Author's Note: Continuing with shorter chapters but more frequent updates. I figured this is a good middle ground compared to bi-weekly/monthly updates with super long chapters.

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Chapter 16: Fulfilled, pt. 1

True to his word, Tom did not go on the mission to save the Colorado town. Over the next several days, Tom focused his attention on four areas of importance. The first area is getting more work done on translating the bestiary and finish writing the two additional books he realized the world need alongside the history book and bestiary.

The first book he is writing is an introduction guide to the SYSTEM. The book would go into how the SYSTEM works and tips to improving your stats, skills and levels. He was careful not to put any dangerous information into the book. The book would just contain enough information to help people ease into the SYSTEM.

The second book will not be immediately made available to the public at first. The book would be recommendations to the world governments to how they can mitigate damage done by the merger of Earth and Xoth. He knew that the list of proposal is going to be extremely unpopular as some of his recommendations would very well lead to a global recession, if not, a depression.

The second area Tom worked towards was ordering books online. He hasn't used his Book Learning skill in a while and he has recently come up with some ideas how to improve himself through some books. Through the process he has spent thousands of dollars. He still must wait several days before the first round of books arrive.

The third area of focus was buying much needed items for his home. Food and water supplies to last several years in the very likely possibility of market places being destroyed in the surrounding area. Security systems such as video cameras, motion sensors and fencing to turn his home into a fortress. Finally, he set up an appointment to have wind turbines and solar panels installed on his property to make the house one-hundred percent off the grid.

The final area of focus was speaking with Kara about recent events. Every day he made attempts to contact her. While he did have the Prayer skill, it wasn't one hundred percent guaranteed. Every free moment he had was used to try and contact her. On the third day, his attempt yield success.

Hello Thomas.

"Finally reached you," Tom said in relief.

You may be the only one trying to pray to me on your world, but there have been many trying to contact me on Xoth. Now... Is something wrong?

"Yeah," Tom replied. "A lot wrong. Phoenix has access to the SYSTEM. How do they have access? I thought no one but I would have access to the SYSTEM until the day of the merger."

They have access? This is bad. Very bad. There are several loopholes one person in your universe can use to gain access to the SYSTEM. The first loophole is the one I used for you. I gave you and ninety-nine others a connection to the world of Xoth through the universe fusion spell. When the spell was first cast, it created a large connection between your universe and mine. I made each monster that appeared in your world into a catalyst that would link you to the SYSTEM. When you killed that cyclops, it fully connected you to the world of Xoth. This gave you access to the SYSTEM.

"Okay..."

The second method is if you turned into a monster.

"Like the Mimic Slimes?"

Exactly. There are different types of monster-turned sapients, but Mimic Slimes are a good example. Did you use Identify on these Phoenix people? What did their race field state?

"Human," Tom replied.

...

...

...

"Kara?"

That means they used the third method...

"Third method?"

Putting together that Phoenix is likely working with a servant of Hastur, it is likely... No, it is a certainty, that the servant used the energy from Soul Axes to give Phoenix access to the SYSTEM.

"Oh my god..." Tom muttered. "Oh! Sorry."

It's okay. Knowing what they have done... Tom, they must be stopped.

"You don't have to tell me twice. To actually use Soul Axes. They're damn monsters."

This is far more serious than you may think. I have checked in from time to time to see how you're progressing. While you are doing a good job at increasing your skill and personal levels, Phoenix will have less restraint than you. Based on what I know of them, they will kill indiscriminating in order to raise their levels. They can catch up to you and eventually surpass you. You need to take them down as soon as possible. None of them can live.

"You're pretty hardcore for a supposedly benevolent goddess," Tom jest.

I care about the survival of my people and Phoenix threatens their future. You and Reia are the only ones I can depend on to carry out the task of wiping them out.

"Yeah, I know," Tom replied.

Are you and Reia going to do your class quest today?

"Yup. We're nervous about it, but we have put it off long enough now."

Good. I'll let your teachers know that you are both coming. Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?

Tom grabbed his chin as he thought of something else to ask her. "Actually there is something. It concerns quests. When I checked Quest Information, it clearly stated quests are missions given by a higher power or person of authority. Yet I discovered a quest on my own. No one gave it to me but when I discovered a Phoenix mission, I was given a quest to fight them. No one granted it to me."

What you found is a rare hidden quest. They are events that has a major effect on the future. Due to their importance, you can be given a quest simply by discovering an event. I only discovered these new changes to the SYSTEM long after I created it.

"B-Back up!" Tom stuttered. "You created the SYSTEM?"

Of course I did. This is my universe.

"Why would you create it?"

Every god creates rules that govern their universe. I created the SYSTEM and magic as a way for the beings of my universe to develop and improve themselves. As a result, they developed differently compared to your race, the Humans. You Humans truly impress me.

"We impress you?"

Of course. Your universe has no magic but your people developed ways to overcome the challenges your race faced. This is turn allowed you to develop to become far more technologically advanced than the people of Xoth. I would even go as far as say that much of your technology can reach the same level or even surpass magic. Your people have even gone into space and walked on your moon. Truly wonderful.

"You're sounding like a fan girl," Tom teased.

Not very nice nor smart to tease a goddess.

"S-Sorry."

I see why Reia likes to tease you. It's fun.

"Ugh," Tom groaned. "That's it, I'm cutting this conversation."

Don't be a grump.

"You are the weirdest goddess I have ever talked to."

I'm the only goddess you have talked to. By default, I'm the most normal. Living for billions of years does this to you. You're the only one to talk to me like a person and not a god.

"So, what? You crave a conversation?"

Yes...

"I guess it really is lonely at the top. Okay, tell you what. Maybe take more of my calls and I'll start talking to you more. Does that sound good?"

Really?

"Really."

Heh, heh! Yes!

'You really are a weird goddess,' he thought.

I heard that!

"Ending Prayer," Tom quickly said. "Talk to you later."

Now hold on-

Tom got to his feet and walked outside to find Reia lying on her stomach on a towel spread out of the grass. Her wings were spread out to take in the warmth of the sun.

"Enjoying the sun?" Tom asked.

"Mmhmm," Reia mumbled. "It feels so good. Did you manage to contact Kara?"

"Yeah. It worked this time. She believes that Phoenix used Soul Axes to gain access to the SYSTEM."

Reia got up and yelped, "What?"

"It's the only way. I knew that Phoenix were monsters, but to end a soul's existence... It goes beyond. I hope you're ready because today we are going to do our class mission today."

"Are you sure you're ready?"

"I no longer have the debuff so I'm as ready as I can be." Tom extended his hand. "Come on."

Reia grabbed his hand and was pulled up to her feet. Tom led her back into the house and to the bed room.

"I figure if our spirits are leaving our bodies, we should leave our bodies somewhere comfortable," Tom said.

They crawled onto their bed. Tom laid on his back and Reia was on her side facing Tom. With her wings, she cannot lie comfortably on her back.

"Now according to Kara, we are supposed to close our eyes and concentrate our thoughts on our mission."

They closed their eyes. Their thoughts focused on their mission. No sooner did they think of their mission did they feel themselves plummet into darkness.

The two screamed as they fell into the infinite abyss. Tom looked over to Reia and held out his hand towards her. She grabbed it. Reia pulled him towards herself and held him in her arms. Before she had a chance to spread her wings to fly, they stopped just a foot above the ground. They hung there for a moment before they harmlessly fell onto the ground.

"Ugh," Tom groaned. "That was rough."

"I wish we had more warning," Reia added.

"Me too. Thanks for trying to save me."

"Get up," a voice ordered.

Tom and Reia looked up and saw two figures standing there. The two appeared to be from the Naga race. One was a man and the other a woman. Other than those two obvious physical features, the rest was vague. Their bodies were made up of a purple energy and gave no precise physical details. For Tom and Reia, they still retained their forms down to the clothes they were wearing before coming to the spirit realm.

Tom and Reia quickly got to their feet and stood with caution. They stared intently at the two spirits that stood in front of them. The area they were in was an empty plain that went on forever into darkness in every direction.

"No need for caution," the woman said. "Not yet anyway. It is a pleasure to finally meet you two face to face. I am Niala. This is Delix."

Niala's voice was calming but contained a certain degree of sophistication and wisdom.

"Nice to meet you both as well," Tom awkwardly greeted.

"Here's how this is going to work," Delix announced. "Thomas Everett, you are going to stay here with me and we are going to have a sparring match."

Delix's voice was the opposite of Niala. It was gruff and resulted in a slight growl at the end of each of his sentences.

"Reia will come with me," Niala said. "We will move elsewhere for our sparring match."

"We will gauge both your movement and combative skills," Delix continued. "Your goal is not to win against us but to simply fight. Understood?"

Tom and Reia nodded. Niala approached Reia and placed her right hand on her shoulder. The two vanished from sight.

"Reia!" Tom called out.

Delix grabbed his shoulder and assured him, "She's fine. You both need privacy in order to focus entirely on your fight. Once you are both done, you will reunite."

Delix walked several paces away from Tom before turning around. He reached behind his back and pulled out a sword. His sword arm hung to the side.

"Put on your equipment."

"Equip Set One," Tom said. His body was surrounded by white light as his armour and weapon appeared.

Delix took a stance with his sword. "Show me what you got."

"Lightning Strike," Tom yelled as he ran forward with his hand in front of him.

Lightning shot out from Tom's hand towards Delix. Delix casually leaned towards the side and dodged the attack. Tom pulled back his sword arm and swung horizontally towards Delix.

Delix shifted his sword arm to the side slightly and blocked the strike. Tom pushed as hard as he could towards Delix's blade but couldn't make it move.

"I hope you can do more than this," Delix muttered. Despite Tom putting all of his strength into his attack, Delix showed no signs of distress. "Or this will be a short match."

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Character Stats:

Spoiler :

StatusNameThomas "Tom" EverettLevel22Experience13320/13850ClassMagic BladeRaceHumanAlignmentGoodCurrencyCanadian$10,686,171.27Xoth0 platinum 4 gold 66 silver 30 copperTitleClever One, Determined, Giant Slayer, Vaccinated, One Of The First, Sole Survivor, Generous Healer, InterpreterBuffsAgent of Kara2x experienceBestiary of Xoth+10% damage towards the creatures of XothBrief History of Xoth+10% persuasion chance and friendliness towards the inhabitants of XothDebuffs--Health1150Health Regeneration/min33.99Mana1090Mana Regeneration/min37.2Stamina1090Stamina Regeneration/min8.2Fame3900Infamy0Strength115Intelligence109Wisdom120Perception58Endurance109Vitality103Agility82Luck90Unallocated Points0

ResistancesPhysical44%Disease/Toxin89%Fire44%Plant44%Ice44%Earth44%Lightning44%Water44%Wind44%Spirit44%Light44%Darkness44%

SkillsIdentifyMaster Level 2PersuasionIntermediate Level 1Language ComprehensionMaster Level 10Book LearningMaster Level 10TeacherBeginner Level 4NonchalantMaster Level 10Lightning StrikeIntermediate Level 6Lightning EnchantIntermediate Level 6Lightning ShieldIntermediate Level 3HealIntermediate Level 4PurifyIntermediate Level 5Sword SkillIntermediate Level 6DisguiseIntermediate Level 8PrayerMaster Level 10Hero's CallMaster Level 10Fast TravelMaster Level 10Loot CollectorIntermediate Level 3Magical RepairMaster Level 2TacticianIntermediate Level 3CookIntermediate Level 4Mixed Martial ArtistBeginner Level 8Club SkillBeginner Level 2Trap MasterBeginner Level 7UnbreakableBeginner Level 5FireballIntermediate Level 1Fire EnchantBeginner Level 9Bow SkillBeginner Level 9Power StrikeBeginner Level 10Enhanced BodyIntermediate Level 3Enhanced MindIntermediate Level 1Chain LightningBeginner Level 3Group HealBeginner Level 4Enhanced SpellsBeginner Level 9Enhanced ResistanceIntermediate Level 4SM TransferMaster Level 10Computer SkillBeginner Level 10MassageBeginner Level 1--

StatusNameReia ZyerLevel20Experience8835/8865ClassLancerRaceNagaAlignmentGoodCurrencyCanadian$0.00Xoth0 platinum 4 gold 45 silver 14 copperTitleUnknown, Giant Slayer, Determined, Life SaverBuffs--Debuffs--Health1400Health Regeneration/min9.7Mana450Mana Regeneration/min4.5Stamina1010Stamina Regeneration/min8.6Fame3100Infamy0Strength140Intelligence45Wisdom45Perception53Endurance101Vitality97Agility86Luck89Unallocated Points0

ResistancesPhysical24%Disease/Toxin100%Fire24%Plant24%Ice24%Earth24%Lightning24%Water24%Wind24%Spirit24%Light24%Darkness59%

SkillsIdentifyIntermediate Level 8Weapon RepairIntermediate Level 6Armour RepairIntermediate Level 3Weapon CraftingBeginner Level 9Armour CraftingBeginner Level 10Accessory CraftingIntermediate Level 1Spear SkillIntermediate Level 8Clothing ReformMaster Level 3Ice SpikeBeginner Level 6Wind ShieldIntermediate Level 3Wind BladeIntermediate Level 6HealIntermediate Level 4Club SkillBeginner Level 1Sword SkillBeginner Level 9PersuasionIntermediate Level 1Power StrikeBeginner Level 10Enhanced ResistanceBeginner Level 8Group HealBeginner Level 1FlurryBeginner Level 1