23 - Post-Game Rewards
*Enemies Eliminated: Round 3: [1]*
*Rewards: [50] EXP.*
*Unlocked: Competition Missions.*
*Victory! [2-1]*
*Rewards: [500] EXP.*
'That single match ended up netting me 800 EXP. Not too bad. And what's this new mission type?'
*Competition missions are missions granted in regards to events such as the squad tournament at the academy.*
'If nothing else, it's at least another way to quickly level up the system.'
Gus looked around, and found that some members of his squad were still recovering from the shock of the weapons. Remembering he had 100 of the system points to spend, he decided to take a look at the stats while he waited.
*Level [2] {555 / 1500 EXP}*
*Strength [1]*
*Speed [1]*
*Stamina [1]*
*Leadership [2]*
*Combat [1]*
*Durability [1]*
*Ranged [1]*
*Proficiency [1]*
Skills:
History's Greatest Commander x 1 [L]
'Since we're likely to need to use rifles a lot, maybe ranged is the choice? But combat could be useful, too. Then of course, there's the big three of strength, speed and durability… so many choices. Maybe I just stick to leadership?'
'Yeah, okay. I'll go for combat.'
*Would you like to spend [100] System Points on [1] Combat Stat?*
"I thought it was fifty?" he muttered, taken aback by the sudden price hike on the cost. 'Is it to do with the fact that it's a different stat?' he thought. 'Or maybe I had a discount on my first one?'
It took everything he had in him not to groan out loud as he noticed the difference. It had literally been staring him in the face. For the leadership point, he had bought a skill, rather than the point outright. He had also paid in the specific point for the skill, so the price hike made sense.
'Wait, didn't it cost 50 for either type of point?'
He quickly navigated to the skills page, and opened up the 'Achilles' skill tree under the combat stat. What greeted him put a small smile on his face.
*Greatest Greek Warrior: Cost [50] Achilles or Combat points.*
'Huh? Achilles or Combat points? Guess I have to settle for just the one.'
Dejectedly, he spent the 100 System points in order to buy the combat point. As he did so, the system page changed to reflect the new point.
*Level [2] {555 / 1500 EXP}*
*Strength [1]*
*Speed [1]*
*Stamina [1]*
*Leadership [2]*
*Combat [2]*
*Durability [1]*
*Ranged [1]*
*Proficiency [1]*
Skills:
History's Greatest Commander x 1
"What's wrong with you?" Claire asked as she approached Gus. Her question was quickly supported by Connor and Joel, who had also noticed the displeased and mildly upset expression on Gus's face.
"Uh, it's nothing. Don't worry," Gus said with a smile, in an effort to convince them that he was fine. Truthfully he was fine. He was just a little annoyed at himself for getting his hopes up over such a silly mistake, and he tended to be hardest on himself than on anything else.
"Mister Braye," a voice said from behind him. "May I have a word?"
Gus turned, half expecting one of the officers at the academy. Instead of their increasingly familiar uniform, he was greeted by a woman in formal, non-uniform clothes.
"My name is Melinda Brace, reporter for Solar News Interstellar, where we report on any and all news in the Solar System to the wider human community. Could you answer a few questions regarding the game you and your team just played?"
"Uhm, sure, I guess," Gus awkwardly responded. He did not really want to do it, but since joining the academy he had constantly been thrust into the spotlight. First with the Squad Leader role, and now this.
'It's not like I'm the type of person they write stories about. I'm no one of note, so I guess it's just a phase.'
"So, what did you expect coming into the arena today?" she asked, as a small drone appeared over her head, projecting the image of the interview across space.
"Uhm, nothing really. We were told a few hours ago to be outside at a certain time, and then we were brought here. We only found out what for a few minutes before, so we didn't have too much time to set expectations."
"Now, the first round didn't quite go to plan there, I'd imagine. The rush is a typical move people make, year on year in the first week or two, so what made you choose not to do it?"
"I already knew we had the possibility to play further back with a core team higher up, like we tried in the first round, and so didn't see the point in forcing us into that standard style."
"You adapted really well during the second round, and you yourself managed to win the third for your team. Do you mind walking me through your mindset during them?"
"So, the second round was fairly simple. We knew they would rush again, and so all we had to do was take away their greatest strength in the rush, that being the amount of stuff that cluttered the arena. Once that was done, we found that their attack just fell apart between the two sides of our team. As for the third, it made sense that they would be afraid to commit to the rush, and so we just played for time. It was a shame that they managed to take out nine of us, but we got through it in the end."
"It's uncommon for people to not form a full ten with those they did the entrance exam with. Is there any reason why you included two people from outside that group?"
"I was talking to someone on the way here from Earth, and after both of us were finished with our exams she came to speak to me with someone and then it kind of just happened. I don't know, it was better than the alternative of having two people that I didn't know. As for why I put them instead of some from my exam, let's just leave that in the simulation."
"Okay, thank you for your time!" she said, before leaving.
