Tunnel Rat-Chapter 402: Thinking in Triplicate

Milo was thinking, with parts of his brain whirling in different directions.

Milo was thinking about stars.

He knew what they were in the other universe: a massive ball of burning hydrogen fuel slowly being converted by fusion reactions into helium and energy. A lot of energy, with high enough temperatures and pressure to ionize the helium and hydrogen gases into a plasma state. Astreus had known this, along with everything else that had to do with gravity, bodies in motion, and the major forces at work in the solar system. The AI had been the leading expert in the world within his fields of study, not surprising with the job he had to do, keeping thousands of orbiting satellites and space stations from colliding. He'd applied that knowledge to building the new universe the gods of Genesis had created, filling the blank slate with stars, planets, and all the other forms of matter and energy in a universe. But there were differences.

Milo understood why. What good was a universe for telling stories if no one left the solar system? And while they had infinite space in the blank slate, they had finite resources to help them build it. The universe was smaller, and the part they had filled had boundaries around it, separated into different layers. He was intrigued by the names: elemental planes that corresponded to the Greek elements of fire, water, air, and earth, with smaller areas between them: Smoke, Magma, Ice, and Ooze. There had been announcements about players finding pathways to some of them, and while interesting, he was more curious about what lay below him in the endless caverns of the world. Stranger were the references to pocket universes further beyond, collectively called The Outer Darkness. Astreas didn't like to think about those, so Milo hadn't learned much, and his attention had been on learning what he could about the runes Astreaus had used in work, and the method of linking them into formations.

The interior of the universe around Genesis was filled with stars, but not all of them were huge balls of fire with planets orbiting them. Many were the size of a small moon, giving off light and energy, twinkling in the night sky. Surprisingly, he learned they were made of condensed mana. That hadn't been significant to him at the time. But the old memories made sense once he saw that the red eyes from the snake could be used to project a form of pseudo-plasma: energized mana condensed by a runic force array down to a small particle and then released as a spray of super-heated mana that briefly ionized the air it moved through into what he thought of as pseudo-plasma.

And while it didn't matter if you were killed by real-world plasma or magical plasma, it mattered to the guy next to you and maybe the guy a mile away. Twenty-seven million degrees would vaporize this city and keep going after that. Thankfully, what he'd been hit with was many orders of magnitude less. His missing foot and arm might might argue how that was still too damned hot, but Milo's brain was thinking hard about the process. The eyes had been incredibly complex, and sadly, he didn't have one to study any longer, but he had learned enough to use it directly and had seen all the runes involved. He'd been concentrating hard on the formation as he held the eye in his hand and forced all of his mana and stamina into it, before releasing the blast that destroyed the Chimer's brain. He pondered the ideas while he simultaneously looked again at his offered classes and thought about his bones.

Milo looked deep into himself, staring at the structure of his bones.

The ancient runes that were layered within them were powerful, but unorganized. Just by existing, they strengthened him. But in the two bones he had added to his rib cage, they were linked in series and interlocking patterns that added strength and structure to those bones. And more, those bones might suffer a small fracture, but they healed quickly, the runic structure holding them together and providing mana to regenerate quickly.

The new bone that he'd found embedded in the rotting tooth was the same. The tip of the tail of an ancient creature that had fled from the much larger eel. The bone had been severed at the joint and lodged into the softer tooth. He couldn't add the bone to his rib cage until Tier 5, but there were other uses for it. Studying its structure helped him understand how to arrange the runes in his bones. He'd been working on that since he'd woken up and seen how many of his bones had broken. One by one, he was linking the runes and putting a web of them around each break, then working outward to connect his entire skeleton. It would take days of hard work for part of his mind, and he was burning calories as he stressed his mind and body. Even that had benefits, though. Gendifur was gaining experience as she studied what he was doing, and he was earning extra cheese each day. His arm bone, of course, had to be regenerated completely, and could benefit from that. Like everything else, the blinding flash of plasma that had destroyed his arm was lodged in his memory. So was the runic formation within the eye that he'd been controlling. Some memories burned deeper. Even now, it felt like his arm could almost graps the eye. He continued his work as he contemplated his odd selection of paths offered to him by either the System or the Engine.

Milo was mapping out what he could do with each class, and seeing where they led.

He ignored the stats that each one gave. Stats were important, but not as much as how the class shaped what he could do in the world, and his ability to make his own decisions. He assumed that each one would come with story hooks, quests, and expectations. Whether those were created for him or they were waiting for someone in the world, it didn't matter to him. Mad Scientist and Childcare Specialist, he crossed off his mental list. There was no way he was going to jeopardize his friendship with Larry, Rosie, and Buttercup. And, he didn't want to be pounded into the dirt by them, chased off to pickle land, or do anything to hurt them. Nor did he want to be a babysitter. He was pretty sure Gendifur and Brutus wouldn't let him simply take the girls on his adventures.

Master Engineer and Warrior Rat had the same problem: They tied him down with responsibilities. And he suspected that each would come with complexities he couldn't foresee as the Engine or System reacted to his choice. Would taking on the responsibilities of a Warlord trigger a war? Would being a Master Engineer mean dealing with paperwork, clans, and guilds? He suspected both of those things. That brought his choice down to Roaming Sage or continuing as an AncientRunic Engineer. Neither tied him down, and he wouldn't be giving up exploring or working with the Hollow or the Deep Rock Engineers, no matter what he took. But what did he get if he continued in his current class? It was strange that it hadn't been offered to him. And there was only one person he could ask about it.

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"System: I need information on the upgrade to my current class, please." As expected, nothing happened. The System didn't have time to answer individual questions. But maybe it was listening? It was time for plan B.

He ruffled Georgie's ears with his good hand, "Who's a good boy? Right, Georgie is! Thanks for contacting Hecate and disturbing her vacation. Think you can do it again? I've got a minor, niggling question for the system. But I'm being ignored. I'm sure the goddess won't mind being interrupted again."

His pet gave a small bark, and then took a deep breath, and held it, while looking at Milo out of the side of his eye...

Ignored? Never! Just so busy that it took me a moment to reply. I'm sure that quest to stop a raging volcano spirit from killing a village didn't need to be offered.

Tell me how I can help you not disturb someone.

Georgie exhaled and went back to his nap.

"A small thing. My current class of Ancient Runic Engineer wasn't offered to me again for Tier Four. Why is that?

Did I forget to put that in? Totally my fault. Let me dig that out. You have to understand, I'm not briefed on all this 'Before your Time' stuff, and have to query the Engine. Here you go, glad to help.

Ancient Runic Engineer (Unique, Tier Four)

+2 TOU, +2 INT, +2 DEX, +2 PER

Seek out the Ancient lost runes from the time before the System and the Engine.

This class focuses on the use of runes to enhance machinery, craft items, and the creation and casting of spells and runic formations.

Most of which you have already figured out.

"This is a rehash of last Tier with nothing new."

Yes...it certainly does look that way. But the Engine isn't giving me anything to work with. I don't know a thing about all those fancy-smancy old runes until you do something with them. Certainly, I can't offer you a spiffy upgrade class on stuff I'm forbidden to know. The Engine tossed you that one last time, but it's sort of quiet now. Frankly, (and this is just between you and me), I think it assigned a low probability to the chance you'd turn down the first offer.

"If it knew how much I had to do in the real world, it would understand my perspective. I don't need another job. Fine, then I need all the information on the other class, Wandering Sage. Please expound a bit on the class, its Enhancements, and a little about the skills? You know I can be generous in return for your hard work."

You're going to get me in trouble. But then again, when have I ever made good decisions?

Roaming Sage

+3 PER, +3 WIS, +3 CHA, +5 Free points.

Health: +75 per level. (Your studies give little time for physical activity.)

Stamina: +75 per level. (Your long travels have sapped some of your vitality.)

Mana: +200 per level. (Great knowledge brings greater power.)

You have skills and knowledge to share with other creatures as you explore the world. It also gives you a chance to learn what they know and figure out their secrets. Knowledge isn't always easy to get. Share what you know, and learn what they know. New languages and skills will come to you easily, as you learn to fit them into your diverse knowledge base. Roaming Sages of different races wander the world, learning what they can and involving themselves in the societies they visit. Aiding in quelling monster invasions, advising nobles, and acting as mentors to poor orphan boys who pick up strange swords. They can be hailed as mysterious heroes or cursed for the change they bring to peaceful cities.

-New Perk: Probably Harmless.

The first reaction to you by most sentient creatures is that you are harmless and not a threat.

-New Perk: Probably tastes terrible.

Things that might want to eat you are certain you will taste horrible and give them indigestion.

Gain Skill: Alchemy:

It's like Chemistry, only magic, and doesn't follow the rules of science. Also similar to Mycology, but doesn't use mushrooms.

Gain Skill: Minor Medicine:

First Aid, minor healing spells, and purification of wounds. You aren't a healer, but you'll do in an emergency.

Gain Skill: Rustic Cooking:

There won't be towns in many places, but you know how to live off the land, cooking what you find. May combine with Alchemy and Mycology, depending on the ingredients used.

Enhancement Skills:

-Basic Tier Four Enhancements.

-Racial Enhancements

-Enhancements offered by Limburger Hollow

-Engineer's Guild Enhancements

-Gifts from the Goddess of the Crossroads

-Additional Enhancements may be available from places you visit and become part of. Wandering Sages are known for their esoteric skills and knowledge. Or become available to you when you discover new knowledge.

"Interesting. Thank you, System. I'll find a few stray cats to send your way. And I'm sure we can keep this slight twisting of the rules between us."

I've already forgotten! You should, too, but not about my kitties!

Milo relaxed for a bit, had a piece of cheese, and a plate of fried mushrooms. His three overminds merged, and he got to work, thinking about what Enhancements to buy for the two classes and make his decision.