[NR] No Sleep - Chapter 690

Back in his room, Jason settles in for a long night. He was going to “fix” the title “Civilization’s Defender”. To warp things to fit his own view of civilization. After all, [Civilization] is one of his concepts.

Thinking back on the title, there are two parts that needed to change. Easiest is the whole concept of a “frontier”. If Jason was honest, the wording wasn’t bad. “When defending others in an area recognized as a frontier zone” says it all. The title is meant to represent defending the edges of society and you aren’t going to get that bonus in the capital’s throne room.

Oh sure, Jason can see someone extending this to mean things like places where civilization breaks down, even in the heart of a civilization. Stuff like in slums or other places where the guards don’t really cover. He wasn’t going to do that here. Within limitations, there is power. Or in other words, Jason is aiming for a significant bonus occasionally over a minor bonus more often.

Not because Jason actually prefers temporary large buffs over passive small buffs. Rather, since both buffs are conditional, he would prefer the more defined one so he can depend on it. That one just happens to also give the bigger buff.

Now the other side needed a complete change. The defense bonus being only against unarmed damage? That honestly felt a bit targeted. Besides, the classic concept of the “barbarian” used weapons, if simple.

Of course, the idea of barbarians isn’t really a thing. Or, rather, barbarians tend to be people from another nation. Though there was a barbarian race in his last life, but that was a strange thing and likely the same sort of nonsense. They probably had a name for themselves that he hadn’t known.

Whatever the case, the enemy of a civilization didn’t have to be just beasts or those without enough tech to even wield a rock or pointy stick. Of course, the traditional enemy of civilization on the frontier will be those from without. Not the corruption within.

Jason wasn’t going to limit himself like that. A corrupt tax man could do more damage than any beast. After all, the beast is only a physical danger. The tax man can cause unrest across a broad swath or even make entire villages fail.

This, however, left Jason with the problem of defining what qualified as damage coming from someone going against civilization. Which was probably why the System did things the way it did. After all, that was clearly the intent of the title and yet it failed. After all, it would defend against a guard trying to take Jason down non-lethally just as well as it would work against a wild beast.

Because the title deals with defense, the System chose a condition that was easy to detect, if imprecise. After all, it doesn’t matter as much. Not like it can be used to nuke a town.

Now it was up to Jason to try and hotfix the title as well as getting the System to actually accept the change. Because that was also a lynchpin of this situation. Even if he did manage to “solve” things, it would be all for nothing if he can’t change the actual title’s effect.

Jason shook his head. Even if this didn’t result in an actual change, it would be a worthwhile task in developing his own concepts.

So, how should the defense bonus be applied? Well, it seems to him that the System has gone about it backwards. After all, if anyone could work against civilization or be on the side of civilization? You can’t judge things based on that.

So, Jason pauses as a thought takes hold, defending civilization can’t be judged by something as simple as who is on which side. Rather, intent is important. Not just your own, but those you are fighting.

Which is probably a second reason for why the System did things the way it did. After all, to base it on intent would mean someone can figure out things depending on if their defense went up or not. Besides, a person can be intent on defending their civilization and either be mistaken or from another civilization to begin with.

Oh sure, the whole “another civilization” thing could be fixed by setting the civilization that needs defending to whomever’s territory it is. Though once again, “frontier” has the potential to mean a location where civilizations overlap.

Better to use a more concrete foundation. Which makes Jason feel a bit for the System and how it designed the title. This was not a simple thing. In fact, Jason is interrupted by dawn coming.

Down at breakfast, he looks at the others, “So, I was a bit distracted last night. Do we have something to do today?”

Courtney nods, “Helina had some tasks for us. Now that people can get to the settlement once again, some of the work put into battening down the hatch needs to be undone.”

Jason forces a smile, “Welp, we should get onto that I guess.”

Rosha laughs, “Would you rather sleep the day away? You look tired for once.”

Jason, “Blarg.”

Courtney, “Don’t act like you’re too tired. You’ve gone days without sleep multiple times over the last couple months. Don’t think we haven’t noticed.”

Jason, “Eh, this isn’t a lack of sleep issue. I was just thinking over something and I’m a bit brain fogged right now.”

Courtney grins, “Well good thing this is mostly physical labor! No need to think about it.”

Jason sighs, “Well, you aren’t wrong. And not like I planned to sleep. Was simply going to rest with my eyes closed for a while. Not even cultivating or anything.”

Rosha, “So a nap?”

Jason shakes his head, “As I said, not to sleep. I meant I would actually rest in a dark room with my eyes closed. Not thinking about anything or trying to do anything. Just something to ease my mind for a bit.”

Courtney, “I’m mostly certain an actual nap would be more effective.”

Jason shrugs.