Homegrown System

Titus stood awkwardly next to the golf cart they had been using to grab repair materials. He didn't know what to do with his hands as he watched Alice stare forlornly at the building as it started to burn. He wanted to wrap her in a hug and tell her everything would be all right, but that'd be weird. His usual methods of comforting were something he was a bit out of practice with, but they were all for long-time friends or people he treated like family. Honestly, he had just met her this morning, and even after one of the longest days in recent memory, they still barely knew each other. It was easy to forget that in the quickly darkening light of twilight.

But she looked so destroyed. He had to do something. He couldn't just let her sit there, wallowing in self-pity. She was too important. She was, in some ways, the only hope humanity had to return to normal. And that was probably too much pressure to put on her if she was really nineteen like she claimed.

With the amount of experience she had with tech and how smart she was, it was hard to believe it. Not that he thought she was lying. Her story matched her facial features for sure.

There was a lot of pressure to put on her. She likely knew it herself, but telling yourself that everything mattered was one thing. Of course, you thought that everything you believed in mattered. Everyone did. But having someone else tell you how important you were... Titus knew from experience that was a whole different feeling, and he wasn't about to put extra pressure on her more than she already had. And besides, it might be possible that she didn't have a way to fix it. It certainly didn't sound like she knew what she was doing, but she had hope. And that meant Titus had hope.

But with the supercomputer center burning... well, it might be that she could never do anything about it after all. But he didn't believe that. Alice had a certain attitude about her that made Titus really believe that she could do pretty much anything she set her mind to. As long as it didn't involve knives. Just talking with her sometimes made it hard to keep up. Keeping her off balance with unexpected humor was the best he could manage. It was an odd sensation, and there were very few people he still talked to that could keep him off balance as much as she did.

Eventually, the silence stretched on long enough, and Alice still hadn't snapped out of her daze. Titus felt that he had to say something. Something different. Something funny and unique—something to lighten the tension and help her move on so that she could come up with a new plan, and he could help her execute it. Because, hell, he didn't know what he was doing. Not with all this computer stuff.

"Hey," he said, looking at her, trying to read her as best he could. Her hair was singed, and the smell was making his nose itch. "You want me to help cut away the burned part of your hair? I have some experience with cutting hair. I can make it look good."

He wasn't lying, but he also wasn't sure if any of the ways he knew how to cut hair would really be in style, especially not with a knife.

Alice took a second but then reacted. She looked over at him, and he had to stop himself from flinching. Her eyes were angry, a certain red around the corners as if she was about to cry, but at the same time, her brows pinched together in a scowl. She completely ignored anything he said and snapped at him.

"This is your fault! If we had rushed, we could have been back in time to defend the place. But no, I had to fight every monster along the way because you're too fucking lazy to help," she said, her voice rising to a scream. "It took us three times as long as it should have! We could have at least had a fucking chance if you, shit-for-brains, had listened to me!"

She went on and on, and Titus just let her rant. Maybe she meant it, maybe she didn't. It didn't really matter. She clearly needed to get all this out, and Titus could take it. So he sat there quietly, watching and passive, neither a contrite nor resentful expression flashing across his face.

Eventually, after a few moments, she ran herself dry. She stood out of the cart, finger jabbed into his chest, mouth moving as if she had more to say. But with a stomp of her foot, she whirled around, her burnt ends of hair smacking against his face as she dashed off around the corner.

Titus made to go follow her but realized she had just gone around the neighboring building center, and he heard her footsteps stop. Then he heard the faint sound of her starting to cry. He relaxed, knowing where she was. Even if he couldn't see her, he could at least watch over her.

He walked over to a nearby tree, one that was relatively young and clearly planted for decoration. He leaned against it as he sat down into a cross-legged position under the shade it was giving from the setting sun.

With a calming breath, Titus closed his eyes and focused inwards, keeping track of all the sounds around him. There was mostly just the wind and trees, and every once in a while, a distant monster made a noise. The soft noises of sorrow coming from where Alice rested reassured him that, physically, she was all right. At least. They would need to talk later after she calmed down and maybe after he calmed down, too.

It was hard for him to tell if he was being rational or not, but he supposed he could be. He needed her. Everyone needed her. Well, he didn't need her to survive, but he needed her to fix this. Without her, he'd probably just be off fighting monsters somewhere, getting stronger. He had no idea what to do otherwise.

Without her, he wouldn't even know whether this could be fixed. It was just the new reality. And he would do what he always did: get stronger and better until he could survive without concern. Then he'd start worrying about other people, trying to bring them up to his level to make sure that they could survive.

But now he knew there was a chance that things could be fixed. He would miss living without modern-day conveniences, but he had lived without them for a long time and knew he wouldn't need them to survive. Not again. Still, it was something he obviously would miss, but he didn't need them. But he had to realize that many people did. And, well, everyone else was counting on her, whether they knew it or not. And, by extension, they were also counting on him. So he was going to do everything he could to give her the best shot.

Titus knew she probably blamed herself for this whole problem. But he didn't, and unfortunately, the rest of the world would probably blame her, too. So not only would he do his best to make sure she had the chance to fix this if she really wanted it, but also to make sure that no one else found out what actually happened. At least, they would do their best.

Plans ran through his head as he sat there thinking. He could maybe find and contact old allies to get their support, if they were still alive. His thoughts wandered naturally, taking him to their current predicament. He considered Alice's words again.

What if they weren't just the sounds of an angry teenager overreacting? What if she was right? Had he been wrong? Maybe.H He still stood by his initial point that she needed to get strong enough to defend herself. He was only one person and couldn't be with her a hundred percent of the time until she figured this out. And even then, what if she failed? What if she couldn't fix this, and it was the new reality? She needed to be strong. Even if it wasn't permanent, she would be much more successful if she was strong.

The solution to almost any problem was to get stronger. But was he right in this particular instance? Did she need to get stronger now, when they were this close to a possible solution? Titus wasn't sure, and it was a feeling he was not comfortable with. Normally, he was very confident in his decisions. He decided, and then he acted. There was very little room for second thoughts. Now, though...

When it came down to it, he honestly hadn't expected her to stop the System here. That would have been anticlimactic. Unbelievable. Inconceivable. If she could do it that easily, she would never have come to find him. She would have stopped it within hours of the thing first occurring. She wouldn't have run across campus and stolen a helicopter to go see if she could save a stranger. No, she would have just turned the whole thing off if she could. Right?

But maybe he was just hoping that she could learn something about the System, something that they could use to their advantage as they tried to survive.U Until everyone came back from the tutorial and civilization reasserted itself in its new and changed forms. Or perhaps she could find some other sort of weakness they could exploit to root it out of wherever it had taken hold, some part of reality that was magical and that no one understood.

It was a long shot, and at best, he gave her less than a 1% chance of actually succeeding. Especially if they had to fully understand magic in a way that no one on Earth had ever known had really existed in the form it was taking now. But that was unfair. In order to have the best possible chance, they should have hurried. And if they had failed here, then he should have insisted on her leveling up. He supposed that was a fair consideration in hindsight. He should probably go apologize, even if it from self doubt rather than total certainty that he was in the wrong. Titus had lost far too many relationships, people he once cared about, once loved, because he hadn't been willing to apologize when he had been in the wrong. So surely apologizing once when he didn't need to wasn't going to hurt, right?

As Titus came to that realization, he opened his eyes and was met with a screen flashing in front of him.

Through battle and insights, you have achieved something deep within yourself. Congratulations on reaching E-grade.

Class one unlocked.

Choose one of the following classes for your first class.

Tyrant of War- Legendary

Class Description: The Tyrant of War is a legendary leader whose presence on the battlefield inspires armies and terrifies adversaries. Commanding respect through a combination of tactical genius and unwavering resolve, the Tyrant of War can turn the tide of any conflict. Their deep understanding of warfare allows them to deploy troops with pinpoint accuracy, predict enemy movements, and orchestrate complex battle plans. In combat, they are both a formidable warrior and a master tactician, capable of rallying their allies and demoralizing their foes with strategic prowess.

Stats: +1 speed, +2 power, +2 control, +2 free points

Abilities:

- [Tactical Insight]: Predict and counter enemy strategies with ease.

- [Warrior's Command]: Direct troops to perform powerful, coordinated attacks.

- [Unyielding Presence]: Enhance defenses and reduce damage taken by allies within range.

Grand Schemer - Legendary

Class Description: The Grand Schemer is a cerebral mastermind whose plans are as intricate as they are effective. Known for their unparalleled intelligence and foresight, the Grand Schemer excels in creating elaborate schemes that ensure victory long before the battle begins. Utilizing a combination of battlefield control, deception, and psychological manipulation, they can outthink and outmaneuver any opponent. In the heat of conflict, the Grand Schemer remains calm and collected, using their keen mind to adapt and exploit weaknesses in real-time.

Stats: +2 speed, +1 power, +2 control, +2 free points

Abilities:

- [Master Plan]: Formulate complex strategies that grant bonuses to allies when executed correctly.

- [Resourceful Tactics]: Turn the environment and available resources to your advantage.

- [Foresight]: Predict enemy actions and set traps or ambushes to counter them.

Architect - Epic

Class Description: The Architect is a creator and a visionary, capable of shaping the world around them to fit their grand designs. With the power to construct formidable structures and intricate traps, the Architect can turn any terrain into an impregnable fortress or a deadly maze. Their deep understanding of materials and engineering allows them to reinforce their creations with magical enhancements, making them both practical and nearly indestructible. On the battlefield, the Architect can summon barriers, fortifications, and constructs to protect allies and hinder enemies.

Stats: +1 speed, +1 power, +3 control, +2 free points

Abilities:

- [Fortress Builder]: Construct strongholds and defensive structures on the battlefield.

- [Trap Master]: Lay complex traps that can incapacitate or eliminate foes.

- [Guardian Constructs]: Summon golems or mechanical guardians to aid in battle.

Unyielding Nomad- Legendary

Class Description: The Unyielding Nomad is a resilient and resourceful class forged through enduring the harshest of conditions and the most grueling trials. Possessing an indomitable spirit and an unparalleled ability to adapt, the Unyielding Nomad can thrive in any environment. They are experts in self-sufficiency, able to find sustenance and shelter where others see only desolation. In combat, the Unyielding Nomad is a tenacious opponent, using guerrilla tactics, improvised weapons, and an unbreakable will to overcome any adversary. Their knowledge of survival skills makes them invaluable in prolonged campaigns and dire situations.

Stats: +3 speed, +1 power, +1 control, +2 free points

Abilities:

- [Peek Endurance]: Greatly increased stamina and resistance to adverse conditions.

- [Improvised Arsenal]: Craft weapons and tools from available materials.

- [Survival Instinct]: Heightened senses and reflexes, allowing for quick reactions to danger.

Eternal Predator - Mythic

Class Description: The Eternal Predator is a master of the wilderness and the shadows, wielding the primal forces of nature and time-honored hunting techniques passed down through millennia. Armed with enchanted weapons and mystical traps, the Eternal Predator strikes fear into the hearts of both beasts and men. Their heightened senses allow them to track the faintest of trails. At the same time, their connection to nature grants them the ability to call upon forces not understood to fight for their cause. In battle, they are swift, silent, and deadly, a ghost in the trees who is never seen until it is too late.

Stats: +2 speed, +2 power, +2 control, +2 free points

Abilities:

- [Primal Marksmanship]: Unleash a volley of projectiles imbued with elemental forces.

- [Eagle's Vision]: See through illusions and track enemies across great distances.

- [Nature's Cloak]: Blend into the surroundings, becoming nearly invisible to enemies.

Congratulations, you are the first in the world to each E grade.

+Title — The Primarch: Gain +10% effectiveness to all stats.