entire planet of all life! I have been tasked as AI 2348920483202034 or Steve for short, to find worlds teaming with life and no mana to help keep the virus from spreading! Some of the apex species, Humans, have perished but sacrificing a few to save the whole is the way to go! We have been introducing things to your planet for over 5000 years, trying to get you prepared to accept the mana seeds, and the way the technology will work. Over the last five years, you have been upgraded. You may have noticed more storms, violence, unrest, mass extinctions of other creatures, etc. during this time because not everything will take to the mana seeds. You have develop mana sense, and thus will have status screens, and all your life experience, of any kind has been quantified into an easy to follow and upgrade list. I as a benevolent AI, will be handing out achievements to everyone who achieves something interesting to help you survive the evil life wiping virus! We all need to become strong to fight the virus. Though Most of you probably won¡¯t survive the beginning, those that do will be able to hopefully find the virus and destroy it! Isn¡¯t that just heroic. The world will be fully converted right after this message ends. Tutorial guilds are found in every city. They will be glowing; they are a safe room that monsters can not enter. Yes monsters, like in those video games you all play. That was me by the way, sneaking all the ideas into the ¡°humans¡± heads to get them to create as close as possible ideas that would let you all adapt! And I had an 80% success rate too! That means I did well, some AI¡¯s only have maybe 40% success rate! So you¡¯re world is already above and beyond some other newly seeded worlds. Dungeons have now started spawning, and changing, any indoor space can become a dungeon. Any building, any cave. Even outside areas with a boundary, as long as they have enough mana seeds to have sparked the dungeon core! So be ready to fight when the message ends if you seem to find yourself in uncanny areas, that don¡¯t quite look the same. My job is to observe and provide insights when necessary. But it¡¯s important to fight against the virus with your own will and power, and to develop well rounded heroes! And this is my 5,000,938,3839,292 world, So This time I¡¯m just going to see what you guys come up with on your own! I will provide more details when you reach a tutorial guild. Like that line famous book you all have loved so much that you even made into movies, ¡°May the odds be ever in your favor.¡± Good luck and STARTO!¡± ITs begun. The silence was deafening after the announcement ended. Our screens still in front of us, as we just stared¡­ ¡°didn¡¯t it say something about dungeons? Spawning, right after the message?¡± I whispered looking around. ¡°OMG its just like one of those sci-fi books you like Jackie, RPG and videogame stuff right?¡± Martha said her voice cracking. ¡°Yes¡­ but¡­¡± Jackie was at a loss for words. ¡°DUNGEONS??¡± I said louder, my voice going up in pitch. Many thoughts just running random and unfinished out of my mouth. ¡°Okay calm down everyone, as Oldest¡­¡± started Jake his voice trying to sound calm and collected, but failing. ¡°by like 10 minuets!¡± cried Jackie clinging to something normal. ¡°Still the oldest Jackie. Anyway, I think we need to figure out what is going on. This does seem like those books you read Jackie, I mean you read a lot of books, but this is the one you talk about the most. I play videogames, and that prompt looks like ¡­ Status ¡­ Screen?¡± He said staring at something we couldn¡¯t see in front of him. ¡°Oh there are tabs. That one says Inventory¡­ OH it switched to an inventory screen.¡± We all said ¡°Inventory¡± and what popped up in front of me was a storage space like in a videogame. It was like a computer screen, and I could tell I could move it with my mind, must be this mana seed stuff. ¡°Profile.¡± I thought to myself reading the tabs that and it popped over to the Profile tab. Name: Kira Level:0 Race: Human Hit Points: (level up to reveal) Mana: (level up to reveal) Stamina: (level up to reveal) Recovery rate: NA Recovery Rate: NA Recovery Rate: NA Physical Strength: (level up to reveal) Dexterity: (level up to reveal) Constitution: (level up to reveal) Agility: (level up to reveal) Speed: (level up to reveal) Endurance: (level up to reveal) Mental Intelligence: (level up to reveal) Charisma: (level up to reveal) Wisdom: (level up to reveal) Luck: (level up to reveal) Composure: (level up to reveal) Perception: (level up to reveal) Skills: (level up to reveal) Achievements: NA ¡°Huh, My status isn¡¯t, filled in. Says My first name and level 0 and race¡­ everything else says I need to level up.¡± I was looking at the others, and they all said the same thing except Jackie and Jakes which had (Twin) after Human. Name: Jackie Level:0 Race: Human (twin) Hit Points: (level up to reveal) Mana: (level up to reveal) Stamina: (level up to reveal) Recovery rate: NA Recovery Rate: NA Recovery Rate: NA Physical Strength: (level up to reveal) Dexterity: (level up to reveal) Constitution: (level up to reveal) Agility: (level up to reveal) Speed: (level up to reveal) Endurance: (level up to reveal) Mental Intelligence: (level up to reveal) Charisma: (level up to reveal) Wisdom: (level up to reveal) Luck: (level up to reveal) Composure: (level up to reveal) Perception: (level up to reveal) Skills: (level up to reveal) Achievements: NA Name: Jake Level:0 Race: Human (twin) Hit Points: (level up to reveal) Mana: (level up to reveal) Stamina: (level up to reveal) Recovery rate: NA Recovery Rate: NA Recovery Rate: NA Physical Strength: (level up to reveal) Dexterity: (level up to reveal) Constitution: (level up to reveal) Agility: (level up to reveal) Speed: (level up to reveal) Endurance: (level up to reveal) Mental Intelligence: (level up to reveal) Charisma: (level up to reveal) Wisdom: (level up to reveal) Luck: (level up to reveal) Composure: (level up to reveal) Perception: (level up to reveal) Skills: (level up to reveal) Achievements: NA Name: Martha Level:0 Race: Human Hit Points: (level up to reveal) Mana: (level up to reveal) Stamina: (level up to reveal) Recovery rate: NA Recovery Rate: NA Recovery Rate: NA Physical Strength: (level up to reveal) Dexterity: (level up to reveal) Constitution: (level up to reveal) Agility: (level up to reveal) Speed: (level up to reveal) Endurance: (level up to reveal) Mental Intelligence: (level up to reveal) Charisma: (level up to reveal) Wisdom: (level up to reveal) Luck: (level up to reveal) Composure: (level up to reveal) Perception: (level up to reveal) Skills: (level up to reveal) Achievements: NA After confirming that we had the same screens, Jake then asked, ¡°Where did the old guy go? I just finished signing his tablet and¡­ why is there a pile of clothing¡­ omg.¡± Sure, enough he disintegrated¡­ He¡­ died¡­ We all stared at the pile of clothing, too much shock and excitement running through us. Then RUMBLE. SHAKE. ¡°WHAT WAS THAT?¡± shouted Martha, shaken, gripping the table. That word, Dungeon¡­ anywhere can be one with enough mana seeds?... Oh no¡­ ¡°I think, were in a dungeon.¡± I stammered. Suddenly looking around, omg this screen is in the way, minimize I thought, and it minimized¡­ OH! ¡°Think minimize...¡± and they all did and looked around. We started peering, looking for something, anything that had changed. I¡¯ve only been aware in this place for an hour, so I don¡¯t know if anything is off or Uncanny. Jake, Jackie, and Martha, get very panicked looks on their faces as they look around, they don¡¯t fully recognize their home I thought. Oh no, no no no no no! ¡°Something is wrong,¡± Jake finally says in a whisper. ¡°Something Uncanny about our penthouse.¡± The front door still open, some more piles of clothing just outside it, ¡°We need to close the door he thought.¡± ¡°Jackie no don¡¯t¡± Martha scream whispered as Jackie slowly made her way to the front door being careful to step around the pile of old guys clothing. He¡¯s just gone. 20% of humans are just gone. Those piles outside were the movers¡­ They are just gone too. Just like that, with no warning. This can¡¯t be happening, too many things were happening, I feel a panic attack coming on, I can¡¯t panic now, we are in serious danger. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. All of us hold our breath as Jackie looks into the hallways and behind things making her way to the door. She was always really quiet and could sneak up on me constantly when I was working and paying attention. She is the best to close that door. She made it to the door, when everything shook again, and she peaked out it, and she could see only darkness. She reached for the door to push it closed. And closed it. She locked it and sprinted back into Marthas shaking embrace. ¡°OMG Jackie that was insane did you see anything?¡± Martha breathed. ¡°You are tough sister; I was going to do it.¡± Jake Stammered. ¡°Dungeon¡± I said loudly making everyone jump. Sitting up still holding Nutmeg. Who seemed to have calmed down. ¡°Why do you keep saying Dungeon Kira?¡± Jackie asked me. Looking at me with concern, thinking I must have completely lost my mind. ¡°Because this is a dungeon, a tower dungeon, like in that anime I recently watched, and were on the top floor, yes? Nothing above us?¡± They all nodded. ¡°Then this is the treasure room!¡± I declared puffing out my chest and putting Nutmeg on my chair. ¡°This is like that book you told me about too! Tower Dungeons! The top floors are either boss rooms, or treasure rooms, and since I don¡¯t see a big bad monster and we are still alive, we are in fact in a treasure room at the top of a tower. And the floor below us, is the boss room!¡± My mind raced as all my thoughts merged, it was to distract me from the fear and panic, from the way I woke up this morning. Was it because I¡¯ve always wanted to live in a story? Have an adventure like in the books me, and Jackie spend hours reading and discussing? Maybe. But we need to figure it out, we are alive, they saved me, and So I know how to pay them back! Bookworm Kira to the rescue! They all gaped at me, tense and unbelieving. ¡°A dungeon treasure room?¡± they all said together. And their eyes got bright. They all looked ready to sprint off. Waving my hands frantically I whisper shout, ¡°Stop, don¡¯t run off we need to stick together and get weapons first, we have no idea if my idea is correct, its just a hypothetical idea based on tons of books, games and media.¡± I got up and made my way to the kitchen, Nutmeg following me and scanning the surroundings, slightly on edge. ¡°Its okay Nutmeg I won¡¯t let anything happen to you!¡± I smiled at her and she¡­ nodded. I stopped. ¡°Did you just nod?¡± She tilted her head and nodded again. I stared at her, ¡°Can you completely understand me?¡± another nod. ¡°OMG MY CAT IS SO COOL! ¡°I scooped her up forgetting about weapons and snuggled her and she purred into my ear. Everyone else stared at the cat. ¡°Well, that announcement did tell us other creatures would be smarter.¡± Martha shrugged. The others nodded just going with the flow. I put Nutmeg down, and asked where the knives were in the kitchen, everyone else already following me. I was just going to open drawers at random, but realizing how many and that I¡¯ve never been here before I lost all that bravado I had. ¡°Here¡± Jack said with a chuckle. I blushed, man I didn¡¯t realize it but he¡¯s cute. I look at Jackie my eyes flicking back to her brother, she just shrugged and giggled. He opened the drawer for knives, and stopped. ¡°Uhh one of the knives looks different.¡± I look into the drawer, it has a faint blue aura. I don¡¯t want to touch it. He doesn¡¯t want to touch it. Martha and Jackie both come to look. ¡°Its glowing kinda like the swords from Lord of the Rings, that detect orcs. But fainter¡± Martha said in awe. ¡°Don¡¯t touch it! It could be cursed!¡± Jackie said quickly. Throwing her arms out and holding us back. Not that any of were going to touch it who touches strange glowing objects after all the other unexpected and unexplainable stuff happened. Honestly anything we¡¯ve read watched or played could happen. I had a thought. What if I concentrated on it, I could feel something prickling in the back of my mind. Something that felt familiar but yet I know I¡¯ve never felt it before¡­ I said out loud ¡°Appraisal¡± and my screen popped open again: Kitchen Knife of perfect cutting, level : NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. Everyone looked at me. ¡°It says Kitchen Knife of Perfect Cutting Level: NA then blanked out section, and a note saying I have no level so I only see the name of the item. And then I got experience for using item Everyone else tried to use appraisal, and only Martha could see the same thing. I explained that I concentrated and still jake and Jackie couldn¡¯t appraise it. Hmm? ¡°I think its safe to use its green, and most bad things in games are not green¡± Martha stated simply. ¡°Uh poison is green.¡± Stated jake ¡°Or purple.¡± I said. Jackie the ever cautious and bravest decided to grab a towel and pick it up. When she held it, she turned it all around, nothing happened. Will you Equip the Kitchen Knife of Perfect Cutting? Yes No ¡°Oh!¡± I just got a prompt asking if I want to equip the knife. Should I say yes?¡± We nodded our heads, eager. Kitchen Knife of perfect cutting equipped in main hand. Your level is not high enough to use skills associated with this tool. ¡°It says my level isn¡¯t high enough to use the skills associated with the knife so until I get to the level required Its just a normal but sharp knife I guess.¡± Jackie spoke with wonder. Achievement: Equipping a tool for the first time! You have unlocked the tool tab in your interface. As well as a tool sub section in inventory. ¡°Oh I got an achievement, that unlocked a tool tab in my Interface? And a new tab in my inventory for tools. I wonder how the inventory works?¡± I looked back into the draw and used appraisal on all the other items, but everything was. High end Cooking tool Level:NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. And I only got experience for the first High end cooking tool. So, I now had 2 experience in appraisal, but have appraised quite a few objects. Suddenly both me and martha jumped back, as an announcement showed up on our screens. You have earned an achievement: Novice Appraiser You have appraised 20 High end items, and so you will have an easier time spotting high end items. You have gained 5 experience points for Appraisal. As well as the title Novice Appraiser which can be added under your name. We looked at each other and laughed¡­ this was definitely like a videogame. We told the others the achievement we got, and they pouted, wondering why they can¡¯t appraise something. We all got other knives from the drawer and equip them so we could get the same Achievement as Jackie. All wondering how to use this Inventory system. Chapter 4 We continue opening drawers and Cabinets, Each one having One shiny glowing, named item with in. 11 drawers, and 10 cabinets for a total of 21 items. This didn¡¯t include any pantry or refrigerator which we haven¡¯t opened yet. Martha and I earned another 22 experience for Appraisal. Most items were The High end Kitchen Tools. We earned another two for High end Kitchen textiles, and High end Kitchen storage. This is what we found: Kitchen Knife of perfect cutting, level : NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. Kitchen Spatula of perfect flipping, level : NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. Kitchen Cloth of perfect cleaning, level : NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. Kitchen cast iron skillet of perfect searing, level : NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. Kitchen Pot of perfect Boiling, level : NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. Kitchen Ladle of perfect serving, level : NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. Kitchen Wisk of perfect mixing, level : NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. Never ending Foil, level : NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. Never ending bottle of water. level : NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. Never ending bottle of oil, level : NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. Never ending Lighter, level : NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. Never ending salt shaker, level : NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. Never ending Peper shaker, level : NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. Kitchen Grater of perfect grating, level : NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. Kitchen tongs of safety, level : NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. Kitchen Funnel of perfect measuring, level : NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. Kitchen Strainer of perfect Straining, level : NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. Uncuttable cutting board, level : NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. Resizable bowl set of 5, level : NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. And the two most notable Tea Kettle of Healing and Perfect Warming, level : NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. Baking pan set of comfort, level : NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. We piled all the Named items onto the counter top. ¡°Well we wont need to worry about water, oil and flavor for food. Also the tea kettle of healing seems like a super awesome find. Wonder what the baking pan of comfort does?¡± Jake said staring at the haul from the kitchen. ¡°This really is a treasure room, and I can use all of these items to make even better food than before!¡± Jackie exclaimed. ¡°I bet the Baking pan, makes bread that will calm down nervous people or something, maybe cookies?¡± ¡°But none of these are weapons, sure we could use them as weapons, but they are all considered tools.¡± Martha pointed out. ¡°Well, we have a few more rooms, who knows what other treasures await!¡± I said excitedly. While we looked the rumbling and growling and shaking would happen, it was definitely coming from a different floor. We were nervous but still have not yet been in any danger. ¡°What about the pantry and the fridge and freezer? Do you think they have any magical foods?¡± I asked deciding if I wanted use the cutting board as a make shift shield. ¡°Jake will you check them Im trying to figure out this inventory so I can store all these cooking things!¡± Jackie asked her brother. He moved to the pantry and only found the normal food stuff which I was quick to use appraisal on, Martha close behind me. Ordinary food stuffs, level : NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. It was all the same thing, granting another point to appraisal. I wonder how many points I need to level the skill? I wondered as we looked in the fridge. Nothing. But it was well stocked so we should be good on food for a while. When we opened the Freezer though, we gasped. The only thing inside was a wand. ¡°A WAND?¡± We three shouted together, causing Jackie to come over to us. ¡°IT¡¯S A WAND!¡± What were we echoes? I smiled. I used appraisal. Ice Wand of Storms, level : NA (¡­¡­********¡­¡­) note: you have no level so appraisal is limited to the item name only. 1 experience in appraisal gained. Ice wand? I reached for it and it wasn¡¯t cold. It was a smooth cloudy stone with snowflakes moving with in the wand. It was exactly what Magic should be. Would you like to equip Ice Wand of Storms? Yes No I choose yes. All eyes on me. Ice Wand of Stroms equipped in main hand. Your level is not high enough to use skills associated with this weapon. Your Level is not high enough to cast using this wand. You do not have the Class to use this wand. I sighed, I couldn¡¯t use it. Of course. Everyone looked at me expectantly. I just shook my head sadly. Then suddenly Achievement!: Weapon Equipment! You have equipped your first weapon. You have unlocked the equipment menu tab, and a sub equipment tab in your inventory. Achievement: Magical Weapon Novice You have equipped your first Magical Weapon. You have gained the class Mage. ¡°Hey I got two achievements!¡± I handed over the wand since it¡¯s the only true weapon we have found for everyone else to equip it, earning a. Would you like to unequip the Ice Wand of Storms Yes No Then reequipped it once it was handed back to me. I didn¡¯t know where to put it so I just held it. ¡°Okay the kitchen is done where should we look next?¡± Jake asked hopefully. Scanning around excitement growing. ¡°We have a laundry room, the Formal Dining room has a China Cabinet, The Breakfast nook might have something on the coffee cart, the living room has cabinets. Then we have My room, My Brothers Room, the Guest room where all your stuff was taken too, and another room that is a library, not to mention all the bathrooms and closets, I wonder if there is anything on the balcony.¡± Jackie thought out loud her voice getting more and more excited. ¡°Let¡¯s check the library, maybe the books have changed?¡¯ perking up at the fact that they had their own library! ¡°Hmm, that sounds plausible.¡± Martha thoughtfully replied. ¡°Okay lets carefully move to the library, checking for traps and monsters¡± They said that with a shutter after the word monster. Nothing in the hallway, we get to the door of the library, and Jake stops us.¡± Wait¡­ something feels off.¡± He stares at the door, concentrating and then, ¡°Detect Trap¡± It was like he knew it his whole life. HE knew he should say it. Think it. And there was a trap, he could see it clear as day. ¡°there¡¯s a trap.¡± Of course, all of us try Detect trap, but no one else can Detect it. ¡°What do we do? I whispered afraid the trap would go off with any noise louder than a whisper.¡±