Two towers [an unknown location in the new world], local time [???], Earth time [2029-12-04]

  =========== Alex POV ===========

  Even after two weeks, the Myconids stayed active. Some rooted themselves in the town, but were still moving. A massive boulder was now sitting in the center of the debris. It was gaining in volume for the first week, but it seems it finally stopped expanding.

  “Who would have thought, Zeph was right,” Alana said. They were currently playing a simple board game, one of the things Zeph forced Alana to include in her ‘exploration pack’.

  “Yea, we would have gone insane without any entertainment, especially because we had to be quiet all the time,” Alex acknowledged.

  “Shouldn’t we try the System, though? It was, what, fifteen days already?”

  “That’s a sure thing, but I wonder if we shouldn’t wait a little longer…” any beforehand information would give them a better start. At least he believed so.

  "I don’t think Zeph is going to come back anytime soon," Alana declared. “Also, it would be better to have some food when we wake up. Assuming we will at all. But right now? We are just wasting resources. And I would rather not try to eat the local life before adapting to Mana.”

  “It would be so much easier if we were sure he is still alive,” Alex started. “As things stand, we are not sure about anything. Scanners are returning nothing, signals from his suit stopped the moment he was enclosed...”

  “The risks are the same as at the beginning, are they not?” Alana argued.

  “Well, that is also true. So, I suppose you have some idea?” he finally asked. It was quite obvious she wanted to try something and was impatient because of it.

  “I analyzed the recordings. Those two towers shouldn’t be able to stand after what happened,” she started, while moving her pawn on the board.

  “Isn’t that another argument against starting the process here?” He was confused. They already agreed it was too risky to start in the tower because no materials were ever extracted from them by the System. It seemed to avoid them completely.

  “Not really, the same is not true for the basement. As I reported, there is some damage there. A recent one. I am still sure the System gave an ‘ok’ to start the process here for a reason, it evidently needs materials to do what it does, and the area seems rich in the necessary ones. Moving away to start the process may be a bad bet, and waiting for Myconids to kindly fuck off isn’t working. Anyway, it didn’t touch those towers, but what will happen if we accept to go through the same process while technically inside of them?”

  “In the basement, you mean?” Alex started to think. They were discussing the past events for a week already. In the end, it was impossible to be sure of anything, but she had a point. “That could work. I doubt the System is just unable to use those towers. Whether it's because of cost, an agreement, or anything else, we have a chance to bypass that by starting the process inside. Also, It's safer than relocation. But that could as well hamper the process if the System wants the towers to stay intact,” he summarized. Besides the entrance tunnel, they only found a narrow staircase and a large basement. Everything was empty. No doors, windows, or furniture. They had no equipment to safely demolish the walls, and weren’t even sure if they should try.

  “It can just move us up through the ground if that’s a case. As long as it has access to the basement, it should be safe. But yes, I am counting on bypassing whatever is blocking the System,” Alana continued.

  He gave it some more deliberation. He was in no rush. If they decided to do it in the basement, the wildlife wouldn't be a problem anymore for them during the screaming-and-almost-dying period. That only leaves the issue of waiting for Zeph, but was that worth it? They had no idea when he will wake up.

  There was always an option of trying to get to the outside camp to resupply, but even if they managed to get past Myconids, with how unstable the Fissure was, the most probable outcome would be a chance lost. Prana density wasn’t decreasing linearly. Worse yet, Mana density was oscillating wildly, ominously even. According to his analysis, the Fissure should have collapsed a few times already.

  “The chances we will wake up at a similar date are higher if we start now… That decides it, let's do it,” he agreed in the end. They were approaching the point where preparing for the future was a better choice than waiting for more information.

  “Which tower do you choose then,” Alana couldn’t stop a smile this time. She was waiting for this too long.

  “I will take the other one, this tower is not sitting well with me…” a quick stroll through the former keep should be an easy matter.

  =========== Zeph POV ===========

  After a long time, the random memories started to chain themselves chronologically. It took a lot of repetitions, but when the process finally started, it propagated exponentially. Then, the last repetition was replayed from start to finish.

  The memories were sometimes fragmented. Some parts were lost, some details forgotten. When that happened, the process stopped for a moment and then resumed again, with more clarity added to the memory. It was strange. As if the System was pulling additional data from somewhere every time it found a corrupted file. But the source of this new data was a mystery.

  He was unable to feel his body during the process. It was indeed similar to a dream. A very, very long and very detailed dream. He started to become more aware as time passed, and at least he knew he was still alive.

  On the plus side, he relearned a lot of things and finally found the source of some of his mental quirks. He was able to literally reread every book he ever saw; his studies were repeated, but this time from the point of view of a much wiser and more experienced person. He could feel his comprehension skyrocketing. As for the mental peculiarities? There were three moments in his life that seemed to change him drastically. First was the death of his pet when he was 7 years old. The second was the death of his grandma, but strangely instead of it being a negative change, it was rather positive. He became livelier after that. The third was his broken heart during high school. All three of them were the most fundamental building blocks of his character. His philosophy of life, how he treated others, things he liked and disliked in women, etc. all had their source here.

  Strange fact, all the things he witnessed later, during work especially, didn’t change him at all. Looking at his old memories, it was almost like he expected people to be like that at the time.

  When was it, again, when he learned of this side of humanity? Ah, yes, his father showed him this side early. By example. At least he now knew why he never had any respect for him.

  He now felt much more in sync with himself. For that alone, he could already thank the System. But it was not his prize, no. It was what he paid. His knowledge, his memories, were valued by the System, as it stated in the third message. He still wasn’t able to read it, but he was able to decipher the feelings he felt at that time.

  Finally, the dream came to the end. But instead of getting any information, he had fallen into true dreamless sleep, again.

  ==============================

  Two towers [an unknown location in the new world], local time [???]

  ==============================

  “Ugh…” a melodic chiming sound awaked him. Where is my phone, he thought, trying to find it and turn it off. But he wasn’t able to move his arm. A sleep paralysis again? He didn’t panic, it was quite frequent for him.

  Huh, something’s not right, he thought after a moment. It was not like he couldn’t move his arm; he didn’t have an arm. Or legs. Or eyelids to open.

  Before panic could take him on a happy voyage, though, he remembered what was happening to him. He would start his breathing exercise, if he had lungs. Instead, he concentrated on the chiming sound, slowly getting himself in order. And soon enough he got some answers.

  Hoh, the System is using every bit of knowledge it can, it seems, he thought, seeing the list of languages he barely knew.

  Eh, what with the last two? The communication was happening at the speed of thought. When he wasn’t concentrating, his thoughts just jumped ahead. He would have to harness them somehow if he wanted to ask anything meaningful.

  Specimen… And it’s not a disability! It’s in my nature! But yea… anyway, did you deduct the cost of my… Ehm, stasis from my total points? Also, how much for the knowledge about those two? Focusing was hard, indeed.

  Jeez, what’s with this ‘us’ talk? Anyway, can you show me my status? If that thing even exists? I am not sure this price is worth buying the two. Also, how much time passed?

  Ugh, the price seems quite obscure for something that sounds like a basic feature?

  Statistically, he says… Is it like arguing that the price should be higher the fewer people buy it? Because, you know, I am quite sure no one here would buy something that is basically common knowledge?

  Heh, basic programming mistake… Wait, I want a discount for that blunder! He screamed internally, but there was no answer. Instead, a second later, Zeph was presented with the working version. Is my charisma that low? Where are my discounts? He mused. But then he quickly became flabbergasted. Ugh, it’s more like 80% of my Stat menu is hidden, he lamented.

  He considered his options for a moment. It doesn’t really seem like I have a choice here, he finally gave in. It’s not like I can plan for a learning session after coming back to reality.

  He tried to remember his stats to be able to compare it later on to the upgraded version. OK! It’s time to go forward. First things first, I will buy the knowledge about the two. Can you tell me who integrated? My two companions should be there. Can you tell me If they are alive? You already know my memories.

  Oh, come on! You just read all my memories! You saw that we are brother and sisters in arms! Besides, we are now in my head, aren’t we? How are those not the mindreading abilities? By the way, can’t you change this font? It’s really hard to read this shit. And what do you mean by ‘accessible’? Can’t you just explain it to me? Wha… Zeph exploded with questions. Literally, explosion sounds could be heard in the background.

  Ugh… Huh? Wha—

  Shit, he summarized. Okaaay… let’s just leave existential crisis for later… Sooo, your words are working the same as ‘interface’? He asked and immediately knew it was a stupid question. They weren’t. He was perceiving System messages with all of his senses. It wasn’t just text. On the other hand, his status… ‘Interface’ was mostly visual. He forgot for a moment he was in some kind of mental space, things here weren’t working normally at all. Ugh, sorry, never mind. Neat interface, though, if I can use it even in this dream-like state.

  Can’t we change the environment a little? It’s unsettling to be just a floating consciousness without a body…

  Ugh, never mind then. And thanks for reminding me about the existential crisis.

  Let me try this trick with ‘cutting unnecessary data’ first, this is becoming really tiresome, he answered.

  He then concentrated on cutting off information from what he was reading. Reading? Seeing? Perceiving. Yes, it was not only visual, he forgot, again, that he was basically dreaming right now. It was surprisingly easy, he managed to do it in a few minutes. Morale high, he then tried to reverse the process. ‘Too much information’ the System said, to access knowledge in his interface he will probably have to use the same method. Focusing on one word, he allowed himself to perceive with every possible sense he could. After many tries, he finally did it, and would do a congratulatory vomit if it was possible, there is too much data here! Why is it coming all at once?! He cursed, but did not give up.

  He repeated the process again and again, slowly rereading the words. After an indefinable time, he became able to more or less comfortably dose incoming data. It was similar to reading a science article with too many references. There was grammatical information, related words, etymology, some alien analysis, more context of its use, articulated reasoning why it was used, and much more. Well, it was not in the text exactly, so the process took time to master. He then started rereading everything the System said, trying to find new data from whole sentences, and to learn how to trim data when reading continuously.

  He sometimes asked questions to the System. It didn’t help much. If he wanted to gain any real knowledge, he needed to learn from the interface.

  He wasn’t feeling hunger, sleepiness, or any other distracting feeling that is normally connected to a living body. And he couldn’t stop until he felt satisfied with the results. Thus, a lot of time passed. When he finally noticed that, he was quite shocked.

  WTF? How much time has passed? Did I just spend days reading your words? He asked.

  This time, Zeph managed to trim the information automatically. He didn’t learn anything interesting from rereading the System messages anyway, so taking in additional data was unnecessary. It’s too easy to get one-tracked in this place! I just lost so much useful time! He thought, angry with himself. Couldn’t you ‘wake’ me earlier?! Also, when we are at this, I want to issue a formal complaint! Your memory reading earlier was heinous! No chronology, no logic, just some babbling mess! I want a discount!

  He mentally sighed. Then complained some more, because the System evidently changed its tone after the first one. Maybe it will learn to communicate properly!

  He felt much better after venting his frustrations. Well, at least I got something. You don’t share new knowledge for free anyway, may as well train myself. He spent a minute thinking about that and cooling his head. Not like had a head right now. Ok, can I finally see my status? But let’s start from the basic one? What you showed me earlier was entirely too much to take at once, he asked.

  What is wrong with my Intuition? And why is 33 an average Memory? He couldn’t stop himself from asking. Well, I have a hunch. But first, let’s learn more about what this all is. For a System, the stats surely are strange… he started to read the interface like he did the System messages earlier.

  Power was quite complicated. It was basically a combination of Strength, Agility, Vitality, and Intelligence. No, it doesn’t make any sense, those RPG stats are impossible to compare with this one. Power doesn’t do everything those should, but it does other things at the same time. One thing he knew for sure, it was somehow related to the overall strength of the body. Not only muscle strength, but also tissue strength, organ functionality, and others.

  Flexibility was much easier to understand, but it looked lackluster in comparison to Power. Instead of RPG stat, it reminded him of Skills, like Acrobatics, Contortionist, or ‘Cat’s Grace’. The problem was that he didn’t really understand the deeper meaning behind it. He could feel there was a lot of information he was untrained to access yet.

  Regeneration was almost self-explanatory. The most interesting information that he was able to decipher, was that it also prolonged life.

  The mental ones were much more vague for him. They of course helped with their namesakes, but what was their functionality exactly, he couldn’t say.

  Matrix space… it’s linked to Class and Profession. Mana Capacity… hmmm, to levels and something? Mana Generation is similar. No good, I don’t want to waste time now, he decided. It seems he was still salty about wasting so much time. And it seems it’s a rather rare occurrence to be in a mental space. I could rather use this occasion to get some meaningful, above-average, miraculous powers, but what’s done is done. Care to tell me why this value is an average for Memory?

  The System for sure likes to talk about statistics, he mused, then sighed depressingly. The System was right. But something else bothered him. He dreaded it, but asked anyway, how much?

  Oh, come on! He flipped an imaginary table. I am sure I can learn it from some locals!

  Ah, right, I would be able to ‘read’ that then. But you sure are sly. Trying to entice me for more shopping, aren’t you? You cheap car dealer!

  Don’t give me that! I know a scammer when I see one! And why is your language deteriorating again?! You malfunctioning AI!

  The moment of the next explosion was coming fast. Emotional stability was hard to obtain in mental space, indeed.

  The word was impossible to trim this time. You cannot distract me with one word! Our talk is not fini….

  Against his better judgment, he reread the word. And again. And again…

  Almost a day later, he came to.

  Huh, I suppose I am an alien. Who would have thought they have hearts on the right side of the body… and what with those muscles?... Ahem, What were we talking about again?

  Did we talk about that? I don’t really remember. But you are right, it’s time to learn about what I saw—The first part of Interface showed again at that moment—see. What were Classes again? Oh, and why I can’t see any HP?

  Oh, you are so helpful today! Though, I suppose reading that directly from the interface would be quite hard. Can I see a Class list?

  But I need some information to work with?

  AH! I think I just remembered where we finished last time!

  …you have a point. A shame he wasn’t able to take deep breaths here. Ok, hit me with the rest. No point in stalling.

  Ah, yes please, he answered.

  WOW! Isn’t that BAD?! Even after only scanning the contents he could see how close to death he was. No wonder I felt like killing myself, or dying… With dissipating soul and all that… Well, let’s concentrate on something more normal first. What does ‘soul-linked’ mean?