Cole went deep; he had jumped in straight forward to go as deep as possibly. The first thing he noticed was that it was really dark, but his eyes adjusted (thanks to his high PER) and he could see a bit clearer, he passed lots of small schools of fish, but that wasn’t what he was looking for. He was looking for another Reef striker.
And he had found one, well it had found him.
Reef Striker (level 5).
It was speeding towards him; it was going so fast that without his high perception he would be dead already. Mustering all the courage inside him he prepared himself, his knife already in is hand, he didn’t know how, but he felt extremely comfortable holding it and he readjusted his position to put the knife in front of him.
He calculated its position and how far it was.
Thirty yards.
Twenty.
Five.
He sidestepped and stabbed downwards, with all his strength. The knife contacted its skin and he felt resistance, but not for long. The fish died almost instantly.
Notifications started popping up, but he dismissed them. The pressure in his lungs stacked, and blood everywhere, he climbed upwards quickly not wanting to attract any larger predators.
He lifted himself onto the raft taking deep breaths, he was pretty sure that the whole interaction lasted only ten seconds. But either way he had notifications.
You have slain a Reef Striker (level 5)
You have gained 2 levels
You are now level 2
You are now level 3
Identify is now level 2
Dagger proficiency is now level 2
Congratulations your species awards you with,
+5 Free Stat Points x2.
That was a lot to consider where it would be best to allocate them. If there was one thing he had learned about attribute allocation, it was that you should always spread them out throughout all your attributes.
But considering his above average attributes due to his species, which he still didn’t understand, he would put 2 points in DEX (as his knife work and speed underwater could always improve). The rest would spread out between PER, due to his lack of vision underwater, and the other would go to VIT. The change was almost instant, he felt strong and confident, more aware, so he prepared himself for another underwater run.
But first he needed to go over status.
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Cole Quinn
Race: High Human
Level: 3
Class: N/A
ATTRIBUTES
- Strength: 13
- Dexterity: 12
- Vitality: 11
- Endurance: 11
- Intelligence: 10
- Perception: 12
Free Attribute Points:0
HEALTH & RESOURCES
- HP: 110 / 110
- Stamina: 105 / 105
- Mana: 50 / 50
SKILLS
Dagger Proficiency (lvl 2)
Identify (lvl 2)
RACIAL TRAITS – HIGH HUMAN
- Enhanced Adaptability: Faster understanding of systems, skills, and combat mechanics
- Improved Baseline: Higher starting attributes than standard humans
ACHIEVEMENTS
- First Kill
* +2 Strength
* +1 Agility
Titles:
N / A
EQUIPMENT
- Jagged Hunting Dagger
* Type: Light Blade
* Condition: Worn
Chapter: 5
Cole pulled himself up, his arms and legs felt weak, that had been his 7th underwater run. He was completely drenched and wasted, his breath coming in ruggedly. He had a massive pressure in his head, he had killed many creatures each dive, creatures that looked like Stingrays and Jellyfish, he had also killed quite a few more Reef Strikers.
But he had delayed it long enough, the pain was serious now, he let the notifications flow through.
You have slain a Reed striker x7.
You have slain a Barbed Glider x4.
You have slain a Driftlight Jelly x3.
Identify is now level 3
……
Identify is now level 10
Dagger proficiency is now level 3
…….
Dagger proficiency is now level 7
Congratulations you have gained +2 levels.
Congratulations to your species awards you with
+5 Free Stat Points x2.
Congratulations, your experience with underwater fighting has gained you the skill Water Stride.
Water Stride (lvl 1):
Allows the user to glide effortlessly underwater, improving travel and evasive movement. Speed determined by DEX
Congratulations, you have reached the max level before choosing your class.
The rest of your EXP will be given after chosen class.
Begin class selection.
Yes/No
Cole was overwhelmed; there was a lot to take into consideration. Like what class he would choose and what he would do after that. But he focused on what he wanted to, he would choose his class first and figure the rest out later. Forcefully he would the system and a bunch of blue screens appeared in front of him.
Rogue (Common)
Class description:
The Rogue is a versatile beginner class focused on movement, awareness, and quick attacks. It rewards careful positioning and adaptability rather than direct combat.
Attributes per level:
- Dexterity: +2
- Perception: +1
Free Attribute Points: 5
Starting skills:
Stealth – move unseen and unheard
Backstab (Passive) – deal extra damage when attacking from behind or unnoticed.
Warrior (Common)
Class Description:
The Warrior is a straightforward beginner class focused on strength, durability, and direct combat. It excels in sustained fights and frontline engagements, relying on toughness rather than speed or finesse.
Attributes per level:
- Strength: +2
- Vitality: +1
Free Attribute Points: 5
Starting skills:
Power Strike – a strong, direct attack
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Shield Block – reduce or block incoming damage
Mage (Common)
Class Description:
The Mage is a beginner spell-focused class that emphasizes intelligence and control over the battlefield. While physically fragile, Mages compensate with versatility and powerful abilities at range.
Attributes per level:
- Intelligence: +2
- Endurance: +1
Free Attribute Points: 5
Firebolt – cast a basic ranged spell
Mana Shield – absorb damage using magic
Cole was amazed this was so game like, it was exactly like his RPG games but in real life. He kept analyzing, he felt that the Rogue class would be best for him, this was for a few reasons, most importantly he already had a weapon suited for the Rogue class and it was at Advanced mastery, he also preferred fighting up close but being able to slip away. He pondered over it for a bit more but anonymously decided that Rogue would be best.
He willed the system to his choice and received a handful of notifications.
You have chosen the Rogue class.
Beginning class assimilation.
Error…Error…
Interference detected.
Interference what did that mean? Was something wrong?
His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a disturbing notification
Godly presence detected, teleporting to new location,
3…2…1…
Cole felt a blinding flash, and then he was gone.
Chapter: 6
Cole jerked awake, he didn’t know how long he had been unconscious, because he sure knew he wasn’t asleep. He had a massive thumping in his forehead. Where was he? He scanned behind him and found that it was just a white room with two chairs, but there was someone sitting on one of them.
It was (well, she was) a beautiful woman. She had flowing blue hair that reached her chest, and vibrant turquoise eyes that seemed alive. She was wearing a silky dress that slivered all the way to her shins, and pale white skin that had never seen the sun.
“Are you done staring?” A beautiful soft voice interrupted his thoughts.
“Oh, Uh I didn’t mean to.” He responded nervously.
“Don’t bother, just come take a seat.” She calmly implied.
“Who are you?” He questioned, walking over and sitting down on the seat, which was quite comfortable.
He didn’t know who this woman was, but she didn’t seem like an enemy, neither did she seem like she wanted to do him harm.
“All will come in good time Cole.” She said almost smugly. Like if knowing his name would surprise him, which it did. But considering how the system said a godly interference he guesses this was the ‘God’.
“Now why don’t we get started, the system won’t allow me to keep you here for much longer.” She pointedly said.” Firstly, I am Zhaemora God of water and the overworld. Ruler of the Sirenthea’n Empire”. She answered with a dramatic pause. “And you are Cole, High Human of Planet F-417 and currently residing in the pacific plate of Earth.” She finished of.
Cole frowned, his fingers gripping the edge of the seat.
“How do you know all this? And what is this empire crap?” he snapped, irritation slipping through his confusion.
Zhaemora laughed softly, the sound like waves brushing against crystal shores.
“Because, Cole,” she said calmly, “you are standing at the intersection of systems, gods, and worlds. Your Earth calls it fiction. We call it infrastructure.”
She lifted a single finger, and the space around them shimmered.
A translucent blue screen materialized before Cole’s eyes.
[SYSTEM INTERFACE – INITIALIZATION]
“Every sentient world,” Zhaemora explained, “runs on a Universal Progression System. Levels, stats, skills—tools to allow mortals to survive divine-scale environments.”
Cole squinted. “So… like a game?”
She smirked. “A game implies rules without consequences. This has death.”
The screen shifted.
World Classification: Tier-3 DevelopingPlanet: Earth (F-417)Status: Early Integration PhaseUser: ColeRace: High Human
“Your planet is late,” Zhaemora continued. “But you are not. Each plate has a god assigned to it by the System itself, and the pacific pate was assigned to me. Since you were the first to achieve your class, I interfered with your class selection and brought you here”
She leaned forward slightly.
“That makes you are useful to me.” She spoke.
“But how could I be useful to a god?” He asked.
“Well, if you win the war then I will get enough merit with the system to grant me a realm advancement, but you don’t have to worry about that.” She spoke.
“The Sirenthea’n Empire,” she said, her voice gaining weight, continuing. “Is an inter-realm dominion spanning ocean worlds, abyssal planes, and water-aligned dimensions.”
Images flashed:
Endless underwater cities
Leviathans coiled around glowing towers
Armies moving through liquid voids
“I rule it,” she finished simply. “As its god.”
Cole swallowed. “And me?”
“You are my anchor to Earth.”
Zhaemora raised her hand. The air grew heavy.
“Survival requires incentive,” she said. “So, I will grant you a blessing, as you will become very important for my advancement, I need you to win this war.
The system chimed sharply.
[DIVINE GRANT DETECTED]Source: Zhaemora, God of Water & the OverworldSkill Granted!
SKILL: BLOODLUST
Skill Name: BloodlustRarity: EPICType: Passive / ScalingAlignment: Combat / Growth
Description:Each time the user kills an enemy, Bloodlust records the act as a Mark of Conflict.
For every 50 confirmed kills, the user gains a ×0.5 multiplier to ALL base stats
Multipliers are permanent for one hour after cease of kills.
Effects stack infinitely
Applies to:
Strength
Agility
Endurance
Intelligence
Perception
Vitality
Warning:Bloodlust subtly increases aggression, emotional detachment, and combat focus as stacks grow.
Cole stared at the screen, heart pounding.
“Half a multiplier… to everything?” he whispered. “That’s insane.”
Zhaemora smiled, sharp and knowing.
“It rewards survival,” she said. “And ambition.”
“What’s the catch?” Cole asked.
“There is none, just that this skill will grant you the ability to win this war, but only if you play your cards right.” She replied. “But if you lose the war, that means you are dead or somehow managed to leave the planet.” She answered backtracking.
The screen faded.
Zhaemora stood, her form rippling like water under moonlight.
“Upon that I will give you the coordinates for a dungeon near you, how you get there is for you to figure out.”
He suddenly felt the knowledge of the dungeons coordinates, it was to the south of his raft and hopefully also towards land.
“Your world is changing quickly, Cole. Monsters. Dungeons. Gods who are far less kind than I.”
She turned away.
“Kill enough… and you may even stand beside me one day, as my apprentice.” She answered with a grin.
And then he was gone.
Chapter: 7
Zhaemora’s perspective.
Zhaemora liked the boy, he was too curious for his own good, but he was also quite intellectual.
She really hoped that with the gifts she had given him he would win.
And when he won, when she ascended, she would make him the apprentice of the 15th primordial being in the universe.
.
Cole’s perspective.
Cole found himself lying on the raft, his brain overflowing with information but also with pain. He suddenly remembered about the class evolution and allowed the notifications to flow
Congratulations, you have chosen the Rogue class
You are now a Rogue
System analyzing left over EXP
….
You are now level 4, your class gives you DEX: +2, PER: +1, FP +5
…..
You are now level 9
Your class gives you DEX: + 10, PER: +5, FP +25
You have gained the skill Bloodlust lvl 1
Cole was not surprised at his gains he had spent a quarter of the day killing those monsters, and he was proud of his hard work. Now he wanted to check his status, he willed the system.
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Cole Quinn
Race: High Human
Level: 9
Class: Rogue
ATTRIBUTES
- Strength: 13
- Dexterity: 24
- Vitality: 11
- Endurance: 11
- Intelligence: 10
- Perception: 18
Free attribute points: 30
HEALTH & RESOURCES
- HP: 110 / 110
- Stamina: 105 / 105
- Mana: 50 / 50
SKILLS
Dagger Proficiency (lvl 7)
Identify (lvl 10)
Water Stride (lvl 1)
Bloodlust (Passive) (lvl 1)
Stealth (lvl 1)
Backstab (Passive) (lvl 1)
RACIAL TRAITS – HIGH HUMAN
- Enhanced Adaptability: Faster understanding of systems, skills, and combat mechanics
- Improved Baseline: Higher starting attributes than standard humans
ACHIEVEMENTS
- First Kill
* +2 Strength
* +1 Agility
Titles:
N / A
EQUIPMENT
- Jagged Hunting Dagger
* Type: Light Blade
* Condition: Worn
Cole was happy with what he saw. It hadn’t been more than two days, but he had progressed quite a lot, he couldn’t wait to see what the future brought for him. But firstly he had to allocate his 30 free points. Considering his class he had decided his main 3 attributes would be DEX,PER and END, he ended with this conclusion because he thought that they were best suited for his Rogue type of class, DEX for speed he would allocate the most there because he needed to come in quickly for the kill and then be able to slip away undetected. The purpose for his choice of PER was that he needed to be able to detect small things, like gaps in armor, and be aware of his surroundings. His third primary stat END would serve him in many ways, ranging from higher stamina to being able to slip away and back endlessly. With all of that decided Cole decided that he would keep that logic but would keep spreading out his points throughout all his stats.
Cole would first add +5 points into Strength
He would add +1 to DEX to make it a round number, +4 to VIT and +9 to END to bring it up to an even 20. His INT was his lowest stat which was a major blow to his ego, so he brought it up to 15, leaving him with 6 points going into PER.
With that settled Cole opened his status to admire the change before heading out.
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Cole Quinn
Race: High Human
Level: 9
Class: Rogue
ATTRIBUTES
- Strength: 18
- Dexterity: 25
- Vitality: 15
- Endurance: 20
- Intelligence: 15
- Perception: 24
Free Attribute Points: 0
HEALTH & RESOURCES
- HP: 115 / 115
- Stamina: 105 / 105
- Mana: 69 / 69
SKILLS
Dagger Proficiency (lvl 7)
Identify (lvl 10)
Water Stride (lvl 1)
Bloodlust (lvl 1) (Passive)
Stealth (lvl 1)
Backstab (Passive) (lvl 1)
RACIAL TRAITS – HIGH HUMAN
- Enhanced Adaptability: Faster understanding of systems, skills, and combat mechanics
- Improved Baseline: Higher starting attributes than standard humans
ACHIEVEMENTS
- First Kill
* +2 Strength
* +1 Agility
Titles:
N / A
EQUIPMENT
- Jagged Hunting Dagger
* Type: Light Blade
* Condition: Worn