Chapter Sixty-One: Society Upgrades

  Jace slid into the Fields Below like an old friend returning to a haunted but familiar home. The ancient magic of the place pulsed under his skin, a living, breathing entity that accepted him, if not quite embraced him.

  He decided that this time he wouldn’t wait to spend his EXP and Society Points. He would start with Society Points, as it would make using his Alchemy Focus and allocating his EXP easier.

  His eyes adjusted to the gloom, and he instinctively scanned the dim expanse for Shadow. She had a way of melding into the darkness, becoming a part of the world’s very fabric. Jace trusted she was nearby, her presence both comforting and disconcerting, like a cat you weren’t sure liked you, but you appreciated it nonetheless. A quick check of the area map on his interface confirmed it—two little dots: him and her. A smirk tugged at his lips; even in a place as twisted as this, knowing you weren’t alone had its perks.

  His footsteps echoed in the cavernous space, a soft rhythm that matched the slow, patient hum of the ancient place. As he reached his dormitory, the President’s Interface greeted him with a soft glow. He reached out, and the console sprang to life, filling the room with a familiar array of options, each one more tantalizing than the last. Dormitory, bathroom, kitchen, alchemy labs, library—each a promise of something bigger, better. A list of new options was available, new areas to unlock and then upgrade.

  When he looked closer, he saw something he hadn’t seen before. A tiny white star next to each upgrade.

  As Jace focused on the tiny star next to the upgrade options, the screen shifted, revealing a trove of information he’d never seen before. It was as if a veil had been lifted, exposing the intricacies of the Fields Below. The realization hit him—he’d been upgrading blindly, thinking only of the essentials, when there was an entire layer of strategy he’d missed. Each upgrade and unlocked section didn’t just improve the space; it granted bonuses to the Fields and potential boons to all Society Members. It was like a hidden blueprint of power, waiting to be tapped into.

  He realized he could stack multiple upgrades at once, selecting his options without locking them in right away. This allowed him to review and fine-tune his point distribution as he moved through the list, only finalizing everything once he was satisfied and choosing [Accept].

  Jace’s fingers hovered over the options, his heart quickening with each beat. This wasn’t just about upgrading his dorm—it was about reaching for something greater, something that felt just out of his grasp. He hesitated, a fleeting thought urging him to stop and consider the consequences.

  But who was he kidding? This was the first time he could spend without that relentless fear of running out. The points were rolling in now, faster than ever before, and if he kept pushing, they’d keep coming. The realization hit him like a surge of adrenaline—a heady, exhilarating rush that made him want to throw caution to the wind, just this once.

  The thought sent a thrill down his spine, like the spark of a match in the dark. It felt like browsing through an endless cosmic bazaar, where each stall offered something more tantalizing than the last. The freedom was heady, almost intoxicating—no pesky point limits, no immediate consequences. It was like dangling on the edge of a cliff, with the wind howling around him and the ground so far below it seemed unreal.

  All the areas that had only been unlocked, but not upgraded, remained stuck in a dilapidated Rank Zero state—little more than crumbling ruins with barely a whisper of their potential. Unlocking an area was just the first step; getting it above Rank Zero was where the real transformation began. The first rank would typically bring the area to life, making it functional, while each subsequent rank added layers of improvement, turning it from merely serviceable to something truly exceptional.

  His eyes flicked to the Alchemy Labs first, eager to see what secrets it held.

  Alchemy Labs - Rank Breakdown:

  ? Rank One: Basic Potion Crafting. Grants all Society Members a 10% boost to potion potency when crafting in The Fields Below.

  ? Rank Two: Intermediate Alchemy. Unlocks the ability to create more complex potions, including status effect removers. Society Members receive a 5% reduction in crafting time.

  ? Rank Three: Well-Working: The lab now features specialized containers that extend the shelf life of herbs and magical components by 50%. Society Members can access these ingredients at a discount, and there’s a bonus: shop owners and suppliers will receive a notification that you’ve got access to high-quality labs, which could lead to better relationships or even extra discounts. Don’t worry—you can disable this notification if you’d rather keep your high-end status under wraps.

  ? Rank Four: Enchanted Equipment. The lab’s tools are now infused with magic, increasing the chance of critical successes in potion-making by 15%. Society Members receive a 10% bonus to alchemy experience and a 2% EXP efficiency bonus when using Alchemy as a Focus for spending EXP.

  ? Rank Five: Transmutation Circle. Unlocks the Transmutation Circle and grants ability Transmute. Transmute allows the caster to convert any basic ingredient into any other basic ingredient at a cost.

  ? Rank Six: Chronospace Pouch. A mysterious item awarded to all Society Members, the Chronospace Pouch supposedly allows for the storage of items outside of normal time and space. Society Members also receive a 20% reduction in the time required to craft potions and a slight increase in the odds of discovering legendary recipes.

  Jace’s mind raced as he locked in Rank Six. Each rank swallowed more and more points, but it was worth it. It would be just one step away from Silver One now. It cost him a hefty amount of points, but with the benefits, it felt too good to pass up. The Chronospace Pouch sounded awesome, though, no further information was provided, leaving its true potential a mystery.

  It was already at Rank Three, which may have been partially why Twig was so confident that Jace was good for the loan. But also, Twig just seemed like a good guy.

  The bonus to production time was a game-changer, but what really caught his attention was the Transmutation Ability. It seemed underwhelming at first—a twenty-to-one ratio, requiring twenty of a base common ingredient to produce just one of another. Definitely nerfed. But something told him that if he leveled it up, this seemingly modest feature could turn into something truly formidable.

  Twig had been right—if he could master his alchemy skills, he could sell potions and sauces, earning gold in a world where quests and creatures hadn’t been handing out much in terms of monetary rewards. It seemed like he’d have to grind out a living, much like in the real world, but with the Alchemy Labs fully upgraded, he had a solid start.

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  Next, he turned his attention to the Library.

  The Library Below - Rank Breakdown:

  ? Rank One: Basic Reference. Grants access to a collection of common knowledge tomes. The type you have to read.

  ? Rank Two: Enchanted Tomes. Society Members gain a 10% boost to experience gained from studying while in the Library Below.

  ? Rank Three: Scrying Scrolls. Allows the library to create and stock scrolls that may reveal hidden information about the world, new potential recipes and enchantments, or upcoming world events. Society Members can use these scrolls to gain foresight into challenges they might face. Starting Production Rate - One Scroll Per New Moon.

  ? Rank Four: Memory Archives. All Society Members receive a special Skill Book - Sight Reading, increasing reading skill immediately to Bronze Five.

  ? Rank Five: Arcane Vault. Bring any book to the Library, and it will not only sort and categorize it but also analyze it, uncovering hidden secrets and translating it into a language you can understand. Never underestimate the power of knowledge—sometimes, the smallest detail can change everything.

  ? Rank Six: Celestial Codex. A living book that updates with the latest discoveries made by Society Members. It allows for the instant sharing of knowledge across all Society locations, making it easier to coordinate strategies and plans.

  He locked in Rank Three. He really wanted access to the Celestial Codex, but the cost was just too high for now. He wanted to save some points for the next upgrades.

  Finally, Jace examined the Common Areas, surprised to find that even these held hidden boons.

  Common Areas:

  ? Rank One: Basic Comforts. Grants a minor boost to rest and recovery times for all Society Members.

  ? Rank Two: Enhanced Rest. Increases the speed at which fatigue is reduced, and adds a slight increase to natural health regeneration.

  ? Rank Three: Hearth of Fellowship. The area now boosts morale and camaraderie, providing a 10% boosted EXP gained for all collaborative activities while inside and for an additional thirty minutes after leaving. This includes group quests and joint crafting sessions, making teamwork even more rewarding.

  ? Rank Four: Hall of Feasts. The space becomes enchanted, enhancing the effects of food and drink consumed within it. Society Members gain plus 100% to boosts from meals, making it an ideal spot for pre-battle gatherings.

  Jace blinked at the screen, surprised the upgrades weren’t more… ghostly. It was the Underworld, after all. You’d think there’d be something dripping in darkness, maybe some skeletal hands reaching out of the Crypts and Tombs. But no, the options seemed oddly tame, despite being very useful.

  I wonder if every society has access to the same upgrades? As if in response to his thought, a notification pulsed on the screen. With a click, an entire profile management interface unfurled before him.

  Really should start reading these things. He sighed inwardly. Jace had always been the kind to skip cutscenes, and dive headlong into the action. But here? Here, missing the fine print could be deadly. He made a mental note to be better about that.

  His eyes scanned the details.

  The 13th University Division — The Fields Below

  Current Rank: Bronze 2

  Rank determined by percentage of physical space upgraded.

  Bronze Level Upgrades provide basic magical enhancements and improve living conditions for society members, primarily in the Fields Below.

  Silver Upgrades offer broader boons, benefiting members anywhere, and unlock exclusive Underworld features for the Society President:

  “Controlled Respawn Points,” “Speak with the Dead,” and “Reduced Respawn Costs,” and others. Additional Society-wide changes are available at higher tiers.

  Upgrade 100% of physical space to Bronze Six to unlock Silver Tier upgrades.

  You know, if you ever get around to actually spending your points.

  “Hey,” Jace muttered to the unresponsive screen, a smirk playing at his lips. “I’m getting better at this.”

  His eyes skimmed the list of potential upgrades at Silver Rank, each one more tempting than the last.

  “Well, now that’s more like it,” Jace muttered, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. Controlled Respawn Points? Reduced Respawn Costs? He wasn’t entirely sure what it all meant, but in a place like this, those perks could be the difference between life and… whatever the hell happens if you die in the Underworld.

  A flicker of thought passed through his mind—recruiting. Could he bring others into the society if they’d already pledged allegiance to another banner? That was a question for Hades next time they crossed paths.

  For now, he focused on the task at hand. He’d need to distribute his Society Points wisely. A steep cost climb meant he could get one or two things to Rank Six, but not much more. He decided on the Alchemy Labs—if there was ever a time to invest in potion-making, it was now—and spread the rest across the other upgrades. Slow, steady progress, but progress nonetheless.

  Jace leaned back, eyes narrowing at the screen. It was a start, but the real work was just beginning.

  The Observatory option shimmered on the interface, almost begging for attention. Jace selected it, curiosity piqued. A prompt appeared, outlining the potential benefits that made his heart skip a beat.

  At Rank One, the Observatory would enhance the dorm’s ambiance, filling the night with celestial wonders visible through an enchanted dome. Jace wondered if this was useful for some specific class or profession

  Rank Two granted all Society Members a Soul Bound Star Map, which sounded super cool. Upon inspection, he found that this map wasn’t just a guide to the night sky; it would serve as a failsafe against getting lost, even in the most uncharted territories. No matter where he wandered in the world, the Star Map would align with his position, offering guidance where regular maps fell short.

  As if that wasn’t enough, the Observatory’s upgrades hinted at a potential for greater power in the future and he knew he’d have to upgrade it eventually anyway. At higher ranks, it could enable cross-continental communication through light displays in the sky, connecting distant points in the world like a celestial telegraph.

  Jace weighed the benefits, the image of the Star Map lingering in his mind. The Observatory looked like such a cool option—leaving it as-is would be criminal. He unlocked it and then pushed it up to Rank Two.

  With a few thousand points still burning a hole in his metaphorical pocket, Jace decided to give the Kitchen and Common Areas a boost to Rank Four—after scanning over their benefits. It was a solid investment. If Dex got his way with the Midnight Festival, they’d need the space—and the atmosphere—to pull it off.

  There was a list of boons, but the most notable features he gained were —

  Dormitory:

  ? Sanctuary of Dreams & Ward of Protection: The dormitory becomes an enchanted refuge, ensuring restful sleep with reduced nightmares and lucid dreaming insights. It also provides a protective aura that reduces the risk of ambush while resting and grants a temporary defensive bonus upon waking.

  Kitchen:

  ? Feast of Fortitude & Gourmet Alchemy: The kitchen can host grand feasts that offer powerful buffs to all Society Members, enhancing defense, resistance, and morale. Additionally, it allows for the automatic infusion of magical ingredients into meals, granting unique temporary abilities like enhanced vision, speed, or bursts of magical power.

  But he wasn’t done. No, Jace made sure to drop some points into the Catacombs, where Shadow usually was. It wasn’t just about functionality; it was about making this strange world feel like home, even if Shadow never said what she needed. She was like a ghost, always there but never quite seen. Jace didn’t mind. He was building a place where even ghosts could belong.

  Finally, with the last of his points, Jace made two significant purchases, nearly depleting his entire stock of Society Points. He hesitated for a moment, considering the implications of what he was about to do. The points had taken time to accumulate, and spending them all at once felt like a risk. But ultimately, he decided it was worth it.

  The first major upgrade was Defenses, which he brought to Rank Two. This was a necessary precaution, given the unpredictable nature of the world he was slowly beginning to understand. The Fields Below were vast and full of secrets, some of which were best left undisturbed. Strengthening the defenses was a way to ensure that he could continue his work here without fear of interruption—or worse.

  Defense Upgrade to Bronze Rank Two:

  Enhanced Fortifications: The defense systems received a serious upgrade, turning the area into a veritable fortress. Stronger barriers now shield the space, with reinforced doors and walls capable of withstanding even the most determined threats. It was solid—practical—but not exactly flashy.