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LOCATION: VARIOUS HOTEL ROOMS
CITY: SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
DATE: NOVEMBER 17, 2025 | TIME: 4:00 PM
Since none of the CEOs—or those chosen to join them—knew their induction into the System was about to happen, Mallory had called everyone to Voss Tower for another summit under the pretense of updating them on developments since the June gathering.
Those who brought deputies were welcomed to bring them to the meetings.
The others—spouses and significant others—were encouraged to explore San Francisco—with all activities carefully curated and scheduled through Voss Holdings.
That was—after they completed mandatory medical examinations scheduled throughout the day.
Elise Draven and her team of twenty nurses were busy checking vitals and asking cursory questions, but the truth was obvious: every person was in peak physical and mental condition.
Still, medical professionals loved gathering data, and maintaining appearances mattered.
At the end of the day on Monday, all 129 of them would return to their hotel rooms—each booked by Voss Holdings, with extra key cards assigned to trusted staff—and quietly fall asleep, doors marked with "Do Not Disturb" signs.
When they woke, an unexpected journey would begin.
Colin Mercer and his partner Leah Barnes were among the very few who knew what to expect.
"Is it okay if we have a few drinks tonight? Is that going to mess anything up?" Colin asked Ronan quietly, a conspiratorial tone in his voice.
Ronan grinned.
"Nah, man. Nothing to worry about. In fact, you’ll find your body processes alcohol differently now.
You can really only get drunk if you want to. And when you’re done, your system will flush it out like it was never there."
Colin smirked.
"Not gonna lie—that’s a pretty neat trick. Would have changed a lot about my college experience, too!"
Colin and Ronan chatted a little longer, waiting for Leah to return from her exam, before she and Colin slipped away for a nice dinner and a few drinks.
One last night of normalcy, before their entire world would change.
That night, across hotel rooms scattered through San Francisco, 129 people drifted into sleep—
—and found themselves standing inside the most vivid, impossibly real dream they had ever known.
Valerie Connors woke with a start.
She sat up, blinking into the dim light of an old, rustic room.
Thick beams crossed the ceiling above her.
A simple bedframe of dark wood creaked under her weight.
The sheets smelled faintly of lavender and soap.
The bed itself looked plain—but somehow felt luxuriously soft, the mattress hugging her body in a way no hotel bed ever could.
Then again, everything had felt amazing since Mallory McInnis had taken her aside for that quiet, life-altering conversation in Washington.
She remembered worrying about asking for time off.
An entire week?
For the Majority Leader’s Chief of Staff?
It was unheard of—especially in the middle of a major education reform push.
And yet, just as Mallory had promised, Senator Langston himself had strolled past her desk three days later, offering the leave without her even having to ask.
The strangest part?
There had been a new spring in his step ever since.
An almost alarming vitality.
If she hadn’t known about the vial Mallory had sent him...
She might have thought he’d simply made a deal with the devil.
Valerie swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood, stretching instinctively.
She noticed she was wearing a simple cotton nightshirt.
Nearby, a low dresser stood against the wall—two large drawers, and on top, a neatly folded stack of linen clothes with a folded note resting on top.
She picked up the note and read:
Don’t panic. You’re not dead. Not yet, anyway.
Get dressed, step outside, and find the plaza.
I have a feeling you’re thirsty.
— Sincerely, The Management
Valerie smiled despite herself.
Not dead yet? Well, someone has a sense of humor.
She quickly dressed, choosing the simple tunic and leggings provided, and made her way to the door.
She stepped out into a third-floor hallway overlooking a wide, tavern-style common room—tables and chairs scattered below, a massive stone hearth burning at the far end, filling the space with a golden glow.
It smelled faintly of smoke, bread, and something sweet she couldn’t quite name.
No one else was around yet.
Without a better idea, she descended the stairs and stepped outside into—
—
Valerie stopped dead, her mouth slightly open.
Before her stretched a medieval village so vivid, so real, she almost expected to hear horses' hooves clopping down the stone-paved streets.
Hand-built cottages with dark timber frames.
Cobblestone alleys winding between low walls.
A smithy hammering steel in the distance.
The air smelled clean and sharp, with the faintest hint of woodsmoke and damp earth.
She stood there for a long moment, simply drinking it in, until someone bumped into her from behind.
Colin Mercer and Leah Barnes, equally wide-eyed, had stumbled into her just outside the inn.
After a few awkward laughs and quick introductions, they fell into easy conversation.
"Valerie Connors," she said, offering her hand.
"Chief of Staff for Senator Langston."
Colin shook her hand firmly, masking his surprise.
He hadn't expected someone from outside Voss Holdings to be part of this gathering—much less someone sitting at the very heart of Washington’s power structure.
Mallory must have made a special call for her, Colin thought.
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
And he found himself quietly impressed.
Bringing a sharp political mind into this new world... it was a bold, strategic move.
Rather than dwell on it, he smiled and gestured toward the open plaza ahead.
"Come on," he said. "Looks like there’s more to see."
The three of them moved toward the center of town—drawn instinctively toward the sound of running water.
The town plaza opened before them.
At its heart stood a massive fountain—elegant in its simplicity—carved from pale stone and ringed with ivy-covered ironwork.
Water spilled gently from an upper bowl into a wide, clear basin below, the sound soothing and vibrant at once.
Mist rose faintly around the edges, catching the morning light in soft rainbow arcs.
The sight was so peaceful, so profoundly real, that Valerie found herself reaching out—half-expecting her hand to pass through it like a hologram.
But no.
It was solid.
It was real.
She wasn’t dreaming.
Or if she was—
it was the most vivid dream she'd ever had.
Suddenly, something overtook Valerie’s vision, overlaying the medieval town with minimal opacity.
---
System Message
Welcome to the Tutorial.
Please stand by for full interface calibration.
Estimated time to activation: 00:01:59
---
She blinked rapidly, but the glowing message remained fixed in her vision—impossibly crisp, floating in empty space.
Next to her, Leah was staring into nothingness, lips moving faintly.
Valerie leaned closer and whispered:
"Uh... Leah? Are you seeing this too?"
Leah nodded stiffly.
"Yeah. Colin mentioned something about this, but... I have no idea what the hell is going on."
Before either of them could say more, the display updated:
---
System calibration in progress.
Please remain still.
Do not attempt to access inventory, abilities or menus during initialization.
Analyzing anatomical and neurological structures to ensure compatibility…
---
A subtle hum filled the air—almost inaudible, as dozens of people around the fountain were going through the same initialization.
Then exactly two minutes later:
---
System Message
Valerie Connors
Welcome to The System.
The System exists to guide, support, and elevate your growth.
Through effort and choice, you will unlock potential beyond traditional human limitations.
Please prepare for Combat Class Selection.
---
Valerie blinked at the glowing words.
"Combat class...?" she whispered.
"What the hell is happening?"
Next, another message appeared.
---
System Message
The System acknowledges your unexpected journey into the foundations of humanity’s evolution. Though you were not forewarned, you are forging a path where none existed before. You have been awarded the following title:
Unbidden Pathfinder—
Without prior knowledge or preparation, you entered the unknown and became one of humanity’s early architects of a new future.
Your courage and adaptability will leave echoes for generations to come.
+5% to all stats.
---
“What is…”
Then another screen unfurled.
---
System Interface
Character Status
Name: Valerie Connors
Age: 32 years
Level: 0
Race: Homo Sapiens—Augmented
Class: N/A
Profession: N/A
Titles:
Unbidden Pathfinder
Core Attributes (Stats):
Strength 16
Dexterity 32
Endurance 21
Vitality 21
Intelligence 23
Wisdom 19
Charisma 37
Perception 26
Health: 315 / 315
Stamina: 210 / 210
Mana: 227 / 227
---
Murmurs stirred all around the plaza.
Close to a hundred people were experiencing their first introduction to The System—and their own stats.
Then came the next message:
---
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
---
Valerie stared at the text in front of her.
“It’s like a video game, or something…” she whispered
Finally, another line appeared.
---
Do you wish to accept or learn more about the other classes?
---
So, this is like a Rogue, right?
Sneaky, gathering secrets and such?
That sounds like it’s right up my alley. Hm, I wonder if I’ll learn how to shoot with a bow?
Valerie smiled to herself—and accepted Skirmisher as her class.
Looking around, she saw others finishing their selections too.
Colin and Leah, still standing nearby, had completed theirs and quickly compared notes.
"I became a Healer," Leah said, beaming.
Colin slung an arm around her shoulders, grinning.
"That’s my girl. Healer fits you perfectly. I’m a Fighter.
Imagine me in heavy armor, holding a massive shield, protecting my lady from harm!"
He flexed theatrically, and both Leah and Valerie laughed.
Leah turned to Valerie, curious.
"What about you, honey?"
"Oh, I’m a Skirmisher," Valerie said.
"I’m still wondering how all of this is going to work, but... it sounds like fun?"
Just then, a new system message unfolded across their vision:
---
System Message
Congratulations on completing your Class selection.
You have been inducted into The System.
The journey ahead will test your abilities, your instincts, and your resolve.
Please be reassured:
- Your physical body remains protected in the world outside.
- Time continues to pass normally.
- You cannot die within the Tutorial, though you may experience temporary pain and discomfort if injured in combat.
There are six major milestones to complete during your Tutorial.
Through these, you will unlock the skills, strengths, and knowledge needed to thrive in the evolving world beyond.
Now that you have chosen your starting Class, it is time to discover the weapons that will walk beside you on your path.
This will be your first task at dawn.
Until then, you are free to explore, gather your thoughts, or return to your inn for rest.
---
After they read the message, Colin and Leah decided to wander back toward the inn to see if they had any drinks available, and Valerie went with them, grateful to have made new friends among a sea of strangers.
Still in awe of the realistic old-world feel to the village, the three walked down the cobblestone lane, joining many others who had the same idea.
They turned a corner and spotted the inn where they had awakened. A heavy wooden sign swayed slightly in the breeze, hung from an iron bracket overhead: The Winking Serpent.
Leah clapped her hands together with a laugh.
"Now that's a pretty cool name—totally captures the Ye Olde Tavern vibe!"
Colin chuckled.
"It's alright, I guess... Apparently the inn when Ronan and his group went through was called The Lusty Wench. This one’s cooler, if not quite as cheeky."
They all laughed as they pushed open the double wooden doors and stepped inside.
When they had first woken up, the place had been almost empty—quiet, still, like a stage awaiting its players.
Now?
The room bustled with dozens of people, packed at tables, laughing, talking, sipping frothy mugs of ale and wine.
Off to the side, a proper old-fashioned wooden bar stretched under a row of oak beams, and a burly barkeep with a brown apron and a magnificent handlebar mustache pulled pints from wooden taps.
The three of them found an empty table near the center of the room, still buzzing with the magic of it all.
Before a server even approached, Richard Levens and his wife, Julia, waved and joined them, pulling up two more chairs.
Colin made quick introductions, and Valerie’s eyebrows lifted slightly when she realized who they were.
"Kaylon Systems, huh?" she said with a smile. "Given my boss sits on the Armed Services Committee, I’m very familiar."
Richard just laughed.
"Small world, isn’t it?"
Just then, a server arrived at their table.
She wore a simple linen dress—green with black embroidered accents—fitted enough to flatter but loose enough for easy movement. Black leather boots peeked out from under her hem, and a half apron, embroidered with a tiny winking serpent in silver thread, was tied at her waist.
The young woman gave a bright, welcoming smile.
"Good evening! Welcome to The Winking Serpent. My name’s Mira."
Her voice was light and quick, carrying easily over the low din of the tavern.
"Tonight, we’ve got drinks flowing, and starting tomorrow morning, breakfast and dinner will be available each day. We have two local brews on tap, or excellent red wine from the vintner just outside of town."
Mira grinned, leaning in slightly.
"And no need to worry about payment—a generous elder stopped by yesterday and covered everything for your stay. No catch. So drink, eat, and relax!"
Everyone placed their orders, and Mira vanished with a nod, only to reappear a few minutes later carrying a wide tray full of tankards and goblets.
The group of five raised their mugs together, clinking them lightly over the table.
"To whatever the hell this is," Valerie said with a grin.
"To new beginnings," Colin added.
They drank deep, and for a while, the world outside—their old lives, their unanswered questions—fell away.
Then—
The tavern doors creaked open.
Every head turned as five figures walked through:
Mallory McInnis.
Vanessa Cho.
Elise Draven.
Ronan Vale.
Darian Sirova.
And Graham Thorne.
The original Round Table had arrived.