The Manaverse

North East Penthouse

Granite City

Jut didn't know if Brick was still showering or just taking his sweet ass time, but he was not in the living area of the penthouse. If Brick had taken a shower at the same time as him, Jut never felt his water go cold so they must have had their own hot water source.

Hot water. That was the best part of his day so far, getting to take a hot shower, even if it was his second of the day. He wasn't sure how it worked, or what the Safe Zone staff had to do to get him hot water, but he was not going to complain. Standing under water as hot as he could handle helped him release a lot of tension he didn't know he was suffering under. Feeling fully clean was also a boon unlike any other.

Jut slid into his new gear one piece at a time. The set fit snugly over a shirt and jeans. Hopefully this new layer would reduce how quickly he blew through clothes. The gloves remained in his inventory and to his surprise, the boots were rather comfortable. It was all light brown leather from an unknown kind of Monster. The chest piece was sleeveless so he wore a black shirt giving the plain brown an accent.

Jut decided to explore the rest of Penthouse while he waited for Brick to finish up.

Both of the dogs were curled up on the couch and Jut had no problem with it. There was plenty of room and they weren't destroying it. Jut and Randy had washed the pets the night before the rally and they were still relatively clean as they hadn't fought in the wave.

The kitchen was fully stocked with a refrigerator, oven stove combination, dishwasher, and pantry full of food. Each of the electronics were more advanced then the ones his pre-System apartment held and they came to life at a touch but didn't seem to be plugged into anything. There were other, smaller appliances in the cabinets, such as an air fryer, an oil fryer and a griddle.

Randy would have loved this. Jut thought but got no response from Alex.

The dinning room table was made of the same grey stone everything else was and could sit at least ten people around it. Above the table was a chandelier that forked out into a dozen lights that glowed softly. The switch for the lights was next to the hallway entrance leading past the dinning area.

Down that hallway was five doors. Two on the left and three on the right. Each had a name plate denoting the purpose of the room. The two on the left were a Bathroom and a Laundry Room. Both rooms were larger on the inside than they should have been. Jut was having a hard time adjusting to the sudden changes in reality and physics. He guessed all five rooms would be this unusual, expanded space. He was concerned the rooms would malfunction or disappear when the year was over, or were their rooms special?

The bathroom had a large tub and glass shower room with three shower stalls, each was blocked off by curtains in various, bright colors. There was also a urinal and two stalls with regular toilets. It reminded Jut of a locker room. That's probably how it would be used too.

The Laundry Room had five washer dryer combination machines lined up neatly. Each machine had a hamper on wheels in front of them, ready for use.

The farthest room on the right side of the hall was a Ritual Room. A soothing white light orb hung from the ceiling that sparked to life when Jut walked in. The room was about the size of the Laundry Room with smooth granite, grey walls. Three plain circles were etched deeply into the floor. Jut almost fell to his knees and wept in joy. Now he didn't have to go outside to finish his quests.

The middle room was the Sparing Room. It was identical to the Ritual room, the main difference being the padding on the walls. This room also sported a light over each of its three circles and the rings themselves were three times bigger than the ritual circles.

Thoughts of Jonny's possible reactions to this room had Jut clenching his jaw and breathing deeply. He couldn't fall apart just then. He could wait until he reached his room later.

The final room was the Crafting Room. The room was divided into three sections, each with its own light. They were sectioned off by thick, stone dividers. Each section also had a vent in the ceiling and floor with a sink connected to the wall. There was a glass panel on the wall, which Jut touched. It scanned his hand like the panel in the Town Hall did but opened it's window much faster.

Do you wish to create a Smith's Forge?

Yes No

Jut had to physically touch the yes on this particular window. The window changed and made him confirm his choice, which he did quickly.

The middle area rumbled and a blacksmith's forge emerged from the ground, a mana blue mass bubbling up and conforming into the proper shape before fully materializing in a short bright light, leaving a dome shaped furnace behind. An anvil followed. With two stations free, no matter what profession Brick chose, they could both get some work done.

Jut frowned as he left the Crafting Room. All of this was just too awesome to be real. Why did they have to receive facilities like this after the Monster wave? Why was it not given beforehand? With the increased defenses and safety this place could now provide, why did it come so...late?

Brick was sitting on the couch when Jut left the hallway. The soldier nodded to Jut as he crossed the room.

"I read the name tags, but didn't go inside. Are they cool?" Brick was sitting on the edge of his seat.

Jut tipped his head to the hallway. "Let's finish our rituals. After you look in each room, of course."

Brick didn't hesitate. He oo'ed and ah'ed at the facilities on the left. When he saw the forge, he spun to look at Jut. His eyes were wide with excitement.

"Did it come with the forge?"

Jut shook his head. "No. I selected it. Why?"

"Did you get Smithing as your crafting skill too?" Brick asked, turning to touch the panel. A second smithing station was added to the first, leaving one open space. "Oh. I could have had your station put away too. It said that all projects would be stored until the station was recalled. That's neat."

"I did get smithing, too and I appreciate the storage function. Even after we find another roommate or three, we won't have to worry about whether we'll interrupt someone else's work or not."

"You mean our new team?" Brick asked, leading Jut past the Sparing Room and right into the Ritual Room. "Are you ready for that? I don't know if I am."

Jut watched soldier as he mechanically went to the center ritual ring and began stacking his Mana Chips in piles of ten off to one side. He didn't look back at Jut while he waited for him to answer.

"No, I doubt I am. But we have two weeks. Less a day, if we want to register as a team at that new Guild building." Jut said, preparing his own work space. "Either way, we don't really have a choice, do we?"

The rituals themselves were silent and so they continued talking while they worked. They each used some of their mana to activate the ritual a few times before reverting to chips.

"I want a healer and somebody who can attack at range. I will take over Jonny's role as a tank on the front line. Even dealing as much damage as I could, it still needed my shield in prolonged fights more often than not." Brick said. He looked quizzically at Jut. "What role did you want?"

Jut sighed as he picked up his third Mana Fragment, putting it into the fragment pile he was forming. "This really isn't a game."

Brick shook his head. He was smiling like kid who was listening but didn't believe what they were being told. "No. But the way the Monsters fight, at least while we were out there hunting them, calls for the typical mmo party mechanics. So maybe the fifth member could be someone with an Area Effect Skill, unless you want that job."

Jut thought about it a little. He could see the benefit to running with ranged fighters and fighting in the small squads of five the System allowed. Despite his earlier thoughts, he didn't want to play around with anyone's life.

"I don't know what I want to do yet." Jut said, shrugging. "I need more Skills first. The Shop didn't sell any Orbs that I saw. Well, except for that special one copper deal everyone gets."

Brick went still, looking away for a brief moment.

"Did you not speak with the others who were hauling bodies earlier. Wait. It's you. Of course you didn't." Brick said, rolling his eyes. "Do you know what happens to a person's inventory after they die?"

Jut stopped setting chips in his ring and shook his head. "No. What?" He was embarrassed he hadn't asked or listened. He had been on auto pilot the whole time.

"If they do not have living next of kin, which is defaulted to your nearest blood relative to a certain degree, their inventory gets put up for sale at the shop." Brick hesitated but continued. "A lot of those that died on the street hadn't used their Skill Orbs yet. I'm sure many Orbs will be on sale and they aren't going to be cheap."

Jut nodded grimly. "Might as well put them to use. I'll need to farm a lot of Monster parts to get a few."

"Oh, right. The gold..." Brick said, his voice trailing off. "How should we... You know...split it up?" He asked in a small voice. He looked guilty for even saying that much.

"Down the middle I guess." Jut felt himself go pale just answering. Most of it would be blood money, but it was better than letting it go to waste.

Brick suddenly laughed before looking at Jut. "Get this. I've heard that the Safe Zone leadership created the Hunter's Rally through the System. That's how they generated the money, set the prizes and got it all to work so smoothly."

Jut, startled by Brick's outburst, nearly dropped his newest Mana Stone. "Okay. What about it?" He put the Stone off to the side and pulled out the other two he had. He was sitting on enough chips to form another Mana Stone is he wanted to make one.

"Well, they only submitted the Killing and Gathering categories. The System added the one we won in. Apparently the head honchos were pissed." Brick said with another laugh.

Jut laughed a little too. It served them right for trying to prioritize stuff over other humans' lives. Yet, it felt wrong to laugh about the Rally in any way. If they hadn't been at the rally, the hunters could have moved in faster and been more prepared for the wave. Then again, maybe they wouldn't have. Maybe less lives would have been spared if they were out there during the first moments.

Jut placed the three Mana Stones onto one of the rings and activated the Ritual of Ascension one more time. What formed from the magical light was a diamond shaped gem with perfect clarity and many beautiful facets. It was green, which was Jut's preferred color and was the size of two of his closed fists.

"Wow." Brick said in amazement as he set his own Mana Stones into his circle. "My turn."

Jut didn't watch the second gem being formed. Instead, he stood and waited for Brick by the door.

Brick stood, holding his Mana Gem under one arm. "Shouldn't we read the quests now?"

Jut shook his head and tipped it towards the living room. "We will have more notifications than just the quest and I want to be comfortable if I have to read. You have yours being held back too, right?" It was common to have all Notifications held back while hunting. Most of the team checked they notifications at bed time.

Jut left the ritual room. He didn't look back, assuming Brick would follow or not. He sank into the couch fully this time. It was a feeling he didn't know he missed, the soft fabric and cushioning nearly swallowing him whole.

"Oh yeah." Jut said and Brick echoed him as he too sat down.

Alex's window popped into view.

Start Notifications now?

Yes, please. You're the best Alex. Jut thought back.

Searching Lore. It says here, you're being a kiss ass.

Jut smiled and watched as the first Window opened. The last one he had gotten besides the safety warning when the Town Hall was converted over was when he turned in the repeatable, collection quest for the Safe Zone on the day of the Rally.

The very first notification made his stomach flop around in guilt. If he had been watching his Notifications... Maybe he could have done something sooner.

You have been granted a [Quest].

Quest Survive the Wave!

Objective: Survive the Monster Wave until the [Safe Zone] goes into [Lock Down Mode].

Rank: Special.

Rarity: Abundant.

Time Limit: 2 Hour 30 Minutes.

Difficulty: Extremely Hard.

Description: The [Monsters] awaiting redistribution have been aggravated and are swarming the Slatewell [Safe Zone]. Survive until the System locks the [Safe Zone] down. Rewards are increased for every 10 [Monsters] killed.

- [Monsters] Killed: 0/XXX

Rewards: 1 [System Feature]. Bonus Rewards unlocked Based on Number of Monsters Killed.

You are unable to reject this [Quest]. It has been accepted on your behalf.

Jut almost didn't carry on. He was very curious what time it had come in, but he couldn't ask Alex. Would it have made a difference? Or what if it came after he was already fighting? Could it have gotten him killed? What did it mean the Monsters were aggravated?

He let out a sigh and continued anyway.

Jonathan Baxter has died.

The letters on the black window looked like blood smears. Jut didn't notice his white knuckled grip on the couch cushion. The next window was just as bad.

Larry Canton has died.

Jut pushed on, not letting himself get stuck again. He did know the information already and didn't need the reminder. The next notification was expected and changed his mood a bit for the better.

You have competed a [Quest].

Quest: More Survivors!

Objective: Search for and rescue more survivors from the area around the [Safe Zone]. 582/XX

Rank: Special.

Rarity: Rare.

Time Limit: Expired.

Difficulty: Hard.

Description: You have shown yourself to be a defender of men and women. Not everyone has the capability to make it to the [Safe Zone] safely. Find and help survivors make it to the [Safe Zone].

-Survivor's remaining: XX/XX

-Survivors rescued 582/XX

Rewards:

582 Gold Coins.

3 General Skill Orbs.

Unlock 1 [System Feature].

Access to the Goddess Ophelia's Champion Selection.

It looked like Jut didn't need to worry about gold now. He was pleasantly surprised until he reached the end. A Goddess huh? He really didn't want to get into the Gods and Goddesses are real mindset just then.

The Skill Orbs were a pleasant gift. He wanted to use a General one he was about to get. He figured he would use all of his Skill Orbs at the same time later so he dismissed that notification. Another took its place. This one had him nearly salivating over the possibilities.

You have competed a [Quest].

Quest: Survive the Wave!

Objective: Survive the Monster Wave until the [Safe Zone] goes into [Lock Down Mode].

Rank: Special.

Rarity: Abundant.

Time Limit: Expired.

Difficulty: Extremely Hard.

Description: The [Monsters] awaiting redistribution have been aggravated and are swarming the Slatewell [Safe Zone]. Survive until the System locks the [Safe Zone] down. Rewards are increased for every 10 [Monsters] killed.

-[Monsters] Killed: 74/XXX

Reward and Bonuses:

1 [System Feature].

10 Monsters Killed: Choice of General Weapon Skill x 1.

20 Monsters Killed: 200 Mana Chips

30 Monsters Killed: 30 Gold Coins

40 Monsters Killed: 4 Stone Rank Healing Potions

50 Monsters Killed: Choice of Stone Rank Crafting Material ×50

60 Monsters Killed: 60 Monster Cores, Stone Rank

70 Monsters Killed: 1 Automatic Non-Equipped Skill Upgrade Token.

Jut checked his inventory and it was filling in with tons of items that he would have to take a closer look at. Fortunately from him, he had just sold everything he didn't need at the shop so he had plenty of space. He moved on once more.

Please select 2 [System Features].

A familiar list appeared. He read over the options again.

Spacial Inventory (Obtained)

Personal Map

Contact List

Communication System

Spacial Residence

Lore Book (Obtained)

System "Heads Up Display" (Obtained)

Spirit Guide (Obtained)

Mount Slot

Pet Slot

Spacial Armory

Race Change

Sub Race

Jut desperately wanted the Spacial Residence. Yet, with the new Penthouse, he doubted he would use it very often. So he went with practical choices instead. He decided to pick two he knew he would use regularly. He selected Personal Map and Communication System. The rest didn't seem too relevant at the moment and he didn't want to change his race if he didn't have to.

Jut added both features to the "To Review Later" pile and kept going. He didn't want to get into a deep dive of anything and become distracted. It seemed the next few messages were informative more than anything else.

Congratulations. You have survived until the Lock Down phase of the [Manaetherical System]'s Initialization!

This is no easy feat. Just look at these numbers:

Total Survivors: 1,723,789,004 Humans

Total Slatewell Safe Zone Survivors: 834,001 Humans

For surviving to this point, you have been granted a [Title]: [Progenitor]

Jut examined the Title name like he was able to do with anything in brackets which caused his Lore Book to search for that term. It pulled up his Lore on the Title in a pop up window.

Lore Found.

Title: Progenitor

World: Earth, Zeta Bravo Quadrant

Effect:

1 Extra [Attribute Point] per [Rank] Acquired upon Ascension.

Access to 1 [Race] Change upon reaching Stone Rank.

Increased Race Change Compatibility with non-Human Races.

Jut looked at the Lore for Titles next.

Lore Found.

Titles:

Monikers created by the System for various reasons. They are usually beneficial in nature and may greatly increase an Ascendant Being's chance at surviving.

Continued:

A Title may be granted by the System for specific deeds. Some individuals may also grant Titles to other Beings. Only 1 Title may be on display at a time but all Title effects are always active.

Jut was curious how many titles a person could have. Was there a maximum? How rare were they? The Lore didn't say.

Jut turned the Title off and sighed as yet another Window followed the initial Title Notification. He really wanted to examine his new stuff and learn some skills. He hoped there were only a few more to go.

Jut heard Brick cheer. He looked over at the man, his windows disappearing from view.

Brick's eyes were glazed over as he read and his was grinning with delight. Jut shook his head and turned back to his own Notifications. Who was he to judge the man? He was enjoying most of this crazy stuff too.