PftA Book 5 - Chapter 40 - Decisions and a Discussion

I immediately eliminated the fourth option since I didn’t see the value of improving or learning a weak skill at this point in my progression. Perhaps if I’d been offered such an opportunity earlier in my path, my choice would have been different.

Of the remaining options, the affinity boost appealed to me the least. Sure, it might make casting Arcane spells a slight bit easier and cheaper, but I felt like the benefit was limited compared to the other options.

I was tempted by the possibility of skipping the last bit of Tier Ten and immediately becoming a true Pinnacle. It wasn’t solely because the option provided an opportunity to catch up to Kai, though that was certainly a part of it.

The choice was appealing because I was frankly tired of grinding levels. Even if it meant I’d leave the realm and my family sooner, I was ready to be done with this chapter in my life.

My family would be fine without me. They had been all this time, after all.

And, in truth, I was more than a little ready to start over somewhere new. I wanted more out of life than an endless grind with the occasional break.

I wanted to be a real part of a community again, to develop friendships that could be nurtured instead of strained by constant separation.

That didn’t mean I’d forego progression in the next realm. I simply didn’t plan to focus exclusively on progression.

There would always be another step to take. If I didn’t take time to slow down and actually live life, then what was the point?

But even with the growing draw toward ascension, it seemed wasteful to select a reward that I could earn on my own with just a bit of effort.

Pulling up my status, I examined just how far I was from reaching the next threshold.

***

Name: Emie Momentia
Level: 100 (113887/204610)
Profession: (P) Enchanter
                          (S) Researcher
                          (T) Gardener
Affinities: Time, Space, Arcane

                ***
Health: 380/380
Stamina: 690/690
Mana: 1350/1350

                ***
Attributes
Strength – 31
Agility – 40
Vitality – 38
Intelligence – 135
Wisdom – 85
Perception – 50

                ***
Spells*
Skills*

                ***

With the experience I’d earned in the trial – limited as it was – I was a little over halfway through the level. Taking the experience boost would save at least a few years’ worth of grinding unless I shifted my focus to pure slaughter instead of collecting materials as I went.

Honestly, looting took more time than killing did by a large margin. If I stopped bothering to loot and focused solely on killing as many creatures as possible, I’d easily be able to finish out this last leg in a year or so.

It made the reward much less appealing.

That left the memories of a native Dian and a virtual Dian life. I could see pros and cons with both of them.

“I have questions about the first two options,” I said, hoping the dungeon would be willing to provide more information. “I assume the virtual Dian life would feel much like the trial, but what about the memories? Would I experience the native’s life as if it were my own, or would it be more like watching a movie with commentary?”

My consciousness was still within my trial avatar, but there was nothing else present in the empty space. That solitude abruptly changed when another avatar materialized beside me. Having expected a disembodied voice at most, the avatar’s appearance caught me off guard.

The dungeon’s avatar – because there was nobody else the entity could be within the dungeon’s trial – manifested as a tall elf with smooth, porcelain skin, jet black hair, and prismatic eyes.

Though it had long hair and soft features, the avatar was distinctly male. Even without the masculine cut of its robes, that fact was clear.

“Emie Momentia,” the dungeon greeted. “This one is known as Corrogo. We have much to discuss once you’ve selected your reward.”

“You are the dungeon?” I asked.

“I am the dungeon master,” Corrogo corrected. “To answer your earlier question, the memory crystal would allow you to experience the life of a native Dian – one with interests similar to your own – though it would not be from the perspective of the individual. You would be akin to a specter capable of hearing the thoughts of the target rather than being the target.

“You would maintain a sense of self throughout, if that is your concern. There is no possibility of confusion or personality bleed, nor would you feel the emotions of the Dian featured.

“I must point out that the memories were captured upon the target’s death in a local dungeon. This occurred before I arrived in this realm, so some of the information is likely outdated.

“Similarly, the virtual life you would experience if you chose the second option would also be based upon the realm as it was at the time this artifact was created. While much time has passed since then, the fundamentals of the realm have not changed.”

I nodded slowly as I processed the dungeon’s explanation.

Honestly, the description of the memory crystal sounded amazing. Being able to gain a native’s perspective without the risk of losing myself could provide a huge advantage, even if the information was outdated.

I doubted it would be like the difference between ancient Earth and pre-integration modern Earth. More likely, it would be similar to the Alliance a few thousand years ago and now. While there were some cultural shifts and technological advances, the fundamentals of the realm hadn’t changed all that much.

I also really liked the idea of getting a ‘practice life,’ even if it wouldn’t be exactly authentic.

Getting the chance to learn Dian magic and figure out how skill slots work would be amazing, especially if that experience and knowledge transferred.

“How realistic is the virtual life?” I asked.

“It will obviously be a little different from reality, as all simulations are. But the experience should be close enough to provide a true understanding of what to expect, especially where skill management and development are concerned.”

“So, if I learn how to use a magic spell in the virtual life, I’ll be able to use it in the next realm?” I asked.

The dungeon’s avatar tilted his head before answering, “If you have the requisite foundation, then yes. Without a foundation in a particular type of magic, you will not be able to use it, no matter how familiar you are with a spell.

“It is likely part of the reason why you are allowed to pick one spell per affinity upon ascending. Possessing a spell of a particular type allows you to potentially create or learn another of the same type without needing a spellbook.”

I wondered how that would work with my Arcane affinity since Arcane was similar to neutral mana in that it wasn’t its own true element.

I spent a few minutes peppering the dungeon with questions, all of which it patiently answered. I suspected the dungeon did not provide the same grace to other trial-takers, and only my pending favor had granted me an audience with the entity.

“Is there anything else I should know before making my decision?” I asked.

The elven avatar paused for a moment, as if in thought. “Yes. The memory crystal covers approximately forty-two years’ worth of memories. To ensure there is proper balance, the virtual life will only last fifty subjective years. However, should your avatar die before the time limit is up, the simulation will end.”

Fifty years. While it really didn’t seem like all that much after how long I’d been alive, it was plenty of time to get a feel for the next realm. It was an amazing boon – one that I couldn’t justify giving up.

“What is your decision?” Corrogo asked after several moments passed in silence.

“The virtual life,” I answered confidently.

Corrogo seemed pleased with my decision.

“An excellent choice for a soon-to-be ascender,” the avatar said. “Once we finish our discussion, I will initiate the simulation. For now, let’s discuss the favor and what that entails.

“You are likely unaware that there has only ever been one True Administrator of the Realm Dungeon,” Corrogo continued. “My original host, Pril’Omnimage, was the ascender credited with granting the system to this realm.

“In truth, the system’s dissemination was a side effect of the Realm Dungeon’s activation. Pril obtained the Dian artifact within a Challenge Rift and was granted the ability to shape the challenges within, as well as some of the features granted by the system.”

That was the first I’d heard of the system being tied to the dungeon, but I could see how the two might be related. If the dungeon really was an upper-realm artifact, it made sense that it would be capable of creating a realm-wide system.

The fact that the original Administrator had had some control over the system also came as a surprise, but it made sense if the system was just a subsidiary of the dungeon.

“Upon assimilating the abandoned beast realm, Neohim was granted a second Realm Dungeon artifact. Though thousands of years have passed, none have been able to claim it from the Challenge Rift in which it has been seeded.”

Corrogo’s expression shifted as the avatar’s gaze focused on me with an unsettling intensity. I didn’t feel the pressure that I’d felt when making the original bargain with the dungeon, but I could certainly feel the weight of its focus.

“As a tri-affinity mage with an Arcane affinity, you are eligible to claim the artifact and become a True Administrator. It is the wish of Neohim that you fulfil this role and open a second path to ascension for those willing to rise to the challenge,” the dungeon stated.

“As a reward, you will be allowed to modify certain aspects of the system. Further, you will be marked as a contender, which will grant you certain potential… allowances upon ascension.”

“What kind of allowances?” I asked.

The dungeon avatar shook his head. “That is not for me to say. Ultimately, the decision of how to reward your service will rest upon the sliver of Dia in charge of your transition.”

I wasn’t sure how to feel about the dungeon’s claim that the deity in charge of the next realm would be personally involved in my transition. Even if it was only a sliver of the deity, the thought was daunting.

Recognizing a potential problem, I said, “I am contractually obligated to remain in the dungeon until I reach the pinnacle. Am I going to be able to successfully obtain the artifact from a Challenge Rift if I’m already at the pinnacle?”

Corrogo smiled as if the answer to my question was obvious.

“That won’t be a problem,” the avatar said. “I can easily provide you with an artifact to suppress your tier in order to qualify for the reward.”

That was good to hear.

“What about the pressure to ascend?” I asked.

“You will still feel it. However, I do not believe it will be overwhelming so long as you are working toward Neohim’s goals. The realm wants you to establish a second dungeon to facilitate additional ascenders. I am certain you will be granted enough grace to accomplish that goal.”

There was so much to think about, I barely knew where to start.

“I still want to visit my family first,” I asserted.

“That is fine,” Corrogo replied. “So long as you acquire and establish the second dungeon artifact. I will point out that upon activating the artifact, it is unlikely that you will remain in this realm for long. Additionally, you will have the option of transferring your Interface Assistant into the dungeon to serve as its master.”

“Is that what happened to you?” I asked.

“Indeed,” the avatar responded with a smile. “I told you that my host was the original True Administrator. Before becoming the master of this dungeon, I served as his Interface Assistant. It was only for a short time while he established the dungeon, but it shaped much of how I developed.”

“Is there an alternative?” I asked before clarifying, “If she doesn’t want to become the dungeon master, is there another option?”

The avatar looked at me with something akin to pity.

“Sure. If your Interface Assistant doesn’t want to become a dungeon master, an alternative can be found.”

His voice was almost insulting, like he thought I was foolish for asking such a thing. Since he’d basically admitted that he was also a Mana Intelligence, I wasn’t sure why he acted like the thought of Lisa having an opinion was such an improbability.

“Okay. So, to summarize, I need to live the virtual life, reach the pinnacle, visit my family, go to the Challenge Dungeon – which I assume you’ll provide the location of,” I paused until the dungeon nodded in agreement before continuing, “acquire the artifact, activate it, do some dungeon design, then ascend. Do I have that right?”

“Basically,” Corrogo agreed. “I’ll give you the suppression artifact when you leave the trial. The location of the Challenge Rift will be embedded within the device.”

I took a deep breath and smiled.

“Sounds good. Let’s get started!”