I woke up with a terrible stomachache and blindly stumbled my way to the bathroom. Finally opening my eyes, I looked at the time. 6:55 AM A deep sigh escaped my lips. On the bright side, I only had homework to do today since my classes were all on Wednesday and Thursday, however, today was basically going to be focused on recovery. Having shaken my morning grog, I noticed something blinking at the bottom of my vision. I had thought it was an eye floater since there is a number of those but then I focused on it a message seemed to appear in front of me in a blue box. It said something about Cosmos beginning in a few mins and had a count-down timer that now read 4:20 sec left.
Initially, I was not very phased by this happening. Having played my fair share of VR games I swiped the message away. The technology had progressed a lot in the past few years since everyone was stuck inside but this was a bit much. There was no notable difference between reality and this current simulation. Wait... I don't remember entering a simulation. Having finished my business I walked over to the TV and turned on the news and sure enough, they were talking about the strange message that appeared to everyone around the world last night.
I refocused on the blinking grey dot in the bottom corner of my vision and once again the message popped up reading just 30 seconds. To say my jaw was on the floor would be an understatement. Eagerly awaiting the countdown my emotions were running rampant. Confusion, fear, curiosity, excitement, and anger were just the surface of emotions I felt at this moment. Having read my fair share of books about being stuck in a video game or even the shows about things like this I never thought it could happen IRL.
Would this mean the destruction of my planet though and who had made this system? What was phase 1 if this was the official launch of phase 2? There were so many questions I wanted to ask but, who knew if there would ever be answers. If this was like any of the other stories, I had heard of death could be at my door in just seconds.
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2
1
I drew in a long breath and slapped both sides of my face. To be honest there is not much more to lose other than my life. For many that was enough reason to be scared but, I felt strangely calm. Even from the grave, I could almost hear my dad say," if you can't change it, work around it."
Welcome to the launch of Cosmos
The Human and other races of Terra Nova (Earth) have again been assimilated to the GIS or Galactic Interface System. For more information please consult tutorials or ask around for more information on the history of Terra Nova. Important timelines for planet progression can be found under basic information. The first milestone set as tracked mission say 'view missions' to open mission interface.
"View Mission," I said without hesitation.
Current missions:
1: Get ready for Terraforming process. Process begins in 167 H, 58 M, 15 S remaining. ('Basic information' to learn more about terraformation or swipe away to begin preparations.)
"Basic Information!" I exclaimed. My heart was beating out of my chest. Knowing that I would not be in any immediate danger eased my fears just enough to feel excited. If this system was powerful enough to change the world could it bring back the dead?
Welcome to the first tutorial book! After you read everything in this book an 'Initiate' level AI will be unlocked which will be able to read other tutorial books to you. More customization options are offered, and an AI can answer more advanced questions users might have after tutorials are completed.
Terraformation process: This process will transform earth back into a more stable environment. Large cities will remain mostly unaffected by this change. Since this is a forceful relocation small compensation will be rewarded to users once they have arrived at a new location. Resources and energy acquired from transformation will be used to repair the Magisphere and will reward Planets inhabitants based on acquired items. (Expected average reward level E)
Inhabitants' net savings have been banked. Planetary Currency will be converted to the galactic standard based on current market rates. (Local dollar will trade at 1 to 1 ratio to lower mortality rate) To view, your Bank account say, 'bank account'. Assets inside 'Safe Cities' will remain under current owners and can only be traded not stolen or taken by force. Tutorial 1 will end after bank account is opened.
If this weren't my life, I probably would have skipped this information and just looked for where the mobs are. Real-life is significantly more enthralling though and skipping important basic information would make me look like an idiot later on. College kids are here to learn after all. "Bank Account," I said aloud.
Calculating assets Please wait...
Calculating probable market losses due to removal of the stock market. Bank Account information: Current Global net assets total 2.1 Billion dollars. Aren't you a lucky guy? 1.9 Billion GS has been added to wallet 200 Million has is currently tied up in Safe City assets. Chooseable B ranked skill (system-imposed limit) available after Terraforming. Initiate AI now available.
As someone who grew up in a two-bedroom house eating cheese sandwiches and a PB&J if my parents got a bonus this was new to me. Not the being rich part, but the literal head start on living part. A year of rampant spending following the death of my family helped me adjust to my new wealth however, this was starting to feel ridiculous. I had only managed to gain money because of investments my uncle had made. Gaining advantages over everyone around me for things that could directly affect my future survival... that was a new feeling. It felt a little bit slimy but, in the words of my generation "it iss what it iss."
I began setting up the AI and found it to be surprisingly straightforward. The AI would speak directly into my head which also clued me into being able to think commands for this new system rather than yell aloud like an idiot. After scaring myself by making a virtual holographic of 4-Tana appear and playing with the options I hopped into a hot shower while a voice resembling various actresses started explaining the other two available tutorial books.
Book two was all related to basic information about monsters, items, and skills. It gave a few examples like goblins, trolls, staffs, swords, fireball, and quickstep. It kept all descriptions vague though apparently to encourage inhabitants to seek out knowledge for themselves. What it did say though is that the grades of these things follow a typical system. Rarity went E-A followed by S but for information regarding rarity above S, you would have to first see something of S grade or surpassing it.
Reflecting on the information in the second book allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the system. While the information present in the book was helpful, it was almost a tease to those whose lives would be affected. It was highly probable that 2.5 billion people would be reading these tutorial books right now and this book was telling them to seek out knowledge for themselves. The most revealing part of the second book was what was not said. If the system of whoever was in charge of it gave out simple information or what it considered super common knowledge, then level S might just be infantile to those in charge.
After reading the second book Ana received an upgrade to basic level AI before she began reading off the last book. Book three had the most interesting information. Like the last tutorial book, it seemed to have all the leftover information in it but a lot of it was about the direct future. After this weeklong time, the terraforming process would be completed in just 3 short hours. Nobody should be injured in this process however; discomfort would probably be experienced.
When the transformation was complete the world and even the people around us might look much different. Over the next year further integration processes would take place, but we would not receive a detailed breakdown till after phase 2 was complete. At that time, the combat system would finally be unlocked once people left safe cities for missions, exploration, or other reasons. A final note was included to ask any questions an inhabitant might have towards your personal AI as they would be able to answer questions.
Stepping out of the shower I could already feel a long day ahead of me. I grabbed a fluffy towel with my family insignia on it and began to collect my thoughts. If I assumed everyone else in the world had read these books there was likely mass hysteria around the world at this point. To be completely honest if this had happened to me before the virus, I might just be another member of the masses. Loss and enough money to buy a city taught me to handle situations calmly. While others are screaming at the injustice around them a few would actually be looking for solutions to capitalize on.
I had finished drying myself and walked to the closet. I picked out a pair of black jeans, a white T-shirt and a black leather jacket to wear with my designer shoes. It might seem vain but, just because the world was ending for a second time that did not mean my style had to suffer. Happy with my choices I made my way to the living room and sank into the comfortable sofa ready for a lengthy conversation with 4-Tana. Glancing at the Tele confirmed my suspicion that everyone was in full-on panic mode. My phone would no doubt start ringing within the hour from friends or businessmen looking for help.
"Tana. I want to ask you some questions. Please answer the question directly if possible then give as much additional detail as you can. I will cut you off when the extra information becomes too complicated or seems unnecessary" I said aloud.
Affirmative.
"Why is all of this happening and what are the intentions of those running the system?" I asked bluntly. This system must have a purpose and based on how radically it was going to change our world this could very easily be the end of the human race. The idea of this being a simple conquest didn't seem to fit. If this system was designed to conquer earth there were much easier ways to do it.
Please wait...
Inhabitant does not meet the required security level to access all information. Referencing past instances of this question. Response found. One of the primary directives of this system is to make inhabitants stronger. Many dangers lurk in the void of space and the introduction of mana to your supercluster was deemed necessary. There is no cause for immediate concern. The best course of action is to level up and develop your abilities after the terraformation process is complete.
If the system claimed to be built to protect inhabitants, I would have to take that at face value for the time being. Since it avoided the question of who might be behind this system, they are clearly choosing to remain hidden at this time. The best thing to do is probably as the system suggested and prepare the human race as best as possible for whatever these dangers might be. While I have not been rich for long, the old movies about nobles oblige seem to be rooted in my brain form when I was a kid. From this point forward making the human race as strong as possible will be my goal and nothing will stop me.
"This Condo is considered mine by the system. How is government property treated as far as ownership goes?" I asked as my phone vibrated. A new message appeared from my roommates. Kellan sent a message titled get ready gamers with a picture of a purple alien snapping his fingers. I chuckled slightly and flipped my phone over noting that the time read 8:30 AM.
The system will treat inhabitant government property as unowned land. As these properties have many facilities those left unclaimed will be governed by the system and provide services to inhabitants until they are purchased at a later date. Facilities that are deemed unnecessary will be absorbed by the system in the terraformation process and added to global rewards. Unnecessary facilities include electric, water, and waste disposal to list a few. Some facilities will be adapted to better suit future needs such as learning facilities to help with combat, not just knowledge-based learning. These upgrades will depend on locally available resources. Learning facilities can be upgraded at a lat
"Stop" I firmly stated. Never in my life did I think an AI would talk my ear off but, sure enough, it had happened. The information was much needed though. If amenity facilities were not going to be needed, I assume magic would somehow take their place. The effect on transportation was unclear at this moment however, there were greater things to capitalize on at the moment. If some of these facilities were able to be bought and upgraded with money, then Dallas could become a beacon of hope for humanity.
A mischievous grin crossed my face as a plan started to take shape in my mind. Thankfully not everyone is rich, or the world might turn into the wild west. Without any further delay, I think it's time to go window shopping for some very expensive things. "Tana, how much would it cost to purchase the university?"