“So the worst thing imaginable. Got it. So there is some sort of limit till this safe zone I am in before it goes pop?”

  I saw her nod. Now, don't get me wrong, I am not some rocket scientist. I also was not a moron. I saw what was around me, the fact that I was talking to some sort of three-inch succubus who wasn't really here, and this looked like Earth, yet it wasn’t. What I was seeing was very real. I had to keep my mind calm and listen to what she was telling me. Then figure this out fast. Something in the back of my head was telling me this wasn’t a video game, and I didn’t have three lives.

  I pushed myself up off the ground and felt myself wobble a bit.

  “Easy there, Champ. New body, and you haven't been standing in a long time. “

  I felt woozy for a moment, but fought that feeling. I had to get my shit together and fast, but she was right. One step at a time.

  “So this Midnight Elf thing? I remembered that. Did I accidentally pick it? And there was something about classes ?” Let's get the current situation under control. I would worry about what I missed another time.

  “Yes to both questions. I was given the task of putting the rest of you together. Here, this is what you look like. “

  I watched as a 3D image appeared, and it looked completely foreign. I think I was about the same height as I was as a human, around five feet ten. That is where any similarity ended.

  First, I now had long, dark blue hair and pointy ears. Cool.

  My eyes were a deep purple with fine features, kinda like what I had seen depicted in the movies when it came to elves. My body was thicker than how I guess us Earthers depicted Elves. Not as broad as I was before, but still, I was impressed with how I looked.

  I wore a white billowy shirt with a black leather vest. which had several pockets. In one, I found a pack of smokes. “Holy Shit.” I lit one up as I saw Ari smile.

  “You are welcome. But that first pack is free. You can replenish your pack, but it will cost you one credit per cigarette. It was the best I could do. Consider it one of your gifts to help make the end of all things a bit less depressing.”

  “Well, thank you, Ari. That was really nice of you to do. Hey, do I have to worry about cancer now or anything? “ Hey, a valid question in my book. As she spoke, I continued to check out my 3D reflection.

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  Oh, my right hip, looking dashing, might I add, was a saber with a Colt .45 strapped to my right thigh. My belt. which seemed more like a utility belt with several different pouches on it. The only thing I was missing was my favorite trench coat. Oh well. Perhaps I shouldn't go with that cliché.

  “No, at least not in the same way you would in the presystem body. All bad things eventually catch up, but you know, potions , levels, and other things kinda negate it to a point. “

  That was fair. “Sorry, I went off track. So I am geared up. Which I appreciate. It would suck trying to survive in just a hospital gown. “ Yeah, I know some might say I was taking this well. I really wasn't. I would deal with that part later. If I wasn't dreaming, which I really didn't think I was, then I needed information to survive to reflect. See, not entirely stupid.

  Who knows, maybe I could find a therapist at some point in the woods. I heard trees make great listeners.

  “You are just as polite as my favorite client. Not many of you Earthers are. I appreciate that. OK. So let's take a look at your status screen. It is important you know what you are capable of doing. I think I did a good job of getting you set up to succeed. Lucky.”

  First, the way she said my name was fucking hot. Damn, what I wouldn't do to have an hour with her.

  “You wouldn't last ten seconds, Lucky. Get your body up to a Rank C, and then we will see if you can handle me for an hour.” She winked at me, and I think I might have creamed my pants right there. I checked. Nope. Close one.

  So, did I have to say status, or could I just think it? Yup, just think of it as it popped up.

  (Author's note. Character sheets I will post in a separate sub-chapter to keep the flow for these shorter chapters.

  Reading through took a few minutes, including the descriptions. Typically, I was one of those types who didn't bother reading instructions. The situation I found myself in, reading the instructions, felt like the prudent choice. Ari's incredible hot voice broke me out of my reading.

  “Any questions concerning your build. If you play your cards right and pay close attention to how your luck plays out, your class is extremely powerful. “

  I nodded in agreement. Maybe for the first time I could live up to my name's sake. “ No, I think I have the idea of it. What should I expect once I leave this safe area? “

  Ari looked around for a minute. “Yes, I will present it to him. Let me finish getting him prepared first. Yes, I promised. I know. Relax. “ I saw the diminutive succubus sigh before turning her attention back to me.” Sorry, that was my sister Zri. So what to expect. Death. Everything is out to kill you. Not only that, but you are in a contested zone, so the rules are a bit different.”

  Was it wrong? I was a bit excited. Shit, this was better than lying in some bed. Plus, I would get to punch things and not worry about getting charged. Yeah, this whole situation was like a dream come true for me. “ Go on.” I noticed she had stopped waiting for me to freak out over something.

  “What, no whining. You just shot up on my list of favorite trainees, “ she flashed me her dangerously sexy smile. “ OK, so this shard is what is called a contested shard. You have the System and the Demonic System fighting for control. Cause of that. Let us just say the rules of non-interference by outside influence are not enforced as strictly. “

  Well, that was interesting. “ So is this loophole in the rules something I can exploit, or should I be more worried about it being used against me?”

  A smile on Ari's lips, “ Both . Now, a fully controlled System Shard is getting a full week of tutorial, where each day gets progressively harder. It gives the people in the shard time to acclimate and grow stronger. “ The smile slipped from Ari's face.” You have 48 hours. And with how much experience it will take you to level up. You have some challenges ahead. Not only will you have the environment trying to kill you, other creatures, and potentially other humans, but in this shard, you will also encounter demons. Though not all are evil, still, always be careful with whom you trust, Lucky.”

  Well, shit that puts a damper on things.

  “But my sister has a deal for you. It is a pretty standard deal for things like this.”

  I noticed she didn't encourage me to take it. Sometimes the best advice is what isn't said.