Level up!

“Level Up!” The artificially generated voice of a female announcer said gleefully. The raid ended and the sun rose. A skill tree, like the ones Ray’s son used to tech with all the time playing RPGs, was being projected against the sky.

Player Upgrade Tree

Multiclassing is encouraged! Note that skill power scales with the user’s level.

Class: Fortress

This path focuses on defense, durability, and siege tactics. Skills here are about creating a building that is difficult to destroy and can actively repel attackers.

Tier 1: Basic Defenses

* Tough Walls: Passive. The logs and walls become more resilient to physical damage. Damage taken is greatly reduced

* Carpenter's Swarm: Active. The cabin can call forth a swarm of creatures to attack any enemies within its vicinity, causing damage and distraction.

Tier 2: Advanced Defenses

* Reinforced Foundation: Passive. The building’s foundation becomes incredibly solid, making it immune to ground-based attacks.

* Barricade: Active. The cabin can automatically barricade its windows and doors with wooden planks, making it more difficult to breach.

Tier 3: Siegecraft

* Moat: Passive. A watery moat forms around the cabin, slowing down and damaging enemies who attempt to cross it.

* Ballista: Active. The cabin can sprout a ballista from the hayloft, firing large bolts at enemies.

Class: Mansion

This path is all about elegance, charm, and influence. Skills here allow Ray to manipulate the emotions and perceptions of others, turning his appearance into a powerful tool.

Tier 1: Basic Aesthetics

* Fresh Coat: Passive. The wood of the cabin gains a smooth, polished finish, making it appear newer and more inviting.

* Soothing Aura: Active. The cabin can emit a calming aura, making those inside feel more at ease and reducing their hostility.

Tier 2: Refined Interiors

* Enchanted Hearth: Active. A hearth appears in the cabin, radiating a comforting warmth that heals minor wounds and reduces hostility.

* Glamorous Facade: Active. The exterior of the cabin becomes adorned with elegant architectural details, making it appear as a lavish mansion, deterring lower-class enemies.

Tier 3: Noble Presence

* Grand Estate: Passive. The cabin expands into a full-fledged mansion, complete with multiple rooms and a beautiful garden.

* Charmed Entrance: Active. A magical charm is placed on the entrance, forcing visitors to feel welcome and friendly, making it difficult for them to act with malice.

Class: Healer

This path focuses on healing, sanitation, and life-giving energy. Skills here are about creating a safe, healthy environment that can cure diseases and mend injuries.

Tier 1: Basic First Aid

* Sanitized Surfaces: Passive. The cabin's surfaces become sterile, preventing the spread of germs and diseases.

* Healing Aura: Active. The cabin can emit a weak healing aura, mending minor cuts and bruises for those inside.

Tier 2: Medical Ward

* Clean Room: Passive. A dedicated clean room appears within the cabin, providing a sterile environment for performing surgeries.

* Antiseptic Spray: Active. The chandelier can emit a powerful antiseptic spray, sterilizing a large area and preventing infections.

Tier 3: Children's Ward

* Magical Ward: Passive. The cabin is protected by a powerful magical ward that prevents all forms of disease and illness from entering.

* The Panacea: Active. Ray can manifest a powerful healing liquid that can cure any disease, no matter how severe.

If Ray still had had a heart, it would have skipped a beat. Somehow this twisted alternate reality offered him a way towards his dream. While most skills seemed interesting to him, his soul dictated he worked towards becoming a hospital as soon as possible. Resolute, the sentient building chose Sanitized Surface as its first skill.

In response, half rotten logs flew towards the sky, taking with them the mold and toxic spores that had been littering their insides. The hayloft split open with a crack that reverberated down to the very foundations of the building. Old hay and older dust also jolted out towards the sky, everything now a vortex of brown and green. Gradually, everything disappeared, leaving behind a blueish powder that fell down on the building.

The powder amalgamated into a gel that took the form of new cement walls and tiling, both for the floor and the rooftop. Other specks of powder still replaced old rusty hinges and broken glass. Soon enough, Ray looked habitable.

Before he could celebrate, red lettering announcing an incoming raid appeared above his freshly renovated rooftop. 5… 4… 3…