Chapter 32: Path

Strong winds encountered me on the outskirts of Everson City. The sand was uncomfortable as it tried to enter my eyes. I read the map and believed it to be the place where the messenger wanted to meet. He cannot be serious about meeting me in such a desolate place. I saw a pub in front of Cayne's Ville ruins. The sign reads 'Farmer's Club'. It's a strange way to name an establishment in the desert.

I went to the pub and knocked on the door from the outside. No one seemed to hear as no one opened the door for me. I decided to open the door instead and saw the employees busy cleaning. There were empty tables and chairs everywhere. It looked like fewer travelers visited these parts. I noticed the smell of dust and the faint scent of alcohol as I approached the counter.

"Welcome to Farmer's Club! How may I help you?" A waiter greeted me.

"I'll just get water!" I said and removed the scarf I covered on my mouth.

The waiter gave me the look by just ordering a glass of water. Her expression made me decide to order a glass of whiskey. The mood suddenly changed as she replied with a brilliant smile. She escorted me to the counter where the bartender was, "Please sit here!" 

I sat at the counter where the bartender was standing, working on his alcoholic concoctions. At his back, I saw a lot of bottles of liquor and spirits. It was arranged tidily on the shelves, making it look pleasing to the eye. Despite not being a fan of alcohol, I made an exception and tried the drink they called "whiskey."

My phone rang, and I grabbed it from my pocket. Looking at the number, it was Steven Andrews, "Hello there, Shayne! It's been a while. Can we talk a bit?" 

"Sure, I have a lot of time to spare at the moment!" I replied and the bartender handed me my whiskey.

"It's about that data chip and the research you shared with me. I have a proposal. I can help you reproduce copies of those chips, and I will give you a share! Fourty-Sixty in favor of mine?" Steven offered his proposal to me.

I liked Steven's proposal. It will speed up my acquisition of the chips for my usage. I would have the world's best infantry corps at my disposal. Despite how the proposal looked promising to me, I decided to delay it for now. Steven might think of a better deal. I declined and said, "I'll think about it. Please keep in touch!"

"I understand. If you change your mind my lines are always open!" Steven ended the call.

I put my phone in my pocket and glanced at the drink before me. It was cold to the touch when I grabbed it in my hand. Sipping it slowly, I tried to familiarize its taste. However, it was all wasted effort. The smell of the alcohol and the burning sensation in my throat was something I had not expected.

The drink almost made me retch, drinking it to the last drop. Luckily, I was able to hold myself. It would be awkward if these people around me saw me vomit. It would be an insult to the people working here.

Seeing my face, red as a tomato. The bartender realized the whiskey was too strong for me, "New to whiskey? You should have asked. I could have given you a refreshing alternative!" He smiled and handed me a refreshing-looking drink. " It's on the table!" 

"What is this?" I curiously asked the bartender.

"One of our specialties, Citrus Mint Mocktail!" The bartender confidently offered his creation to me.

Taking a sip from the straw, the fresh sensation of the lime and the mint in my mouth gave me a fresh feeling. It flushed out the burning sensation in my throat and the strong smell of the alcohol in my breath. I couldn't get enough of it. The flavor of mint and citrus gave me that refreshing feeling.

After enjoying my drink, a strange figure arrived at the door. Dusting himself with a scarf, he looked at me. The stranger sat near me and ordered a drink, "Whiskey, please! On the rocks." 

Drinking the same thing I had before, I thought he may have the same reaction as I did earlier. Imagining the painful look on his face, I kept quiet and pretended to face the counter before me. 

As the bartender finished preparing his whiskey, the stranger grabbed the glass and drank as if it were water. I was shocked by what I saw. I never thought someone could endure the offensive smell of whiskey and its fiery sensation in the throat. 

After drinking the entire glass of whisky, the stranger looked at me and spoke, "Elios, it's been a while since I saw you in person!" 

Hearing his familiar voice, I couldn't believe it was him. It was the messenger! I composed myself and spoke confidently, "Yes, of course. I am never late for meetings!"

"You are impressive as always with these matters!" The messenger complimented me and ordered another glass of whiskey.

"How could you tolerate that thing!?" I shockingly asked him.

"You may have a low tolerance to alcohol, that's why you were having problems enjoying this drink!" The messenger drank slowly this time.

Humans and their alcohol! Both are things I could not understand in their culture. We had spirits in our world, not as atrociously strong as they are here.

"What is the purpose of you summoning me here?" I asked the messenger.

There were problems and glitches in the system that we needed to fix. "The messenger explained and continued, "Currently, the trial version of your system is having problems. That's why I am here to debug it!"

"What!?" I could not understand what the messenger was trying to say.

"After this drink, follow me outside!" The messenger said and paid the bill, "Bartender, this is for us, both!" He handed a new one thousand sterling bill.

"Thanks!" The bartender replied thankfully.

I went with the messenger outside of the pub. It was hot outside. The sun shined bright above us. I don't know what the messenger wanted from me, but I was sure that the sun was evaporating me to death.

"I will transport you to my dimension! This time, you must master the usage of the system." The messenger said and transported me to his mirror dimension.

The background suddenly changed, as if I was looking at floating and moving mirrors. Looking below me is the dark void. It looked like it would engulf me, and I may fall.

"Look at me, Elios!" The messenger said and I looked at him.

The system again appeared in front of me saying...

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Debugging progress... 

70%...

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"How long I have to wait?" I asked the messenger.

"One minute and it will be done!" The messenger explained.

With the debugging nearing 99%, the messenger spoke, "After the debugging, please be familiar with the setting. I will teach you how to operate the system as well."

"Okay!" I nodded.

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Debugging is 100% complete...

Welcome, Lord Elios!

Vital Statistics

Heart Rate: 125/80

Body Fat: 20%

BMI: Normal

Height: 5'9"

Weight: 165 lbs

Profile

Name: Shayne McLane

Level: 70

Sex: Male

Race: Human

Status: Awakened

Fitness Status: Fit

Attributes:

Strength: 7/10

Agility: 6/10

Vitality: 7/10

Dexterity: 6/10

Intelligence: 8/10

Endurance: 5/10

Focus: 7/10

Abilities

Core Skills: Magnetism level 5, Mastery level 4

Manipulation: 25 FP per second, cool down 40 seconds

Hurl: 20 FP per attack, cool down 20 seconds

Special Attacks:

Rail Gun level 3, Mastery level 3

Charge Phase: 30 FP per second

Aim Phase: 10 FP per 30 seconds

Release: 50 FP

Cool down: 30 seconds after the attack

Electrocute level 5, Mastery level 5

Charge Phase: 20 FP per charge, 3 levels of charge

Release: 30 FP

Cool down: 10 seconds after attack

Defensive Skills:

Skin Harden level 5, Mastery level 5

Hardening: 5 FP per second, skill completes in 15 seconds

Skill deactivate by user's command or after 2 minutes.

Cool down: 40 seconds

Telekinetic Barrier level 5, Mastery level 5

No FP consumed per deflection of attack

Cool down: 30 seconds after deflection

Passive Skills

Electric Element level 5, Mastery level 5

Rapid Regeneration level 5, Mastery level 5

Auxiliary: None

Summons: Seyin the Troll, costs 100 FP on summoning, 30 seconds cool down after release or death.

Alesia the Valkyrie, costs 125 FP on Summoning, 50 seconds cool down after release or death.

Total focus points remaining [490/490]

The user under restrictions!

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The system looked more organized than it was before. The font and its design looked refreshing to the eye. The interactivity is easy. I can select skills to replace as well. 

"Remember, there are more features in the system. Be sure to read the notifications from time to time!" The messenger advised.

The messenger looked like he was eager to fight me. Looking at his stance and stare, it was as if he wished to strike me down. To my surprise, he unfolded his wings instead and released me into the real world. 

"Such a shame that I had no time. I am eager to test your skills!" 

Hearing his words, I was relieved. At least I won't go home with bruises this time. He began to flap his wings and looked up. Moments later, he propelled himself to the air and quickly flew past me, creating a cloud of smoke in his wake. I was unable to track his movement with my eyes as he left. 

After the messenger had left, a notification flashed before me. I opened the system and it was the messenger saying. 

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Greetings Lord Elios!

Subject: Be careful about who you trust!

Dear Elios,

We knew that you were close to a fate sister, Thalia. I should be wary of her if I were you. She was a well-known fox and a good manipulator. I do not know of your relationship with her. My advice is not to trust her!

His Loyal Servant,

The Messenger

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"Trust eh?" I mocked, "There's none in your kind that I trust!"