Jazmel had gained three levels, he was five levels off of his next tier tribulation and just the simple thought of it, drew quick breaths and his heart pumped with exhilaration.
He was well aware of the Monarch plot and to his luck he had found a monarch tier item to use, but something in him, told him. That it wasn’t right for him, he was still searching for items that fit him, the body, and the stats he was cultivating.
He stood in the fields of Lylo, after defeating Agnar and watching his body break down and return to the domain, he awaited the labyrinth’s next gate. He hadn't looked at his stats and took this moment to look at them.
Name: Jazmel
Level: 75
Species: Tyrant*
Rank: Ranker Tier I
Class: Sword Scion
Trait: HEART OF THE SWORD (BORN TRAIT)
Tempered body; Domineering tyrant
Health: 3760/4030
Stamina: 2860/3044
Mana: 2560/2720
STR:133(+5) PER:130
VIT:128 END:128(+3)
INT:129 WIL:121
AGL:121 DEX:122
Skills:
* Cleave (tier II)
* Fall of the black raven (tier II)
* Great Rumbling Dragon (tier I)
* Sunder (tier I)
* Lacerate (tier I)
Title(s):
FIEND BANE (ACTIVE)
PETRIFYING GLARE OF THE DRAKE (ACTIVE)
SERPENT SLAYER
DEMON SLAYER
AWAKENER (PASSIVE)
Unused Stat points: 29
206X PLATINUM COINS
82X WHITE GOLD COINS
4X GOLD COINS
Item(s):
TIER II 2X COLD IRON ORE
TIER I 1X GREATER GRAVE IRON ORE
2/3 PIECES OF THE PLAQUE
TIER II BRANCH OF A TREE
TIER II SEED OF MIRETE
TIER III TUNIC OF TUMERIN
2X TIER I HEALTH POTIONS
5X TIER I STAMINA POTIONS
7X TIER I MANA POTIONS
10X TIER II HEALTH POTIONS
10X TIER II STAMINA POTIONS
10X TIER II MANA POTIONS
TIER II ARMOUR OF THE STEADFAST
TIER II BRUXA CORE
X8 TIER III GORGON SCALES
TIER III GORGON HEART
TIER III BREASTPLATE OF THE DRAKE
TIER III MOON LOTUS FLOWER
TIER III BOG HAG MUCUS SAC
TIER III SWAMP WITCH MIASMA POTION
PRIMORDIAL CORE SHARD
X5 TIER II ROCK SALAMANDER FANGS
X9 TIER II ROCK SALAMANDER SKIN
TIER I MAGELLANIC MEMORY MOULD
TIER III ACIDIC SCORPION CORE
X4 TIER III ACIDIC SCORPION CARAPACE PIECE
TIER I 10 YEAR MANA GINSENG
MONARCH TIER BREATH OF AULE
TIER III KOGOR CORPSE
PRIMORDIAL CORE SHARD
TIER II STEELFIN TUNA BLADE
TIER III REAPING GRIM BEAST CORE
TIER III BLACKENED REAPING SCYTHE
UNCORRUPT TIER III LEVIATHAN BEAST CORE
TIER II CHAOS SHARD
TIER IV DRAKE HEART SCALE
TIER III RED MASK
TIER III PEARL OF PANDORA
COMPANION: NIGHT DRAGON
LEVEL 8
PARTY:
5/5
BAEK LVL 113
He had just under thirty stat points to use, he kept them. not wanting to rush his stats any further, some were lagging but for now, he was comfortable. He also knew that few had undergone a tempering at his tier and so he had that advantage going for him.
This made him think of his friends and as the faction leader he sent them a task.
DING!
TASK OFFERED TO ALL THOSE AT RANKER TIER IN THE BLACK WING FACTION!
…
UNDERGO A BODY TEMPER AND PUSH ALL STATS OVER 100!
REWARDS
* RANKER TIER ITEM/WEAPON
* TIER III TIER TRIBULATION ITEM
* SKILL TIER UP TOKEN!
The system had formed a task out of his initial idea, and he liked that the interface was able to do that for him. He sent it off and waited to see who would gain what they needed. He wondered if he and Sadé would gain the rewards already as they both had already completed the task and as if on cue, his own system chimed.
DING!
CONGRATULATIONS ON COMPLETING THE TASK!
PLEASE CHOOSE YOUR RANKER TIER REWARD!
* RANKER TIER RING
* RANKER TIER DRAUGHT
* RANKER TIER WEAPON
Jazmel was intrigued, all these options were beneficial to him. He had seen already what a draught would do, his swords were already strong, and he could always raise them with tier up tokens or scrolls. The ring called to him more and he chose it.
RANKER TIER RING CHOSEN!
…
Ring of Grace will add +7 to whatever stat you lock it to, be warned that your choice is permanent!
Jazmel nodded at that, that was a great boon. He already looked over his stats and knew, he put the ring on his index finger, and it shrunk to fit him perfectly, he chose will immediately and felt incensed as it changed, and system energy flushed him. His will was lagging behind, and he had the stat points to raise them, but something told him not to rush them, he needed to keep them just in case. He was trusting his gut here.
DING!
TIER III TIER TRIBULATION ITEM GAINED!
Materialising from thin air, a darkened and ornate lamp made of gold and copper. It was beautiful and clutching the gold ring at the top the light that flared from within the tinted glass was calming and soothing.
Lamp of Leluthian, a primordial gift used to calm the barrows and spectres. This tier tribulation item is locked in use only in spirit or mind!
That was interesting, Jazmel had never been warned by the system that an item can only be fixed in its use. He was curious about it and wondered just what the benefits could or would be.
His final item was a skill tier up token, he was already familiar with this, and this gave him an idea he had been considering for a while now. He sat down, in the middle of the fields of Lylo and began to meditate, his heart of the sword trait let him find complete peace as soon she began.
He entered a deep pensive state and when he was there, he clutched at the two skills he had in mind. He grabbed Fall of the black raven in his mind and cleave beside it. The system caught on to what he was trying immediately and chimed into action and activation.
DING!
WILL YOU MERGE SKILLS?
Y/N?
…
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
The system awaited him choosing and when he did, he grit his teeth at the pain of the system grabbing hold of his will. It exerted it over both skills and forcefully tried to merge them. fall of the black raven had just hit tier III, while cleave had still been tier II. He wondered if that would make a difference, and instead he watched the system tear energy from him and then fold the two skills in on each other.
DING!
FALL OF THE BLACK RAVEN AND CLEAVE ARE MERGING!
…
…
MERGING!
…
MERGED!
…
RAVEN’S CLEAVING DESCENT! (tier I)
He quickly looked at his stats to go over the changes and see what was new.
Name: Jazmel
Level: 75
Species: Tyrant*
Rank: Ranker Tier I
Class: Sword Scion
Trait: HEART OF THE SWORD (BORN TRAIT)
Tempered body; Domineering tyrant
Health: 3760/4030
Stamina: 2860/3044
Mana: 2560/2720
STR:133(+5) PER:130
VIT:128 END:128(+3)
INT:129 WIL:121(+7)
AGL:121 DEX:122
Skills:
* Raven’s Cleaving Descent (tier I)
* Great Rumbling Dragon (tier I)
* Sunder (tier I)
* Lacerate (tier I)
Title(s):
FIEND BANE (ACTIVE)
PETRIFYING GLARE OF THE DRAKE (ACTIVE)
SERPENT SLAYER
DEMON SLAYER
AWAKENER (PASSIVE)
Unused Stat points: 29
206X PLATINUM COINS
82X WHITE GOLD COINS
4X GOLD COINS
Item(s):
TIER II 2X COLD IRON ORE
TIER I 1X GREATER GRAVE IRON ORE
2/3 PIECES OF THE PLAQUE
TIER II BRANCH OF A TREE
TIER II SEED OF MIRETE
TIER III TUNIC OF TUMERIN
2X TIER I HEALTH POTIONS
5X TIER I STAMINA POTIONS
7X TIER I MANA POTIONS
10X TIER II HEALTH POTIONS
10X TIER II STAMINA POTIONS
10X TIER II MANA POTIONS
TIER II ARMOUR OF THE STEADFAST
TIER II BRUXA CORE
X8 TIER III GORGON SCALES
TIER III GORGON HEART
TIER III BREASTPLATE OF THE DRAKE
TIER III MOON LOTUS FLOWER
TIER III BOG HAG MUCUS SAC
TIER III SWAMP WITCH MIASMA POTION
PRIMORDIAL CORE SHARD
X5 TIER II ROCK SALAMANDER FANGS
X9 TIER II ROCK SALAMANDER SKIN
TIER I MAGELLANIC MEMORY MOULD
TIER III ACIDIC SCORPION CORE
X4 TIER III ACIDIC SCORPION CARAPACE PIECE
TIER I 10 YEAR MANA GINSENG
MONARCH TIER BREATH OF AULE
TIER III KOGOR CORPSE
PRIMORDIAL CORE SHARD
TIER II STEELFIN TUNA BLADE
TIER III REAPING GRIM BEAST CORE
TIER III BLACKENED REAPING SCYTHE
UNCORRUPT TIER III LEVIATHAN BEAST CORE
TIER II CHAOS SHARD
TIER IV DRAKE HEART SCALE
TIER III RED MASK
TIER III PEARL OF PANDORA
TIER III LAMP OF LELUTHIAN
COMPANION: NIGHT DRAGON
LEVEL 8
PARTY:
5/5
BAEK LVL 113
He rolled his shoulders and flexed his muscles, he felt limber and lithe. His muscle mass was stronger, greater than before. But the system was pushing him down a path of strength and yet, dexterity. He was very able, fluid, and agile, even with all his strength. He was a solid user of swords and he had to be speedy and agile, he wasn’t worried about anything. He would continue and he would face whatever the labyrinth threw at him.
He looked over to where Agnar the titan had fallen, his long-hafted axe was there. He grabbed it and pulled it into his ring. Before looking around to see where he should go.
DING!
CONGRATULATIONS ON CLEANSING THE FIELDS OF LYLO!
WILL YOU ADVANCE?
Y/N?
The system hadn't asked him if he wanted to move on or advance to the next floor. He was shocked, but he steeled himself and moved forward.
Yes.
The system literally pulled his answer from his mind and spinning like a wheel, a gate formed where Agnar had fell and Jazmel stepped through it. Into nothing, another new surprise. Usually when he passed through a gate he stepped right through into a new floor or place. But this time the system had moved him to a corridor of swirling system energy and ambient Mana. He could feel it all around him, the structure was stable, and his senses told him not to worry about it and simply advance. That word was becoming something of a mantra, a motto for him.
The corridor wasn’t particularly long, after around ten minutes he was through and when he stepped through the gate he was accosted by jostling as many denizens surrounded the area he had been placed in.
DING!
YOU HAVE COME TO THE CONSORTIUM OF GUILDS
YOU MAY INVITE THREE MEMBERS OF YOUR FACTION AS PART OF YOUR RETINUE!
He thought for a moment and instantly sent missives to his faction. He had thought about to pick and made sure not to bother anyone who would be busy with their own tasks. His mind wondered after Sadé, but he quickly focused on what was in front.
BANNERMAN INVITED
MARY INVITED
BAEK INVITED
The system activated and three gates appeared behind him. He watched as his three friends stepped through their gates and he took a moment to catch them up to speed. Bannerman simply nodded and fell into position behind Jazmel, like a guard. Mary stood to his left and Baek on his right.
“I saw that tempering test you offered us; did you pass 100 stats already?” Mary asked and Jazmel nodded, a shy look flashing across his face.
“You never cease to amaze me, I already passed mine a few weeks back. The gifts were fun though, thank you.” She was sporting an arm cuff on her bicep that looked like it was made out of pure silver.
“What body tempering did you get and what is with the cuff?” Jazmel asked. Mary grinned a toothy smile and showed off her cuff.
“The cuff was my ranker tier gift, it provides me with +8 strength, which is a big boost for me. Also I got the Mountain Mastodon body, Lord of the peaks. I am sturdy and my body refined itself with prehistoric bones and blood. All cool quirks, but I am only a few levels away from my master tier tribulation. Any tips Baek?” they both turned to Baek who was simply listening intently.
“Any tips I offer you, will interfere with your natural growth, trust your own instincts and keep doing as you have been.” He said with a small smile for comfort.
“What tempering do you have?” Jazmel asked and Baek smiled at them both for a moment and then answered.
“Which one?” Jazmel almost fainted when he heard that, he shouted out but was cut off by the system.
DING!
ALL FACTION LEADERS, GUILD MASTERS AND CLAN HEADS!
…
ATTEND THE CONSORTIUM, ADD YOUR FACTION, GUILD AND CLANS TO THE TAPESTRY!
Jazmel and all the groups around stopped what they were doing to listen. The crowds were moving around but when the system spoke the area they were in transformed and a doorway, wide enough for double doors opened up.
Immediately people funnelled through and even though Jazmel was tall, there were people ahead of him who were taller than him still. Jazmel simply followed as the queue moved along, turning to Bannerman he remembered his friend.
“You tiered up to ranker tier II right?” Bannerman grumbled a yes, as was his way.
“Have you hit 100 in all stats yet?” Bannerman groused and shook his head. So he hadn't spread his stats across as balanced as Jazmel had.
“Make sure you try to spread your stat points around evenly; a balance is always the better option.” Jazmel offered and Bannerman listened intently.
“You do know, what you’re stating is almost impossible.” Mary interjected.
“How so?” Jazmel asked.
“Well it should be easier to hit 100 in any stat if you power up specific ones quickly, but somehow you did it while spreading your stats across evenly.” Mary pointed out and Jazmel listened and shrugged.
“I just went against everything the system threw at me; I never ran.” He said and she nodded and grinned.
“You are strong, I am proud to be part of the faction. Something is always happening, and the retainers are growing from a rabble into some sort of army. I like my job.” Mary said and Jazmel smiled back.
“the young master is most motivating; he pushes himself hard when he enters the labyrinth on his own. I rarely get involved; I simply oversee his advancement.” Baek said and Mary and Bannerman nodded in admiration.
“The path of the pack is moulded by the leader.” Bannerman said, his words were profound. Even when he spoke of the faction as a wolf pack, something in Jazmel’s chest moved at his words.
“Thank you all, for supporting me and following my lead.” Jazmel offered.
They had reached the doorway, and a single armoured guard was barring the way.
“State your name and your faction or guild.” He said, not even looking at Jazmel.
“Jazmel, leader of the Black Wing Faction.” Jazmel said and the guard stepped out of his way, letting them enter the consortium.
The consortium was a massive guild hall, so big that Jazmel couldn’t even see the ceiling from his standing and, the size of the floor they were on was so large that, he couldn’t even see the next floor. Jazmel watched as people moved around in groups, some wore the same clothes. Others sported flags of their clans and factions, a lot was happening all around them.
“What is the point of this consortium? Why did the system bring me here?” Jazmel asked Baek.
“The consortium is to build alliances; factions are budding and full of potential. The system is hoping to allow these to continue to grow. You should take note of the different groups who are doing well here, make friends but also consider those who might be your rivals.” Baek explained and Jazmel nodded, understanding what was unfolding ahead of him.
“Jazmel!” he heard and looking over he saw Sonia. The vice leader of the divine flame guild. She was waving at him and was standing beside one woman and a slender man.
The woman who she was standing beside was obviously the leader. She wore a Gui, robes that covered her form, but Jazmel could make out that she was small in stature. She wore an outer robe that she clung on her shoulders and hid her hands in the sleeves of her Gui. She was strong, probably master tier, she gave off the same energy as Baek and when he looked at her Mana. It was as if a bonfire was burning within her. She noticed him and cocked her head, when she realised he was looking at her Mana she cut it off, stopping it from flowing from hear immediately.
Jazmel made his way over to Sonia and her leader. She smiled at him and offered a small bow lowering herself at the waist, Jazmel offered it back and introduced his friends and retainers.
“This is the leader of the divine flame guild. Makon.” She introduced her leader and Jazmel inclined his head, and she offered the same movement to him.
“Is this the young man from the beast tide?” she asked, and Sonia nodded earnestly. Jazmel wondered what Sonia had said about him.
“I take it, these are the members of your faction?” she said, and she looked at them all, studying and analysing them one after the other. Her eyes lingered on Baek, who simply looked back at her and smiled at her.
“Interesting, your faction is intriguing. I hope to see you again.” she said and inclining her head again, she moved off and went to see other groups.
“That woman was strong.” Mary uttered and Jazmel nodded, agreeing.
“That man that was with them was a beast.” Bannerman offered and Jazmel looked at him, then glanced at the man who was following his leader. He hadn't even paid attention to him, but now that he looked. He could see the Mana in the man was coiled and ready to burst free if he wanted it to.
“In truth, I hadn't noticed him straight away. But now you say it, I can see his Mana is quite nasty.” Jazmel said and Mary glanced at the man, then at him and then laughed.
“Your eyes are Mana blue when you are looking at Mana. It’s interesting to see.” She pointed out and Jazmel nodded, since his eyes had evolved. The iris had changed to blue, and they burned an ice or Mana coloured blue when he was using his keen sight.
“Hey, you!” he heard and looking over he saw Circe. She had grown, maybe a tier tribulation or a tempering, he could see her Mana and it was greater than it had been the last time he had seen her.
She hugged him, not even glancing at the others. She was still shorter than him and since he had grown, she had had to jump into him to wrap her arms around his neck.
“Hello Circe. What are you doing here?” he asked, and she thumbed over her shoulder.
“The house of Artemis guild was here before the consortium brought new faces. Now my elders are simply mingling.” She explained and Jazmel could tell she was bored.
“What are you doing here?” she asked him, and he explained about the black wing faction.
“I did not know you had created your own faction! We must ally, come!” she tried to drag him away, but he stopped her.
“Stop, what are you doing. I cannot just go and ask for an alliance.” He told her and she laughed.
“Of course you can, it is me asking. I am a legacy; my mother is one of the highest-ranking members of the guild.” She explained and still Jazmel would not be moved.
“It wouldn’t be a bad idea to meet them.” Baek said from his side. Jazmel sighed and conceded, letting Circe drag him towards where a crowd was forming, but she pushed through.
The two women were in full regalia armour. Muscles rippled beneath and they both looked strong, Jazmel wondered just how strong they were.
“Elder Swann and Elder Teagan.” Circe called and both women who stood stock, stoic still. Softened when they saw one of their own, but then both women studied Jazmel, and he felt pressure, but his body flared its own Mana. His tempered body refusing to be quelled.
DOMINEERING TYRANT BODY REFUSES TO BE DOMINATED!
“Circe who is your friend?” the one called Elder Swann asked.
“This is Jazmel, he was at my seeker trials if you remember, and he was also inside the pyramid of Argilles.” She explained.
“Oh was he one of the boys who helped you slay the blood witch?” she asked, and Circe nodded, so she had told them about him already he wondered.
“Hello boy.” The one called Teagan said, before Jazmel could even respond. Mary stepped forward.
“Teagan.” She said only her name, but the woman was immediately focused with a tight grin.
“Is that bloody Mary? Do you follow this boy?” she asked, and Jazmel realised she was mocking him.
“Teagan if you call him a boy again, I am going to knock you down.” Mary said, her voice calm but her Mana rolling around her, charging up for a fight.
“Swann, if Mary tries to get her fists bloody, grab the boy.” Elder Teagan said and Bannerman growled, a deep and low growl deep in his chest.
“I could do with a fur coat.” She said with a wicked smile.
“Ladies, I would ask that you find manners. We elders should teach the youth to be better than ourselves.” Baek said, he flared his own Mana. Quickly but he completely supressed both women and they shivered beneath him.
“Who are you?” they both asked and before he could respond another woman appeared, placing herself before her elders and pulling Circe over to her side.
“Aunt.” Circe said, but the woman already pulled her behind her.
“Baek, you are far from home.” She said and Jazmel simply watched the two-standing facing each other.
“Ingrid, it has been years. You look well, the house of Artemis is so blessed that its elders can overthrow alliances without even considering the potential.” He said and Jazmel read under the lines, knowing that he was chastising both the elders.
“Who would have an alliance with the house of Artemis?” she looked around and then her eyes settled on Jazmel.
“He looks like…” she began but Baek stopped her.
“This is Jazmel. The leader of the black wing faction and I am acting as an advisor for him.” Baek introduced Jazmel and the woman turned to face him fully. Placing all her Mana on him and a pressure unlike he had ever felt before, pressed down on him.
THE WILL OF INGRID PRESSES DOWN ON YOU!
THE TYRANT SPIRIT EARNESTLY REBELS!
“Interesting. You are sturdy for one so young. Are you ranker tier II?” she asked and Jazmel shook his head, feeling the pressure reduce.
“Ranker tier I.” he told her, and she mused over his words.
“Have you tempered?” she asked, and he nodded, and she smiled, an honest and genuine one.
“How intriguing.” She turned to her niece and pulled her from behind her.
“You said you met him at the seeker trials? He is ahead of you, a courteous rival to keep up with. I give you my permission to remain friends and keep tabs.” She said, she inclined her head to Jazmel, which he returned earnestly. She then did the same to Baek and then led her people away.
“the house of Artemis are a powerful guild; Ingrid might be one of the strongest people here and that is before she even gets serious.” Baek explained. Mary groaned but simply listened.
“I think I could manage Elder Teagan; she is strong though. I don’t think she is a master tier yet, but she might not be far behind.” Mary explained. Jazmel listened intently a lot was happening, and he was surprised that they seemed to be happening around him.
The consortium was all business and no play, Jazmel focused his mind, clutching his sword hilt for comfort and steeled himself for the event.