All teams converged on the way back to base about 10 miles out. All platoons had civilians and resources filling up the MTV's, as well as following in their own vehicles. We too saved a few people. Our original convoy now had over 100 people following, with our Humvee in the lead . Since the monsters were stronger at night, we traveled both day and night. Each vehicle would have two drivers sleeping in the day, and two to drive at night. We have noticed that the more we level up, the less sleep we need and the more we are unaffected by minor ailments or injuries we may have had in the past.
Commander Tatsuo and I are the highest at level 8, therefore we have been traveling without sleep since reaching level 8. In the past week we have gotten fairly close, as we are on similar levels, both the first to attack monsters and even take turns driving with Cpl Turner. Commander Tatsuo and I have spent almost every day and night conversing, relying on each other when diving into monster swarms, and also when talking/ betting briefings. At level 8 we are able to open a type of chat on our information screen. It's a general chat where we can remain anonymous or use our names. It also shows how many people are able to enter the forum, which looks like about 20 people so far. This chat also shows the general location the participants.
A person can choose to remain anonymous in the forum after joining or may choose to have their names shown. The forum also shows the level of each members. If someone wants to chat, it costs one mental power for every word. We simply have to press chat and think of what we want to say In order to do so. A few people have already started to chat, and everyone's on the same level. Most of the conversation so far is of people looking for relatives or talking about the evolution of the animals. One of the members is a conspiracy theorist who has been coming up with different theories of who the voice is that we hear worldwide, and what is going on. One other person started a chat blaming the government for the situation we are in. The person cursing the government and blaming the government is anonymous, and their location is unknown.
At level 8, we have unlocked a party feature, which both captain Tatsuo and I have teamed up in. With the party feature, we can add teammates and points are shared equally for permanent members. The party feature also allows for the sharing of stats, which meant that we can see some of each other's stats. For example, if one of the party members is in need of mental power as they have exhausted theirs, or if their health is dangerously low, party members can share a portion of their own. Party members can also temporarily boost a lower ranked member's agility and defense, but only if it's not in use.This means if a member is safe and they are not being attacked by a monster, the party member that is fighting is able to use their stats for at least 4 hours. Party members can only boost another's agility, attack and defense one at a time. The other can only receive a boost from one person at a time as well. Any experience gained, however, is also shared significantly by the persons who are actively sharing stats. as I learned when my space helped me to upgrade. I also learned that captain Tatsuo may have something to double his points, as I gained the same number of points as him each time. It is for this reason that our points significantly increased.
In terms of stats, we are only able to see each other's basic features: name & age, mental power, health, defense and partial skills. The party is limited to 5 people per party. We would later learn and as long as we are in the same city, regardless of where the party members are, everyone is still able to receive skill points when one party goes hunting. This would later make it easy to carry some people. This feature also allows for family members to team up in order for elderly and children to earn points while remaining safe. This allows for the sick and weak, government and populations to also earn points and to evolve.
The party feature has two options. One feature is for permanent party members and the other is a temporary party feature. The temporary party feature lasts no more than a day, but members can repeatedly rejoin the same party. The temporary feature is even less detailed, only showing the age and name as well as the health and level of the party members. Instead of the members sharing full points, temporary party points vary but are at least 40% of total points. Members who deal more damage or contribute more stats receive between 60-80 percent points instead of the 40% they would have earned for just being in the party. If a party member contributes stats, then they get additional points.
We will later come to learn that the party feature is fair; it will not allow for any member to be coerced, ordered, forced or join against the will of the member. This will be a great limit since it can't be abused, which many humans are known to do when it comes to their own interest. Some people would prefer for others to do the dirty work and simply reap the rewards,which the system guards against.
The goal on the way back is to get as many people in the convoy to level 5-10 if possible, especially the soldiers. This way we will hopefully have a fighting chance at what's to come. We can only imagine what will happen in the future, hoping it will not be as traumatic since monsters will no longer enter our AO/Base.
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Captain Tatsuo and I, as members in a permanent party, were able to reach level 10, just five minutes away from base. It was also at this point, midnight on the very last day of the week that the mechanical voice sounded. This time the voice was neutral but clear. It sounded soft and in between high and low pitch. The blue screen once again appeared with the same AI shadow/face on it.
"Congratulations to the 5 who have reached level 10. Additional awards are provided. To those of you below level 5: do form hunting parties to increase your levels. The recommended level for the next stage is level 5.
As previously mentioned, 1 week after my last announcement means that the planet Earth is no longer protected. The world you know is different from the reality. I am the administrator for planet Earth and I will now explain the origins and rules. I recommend for everyone to find a safe place and form your parties. Today is your grace period and an explanation will be given, this may take the entire day. In three hours, the explanation will begin. This is your preparation phase. As you may have noticed, all danger to yourself has temporarily been moved. Dangerous animals and plants have been relocated to the forest behind your base. All wood, forest and jungle is now the property of nature: plants and animals alike. Rivers and lakes will be mild dangers, however the ocean and seas have now increased in difficulty. As of now it is at level 10. Every 4 months their difficulty and levels will be raised by 5." The administrator seemed to have paused after that statement and our convoy drove the remainder of the way to base, which seemed to be in chaos.
As we opened our doors to our respective vehicles, we were greeted by those posting security at the main entrance. "Recall everyone from security to meet in the front lawn." Said Commander Tatsuo to SGT. Brown, the highest rank at the front entrance. After saluting he responded with a positive and his group separated in different directions. "Everyone else should do as the system said and form parties. The system did not say it was a requirement, but we should still form parties if that is our intention". Ordered Commander Tatsuo as we walked to the administrative building in the center of campus. This building has been repurposed for government administration. We were heading directly for a group briefing. Before the meeting, Cpt Garcia and 1st Lt Davis, who are close friends with Captain Tatsuo, joined our party on a permanent basis.
The briefing was short due to the announcement. Agenda topics included, overall strength of the constituents, layout, defense parameter, resources included food and equipment, statistics on rations and behavior of the citizens under our regions, command and follow up based on what we learn. After the briefing we joined everyone else outside for the announcement. People were still forming parties, many with families and friends. It was loud and at times chaotic until the administrator once again spoke.