EPISODE 119: OBLIVION 3
— Hall of Attributes, Year 7291. Season: Color Fading.
“ Run—do not look back, ” I commanded to Madria—my eyes focused on the creature as it approached.
“Head for the pillar— do not argue, ” I commanded. I hope she will forgive me for what I did later. “I can escape but not with you—not if you’re in trouble. If all else fails… as long as you’re a distance away—I can teleport to you.”
My words were quick, precise, and held no room for negotiation. Not that Madria would be able to fight back—not after what I just did. She was well within the range of my aura and therefore…
“ The moment you make it to the pillar—do your best to comprehend Intent, ” I commanded. “We already had all the clues, it’s just getting the Prime System to acknowledge you.”
As Madria left, I looked at the notification. My actions of equipping the Star Suit Mark One never halted.
Congratulations!
You have passed the Trial of Intent.
Intent… I never really understood the attribute until recently. When I first unlocked the system, Intent was a new sense that stuck somewhat in the back of my mind. It expanded my sense of space and allowed me to sense a vast amount of area around me as more attribute points were put into it. I knew you could influence people with it but— directly commanding them was entirely different.
Madria had no idea what I did. I knew I held nearly two and a half times more points in the attribute than her. I’d be surprised if she was able to resist the influence I cast over her. At least, I’d finally completed all trials in the Hall of Attributes.
“(Imperius Synchronization),” I activated—the suit fully enclosed around my body.
It was not a moment too soon as Olvido was upon me.
The Star Suit Mk One was designed with many intentions behind it. One, to be a suit that offered greater attack and defense than what I held currently. Two, to confirm several theories, the first of which was already done. A giddy, kiddish excitement began to emerge within me as I jumped away—Olvido’s mouth snapping shut around my previous position.
The first theory was just proof that something like this could be done—a robotic-like combat suit with a user. The second theory would need more time, I’d have to grow more comfortable with the suit and hopefully… what I expected could be done.
Classes were crafted around what you did, what you knew, and more factors. It was the same for class upgrades.
Blue light glowed from the gems as I synchronized myself with the new Adam. For a moment, my senses went haywire as I synced myself to the golem. The synchronization wasn’t just a connection, I fully inhabited the golem and could control its movements. I’d designed the second Adam with that in mind, and its joints were based completely on the human body. It was a gleaming metallic grey golem that glittered in multiple areas like stars in the night sky. Refined from [Star Iron], an ultra-dense material created by Ignis, the second Adam was a defense-based machine built for war. A small cannon reminiscent of a certain alien was stationed on the left shoulder. It’d be calibrated to only fire in one direction but… Adam was only a theory. I could refine it later.
One thing I realized during the Battle of Starglow Valley, was I wasn’t able to utilize my golem’s properly. Not out of reluctance too, but it was Imperius Army’s first appearance on a battlefield. I could not let them get outshined by my products. Perhaps it was a mistake to not deploy the golems immediately, but that mistake is in the past now. There was nothing I could do to change it. It didn’t help that my main class revolved around golems as well. I’d made myself nearly useless when it came to a part of the combat, and I couldn’t adapt to what was happening at that moment.
The Battle of Starglow Valley taught me many things, but one of the most important was being put into practice right now.
I wasn’t changing my fighting style to suit the situation, I would change the situation to suit my style.
…at least, my up-and-developing one.
Olvido stared at me curiously as we stood a distance apart—a single eye concentrated on my suited form. There were no other words to describe the creature apart from… kaiju.
The monster’s mass increased. Once, it was nearly the size of a small village. I estimated it to be nearly three hundred feet from head to tail. Now…? That size increased by a half if not more. Olvido held four eyes—two on the bottom of its crocodilian-styled head and two on the top. The creature was a dirty black and miasma seemed to constantly leak from its mouth. This surrounded the creature in a low cloud that hid its feet. Rugged triangular scales protected most of its body, while sharp-yellowed teeth prepared themselves to bite.
In my right hand was a sheath blade. A present gifted to me by Ignis on my final stay at the Aspect’s prison. Slowly, I shot my thumb up to an audible click, and the blade was released. I recalled the stats on the weapon and grew confident as Olvido began to shift. Both my golem suit and weapon were adequate to fight this monster.
Armament: [Legacy] — Heroic/Growth
Function:
Legacy
With each successive win, Legacy grows by taking a piece of defeated opponents and permanently adding a small piece of their attack into the blade. Increase attack by 10%.
Function:
Celestial Infusion
Infuse the light of celestial bodies within the weapon to unleash devastating celestial waves while the infusion lasts. Increase attack by 100%.
Function:
Stellar Flow
When activated, create a field of stars within the radius of your Intent—while this field is active, enter a heightened sense of battle focus for one minute. Within this field, all enemies’ Power is restricted by 10%.
Function:
Supernova
As you battle, gain stacks of [Nova] by successfully inflicting two hundred or more damage. [Nova] can be released at any point in a massive area of effect wave. Each stack of [Nova] reduces the enemy’s damage by 10%.
Function:
Eternal Growth
This armament can change and grow over time based on its users, actions, and unique items fed to it. This weapon can grow until the limits of the Mortal Realm.
Charge:
100/100
Description:
“Now, ya know what a REAL weapon is! Continue creating golems, kid; one day, ya may create something as great as me.”
Created by Ignis — Star Forged, Legacy is a hero’s weapon intended to grow alongside its user to the limits of the Mortal Realm.
Star Suit: Mark 1 — [ ★ ★ ★ ★ ]
Base Atk: 917
Base Def: 1,014
HP: 6750/6750
MP: 5400/5400
HP Regen: 31/Hour
MP Regen: 25/Hour
Core Charge: 100/100
Core Integrity: 100/100
Power: 2350
Mind: 1800
Vitality: 2250
Self: 2600
Description:
Forged in the heart of the Wyvern’s Roost during the capture of the Mad Aspect, the Star Suit — Mark 1 is not your typical golem. Its main material, [Star Iron], is an ultra-dense and damage-resistant material. This gives the golem enhanced defense but also enhanced offense. A culmination of its creator’s skills was poured into the conceptual golem.
The Star Suit was powerful. There was no other word to describe the sensation I felt within it. It held several powerful abilities I learned during the forging of Nubia, and this wasn’t even its final state.
(Golem Commander), (Overclocked), (Golem Surge), and others were all skills that would increase the capability of the suit by a small fold. The only constraint on these skills was me as the user.
[Legacy] slid from its sheath and was revealed to the setting light under the not quite sky. The blade was metallic silver, just a few shades different from my suit, but it shined with the same radiance. Its edge was wickedly sharp, and my overall attack was raised by ten percent as I gripped the blade. It was not a moment too soon as [Olvido] inspection seemed over.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
The monster lunged again, its mouth wide as it attempted to swallow me whole. The suit blurred as I dodged underneath the creature, Madria’s spell becoming visible to halt the spread of miasma. Nearly pitch blackness greeted me, but the light of the barrier and the glow from my eyes provided enough light for me to see my target.
I took a deep breath and swung. There were no skills involved or anything outside what was already present to enhance my damage.
Olvido: -541 HP.
Nova Stacks: 2
My blade connected to its left leg, and I swung in a large arc across the thick limb—black blood coating the blade and spilling from the creature. I quickly raised my shield to prevent the blood from coating my suit. In truth, the attack was negligible to such a massive creature. It seemed like it shouldn’t have done much damage… but that was the beauty of the Prime System and Mortal Realm. They restricted the level of strength allowed for a reason.
A deep, low rumble emerged from above me as the creature made a noise. A second later, the light of the sky was revealed again as [Olvido] jumped back. When it next looked at me, it wasn’t with curiosity… but… wariness.
My eyes weren’t on [Olvido], however. My eyes were on the black blood on my blade. Smoke rose into the air as the corrosive blood attempted to melt [Legacy] to no avail. The same couldn’t be said for my shield. It’d been made of scrap material’s in Ignis’s forge, and I wasn’t an [Armor-smith], so its properties were… less than stellar. I tossed the melting slag of iron away, fortunate that no attack transferred to the suit. Slowly, the blue glow of the suit turned from the weapon and toward [Raid Boss: Olvido]. Outside the suit, there was no emotion, only a robotic gaze. Underneath…?
“ If it bleeds… I can kill it. ”
A dozen or so golem balls were tossed to the ground to join the rest of their brethren. [Legacy] became gripped in two hands as I prepared to face the remnant. The miasma that spread from it intensified by a factor. The yellow-golden stalks of grass wilted away. Not even the dirt was spared as its brown color faded into a black, cracked earth.
My eyes widened in shock as a blast of the miasma shot toward me, leaving me with little time to react. I hadn’t realized [Olvido] was charging up its breath attack. I immediately channeled the golem’s mana into one of the rune-carved skills.
“(Aegis Guard),” I activated. My mind thought back to the creation of Nubia and when I inscribed this rune into her body as I boosted the suit's defense by 150%. I hadn’t managed to inscribe as great as I did on Nubia, but I did a decent enough job to provide adequate defense.
The star suit leaned forward, both hands on the blade as it pointed downward. A golden spell construct, in the shape of a knight’s shield, formed before me right as the miasma hit.
Star Suit — Mark 1: -525 HP.
The miasma tore at the suit, eroding small surface chips as it struck. The moment the blast faded, I retaliated.
“(Velocity Stride),” I activated on the suit, pushing off into the air in a fast break for Olvido.
(Velocity Stride)
Function:
Dynamic Movement
There are no restrictions when it comes to your movement, the air can no longer halt your advance into its domain.
Cost:
100 MP per five minutes.
My breath caught as I arrived before it nearly instantly, over a dozen meters off the ground near its right lower eye. I slashed, Olvido closing its eye as its triangular scales proceeded to take the blow.
My blade clanged against the skin, the creature activating an ability as it prevented my attack from transferring through. However, the force of the blow sent me tumbling backward through the air. I’d never properly flown before and (Velocity Stride) was Nubia’s flight skill. Of its several functions, I’d only managed to inscribe the first.
My tumble into the sky was followed by Olvido along the ground as I struggled to regain control of my flight. I hadn’t realized how powerful the skill was as I traveled a dozen meters per second.
I calmed myself and focused, a rush of adrenaline entering my body. Within seconds, I halted at a comfortable height above Olvido. The creature paced below me, seemingly agitated from its fast movements—its top two eyes glared as it gazed at me.
I watched it, smiling within the suit. Most of the Star Suit’s capabilities were based on Nubia, as she was my most powerful golem built. There was one skill I had in mind, carved on the back of the Star Suit, that could potentially hurt Olvido enough for my escape.
“Ahh, you’re land bound… no wonder Vitraio bullied you completely.”
I dodged left as a blast of concentrated miasma flew toward me.
“It’s smart, but it’s still a beast. Still a creature…,” I said gaining confidence—my voice echoing downward. “The real question is… can I kill it?”
There was a reason this creature survived millenniums trapped inside the Hall of Attributes. I only knew of three of its skills, and the last one (Anti-Life), I’d yet to see it display. I shuddered at the thought and description. There were a host of other skills available that kept the creature running. I doubt I’d truly seen the extent of its abilities.
The skirmish between us was only a test on my part. I wasn’t yet comfortable with the Star Suit. After its construction, there was barely an opportunity to understand how to use it.
“No better time to learn than the present—let’s get a bit more serious. Madria should be far enough soon… let's do some damage then leave.”
[Legacy] raised into the air, flames licking the blade as I enhanced it. “(Unblockable Blade).”
(Unblockable Blade)
Function 1:
Pierced Defenses
Bypass enemy armor, barriers, and other defenses at the cost of mana at a 1:1 ratio.
Function 2:
Elemental Armament
Imbue elemental energy of your choosing into the armament, inflicting damage to the same type. Energy type may change thrice during activation.
Cost:
500 MP
I’d have a single opportunity to deal a massive amount of damage to the creature… it was a Raid Boss, after all. The skill I was using was another of Nubia’s and was one of her most powerful skills. The cost would drain my suit by a significant amount. It was unfortunate I held no warriors skills dedicated to increasing my attack by a significant amount. [Legacy] held the skill, (Celestial Infusion) but it held no response in my attempt to activate it.
“(Golem Commander),” I activated next.
(Golem Commander)
Description:
Under your command, no golem shall falter. No magic will break them. No swords shall shatter them.
Function:
+100 Base Attack/Defense to golems under your direct command. 30% increase effect for buffs. +30% HP/MP.
Cost:
200 MP.
The new and improved skill provided a greater boost to the golem, and its MP increase would allow a significant boost in the amount of mana the suit held. My preparations done, I returned my full attention to Olvido. It’d remain pacing on the ground but both of its top eyes remained locked onto me. It seemed agitated as I flew above it. Probably an effect of my title [Big Game Hunter].
I began to dive, blade aflame with streaks of fire, leaving a trail following my descent. Behind me was the fading light of the not quite sky as the darkness began to fully set in—the twinkle of stars emerged, my suit a reflection of the false sky.
(Velocity Stride) allowed me to cut through the air as if it weren’t present, and in a moment I’d reach the area I’d targeted. Olvido hadn’t remained stationary, instead the amount of miasma around it increased, and its body vibrated rapidly. This nearly threw off my attack, but I was far too close to veer away from the creature as I struck toward center mass.
CRITICAL HIT! Damage x2.
You have inflicted {Burning} onto Olvido.
You have bypassed 2,340 defense. Olvido: -2,093 HP.
Nova Stacks: 12
You have been struck by {Oblivion Field}. All movement-based skills are locked until you exit the field!
(Velocity Stride) has been forcibly canceled!
A low vibration emerged from its throat and continued throughout its body as the Raid Boss bucked, tossing me and my suit off. We flew and landed on the plains of the savanna heavily, the dirt and decayed debris unable to cushion my fall. The surrounding land appeared dead, barren, and completely wasted. The once yellow-golden stalks of grass were nowhere to be seen, and the river that led from the Pool of Self-Reflection was dried. Nothing but destruction surrounded us, and more and more of the black miasma continued to spill from the creature as it killed the land.
You have fallen within a heavy object.
-150 HP.
I shook my head and, quickly, pulled myself to my feet.
“Oh, shit!”
I barely got the words out before activating (Aegis Guard) as the tail of the creature slammed into me.
Star Suit — Mark 1: -2,216 HP.
Olvido has bypassed a part of your defenses, -469 HP.
The Star Suit flew through the air like a rocket, accompanied by the whistling of wind. I crashed into the ground, a long line of dirt, grass, and other debris halting my momentum. I coughed, blood spilled from between my lips as I groaned.
“Minerva would definitely be cursing my stupidity right now,” I muttered.
Everything hurt…, and the second Adam hadn’t fared much better than its user, but after a quick overview I realized it was much more surface damage than anything else. I glanced toward the left corner, where the status of me and my golem suits Life Points sat. I’d taken a lot of damage from that blow as I underestimated what Olvido could do.
Star Suit — Mark 1
HP: 6559/8775
MP: 6045/7020
HP: 431/900
SP: 735/885
MP: 700/1050
Adam fared far better than I did. In fact, the suit was mostly ok, only its paint job seemed lack luster. Olvido’s attack sent me far, the blow was powerful enough to have me travel a few kilometers through the air.
“I can’t take another one of those, or I’ll die. What I need to do is have Adam create a distraction.”
As I spoke, the back of the golem suit opened, and I removed myself, stumbling to the ground in the process. I cough and spat, a glob of blood and things fell on the ground before me. I groaned, but shook my head. I didn’t have an opportunity to lay here, Olvido was fast approaching. Quickly, I grabbed [Legacy] from the hands of Adam, before giving it a spear. The shoddy weapon was reminiscent of its pair, which long turned into slag by Olvido’s blood.
“Adam, Advance-Exterminate. Lead the fight toward your brethren, their timers are almost up.”
The golem immediately took off in the direction of Olvido, as I commanded. I didn’t hesitate to do the opposite. I’d defeated opponents stronger than me before, but not for a second did I believe I’d truly have a chance to kill the Raid Boss. My entire objective was to buy enough time for Madria to get away, and that objective was considered complete. I’d hate to lose Adam again, but my life was far more important.
All six objectives were complete… it was time to go home.