World Filter

The rays of sunlight beamed down on their squad. It had taken them a good while to make their way out of the dungeon and by the time they had escaped it was already four in the afternoon. They were on top of the same building they had been dropped off at.

Sam had radioed it in, and now they were just waiting for their ride home.

Mark brought up his Status.

Name: Mark Young (22 - M)

Level: 25

Next level: 389/676

Stats:

Resistance

Aura

Mana

Prana

897 (+4) [815]

0 [+25]

118 [+20]

329 (+4, +15, +20,)[+90]

Unspent stat points - 0

Corruption value: 50.32%

System Points: 1521

Skills: Meditation, Limit release(Physical), Limit release(Mental)

Spells: Passive Regeneration(Self)[5], Force bolt[10]*, Prana Pulse[2], Regenerate[4], Draw Corruption[5], Corruption recovery[4], Shape Mana(Force)[9], Invigorate[4], Cleansing surge[5], Read Memory[1], Mind Spike[1], Earth Control[1], Light Control[2].

World inventory. Marketplace. Trade

Mark looked over his stats, he had earned a decent amount of stats by going through this dungeon. One of his skills had even leveled up to rank 10. He needed to address that, but he’d wait till they were back in the safe zone to fiddle with it.

He also wanted to use his time to burn off some of this Corruption.

To Mark, it hadn't felt like it was affecting him, but the fact that he was talking to it -worse still understanding it- left an unpleasant taste in his mouth.

Finally, speaking of unpleasant tastes, his time was almost up.

Mark had been enjoying the benefits of his sector reward for almost a week. Now if his calculations were correct he had another twoish hours until the timer came up.

It was a bittersweet feeling because he was losing something, but at the same time others had never had this bonus and they’d been fine.

It had helped him cover the gap that other healers suffered in the early levels. Now it was up to Mark to put in the work to kill just that many more.

Mark’s feet were dangling over the edge of the building when Daphne came and set down next to him.

“Hey,” she said.

“Hey,” he responded.

“So, what are your plans when we get back?” she asked.

“Mm, probably relax for a minute. Work on some of the magic I’ve been meaning to get to. Give a report if needed.”

She nodded as if she had expected that.

“Look I want you to be careful. If you are going to remain a party for hire, you are going to keep getting into these situations. I won’t be there next time... Unless you’ve changed your mind?”

Mark shook his head slightly.

“Then promise me if you are going to take on more of these missions you’ll be careful”

Nodding his head he said

“Yes, I’ll be careful” he promised.

“Okay, good… would you-”

The sounds of helicopter blades thumping in the distance became audible.

Mark remained looking at Daphne, waiting for her to continue.

The sounds got louder.

“Never mind, not important. We can chat back at camp” she finished quickly.

Mark remained seated for a moment and then said.

“Listen, I’ll be around if you need me and if you’re interested, I’d like to grab a meal with you,” Mark said.

She paused for a split second and then smiled.

“Sure, yeah, I would like that,” she said.

She then wandered toward the rest of the squad, Mark watched her go.

The helicopter was close now, soon enough it landed and they all climbed aboard.

The trip back was one of celebration and excitement.

Mark joined in on their recollections for the pilot.

The trip was short to the camp. On arrival, the whole squad was swept up into a debriefing.

Now that Mark was on the other side of this he realized that just meant sitting in a tent for a short while, piecing together what happened in great detail to a soldier he had never met before.

Mark explained all his findings about Corruption and Prana. Mentioning the new creatures.

The soldier seemed persistent in finding out how Jonathan and Samantha had conducted themselves during the mission.

Mark gave them a glowing review and then refused to answer the following questions that were targeted at painting them in a bad light.

He couldn’t care less what game the army was playing, but there was no doubt that this guy had picked a side.

Once the man had gotten everything he thought he could, Mark was directed toward Major Dureal’s tent.

When he got there he was greeted by the Major himself.

“Mark, glad you survived my boy! ” Major Dureal seemed in good spirits.

“It was a close one but yes, thanks to everyone. Mark grinned.

“From what I hear having a healer on staff, smoothed things over greatly. Now I’m even more behind the healers in every squad idea.”

“You seem happy” Mark observed.

“hmm, yes.” He said lowering his tone an octave.

“You all finished your mission in half the expected time, without any casualties. If that's not a win then I don’t know what is. Not to mention Major Grantwood’s draft has been shot down by command for now.”

Mark was relieved to hear that.

“Then there is a matter of compensation.” the Major said

Karter Dureal wishes to initiate a trade with you: Yes/No

Mark accepted and 500 Sp appeared in the field.

“I wish it was more, unfortunately, that was all I could authorize,” he said.

“Not at all, that’s more than we made clearing out the dungeon,” Mark said as he accepted the trade.

Sam and Jonathan barged into the tent at that point.

“Yo, Mark you gotta see what I just figured out,” Sam said.

“Hit me,” Mark said smiling, realizing his wording a little late.

Sam was grinning from ear to ear, as the wind picked up in the tent.

Mark's pupils dilated as Sam began casting something.

The air in the tent rushed toward her and surrounded her, lifting her off her feet to hover about an inch off the floor.

“I figured out flight,” she said proudly over the churning wind. Paper flew about the room as she moved freely throughout the room.

“Order! Sam! What did I say about spells in the tent!” Major Dureal admonished.

Sam dropped to the ground with a squeak and sorry’s. Though Major Dureal wasn't mad for long, the success of the mission had put him in too good a mood.

Mark went over to Sam to find out how she had managed to get it working. He didn't have a ton of hope for air magic, as Sam had said it was ridiculously hard and that was with the synergy from the magic. Though even still she said she would be using it sparingly for now as it was a Mana killer.

Jonathan had gone over the give Major Dureal a first-hand report.

They had only been at it for half an hour when Major Dureal looked at his watch.

Mark checked the time as the world chimed.

System Map has unlocked!

Corruption rates have been classed!

Check your map function for further features.

***

Marketplace tier two will unlock in 6 Earth months or during the completion of First Rites.

Almost seconds later Mark got a separate prompt.

Your sector reward has expired.

To continue benefiting from a [exp] boost please purchase one from the Marketplace.

The fact that boosts could be bought was interesting, but he knew that they couldn't be gotten on the Marketplace right now.

In the beginning, he had searched for anything system created and came up empty. Perhaps that's what the tier-two shop was.

Mark then explained what he had discovered. Filling them in on how the sector reward worked.

“So it’s possible that the marketplace may have a whole host of new items that could help us? This first rite is looking more and more important” Major Dureal said.

“That reminds me, Mark would you be interested in helping us hunt down the other guardians? SAGE will pay and it’ll spare many lives”

She had been looking at the system's new map function. Mark had checked it out for a second and found it really was like having a GPS map in front of him. Though there were dashes of color and markings he hadn't looked into yet.

Jonathan perked up when she mentioned fighting the guardians.

Mark’s last experience with a guardian had not been pleasant. The thing was it started to look like the best opportunity to strengthen their sector. On top of that it would give them all more answers to what was happening. He didn’t think it would be easy, but he didn't see that as a reason to say no.

“When you decide to go against these creatures, I’ll be there,” Mark said firmly.

“Good to hear” Major Dureal nodded approvingly.

They started to talk details when Major Dureal suddenly brought up the seed.

“So there's one more thing we need to talk about. It would seem our brightest minds have a theory on the seed and seeing as though the item is Mark’s they requested permission to run some experiments. With you present of course. I’m not too sure what they wish to accomplish but it seems to have something to do with the nature of the item. They’d like to begin tomorrow if you have the time.”

Mark grimaced.

He seemed to have so little time to himself, too many things to do, and never enough resources to do them with.

However, if this would give them more answers then he wouldn’t turn it down. The fact that they were asking for permission went a long way for Mark.

“Alright, sure. But I got medical tent in the morning. So it will have to be in the afternoon”

“Oh yes, that reminds me. A squad that returns from an outside mission is exempt from night-wall for the day to recover. If you need some time to yourself this would be your chance”

Mark frowned, he wanted to be up there, but he need some time to work on his corruption.

As he thought, too many things too little time.

“I think I’ll take you up on that offer Major” Mark said nodding.

After discussing it some more Mark heard that Jonathan was still heading up to the wall. While Sam had reports to write up for the Research and Development division. Which was the exact department he would be meeting with tomorrow.

After they were done Jonathan headed out early and Mark left next. Leaving Sam to write up her findings. He was heading for his tent and was just passing through the checkpoint into the common area when a small squad of soldiers blocked his path. They had stopped him in the shadow of the wall. It was quieter here and not as many prying eyes, yet still quite close to the main road.

Mark sized them up they weren't with SAGE, Mark noted they all wore small silver pins on their chests.

“Good evening civilian Mark Young, we need you to come with us,” one of the men said.

Mark squinted at them.

“I just came from the major’s tent so unless he’s calling me back this is something else. Who are you?” Mark asked not moving from the spot.

“Mark Young, I’m Sergeant Joel and I’m just doing my job, please come with us” The man's face remained rigid, his features locked in a stony expression as he spoke.

“Well, Sergeant Joel. I’ll tell you right now, I’m not going anywhere with you unless you explain who you work for and why I’m being called” Mark said with an equally cold expression.

Mark had an idea who was calling him and where this was going, but this was a downright stupid way to start things off.

“Civilian Mark Young I’m going to have to insist, you follow us,” Joel said making a small motion toward Mark.

Two of the soldier next to Joel walked forward and tried to direct Mark back toward the soldier’s quarters. They weren't aggressive, just frim. Each took hold of one of Mark’s shoulders, applying pressure. Trying to direct him back toward the Soldier's quarters.

[Shape Mana] snapped into place, like a suit of armor. Mark didn't budge.

Sergeant Joel frowned.

“A spell just went up. Are you resisting right now?” a dangerous tone entering his voice.

Mark had used up all his patience with the man.

“Joel, I’ve already told you my terms. If you want to make a scene we can do that, but I’m telling you right now I won’t be pushed around” Energy pulsed through his construct, glowing in the shadow of the wall.

The two sides watched one another. Waiting for the other to make the first move.