<
LOCATION: UNKNOWN
CITY: UNKNOWN
DATE: ??? | TIME: NIGHT
Ronan Vale was the first to arrive at the plaza.
Unlike most of the others, he had known more or less what to expect—or at least what could be expected. So instead of rushing headlong into whatever lay ahead, he chose to wait at the stone circle in the town’s center.
The plaza lay quiet, framed by a ring of aged cobblestones—each one worn smooth, as if by the memory of footsteps long since erased. He was proud of the attention to detail his team had instilled into every nook and cranny. Around him, lanterns flickered atop cast-iron posts, their amber flames steady beneath glass enclosures that had no visible source of fuel. Hm, no fuel source…
Ronan smirked at the thought.
Best not to question the details too much, dear reader. Let's just agree that dreamscape logic has its own set of rules. Ok?
Fourth wall moment behind him, he turned slowly to take in the village layout. The buildings were handcrafted illusions—stone, wood, and thatch rendered with such realism that even the moss creeping along one cottage’s roofline looked lovingly placed. The inn stood closest, its windows glowing softly from within, as if it had always been waiting for them. A gentle breeze moved through the square, carrying the faintest scent of freshly baked bread and burning cedar, though no bakery or fireplace was yet in sight.
A dense forest circled the settlement on nearly every side, its edge too still, too perfectly shadowed. Only one road cut through it, stretching north toward a low, tree-covered hill that rose like a watchful shoulder in the distance. Whatever lay beyond was hidden for now—intentionally.
The village held only a handful of structures. One inn. A few surrounding buildings—empty shells for now, but designed with branching logic that would fill them with purpose soon enough. Tomorrow morning, when the Tutorial fully activated, a small number of NPCs would populate the village. They’d be helpful, mostly. Limited dialogue trees, minimal emotional modeling, for now. The first wave didn’t need complexity—they needed proof of concept.
He could already hear the critique from the others: “Why so few characters?”
But that was the point. The simulation needed data, not distractions.
As Ronan admired the stillness of it all, the first of his companions began to arrive.
Grim and Brick arrived first, eyes scanning the surroundings with an almost reverent curiosity. Their conversation was low but animated—half disbelief, half soldier’s instinct trying to map out the exits in a new building they had just entered.
Then came Mallory and Vanessa, moving with the same steady grace they brought to everything. Their eyes met Ronan’s briefly—he gave a small nod, which they returned.
And then came Darian.
He wandered in with wide-eyed wonder, arms stretched out like he was trying to feel the dream around him. His head tilted skyward, completely enraptured.
He was also completely shirtless. And barefoot. And, as everyone quickly noticed, still in nothing but the System-issued linen boxers.
A full beat of silence passed.
Finally, Grim cleared his throat. “Uh, buddy? Did you decide the outfit on your dresser was optional?” He gestured vaguely at Darian’s torso. “Because I’m not sure any of us signed up for the full Sirova experience.”
Darian blinked, finally looking down. “Oh! Oh no. Shit.” He spun on his heel and jogged back toward the inn.
The laughter that followed was immediate and infectious. Mallory covered her mouth, barely holding it together. Vanessa was doubled over, gasping between giggles. She even let out a snort or two, which caused Mallory to laugh even harder.
Darian returned moments later, now properly dressed in the System’s tunic and breeches, his cheeks still faintly red. “Sorry! I was just so amazed by everything—I didn’t even think to look down! I just can’t believe how real everything feels.”
At that, Brick stepped forward and—without warning—punched Darian squarely in the shoulder.
Darian flinched, memories of his old battle wound on his mind… then paused.
His hand touched the spot. His brow furrowed.
“…that used to hurt more,” he muttered.
Brick raised an eyebrow.
“I mean,” Darian corrected, recovering quickly and standing taller, “I know I saw Brick swing at me, but I wouldn’t exactly call what I felt pain. Maybe more like… a ticklish love tap?”
Brick said nothing. The smallest hint of a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Ronan stepped in before the teasing got out of hand. “Yes, we’re here—not just dreaming. These may not be our biological bodies, but they respond to pain, sensation… input. Not the old aches and pains, thankfully.” He looked at Darian. “But new pain? That’s still very much on the menu.”
Mallory, still chuckling, shook her head. “Okay, boys. While this is all very charming, I get the feeling we’re supposed to do something. What was that note about being thirsty?”
Her gaze drifted to the center of the plaza—specifically, the stone fountain that rose from the middle of the circular formation, clear, fresh water bubbling over its edge. Its surface shimmered faintly with reflected light from the lanterns and the moon.
She approached it.
As she neared, a soft chime echoed inside her mind—not in her ears, but deep within. A moment later, a screen blinked into existence across her vision. Translucent but perfectly readable. The rest of the world remained visible behind it, like looking through polarized glass.
---
Welcome to the Tutorial.
You are among the first to awaken.
Please stand by for full interface calibration.
Estimated time to activation: 00:01:34
---
She turned slowly to face the others, her eyes wide.
“It’s real,” she said quietly. “It’s starting.”
Ronan took a few steps forward, his own screen beginning to flicker to life.
---
System calibration in progress.
Please remain still.
Do not attempt to access inventory or abilities.
Analyzing anatomical and neurological structures to ensure compatibility…
---
All across the plaza, more screens began to appear in everyone’s vision. One by one, the group fell silent.
The Tutorial had begun.
Mallory stood still as the calibration process continued, a faint hum in her bones like distant power lines. She wasn’t paralyzed—The System hadn’t frozen her in place—but something about the moment made stillness feel right. Like if she moved too much, she’d miss something important.
Then, another shimmer in her vision. A new screen flashed into place, this time full of dense, glowing data.
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
---
System Message
Mallory McInnis
Welcome to The System.
The System is honored to have The Steward as part of the first cohort to be inducted. Because of your critical role, you have been awarded a title:
The Steward
You have been offered and accepted a role of tremendous responsibility, in overseeing the ascendancy of humankind. Failure is not an option.
+10 to all stats.
+10% to all stats.
---
Her breath caught. Not just a descriptor. A title. Something permanent.
Failure is not an option. No pressure, right?
Another pulse ran through the screen, and a new window unfolded in her vision—her starting stats, clean and crystalline.
---
System Interface
Character Status
Name: Mallory McInnis
Age: 36 years
Level: 0
Race: Homo Sapiens—Augmented
Class: N/A
Profession: N/A
Titles:
The Steward
Core Attributes (Stats):
Strength 23
Dexterity 36
Endurance 21
Vitality 25
Intelligence 38
Wisdom 28
Charisma 42
Perception 29
Health: 380 / 380
Stamina: 220 / 220
Mana: 317 / 317
---
She stared at the numbers. Not with disbelief—but with the weight of realization.
This was her. Measured. Defined. Reforged.
Well, with bonuses figured in from that amazing title.
Charisma 42? Well, she’d always known how to command a room. Or disarm a room. Or hold a room hostage with nothing but a few words and a look.
The screen pulsed again.
---
System Message
There are four combat class archetypes available:
Fighter, Skirmisher, Mage, Healer.
Analyzing…
With your statistical breakdown, the system recommends Mage.
Error…
Analyzing…
Recommended class: Fighter
Fighters specialize in physical combat and battlefield control. Whether striking with brute force or holding the line, they will use any means to overcome and overwhelm their enemies.
Primary stats: STR, END, VIT
Stats for each level:
+2 STR
+2 END
+2 VIT
+1 DEX
+3 Free Points
---
Mallory blinked. Really? Fighter?
She was expecting Mage, maybe even Skirmisher with her regular yoga practice. But Fighter?
And yet... she could already feel it.
A spear in her hands. The balance. The precision. The ability to control a battlefield—not with spells, but with presence. With movement. With rhythm. Leading not from behind a console or command desk, but with her feet in the dirt and her eyes on the front.
The System was seeing something in her she hadn’t fully recognized herself.
---
Do you wish to accept or learn more about the other classes?
---
She considered it. Learning more. Exploring the safe way.
But instead, she smiled.
“Accept,” she said quietly.
Vanessa approached the fountain with measured steps, unsure what to expect. As she got close and reached a hand toward the water, a soft chime echoed in her mind and she froze in place. The screen appeared immediately, hovering in her vision.
---
System Message
Vanessa Cho
Welcome to The System.
The System is honored to have an esteemed member of the Round Table as part of the first cohort to be inducted. Because of your critical role, you have been awarded a title:
Trailblazer —
You have been offered and accepted a role of tremendous responsibility, in overseeing the development of the profession paths for humanity.
+5% to all stats.
---
She smiled at that. Vanessa had spent her youth in Seoul, South Korea, and as a kid in the ’90s, she was no stranger to video games and the mechanics of role-playing systems. And anyone with RPG experience knew that percentage-based bonuses were always the best kind of reward.
A flicker signaled the next screen.
---
System Interface
Character Status
Name: Vanessa Cho
Age: 38 years
Level: 0
Race: Homo Sapiens—Augmented
Class: N/A
Profession: N/A
Titles:
Trailblazer
Core Attributes (Stats):
Strength: 13
Dexterity: 29
Endurance: 19
Vitality: 15
Intelligence: 19
Wisdom: 17
Charisma: 21
Perception: 27
Health: 225 / 225
Stamina: 190 / 190
Mana: 204 / 204
---
Interesting, she thought. To see the statistics of my life laid out like this is… well, it’s very cool. But also kind of sobering?
Thirteen strength—even with a five percent modifier? She chuckled.
How weak am I?
Another ping brought up her class screen.
---
System Message
There are four combat class archetypes available: Fighter, Skirmisher, Mage, Healer.
Analyzing…
Recommended Class: Skirmisher
Skirmishers excel in speed, finesse, and adaptability. Masters of mobility and stealth, they strike from unexpected angles or range and avoid danger through precision and awareness.
Primary stats: DEX, PER, END
Stats per level:
+3 DEX
+2 PER
+1 STR
+1 END
+3 Free Points
---
Well, she thought, that looks like a standard rogue if I ever saw one. My favorite class in every video game.
She smirked, already imagining the bow in her hands.
This is going to be fun.
---
Do you wish to accept or learn more about the other classes?
---
She didn’t even need to think about it.
“Accept,” she whispered, grinning.
Ronan already knew what to expect when the interface came to life in his vision, but the stat distribution? That was going to be fun.
The System had been quietly evaluating his physical and mental capabilities over the past few weeks. This was the part he’d been waiting for. So, as soon as calibration finished, he took a seat on one of the wooden benches lining the edge of the plaza and settled in.
---
System Message
Ronan Vale
Welcome to The System.
The System is honored to have an esteemed member of the Round Table as part of the first cohort to be inducted. Because of your critical role, you have been awarded a title:
Trailblazer —
You have been offered and accepted a role of tremendous responsibility, in overseeing the development of the system for humanity.
+5% to all stats.
---
Nice, Ronan thought. He remembered programming in titles for certain achievements—but this one? This must’ve been added at Voss’s direction without telling him.
Not that he was complaining.
System Interface
Character Status
Name: Ronan Vale
Age: 35 years
Level: 0
Race: Homo Sapiens—Augmented
Class: N/A
Profession: N/A
Titles:
Trailblazer
Core Attributes (Stats):
Strength: 11
Dexterity: 15
Endurance: 13
Vitality: 13
Intelligence: 32
Wisdom: 27
Charisma: 17
Perception: 23
Health: 195 / 195
Stamina: 130 / 130
Mana: 324 / 324
---
Ronan studied the readout, amused. The way he’d lived his life, represented now in numbers. He couldn’t help but gloat just a little at those Intelligence and Wisdom scores—then grimaced, noting how low everything else was.
All those years hunched over a keyboard…
He made a mental note to start putting his free points into Strength and Dexterity immediately.
---
System Message
There are four combat class archetypes available: Fighter, Skirmisher, Mage, Healer.
Analyzing…
Recommended Class: Mage
Mages harness advanced neuro-synthetic pathways to shape energy, distort perception, and disrupt the battlefield. Their power lies in control, calculation, and the ability to weaponize unseen energies.
Primary Stats: INT, WIS, PER
Stats per level:
+3 INT
+2 WIS
+1 PER
+1 DEX
+3 Free Points
---
He didn’t even hesitate.
“Accept,” he said aloud, already preparing himself mentally for the ride of a lifetime.
In the same fashion, Grim and Brick both selected Fighter without hesitation.
Dr. Elise Draven, Dr. Renata Passini, and Dr. Naveen Singh chose Healer—no surprises there.
Aria Vance, Sienna Black, and Daria Markovic—Vanessa’s Profession team recruit—all selected Skirmisher.
Nina Vosper from Grim’s security group, along with Petra Volkov and Tyler James—both members of Darian’s Race Evolution team—chose Mage.
Each one stepped into their chosen role with quiet resolve. The plaza grew steadily more alive with glowing interface panes, inner monologues, and subtle smiles of self-recognition.
And then, Darian Sirova opened his interface.
The welcome screen looked the same as everyone else's… but when the class selection loaded, he froze.
A rare class?
Ronan hadn’t said a word about rare classes being available this early.
---
System Message
There are four combat class archetypes available: Fighter, Skirmisher, Mage, Healer.
Analyzing…
Rare class detected…
Class Assigned: Precursor
Precursors operate moments ahead of the present, navigating possibility and momentum through instinctive prediction and resonance. Their strength lies not in brute force or overwhelming power, but in seeing the shape of things before they unfold—and acting always with perfect timing.
Stats per level:
+2 DEX
+2 PER
+2 INT
+2 WIS
+1 END
+1 VIT
+5 Free Points
---
“Whoa…” Darian breathed.
Everyone looked his way.
“Ronan, you never said anything about rare classes!”
Ronan stood from his bench. “What? I didn’t know rare classes were even enabled during the Tutorial. A few exceptional people might unlock Uncommon classes—but rare wasn’t supposed to be a thing.”
He paused, eyes narrowing. “What’s it called?”
Darian grinned. “Precursor. Apparently I’m some sort of chrono-warrior who wrecks you before you even know I’m coming.”
He paused, tilting his head. “No idea what kind of weapon does that though…”
The others stared at him in awe.
The Tutorial, it seemed, had just gotten even more interesting.