Have you heard what he said? I need to become stronger, and I'm fed up with the lack of APs. I'll hunt monsters until I'm over level twenty-one and get stats again.
“Really?” Peter gasped. "I can throw Fireballs?"
Without asking more questions, Peter started to jog toward Tenney Park. It was one of the few remaining green spaces in the town and near a few low-level monster reservations. The place was small but empty at that hour, and he sat on the grass near a tree and closed his eyes per the System’s demand.
"Greetings and cheers!" A lively voice rang out. The speaker was a funny-looking small woman—perhaps a gnome or hobbit—yet larger than a human compared to her surroundings.
"I'm Biwednie, a forest troll. This is an interactive tutorial, and I can answer some questions. You have a Mythical Class and access to the Elemental schools. I'll give you an overview, but the choice is yours. Let’s begin.
"First, Air. It grants flight, storm control, and powerful wind-based attacks. It often pairs with Lightning or Water and is a favorite among the System’s Battle Mages."
She gestured, revealing a battlefield where wizards clashed with jets, blimps, and dragons, hurling tornadoes and lightning. It was breathtaking—and terrifying.
"Pause," Peter said. The image froze.
"If the cultivators draft us into war, is this what we’ll fight?"
“What do you mean?”
"Air is powerful but takes years to master," Biwednie continued, now against a tranquil landscape of farms nourished by gentle rain. "It also has peaceful uses—irrigation, wildfire control. And speaking of fire…"
The next image was a colossal spaceship bombarding a planet with laser beams and plasma torpedoes, each impact akin to a nuclear blast.
< Remember my previous words: If you’re lucky? If unlucky, the students will fight against this.>
"Fire requires System sanctioning and military service. It’s a difficult, highly regulated path. Mastery takes decades. It's automatically paired with Lightning, harnessing electromagnetism, photons, and accelerated molecules."
The ship’s interior showed rows of mages floating in pods, directing the destruction.
"Not for me," Peter decided. Being a glorified battery in space had no appeal.
"Water is the most peaceful element," Biwednie went on. Oceans, rivers, and irrigation systems filled the display. "It pairs well with Earth and is vital for farmers, engineers, and healers. It has few offensive applications—strong opponents resist liquid manipulation—but Battle Mages use it strategically alongside Air."
The scene faded. Biwednie smiled. "What do you think so far?"
"Clear and to the point," Peter said. "Fire’s out. Battle Mage—maybe."
"Smart choice," she grinned. "Space battles aren’t for everyone. The PPTTSD is brutal."
What the hell is that?
Damn…
"Earth," she continued, "is about minerals and metals, not soil—that’s Nature’s Magic. It excels in offense, defense, and support." She raised a hand; spikes erupted from the ground, shifting into a sturdy bridge. "It’s great for area control, and you’re immune to your own tremors and spikes. My specialties are Earth and Water."
"I like it," Peter said, pausing the tutorial. "I can’t match Redroar or her cubs in speed or range. AOE attacks are perfect for countering that."
Biwednie continued: "Now, the last element: Lightning. More than electricity—it’s Electromagnetism. Its uses are vast, but this tutorial can’t cover them all. Why is it part of Elemental Magic?" she mused. "Because Dark Matter reacts to the observer’s perception, and Lightning myths exist across cultures.
“This element is mostly offensive—imbuing weapons with stunning single or AOE attacks or defending yourself with forcefields. At high levels, it enables travel or calling down bolts of energy. Common pairings include Wind for Battle Mages and Water for balance—rain enhances Lightning but also makes you vulnerable to it. It’s popular for solo fighters who need both offense and healing."
The troll smiled. "The tutorial is complete. Time to choose."
"Elementary, dear Watson. Earth and Lightning. They cover my lack of close combat power, and I don’t need flight—I can Warp. As for healing, I have pills."
Biwednie reappeared, frowning. "Dear adventurer, you’ve chosen a restricted combination. Like Fire and Water in most cultures, Lightning and Earth don't mix—Earth grounds electric— elec— elec—" She froze, glitched, and then vanished, replaced by a blue notification.
Notification: Restricted Combination Override
Dear Adventurer,
Your selection of Earth and Lightning has triggered a Restricted Combination Override due to: ??? This pairing is typically prohibited due to Earth's inherent grounding properties, which neutralize Lightning's potential. However, your ??? has unlocked this combination as a Rare Synergy. In addition, you can unlock a single random skill from the other Elemental domains. You have unlocked Start Campfire from the Fire Elemental Magic School. Further skills will unlock by ???
“Err…What the heck?”
“I sure hope so…” Peter shivered. “So, are we going hunting?
“I know… It’s for teachers and the students of second rank. Well… Let’s test some things.”
With his movement ability, it was possible to cover a lot of terrain, so he profited and improvised. Warping up a couple hundred feet, Peter transported himself forward, trying to program his jump at the required distance. At the exit point, the moon reflected in the lake's water. Uncertain about his ability to land safely, he activated the skill to get to a lesser altitude by eye, missed the shore, and splashed into the lake. It was cold and unpleasant, but it was pointless to complain about. He swam to the shore near an abandoned pier, changed his clothes, and put on his equipment.
Now let's find some monsters, Peter thought, approaching the tree line. That was easier said than done. There was no lack of monsters, but the normal beasts ran away from him, filling the woods with rustling noises.
However, acting in concert, a pack of about twenty crazed jackalopes and a few Dire Wolves surrounded Peter, the first squealing and the latter growling. The Jackalopes attacked with the same strategy as Redroar's cubs, grabbing his arms and hands. Shooting was not an option; there were too many and too close. Instead of rolling on the ground like when fighting the cubs, he Warped into the lake, wishing to go thirty feet deep.
The depths disoriented the monsters. One after another, kill notifications appeared, and Peter looted the drowned monsters still hanging to him. Half a minute later, he Warped up on the shore and charged at the wolves.
Wishing to test his new abilities made a strange sensation appear in Peter’s brain, unfamiliar yet feeling as natural as breathing. Blue tendrils of sparkling electricity ran over his hands. A first fist, also enhanced with a Kinetic Impulse, caved in a wolf's skull, a second finished inside a monster's mouth instead of the aimed spot but fried the monster's brains before it could close its jaws, and then Peter Warped laterally, a hundred feet, where three monsters stood.
Two wolves jumped for Peter's arms, but he slammed their bodies against each other, breaking them. The third went for the throat, but he headbutted it, reducing the monster's head to a pulp. On the other hand, his visor's visibility was reduced to almost zero.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
The lack of vision was worrying, and for a second, Peter thought of flying. Yet, the frightening monsters of a few weeks ago were nothing compared to Redroar. He realized she was a fantastic trainer, making him feel the fight, the flow, in only one day. So, he decided to stand his ground and combine his newfound skills.
Peter stomped on the ground with his boot, wishing to spread a shock, cave the earth into potholes, raise metal and rock spikes, and add electricity, trying to bounce it between the protrusions. It felt like dancing on a ship in the storm for a few seconds, yet his feet somehow found balance. Crackling sounds and yelps were the only thing to be heard. Through the few clear spots on the visor, Peter observed the monsters jumping, falling, impaled, or running—uncharacteristic behavior for crazed beasts—but not attacking anymore. The fight was over, with most monsters dead.
Heaving, Peter fell on all fours, a sign his Mana was very low. The only thing to do was to swallow a Mana pill.
You are regenerating 1% MPs/second for 30 seconds.
+25% MP.
The following notification was baffling.
Mythical Rare Elemental skill unlocked: Terravolt (Novice level)
Earth and Lightning combined to form Terravolt, a rare and potent elemental fusion. Terravolt allows for manipulating magnetic fields and conductive minerals, enabling advanced offensive, defensive, and utility applications.
- Offensive Capabilities:Generate seismic shocks amplified by electrical discharge, creating devastating AOE attacks.
- Defensive Capabilities:Create electromagnetic barriers or conductive earth shields that absorb and redirect energy.
- Utility:Manipulate metallic objects, create magnetic levitation, or generate localized EMP pulses.
Warning: Mastery of Terravolt requires exceptional control and understanding of both elements. Initial training will focus on preventing self-harm due to feedback loops or unintended discharges. Be aware of the high rate of Mana consumption.
“What the….”
The System reappeared with a shaky voice.
“You have no idea what that is about, right?” Peter sighed, trying to clean his visor with a wet napkin.
“Paygrade.”
Peter rubbed his hands. "I’ll never complain about good things… err… except if I accidentally zap myself,” he remembered the warning. “How many more monsters do I need to reach level twenty-one?"
"OK, a few more tests, and we go home," Peter nodded.
No more monsters were willing to die in that area, crazed or not, and Peter Warped to the other side of the lake, two miles and a half away. There was not a monster in sight. However, loud noises came from an abandoned summer camp a couple hundred feet away.
To avoid jumping directly into trouble, Peter ran instead of Warping. Inside the camp, two girls ran and screamed for help, taking cover behind the abandoned structures while a giant bear chased them. It was a crazed beast and a dangerous one. Each swipe of his claws cut deep into the wooden logs, destroying the walls in seconds.
A tiny dog ran around the bear, barking loudly and biting the ankles of the crazed creature when it raised its hind legs to use its claws.
"That's Shredder," Peter hissed.
I shouldn't have trusted her with my pet. However, a misuse of trust wasn't worth letting the two girls and the pup die. Peter gathered his courage and prepared to jump into the fray.
"Fuck, they're going to be killed!" Peter blurted, taking aim. The girls were now behind the last building standing.
"Run into the forest, I'll stall!" Shadow yelled, throwing a flurry of magical bolts at the monster.
"No way I abandon you, Ari!" Naomi screamed back, also shooting qi-bolts, her powers so pathetic they disintegrated in the air before reaching the target.
Ari? ARI? Fuuuuuuuuuuck! Jerking from the surprise, Peter missed his first shot, hitting only the shoulder. The second hit the bear in the chest. Blood sprayed out, but the bullet was not enough to stop the crazed monster, now set to get revenge on the one who wounded it.
Warping behind the bear, Peter let out two more shots. There was a lot of blood, but Peter noticed in horror that the wounds were closing at an alarming rate. Annoyed, the monster was trying to bite the pup, considering him the one behind his pain for whatever reason.
"Shredder, go away!" Petter yelled.
"Come to me, boy, come here!" Ariana shouted, clapping her hands to attract the warg's attention.
Shredder obeyed, and the bear finally aimed his attention at Peter, charging. The young man breathed out, aimed at the head, and emptied his magazine, adding Kinetic Impulse and also an electric shock to his bullets. With its brain destroyed, the monster diverted its charge to its left, a horrifying equivalent of a headless chicken, and finally crashed into a tree, dead.
You have slain Elite Crazed Mutated Bear, level 42 equivalent Elite Boss. You have reached level 20.
Barking and wagging his tail, Shredder arrived to manifest his joy. He let Peter scratch his head for a second, then growled at the bear, insulting the downed foe in his puppyish way.
"Thank you!" Naomi yelled, coming forward. "I thought we were goners."
"What's my pet doing in a monster-infested forest?" Peter yelled. "This is how you care for him for a hundred bucks a day?"
"He needed a walk!" Ariana shouted back. "I had to help a friend, and we didn't expect to find a crazed grizzly. Wait! Shredder?"
"Woof!" the pup barked, changing color to his default bluish-gray.
"No way! You're bullshitting me!" she screamed, pulling off her mask.
Peter raised his visor, trying to throw lightning from his eyes. The feat remained in the wishful area. "You're talking about bullshitting, ARI?"
"P-Peter?" Naomi gasped, taking a step back.
"Take a seat," Peter pointed his free hand toward a half-destroyed bench. "We have to talk."
Naomi opened her mouth to say something, but Ariana pulled her by the elbow, whispering something in her ear, and they obeyed. Keeping his eyes on them, Peter holstered his weapon and Looted the carcass. There were claws, fangs, pieces of meat, a huge core the size of a baseball, and a pelt skin, skull attached, that was described as a fifty-inches trophy. All went into storage. The girls gasped, then retched while the bear was reduced to a pile of deformed remains.
Loot has advanced to the Apprentice tier, came the notification.
"Why did you come here?" Peter asked the two young women. “Tell me the truth.”
"I'm very weak…" Naomi lowered her head. "I was afraid I would be expelled, and asked Ari to help me farm some monsters… I hoped for a breakthrough."
"They won't expel the bad students; they have worse plans," Peter said deadpanned, making them shiver with the tone of his voice. "There’s a culling coming… The weak students will be killed," Peter decided to keep the explanations short.
"I don't believe you. I think you'll murder us to get rid of witnesses." Ariana sneered.
"Please, don't give him ideas," Naomi wailed, grabbing her friend's arm.
"Why am I wasting my time talking, then? I could just shoot you. Listen to me. There’s more to it."
"You've Awakened?" Naomi asked.
"No. I have a System."
“Like in the novels?” Ariana widened her eyes, suddenly more interested.
“It’s a long story. Back to our problem. You know my secret identity.”
Naomi kneaded her hands, interlocking her fingers. "You're not crazy, Petey, right? You won't hurt us, right? I have known you for a while now, and you're nice."
"I saw him blow off a guy's brains," Ariana pointed.
“You’re not helping,” Naomi whined, almost starting to cry.
“For the record, that guy was an assassin that would have killed her. Listen, we’re in the same boat. We’re Resistance, one way or another. Don’t you realize I just saved your life?”
Suddenly, Ariana hunched. “All right, I won’t tell anyone…”
“Ditto,” Naomi rushed to say.
“I have a proposition,” Peter sat on the ground, removing his helmet. “Accept the System. Naomi, you will be safe from that culling. Your Resistance will become a real thing, Ari. And we will be obliged to trust and help each other because we’ll all have the same secret.”
I’m alone and scared, buddy. The cultivators wanna kill who knows how many kids and—
—a few passports won’t help much. I can’t live with myself if I save a couple of students and hundreds more die. Ari’s a mean bitch, but an honest one. And Resistance, nevertheless. And they’re both smart… Think of the extra processing power. We need a team to stop that culling plan.
“I’m OK as I am,” Naomi waved her hands.
“No, you’re not. If you stay weak, they’ll kill you.”
“I’m in,” Ariana blurted. “My dream had always been to be sucked into a System Apocalypse and get strong!”
True… Ari has all those System novels in her apartment.
It will have to suffice. “The System says the class you’ll get will depend on your previous experiences. Once… and if you get it, the System will explain the basics. Naomi?”
“I’m afraid,” the girl whispered. Ariana squeezed her hand, and after a brief hesitation, Naomi nodded.
Peter kept silent for a few minutes, looking at the girls gasping, gesturing, and talking with each other or the System in whispers or their minds. Soon, Naomi smiled, contrasting with her usual melancholic attitude, and Ariana looked disconcerted.
"I'm a Scholar!" Naomi announced. "Rare tier. I got some retroactive experience for the fight with the bear, and I started level three."
"Tamer," Ariana whispered, raising her hands heavenward. "Same tier and level… I’m not sure if it’s good or bad."
"Cheer up,” Naomi said. “Imagine how easy it will be to train all those cubs, kits, and pups."
"Take this," Peter said, offering them the bear’s fangs. “Say you killed it and had a breakthrough. When it’s done, you give me the fangs back, and I’ll sell them. Then we’ll use the money for the cause. You came by car, right?” he asked. Naomi nodded. “Take it and go home.”
“No way!” Ariana said. “We’ll stay in the forest all night and power level. Right, Naomi?”
“R-right…”
"Woof!" Shredder barked.
"He wants to stay with us and hunt crazed jackalopes," Ariana exclaimed, widening her eyes. “I can read his mind…”
“Whatever. Listen to the System, and don't take unnecessary risks. I’m going home and won’t be able to help if you get into trouble again.”
Sure, mother. Searching in his backpack, Peter took out two baseball bats, a cheap revolver bought for backup, and a few Health and Mana pills. "Take these and stick with jackalopes. The gun is only for emergencies. You either return it tomorrow or pay for it. The pills are for healing and restoring Mana… Good luck."
Without more words, he returned to the western shore and looted the Dire Wolves he had killed earlier. He let the jackalopes be because his inventory was almost full.
Leaving the forest, he stopped in Lebanon, leaving the meat and most of the loot at the Black Market, getting a hefty sum for it, and buying more bullets. Arriving home at midnight, exhausted, he tried calling the System, but there was no answer. Only one thing was left to do. He embraced sleep like his best friend, sinking into the soft mattress of the bed.