The next few days were spent in a haze of sex and hunting. Well, mostly sex. Quinn easily caught and cooked our meals, while an exasperated Nevasca went out to hunt. If I’m being honest I think she just wants to rip into something.

At first I am concerned we would have to trek back through the wilderness to the city. However, Quinn informs me that her Guild badge, which denotes her rank, has a Source powered tracking device. After a day or two of no contact, they would send a team to find us.

I did a VERY thorough search and found no such badge on (or in) her body. Informing her thusly, she educates me, between bouts of catching her breath, that the badge is in her pants. Who would’ve thought?

We lay intimately on our makeshift bed of water, a marvel of Quinn’s skill. One of her skills, at least. The of the bed is made firm by her usage of Source. Only a small amount of her energy is needed to maintain her construction. Which is fantastic, because I do my best to get her to put the rest of her energy to good use.

Quinn’s naked form snuggles into my chest while I review my gains over the last few days. Her affection non-withstanding. I mean, it is at least worth a mention. What I had originally considered to be an adrenaline-fueled hook-up has turned into something a bit more.

I really like this girl. And I think she likes me. We’ve spent hours talking. I’ve shared more of myself with her than with anyone I can remember. The way she talks to me, the way she looks at me, and the way her hand always searches for mine. Surely these signs point to a mutual affection?

I chide myself for losing my train of thought. Tangible gains! I levelled the fuck up! Between my few goblin kills and the measly support bonuses from Quinn and Nevasca’s kills, I gained 2 levels. Not one, but two.

I call forth my status screen and gaze at it in all its meager glory. Still not as strong as a standard level 1 Awakened, but getting there.

Name: Snowflake *(Bodyrk)

Race: Human

Title: *Snowflake

Class: None

Subclass: None

Job: None

Level: 3

Health: 72/72

Energy: 42.5/42.5

Strength: 6 (+2)

Stamina: 8 (+2)

Dexterity: 10 (+3)

Intelligence: 9 (+3)

Wisdom: 8 (+3)

*Adaptability: 4 (+1)

Plus 1 to all ‘normal’ stats for every level gained, as well as +1 bonus for the attributes Nevasca gifted me. The best part? With my almost standard intelligence and Quinn’s coaching, I can manifest magic now.

It is not technically magic as I am used to. According to Quinn, everyone has a different perception of the Source, based on their past lives. As it was known to me in magic in my last life, I decide to refer to it as both magic and Source in this one. Unless something drastically shifts my point of view.

The cave grows cold as night falls. I smile mischievously, looking at my hand held behind Quinn’s back. I gather what Quinn describes as ‘elemental particles.’ Particles of fire dance around my fingertips. The more fire particles I summon, the colder it grows around us. A strange phenomenon. I will the particles to condense at the very tip of my outstretched forefinger. A wisp of flame bursts into being.

I urge more particles to gather and continue to condense. The wisp grows into a marble sized fireball. Copying Honey’s water-ball shooting technique, I project the ball at the wood we had piled in the center of the room for a fire.

The ball explodes on impact and Quinn jerks in my arms at the sound. Her wingtips flutter angrily as her bright green eyes glare me down.

“Stop fucking around with magic while I’m trying to sleep,” she growls, pinching my arm.

I reply with a massive grin, which only irritates her more. She is so cute when she is mad. I just love pushing her buttons. She starts to pout. I console her and tease her in turns. Her anger fades and I promise to make it up to her.

And I do. Energetically.

***

A few days later and we are back in the city, safe and sound. Nevasca and I are in the Guild armory, trying to find some replacement weapons. Last night I had spent the night without Quinn for the first time since we slept together. I won’t lie. It felt weird. I felt… lonely without her. Like I was missing a part of me. Thankfully Nevasca doesn’t mind cuddling. That helped.

It also helped that Quinn said she would have a ‘special surprise’ for me today. She told me to go choose some new equipment while I wait for it to be delivered.

I pick out a new spear. This one is a little bit longer than my old one. The spear tip is more like a blade, with sharp edges for slicing as well as thrusting. The butt of the spear is capped in steel. I also choose a plain looking dagger. Plain because I am mindful of this adding to my debt. I can’t justify not having a second weapon, though. Being unarmed is a fatal mistake.

I am now faced with a dilemma. A dilemma near and dear not just to my heart, but to my survival.

What kind of shield do I get? Obviously, a wooden shield is too frail for a real challenge. However, a metal shield of an alloy I can afford is much too heavy for me. Unless I get something smaller than I am used to. Smaller means less coverage though.

I waver back and forth, staring at the wall of shields in front of me. At some point in time, Honey slips into the armory and stands at my side. When I notice her, I jump a little, but soon share my concerns. I trust Honey, she has been good to me.

“Stick with the wooden shield with a steel layer,” she says. “If you were smart enough to dodge instead of trying to take on an ogre’s strike head on, there wouldn’t be an issue.”

“A fair point,” I concede. From the wooden shields, I choose a long rectangular one. Larger than my old shield, it curls inward at the edges. For better protection and deflection, I assume. It is heavier than my old shield had been, but I think I can handle it now that I’ve got a little extra strength under my belt.

I am now fully armed and as soon as my chain-mail is repaired I’ll be armored. All set to fight and die for a cause I don’t believe in. Yay!

“I came to find you because I have good news,” Honey says. “Based on Quinn’s recommendations, it has been decided that Mordai and I will accompany you into the Dungeon for advanced training. She vouched for your potential.”

This much be the surprise!

Achievement Unlocked: Sleep to The Top- Sleep with someone above your station and have it result in benefits in the workplace. Adaptability +1

Adaptability Points have reached 5. Qualifications for first mini-evolution unlocked.

Please choose from one of the following evolution paths. Based on the path you choose you will be given options to evolve. Your options are limited by your adaptability stats.

Current Race

Magic Race

Beast Race

Mechanical Race

Spirit Race

Experimental Race

Demonic Race

Angelic Race

Elemental Race

Monster Race

Psionic Race

Mutant Race

I try to dismiss the window so I can choose later at my leisure, but it refuses to go.

Please choose evolution path now.

“Look, I get that you’ve had a long couple of days and you probably just want to relax, but we’ve been instructed to leave tomorrow.” Honey speaks in the background. “Get some rest and I’ll pick you up tomorrow.”

She turns to leave, but stops. She looks back at me, her smooth black skin wrinkles in a worried frown.

“I don’t know what your relationship with Quinn is, but you would do best to stay away from her. She is trouble. Dangerous too,” her piece said, Honey turns to leave.

‘Just pick one!’ I scream internally. My heart drops in my chest. I need to know what Honey knows about Quinn.

Experimental Race chosen as evolution path. Results are not guaranteed. Randomizing evolution options and races. Picking one…

Monster Race chosen for this mini-evolution. Option of ‘Lesser Monster Core’ selected.

Lesser Monster Core installing….

My body jerks and spasms, barely in my control. Pain spreads through my body. Not a piercing pain nor a fiery pain. An unescapable ache. The ache starts from my skin and travels deeper. The deeper it goes the more intense it becomes. By the time it reaches my bones, it is almost unbearable. It takes all my might to not scream.

My body collapses under the strain. Nevasca nuzzles me, seeking answers. I project images of safety and solitude to her. I wish to die in peace and I ask her to take me somewhere to do just that.

The pain descends through my skull, entering my brain.

Shutting Systems down.

My rationality escapes me.

***

Installation complete. Rebooting.

Everything hurts. It feels like billions of man-eating termites decided to create a complex infrastructure inside my body.

I open my eyes to a blue sky. Sitting up, I take stock of my surroundings. The first thing I see is Nevasca guarding me.

“Good girl,” I smile. A happily whipping tail denotes her pleasure at being praised.

My head turns, gingerly, surveying the environment. We are in the little park where Nevasca was born.

‘She must think of this place when she thinks of safety,’ I chuckle to myself. ‘What a cute and reliable familiar I have.’

Studying my loyal companion, I notice something strange. Her normally blue eyes have changed. There is… a tint of red? She also looks a bit bigger and more intimidating. Are her teeth sharper? Hmmm…

“Mr. Narrator?” I say out loud to no one.

“Yes?” The narrator responds.

“Um, I know I’ve been blocking you out for a while now, but could you do me a favor?” I shamelessly request.

“I suppose,” the disembodied voice says.

“Could you, uh, describe me?” I ask.

“Fine,” he responds. “Just remember I don’t work for you.”

“Our hero’s just above average height, lounges among the trees. Besieged by sky scraping towers, his slightly handsome visage gazes into the distance. His red tinted eyes search the horizon. His pointed ears twitch as if hearing something, but there is nothing to be heard.

A grimace crosses his face. Teeth abnormally sharp for a human are bared to the world. His grip tightens upon the grass beneath him. His wiry muscles ripple with power as his monster core sends inhuman energy coursing through his veins.”

“Thank you!” I address Mr. Narrator. “One of these days you and I should have a good chat!”

I wait for a response, but am promptly ignored. I think he is bitter about me not listening to his monologues.

Monster Core, huh? I hope this ‘Experimental Race’ turns out alright. From what the system’s backlogs tell me, it seems like that race was randomly chosen. The attributes of that randomly chosen race, seems to be to choose a random attribute from a different race! For better or for worse, this is what I decided by telling the System to pick for me.

What is done is done. No use being upset about it.

I will the System to show me the information on my newly acquired evolution.

Lesser Monster Core: Channels and stores ambient energy into host’s core. The core is located in the center of the chest, next to the heart.

Well that seems useless. I mean, don’t I do that anyway? Like, isn’t that the whole point of using Source and magic?

I run my thumb across my new teeth, enjoying the sharpness. At least I don’t look like an average human anymore. Gotta be happy with the small things.

“Snowflake. There you are,” an angry voice growls at me. “Why can’t you sleep in the barracks like a fucking normal person?”

I turn toward the voice just in time to be hit in the face with a pack.

“Let’s go!” Honey says, irritation evident in her voice. “We were supposed to leave an hour ago. You’d better thank Mordai for packing you a survival bag. I would’ve made you go naked.”

A day already?! Excitement bubbles in my chest. It’s Dungeon time!

Time to explore these new stats, experiment with magic, and level the fuck up! Maybe I’ll find some treasure or something! Maybe this Monster Core has more than what meets the eye?

Time to find out.