I find my students are oftentimes confused as to why they choose the same [Paths], yet will get different rewards. Not typically by much, mind you. A point in Wisdom instead of Intelligence, the [Wrestling] skill instead of the [Ground Combat] skill. Rarely, one may even get something extraordinary! So in this chapter, I aim to explain Path Affinities and how they change what you may get upon completion. From what we here at the College understand, a mixture of your past accomplishments or hardships, as well as your current state of being is what decides your affinity. For instance, a lumberjack will almost certainly get better rewards from the [Forester] path than your average citizen. Though, do keep in mind that this isn’t an exact science, and is still being researched…

- Malnaak’s (In)Complete Guide To The Macrocosm

*Ding*

[Pain Resistance Reaches Level 4!]

I awake with a start. The suns have moved across the sky, with the first of the red twins going beyond the horizon. Wincing at what I might find, I check my lower body… only to find it absolutely fine. In fact, it’s better than fine! What should be old, decrepit skin is brimming with vitality! This is weird, I’ll give it that, but as far as oddities go today, this is only in the top 3. Hauling myself off of the Cane Wolf, I make my way over to the shade of one of the decidedly purple-leafed trees to collect my thoughts. Alrighty, Graham, you’ve really gotten yourself into quite the pickle on this one haven’t you? Fallen into a portal to another world like one of those weird “Isekai” Penelope couldn’t - CAN’T! Penelope CAN’T stop yammering about. They’re still out there. I kinda wish I’d listened a little now, huh? God, I hope they’re okay. They have to be. Something wet falls on my hands, and a startling cry rips through my ears. Before I know what I’m doing, I’m throwing sticks, kicking trees, balling my fists, and cursing at the sky.

What am I supposed to do now?

A memory passes through my mind. One in which my wife is poking fun at me.

“You’re the only man I know to have had cancer three times and still keeps chugging. Almost like you’re some kind of cancer cockroach! Probably immune to RAID too… at this rate, maybe even time won’t do you in! Now THAT would be funny! Too stubborn to die, I tell ya.”

Somehow, in the middle of all these turbulent emotions, a smile finds its way to my lips. I’ll find my way back to you, Mary. Just you wait! This old bag o’ bones ain’t dead yet!

Wiping the tears from my eyes, I plan my next move. Putting aside all the oddness of it all, this “System” seems to actually work. Hell, it even made my skin look younger! If there’s one thing I need to take advantage of, it’s this. Though there’s still one aspect I haven’t explored. The Paths. Mentally commanding it to open, the [Paths] screen appears.

[Paths] (PP: 6)

(New Blood 0/5), (Initiate 0/10), (Vitae 0/10), (Overachiever 0/25), (Human 0/100), (Dimension Hopper 0/250)

Focusing on the different paths, nothing appears. Looks like I’ll have to figure it out on my own. Alright, that’s fine. Fine I say! It’s not like I could use the help! ...Hellooooooo? Did’ya hear me? I said, “It’s not like I could use the help!”

*ugh*

Oh well, I’ll just start with the smallest one and see how it goes. Putting 5 points into (New Blood), a strange text appears:

Long gone is the old world, burnt to dust by the powerful flames of Chaos, and yet, from the ashes will arise a new Order. You, unfortunate soul, have been caught in the crossfire, somehow surviving Integration and piecing together enough sense to utilize the new gifts bestowed unto you. Grow well. Grow strong. Good Luck.

+1 All Stats

The feeling is incredible. Not quite the rush from before, but wonderful nonetheless. Putting my last point into (Vitae), I ponder what I should do next. Deciding I need to set up camp before any other mangy, good for nothing, overgrown dogs get the bright idea to chomp on me, I go on the hunt for shelter. Noting the rigidity of the trees, I choose to tie myself to one of the branches for the night. So I spend the next couple of hours gathering up all of the vines and ivy I can, before twisting them into a passable, if fairly shoddy rope. It’ll have to do. With the blue sun out of the sky, only the dim light of the last red twin is left. On the upside, I made some progress.

*Ding*

*Ding*

*Ding*

[New Skill (Foraging) Gained!]

…[Foraging Reaches Level 3!]

[New Skill (Physical Fitness) Gained!]

…[Physical Fitness Reaches Level 3!]

[New Skill (Crafting) Gained!]

…[Crafting Reaches Level 3!]

Having hardly broken a sweat somehow, I climb up my chosen tree, secure myself, and look through what my new skills do.

[Foraging] - Makes It Easier To Forage And Increases Quality Of What You Find Based On Level

[Crafting] - Makes It Easier To Craft And Increases Quality Of What You Make Based On Level

Both of those seem simple enough.

[Physical Fitness] - Reduces % Cost Of Stamina Usage By 0.1xLevel

Now that’s quite nice, but boy do my joints hurt. Yeesh, you’d think this system thingy would at least have the decency to hand me a pillow if it was gonna throw me off onto another planet. Eh whatever, while I’m at it, I should probably invest those last points. I’ve got just enough to finish off [Vitae]. With of flex of mental will, the 9 points are invested, and another message shows.

Your Vitae overflows, bubbling, roiling in your heart. Your core. It beats a timely rhythm, unashamed of its sanguine beauty. You have learned to not only respect this but to embrace it as your motif. Travel this path of pain carefully, for it holds as many rewards as it does dangers.

Vitae Conversion To Health Regeneration Doubles

Unlike the last [Path] I finished, this one brings with it a vision.

I stand there, warhammer in hand, no armor nor allies to speak of while outnumbered. I’m surrounded by what must be hundreds - no - thousands of beastly abominations. Some have venomous claws to poison me with, some have long, barbed tongues with which they lash at my body, others are covered in gruesome spines, going as far as to have them jutting out of their eye sockets. Yet still are the ones who simply have no form, preferring to attempt to engulf me with their slimy, acid-filled bodies. One of the larger creatures lunges, and my weapon is there to meet it with a meaty squelch. The fight is on. Back and forth the mob and I trade blows, bringing to eternal rest an untold number of nightmarish entities.

The poison runs amok in my bloodstream.

The barbs and spines hinder my movements as best they can.

The acid eats away at my skin and muscles, sometimes going down to the bone.

None of that matters.

With but a thought, the toxins are expunged, the barbs are pushed out, and my body has regrown to its original glory. Not a single scar tarnishes my physique. As if I were an unkillable whirlwind, I continue my slaughter, uncaring of the grievous wounds I constantly accumulate. After all, they will heal. For days I fight the horde, and for days I bleed on the ground which I stand on, causing the soil and liquid to mix into a reddish muck that sucks mine and the monsters’ feet in with every step we take. Finally, only one survivor of the brutal melee remains.

Me.

[Congratulations! You Have Shown An Extremely High Affinity With The Path (Vitae), Earning You The Skill (Life’s Decree {R}!]

[Life’s Decree {R}] - Once A Day, Flood Your Body With Vital Force To Heal 30% Of Your Health Near Instantly! Speed Of Recovery, Duration Between Intervals Of Skill Usage, Amount Recovered, And Strength Of Vital Force Used Improves With Level And Amount Of Points Invested In [Vitae]

*Gasp*

Breathing heavily, I look up to see what time it is. The first of the red dwarfs is cresting over the mountains, giving off a soothing light. Turning my attention down at myself, I can see that I’m still an old (if slightly livelier looking) man and covered in sweat, a far cry from the burly, hammer-wielding behemoth of my vision. Something inside me shifts, and I realize that I’m yet again overflowing with lifeforce, just like yesterday. This continues while I attempt to mull over the events that have occurred.

It said that I have an “extremely high affinity” with the path. What does that mean? For crying out loud, vitae means life! I’ve been on the verge of death too many times to count! Deep breaths Graham, deep breaths. When I think about it, isn’t this a good thing?