Opening my eyes I stare up at an unfamiliar ceiling while feeling strangely good. I never really was one to get hangovers but I didn't expect to feel this good after just a night's sleep.

I suppose I should figure out why the ceiling is unfamiliar, I push the blanket off and sit up, only to find myself in the biggest damn bed I have ever seen. The unfamiliar room does jog my memories though.

Kana and Deus Ex, third times the charm, body good and no danger in sight. Pays to prepare, that waking up in strange places checklist is showing its worth already.

Seems like the room is empty other than me but I can hear sizzling from the other room. Smells like … bacon, this requires investigating.

I look around for my shirt and jacket only to find their shredded and bloody remains on a table. I loved that jacket but I don't think I'll be wearing it or that shirt again. Someone, I assume Kana, has left me new clothes draped over a chair beside the table, faded blue jeans and a dark grey shirt. I want to see what's going on as quick as possible so I ditch the jeans but put the shirt on and head to the other room.

Walking in I find a large room with a lowered area with couches and coffee table in the middle, across that is a dining area with table and chairs and if I keep going forward a kitchen and benches. I find Kana in the kitchen serving some food from a frying pan.

Kana: “Good your up, come have some breakfast. We have a lot to discuss and do today.”

She grabs the two plates and walks over to the dining table, placing one plate on my side of the table and she sits opposite with her plate. I move through the couched area and join her at the table.

David: “Um, hi. We didn't get to talk much last night, I'm David.”

Kana laughs at my statement.

Kana: “Yeah, I know. Knowledge about you and your life were added by The Obelisk. That's kind of what you asked for.”

Scratching my head.

David: “Oh yeah, I did kind of say that.”

Kana: “Sit down and eat your breakfast before it gets cold. This is the most rest we will probably get today so enjoy it.”

I sit down and grab my knife and fork.

David: “What do you mean? I suppose I should go see Kovit, that's the other guy who knows about this place, and find out what the deal is. That won't take much.”

Kana: “I see, that's right you were a bit out of it last night so you probably haven't thought it through yet. First, like I mentioned, I know what you know about this place so you don't need to explain who Kovit is, the trials and other stuff you have done while here, at least up to this point. Second, we will talk to Kovit and then comes the important part. We need to discuss how to spend the rewards from the trial. After that comes training.”

David: “Training?”

Kana: “You will need to practice with the upgrades and equipment that you exchanged, not to mention I will be giving you additional survival and combat training to improve your chances in the coming trials.”

David: “OK, that makes sense. I am interested in the enhancements that Kovit mentioned.”

Kana: “Then shall we?”

David: “Wait um … shouldn't we talk about this thing? This you and me uh ...”

Kana: “That you created me with The Obelisk.”

David: “ … yeah.”

Kana: “Alright, I'll give you my thoughts. Regardless of where I came from, I'm here now and I am just as human as you and everybody else. Don't worry about how I got here and what it means, we can't change it and if we did I wouldn't be me anymore anyway. This is all you need to remember.

We are partners in this death game and we need to rely on each other to get through it. I will stand by you and have your back, I expect the same in return. I want you to see me as Kana the person right here in front of you and not some guilt complex or some time bomb.”

David: “So, nothing before I first took your hand matters, only the Kana in front of me now and in the future? Partners, friends and teammates against the world, taking life as it comes?”

Kana: “Sounds good, now let's go buy stuff. Don't forget your Infolink, it should be with your jacket.”

I'm not sure if it's what she meant for me to feel but hearing that does relax me. Having someone to work with rather than bossing around someone I control will be good. I suppose The Obelisk did OK too, minor credit for OB.

David: “On it.”

I drop the plate off in the kitchen and jog back to the bedroom, grabbing the Infolink I head back to the front door and Kana.

“Let's go.”

Kana pushes open the door and we head out to the creepy white room. Doesn't look like Kovit is here yet.

David: “Let's check out The Obelisk.”

Kana nods and we head on over. First, let's check out The Interface and as I think it, it appears on the side of The Obelisk for Kana and me.

Challenger Stats

Team Oceanic

David Stone

Trials challenged: 1

Current rewards: 7898 BD + Upgrade Certificate 3/3

Stats:

Intelligence: 142

Mental Capacity: 117

Cell Vitality: 92

Reaction Speed: 129

Muscle Density: 104

Immunisation Strength: 93

Upgrade Certificate -

Rating 100

A rare certificate given to challengers who show enormous potential. Allows for the upgrade of a C Rank or below non-genetic enhancement, ignoring points and rank reward requirements. Consumable: 3/3.

Inherited non-human genetics detected. Acceptable levels of Dungeon Core genetics found for use and advancement via The Obelisk. Challenger may exchange Dungeon Core related enhancements and skills below B rank while ignoring points cost. Initial Dungeon Core enhancement may be purchased for free. All purchases using this system are bound to the challenger.

Supporter of David Stone

Kana

Trials challenged: 0

Stats:

Intelligence: 200

Mental Capacity: 200

Cell Vitality: 200

Reaction Speed: 200

Muscle Density: 200

Immunisation Strength: 200

Kana: “Mine's boring, at least yours has something other than stats.”

Kovit: “Maybe but at least he was smart enough to take my advice. It seems we have a legacy amongst us. Shouldn't you have researched this place before coming?”

David: “What's a legacy and how could I have possibly researched this weird ass place?”

Kovit: “A legacy is a descendant of a former challenger that failed The Crucible but managed to buy their way back to Earth. They often have left over genes and abilities from their ancestor which grants them the significant advantage you enjoy with the Dungeon Core race.

Though if you don't know this it means you are a lost or forgotten legacy, someone whose ancestor's genes are faint enough that you get nothing from them or was cast off by the family and never knew their heritage.”

Kana: “Ray of sunshine you are.”

Kovit: “That reminds me, I forgot to mention last night that supporters are erased if their challenger dies.”

Kana frowned at that.

Kana: “Well, looks like someones survival training is getting increased.”

Sigh.

David: “Kovit … could you perhaps bring me some good news for a change?”

Kovit: “Very well. Let's start with the unlocking of your genetic potential.”

David: “Finally.”

Kovit: “Unlocking your genetic potential comes in stages with each stage unlocking something different and allowing a person to become more in control of their body and mind as well as more powerful. It is also needed for higher level exchanges.”

David: “So each stage is a power-up. How do I use it? I don't feel any different. What do they do and why do you need them for higher exchanges?”

Kovit is starting to look annoyed.

Kovit: “Just shut up for a bit and I will tell you. The first stage that you unlocked allows you to think clearly and harness your instincts. It also starts to bring your body into peak genetic condition so that you can progress further.

Once you can handle the first stage to a reasonable level your body will be able to progress onto higher stages assuming it receives sufficient stimulus.”

David: “Considering the first “stimulus” was dying on the floor full of holes that doesn't sound like fun.”

Kovit: “Granted, breaking through your limits is dangerous and challenging but it doesn't need to be to that level, especially if you want to keep living after doing it. Unfortunately for you, The Crucible is designed to push you to those limits and cause your advancement. So best embrace it if you want to survive.

As for the higher ranked exchanges, you can exchange for them but the improvements will be minimal unless your stage is high enough that your body can make use of them. D rank exchanges are relatively usable by normal people and even C rank will be a decent improvement but to fully use it you would need the first stage. This continues the second stage for B, the third stage for A, mid to late fourth for S and above. Starting at B the power you can use will be vastly different from someone in the correct stage and worsen the farther you are from it.”

David: “OK good to know for later. What about this dungeon core thing?”

Kovit: “Tell The Obelisk to bring up that enhancement and I'll check what information I have on them.”

Dungeon Core - Psionic (Unawakened) -

Rating 40

Suitable for missions that require building and crafting. Gains sub-body in the form of a magic gem on their body. Dungeon cores as a species are innate master builders, creators and summoners due to there domain skill which allows the absorption of material from their outer domain into their inner domain using dungeon energy (a mana variant). Dungeon Cores live off of ambient energy and as long as the core has access to ambient energy. Size increases with Intelligence and Mental Capacity of the cores. Possessor gains +50 Intelligence, +50 Mental Capacity and ability to use and store dungeon energy. Requires D Rank Reward and 500 points

David: “Lucky the first one is free otherwise I won't have a D rank to give to Kana.”

Kovit: “The rank rewards can be split, 3 A's make an S, 3 B's make an A etc. You can split that B up into smaller ranks at no cost it is just displaying it efficiently.

David: “Oh that's awesome, one problem solved.”

Kovit: “Quite the rare race choice you have. Appears to be a sentient magic crystal that can store materials like a space bag. Extremely mentally focused since they don't really on their body. Able to build just about anything and use magic. Mostly keep to themselves and focus on growing bigger and defending their territory. They're like living computers that just want to grow and defend themselves.

Might be alright and cheap if you are focusing on magical defences and support for the team. Completely useless if you plan on fighting anywhere the enemy can reach you.”

David: “I was planning on getting magic anyway, free inventory and crafting thrown in sounds good.”

Kana: “I'll be the main fighter, so if you can support and build better gear and weapons then all the better.”

David: “What is the Psionic part about though?”

Kovit: “Looks like it is the dungeon's affinity. Cores appear to attune their energy to match different types of magic that suit them and their environment. It makes that magic easier to use and stronger. It's like how a cultivator might learn a fire art and so they cultivate a fire chi.

You shouldn't have gotten it until the next enhancement up but it must have been your ancestor's affinity. Good news is, it's a free affinity and it is a mental type too so you should be able to use psychic force type skills, the bad news is it might make other affinities harder to get.”

David: “I've heard of psionics from DND but what is psychic force and why would I want to use it?”

Kovit: “Every team needs at least someone with psychic force or comparable energy. It's an area of energy and skills that help prevent mental attacks, mind control and magical spying as well as long range scouting, spying and communication for the team. It leaves the team vulnerable without it. The most basic of which is Psychic Force Scan.”

Psyche Force Scan -

Raring 70.

Order Psyche Force to scan the area around the user. Can increase radius as your Mental Capacity increases. Ever 100 points = 500m diameter and further if used in a straight line depending on control. Requires 2000 points DD rank reward and a mental type energy.

Kana: “That will be great for intel, I think we found your calling.”

David: “I can live with mind powers, let's see what comes with the next level of dungeon core.”

Dungeon Core - Psionic (Awakened) -

Rating 65

The Core has finished forming its crystal and conscious mind. It can now use dungeon energy to cast basic spells and begin to attune an affinity. The inner domain can act as spatial storage for inanimate and living matter but living things enter a stasis-like state due to the timeless nature of the inner domain. They can manipulate matter freely inside the inner domain using their dungeon energy and create anything from living monsters to items. Dungeon Cores live off of ambient energy and as long as the core has access to ambient energy, has full dungeon energy and the materials it is made of it are in its domain it will continue to grow in size. Size increases Intelligence and Mental Capacity of the core.

Possessor's core gains stats Core Intelligence and Core Mental Capacity both at +150 as well as Dungeon Domain and Divided Mind

Requires C Rank Reward, 1800 points and Dungeon Core (Unawakened)

Dungeon Domain -

Rating 80

Allows the Core to expand an inner and outer domain using dungeon energy. These domains balance each other and grow together. By infusing dungeon energy into the domain the outer domain expands out into the world as a faint dungeon energy field to a maximum of the users mental capacity in meters. Energy sensitive beings will easily detect it if they cross the border of the domain and non-energy sensitives might notice a slight pressure. Conversely, the inner domain expands as a sub-dimension that acts as spatial storage for the core to a maximum of 1/100 x the users mental capacity in meters. With practice, the outer domain can be reduced or expanded to any size between the maximum and the core.

Divided Mind -

Rating 75

Good for missions that require possessor to handle multiple things at once. Allows species with vast intelligence to partition parts of their mind off to act as independent minds. A small portion of the user's intelligence is negated when using this but with long use and mastery, this becomes negligible. Divided Minds that are less than 100 intelligence may not be able to complete tasks satisfactorily depending on the task. Requires C rank reward 1800 points and suitable mind (generally determined by race)

David: “OK, much more useful than the first level. So splitting the rewards between Kana and me means CDD and 4000p each and if I use the Upgrade Cert for the Psy scan I still got DD and 4000p left if I take these. I think we should look at some stuff for you before I plan anything else. What do you think K?”

Kana: “K now is it, well I suppose I can live with that. Don't forget the Infolink, that's another 500p. Now, let's see what I can get.”