Chapter 27: Rewards

Chapter 27: Rewards

[Displaying pending notifications!]

[You have defeated a horde of Anathema! This is a consolidation of multiple combat notifications. For a full list, please request more info.]

[Reward: 675 Points]

I felt my eyes widen at the blue boxes that appeared in my vision. Had I really killed that many Anathema? I tried to remember, but the entire fight felt hazy, one desperate action after another. I remembered taking down a lot of them when they were pouring over the burning corpse of the Anathema that had pried the doors open, but had I really taken down that many?

I mulled over the memories for a bit before shaking my head. It may have been hard to believe, but it wasnt like the System would lie. No, what I should be doing right now was trying to think like a Magical Girl. What would a proper Guardian do after getting a notification like that one?

Can you show me the notifications for the new Anathema I killed? I asked after a moment. If I was going to be fighting more Anathema, it felt like it made sense to at least know what Id faced so far. Besides, there was an itch of curiosity in me. The fight had been desperate. I wanted to know just what kind of monsters Id managed to defeat.

[Of course.]

[Defeated (Devouring Bear - Level 7)]

[Reward: 15 Points]

That must have been the headless Anathema with the gaping maw instead of a head. It had been fairly easy for me to defeat, but I had been shooting directly down its throat. If I were to guess, it was probably tougher to take down with a melee weapon.

[Defeated (Flailed Shrieker - Level 16)]

[Reward: 30 Points]

I shuddered as I remembered the sound of the monster that had called out to the rest of the Anathema. Again, it had been relatively easy to take down, but its ability to alert others to its exact location more than made up for its lack of defense. If I ever had to fight those again, taking them out first would have to be a priority.

[Defeated (Blade Reaver - Level 14)]

[Reward: 25 Points]

I was guessing that one was the skinny humanoid with four arms ending in blades. It had been hard to land a hit on its thin frame, and I was willing to bet it was a nightmare to fight in close combat with four different arms flailing around.

[Defeated (Crawling Nightmare - Level 24)]

[Reward: 50 Points]

Surprise flashed through me. That could only have been the Anathema that opened up the door, and it had been an even higher level than the Newborn Arachnomantis. It hadnt been much of a fight, but it had taken me using every bullet from my Equalizer, five of which had gone straight through its eyes and into its brain. If I was being honest, it was kind of shocking it had taken that much to kill the thing even when I was hitting a vital organ. I could only imagine how terrifying it would have been to fight if it hadnt been completely fixated on opening the door.

[Defeated (Hulking Mass - Level 12)]

[Reward: 20 Points]

And that must have been the giant Anathema near the very end that blindsided me as I was exiting the hedge maze. I ran a hand across my ribs but didnt feel even a twinge of discomfort, not even from the spot where the spine had pierced through me. Maybe it shouldnt be surprising considering my arm was reattached, but it still felt weird to go from injured to waking up completely fine.

[Now, onto the next,] Selene said, keeping me from brooding. [I would suggest waiting for the end before you pull up your status menu.]

Before I could respond, another blue box popped into my vision.

[Congratulations! Youve leveled up multiple times! You are now level 12!]

[Stat Points Available: 0]

I winced at the last part, wondering how much I had messed up my build by funneling points into just Agility and Dexterity. At least I had only earned four levels. I wasnt sure if I was impressed I had leveled or disappointed by that many levels. I knew I got experience from defeating Anathema, and while I assumed experience functioned like the other video games Id played, I never really got the details from Selene.

Thankfully, I had an expert sitting right in front of me.

Selene, how does earning experience work exactly?

[The main source of experience is defeating Anathema,] Selene happily launched into an explanation. [The higher the Anathemas level, the more experience you earn. Every time you level up, the experience needed to get to the next level increases. Moreover, there are certain milestone levels where the amount of experience required increases by a dramatic amount. Levels ten, twenty-five, fifty, and 250 are considered minor milestones, while every hundredth level is a major one. The only other functional thing you need to know is you get less experience for defeating Anathema lower than your level, but it only really becomes a significant reduction when there is a level difference of fifteen or more. Of course, the reverse is also true.]

I nodded slowly. That information matched up with my new level, then. Thanks to our strategy, most of the Anathema Id taken out at the shielding station were fairly close to my own. Combined with reaching level ten, it wasnt surprising Id only gained four levels. If anything, it made it more impressive.

[Next?] Selene asked, and I nodded.

[Congratulations! For reaching level ten, you have unlocked Classes!]

[Number of Classes Available: 10]

[I would recommend waiting to explore your available Classes for now,] Selene interjected immediately after the notification. [Also, while Im sure you probably understand what a Class is, considering your gaming history, I would like to give you a proper explanation later. I think bringing up your options with the other Guardians and asking for their opinions may also be beneficial.]

Even though I was tempted to take a peek at what Id unlocked, I inclined my head in agreement. Getting a proper rundown of what a Class did for me seemed like a good idea. Most video games treated a Class more or less the same, but there were plenty of little nuances that differed from game to game. I wasnt in any rush to choose one now, anyway, so I resisted the urge to call up my Class choices and waited for the next notification to appear.

[Congratulations! For reaching level ten, your Augment (Demonic Eye of the Sable Waif) has been upgraded!]

[As thy power grows, thy second sin reveals itself. To you who hath watched, who hast observed others and wondered what set thou apart, who hath desperately grasped for the normalcy of others, the Envy Sin opens a new eye. O Waif of Sable, let thy sight reveal all aspects to thee who yearns for what thou never may obtain. Witness the truths occulted from the world as only one who lives under the light of the Lonely Moon can.]

[Accept Upgrade?]

Reading the description made a pit form in my stomach just like the last one had as I realized what it was implying. The System acted like it knew everything about me, but it was wrong. Sure, I watched people closely, but it was only to keep myself out of trouble. I didnt care about being like other people...

I bit down on my lip as a bitter taste entered my mouth. Maybe maybe I did wish I was normal, but it still wasnt I didnt envy them. I just wished things were different

I glanced at Selene as knots of anxiety continued to twist tighter in my chest, but she only gave me a shrug of her tails.

[As I said before, the Arcane System has its quirks. Unfortunately, I cant begin to guess what this upgrade will give you until you have accepted it. Like before, I can only assure you that whatever upgrade to your Augment this may be, it will not be detrimental.]

A small sigh of relief left me as she didnt comment on the description further. I thought about it for a moment before deciding to just take the plunge and accept.

I gasped as heat flashed through my right eye along with the intense sensation of tiny little needles poking across my iris. I lifted my hand to my face reflexively, but by the time my palm was covering my eye, the heat had already faded. I blinked a few times, gingerly removing my hand.

Nothing in my vision seemed different, but a blue box appeared a moment later.

Demonic Eye of the Sable Waif

Level: MAX

Original Sin: Sloth

[Displays health, mana, Astral Shift duration, Dress durability, status effects, map data, overlays, and visual assist elements when activated. No restrictions. No mana cost. Keyword: Lullaby.]

Second Sin: Envy

Thin eye coverings no longer restrict sight while HUD is active. Active Ability: when activated, display the name and level of any Anathema, magical construct, Magical Guardian, or mana-awakened creature within direct line of sight so long as your right eye is unobstructed. No mana cost. Keyword: Identify.

[LOCKED]

[LOCKED]

[LOCKED]

[LOCKED]

[LOCKED]

I read the description a few times. Thin eye coverings Did that mean I could see through my eyepatch? Id gotten so used to wearing one, it would be a little weird to suddenly be using both my eyes again. It didnt seem that useful beyond being a nice little ability, but the activated part seemed interesting. I wasnt sure how good-

[Oh dear,] Selene interrupted my thoughts with a loud sigh, tails twitching. [Hmm Mai, I want to let you know right now you should not tell anybody about this ability under any circumstance.]

I tilted my head in confusion, as Selene took a deep breath before continuing.

[There are a few reasons. First, I need you to understand that there are no Skills or spells in the entire System that allow somebody to get a direct level and name of an Anathema, let alone a Magical Girl. The closest thing are skills that give a vague sense of an Anathemas strength in relation to the user, but those Skills are nebulous at best with their reports. What you have isnt just a rare ability, it is probably one entirely unique to you. If other Guardians knew you had this ability, it could cause problems.]

[Total Reward: 1,000 Points]

[New Point Total: 3,977]

I blinked a few times, staring at my point total before the blue text box winked out of my vision. Almost four thousand points The most something had cost me was the Kinetic Handguns Vault at one hundred points. What was I even supposed to spend that many points on?

[Its quite a large amount of points,] Selene said, seemingly reading my mind, [and I have plenty of suggestions for possible purchases, but there are still a few more notifications. These next two are Achievements, which are awarded for doing something truly remarkable. Naturally, they provide impressive and unique rewards as well. Take a look.]

[Achievement Unlocked - Broken Wings]

[Description: In fighting the Anathema, you received multiple horrific, nearly fatal injuries to protect the lives of others and continued to fight on regardless. While being a Magical Girl is often portrayed as fantastical, there is very real danger that goes with it. You have discovered this much earlier than most through no fault of your own. Deprived of the very power that makes you a Magical Girl, how else could things have turned out? Though this will hardly make up for the trauma you endured, take this award and know your particular circumstances will NEVER happen to another.]

[Please keep the details of how to acquire this Achievement to yourself.]

[Reward: +10 Vitality]

Thats I trailed off as I looked at the reward.

[A permanent upgrade to your Vitality, yes,] Selene said smugly. [Achievements give very, very powerful rewards but are also extremely hard to get.]

Saying it was powerful seemed like an understatement. Sure, ten points didnt seem like a lot, but that was an entire levels worth of stats added to my Vitality. That was a huge boost to the stat considering I would be splitting my stat points between six different categories each level. Gaining a permanent levels worth of stat points was no small thing.

Why does it say to keep the details secret? I asked, still marveling at the reward.

[This particular Achievement can only be acquired by having a Guardian selflessly risking their life and getting injured. The key part is that the Guardian isnt trying to get hurt, they simply receive the injury while doing their duty. If Guardians knew you could get an Achievement by getting hurt, some might try to game the System. Ironically, this would only prevent them from receiving the reward. As such, it is best to keep the details on how to acquire this Achievement secret.]

Nodding, I squinted at the message again, an edge of unease settling into me as I read the last half.

Why does the message sound like its coming from somebody? And what does the last part mean?

[The System was designed to have a more personable tone,] Selene shrugged her tails. [The idea is that Guardians wont feel as uncomfortable if it sounds like a friendly guide. The Zenith can also access the System to send personalized alerts, quests, and other notifications, so it might actually be a personal message. As for what the last part means Ill discuss that with you later. Right now, you still have one more Achievement to accept.]

There was a giddiness to Selenes voice, but before I could ask, another blue box popped into my view.

[Achievement Unlocked - Seraphs Halo]

[Description: You took on a Death Wish, succeeded, and survived. More impressively, you did so without utilizing your Astral Shift and only one arm. Fate, politics, and misfortune conspired against you, and yet you strode into the darkness anyway, fully ready to be the light necessary to save hundreds of people even if it meant sacrificing yourself. People may have failed you and forced you to fight without your Astral Shift, but you did not fail them. For these reasons, you have been awarded the Seraphs Halo, one of the highest awards a Magical Girl can receive. Thank you for your service.]

[Reward: +5 Strength, +5 Dexterity, +5 Vitality, +5 Agility, +5 Willpower, +5 Spirit]

[Note: This stat bonus will upgrade at certain milestone levels.]

I stared at the text box, something in my brain short-circuiting as I looked at the reward. It was three whole levels worth of stat points, and the description of the achievement

[Congratulations, Mai,] Selene said, her voice warm. [Very few Guardians can claim the Seraph's Halo. It is more than just an Achievement, it is an award given only to the bravest and best Magical Guardians, something you have managed to prove beyond the shadow of a doubt.]

My face felt hot, and I looked down as shame flooded through me. I didnt know how to tell Selene that this was a mistake. Id already been rewarded for doing the Death Wish, and this I didnt deserve it. All Id been trying to do was save Lily and keep people alive. I was the only one who could, so it wasnt like thered been any real decision to make. It was just I just did what made the most sense. It had nothing to do with bravery or anything like that.

An awkward silence passed between us for a moment before Selene gave a slow, almost understanding nod.

[And your final notification,] Selene continued, as if nothing had happened. [A bit anticlimactic to end with this, but still exciting in its own way.]

[New daily, weekly, and monthly quests are available!]

I latched onto that last notification, grateful to have something else to think about. I was curious what those quests might be, but before I could inquire, my status menu opened up in front of my vision.

STATUS

Name: Mai Kuroki

Alias: None

Level: 12

Points: 3,997

Health: 83%

Mana: 350/350 (30/Min)

BASIC

Origin: Dark

Aspect: Loneliness

Class: None [10 Available!]

Signature: Unawakened

STATISTICS

Strength: 15

Dexterity: 70

Vitality: 25

Agility: 70

Willpower: 35

Spirit: 6

SKILLS

ABILITIES

AUGMENTS

Demonic Eye of the Sable Waif [MAX]

PERMISSIONS

VAULTS

GRIMOIRES

First Aid Vault (Common) : Kinetic Handguns (Common) Modern Terran Clothing (Common)

I stared at the stats section, shaking my head. It was hard to believe how far Id come, only starting with ten in most of them except Willpower and Spirit.

My eyes drifted further down to my Grimoire section and the mangled text there. With everything happening, Id forgotten that Selene had told me she would explain what was going on with that.

Selene? My Grimoire, the one Im supposed to have because Im a Dark

[Ah yes,] Selene nodded. [I believe the error text stems from the fact you havent awakened your Signature magic yet. As I said before, your unique Augment, Signature, and Grimoire are linked due to your Origin being Dark. Therefore, I believe your Grimoire is most likely locked due to the fact you have yet to awaken your Signature magic. Unfortunately, that process can be a bit tricky and is best done at Guardian Command with the proper tools to identify the various facets of your personal magic, so we wont be able to access it right this moment. I do believe we should make doing so a priority, however. Knowing what your Signature and unique Grimoire is will give us a good idea of what the most optimal paths might be for your combat style.]

Nodding along, I mentally put that near the top of my list of things to do. It helped me feel a little better, to have a goal in mind now that everything was over. Maybe it was wrong, but the idea of unlocking new things like I was in a video game excited me. For some reason, it just made things seem so much clearer knowing what I needed to do to progress.

Before I could ask Selene any more questions about unlocking my Signature or what it might be, there was a gentle knock on the door.

Hello? a calm voice asked, the sound muffled by the door. This is Magical Girl Everglaive. May I come in?