The second room was about as lovely and clean as the last. There was dusty, broken furniture everywhere, and like the first room, the windows were boarded up as well, so very little light came in from the outside. She saw some spiders resting on their webs and other insects.
A shiver went up her spine, and she decided not to sit close to any walls, at least not until she made the call. She closed the door behind her and hoped this would be enough to stop the thief from overhearing her conversation with Narikas or Hilnoa, whoever was up at this ungodly hour. But before that, she was dying to know the skills she stole from the Phoenix Protector.
*ding!*
[You have killed Phoenix Protector – Level 209. For killing an enemy fifty levels higher than your own, you have gained bonus experience.]
*ding!*
[Congratulation. Mirror Image Hunter has gained 7 levels and has reached Level 161. You have been awarded 15 stat points]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Chakram of Echoes effect activated. Upon reaching Level 160 in your main class, you have earned one more Chakram.]
A chakram appeared on her arm, bringing her total to fourteen—two level 2 chakrams and twelve regular ones.
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Mirror Affinity has gained 3 levels and reached Level 116. All of your mirror-based attacks will get a 119% boost.]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Armor of Mirrors has gained 5 levels and reached Level 45]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Ambush Tactics has gained 5 levels and reached Level 63]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Shroud of Shadows has gained 4 levels and reached Level 51]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Shadow Affinity has gained reached Level 33. All of your shadow-based attacks will get a 35% boost.]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Mirror Step has reached Level 71]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Druvis Power has gained 2 levels and reached Level 17]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Mirror Eagle's Perceptivity has gained 6 levels and reached Level 69]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Mirror Shield has reached Level 42]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Mirror Shard Barrage has gained 3 levels and reached Level 27]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Vitalize has gained 6 levels and reached Level 65]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Mirror Wing has gained 8 levels and reached Level 30]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Nimbus has gained 7 levels and reached Level 17]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Mistbound Illusions has gained 10 levels and reached Level 18]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Mist Concealment has gained 9 levels and reached Level 10]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Charred Body has gained 12 levels and reached Level 15]
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*ding!*
[Congratulations. Absorption has gained 4 levels and reached Level 30]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Spectral Resilience has gained 6 levels and reached Level 45]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Soul Bond – Onyx the Stallion has gained 5 levels and reached Level 18]
Next were the skills she had stolen, and she couldn't wait to see what she got from the two Blazers. She might not have killed the oversized Blazer, but she left a nice cut in his neck. She rubbed her hands in anticipation and smiled wide. If I can get those wings of fire, that would be the best.
*ding!*
[Class Ability Activated. You have stolen the general skill Fashion Sense. You will always recognize the latest fashion trends and adapt your clothing to suit the occasion with eye-catching color coordination. All eyes in the room will be on you. Would you like to acquire this skill?]
*ding!*
[Class Ability Activated. You have stolen the general skill Negotiation Expertise. You are adept at striking bargains, navigating discussions, mediating disputes, and striking mutually beneficial deals. Would you like to acquire this skill?]
What the shit is this, Midiea? Meera was ready to throw hands with the goddess. Not only were these skills useless, but why was someone called a Phoenix Protector walking around with these skills in the first place? Was he a secret fashionista who did deals for his clothes? Was this his secret guilty pleasure?
An image of the behemoth in a well-dressed suit walking down the ramp flashed in her mind. She shook her head and cleared it from her head as fast as it had come. She sighed and took the more useful of the two.
*ding!*
[You have acquired the general skill Negotiation Expertise – Level 1]
Well, Dad, you always wanted me to get better at negotiating. Now, I have a skill for it.
*ding!*
[Class Ability Activated. You have stolen the skill Resource Allocation. Resource Allocation – Type: Passive. You can efficiently manage and distribute various resources to ensure you always have what is needed, whether they be ores, lumber, magical herbs, or even human labor. Would you like to acquire this skill?]
*ding!*
[Class Ability Activated. You have stolen the general skill of Alcohol Tolerance. You have drunk so much alcohol over the years that you have built a tolerance to it and can function well enough even under the influence. Would you like to acquire this skill?]
Meera stared at the two skills and didn't know whether to rage, or cry, or both. How is it that two of the strongest people I have ever cut gave me these next-to-useless skills?
After wallowing in self-pity and grief for a while, she chose Alcohol Tolerance as she didn't want to waste a skill slot with something that she would probably never use.
*ding!*
[You have acquired the general skill Alcohol Tolerance – Level 1]
Meera was about to fall to her knees and cry when she heard another notification bell.
*ding!*
[Class Ability Activated. You have stolen the skill Pyrokinetic Weaponry. Pyrokinetic Weaponary – Type: Passive. You can light your weapons on fire and keep them lit with your Mana, adding a destructive force to your arsenal. Would you like to acquire this skill?]
*ding!*
[Class Ability Activated. You have stolen the skill general skill Eyes of a Phoenix. You have a Phoenix's eyes that imbue you with enhanced perception and intuition. It allows for the detection of hidden truths, veiled threats, and enemies. Would you like to acquire this skill?]
Then it finally clicked. This was from the first Phoenix Protector, the behemoth. The first pair was from that pimp, and the second must've been from Nikander. Now that I think about it, I did cut them when I was threatening them. She clasped her hands together. "I'm sorry, Midiea."
With that quick apology, she refocused on her choice of skills. The Pyrokinetic skill was powerful. She knew that painfully well from the multiple stabbings, but she was drawn towards the Eyes of a Phoenix skill. This was how he could follow her, even when she was invisible. The best part was it was a general skill, saving her a skill slot.
*ding!*
[You have acquired the general skill Eyes of a Phoenix – Level 1]
*ding!*
[Class Ability Activated. You have stolen the skill Flame Strike. Flame Strike – Type: Active. You can unleash a concentrated slash of destructive flames from your weapon, causing intense burning on impact. Would you like to acquire this skill?]
*ding!*
[Class Ability Activated. You have stolen the skill Inferno Storm. Inferno Storm – Type: Active. You can harness the elemental forces of fire and wind, merging them into a devastating whirlwind of scorching flames. The storm will engulf everything in its path in a blazing inferno. Would you like to acquire this skill?]
The answer was obvious; once again, she was in the same conundrum. She liked all her skills and didn't want to let go of any of them. Only if I have just one more open spot.
She sighed and decided to give up Nimbus for Inferno Storm. It was just too strong of a skill to give up, and she had an idea that might replace Nimbus and prayed she wasn't wrong.
*ding!*
[You have acquired the skill Inferno Storm – Level 1]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Stalker has reached Level 26]
She allocated her stat points to Constitution, Dexterity, and Focus. Her health was lacking, as evidenced by her last fight. If the fights were going to get tougher, then she needed to be able to take more hits. With all that out of the way, it was finally time to call Narikas. She fished out the royal seal and wondered how to do this. She shrugged. I want to call Narikas.
Nothing happened.
"Narikas." She tried again, but this time, she ran some Mana through the disc, and the disc emanated darkness and became cool to the touch. It rose into the air, nearly touching the ceiling, and started spinning really fast.
It shot out rays of darkness, forming a cone of darkness and shadows, and in that cone, sitting on his throne, was the Shadowsteel Warlord.
There was no color to him. He was made of shadows, but she could see him perfectly. It was creepy seeing him like that. Like it was a shadow monster of the man. However, the faces in agony in his armor looked as life-like as when she had seen the man in person.
"Meera," he said, voice strained as if he was in pain. His brow furrowed a little, but he breathed out and got everything under control.
"Are you okay?" Meera asked in a whisper. "You seem to be in pain."
He frowned. "Why are you whispering?"
"Because there is someone in the other room."
"Step into the cone and our conversation will be secret."
Meera wanted to object that he or his shadow was in the cone, but she had seen some strange stuff since she got to this world. She figured this would work, too.
She stepped into the cone, and two things happened. First, there was enough room in the cone, and she didn't step into his shadow self, and second, Narikas gained colors, or his shadow did. It was almost like he was there. Still, there was a shadow-like flowing nature to his visage, but it was almost like making a video call, but with magic.
"Whoa, okay, I was not expecting this," Meera said.
Narikas snorted a little. "It is surreal, is it not?"
Meera nodded. "I have lots of things to report."
"Go on…"
Meera told him everything truthfully. It wasn't like she had anything to be afraid of. He couldn't pull her into his armor from a hologram. He listened quietly and winced in between but made no sound. He was in pain; that much was clear, and he was trying to hide it. When she finished, Narikas was quiet for a long moment.
He rubbed his chin. "That is not good."
"I had no choice." Meera shot back. "If I didn't kill that Blazer, he would've killed me."
"No, not that. I always hated that one. It's good you got rid of him. What is not good is Delkoris going off on his own. He will surely get himself killed. The lad always took on more than he could handle. He is the only one of Rokibor's children worthy of taking the throne."
"Don't tell me. You want me to find him too?"
He sighed. "He is still the only lead to finding the queen."
"Not the only lead." Meera pointed out.
Narikas nodded and immediately flinched. "Yes," he sighed in relief. "Go with this thief to the Wardens and find out what you can, but be careful, they don't take kindly to strangers. I feel this thief may be able to lead you to Delkoris, as we need to find out what he knows."
"Great. Help a thief to find a prince to find a queen to find my brother. My life has turned into—find the next missing person. I have a feeling by the time I find the queen, you'll go missing, and then I'll have to find you too."
Narikas shut off the connection, and the seal fell on her head.