Maria was gone from sight after a farewell.

“Don’t fucking take on the boss without me or I’ll show you how a girl gets revenge Revalations style!” she threatened before grinning.

“I’ll bring you some food tomorrow. I hope you like sandwiches and lemonade,” she said by way of goodbye.

What a girl.

She had taken one of the yellow gems and let me keep the other two. She didn’t exactly say what she levelled up but she was happy with her Dark Age and Prayer spells. I guessed they were a bit stronger or faster.

I’d find out tomorrow.

I walked inside and down the ant tunnel. I asked King to put up a fake wall. An earthy room with an altar was weird enough for wanderers. I didn’t want one standing over me as I slept. Back in the subterranean sealed off tunnel, that I was calling ‘The Tunnel’ for ease, I looked around. Besides the metal railroad tracks, half done... or half removed, there were only a few metal barrels and rotting wood.

Not exactly homey but I still had my camping set and short supplies. The night was falling and I honestly didn’t have the energy to go shopping. I threw down some Purity Stones again. I loved my Pure rocks. They cleaned and made me feel better.

For good measure, I made a few camping versions and set them in a pile. The Energy drain wasn’t exactly good but I was resting for the night anyway and the heat and light made the Tunnel...

Less lonely.

As if sensing my thoughts, King came and rested himself at my side like a giant solid wall of companionship.

“Hey bud, you did great in the Zone!” I praised and King tickled me with his feelers in affection. The skill was certainly showing results as King was growing rapidly in the mental department as well as the physical.

I wasn’t hearing thoughts or getting questions but his presence in my mind was solid. I was a little let down by the skill at first but now I thought about it...

Was I given King because I was already showing signs of isolation before I met Maria? I posed the question to the System before tackling my still waiting notifications.

Gem skill creation is not a simple process to put into words. Each gem assesses physical, mental, spiritual, karmic, potential, mindset, belief, work ethic, personality, and many more factors along with your strength and existing skills to produce a result. Retracing the Blue Gem’s path to giving you King would take a week of low power mode on System’s part to fully track.

“That complicated?” I asked in shock.

The Gem System was created by a much more experienced and famous System. Systems can use other methods devised by fellow Systems if one cannot implement the standard Gaia package. If it were System’s own work, it would be much easier. System is what one would call... a greenhorn in her line of work. System has only had a total of 68 Users who successfully lived long enough to become a positive result in System’s track record.

“I take it dying or wanting a different system causes bad marks?” I inquired. I was kinda glad that being alive was positive for these systems.

Dying not so much. System can only guide or hint so much. Extremely powerful Systems could implement blessings or redirect events outside of their users to direct them... but being rejected does cause a bad mark. Powerful Systems have to take on failed work because they can simulate the Gaia Program on sheer power. Russel River’s System has lost 182 Users due to her limited power. User satisfaction is measured constantly even without words.

My head spun and more questions arose. I was surprised but pleased I was just being told this. Usually, these kinds of things in stories were locked behind cold facades and godly secrets.

“Wait so that must mean tons of Systems get bad marks if they start out new as you,” I pointed out.

The reply took a long time to come and I got the feeling my System was... ashamed.

Many new Systems have sponsors or are a spawn of powerful Systems granting them resources. Russel’s System was actually a very minor gear in a few System’s powers. She worked hard and passed with the highest User connectivity and creativity seen in the last 7000 years and became a System on an apprenticeship. Resources and power were cut off from your System because... System was deemed a cog who acted like a System. System was treated as a freak and cut off from any offers by surrounding Systems who dislike her.

“What assholes! That’s a destructive cycle which you can’t escape from! Good on those 68 who passed with you. I bet there were nice people,” I said confidently.

Yes! All of them have moved on but each was the purest of people. I burned their exact profiles along with years of footage into my central existence station. I relive the many good times when everything gets too much!

The System was so happy when she spoke of them.

“You framed their pictures,” I grinned, simplifying her actions. Another thought hit me. I settled into my sleeping bag to get comfy.

“Well if the other systems dislike you, how did you get the gem thing? Is it like a central database you can access or...” I trailed off and the System was again slow to answer.

When System was pleading your case and got permission for the Malice Zones and such... one of her fellow Galaxy Arm Co-workers was listening. He’s a very serious man who System think dislikes her. He scoffs at her open dialogue and tells her off for being too friendly. Before you formed in this world. He called System a sad case and when she opened her Mailbox to get everything ready... he had sent System a copy of his gem program. It was masterful and System could never get anything like it for another 10,000 years of current progress!

I raised an eyebrow.

“That means he likes you,” I said amused.

No one likes System.

The denial was sudden and without hesitation. I waved a hand in a smile.

“Hard-working cutie is hated and envied by others because makes them look like chumps and the dark silent CEO makes a bad comment then she finds out he’s helped her work or the mean people get fired... oh come on! That’s the oldest tale in romantic manga there is!” I protested.

User is being silly. Watch, I shall enquire. CONTACTING SYSTEM#2832121.

An actual dial-up tone screeched and hissed.

“What is it, SYSTEM#2832190?

The screen was suddenly filled with an elegant script that was masculine and blunt.

System would like to inquire about System’s feelings towards System.

That was way too many Systems and I had a feeling my System was translating out of kindness.

‘F...feelings? What broken logic are you attempting to glue together now? Is the G.E.M system not working? Do you need assistance? Is your User becoming another ungrateful amoeba? I shall be there shortly to task him in the nearest war zone for his insolence.’

See? Thank you, System. System has it under control. User assumed since you rendered aid, you had developed affectionate feelings for System. Amusing no?

‘Yes… hilarious. Go back and do your job and only contact me if you need something or if you need advice. I will also be open to discussing tactics and got uses of your own program created for the future. Also if you feel like you are losing hope, I have footage of amusing User deaths I can send. Good work and Good luck. System out.’

My own System sounded pleased.

See? He is a professional System. I wish to match his results one day.

“Oh my God, the Gamer powers are run by oblivious systems, mean girls, and stiff romance options...” I started to laugh. System began to show me notifications to maybe distract me.

“One last question. How open are Systems usually with their Users?” I pushed.

System already said she passed with the highest connectivity with users in recent years. Only powerful Systems can act with free agency and even create environments without a Gamer system with a User. These are high rank only and are called ‘Regional Overseer Bosses’. They make sure no one goes rogue and send high ranking clientele into amazing journeys with very different powers.

Huh, neato. I decided to get back to my own power before my head exploded. Tomorrow would prove to be a fruitful day and I wanted a good night's sleep. The first box was a good one.

Well done! You have learned the skill ‘Taunt’!

Taunt. Passive. Physical. Lv 1: Say or perform something to draw the ire of a foe to yourself. Higher levels can cause more irrational behaviour in those with self-control.

Russel the Tank Machine is a go!

Retrace has reached level 4! Increased steps to six! 5 levels until skill evolves.

Acid Cloak has reached level 2! Increased damage!

Frostbrand has reached level 4! Increased ice thickness. Skill will evolve in 1 level.

Ice Affinity has reached level 2! Increase skill with ice element.

Shield skill has reached level 4! Increased defence and skill with shields.

Knockback resistance has reached level 6! Increased stance and force redirection. Skill will evolve in 4 levels!

One-handed Blunt has reached level 6! Increased skill and damage.

Pyro Infusion has reached level 3! Increased fire damage. Reduce fire damage while skill is on!

Missile Defence has reached level 2! Increased defence.

You have gained ‘Mental Destruction Resistance’!

Mental Destruction Resistance. Passive. Mental. Lv 1: You stared into the abyss and cried. You alsos nearly had a stroke. Increased resistance to sights that would cripple your sanity and brain functions. Does not help with control or illusions.

You have gained 50 EXP from defeating Nishima! You defeated Nishima before he could reveal his true form! Please choose a reward!

-Increased recovery by 1% in the trainyard when not in combat for User alone.

-Malice built up reduced for the next year.

-Increased pleasant environment changes from lack of Malice.

I eyed the window with interest. Usually, you get better rewards for betting a super form... I might have gotten extra EXP but it looked like my System was trying to compensate by rewarding me for cutting the threat off.

It was something a System based around conflict wouldn’t do. It made me feel more trusting of my own System because of this. This base was too... sudden to be attached and trying to stack bonuses, not that I could once the Malice Zone faded. I was raised to always try and leave something better than you found it so I hit the Environment changes.

Nothing happened but the System assured me that I would see a difference soon enough. I hoped it was nothing drastic to draw attention but I chose not to worry about it right now. I still had gems and things to do to pass the time. I was drained mentally from the exploration but I was also happy to mess about with magic.

Now... where to begin? I sat up and King gave me a curious look.

“Do you want to be here or do you want me to send you back?” I asked, feeling a little rude for keeping him around with nothing to do. King’s feelings came over with a picture. A little picture, almost drawn by a child, of me sleeping and King snoozing next to me. I saw I had feelers and six arms but every artist was allowed creative freedom I supposed.

“You can stay as long as you like,” I agreed and King’s now faint scars gleaned across his face and back from the machine attack. They were fading slowly but King honestly deserved a night off.

Sure, elemental summons were all the rage but have you ever had a giant ant want to be your bud and clean for you? It was way better. I decided to practise more ice magic. King had built secure air holes in the ceiling but I still didn’t want to risk burning the air or smoking us to death.

My head was still sore and crushing a gem right now was... not appealing. What if it was another G4? I might wake up days later.

I held up some pebbles and yawned a little. I wouldn’t be a grind monster tonight but I was using magic and I was acting like a little kid inside, too excited with my new toy to want to go to bed.

Ice flakes formed and I slipped into a haze of focusing.

---

Maria talked as she dished out the pasta to the bowls. She and her Father were having a late supper due to an emergency meeting Maria’s father had to have with a grieving widow.

“-so we ended up researching the train station for my history homework. Read up about what happened and I wanted to see it for myself,” she grinned. Her papa seemed still too shocked to find out that Maria had come home with a good mood and without a frowning police officer at her side.

That only happened a few times but Maria could see how her papa might have... ideas about her personality.

“I see. Is Russel a good boy? He seemed troubled when I spoke to him,” her papa asked as he forked some pasta and cheese sauce into his mouth. Maria didn’t even hesitate.

“He wouldn’t even step on an ant,” she promised. Maria was pretty fucking sure King would toss Russ before he could get far to be honest. She felt her new knowledge and power floating around inside her like lights. It made her feel warm.

Since it was the weekend, she could go see Russel before long. School might make things awkward but Russel would be able to find more Zones or help people. Maria felt better having another defender in the city that wasn’t a ghost reaper who didn’t even seem to be around or that greedy witch, Yukai.

Maybe there were others but Maria didn’t know. Russel might know why there weren't tons of Hollows if the Reaper was slacking off. She would have to ask.

“Good to hear... so why cheese sauce?” her father asked amused. Maria blinked until it occurred to her that she usually went with tomato-based sauces but when cooking... she really wanted cheese.

Maria felt a sudden twitch in her eye.

“Diet,” she grounded out between teeth. Her papa wisely didn’t push the question. Damn Violent Crystal! She bet Russel wasn’t eating flies since he had a frog thing...

Or did he?

Oh no! What if Russel was too ashamed because of it and was hiding it?! Maria would be extra gentle to assure him that she would understand. Maria’s own sudden cheese love was weird as well.

“So papa! I found something I’m really good at!” she beamed. Her father’s face was pleased and he listened intently.

“I found thanks to Russel that I’m great at bondage! I’m really good with knots and rope,” she announced, remembering her own father had been in the Navy and would be glad to hear about the development.

Her father’s pale face and sudden muttering for forgiveness as he went to the drawer with the big knives was alarming.

“Papa no! Not again!” she cried and went to tackle him.

The man did calm down when she asked why he was so upset about her learning to tie materials and rope. He stammered something about people and rope but he fled before long.

So Maria turned to the place that taught her valuable knowledge of gaming terms. The internet.

She typed in the word and was eager to learn how to use her skills best.

Maria stared at the parental lock sign and wondered what was going on? Another thing to ask Russel...

Shrugging, she changed into a mouse and went to explore her home like never before. First, she went to the kitchen and found the leftover pasta. Her mouse brain went crazy and Maria ended up having the night of her life.