Chapter 16:

New Allies

Brought into my Unfinished Game World



The week of preparation passed quickly for Alpha. Each morning, he would meet with different high-ranking adventuring parties at the guild hall, joining them for S-class quests that pushed him far beyond his comfort zone. The monsters they faced were leagues stronger than anything he had encountered before - massive trolls that could regenerate from fatal wounds, elemental spirits that could phase through physical attacks, and shadow beasts that moved faster than the eye could follow.

At first, Alpha struggled to keep up. His teammates were seasoned veterans who had been working together for years, and they moved with a precision and coordination that left him feeling like dead weight. They didn't need him there - his presence was more of a liability than an asset. But Alpha was determined to prove himself. He studied their movements, learned their strategies, and slowly began to find ways to contribute.

During rest periods between battles, his companions would share stories and rumors about famous adventurers. It was during one of these conversations that Alpha learned more about Suzaku of the Southern Skies Guild.

— That woman is a force of nature, said Marcus, a grizzled warrior with multiple scars across his arms.

— I've seen her take down a whole pack of dire wolves with one spell.

— She hits like a thunderbolt, added Lyra, their party's mage.

— Overwhelming speed and power. But here's the thing - after one of those explosive attacks, she becomes vulnerable for a few moments. Completely drained.

— So why isn't that a problem for her? asked Alpha.

— Because she never leaves anything alive to take advantage of it, replied Marcus with a grim smile.

— By the time she's vulnerable, everything that was threatening her is already dead.

As the days passed, Alpha gained levels at an incredible rate. The experience from S-class monsters was enormous, and he found himself growing stronger with each battle. But more importantly, he was learning how to be part of a team. He began focusing his skill development on becoming what Dave had originally suggested - a mobile tank who could support his allies while still dealing damage.

However, Alpha put his own spin on Dave's advice. Instead of just focusing on taking hits and casting status effects, he developed a more versatile approach. He learned to read the flow of battle, identifying where his team was struggling and adapting his role accordingly. Sometimes he would tank damage when their warrior was overwhelmed. Other times he would focus on healing when their cleric was running low on mana. And when the opportunity arose, he would unleash status effects that turned the tide of battle.

Through multiple battles and countless hours of cooperation, Alpha discovered something about himself that surprised him. He genuinely enjoyed being useful within a team. Unlike his earlier assumption that he was meant to be a solo fighter, he found satisfaction in being the versatile support that could fill whatever gap the team needed. Whether it was blocking a devastating attack, applying a crucial debuff, or dealing the finishing blow to a wounded enemy, Alpha felt most fulfilled when he was helping his teammates succeed.

By the end of the week, he had reached level 47, almost halfway through the maximum level a character can reach: 100. More importantly, he had earned the respect of every party he had worked with and found his true fighting style - not the simple "stalling machine" that Dave had envisioned, but a dynamic support fighter who could adapt to any situation.

While Alpha was gaining experience in the field, Dave spent his days at the palace working with Queen Mia to understand the true nature of his [re_coding] ability. The sessions were both enlightening and humbling.

— Your ability is far from unique, Mia explained during one of their training sessions.

— Some individuals have awakened to similar powers when they came into contact with [unknown_error] anomalies that are spread across the world.

— Unknown error anomalies? asked Dave.

— They are similar to the Horizon Canvas but extremely volatile. They appear randomly and disappear after a short while. Most people who encounter them are simply destroyed, but a rare few gain a limited version of what you possess.

— How limited?

— The common folk call them "life benders" because to them it appears as if these individuals can bend reality itself. However, they are much weaker than you or I. They cannot alter people's code, nor can they modify high-value items. Their abilities are restricted to simple objects and minor adjustments.

Dave floated thoughtfully around the training chamber.

— So the most consistent way to gain this power is through the Horizon Canvas?

— Precisely. Which is why the demons guard it so fiercely. They understand its true value.

Over the course of several days, Mia helped Dave explore his own unique limitations and strengths. To his disappointment, he discovered that he could not alter people's code the way Mia could with her royal guard. But when they brought in unaltered items from traveling merchants, Dave made a remarkable discovery about his abilities.

— Watch this, said Dave, opening the data panels for two different items - a ring that provided fire resistance and a cloak that boosted intelligence.

Instead of simply copying properties from one item to another, Dave found he could freely redistribute the numerical values themselves. The ring showed [+15%_resist_fire], and Dave carefully extracted that 15% value. But rather than applying it as fire resistance to the cloak, he converted it into [+15%_intelligence] instead.

— That should not be possible, said Mia, staring at the modified cloak. You are not simply adding properties together. You are fundamentally altering the nature of the value itself.

— It's like... I can move any numerical value to any attribute I want, explained Dave, growing excited. As long as there's no net gain or loss in the total values, I can distribute them however I like. I could even take that 15% intelligence and split it into multiple smaller bonuses across different items.

Mia studied Dave with a new level of respect.

— This ability of yours may be far more versatile than my own. While I can enhance individuals directly, you can create equipment combinations that should be impossible according to the game's original rules.

By the end of the week, Dave had developed a much deeper understanding of his powers and their potential applications. He couldn't enhance people directly, but he could create gear that would make any wearer significantly more powerful than they had any right to be.

Days passed, and Alpha and Dave finally reunited at the Southern Skies Guild. The building was impressive - three stories of polished stone with banners displaying the guild's emblem hanging from the windows. Alpha looked noticeably different from when they had parted ways. His posture was more confident, his movements more precise. The week of intensive training had clearly changed him.

— You look stronger, observed Dave as they walked through the guild's main hall.

— I feel it too. Those S-class quests were brutal, but I learned more in one week than I had in all my previous battles combined.

— And I figured out some new tricks with my abilities. Wait until you see what I can do with equipment now.

They were catching up on their respective training when the receptionist, a young woman with short brown hair, approached them.

— Alpha? The guild master is ready to see you upstairs. He has some people he'd like you to meet.

The guild master's office was spacious and lined with bookshelves filled with quest records and monster encyclopedias. Behind a large oak desk sat a man in his fifties with graying hair and kind eyes. Standing beside him were two figures that immediately commanded attention.

— Welcome, My name is Akina Sora and I am the Guild Master of the Southern Skies, said the guild master as he rose from his chair.

— I'm honored to meet the team that Queen Mia has specifically requested assistance for. Allow me to introduce two of our finest S-rank adventurers who have volunteered for your mission.

The first was a woman with black hair and round glasses, wearing the white robes of a cleric. Her face was bright and cheerful, and she practically bounced on her feet with enthusiasm. Dave immediately floated closer, staring at her with obvious interest. He nodded to himself as he came to appreciate how the tight robe was clinging to her skin. 

— Hello! she said, extending her hand eagerly.

— I'm Kuria! I specialize in healing magic and support buffs. When I heard about this quest, I just knew I had to be part of it! It sounds absolutely thrilling!

Alpha noticed Dave's inappropriate reaction and shot him a disapproving look before turning back to Kuria.

— It's a pleasure to meet you, Kuria. Though I should warn you, this mission will be extremely dangerous.

— Oh, I know! she replied with a giggle.

— That's exactly why I want to come along! My party has gotten so strong that they barely rely on me anymore. I feel like I'm losing my edge, just standing around watching them handle everything. A real challenge sounds wonderful!

Alpha shook his head slightly at Dave, who was still gawking. It was becoming increasingly clear to Alpha how shallow Dave's approach to character design had been, and it made him uncomfortable to see his friend's reaction to meeting one of those characters in person.

— And this, said the guild master, gesturing to the second figure, is someone I believe you've heard of.

The second adventurer was much more ordinary than Alpha had expected based on all the stories he'd heard. She wore a simple grey cloak that covered her entire body, with the hood pulled up to hide her face. Dave floated closer and then visibly deflated with disappointment when he saw how completely covered she was.

— Would you mind introducing yourself? asked the guild master gently.

The cloaked figure reached up and pulled back her hood, revealing a striking appearance that immediately commanded attention. Her hair was a cascade of flamboyant bright blonde that fell in waves down her shoulders, but what made it truly unique was the dark blue coloring that started from behind her neck and blended through the blonde like streaks of midnight. Her eyes were the most remarkable feature - intense shades of red and purple that seemed to shift like a sunset, holding depths that spoke of countless battles and experiences.

Despite her striking appearance, her demeanor was surprisingly quiet.

— Suzaku, she said plainly, her voice barely above a whisper.

After stating her name, she immediately diverted her gaze to the ground, as if the attention made her uncomfortable.

Alpha stared at her in amazement. This was the legendary warrior who could destroy entire packs of dire wolves with a single spell? The woman standing before them seemed so quiet and reserved, but Alpha's week of training with experienced adventurers had taught him not to judge fighters by their appearances alone.

— You are the Suzaku of the Southern Skies Guild? he asked, unable to hide his surprise.

She nodded once without looking up.

— I heard about your quest. It sounded... challenging.

Her voice was soft, but there was something in the way she said "challenging" that suggested she was looking forward to it in a way that made Alpha slightly nervous.

Don.Coals
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