《Master of the Multiverse》


 Rickys life

    *brrnnng* *brnnng* a hand groggily reached for whatever is making all this racket, so early in the morning. The hand grasped on to the noisy device and quickly silences it, but not before half open eyes glare at the screen and see the current time 0700. "It''s 7 already, guess I have to get up I don''t want to be late again", he thinks to himself.


    Ricky lazily gets out bed and shuffles to the bathroom. After he relieves himself he looks in the mirror and sees the same thing he sees every day. Messy blonde hair, blue eyes, and a mustache-less blonde beard that covers his recently attained double chin. He takes a couple good sniffs in his armpits and decides a quick wipe me down will do for today. He couldn''t be bothered to take another shower, besides he can always take one when he gets home. That is if he remembers.


    Realizing 30 mins had already past when he looked at his cellphone again he quickly threw on his navy blue polo and the same khaki shorts from the day previous. Jumps in his car and starts the drive through his busy city to work. "Same shit, different day" he numbly thought to himself. During the drive too work and home he doesn''t listen to the radio. To him it''s the best time to think, rather then listen to the top 100 pop hits of this week. He normally just day dreams about where he wish he could go or be. Before he got caught up in the everyday ritual of adult life he used to be a very hard core gamer and unlike most who usually mock people for spending their teenage years stuck in a chair staring at a screen to Ricky these were the best times of his life.Stolen novel; please report.


    Not that his life lacked adventure and excitement. He served 6 years in the army as a Apache crew chief. He''s skydived into combat, been shot at and seen a lot of shit blow up. But even that didn''t compare to the strategy and progression from his 48 hour raids he did as a teenager. That was his passion that''s what he loved to do.


    Just as he finished his thought he realized that he had just arrived at work and needed shuffle in the hanger and pretend to be busy for the next 10 hours. It wasn''t that he minded working or that he wasn''t very good at his job. It just all seemed pointless in the next 3 years all the work and effort he put into something would be decommissioned and sent to a scrap yard somewhere. How can you know that and still be motivated. He''s boss and co-workers already fell into the same rut allowing him to get by pretty easily doing the bare minimum. As long as he showed up he wouldn''t get fired. After the day was over it was just rinse and repeat.

 Red pill; Blue pill

    *Revielle playsover intercom* the days finally over is what most are thinking. Taps signals the eod(end of day) for us civilian contractors uncle sam wouldn''t dare pay us a minute of overtime. All this means for me is a 30 min drive home to listen to my wife nag at me yell at me till about 10pm then she''ll go to sleep and I''ll head to the guest room. Some may wonder why we don''t get divorced. For her that''s easy I support her and she has no one else. for me I guess it''s a similar answer for many of the whys in my life. One word apathy.


    But regardless time to get back in the ole beater and enjoy my short time to myself. I walk toward the rust mobile, a 1985 ford escort wagon. At one point in time I believe it was white, now it''s a faded grey with hints of a well known grungy orange color(aka Rust). But she still runs... For now.


    As im heading down the interstate I get into my usual Grove and start to zone and go to my fantasy word. As unsafe and unrecommended as I know it is, whats life without a little risk eh?


    After what felt like an unusual amount of town I reawaken my finner senses, because I realize im not home yet. I''ve been following the same exact route for over a year at the exact same times. Something is definitely off, I should be home by now. I take a look around and everything is frozen except for me. My own car isn''t even moving. Then it hits me "holy shit I have a super power. This shits real my fantasy has come true." Then a cold chill runs down my spine and I hear a very ethereal voice.


    "You earthlings are a bit strange though I suppose I was told your planet is still very immature. So surprised by a simple localized time dilation" his voice registered and I understood every word but his mouth never moved. I just stared at his face it was so strange. To describe his face in words would be almost impossible, but my first instinct was a draenei from World of Warcraft but green with the proportions of an elf. Strange right ?


    "Mhmm" he broke the awkward silence."Im sure your very surprised and maybe slightly disappointed you didn''t develop any superhuman powers, but don''t fret young one I come to you with an offer beyond your wildest dreams haha" he chuckled softly. I immediately retorted "So first off can you prove I didn''t die or am hallucinating. Because this is very very strange". " But of course,just not here it is difficult keeping the local time in stasis and maintaining the connection between two Universes. would yoy mind coming with me?" Before I had time to articulate an answer. He raised his hand(hoof?) To his heart then repeats in both my mind and im assuming aloud. " By my blood and soul no harm may come to you, and you may return at your leisure. I, pride of the legion Xelo, personally will ensure your safety and return if desired, I swear by the creator of the multiverse". A light enveloped him then enveloped me and a prompt appeared in my vision.


    Xelo, pride of the legion, wishes for you to travel with him. your safety will be ensured do you wish to go with him.


    [Y][N]


    - ADMINISTRATION OF THE CREATOR


    "Just think yes; that''s the easiest way to accept the prompt if you wish so, but if you insist you can reach out touch the [Y] I''ve heard newer species find the sensation very interesting. Whichever you prefer make haste". He grumbled a little visibly flustered. I quickly decided to reach out and touch the [Y]. The texture felt exactly as I thought a very brittle plastic. Then an idea popped into my mind I wanted to feel velvet and as I did the textured changed. What amazing technology! Before I had time to try anything else the prompt disappeared I saw a koneiving smile on the presumed draenei''s face, followed by extremely strong g force. Stronger then the force when halo jumping from a c130. A light so bright I thought I could smell my pupils burn.


    Just like that like I a blinked I came to I was sitting in a chair in front a desk where set Xelo at it''s head. He looked at me smiled again and said "It''s always fun to watch someone experience interdimensional travel for the first time you took it suprisingly well of I hadn''t known better then I''d say it wasn''t your first time ?" . It took a minute to register that question, then I explained to him my time in our military force and what the feeling related to for me. He scoffed then I retorted "So know that I''ve excepted that im crazy and gone out if mind will you break it down for Mr. Pride of the legion" I said sarcasticly just to test the waters . "Of course, of course." Suddenly the area around me turned red and I felt a fear so deep I knew I was no match for Xelo I knew he could breath and I would die. I knew then true fear. Fear of the unknown is one thing. But when you know at your core the being in front of you could rip your soul out just from looking at you. You feel helpless then just like that, a snap and the feeling vanished he sternly replied," I''ve treated you like an equal because I respect your potential that doesn''t mean we are. You will respect me is that understood?" I nodded my head and he continued.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    " So as you''ve gathered I am Xelo, pride of the legion. The titles in the CoM are very serious. Mine for example can only be won once every 10,000 years. This also leads to what im about to tell you,but first. my species by the way as im sure you are curious are the Dructog people we range from the multiverse #0321. Im sure you have more questions then I have time for but I''ll give you a quick summary and leave you to figure out the rest then we will get on to why you are here. First you may be wondering why I keep mentioning multiverse because they are real. We are only able to maintain a connection with another universe or species when they''ve advanced enough to discern the theory for themselves. At the moment I''ve arrived you have just reached the required knowledge of the multiverse for us at the CoM to make contact and you are the chosen warrior or ambassador however you view yourself. Suprisingly the multiverse was first introduced as an idea in your planet in the early 1500s crazy right? But all it takes is for someone to mention it being a possibility. Anyway we have been observing your homeworld for the past 517 years so we have quite a bit of knowledge on your people. I was assigned to the task of choosing a representative of this up and coming world and I have chosen you as I stated before . Any questions so far ?"


    So many questions filled my mind but after seeing his show of force I didn''t want to aggravate him much it really did set me in my place." I guess the first is what is this CoM you keep mentioning ?"


    " Oh of course im always getting sidetracked and forgetting the basics the CoM is the collarbation of multiverses which I am what you consider an employee. as you can probably guess it''s like the NATO of your country but for several trillon worlds, and it actually works haha. Anything else before I continue explaining why you were chose?. Most want to hear this before anything else."


    "One last question it seems that not just you but the CoM answer to a higher power for instance you said you as a company weren''t allowed to visit a place unless something happens. Im assuming that it''s the creator who you swore too before you brought me here is that God? im an atheist by choice but if there''s proof I will definitely reconsider."


    He looked at me with a very curious look and said,"how observant you are. Asking the right questions well you are correct in the sense it is the creator that prevents us from visiting every multiverse but it isn''t a god more like a how do I say it... More like a game creator haha and crazy as it sounds but that''s enough questions for now. my turn to speak and offer you a choice. You were chosen to represent you''re race. You''re species and you''re planet in a time honored tradition hosted by the creator. we have created what you know as RPGs and mmorpgs into your world as a test and as practice for you. Now you may have a clue why but you don''t have the whole picture. The creator host an ongoing universe where you are in a real rpg. You feel pain you feel hungry and you can die. Though it is very hard too. You haven''t been granted the right to participate if you so chose. We know you''ve always wanted something more in your life and we know you dedicated you''re younger years to mmorpgs, and we know you would not say no to this offer. But there''s always a catch. You will be forgot by all you know now, and you will have no friends. Only those you find within the game. You have been chosen because you are the most likely person in the world who doesn''t care if there forgotten. So how do you answer do you wish to know more and continue or do you wish to go back to the "daily grind" as you call it. Answer now!".

 Information help desk

    It''ll only took me a few seconds to process what he said. I had no way of verifying the truth. But like I early what''s life without a little risk. " Fuck yeah im in, so it''s like living in a game right are there manual or forums or something to do research, and what did you mean you can die but it''s very very hard ?" Is there Resurrection or no?" I quickly exclaimed.


    "Oh didn''t even have to think about this did you? You so realize you''ll most likely never be able to return to your planet... Earth was it?". A quick nod and thumbs up for me reaffirmed him assurance."Alright we shall carry on, though CoM is your sponser to enter the universe we are ultimately neutural for the competition. You''ll be given a quick tutorial when you decide you are ready it is voluntary and there are millions of ways to complete this part of the game. Also about the dieing part .... Yes must are skeptical, however there are respawns but you can die permanently if your soul is destroyed. Another quick thing to note this is what we call freeform there are no major goals no Deathwing or Lich King to slay and beat the "game". Thats not to say that there are not enemies of that calaber and some would believe even greater challenges await but you''re on your own as for as your goals go. rather you want to become a wealthy merchant and own planets full of gold or a traveling doctor helping those in need. Every action of significance is calculated in a point system one that can only be seen by players every quarter. There will be prizes, gifts and boons according to where you fall. Just because I like how intently you listen a word of caution there are countless planets throughout this universe you can visit. If you are captured and become a slave or anything else that you might deem unethical. There will be no intervention from the administration. You are responsible for yourself regardless of the situation. Now that I''ve loaded your head with a plethora of information are there any final questions? Note I do not know the specifics of the universe you will be transported to only the very basics that stay the same and the rules I''ve been given to relay to you. I''ve explained them to you well enough"Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    I thought about everything he said and as I was processing it I realized this universe he''s talking about it''s everything I fantasized about sure getting caught by slavers would definitely suck but is it a risk im willing to take... Definitely. Now is there a question I should ask. Ugh I know " Xellos is there a class system? since you keep mentioning it''s similar to a rpg scenario." He responded with suprisingly quickness" I believe I''ve already mentioned I do not know the specifics. Did you not listen ? The universe and it''s specifics changes everytime a new one is created so in that aspect you know as much as I in the one I was involved in it was very similar to the training program titled world of Warcraft in your world. It was actually based off of it, well the game system anyway several things changed in order to translate. Im growing impatient are you ready to depart ?"


    He gave me the ultimatum huh. Well I guess I already agreed let''s do it." Yes im rea...." Before I could even finish my sentence I felt a strong tug immensely stronger then before when we came here. The g force was tremendous. My body felt like it was being squeezed and compressed to the diameter of a needles tip. I couldn''t hold on any longer and passed out.

 More walls of text ? More action ?

    I awoke slowly at first then as my memories started to come back. I jumped up in panic looked around and observed my surrounding my vision is still a little blurry all I could see was I was in a white room completely flat on every side, not a single blemish. My vision came into focus as I turned around and looked at an old man with his feet propped up on a desk. He had on a blue wizard hat and robes. Very similar to the wizards from a game I played called runescape. He was had in his hand a very elaborate glass pipe with glowing lines covering. He went to inhale on the pipe and the lines glowed a shade brighter and he exhaled a thick white smoke in several Rings. He made his pipe disappear into his blue robes. Then swiveled around planted his feet and stood. He looked like a human but very tall nearing what seems to me close to 9ft tall.


    "Welcome young traveler I see your still on alert. No need, no harm can come to you here. You are still asleep on the sofa in my living room. I''ve come here in a netrual space. To welcome you and guide you should you have any questions soon you will see some text appear in front look it over read it and ask any questions. Feel free to take your time I am in no rush."


    He spoke in a much higher voice then anticipated especially considering the size of the gargantuan man. Not only that his mustache moved in a very odd manner it wriggled across his top lip from left to right between each syllable as if it had a mind of his own. *Ding*. A wall of text appeared in front of me.


    [Welcome traveler Ricky Gervy to pocket universe #999 also know as universe zulu. Thank you for accepting the challenge of our competion. Below is some information we wish you to verify, you may change it now but once completed you cannot change it. Well not easily. - Thanks for your cooperation administration of the creator]


    Name- Ricky L Gervy


    Birthday- 10/28/1992


    Height- 5''11"


    Weight- 225


    Hair color- blonde


    Eye color- blue


    Race- Human(Earth)


    This menu looks just like a character sheet hmm wonder if there will be some characteristics from DnD. There''s a drop down menu for race and editable text boxes for every field but birthday. I should ask Mr.Gandalf here how this affects me in the world. If there''s characteristics for races. "Excuse me sir?" He put down his pipe with a couple loud coughs." Yes yes how can I help you. Btw my name is Monty I don''t think I introduced myself. Getting a bit senile in my old age I used to be a traveler like you many many moons ago when I could count the number of Universes with sentient life. You wouldn''t believe some of the journeys I''ve been on. Turning monsters as big as some worlds in to sheep Hahaha"  after he finished his rambling I had almost forgot my question." Yes there''s options here for me to change some of personal information such as race for example. You wouldn''t know if this effects my attributes in game. Would you ?". He thought for a moment then gave me a confused look " I see I see. So you''re asking me if by choose for example a 300lb orc if you''d be stronger then you are now? Well young one I''d hope so it wouldn''t make much sense the other way haha. But as for as actual stats. Well that changes so even I do not know that. I currently reside as a npc so I don''t get to participate and see the world through a players eyes. Any other questions young one ?" "Ah yes one more Mr Monty, sir under race next the word human in paranthesis it says the word (earth) my home planet what significance does that have". "Ahh now that one I can answer as a earthling human you can never surpass the limits of the body you were born with regardless of how many stats or how strong you can get. Nor can you cultivate mana or chi or any of the wordly energies if those on your planet couldn''t."Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Hmm that''s alot to think about, I couldn''t imagine even the strongest earth human being able to take on planet sized monsters. I have heard of some monks that could cultivate chi or at least believed they could but never mana. I always assumed that was just fantasy talk."One last question are there any other types of humans that are exceptional at cultivating chi and Mana or any/all wordly energies." "Of course what a smart young man. You must be one of the smart ones on your planet who studied the multiverse theory. there''s nearly an infinite number of Universes some with drastic and some with only slight differences. Of course the creator moderates all these things. There is no race who is the best at all. Remember this; with strength comes weakness. For example races with the strongest Mana affinity are typically more fragile and have less muscle mass. The races with the strongest chi affinity usually don''t have much toughness in other words they can''t take a punch. As for the last part there are many more energies then I know, and I''d be here for the next century naming the ones I do know. So I answer your question with another. What is it do you want to do ? Also bare in mind young one race isn''t everything just because you are a high elf doesn''t make you the best high mage alive it just makes the path a little easier."


    Hmm this is so much information and it''s so generic! This is good but its also bad. This is how things are but not really. Man this is getting old I''ll be so glad just to get the in the game no more questions. Seems like I just need to figure it out. Trial by fire. There''s respawns... Right ? Hmm what kind of fighting style do I want though that''s a good question "How about a martial artist who has power of earth and incorporates that into there martial arts ?" I''ve always wanted to be a earth Bender haha.


    The old man looks at me with a very questionable face takes a few puffs of his pipe then looks up and says,  "Hmm what a very specific request. There is a race that''s sorta human like that has good earth affinity and can cultivate, what translates to geothermal chi very unique even though the race is capable I here it''s a very volatile and hard to control energy. The race is called zealotian from the planet e3476. Yes that''s what it''s called. It was renamed to that after they begain habiting other planets, a very common practice. Anyway if you go through with the race change it is recommend changing your height between 6''5" and 9'' and your weight to about 400-500. They have naturally dense muscle. anyway enough you''ll see."


    Tired of the bs I went ahead and changed my height to 6''5" and weight to 450lbs and when the drop down menu appeared when I focused on the race he mentioned it highlighted then I mentally selected it


    [Are you sure you want to chose this race


    (Y)(N)]


    Yes!


    [ Caution you bodily will drastically change this could take several hours]


    Yessss I don''t care


    Soon I thought this I was out again instantly.

 Adventure awaits

    I awoke again this time in a much better place . Laying a very plush red sofa. As I sit up I see Monty sitting on a recliner with the same clothes and pipe in hand puffing away. He seemed to be staring at something that wasn''t there his nose wrinkled and eyes not blinking, very focused. Looking around his house. The walls have been turned into bookshelves. Not a single window or door in sight thousands of books. Most are fairly large tomes. Monty seemed to snap back into focus he looked me with an ear to ear grin. "Seems you went with my recommendation. Good to know I was of use. I will probably have to buy a new couch due to such a dramatic change hahah." I looked down at the sofa I was laying on where the armrest meets the cushions there a big crack on each side where it had widened due to my new height. You would think such a large man would have bigger furniture.


    Oh yes I almost completely forgot I changed races. Dramatic change he said?. He did say human like or something similar. Looking down at my I could see a difference in my skin though the same color it had hard lines and contours like shaped stone. bending my finger I could see several small flesh colored plates seamlessly moving to allow me to have freedom of movement. There was also a sheen to my skin like it had been polished. Then I taped it with my other finger *ting**ting**ting* a sound of hitting two pieces of metal together. My skin is made out of metal? I wonder how durable it is. "Sir do you have a mirror ?" I asked the wizard. I was ccurious how I looked. "Sure sure I imagine your curious how you look. If you ask me I''d see it was a big improvement. You looked pretty wimpy before." As he finished speaking a snap of his fingers and a small flash then a body sized mirror appeared out of then air."neat trick." I said and he just smiled then went back to puffing away. I seriously wonder whats in that pipe I never see him refill it. I stood up and walked to the mirror. The first thing I noticed I was completely naked beside some crudely made leather underwear. But my body was shaped like a statue perfect in every way rock hard abs (literally) and a chest like a god himself carved it. This is a bit unfair to all those fitness freaks on my world. I tried to flex the muscles on my chest out of curiosity but my chest didn''t swell up or do anything really I moved hand to feel my chest and flexed again I noticed the texture almost changed like from a glossy sheet metal to a coarse hardened steel I wonder if my muscles work differently or just my new skin isn''t as flexible. I''ll have to test this new body when I can finally start adventuring.


    "Alright Mr Monty im done admiring my fresh new body and am pretty pleased if not curious to test it out. So where do I go to start my adventure." I said excitedly


    A wide mischevious  smile over came his face his yellow teeth showing then he spoke "Hmm well you have two options you can either begin the tutorial like every other traveler and progress in the path set up or we can have a little wager. I''ll give you a small boon and teach you some basic martial arts magically of course and then send you into the wilderness around a beginner area nothing more then the average wolf''s and stuff. If you survive 24 hours I will let you select between 3 gifts from me. What do you say ?"


    What a very interesting proposition I knew I liked this old man. Hmm I wonder," alright Mr.Monty I have a counter proposal. Forgo the teaching me the basics of martial arts and up the allotted time to 72 hours.  I get to pick 2 gifts and you''ll teach me all you know about cultivation of energy. What do you say ?" I held my hand out for a handshake. The wizard raised his right eyebrow at my hand. Obviously not trained in the earth dealings. I retracted my hand feeling a bit awkward. He thought for a moment running is fingers threw his gray beard. And the said "deal are you ready to leave then? Don''t worry about the teleportation this time as long as we are in the same universe the process is much easier on the mind." I gave him a thumbs up and shook my head up and down with a determined look then another prompt appeared.


    Quest: A deal with the devil


    Description: you have made a deal with the Necromancer Montigue Darkfinger, he will teleport you to an level approved wilderness where you will not die for 72hours.


    Rewards: a selection of two items the wizard has attained during his travels that may help you immensely and apprenticeship under him to understand the cultivation of your chi.


    Do you accept [Y][Y]


    Note: since you have already agreed to the deal this a quest that can''t be denied.


    Necromancer ? I thought he was just a smiley old wizard. Well this should be interesting too late to turn back now.  After accepting the quest Monty opened a portal I could see a forest of very tall trees similar to the redwoods in California but they are as green as the grass instead of like wood. I turned to Monty waved good bye. He smiled then gave me a wave back. As soon I put one foot through the portal. I heard faint screaming then the scene drastically changed into a swirling portal of chaos. The beautiful forest gone I couldn''t escape I was being pulled in by my feet I turned to look at Monty and he was covered in arcanum lighting that originated from a black staff his face deeply twisted in a very focused gaze his mouth was a blur with a language I couldn''t fathom. I could feel  the power radiating off him it felt like I was trapped deep underwater. The pressure compressing against my body like I was be forced into a small box. I turned and all that was left not in the portal was an arm and shoulders. I looked over one last time Monty was laying on the floor before my head was enveloped I could see tired face mouth the words sorry before darkness enveloped me. I didn''t pass out, it felt like I was falling through pitch black space. An hour a day I don''t know how long passed I kept falling and falling at terminal velocity. Then I felt myself decelerate slowly but steadily my clothes stopped flailing about then finally my feet hit hard ground. I looked around and it was still pitch black I walked forward touch the blackness just as I felt it, the impenetrable night vanished.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    All around me was white instead of the lush green forest. I was transported to a snow covered wasteland. I could see mountains in the distance to what I''m gonna call north every other direction was nothing but big white hills it seems that I''m in a valley. I need to get to higher ground get into some shelter something obviously went wrong. Just as the thought entered my mind I heard a series of dings


    Quest modification: during teleportation a mysterious individual hijacked the connection and sent you to a undiscovered planet. survive 72 hours and the reward promised will be sent to your inventory. The promised apprenticeship will be supplemented with skill books unless Monty can save you.


    Notification- you are the first to discover a new world and travel between worlds in Universe Zulu congratulations. Experienced earned is doubled until you die. As long as no other player enter the planets atmosphere.


    Notification- stats have been unlocked, levels have been unlocked, skills have been unlocked,


    Notification- skills unlocked: basic wilderness survival, elemental resistance, earthen martial arts, will of the soldier, hardened skin.


    I have skills! And stats and levels! Yessss! How do I open the stats menu. I pictured it displaying in front of me then it appeared


    Ricky Gervy


    Lvl 1


    0/1250


    Health- 160


    Chi- 100


    Stamina- 120


    Strength 18


    Toughness 16


    Endurance 12


    Dexterity  14


    Agility 16


    Willpower 12


    Intelligence 10


    Wisdom 10


    These stats don''t seem to bad I wonder how what the relation of the numbers are. Is there a help menu, that''d be useful. But sadly as much as I thought of opening a help menu nothing appeared. Time to move on let''s look at my skills


    Basic wilderness survival (Novice 0/25)- due to past experience you know how to survive on your own. Edible foods will have a slight glow


    Elemental resistance (racial)- due to the hardness of your skin only the coldest winds and hottest suns can pierce your natural resistance. (10% elemental resistance)


    Earthen Martial Arts ( novice 0/25) - after practicing many forms of earthen martial arts you understand the basic concepts of what it is to fight.


    Will of soldier (unique) - after facing insurmountable odds and still continuing forward you have proven your resolve ( %50 fear reduction, +2 willpower)


    Hardened Skin (racial) -  The race (Zeolation) has evolved to have naturally hardened Skin hardness depends on toughness. ( +20 to defense rating, %50 harder for projectiles to Pierce skin)


    I feel like these are some pretty nice skills to start out with. The earthen martial arts is pretty strange though. After learning army combatives I did Brazil jiu jitsu and muay Thai for less then a year, but that was almost 5 years ago. I don''t understand how that translated as a skill, I was honestly pretty terrible but I''ll take it haha. Now even though this cold isn''t bothering me to much I need shelter and a good source of food to survive the snow will solve the water problem. Well I hope it''s water. I''ll walk up this Hill and see if I can see anything. The snow has melted where I had teleported at so my feet were soaked I took a soggy step forward heading to my destination. As I neared the top of the hill I noticed I was sinking more and more into the snow 3/4 of the way and the snow was up to my  waist if not for my improved strength I think I would have been stuck; this is a work out. Slowly moving forward one foot at a time forcing the snow to part so my body can make its way forward I crested the hill and climbed on to a rock just barely poking out of the snow. I saw in the distance about 2km to my Northeast trees. Yessss!. They look like suprisingly normal evergreen. I think that way will be my best chance to survive. Now  but have a destination and a goal hopefully I can make it there and the snow doesn''t get deeper. So I put one foot forward to begin the journey and my foot sunk back into the snow. Man what I wouldn''t kill for some snow shoes.

 A wild encounter appears

    As I got down to the other side of the hill the snow started to thin out and the ground started to level. When the slope of the hill finally ended the snow level was at my ankles. How strange there should be less snow on the hill and more in the flat areas, I''d think ? With no answers coming to me I continued forward at an average pace. I didn''t want to rush and tire myself out. Like the long ruck marches my body is still accustom too I just looked forward at my destination and started counting my steps.


    Almost halfway I heard something. I stopped and stilled my body. There it is again, What is that sound? It felt like it was coming from every direction it wasn''t very loud but I couldn''t pin point the source. It sounded like the roar of a lion but different sounded a bit more whispery. I bet this is a warning oh well let''s see what there warning me about. This time I continued forward at a much slower pace watching my surroundings listening trying to pinpoint the direction of the sound after about 10 minutes the sound stopped. But I was still weary of an attack. I continued to move forward slowly and cautiously I could see the forest line. I was getting close.


    Just as I was starting to feel a bit relieved I felt a tremble beneath my feet. It was subtle but there. As the seconds ticked by I could feel it growing stronger and stronger whatever is coming after me is coming and it''ll be here fast. I had a weird connection with the earth beneath almost as if it were warning and giving me feedback of how close the threat was. It was just a weird feeling almost as if it were influencing my emotions. I decided to trust in it. I closed my eyes and focused on the feeling. I concentrated on it with all I could muster and was rewarded. NOW! Something inside me spring to life and I did a combat roll to the side. Mid roll I could see the ground beneath me bulging and then pop like a bubble and out flew a beast of pure black fur and shimmering scaled with shinning white eyes. It had the head of a lion and body of a snake. I recovered readying myself for the next attack. I focused on it, and observed it looking for a weak point to attack. This thing was huge at least 30meters in length it''s head was twice that of a normal lion. Though it could just be the adrenaline talking. It brought it''s head up and stared into my eyes licking his lip, thinking it had cornered it''s pray. he slowly slithered closer I noticed a point below it''s neck where the black mane of the head the shiny scales intersect I decided this was a good as place as any to attack, and not wanting to let the creature set the pace I readied my body and put my weight on my back foot. Im not gonna die a coward I pushed against the ground and felt it tremble as I took off at a shocking speed every step I took the ground shook and almost felt as it were giving me a boost. The lionsnake thing must not have expected me to attack because suprise flickered into it''s face momentarily then excitement. When I got close enough to it''s attack range it reared back it''s body. I knew he readying to make quick and deadly strick, One I would not survive. Then I had another feeling from the ground I was touching like a faint warning when my right foot hit the ground as I entered it''s range and in a blink roaring ivory teeth dripping with sizzling purple venom was headed for my face. As if time slowed I dropped my weight down into a slide just as I fell I saw his head fly above mine and saw my weakspot. Not having time to accurately strick I grabbed onto his body. Even with my new greater wingspan. My arms didn''t fit half way around his girth. Luckily where I grabbed was soft meat and I was able to dig my new reinforced fingers into his body and get a grip. Hanging on for dear life the monster quickly pulled back realizing he missed and he was causing it an insane amount of pain. The monster tried flinging his body around to get me off but I was kicking him with all my force. Each kick opening for holes into his body. After what felt like an hour the skin where I was holding ripped and I was thrown through the snow. I quickly jumped to my feet. Then isaw the havoc I caused. There were two huge gashes where my hands were, and as he was thrashing around I refused to let go and pulled back alot of skin revealing bare muscle. Blood was pooling out faster then I''ve ever seen, even the several smaller gashes below where I was kicking. I readied myself for another charge but the Lionsnake looked to be in a lot of pain as he moved toward me his freshly mutilated stomach scrapping the ground leaving behind a trail of red blood it''s wake. It''s movements obviously slowed. He approached as fast and as cautiously as he could I don''t think he''ll make the same mistake twice then I had an idea. I took a step forward and dropped to one knee holding it, like I twisted my knee. Feigning an injury might take his guard down was my crazy idea. As he was getting closer I put a worried look on my face and then tried to put weight on the same knee and half fell. I could almost here the monster snickering. It rushed forward in the same reckless way as before but he was going low not to expose his already shredded belly and when got close enough he coiled up and then shot like a gun to me. I got on all fours and felt the ground hoping to feel something but nothing came I was on my own. When the time was right I but pressure on my back legs and rolled to the side. Bwam! Something hit me hard in my back mid jump and sent me flying towards the tree line. Tumbling through the air my back cracked against a thick tree making it bend at an unnatural angle branches and limbs fell . My world erupted into a pain like I''ve never felt before. He must have seen through my shitty trick, fuuuck this hurts. Lesson learned. I opened my eyes and could see the giant lions mane swerving through the air with increased vigor. Im not gonna die here I struggled to my feet focused on my breathing to block out my pain and it worked! The tree that caught me had several branches broken off. I grabbed the biggest one around me about as thick as a human''s body and 8 ft long. I lifted it up and was surprised by how easy it was. Hopefully it isn''t just flimsy wood. When he got close enough I swung my body around 360 degrees and threw the tree with all the strength I had. Then I sprinted towards him while grabbing a couple smaller tree limbs. Mid run I broke them so they were sharp as possible. The limb hit the lion snake monster and it exploded against his face knocking to the ground. When I reached it, it was still recovering it''s body trembling while trying to stand erect obviously dazed. I jumped with the branches in my hand and stabbed them into his exposed belly. Blood fountained out of the wound showering me covering my face. A primal scream erupted from the monsters mouth stunning me and causing my ears to drip with blood. Before I could react he whipped his tail around and slammed it into my side sending me flying once again. A loud boom filled the air as I impacted another tree this time the tree cracked and toppled over after I had fallen to the groundUnauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    My limbs went numb and I could feel myself on the verge of unconsiousness. I wanted to see my health and three bars appeared in my peripherals I could see but a sliver. When I consentrated on it revealed I had 8 health points remaining. Looking back at the monster it was hurt, about 50m away the snakes body was wriggling in a pool of blood saturated snow struggling to maintain control. It stopped moving is it dead ? Then his head lifted from the earth and it looked at me with disgust he started slowly making his way towards me and his head lunged for me. Not close enough for it to connect I could see it''s black eyes. They were filled with a pain and bloodlust I could tell it wanted to kill me for causing it so much turmoil, rather it died in the process of not. His head pulled back and it started slithering closer. He tried to lunge again and the top half of his belly collapsed to the ground the tree limbs I stuck into him drove deeper into his insides. He let out another scream and rolled to his sides. I can''t move, my whole body isn''t responding I hope im not paralyzed I looked back at my health and it had increased to 15. Then I noticed below my health bar where some icons one was a simple a picture of a broken spine 5min timer below it another a Picture of a pair of broken legs another 5 mins below. then the last of a sword with wings under it and a 10 min timer. Before I could figure out what the last one was. A loud scream reverberated throughout the air knocking my health down by 10 points and the monster coiled up and like a spring then threw his heavy body towards me. I could see his face he was bearing his fangs ready to end my existence I still couldn''t move and he was coming right towards me. I can''t move! I guess there''s worse ways to die. I was staring into his eyes as I was rapidly approaching my death. I wanted to look him in the face and I wanted to know I didn''t die because I was a coward.


    Right before he hit me I saw the life leave his eyes and I felt a wave of relief and warmth spread throughout me. My strength and body finally returned and with renewed vigor I slung my body out of the way with every muscle I could control. Then hell came crashing down his teeth may have missed me but the rest of his body that followed landed right on top of me. But I was alive I just laid there. I can''t believe it what luck I just had. But why did my strength return.


    [During the combat phase 12 new notifications have been delayed would you like to view them now [Y][N] ]


    I almost forgot my body is in a game world that''s crazy and a little creepy how fast I came back from the literal brink of death I could have counted the breaths I had left. But I survived. I need get out from underneath this thing before I can do anything. I first tried to lift his body of me but even with my greater strength the body was so flexible I couldn''t pick it up enough to slide out. So I did what I had to do. I straighted my hands pointed my fingers toward the flesh in front of me and thrust them into the body and began slowly clawing my way through guts and muscle.


    After what felt like 3 or 4 hours passed I made it free. Blood and guts surrounded me. I guess there weren''t any close predators or they''d have found me before I escaped. I stood up almost too exhausted to even do that I shuffled to the monsters head I looked at him with anger for almost killing me, but that quickly faded I felt pride and appreciation to have survived such a strong monster. Now I think im gonna sit up next to this tree and recover. Also a good time to go over the wall of text that''s about to bombard me when I accept.

 A chapter

    I shuffled over to the closest tree that didn¡¯t have a monster face buried into it, and collapsed my back against it. I relaxed for a minute to catch my breath, and then thought accept notifications. They came flooding my vision.


    Notification- The forest guardian¡¯s scout has caught wind of your scent be warned.


    This is so bullshit why didn¡¯t it show this to me before I had this thing come tunneling towards me. It probably wouldn¡¯t have stopped me, but it''s the principle. And seriously a scout ! Those are usually the weakest of a group.


    Notification- The forest guardian scout has determined you prey not a threat. Combat initiated.


    Notification- you have unlocked the ability to sense danger and other things through the earth due to your high earth affinity and willingness to trust blindly... new skill (Earth Sense)


    Notification- skill rank up due to repeated use of your body to fight a monster 20x your level the skill (Earthen Martial Arts) has been upgraded too apprentice. You gain increased knowledge of various forms also +2 Dex, +2 strength


    After reading the Notification I felt my muscles flex then relax as a wave of energy passed through them. That¡¯d of been nice to have before... also 20x my level that thing was level 20 how¡¯d I survive? Whoever sent me here is an asshat. Whatever next one.


    Notification- you have been crippled you cannot move for 5 mins


    Notification- you have removed the debuff crippled, and reduced pain for 10 mins


    Notification- you have used the skill (last stand (chi)) in a dire situation you have remained calm and pushed through the pain. (Last stand(chi)) removes any debuffs, numbs pain, and increases health regeneration by 5% of max health for 10 mins cool down 24 hours.


    Notification- you have inflicted a fatal wound to the forest guardian scout by stabbing it¡¯s heart.


    Notification- you have been crippled permenantly this is a permanent status effect and can¡¯t be debuffed.


    Notification- The monster has been slain due to level difference and brutatility of death you been awarded 20k exp you are now level 4 18,750/20,000 and have been healed due to level up.


    Notification- You have gained 8 points to distribute. If you die while having unallocated points they will be lost forever.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    Notification- for being the first player to defeat a monster on this planet, for being the first player to defeat a monster 20 levels higher then you singlehandily , and the first player of earth to impress the staff you may choose a sponser


    A game administer wishes to contact you, are you ready to speak? You will be teleported in 5 mins if you do not respond. You cannot dent this request.


    A game administrator what the hell is going on is this going to be how I become overpowered. Nice! Kinda messed up I don¡¯t get a choice, but whatever i wouldn¡¯t have denied it anyway alright one last Notification then I¡¯ll go.


    Notification- due you wish to sacrifice the forest guardian scout to the creator in order to receive reduced items and a small chance of a boon. (Y)(N)


    sure why not I don¡¯t have a knife or anything to harvest it myself.


    You have received 58 new items you are over encumbered increase strength or remove items to move normally


    immediatly my shoulders flexed and i felt like I was atlas holding the sky. Feeling like I was going to collapse and be buried by my own weight I quickly threw 5 points in strength and the weight disappeared after another wave of energy possessed my body. I probably should have been smarter about those but I guess as a melee fighter strength is always good. I looked over at the monster and a blue flame had surrounded the body, but it wasn¡¯t hot it felt warm and relieved me of my fatigue. Now time to talk to the admin.


    ¡±I¡¯m ready for the teleport!¡± I yelled aloud for no apparent reason a flash of light and i was sitting in a chair facing a man who looked very similar to Clark Kent in the comic books he even had the glasses bulging muscles and swirled hair. Is Superman a admin of the creator ?


    "Superman ?" I said looking at him questioning


    "Superman ?" He responded in theiconic voice anyone would recognize. He looked at me confused then turned to his computer typed some things in and said," ahhh your from that universe, yes that would be one of my personas not one of my favorites but yes that''s me." I looked shocked and he looked visibly aggravated.


    " Well if you must know. I sacrificed a lot to travel to your universe in order to gain worshipers, I demonstrated all my powers to my chosen prophet but instead of becoming a god I become a series of fictional comic books. A minor mod gets exiled there he turns water into wine and gets a whole planet full allowing him to return a rank above me." He brought his hand to his hand in a face palm motion. He then looked at me seriously this time.


    "So I see you have earned the right to have a real sponser. Seeing as how you are the first from your planet to participate I imagine you need me to explain what this means ?"


    I nodded he paused then continued


    "So you may or may not have heard the term thrown around either by your initial guide who chose you or sometimes even the guide who introduces you to the game. But a real sponser is an admin or mod who bets that you will win the game and they are able to give assistance as you earn it. Out of the billions playing roughly one percent have a sponser. You have gotten very very lucky a small team was observing you because of the teleportation highjack and information travels very fast between the staff that are competing. Any questions ?"


    I thought for a minute then responded, " well first a little off topic my initial guide as you called him had told me that my home planet had just reached the limit of believers of the Multiverse theory for direct interference ? But you just said you visited."


    "Quite observant are you. simple answer for a complicated question we are the direct staff of the creator not apart of the CoM. We have more power to do what we want. But not without a quite high cost im afraid. But on to official business"


    " Okay so sponsers are apart of the administration and mod team and you are also apart of the administration team. So are all members as well known ? Do I get too choose my sponser? And what will they do for me ?"


    He looked a bit surprised," you are quite peculiar, all are well known to certain individuals you should recognize most that are interested in you. Yes you get to choose, normally this isn''t the case but many are interested, and lastly you will have to interview each and see what they have to offer any last questions before I present you the list of those interested."


    " Okay im ready to see the list. " I said that then he stood up walked a distance to a tower of papers, surely there can''t be that many. he bent down picked up the entire 6 foot stack walked over to me then dropped them with a smile.

 I choose you

    "Superman", plopped the big stack of papers on the desk and began to explain.


    "Due to the scale of our project their are a myriad of administrators, and mods looking for strong warriors to sponsor. Not everyone has the galls to face an enemy 20 levels higher then them. Most would just take the respawn. But you fought your human heart out."


    he gave me his iconic smile and continued


    "currently you have 3215 individuals willing to sponsor you. You can either go through them manually or can apply a filter and the stack of papers will collapse to match what you specified."


    he paused and looked at me I thought for a minute and grabbed the sheet on top.


    Minor god: Yorick


    this sponsor controls the power of death and pain. He wishes you to be his champion and bring millions to his domain for him to torture and be enthralled by the euphoria of pain on others.


    he wishes to offer you:


    unique class: death sovereign of yorick


    skills : death magic, Poison synthesis, and body of an undead.


    would like to contract under yorick sign your name on blood.


    My face tightened, the more I read the more creeped out I got I don''t mind doing what needs to be down but I don''t won''t to pursue carnage.


    immediatly putting the sheet back on top


    I looked up to Superman and responded, " Id like to remove all chaotic evil and righteous good offers. I don''t want to serve a higher purpose or kill millions for sacrifices"


    he looked at me said I understand waves his hands and 5 papers were left. Damn that didn''t leave many options.


    I grabbed all five and laid them out in front of me


    lets see who we have


    Amaterasu, god of the sun


    current sponsors - 99


    Merlin, the strongest human wizard


    current sponsors- 10


    Hephaestus, god of the forge


    Current sponsors- 3


    Thrall, speaker of the earth


    Current sponsors- 2


    Magni Bronzebeard, the king of diamond


    Current sponsors- 0


    The first thing I noticed was they weren''t all deities. The last two are from world of Warcraft. It was mentioned earlier that the game was designed by the CoM maybe i guess it would make sense for the important figures to be real individuals magni and thrall huh. Carefully considering my options. The people I''m most interested in are thrall, Merlin and magni. Hephaestus would be cool but Greek gods are known to be fickle. I don''t want to consider Amaterasu because of the number of followers he has I don''t want to be one of many even though a hundred out of billions is a tiny number.


    my face scrunched, reading the benefits they offered were all great but if I was to work for an individual I care more about them then the boons so what of im op but every move is controlled I want freedom to explore.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    I again looked up at Superman, he was still staring at me waiting patiently


    i opened my mouth and asked. Is their anyone to personally speak to them. I''m aware they are important figures but this seems like an important decision.


    " I can certainly send a request and see who responds", he raised his right hand then 5 light left the tip of fingers.


    a few moments later Amaterasu and Hephaestus contract burst into flames. Offer have been rescinded due to your disrespect for the divine. I blinked a few times then shrugged. Their loss haha.


    Three portals appeared one was mystical shimmering blue runes rotating quickly around the edge a old man with long beard and robe stepped out. Another glowing green with shrubbery and flowers around with two elementals supporting an arch a giant green orc stepped out with his iconic shaman robes and beads, and finally the last looked like the entrance to a forge fire and heat spewed from the entrance then a short crystalline dwarf stepped threw with a heavy foot all three appeared out of there portals with a short bow. Magni with a huge smile on his face. I returned the bow and spoke.


    "Greetings, I hope it wasn''t too impolite to invite you here for a chat. Two other sponsors seemed to think so." As I turned my hands to the burnt markings on the wooden desk. Magni held his belly and let out a loud Dwarven laugh, thrall and Merlin both had amused expressions


    Magni responded first in deep Scottish accent," no worries young champion, though I speak for myself, I always appreciate a nice chat and maybe a couple tankards. Anyway to make this short I am magni bronzebeard former king of ironforge now I work for the creators. To explain a few things as you can see none here be gods. Our spark of divinity ain''t matured. But we are not week and each have our own specialty I currently don''t have any champions and I chose you because of your deep love for my world and the earthen element. dwarfs love the earth. I currently posses the powers for earth and fire am a grandmaster blacksmith as well as a strong warrior as you might imagine. I can offer you all of my skills and mentoring I have the authority to choose only one champion due to me being the newest amongst thoose here and haven''t made my decision rashly I hope you can see the value in my words and put your faith in me."


    He smiled a toothy green the stepped back, next Merlin began.


    "As young master Magni has described I am also not a god but I harness the powers of the arcane and so am not weak even by a gods standard. Though I have a couple of champions I''m willing to offer you an apprenticeship. I seen your determination when facing the forest guardian and know you won''t back down from the challenge of understanding the arcane. You can inherit my power if you train hard enough." He Bowed again then also stepped back. Runes started rotating in the air behind them then a recliner and table appeared from thin air with a pipe similar to montys on the table. He sat in the chair and then began puffing on the pipe


    a booming voice filled my ear as thrall began speaking," young warrior I''m thrall shaman of the world and previous war chief of the horde. Nature has granted me peace and I wish to pass on her teachings and would hope to have another ally during these treacherous times" a deep sadness filled his eyes, " I''ve seen your soul and experienced your love for my home planet Azeroth I am willing to train you in the hopes that you can defend yourself and protect what''s important."


    All great offers this is a hard decision, but I gotta go with my gut.


    I hardened my gaze and spoke, "Merlin your offer is great and I''d love to become the next master of the arcane but in this life I''ve chosen to be a warrior. So I feel your inheritance would be wasted though,know that I don''t make this decision lightly I''m sure you''ve viewed my history and know my fascination with the arcane. I hope you will not hold any ill intentions and maybe one day I hope to call you friend."


    Merlins face dropped into a frown at first but then gradually lightened to a smile he moved forward shook my hand and with a smile he waved his hand a book appeared


    " I am saddened to loose a good apprentice but you don''t have to give up your pursuit of the arcane here are my notes on fire and earth magic hopefully they will provide with some assistance and maybe we can shar a pint at the tavern if you can survive."


    with a kind smile lightning cracked and he was gone.


    a sigh escaped my lips and I tightened my resolve


    " both you, honorable thrall and the diamond king hail from the land Azeroth where I spent a majority of my adolescence life adventuring in a simulation. I also make this decision with a heavy heart. Thrall, I am truly honored to have you see my potential and want to pass on your knowledge of the world . You and magni have been heroes of mine since I''ve experienced your rise to greatness and have felt your pain assuming the stories I''ve been told are true. But my heart yearns for the forge and I don''t think I''m righteous enough to uphold the values you honor thrall I am a fighter at heart and don''t want to disapoint you and your teaching."


    Thrall nodded in approval then I continued


    " Magni I hope I can honor you choosing me as your sole champion and heir. "


    Thrall approached slowly," Friend I think I knew your decision before you did haha," echoing laughter rang throughout the hall.


    "I can''t help you much due to rules but to honor your words I will also give you a parting gift. He placed his big hand on my hand and I felt the warmth enter me.


    Notice: Earth affinity has increased from adequate too exceptional


    Notice: Spirit affinity has increased from nonexistent to adequate


    My eyes widened as I read the notice I look up to notice a maelstrom appearing behind Thrall. With a headnod he turned and stepped through the vortex