NOVEL NEXT Chapter 145 - Multiversal Chat Board I
'Do you serve iced tea?' He signed to the waitress who approached his booth. Jeez, is everyone in the multiverse… just more beautiful than anyone I've seen on Earth? She's like an 11 out of 10.
She was a red-haired human woman, dressed in a medieval tavern wench outfit that he'd see in games and medieval cosplays: a brown corset that hugged her bust, over a white long-sleeved shirt, and a long red skirt that brushed against her ankles as she walked.
After nodding to him, she pulled the pencil out from her frilled hair and wrote the order on her notepad. She cast a playful wink back at him as she walked away.
So, this is the guild we Earthlings have to thank for inventing Tavern Wench outfits? Archie mused with a small smile. Guild Master – whoever you are – if you're the one who decided this would be the standard, then on behalf of all of humanity, I sincerely and wholeheartedly thank you.
Checking his Guild Membership Card, Archie saw that there was still a good 30 minutes before Aoife and Tim would reach the tavern, as they were just coming back from a quest that took them to the next city over.
With nothing better to do while he waited, Archie decided to finally explore the features on his Guild Membership Card – He only just learned that it worked as both a messaging app and a phone after having it for over two weeks now.
Sending a thin stream of mana into the metallic card, the card glowed blue before a soft glow lit up its surface as a holographic interface bloomed into view – visible to only him.
At the center hovered a simple home icon. Tapping it, a menu unfolded, presenting a long list of options-most of which were grayed out. His eyes scanned the myriad of options in front of him, curiosity piqued as he hovered his finger over one labeled Multiversal Teleportation Lines.
A soft beep echoed out as he tapped it, followed by a dull vibration and a red message: Function Currently Unavailable.
Worth a try, he thought with a hint of disappointment, exhaling softly through his nose. He minimized the menu with a flick of his fingers, expecting to be met with the same empty homepage as before.
But this time, it was no longer empty; A collection of new icons shimmered into view, arranged in a clean arc across the interface. His gaze skimmed over them-most still dimmed and inactive-but one in particular pulsed faintly with a soft, inviting glow.
Multiversal Chat Board.
That definitely hadn't been there a minute ago.
What's this? He thought to himself as he clicked the icon and was greeted with another screen.
Would you like to create a nickname and sign up, or would you like to join as a Guest?
…Sure, he thought, clicking the 'Yes' option presented to him to join as a Guest. Just as he clicked the cool-blue button, he was then greeted with a vertically elongated screen that looked just like the very same chat board site he used to use back on Earth. The hell?
Blinking away his curiosity, Archie accessed the Multiversal Chat Board.
Welcome, you have selected to be logged in as a Guest.
Multiversal Chat Board
Hot Topics: How do I unlizard my Goat-Rat Hybrid?, Mechara Order and Celestial Choir War about to end?!, New 72nd Tutorial Participants Group!, ...
Wait, what? The thought rang loud in Archie's head, snapping him from his relaxed slouch. His back straightened instinctively, spine pressing against the booth.
His eyes, wide with disbelief, flicked back to the softly glowing holographic screen. He licked his dry, cracked lips – more out of habit than anything – before forcing himself to glance away from the hovering screen.
Subtle. Be subtle.
His gaze darted around the tavern. A few nearby patrons spared him a casual glance at his sudden movements, but quickly went back to their drinks, dice games, or quiet conversations. Nothing more than a dumb E-Grade, their eyes seemed to say.
Archie turned his gaze back to the holographic screen and tentatively tapped the third Hot Topic option.
Keep in mind, as a Guest, you are unable to comment, donate, or comment on any of the replies.
Current Chat Board: Events -> Current & Multiversal -> New 72nd Tutorial Participants Group!
BanishedFork (Original Poster) [Verified C-Grade] [Verified Librarian Intern]
The next group of 72nd cycle Tutorial Participants is here! I was just having a department dinner when my boss, who was too drunk btw, let it slip that the next group of them is here!
► CanineWarrior_Stron [Verified D-Grade] [Verified Warrior]
Posted on Cycle 73 · 3402-08-01 · 00:05:23
Wait? Is this true? Can someone confirm?
► BanishedFork (Original Poster) [Verified C-Grade] [Verified Librarian Intern]
Posted on Cycle 73 · 3402-08-01 · 00:05:24 · Replying to CanineWarrior_Stron
Yeah, just found out from my boss at work, check the tag for proof. We were having those yearly dinners or something, I swear, if he wasn't a High C and didn't have a family backing, I would have killed him with how often he kept trying to grope me.
Any who, he got a bit too tipsy and let loose how he heard from his boss that they had a Tutorial Participant suddenly teleport into one of the Library's basement rooms and was there for a couple days before one of the high ranks there caught her.
So, the teleportation really is random, Archie thought, reading the OP's reply.
► RuinousRat
Posted on Cycle 73 · 3402-08-01 · 00:05:23
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
► Midnight_Pudding [Verified Aesthetic Entity]
Posted on Cycle 73 · 3402-08-01 · 00:05:24
OOOH! Does anyone know where some are? Like-are any getting auctioned? If yes, DM me FAST. I missed out on buying one last auction.
► xXx_CorpseKnight745_xXx
Posted on Cycle 73 · 3402-08-01 · 00:05:24
Haven't heard anything about it on my planet, nor in my sector. But I'm pretty sure I heard something about the last group that showed up being "Officially" the last group.
► BoneAsh_Blackmail [Verified Void Bone]
Posted on Cycle 73 · 3402-08-01 · 00:05:24
I saw one!!! Holy Void, I thought it was just another weird-looking flesh bag. They were standing in front of a brothel and just staring at the succubi workers.
After watching them just stare at them for twenty minutes straight, and when I offered help, they screamed and shouted. It then shouted something about tentacle hen- something idk. Very rude.
► SolarBread [Verified C-Grade] [Verified Combat Baker]
Posted on Cycle 73 · 3402-08-01 · 00:05:25
My uncle (he's a logistics officer in Sector 9) just texted me this emoji line when I asked if the Tutorial was active again:🫣🔥📦🔒👽
Make of that what you will.
Also, WHY IS NO ONE TALKING ABOUT THE FACT THEY KEEP SHOWING UP SHITING AND SCREAMING? THIS IS THE FIFTH FUCKING TIME I'VE HAD TO GET THEM A NEW SET OF CLOTHES!!!!!
Producing a chuckled cough at the posts, Archie smiled as he continued to read, eyes slightly widening as he approached the bottom of the page, and informed him that there were 24124 Pages left. It hadn't even been 30 minutes since BanishedFork made the original post.
"Your drink, sir," the server said, placing an Iced tea with a coaster atop the table and slowly pushing it in front of Archie.
'Thanks,' Archie signed with a brief smile before turning back to face the Chat Board and selecting to view the live page and not the older posts and replies, not giving any mind to the human server whose gaze lingered on him for a few seconds before moving to another table.
► Aether_ [Moderator]
Posted on Cycle 73 · 3402-08-01 · 00:05:30 · {Pinned Comment}
Reminder:
Do NOT post coordinates of captured or located Tutorial Participants publicly.
Doing so violates Universal Clause 14-G and will result in post deletion and either a Temporary or Permanent Ban.
► HexSnail [Verified Biomancer] [Researcher Extraordinaire]
Posted on Cycle 73 · 3402-08-01 · 00:05:30
I think my partner and I dissected one a couple weeks back.
And before you non-biomancer fucks start whining – calm down. It was already dead when we found it. Mostly...
My partner and I were curious why one of the elves on our planet felt so damn weak. Like, really weak. So, we grabbed her while she was out hunting in the woods (she was bleeding out from trying to kill a level 15 boar) and ran a few tests.
And holy shit, were we in for a surprise. Everything about her was off-weak, underdeveloped, just wrong. I detected zero mana in her system. Zilch. But I have recordings of her casting spells strong enough to down a couple level 8s.
Before you sweats try and jump the gun; we've dissected early E-Grade elves before, hundreds of them. They've got mana-saturated organs, strong nervous conduction, the works. But this one? Nothing. Not even a trace of mana saturation. She had a redundant respiratory organ tucked behind the spleen, and four different neurological trigger points we've never seen before.
We ran a comparison with another elf of the same level and Class-night and day difference. They weren't even in the same league.
They're like... test builds. Prototype-tier. Honestly, I'm starting to think the rumors about there being an F-Grade? They might be true.
Jesus, this shit's normal to talk about on a chat board? Archie thought to himself, a cold shiver trailing down his spine. The thought unsettled him more than he expected. He could've ended up just like that elven girl-cut open on someone's table and experimented on. Hell, that could've been Henry and my niece.
► Casual_Magpie [Verified E-Grade]
Posted on Cycle 73 · 3402-08-01 · 00:05:31
Okay, but are they hot? We keep skipping the real questions here. I mean, they aren't touched by mana, maybe that makes them hotter idk? Also, can I get the [Looking for Goth Babe] tag?
Archie almost spat out his drink when he saw this message pop up. One second, someone is talking about dissecting another person, and the next, someone is asking if they could get a dating tag.
► RunicLizard_Neckbeard [Verified Neckbeard]
Posted on Cycle 73 · 3402-08-01 · 00:05:31 · Replying to HexSnail
Can we talk about the respiratory organ thing? That's not even in baseline elves-biomancer buddy, can you share the scans? I've got a theory that ties into that failed Desc-Project that was whispered about on Arkenet.
► UnstableFlayer1234 [Verified D-Grade] [Verified Streamer]
Posted on Cycle 73 · 3402-08-01 · 00:05:31
Streaming NOW: "Catching a Tutorial Participant IRL – Gone Planetary (Not Clickbait)"
We just landed on a planet that has been reported to me as potentially having a TP. Got snacks, team, and a net. If we catch one, I'll see if I can get them to join my crew, could use the boost in records.
#pray4content #catchNgrab
They got streaming in the Multiverse, too? The hell?
► SkeleHugsForRent [Verified D-Grade]
Posted on Cycle 73 · 3402-08-01 · 00:05:31 · Replying to SolarBread
Honestly? From what I heard from around my faction, sometimes their clothing gets shredded from atmospheric trauma on transition. We don't know why, though.
► Cheers4Money [Verified Therapist]
Posted on Cycle 73 · 3402-08-01 · 00:05:31
Can confirm. Got one in my therapy ward right now. No memory of anything before the Tutorial. High instability levels were detected with my emotional readings. When I asked what they remembered last, they whispered "Running" and started dry heaving.
Also, uh…they have a weird resistance to soul scanning. Like, my usual membrane probes bounce off like they have some sort of shield around their souls. I'm also a couple Grades above them, so yeah…
► Midnight_Pudding [Verified Aesthetic Entity]
Posted on Cycle 73 · 3402-08-01 · 00:05:31 · Replying to BoneAsh_Blackmail
[Deleted by Moderator] [Timed out for 2Y]
► HexSnail [Verified Biomancer]
Posted on Cycle 73 · 3402-08-01 · 00:05: 31 · Replying to RunicLizard_Neckbeard
Maybe. Depends. You gonna pay for it in mana crystals or juicy info? 👀
Also, the organ isn't just redundant - it looks like it was growing into something else. Vestigial as hell.
► Servant_of_the_Thread8231
Posted on Cycle 73 · 3402-08-01 · 00:05:32
The Order of Thread is very interested in these new arrivals.
Their fates are… strange. Unanchored threads, born without anchors. We will offer them shelter. Tutorial Participants DM.
Those willing to escort them to us will be rewarded with a weave of their fate.
► Throk_MeatHammer [Verified Arena Champion]
Posted on Cycle 73 · 3402-08-01 · 00:06:37
Tutorial Participant youngling dropped from sky. Land in soup.
Still ate soup.
She also ate the soup that she landed in and said, "10/10 yum yum."
Now she is honor guest.
Will teach her to kill next week.
► HexRattle_Cadence [Verified Undead Bard]
Posted on Cycle 73 · 3402-08-01 · 00:06:38
One of them found me rehearsing near the Crypt Theaters on my planet.
Said they "used to be a bard subclass before the irl nerf." To test him, I played him a ballad. He then played it back… in reverse using his broken guitar.
I am intrigued.
Oh, there he is," came a familiar voice from his right.
Archie turned his head, quickly closing the message board with a flick of his fingers. Standing a few feet away were Tim and Aoife-both looking out of breath and covered in what could only be described as thick, glistening snot.
His brows slowly rose. '…What happened to you two?'
Tim gestured vaguely to his slime-coated, scaled torso, exhaling like he'd just flown a marathon. "Slime dungeon."
Aoife slumped into the booth across from Archie, grimacing as she peeled a half-dried glob of goo from her sleeve. "The slimes within the dungeon were not difficult to kill, but were very difficult to move through."
Tim let out a short laugh and plopped himself down at the table, snatching a handful of napkins and half-heartedly trying to clean himself off. "So, are you ready to head out for that mine quest? Thought we'd knock it out ASAP."
Archie gave them a look, eyes flicking from Tim's goo-covered body to Aoife's goo-crusted cybernetics. "You sure you don't want to... I don't know, bathe first? Or at least burn your clothes? Both?"
Tim grinned, "Where's the fun in that?"