《Descension》 Prologue Journal Entry 001: I''m Liam Thompson, 26 years old, a security guard at one of the world''s top companies. I''m your average guy¡ªnothing spectacular about me. I''ve got wavy brown hair that never really behaves the way I want it to, brown eyes that reflect the tiredness of the life I''m leading, and a habit of disappearing into video games or movie marathons whenever I can. It''s my escape, my sanctuary from the mind-numbing monotony of my days. On weekends, it''s a ritual¡ªfriends gathered around, controllers in hand, the world outside fading into nothing as we dive into worlds more vibrant than the one, I find myself stuck in. But right now, I''m sitting at my security desk, watching the clock tick as the silence of the night weighs on me. Another night shift. Another hour spent staring at screens, waiting for something to happen¡ªor more accurately, waiting for nothing to happen. The world outside is quiet, peaceful, but that doesn''t mean much when you''re in here, cooped up in a concrete box. I keep telling myself that my job is just a steppingstone¡ªthat this will all change. That eventually, I''ll find something that excites me, something that makes me feel alive. But who am I kidding? I''ve been saying the same thing for years, and nothing''s changed. This job is about as uninspiring as it gets. A soggy sandwich of a career¡ªjust bland, with no real flavor. The kind of job where you show up, do what you''re supposed to do, and leave. There''s no spark, no passion. Just long hours and a paycheck. The nights are especially tough. The quiet hum of the fluorescent lights overhead, the constant, unyielding tick of the clock, and the vague sense of loneliness that always seems to creep in. Sometimes it feels like the walls are closing in. The job drains me in a way that nothing else does. It''s not physical exhaustion¡ªit''s something worse. It''s the kind of exhaustion that sits in your bones, in your chest, that makes you feel like you''re going through the motions without ever truly being alive. And I hate that feeling. I hate that deep-down, I''m not satisfied, that the days blur together in a haze of uniformity. My creative spark, the part of me that used to imagine worlds of my own, feels like it''s being drained by this routine. My passions have slipped through my fingers like sand, and I''ve tried so hard to grasp onto something¡ªanything¡ªthat could reignite that fire. But here I am. Stuck. Still, I keep telling myself it''s just a phase. I keep telling myself that things will get better, that this won''t be forever. Maybe one day, something will change. I''ll stumble upon that perfect opportunity, or some grand revelation will make everything clear. It''s a comforting thought, even if I don''t entirely believe it. Maybe if I tell myself enough times, I''ll start to believe it again. Or maybe I''ll just stop worrying about it, stop chasing some version of my life that seems so elusive. I don''t know. Life''s been pretty average, really. A series of "meh" days, with a few moments of brightness here and there. But that''s okay, I guess. Because there''s always something to look forward to. And right now, that something is the new MMORPG that''s dropping in a couple of days. I''ve been following its development for months, keeping track of the updates, eagerly waiting for the day I can lose myself in that world, escape from this one. For now, that''s my light at the end of the tunnel. And if I can hold onto that hope, maybe I can make it through another shift. Maybe that''s enough for now. Anyways, I should get going. Off to work. Another night, another shift. Same old, same old. Until next time. ------- While on duty, I was pursuing what I believed to be a delinquent teenager trying to capture videos or photos of someone breaking through the company''s supposedly impenetrable gate. But the reality was far less dramatic: the gate was just an 8-foot-tall structure topped with razor wire, easily breached with a pair of bolt cutters. Still, I wasn''t thrilled that this had happened in my patrol area, especially since I was the farthest from my company-issued vehicle, a moped, during my foot patrol. As I chased after the figure, I started noticing some odd things. For one, they were much shorter than I had originally thought. And their shoes? They were flashing¡ªdefinitely a factor in why I couldn''t seem to catch up, as the individual was clearly outpacing me. I was a good seven seconds behind by the time they reached the corner of the building. When I finally arrived, there was no one in sight. I shone my light around, hoping to spot any clues the trespasser might have left behind. That''s when I saw it¡ªa shiny gold coin on the ground. I bent down to pick it up, but as soon as I reached for it, the coin started moving away from me. The closer I got, the faster it retreated, until it clinked against the side of the building. Then, things took a turn. The coin began to ascend the concrete wall, rising until it was at eye level with me, and then, without warning, it shot towards my face. I instinctively raised my hand to block it, feeling a burning sensation in my palm before everything went dark. ........ The first sensation I felt upon being woken up was freezing cold. Trying to fight the urge to shiver I opened my eyes, finding myself completely in the dark. There was nothing for what seemed like a few minutes. No sound. No lights. Then out of nowhere a robotic sounding voice flooded my hearing. "System error detected. Non system integrated sapient detected." Panic started to swell in my chest "Okay really funny guys." The group on my shift usually played practical jokes on each other every now and again. They must have found me unconscious and took me back to HQ. HQ being a single wide rent a trailer because the top earning company in the world couldn''t waste money on a permanent building for security contractors. Assholes probably locked me in the storage closet and are messing with me through the walkie. "System recalibrating. Integration protocol initializing... Error. Sapient anomaly remains external to known systems." "What the hell is going on?" I muttered through chittering teeth. Running through the possibilities of what could be happening when I was interrupted by the voice a third time. "System compromised. Sapient detected. Opportunity for Descender integration identified. Will you comply with adaptive integration? Refusal of integration will lead to sapient termination" With my anxiety peaking I yell "Integrate!" As I did, the door to the storage closet flew open and all I could see was the bright piercing light of the cafeteria LEDS. Heat rising to my face in embarrassment and anger "You son of " The light enveloped me fully and as my stomach rolled everything went dark for the second time this night. ---- In the Outer Cosmos Nexa, Goddess of Dimensional Weaving, floated serenely amidst the glittering expanse of the cosmos, her form radiant and shimmering like a constellation brought to life. Her position as a system-granted deity came after centuries of relentless pursuit¡ªhundreds of years spent unraveling the mysteries of space, time, and the delicate threads that bound universes together. Through trial, study, and perilous journeys across countless planes, she had ascended to a station few even dared to dream of. Now, she wielded powers beyond comprehension. With a mere thought, she could summon a vision of any galaxy within the multiverse. Nebulae swirled and danced before her eyes, stars flaring and fading in a cosmic symphony only she could truly appreciate. Each planet''s intricate data was laid bare to her¡ªclimates, inhabitants, civilizations, and even the secret patterns of their dimensional threads. Her role was to oversee and maintain the delicate balance of teleportation across realms, ensuring the comings and goings of system-granted portals adhered to the laws of dimensional integrity. She had once thought of the "System" as a singular, omnipotent force¡ªan all-knowing, all-powerful entity that governed the flow of existence. Back in her youth, she revered it as divine, the pinnacle of order in the chaotic multiverse. But ascension had brought clarity, and with clarity came disillusionment. The System was no singular omniscience; it was one of many.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Nexa had learned the truth: the multiverse was littered with competing systems, each vying for dominance, squabbling over dominion like children bickering in a backyard over the shiniest stones. These systems, while immensely powerful, were neither infallible nor eternal. They were constructs, mechanisms born of something older and far more inscrutable. Nexa often pondered this truth, wondering what primordial force had birthed such entities¡ªand what lay beyond even them. Her responsibilities were as endless as the dimensions she oversaw. The fabric of reality was fragile, prone to rips and distortions caused by reckless teleportation or malevolent tampering. When a rogue entity attempted to destabilize a realm with unlicensed portals, it was Nexa who intervened, weaving the threads of space and time back into harmony. She only recently began enveloping planets into the systems grasp that had awoken her to godhood. Despite the weight of her duties, Nexa found moments of quiet joy in her role. She would drift across the vast expanse of creation, marveling at the kaleidoscope of universes, each a testament to the infinite potential of existence. She smiled faintly as she watched fledgling civilizations discover dimensional magic for the first time, their awe mirroring her own from so long ago. Yet, deep in her divine heart, a seed of doubt lingered. How long could this delicate balance last? How long before the bickering systems escalated their war, dragging the multiverse into chaos? And when that moment came, would her weaving be enough to hold the threads of reality together? For now, Nexa chose to focus on the present. A new dimensional disturbance had appeared, faint yet persistent, rippling through the threads she was sworn to guard. With a graceful motion, she extended her hand, drawing the strands of the disturbance closer. As the patterns revealed themselves, her celestial eyes narrowed. "It seems another sapient has meddled where it shouldn''t," she murmured, her voice carrying a calm authority. "Very well, let us see who dares disrupt the balance." With a thought, she vanished into the dimensional weave, her presence dissipating like a fading star, leaving only a whisper of her cosmic power in her wake. ------ Bram Geargrind was not your average gnome. At only 122 years old, he was barely a quarter through his life, but already a little rough around the edges. He stood at a dashing four feet tall, his fiery red hair sticking straight up, making him look closer to five feet than the average gnome. His fiery locks were often singed at the tips from his latest invention gone awry, but that didn''t bother him. In fact, he liked the look. It gave him an air of unpredictability, and who needed tidy hair when they were a grand inventor¡ªright? That was his boast, anyway. "Tinker? Please. I create wonders," he''d say with a wink and a grin, always ready to share a story of some grand (often exaggerated) achievement. Bram''s workshop was a hodgepodge of mechanical marvels and disastrous attempts¡ªgears and springs, wires and arcane devices, all cluttered together in a seemingly chaotic fashion. But to Bram, it was an organized mess, a perfect representation of the way his mind worked. His tools were meticulously sorted in his drawers¡ªevery wrench and bolt in its proper place¡ªwhile his projects sprawled across the workbench in glorious disarray. He was a tinkerer by trade, though he never failed to describe himself as a "grand inventor" to anyone who would listen. His creations ranged from overly complicated timepieces to experimental contraptions designed to help him solve the mysteries of the world around him. Despite his enthusiasm, however, there was something tragic in his eyes¡ªa sorrow that never seemed to fully fade. Bram''s sharp tongue and playful exterior hid the painful memories of a gnome who had seen too much loss. He had grown up in a village where innovation thrived, where his family''s name was well-respected, and where his father¡ªan accomplished inventor¡ªtaught him the secrets of gears and arcane devices. His mother, a skilled alchemist, had provided him with a curiosity about potions and reagents, teaching him the subtle art of combining science and magic. Together, they had fostered Bram''s love for creation, and his childhood was filled with laughter and joy. That was until the night the sneaklings came. The greenskin creatures¡ªmalicious, vile, and cruel¡ªhad raided his village while Bram was just a child. They were ruthless, taking what they wanted and leaving destruction in their wake. Bram''s parents had died defending their home, their final moments etched forever into his memory. He had been hidden away by his mother in a small, hidden compartment in the basement, only to emerge later to find everything he had known reduced to rubble. The sneaking, treacherous creatures had taken his family, leaving him with nothing but a burning desire for revenge. From that moment on, the world had lost much of its former joy for Bram. He had been raised by his uncle, who tried to instill in him a sense of stability, but the sorrow of loss never fully left him. It shaped Bram into the gnome he was today¡ªdriven, resourceful, and fiercely independent, but with a heart that rarely allowed itself to rest. He buried his pain in his inventions, sometimes obsessively working through the nights, searching for ways to fix the broken parts of the world that reflected the broken parts of himself. Though he spoke little of the past, Bram''s motivations were clear: he wanted to understand the machinery of the world, the way the gears of fate clicked into place, and how he could, somehow, reverse the damage done. His inventions, while ingenious, were always tinged with a dark edge of caution, as if he was trying to control something larger than himself. In social settings, Bram was boisterous and quick-witted, always ready with a joke or a tale about his latest (sometimes disastrous) invention. He loved being the center of attention, reveling in the laughter and camaraderie of his friends, even if it was just a temporary distraction. But deep down, he knew that no number of jokes, inventions, or tinkering could fill the hole that was left when his family was stolen away from him. And so, his quest continued: to unlock the mysteries of the multiverse ...... Finally, after grueling decades of trial-and-error Bram had finally perfected the teleportation coin that allowed him to skip between worlds, and he''d come perilously close to being caught. Just as he was about to leave his mark¡ªhis signature "Dwarves drool" tag¡ªon the side of a stone building. He noticed a beam of light slicing through the darkness, heading straight in his direction. Intrigued, he decided to remain hidden, making himself small in the shadows. The sight of the human male approaching made him curse under his breath. Humans were never much fun, but the chase. That was always exhilarating. Bram grinned, feeling the thrill rise in his chest. His luminous speed soles would easily outpace this oversized insect, and soon enough, he''d be disappearing from this world, on to the next. As he dashed along the building, his speed soles lighting up the ground beneath him, he reached into his pocket for one of his teleportation coins. However, in his haste, one of the coins slipped from his coat pocket and dropped to the ground. It wasn''t the first time this had happened, and he knew to come prepared. So, with a quick curse, he grasped the other backup coin tightly in his hand as he vanished into thin air, leaving behind only the glow of his soles and the mystery of his fleeting presence. ....... "WOOOHOOO!" Bram felt an overwhelming sense of excitement from the successful pursuit he had just triumphed in against the human. He had returned to his people''s concealed valley only a few minutes prior and was now heading towards the local gathering place. He was eager to boast to the local youth about his latest adventure. Naturally, he planned to order a mooncap mead to celebrate his narrow escape. He could almost taste the crisp, refreshing beverage, which made his mouth water, prompting him to quicken his pace to satisfy his growing thirst. As he got closer to the Bronze Barrel Tavern, he noticed that it was quiet for this time at night. Nonetheless he raced towards the entrance, throwing open the door in the process. His wide beaming smile slowly started to disappear as he noticed the place was empty. He scanned the bar where Maggie was usually serving the good stuff, but no one was there. "Mags! You Here?" he half shouted as he walked across the room. After a few seconds of no response, he grabbed a mug from the rack behind the bar and headed towards that tapped keg. Turning the valve revealed that the barrel was hollow. "Torn bits and smashed gears. You got a thirsty customer Maggie! The keg here is dry and it''s hardly mid evening." Starting to worry he headed towards the kitchen knowing that Maggie''s bedroom was adjacent to it. The cooktops were all cold to the touch and a layer of dust had settled on them. Fear started to well up inside the grand inventor, not even worrying about checking Maggie''s room he headed for the door. Outside revealed much of the same eerie silence. How did he not notice before, too proud of his recent adventure and dashing escape to notice everyone was missing. Trying to shut out his wandering thoughts going to the worst outcomes. Making his heightened anxiety and panic get even worse. He started sprinting kicking on his soles in the process heading straight home to check on his uncle. Barging through the door of his workshop led to another alarming issue. His worktables were empty. No gears, contraptions or bearings in sight. Even his dearest mother''s alchemy set was gone. Tearing through the drawers and cabinets showed much of the same. Nothing, every single one was empty... Heart slamming against his ribs trying to break free, he took a few calming breaths. Knowing deep down that either one of two scenarios had occurred. He either pissed off someone really high on the food chain and they put everyone he loved in the abyss, or it had happened, he inadvertently crossed dimensions. The unsettling feeling never retreated while Bram wandered his village for any useful items he could use on his journey ahead. Not knowing how perilous this dimension was or if it had any inhabitants at all. He knew either way that he had a long battle against him. With no one in town he suspected that it was a soulless dimension. Which would mean he would have to craft the teleportation coins on his own. Harvesting every resource and mining the celestium crystals on his own was going to be a challenge. It was what he had to do to return home, so with the small amount of courage he could muster he left his valley behind. Chapter One: A loose thread Opening my eyes again revealed much of the same darkness as before. My brain was foggy trying to figure out what had really happened over the course of the night. I raised my shaky hand just now realizing how cold it was, to wipe the dried drool off of my face. Thinking I''ve must have been unconscious for quite some time. Thats when I became aware of small shimmering lights in the far distance. They looked like faintly visible stars. Gazing out towards them to get a better sense of what they were, I noticed another oddity; something was traveling towards me at an alarming rate. Whatever it was shimmered the same way the lights had, but this object seemed much, much closer. My body felt a great weight put on it as if something was crushing down on me. Trying my best to focus in on it, I suddenly lost all vision when her voice erupted through in my mind like a thunderclap reverberating through every nerve and bone. "Who dares trifle with matters so far above them and disrupt the balance of the great system?" The voice demanded. Trying my best to come up with a response but also being so clueless and afraid. My head was pounding in pain from the mysterious onslaught that this being had caused. Trembling I let out the smallest of whimpers. "Ah, this all must be new to you as I see you are not a system bound life form. Perhaps a change of scenery will get some answers out of you." Without any further warning a wave if nausea washed over me as a bright warm light enveloped my body. Fighting against the brightness of the light I raised my hand instinctually while opening my eyes. What I saw before me was still very much shocking. I felt the warmth of a sun, finally getting some feeling back over my shaky body. Observing my surroundings I was in awe, towers made completely of threads reaching out to one another. Attaching themselves to nearby floating orbs that would ever so slowly shift back and forth between them. The floor I was standing on seemed to be made out of some malleable reflective glass bouncing reflections from everywhere. It was a little overwhelming as the threads seemed to constantly launch themselves around the space. At the center of it all stood a figure, radiant and commanding, exuding an aura of authority so profound it seemed to resonate in my chest. She was unlike anything I had ever seen¡ªa towering being whose form constantly shifted; her shimmering robe woven from the same threads that filled the space around her. Her face was indistinct, as if the universe itself refused to pin it down, but her piercing eyes burned with an intensity that left no room for doubt. "Welcome," she said, her voice now calm but laced with an unshakable power. "You stand in the Loom of Realms, where the threads of every universe intersect. I am Nexa, Goddess of Dimensional Weaving. And you, Liam Thompson, have crossed into my domain unbidden." Her words hit me like a freight train. I stared, mouth agape, unsure whether to run, kneel, or simply collapse. I stood frozen, barely breathing as Nexa''s piercing gaze bore into me. The threads around us pulsed faintly, almost as though they were alive, responding to her presence. Her voice, though steady, carried the weight of eons, each word reverberating through the shimmering expanse of the Loom. "You are an anomaly, Liam Thompson," she began, her tone neither angry nor welcoming, but entirely certain. "A being untethered by the System, yet you stand here, in the very heart of its design." She gestured outward, her hand tracing the spiraling threads that stretched endlessly around us. "This is the Loom of Realms, the nexus where all dimensions are woven together, strand by strand. Every reality, every universe, is interconnected here. I oversee these threads¡ªmaintaining balance, ensuring order. Yet your presence disrupts that harmony." I swallowed hard, my throat dry as sandpaper. "I... I didn''t mean to disrupt anything. I don''t even know how I got here!" Nexa tilted her head, her expression unreadable, but her eyes burned with an unyielding light. "You used an artifact that does not belong¡ªa crude creation that bypasses the safeguards of the System. A teleportation coin. Tell me, mortal, where did you come across such a thing?" The coin. The memory hit me like a jolt. "I¡ªI picked it up. It was dropped... by someone else." Her expression darkened, the threads around us vibrating with sudden intensity. "Ah, the meddling of those outside the System''s boundaries. The gnome who forged that coin has tampered with forces far beyond his understanding. His actions brought you here, inadvertently exposing you to truths you were never meant to encounter." My stomach churned, the weight of her words sinking in. "If I don''t belong here, can''t you just... send me back? Put me back on Earth, like none of this ever happened?" Her gaze softened, but only slightly. "If it were that simple, I would have already done so. The coin has altered your very essence, tethering you faintly to this place and severing your clean connection to your original realm. You are, for lack of a better term, an unsanctioned thread hanging loose in the tapestry of existence. To return you without care risks unraveling far more than just your life." I stumbled back a step, my legs threatening to give out. "So, what happens to me now?" Nexa sighed, and for the first time, I detected a hint of something almost human in her. "That depends on you. The System does not tolerate anomalies, and yet you are here. Your survival so far is testament to a resilience I did not expect. You have two choices, mortal." She raised a hand, and two threads unfurled from the void, each glowing with a distinct hue one a fiery red, the other a cool, shimmering blue. "You may accept integration into the System, becoming one of its chosen Descenders a guardian who ventures across realms to maintain balance and order. Or..." Her gaze darkened, her voice dropping to a whisper that carried immense gravity. "You may refuse, and the System will erase you. A loose thread cannot remain unaccounted for." "Well, that seems like an easy choice for me. I prefer living over being... "unaccounted" for." I couldn''t really see it, but I knew she was smiling. "That is great news. As far as the concerning news with Bram goes. He will be accompanying you as well. Without the option you were given, his thread is already tied to the system, granted at a very miniscule level." With that she touched the two ends of the blue and red thread together and they became one. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. What I failed to notice was the fierce red thread was connected to the closest tower already. I had assumed she would have connected the blue thread to the tower, and I would then be system integrated. "Judging by your look you are confused. You and Bram are now intertwined on a path to set things right. Your first task will be to find the missing teleportation tokens Bram left scattered across the multiverse. If these fall into the wrong hands matters will get much worse. Good luck Liam and make haste Descender." With that darkness consumed me. ------ I awoke sometime later on what could only have been a beach¡ªnot that I could see it, but I could feel it, sand sticking to places I didn''t think possible. Groaning, I pushed myself upright and immediately started shaking off the grit, only to realize one horrifying fact: I was completely naked. My face turned beet red as I scanned the area, nearly giving myself whiplash. No one was around to witness my lack of modesty, but the thought still sent me sprinting toward the nearby tree line. Just as I was about to duck behind the foliage, a transparent blue screen popped up in front of me, stopping me dead in my tracks. Welcome to the system Below you will find your status menu filled with an important overview about yourself. With further prodding you will find additional menus that will help along your journey. Name: Liam Thompson Race: Human (Earth Variant: Humans are known for their physical and mental capabilities which make them a well-rounded race. +5 stats per level increase.) Class: (Class choice will unlock at level 5 taking into account all actions performed up until level 5 in what stat choices the individual had made.) Titles: Descender (+5 to all stats) Experience: 0 of 250 exp to next level Renown: N/A Achievements: N/A Skills: N/A Stats: Health: 20 (Con x2) / Stamina: 20 (Dex x2)/ Mana: 20 (Intel x2) Strength 5 (+5) 10 Dexterity 5 (+5) 10 Constitution 5 (+5) 10 Endurance 5 (+5) 10 Intelligence 5 (+5) 10 Wisdom 5 (+5) 10 Charisma 5 (+5) 10 Eyeing the screen cautiously I thought back to times when I had played games with my friends. More specifically, MMORPGS. This was exactly how a stats screen was in those games. Finding it here made me weary and cautious, but also slightly intrigued. This was my chance to escape from the mundane life I had been living though. Was it all a little overwhelming? Sure. Was I excited for this opportunity and see where it led? Hell yeah. Continuing on and reading the rest of the screen, a huge grin broke over my face. Descender Liam, Upon receiving this system message, you will have been granted access to the following rewards: 1x System created armor loot box 1x System created weapon loot box 500x System currency May these help you with the fight against those that dare rise up against the system. Armor and weapons? My mind raced at the possibilities. What would I find in those loot boxes? Something Legendary or epic, I hoped. Or was this system about to hand me a tin helmet and a stick? Looking around I didn''t see any loot boxes, so I focused in on the text again. "Would you like to access this armor box? Yes/No" Mentally confirming, a wooden box with a metal latch appeared right in front of me. Eager with anticipation I threw the chest lid open. What I saw was definitely made from leather or at least something similar to it. It was a dark brown leaning towards black. I reached in and pulled it up by the shoulders revealing that it was some type of leather jerkin. Reminding me of the Greco-Roman era. Looking closer another blue transparent system box appeared. Descenders Leather Jerkin Rarity: Common Armor rating +10 (A leather jerkin made from the hide of some intergalactic beast, commonly worn by billions in the multiverse. The only special thing about this piece is it''s a little darker and the word Descender appears in the title.) Scoffing at the description "Who the hell is in charge of describing items?" I thought to myself. Not caring all that much about the description anymore I pulled it on. Surprised that the armor actually fit snuggly. It had looked a size too big for me, probably some weird system size adjustment for items. Content with the results I opened up the status menu easily just with a thought. I summoned the weapon chest to see what I had to work with. Thoughts of great swords with fire enchantments and bows with mana infused arrows filled my mind. Reminding me of the great RPG games I play back home. The chest that appeared seemed to be sloppily half assed put together. That was just the look on the outside. My hopes of receiving some master class weapons were instantly dashed. The "chest" if you could call it that had half driven nails sticking out of it. Made out of what had to be half rotten wooden pallets. If it could have gotten any worse the word "Decendor" was hastily written on the top of it in what seemed to be chalk. With considerably less optimism, I flipped open the second crate. Inside was a single wooden club. Looking like something straight out of the flintstones. That was it. No blade, no bow, not even a pointy stick. Just a chunk of wood. I am not proud of the rage that filled my veins as I lashed out with my foot to strike the shotty box that stood in front of me. Forgetting in my rage fueled mind that I had no shoes on for any protection as a nail head tore through the middle of one of my toes. "Vrrruuucccckkk" I yelled out in overwhelming pain hopping on my one good foot now. The rage not dying down yet as I threw both crates into the tree line and then picked up the club and tossed that too. Flying through the tree line it had hit a single palm tree, unbelievably shaking it enough to drop the coconuts on top of it. Making it seem like some sort of tropical jackpot. I hadn''t even noticed the coconuts at this point. "Holy crap." I whispered in that instant all rage died as I half limped hopped towards the tree to recover the club. For what seemed like an hour I scoured through the brush and fallen dried palm leaves. After a few more minutes of searching, my hand finally brushed against something familiar. Quickly clearing away the brush my trust club revealed itself. It was a good twenty feet away from the original tree it stuck. Hesitantly picking it up and inspecting it a message appeared. Descenders Primitive Wooden Club (Some would refer to this as a light branch good for a fire, but those that are more desperate would keep it as a weapon.) Rarity: Common Attack: +3-5 bludgeoning damage +100% damage when used as a thrown weapon. Chapter 2: Thrills and Kills Reading over the description made me chuckle slightly, especially because of my previous antics, however it was still a crappy pull for a weapon. I''d have to make it work though, closing the menu I decided to head back to the tree that dropped the coconuts, planning to eat a couple to hold over my growing hunger. A few feet from the tree I saw the coconuts just as I had left them, thrown about in a haste to retrieve my club. Except now that I was staring at them with weariness, a couple of them starting to vibrate. Just a few hours ago, I was working a dull security shift, half-asleep in a rental trailer. Then, after being dragged into a cosmic tug-of-war by some "Goddess of Dimensional Weaving," I''d been unceremoniously dumped on a beach butt naked with stats, a system menu, and a dubious wooden weapon. And now, here I was, staring at coconuts that were moving in ways they definitely shouldn''t. "This can''t be real," I muttered, though the hairs on the back of my neck were already standing at full attention. Something about those coconuts screamed wrong. The vibrations grew stronger, faint clicking noises emanating from within their shells. My grip on the club tightened, and my heart thudded in my chest. "Okay," I said aloud, trying to steady my breathing. "Just coconuts. Weird, creepy, potentially dangerous coconuts." As if in response, one of them gave a sudden, violent lurch, rolling upright like it had a mind of its own. I took another step back, the club raised defensively. Staring deep into the moving coconuts trying to will whatever gave me the item descriptions would do the same now, but nothing ever came of it. The coconuts still moving towards me when they suddenly stopped. Catching my breath in thanks of it just being an earthquake when all out of nowhere the bottom halves of the shells broke open. Jutting out of the shell were crustacean legs like some sort of creepy crab hybrid. If that wasn''t enough huge claws tore through the sides of the shell only leaving a jagged half top of shell. My brain had a hard time of comprehending what the hell I was actually looking at. The damn chelipeds were easily a foot long and the claws themselves could decapitate me. "All right no big deal, just a couple of oversized crabs." I charged forward towards the closest of the two swinging back my club in a crazy golf or hocky stance ready to launch the thing. That''s when the damn thing leapt at me from six feet away. Quickly pulling up my club I successfully half swatted/blocked the thing, and it ended up behind me on its shell. Mentally noting I needed a shield as soon as possible while watching it rock back in forth for a few seconds I checked it out of the fight, for now and went towards the still lethal one. Examining this one further I saw something new I didn''t see before. Creepy long eye stalks bent over the edge of the top of the shell. slowly winking between the set egging me on to make a move. That is when out of nowhere the description appeared. Coco mite (Level 3) Experience rewarded upon kill dependent on level disparity Health 10 / Stamina 10 The coco mite is a revered assassin of the Devarian coastal region. They catch unsuspecting prey from above blending in with the local fruit. If you live to read this watch out for the claws and their quick jump ability. First, I was annoyed with the message as it appeared way too late for any of that information to actually matter than I was grateful because it wasn''t being a condescending jerk this time. Quickly clearing the message away, the remaining upright coco mite was still staring me down hard. Thinking of a way to bypass the quick jump ability a plan started to come into fruition. I ever so slowly inched my way towards a coconut that was a couple feet way. Making sure to keep my eyes locked on to the nasty alien wavering stalks. For what seemed like an eternity I did this until finally the coconut was within reach. Bending over and out reaching with my left hand I grazed the edge of it and that''s when the Coco mite decided to jump at me. Swiftly ducking lower and throwing up my hand reflexively I somehow managed to catch the damn thing by one of its claws. "Gotcha!" I snarled, Triumph flaring briefly Taking advantage of the scenario, I swung it around like a lasso while dropping my club. Then without any warning, I was just holding a claw that had been detached from its body. "Seriously!" I yelled, tossing the severed claw aside. The mite skittered backwards, gaining distance as I scrambled to retrieve my club. Luckily, I was mid-way through swinging his body around when it decided to detach, so we were a couple meters from each other again. My pulse raced, but a grim smile appeared on my face. "Round two, you little bastard, but first." I muttered readying myself for the next move. I retreated back towards the upside-down crab and crushed it quickly. I refused to have any further surprises. "Congratulations, you have slain a system integrated creature, you gain the foll..." I slammed the message closed without a second thought. No time for distractions, running out of patience I decided to charge the remaining mite. This time looking into its mismatched closing eyelids I could see something I hadn''t before. An unmistakable sense of weariness? He must''ve worn himself thin with our previous encounter. With a heavy heart I hesitantly approached him, club raised to my side. I witnessed both eye lids close at the same time. My heart sank, but I gripped the club tighter. "I''m sorry," I muttered under my breath, more for myself than for the mite. With a burst of effort, I swung the club like a batter aiming for a home run. The mite sailed through the air, disappearing into the distant trees with a rustling crash. "Congratulations, you have slain the following system integrated creatures: 1x Coco Might Level 5 (Rare) Experience rewarded: 1500 exp Killing this creature will result in fear of you from all coco mites in the surrounding area. 1x Coco mite Level 3 (Common)You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Experience rewarded: 250 exp" I exhaled shakily as the message faded from view. For the first time since waking on this strange beach, the world was silent. I wasn''t sure if I felt victorious or just... tired. ------- "It''s a lot easier to do in the games, but a man has got to eat." I said aloud to no one in particular as I picked up the crab claw. Loot gained: 3x Coco mite meat The claw had disappeared and, in its place, lay three small pieces of what looked like crab meat. Eagerly I shoved them all into my mouth not caring of the dirt covering one of the pieces. My tastebuds were slammed with an overwhelming sweet flavor of crab mixed with coconut. Unexpectedly I kind of enjoyed it. Eager for more I ran over to loot the other creature. Seeing it smashed like this for the first time didn''t feel me with sadness like I thought it would, however it hit me with a heavy dose of unsatiable hunger. Quickly touching the corpse, I got my reward. Loot gained: 3x Coco Might meat / 5x Chitin plate This time, the meat was different¡ªthree massive, steak-like slabs lay in front of me. How such a tiny creature could yield such gigantic portions was a mystery I didn''t care to solve. All I knew was that I wouldn''t be going hungry for a while. I scanned the ground for anything useful and spotted some intact palm leaves nearby. Grabbing a handful, I carefully laid the meat onto the largest leaves, overlapping them to form a makeshift wrap. Working quickly, I tore a few palm strips into thin, rope-like strands and used them to tie the package securely. Dirt and grit might''ve added flavor to the first batch, but I wasn''t taking any chances with these steaks. Satisfied with my handiwork, I stood and hefted the bundle. That''s when I noticed something odd, my injured foot wasn''t throbbing anymore. I flexed it tentatively, then took a few cautious steps. The pain was completely gone. Confusion mingled with relief washed over me, opening up my status menu to see if I could find a reason behind it. Congratulations, you have leveled up please apply your unassigned stat points to continue Unassigned points: 15 I stared at the screen, mouth agape, as the reality of what had just happened sank in. Three whole levels? I had gone up three entire levels from what was essentially dumb luck. My mind replayed the encounter¡ªthe desperate swing of the club, the frantic sidestep, the claw detaching in midair. If I hadn''t ducked at the right moment, if I hadn''t reacted on instinct, I wouldn''t be here now. The thought sent a cold shiver down my spine. "Fifteen points..." I muttered under my breath, trying to shake off the unease. This wasn''t just a game anymore. This was survival, and every choice mattered. Knowing that abilities and mana were now a thing I thought back to the magic classes I had played in role playing games. Throwing fireballs and ice spikes out of my hands did sound interesting but for now not knowing how spells worked or where I would even get them in the first place, I did what anyone in my situation would have. I went full tilt and slammed five points into Constitution, Endurance and Intelligence, quickly hitting the accept button and instantly regretting it. Have you ever wondered what it might feel like to have a climbing pick slam straight into your frontal lobe? Would your body convulse uncontrollably, as though a cattle prod had been shoved somewhere unspeakable and cranked to max voltage? Would every nerve ending ignite in protest, screaming in unison like the aftermath of a botched chemistry experiment gone horribly wrong? I don''t know the answer, thankfully, but in this moment, I was living through something that felt damn close to it. Teeth gritted while writhing, fighting unconsciousness focusing on anything but the pain, watching the palm fronds swaying in the breeze, bringing with it respite from the heavy damp moisture in the air. Trying to steady my breathing, while squeezing the dry sand feeling the muscles in my hands cramp, when suddenly it passed. "What the hell just happened?" Rapidly blinking in fear that it could restart at any moment. After a few minutes I started to relax and decided to do a deep dive into the systems menus to restart my search for an explanation for all of this. With my status screen pulled up, I tried mentally willing a "Help" menu or an "Information" one a few times, with no luck. Getting irritated I revisited old memories and that''s when I got an idea. I decided to go through the details of the main stats to get a better explanation of what they did. Except when I pulled up the status menu it was completely blank except for my name and race. Panicking I closed it and reopened with nothing changing, I tried a few more times and then poof. The details started popping up as I read along. Class: If you survive long enough to reach level 5 you will get the option to unlock a class. Most children know this, but since you are an outer world descender, you lack that information. Be careful with your selection it''ll determine how far you make it. Well until you get enough creds to do a class wipe, but they are expensive and an excruciating process to endure. Titles: You can think of these as classifications or jobs for the commoners. Renown: While being a descender you may be requested from certain planetary nobility to save their dying worlds from countless issues or helping small villages with their... incessant nagging requests. Okay system is kind of dick, noted. Achievements: If you accomplish a great deed or have done something really, really dumb it ends up here. As an instant reminder to not do that dumb thing again or to tempt you to do even more dumb things because usually, some sort of reward is handed out depending on how rare the deed is. Strength: This stat represents how much weight you can carry without becoming overburdened, it also effects how hard you hit a thing. Dexterity: If you want to be quick on your feet and as quiet as a mouse this is the stat for you. (How do you think you never caught me at your mom''s house?) Who the hell wrote these things? I wondered taken aback by the childish remark, while also thinking of some alien creature chained up researching Earth insults. "Funny enough I didn''t even have a mom because I grew up in foster care, dumbass." Did I just call a floating box a dumbass? Yes. Did it make me feel better? Also, yes. Endurance: This stat directly correlates with your stamina, which is the thing that keeps you in the fight longer or helps you move faster and do other things. (I personally lack in this which is the real reason you never caught me.) Constitution: Your life blood, the thing that keeps your heart beating and healthy. Also, in charge of remedying lighter wounds and your health points. So that answers one of my questions. My foot must''ve healed from my constitution. I still felt a little tenderness from it, but nothing like it did. I noticed that even though my constitution patched me up it did not do anything about the dried blood on my foot. Intelligence: "I BIG, I STRONG!" yelled the bloodied massive barbarian just before an ice spear exploded through his brain. This stat will help you not be like the barbarian and more like the magic caster that ended his life. Increases your mana pool and mana regeneration. Wisdom: Represents perceptiveness, intuition, and practical intelligence. (If you are looking to be a hermit or live to be an old sage with a pipe weed addiction, max this puppy out.) Charisma: Do you always feel like people are talking bad behind your back because of the way you look or smell? Charisma will help with them doing it less. It affects how you are perceived by other sapient lifeforms. I let out a small chuckle completely understanding the wisdom reference. It was a little unsettling how much of this reminded me of gaming, I''d have to be careful with that. Seriously doubting respawns were a thing in real life and still believing that the system wasn''t behind the fruitful literature that was right in front of my face. Debating whether the all-powerful system could get hacked, a random notification came into existence. Congratulations, you have completed your status overview! All system menus are now available to you. At the top of the status menu, new tabs appeared. Everything from an inventory interface, properties to a gods damned information menu.