The Achievement Junkie

"So, where do you think such an achievement came from?"

Taking his many experiences into account, Jack pondered that question. After a couple of minutes passed, Jack replied, "A blend of both, I think. Thinking back, as I started to reign in my emotions and become more mission-focused, my system hasn't created many wild achievements, if any. I started focusing more on the achievements that previously existed and not the new ones that it can create.

"In the case of my Skaryn achievement, I think it recognized how grateful I was to learn that Skaryn wasn't around to get in the way of my plans. So when the system recognized the enchantment key back then, it most likely created that achievement following my understanding and just how impactful such an event would be." Finished with his explanation, Jack looked back to Daruun and asked, "How wrong am I?"

"I'd say you're pretty spot on. I had to make the system unique and adaptable, otherwise, you'd be helpless after leaving Kartonia," stated Daruun.

"How so?"

Daruun continued, "Within the void, there are two types of cosmicians, mystic and martial. Consider these the basis of the mage and warrior classes on Kartonia. Mana is the same as raw cosmic energy, so the difference between mystic and martial type cosmicians is also how they utilize cosmic energy.

"Mystic cosmicians focus on the energy outside of their bodies, exactly as a mage would to cast powerful spells or alter their environment. Martial cosmicians focus on the energy within their bodies, turning the energy into powerful physical attacks or enhancing the strength of their body.

"Once you leave Kartonia, you'll be recognized as a binary cosmician skilled in mystic and martial techniques," added Daruun. "It's something that I'm proud of but also curious to see take place. Because you leave Kartonia, all of my preprogrammed achievements will practically be obsolete. You'll need to depend on the system's ability to autogenerate achievements."

"Then I need to get a better grasp of how the autogenerate function works, right?" asked Jack, catching on. "If that's what will help me most, then I don't have a choice."

"Since we're on the topic, why not update your system right now?"

Looking back to Daruun, Jack tilted his head. "Right now? But I can't--"

"Jack, you unlocked an achievement the moment you walked through the spatial gate. Thanks to your initiative of stockpiling skill points, you'll have enough the moment you claim your new achievement." Daruun then added, "But don't spend any skill points after your ascension. We'll discuss what comes next before you spend anything, okay?"

"Okay…"

Excited, Jack opened his menu and found the notification he had long ignored, being too caught up in the moment about Daruun's office and learning about the universe at large.

[One small step for man, a powerful spatial gate for mankind!: completed]

[Be the first being in the history of Kartonia to set foot on a foreign planet and unlock the sole spatial gate connected to Kartonia. Divine reward: 10,000 skill points. Would you like to claim the reward?]

The moment Jack accepted the reward, a new pop-up appeared and it was exactly what Jack was looking for.

[Mandatory System Update]

[Required: 30,000 skill points. Would you like to begin the update?]

With a proud nod, Jack accepted the update and smiled wide.

Energies of all sorts appeared within Daruun's office and began to circulate around Jack, circulating slowly around Jack at first but gaining speed with each passing second. The colors grew more vibrant and powerful as they picked up speed. Soon, Duorda and Daruun could no longer see Jack within a cyclone of harmless energy gathering around Jack.

Jack kept staring at his level, waiting for the fateful moment he finally became a god.

A couple of minutes passed and it was finally time. The bright variety of energies lit the entire room until each spec of energy suddenly froze in place. In a single instant, all the life-filled energy was absorbed into Jack's body. Only a small aura leaked out of Jack after the dancing lights seeped into his system.

At the same time, new achievements appeared while the entire room was smiling.

[The heavens are mine to climb: completed]

[Don of divinity: completed]

[Welcome to the family: completed]

Jack opened each one and immediately claimed them before reading their descriptions.

[The heavens are mine to climb: claimed]

[Become a one-star cosmician with unparalleled speed and instantly rank among the strongest one-stars upon ascension. One-star reward: 10,000 skill points.]

[Don of divinity: claimed]

[Found and lead a faction of one-star cosmicians, having led them since before the user's ascension. One-star reward: 10,000 skill points.]

[Welcome to the family: claimed]

[Accept the over-arching responsibilities founded by the system creator, becoming recognized as the legitimate grandson of the system creator. One-star reward: 15,000 skill points.]

In awe of his latest earnings, Jack was silent. His mind was already trying to imagine how he would spend his new harvest of skill points.

"Wait, Jack. Like I said, we'll discuss your system before you spend any of your new points."

Remembering where he was, Jack nodded. "Okay, then how should I spend all this? I'm sure I can--"

"First, take this back." A crystal sphere covered in different etchings appeared in Daruun's hands.

Recognizing the item, Jack sighed and nodded. Carefully, Jack accepted the item and saw a new alert from his system. Upon opening it, Jack discovered something entirely new about the system.

The former achievement regarding Skaryn's sealing had changed. Now, it read very differently.

[Force Skaryn's Unsealing: in progress]

[Enact the unsealing of Skaryn, releasing him despite the delaying attempts of the contentious gods of Kartonia. Event reward: 50,000 skill points.]

"Keep in mind that the hierarchy of the gods was very different when the original achievement was made," added Daruun. "Now that the chaotic gods are no more and they've absorbed by the holy gods turned legendary gods, their motives have also shifted."