Regardless those were worries for tomorrow. When he had gotten through the trials in front of him. He emptied the box into his bag and then tossed it. A moment later the box disappeared. He wasn't sure if the Network took the boxes back as a form of recycling or if they were special, but he didn't detect anything. Now that, that chapter was concluded he turned his attention to what he came here for. He tried to mentally call for his Network station like he would his status screen. When nothing happened he tried several more commands before something replied.
Would you like to establish a settlement? Yes/No
He selected "Yes" and a invisible pulse of energy washed over him and the clearing. In the next moment there was a blinding flash of white light. When he regained the ability to see again there was a black octagonal device on the ground. The device had a concave shape with a deep azure light in the middle. From what he could tell the light wasn't spiritual energy or any other kind of energy he had seen before. If anything it felt a bit like the Dao of Static only more complicated. He stared into the light for a moment when something changed. He spun around and froze as another person appeared. They weren't human. They looked like a mannequin from a department store only they were as black as midnight. Their skin or whatever it was looked like polished obsidian. While their eyes were a deep beautiful purple. They were androgynous like a doll.
"I take it your planet did not have construct life before the protocols began." The mysterious figure's voice was monotonous like an artificial intelligence. For some reason that was what woke Maximilian from his stupor. He considered attacking the person but that idea was discarded almost as fast as he got it. If they had wanted to kill him than they would've when it appeared. On top of that the Network had to have sent them. If they were strong enough to just appear here than there was nothing, he could do about it. Lastly, there was the lack of reaction from his instincts. He doubted they were perfect, but they were enough to make him trust the person.
"You are here to help me build a settlement?" He asked though it wasn't a question. He had the hunch after the dwarves explanation. There was a chance no matter how minute that the Network would destroy all infrastructure on Earth. If it did that and also killed everyone who made those things how would humanity survive? We would just be idiots that could fight until someone learned. Further anyone who wasted their time to learn would grow weaker and thus be killed. "You are the assistant."
"Indeed." The assistant turned and glanced at the forest. The lack of facial muscles made it almost impossible to tell if the being disapproved or not. "My information indicates you are not one of the ancestries that can live off of unprocessed trees. Yet you have chosen such an environment. Your cultivation should've made it possible for you to find a better place than this."
Maximilian cocked his head at that unsure how he should respond. At first, he thought it was meant to be an insult, but it lacked the sting. "I could've though I don't know where any cities are ruins or otherwise. It would be wise to run around hoping that I found something. Further the Network rewards the trailblazers. How long could I afford to wait?"
"Although it is true that being the first is good it does no one any benefits to be first with horrid foundations. Despite that I must say your actions are acceptable. The Network indicates you have accomplished a lot."
Maximilian raised an eyebrow in silent question. When his assistant failed or refused to add more information. He tried to piece it together for himself. "You are able to talk with the Network? I suppose you must work for it in the same way the Dwarves had. I am glad I hadn't overreacted and attacked you." There was a shift in the construct's eyes. For a moment it seemed like the assistant was amused but then it was gone.
"Very astute. I have finished receiving the various notifications. You are second in the world to found a settlement. Due to your actions during the tutorial your status has been automatically upgraded." As if the assistant's words were the igniter, he received several new notifications the first of made his decision worth it.
Cardinal Aristocrat: Become the First Recognized Ruler on a new World. Reward: All Attributes +10.
He wasn't sure how he felt about being a ruler, but it was what it was. He was now a king. He would need to make sure that no one had any reason to get out the guillotines. Next his quest tab opened on its own and revealed that he had gained something new. Something interesting.
Active Quests:
- True Potential: Reach level 27: Reward: Access to the Class System
- Apex Predator (Personal): Conquer the Four Beast Territories within the mountain. Note: Leaving the mountain before completing the quest will result in forfeiture of Quest and all rewards. (0/4) Reward: 10 2nd-Realm Spirit Stones, Unique Building based on Performance, Access to the Via Regalis
He wasn't even halfway to completing the first one which irritated him. The second was fascinating. Once again it was like the Network knew what he wanted and then decided to get in the way. He wasn't sure what the "Via Regalis" was, but he assumed he wanted it. Which meant he had to play by its rules. He blinked away the quest tab and turned his attention to his assistant. "Would you mind telling me your name?" He asked the construct who had neither moved nor spoke while he reviewed his new quests.
"My name is more a designation. You may call me Nezar."
Maximilian decided not to pry into Nezar's backstory. At least not right now. "What can you tell me about the 'Via Regalis'?"
"That is a complicated question. I do not know what the terms mean in your language, but it should refer to the same thing. You have become a leader for the people of this planet, but it is not enough. You need to gain the qualifications to claim this planet as your own. My records indicate that something called democracy was rather popular on your planet. That concept is foreign in the multiverse. I cannot say for certain it exists nowhere though. The most common world trial is a slaughter trial. One where you all fight until one ruler remains."
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Maximilian's eyes widened at the term "Slaughter Trial". He had known they would need to compete but surely the Network didn't expect him to just kill. There had to be something more. Nezar continued before he had the chance to ask the unspoken question. "The typical process takes two to three years. During one King Candidates like yourself war with each other. There is but one central rule enforced by the Network. Outsiders are not allowed to interfere. Of course, the exact definition of interference is loose. After all, gaining the ability to leave the planet is proof of one's strength. You are unable to bring someone else back here of course."
Just like that Maximilian deflated. He had assumed the contest would be related to his level or money or something. He knew that he wouldn't get through this without killing real people but this was insane. No. He stopped for a moment and reviewed what Nezar had said. The only rule was against outside help but wouldn't that mean he didn't have to kill? He grasped for that thin thread of hope. As he looked up at his Assistant.
"That kindness is a weakness in a King Candidate. I have a skill that helps me better understand your emotions." He offered when he saw Maximilian's confusion. "It is designed to make it easier for me to anticipate what you may need. That being said your thought process is correct. The Network does not need you kill each other. If you can convince everyone on your planet to stand down than you would win. Before you hang your hopes on that though you need to think. The people who can qualify as candidates would be strong willed. They would have their challenges same as you. Why would they willing abandon that chance?"
Maximilian nodded. His assistant's words had a lot of truth but he wouldn't let that discourage him. If he didn't do it than the world would break out into a world war. Only this time it would be fought by men and women with the powers of a god. "Are you able to tell how strong the others are? Is there some sort of leader board or do we have to discover it by experimentation?"
"I do not have access to such a thing." Nezar replied.
Maximilian stared at the construct for several moments, but they didn't offer any more information. He filed that away for later. Although he doubted it would make much of a difference. If they were all in a mad scramble for opportunities than how useful would it be? They might all be dead tomorrow. Further he couldn't leave the mountain for the foreseeable future so there was nothing to be done. His irritation and frustration flared before he could stop it. He wouldn't be able to find his parents. He doubted the Network cared about them so it shouldn't be personal but that didn't change much. "Alright, what can you tell me about the process? Do I have access to a shop?"
"Yes, ordinarily I would have to leave you now but as your status has already been upgraded. I am here to assist you permanently. You have access to the Network's shop though I have taken the liberty to alter the information. It will make it easier for your mind to process." When they finished a new menu appeared. This one was more like the one where he picked his first skill only much more detailed. There were categories for everything from shops to arrays and even skills. He focused on the skills first and had to admit there were some interesting ones. Utility, movement, offense, defense and scouting. He considered filling up his slots with them but held off. He was solid in terms of power right now he needed sanctuary. He needed a house. Fortunately the shop provided. The shop had a basic house for sale. Which was a single-story dwelling that reminded him of his days in college. The most interesting part about it was that the house would match whatever area he built it in.
The price also revealed a few interesting details. The base version was 500,000 credits which sent him on a mini roller coaster. At first, he thought he was able to buy a whole city of them. It was as he was high on that miracle Nezar explained that he was being cheated. Or rather that the Network practiced an odd form of capitalism. The Network would provide almost any basic thing for sale. Skills, weapons, houses, arrays, even agricultural products. Which would destroy the economy. Why would anyone start a business if a literal divine like being just sold everything you needed? The answer was because the Network only offered basic versions. You wanted a skill the ones you could buy weren't worth it. Not unless you were borderline homeless to begin with. The Second reason was the price. According to Nezar the basic house could be constructed by anyone with an appropriate Dao. They needed to practice.
Maximilian had already learned that the money he got during the tutorial was unusual. He would need to hunt day and night to get the same amount of credits as what he got during the later quests. The Network had supercharged the tutorial and now they were on their own. He couldn't afford to burn through too much. Further the revelation about the Dao didn't help Maximilian. Neither Rain nor Static could build things. He wasn't sure if that was due to the nature of water and electricity or if it was his limited understanding. Either way it left him in a pickle. He could choose to try and get a new one. Maybe something related to Earth, Ice or metal but who knew how long that would take. He couldn't leave the mountain so he was stuck in the wilderness. He also didn't need to sleep more than a couple hours every few days. He debated it for a few more moments before he made the purchase.
As much as he wanted to plan for tomorrow, he couldn't ignore today. The house could protect him from the elements, insects and who knew how many other strange things. It wouldn't do him any good to die because of a cold just as he was rising to the stars. The irony of it would be humiliating. Upon making the purchase he leaped back almost ten feet. Not because of a threat but because the ground bulged. Like something out of a sci-fi move the earth ten feet in front of where he had stood bulged up like an air bubble in a tire. He glanced at Nezar who was uninterested in the display. Maximilian's shock only rose from there as a house morphed into existence. The process was almost instant which was mind boggling. Once it formed it was oddly quaint. It looked like the kind of house someone would live in during the 1700s. When you just wanted a small life in the woods. Only he could tell there was spiritual energy into the Earthen walls. He was confident he could break it with one Severing Disc or with a few well aimed punches.
He was about to complain about the lack of door when he saw the array in the doorway. He squatted down next to it and could pick out a few symbols. They weren't the same but they were like the ones in his skills. "Defensive?"
"Not quite. They are preventative. They won't defend you against a monster or any kind of enemy but they will protect you from the elements. Assuming no major storms arrive. They will also keep minor pests away. Nothing that would threaten your life. If you wanted safety, you would need to buy or create it yourself."
Maximilian nodded and entered the small house. He couldn't help his disappointment. The house was everything he had expected. Yet after working his ass off in school and winning his election. He had wanted to live in the governor's mansion. Now it felt like he had gone backwards. Of course, he knew that wasn't the case. That he was more than he had ever been before. It didn't help much. The house had two and half rooms. With the half room having a suspicious hole in the ground. One that made him groan. He wasn't sure if that need would disappear at some point. He would definitely rebuild the sewer system. Even if he had to do it himself. There had to be some libraries around. "Do you have any more information on the quest? Would I get a better reward if I completed it faster?"
Nezar stood in the doorway and stared at him for several seconds before replying. "I am unable to say what would or wouldn't improve your performance, but you've already observed the way the Network works. The Network rewards the proactive.
Maximilian sighed and abandoned the idea of staying here. He hadn't gotten a map which meant he had to do the leg work on his own. "Am I able to leave the town creation to you? If I give you permission to build things or rather buy them could you?"
"My role is to assist you in the maintenance of your territories. I am able to do small things like that but nothing major. Nor am I able to protect your station." The assistant gestured to the black device that hadn't moved from where Maximilian left it. They discussed his options for several more minutes before he made his decision. He divided into fortune into two pieces. Almost seventy percent of it was given to Nezar to build the town while he kept the rest. He doubted he would have anything to buy but having zero credits hurt something inside him. Or rather he hated the idea of being broke. With that decided he took one last look at the forest and then set out. It was time to get back to fighting.