Progenitor's Burden

Chapter 4: Tutorial Uruz


The morning was quiet, with only the faint chirping of early birds breaking the silence. Sinclair found himself alert and active much earlier than he was used to. The events from yesterday still played on his mind, and the unyielding energy surging through him further piqued his curiosity. Could it be due to the increase in my endurance stat?

Munching on his breakfast, he swiped through the holographic screen, analyzing any changes. "What?" the previously unavailable Quests tab isn't grayed out any more! Almost automatically, he reached out, excitement causing him to fumble his cereal and send it flying between his knees. He barely noticed as the new interface unfolded before him.

New Quest: Midgard's Crucible

Description: This trial, forged in the ancient traditions of Midgard's mightiest warriors, is designed to test your mettle, wisdom, and resolve. Only those who endure the crucible and master every trial can claim their rightful place among the champions of legend. This quest is a trial designed to test what class fits you best.

Goal: Complete all training areas

Reward:

Gold

Experience

New

Item:

Upgrade Token

Mentally, Sinclair selected the quest name Immediately, a new menu opened up, displaying a golden button with the words Enter Tutorial displayed prominently in the center. When he looked at it, he received another message.

System Message

WARNING: This will transport you to another dimension

When you are ready, please select Yes

WARNING: If you leave the training zone before you have completed all the necessary sections,you will not be able to reenter the tutorial dimension until 24 local hours have passed

PLEASE NOTE: Time does not flow the same inside the Training Zone

Do you wish to continue? Yes/No

A jolt of anxiety surged through Sinclair as he abruptly closed the prompt. He took deep, steadying breaths. I'm expected to leave Earth, and then what? Engage in battles against unknown entities to gain strength?

He groaned, pressing the heels of his palms into his eyes. The lack of guidance or instruction frustrated him. How was he supposed to make decisions that might have life-or-death consequences without any help files, or guidance?

Picking a number based partly on his video game experience—but mostly drawing upon gut instinct—he decided to prepare for a three-day absence. Although, if there are discrepancies between the way time moves, three days here could be a month there. Or ten minutes. Ah well, if I get hungry, I'll start with my left arm.

With resolve, Sinclair began his preparations. Protection, sustenance, and combat readiness were his top priorities. If he were going to embark on such a wild journey, he would ensure he was as prepared as possible.

Rummaging through his closet, he found his leather bomber jacket. It was a little tight, but it's not like I have many options. The heavy leather jacket and the tear-resistant denim style pants he wore when working outside were the most robust items he owned. Inspecting the items, he was excited to find they had stats, even if they were negligible at best.

New Item: Leather Jacket (Common)

Description: Provides basic leather protection for torso and arms. Grants a small amount of additional protection from slashing damage.

Effects:

+10 Armor

New Item: Briar Pants (Common)

Description: Provides basic protection against thorns. Grants a small amount of additional protection from piercing damage.

Effects:

+5 Armor

New Item: Sturdy Boots (Common)

Description: Basic military-style boots with rugged soles

Effects:

+3 Armor

In the cluttered space of his shed, Sinclair's eyes fell on his trusty ax — the one he'd used over the years to fell trees. Even with the passage of time, its blade gleamed sharp, a testament to his meticulous care. Its sturdy leather strap allowed it to be slung easily across his back, making it a reliable choice for the upcoming journey.

Beside it sat his twin axs from the Renaissance Faire. They might have been purchased as novelties, but their craftsmanship was undeniable. He recalled the secret thrill of swinging them against various objects in his backyard, pretending he was a legendary warrior defending a village from invaders. And, not content with their decorative edge, he'd painstakingly sharpened them, ensuring they'd be as formidable as they looked.

Well, looks like it's ax-swingin' time!

New Item: Felling Ax (Common)

Description: A two-handed standard ax designed for felling trees, or for fending off predators in the woods.

12-16 slashing damage

New Item: Twin Training Axes (Common)

Description: Single-handed axes used to train.

5-9 slashing damage per ax

He was starting to wonder how he would carry all these things. He still had to pack up three days' worth of food and clothes. What happens if I have to run or something? He would be weighed down and over-encumbered. He hated that feature in Skyrim. Going along happy as a clam, you'd pick up one more item that sent you into overload, and it was half-speed walking, at best. He'd already learned that he could burn health if it were an emergency and he was out of stamina… but that seemed like something you only did in an emergency, not because you didn't plan better.

Grabbing an old army duffle bag, he put spare underclothes in the bottom and his extra pair of work pants on top of those. He grabbed food that wouldn't spoil without refrigeration. Water bottles, summer sausage, crackers, and miscellaneous dry goods went into the bag. He grabbed his ultra-light cooking gear as well. It was a small pot with matching utensils that he could boil water in. There might be magic where he was going, but he wasn't going to risk drinking from a stream with untold bacteria. A mana-backed stomach bug sounds like a quick way to end a new future or my pants.

He grabbed his fire-starter kit from the mantle and placed it in one of the cargo pockets of his jeans. Jamming his blanket and some last-minute items in his bag, he cinched it shut. He had wanted to train his stats, but the burn to find out what was under the quest tag was too powerful. He had to do this first. The training he had already gone through made him almost as strong as some of the meatheads at the gym. He couldn't pick up a truck—yes—but while test-swinging the axs, he found that they whistled through the air and made satisfyingly deep cuts in the trees out back.

Having spent just over an hour getting everything packed, he felt as ready as he was going to. The sun was starting to rise over the hills. The view from his house was one Sinclair immensely enjoyed, and was part of why he lived on the family farm despite it being quite some way from town. I hope this isn't the last time I see this sunrise. He looked around his living room once last time and selected the quest.

Space stretched on forever in front of him. Lights flew by so fast that they couldn't even be categorized as anything other than a blur. When colors started rolling back in after only a few seconds, he slammed into the ground, coughing as he tried to regain control of his breathing.

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Tall trees, reminiscent of Earth's cedars, dotted the landscape, soaring even higher than the ones Sinclair was accustomed to. The massive trees cast long shadows over the forest floor, creating an eerie atmosphere. As Sinclair stood up and brushed himself off, he noticed a faint game trail under his feet. It seemed like as good an idea as any to follow it and explore this unfamiliar terrain.

The trees surrounding him had a peculiar aura, as if they were trying to envelop him: not in a warm embrace, but in a sinister, suffocating grip. The sensation was far from friendly; it felt ancient and filled with anger, casting an unsettling light on his experience.

The eerie silence continued to pervade the trail as Sinclair made his way deeper into the forest. What little light that filtered through the boughs added to the eerie ambiance, making his discomfort grow with each step. I am definitely heading somewhere ominous.

As the trail meandered through the forest, Sinclair suddenly came upon a small clearing. To his astonishment, he found a structure that resembled the Viking longhouses he had seen in documentaries. The building had a thatched roof that nearly touched the ground, with door openings that seemed to poke out of the walls and roof in an even pattern. It was a scene out of history, although the absence of any people was unsettling.

Approaching the building cautiously, Sinclair noticed a door facing him with the Uruz rune etched onto its surface. O-okay, I know runes now, apparently. The symbol resembled a staple with the left corner lifted into the air and his subconscious told him that it was associated with concepts like strength and power. He couldn't help feeling uneasy at the thought of knowledge being effortlessly fed into his mind. After all, it's got to be coming from somewhere, and whoever is putting it there knows how to access my mind a damn sight better than I do.

As Sinclair examined the doors surrounding the Viking longhouse, he knew—without being able to say how— that each door held a distinct challenge linked to the meaning of the rune inscribed upon it, as though the doors were inviting him to test his abilities in different ways.

The door on his right was adorned with the Algiz rune, which represented courage and protection. That must be the test of bravery. Across from it, another door was labeled with the Ansuz rune, which symbolized true vision and inspiration. That's for insight and creativity. Finally, the last door held the Ehwaz rune, which signified teamwork and trust. ....And that's a trial of cooperation. How do I know this?

Approaching the building cautiously, Sinclair examined the doors surrounding the Viking longhouse, he knew—without being able to say how— that each door held a distinct challenge linked to the meaning of the rune inscribed upon it, as though the doors were inviting him to test his abilities in different ways.

Sinclair noticed a door facing him with the Uruz rune etched onto its surface. The symbol resembled a staple with the left corner lifted into the air and his subconscious told him that it was associated with concepts like strength and power. O-okay, I know runes now, apparently. He couldn't help feeling uneasy at the thought of knowledge being effortlessly fed into his mind. After all, it's got to be coming from somewhere, and whoever is putting it there knows how to access my mind a damn sight better than I do.

The door on his right was adorned with the Algiz rune, which represented courage and protection. That must be the test of bravery. Across from it, another door was labeled with the Ansuz rune, which symbolized true vision and inspiration. That's for insight and creativity. Finally, the last door held the Ehwaz rune, which signified teamwork and trust. ...And that's a trial of cooperation.

After contemplating his options, Sinclair decided he might as well start with the door that had initially caught his attention—the one with the Uruz rune upon it. I had wondered how the system would test my strength and power. With a sense of determination, he reached for the door and prepared to step into whatever awaited him beyond it.

*****

On the other side of the door, Sinclair found himself in a breathtaking valley nestled between towering mountain ranges that stretched out in a V shape to each side. The scene before him was idyllic. There was a small water source to his right, and he could spot various animals grazing in the distance, although he couldn't quite discern their species from where he stood. The lush woods on the other side of the field were about three hundred yards away; they offered a sense of beauty and, somehow, a hint of potential danger.

Sinclair proceeded cautiously, senses on high alert, scanning the surroundings for potential threats. The serene beauty of the landscape didn't lull him into a false sense of security; he knew better than to let his guard down. A system notification alerted him to something meaningful as he took a few steps forward.

New Quest: Uruz - Test of the Fishermen

Description: In times past, fishermen had to earn their right to fish the shores of their homeland through a show of strength and endurance. Embrace this ancient tradition by demonstrating your physical prowess. Choose a stone wisely, as you must carry your selected stone the entire distance without dropping or setting it down. If you fail, you'll be teleported back to the start with your chosen stone for another attempt. Once you pick a stone and take a step, you cannot opt for a lighter one.

Goal: Select a stone and carry it across the field to the designated area without setting it down.

Reward: Variable.The heavier the stone, the greater the reward upon successful completion. This test is a measure of not only your strength but also your determination and resilience.

Reading through the message several times, he walked over to the five stones on the ground. He examined each stone and found information detailing their weight and the perceived difficulty level.

New Item: Common Stone (23 kg, Difficulty - Novice)

New Item: Uncommon Stone (54 kg, Difficulty - Medium)

New Item: Rare Stone (100 kg, Difficulty - Hard)

New Item: Epic Stone (154 kg, Difficulty - Expert)

New Item: Legendary Stone (209 kg, Difficulty - Nightmare)

Immediately, he spotted a problem. The message said that he was stuck with a stone of his choosing after taking a step. This meant he could test the weights the old-fashioned way, although taking one step, even by accident, could spell disaster if it was too heavy. The risk of a stumble was far higher if he found a weight that was too much for him, and Sinclair knew that this was also a test of greed. Worse, Sinclair knew that—in games at least—he was greedy. He always wanted the biggest and best rewards. He would grind away for hours, sometimes looking for a new item with the best stats. But those were games, and this is real. There's a real chance I'll get hurt here. It didn't matter though. He knew he would test this trial with the most significant stone he could pick up, even if he had to restart a thousand times. It was a test, and tests should be challenging; otherwise, what was the point?

Standing over the smallest stone, he leaned over and wrapped his hands under it, picking it straight up to his waist with ease and taking a few steps. Just as he expected, the novice-level stone was easy. Setting it down carefully, he stepped over to the next rock and repeated the same action. Once again, lifting this stone was easy, too. There was a weight difference, of course, but not one that actually made a difference. Glancing back to the first stone, he noticed with some surprise that it had disappeared. Clearly once you decide to go for a heavier stone, the next lightest stone ceases to be an option.

The Uncommon stone required some effort: it wasn't heavy by any means but, unlike the first one, it wouldn't have been possible to stick the stone under one arm and run with it like a football. Setting it down, he stretched his back out, knowing that the following stones would push him significantly further. Leaning over and grabbing the Rare Stone, he had to focus on keeping a steady grip. There wasn't any doubt in his mind that this stone was coming off the ground, but it was at least somewhat of a struggle; he even almost dropped it at one point solely because the irregular shape made it so much more awkward than a dumbbell.

He was super strong in the gym, but there is a big difference between lifting something designed to be lifted and lifting a stone with its irregular sides and hand grips. At one point, he almost dropped the stone because it was so awkwardly shaped. Placing the stone back on the ground, he again noted that the previous stone had faded from view. I'd better not discover I can lift this next stone but can't walk with it.

Taking a drink from his water bottle and removing his jacket, he prepared to lift the Epic Stone. Sinclair set his feet and patted the stone, looking for the best hand holds, wishing he had brought chalk to put on his hands. Grabbing the best places he could reach on the stone, he sunk his hips and started pulling. Move... you... lump! He slowly stood upright as he kept his muscles tight and his focus sharp. He hesitated and then locked his knees. If I prove I can lift the stone properly, the previous one is going to fade away again.

Just as he was about to set the stone down and return to the lighter stone, there was the sound of a twig snapping off behind him. He startled a little when his head whipped in that direction, causing him to step forward while still holding the stone, proving he was able to lift it sufficiently.

He immediately dropped the stone and turned to look at the previous stone with mounting horror as it slowly faded from view. He had planned on using the slightly lighter stone to train, getting in some quick stat boosts before then—and only then—switching to the heavier one. It would have been so easy! I guess I can quit and come back after training some more, but I don't want to deal with that 24-hour penalty. Decision made, Sinclair decided that he would sooner be dragged away kicking and screaming than give up voluntarily. If they want to test me, I will show them that I was worth being tested.

Walking over to his pile of belongings, he grabbed a granola bar and some more water. He sat for a few minutes, looking around to find out what made the noise that had surprised him. There were dry branches aplenty, but no sign of the animal or person that could have broken one. Sighing to himself, he stretched out on the ground, making damn sure that his back and legs were ready for this.

Walking back to the stone, he again prepared to pick it up. Again, Sinclair was successful at lifting the stone. Getting the weight settled, he took one step forward. And, almost fell. Taking standard steps was out of the question, meaning this would take longer. He shortened his stride and started to waddle forward with the stone. He was fifteen yards into the knee-high grass when a screech and an impact against his calf caused him to lose his balance and drop the stone. No sooner had the stone touched the ground, then he was back at the start with the stone at his feet and him in mid-fall. Sinclair tumbled to the ground.

Getting back to his feet, he looked out into the grass, seeing the stalks rustle back and forth irregularly. He had initially taken it for the wind but now knew it must be from whatever hit him. Well, that's annoying. Carrying the stone was going to be hard enough, but now he had to contend with creatures headbutting him in the shins hard enough to leave bruises and knock him over. Hopefully, they couldn't do more damage, and he wouldn't have to slowly bleed out the entire way. Keeping a hand free for a weapon was not an option, so he would have to tank the damage and just focus on not losing balance.

Straightening up, Sinclair prepared to prove why he considered himself determined (or what others might call pigheaded). Steeled for another attempt, he covered almost thirty yards, dodging two impactful strikes before a swift adversary caught his leg mid-step. He hit the ground, gritting his teeth as he rubbed the bruises forming on his shins. Propping himself against a boulder, Sinclair took a moment to gather his thoughts, considering solutions to his ongoing balance challenge.

With agility not naturally in his wheelhouse, he assumed that thanks to the title bonuses and a smidgeon of individual training, he was now hovering just above average. However, vivid memories from his childhood remained, such as when his parents humorously compared his grace to that of a bull moose in a china shop. Even with his recent improvements, there was still a long road ahead if he genuinely hoped to tackle his balance issues. Buying a balance beam or other gymnastic equipment started to appeal to him. Investing time in perfecting his balance could prove indispensable, especially if he found himself in another similar situation.

"Rock, It's time for me to rock your world." I wish I could pretend I hadn't said that.

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