PreIntegration
Ch 1 (Release Edit)
Keys jingled in my hand as I pushed the door open to my small apartment. It wasn't much, but it was mine. One bedroom, a decent-sized full bath, the living room, and kitchen in an open floor plan. I had gotten a used couch, chair, and a nice TV. I never really used it. I just used my laptop when I wanted to watch something. I kicked off my ankle-high boots and tried to shake the cold off me as I let out a happy sigh of relief. Finals were done for the semester, well, for me at least, and winter break had just started.
I touched the picture of my grandparents that rested on a small table by the door. They were the ones who raised me. I didn't remember my parents aside from vague images. They were killed in a car crash when a bus full of clowns on their way to some convention hit some black ice. It was no one's fault, but I still harbored a dislike of clowns even to this day. Two years ago, my grandmother passed away from old age, and then a few days later, Grandpa passed. Honestly, I thought it was just from a broken heart. They were the ultimate love story.
In many ways, I was a very girly girl. I liked pink, I played with Barbies, all that stuff, but my true love was taking things apart to see how they worked. I was really close to my grandfather. He taught me so much about mechanics and electronics, how they worked, and how to fix things. I always seemed to have a natural affinity towards those two things, but I just never really applied myself to them. Even now, in the past two years in college, all I had done was just basic classes. I still didn't have a major.
The photo was from six years ago, on a Bahamas vacation. I snapped it during dinner. The sun was setting behind my grandparents, cheek to cheek, smiling. Holding back tears, I slid off my jacket and tried to think about something else, dropping onto the couch until big white words on a blue background appeared in my vision.
Congratulations, you have been randomly selected to test System 2.0 beta (v 10.1.1.1.1) in advance of your planet's integration. For helping to test out the system before integration, you will be rewarded with perks and boons from the system, as well as a unique class designed just for you. Aren't you lucky? You are welcome. Please wait....
The room came back into focus, and my first thought was, holy shit, the System is real. My head was hurting a lot. It felt like it was pounding in rhythm with my heart as I slowly sat up. I must have slid down after I passed out. Maybe I had been reading too many System novels lately. I had been completely obsessed with the genre. As I sat there, sore and thinking more clearly, I noticed a little blinking light in the corner of my right eye.
"No fucking way!"
Yes, I was the type of person who would press the big red button. So I willed the blinking light to expand. Not sure why, but it made sense to do so.
System updating to the current version… Please wait.… System updated. New version Beta 2.0 (V 10.1.1.1.2) Initializing.… Please wait....
There I sat with my mouth open, watching the little dots move, waiting for it to finish. Wait, what? System, beta, what the hell is going on? Then I passed out again as the second Please Wait popped up.
I didn't know how long I was out, but my body felt extremely sore, like my skin was stretched too tightly over my body, and the smell. What the hell was this awe-inspiring smell? As I forced myself to sit back up, flakes of black stuff dropped off my face. Now that was freaking me out a little. I stood up and headed to the bathroom to take a look in the mirror. I didn't know what the hell it was that covered my body like dried tar. It was nasty. Just fucking nasty.
"Gross."
I quickly stripped out of tight jeans that framed my tight little ass with just enough roundness not to be called flat. Pulling my sweatshirt over my head, I saw it was ruined by whatever this was. A sigh of relief as I freed the girls, and I mean freed. My best friend had called them anime tits. They were fucking huge and definitely didn't fit my body properly, at least not in my opinion. Yet these puppies had gotten me lots of attention, out of trouble, and I had never lacked for sex. Men or women didn't matter. Everyone wanted to play with them. They were my not-so-secret weapon. I was pretty. That sometimes made me feel a bit arrogant because I knew just how gorgeous I could be when I put in the effort.
I rushed my barely one hundred and ten-pound toned frame right into the shower as hot water blasted me the moment I turned it on. While I scrubbed myself, the blinking light was moving urgently. There was no way I was going to deal with it till I got whatever this was off me. The scrubbing was paying off as I could see the skin of my pale flesh come into view. This crap was fucking disgusting. With it being winter, my skin had lost all of its color, though I could use tanning beds, but I always felt the look was so fake. Plus, I preferred the feel of the sun to that of a lamp.
It took a while. I had to scoop the gunk out of the drain a few times and toss it in the small waste basket I had in the bathroom. Yeah, fuck this. I was throwing it away and getting a new one. Finally feeling clean, actually, my skin had never felt so clean in my life. Maybe it was some secret ingredient I could market. Yeah, no. Disgusting.
Feeling better, I turned everything off, stepped out of the shower, wrapped myself in an extra-large, fluffy towel, and headed to my small bedroom.
A simple metal-framed queen bed that was still messy from this morning. I didn't want to be late for my last exam, who was I kidding? I never made that thing. Across from it stood a waist-high dresser with my knick-knacks and a photo of my parents holding me as a baby. Sure, I didn't really remember them, but that wasn't their fault. Plus, I guessed in a way it felt like they were watching over me. Near my closet door was a makeup table, disorganized from this morning. I would clean it up later. Next to it was my full-length mirror as I took a closer look at myself.
Not sure how to describe it, but I had somehow gotten hotter. One of those things that was hard to quantify with thoughts or words, but there was... I didn't know, something different.
While I was thinking about it, the System apparently had had enough of waiting. White lettering on a blue background once again filled my vision.
System initiation complete. Welcome, Sara Garner, to the System and early integration. Would you like a guide or prefer to explore on your own?
Well, I wasn't expecting that. From everything I had read, that included forums and discussions with Katie, the System just threw everything at you and didn't care whether you understood them or not. Shrugging, I selected yes.
You have three options. 1. One week with a guide. 2. Six months with a guide at the cost of one perk. 3. A lifetime guide at the cost of two perks: one pre-planet integration and one after.
More options? Some good ones too. I chose option three. I didn't think it was a sacrifice or a waste of said perks. Having someone knowledgeable to explain things would be quite an advantage in the long run. Of course, I could always get one of those guides that were just helpful enough, but made you do most of the thinking. Yeah, that would be my luck. Or one that spoke in riddles. Even worse.
As soon as I chose it, a warm, fuzzy feeling spread across my left breast. Wait, did these things just get perkier? I looked closer in the mirror, fascinated. It seemed they defied gravity somehow. Not sticking straight out, but they just seemed to rest better on my chest.
My eyes widened as I watched what I could only think of as a color tattoo forming over the pale flesh. In full technicolor, it began to take the shape of a pin-up girl, and it looked like she was lying over my breast, her body turned at the waist. Her legs were slightly twisted, revealing a well-shaped rear. Then a long tail, formed with a pointed end, came into view, extending down the outside of my breast.
Wings spread out from her back, with long, jet-black hair spread out over her head like she was lying on a bed. More of it quickly filled in. Long leather boots ran up to her well-shaped thighs, which had to be six-inch heels. A leather thong around her shaped hips just barely covering up her sex with a black leather tight corset with white laces that pushed up full, perfectly shaped tits onto a small frame. Toned arms rested on her stomach and her face and skin held a very slight reddish tone. Her face was perfectly heart-shaped with full, cupid-shaped lips. The points of her ears could be seen between strands of hair, forming two small, cute horns on her forehead.
Holy fucking shit. Yeah, I tended to swear a lot when confused, surprised, getting railed really well, and frustrated. Never mind, I just swore a lot. This intricately detailed tattoo was better than anything I had ever seen, even life-like. Her eyes were pitch black, with red dots in her irises, seeming to watch me. Unable to stop myself, I touched the finished work, feeling a sudden jolt of energy from my fingers to my tit and extreme lightheartedness. The last thing I remembered before I passed out was:
"Well, those have got to be the best set of tits I have seen in a thousand years."
This passing-out bullshit had to stop. That was my first thought as the world once more came into focus. Luckily, I hadn't hit my head on the bed frame when I fell. Standing on my tit was...what the hell. It was a miniature succubus looking just like the ink on my tit, but she was moving. Her cute bat-like wings fluttered lazily. Yeah, she looked solid and she was gorgeous. Wait, she was like fun-sized. I wondered how she would feel inside me.
"I can read your surface thoughts, Sara, and to answer your question, it would be fucking mind-blowing." A big smile on her face before she added a dramatic and playful pout. "I am merely a System projection. Don't try and over think it. So no fun with mini me."
Well, wasn't she just a cheeky little slut. I grinned at her words, "I bet it would. So who are you? My guide, I take it."
She nodded as I sat on the edge of my bed.
"My name is Ari, and well, aren't you a smart cookie. Most only choose their guides for a week, well, that and, fuck, I was getting bored. I have another two thousand years left in my contract with the System, and for like the past five hundred years things have been a bit slow. I even spent some of it in stasis. Let me tell you, they say, oh, you don't dream or think while in stasis. Yeah, someone's lucky I haven't gone postal."
I couldn't help but giggle a little. "Well, I am glad I could save you then. Yeah, there are some brains under these blond locks."
Actually, there were a lot of brains. I just had to be pushed to use them. Since Grandpa passed, Katie had filled that role. If she hadn't, I would have dropped out or been kicked out of college by now.
Ari nodded, flickering slightly, then snapped her fingers, bringing my attention back to her. "Well, let's get this show on the road. You have notifications and choices to make before the System is done with you."
Her talking to me made this whole thing feel even more real.
"Yes, Sara, this is real. Not a hallucination. No, the partying you did this weekend is not coming back to give you a whole new trip. The System is coming, and you are really lucky to have a head start. Now chop chop."
Impatient little imp, wasn't she. Shrugging, I brought the blue screen back into focus.
Choose your race. Elf (C) Succubus (RE) Futa (Experimental) (L) Human (C)
"So Ari, you can see what I am seeing." I saw her nod with a smile on her face. Looking over my choices, I was able to figure out what the lettering was, but not one. "What's RE?"
"RE is Rare Elite. The rankings are Common, Uncommon, Rare, Rare Elite, Legendary/Unique, and Mythic. There are a few higher ones, but nothing you need to be concerned about at this point."
Pretty straightforward, but it wasn't really an issue what I was going to pick. Both Katie and I had loved not only our anime but also our hentai. Yeah, we were lovers, partners in sex crimes, and even a lot of our fantasies were similar. In this case, she always had wanted to be on the receiving end of a futa, where, though I did too, I really wanted to be the one giving it to her. It was a little game of ours with me trying to get her to submit to me, and I had gotten close a few times, but she always said if I could grow an actual cock, she'd be my dirty slut till the end of time. Not thinking twice, I chose it. The sexual fantasy side of things fulfilled. It was also a Legendary race. Sure, right now, I didn't understand what that fully meant, good or bad. I didn't care. I would get to experience fun in a different way.
Futa (Experimental) On Earth-8898, during the Third World War, a devastating virus was unleashed, wiping out all male DNA. In an effort to keep the Human race alive, the surviving females of the planet came together as one, saving their race. The Futa experiment came about as a result. This version of the Futanari can cause their clit to turn into a penis, retaining the sex of both male and female. A Futa can only be impregnated by another of their race, but their seed is very potent when fertilizing another female of almost any race.
+1 to STR, END, INT every level +1 to VIT, CHR, and WIS every 3 levels 3 Racial Abilities 1 Racial ability or upgrade at every five levels
Well, shit balls on a stick. I could hide it, grow it, and not have two wrinkly ball sacs getting in the way of wearing mini skirts with no panties. Win for the home team.
Reading the stats, it felt impressive. "So Ari, how big a difference is there in ranks with the races?" I mean, everything looked awesome, but having a base to go with would help quantify the thought.
"Sure, basically, Common races get two stat points per level. Only Humans get free stat points. Uncommon gets three, Rare gets four, and Rare Elite gets five. That is on average. Some races get added bonuses in stats, but may not get other things to balance out."
"And at level three, does that mean I get six stat points?" I saw her nod, and my jaw dropped. "Fuck me."
"I would, but I don't have a physical form here. Remember?"
I laughed at her playfulness and appreciated it. I was excited, but a small part of me felt concern. If there was a System, did that mean the Earth at some point, probably soon, was about to get fucked with a big black dildo with no lubrication? I noticed Ari didn't respond to that thought, but figured I would leave that thought alone for the time being. I would start a mental list of things I needed to ask or figure out. That would help me cope and not overwhelm myself. Well, not too much. I had a habit of overthinking things.
"So I am curious, is this System trying to balance things out a bit or something?" From the stories, I would have expected more from a Legendary race, or maybe the greed goblin was coming out.
"Yes, though not everyone, or everything, is created equal, this upgraded System is designed to allow everyone a chance to succeed. Information is harder for the Elite ruling classes to keep from the masses. Even powerful beings can be brought down with enough opponents. This new System focuses more on the whole and not the individual. It isn't perfect, but the results so far have been quite good."
Noticing how Ari didn't expand further, I figured either she couldn't tell me or something I could figure out on my own. I probably just didn't need to know right now. I was just getting my big toe wet in the obviously much larger reality. Fuck, people were going to lose their minds when they realized they weren't the center of the fucking universe anymore.
Class Options Scribe (C) Scholar (C) Prostitute (C) Build-A-Bear (R)
Well, that felt a bit lackluster. I sighed. Of course, I would get a prostitute. Sure, I didn't need the money as I had a trust fund I drew from, just enough to meet my expenses and do a little shopping. I didn't take anywhere near what I could. I always had found it interesting when people offered me money for sexual favors. I didn't have a problem with doing it. I felt it was fun, and I made extra shopping money. Who was I to say no? One time, Katie and I had made ten grand by tag-teaming an older, rich guy. It was fun, and though he wasn't anything special physically, he could fuck. It was a fun time.
Yeah, we had gone on a total shopping spree with that money.
Focusing back on the choices, the first three seemed pretty self-explanatory. Sure, I could look deeper into them, but they didn't tickle me anywhere special. The name of the last choice caused me to laugh. I loved that store. Buried somewhere in my blankets, I had like three bears from there.
"Classes are based on a number of factors, but can also be limited based on how powerful other aspects of the person are. So in this case, due to your Legendary race and other things, you getting a Rare class to start is the best you can hope for."
Well, fuck me, that made sense. Again, the System ensured there was some balance. Well, let's see what this rare class had to offer.
Build-A-Bear This class is designed for Sara, as she has no idea where she has been going in life, even her college courses have been lackluster. This class is built just for her to try to find a path. The System is being generous. Due to your lack of direction, your skills are all over the place. Yet not only have I determined you have potential, but you do have basic advanced skills that you just let sit and gather dust. You want a recommendation, Sara? Take it. Focus. Otherwise, you won't last. Love you, System
+1 to VIT every level +2 Free points every 2nd level
Build-A-Bear will offer a selection of skills and abilities based on the holder's interests. Once the first main skill is chosen, this class will provide a complement of skills and abilities. Once the first skill package is chosen, there is no going back, no take-backsies, none of that. It's time to move forward. The System clock is ticking.
I wasn't sure how to feel. It was like getting hit with a cold fish. It wasn't that the System was wrong in its assessment. It wasn't like I didn't know my faults. Yeah, so what? I had an issue with making decisions at times, especially life-changing ones, and this counted as fucking life-changing.
"Hey, Sara, snap out of it. You can self-pity later. You have more notifications and decisions to make, and you don't want the System to grow impatient and make them for you. Trust me on this."
I glared at my little guide. She didn't back down at all, pushing me forward. Sighing, I went onto the next screen.
Perks You have 3 perks available. One has been used as the guide. You have two choices left. Secondary Class Mana Manipulation (Tech) Rapid Learning Charm
Well, the first choice was easy, choosing the Secondary Class. That alone, whatever it would be, could only be an advantage. I hoped. Looking over the other three, I instantly decided against Charm. First, where did that option come from? Sure, it could be useful, but out of the three remaining, I felt it was the last choice.
Rapid Learning This perk speeds up skill ranking, reducing the experience required. Also, as a passive ability, you are always learning even if you don't realize it. Once a week, you have a chance of acquiring a new skill. It could be from certain actions or situations. Also, over time, as you repeatedly do something, it can become a skill.
Well, shit balls if that wasn't a killer perk. Sure, the Mana Manipulation perk could be helpful, but I had a feeling that was something I could possibly pick up at a later time. This, on the other hand, felt like a huge advantage. Also, I could see chances of survival increase if things went to shit. I could be wrong. In the long term, the planet could remain the same or improve. I supposed that was possible. Grandpa always said prepare for the worst. That was what I was doing.
So an easy pick. Now, with my perks out of the way, the next screen showed a huge list of possible Secondary classes. It was a bit much, and no way was I going to go through every option.
"Ari, out of curiosity, is there any way I can bring a friend into the System?" Probably a big ask, but worth a shot. Katie would skin me alive if I didn't try. Of course, there were other reasons. For everything Katie was, she was my rock. She had been more so the past few years, and I wasn't sure if I could go through all of this System shit without her.
"Technically, no." Ari grinned. "But there are a few Secondary Classes that could be used as a workaround."
With those words, my huge list came down to just a few choices, and I had to laugh as soon as I saw them. Now I really felt like a book trope.
Harem Mistress Harem Mommy Harem Bond
"Those are your three best options, but out of the three, I would recommend the last one. I think it would fit you and serve you well in the long run."
Harem Bond The owner of this class can form a bond with another either through a mutual agreement or through sexual intercourse. The Harem Bond will allow the person to be bonded into the system per integration. Each bond in this class provides the owner with different benefits, and the owner can assign one of those benefits to the bondholder. The type of bond will dictate the strength of the offered choices. At level one, only 2 can be bonded at most.
Well, not like I was going to say no to having people close to me, and of course, possibly my own little harem. I did have extra equipment now, and I was hungry. Only 2 at level one. Starter pack, probably. It did alleviate some concern knowing I wouldn't be alone in this.
Pick One Class Skill/Ability Package: Hand-to-Hand Combat Basic Weapon Skill Basic Ranged Weapon Skill Basic Tech Mage Skill (prerequisite met) Basic Survival Skill Basic Sex Package Skill Basic Charm Package Skill
Well, for the most part, all valid options. I could see a direction each package would lead to. Still, only one stood out like a beacon in the night. Tech Mage—and it even had "(prerequisite met)" tacked on. Met how, I had no idea. Probably Grandpa's fault, all those years elbow-deep in busted electronics with him. I wasn't about to question a gift horse.
"Hey, Ari. So when the System hits, what happens to our tech?" I could see her going over my options as well. Sure, at times I felt she was being a little shit, but overall she had been extremely helpful.
She was quiet for a moment, as if thinking. "Once the System integrates, anything electronic will automatically cease to function. Everything else that is pre-system will begin to degrade, usually around five percent each day." I could still see her looking at my options. "If you are thinking of the Tech option, I say take it. It is rare to get a technomancy build. Especially since you have time before it happens, you should be able to prepare. Plus, you will be able to make your own tech. Pretty much any option on the list is good, to be honest. If the System is offering you a package of things, then each one will have some sort of advantage."
She wasn't wrong. Fuck it, I was going to go with my gut and choose the Tech build. With that selected, I went to the next screen.
"Well, let's get this show on, wait." Ari went still, her usual smirk slipping for half a second. "Huh. That's new."
"What?"
Congratulations, you have a bloodline. Succubus. (Funny thing. Your guide's one too. Small multiverse. Try not to let it go to her head.) Please confirm your choices and hit yes when ready.
"Don't accept yet!"
"Why?"
"Because Sara, everything about your build is a custom job, plus with a powerful bloodline, it would be the most physically and mentally demanding thing you had ever encountered. You would survive, but yeah. I can help put you under just as you accept it. It will be a dreamless sleep, but you won't feel anything while the changes happen."
Wait, was the little thing actually caring about me in a little way? Aww. Holy shit, I had succubus blood in me. Well, I guessed some things in my life made sense now. Perhaps even before the System acknowledged it, my bloodline had been influencing my life in little ways.
"OK, well, let's get this over with then."
Ari nodded, and the moment I started feeling sleepy, I accepted the System prompt and once more passed out.