Defiance of the Fall

Abby rolled her eye in response . - I think you misunderstand Zac . A few thousand times in the multi-verse . Oh right , you missed the tutorial . Suffice to say the multi-verse is almost infinite , with endless worlds with life on them , most far larger and more populated than your earth . It has existed for at least hundreds of millions of years . And during all that time it has only happened a few thousand times . Which makes you an aberrant even among Defiers . You , and by extension me , have truly hit the jackpot . -

So how does it help me? - Zac asked . - I understand that I have a leg up on others with all these strong titles , but I still can’t absorb that cosmic energy you mentioned . What is that , anyway? -

Cosmic energy is the building block of the multi-verse . It is energy , it is magic , and it is life . It is everything . You couldn’t really see the effects of it earlier as your world had so little of it , but you will soon see the effects of it on everything around you . - Abby said , almost having a reverent tone mentioning it .

See how? -

Some things in nature will be unable to take in the stronger energy and die out . But many things will be like the cultivators , naturally absorbing the energy . Essentially , things will grow big . Both the beasts and nature itself . Many things will also change in unpredictable ways . A tree might gain the properties of metal and be almost unbreakable , a mouse might grow wings and fly , or suddenly be able to spit thunder . It’s quite spectacular . - She explained .

Not being able to cultivate will impede you somewhat , but not as much as you think . You have a massive advantage in the form of titles , strength and your newly created outpost . In any case , there are so many things to go over , but unfortunately , we are running out of time . - Abby realized she had gone off on somewhat of a tangent , seeming a bit embarrassed .

I will be summoned back in 10 minutes . -

Chapter 9 - Forced to Fight

Zac was gobsmacked .

You’re not here to help out permanently? - He inquired hesitantly . While it took some time getting used to talking to an eyeball , he was pretty unwilling to be stranded alone in the forest again . Besides , there were so many things he still didn’t understand about what was happening .

Unfortunately , no . The system only summons an administrator such as myself for a short while when creating an outpost . Also , we only get summoned the first year after initiation . Something like an add-on Tutorial . But we got a bit side-tracked here , and need to hurry up with your outpost . - Abby explained , seeming a bit embarrassed she got sidetracked from her duty .

Outposts will evolve into full-fledged towns if you complete certain missions . The difference between a system-sanctioned town and a normal mortal town is that the city leader of a system-sanctioned town can use the system to summon buildings , tax the population and connect to other city leaders for example . The difference between an outpost and a town is that an outpost is temporary . Either you manage to turn it into a town by completing your quest , or the incursion over there will stabilize and turn to a town owned by the invading general . By then A LOT more demons will spawn , and unless you’re already dead you will likely die then , titles or not . -

Zac nodded , a better picture of forming in his head . Remembering the 3-month deadline in his quests he realized that what Abby described would happen in roughly 3 months . Still , there were some things he was unsure about .

But do I really need to care about creating an outpost? My goal is to find my family , I can just leave before the demons arrive . -

That question managed to elicit a full-body eye-roll from the eyeball .

And go where? Couldn’t go to the tutorial town so you can’t learn skills or choose classes , making you quite weak compared to what you should be . There are monsters everywhere so you aren’t safe anywhere . An outpost can help you get stronger through its facilities , and having a town would be the most effective way to look for your family , compared to manually looking everywhere like a vagabond . Besides , being the first to create a town has amazing benefits , just like with the titles . The system likes the people in the forefront . - Abby one more went into lecturing mode .

And if that’s not enough , I can also tell you that the system hates cowards . You only get one shot at creating your outpost , if you fail the system deems you unworthy to be a Lord in the future . If you not just fail , but even abandon the mission , the system will also punish you . It would range from crippling you to outright killing you depending on how bad it judges your performance . -

WHAT? - Zac shouted aghast . - You mean I must complete this quest and kill all the other boss demons or the system might kill me? - The little goodwill Zac had been building towards the system during Abby’s explanations were thoroughly erased .