Chapter 24
**Interlude**
The system was in a giant sphere filled with monitors on the walls. In the center of the sphere was another ball, but this one was hollow, and many mannequins were watching the screens. The monitors had access to various forms of information, including people's status, who was progressing and who was not, and identifying which country, faction, or organization was hindering their people's growth. That is the one thing that the system deems unacceptable: for someone else to hinder someone else’s path to growth. If someone does not want to fight and live their life as a farmer, they can still grow, learn, and improve themselves in their chosen field. The system thrives on turmoil and strife, believing that it fosters growth, but it recognizes that many individuals lack the necessary drive, so it excludes them from its list. The only thing it absolutely loathes is tyrants dictating how a society should fit their needs, so the system watches and collects all this data. And sends agents to address the issue. There were many other mannequins of different colors collecting information, all part of the same whole, the artificial intelligence known as the system.
The white mannequin was looking at a list of different group tutorials that he was considering sending Theodore Thompson to.
“Which dark God do I want to piss off?” the system pondered,
pulling up another menu to see who the most problematic individuals were in the tutorial.
“Yes, those monsters are using what most civilized races call taboo magic, or having bloodlines of manipulation. Since Theodore has just come out of a training session on mental resistance, let’s put that to good use and mess with their plans. I know I’m not supposed to play favorites, but even I can’t stand those who subvert other people’s wills, and I see we have a winner. This monster uses his bloodline to enthrall people, and he is also on my shit list for his actions in the group tutorial. Tim Carpenter and his potential patron is minor dark God that I don’t care for.” The system thought.
With that, it had been decided where Theodore's group tutorial would be. And now, the system thought it would be a good time to visit an old friend. A portal opened, and the white mannequin walked through, entering a land of desolation and regret —a realm that felt almost endless in its torment. The system could hear screams of tortured souls all around him. A figure emerged from the ground, its shape a man made of rock and flowing magma, speaking in a grinding voice that echoed throughout the land.
“What brings you here to my domain, system?” the being asked.
“To bring you news of your lost progeny, Gehenna, and their new warden,” the system said.
With an earth-shaking laugh,
“That one always got in trouble when they were in my domain, and they were still brash when they chose their first warden. But it’s been a very long time—over millennia. It seems like they finally learned their lesson, so tell me about them.”
And the system did, telling him everything they knew about Gehenna and the new warden, Theodore.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
“It is great to know that Gehenna is doing well and has found a good one. But knowing you, what is the other purpose that brings you here besides telling me the good news of my wayward offspring?” Tartarus said.
“I would like you to be Theodore’s patron. It would make sense, and I would like actually to have him as one of my agents,” the system said.
“I’m surprised not many people or factions caught on that you like to use wardens as your agents because of their abilities,” Tartarus said.
“Well, I learned my lesson. I must be discreet now to further my agenda rather than crush them outright. But you know how politics work,” the system grumbled.
“Very true. And the answer is yes, I will give Theodore my blessing after the end of the tutorial, and I will talk to my warden, Hades, about making him a member of our faction,” Tartarus said.
“Yes, the faction of many gods of death and the afterlife, banding together because the original factions were assholes and got destroyed,” the system said.
“Well, yes, for my brother, Zeus had it coming. He was a total myzouris. Do you know where he ended up? I want him here, in Tartarus, for all the shit he made me do over the eons,” Tartarus said.
“I do, but I’m not telling,” the system said smugly.
Hey, Grace, we are about to head out,” a male voice said
Give me a moment to check my character sheet,” Grace responded
Grace Thompson
Race: Human F-Grade Lv. 7
Class: Rogue Lv. 7
Profession: Novice alchemist Lv. 7
Health: 150/150
Mana: 220/220
Stamina: 200/200
Stats:
Vitality: 15
Strength: 12
Endurance: 20
Agility: 35
Intelligence: 22
Wisdom: 20
Willpower: 30
Perception: 25
Free Points: 0
Class Skills:
Stealth, Common, novice 9
Knowledge of traps, Common, Novice 5
Short Sword Mastery, Common, Novice 8
Backstab, Common, Novice 6
Professional skills:
Herbalism, Common, Novice 7
Potion Making, Common, Novice 5
Knowledge OF Herbs, Common, Novice 8
Knowledge OF Potions, Common, Novice 9
Bloodline Skills:
Mental Resistance, Common, Novice 5
Physical Resistance, Common Novice 5
Soul Resistance, Common, novice 5
Bloodline: Fortitude
"Anything new?” the male voice said.
Grace turned from the bar, in which a few tutorial goers were present, to face the man.
“Yes, I got a few levels in Potion Making; how about you, Alex?” Grace said with a smile.
“First off, again, how clichéd is it for the Rogue to be the Alchemist? And yes, I got a little bit more experience in Blacksmithing.” Alex said
Grace rolled her eyes. “Yeah, the same cliché is for the Warrior to be a Blacksmith.”
“It’s practical,” Alex replied without missing a beat.
“Yeah, so is a Rogue knowing Alchemy,” Grace shot back with a smile.
"Anyway, as I said before, the rest of us are headed towards the front gate. We need to get going,” Alex said.
“Fine, fine. So what are we gonna fight today?” Grace said.
“Didn’t you listen to Jessica? Yesterday, before we separated, she already stated what creature we were going to fight today,” James responded as they were walking down the street.
“No, I was too busy paying attention to the level-ups I got,” Grace said.
“For the rogue and scout of the party, your situation awareness sucks,” Alex had deadpanned.
“Hey, we were out of combat, and all of you are there. It’s not like I was defenseless,” Grace defended herself.
As they got to the gate of the tutorial town, people were coming and going. She saw her party: Jessica the Healer, Kyle the Mage, and Aaron, another Warrior.
Jessica said, “Are you all ready to head out?”
“Yes, where are we going again?” Grace said.
Kyle responded, “Were you paying attention yesterday?”
“Nope,” said Grace.
“Everyone groaned. And Someone said, “We’re hunting goblins.”
Jessica, rubbing the bridge of her nose, said, “You need to pay attention even if there’s no combat going on, and we’re hunting goblins,” she repeated with a huff.
“Okay, I will, but you guys will take forever. I’ll meet you there,” as she said that, she bolted off.
