===================
Survival of the fittest (1/1)
+Mission Complete
===================
Void stared at the popup as he realized he'd succeeded. Despite dying once, as long as he wasn't permanently destroyed it would count as survival.
However a peculiar sight followed, as the system window began to transform.
-----------------------------------
{Legendary Guardian System Lv2}
~New functionality unlocked~
Eyes of Mercurio: Your sight peers through the unseen, allowing you to understand the strength of those around you.
+100 Global (Earth Renown): The Fallen are vaguely aware of your identity, your light signature fades from their radars after death!
~Reputation~
*House of Devils(-100): 100/500 (Bounty Target)
* Vanguard(+100): 105/300 (Trustworthy)
*Commander Zavala(+100): 110/100 !!! (Promising Light)
-----------------------------------
Void's eyes were glued to the reputation as he realized the consequences of surviving a Fallen hunt. Whether he liked it or not, he would likely be hunted within the cosmodrome and devil's lair.
As for the Vanguard, Void's eyes shined brightly,
"Trustworthy".....He muttered.
It was true that the months Void had worked under the Vanguard had not been limited to rudimentary tasks, the proof lay in the humongous tracking quest he had somehow finished now. But gaining reputation was far slower than he expected.
Even after he finished his obligated tasks, the reputation did not increase, in fact, during this time, it had not budged a decimal. Yet after completing a challenging task, his gains shot up.
It seemed obvious what the system tried to represent as reputation. It was not built on collective completion like the game he recalled. Instead it was far likely based on achievements, real achievements.
Returning alive from a bounty hunt against an Eliksni Royal was far beyond his league, even if he took into account the desperate distress call, had he not managed to track down and kill the royal?
Granted he would not have made it out alive without external help, but the completion of the task was not to be questioned.
His eyes drifted towards Zavala's reputation, it was weird to somehow see his reputation exceed the maximum limit.
"Perhaps, I can move on to the next tier?" He thought.
Void was not yet familiar with increasing reputation so drastically, hence he moved on, choosing to focus on the intriguing part of the popup.
He had intentionally saved the system level up for last, his eyes darted between the words as he impatiently fussed to read.
Void felt a twinge in his temple, almost as if something had forcibly been implanted within his body. Yet this sensation was not the end.
A sudden loss of focus and extreme dizziness took effect, Void's consciousness almost faded as he stumbled back on this knees, barely keeping from sprawling over the destroyed crater.
The pain spread to his iris, and a hot burning fever built beneath his eyelids.
Void could not even bring himself to scream, his body had been incapable of categorizing the pain. He shuddered, and Obsidian panicked.
"Void, what's happening!" Obsidian was completely shaken.
Through his connection he could feel Void's vitals, and yet it felt odd, almost as if he was barely on the threshold between life and death.
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Yet no matter how much light Obsidian channelled into Void's body, the threshold refused to budge.
It was a power beyond the ghost's understanding.
A mere few seconds later, Void's eyes had gone from burning to seeing in patches of black and blue, his vision blurred as his body slowly recovered.
Void's mind expanded, his thoughts went into a disarray as all his senses.....faded.
He could faintly hear a frightened cry, he knew it was Obsidian, but Void could not physically respond.
It took Void a few breaths to gather his calm and regain control over his body as he weakly responded,
"It's fine Obsidian, it's all....fine." Void uttered breathlessly.
His hands shivered as he abruptly opened his eyes.
Void felt an indescribable amount of information rush to his head, almost as if he could see through the very fabric of existence.
His eyes now a shade of pale purple, darted around, but soon he relaxed, realizing that the system had somehow "upgraded" his senses.
Void once again read through the list, trying to understand what he had gained...
------
{Legendary Guardian System Lv2}
~New functionality unlocked~
Eyes of Mercurio: Your sight peers through the unseen, allowing you to understand the strength of those around you.
-----
His lips parted as he comprehended the meaning of his new power. Eyes of Mercurio... if Void had understood it correctly, this new functionality....it would improve his insight twofold...No!
At least three fold! Void had the painful realization that in the real world, accurately predicting the opponents strength was difficult. Sure he could vaguely see their level, but levels did not ultimately decide victory, in fact it was the stats!
As such he wholeheartedly appreciated the Eyes of Mercurio, the only thing left was to test it out.
However, considering he was the only guardian around, Void instead looked to Obsidian, his pupils deftly focusing on the ghost's black chasse.
Obsidian felt slightly uneasy as he faced the stare, unable to understand why his guardian felt...different.
"Void?" The ghost hesitantly asked.
Void spotted a strange thread.... a very faint thread of light connected to his ghost. He immediately guessed it was the Traveler's power. After all, ghosts were one way or the other still connected to the Traveler.
Void had affirmed the power of his eyes, as a thread he had previously never seen, was now visible.
After confirming his doubts he hurriedly waved his hand, pretending to be in a daze.
"Nothing... just getting myself together."
The nimble hunter swiftly got back on his legs, he glanced towards the sky, internally thanking whoever had saved him.
His eyes then set on the shock sabre, but just as he was about to inch closer, his new enhanced sense warned him of an approaching mass of... energy.
It was strange, as if the depths of space were trying to crawl out towards him. An ominous yet controlled light, that bolted towards his spot.
Recalling the descending Shadowshot from earlier, Void had already guessed that his saviour was currently rushing down to meet him. He waited with bated breaths, unable to imagine the monstrous guardian able to snipe using a void bow from so far away.
As if on cue, Obsidian perked up. recognizing the other guardians light signature
"Void, it's Tevis. One of the Vanguard's most lethal and trusted hunters." He reminded.
Void had also racked his brain to recall where he had met Tevis while playing the game, but he could only recall hearing about Tevis during the Taken king's Onslaught. He was a Nightstalker trapped in the black garden, who died facing an endless legion of vex.
Void frowned, not much was known about this guardian, except that he was the main reason players were able to achieve the Nightstalker subclass. He waited a few more seconds, lingering near the crater.
Not far from himself Void felt a pair of foot steps leaping through the cosmodrome, as Tevis's figure instantly flickered before him.
The veteran Nightstalker was a tad bit shorter than he had imagined, but his small stature did not take away from the grim and fickle aura around him.
Tevis stepped closer as he exhaled, faint fumes exiting his helmet. His eyes lingered on Void for a few seconds, and he finally spoke.
"To think I would meet another nightstalker. Quite a ruckus you kicked up behind you." His palm stretched as he gestured for a handshake.
Void corresponded with a firm grip, as he nodded,
"And If not for you, I don't think I would have made it out at all." He replied expressing his gratitude.
In Void's perspective, it was natural for a skilled Nightstalker as Tevis to recognize his subclass, hence he wasn't alarmed.
But what truly shocked him was when his eyes began to glimpse into Tevis's strength.
He could see some of Tevis's stats, and although others were still obscured, it was enough to make him question his own credibility as a Nightstalker.
---
Name: Tevis Larsen
Age: ???
Race: Human
Sub-Class= Nightstalker
Light= 363 (Unrestricted)
Level = ??? (Unrestricted)
....
----
Void sucked in a cold gasp as he barely believed his eyes.... 363!
Void knew full well that he was far far below Tevis in terms of light. If anything, his mere light of 30 was pathetic compared to 363.
Although Void had worked hard this past month, he had only reached level 20, while his equipment was simply slightly better than the standard issue. But what really drew his curiosity was the (Unrestricted) marked next to Tevis's stats.
The level and light were both listed as unrestricted.
Void already suspected that his own level was restricted in some way. After all, the amount of work he had put in was simply not proportional to his progress. For now his strength was perhaps still bound by the system, restricted by certain limits he could not cross.
Or perhaps, some other barrier stood between him and that power. Void eyed Tevis, enviously, hoping he could figure out how Tevis had achieved it.
Tevis noticed his glare, as he smirked.
"An ambitious one I see, but you're still too young and inexperienced." He mused.
Void realized what he did subconsciously and withdrew his gaze.
Tevis stared at the shock sabre embedded in the crater as he asked,
"Yours?"
Void shook his head but then approached the sword, as he gave it a light tug.
The sabre shimmered with lightning as pulled it out, Void examined the sword carefully.
"But I guess it will make a fine addition to my arsenal." He replied slightly impressed with the saber.
Tevis shook his had knowingly, as he chuckled.
"Hunters never change." He whispered.