Chapter 4. The Journey Begins

Haaaa that was a hassle. Ava said in aspiration. Why do dire wolves run so much? Can't they walk sometimes. Their pelts are so heavy too ugh well at least they will fetch for some coin Ava thought to herself.

Ava walked down the new path while she was complaining to herself about how unfair it was that she had to carry so many pelts for the stupid quest posted in the Adventurer's Hall.

As she continued down the path Ava could not help but notice how thick this side of the forest was. It was lush with many different colors of trees. It was late September and fall was in full swing, creating an array of different color oranges and reds that gave the forest a other worldly feel. Ava loved the fall for its vast diversity of colors.

After sometime Ava noticed that there was a dull shine on the side of the path in the distance. Wondering what it could be she picked up her pace to find out what the foreign glint could be coming from.

What the hell why is there a sword here? Ava mumbled out loud. When Ava got to the object that was on the side of the path she realized it was a sword of all things.

Who would leave this lying around? It was most likely dropped by someone thought Ava nodding to herself like a dunce. This thing looks kind of old though. Ava was referring to the style of sword. For the sword was very basic but practical. It was about two feet in length with a T guard protecting the handle. The handle was made of part iron and wood that was fasten together by rivets. Hmmm what's this? Ava looked on the bottom of the handle and saw a insignia of scythe surrounded by a circle of vines.

As Ava was inspecting the sword someone else was waking up after a very long time.

Wha...ugh what the hell is that beeping noise? Dias thought after seemingly coming out of a deep sleep. After focusing on the source of the beeping he noticed that is was a white prompt with a huge exclamation point in the middle of it. What the hell...wait a second ooooohhhhh shit I remember now. Dias said in a annoyed voice as he remember what happened prior to him being forcefully put to sleep by the the world.

Jesus ok I'm awake said Dias in a angry tone but the sound did not stop. Than he remembered he had to click on it as it was a message. With a figuratively slapping himself on the forehead he opened the prompt.

--WORLD TO SYSTEM MESSAGE--

--WORTHY APPLICANT HAS BEEN DETECTED--

--WOULD SYSTEM LIKE TO INSPECT APPLICANT TO PROCEED WITH MERGENCE?--

[YES] [NO]

Huh applicant? Oh right I know that is the person who has the ability to harness the power I can give. I have also have the ability to see the persons core being to determine the person's nature. Wait how do I know this? He thought to himself. Well I will just go with it. Dias clicked yes on the subsidiary prompt and when he did he could see the person's personality and traits that define them.

Woah so it's a girl, oh her name is Ava, huh not a bad name. She seems like a good person a bit too caring but strong willed. Hmm but she seems to also be a bit to trusting luckily no one has take advantage of that yet. After inspecting Ava he said yeah she seems good and then another prompt appeared before him

--WORLD TO SYSTEM MESSAGE--

WOULD THE SYSTEM LIKE TO INITIATE BONDING?

[YES] [NO]

Well she was the first applicant so she must be special or it be fated. Yes I would like too Dias said confirming that he wanted to start the bonding process.

Ava who had been looking at the sword for about a minute trying to decide whether to leave the sword or take the sword was started by a ping noise and a message floating in front of her. What the fuck!?!? Ava shouted in surprise. After calming down she looked at what the prompt said in a attempt to make sense of what is going on.

-- SYSTEM MESSAGE TO USER-

SYSTEM TRYING TO BOND WITH USER

[ACCEPT] [DENY]

Well that was not much help thought Ava who was more confused then before. What is a system and why is it trying to bond with me? Well I don't want to accept without knowing what I'm getting into but doesn't seem like I have a choice though. Well screw it. Ava clicked accept and instantly felt a splitting headache like no other.

Arrrrgg... what the fuck. Gah that hurts Ava said not sure if it was out loud or not. Which didn't matter currently. After about five minutes of this pain it started to fade and after it was done a new prompt was in her field of view.

--MESSAGE TO USER--

SYSTEM BONDING SUCCESSFULL

CONGRATULATIONS ON OBTAINING A SYSTEM

What the hell is a system anyways thought Ava. Than to the shock of Ava she got a reply.

Well I am a system said Dias who now could communicate with Ava. Ava froze from the response. Great now I'm going insane she thought to herself. No I can confirm that you are not going insane Dias said. Well I do understand that hearing a voice in your head is a bit weird but I think you will get used to it though. Dias said trying to reassure Ava. Ok so let me get this straight your the system that this floating message said and that you bonded with me right? Yes I knew you were not that dense said Dias happily. You are correct that I am the system that the message had indicated and yes I did bond with you. Also I have a name its not system its Dias Vex. Well ok than Dias what are you than? asked Ava. Well I am a system that gives you special powers unique to you. For example say the word status Dias explained. Ava proceed to literally say status out loud and a screen showed up in front of her.

Stats

Name: Ava Gender: Female Age: 17

Class: none

Strength: 5

Agility: 5

Endurance: 5

Vitality: 5

Intelligence: 5

Wisdom: 5

Will: 5

luck: 1

Skills: Swordsman ship 10, Gatherer 3, Tacker 5

What is all this Ava asked out loud. Ok for starters you don't need to reply out loud. You can talk to me by thinking not speaking out loud but if that works better than go for it explained Dias. Oh why didn't you say something sooner I probably looked like a idiot complained Ava. Na your fine no one is around. Also to the screen you see in front of you is your ability and strengths. Wait have you not played a video game before? Dias said. I have it just been a while since I last played one. So I understand now what I'm looking at but can you explain each stat because there has been some games that differed by small amounts asked Ava.

Sure no problem, I didn't think of that to be honest with you. Ok so Strength is pretty basic as it is your physical ability to do thing like lift a boulder or attack harder etc. Agility is a bit more diverse. It is how fast you can move and effects things like evasion, balance and accuracy. Endurance is how tuff your normal body is at taking hits with out the added bonus of armor. Also it dictates how fast you recover from poison and other status effects. Vitality is how much health you have and how fast you recover said health said Dias. Wait so why can't I see my health? like in games I could see a health bar asked Ava interrupting Dias. Ooooh ok listen I didn't get done explaining the character sheet but ok. say the word Hud and you will be able to see the normal stuff like health, stamina and mana explained Dias in a annoyed tone after being interrupted. So can I continue on with my explanation Dias asked pointedly. Yes sorry for interrupting said Ava in a small voice. Ok so from where I left off from.. oh right Intelligence. This stat controls how strong magic attacks are and a lot of other things like how easy it is to learn things or how much exp is gained for usage of skills. Due note that the its a small bonus increase on the rate that skills level increases. For Wisdom it effects how fast your mana Regens and affects how well your senses are or how good your intuition is. As for Will it is how much defense you have against mind or soul attacks and your natural fear factor to a small extent. Now for Luck it is self explanatory but anyways it determine drop chance from defeated mobs and how good the items are also it effects the chance of you encountering certain things and has biggest impact your crit chance. It is important to note that the Strength stat and Intelligence stat have a small multiplier to crit chance for their prospective attacking fields, but not as much as luck.

Also you can see an advance stat sheet by thinking expand for more specific things explained Dias. Ok so I just have to think expand and it will give me more details on myself? Ava asked. Yes give it a shot and see what there is confirmed Dias.

Adv. Sheet

Critical Chance rate 5% [ 2.5% L , 1.25%S, 1.25% I]

Mind Resistance: 10

Physical Resistance: 10

Spiritual Resistance: 10

Critical Damage Multiplier 2x

Wow ok that useful said Ava. Yes it is but due not think that this is your body's defense as it does not have any bonus from your armor explained Dias. Ok so why don't I see my current defense then? asked Ava. Oops forgot to add that heh heh said Dias in an embarrassed tone. Seriously? said Ava. Ok so your defense right now is 110 with your armor. Is that good? It sounds good said Ava. Well its ok for you currently so don't get too exited said Dias. What ever, you just had to ruin my boat huh admonished Ava. So is there anything else that is useful? asked Ava. Yes you Have a inventory that is literally endless and can store anything into by just thinking the object into the space also it good to note that you can't store something like a house as that is just not possible, so only things in reason Dias calmly explained to Ava. Well that's useful as she stored the 5 wolf pelts she was carrying into the inventory. Also you can auto equip armor through this method also and take them off they will be automatically stored for you Dias further explained in a exited tone. Ok now that is cool said Ava in a happily.

So is there anything else I can do right now asked Ava in a expectant manor. Not currently you will be able to in the future though said Dias. What why can't I right now? Aren't you the one who has the ability to allow me too? asked Ava. Yes I can but your level it too low for it to matter said Dias. Level what level asked Ava in a annoyed tone. Jeez ok remember the hud I told you about activate it. Ok ok I am said Ava.

Once she activated it she saw in her vision were four bars on the bottom of her vision. The left one was red that said 100/100 which Dias explained to her was her health bar. The next one moving to the right was the green and stamina bar which said 100/100 and on the far left was the blue mana bar which was 100/100. and above those was a bar that said 0/100 which she found out was the exp bar. in the top left of her vision was her level which was 1 and something else she just realized was a map.

Wait there's a map I can see in my field of view said Ava. Yeah it called a mini map and you can use the full map by thinking map and it will show you all the areas you know and the rest will be shrouded in fog until you travel there or obtain the necessary information. As for the mini map it has a radius of 200 meters in every direction and will tell if if enemies or allies are nearby dictated by red and green dots. Red being enemies and green being allies.

I thought you said there was nothing else said Ava. Well I forgot it happens I figured you would have guessed it since you played games before said Dias in a defensive manor. Ok ok so when can I unlock the next thing? You can at level 5 and it is where you will unlock your first class Dias explained. What are the classes? Is there certain ones that are better that I should go for? asked Ava. You will know when you get there but for now the last thing I should tell you is about that sword you are holding said Dias. Oh this sword the one you came from? asked Ava. Yes that one it goes along with me and can change form depending on the class you choose but for now it is a regular iron sword that can never break. Also if you lose it can can recall it to your hand be thinking it to return. Well that's cool but won't I out grow it? asked Ava. No it will grow with as you get stronger said Dias. Well that's Great. Crap the sun is setting I should get back to the outpost before dark exclaimed Ava. Well judging by that map your not to far away maybe a hour at most said Dias. Yeah but I still got to turn in these pelts sighed Ava. Well why are you still standing here you better get a move on said Dias.

Ava and Dias made it back to the outpost before dark and turned in the wolf pelts for the quest and turned in for the night. As the first day of their meeting came to a end both could not help but wonder what they had in store for themselves.