Chapter 11 - This Planet teems with Mysteries

A/N :- Welcome to lore chapters. Lore chapters will a very interesting bits of info about this world so its time to scratch that itch of curiosity a bit.

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╔════════════════════╗

║ - Status - 

╠════════════════════╣

║ Name: Matthew Marshall 

║ Hierarchy Level: N/A 

║ Influence Points: N/A 

║ 

║ EHV: N/A 

║ 

║ [ Mastery ] 

║ [ System Augments (N/A) ] 

║ [ Funds ] 

║ [ Documentation ] 

║ [ Territory (N/A) ] 

║ 

║ - Exit - 

╚════════════════════╝

"Whoa, that's more than I expected. Name, that's me. Hierarchy Level? Influence Points? EHV?.... Hey Quirk can you quickly explain this."

[ - Name: Matthew Marshall - ]

[ The identifier for the host within the Ultimate Mafia System. ]

[ - Hierarchy Level: N/A - ]

[ The current position of Matthew within the system's hierarchy. ]

[- Influence Points: N/A -]

[ Indicating progress towards ascending through the system hierarchy ranks. ]

[ - EHV: N/A - ]

[ The dormant potential for Enhanced Human Viability, awaiting activation. ]

[ - Mastery - ]

[ A gauge of Matthew's real-world proficiency and expertise. ]

[ - System Augments (N/A) - ]

[ System-granted abilities beyond the capabilities of normal Viables. ]

[ - Funds - ]

[ An overview of financial resources: Net Assets, Cash, Liquid, and Illiquid. ]

[ - Documentation - ]

[ Awaiting entries for System Packages, Equipment Ledgers, Crew Records etc. ]

[ - Territory (N/A) - ]

[ Potential territories, including names, stats, and resources, awaiting conquest. ]

Matthew stared at the illuminated interface, absorbing the wealth of information. Quirk's explanations told him of a world beyond his imagination. The unfamiliarity of 'Hierarchy Level' and 'EHV' intrigued him a bit.

"Hierarchy Level: N/A," he mused. "So, I'm starting from scratch, climbing the ladder. But Influence Points? It's like experience points, measuring my progress... my ascent through this ladder."

As his eyes moved down the list, landing on "EHV," Matthew's curiosity peaked. "Enhanced Human Viability, dormant and awaiting activation. What does that even mean?" Matthew was extremely excited now, realizing there was more potential in this world than he initially grasped.

"System Augments, Funds, Documentation, and Territory," he continued, ticking off each category mentally. "Abilities beyond normal, financial resources, records, and potential territories awaiting conquest. This is a whole other level of complexity."

'That Squee Demon-guy made this really complex, huh?'

Closing the interface, Matthew pondered the magnitude of the journey ahead as he walked home. He reached his garage, had a long relaxing shower, had a warm meal, and went to sleep on the couch. 'The hammock makes me sore.' He decided to check the other things the day after. He was too tired.

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╔═════════════════╗

║ - Mastery - 

╠═════════════════╣

║ => [ Programming Lv.3 ] 

║ => [ Cooking Lv.2 ] 

║ => [ Research Lv.2 ] 

║ => [ Parkour Lv.1 ] 

║ => [ Brawling Lv.1 ] 

╚═════════════════╝

*sluuurrrrrppp*

╔════════════════╗

║ - Funds - 

╠════════════════╣

║ => Net : 15000 ALP 

║ => Cash : 15000 ALP 

║ => Liquid : -x- 

║ => Illiquid : -x- 

╚════════════════╝

*more slurping noises*

╔══════════════════════╗

║ - Exploration #1 - 

╠══════════════════════╣

║ New to the City? Explore. 

║ 

║ As soon as you start the initiative, 

║ you will get: 

║ => Map: Unlock Exploration Mode 

║ => Memoir: EHV 

║ => Package : EHV Training Method 

║ => System Augment (Street Sense) 

║ 

║ Objective: Explore Points of Interest 

║ (POI) to get [Bonus Cache] for every 

║ POI visited. 

║ 

║ Rewards: 

║ - Bonus Cache 

║ (Creds, Memoir Item, 

║ Dossier Item, ???) 

║ - Unlock Shop (POI 0/5) 

║ 

║ - Confirm - 

╚═══════════════════════╝

*sssssslllllllluuurrrrrppp*

(Author : Okay, I will stop 😂.)

Matthew was going through the new things of his system as he was having his morning coffee. 'Can't reject this objective, can I? I should get a used second-hand car, it will come handy for this one'. He thought as he took another sip.

Matthew pressed 'confirm' with his mind.

[ Initiative Started : Exploration #1 ]

[ Map : Exploration Mode Unlocked ]

[ Obtained Memoir : EHV. Check Your Desk ]

[ Obtained Package : EHV Training Method. Warning! - Direct Assimilation Package. Package Available in 'Documentation' ]

[ Obtained System Augment : Street Sense. Activation Available in System Augments ]

Matthew read through the notifications. He finished his coffee put the mug in the sink and walked towards his desk. He took a chair, grabbed the 'Memoir : EHV', 'Memoir : Alpencia' and opened his MacBook.

First he opened the 'Memoir : Alpencia'. He skimmed through it a bit and got the general idea of what EHV is. He decided to go in details on a later occasion it was just too much of information to digest in a day. Here's what he wrote in his notebook -

[ In this alternate reality, due to it being created after the previous one, the creations are more 'perfected', the humans are more 'evolved'. Enhanced Human Viability (EHV) is the power system governing the capabilities of individuals in this world. Humans who undergo rigorous training can ascend to become Viables, beings with borderline supernatural feats achieved through the enhancement of both body and mind.

- Evolved Humans -

Humans in this world have evolved to possess Enhanced Human Viability, marked by the potential to become Viables through disciplined training.

- Viables -

Viables are individuals who have undergone intensive physical and mental conditioning, granting them extraordinary abilities. These abilities include enhanced physical strength, advanced reflexes, agility, and, for some, limited psionic powers.

- Physical Strength -

Viables can achieve feats considered supernatural in comparison to regular humans. Their physical strength is heightened, allowing them to lift objects like cars with both hands.

- Psionic Powers -

A fraction of Viables may manifest psionic abilities. These include limited telekinesis, enhanced sensory perception, and modest telepathic communication. However, psionic powers are not universal, and only a portion of Viables exhibit such capabilities.

- Limits of Viables -

The strength and psionic abilities of Viables are limited by individual physiological factors, preventing them from achieving overwhelming power. Even the most powerful Viables have defined limits, with the strongest among them with something like capable of lifting up to 2 tons and manipulating objects of limited weight, a maximum up to 2kg with precision, even for the strongest psionics.

- Training Journey -

Becoming a Viable is a journey marked by intense physical conditioning, mental discipline, and, for those with psionic potential, specialized psionic training. Advancement through tiers, from Initiate to Master, signifies the progression of abilities and mastery over both physical and psionic aspects. ]

 After digesting this part he moved forward with his research of the Alpencian Underworld. He opened the part of 'Alpencia : Underworld' in the Memoir. The underworld in Alpencia was very different and much more organized that other parts of this world -

[

- Unified Code of Conduct -

All members of the underworld in Alpencia must adhere to "The Mandate of the Abyss," a code established by the forefathers of the underworld centuries ago. Failure to comply will result in severe consequences.

- Prohibition of Specific Criminal Acts -

Engaging in specific criminal activities, such as drug trade, human trafficking, organ trafficking, and wildlife trafficking, is strictly prohibited.

- Black Market Integrity -

The black market is a regulated space for certain goods and services. Participants must maintain fair pricing, uphold quality standards, and safeguard client confidentiality, excluding the prohibited activities.

- Oath of Silence -

Members are bound by the Oath of Silence: 'Unseen Underworld, Unfelt Tremors; Keep the Shadows Silent. Any disclosure of underworld affairs to law enforcement is strictly forbidden, as is involving civilians in underworld activities. Violators are deemed enemies of the underworld.

- Neutral Zones -

The only recognized neutral zones are the Black Market and Trial Grounds in every city. These are designated areas where rival factions can coexist without violence.

- Initiation Blood Pact -

The initiation blood pact is held in the presence of two witnesses from the underworld and a Servant of the Abyss. The oath for the blood pact is: 'Those who embrace the shadows shall forever remain in darkness.' It symbolizes a lifelong commitment. Coordination of the blood pact is overseen by the Servants of the Abyss. Breaking this pact is considered an act of betrayal against the entire underworld.

- Trial of the Shadows -

To resolve the issues of the underworld, a certain "Trial of the Shadows" can be held if all parties involved in the conflict are willing. The trial is a duel between the Viables selected by each party. If the parties don't hold the trial, then it leads to war. Most high-profile conflicts that may affect the underworld and the country on a large scale are solved with the trial. Only when resentment is too deep do wars occur.

- Servants of the Abyss -

These powerful Viables act as emissaries of the mandate. They manage the Black Markets, coordinate the trials, oversee the initiation blood pact, and uphold the principles of "The Mandate of the Abyss." They also pass on their teachings to orphans from the underworld, grooming them to become successors to the title of 'Servant of the Abyss.'

- Succession and Disciples -

Orphans from the underworld, chosen for their potential, become disciples under the guidance of the Servants of the Abyss. The most promising among them is chosen as the successor, inheriting the responsibilities and teachings of their mentor.

]

Matthew slowly absorbed information from the memoirs and the internet. He compiled his points in his trusty notebook for future references. It was already afternoon when he was done. He looked at his phone - Monday, May 25, 2009. 1 : 13 pm

'This world teems with Mysteries, huh?' he thought deeply. *sigh* "Let's get lunch during 'Exploration #1'." He changed to 'Smart Casual Attire #1' and walk out the door shutting of the main switch behind him.