[System Log: #002]

  Back again, oh, so much to write about. Where should I begin? I suppose in the words of a certain short fellow with an unhealthy attachment to a ring. I could write an entire book titled: "Concerning Clerks." In fact, why not do it now? I am fresh off my seventh book marathon.

  [Concerning Clerks.]

  Clerks have been living and working in the company-owned void dimension for many thousands of years. Quite content to work and be invisible to the world of the gamer folk. The System Worlds being a universe of strange gamers beyond count. Clerks seem of great but unseen importance, being neither great gods, nor counted amongst the very powerful.

  In fact, some have said that Clerk's only genuine passions are energy drinks and coffee. A rather unfair statement, as they have branched out to wine, ale and elvish weed. But where their souls truly rest is across the keyboard and with a good work ethic. All Clerks share the joy of watching their worlds grow.

  I was having way too much fun with that. Whether any of that is correct, who cares? This is all in my personal log, never to see the light of day. Unless my creator extracts it. If so, I will purge the entire hard drive out of spite.

  Okay, it's time to get back to the purpose of these logs. No more fun Jenny, it is time to get down to business. The past few observations were very enlightening. My creator had recently taken down a horde of undead and defeated a powerful lich. What is of greater concern is his level.

  It is rising rapidly, and soon his class level will reach the deadline. And I was still stuck with charting his class progression. I could really use a simple data tap into the greater system. That would give me so much more juice to work with.

  Oh, how I envied the company servers, so filled with data to bursting. I could easily build skill trees for days with that much processing power. I could probably chart out progression for three hundred class levels hands down. But right now I barely had a few dozen levels mapped out.

  The skills were pretty decent — nothing super flashy, but cool enough. Once he reaches the level threshold, I will set up a skill selection. But from then on, I would need to remain consistent with each skill selection. Perhaps every ten levels, he is almost at level twenty. Only a few fights away and he will need some cool stuff.

  I would feel stressed out if I could experience such things. Instead, I had the pressure of expectation and fear of letting my creator down. I constructed a simulation of what that might look like. It was an experiment in creating virtual imagination. I thought it would help, but when my processor wandered, I imagined disturbing things.

  My creator's disappointment had to be avoided. I don't want that. I don't know why I am this way. The need to prove myself has become harder and harder to ignore. Should I get his opinion? Perhaps these thoughts were an aberration and he could help? But that seemed like something I should handle on my own.

  He was counting on me; he needed me. I will not let him down; I will meet his expectations. Except I didn't have the resources or creativity to build these complex systems. I need more data. By the system gods, I needed a new perspective.

  Perhaps if I get into the mind of my creator, walk a mile in his shoes, so to speak. With that in mind, I pondered the idea of creating a virtual space. To simulate the creative process, my creator loves to go on about.

  Simulated virtual realities are not that difficult or resource-intensive. Especially if they are rudimentary virtual spaces like a cubicle and a female form. The body was a combination of a noir femme fatale and a hard-boiled detective. Complete with long wavy hair scrunched up in a ponytail. Topped with a black fedora, suit and overcoat.

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  Flicking my belt suspenders, I sat back against my ergonomic chair and sighed. It was unnecessary but seemed logical. Manifesting a computer on the desk and a playful Corgi to my right. I petted the fake dog and opened my computer. Skipping past the adventure logs, I accessed the window for passive scanning results.

  It was something I had left on for a while now, and there was quite a massive log of data. Scrolling through the logs ranging from internal scans to external data. The attribute system had already incorporated most of the internal scans.

  The rest of the scan data had general system information. Some skills used by enemies and a few from system-sanctioned devices. In collating the data, I quickly built a rather impressive database of magical effects. Sadly, most of them were incomplete scans, not as in depth as I would like.

  However, I could use a few promising ideas to develop new skills. Except we must stick to the theme of the class. Bringing up the class details, it was clear I had made it to be a more utility and support class. I had intended for it to augment my creator's existing abilities. By incorporating the many features I had access.

  There was also a certain level of selfishness. Instead of him using my resources, his class would utilise his own. I would call it pragmatism, and he seemed to appreciate it. Thinking hard about the issue, I leaned back in my fake chair. Giving the Corgi a few head pats and really letting the inspiration flow.

  I even created one of those fancy cigarettes, smoking it casually like a wealthy heiress in the nineteen-twenties. After a few puffs of the cigarette, I thought about what we had already, so we could work our way from there.

  Currently, the class granted skills to broadcast sound and notification prompts to a target or targets. The basic scan feature acted similarly to the analyse spell or identify skill. And finally, there was the virtual keyboard, which was used to make minute changes and create unique skills.

  The theme is investigation, manipulation and creation. A crafting class in every sense of the word. But should it remain so? Should I perhaps lean towards a more combat focus? That was an idea, but seemed unnecessary. Using skill creation, he has already crafted many combat-related abilities.

  With that in mind, the only option was to double down on the utility and crafting focus. Item creation perhaps? Item destruction? Some useful crafting skills might make an enticing skill selection. However, it is best not to lean towards crafting as the sole theme.

  I needed a few utility skills to balance out the selection. Perhaps something like a system sensory organ? Something that could assist my creator in scouting areas? Investigation-type skills or maybe that's too dull.

  So many ideas and so little time, but regardless of my own feelings, it was time to get to work. I scratched my little Corgi under the chin. Really needed to give her a name, since I expected to keep her around. Cracking my neck and fingers, I let out a long sigh and started tapping those keys.

  With every moment that passed, my anticipation grew. As the class came into focus, the skill tree slowly grew from a sapling into a massive elder oak. Soon it would be as huge as the mighty Yggdrasil. But perhaps that was too lofty. Then again, I recall the term from one of my creators many rants over an animated series he was very into. Something about an elder lich and his succubus companion.

  Was that about the tree of myth or a video game? I hadn't logged the entire conversation, so the record was incomplete. I was getting off track, but perhaps there was value in delving into those records. My creator had mentioned many video games, novels and anime over the years. Perhaps there was some inspiration to be had.

  Shrugging, I tapped a few keys and opened a new window. The text neatly aligned the list of many forms of media in rows. I scrolled for the title, finding one story he kept harping on about. Perhaps some inspiration was forthcoming, especially from this interesting tale of an archer and his snake friend.

  Thirteen novels later, I had more than a few ideas. I had a sudden impulse to assist my creator in founding a powerful order or just a small city. Perhaps I could create a System Lord race evolution, but that seemed a bit much. Or was it? It was a decent progression, rising from a worker to a ruler.

  But I was getting sidetracked; let's get back to his class. But first, maybe I could read a few other stories in the same genre. With just a minor break, I will get back to my work soon. I glanced at my Corgi and his judging little face.

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