Critical Condition

Sitting at the little desk that could fold up into the wall of the cabin, Gordon felt the weight of what had happened to him today. There was too much. The assassination attempt, the upgrade system, the apocalypse system, suddenly going on this trip with Jessica each one of these things alone would have shattered his world just yesterday.

And suddenly all he wanted to do was take out his beast. Everything he had done today and everything he would do tomorrow all revolved around this little broken off filament of a lichen. If this reindeer moss died or was just gone his life would go back to square one in a moment. Sure he might have the upgrade system and his friendship with Jessica. But this little beast's bond with him changed everything. He was no longer the seventeen year old from the day before, literally he was a new individual sharing an equal partnership with this tiny little branch.

Carefully inspecting his contract, Gordon was pleased to see that his lichen was no longer in critical condition. He had known that his beast allotment would heal a contracted beast and his weak G level ability hadn't deserted him. The healing power of the beast space was real.

[Cladonia portentosa (frail condition)

Skill: Symbiosis - The lichen can surround and integrate an organism.

Symbiotic Partners:

 Chlorophyceae (mutated)

 Skill: Photosynthesis - The algae can convert water and carbon dioxide into sugar.

 Microsporomyces magnisporus

 Skill: Acid - The yeast produces a toxic chemical that deters predators.

Description: A fungus having undergone lichenization generations ago now consists of two partner groups an algae and a yeast.

]

While his lichen had recovered to a degree it seemed like it would need a lot more time before it was back to full health. Thank goodness for the beast space and the fact that it bonded so easily. If the contract hadn't formed so swiftly he wasn't sure.

There were also three nice little skills for each of the three partners in the lichen symbiosis. The main body and the two partners. As Gordon read the skills he was flabbergasted by just how simple the this all was. Nodding to himself he realized that these skills were exactly what he would expect from a lichen, an algae, and a yeast.

A feeling of contentment and pride in his partner made him smile slightly and protectively cup his lichen. This feeling relaxed and soothed out all the stress from a day of quick decisions unknowable future repercussions. 

Heaviness suddenly caused his head to droop and drowsy the next moment Gordon was asleep on the desk. For a while he continued to cup the lichen filament until he adjusted his arms rolling to cushion his head with one arm. The lichen was left in the other hand that had always been placed above the book. However it slowly ever so slowly pulled over naturally and his hand that was holding the lichen relaxed allowing his bonded beast to slip down onto the cultivation manual. 

When it did a light flashed and then held steady at a more dim but encompassing glow of evolution. Within this light the lichen went into a frenzy of growth soon encompassing the entire book. As it grew it seemed to be absorbing energy which was was actively emitting from the book.

Unknown to Gordon while he slept the lichen not only recovered fully, grew exponentially, but also evolved. 

Next to his head the reindeer moss, Cladonia portentosa, its antler like thallus gently moving as Gordon breathed in and out.

____

Waking up groggily to the sound of a knock on the door Gordon startled and wiped his drool. Eyes still bleary he didn't notice his contract at first. Everything about the room was new to Gordon so the unusual object on his desk was no more than one new thing among many.

Getting up he opened the door and smiled as Taylor stood at the door with a few trays on a cart. Carefully picking up one of the trays Taylor presented it to Gordon.

"Your breakfast, sir."

Taylor said respectfully.

"Oh, I am definitely not a sir. I come from the pits."

Quickly Gordon tried to adjust Taylor's view of him.

"The pits?"

However, Taylor's answer was unexpected, confusion.

"Yes, the pits are the part of Talon reserved for those who can't fight or defend themselves."

As if it didn't matter Gordon explained the general disposition of people in the pits.

"Right!"

Taylor said and then after an awkward pause he continued.

"There is usually a section of each city reserved for those who are not able to defend themselves. It is no shame."

Gordon, heard the words, but was struck by the tone of Taylor's voice. He was no longer forcing an overly bright demeanor. Instead the attendant seemed to relax and talk normally without any affectation.

"Did you grow up in such a place?"

Curious now, Gordon asked.

"No, we flyers have our own community. We transfer from plane to plane according to our contracts, but in our own way we also serve at the whim of the haves... Grace to our benefactors."

Taylor's voice trailed off. No one was going to complain, but there were shared concepts that only those who served the haves understood. The words 'Grace to our benefactors' was a saying loaded with meaning for someone from the pits. On the surface the words were full of respect for those who fought and died defending humanity. However, among the residents of the pit, it was usually only said after they were forced against their will to obey some whim or even perform some action that went against common decency.

"Grace to our benefactors."

Giving the same response back Gordon wasn't surprised when Taylor smiled even more widely back.

Putting the plate back onto the cart Taylor reached under the cart and brought out a small flat box of some kind. Quickly he slipped the small box under the lid that was keeping the plate warm and then handed the plate to Gordon.

"Enjoy your breakfast."

This time Taylor didn't add sir at the end and Gordon felt that his smile was very genuine.

Closing the door as Taylor continued to wheel the cart down the hall Gordon took the plate to the desk marveling over such a big reaction from Taylor over such a small thing.

This time as he put the plate down he couldn't help but see the reindeer moss. The difference from the night before was huge. Immediately he concentrated his mind to see what the system had to say about the new form of his contract.

[Cladonia portentosa (Awakened, healthy)

Common Name: Reindeer Lichen (Reindeer Moss)

Rank: Black Iron

Stars: None

Core: Spirit Refining Stage - 1%

Skill:

 Symbiosis - The lichen can surround and integrate an organism. Has a very rare opportunity to form a symbiotic partner with a suitable organism. This opportunity to form a mutual symbiotic partnership is based on pre-existing factors and is not due solely to chance.

 Link - The primary partner in the symbiosis can form a link with other organisms allowing these linked organisms to share knowledge.

Symbiotic Partners:

 Chlorophyceae (color mutation)

 Skill:

 Photosynthesis - The algae can convert water and carbon dioxide into sugar. Energy production is increased by 5%.

 Enhanced Cell Walls - The algae's cell walls have been enhanced to provide faster transfer of molecules in and out of the algae.

 Microsporomyces magnisporus

 Skill:

 Acid - The yeast produces an acid that harms predators when ingested. Acid has a deterring effect.

 Flagella - An appendage allows the yeast to move within the larger phallus body of the reindeer moss.

Lesser Standard Cultivation Manual

Skill:

 Mana Sense: The manual has the ability to sense mana.

 Mana Manipulation: The manual has the ability to manipulate mana.

Description: A fungus with a three pronged branching thallus body now consists of three partner groups an algae and a yeast.

]

There was so much new information on his reindeer lichen that Gordon hardly knew where to start. His contract had formed a new symbiotic relationship with the cultivation manual? This was unbelievable.

Carefully he picked up the manual whose from cover was now one mass of reindeer lichen and was immediately surprised by the fact that he couldn't open the book. Was he crazy? Was his contract preventing the book from opening? As he looked closer at the manual he found that it didn't actually have pages. Instead there were some instructions written on the back. 

_____

To use place a drop of blood on the front cover of the manual. Hold the manual and it will guide the bonded owner to circulate chi throughout their body.

_____

Seems like some Jessica gave him some kind of cultivation assistant instead of just a book. What a great help it would have been if his pet hadn't bonded the manual ahead of him. 

Shrugging Gordon thought that things would work out somehow.

Suddenly Gordon felt a sharp needle like prick and then a moment of dizziness as energy made his skin flush with heat. Something was happening to him!

Trying to hold onto his consciousness he carefully put the pamphlet back down on the desk while he steadied himself by sitting on the nearby bed. Everything was nearby in these tiny cabins.

"What just happened?"