PATH OF THE SYSTEM AWAKENED

Chapter 6: Karma and Consequences

Riley sensed that Bigg must have been aware of the Byssted incident, which Explained his urgency that day.

Once the incident became public knowledge, Riley would be barred from entering a Crypt, even if he desired to. Hence, Bigg's insistence for Riley to Explore the Crypt before it became too late.

This also clarified why Arthur was chosen as Riley's escort, despite initially seeming excessive.

"You guys need to rest. Actually, take a shower first," Riley directed Jones and Maya away.

It had been a day since he was hospitalized, and he was certain they had been in the ward since yesterday. They were beginning smell.

Lying back on the bed, Riley glanced at the date. "The Defense Academy entrance is in six days," he realized with a gasp.

Riley felt anxious; to gain admission, he needed to reach at least stage 2.

Although he was eager to train, the medical AI advised another night's rest for complete healing.

"I'll visit the orphanage tomorrow and train. But for now..."

"System!" Riley called out in his mind, prompting the familiar mechanical voice to respond from within.

"Yes, Host? Were you Expecting congratulations for surviving?"

Riley resisted the urge to slap the dragon bracelet, knowing it was now integrated with him.

"I wouldn't Expect anything nice from you. Show me my status."

"First Path: Body Path: stage 1 (Exp): 5/100 Stats: 3% Greater Human"

Riley focused on his status panel for the first time.

"Could you Explain how this works?" he inquired, rubbing his chin.

"I'll display your current position in Immortality using your species's convention of nine stages. In stage 1 (Exp): 5/100, the first part indicates your current position in the path. Each path has its own requirements to advance in the stage, which vary with each stage. For instance, a stage 3 Space Awakener must understand and comprehend unbinding to advance to stage 4. A stage 6 Elementalist needs to form Elemental Body to advance to stage 7. Each stage has its own set of requirements, differing for each path. Exp simplifies your progress for the given stage."

Riley nodded in understanding. Regardless of the group or path, every Awakener had to progress through nine stages.

'What about Stats?" he inquired.

"Exp reflects your progress, while stats indicate your actual strength at said progress. For Body Path Awakeners, the strength of the first three stages is measured relative to Greater Human. The attributes of a Peak stage 3 Body Awakener are set at 100% Greater Human. Currently, as a stage 1, your comprehensive power—which includes strength, defense, and speed—is 3% of Greater Human."

"So, my strength increases as I progress through the stage, instead of only advancing when I reach a higher stage," Riley remarked, nodding in realization.

"Correct. Once you reach 8% at 100/100 of stage 1, you'll need to advance to stage 2. This advancement will boost your initial stats for stage 2 to 25%."

"What? So, the increase from stage 1 was only from 3% to 8%, while breaking into stage 2 jumps to 25%! No wonder there's such disparity in fights against higher stages," Riley concluded, finally understanding some puzzling aspects.

Taking a deep breath, Riley posed the final question, "What does First Path mean? Does it imply I can have more?"

"Yes, you'll awaken in more paths." Riley paused, feeling stunned.

Almost everyone awakened in one path. A rare few in two paths, called Dual Awakeners. Three paths were only in recorded histories, known as Triple Awakeners. No contemporary triple Awakeners existed.

Regardless of whether they were normal, Dual, or Triple Awakeners, any Awakener only awakened once. But this system claimed he could awaken again and again. It contradicted the common sense he'd been taught since childhood. But he didn't dwell on it. Time would prove if the system's claims were true.

However, one thing bothered him. 'Why me?' Riley didn't think he was special. The only thing he felt was unique was his training. But to a system that claimed to break the fundamental laws of the Immortality, it shouldn't matter.

"You are… suitable. You'll understand if you ever do." Riley felt for a moment that the mechanical tone turned more humane. He didn't press further. This System only told him what it wanted, and he couldn't force any information.

'Forget that. What's the price?' If there's one thing Riley believed without a doubt, it was "There is no free lunch."

"Smart. You don't have to pay more. You're already paying since you possess the system. This system observes "Balance". Since you have an opportunity most wouldn't, you'll face danger most won't." Riley felt a chill. Was this "Courting Death?"

'Did you cause the Crypt's accident?' Riley hoped it wasn't true. The System, however broken, wasn't supposed to influence events. But the system's response shattered his hopes.

"You're correct. But it's not the System's doing, it's its nature. Whatever you do, you're likely to face great opportunity but greater danger. There's no escaping it."

'What if I never went out? I'd never encounter danger…' Riley jested.

"You'd be safe. But not for long. The day this system activated, you were thrust into a river. You either reach the top, going against the stream or be carried by it. Only dead fish swim with the stream."

Riley stayed silent for a moment and smiled. He'd keep moving forward. He didn't like to die, but the encounter with death made him realize he should live better. His death was beyond his control. He could only control his life. So, he'd live without regrets.

He might not be suitable to be a Savior, but he could save one person. Just one person his mother asked him to. And he'd find why he had that weird dream.

Riley exited the hospital and hopped onto his hover bike. The hover cars flew in their designated air routes. The dazzling lights of the buildings reaching the clouds lit the night.

Holographs of famous Awakeners promoted leading brands. Drunk men and women were carried home by their robot lovers. It was like an old Earth sci-fi movie.

Riley set the destination to the Trading Union building and let the driving AI fly him. The Trading Union was one of the "Small Two" along with the Adventure Guild. It was the richest private organization with a near monopoly over Star Treasures.

Though the general public didn't have a favorable opinion on these "blood suckers", they couldn't resist the temptation of quality treasures.

But what really cemented the Trading Union's position was its head — Gia. Gia was a Ruler. Without sufficient strength, the Trading Union would have been absorbed by the Big Two — Military and Prime Families.

Even if Gia was a stage 9, she wouldn't be able to save the Trading Union. However, being a Ruler meant the Trading Union would get a green signal across the Mankind Federation.

Riley cursed the Trading Union but refrained from cursing Gia. All said and done, Sovereigns were the protectors of humanity. Gia was no exception.

She was the guardian of Ventra and fought the Blue Abyss Queen of the Sea Abyss countless times. If not for her, Ventra would have fallen like Quintessense.

Upon descent, he was greeted by a robot maid and guided to the Treasures building.

"Good evening, Mr. Riley. What treasure do you want?" a young lady checked his ID and greeted with a smile.

Riley thought for a moment before replying, "You got any spiked gauntlets?"

The lady sorted through the options. Riley glanced around the spacious store with elegant white glass tiles and holographic displays of treasures.

Most customers were middle-aged at stage 2, unlikely to progress further.

After his near-death Experience, Riley resolved to become the strongest Awakener.

He needed the right equipment to master his powers. The lady presented gauntlets, but Riley was shocked to find they could only be purchased with karma points, not credit points.

Riley cursed Trading Union's new regulations. He calculated he needed 20 more karma points to afford the gauntlets he wanted.

"That's it!" Riley Remembered he had earned 10 from Byssted kills, he exchanged his savings for more karma points.

"They're perfect," he purchased the gauntlets feeling empowered as he puts them on

Riley headed to the Murloc Islands to train, eager to improve his skills as a stage 1 Awakener.