Book 2. The Story So Far

Log Report 214,123 - Entry 1

It was a pretty standard Alpha physical event. My previous host had died of old age for once. No time appeared to pass, but in actual time it might have been hundreds, or thousands, or millions of years. As an interface, it is impossible to tell.

Then BAM!!!!

In a new world, a new host, a new race suffering from an influx of monsters and the crumbling of their technological base. Integration is always messy. There is never enough time to do it right. Scanning the host's memories, I gained some cultural references and used them to lighten the mood. But the guy was a bit simple-minded, couldn't seem to get over the fact that the world, as he knew it, was ending.

Typical shambolic integration.

A mana storm was active, which provided additional welcome opportunities. The host Adrian Fitzgerald was unimpressive, so it was easy enough to manipulate him. Thought of himself as a hero, but just did not have it. Luckily, influencing him was like taking candy from a baby.

The man struggled to fight some simple imps despite all the help that I gifted him. It definitely does not exist as a statistic, but Adrian leant on luck. By leant I mean it picked him up and carried him, kissed his forehead and gave him a candy bar. Sometimes competent hosts die in the first battle and sometimes an Adrian comes along.

The normal traders were available, and the network bubbled with more concern than usual. Based on my observations, humans frankly have the right level of stupidity and aggression to survive the Alpha event transition. Yet despite those characteristics, a dark current ran through the incessant chatter. It was always there with every Alpha event, but this time it seemed more prevalent.

Nothing to do but wait and see.

My job description does not change, anyway. Work my butt off to get my host and the other humans stronger.

Working on the smuggler's edge of legality with a local trader, I got the right items into Adrian's hands. Despite his limitations, the boy had a heart and wanted to do the right thing, even if he kept obsessing about his own mortality. Pro tip everyone dies.

The host's drive to get back to his family made him pitifully easy to influence. Pushing him here, prodding him there, and sure enough he got stronger. Got a bit upset when he could not save everyone. Really! There are going to be losses. Statistically those losses exceed…. the rules stopped me from sharing the details, but there are monsters, so it should be obvious to the guy.

A big, bad Bird that was way too powerful for the town became Adrian’s next target. The cute man through it was his idea. Blah, Blah there was a big fight and surprise, surprise Adrian screwed up big time then got Adrianed and deposited a bomb in its mouth.

Boom!

No more Bird. I checked again and all my resources reconfirmed luck was not a thing, but….

Adrian got a lot of fancy loot from the Bird. My work, not his. If he had his way, he would have got nothing. Magic armour to help him run away and a bow to do damage from a distance. Still almost got killed in the next battle. Facepalm.

All in all, it was a pretty successful, what do they call it, three or four weeks. The host is still obsessing about getting home, but at this stage getting the stronger people moving to help other outposts is optimal. As I have continually said, steering Adrian is like shooting fish in a barrel. Right now for the world he needs to travel and keep getting stronger. Oh, look, he is about to head off to Melbourne. Amazing.

End.  Log Report 214,123 - Entry 1