For the first few seconds of his journey to the center of the planet, Alex was calm. By using his earlier charge as a starting point, he’d figured out how to consistently run through the stone with ease. The change offered a massive increase to his acceleration compared to swimming, which in turn extended the effective range of the ability. The figurative seconds it added to his clock helped relieve some of Alex’s worry, but that contentment didn’t last long. He hadn’t known any world record dash times when the system descended, but it felt safe to assume a few would have been broken had he run at this pace back on earth. Which was why, after five seconds of sprinting at Olympic speeds with only a thin crack to lead him through the otherwise solid stone, the stress began to mount.
Doubts flashed through Alex’s mind as he searched desperately for somewhere to touchdown, but he’d already made his choice, all that was left was to follow through. As his phase skill’s remaining time dipped under ten seconds, he almost turned back. With Battle Trance altering his perception of time, Alex knew he could make it, but the window closed before he committed, so he continued on. That turned out to be the correct decision as a couple seconds later, he spotted exactly what he’d been searching for, open space.
Surprisingly, it wasn’t the den of the mole creatures, like Alex had expected. He could only see the ceiling of the area initially, but as he diverted course from his inanimate guide, he found a section of cave perfect for his current needs. It was near identical to the tunnels he’d just exited, though there was one key difference that suggested he’d arrived somewhere else. The glowing moss he’d become accustomed to using as a primary light source was absent, replaced by crystal like protrusions that seemed embedded into the walls. Alex didn’t know if that was indicative of him having left the ant cave all together, but the vegetative lighting had been a staple in every portion he’d explored thus far, so it seemed worth noting.
Slowing himself as he arrived, Alex touched down with force as he ran through the new cavern checklist. First, he tested for breathable air. While it hadn’t been a problem thus far, Alex had assumed that was due to the moss. He’d seen enough spelunking gone wrong videos to have stored some oxygen in his inventory before his diving session, but a need to release it now would severely limit his movement until Planar Phase reset. Taking in a deep breath of stale air, Alex thought it was safe, though he’d need to wait a few minutes to be sure it was actually oxygen rather than some other odorless gas.
Suspire support situation sorted, Alex scanned his surroundings for attackers, though none appeared in Sixth Sense’s sphere. The sensory skill did overlap with other tunnels, some of which looked easy to reach, while others were separated by walls. He still had four seconds of free phase usage left, but Alex was torn between saving it, and finding out how much mana a second of the skill actually cost. For the moment, he decided to wait. So far, Alex had only used the skill as a means to explore places that would otherwise be impossible for him to reach. But if he applied it properly, the skill could basically act as a get out of jail free card in combat, just running the clock down would be a waste.
Taking a seat as he continued to test for any adverse effects from breathing in the air, he considered what to do next. Even after eleven hours of on and off fighting, Alex still wasn’t exactly tired. The system’s enhancements had altered his relationship with the feeling and, physically, he was ready to keep going. Mentally, however, he was exhausted, and a nap sounded perfect right about now. Knowing he still needed to explore his surroundings a bit more, it only to verify nothing would try to murder him in his sleep, Alex was about to stand when his stomach growled.
‘Food first, then scouting.’
Pulling the last of the food in his inventory he deemed genuinely edible Alex opened his notifications as he took a bite. The work was never-ending, but at least he could read over some upgrades in the interim.
***
You have defeated Rebos Mentalists x20. Bonus experience awarded for killing enemies above your level.
You have killed Mindthrall Flareclaw (Level 47). Bonus experience awarded for killing an enemy above your level.
You have killed Mindthrall Bison Bear (Level 45). Bonus experience awarded for killing an enemy above your level.
You have killed Mindthrall Vermid (Level 46). Bonus experience awarded for killing an enemy above your level.
You have killed Mindthrall Rebos Warrior (Level 41). Bonus experience awarded for killing an enemy above your level.
You have killed Enthralled Molar (Level 36). Bonus experience awarded for killing an enemy above your level.
You have killed Rebos Mentalist General (Level 39). Bonus experience awarded for killing an enemy above your level.
+111 Gold
Quest
Tutorial Quest – Main – Subquest 2.1: King of The (Ant) Hill
Generals Killed (3/5)
Time Remaining: 01:12:55 (Day Thirteen, 6:59 P.M.)
Rewards:
Circlet of the Third General’s Antennae
Achievement Unlock Token x1
+ 75 Gold
Name: Circlet of the Third General’s Antennae
Grade: E
Rarity: Rare
Resource Cost: 200 Mana
Description: The simplification of thought into speech can be seen as one of evolutions greatest failures. A compulsory need to dilute ideas, images, and concepts into bursts of sound that impart only a fraction of what is meant. The inability to convey truth due to forced sacrification. This circlet removes the shackles speech places on the mind. While equipped gain access to a unidirectional mental channel with the ability to share thoughts, senses, or even mundane speech with any one creature in a five meter distance. Open minds to the power of thought.
Cooldown: 5 minutes
***
More gold was always nice, and the token was appreciated, but the circlet had Alex feeling a bit uncomfortable. Pulling the thinly cut metal from his inventory, he examined his newest piece of gear. It was green, with two small sprouts of metal to represent the general’s antennae. He’d been a bit concerned the item might have taken more than inspiration from the original, but that wasn’t the case. Alex wouldn’t claim to like the design, but it was anything about the headpiece’s appearance it’s what gave him pause, the accompanying ability did. Having just experienced first-hand what unwanted mental intrusions were like, he was hesitant to suddenly have such a power in his repertoire.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
The item’s description read like an ad for a near unrestricted communication device, but it never suggested the crown’s connection needed to be voluntary. At the same time it didn’t mention that the link could be resisted, something Alex knew to be true of all mental abilities, all he’d encountered thus far at least. Either way it didn’t mean he’d blacklist the item. Morality aside, he didn’t have the luxury of being picky with his power-ups. Feeling better about killing an ant because he hadn’t bombarded its mind beforehand was silly, though he’d reevaluate that stance after leaving the dungeon.
Putting the crown on, he felt the link to the item’s skill and activated it. He had no one to connect to, but felt he could do as the description suggested. Deactivating the circlet, Alex let it sit on his head as he debated unlocking a new achievement immediately, or saving it for the end. Not one to choose delayed gratification unless absolutely necessary, he pulled out the token and began fiddling with it as he read over his options.
***
Achievements: Adaptable, Deathwish, Bloodthirsty, Warden, Murder III, Glutton, 4 of a Kind, Purchasing Power, First-time Homeowner, A cut above the rest, Untainted, Beast Hunter I, Keeper of Legends
***
The last time he’d been given the choice, Alex picked Jill of All Stats. It had seemed to be one of the few achievements with an easy to predict effect, something that had turned out to be true. The unlock token prior to that he’d used on an achievement called Untouchable, which had awarded him Echo Relocation, a skill he’d gotten a ton of use out of since. This time Alex wanted to go for another skill, but seeing none that called out to him like Untouchable had, he began to read and reread as he searched for clues.
First, he ruled out Deathwish, Bloodthirsty, and Murder III. Part of him believed there was no such thing as a bad achievement, as the system was yet to give him anything overtly negative. Still, he wasn’t certain enough to risk picking a trap skill with only two prior selections acting as his entire sample pool. Next, he mentally marked off Purchasing Power and First time Homeowner. They seemed more related to money than combat, and he wanted to select something immediately useful if possible. A moment later, he removed 4 of a Kind for a similar reason.
This process of elimination continued for another few minutes as Alex confirmed the air to be safe to breathe. By the end, with a little help from Lord’s Confidence, he narrowed it down to two options. Pulling up their original notification, he read over them for the first time in almost a week.
***
For being the first person from your new world to advance to E Grade, you have been awarded the achievement: A Cut Above the Rest.
For evolving your race without the use of aspected advancement materials, you have been awarded the achievement: Untainted
***
Originally, Beast Hunter I had also been on his final list, but Alex ruled it out after considering the number of times his murder achievement had evolved since acquiring it. Seeing as he had no clue what the achievement would do, it felt silly to potentially stunt its growth when he had other options that seemed equally beneficial.
He’d received both A Cut Above the Rest and Untainted following his ascension to E-Grade, making him believe either would grant something beneficial. The problem was in knowing which would have the most impact at the moment. In the end he decided to go with the one with the most exclusivity since there was little more meaningful than being first.
***
Use Achievement Unlock Token on A Cut Above the Rest?
Warning: Achievement Unlock Token will be consumed upon use and, A Cut Above the Rest, will no longer appear in achievements list.
(Y/N)
Achievement, A Cut Above the Rest, has become +20 to all primary attributes, +10 to all ancillary attributes, +20 free points.
***
“Oh,” Alex muttered, a bit disappointed as he brought up his stat sheet to cover the changes. He’d been hoping for a new skill, or maybe another percentage gain that would scale with him. But as the effects of the stat boost hit him, and Alex realized the sheer number of points he’d just earned, he understood the reward was much better than he’d initially assumed.
***
Attributes
Strength: 77
Dexterity: 107
Endurance: 71
Wisdom: 88
Intelligence: 112
Willpower: 55
Luck: 35
Charisma: 32
Fortitude: 27
Perception: 78
Free Points: 20
***
He’d been freely given over two hundred points, an amount it would have taken him nearly fifteen levels to earn, and with his current leveling speed that was beyond significant. Heart racing as his body was flushed with the most potent adrenaline Alex had ever experienced, he tried to decide what to do with his free points, but found himself unable to sit still long enough to focus. Alex spent a few seconds trying to get his body under control, before rising to his feet as it cried for him to move. Really wishing he had something to fight, Alex scanned the tunnels, but they were still vacant, so he did the next best thing, began exercising. Starting with a set of jumping jacks as he navigated back to his original set of prompts, he continued to read as he worked.
***
Your skill [Arnis Mastery] has advanced to Level Nine.
Your skill [Silent Strike] has advanced to Level Twenty-four.
Your skill [Advanced Analyze] has advanced to Level Twenty-two
Your skill [Mana Manipulation] has advanced to Level Seventeen
Your skill [Aura Control] has advanced to Level Nineteen.
Your skill [Mental Fortress] has advanced to Level Twenty-Eight.
Your skill [Mental Fortress] has advanced to Level Thirty-two.
***
The significant boost Mental Fortress had earned was expected after all he’d been through, but it still felt nice to see the numbers go up. Dropping to the ground in a push-up position, Alex began counting as a sudden wave a sadness dimmed his mood. He wished another of his skills had evolved to the E-Grade. The power an upgraded ability could grant would be useful, though Alex was more focused on how fun it was to pick new abilities. He paused mid-motion while considering which of his level twenty-three skills he could gain two levels in the quickest, but the thought fell by the wayside as he felt a need to move. With a kick from his legs, Alex readjusted into a handstand, his dexterity easily balancing him as he continued his rapid calisthenics.
Dismissing the prompt, he was surprised as another group of notifications appeared. There shouldn’t have been anything left to cover since he’d failed to upgrade another skill. Unless he’d managed to evolve one in between the seconds, but no, that didn’t make sense. Wondering what the prompt was about, then remembering he could just read it, Alex shifted so the entirety of his weight rested on his fingertips as he skimmed the information.
***
A new skill is being created, but you have already reached the maximum skill allotment for this portion of your body: Hands.
Offering alternatives…
Option 1: Create skill Staff Mastery as a skill crystal.
Option 2: Replace Bladed Weapons Mastery, Hammer Mastery, or Arnis Mastery, with: Staff Mastery.
Option 3: Ignore allotment maximum. Warning: This choice is not recommended and may result in dire consequences, select at your own risk.
***
Well shit. That was… something. It was… Pushing himself harder as he tried to form a coherent thought, Alex wondered which choice he should pick. This thing about the skill seemed important, but all he could think about was burning more energy. Tossing himself back to his feet with a one-handed hand spring, Alex was about to close his notifications when he caught a glimpse of the final option. It was risky, and risk seemed like fun at the moment, so he selected it. Suddenly, Alex didn’t feel so amped anymore. The flood of energy being rapidly replaced by a new sensation that was immediately demanding his full attention, one he was intimately familiar with by this point, pain.