Welcome to Rhamiel, A Civilization Core LitRPG

“And why do I doubt that,” A masculine voice said with disdain.

When Rhamiel regained his sight and consciousness, it was like everything came back to him at once. He found that he was in a highly enclosed space, maybe ten by ten feet, with a four-foot square table in front of him. The walls, floor, and ceiling were the perfect black of a starless night, translucent and infinitely deep.

“Up here, Young Rhamiel,” the voice repeated, bringing the Core’s attention to someone who had not been sitting there a moment earlier.

The man sitting on the other side of the table was like nothing Rhamiel had seen before. The creature was humanoid, leaning back against a chair that Rhamiel wasn’t sure if it was there before. It wore no clothes, its form covered in a dark gray and silvery fur defining its lean and muscular figure. Slight claws tipped its long fingers, slight electrical discharges dancing across its fingers. But even more distinct was its head; it was covered in a bone bleach white mask, long and lupine out to the nose, and it reached back into antlers that burned with light blue mana lights at the tips. A carved design into the mask resembled the magic circle around the mask, focusing on the blank, shadowed eyes.

“There you go,” the thing said with that same masculine voice. “Welcome to the Solitary space, Young Rhamiel.”

“The Solitary Space?” Rhamiel finally said, a little confused.

“Yes, this is where individuals like yourself go when it is time to make certain choices and make them alone. No System Guide, no friends, no Mom or Dad, nada help from others allowed,” the thing said with humor. “I wish to state that you would normally be perfectly alone in this room. Alone with just you, your thoughts, and your choices, but I… oh, let’s call it what it is, I’m cheating a little bit.”

“Cheating?”

“Do you commonly just repeat back whatever you are told when you are confused?” the thing asked.

“No!” Rhamiel shot back, instantly defensive. “I am just very confused. Why would you cheat the System for me? How could you cheat the System for me?”

“I don’t suppose you would understand a computer analogy?” the thing asked, then continued with a happy expression. “Great, then in computer terms, I know how all the code in the System works together and blends with reality. I know where the System is weaker, and in some places or instances more than others, I can do things to bypass the rules. So be grateful, Young Core; I used one of my precious few cheats to be here.”

“I don’t know what a computer is!” Rhamiel shouted. “I do not understand what you just said, you, you, you strange guy!” Rhamiel proclaimed to get his attention.

“Oh,” the guy said simply. “Then I will dumb it down for you. I. Just. Can.”

Rhamiel just stared quietly at the thing.

“As for the why, I had better state what I am first. I have no name, Young Core, but I am an entity that is kind of like a... you’ve seen an Outer God, right? Destiny? I’m kind of a Demi-Outer God. While they are more outside the System, I am within it. I am known as a System Master or System Moderator,” he said with a level tone, arm wide as if directing himself.

“A System Moderator?” Rhamiel asked, catching the word choice. “There are more of you? What do you do?”

The mask of the System Moderator cracked, splintering along where the mouth would be on an ordinary creature. It gave the System Moderator a maniacal look that Rhamiel was choosing to ignore.

“The System Moderators have only one duty, one job. We take problems in this carefully created System and find ways to correct them.”

Somehow, that explanation did nothing to help Rhamiel understand or calm itself. This guy was beginning to creep him out. “How?” was all he could think of to ask.

“It depends on the problem. Sometimes, a reworded prompt corrects the issue; sometimes, we must destabilize an item to destroy it; other times, we must intervene directly. When we do, it can either be a pleasant exchange, like now, or it can be a horror that is only likened to seeing the face of any Outer God,” he said, voice becoming more intense by the second.

“T-then,” Rhamiel worked to get out, finding the words hard to get out. “Then why are you with me? What problem is there to work out?”

“Problem? Who said there was a problem?” the System Moderator asked intensely. The new smile cracked further, and a blue-purple glow appeared inside the growing, forming maw.

“I don’t understand,” Rhamiel said quietly, trying not to agitate this entity. “Why are you here then?”

“Do I need a reason to speak to someone?” It asked, its question trembling the room around them. The entirety of the space trembled at the mere flex of the System Moderators question. Rhamiel’s senses had been remarkably dull since entering this room, but even he could feel the power this guy was releasing. It was like mana, but more, it was higher and more all-encompassing than mere mana.

And the more Rhamiel felt that power, the more he coveted that power. What could he do with this kind of elevated power?

“Oh?” the System Moderator remarked interested. That is interesting. What are you thinking about, Young Rhamiel?” The cracked smile grew, making the ivory head look more and more sinister.

“What do you mean?” Rhamiel asked curiously.

“The System is trying to reassert itself around you. It’s rather fascinating; it’s not unheard of or even uncommon, but it is fascinating. But tell me, what are you thinking about? What are you trying to accomplish?” He asked curiously.

Rhamiel was still determining if he should say it, not that it probably mattered. Could this guy assume something happened because of the System and read his thoughts? Intents? Wants? Unsure what the System was reading, it would be potentially dangerous to lie to it.

So, with heavy reluctance, Rhamiel said, “I was thinking about your power or whatever this power that you are using is.”

“My power?” The System Moderator asked, confused. “I’m using powe- Oh, my deepest apologies, that release is unintentional. It stems from me being what I am, remember? A Demi-Outer God.”

“Oh,” Rhamiel released, disappointed. “Does that mean I can’t replicate it?”

The System Moderator seemed stunned by the question. “Are you serious?”

“Y-yeah.”

A silence between them stretched out for several seconds, leaving Rhamiel uncomfortable. Then, beginning with a single bark, the thing across from him started laughing. Its laughter shook the small room they sat in.

“Ah, the audacity of this guy! Hahaha!” It laughed, its words shaking the very reality around them.

And yes, it seemed to be the very reality around them. While his senses were limited, it would feel the power it held in just its laughter shaking everything around them, down to Rhamiel’s very soul.

“Oh, anything is possible, little Core, especially for one such as yourself. But you are not ready for such a thing. If you had one point of Ascendant Mana right now, your physical vessel would collapse. No, even if you had several Mana Generators connected High Tier Mana Purifiers and those wired to Mana Amplifier AND Condenser. Even then, I would not recommend it unless you had something to use it on. Otherwise, it would just hold Demi-Outer God-like power in the palm of your meta-physical hand,” The System Moderator laughed heartily.

It slapped the side of the chair in its humor, the room still shaking.

“Did you jus-” Rhamiel started before the System Moderator cut him off.

“Good luck with that!” He roared in malicious humor.

Then something clicked in Rhamiel’s mind, “Wait a moment.” The Core took a moment and took several long seconds to think. “It was you, wasn’t it!” Rhamiel accused. “You’re the one who keeps making me blackout! You’re ALL!”

“Yes and no,” he stated. “I am one of the… ‘ALL’ as you thought of us. ALL of us are the System Moderators, so what do you think of your ultimate and sworn enemy?” He asked with a slight chuckle.

Rhamiel stayed quiet, simmering away at the thought that one of the ones who kept tormenting him was right before him. Worse, there was nothing he could do to get back at him for those horrible experiences.

“Oh, that is interesting. You are rather more fascinating than I originally thought. That anger, that wrath over some simple inconveniences needed to grant you what you chose.”

After a thoughtful pause, the System Moderator asked, “Why are you angry with us?”

“How were you born?” Rhamiel asked, his voice still as if it were a waiting bomb.

“Intention and Eldritch Ritual,” it said with a flex of his fingers, lightning dancing between them. “I am a Child of Order, my flesh transmorphed on the mortal plane until my power matured and I naturally ascended to my station.”

“I fell from the sky,” Rhamiel seethed. “I was voicelessly screaming as I fell in terror, in pain, as I disintegrated while I fell. Then, as I was minding my own business after I helped Joselin from being killed, I made a choice. And without proper warning, I was rendered unconscious. Do you expect me to be happy after that?”

Nodding along with Rhamiel, the System Moderator said, “You know what, fair enough. But let me tell you what I heard: you cursed us when you voiced your… displeasure at the lack of warning. Bzzzzzz. Bzzzzzzz. Bzzzzzz.” He said, moving his head around. Rhamiel recognized the motion; he had seen the same action from Joselin when she had an insect buzzing around her face.

“You were, and still are, a buzzing little gnat annoying me with your complaints.” The System Moderator told him with disdain. “You want me to care about your problems and your upcoming issues, then I think it’s time you take everything seriously.”

“You think I’m not?” Rhamiel asked, incredulous at the thing before him.

“I think it’s time we stop shooting the breeze,” the System Moderator rumbled. “You have bigger problems than me and being angry at me.”

“Like what?” Rhamiel shot back, finally having the target of his anger in front of him.

“Like the Bosses that have learned of your Settlement and your existence. The different types of Spirit Cores that know of you and are coming or sending their Mobs after you. If you think that group of Werewolves was a serious threat, you have no idea what is coming for you.”

The room blinked. The infinite void beyond the transparent wall flashed with a deep blue, the absolute solidity of the color as unnatural, catching Rhamiel by surprise. Words flashed across the walls, blinking warningly, and the Core was sure it wasn’t for him.

Warning: System Moderator has overstepped their Authority. This will be the only warning before they receive a penalty.

Then, the walls flashed between several colors, disorienting Rhamiel for a few seconds, and then returned to an unending, solid black.

“What was that?” Rhamiel asked, cowed by the suddenness of that warning.

“Just what it said, My warning that I just helped you cheat. Not that it matters,” the System Moderator grunted. He leaned back in his chair and slumped almost immediately, “It means that our time is nearly up; it won’t like us hanging around and talking for long.”

“But… why would I care if you get booted?” Rhamiel asked spitefully.

“Oh, two reasons,” The System Moderator stated, raising two fingers. “Because I will get vindictive, and I can tweak the System against you, and the System itself will punish you too for the information you get.”

“That’s not fair,” Rhamiel muttered.

“I agree,” he nodded. “I am way more important than a single Spirit Core. You should get punished, and I get a slap on the wrist.” The System Moderator raised a hand, wrist limp, and then playfully slapped it. “Oh, bad System Moderator.”

Rhamiel growled at the thing before him but said nothing, moving past it.

“What now, then?” He asked.

“Now, you take a look at the board in front of us,” The System Moderator gestured to the board.

Looking down, Rhamiel was sure that the [Insert Choices here] cards in the table hadn’t been there before.

“Now you start looking at these choices for your Milestone. Then you pick one; it is as simple as that,” he said. “And I am obligated to tell you that it almost does not matter what you choose. Even if you make a weak choice now, it might be better when it connects with your next Milestone.”

Blood Magic - Your Citizens have eaten, and thus, gained strength by eating the beasts they have slain, The basis of blood magic. The basis of Blood Magic is the sacrifice of life force to gain powerful magical boons or effects. This Milestone grants you the Blueprint to a Demi-building called a ‘Blood Basin’, a sacrificial altar that you can grow and evolve with enough resources. The Blood Basin allows you to access rituals replicable with other Perks or Milestones at higher levels. Still, you also gain access to several building enchantments that will enhance your Settlements to new heights. But perhaps more interestingly, you gain access to Blood Magic and Blood Essence spells.

Eldritch Theology - You have seen the face of an Outer God and respect their power. With this Milestone, you gain the Building Blueprints for the ‘Eldritch Cathedral,’ a building that is the main focus of this Milestone. It is a place of worship and power for the Outer Gods; the more they are worshiped, the more power and influence that Outer God may exert on your community’s behalf. Grants Outer Divine Magic representative of the Outer Gods and their individual worship.

Expanded Storage - You have found that your Storage needs are inefficient, not using them anymore. With this Milestone, you gain several building blueprints for different types of storage buildings. All of your Storage Buildings within your Domain gain the ‘Growing Dimensions’ Trait, increasing their inventory space over time.

Relic Sanctification - You have an Artifact in your possession; congratulations. Artifacts are items of unique power tied to a major historical event, a dead god of the world, or an Outer God that remains beyond it. This Milestone gives you the Building Blueprints for the ‘Relic Archives’ and the Demi-Building Blueprint’ Analysis Reliquary.’ This allows one to discern what artifacts do earlier than normal and to store them in a way that can empower you and civilization, depending on their power.

Essence Magic - You have learned from a highly educated individual about one of the ways the world is built up. With this, you gain access to Essence Magic, a branch of Magic focusing on converting normal typeless Magic into elemental essences. With this Milestone, you gain the Demi-Building Blueprint’ Essence Storage Tier 1 through 5’. You also gain access to Elemental Essence and Ephemeral Essense Magic Tier 1 through 3.

Drone Pylon Network - You have made a focus on using your Drones to work on and complete more projects than your Citizens. With this Milestone, you can access the Demi-Building Blueprints’ Blue Drone Pylon,’ ‘Red Drone Pylon,’ ‘Green Drone Pylon,’ and ‘Prismatic Drone Pylon.’ Blue Drone Pylons increase your Drone’s speed. Red Drone Pylons allow your Drones to insert resources directly into Storage units that fit. Green Drone Pylons allow your Drones to fly within the Pylons range at the same movement speed. And Prismatic Drone Pylons, which slowly store mana to give your Drones within range a Pure Magic Attack, either a missile or a short-lived beam.

Karmic Seer - You have spent your Core Karma to empower you and learned the future through special means. With this Milestone, you gain access to a single Demi-Building called a ‘Oracle Crystal Pedestal’ that allows you to insert Core Karma into the Crystal to give you a prediction of Danger according to your and your Citizen’s average strength. The Pedestal will always warn you if any Boss is coming and will give you their Boss Level (Family, Clan, Species, Field, Country, City, Continent, and World).

Ascendant Mana - You have learned how to create Ascendant Mana. With this Milestone, you gain the Demi-Building Blueprints for ‘Mana Purifier,’ ‘Mana Amplifier,’ ‘Mana Condenser,’ ‘Ascendant Mana Cables,’ ‘Ascendant Mana Tank,’ and ‘Ascendant Mana Outlets.’ Ascendant Mana has the trait of empowering anything it is channeled into, as long as they have the physical integrity to hold the Ascendant Mana.

Notice to The Civilization Core: you will be pushed out of the Solitary Space immediately upon making your Choice.

“Well,” the System Moderator commented. “Not weak.”

Rhamiel stayed quiet for a long moment, looking over the options twice before asking his first question. “What’s a Demi-Building?”

“A bit of a misnomer,” The System Moderator shrugged. “It’s pretty much a device that counts as a building for the purposes of you crafting it. You can put Demi-Buildings in other structures that are big enough to house them, like other devices that you will eventually figure out how to create.”

“This last one… did you-”

“Ascendant Mana would be an excellent choice, a cheating Milestone if I have ever seen one. Taking it this early would affect every other Milestone in the future and lead to some fascinating things. Perhaps you will even create things that have never been seen before.”

Rhamiel nodded, still unsure what the big difference was, but not caring for this guy, kept thinking.

He immediately threw out Relic Sanctification and Karmic Seer. As much as being able to identify and use that Artifact Knife that sat next to his Core, which he had totally remembered, he would not use a limited resource such as a Milestone for that ability. Karmic Seer had uses that would likely be very good to keep him and his citizens alive; the walls he was building would do that just the same. Also, did he get that Milestone option because of the System Moderator’s suggestion?

As much as it loathed him to do it. He also discarded Drone Pylon Network. The heavy focus on Drones was something he believed in for speed, but this was not worth investing in.

That left Blood Magic, Eldritch Theology, Expanded Storage, Essence Magic, and Ascendant Mana.

“Oh ho ho,” The System Moderator chuckled. “Interesting. I would have thought the Drone pylons would have tempted you a little more.”

“Can you read my mind?” Rhamiel asked indignantly. “That is so rude!”

“No, nothing so directly invasive,” he waved off. “As a System Moderator, I have several different ways of viewing the world. The primary one that I cannot turn off is the ability to see how the System interacts with the world. Yourself included. I can see the list and the ones you are discarding blackout.”

Still a little annoyed at the thing, Rhamiel considered his other choices. Expanded Storage had potential but only potential. He guessed it would likely have some awesome uses in conjunction with future Milestones, so he decided to shelf that one for now and maybe pick it up later.

“I can’t say I disagree,” he said, nodding.

Ignoring him, Rhamiel then considered his final four choices. He considered Essence Magic but decided against it, at least part of what it offered; Rhamiel was sure he could learn through Mom. He wouldn’t mind choosing it. And one of the others, but with only one to choose from, unfortunately, it couldn’t be that. On a similar note, he decided that Blood Magic was likely not a good choice or at least not a wise one. Anything unlocked by devouring another being was probably not a path to create and walk down.

“Now that is disappointing,” The System Moderator groaned. “The potential for that one was interesting; come on! Think about it: a civilization built around Blood Magic and its applications is dark, yes, but also near infinite!”

“Sounds like a good reason to avoid it then,” Rhamiel told him.

“You wound me,” The System Moderator said with false disgust.

“Also, I was very recently told about one aspect of gross fleshly things life; I would rather not deal too much with another.”

“Ha,” the Moderator blurted out. “I like that reasoning better!”

With that Choice made, Rhamiel turned to the final two.

“What can you tell me about these things that Ascendant Mana gives me?” Rhamiel questioned.

“Ah, all those gizmos?” he asked. “They are moderate-sized machines that are simpler than you’d think. The problem comes down to powering AND gathering all the resources for them. You will need a lot of Steel, Copper, Gold, Arcanium, and some trace pieces of other compounds. After that, you will need the facilities to create the items, which are doable with a smithy. If your guy is good, it is more likely that you would have to build up your infrastructure to get more sophisticated manufacturing capabilities.”

“What’s Arcanium?” Rhamiel asked, the word not holding any meaning.

“I can’t tell you,” The System Moderator said. “It’s complicated anyway.”

“So,” Rhamiel sighed. “I can either choose a Milestone that will give me something incredible but requires a lot of stuff to build it, or I can choose to create a special building that will allow the worship of the Outer Gods?”

“Or you could go back and choose another one,” he smiled. “I know I would still suggest Ascendant Mana. It gives you something to work towards and will blend well with any future Milestone choice you make. And besides, why would you want to build something to worship those things,” The System Moderator said spitefully. “They do not care for you, your struggles, not even me.”

“I believe you are forgetting something important,” Rhamiel said offhandedly. “I need something I can use now, and if it will piss you off to choose your parents over what you think is best, then I choose-”

You have accepted the Milestone’ Eldritch Theology’. You will gain the rewards for your Choice and a more complete description when you return to your world in ten seconds. Prepare yourself.

“You little *bleep*,” the System Moderator growled. “Do you enjoy pissing off your superiors?”

“No, just you guys,” Rhamiel said proudly. Then, he decided to make his last declaration just before disappearing from this Solitary Space. “You know what I just noticed? The System just warned me before it did something to me. You know, unlike some of the prompts I read before now. Very odd, right?”

The last thing Rhamiel heard was a stifled curse mixed in with manic laughter as his vision flashed to a perfect white, and his hearing went dead. It was frightening and miserable. The sudden lack of sensation made the Core feel many things at once, all while begrudging his fate. With renewed conviction, the Core promised to make that thing, that Demi-Outer God, that System Moderator pay again. It was purposefully messing with him!

And then, just as quickly as it covered his vision, it receded, and he found himself looking up at the blue, cloudy sky about his Crystal Core.

It took several moments for his calm to return. Staring up at the sky brought calm and clarity to the previously panicking Core.

Milestone chosen. Eldritch Theology.

Eldritch Theology - You have seen the face of an Outer God and respect their power. With this Milestone, you gain the Building Blueprints for the ‘Eldritch Cathedral,’ a building that is the main focus of this Milestone. It is a place of worship and power for All of the Outer Gods, the more they are worshiped, the more power and influence that Outer God may exert on your communities behalf.

This Milestone also grants you Outer Divine Magic representative of the Outer Gods and their individual worship.

You have gained the Unique Building Blueprint’ Eldritch Cathedral’.

You can only gain Outer Divine Magic when you have completed the Cathedral and worship of any kind has been done.

“Joselin! Mom! Dad!” Rhamiel called to each of them. “Meet me on the second floor of the Architect’s Library. I must talk to you three before I begin my real work.”

“Rhamiel?!” Joselin exclaimed angrily. “What in Madnesses rotten head were you thinking?” She yelled to the sky.

“Later,” Rhamiel told her. “I need to tell you all what the plans are. Actually, Joselin, can you run by where you put me and bring my things with you?”

She continued cursing Rhamiel for his idiocy, complaining about fools and the sharpness of tools in sheds. He did not get it but set about checking on his Drones. They were still building the wall, something he could not put off.

He instead moved his perspective to Hutch, the man working with his chosen crew of Citizen’s turned builders. They were working around the bonfire, assembling some small pieces of what Rhamiel assumed were benches and a table.

“Hutch, I need to work on the wall,” Rhamiel told him, ignoring his startled jump.

“What?” the man growled, breathing heavily. “There you are; how am I to do that without knowing what you are building and where? Also, I am not doing that without some protection! Even that Apprentice is better than nothing.”

“I need to free up my Drones,” Rhamiel protested. “I have a new building that I need to have started as soon as possible!”

“A new building, you say,” he said slyly. “What kind of building?”

“A Cathedral,” Rhamiel told him, grumbling at this man’s waste of time.

The man stood there in astonishment. “This is very odd. You are getting some very eclectic building blueprints. What? a Cathedral? Who will it be dedicated to?” he said, picking up a nearby mug and taking a sip. I hope not Death or Madness.”

“All of them,” Rhamiel said after checking the Milestone in his Status. It at least did not say anything about choosing one of them.

The man sputtered, the dark drink he had managed to sip spilling to the ground and the wooden cup falling from his loose hands. He looked around, his reaction seemingly out of proportion with what he was told. “You know that is a terrible joke,” Hutch said seriously. “A form of blasphemy that would make the retribution of the dead gods seem trivial.”

“I don’t know what that means,” Rhamiel told him flatly.

“Wait, you’re serious?” He asked questioningly. “No fooling around here, Core. This is serious stuff here.”

“No fooling,” Rhamiel said, thinking about it for a moment. “Let one of these Outer Gods strike me down if I am lying.”

Hutches’s eyes widened in panic as he looked around, his gaze still frantic after several long seconds of expecting something. “No fooling,” he whispered. I am going to the Library, Rhamiel,” he grinned with teeth showing. I need to see this thing.”

“You can?” Rhamiel asked.

“You didn’t know?” he returned. “I think every Blueprint you unlock appears there too. Corinth confirmed it when I saw a new blueprint for a Breeding Chalet.”

“Oh, you saw that?” Rhamiel asked, returning to being disgusted by biological life.

“Yes, I did,” He flashed a smile. “He also said that it had a special power to help with babymaking. It’s rather fascinating what you do to structures. I can’t wait to see what you can do with some of the other Blueprints I created this morning.”

A flash of joy in Rhamiel’s very being was brightened further by this news. News quickly dashed by Joselin rushing past Hutch into the Library ahead of him. “I will have to get back to you, Hutch. If you see the Cathedral, look it over and talk to me later. Okay?”

“Oh, yeah,” Hutch said excitedly. “I’m pumped for all this stuff! Hooha!” he cheered as Rhamiel turned his attention to Joselin.

She carried his Core and two precious belongings in her pockets. She climbed the stairs, two at a time, to meet Mom and Dad, the latter looking a little annoyed at something Rhamiel could not fathom.

“Where is Rhamiel?” Dad asked, annoyed. I want to go back to sleep. I enjoyed that recurring dream where I finally got my shot at her.”

“Her?” Rhamiel asked, all three looking from where he projected his voice from Joselin’s palm where she held his Core.

“A Country Boss,” Mom said with a heavy sigh. “Envious, Last Queen of Singelha.”

This new subject caught Rhamiel’s interest. “Oh, have you ever fought her?”

“No,” Dad grumbled. “I gave up the Boss Hunter life when Joselin was born.”

“Keep bringing it up like that,” Joselin said with annoyance. “And you will make me wish I had not been. Now, Rhamiel, what is going on? Did you pick a Milestone?”

“Yes, and Demi-Outer Gods are the worst. Absolute a steaming pile of dung!” Rhamiel exclaimed. “Never trust the System Moderators!”

“What?!” All three said in near unison.