[System Initialized.]


    [Scanning...]


    [Mana not detected.]


    [Mana saturation complete.]


    [Essence Grade: F.]


    [Merge successful.]


    [Tutorial Commencing.]


    Noah opened his eyes to find a small white room with neither windows nor doors. He blinked. Where was he? Noah stretched out his hands and saw that they were no longer bound together. At least there’s that. Noah went to take a step when a screen appeared before him.


    Status


    Name: Noah Denter


    Race: Human


    Grade: F


    Caste: Dust


    Gate: 1


    Path: Novice


    Level: 0


    Strength: 12


    Dexterity:14


    Constitution: 11


    Intelligence:11


    Wisdom: 13


    Willpower: 14


    EXP: 0/10


    Essence: 0


    Stat points available: 0


    Noah fell to his knees as he stared at the screen in amazement. It actually happened. I’m not crazy… Tears welled in his eyes as he read through the screen. This was the measurement of who he was, who he had become. The numbers felt right. He couldn’t explain why but somehow he knew that they were true. It was as if he looked at himself in a mirror and recognized himself. There were several new words that he didn’t understand though. What does it mean that I am F grade?


    [Tutorial will now begin.]


    The same cold, hollow voice from the police station spoke in his mind. Who is that? What tutorial? He thought.  Before he could vocalize his questions the voice continued.


    [Your planet has been initiated into the multiverse. Earth has been merged with additional planets. Planet Grade measured as F. Adjustments have been made. The surface area of the new planet, Unnamed is 150 times that of Earth’s.]


    Thoughts raced through Noah’s head as he tried to take it all in. He could hardly imagine an Earth twice the size, much less 150 times. He was getting distracted though.


    “What does Grade mean?” Noah said aloud.


    [Standard definitions are as follows. No further information will be provided.]


    Grade is the multiverse standard for essence density.


    Caste is the multiverse standard for value.


    Gate is the multiverse standard for inspiration.


    Path is the multiverse standard for level progression.


    “Thank you…” Noah replied, his question no more answered than before. He was glad to see Gate on his status and he supposed that inspiration made some sense. As he focused on Gate, another screen popped up before him.


    [Congratulations. You have reached the first Gate. Choose a reward.]


    Immediate


    Progressive


    Noah read the options that had appeared before his eyes. Immediate or progressive. This must be what the entity meant when I first reached the gate. Noah raked his mind for the best path forward. He knew he could use an immediate boost, but he had no clue how much he would miss by taking that option. Everyone knew that get-rich-quick schemes were short-lived, and he didn’t want to be that sucker who bought into the instant gratification. He wished he had more information, some numbers to run, or a 30-day guarantee. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    “Can you explain the options for me?” Noah asked hopefully. He waited. Nothing.


    Worth a try. Noah thought before he made up his mind. If there was a way to save his people it wasn’t going to be a quick and easy solution. With that thought in mind, he mentally chose progressive.


    [Progressive: Every time you gain a level, you get one additional stat point to allocate.]


    He had no idea if that was the worthwhile choice but it sounded promising. Noah felt accomplished at his early win, aware that there was no better time to gain this boon than at level 0.


    [Estimated survival rate: 50%.]


    [Error. The survival rate is too high.]


    [Adjustments made. Difficulty increased.]


    “Oh.” Noah thought he would have puked if he could feel his body. One benefit to the strange void room he supposed. In a way, he was glad that he couldn’t take back his choice because he would have chosen the immediate boost given the present information. Instead, he closed his eyes and tried to take a deep breath. No luck.


    Noah was still spellbound by the influx of life-altering information. Of course, 50% is too much to ask for, now it''s a more reasonable, say 45%? Noah assured himself even as his heart sank. Noah recalled his vision then, perhaps the hordes, as he called them, were the “adjustments” the voice referred to.


    [Placement randomized.]


    [Wildlife enhanced.]


    “Of course its this way!” Noah grunted, realizing that his stockpiled protein bars would feed some other lucky soul. All that time and effort he spent procuring the perfect survival gear was now wasted. He could only hope that his preparation would go to use and that he would find himself in some other doomsday bunker.


    [Void closing in 00:01:00.]


    Noah regained his composure. He needed to think. What else could he get from the last minute? This was supposed to be the tutorial? I have barely learned anything. Noah thought with some frustration. Was there anything he could ask that would improve his chances?


    [00:00:30.]


    “Why is this happening?” Noah asked, hoping that the voice would deem his question worth responding to.


    [System expansion occurred due to unauthorized contact.]


    “What?


    [00:00:00]


    ~


    Trellian Galaxy, Sector 901


    “So it begins” She mumbled as she turned the globe in front of her. The blue and green marble now sat on the floor, a keepsake for the future. As a Bronze, she was allowed certain privileges, though not all were without repercussions. The globe was blue and orange with streaks of purple and patches of green, but that was the extent of her access. The accursed System would keep prying eyes away from the young ones.


    She had often wondered what it was like to be in their position, so ignorant of the broader machinations. It sounded freeing and disastrous. She could only hope that the situation wasn’t too far gone before access was granted. Her plans had certain fail-safes but it pained her to have no control over the outcome.


    Superior Galaxy, Sector 250


    “Father, did you hear the news?” Jonash asked.


    “Hmm?” The Emperor looked at his son, who once again neglected the formalities that even his children were expected to maintain. Who am I kidding? He thought as he smiled freely at his youngest child.


    “A new galaxy was just initiated” Jonash shared.


    “Thats… Odd” The Emperor replied, frowning in concentration.


    “What is it, father? The boy inquired, resting his hand on the pommel of the sword at his hip. His father wasn’t one to be concerned over trivialities.


    “Ah, I see.” The Emperor spoke, his face relaxing and the tension leaving the room. “A young one overstepped their bounds, but it was nothing grievous.”


    “What did they do?” Jonash asked, his amber eyes bright with curiosity.


    “My son! Did I miss your ascension to Bronze?” The Emperor asked doing his best to appear shocked.


    “Still Copper…” Jonash sighed. The Emperor nodded knowingly.


    “I am afraid I cannot share the details with you then. You will have to wait for the appropriate time, Jonash.”


    “Yes, Father.” The boy acknowledged respectfully.


    After Jonash had run along, The Emperor gestured to the man dutifully standing to the side of the throne room.


    “My Emperor” Darius intoned as he came to attention beside the throne.


    “Darius, you are to travel to the new galaxy. I permit you to use the full force of your rank to ensure non-interference from foreign entities.


    “Yes, Emperor.” The man responded before bowing and leaving the room.


    The Emperor smiled in satisfaction. It was only fitting that those of his caste shepherd the children the Great System brought into the fold.


    Surden Galaxy, Sector 995


    “Boss! Boss!” Came a high-pitched, raspy voice. Surden massaged his temples as he turned toward the voice.


    “This better be important, Chak,” Surden growled. Chak swallowed and looked up at the flared nostrils of the bossman’s face. He was mad.


    “Uhh. Yes sir. The galaxy you told me to watch has hatched.” Chak managed.  Surden tilted his head as he ran the numbers. That sounds about right. He thought as he gave up on the calculation.


    “Then it''s time!” He said with a savage grin. “Ready the men!”


    “Y-Yes Boss!” Chak said with a haphazard solute.


    Chak’s heart raced as he thought of it. A new galaxy always promised riches, but this one was special. He wouldn’t dare tell his men, but this galaxy marked a unique opportunity to rise above one’s station. And it would be his.


    Milky Way Galaxy, Sector 1000


    In a tiny pocket of the infant galaxy, an invisible pulse rippled across the heavenly bodies. The star in its center blinked and expanded many times over before a wave of blue-white intensity emanated from it. The subsidiary planets and moons morphed and grew, taking on a deeper vibrancy than any untouched galaxy could claim. This solar system’s jewel, that is Unnamed, took on a new form. With an artist''s hand, its landscape transformed. Its blues deepened, its greens scattered; reds and purples were interwoven into its tapestry. A handful of lights joined another, and like seeds were scattered across the canvas. Black pearls were placed just so, adding contrast to the lights. It was complete. A masterpiece.