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Chapter 43- The Serako Assembly
🕑 Added 2022-12-01 23:55:01 +0000 UTCArthur was a little confused at first. There was a human on the stage leading what he'd assumed was a program run by an alien corporation. It took him a few seconds to realise that she was not native to the planet.
From what Arthur had learned so far, he knew that humans were some of the most numerous of all species out in the wider universe. It was hardly surprising that the Serako corporation had some among their employees.
The woman was perhaps the perfect stereotype for a bookish girl. She was dressed in a lab coat or something that at least looked like an approximation of one. She even had a pair of glasses on. The only thing special about her was her eyes, which glowed with an inner luminescence.
They chose someone who looks very familiar and approachable to do the job, didn't they? Wait, I didn't even use identify on her. How do I know she's level 231? Did she use a skill to project her level out to everyone?
Arthur shook his head. Now wasn't the time for these questions. He was here to learn more about the system and unlock his to level two. Everything else was extra.
"My name is Erico and I've been selected as the host for this assembly. We'll cover a broad spectrum of topics that are integral for you to flourish within the system after which I'll do a short Q&A at the end."
"As the individual selected for this task, I've studied the intermediate culture pack for your planet, Earth. From it, I have found a nugget of gold that I believe perfectly represents what I want to teach you today. Look not at its source, but the beauty that is contained within it."
Everyone waited with bated breath to hear what she would say next.
"With great power comes great responsibility."
She paused dramatically to let the words sink in.
Arthur tried his best not to laugh. The woman beside him, as well as several figures throughout the room, had no such qualms and he could hear the quiet chuckles fill the room. Erico blushed in embarrassment but continued on nonetheless. Arthur had to respect that.
"As people who have received a ticket to this function, I have no doubt that you will become the future leaders of your people. With the turbulent times ahead, it is your duty, your imperative, that you take the role seriously and lead them to a brighter future. The words of Uncle Ben perfectly sum up this ideal in an eloquence that is reverberating with wisdom."
Damn, she uses some flowery language. Or is this just the result of cheap translation magic?
The woman spent the next few minutes introducing herself and her background. She was surprisingly open with her abilities, going so far as to explain the progression and rarity of her class. With her admission that she was a researcher, her lack of secrecy made sense. There was no reason for her to hide her abilities.
"The initial few months after system integration is by far the most important that you will face in the next decade. You will make or break your future. The foundations you lay will become the bedrock of your potential, pushing you to new heights or crippling you altogether."
"As such, it is of paramount importance that you understand how and why you'll build yourself the way I'll advise you. We humans are what you call a Sajajan race. That means we are not physically imposing like the orcs, nor are we magically gifted like the elves."
She paused for breath, looking around at her audience. Everyone, Arthur included, was listening with rapt attention.
"We are Sajajan. We are a middling race, not special. And yet it is our mediocrity that allows us to diversify so much. Sure, we will never have the physical might of lizard kin, nor will we ever wield ether like the ice elves, but it is our establishment in the prosaic that allows us to create the most unique of classes."
She then went on to explain how important a class was to an individual, the different tiers they fell under, the stat points each provided and finally, how to go about creating a great one.
"There is a limit of three skills that an individual can possess under each of their ether affinities. To maximise your potential class, these skills should be created before reaching level 100 which is the human formation point of said class. These created skills will then be enhanced and evolve judging by the rarity of the class that you unlock."
Arthur hoped that he would remember all this information he was hearing, and he cursed that he didn't bring some paper to write down notes. His phone sadly was on charge in his bedroom so that avenue was closed off to him too.
Erico went on to explain the harms of not creating these skills on your own and instead relying on the system and your soul potential to generate them at level 100. Sure, they might end up strong, but you gave up the control to mould your class in the way you wanted to.
"For those with more than one affinity, you can try to create a dual skill. These are skills that are comprised of two affinities but only fall under a single branch of ether and hence, only take up one of your six slots. These skills are without a doubt, far stronger and more versatile than their singular brothers."
The human alien- damn, I never thought the two words would ever go together- spent the better part of half an hour going into detail on the topic. Some things Arthur already knew from his booklet, but most things were new to him. The most important he mentally listed.
1-Try and create dual skills. (Maybe Tri or Quad for me)
2-Make sure your skills, especially those under the same affinity are synergistic so your generated confluence skill ends up more powerful.
3-Specialise, specialise, specialise (Don't rush things)
4-Pray for a powerful pinnacle skill
5-Plan for your role in life, especially if you're a fighter.
6-An ether affinity is only as good as its user
Erico was currently explaining the fifth mental note he'd made. From what she'd discussed so far, Arthur had clearly identified the role that was perfect for his affinities.
The CONTROL.
Someone who... well, controlled the battlefield. They were like a master tactician who stood at the forefront of the fight, making snap decisions and ensuring that everyone stayed alive. They dictated the pace and tempo of a fight, requiring master levels of concentration and mental acumen.
Except I think I can go one step further. My shadow and soul affinity makes me perfect for a hybrid Striker/Assasin position. I can control a fight perfectly and I don't need to rely on anyone else to help me end it.
The only problem was that Erico had made it abundantly clear that monsters, real monsters- not the evolved animals of Earth he'd faced so far- did not grow linearly like the sapient races of the universe. That meant that at higher levels, it was nigh impossible to face a beast of equal level on your own. It almost always required a team.
"And I believe that now concludes the hour I've been given to talk to you. Those who are eligible for a system-level increase but would like to exchange their rewards, please raise your hands."
No one did.
Erico nodded her head in satisfaction.
"It looks like you all listened to me properly at least. You all seem to have realised it'll take you a long time otherwise to organically unlock it. Working towards a greater class instead of rush levelling will definitely serve you better in the long run and tier 2 system access is far greater than anything else you can receive right now."
Arthur nodded his head. Judging by what she'd told them, Arthur realised the tier-two system was worth far more than a simple removal of the limiting chains. For one, he'd unlock access to System credits, the most utilised currency in the universe.
"So, I guess we have come to an end," Erico said, smiling at them all.
"This was actually my first time doing this, so I apologise for some of the cringeworthy jokes I tried to crack. Because of my inexperience, we are left with very little time for the Q&A session. Just enough for one question really."
"Perhaps it's best I should choose the only one amongst you all who saw fit to remove their mask. Do you have a question for me?"
Everyone in the room turned to face the woman besides Arthur. She didn't seem to mind the attention. The blue-eyed woman nodded her head and began to speak.
"Yes, ma'am, I do have a question. One that has been bugging me for quite a while now. You've made the system seem like an impersonal arbitrator all this time, so I feel compelled to ask this."
"What are these chains that have been placed on us? You yourself say that you came from an integrated world. You too feel these chains."
She paused for breath, her tone cold as ice.
"What are these chains?"
Arthur couldn't help but feel like she'd wasted the opportunity. It was such a useless question. Though he had to admit he was a little curious about the answer Erico could give. Much to his surprise, the woman actually brightened at the inquiry, despite the harsh tone with which it had been delivered.
"This is actually the fourth most asked question in these assemblies miss. The chains are actually limiters, they..."
She then went on to explain practically everything that Arthur had already figured out regarding the things, though he did learn a thing or two. Most importantly that they could actually be removed without unlocking a tier-two system. For a fee of course, though it was far cheaper than Arthur would have expected. The equivalent of about 20 monster cores in system credits.
"So I believe that adequately answers your question, correct?"
Arthur felt the familiar cold of a teleport spell grip him.
"It seems our time here has come to an end. For those with golden tickets, your systems are under evolution to tier two. The process will be completed within 96 hours. For everyone else, I hope I was able to fulfil my obligations as your host today, and I hope we can all meet again someday. If you ever find yourself on Marfa, give me a visit. Don't forget to take care of yours-"
Arthur blinked and he was back in his house.
Someone was knocking on his door.
Tier-2 System Access: 95:59:55
