Although he still had several untested ideas, due to an increasingly urgent desire to get out of this dungeon Alan vowed to limit himself to one final test before moving on.
With an [Aqua Shield] already in place, Alan summoned up a [Healing Fog]. Just in case of any further mishaps. His plan was to cast one of his (Basic) Tiered Spells while attempting to increase the Mana input. His thought had been that if he could manage to stall the formation of the Spell for just long enough to allow him to force more Mana into the developing Mana tendril, it should, at least in theory, increase the size of the developing spell.
"Wish me luck" Alan muttered sarcastically, relishing the calming effects of his healing Spell. He exhaled slowly, activating [Tenacious Concentration], [Mana Manipulation] and [Advanced Spell Alteration]. Alan elicited a strained grunt. His mental preparation had outright failed to prepare him for the immediate, and heavy drain on his Stamina caused by the simultaneous activation of multiple Skills. He knew that even with the added assistance from [Healing Fog] his Stamina pool wouldn't be able to hold out for much longer under the stress. All of a sudden finding himself in a race against a metaphorical clock, Alan decided to test out his current theory by casting [Fireball].
Studying his chest intently, Alan watched as the shimmering tendril extended, forming the Spell almost instantly. He ignored the orb of fire for the time being, and instead focused entirely on the stream of Mana as it slowly began to retract back into his chest. Alan's hand shot out and snatched the retreating iridescent tentacle of energy. While at the same time attempting to Squeeze his Mana pool from the inside outward, in an crude attempt to push out additional Mana. He thought of it being much the same as gently squeezing a ripe fruit in hopes of receiving the sweet juice stashed away within.
Intense pressure started to build up in his chest, quickly reaching a dangerous level. As his Mana pool reached the brink of a crippling implosion, Alan suddenly observed an ominous sensation. A previously unnoticed muscle under his sternum Flexed. As if an internal fist that had long been compressed was for the first time being allowed to unclench. Once his strange new muscle fully relaxed, the entire contents of his Mana pool were emptied out all at once. Over a thousand points worth of Mana gushed out in an uncontrolled torrent.
*WARNING!* You have fully depleted your Mana Pool.
-50% Mana Regeneration rate for 1 hour.
It was far beyond his capability to stop. Alan discovered he was now a helpless passenger, dragged along for an involuntary ride. For just a moment, the massive bubble of energy struggled to break free of its previous containment, the Mana tendril it wanted to enter was visibly far too small. However, much like a dam collapsing after months of heavy rainfall, the blockage holding back his Mana collapsed. And something within him Snapped. Alan howled in pain, terrified that he had made a massive mistake. Suddenly there was nothing remaining to stop the flood.
Upon gaining entrance, the bubble of Mana traveled swiftly through Alan's Mana tendril, like a watermelon forced through a water hose. Excessive amounts of raw Mana tore through the small stream of energy connecting Alan to his recently cast [Fireball], forcing the Spell to quickly double in size. Almost faster than Alan could comprehend, the spell doubled in size again, and then again.
Stuck in a process far beyond his control, Alan wound up completely unable to react. Without warning the now five-foot wide fireball exceeded the capabilities of his control. No longer under Alan's command, the enormous globe of swirling flames flickered ominously and then violently exploded less than three feet from his face.
The cataclysmic eruption instantly ruptured his [Aqua shield] like it were made of wet paper. The collapse of his sole defensive Spell permitted the shockwave of roaring flames and searing heat unobstructed access to his exposed flesh.
A wave of unstoppable pressure ruptured Alan's eardrums, leaving him deaf to the chaos. He was mortified to find himself located within the heart of a raging inferno. Torturous waves of flame caressed his sensitive skin, melting it like wax. He had one final haunting realization before fading into the uncaring darkness of unconsciousness. His nose had melted. Sealing off his nostrils, mercifully removing the ability to smell himself burn.
As the flames receded, Alan's ruined form was revealed. His face had become an unrecognizable mass of charred meat and exposed bone. His eyelids became fused to his once intense, yet inviting bright-blue eyes. Every bit of exposed flesh had been remorselessly seared and blackened.
The majority of his leather armor had been burned away, revealing the horribly blistered skin underneath. Ever so slowly, muscle began to regrow, stretching out over his exposed bones. Ligaments reformed, pulling joints back into place, while layers of burned meat simply fell away, to be replaced with unblemished flesh.
As Alan slowly returned to consciousness, the savage, gut wrenching pain made itself known.
What's going on?! Alans mind was slow to become aware of his predicament. Everything hurts so much... WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING TO ME?!
Blinded and terrified, Alan came to the bitter realization whatever it was that had happened, at some point he must've bitten off his tongue. He could feel the remaining stump beginning to reform. The process felt like what Alan assumed having a mouth full of fire ants would be like.
He was left deaf and mute, with suffering as his only companion.
Please... Please stop. Somebody! PLEASE MAKE IT STOP!!
Alan silently sobbed, wishing that someone would put an end to the constant agony. The pain grew so intense, his mind was unable to form rational thoughts.
After a minute or so of enduring the silence, his eardrums emitted sickening pops, signaling they were finally healed. Once again able to hear through the holes under his slowly reforming ears, sound returned in a chaotic roar.
It took Alan several moments to realize that HE was the source of the sound. Understanding hit him soon after. He wasn't a mute, not even close. His ruptured ear drums simply left him unable to hear himself screaming. As his vision returned in a confusing rush of colors, understanding started to dawn on his overheated brain. He had come close to death. Far, far too close for comfort. A fatigue unlike any he'd ever known crashed over his maimed body like a rogue wave, propelling him back into unconsciousness.
After about ten minutes of dreamless sleep, the System had worked its wonders. After searching himself for injuries Alan found nothing but unblemished, if hairless, skin. Unable to help himself, he began eating trail mix and jerky by the handful. His appetite was remorseless after such an extensive healing process. Likely from his body expending all available energy reserves in the process of keeping him alive through the intensive healing.
It's really strange. Alan pondered, I was basically a charred corpse ten minutes ago, and now I'm sitting here eating lunch... I don't know what in any of the Nine Hells is going on, but it's as if suddenly I'm more mentally capable of coping with injuries that would have once left me a blubbering mess. Or possibly even driven me insane. It may be that the frequency of my injuries are making me numb to the process, but I think it's more than that. It's like the higher my mental stats climb, the easier it is to brush the more gruesome details aside and push forward. Is the System turning me into an uncaring machine!?
Noticing several unseen notifications queued up, Alan paused for a moment to view the new information. He was left flabbergasted by what he saw.
*WARNING!* You have been afflicted with the (Burn) Debuff. -5 Hp per second. Duration: 10 minutes
Remarkable! Your Skill [Heat resistance] has nullified penalties of Burn Debuff.
*WARNING!* You have been afflicted with the (Blind) Debuff. You are unable to see during the duration of Debuff.
Duration: 5 minutes
Remarkable! Your Skill (C)[Pain Resistance] has grown to level 3!
Remarkable! Your Skill (C)[Pain Resistance] has grown to level 4!
Remarkable! Your Skill (C)[Pain Resistance] has grown to level 5! +1 Free Status Point!
Remarkable! Your Skill (C)[Pain Resistance] has grown to level 6!
Remarkable! Your Skill (C)[Pain Resistance] has grown to level 7!
Remarkable! Your Skill (C)[Heat Resistance] has grown to level 2!
Remarkable! Your Skill (C)[Heat Resistance] has grown to level 3!
Remarkable! Your Skill (C)[Heat Resistance] has grown to level 4!
Remarkable! Your Skill (C)[Heat Resistance] has grown to level 5! +1 Free Status Point!
Remarkable! You have somehow survived a single self inflicted Fire-based attack that exhausted more than 99% of your total heath pool! *WARNING* This gruesome endeavor has attracted the putrescent gaze of Zalbohg the Impure, 9th ArchDaemon and Overlord of the Sundered Plane. *WARNING* Localized dimensional anomaly has been detected...
The further Alan eyes absorbed this disturbing notification, the further his heart sank into the pit of his guts. The last thing he'd EVER expected was to Garner the attention of a Daemon.
Wait. Daemon? Is that some kind of a Demon? Alan wondered, stuck halfway between fear and confusion. His heart began to flutter, and he realized he was having a hard time breathing. Oh HELLS no. I don't have time for this shit! Please just piss off!!
Alan forced himself to take a breath, and while he wasn't able to completely fill his lungs with air, it was just enough to dispel his lightheadedness. He thought he saw movement to his left, but when he turned his head, there wasn't anything to be seen. Aside from sand. Sand was never in short supply around these parts.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
An eerie burbling sound briefly echoed through the room. To Alan's ears it kind of sounded like a mixture between a fast-flowing river and a Giant noisily slurping down a barrel of beer. It only lasted a second or two, but before the sound had completely disappeared, another notification flashed.
Caution! Dimensional anomaly has been forcefully Terminated.
As Alan read the notification, he saw something sitting on the sand, down by his feet. In a momentary bout of panic and loss of bodily control, Alan squeezed his eyes closed and yelped out a panicked howl, flailing his arms and legs. When the anticipated attack never arrived, Alan hesitantly opened his eyes. When he saw the object that had caused him to freak out, Alan lowered his head in shame and began to giggle at his own idiocy.
Sitting on the floor was a small purple velvet box. A pink ribbon tied into an elegant knot held its lid in place.
His first instinct was to kill the box with fire. The issue he had was that it had literally appeared out of nowhere. At the very same time that his System notifications were talking about Daemons and Dimensional anomalies. It just seemed like a trap.
Before he did anything drastic however, Alan resolved himself to at least [Examine] the luxurious-looking box.
[Examine] Failed.
Why am I not surprised, Alan thought sarcastically, glaring at the random box. If he was being completely honest, the fact that his [Examine] Skill had failed to identify the object made him REALLY want to open it up. When [Trap Detection] failed to elicit any kind of a response, Alan already knew he wouldn't be able to dissuade his curiosity.
When Alan lifted the box, it's pink ribbon disintegrated upon coming into contact with his bare flesh.
Here goes nothing! Alan thought. Clenching his jaw in anticipation of the unknown, Alan ripped the lid from the the box. He peered warily into the box, but in a confusing turn of events, all it contained was a nasally, wheezing voice.
When words began to tumble out of the velvet box in his hands, Alan knew he'd reached his daily limit for insanity. He even tried to toss it away, but it was as if the box had become glued to his hand.
He was given no choice but to listen the the voice croaking out of the box. He wasn't even able to tell if the voice was audible or simply heard within his head. Luckily its speech was brief. The box spoke a single sentence that repeated three times, each repetition saw a marked increase in the horrid voices volume and timbre.
"Give my regards to Garthaniel!"
"GIVE MY regards to Garthaniel!!"
"GIVE MY REGARDS TO GARTHANIEL!!!"
After repeating for the third and final time, the room went deathly silent. A flood of strange energy poured from within the velvet box and into Alan's pores, prompting an overwhelming mental strain, as well as several more notifications.
Zalbohg the Impure, 9th ArchDaemon and Overlord of the Sundered Plane has granted you the *Unique* Title Luck of the Daemons! This Title Grants Title holder the *Unique*Elemental Evolution Skill [Daemonfire of the Impure Realm].
Luck of the Daemons - +10 Luck +10% increase to Stat Effectiveness of Luck
*Unique*[Daemonfire of the Impure Realm] Lvl 1- This Title granted Elemental Evolution Skill transforms the fundamental nature of your Fire-based Spells and Techniques. What was once mundane, yet pure, is now chaotic and virulent. Temperature and duration of flames have been vastly increased. These otherworldly flames are capable of incinerating the very souls of your victims.
Temperature and duration of flames increase with Skill Level.
Due to effects of this Skill, (1) Skill and (2) Spells have Evolved!
(C)[Heat resistance] has Evolved into the (Rare)Skill [Unburnt Flesh of the Impure One]!
(R)[Unburnt Flesh of the Impure One] Lvl 1- This passive Skill provides a massive reduction to damage recieved from Fire-based Skills and Techniques. Provides full immunity to Daemonic flames, and (Burn) Debuffs.
Reduction to damage increases with Skill Level.
(B)[Fireball] has Evolved into the (Uncommon) Spell [Spectral Firebolt]!
(U) [Spectral Firebolt] Lvl 1- Upon casting, this Spell launches a missile of Daemonic Flame at any foe up to 100ft away dealing a large amount of fire damage and high chance to cause burn debuff. Spell has a homing effect.
Damage, distance, and chance to cause (Burn) debuff increase with Spell level. Cost increases with Spell level.
Cast time: 5 seconds •Cost 50 Mp
•Cooldown: 1 minute
(R)[Plasma Flare] has Evolved into the (Rare) Spell [Spectral Plasma Storm]!
(R)[Spectral Plasma Storm] Lvl 1- Upon casting, this Spell unleashes a devastating storm of daemonic plasma explosions on any foes within a 20ft x 20ft area up to 100ft away from caster. Inflicts a large amount of fire damage. High chance to inflict (Burn) Debuff and/or (Blind) Debuff.
Damage, Distance, Duration, and chance to inflict (Burn) and/or (Blind) Debuff increase with Spell Level. Cost increases with Spell Level.
•Cast time 25 seconds •Cost: 200mp
•Cooldown: 4 hours
FIRST IN SYSTEM ALERT! Remarkable! You are the first entity within the System Database to aquire an Elemental Evolution Skill while still in the (G-Stage). Due to this unprecedented achievement, you have been Awarded with the *Unique* Title Unprecedented Entity!
Unprecedented Entity- +20 All Stats +5% increase to All Stats.
As he viewed the 'First in System' Title, Alan was suddenly engulfed within a whirlwind of golden energy. Simultaneously a blaring chord of haunting orchestral music blasted out from seemingly everywhere and nowhere at once. As the energy sank into Alan's skin, not only did it leave him feeling reinvigorated, but the sheer density of the energy punched Alan with the force of gaining at least 5 Levels at once.
"Exhausted more than 99% of my health pool!?" Alan shrieked out, empowered by the rush of golden energy flowing through his cells. Only now fully coming to grips with how seriously close to death he'd been.
"That Burn debuff would've ended me. Alan declared. [Heat Resistance] was LITERALLY the only thing that kept me alive." Reading further into his new Titles though, Alan's complaints quickly turned into a gasp of excitement.
Wow... Just.. wow. The first in the entire System! Twenty points to All Stats, an extra ten points to Luck, ten percent to effects of my Luck, AND a 5% Bonus to All Stats??? So my luck is more effective huh? I definitely need to get some more of that. AND I get a Free Status Point for reaching level 5 on my Skills?! 5% might not be all that much now, but as my Stats increase, that could end up being the best of the bunch! But what in all of the Nine Hells is an Elemental Evolution Skill? And how the fuck did I Garner the attention of an ArchDaemon?
As he pondered his gains, Alan placed his 2 Free Points into Luck, and climbed to his feet. He started walking to the end of the corridor. Before he even fully realized what he'd done, he once more activated [Tenacious Concentration], and [Mana Perception], and cast his newly Evolved Spell [Spectral Firebolt]. Staring at his newly formed Spell, Alan instantly recognized two highly noticable changes.
The first and most readily apparent change was the fire itself. The once normal orange coloration of the flames had been replaced with a ghostly pale green, as if he were peering into the very spirit of fire itself.
Most notable of all, Alan could feel an internal pull, as if his soul wanted nothing more than to join the phantasmic flames.
The second change was found in the actual shape of the spell. While it was once a softball sized sphere, Alan was now met with a three foot long cylinder of ghostly fire the width of his leg. Feeling lucky, and also now apparently completely invulnerable to the effects of his flames, Alan once more unclenched the recently discovered Mana muscle hidden within his chest, trying his utmost to not carelessly tear it again.
However, this time around he kept a tight hold on the flow of energy. Alan watched in awe as the three foot long fire missile doubled in both width and length. Cutting off the flow of Mana, he willed it down the long hallway and was extremely surprised, as well as excited to see the spell travel all the way down the 150 foot long hallway. At the end of it's journey, instead of falling unimpressively to the floor, the green bolt of fire struck the far wall, violently exploding upon impact.
Not only did it travel more than fifty percent further than the listed distance in the description, but the resulting detonation was far beyond anything his old [Fireball] Spell had ever been capable of.
Remarkable! Due to your single-minded determination to control the flux of your Mana, you have acquired the (Uncommon) Skill [Mana Regulation]!
(U)[Mana Regulation] Lvl 1- Upon activation, this Skill provides moderate control over the rate of flow of your Mana pool.
Chuckling at the unexpectedly positive results still piling up from almost killing himself, Alan was forced to admit it the time to go had come. He had run out of excuses to remain hidden at the entrance of the dungeon any longer.
He was now armed with not only far more powerful Spells, but the Comprehension of how to use them. He'd already vastly exceeded his expectations he had upon his first failed attempt at [Dual-casting]. Although he still held an idea or two he wanted to test out, the explosive results of his most recent experiment forced Alan to reassess his current priorities.
Resolving himself to suspend further testing until he could get a solid grasp on his current capabilities, Alan called up another [Aqua Shield] in preparation of whatever madness he'd unquestionably stumble into next.
I guess it's time for me to once again head off into the unknown huh?... At least my Mini-map isn't showing any new enemies in the corridor I already cleared. Maybe the dungeon monsters all have a designated area? Alan wondered.
If that's the case, I could technically stick around here a while longer. Unfortunately the more comfortable I allow myself to become, the harder it's going to be to get myself to leave. It's time to do this. Who knows what Rexus is going through right now. Or if he's even still ali... No. I'm not letting myself travel down that road. One thing at a time. One step forward.
Undeniably, he had acquired a substantial amount of information through his experimentation, while also learning several valuable, if uncomfortable, lessons along the way. Surely if he were to sit around and tinker with his abilities awhile longer, he could gain a few more Skills, perhaps he could also create an even more powerful version of his [Aqua Shield].
Despite the possible gains, his overabundant appetite, lack of viable sources of food to replace what he'd been rapidly eating, and utter lack of knowledge of what awaited him in the depths of this dungeon were beginning to wear on his psyche. As if in response to him deciding to move on, he could suddenly somehow Feel that the time had come to continue his journey.
Admittedly the intensity was nowhere near as overbearing as what had led to him finding the buried storage ring, but the slight pulse of pressure in the base of his skull and subtle tingle of excitement reverberating throughout his torso had unquestionably returned.
With the unanticipated reappearance of his strange new sense, Alan steeled himself and started trekking deeper into the dungeon. To search for the source of the steady pulses in his skull.
^^^^^^^^^
"He took the bait!" A nasally voice wheezed out, "Prepare yourself young Garth, for the time is nearly upon us. You WILL make your journey to the mortal plane, and you Will put an end to that accursed Human before that crafty bitch Gaea makes her move."
Zalbohg the Impure One paused for emphasis, raising his eyebrows. He glared imperiously down at his son from upon his rotting throne. Placed high upon the cracked skull of a skyscraper-sized Void Dragon corpse, Garthaniel was forced to crane his neck, and peer up at his father.
"Take heed my son, the future of the Sundered Plane now rests solely upon your shoulders."
Zalbohg bit into the flesh of his throne, using his excessively-long, razor-like front teeth to slice a large chunk free. He raised a flabby, sore-covered arm and extended it toward his son Garthaniel. He chomped noisily on a fragment of dessicated dragon bone.
Grasped within his palm was an intricate, many faceted metallic object the size of Alan's skull. Otherworldly green script danced across its surface, there one moment, and gone just as fast. Zalbohg released his grip, and the object slowly fell.
Garthaniel of the Sunderedblood, Prince of the Sundered Realm, caught the offered device and placed it carefully in the side pocket of his maroon suit. He presented his father with a deep bow before disappearing in a rush of green flames.
For the first time in untold millennia, an anticipatory smile marred the face of Zalbohg the Impure, 9th ArchDaemon and Overlord of the Sundered Plane.
It's only a matter of time now, the ArchDaemon reminisced. Looks like I'm going to have to have another heart to heart talk with Garth… I understand the importance of individuality. I really do.. And I try to be a patient father. But those fucking Zoot suits are where I draw the line.