Chapter 8: Training Gains?

  Once Buckle was convinced that my big grey hands might be able to stitch two pieces of leather together on a good day, he noted that my eyelids kept drooping and told me to get some shuteye. He did help take a few skins from the pile and the corner, as well as point out some cushions that would work as pillows.

  Buckle added a bit more wood to the fire and said his goodnight. I spent about 30 seconds watching the light flicker in the room before I was sound asleep.

  The dreams didn’t feel normal to me. Much as I knew I was lacking memories, there was a strong feeling that these dreams didn’t feel… correct. They also somehow felt familiar, so it was perhaps two sides of the same coin?

  In those dreams, I was simply reliving vignettes of the day. One was walking in the woods, here I was talking with Buckle at the stream, over there I was swinging an axe down on some defenseless wood. Maybe it was less like vignettes and more like a montage.

  A montage of everything I’d actively done during the day, rather than just experienced. Puzzling out what to ask the System, and the basics of how to use it. Trying out both axes and figuring out which one worked better for me. Fumbling with the ties, stacking the leather in the tannery building, and trying to sew in a straight line with even stitches.

  The dreams also had more of a tangible immediacy to them than I would have expected from a brain figment, feeling my shoulders warm from the efforts of splitting and carrying wood, or the burning in my eyes as I lost control trying to puzzle out what I had done to myself and what to do next, and a splash of serenity as I dreamed of the distortions in Buckle’s hand as he conjured water magically.

  How long the dreams lasted, I really couldn’t say, sleeping through the night and waking when I heard Buckle stirring in the other room.

  Opening my eyes however, led to a reminder of yesterday when I woke in the woods. A simple window floating in my vision with “Training Gains for March 31st, 2262” written on it. Focusing on the window as I'd learned to do with my status, the window enlarged with the following information

  ‘Well, isn’t that interesting’, I pondered while focusing on the line for XP gained.

  Realizing that the XP bonus rounds up, or at least seems to do so, I couldn’t help but smile.

  Before moving about, I decided to wrap up yesterday’s question. “System Query: How can you be removed from the System?”

  Well, that seems rather final.

  “System Query: What is the easiest exploit to use within the System?”

  ‘That seems like simply a trade of time for XP, more than an exploit… But maybe it couples with something else that makes it more ‘exploitative’. I Thought.

  “System Query: Should I take a system offered Class?”

  Well, that is a pointless answer. “System Query: Why should I not take a system offered Class?”

  ‘Okay, yeah, that seems pretty bad.’ I thought, ‘Huh, the System almost seemed defensive about that answer. Does it think?’

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Getting up, I began to fold and put away the skins and cushions I’d used for the night. Stretching, I noted that my body doesn’t feel uncomfortable at all after sleeping on the floor. Probably one of those Half Giant bonuses at work, or maybe just the power of youth.

  Not wanting to add more wood to the fire without checking with Buckle, or open the door and possibly alarming him, I sat at the table and popped open my status.

  Surprised into talking aloud, I whispered. “Huh, why wouldn’t age have shown up yesterday? Anyhow, what else have we got.”

  I spent a moment thinking that the entry for ‘Chores’ was a bit odd. ‘Is it really a skill? I mean, shouldn’t it be broken down by task? Then again, isn’t it something people should just be able to do without a skill for it?’

  Well, new day, new questions.

  I was thinking about what else to ask today as Buckle entered the room. “Good morning, Buckle. I remember you said you would provide me two meals today, is one of them breakfast? Or do you have some other task for me to start on?”

  Pausing and rubbing his head with the palm of his left hand as he replied, “Good morning, Monday March. Yes and both I suppose? Load that wood rack with some of what you cut yesterday while I heat up something for us to eat.” Buckle said while gesturing to a spot beside the hearth. “Oh, how hungry are you this morning?”

  I thought for a moment before replying, “Not really hungry, I mean, I could eat, but I’m not feeling hunger pangs or anything.”

  Commencing with the new task, I pondered asking Buckle about the Chore skill, but realizing he isn’t a system user, it is probably just best to wait to find one for certain questions.

  A short time later, we were both dining at the table while Willy was perched on Buckle’s shoulder.

  Glancing at the toad while we ate leftover stew from the night before, I thought to ask, “Where was Willy last night? Didn’t even think to ask after him once I was done with the hides, sorry Willy.”

  “Has a quiet damp spot in the cellar. Needs some alone time after meetin’ new folks.” Replied Buckle, before commencing to describe what we would be doing before we could head for the town that morning.

  Entering the tanning building, Buckle looks at the number of empty racks and the few remaining full ones. “Looks like ye finished more’n I was expecting. I’ll start bundlin’ an you kin pull down the rest just like you did yesterday.”

  With nothing by way of banter, we both addressed our tasks and I noticed something that I wasn’t really expecting but perhaps should have… Everything seemed simpler, easier. Not by a significant amount, but my hands untied the laces more nimbly and moving the hides around felt like it required less effort.

  ‘Probably the Statistic increases,’ I thought, ‘perhaps that and the Chores skill.’ Certainly interesting to have felt an immediate and tangible difference. Wondering if this sort of improvement bypassed the usual method of strength improvement with muscle damage and reconstruction, I continued until all of the hides had been gathered.

  The dozens of hides ranged in size and weight from 10cm across and a 100 grams or so, up to almost 2 meters and over 5 Kilos. Buckle was rolling and tying bundles of these hides onto a wooden frame that was on top of a worktable. Since he seemed busy, I took a moment to get some water and proved to myself that at least one other expected bodily function appeared to be ‘functioning’ as expected.

  Upon returning to where Buckle was working, I was in time to see him cinching down the last of the straps binding things to the wooden frame. “Alrighty Monday March, Gonna have you try ta carry this for our trip. Come on o’er 'n put yer arms through these straps. Nay lass, frame ta the back, or ye won’t be able ta see ta put yer feet down… Squat down a little so I can get this in position. Right right, now stand up and tell me how heavy it feels? ‘N how long ye think ye ken carry it?”

  Straightening my bent knees, feeling the straps get taught and hearing a slight creak from the wood and leather contraption I had to lean forward a little to hold the weight above my hips, rather than tip over backwards. Despite this it didn’t feel particularly heavy. “Seems fine, I may need a break at some point. But I can let you know when I start feeling the need to do so.”

  Glancing down at the shorter goblin I noticed his watery eyes blinking repeatedly and his mouth open a little, revealing his sharp teeth. Looking startled Buckle clears his throat and replied. “Fine fine, you can squat down a little and we can take that off you. I won’t be ready to go for about 10 minutes or so.”

  “That’s fine, Buckle. I’d rather get used to walking around with it on. Rather practice here than on a narrow or slippery path.” I replied and headed towards the door.

  “Er… right then Monday March. Gimme a little bit ‘n we kin head off.” Buckle secured the tannery, then went and gathered a few things while I practiced moving around within the fenced area. The mass of hides attached to my back impacted my balance, but I adapted quickly.

  A few minutes later, Buckle returns with his own pack, a bow, Willy on his shoulder and a walking stick. Walking over to the shed he grabbed the larger axe from within and resecured the door.

  “Okay, Monday March. Chances are there won’ be any troubles on the way, but just in case…” Buckle held out the axe handle to me, “Hold onto this ‘n hit anythin’ that tries ta attack us.”