Chapter 13

The archway into the next room was just large enough that Akaisha, Silah and Munodo could stand side by side ready to rush in as soon as Nyika cast her first spell. Chirembo and Nyika stood behind the front line ready to support them. Silah gave the signal and Nyika began to cast her most powerful spell.

All of the rats reacted as one and scattered as a wave of clay spikes jutted suddenly up under them. The two [Dire Rats] easily dodged to the side but three of the [Lesser Dire Rats] were caught as the spikes impaled them. Akaisha dashed straight at the closest [Dire Rat] and swiped at it. Munodo and Silah moved up to support her, pushing the rats back before they could surround Akaisha. The two young men fought in very different ways despite being raised and trained together. Silah bashed the rats down with his tower shield before aiming quick stabs at them with his spear. At best he managed to nick the downed rats as they rolled and twisted away but he kept them back easily without taking any damage. Every time one of the lesser rats tried to get around him he was there with a shield bash to protect his comrades in arms. Munodo didn’t use a massive shield or heavy armour, preferring to dodge blows and drive the enemy back with rapid cuts from his long sword.

Nyika threw [Mud Spike]s at the second [Dire Rat] while Akaisha duelled the first. That left seven [Lesser Dire Rat]s, three of which were all but crippled. Munodo and Silah could easily fend them off with ease. The [Dire Rat] that was pinned down let out a chittering cry and two of the uninjured [Lesser Dire Rat]s leapt at Nyika. Chirembo blocked one with a swing of his mace but the second one clamped its jaws on Nyika’s wrist. She screamed in pain and dropped her staff. The [Dire Rat] rushed straight at her, Silah only just managed to get in the way. Knocked off balance by the sudden charge Silah didn’t bring his shield around far enough. The large rat's claw found a gap in his armour and dug into his spear arm.

“Akaisha, hurry up!” he shouted.

“I’m trying!”

Akaisha threw herself at her adversary, the [Dire Rat] twisting away from her blows before lashing out at her. She couldn’t hit the rat but every time she missed she took a scratch to her armour. She screamed at the rat and dived forwards. Completely taken by surprise it barely moved as she tackled it to the ground. Akaisha slammed the rat down and pinned it to the floor. The pinned rat slashed up, under her armour and stabbed her in the stomach. Akaisha gritted her teeth and slammed the sledgehammer down on its head, once, twice, three times. On the third blow its head exploded and Akaisha rolled off of it. She picked herself up and turned to her friends.

Silah was holding his own against the remaining [Dire Rat] but his spear blows were weaker, and getting worse each time as he bled from his arm. Nyika was on the floor wrestling with the rat still clamped on her arm. Chirembo was desperately trying to push the wave of rats back from Nyika, too occupied to help her with the one that was already there. Munodo was surrounded by the remaining four rats and was desperately trying to avoid being hit, far too busy to hit back. Akaisha rushed over to Munodo, intent on finishing the wounded rats as quickly as possible. She leapt and slammed into the closest one, then kicked the second one away. As soon as Akaisha made an opening Munodo ran one of the limping rats through.

With three of the [Lesser Dire Rat]s down the leader pulled back from Silah and squealed again. The smaller rats seemed to swell slightly and glow red. As they attacked again they moved even faster than before.

“Munodo, help Nyika, I’ll get the big one.” Akaisha shouted as she ran to Silah.

Akaisha swung at the now glowing rat but it contemptuously sidestepped and kicked her in the knee. She stumbled, nearly falling onto Silah. Silah swept his shield forwards and caught the giant rat on the flank. It staggered but recovered in time to flick its tail around and catch Silah’s spear. It ripped the spear out of his hands with a yank and threw it clattering across the room. Flinging itself savagely at Akaisha it knocked her to the floor. They rolled, vicious teeth snapping millimetres from her vulnerable throat. Akaisha thrust the handle of her hammer into the ravening jaws, oversized teeth grinding against the solid wooden haft. She spun the haft and forced the rat off of her. It landed on all fours and skittered back at her. Silah slammed his shield down on its tail. The rat squealed in pain and twisted, snapping at Silah. Akaisha leapt to her feet and drew a dagger. She stabbed into the [Dire Rat]s hindquarters. The red glow faded and the rat whimpered and tried to flee. Akaisha dragged the dagger through the rat’s hind leg. It collapsed, mewling pitifully.

Akaisha left it to bleed out and rushed over to Nyika. She had managed to rip the rat off of her hand and was clutching her bloodied arm to her chest. Chirembo was standing over her bashing the glowing rats back. Munodo had finished two more rats, leaving only two more. As the three close-range fighters converged on the last rats the red glow faded and they sagged visibly. Akaisha stabbed one of them in the back of the neck as Chirembo smashed the final one's skull.

With the combat over everyone but Chirembo fell down to the ground, exhausted. Chirembo was just as tired but forced himself to move over to Nyika. His hands glowed white as he whispered [Close Light Wounds]. Nyika lifted her teary eyes up to Chirembo and thanked him. Chirembo nodded and moved over to heal the others. His tasks accomplished he sat down next to Nyika and accepted an offered water skin. As they recovered General Nui moved up to stand in front of them. Silah attempted to stand but the General motioned for him to stay sitting. Akaisha received her level up as the General prepared to speak.

[Beginner Militiaman] level increased to 15. Cap reached

Strength + 2

Dexterity + 0

Agility + 1

Endurance + 1

Perception + 1

Intelligence + 0

Willpower + 0

Sociability + 0

“Well, that wasn’t particularly good now, was it? I know that you wished to let Akaisha take the majority of the experience, but still. It is a good job that you all have enough stats and equipment that you made it through relatively unscathed. The beginning was passable, the plan was just about fine, not great but barely competent. Then as soon as one measly rat gets through, you all panic. At this point, you should all have abandoned the plan to raise Akaisha up and fallen back to Chirembo and Nyika’s position and blow all of your [Skill]s. Still, I assume that you are at your Tier Cap, Akaisha?”

“I am, sir”

“Very well, [Get Back In The Fight].” Akaisha shuddered as a flood of energy blasted through her. She felt like she would burst if she didn’t get up and spend it. “Come with me then, we shall get you tiered up.”

The General turned in a swish of his cape and set off back down the interminable corridors. He seemed to be walking at a sedate pace yet even buoyed up with [Skill] infused energy Akaisha had to keep up a fast jog just to stay level with him. As he continued at a measured pace through the halls of the first floor he turned his head slightly towards Akaisha.

“Are you aware of what awaits you upon tiering up?” He asked.

“Not if it is different from the first time.”

“Hum, it both is and isn’t. At Tier 0 there is literally only one choice, [Novice]. At Tier 1 there are more but not many, around about fifteen I believe, although that number can change as new classes appear and older ones disappear. We don’t really know how or why this is but it seems to evolve with the times, replacing [Tribesman] with [Peasant] with [Farmhand]. But in any case Tier 2 is a huge step up. There are potentially thousands of different classes, but as no one can remember them all and writing is impossible during the process we don’t actually know. You will need a solid plan and to decide on good criteria as you can sort the available classes. Do you have any thoughts?” Nui somehow managed to lecture Jane even as they sped through a hostile, if low level and cleared out, [Dungeon].

“Maybe. Do you mind explaining stats and [Skill]s please, what do the letters mean, and why do I have so few [Skill]s?”

“Well the letters are easy, they give you the chance of gaining stats. An A represents a one percent chance of getting a single point per level up. The B is a twenty-five percent chance, C is a fifty percent chance and D is one single point on every level up. Then the cycle more or less repeats but with one point every time and chance for a second one, or even a third. As for [Skill]s, well. Classes give more at higher tiers, Tier 0 always gives one, [Identify], and all known Tier 1s give two. Tier 2s give more depending on what you already have and you can work to unlock more. To unlock [Skill]s outside of the ones granted by your classes you have to really work for it, otherwise everybody would have [Breathing] or [Walking], things of that nature. If you really focus on a single thing for a length of time, in the multiple tendays generally, you will probably unlock a skill for it.” Tianaro Nui explained patiently as they exited the [Dungeon] into Rimwall.

“I thought so, nothing else really made sense to me. I think that I really want to be an Adventurer, diving [Dungeon]s and hunting monsters rather than a guard. Not that I don’t think that guardsman isn’t a noble calling!” She added hurriedly. Tianaro smiled and shook his head, gesturing for her to go on. “I want to be free, go and do as I please, insofar as that is possible obviously. I think that a class that really goes in on my sledgehammer fighting, possibly with some buffs or support [Skill]s to help out a team? Does that exist?”

The General slowed as they moved into the more densely packed streets around the City Hall. He stroked his chin pensively as he went through his general class knowledge.

“As a [Beginner Militiaman] you will have access to [Militiaman] but as you use neither of its basic [Skill]s and you plan on moving around negating its defensive value it's not for you. There is the Basic [Warrior] which would be closer but won’t have anything specific to you. You would probably be best with some sort of [Hammerer], an equivalent to [Swordsman] or [Spearman]. I’m not certain one exists, but it is probable as similar classes exist for most weapons. They don’t give buffs, not at Tier 2, but you will get more specialised [Skill]s for the hammer and you can open up into a class with more utility at Tier 3. Other than that I would advise you seek out the class that offers the highest stat bonuses, [Skill]s can usually be earned or learnt, but stats are forever.”

“Thank you for your help sir. I shall keep that in mind.”

Despite the crowds Jane and Tianaro had no problems passing through, people moved respectfully out of the way of one of the most powerful, and easily recognisable, people in the city. They also bypassed the line of people waiting for access to the red, floating [City Crystal] that sat in the foyer of the City Hall. She felt rather guilty about skipping the queue but nobody said anything to General Nui, the two Guards in front of the crystal saluted and moved aside. Jane only had to wait a few seconds for the young, richly dressed boy to step away from the crystal. He was led away by what was probably a servant or retainer and left with what was obviously a bodyguard. Nui followed her eyes and leant in to whisper to her.

“One of the scions of the noble houses. I can’t remember meeting the boy, and I didn't catch the crest on his jacket, so I don’t know which one.”

“It was a gryphon rampant on an azure wall.”

“Ah, then one of the minor houses, still nobles but not anything special. The Stervemeillers, if memory serves. Really there are too many minor nobles and up and coming merchants or adventurers that have bought or earned a crest to keep track. Still, let us not dally, get to tiering up please.”

Jane touched the crystal with her outstretched palm and the world disappeared in a flash of blue.

Welcome to the Universe 2.0 Advancement System!

You have touched the [City Crystal] and gained access to power beyond measure.

Your [Beginner Militiaman] is at its cap, choose a Tier 2 class to advance.

This time there were only the names of the various classes visible, but the list seemed endless. Jane scrolled down slightly before choosing a random class.

[Cook]

Stat Growth:

Strength

B

Perception

A

Dexterity

F

Intelligence

A

Agility

B

Willpower

D

Endurance

D

Sociability

D

There was still no information about potential [Skill]s but even for just a [Chef] the stats gains were a lot higher than her Tier 1 class. As she had been counselled to take a class with high stat gains presumably some gained more than others. Already a D meant a point every level, and so an F would be a point every level plus the chance of a second one. Maybe 1.25 points on average? Way better than the 0.5 points at best she got currently. Although her Intelligence must have been on a hot streak as she had gained multiple points despite a one percent chance of getting one. Still, it was time to see about sorting the list into something manageable. First order of business, sort by most stats gained. The list shook and flashed as the classes were reordered by stat growth potential.

[Chosen Champion of Manasura, Deity of Acceptance and Changeability]

[Acolyte of Lyro]

[Acolyte of Faro]

[Acolyte of Adonn]

[Acolyte of Arboreem]

[Acolyte of Resh]

[Acolyte of Hushat]

[Acolyte of Maral]

Just the classes beginning with acolyte at the beginning of the list went on down into the hundreds, probably. There was no numbering as she wasn’t counting but it seemed like at least that many. The first class was strange. It seemed to be written in the same blue as the others but when she stopped focusing on it she could have sworn that it glowed all sorts of other colours. And the name. Jane was reasonably certain that the acolyte classes were entry-level priest classes, especially as she recognised some of the names from the days of the week, but other than those four she had no idea who was evil, who was good and who would get her executed. Manasura was almost certainly the god who put her here, who killed her back in her universe, really. So anything to do with him, or her, was out. She decided to open the class just to see what she was missing out on anyway.

[Chosen Champion of Manasura, Deity of Acceptance and Changeability]

Stat Growth:

Strength

E

Perception

C

Dexterity

D

Intelligence

E

Agility

D

Willpower

D

Endurance

C

Sociability

G

Jane read the window and sighed. That was just upsetting really. Unfair even. But what could you do, gods were going to cheat after all. With just a hint of regret she closed the window and mentally pushed all of the god related classes away. Then she thought “fighter”. The list shook and shrank again. Then she added “hammer”. This time the list didn’t seem to move. Jane frowned at the lack of changes. Did that mean that she already had the best corresponding classes available, or that the criteria wasn't recognised? She scanned through her new list until she found what she was looking for: [Hammerer].

[Hammerer]

Stat Growth:

Strength

F

Perception

C

Dexterity

A

Intelligence

B

Agility

D

Willpower

C

Endurance

E

Sociability

B

The [Hammerer] class was in the same league as the [Cook] class, so probably a baseline, decent amount. There were quite a few above it though so Jane returned to the top to check the best fighter class that she had that wasn’t god related.

[Shatterer]

Stat Growth:

Strength

G

Perception

D

Dexterity

C

Intelligence

B

Agility

D

Willpower

C

Endurance

E

Sociability

C

That was far more interesting. The name was slightly weird and still no idea about [Skill]s but the stats were good. She checked a few more but the stats fell off quickly and nothing seemed to particularly stand out. She shrugged mentally and validated her new class.

Tier up chosen. Tier 2 caps at level 50.

Jane Akaisha Wainwright

[Beginner Militiaman] Cap

[Shatterer] 1

Health

323

Health Regen

1.61

Mana

336

Mana Regen

1.81

Strength

49

Perception

38

Dexterity

32

Intelligence

56

Agility

38

Willpower

26

Endurance

43

Sociability

29

[Shatterer] Skills

Description

[Combat Style: Sledgehammer] 23

Passive: A full combat style for sledgehammers.

[Shatter Defences] 1

Active: A strike with a blunt weapon that can reduce the targets defences, may even destroy them outright.

General Skills

Description

[Theoretical Mathematics] 32

Passive: After mastering basic [Mathematics] you are ready for the advanced version. Improves knowledge of, and the speed of use, of complex mathematical formulas and equations that do not have a direct and obvious real world application.

[Useful Mathematics] 57

Passive: After mastering basic [Mathematics] you are ready for the advanced version. Improves knowledge of, and the speed of use, of complex mathematical formulas and equations that have a direct and obvious real-world application.

[Advanced Physics] 61

Passive: After mastering basic [Physics] you are ready for the advanced version. Improves knowledge of, and speed of processing of, complex formulas and theorems. You benefit from increased relevant stats when performing appropriate experiments and other actions.

[Advanced Biology] 34

Passive: After mastering basic [Biology] you are ready for the advanced version. Improves knowledge of, and speed of processing of, complex formulas and theorems. You benefit from increased relevant stats when performing appropriate experiments and other actions.

[Advanced Chemistry] 53

Passive: After mastering basic [Chemistry] you are ready for the advanced version. Improves knowledge of, and speed of processing of, complex formulas and theorems. You benefit from increased relevant stats when performing appropriate experiments and other actions.

[Identify] 3

Active: Shows some information on a target, depending on the level of skill.

[Weapon: Spear] 1

Passive: Increases skill with spears.

The Oldest Fogie [Unique]

Congratulations, you are older than any non-deity in the Universe 2.0, and even than most of the gods too. I hope you're happy! Gain increased stats when haranguing whipper-snappers, and chasing people off your lawn.

+50% to all stats.

Paragon Scholar [Unique, Claimable]

Awarded for holding the most [Unique, Claimable] knowledge titles.

+25% to all stats

Paragon of the Mundane [Unique, Claimable]

Awarded for holding the most [Unique, Claimable] mundane knowledge titles.

+15% to all stats.

Peerless Chemist [Unique, Claimable]

Awarded for having the highest level [Chemistry] skill.

+15% to Int, +10% to all other stats.

Peerless Physicist [Unique, Claimable]

Awarded for having the highest level [Physics] skill.

+15% to Int, +10% to all other stats.

Peerless Biologist [Unique, Claimable]

Awarded for having the highest level [Biology] skill.

+15% to Int, +10% to all other stats.

Peerless Mathematician [Unique, Claimable]

Awarded for having the highest level [Mathematics] skill.

+15% to Int, +10% to all other stats.

Late Bloomer I

Access U2.0AS for the first time after 14 years old. Better late than never.

+1% to all stats.

Late Bloomer II

Access U2.0AS for the first time after 16 years old. Was it worth the wait?

+2% to all stats.

Late Bloomer III

Access U2.0AS for the first time after 20 years old. It probably wasn't worth the wait.

+3% to all stats.

Late Bloomer IV

Access U2.0AS for the first time after 30 years old. It probably wasn't worth it, but well done surviving so long without the system.

+4% to all stats.

Late Bloomer V

Access U2.0AS for the first time after 50 years old. Who does that?

+5% to all stats.

Late Bloomer VI

Access U2.0AS for the first time after 100 years old. How is that even possible?

+6% to all stats.

Late Bloomer VII

Access U2.0AS for the first time after 1 000 years old. That should not be possible.

+7% to all stats.

Late Bloomer VIII

Access U2.0AS for the first time after 10 000 years old. Wait, how long?

+8% to all stats

Late Bloomer IX

Access U2.0AS for the first time after 100 000 years old. What, how, even dragons don't live that long.

+9% to all stats.

Late Bloomer X

Access U2.0AS for the first time after 1 000 000 years old. I give up, that's impossible, and doesn't even give a decent bonus. Whatever.

+10% to all stats.

Mothers Ruin

Be the first to clear [Den of the Mother of Dogs]

+1% to all stats.