Chapter 3 Home

The sun begins to slowly rise above the horizon. Mordred awakens from her peaceful slumber.

"Yawn". She stretches her arms out and rubs her drowsy eyes.

"I haven't slept that good in days, Ava I'm guessing nothing happened while I was asleep".

[Report: Affirmative]

"Good well time for breakfast".

Mordred takes out a high calorie protein bar, a piece of hard bread and of course water to help chug it all down. The protein bar tastes like wood chippings and the bread is tasteless and hard as a rock, not the best breakfast but in the world, but this is a luxury few could afford. 

After breakfast Mordred quickly packs her stuff then continues her journey. As she walks Ava asks. 

[Question: Would host like for me to continue explaining the benefits of the system?]

"Huh, you weren't done?"

[Report: Negative, host went to sleep after suffering emotional damage]

"Please don't remind of that and umm yes continue".

The familiar blue panel then appears in front of Mordred now displaying the second tab available.

[Report: This is the inventory tab, you may store physical objects inside where time is slowed to a point where it's perceived as time being completely frozen. No living creatures can be stored inside. Its current capacity is 2,350 Cubic ft which is the size of a standard cargo container. The storage capacity can be expanded]

"Amazing! How do I use it?"

[Report: The inventory function is currently locked and cannot be used at this moment]

And just like that Mordred's new hope is shattered as soon as she got it.

"Okay how do I unlock it?"

[Report: Via tutorial mission]

"Well give me the mission then".

[Report: Requirements have not been met to issue tutorial mission]

"Sigh, of course please continue".

Mordred has now somewhat accepted that this is how it's probably going to be going forward. Then the panel switches to the next tab displaying countless items all of different origins.

[Report: This is the store tab, the host can exchange points for any item listed inside the store tab. These points can be acquired from completing missions and performing worthy achievements. Warning the system is not responsible for any injuries or deaths that may occur from the items the host may purchase]

Mordred didn't listen to that last part as she was immersed in scrolling through the store. She saw all sorts of items from firearms to magic to skills and the list of things just kept going.

[Colt M1911 (Rank F) 25 Points]

[AR-15 Customizable (Rank F) 50 Points]

[AK-47 Customizable (Rank F) 50 Points]

...

[Minor Health Potion (Rank F) 75 Points]

[Minor Mana Potion (Rank F) 75 Points]

...

[Standard Swordsmanship Training (Rank E) 100 Points]

[Standard Archery Training (Rank E) 100 Points]

...

[Basic Magic Theory Book (Rank E) 200 Points]

[Basic Magic Control Book (Rank E) 200 Points]

[Elementary Magic Book (Rank E) 250 Points]

...

'There's a lot of stuff and there's even magic how exciting.

"Ava what are these ranks on the items?"

[Report: All items are ranked based on its capabilities and usefulness. Items are ranked from F being the lowest to Ex being the highest the system can offer. As of currently the host only has access to items of rank F to E.

"And how do I access higher ranked items?"

[Report: Host needs to improve in strength, once the system has evaluated you as worthy, higher ranked items will be added]

"I see, also do I start off with any points?"

[Report: Negative]

"Sigh well I guess that's enough window shopping for now. Is there anything else in the system?"

[Report: That is all but more tabs with different functions can be added in the future]

"Got it".

Mordred continued her travels for a few more hours talking with Ava every now and then until she finally neared the town. Mordred walked up to the towns gates and went through the entrance process which was fast since the guards know her.

She began her walk towards the town hall to report on her mission that she was assigned. The reason she was in those subway tunnels was for a simple reconnaissance mission to check the conditions of the tunnels. As she walked her gaze wondered around looking at the state of the town. So much has changed since she first arrived, the main roads were paved and had streetlamps with the occasional car passing by, the buildings were rebuilt with better materials and no longer looked like a slum and the people looked healthier and happier.

Once she arrived at the town hall she enters, not much has changed about this building. She walked towards an empty counter and was greeted by a female receptionist, she was about average height and had straight long brown hair and blue eyes.

"Hello Mordred, how can I help you today".

"Hey Nadalie, I'm here to give my report about those subway tunnels in the city".

"Very well, give me one second". Nadalie grabbed a file from a cabinet behind her then a paper that is used for filling out reports. She wrote a few things before looking up back at Mordred.

"Okay, please report your findings".

Mordred gave her report on the state of the tunnels and the group of hounds that are roaming about in them and giving some pictures that she took inside the tunnel, once done she was awarded 5,000 credits which was quite the generous amount. Then she left the town hall and walked towards the armory that sells weapons and equipment. 

Mordred arrived at an old red bricked factory that has been renovated to be an armory. She enters giving a quick greeting to the guard at the door and walks to the main counter.

"Hey Mich, how's business going?" Mordred greets the man at the counter. He was a tall muscular man, he wore a brown blacksmiths apron with some tools inside the pockets, he was also bald with a very bright shine on his head.

"Business is good as usual, but I didn't expect to see you here this soon considering the amount of supplies and ammo you bought, did something go wrong with your mission?" Mich asks.

"Yea, got ambushed by a herd of hounds and almost died". 

'Well I did die and came back to life with this system, but no one would believe that'. Mordred thought.

"I see so you here to get your equipment repaired or replaced?"

Mordred then puts her damaged rifle on the counter. It was a damaged AK-47 with a makeshift stock.

"Yep my rifle got beat up pretty bad and needs a repair, also my helmet was destroyed and my combat knife is dull and chipped to hell so a replacement for those two".

Mich grabs the rifle and examines it closely.

"Got it, your rifle should be done by tomorrow, you can also pick up your other items at that time as well. Payment will be 1,000 credits, you can pay at pick up".

"Thanks Mich". Mordred finishes up and leaves back to her home.

She arrives at a three story apartment complex, she goes to her building and walks up the stairs to the second floor and arrives at the door to her room. Mordred takes out her key, opens the door and walks in. Her room is small with bed in the corner with a small kitchen and dining area in the other corner, there is also a bathroom with a toilet and shower, but water is still rationed so showers are short and usually with cold water. 

"Home sweet home". 

Mordred throws her backpack on the floor and takes off her combat gear.

"Much better, time for a shower haven't had one for days".

After a quick shower in the freezing cold water Mordred walks out the bathroom with a towel on her head and takes a look in the mirror. 

"Still flat". She says in bitter tone.

Her body hasn't changed much since her arrival to this world, the only changes being her hair growing longer and the many scars across her body. After examining her body, she puts on a simple black shirt and black pants then throws herself on the bed.

"So Ava when can I get that tutorial mission?"

[Report: Tutorial mission will be given tomorrow]

"Can't wait" Mordred closes her eyes and falls into a deep sleep due to exhaustion completely forgetting to eat dinner. 

...

...

"Hmmm".

Mordred opens her eyes and sees a familiar ceiling, she gets up and notices the clean bed she's on and the more familiar room with posters on the walls and a desk with a computer on it. The morning sun shining through the curtains of the window.

"This dream again". A young male voice says.

This voice belonging to Mordred now in the body they had when they were younger in their previous life. A young boy around the age of 12 with short black hair and brown eyes.

"Jake breakfast is ready!" A mature female voice calls out from beyond the room.

At the sound of this voice tears start rolling down Mordred's face.

"Mother".