Iggy sat in the study going over all that they had learned about how skills leveled up. As they gained more knowledge and ability she was able to access hidden caches of knowledge within her own processors. She discovered that skills could be leveled up to 25, at that point they would need to be ranked up and reset to level 1. These ranked up skills would be more powerful than the earlier rank skills. The skill ranks were generally categorized as Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Master, Grandmaster, and Legend.

All of Henry's and Iggy's skills were at the beginner level. They would need to level them up to at least intermediate in order to compete with adventures and divers that were already in the world. The secrets that all of the guilds held regarding skills and the use of Mana were slowly unraveling as she delved the depths of her own memory.

Henry entered the study to see Iggy sitting at the desk papers strewn across its surface. She was scribbling madly trying to get all of the information down on paper. "Henry" Iggy exclaimed "it's good that you're here. I finally figured out how best to level up our skills and what to focus on. We need to work on getting our skills from the beginner rank up to the intermediate rank. It's not going to be an easy process, gaining skill levels in the beginner ranks is extremely easy when compared to all later ranks.

"Okay, just let me know what I need to do and we can move forward advancing our strength." Henry paused to make sure Iggy was listening "I spent some time studying how the affinities work. My Earth Affinity right now is pretty weak, but I think with more Mana manipulation and nanite control I'll be able to do some really amazing things. I'd also like your help with using blacksmithing to try and create some weapons. What I have in mind is using my Earth affinity and nanite control to try to make a pair of pistols and a rifle. I know most of the people here are using swords, spears, knives and all sorts of melee weapons, but I was never good with melee. The militia captain wanted me to go for the Marksman test before I decided to join the recruitment drive for the Trail Rangers. I'm a pretty crack shot!"

"Henry, I think it will be more difficult than you're imagining. Firearms are not simple constructions though they aren't too complicated. If you make a mistake you'll blow your hand off. I'd rather not deal with that."

"Iggy, that's exactly why I need your help." Henry hit her with a 1000 watt grin. "I know the basics of how guns work and I can clean them, take them apart, and put them back together. When it comes to the smaller mechanisms and creating the gunpowder in the bullets that I'll need I'm severely lacking."

With a sigh, rolling her eyes Iggy looked up at Henry "Alright I'll help you."

They spent the next two days in and out of the study experimenting and working to perfect at least as much as they could their guns. The end result after two days of work were two revolvers that resembled the old Peacemaker but used Henry's Mana and Earth Affinity to reload the chambers. With nanite control creating the fine precision pieces, the guns were not as difficult as Iggy had imagined. There were still mistakes throughout the process and they destroyed six or seven pairs of weapons. Some in spectacular fashion. For the longer range, they decided to go with a newer style and fashioned a rifle so looked similar to modern assault rifles. With a longer barrel, shorter magazine and a scope, this rifle would give Henry the ability to take enemies at long range and not leave him vulnerable if any enemy charged.

The rest of this time they worked extensively on blacksmithing and leatherworking to create an eclectic array of knives, swords, axes, and leather armors. Henry decided to wear dark brown leather pants, a gray leather vest, and a thick iron-gray leather overcoat for his protection. All of the armor was dark with bright gray accents and the coat had his new coat of arms embroidered as a patch for his right shoulder.

He selected an array of different throwing knives, a skinning knife and a tomahawk as backup melee weapons hidden in the large coat. The holsters for his peacemakers hung from his hips so that he could cross draw both guns. Two short swords hung alongside the pistols. A bandolier of specialty ammunition that Iggy had insisted upon crossed his chest and his rifle was in a harness that could sit on his back or hang by his side for easy use and firing. Now properly armed, armored, and provisioned Henry and Iggy were ready to take on the world.

The storm had lasted for three full days, Rose was sick of it. When she woke up on the fourth day it was blessedly dry and the sun was shining like a beacon through the night. She would finally be able to continue her Adventure. Her A.M.I.E. had been silent over the past week and a half. The integration and optimization were taking longer than she thought. She knew it would be a process, but assumed the A.M.I.E would interact with he once she reached the Zone.

Rose didn't mind much because she had been a warrior her entire life used to solitude and training. Using the weapons dropped by slain enemies she had quickly adapted to life in the Zone. She was really looking forward to getting deeper in and growing stronger. Most of her skills had moved from beginner to intermediate and even though her level had been reset from 25 to 5 she felt much stronger. Her sword and shield skills specifically had rapidly leveled up. She assumed because she had trained with the sword and shield her entire life it was easier to level related skills. She had always been diligent with her sword and board, as her uncle who trained he called the combination.

Rose opened her Status screen to look at her skills.

Rose Osman Age: 29yrs Skill Level: 6 Profession: Soldier Health: 240 (20/min) Mana: 80 (6/min) Archetype: Stats: Skills: Strength 22 Swords (+) lvl 7 Agility 17 Dodge (+) lvl 3 Resilience 10 Shields (+) lvl 10 Constitution 24 Small Blades lvl 8 Endurance 20 Survival lvl 10 Perception 15 First Aid 8 Intelligence 8 Unarmed Combat lvl 2 Wisdom 6 Singing lvl 3 Affinities: Fire - 5% Air - 5% Earth - 0% Light - 0% Water - 0% Darkness - 0% Unallocated Stat Points: 0 Unallocated Skill Levels: 0

She was still embarrassed that singing had shown up as a skill. It wasn't that she hated singing, it was one of her favorite things to hum a tune while walking along. What embarrassed her so much was that she was so bad at it, level 3 really was not a good showing for someone as dedicated as Rose. She'd made a vow to get her singing skill up to advanced rank before she allowed any skill to rank up to master.

Her skills were in good shape overall and her total level would climb back to 25 once she found some strong enemies to fight. Her Uncle had always insisted that she overcome every obstacle in her way and if the obstacles were gone she'd seek out new ones.

"Alright, Iggy, it's time to find out what this Zone really has to offer." Henry jumped to his feet eager to hit the road.

"Hold on there hot shot! Let's see if you really are as good as you think with those peashooters."

"Iggy" Henry whined, "we tested these already"

She scowled, how someone without a body could scowl was beyond Henry "Stop your whining. We tested the guns, but did you get a marksman or firearms skill."

Henry looked bashfully at the ground, "No". He sighed in defeat.

"Ha! Then we'll do this my way and I say we stay put until you can get at least both of those skills up to level 5. It won't do us any good to have all this great equipment if you just die in the first battle. We got lucky the first time with the Pygmies and those bears. Luck rarely hold out for long." She was right he knew, but it was difficult for him to give up control.

They spent a full day setting up a range and a variety of targets. Henry made some progress in his understanding of Earth Affinity by shaping the range primary with his mana manipulation. Once the range was ready they got to work.