“All of this is incredible,” Layla said, reading through the notes her pink clone had compiled during their one-hour-long conversation. She had watched the battle royale, and the thing with Fatima had surprised her. After spending a day trying to get Fatima from the arena construct for study and failing, she sent Nil a quest-free summon. He told her everything he saw with Energy Instinct and then learned from Selia. The stack of papers was almost an inch thick when added to all the information gathered beforehand. “Katherine Park has proved an excellent addition to this investigation. Her attachment to your country’s flawed and corruptible laws is an obstacle, but she’s doing all the right things to bring Symbiotech down the correct way.”
“She and I recorded everything Shina said,” Nil said. “It incriminates me to some extent, but since it was on arena property, none of it will hold up in court. But, if she takes it to the right superiors—hopefully someone that can’t be paid off or threatened—they might just be able to open investigations on Shina and Symbiotech.”
“Good job. I’m impressed. I’ve already checked our systems, and everything Selia said probably holds up.” Layla leaned back in her chair. “Her caseworker isn’t as easy as yours, and they don’t have the best relationship. However, he flagged her abnormal growth and anomalous, unconscious ability to absorb Cursed Energy unintentionally. I can’t go into detail, but she’s already turned a bunch of it into feats. I’ll send her an invite to the investigation and see if she’s willing to work with me instead.”
“That might be useful. I’ll keep my distance from her until you’ve vetted her properly. Hopefully, Andrew’s bugs will do some good, and we’ll soon get decent information on Symbiotech. I need to know if these fuckers were behind Aisha’s death.”
Layla nodded, studying him for a moment. “So. Since qualifiers are out of the way and you can join Apocalypse Arena, will you consider working for me on an official basis now?”
“I’m ready to join,” Nil answered. “You’re trying to do something good for my world, and I want to be a part of it. However, there is the matter of getting an ascension token and sorting out a new ludus first. Symbiotech is deeply entangled with Golden Aegis. I barely slept last night after the spinal fluid extraction. The Fountain of Pyrene was a much-needed reprieve. I don’t think I can continue to live and train there after Symbiotech falls or me working against them comes out.”
You have received an Iron Ascension Token and 2 Schema Tokens for your service to the Nexus.
Nil’s eyes widened.
“Consider that a signing bonus,” Layla said.
“Thank you.” He was tempted to use it straight away but resisted.
“The Control Worlds also arranged for you to get another feat using Cursed Energy as additional payment for progress. However, it won’t be without a negative element like last time.”
“That’s fine,” Nil said. “Will it affect the pool of sub-abilities I get for my ascension?”
“It will.”
“Then I’d be a fool to reject such a gift. Please pass my thanks to the Control World.”
“They like to invest in high-potential individuals. Your performance in the arena impressed them, too. Apparently, the words ‘Weapon against the Scourge Gods’ have been thrown around.”
“I’m flattered.” Nil chuckled.
“As for your ludus issues, I don’t want to build expectations in case things fail, but believe me, something is in the works,” Layla continued. “We’ll have something ready for you soon. So, when the thing with Symbiotech ends, you have somewhere to go.”
“I have a couple of new sponsorship offers, too, so it might not be the biggest of issues,” Nil hungrily watched his Schema Interface. The Iron Ascension Token almost appeared to be burning a hole through it.
“Regardless, if you’re going to continue working for the Nexus on Earth, we want to ensure your needs are met. We take care of our own. Should we sort out your new feat before we continue?”
“Yes, please. I already know what I want, though, assuming it's in the pool of choices.”
“And what would that be?”
“Fear The Iron Maiden.”
“Why?” Layla asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Get my Might potential to Silver, of course,” Nil answered. “I can use the additional strength when Absorbing and the durability when Expending. Withstanding the burns better and healing from them swifter would be amazing, too.”
“Or you could just focus on Finesse and get fast enough not to get hit. I’m not telling you what to do, just how I’d prioritize if I were in your position. I think the point of Brutal Battery isn’t to just stand in the middle of the battlefield and let everything hit you but to pick when to get hit and when not. Personally, I’d look for every avenue to improve Finesse and Spark further, as well as sub-abilities and future feats to cover your lacking Might. Thanks to Through Sheer Grit, pushing Might past Bronze is a concern for Bronze or Silver Realm.”
Nil studied his Schema interface, thinking about what his caseworker had just said. “I know gauntlets count as fist weapons, but are they armor, too?”
Layla smiled. “I didn’t want to spell that fact out for you. Given the limitations surrounding Armmaster’s Disappointment, your soul weapon's paths are limited. If you pick Fear The Iron Maiden, then you’ll have no choice but to settle for knuckle dusters, and in most instances, they can’t do much besides hit harder. Gauntlets could also have other functions. If you’re lucky, you might get ranged attacks beyond simply throwing rocks.”
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“You make a good point,” Nil said. “Lets see the feats.”
Fear The Iron Maiden: Wearing any form of armor, conjured or manufactured, will induce mind-numbing pain. Ignoring the curse’s warnings will cause spikes to dig outwards from your bones and through your skin slowly.
Bonus: Might rank increased by one. Potential increased by one stage.
Fae-Touched: The fae know your true name and may use it to demand favors from you. Rejection will result in the loss of treasured memories and intense psychic trauma. They have stolen a fragment of your potential but sharpened your Mind in exchange.
Bonus: Mind increased by two. Potential increased by two stages, but Spark potential reduced by one.
Restless In Body And Mind: Sitting still and focusing on cerebral tasks are nearly impossible for you. You must always be moving or physically working on something for the brain's juices to flow. Otherwise, your Mind suffers, affecting memory, and trying to learn new things results in mental strain. In exchange, your awareness is sharpened. You become hyper-aware of your surroundings, observing changes most would miss.
Bonus: Finesse increased by one.
Cursed By Incompetence: You’re good at what you do but struggle to learn new things, especially magic, new vocations, fighting styles, and anything outside your current expertise. On the bright side, what you know now—skills, techniques, abilities—and all your future sub-abilities grow just a bit easier. Abilities and skills related to soul weapons are exempt from the detriments and bonuses.
Bonus: Spark increased by one.
Obsessive planning: You must have a plan for every scenario, no matter how improbable. Before taking action, you must consider many of the possible outcomes and the actions you will take. If you find yourself in a situation you did not plan for, you become shaken, halving your effective finesse.
Bonus: Mind increased by one.
Bottomless Chasm: You're quick to hunger, and your appetite increases with you as you grow. As your calorie levels drop, your focus fades, and so does your control over your anger. However, when you eat and approach satiety, exhaustion leaves you swiftly, and your injuries heal faster. Warning: Limbs and organs won't regrow no matter how much you eat.
Bonus: Might increased by one.
“It's not much of a decision, is it?” Nil said, glossing over the options. There were far more than he had received before. “After our discussion, I have no intention of picking the first. The second was never a choice. And Bottomless Chasm feels like it could be an option but also feels like a mistake “
“Why?”
“Brutal Battery and my fighting style leaves me ravenous. My appetite, sweet tooth, and portion sizes have skyrocketed ever since I became a Summoned, and even more so after getting my body to Iron Realm. Things might get unmanageable as I continue to grow. What if I end up on a quest where food is scarce? I'll have to purchase supplies from the Nexus Market before departing, and I hope they last and don't get spoiled or lost. It's unsustainable.”
“Sounds reasonable.” Layla smiled, looking satisfied. She had already given him more advice than the Nexus allowed. “You have no qualms regarding your choice? Are you fine with not picking up new skills, trades, magic, and everything the multiverse has to offer?”
“I'll never be an Artisan or Mage. I don't have the attributes for it or interest in pursuing either discipline. I'm almost in my thirties and have already figured out what I like. It's unlikely I'll pick up new hobbies or interests now.”
“Your life will get longer the higher realms you reach, and immortality might await beyond. That's a long time.”
“I'm happy dedicating myself to training, cooking, and eating,” Nil replied. “Life might be long but there is only so much time in a day. My biggest issue with the feat is not getting to learn new fighting styles. However, developing and building what I already know should be possible, right?”
“Right. But why not Restless In Body And Mind?”
“Never being able to sit still and just do something feels like a nightmare. What if I want to relax on the couch and read a book?”
“Work some muscles while you’re doing it?” Layla asked, raising an eyebrow. You’re not a scholar, artisan, or academic. I hear your world has audiobooks. Perhaps employ those? This works with Through Sheer Grit, won’t interfere with training and cooking, and you can still occasionally sit down and have a good time with people. If you were a magic user or craftsman, I would’ve recommended against it, but that’s not the case.”
“I didn’t think of it like that. I suppose I can just pump iron while reading things. Then, the decision is made.” The new trait appeared in his Schema interface. “Do I need to wait until I’m home before using the token, or can I do it now?”
Finesse has progressed to Iron 1!
“You can do it now,” Layla said. “You’ll get your ability development now, but the sub-ability won’t come until you’ve slept and the seed gets time to germinate and sprout.”
It was too long a wait. So, Nil used the ascension token.
Brutal Battery has progressed to Iron 0!
Absorb has progressed to Iron 0!
Expend has progressed to Iron 0!
Your capacity has grown. Whenever you empty your stores, energy regenerates to ten percent. The restoration occurs over one second once an hour. Otherwise, it takes a minute.
The Nexus Market will open to you once you’ve completed your ascension to the Iron Realm.
“Not bad,” Nil commented. “Ten percent is enough for a few empowered hits or to get out of a sticky situation.”
“For now. That ten percent will be worth a lot more as your capacity grows. The duration or amount will also change with future ascensions.”
“I like this. Rogues and swift, precise attackers do little to recharge Brutal Battery. Then there are people like Viktor—hard-to-avoid or dodge mid-range mages. I need the tools to gather energy if I’m spent.”
“I hope the Schema gives you some decent sub-ability options.” Layla returned her attention to the stack of paper in front of her. “Should we get back to our discussion regarding Dr Shina Patel and Symbiotech?”
Nil nodded. “As much as I’d like to get out of here and finish ascending, I don’t think that’s possible right now. I’ll need to adequately tire myself out before sleeping again.” He watched as Layla paused on a page dedicated to Shina. “I don’t know if she’s a monster or a dedicated scientist trying to make something without the Nexus and Schema’s limiters. Her staff don’t seem particularly nefarious either.” Nil paused as he recalled her comment about breaking a few eggs to make an omelet. “Or maybe she’s so blinded in pursuit of her goal that she doesn’t care what happens to her subjects.” He sighed. “This isn’t going to be easy.”
“Well, you have your task. Find out the details of what they’re up to and how they might be bringing Cursed Energy into your world. If you find any especially dangerous projects, don’t hesitate to sabotage them. We’ll do our best to protect you from whatever the consequences. There are excellent rewards and privileges waiting.”
“I’ll do my best, Layla. Given the personal nature of this issue, I’m determined to put a stop to this Cursed Energy business.”
“Vengeance is certainly a decent goal, but if you move past that, remember the Control World is willing to provide excellent incentives for your service.”
“Don’t worry,” Nil replied. “I’m a greedy man. I haven’t forgotten anything.”