System Fall

Things were changing. I was slightly taken aback.

Before, during the Intermediate Tutorial, and now in the Advance Tutorial, I hadn’t been too concerned with preserving the timeline I had known. I was more focused on fully exploiting my foreknowledge, but now, I wasn’t quite as sure. The Mana use by the Rooftop Wasps was a difficulty increase that I was sure was directly linked to my gains so far.

It was the system responding to my presence. Not the [Admin] or any of his zone managers.

Any advantage I gained in terms of status, abilities, [Skills] and items were being undermined by the difficulty increase. If anyone, especially the ever-suspicious bots, managed to connect the dots that my presence was the reason behind the system ramping up the challenge of System Fall...

It would make life very difficult.

But not as difficult as a Healer who tried to profit from the group. I held back and watched what happened.

Kenney approached the Healer, and with the battle over, it was clear to me he was angry.

"I have to say something, and it's not going to be pretty," Kenney began, his tone tight.

The Healer met his gaze, a weary sigh escaping him. He leaned against the side of a half-melted rail connecting to the rooftop, his expression was one of mild annoyance. "What's eating you, Kenney?"

"You charged us," Kenney said bluntly. "After we all risked our lives out there for you, you actually asked for payment."

The Healer, seemingly unperturbed by Kenney's accusation, shrugged. "Yeah, so? You wouldn't just walk into a hospital and ask a doctor to fix you up without expecting a bill, right?"

"Those things don’t matter anymore! This isn't a hospital, and you're not a doctor," Kenney retorted, his anger flaring. "We’re fighting for our lives, not to fill our pockets!"

"But I have to find a way to get stronger too," the Healer retorted, his voice steady despite the heated confrontation. "We're all in the same boat, Kenney. Each of us is trying to get by in our own way. Yes, I'm a Healer, but that doesn't mean my services should come without a cost."

 

"That shouldn't come at the cost of the people keeping you alive!" Kenney argued, his voice echoing off the ruined buildings.

The Healer remained quiet for a moment before responding, "Maybe you're right, Kenney. But until the world goes back to how it was, we'll all have to do things we don't like."

Kenney stared at the Healer, his gaze icy, his lips pressed into a grim line. "You're right," he replied, his voice was devoid of any warmth. "We've all got to do things we don't like."

From the corner of my eye, I noticed a few members of our group starting to step forward, their intentions clear. Lydia was among them, her hand on the hilt of her weapon, her body tensed and ready to intervene. But this was Kenney's battle, not theirs.

"Stay where you are," I commanded, my voice stern. "This is on Kenney to handle."

My words seemed to hit their mark, as they hesitated, and then slowly backed off, respecting my decision, but their worried glances remained locked on the duo.

Without another word, Kenney's fist flew, connecting solidly with the Healer's jaw. The force of the impact sent the Healer sprawling to the ground. Kenney was on him in an instant, his punches raining down on the man beneath him.

The Healer grunted, tried to defend himself, but Kenney was relentless, his fury manifesting in each blow he dealt. It wasn't a pleasant sight, but it was a necessary one. In this new world, actions had consequences, and the Healer was learning his.

As Kenney finally pulled away, he stood up, leaving the Healer on the ground, nursing his injuries. He turned to us, his gaze sweeping over each of our faces. "Let this be a lesson to all of us," he said, his voice hard. "In this world, we fight for each other. We protect each other. And if anyone thinks they can profit off the misfortune of others, they will answer to me."

I moved towards the fallen Healer, extending my hand to help him up. He accepted it with hesitation, his gaze warily shifting between me and Kenney.

Leaning in, I whispered into his ear, my tone as cold as the night closing in around us. "If you ever try to screw over your group again, I'll kill you."

I could feel him stiffen at my words, his eyes widening in shock. This was my promise, one I intended to keep. It was imperative to remind him of the consequences should he consider exploiting his teammates again.

Pulling back, I raised my voice to address the group, a hint of authority ringing out in the quiet night. "Our friend here would like to apologize. He's going to do free healing right now for everybody, and it's going to stay that way. Right?"

I turned my gaze back to the Healer, who was still recovering from Kenney's assault. His face was bruised, a puffy eye barely open, and blood trickling from his nose. However, he managed a slight nod in response, acknowledging my statement.

The Healer was quick to obey my command. As I watched, he began to attend to the various injuries our team had sustained during the battle. My Eyes of Legacy activated, allowing me to observe his healing process in greater detail.

 

His hands moved with precise rhythm, tracing intricate patterns in the air that resembled invisible sutures. Every cut and abrasion they passed over was not just sealed but visibly healed, the skin knitting together as if time itself were reversing. A delicate green glow, characteristic of healing spells, flickered around his fingers. However, when I deactivated my Eyes of Legacy, the spectacle vanished, leaving behind the healer's mundane movements.

As I watched, I couldn't help but wonder why Annie had bestowed me with this skill. Had she perceived something within me that even I was unaware of? Was she from the same ruined future I had been from?

The rooftop beneath our feet began to tremble ominously, a clear sign that the building was about to start coming down.

"This is getting ridiculous," Lydia grumbled, her voice thick with frustration.

Her remark coaxed a laugh from me. She was a fighter, no doubt, but if she thought this was trying, she was in for a wake-up call. The trials we were set to face in the looming chapters of System Fall, raging tempests, unexpected ruptures, genuine minefields, the spire, would make our current challenges seem like a walk in the park.

"We need to keep moving," Kenney interjected, his gaze lingering on the charred remains of the Rooftop Wasps.

"Agreed," Lydia replied tersely, leading the group towards our next destination. I trailed behind as the team started crossing the next bridge, a sturdier construction than the last. This one of steel mesh and iron planks, showing fewer signs of wear and tear than its predecessor.

A welcome sight awaited us on the other side: a table laden with water bottles, food, and a small box of wet wipes. As we approached, an intercom system crackled to life.

"["Hope you're not expecting a five-star dining experience!"] Zagren's voice erupted from a rusty intercom mounted nearby. His tone was mocking, but it had a hint of genuine concern. ["But we do care about your wellbeing here. Surviving this far is commendable. So, as a token of our 'appreciation,' have some... water and, um, I believe those are sandwiches. Don't dawdle though, the clock is still ticking. Just take a short breather and keep your strength up, okay?"]

[System Fall Notification]

Title: Item Granted – Survival Kit

Details: Congratulations! For your tenacity and survival skills, you have been awarded with a Survival Kit.

Please note, these items can only be used once. The 'Survival Kit' includes Hydrating Elixir, which instantly restores 40% of your health, and the Rejuvenating Sandwich which restores your health and mana Cleansing Wipes removes minor debuffs and improves mental clarity.

Use wisely as they cannot be easily replaced.