The Split
Rena looked at us all once more before turning around to head the other way.
"We'll cross paths again if you continue to survive Sevarian. Good luck." Rena says while walking off.
"Hopefully so." I respond before she gets too far.
We were back to our normal party for the time being but we couldn't just wait around for something to happen. After a bit of walking everyone decided to rest briefly.
Sitting in the middle of the woods, not far off from the town that we just came from.
"The key is good for which gate Sevarian?" Onyx speaks up.
"The fifth gate." I answer while looking down at the ground.
I've got to make better choices going forward, especially after avoiding death.
"Interesting. Maybe it's best that we split up for the time being." Onyx suggests with a bit of a serious demeanor.
He gave off a way different aura than before, maybe it's because of how everything went with the last gate.
"Then you and Kallista should head for the fourth gate while we search for the fifth one." I respond.
Kallista didn't really say anything yet but I think she is just focused on the latest events that happened with me. Her face was concealed still, I haven't seen it since the day we fought against one another.
"Please be careful this time Sevarian." Kallista says with a worried tone in her voice.
I spoke too soon, she decided to say something after all and it was some sort of concern for me.
"I promise I'll be careful this time around." I reply with an assuring tone.
Onyx and Kallista didn't really have much more to say after we agreed to split up for the time being. She took my promise and left for the fourth gate.
It was left to me, Elizabeth, and Rika to deal with the fifth gate now but I need to apologize to Rika. I should've responded to her before instead of ignoring her like I did.
It wasn't intentional at all but I'm just figuring a bunch of things out myself.
~The fourth gate would be a good approach.
If you were paying attention you'd realize that we don't need to head to it. But I can't expect anything like that from you, you're just a system manager after all.
-------------
(Bold text not used in dialogue text going forward will be talk towards the system manager. If it's italicized and bold, it is a voice talking to Sevarian unless indicated otherwise by symbols. ∆ [] • <-- example of said symbols.) To avoid confusion.
-------------
~You are free to pursue your own path as you choose. I will still give you the quests you need but we are not enemies Sevarian.
At this point in time I don't believe you.
~Fine. System restoration will be completed by tomorrow.
"Sevy are you really okay?" Rika says while standing before me.
She completely took me out of my thoughts and I'm happy she did. The system manager is a very confusing person to deal with sometimes. I don't really know their motives as much as I did Elizabeth's.
"I'm okay. I apologize for before, I didn't mean to ignore you. A lot has happened and I've been trying to process it all." I respond with sincerity in my voice.
"I wasn't mad at you, just worried you dummy." Rika says as she begins to pout.
Dealing with people who care about you never gets old, it will always be a good thing to have.
"I'm perfectly okay and won't be going anywhere. Thank you for caring about my well being." I reply while patting her head.
Within seconds of patting her head I felt her warm embrace as she hugged me tightly. I really shouldn't worry those close to me this much.
~System does work other than the current issue with the rewards. Feel free to check out anything else as needed.
Thanks.
~It seems the experience rewarded from the previous gates is there. You've gained 20 levels. Two mysterious items will be appearing in your inventory within the next few days and an update was made to the level announcements.
What the hell does that mean?
~I will now tell you when you level and how many levels you gain, this is due to a reward given to you by the third gate. Eliminates the "needed experience to level up." Display and just allows me to share your direct level ups and points available.
Interesting I guess.
{Stats.}
----------
{Balance}
Zethel = 1,385,000
Level 142
Points Available: 23
•Vitality Level 40 (10,000)
•Intelligence Level 44
•Agility Level 30
•Reflexes Level 35
•Strength Level 25 (+13)
•Endurance Level 26
•Mana Level 20(+13) (8,300)
------------
I don't really have an idea on what I want to put my points into just yet but I'll figure it out soon.
"This is nice Rika." I say while still embracing her.
"Ahhh- Sorry for hugging you for so long, just was really worried but I'm glad you're okay." Rika replies while flustered a bit.
Always such an interesting personality, but I'm happy to have her by my side.
"Sevarian you really should utilize some more of those skills you have." Elizabeth speaks up from behind me.
My skill trees do have quite a bit of things that I probably could use if given the right opportunity. The undead king tree did give me a resurrection skill for low tier mobs that could help me with different encounters.
"I agree. I'll have to start using some of the other skills from the different trees more." I respond in agreement with her.
∆^∆^∆^∆^∆^∆^∆^∆^∆
~The Fourth and Fifth Gate have formed. Please hel--- ∆∆∆∆∆∆ ERROR ∆∆∆∆∆∆
∆^∆^∆^∆^∆^∆^∆^∆^∆
Are you okay?
~Everything is perfectly okay. Both gates have formed and are beginning to open. Good luck.
That's not the first time that I've seen that plea for what appears to be help but I don't know what to make of it yet.
"Good. I think you'd be a lot stronger if you did." Elizabeth says with a positive tone in her voice.
Two different things at the same time. The thought about what I was just told from the system manager and then the conversation about me using my skill trees more.
Sigh.