The next morning

Congratulations, the recruitment process, also known as the fourth stage, is now complete. Over the next three months the hot fix for magic will take full effect. These months will be the final buildup before the universe's open beta begins. A few things of note. During this time those that have not joined the alpha prebuilding of nations, or part three, of the update, will begin gathering and building settlements across the lands. It is up to you, leaders of nations, to bring them under your fold or watch them become independent and possibly even eventually challenge your rule. One of the first changes will be to nation and faction capitals. To better ease finding these settlements, you will gain a map of the owned lands you and your allies control. This map is considered a national treasure and will in the future be an important strategic resource based on how it is used. Second, any settlement will be limited to two tiers under the tech tree you currently have unlocked. Any self-restriction in tech will also be in place. Do note, those that who know of such locked technology can still invent them if they acquire the means and resources to do so. Third, the population of any settlement can not exceed the capital city's total population divided by twelve. This number is based on the current populations based on the counts as of this announcement. In addition, those pregnant do not have their children counted. Only those drawing breath unassisted count. Fourth, magic has gone from stable levels across worlds and has begun to focus on certain points. Some surviving older species might know these as mana vents. Each capital city will have one of these, in addition, smaller ones will begin appearing across worlds. Some of these will generate unique magical phenomena over time. All will have effects on the local flora and fauna and even the elements and may ultimately lead to the next part. Dungeons have finally been born. Each world will receive a random number of these unique individuals. This leads to point five of this announcement. Dungeons and magical beasts will now be born. Dungeons are what many of you expect them to be. Challenges for unique rewards. Do note these beings are important for a magical ecosystem. These beings help recycle magic energies after they are used and return them to the neutral state anyone can use. Remember, a healthy dungeon leads to healthy magic users. Six, animals will remain as they are in lower magical areas, but will transform one in two ways once entering higher mana areas. They will turn into magical beasts or monsters. Magical beasts take untainted or compatible mana into their bodies and evolve from their baser beastial forms. This usually makes them bigger, stronger, faster, and smarter. Monsters are much the same but are more corrupted beings than not. Goblin monsters are the most common version of this. Seven, in addition to these changes, is a multitude of changes that will take years to fully list. Instead, a local list of changes will be made. The Warden faction characteristic stats will no longer apply to the individual anymore upon level up but will instead be applied to the factionbound/soulbound armor instead. Stat growth of the individual is still possible by all other means . The trait factionbound will supersede soulbound status based on the [oath] of loyalty given. The WOS is considered a lesser system operating under it’s own unique rules. It is not a part of the Universal System. All level-up stat points will be refunded for all those of Warden rank or higher upon delivery of this message. Any negative effects such as body shrinkage or death have been negated. All of such points refunded will automatically be assigned to the Warden soulbound armor. Do note these stats do not carry over from one suit to another. Certain traits based on old universe technology have been reworked on a universal scale. [ERROR] these traits have been moved into the lesser system... [ERROR]... System analyzing... WOS resisting US changes. Roll for resist success rate. 0%... {Hack Resist lvl MAx) used. Success rate changed to 90%. [Roll 14]... changes failed. Contacting overseers. ...

David awoke on a bench with his back hurting and a splitting headache. Even in his dreams, the Universal System invades him and he felt the fight The Blind One had on top of the loss of a lot of his stats. He did not get through a tenth of the entire message before the smell of warm tea reached his nose.

“ Drink, you are still recovering?”

David looked to his side as Greenclaw offered him a cup of green liquid. Slowly David reaches for it and as soon as he felt able he took a sip before being surprised by it.

“ Elves have peculiar tastes. Unlike most species, who had to accept the reality of poorly flavored healing tonics, they developed several flavor essences that help with the taste. It is not perfect, but it is far better than the alternative. I am surprised to find such accessible already. And even better than the elves at that.”

David finishes the tea and offers the cup back to the lycan.

“ Sorry for passing out. It has been hectic these last few months. You know how it is, looking over trillions of people to recruit, arranging materials for literally building a city from the ground up, and doing it all under a budget half the people who will come later will not care about, but will when they discover their plumbing is not working because the crew you hired fucked up because you had to go cheap.”

Greenclaw blinked looking at David and decided a chuckle was the most appropriate response.

“ And I thought I had problems.”

To that David chuckled in response.