Space suddenly shifts Njuko who has finished creating his character, appears through a portal. He is standing on short green grass. A brown fences surrounding a small wooden cottage. The road in front of him is a lumpy muddy puddle of feet and wheel marks. Fresh dung on the ground. Behind him is a wooden cottage with two windows, a small front stoep. Next door is an almost identical cottage and someone standing there. The person is wearing almost the same white shirt and plain brown pants and a pair of brown boots. The difference while subtle Njuko has no backpack only a simple folded sack filled with tools attached to his belt.
[In his H.U.D. a final sequence carries on…]
Companion Device detected. {A small banner appears with a message: Thank you for purchasing our Afin companion device, as a reward you have received an upgraded journal and basic apprentice kit.}
Primal Element detected. {A symbol of Lightning of appears on his hand, it looks like the symbol on Ọya's head in the Pillar space.}
Protocol 2 activated! System conversion accepted, pushing to all entities, development set to Roknor…
[End of sequence]
The sun rises over a mountain that vanishes as soon as the light touches its peak. A large stone city, with a tomb of stone buildings, comes alive.
The people inside come alive, and with the morning start going about their day. Between the west gate and a large river sits a collection of wooden houses.
Njuko's house is amongst those. In his hand is his journal. He opens it's the first tab is a map. There is a large continent drawn on it.
The details of any significant landmark can be made Like the Tower of Iram, The Genki barrier, Obreth's Sea.
The tower is only an outline of its design on the map. There are also natural features like rivers, mountains, lakes and forests. The only part of the map that Njuko can make out with more detail as it is filled with colour is a city called Dube.
Dube is a coastal town about 200 kilometres big. The fifty-foot high defensive wall securing the city is a semi-circle of industry and commerce stretching out from the wall into the city.
Outside the main gate is a vast flat road that is also a bridge. Called Hunters gate since it leads to the vast uncontrollable forests, deserts and lakes that are inhabited by monsters.
The west coast of the city is protected by a natural barrier city by the sunken city underneath where most of the Aidoian live.
Up north is the mountain from which the wall is built which is now a district with floating platforms and the Royal Palace.
The city was built on a piece of land that is separate from the rest of the continent of Lushneria.
The next tab is separated into three, Main Mission, Side Mission and Quests. The main mission page is glowing slightly. When he open to it.
There is a yellow rectangular block, with a mission inside reading. Njuko who has been in other seed world sees the similarities he expected. Each Seed world gives missions like these to introduce key rules, and mechanics need to survive in the Seed World.
[Becoming a Hunter 0/5]
[Visits the Hunters guild]
[Visit the Armory]
[Visit the Blacksmith]
[Visit the Alchemist]
[Find a job]
Njuko continues to check the next tab has his character profile.
=INFO=
Name: Njuko
Rank: 1
Race: Aarde {hidden}
Element: Lightning {Hidden}
Job: None
=STATS=
Match real-world abilities
=SKILLS=
Lightning Shot – Rank 1
Description: Basic attack skill
Properties: A strong bolt of lightning. The skills is an active skill. Can be upgraded
=Passive=
Body of Power – Rank 1 (PASSIVE)
Description: Your body has been infused with primal energies and has grown stronger
Properties: your power is doubled
The next tab is inventory which doesn't include the items he is wearing. Njuko looks up at the sky as a shadow flies past him from above. There is a grey plume of smoke darting towards the city.
His eyes follow the trail of smoke trying to figure out what caused the smoke. An explosion comes from the city. Njuko turns to see where the trail came from there is a large army of Raknori.
He knows this because he knows this, the same he knows he is an Aardeling with black hair and purple eyes. Some of the people had entered their homes come out in a panic. Njuko moves to start with his missions. Some Seed Worlds aren't as forgive as Affinity and drop on in the middle of combat and no nothing but a towel.
From his house it's a short run to the bridge. He makes sure that his weapon a short spear is on him. He then makes his way to the corridor. Which is the main route onto the bridge.
More balls of fire, fly in the air. A small troop of flying Raknorki are making there to the north of the city where floating boulders are. On his map that is a district that constantly spins around the city.
Some Raknorca are jumping into the river. The map did show a blurred out section of the city that is underwater. In fact, even the lower city located underground is blurred out.
Some of the others are moving towards the city walls. Njuko who is using the corridor smiles. The entryway into the city has no guards as they have moved to the walls above shooting arrows at the enemy Raknor.
The Roknor are a uniform tide of disaster their brown armour, as dull as they are single-minded in the destruction of all people. They are completed covered in it, the armour appears to be grown since while similar they are like an insect of the species with several subspecies.
Njuko finds his way through the city, people of all races are moving about trying to find places to hide. The soldiers are moving to their station and he is moving towards the Hall Of The Hunter.
The words of his father spurred him to it, "The mission comes first." He falls back on his training with his father, which gives him a clear path to follow. Especially in a Seed-World this is an opportunity and he must make sure he maximizes his reward potential he must act with the mission parameters.
He like some others hunters have also thought the same, the building stands out from the others because of the large sculptor of weapons, shield, armours and potion bottles that make up the sign.
Njuko walks past the double doors and the smooth stone edifice. Inside people are working Seed World Hunters forming parties and moving out. Njuko goes to one of the ladies, with bright orange hair, she has a logo which looks exactly like the sculptor outside above the doors of the Hunter building.
"Excuse me, are you able to help me," Njuko says looking around at the hall to see if there is another indicator of where he should go. She turns to him. She has big eyes for an Aardeling and her rosewood skin is perfect. She ties up her hair into two space buns. Looking at him she says.
"Of course I can, you look like a strong young man. Are you here to register as a hunter?" Her voice is like blossom candy. Njuko nods her uniform is rather fetching a long green skirt with a lovely blue shirt simple yet elegant.
She almost makes him forgot what's going on outside until the building shakes. The bells have been going off since the first shot was fired at the break of down.
She takes out a gold piece of paper and holds out her hand. Taking Njuko right hand, into her soft as a kitten palm. She pricks him with a small needle. The page fills with his information. She raises an eyebrow and then removes the copper card from it. She looks it over before handing it to him.
"Place this in your journal, it is an identification card used all over the continent even some of the Fickle Lands." She hands him a cooper card it even has his picture on it, plus other information like his blood type, eye colour and a series numbers next to three letters D.O.B. the only other one he can't figure out is the one right at the bottom next to hunter rank G is a small almost EL: G+++
"Hey man could you hurry it up I want to get out there."The boy who spoke is maybe two years younger than Njuko which would make him sixteen. He has a deep scar across his eye that should make him blind, then Njuko takes a step back when he realises this boy is an Aziza.
The scar caught Njuko attention because without the scar this boy would be the most beautiful thing in this room. His youthful feature soft cheeks and narrow yet firm body make him a treat on the eyes. And his long wings that have a flesh like sheer silk is also attracting.
"Hey did you hear?" Njuko nods this dumb stuck that someone would scar someone so lovely. He turns back to the lady the orange hair. She smiles at him then he asks her what to do next.
She tells him that he has a "coupon for one weapon and an amour kit plus five potions. However, a stop at the job office is mandatory however given the emergency you will be deployed after you get your gear make sure to end at the blacksmith's since he is the commander for all Rank G Hunters."
Njuko walks away slowly taking another peek at the pretty boy, he is busy shouting at the lady but even his raised sounds easy to the ear.
"My name is Ivar and I want to be a hunter as quickly as possible!" Njuko thinks how similar he and the boy are. Ivar is the name of a famous hero just like his. When he made his character he used the Breaker spelling of the name which looks like nothing he has ever seen but the interface understood when he spoke in Broken.
Njuko made quick work of his next to stops as they had things set outside all he had to do was get his coupon stamped then move on.
The blacksmith is closer to the fighting his shop is just beyond the main road that runs outside. The explosions have not stopped they are falling far inside the city but not even coming close to the central market. The city is massive after all. He has run maybe five kilometres and is still in the borough.
[Item acquired]
Common Hunter Gloves [1/5]
Description: A sturdy pair of gloves.
Properties: provides a small boost to strength +1, if worn in conjunction with the rest of the set provides double the boost.
Creator: Groop
Common Hunter Boots [1/5]
Description: A frim fitting pair of boots
Properties: Provides a small boost to Dexterity +1, if worn in conjunction with the rest of the set provides double the boost.
Creator: Becca
Common Hunter Greaves [1/5]
Description: A pair of leather bracers
Properties: provides a small boost to intelligence +1, if worn in conjunction with the rest of the set provides double the boost.
Creator: Ruu
Common Hunter Breastplate [1/5]
Description: A properly made breastplate
Properties: Provides a small boost to health +50, if worn in conjunction with the rest of the set provides double the boost.
Creator: Diego
Common Hunter trousers [1/5]
Description: A normal set of trousers.
Properties: Provides a small boost to Stamina +10
Creator: Rieko
The Raknori are making their way down the main towards the main gate. With nothing but for cover, they are in a killing field and the archers are deadly especially since they have limited space to walk in.
The Raknori don't seem to care for their brothers as they only push those that fall to the side and keep coming, large groans and moans from them to it has a rhythmic quality to it.
Njuko thought to himself. 'Why send so many all at once, don't their commanders care?' However, he had no way of getting an answer from those commanders.
The blacksmith is named Grid a retired hunter, he wears the most impossible armour. It's huge yet immaculately made. The detailing should not be possible with the tools he has on hand. His hammer is equally as ridiculous.
Njuko had thought it was a side table when he saw it at first. The man's voice was not as deep as he expected but the look in the man's eye made him feel like he saw everything. He even put his hand over his private parts that's how exposed he feels.
"Come here a moment, you can't use any of those weapons your element will eat them." Njuko looks at Grid at little confused why would his element eat a weapon then he decides to ask the man who might have an answer instead of keeping it to himself. He responds after a small chuckle.
"Elementals like yourself are a bit different. A normal Elementalist has the ability to use the elements around them to create powerful effects. Elementals like yourself can create what they need. Besides anyone as strong as you would break those weapons." Grid is bringing Njuko to one side. Where the weapons are all in a pile.
They look much better than the weapons outside, especially the short spear. It maybe be simple but the mix of material is really eye-catching. Grid grabs Njuko by the arm firmly almost snapping it.
"Those are Demon Dread weapons. Don't ever touch them! They sacrifice life energy to make you stronger." Njuko pulls his arm away only when Grid had walked a few steps back and let go did he regain control of his limb. He had felt the pressure of the man's grip through his greaves. Njuko follows to a table where Grid.
"This weapon I'm going to make for you is a contract between you and Hall of the Hunter, by taking the weapon you are accepting to be a member. Until you complete three Hall missions. Just so you understand a Hall mission is rare and harder than most missions. They can be of any rank but are usually unpredictably dangerous." Grid tells Njuko with a tinge of bitterness while taking a couple of items out something moves to him like an ore that is red and a chisel.
"I don't see why not, unless you think there is another way," Njuko asks thinking about what Grid is not saying.
"There is always another but that has nothing to do with me. I am saying that the weapon I make comes with a condition which you must agree too. Its binding and can affect you in ways you don't expect." Njuko looks at Grid while he spoke.
Grid has meticulously laid out his tools on the table. Behind him a large furnace, the place is oddly quiet like it separate from the rest of the store.
"Can you at least give me an idea please?" Njuko asks. Grid is looking through him again changing something like replacing the red ore that floated to him with a non-Newtonian metal that is blueish grey. Several other smaller items had to change each more luxurious than the last.
Grid says while trying to find something, "You are much stronger than normal Elementals. However, the rules of the association will be enforced more strictly to you. So where another get of you will be punished."
'That's silly why would they do something why not help their strongest and get to the top as fast as possible.' Njuko is about to speak his mind when Grid continues cutting him off his mouth dropped like an offcut.
"Being special makes you different and no likes different. By holding our strongest to the highest standards they are less likely to become disruptive or so ostracized that you can't make friends in the Hall. Those of your Rank will want someone strong and those above will have to choose to pay less for some as skilled as or stronger than them. The Hall is a difficult place sometimes and having people is important." Grid said sombrely a memory flashing past his eyes that dimmed a little.
Njuko says a little confused, "Special I'm not special. Are people so narrow that they do such things here?" Grid laughs a little and says. Another explosion goes off close enough to cause the store to shake a little.
"It must be nice to live a sheltered life, free from the nature of people. Not everyone is like you some people will do anything they need to. Others do it for fun most just do it to impress their friends. Calling someone a freak, or pushing them aside in a line. Sometimes just ignoring someone is a vile act."
Njuko puffs his cheeks. He understands what Grid is saying but at the same time, people are good and natural trend to doing good. Njuko says "that's a skewed way of looking at the world."
Grid smiles nodding in agreement and says, "I hope you never lose that belief, hold it tight to it throughout your adventures. The world already has too many people like me, a few more like you we might come out of this alive at the end. Now let get started. Do you know what kind of element you hold?" Njuko nods and tells Grid what he wants to know. Grid carefully starts to arrange his materials.
"Interesting a lightning element is a very good one versatile if you know what you're doing. What is your element to you?" Njuko thinks a little 'a tool maybe?' Ọya sends to him, he shakes his head apologising to her. He then says.
"She is a part of me, I think like the way my blood is," Njuko says Grid's eyebrow raises slightly. Nodding as if something else just clicked he even mutters to himself. Removing the wooden shaft he was going to use replacing with a Rindonium. A sliver looking material.
"Good you are in communion that will make your journey a little easier. That also answers my next question. Now the only thing left is how many?" Grid says to Njuko.
Njuko is surprised at the man but he supposes there must be some people who will know about his abilities. Njuko crunches his eyebrow not knowing what Grid means. Njuko even tells him he doesn't what he means.
"What I am is how many conduits do you have available?" Grid asks him like the words he just said are common knowledge. Njuko, unfortunately, has no idea. And shrugs his shoulders feeling a little embarrassed about not knowing.
"It can't be helped it took my sister a long time too and she isn't as half as connected as you. So at least two or three. I will do you a favour and make it four conduits. Four is almost as strong as the Red Sister and she is crazy pray you never caught under her storm." Grid says this his eyes flashing with sadness again.
Grid begins to work the materials with his hands. The furnaces don't light up, there is no furious banging of hammers. Only Grid and his hands. The top half of all his fingers have turned gold, he mixes the Rondonium, with the liquid Alumite. It actually stiffens into a hexagonal tip the Rondonium acting as the shaft. Grid tells Njuko.
"Please hit this with your strongest attack," Njuko tells him rather shy of the fact that he only has the one skill. Grid asks him.
"Is it at least a ranked skill?" Njuko nods in agreement.
"That will do, Let me give a tip about elementals…attacking with emotion is a powerful thing remember that it will safe your life." The grid said the last bit made it sound like he knew something is going to happen. Njuko stands preparing to use his Lightning Shot.
Then Grid says "Quickly now, make sure to aim it you types always think it will just go where you think." Njuko spurred on by Grid lifts his hand moves a little closer and starts to let go of shot. The whole thing glows Grids hands move fast, flashing four separate after hand images that Njuko can make out.
"Don't stop you, idiot, keep going until you die!" Njuko shoots it is more like a command from Grid and for some reason, the sending from Ọya is one that makes him feel an urgent need to do as the man says. Njuko manages to fire twenty shots before he gets tired.
Grid caught each of his shots and pushed them shaping the Rondonium, each time he did it he is til working the edges of the Alumite, the process moves beyond a speed that Njuko can see he needs to focus on his shot which as soon as he is ready about five seconds later he shots it off again.
They are done about ten minutes later. Njuko shots his last shot and passes out cold his body numb but his head is banging beyond belief.
"I can't believe I get to make another one of these." Grid looks it over making sure everything is right.
The short spear has four slots marked a circle with lines in the middle. The other is a spiral and the third a diamond and finally on the hilt the rune that is on Njuko's right hand. Grid smiles remembering his sister. She is a powerful Furion Elemental. Grid places the spear in Njuko arm.
{Item received}
Impilo Rank 1 (Ascending)
Description: A weapon made masterfully made by Grid, An ascending grows with the user becoming ever more powerful the longer it is used.
Properties: An ascending weapon forge by Grid *******, for Njuko. Must be upgraded.
Repeater: Elemental attacks are repeated. 1 min cooldown
Restrictions: Njuko
Creator: Grid *******
Grid moves into his shop properly, leaving Njuko to recover. To his surprise, the spear coils itself around the Njuko's arm connecting itself to his rune.