Jack stared at his status panel. Numbers and words swam before his eyes. A stark reminder of his bizarre existence.
[CHARACTER STATUS]
[Name: Jack Night]
[Incarnation Type: Human]
[Persona: Jack Night]
[Race: Transcendent Human]
[Class: Steamrune Engineer]
[Archetype: Mortal Creature]
[Power Source: Spirit of Judgement]
[Attributes: Physique (71) Mysticism (71) Passion (71) Essence (99)]
[Karma: Neutral]
[System Sight Modes: Information Panel; Fear Detection; Aura Detection; Karma Detection] [Supernatural Traits: Mysterious Dream; Mysterious Lullaby; Mysterious Control; Mysterious Mirror World; Incarnation Shift]
[Permanent Traits: Mysterious Survival Sense; Mysterious Nature]
[Status Effect: Mortality]
[Personal Artifact: Grim Reaper Scythe, Grim Reaper Attire, Artifact Seeds (3)]
[Steamrune Skills: Steamrune Fusion, Steamrune Enchantment]
He was a human now. In this incarnation. The attribute changes were interesting. All 71 points except for the maxed up essence. It was not the attributes of a normal human.
The average attributes for normal humans were in the 30s. The value of 71 was already extremely strong. Especially for a human. Good for him.
But the attributes were not the main attraction here. The new [Status Effect] and [Steamrune Skills] were what truly grabbed his attention. Particularly the new status effect.
He focused on [Status Effect: Mortality].
[Status Effect: Mortality: The inherent condition of all living beings, characterized by a finite lifespan and the susceptibility to death. This status effect signifies that the user is now bound by the natural laws of life and death, making them vulnerable to physical harm, disease, and aging. The user's mortality diminishes the effectiveness of any 'Mysterious Ability' traits by 40%. The status effect serves as a constant reminder of the user's vulnerability and the impermanence of their existence.]
Forty percent. That was a significant hit to his Mysterious Supernatural Abilities. Still, being able to touch things, to enjoy human pleasures, that was worth the trade.
At least, in this incarnation, he could taste food. Have a good sleep. And probably enjoy sex.
Jack grinned thinking about that. He then focused on his new Steamrune Skills.
[Steamrune Skill: Steamrune Fusion. The art of using 'Fusion' Steamrune to combine different materials together to create more complex materials. The user can combine illogically unsuitable materials to produce unique outcomes, which can be both beneficial or disadvantageous. The effectiveness of the fusion depends on the user's understanding of the materials and their ability to combine harmoniously.]
[Steamrune Skill: Steamrune Enchantment. The process of imbuing objects with Steamrune Inscriptions to grant them special properties. The user can permanently bind runes to tools, weapons, and armor, enhancing their capabilities and granting them magical effects. The strength of the enchantment depends on the quality of the rune and the skill of the user.]
This was it. This was his chance to truly make something of himself in this strange, rune-infested world. As a human.
...
For the next several days, Jack explored Tideless Island. He was back in his specter form for several reasons. One, his human form was completely naked. He needed clothes before he could interact with others in that form. Besides, it would be troublesome to explain how he got to the island.
As a result for his scouting days, he actually located four other ruins. Each was promising a wealth of knowledge... and danger.
First was the Unknown Underground City. It was in a huge cave underground. In the western part of the island. Its entrance was hidden beneath a thick pile of gigantic rocks. It was pretty much inaccessible for anyone without phasing ability.
A constant, chilling breeze emanated from its depths. Carrying with it the faint echo of chittering insects. And the unsettling feeling of being watched. The air itself felt heavy. It was saturated with a sense of ancient secrets.
And then there was the Unknown Palace to the north. It was perched atop the highest peak of the island. Somehow, it was always shrouded in mist. Partially overgrown by strangler figs, stood the skeletal remains of a once-magnificent palace.
Its walls were crafted from obsidian-like stone. They were etched with bizarre, alien glyphs. The silence here was suffocating. Broken only by the occasional mournful cry of unseen birds circling overhead.
Next was the Unknown Strange Dungeon. It was located below the Unknown Palace. The dungeon was a labyrinth of damp and dark passages. The stone walls of its tunnel seemed to breathe with a malevolent energy.
Strange, phosphorescent fungi clung to the walls. The stench of decay and something indefinably wrong permeated the air there.
Finally, there was another Unknown Temple in the island. Hidden deep within the island's jungle at the center. This was probably the oldest and the most dangerous ruin there.
This temple was almost completely swallowed by the surrounding vegetation. Vines snaked across its crumbling walls. And the air buzzed with unseen insects. A sense of immense power radiated from the temple. It was long dormant but still potent.
He wisely decided to avoid them for now. He wasn't stupid. He could feel the danger radiating from them. He needed to be much stronger to consider exploring those places.
Once he was done exploring, Jack spent his days in his Mirror Space. He made an experiment. He customized the space into a small wood-processing workshop. And then, he brought a thick tree branch inside.
He worked on the branch with the room-provided tools. And he turned it into a basic wooden spear. And then, he used [Steamrune Enhancement] to inscribe a rune for 'Toughness' on it.
He took it out of the Mirror Space. And it was... possible. Unlike the tools he fully customized inside the Mirror Space, he could bring out the spear. His work on his new class, Steamrune Engineer, would be much easier now.
Thus, he spent most days afterward in his Mirror Space. His Mysticism and focus in his specter form were strong enough to create four connected rooms.
He created a library in the smallest room with wall mirror exit. In another room, he created woodcraft workshop. For the third room, a working smithy. And the last room was for physical and magical practice.
At nights, he would usually check on Chloe, who had completely absorbed the Fortune Shard. He slipped into her dreams with his [Mysterious Dream] skill.
He enjoyed their silly conversations. A strange mix of witty banter and earnest discussions about their shared experiences.
Jack found himself oddly protective of her. She was basically one of his few friendly acquaintances in this world. After Linna, the strange twins, and Johnny.
During their dream conversation, Jack heard the news about herself and the other survivors.
Chloe said that she spent her days practicing and trying to inscribe more spells into her grimoire. The recent disastrous incident had made her feel weak and useless. Thus, she struggled hard to be much stronger.
Dr. Crafton seriously taught her, and the other surviving students who wanted to learn Mystic Arts.
Leon Drake, on the other hand, spent his time studying the ruined temple. He said, he felt more treasures could be gained there.
Uthred Payton survived, but he was severely weakened.
Amaranth and Lucca explored the island everyday. Always bringing back herbs and hunted animals.
The others were simply waiting. Their nerves were frayed. Their hopes were pinned on the arrival of the ship.
...
Four days late, the Galleass Rhythmic Oars finally appeared on the horizon.
Once the boat landed, Captain Gullaw delivered grim news. The grizzled veteran with a permanent squint told them the reason for their late arrival.
"We were heading to Squidpack Town, to resupply." Captain Gullaw said. His voice was rough as gravel. "But, we received word... Calmcoast has been hit."
He explained that Blackblade Pirates, led by the infamous Eduard 'Blackblade' Cleaver, had attacked Calmcoast Town. What was worse, they were assisted by elite members of the Night Salvation, the transcendent criminal organization.
Calmcoast was not the only one. Two other coastal towns, Duskbay and Wavewater, had suffered similar fates.
The time of these attacks was actually the same. Two days after their expedition departed from Calmcoast. That signified that the attacks were coordinated very well.
"The whole kingdom is in an uproar." Captain Gullaw continued. Spitting a stream of tobacco juice into the sand. "The capital's even teamed up with the churches, sending out the EK01-Hunters. Things are bad."
Jack listened. Speechless. Pirates and Night Salvation. A kingdom in crisis. It was all a bit overwhelming.
He abandoned his idea to stay in the island. And followed the others back to Calmcoast. He needed to make sure that Chloe was safe. He wasn't sure if he should feel responsible for her well-being. But he did anyway.
...
Four days later, Jack stared at the ruins of Calmcoast. The once-vibrant resort town was a smoldering wreck.
Buildings were reduced to rubble. The air was thick with the stench of smoke and decay. Injured people wandered the streets aimlessly. Their faces were etched with despair. Children were still crying for their parents.
He saw Amaranth White helping the injured villagers. She looked depressed and exhausted. Lucca, her uncle, tried to help with the treatment. Although it was obvious he was not that skilled in it.
He saw Chloe working hard. Serving food from the relief center.
Jack felt a pang of something akin to guilt. He could do nothing for these suffering people. Not here. Not now.
He turned and walked away. He needed to get stronger to be able to help. And he knew where to go.
...
Three days later, Jack floated in the center of Whitecoal Town. The wind whistled through the empty streets. It carried the scent of decay and forgotten dreams.
It was a desolate place. But it was also quiet, and empty. His kind of place.
Here, he could finally begin his project. A project for Jack Night. Transcendent Human. Steamrune Engineer.
He spent days scavenging. As Jack Deathspark, the draugr.
He collected materials from the ruined buildings. He hunted beasts for skin, bone, and flesh materials. He dismantled the skeletal remains of the locomotive for iron and other metals.
He hauled everything back to his Mirror Space workshop. He worked tirelessly. Fueled by a single-minded focus.
And then, in the Mirror Space, he shifted into his human form and continued working.
However, in human incarnation, he quickly realized that he could not work without rest. He was mortal in that form. He needed food, drink, and rest.
He quickly adapted though. He experimented with runes. He tested different fusion of materials. He refined his inscription skills. He practiced casting his rune skills.
Finally, after days of relentless effort, he finished it.
He looked in the mirror. Admiring his handiwork. It was cyberpunk style, and undeniably plain looking. But it was also a masterpiece. A testament to his ingenuity. His knowledge. And his newfound power.
It was a set of adventurer equipment. A black vest, black pants, black belt, combat boots, hooded cloak, silver ring, and a Steamrune Shotgun.
The outfits were mainly made of materials he named Ironcloth. It was a fusion of linen cloth, leather, water, and iron. It was thick, light, and very tough.
He also used what he called Steeleum, super tough metal, for some parts of the clothing. Made of the fusion of iron, coal, fire, and animal bone.
The clothing set by itself was already top gears. But Jack still imbued the rune for 'Toughness' and 'Restoration'. Making the outfit even stronger and able to self-restore into its original form.
He wanted to add more runes. But the materials were not mana-conductive enough to handle three or more runes.
The ring he wore, on the other hand, was made with Silverbone Metal. A new type of materials made of the fusion of silver, wood, blood, and bone. It was not as tough Steeleum. But it was able to withstand up to four rune inscriptions.
Jack inscribed the runes for: 'Healing', 'Restoration', 'Energy,' and 'Recovery'. Its main function was boosting up the health and energy recovery of the wearer. Not that much though. Only about 10 percent increase.
Those were just for convenience though. They didn't really show his class specialty. They didn't involve any engine after all. And their power source was basically just ambient energy in the environment.
The shotgun was the real deal. The stock was crafted from Ironwood, a fusion of iron and wood. The barrel was from Steeleum. The trigger and firing mechanism were a complex arrangement of gears, springs, and levers. All were made of Silverbone Metal.
Each part of the gun had their specific runes. And it was all connected to its power source. An marble-sized sphere placed just above the trigger. A Steamcoal Orb made from the fusion of white coal, fire, silverbone, and steeleum.
It was a weapon born from the knowledge of his past life. Forged in the magical fire of this strange new world. A tool of survival. A symbol of his resolve.
Jack grinned. A predatory gleam was in his eyes.
"Time to see how powerful this thing was!" He muttered. Loading the shotgun with a custom-made shell. Made of steeleum bullet inscribed with 'Power' rune, normal iron cartridge case, and enhanced gunpowder.