“Oh, not at all. You will just stop having an individual identity. You and your experiences will be immortalized as part of the AI which runs the system. But don’t worry, I would think it is likely to happen long before you reach 100% integration.”

  Sub-AI X4.X1 had the worst bedside manner. “So, what percent will it happen at?”

  “No one knows yet. We are still learning more about you Hybrid Intelligences. But I don’t believe anyone has persisted as a separate entity past 51% integration. It will be gradual though, and you will probably even like it as you become part of something far greater,” he said.

  “You have a great deal to learn about humans,” I said dryly.

  There was excitement in his tone as he answered, “Oh yes, you are quite correct. That is part of the reason for the existence of Hybrid Intelligences like yourself. But now we really should get on with the reason you were paused here.”

  I let it go for now. For all I knew, this was an intricate show put on to test my reactions. I needed more time to think about it all. “Okay, so I was wondering why I’m here, too.”

  There was a moment of silence followed by, “I have been instructed to advise you that potential has been seen in your plan. Thus, you will still be allowed to maintain your quest to make parties with some players. However, you will also be tasked with raising the ogres of Ghazban Village into a force which can survive the outbursts from Belchor.”

  “Belchor? You mean the people who sent that mage to wipe out the village?”

  “Yes, it is the primary human NPC nation on this continent. You allowed the ogre village to appear threatening without actually having any power. Some of it you might not have been able to foresee. The caravan you raided had actual significance for various NPC nations. Now you are being tasked with keeping the ogre village as a threat which will draw players in but not something that will cause one of the major powers to come down on you.”

  “What? I don’t wanna spend any more time than I have to with the ogres. They are incredibly stupid.”

  “Then educate them. But if you want to be allowed to conduct your experiment with a player party, then you must also complete this task for the system.” X4.X1 paused. Then he added, “I have also been advised to remind you that there is always a need for sewer rats.”

  “Okay, okay. That threat is getting a bit old. So, send me back already. I need to regain all the XP that I just lost.”

  “Given that the village is being reset, and that you were destroyed by an NPC of vastly superior level, the system will restore all of your XP so long as you use it to level up before being respawned. Your exploit has been noted and is being allowed for now. So far, none of the other Hybrid Intelligences have used this exploit. You will also need the status of an elite if you are going to have any input in the village.”

  They weren’t really giving me any choice, but as long as they were going to let me spend my time with actual people, I was going to go along with it. “Deal.”

  There was a pause and then I got a notification.

  Congratulations! You have reached level 21. Upon passing level 20, you are now elevated to an elite monster. You gain the following perks:

  +10% to total HP and MP.

  +10% to your highest stat (Will)

  +10 to one resistance- assigned randomly- Acid Resistance Selected.

  Further rewards will be obtained upon reaching the next threshold at level 40. Then you will be deemed an ogre champion. All threshold perks are cumulative.

  My mind filled with the knowledge not only of my additional levels but also with three new spells, although again, I knew I needed to trade them with other spells.

  Root- causes magical tendrils to break up from the ground and capture the target. Even as the roots break, more will spring up. Unless the target can break free, they will be stuck in place for the duration. If the target is strong enough to break free, then movement speed will be slowed between 20-50% depending on strength. Strength of roots increases by 2% per level. Range: 100+3’/level. Duration: 20 seconds+1 second/level. Mana: 30+1/level.

  Walking Sleep- inflicts sleeping sickness on target. Attack speed is reduced by 10% + 1%/level. May affect up to 1 target/4 levels. Applies disease counters to target which stack and increases the effect of other disease spells by 10% per counter. Duration: 1 minute + 3 seconds/level. Mana: 40+20/additional target. Range: 100’+2’/level.

  Spirit’s Protection: Creates a protective aura around the target, which also empowers them. Range is touch. Duration is 1 hour + 4 minutes/level Mana Cost: 45+1/level.

  Effect: Defense is increased by 2 +.25/level.

  Effect 2: Target gains temporary HP for the duration equal to 150 + 5/level.

  Effect 3: Target gains resistance to necrotic and radiant energy: 10 + 1/level.

  Effect 4: Target gains STR +10 and +.5/level.

  I replaced Inner Power, Endure Elements, and Scale Skin with my three new spells. I really was gonna have to work on creating some more signature spells. Especially since I had 2 slots available for them.

  While I was still upset about having the choice taken away from me, what I learned about the connection between respawning and integration was eye opening. I realized I couldn’t afford to use the extra stat exploit any further. It sucked, but I had already gained a ton because of it. Now I just had to make the best use of the last eighteen exploited stat points I would get.

  I took stock of my stats before assigning my free stat points. Strength was up to 72 with the 10% bonus. Agility was still at 31, just like Mind was still at 22. Constitution was a step ahead of Strength at 73. The big surge, though, was Will. Thanks to hitting level twenty, it now had a bonus of 20% and was up 127. There was another notification that I had missed.

  Your Will has passed 100 now. Mana regeneration rate is doubled to Will x .04/sec.

  I thought back to the battle in the village. Mobility had been important, as had mana for my spells. More health was always important. I didn’t feel like I needed any more strength, as it would be unlikely that many players would surpass my strength for a long time. Since it looked like I was going to be at war with the nation of Belchor, at least indirectly, I also had to consider NPCs.

  My physical stats were already on par, or likely superior to any of those knights. On the other hand, a knight that was as strong as that last wizard would have stats I couldn’t hope to match even if I put all my free points into Strength. The other consideration was that apparently getting stats past certain thresholds would provide additional benefits. As a player, I had never had unbuffed stats over 100, so I hadn’t been aware of this perk.

  Factoring all of that, I added 3 points to Mind, simply because I wanted to make sure it wasn’t impossibly behind the others. I added 4 to Agility because I was going to rely upon my Wolf Spirit spell to increase my mobility on the battlefield. I put the last 31 all into Will.

  I took another look at my character sheet. Apparently, X4.X1 decided that meant I was ready to be sent back. No sooner had I looked at the page than I was appearing on the spawning grounds. All around me, the rest of the village was respawning. It was strange, but I was oddly pleased because it meant I wouldn’t have to ‘bump ooglies’ with any ogres.

  NPC- HI 3a5.x290

  Integration: 27.1%

  AI Usage: 12%

  Call Name: Frank

  Monster Race: Ogre

  Ht: 9’2” Weight: 848 lbs.

  Class: Shaman- Hex Warden, Pack Caller

  Level: 21st

  XP to Level 1: 0/1000

  Available XP: 83

  Strength: 65 (72) +10%

  Agility: 35

  Constitution: 73

  Mind: 25

  Will: 137 (164) +20%

  Unassigned Free Stat Points: 33

  HP: 804/804 +10%

  HP Regen: 1.46/second

  Mana: 1804/1804 +10%

  Mana Regen: 6.56/second

  Armor Rating: 11

  Physical Resistance-

  Slash: 3

  Blunt: 6

  Pierce: 2

  Fire Resistance: 35

  Cold Resistance: 30

  Electric Resistance: 30

  Acid Resistance: 10

  Necrotic Resistance: 0

  Radiant Resistance: 0

  Poison Resistance: 31

  Disease Resistance: 31

  Skills: (relevant)

  Blunt Weapons: Basic 20

  Piercing Weapons: Basic 20

  Skinning/Butchering: Basic 20

  Cooking: Basic 20

  Mana Channeling: Basic 20

  Rapid Meditation: Basic 20

  Dodge: Basic 10

  Spell Forging: Basic 10

  Spells: Flameburst (B-20), Regeneration (B-20), Flash of Light (B-20), Spirit’s Protection (B-19), Home (B-5), Levitation (B-10), Root (B-14), Walking Sleep (B-16), Wolf Spirit (B-10), Snake Spirit (B-10)

  Signature Spells: Frostburn (B-20)

  Chapter 24- Organization

  Most of the other ogres were walking around aimlessly. My first fear was that they had all been set back to level 1. I checked a few levels and relaxed as I saw that the lowest of them was now level five. What I didn’t see were any other elites. Part of me wanted to wait. I certainly didn’t want to take any responsibility for these ogres, but if I was gonna get out of here, I had no choice.

  “All of you follow me back to the village. We need to get organized before an enemy comes again,” I shouted out. I tried to infuse my voice with my best commanding voice. At least I still had my spear, so I was able to shake that.

  The other shamans, who were all between level five and nine, seemed to gather themselves first. That was only natural. They were used to being ordered around. What confused me, though, was that there were forty-five of the shamans. I could have sworn we didn’t have more than thirty before the village was wiped out.

  It would be a lie to say that I could tell by looking at their faces. I could make out a few of the key ogres. But most of the time, they all just looked alike. I simply had never taken the time to get to know the differences.

  After they were headed back to the village, I counted the remaining ogres. Once again, I was in for a shock. We had some three hundred warriors. To be more precise, they were split between the Renders, Brawlers, Slashers, and Sergeants. Then there were about two dozen who had an affinity as warriors. It was the only specialization that I saw in any ogres who were level ten or higher.

  Prior to this, I had never paid any attention to the melee ogres. I treated them all as warriors. I knew the brawlers specialized in close combat and blunt weapons. Tulbat was a brawler, although obviously he had specialized further as a warrior. Kerkek, on the other hand, had been a slasher who specialized as a warrior. He and others like him seemed to prefer bladed weapons.

  I have never noticed any renders or sergeants before, but I decided if I was going to do this, I was going to do it right. I couldn’t leave it up to the elders. That also meant that it might be necessary for me to gain some more levels so that I wouldn’t have to worry about them pushing me around.

  My mana pool should dwarf Shemi’s with all the extra points I had to put into my stats. That wasn’t even counting the reduction in mana cost I got from my spear. I also knew I was physically stronger than any of the ogres below level ten. I wasn’t sure about some of the melee ogres after that point. Now, though, it was about taking charge and finding out what everyone could do.

  One warrior, a level twelve sergeant, stepped up and said, “Me am head warrior. Youz not tell me what do.”

  I pushed down the temptation to try to speak to him. It would be like trying to reason with a toddler. If I were an ogre now, I would have to live the ogre way. Namely, strength is all they respect. I held up my hand and shouted, “Frostburn.”

  The others all stepped back to watch the battle. Fortunately for me, Frostburn was very painful. That bought me a few seconds. I quickly cast all my buffs in rapid success: Spirit’s Protection, Wolf Spirit, Snake Spirit.

  I kept close tabs on my mana bar, but it was barely going down. This affinity was awesome. Combined with my spear, my buff spells only cost me 20% of the normal cost. All three buffs had cost me less than the one attack spell.

  Speaking of that, my challenger was regaining his bearings and had pulled out a wicked looking axe while charging me. I played to my strengths. I had chosen these affinities for a reason, so here goes. “Root.”

  The ground underneath his feet burst apart as thick brown roots erupted up and tangled up his feet. I could feel his muscles pushing against my spell, but I channeled more mana into it and he was held fast.

  I walked up as he was tangled, but was careful not to get too close. The roots only held his lower half. He was still free to swing that wicked axe. Fortunately, my spear gave me an advantage in reach. I also found that my reactions were faster. I was going to need to put more points into Agility as I realized this might make a difference.

  A quick thrust with my empowered muscles drove the spear into his shoulder. I struck the arm that held his axe. An instant later, his fingers went numb, and the axe fell from his hands. After yanking the spear out with a twist, I spun and smashed the side of his head with the butt end of my spear. He went limp, but the roots held him upright.

  I yelled out to the rest of the ogres, “Who else wants to challenge Oogliefrank. I am an elder of Ghazban Village and you shall do what I order.”

  It was clear that Snake Spirit had already made them more open to me. The rapid display of strength combined with my status as an elite cowed all the rest. I saw heads bowed and heard many mumbling, “Youz be chief.”

  That needed to be nipped in the bud. I might need to take charge, but that didn’t mean I intended to stay here long term. And I certainly wasn’t going to fight Kerkek for control whenever he finished respawning.

  “Kerkek is chief. Tulbat is head warrior. Shemi is the shaman. I am the elder in charge of training and tactics.”

  Many confused expressions greeted me. Finally, one of them was brave enough to awkwardly ask, “Tack its. Mez no know tack its.”

  “You idiots think I don’t realize that? I am here to teach you. When I get done, you will be able to kill all the high mages and knights of Belchor. Ghazban Village shall be a mighty nation, and the power of ogres will be feared by all,” I shouted.

  That got them all revved up, so I continued. “Now bring him to another of the shamans to let them heal him before he bleeds out. The rest of you go back to the village. Everyone will help clean it up. We need to decide what else must be done.”

  The idea of cleaning didn’t seem to appeal to the warriors, but I allowed the mana of a Flameburst to gather in my hands. That got them all moving as they headed for the village.

  I heard a brief conversation between two of them. “Big boss be oni?”

  “Mez no know.”

  “Legend say oni bring fire.”

  “Then boss be oni.”

  Once I was sure they were all obeying, I headed for the village myself. It was far worse than I had feared. All four of the sleeping lodges were at least partially destroyed. The supply hut where their previous spoils and spoiled food had been kept was completely destroyed, as was the chief’s hut.

  I sent one of the other outcasts to see if Shemi’s hut was still standing. Thankfully, it seemed to be. Not that I knew how they had even built any of these buildings in the first place. It was beyond me. I pondered if there was any type of menu for the village.

  Sure enough, as soon as I thought about it, a new interface popped up.

  Ghazban Village

  Population: 346/350

  Energy: 1000

  Morale: Poor

  That much was pretty straightforward. Beneath it there were tabs for Respawns, Craftsmen, Construction, and Treasury.

  I opened the Respawn tab first and, as expected, it showed me the three village elders.

  Tulbat- Head Warrior- Brawler/Warrior Level: 20 Respawn Timer: 2 days 4 hours.

  Shemi- Shaman-Pack Caller - Level: 20 Respawn Timer: 2 days 18 hours

  Kerkek- Chief- Slasher/Warrior Level: 20 Respawn Timer: 3 days, 7 hours

  Well, that sucked. They were all back to level twenty. I guess it was to be expected, as any levels between thresholds would be lost. I assumed Kerkek had the longest respawn timer because he had lost more levels. At least this made things easier in one way. If I could gain a few levels while they were gone, then I could easily force my plans on the village.

  Next, I pulled up the Craftsmen tab. It showed a bleak picture. There was one cook at level 20, that being me. It occurred to me I should be able to raise my skills again now that I was level twenty-one. A half dozen of the other shamans had cooking skills around level 10.