Chapter 140: Oversights

Chapter 140: Oversights

Leif stared at the figure made of crimson light, a sketch of a smile stretched across their otherwise undetailed face.

“Who- or what are you?” He asked, both on guard and alert at the figure's sudden appearance.

“Hmmm, little me? Give it a few seconds, you’ll remember. I think so at least.” The red ghost said, its smile widening.

“I don’t- wait...” Leif said, a veil that had been placed over his memories being drawn back. He remembered his first evolution, of going over the different options and ultimately deciding to go with [Amber Blight Spriggan]. But a second, previously hidden layer to that memory was now revealed, Leif saw himself engaging in conversation with the entity that now stood before him, how he had been congratulated, consoled, and told that he wouldn’t remember. “You- you put me down this path.” He half stated, half accused.

“I did no such thing! I am an overseer, I can only observe, measure and record.” It said, raising the bare outline of what could be arms as if in defence.

“Yes... You said the same exact thing last time.” Leif recalled, unwilling to lower his guard. It was highly unnerving to realise that his memories had been altered, doubly so now that his ability to recall past events had been further enhanced by a skill.

“You don’t believe me, do you? Harsh, a little rude, but fair. A lot of the beings I interact with don’t understand me, it’s one of my life’s great tragedies.” The ghost mumbled, dejectedly.

Leif’s vision briefly flicked to the system notifications he had received, the ones repeatedly declaring that an error had been made. “What does the system mean that the trial rewards may be nullified or altered? Is this your doing?”

“No, no. That’s a standard message, everyone in your kind of situation sees it. Though I do think it’s worth pointing out that it's quite rare for anyone to actually get to this point. You are almost unique in that regard. Madness, death, those are the most common outcomes. I know you have many questions, but before you barrage me with them I should point out that my ability to share information is heavily restricted. It is my nature I’m afraid, believe me when I say that fact upsets me more than it does you.”

Leif took a step back, mentally readjusting to the conversation. “I kept thinking that there was something wrong whenever I re-entered the space the system uses for evolution and promotion. I kept thinking that something was missing, that was because you were absent.”

“That’s sweet of you. And it’s as I said during our first meeting, it’s because of cracks, metaphorical cracks. Sometimes I can slip through, sometimes I cannot.” The overseer said.

“Cracks...” Leif said, his gaze returning to the system notifications. “You mean the errors? Are those the cracks?”

“They are.”

“Is there something wrong? With the system I mean. I know errors are relatively common, common enough that people study their appearances at places like the Academy. But I’ll be honest, the idea is kind of terrifying.”

“What’s scary about the omniscient working that governs our reality having a few glaring holes? That’s crazy talk.”

Leif just stared at the overseer.

Silence hung between them, then the overseer continued. “Is there something wrong... that is quite the loaded question my tree-friend. I cannot say, I am not at liberty to share certain aspects of the system’s workings. It exists, and for the most part it works fine. So don’t worry about what you can’t change.” The crimson ghost said with a shrug.

“You mean there are certain rules you cannot break?” Leif said.

“Rules... not quite the correct term, but it’s close enough. It’s all very complicated, magic at a certain scale always is, or so I believe.”

“You're saying that it’s too complicated for me to understand.”

“It’s too complicated for me to understand. It was too complicated for the d̷͚̈͛e̸̢͈̋s̶̨̍́i̶̝͍̔̌g̸̗͐͠n̷͙͂͒ȅ̷̤̟r̸̪̗͆̒s̵̭̘̽ to fully understand. So don’t feel bad about it.”

Leif blinked. There was a part of that sentence that his mind skipped over.

“Whoops, you’re too low level for that talk, it gets easier to forget with every passing year.” The overseer said, laughing awkwardly. “Anyway, shall we get down to business? Our time isn’t infinite so let's not waste it!”

“Yes... let's.”

“Okay, so, do you understand what’s gone wrong here? Actually, that’s too soon, do you know what would have happened, if you were normal?”

Leif considered the question. Unless his knowledge was way off the mark, at level fifty monsters split into one of two different paths. They either incarnate, or awaken. With both paths having different bonuses and reasons to be picked. “I think-”

“Yes, that's right. They’re the two paths monsters can walk down, though only rarely will something be given the option to pick. It takes a certain type of mindset and life experience to awaken, and the same is true for incarnation. I should point out that most monsters who reach level fifty incarnate, an overwhelming majority in fact. So you’re quite special, in more than one way.”

“I’m not getting a choice, am I?”

“You are not.” The overseer stated. “As I’m sure you’ve already figured out, you have already awakened. There are certain... problems with how you did it. Certain options only become available after you have reached a specific level... a specific level that you have not technically reached, even though you are level fifty.” He said, wringing his hands together.

That brought Leif up short. What does that mean? How could I not meet the level requirement... oh. “Do you mean-”

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Yeah that’s it.”

“What about the Amber, who were they?”

“Monstrous trees.”

“I already knew that.”

“Then why did you ask?”

“Why-”

The world broke apart, and everything faded away.

===

Congratulations! You have completed the level fifty advancement trial!

Error! You do not meet the prerequisites for certain advancement rewards!

For resonating with possible alternative versions of the present, and comprehending the lives and choices you could have made your trial completion grade is: Very High!

No additional rewards based on passing grade!

For passing this milestone you may now advance your level beyond this point!

Banked experience will be awarded after rewards are finalised!

Your general class limit has increased from 3 to 4!

All attributes have their efficacy increased by 10%!

For achievements earned and difficulties overcome up to this point you may further increase the efficacy of a single attribute of your choice by 30%!

===

Attributes:

Free: 0

Might: 67 (+20%)

Alacrity: 63 (+20%)

Intelligence: 69 (+20%)

Willpower: 77 (+20%)

Spirit: 80 (+20%)

Charisma: 147 (+100%)

===

The advancement chamber within the receiver temple was a welcome sight, though Leif found it difficult to make it out past the onslaught of system messages. He was alone, his clothing no longer destroyed. From experience he knew the system wouldn’t continue until he had selected an attribute to increase the efficacy of, so he took the time to let out a long sigh.

Power pulsed through him, the changes made by the ten percent increase to all attributes a welcome addition. He looked up at the ceiling, allowing everything he had just seen, experienced and learnt to wash over him like a wave. It wasn’t overwhelming, though maybe that was because he hadn’t taken the time to process everything.

Okay, let's pick an attribute and see what comes next.