Chapter 2: Outside
The view of Blane's new world was anti-climatic, to say the least, all he could see was a normal-looking forest. He could see trees, some bushes. A bird fluttered through the forest and a creek bubbled nearby, but most importantly there was no danger. He stepped out of the pod and, fell straight onto his face, apparently his legs needed a minute to re-adjust after being frozen for 100 years.
"Soo X is your name," Blane asked his system.
"If you are referring to the system" X began. "Then no, I do not have the info required to know what it is called other than just system. If you are referring to me, the AI program then yes I am X."
Blane still thought it was a little weird having an AI in his head directly, without a chip implant. Shure he had an AI watch and his phone was also quite advanced. Wait, his phone, why didn't he think of it earlier. Going in his pockets he found it, bringing it out though was a disappointment.
"Why did I think that after 100 years my phone would still have any battery," he said out loud. The only reply was the rustling of the leaves in the wind. Gurgle. His stomach made a noise that would frighten off any beast within a kilometre of him. He had skipped lunch and was quite hungry.
"Time to give this system thing a shot," Blane said eyeing some berries off in a bush nearby "X can you scan the life system of that bush?" Instead of the usual voice, he got a pop up in the corner of his vision.
===========================================
[Red Yathen Barry Bush] [25 years old] [Level 4 / 5]
[Red Yathen Barries] [Item] [Consumable] [Effect: None]
===========================================
"So can I eat them," he asked annoyed and hungry.
"If an item is harmful the effect will appear under the effects catagory, this also applies for positive benefits" X informed him. "Gathering information is also one way to upgrade your system" Then a pop-up appeared.
========================================
{System "$&Q%*£}
[Level 1] [ 0 / 10000 ]
{Natural Raritys Discoverd}
[Red Yathen Barry Bush] [Red Yathen Barries]
[Xp gained]
[Level 1] [ 2 / 10000 ]
========================================
"This is going to take forever," Blane said sighing. He then grabbed a few of the barries and popped them in his mouth. They were sweet and juicy, like a perfectly ripe strawberry. After his snack Blane decided that there was no time like the present to start this "upgrading of his system", so he turned to the nearest tree and then asked X to scan it for him. This time however instead of a pop-up X gave a reply.
"It seems to be a cider tree around 28 years of age," X's voice said Blane didn't gain any points nor did his system tell him anything about the tree.
"What's wrong with this tree, why did the barries work but not it?" Blane asked.
"To answer that question I will need you to release my AI potential," X answered unhelpfully. Blane groaned and looked for anything else that may show up on the system. That's when a blue glow near the base of the tree caught his eye. Moving some leaves out of the way he was able to see what it was.
"What's up with that mushroom," he asked identifying the plant. Suddenly the system popped up.
==============================================
[Aghoris Mushroom] [Consumable] [Effect: Death By Poison]
==============================================
Blane took a step back from the glowing mushroom, not wanting to get too close. Then his system popped up again.
========================================
{System (*£"£$%)(*&^}
[Level 1] [ 2 / 10000 ]
{Natural Rarity Discovered}
[Aghoris Mushroom]
[Xp gained]
[Level 1] [ 3 / 10000 ]
========================================
"Oh so mushrooms work," Blane said spying another type nearby, "Scan those ones system"
=========================================
[ERROR] {Target Does Not Have A Life System}
=========================================
"It appears to be a portobello mushroom," X added.
"So what my system can only tell me about things that don't exist, is really helpful," Blane said exasperated. As he thought about this he put his hands in his pockets, when he did this his hand brushed against his phone. Although he had touched his phone earlier something different happened this time, back then he had not gained any XP for the system, now however was a different story.
================================
[Absorb Artifact] [ + 100 System XP]
[Cell Phone] [Rank B]
[A communication device from Earth.]
================================
Seeing this a thought crossed Blane's mind, what if the pod also counted as an artifact, it was from the earth as well, walking back and placing a hand on it he was not disappointed.
=========================================
[Absorb Artifact] [ + 1000 System XP]
[HealX Pod (broken)] [Rank A ]
[A pod that used to be able to heal any who entered.]
=========================================
"Well the school has coverage anyways," Blane said. "Absorb." suddenly the pod in front of him started to lose all of its colours turning white. When the pod had turned completely all the details began to vanish, until it was just a big white blob. The blob then shrunk until it was the size of a gumball, without any warning it speed towards Blane's chest at a high-speed colliding with him. He readied himself for the impact but felt nothing as the ball of energy passed into his body. At that second a notification popped up.
========================================
{System "£$%^&*(
[Level 1] [ 3 / 10000 ]
{A Rank Artifact Absorbed}
[Heal X Pod]
[Xp gained]
[Ability gained]
[Level 1] [ 1003 / 10000 ]
========================================
========================================================================
[New Ability]
[Passive heal]
[100 / 100] [Level 1 0 / 10]
[Over time you will slowly gain points, these points can be used at any time to heal yourself or others, the more severe the injury the more points it will take.]
[This ability can be upgraded]
========================================================================
"Okay, a microchip system or something I can get, even a magical one created by a high-level wizard but something like this." Blane shook his head, "ill have to see it to believe it." Just then as if some higher power was listening a bush nearby him rustled, and a creature popped out, one that only existed in storybooks, a goblin.