Domain
Volume 1 berserk interval chapter 6 - dragon's flame guild
Appearing in a forest clearing, the fresh smell of life filled my nose. Looking around I could see several birds and squirrels. As I was taking in my surroundings Ourous explained the rules in domain.
Ourous: here in domain there is a penalty of one thousand points for killing a contestant. This penalty is voided in cases of self defence. Here in domain there are guilds, areas owned by these guilds can have additional rules but cannot remove this rule. While in domain you can return to your origin plane at any time. Simply ask me and ill bring you back. Each time you enter domain you'll appear where you left. You'll have to pick up the rest as you go.
Finished with her explanation Ourous went quiet. Grumbling at my placement in the middle of nowhere I began to test my powers. Feeling the well of energy in my stomach, I tried to pull a quarter of it out. This proved to be exceedingly difficult as every time I willed it to move it resisted my control. After several minutes of trial and error I had grasped the basics. The energy only moved in a set direction. though I could control where it would flow the route to get there would stay the same.
The main canal for power flowed in a oval around my torso, starting at the front of my pelvis rising up to the top of my head and then flowing down my back. Spindling of from this where 4 main channels through my limbs, as well as one for my head. Other than these main channels there were countless smaller channels.
Having figured this out I once again brought out ¼ of my qi. flowing it up my torso then down my right arm, as it approached my fingers I followed the instructions to use the flame serpent art. As the energy exited my body an inch long flame grew on my finger. This energy morphed into the shape of a snake before shooting out from my finger.
As the flame serpent slammed into a tree the small bundle of flames burst outwards. After shielding my eyes from the brightness I looked back at the tree. A circle shaped crater was left in the tree, along with some flames from the mini inferno. The crater was roughly a meter across and a foot deep. Laughing madly Solomon considered using this attack on an enemy.
Solomon: if I used this on a person I'd split them in half, this is amazing! Even though it takes a quarter of my energy It gives me a trump card.
Moving on I explored the ability's of my other enhancement. Instinctively I could feel what my markings were for. Taking another quarter of my energy I ran it through my marking. As the energy passed through the markings they lit up red and radiated slight heat. After the energy took on my races ability it became harder to control, unlike the calm wave of energy it was before it now resembled a raging inferno. Focusing on moving this energy I broke out into a sweat.
the energy reached my hand and condensed on my finger. This time it was considerable longer reaching 5 inches. This meant it covered my entire finger. As the energy began to condense into a serpent it fluctuated. I watched it changed forms from a serpent to a small salamander. After half a second it had condensed and was soaring towards a tree.
This time I couldn’t even see it move. Before I knew it the small lizard had hit a tree. As the energy combusted a small inferno exploded outwards. Standing 20 feet away I could feel the heat emanate from the fire. After once again shielding my eyes from the flash, I looked to see the destruction I had caused. The tree had more than half of its 4 meter thick trunk incinerated. Seeing the mass destruction I was once again filled with glee.
Solomon: HAHAHA! And I thought the normal attack was my trump card, even against a enhanced G rank tank I could OBLITERATE them!. My gambit’s paid off, with this power I should have nothing to fear in a G rank mission, well as long as I’m careful.
Having finished testing my energy I moved on to testing my body. considering my new stats I should be quite a bit stronger.
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Strength
154
Agility
160
Endurance
146
Longevity
125
Mental processes
158
Intuition
0
To start off I tested my speed. After clearing a hundred meters in 11 seconds I had grasped my agility. I was around the speed of an amateur sprinter. Moving on I began to test my strength. Standing in front of a tree I threw a punch at its centre. As my fist hit the tree I instantly regretted my decision. Though my strength was not small it was not in the realms of super humans. After recovering from my stupid decision I tried a more suitable test. Picking up a arm sized branch I tried to snap it. As the branch snapped In half I was applying about 75% of my strength. From this I judged my strength to equal an amateur bodybuilder.
Satisfied with my body’s ability’s (considering my enhancements were ranged based) I moved onto my mind. After running through the seven times tables backwards from 700 flawlessly I was pleasantly surprised. Though it didn’t affect my ability to think up ideas I could calculate a lot faster.
Having tested my new limits I moved onto finding others. I knew from Ourous's “tour” that there were cities in domain. I was just clueless as to how I could find them. Deciding to just go with the wind, I picked a direction and began walking. After entering the cover of the forest I saw a trial leading forward. After a slight moment of hesitation I began to follow the trail.
After walking for 15 minutes I reached the end of the trail. Ending at the edge of the forest the trail gave way to open plains. Looking out I could see the grass stretching for miles. In the centre of this plain was a small bundle of houses numbering less then 30. Though I could tell even from this distance it was swarming with people. Easily over a hundred figures stood in the village centre. Breaking out into a jog I moved towards the village.
After ten minutes I had reached the village. Crowding around a wooden stage in the village was over a hundred people dressed in modern clothes. Deciding to blend in I entered the crowd. On the stage was a group of 10. Six people in leather armour holding spears. I presumed they were guards. My instincts told me these men were in no way weaker than the commanders from my test. In the centre of the guards were a group of four. Three of them wore chainmail armour and wielded unique weapons. Each of these felt as dangerous as bazuso. Sitting on a elegant chair elevated above the others was a man in a plain red robe. My instincts told me this man was way beyond any of the enemies I had fought so far.
Standing from his chair the man in the robe spoke, his dominating voice instantly drowning out the crowd.
Red robed man: hello and welcome newbies of domain, I am Ignis. I am here to explain the basics of domain to you. In domain there are guilds composed of contestants. These guilds all have varying ideals but in the end share a common goal. To survive. Having seen the horrors of domain I'm sure you can understand the importance of support. I'm a representative of the dragon's flame guild sent here to clearly explain this to you. It is best for you to find a guild that suits you.
Having explained he paused as various murmurs spread throughout the crowd. After a few seconds he continued.
Ignis: being as this village is our territory we stationed here to recruit newbies. The ideal of our guild is to become the strongest in domain. In pursuit of this all of our members posses fire based ability's.
After saying this he looked towards one of the chain mailed soldiers. The soldier lifted his hand as flames erupted from his skin. Once the flames covered his entire hand they shot forward into the air. As the flames reached 20 meters into the sky he clenched his hand. The flames contracted into a tiny ball of flame before exploding outwards. The explosion reached outwards for five meters before dissipating. Compared to my basic flame serpent art they were about equal, however unlike my skill that focused its power this attack was aiming for an area of affect. Seeing this display of power the group of newbies were amazed. Breaking the silence Ignis began to explain further.
Ignis: this is the power those of the dragon's flame guild wield, any who wish to join us step forward.
Having heard his words and seen their power almost all of the newbies stepped forward. Left standing behind them were two others including myself. The first being a short man in his early thirties sporting a tank top and shorts, Along with buzzcut black hair. His whole appearance screamed military. The second as I was pleasantly surprised by was the girl I had teamed with during my test. As she saw me her eyes lit up. Walking over I saw she was once again putting up a cold mask. Though from the light in her eyes I could tell she was happy to see me.
Solomon: its good to see you're still alive, after that mission I was worried you had been killed.
Girl: I would have been if it wasn’t for you, thank you …
Solomon: agh I'm Solomon.
Alice: thank you Solomon, I'm Alice.
Ignis: you three, are you sure you don’t wish to join us?
Looking towards the stage we could see Ignis looking towards us. All of the other newbies were looking at us like we were idiots.
Alice being slightly unnerved took a step closer to me. Locking eyes with Ignis I made my intentions clear.
Solomon: we have no interest in joining your guild.
Army man: I also have no interest.
Looking to my other side I saw that the other newbie had made his way towards us and was now standing beside us. The next words from Ignis were said with blatant scorn.
Ignis: I'm sorry to hear that. Ill send you to a neutral city. I'm sure you'll find a guild there.
Having said this he raised his hand. Floating towards us was a scroll. Grabbing the scroll out of the air I opened it. As soon as the scroll unfolded a blinding light covered us.