Stars Asunder

by Tao Wong

  Every word I say makes Bolo’s and Mikito’s grins grow even wider, then they make sure again that I’m not joking. When they get my confirmation, they dash off, headed to the Shop or library to figure out what other Skills to purchase. I expect Bolo will cost me the most.

  On that note…

  “Where’s the nearest Shop?”

  ***

  The entrance to the yellow-themed Shop is via the spherical System-orb located a short distance away. It’s not the main settlement Shop orb, but a secondary linked one, but it makes little difference. Before I leave, I make sure to let Harry know I’m in need of his services to search out information on the contenders. As good as Ali has gotten at this kind of work, Harry’s got his own skillset.

  I’m teleported into the Shop only to be met by Foxy. The humanoid fox creature is dressed in a dapper set of robes, reminiscent of African colored robes, thrown over both shoulders rather than the Roman toga style. He sways over to me, bushy tail waggling, and I find myself smiling in greeting. Foxy’s one of my oldest friends in a way, even though, in some ways, he’s not really a friend so much as a good… hairdresser? Huh. I’m reaching for an equivalent designation.

  “Foxy. Good to see you,” I say. “I’ve got a challenge for you.”

  “Oh?”

  “A near unlimited budget and a rather difficult task.” I watch Foxy’s eyes glitter with avarice at the first part, then dim with caution at the second. “Skills and equipment upgrades. For me.”

  That makes Foxy frown. He turns his head side to side before he eventually says, “You must understand, to do that, we will require—”

  “Bullshit. You guys already know.” I smirk. “Most of what I’ve bought has come right from here. And my current Status Screen is something you can see already, no?”

  The fox grows still as he processes my accusation. I see the gears spin in his head before he finally inclines his head, acknowledging my guess. “Yes. Your equipment is powerful, but in here—”

  “You have the advantage. So. Put together a buy list.”

  “We do need to ask a few questions…”

  “About what kind of build?” I nod. “Limit reductions on regeneration. I expect in the future, I’ll be in more slugfests against Master Classers and higher. So survivability and ability to win are paramount. That might mean burst attacks.”

  “Obviously.”

  “Some Skills or equipment—preferably equipment—to increase my stealth capabilities. And more versatility would be good,” I say. “Upgrades and abilities to alter my equipment or keep them in working order in the field would be useful.”

  “Ah. I might have to caution you on that one—” Foxy says, raising his hand.

  “The Skill-Mental ratio limit? I know it. Aim for the median resistance,” I say.

  “If you wish, we do have access to Class Skill Testers who might be able to verify your limits with better accuracy,” Foxy says.

  “Really? Hmm…” I consider, trawling through my mind for data on Skill Testers.

  They’re a weird off-shoot of general Class Advisors, individuals who focused on testing aptitude for various Classes. Mostly, they were used before an individual met the age of majority, but they also had a side-line set of Skills for those hitting the higher edge of Classes in the Advanced and Master Class stage. There, they tested for the Skill-Mental ratio limit.

  There’s no direct correlation in the Skill-Mental ratio—like, you can have ten Skills outside of your Class for every hundred points of Intelligence and Willpower. It’s more that one’s mental attributes form a pool of potential Class limit points. But each non-Class Skill uses a number of those limit points and adding too many such Skills eats into that limit.

  Of course, that limit isn’t a hard limit. And the number of points is unknown—again, because Intelligence and Willpower grow in different directions depending on the individual. On top of that, Classes by themselves limit or expand those limit points. Even when you “expand” all the points and overburden yourself with the Skills, there’s almost no perceptible difference to the Skills themselves when they’re activated. Instead, what happens is a lag in the non-Class Skills activation rate.

  I kind of imagine it like a computer. There’s core programming—the Class Skills—that are saved to a solid state hard drive (SSHD). Super fast access, guaranteed to work without a problem. And non-Class Skills end up being stored on the same SSHD for the most part. However, at a certain point, those additional non-Class Skills get to be too much for your SSHD and you off-load them to a cloud computing server. For the most part, it doesn’t mater—but occasionally you get a lag.

  Obviously, that’s a problem when you’re in the middle of a fight.

  Less of an issue if you’re an Artisan. All that being said, it’s why Legendarys don’t bother purchasing multiple Legendary Class Skills. Or Heroics, other Heroic Skills. A single non-Class Skill of that kind can force all your other purchased Class Skills into remote use. And since most Legendarys or Heroics specialize in their Class for a reason, it makes more sense to stay with what you know and can use.

  That’s the other part of the equation. While you get the Skill via the Shop—along with the understanding of how to use the Skill—you don’t get the side benefits of a Class Skill like automatic integration and understanding. Not to say you don’t still have to train your Class Skills, but it’s much easier to do so and doesn’t require as many uses. If you have to test, say, the ability to create a blackhole, the lack of automatic integration can be quite troublesome.

  The obvious workaround is to only buy Artisan and passive Combat Skills, forcing the System to keep the passive Skills “loaded” at all times. Unfortunately, that brings its own problems—outside of the obvious decrease in Mana Regeneration—as the Corrupt Questors have found out.

  “Sounds good. Set the meeting up with the Testers. I don’t want to overload,” I say.

  Foxy flashes me a grin and chivies me over to a private room while he arranges for a Skill Tester to port in. In the meantime, I get to window browse, idly wondering what kind of Skills I should be purchasing. The room I’m in is quite bare except for a lounging chair and a meal dispenser. Both of which I make full use of.

  “What do you think, Ali? What should I get?” I ask, staring at the numerous windows I’ve pulled up. Some list my own Class Skill Trees, others show a list of Skills from other Classes, and another a searchable feature by type of Skills.

  “Well, added damage, added ability to survive, and escape options come to mind,” Ali ticks off on his fingers. “Socially, you’re actually pretty set. It’s not as if you’re the kind to lead armies or anything, so there’s no need for equipment or Skill alterations to your build. You can tell when someone’s lying. Maybe something to help you lie better?” Ali shrugs. “Then again, anything you can buy at the Advanced Level won’t be that useful in the world we deal with.”

  I grunt. That’s the biggest issue for my build. Due to the way I skipped the Basic Class, as far as the System cares, I’m still only Advanced Class—so I can only buy that high up in the Shop. It significantly limits what I can purchase, especially since it makes little sense to pick up things that would harm my Mana Regeneration in passives at the Advanced Level. After all, it just won’t be as good as what my enemies might have. If I’m purchasing a Skill that increases my damage by 50% because it’s an Advanced Skill, it still isn’t as useful as a Master Class Skill of the same kind that increases shield health by 100%. And since, Mana for Mana, my Advanced Skill would cost more, I’d be running a negative.

  At least on the numbers side. But that’s where buying the equivalent of a burst damage Skill makes more sense. If I can increase the damage done by a single attack, and use it selectively and surprise my opponents, I might be able to bypass or overpower their defenses. Point for point, burst damage Skills are more powerful than their passive counterparts.

  Which is why added damage spells are my best bet. Increased r
esistance Skills might be useful, but then I’d have to either buy a general Skill that wasn’t as powerful or multiple Skills that targeted a single element resistance. Which, in itself, is a problem. Fine if you knew what you were fighting, but difficult in a surprise attack, which is what I’d be expecting. So. Generic resistance Skills, since more and more of my opponents have resistance cutting Skills.

  Then, running away Skills—

  “John?”

  “Sorry. Just thinking of escape Skills,” I say.

  “And forgetting I was still talking?” Ali says, leaning forward. “You’re doing this too much.”

  “I know. Too much data unspooling…” I shudder. “Shit. Tell Foxy to cancel the request.”

  Ali takes a fraction of a second to realize the problem. He’s on it the next second, sending out the messages while I wince internally at the mistake I just made. Letting someone do a deep scan of my “partition space” might be a really bad idea. After what was downloaded and off-loaded into me, I’d guess my own Skill limit might be really, really tight.

  Or not.

  But I can’t risk it. Can’t risk people knowing. Which means…

  “Damn. I can’t buy anything, can I?” I say. Because the build I have now, while not great, is at least better than nothing. Having it shifted off-site might cause more problems.

  “Equipment,” Ali corrects, flicking his fingers. “We can buy better equipment.”

  I grin at the Spirit. True enough. “Tell Foxy. And let’s see what we can figure out.”

  And even that much is a danger. But… there’s only so much we can do. Before people start putting things together.

  ***

  We leave the Shop grumpier than when we entered. One of the negatives of buying equipment at my Level is that Master Class equipment doesn’t just hang off the rack. You special order equipment, you put in requests and look out for auctions. And then you hope something shows up in a reasonable timeframe. It’s why things like soulbound weaponry and Legacy weapons are so popular. One grows with you; the other grows all the time and keeps growing. They’re both rarish, though soulbound weapons aren’t impossible to acquire with the right Skill purchase. In fact, most Combat Classers will eventually soulbind a weapon.

  The argument of doing so early or late is varied. Early soulbound weapons will grow with their users. But due to the limitations on the individual’s Level to bind weapons, you’re limited in the strength of the weapon you bind. On the other hand, binding a powerful weapon at the Master Class stage means you might be able to acquire a soulbound weapon with special Skills, over and on top of the usual strengthening the weapon would undergo. The negative, of course, is that said powerful weapons are hard to acquire and will disappear upon death.

  In the end, I walk out of the Shop with nothing more than a slew of one-use items that will be useful for the short-term. Or at least, I hope they will.

  F’Merc Ghostlight Mana Dispersal Grenades (Tier I)

  The F’Merc Ghostlight Mana Dispersal Grenades not only disperse Mana in the battlefield, the Ghostlight Dispersal Grenades degrade all Mana Skills and spells within their field of effectiveness. Used by Krolash the Destroyer, the Erethran Champion Isma (prior version), and Anblanca Special Forces. Five times Winner of the Most Annoying Utility Item on the Battlefield.

  Effect: Reduces Mana Regeneration rates, Skill, and spell formation use in affected area by 67% (higher effects in enclosed areas)

  Radius: 15m3

  Evernight Darkness Orbs

  When the world goes light, the Evernight Darkness Orbs will bring back blessed darkness. If you need darkness, you need Evernight!

  Effect: Removes all visible light and mutes infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths by 30%

  Radius: 50m3

  Seven Heavenly Spire Wards

  Quick to set up, the Seven Heavenly Spire Wards were crafted by the Thrice-Loved Bachelor’s Temple of the Sinking Domain as their main export. Using the total prayer and faith of the temple, they produce a set of wards every month to ensure annoying pests and ex-girlfriends are kept out.

  Effect: Creates a 30’ by 30’ defensive ward; protects against both magical and technological attacks and entry

  Simple enchanted protection wards that can be thrown up nearly anywhere I want. Matched with my usual array of force shields, they can make for a temporary redoubt when needed. Not that I expect to need them, but you never know. The nice thing about the wards is that they’ll protect against a number of magical methods of ingress—something the force shields often don’t. Heck, even semi-technological methods of ingress and escape—like Lightwalk and Shadowform—get blocked by the Wards.

  Fumikara Mobile Teleport Circles

  These one-off use mobile teleport circles allow connection to existing and open teleport networks.

  Effect: Connect to open teleport networks within a 5,000 km radius of the teleport circles. Allows teleportation of individuals to the networked teleport centers

  On top of that, other than the single-use items, I bought a slew of Mana potions and Healing potions conditioned for reuse. I also put in an order for specialized potions, ones geared for me and my Status. They’ll reduce the potion effectiveness disintegration level, making sure I can use more potions. I wanted a replacement for my Mana Storage Bracelet, but they had nothing better on-hand. Anything else has to be special ordered, so that’s on the pile of things to get fixed. Ditto with a replacement for my emergency Force Shield ring.

  And of course, the prize of my shopping trip.

  PoenJoe Goleminised-Mana Generator Mark 18

  The latest Mana Generator by the infamous PoenJoe, the Mark 18 is guaranteed* to not blow up on you in optimal conditions. This partially sentient Mana Generator can extract up to 98% of a Mana Crystal’s saved energy in 0.003 seconds. Currently loaded with an Adult Kirin Mana Core.

  Effect: It’s a Power Generator. Guaranteed to provide up to 98 x 1099 Standard Galactic Mana Units

  *Not actually guaranteed. In fact, we’re 100% certain that containment failure will occur.

  It’s actually a settlement Mana Generator, meant to be used to power an entire settlement about the size of Vancouver. Pre-Apocalypse that is. A million households using Mana for all their needs would easily be fed by the Mana Generator. The ability to increase the draw on the Mana Core is—theoretically—meant to allow the Shield Generator to withstand even fleet-level bombardment. Or the attack of another Heroic Level Combat Classer.

  I say theoretically, because its creator—PoenJoe—is just a little insane. The child of a Legendary and Heroic Classer pair, he’s infamous for his desire to create machinery that can withstand his parents’ loving touch. Even in their old age, their abilities are so high that his work constantly crumbles. And rather than take the time to build things right, he cobbles these things together, ever intent on drawing more power, more Mana.

  With explosive results.

  Luckily, System Inventory puts the entire thing into stasis. So I can carry it around, half-turned on, without it causing any issues. His Mana Generators are a lot cheaper than an actual System-enabled tactical nuke—or the System-damage equivalent—and less restricted. Undestroyed examples of PoenJoe’s work are so uncommon, not everyone knows of him and thus his work isn’t restricted. Yet. It’s only Foxy’s knowledge that got me access to this.

  Lastly, I glance down. Hidden beneath my trousers, wrapped around my ankle is the last thing I picked up. It’s an enchanted band with a most interesting Skill.

  Payload (Level 2)

  Sometimes, you need to get your Skills inside a location. Payload allows you to imbue an individual or item with a Skill at a reduced strength.

  Effect: 71% effectiveness of Skill imbued.

  Secondary Effect: Skill may be now triggered on a timed basis (max 2:07 minutes)

  Uses: 22

  Recharge: 10.7 charges per day in SGE

  After all our discussion, after browsing through it all, I have to ad
mit, I haven’t bought anything in terms of Skills. Most of what I want, I’ve replaced with equipment, giving me access to the Skills without the concurrent disadvantages. There’s some concern about over-emphasis on enchanted items and their Mana clash, but we were careful to ensure that they won’t cause too much trouble. And, of course, equipment isn’t as fast to trigger or use, or as powerful as an innate Skill. But I’m also about ten Levels away from reaching my next Tier. When that happens, I’ll gain access to Master Class Skills.

  Till then, I can hold tight on the major non-Class Skill purchases. Instead, I’ve purchased a couple of new Spells and upgraded a couple of my most lacking Skills. They should, theoretically, not cause issues with the System. At least, as far as I know.

  For now, until I gain a few more Levels, maybe even get close to reaching my Heroic Class, I intend to keep the Ring running and hiding my true Level. Changing only that single line is easy—for variations of easy—though recharging the ring in the Shop was expensive. Still, I like the idea of having a little surprise in store, if things go bad.

  Drawing a deep breath, I pull up my real Status Screen, reviewing the changes.

  Status Screen

  Name

  John Lee

  Class

  Erethran Paladin

  Race

  Human (Male)

  Level

  40

  Titles

  Monster’s Bane, Redeemer of the Dead, Duelist, Explorer, Apprentice Questor, Galactic Silver Bounty Hunter,

  Corrupt Questor

  Health

  4620

  Stamina

  4620

  Mana

  4240

  Mana Regeneration

  364 (+5) / minute

  Attributes