Snow glides tenderly to the earth and caresses it in a blanket of fresh white. The sled crafted from rubbish bags slides gently across the virgin snowfall, composing a subtle and lonely tune that echoes in the hushed darkness. Melancholy pervades the very foundations of the park.

While Gentleman Ape and I migrate toward the Terrace at a casual pace, my mind wanders, and I reflect on the Mana Contraction skill I acquired. ‘Cosmic System, prithee, my chronicles.’

The familiar blue wall, overflowing with difficult to understand numbers, arises from the white of the chilly night.

Strength

13

Cattail Armament Physical Power

26

Orenda

23

General Body Strength

5

Sturdiness

7

Cattail Armament Magical Power

0

Fortitude

17

Membrane Defense

2

Perception *

19

-

Acuity *

10

-

Agility

18

Sable

81.31%

Endurance

21

Vermillion

14.26%

Mend Rate

23 (-100%)

Heliotrope

2.85%

Mana Regen

13

Hoary

1.58%

Studying the wall, I confirm the Mana Contraction skill did not seem to affect my chronicles. I then run through all the numbers that have not improved in over a week.

‘I would certainly relish more of the skill point things. The more of those I may acquire, the better, but… I still do not know how I feel about devouring another kiln to receive them. If I did such a thing, what would they do? Would they plead for mercy? Would they try to fool and eat me when I turn my back? Worse yet, perhaps I am on the weaker side of Kiln. Shall I be the one pleading for mercy? I am not beyond such things. Dignity and pride are for those that do not mind death; I have seen what death entails already.’

Over the past week, I have asked Earl many questions, but he seldom answers them. I did manage to learn that sometimes the reason Earl does not answer is that I have not phrased a question simply enough for him to acknowledge. Still, I only ever managed to get him to answer questions he previously answered. As time has gone on, I have started to have suspicions that he is intentionally withholding information. It is that or he only “learns” something when it becomes relevant. I do not know, but regardless, it is rather worrying as well as frustrating.

My shoulders droop as I push away the wall and begin my usual routine of searching for rubbish bins to retrieve items. Except, they are all empty. With fewer people in the park, it has become nearly impossible to scavenge bins near the cave as we were days prior. Even the rubbish bags are not reappearing as they once were.

‘Aye. Well, naught I may do about it… I shall just have to locate other sources of sustenance.’

We arrive at a thicket on the side of The Lake opposite Bethesda Terrace. Picking some suitable shrubbery to hide in, I observe the Terrace for a while, waiting to see if any new activities have begun since I last visited.

Half an hour passes, and things seem essentially the same. The most notable thing being there are only one or two noble’s police remaining. I suppose, with the lack of people, they are not as needed as they were previously. As for Consortium people, due to the plastic blankets that block much of the Terrace, I cannot tell if they are there, but there is a bright blue light that radiates and dissipates from within the sheets infrequently.

‘It is good there does not seem to be as many noble’s police patrolling the area.’ My eyes drift to two of my nodes, reminding me of one of the reasons I came here. ‘Earl, are there any further tasks available? I have only done the one thus far.’

Earl summons a wall that presents the second germination task I am able to perform.

Earl Interface:

This second task would include setting a spark at two or more locations. Once set, a network of roots will grow toward the location of the spark. Upon completion, a mana rich haze will vent into the specified area. Presently, vents are limited to a maximum of a thousand linear feet from the seed.

Would the user like to assist with the germination manually?

[Yes] [No]

I read the wall a few times over. ‘Venting haze?’ Looking toward the snowy ground, I take some time to study and muse on the information provided. ‘In summary, I would pick a location for excess haze will be expelled… or something like that. I do not know where I could send it. Still, allowing it to simply release wherever it wishes is worse than making certain it goes to a specific place.’

Gentleman Ape saunters over and plops onto the ground nearby. He huffs, sending a puff of hot air from his mouth before raising a single finger and picking his nose. I shake my head and am about to go back to my thoughts when my eyes fixate on Gentleman Ape. His body has changed significantly, but he never consumed any paste, which troubles me.

‘...Earl, this haze, will it induce the creatures that breathe it in, to experience evolution as the wretched rat and dinosaur did?’

Earl Interface:

Oort Stained Tower Glass Kiln Guide

Venting

Creatures that have not awakened to Mana will undergo rapid evolution, while creatures that have already awakened may or may not show lesser changes. However, unlike with the overflow paste, the mutations caused by this haze will be less significant. This can be reduced further if there are two or more venting locations rather than one. The volume vented will increase with the size of the Tower.

Note: Regardless of the user's decision, venting to relieve built-up pressure is necessary. If not chosen manually, it will instead be vented in the area surrounding the Domain.

Contemplating the meaning of the wall, the implications of this choice become clear. My hands begin to fidget and tap against the snow. ‘Good lord! I... I must be very cautious with my placement of these vents! Otherwise, it could be calamitous! I might cause this city to be infested with monsters!’

I count to a hundred and then start to consider locations for the vents. One place becomes an immediate contender.

‘The chamber pot tunnels; I could send it unto the chamber pot tunnels. The tunnels are extensive, so the haze might disperse enough to be harmless. Assuming Earl is not venting much more haze than I anticipate. Still, how am I going to get it there? The chamber pot tunnels are likely too far away.’

I run through everything I know about the area surrounding the Terrace, remembering a small metal plate on the other side of the Terrace. If I recall the same word written on it, “sewer” was also written on the plates that lead to the chamber pot tunnels. I checked this plate once when I first arrived. The pipe was much smaller than the chamber pot tunnels, but it is reasonable to think it leads to the larger sections of the tunnel. It would be ideal for venting the haze.

My eyes drift out over The Lake. The water has been dyed entirely brown, and along some edges of the water, heaps of mud have been driven against the shoreline. This is likely the doing of the dinosaur or monster fish that inhabit the treacherous waters.

An alternative idea comes to mind. ‘Truly, I could also vent the haze into The Lake. It is overrun by monsters, so it cannot make it much worse than it already is… I pray.’

Musing for a bit longer, I nod and respond to Earl, ‘Aye. I shall do it; I will vent it into The Lake and think more about the chamber pot tunnels.’

Earl Interface:

Please, approach the seed to receive the sparks.

A short message surfaces. ‘I presume the sparks are those motes of light I gave to the tree nodes. Last time it came from the hole in the Arcade.’ I glance toward the Arcade where the plastic blankets sit, blowing in the cold winter wind. ‘...I shall do it later then. What about the third task?’

One wall vanishes, and another replaces it.

Earl Interface:

The third task involves selecting two gate locations that will allow entry into the isolated interior of the Tower. Presently, gates can be placed anywhere within a one-mile radius of the seed.

Would the user like to assist with the germination manually?

[Yes] [No]

‘Gates? I suppose it is referring to the doors… If that is so, I believe I should hide them. I am certain when the Tower emerges, many shall endeavor to enter; I would prefer it if they did not do that. Though I will require Essence, and them entering was one of two ways to get it on a large scale.‘

Thinking about the vast amounts of bothersome problems the Tower shall beget makes me spread my arms and fall face down into the snow. I do not actually sink into the snow, so it appears as if I am holding my nose just above the white blanket.

As I lie there, I belatedly realize something odd about the task. ‘Wait, Earl, how can gates be placed at such a great distance? How would it possibly allow access to the Tower?’ Earl does not answer; thus, I attempt to ask it more simply, ‘Earl, what are gates?’

Earl Interface:

Oort Stained Tower Glass Kiln Guide

Gates

Gates allow access to the isolated interior of the Tower and do not require pre-established infrastructure to function. Any area a gate is placed will be altered to a suitable degree. As a tower type, it is recommended the user places their gates in the most highly populated areas.

Seeing the wall, I raise a fist in the air in celebration of getting Earl to answer. Yet, as I read the wall, that fist loosens and turns into a limp wave of the hand. ‘Nay. I am not placing them in “highly populated areas.” Apologies, but that sounds like more trouble than it is worth. I would rather have the gates where it would be difficult to get to or even totally hidden.’

There are not many locations that I know of that are both difficult to get to and hidden; however, two that fit the criteria come to mind—the cave and, once again, the chamber pot tunnels.

‘Aye, I could place one gate in the cave. The only way in and out is through the tiny opening at the bottom of the cave door. There is another bricked up door on the other side of the cave, but I have not attempted to open it yet. The cave certainly seems like the easiest choice for a gate.’

With that, I resolve to put one gate in the cave, but the other is a bit more complicated. ‘If I vent into the chamber pot tunnels, I could combine the two tasks to work to my advantage. ’

If the gate is placed in chamber pot tunnels, only a mad ninny will search for a gate there. Even more so, if the creatures there have been changed by the haze that could be vented in there. I also have a few acquaintances in the chamber pot tunnels as well as an enemy.

‘Earl, how large are the gates?’ Earl does not answer, but his previous wall suggests it shall “be altered to a suitable degree.”

‘Aye, I do not know. Regardless, I shall do this one too, and I shall decide whether to put one in the chamber pot tunnels based on how the one in the cave works.’

Earl Interface:

Please, approach the seed to receive the sparks.

The wall changes displaying the same message as it did previously. ‘I am aware I must approach the seed, Earl! That was not directed at thou.’

As I am about to start asking Earl more questions, Gentleman Ape begins to get restless. He does not like to sit in the cold without doing anything for very long; understandable, I suppose.

‘Perhaps it is best I digest what I have learned for now. To be honest, the venting of the haze makes me much more nervous than the gates… What would doing something like venting the haze into the chamber pot tunnels do to this city that is already brimming with madness!? Am I going to flood this city with monsters if I am not careful? The Lake should be fine, but what of the chamber pot tunnels and can The Lake handle all of the ventings? If I place one in the chamber pot tunnels, would it disperse harmlessly, or would the ground beneath everyone’s feet be filled with beasts and monsters…’

Knowing this is not a decision I should make immediately, I stand, grab the rubbish sled, and prepare to leave. But I stop and take a moment to stare out over The Lake. ‘I shall do the two tasks concurrently, at a later time.’

Just as I am about to depart, I notice someone step out from behind the plastic blankets on the Terrace. They wear a big blue outfit that utterly covers their body from head to toe. The outfit is bulky with a big helmet that looks like a cylinder and a window on the front that is blackened.

The person does something to the helmet and reaches up, pulling the helmet away. Steam drifts from his wet hair and sweaty face. He removes a tobacco stick from a pocket and ignites it.

‘Must be hot in such a bulky suit… I am curious what something like that is for.’

I motion for Gentleman Ape to follow, and the two of us move through the park, rummaging through bins for more unusual rubbish and food.

Achieved Interim Scrounger [Grade 1]

‘If I can acquire a grade increase every day, then it shall be simple enough to attain the Novice Rank.’

Pulling the half-consumed remnants of something identified as a “honeybun” from the rubbish, Gentleman Ape and I commence traveling toward the children for our daily offerings. We went farther northward in the park than we usually would in order to harvest the bounties the park’s bins provide. But if I were a farmer, I would be wary of the prospects of future harvests.

It is not hard to conclude that if I wish to scavenge more rubbish at my present rate, I shall have to think about heading south where the bounties will be more generous. Except, that area of the park seems to be more active, and it takes more time to travel there, so I would like to avoid that. There are also buildings I could perhaps plunder for their riches instead. Though, every time I do, it seems like the noble’s police somehow discover me.

‘How do they find me? Is it magic? The Bishop also knew I was there all those weeks ago. I do not know how he found me, except it had something to do with the necklace of teeth he wore, if I recall. I have not noticed any noble’s police with any necklaces constructed of teeth.’

The sounds of childish laughter greet my ears, indicating it is time to collect some meals. I release my grip on the rubbish sled and enter the hedges that border an area the children frequently play in. Motioning to Gentleman Ape, he looks at me with half-closed eyes, nods, and takes a position in the same hedges around twenty feet away. As usual, he waits until the children are closer before sticking his hand from the bushes.

“Woah!” a young boy’s voice shouts. “I thought it was the fairy!”

‘...Fairy?’ Shifting some leaves away, my gaze falls upon two familiar children wearing oversized puffy jackets. They nod at one another with big smiles and hug weighty tomes close to their small bodies. ‘It is those two children, Lorelai and Vincent! What are they doing hereabouts!?’

“I’m always first.” The little girl with the pudding cup murmurs with pursed lips. “If you two are going to be in front, hurry up and give him something, or he might leave!”

Lorelai gasps, turning toward Vincent. “Do you have anything we can give it!?”

“...Just the candy they gave us in class,” he responds with a touch of hesitation. “Taking a small black piece of candy from his jacket pocket.”

“Those taste bad anyway, but maybe the monkey will like it!”

“But…”

“I’ll share mine with you if you give it to the monkey!”

He thinks for a moment and then nods. “Here you go, monkey, it’s special medicine candy.”

Gentleman Ape grunts, taking their candy, and holds his hand behind him, waiting for me to take it. He shakes his hand to alert me that he is ready, but I do not have any intentions of staying here. Just as I am about to leave, I hear heavy footsteps in the crinkling snow. Glancing upward, I can see the red-hair and imposing figure of a man. They have tattoos covering their arms, one of which is a black doll or poppet tattooed over the Church in Lights symbol. This is the man Lorcan that I saw jab himself with a needle just before my initial meeting with the Bishop, back around when I first arrived in this era.

He wears an oversized shabby black coat, but despite that, it still seems as if his arms might rip the coat open if he is not careful. From the benches off in the distance, I can see the children’s mothers and fathers eyeing the man suspiciously. This is unusual because they do not ordinarily spare more than a glance, which has been a blessing as otherwise Gentleman Ape and I would have been caught days ago.

Lorcan walks up behind Vicent and places his hand atop his head. “Hey, squirt, is it here?” he asks in a deep, commanding voice, a hint of arrogance sprinkled in his tone.

Vincent turns his head upward and tilts his head.

“The fairy, squirt. Is it here?” Lorcan clarifies with a click of the tongue.

“Oh!” Vincent nods earnestly. “Yeah, she’s here, but it is harder to find her than it was last time we were here.”

‘They are searching for me!?’

I prepare to flee, except as I do so, some leaves rustle, and Lorelai glances in my direction. “Two monkeys?” she whispers.

‘That child has superb hearing; according to Tenebrous Sneak, she should not be able to have heard that! Skill points perhaps, I presume people get those too!’

“Then where is she?” Lorcan asks Vincent, making a mess of his hair.

Lorelai looks away and toward Vincent. When she notices a scowl on Vincent’s face, she giggles.

Vincent reaches up and seizes Lorcan’s hand. “Stooop doooing thaaat!” he shouts.

Lorcan chuckles and complies.

Vicent lowers his arms, huffs, and closes his eyes.

Meanwhile, Gentleman Ape tires of waiting for me; he snorts audibly, drawing Lorcan’s attention. Lorcan opens his mouth to say something but freezes when he notices a small hairy hand and face gradually emerging from the brush. Gentleman Ape glances at Lorcan and then at the children. He stretches his arm out fully, opening and closing his palm at the little pudding cup girl. The little pudding cup girl does a tiny spin and shuffles over to him, handing him the cup with a giggle.

“...That.” Lorcan removes his hand from Vincent's head, purses his lips, and points downward with a limp finger. “...Is that one of the escaped monkeys?”

Lorelai tilts her head, looking up at Lorcan. “I think he lives here with the fairy.”

“I think.” Vincent's eyes open. He places his pointer finger on his chin and then points a few feet to my right. “The fairy’s somewhere over there!”

‘Flee!’

I rush out of the hedges, shake the bushes near Gentleman Ape. Gentleman Ape follows me as I grab the rubbish sled.

“Hey! Wait! I’m just tryin’ to give you something!” Lorcan bellows.

‘I do not believe thou!’

Gentleman Ape and I flee. Behind us, the bushes shake as someone leaps over. Their boots smack against the wet ground.

“Stop!”

““Wait, we can’t get over the fence!”” Lorelai and Vincent shout.

“Dammit!” He stops, waving his hand and shouting, “I’m just tryin’ to give you something from Ga—” He pauses just before finishing his sentence and scoffs. “Fuck, whatever, we’ll have a delivery for ya soon ‘fairy.’”

‘Nay! I believe we shan’t!’ I flee back into the depths of the park with Gentleman Ape.

The two of us, haze-parasite-monster-thing and ape, allocate some of our time to purposely flee in the wrong direction, south-eastward, to hinder any that may follow our trail. Finally, an hour or so later, we exit a copse of trees and approach The Lake’s edge, just west of the Terrace. Hence when I am certain we are not being hunted, I turn us northward and prepare to walk along the edge of The Lake until we arrive at the hidden stairs that shall lead us to the cave. Except, as I do so, a purple wall appears.

Earl Interface:

Warning: A leak has been detected in the seed’s roots—difficulty in self-repairing. Manual repair advised to diminish losses.