Philosophical razors exist for a reason. They are tools to simplify the thought process to reach reasonable conclusions faster. For example, let's take the most famous of them all. Occam's razor. An explanation that makes the least assumptions has the highest chance of being the correct one. Or one of my favorites to save headaches in day-to-day dealings, Hanlon's Razor. Do not attribute to malice what can be reasonably explained by stupidity.
In my desperation to defeat the Kythaurpódi, I tried to de-limb it, which only increased my problems because the damned monster reproduced asexually. I was just helping it along. Because I started with my go-to hammer for every fighting nail, I ended up with several dozen small monsters wriggling on the floor, incapacitated by my auras. The main Kythaurpódi, however, was happy to help me make more of it by growing appendages out of nowhere and sending them for me to slash.
----------------------------------------
"Damn it! I hate tentacles!" Frustrated and tired, I shouted my agony to the Kythaurpódi's delight. "I hate you, Kythaurpódi!"
The telepathic creature was regenerating while hundreds of its floating spawn wriggled ineffectively all around, attacking me relentlessly. Cutting the damn rubbery things only made them split. It was an aggravating exercise in futility. Each time one of them divided, they became forty levels lower than the parent. With the decrease in its Attributes, the third generation, level 98 was utterly crippled by my auras.
The main Kythaurpódi, level 178, kept its distance from me, letting the level 138 second-generation Kythaurpódia (yeah, the plural is created by adding an "A" to the name) siblings halt me while it grew and sent more tentacles my way. I drew the Unicorn King's spear and tried to stab the damn monsters. Their stretchy bodies had ridiculously high damage resistance. Eventually, I would trigger a Dungeon outbreak just because I'd split the damn things too much.
Vorpal Claws only made the matter worse. The spear was ineffective. The thing resisted all sorts of Elemental damage I tried against it, Fire, Water, Lightning, Light, Ice, Wind, Darkness, Death, and my Force Javelins. Even the almost impossible to resist Arcane damage from {Eldritch Retribution} did little to them. It was nothing more than a spark show of lightning running down their bodies.
I gave up on the {Force Skin} spell because I was taking so many hits from the barbed cilia and tentacles that I might need my Energy to survive. As soon as I reached 1 HP, {Eldritch Body} would take over and divest the damage to my Energy pool.
Like a mouse caught by a cat, I was being played with. All the while, the telepathic monstrosities taunted and jeered. If I hadn't the {Pinnacle of Ego} already, they might have driven me insane.
But I survived. {Damage acclimation III} reduced all their attacks by 37%. {Mitigate} by another 55%. {Titan Skin}, 80%. Then {Barely Dodged} with another 27%. Finally, {Snake Fortress} 40%, Steel Scales, 25%, and {Water Elemental}, 90%. With all that factored in, I had a 99.81% damage reduction from their attacks.
To keep them from escaping, I challenged the mother and all the first-generation ones. That theoretically would give me another 40% damage reduction against the ones on the ground but they weren't attacking.
Instead, I farmed them for HP regeneration through {Roar of the Crowd} and the instant recovery {Standing Ovation} every time I severed a limb with {Vorpal Claws}.
I dismissed my shapeshifting. The claws were doing no good. I knew I couldn't withdraw to the Ethereal or these monsters would spill every which way through the Dungeon. If one of these terrors of the depths found its way to the surface, it would be the end of Windemere.
My nerves flared. My skin was all red from being constantly scratched by their sharp scythes for minimal damage. I fought naked because nowhere was safe from their slashing appendages. At least the tentacles weren't doing anything improper. (A proper R-rated monster. Gore and Violence but no kinks).
The indignation reminded me of Kel'Caldor's trap. I would not suffer such humiliation again.
A tentacle flew next to me and I punched it with a mighty scream.
> You punched Second-gen Kythaurpódi for 1,329 HP of damage (Base 33 x2.26 Strength x4.6 Skill x1.5 Favored Enemy x2 vulnerability)
>
> Second-gen Kythaurpódi is stunned for 0.3 seconds.
Fuck
Fucking shit!
The squishy Kythaurpódi quivered with the impact of my karate punch and yelled telepathically. All the others started to slash with renewed vigor as if they were on a timer. They were. To their doom.
I shouted my war cry.
> Acapella (+63 to Strength)
>
> You punched Second-gen Kythaurpódi for 93,266 HP of damage (Base 40 x3.52 Strength x4.6 Skill x2 Blood Sacrifice x3 Duel x2 Mana Strike x3 Arcane Strike x2 Avenger Strike x2 vulnerability).
>
> Second-gen Kythaurpódi is stunned for 0.3 seconds.
Wallops for sale! Get yours here! Buy one, get one free!
I was suddenly thankful for these creatures to have a torso with well-defined front and backs.
> Flash Blink Step
>
> Cruel Strike
>
> Backstab
>
> You punched Second-gen Kythaurpódi for 429,209 HP of damage (Base 39(+20 Cruel Strike) x3.52 Strength x4.6 Skill x3.12 Backstab x2 Blood Sacrifice x3 Duel x2 Mana Strike x3 Flash Step x2 Avenger Strike x2 vulnerability).
>
> Second-gen Kythaurpódi is stunned for 4 seconds.
>
> You punched Second-gen Kythaurpódi for 443,759 HP of damage (Base 41(+20 Cruel Strike) x7,247.74 modifiers).
>
> Second-gen Kythaurpódi is stunned for 4 seconds.
>
> [...]
>
> For killing level 138 Second-gen Kythaurpódi, you earned 10B Exp (Base 1,452,942 x625 Fast Learner x3.38 Favored Enemy x3,38 Challenge x2 Rarity)
The Lovecraftian squid-abomination-paramecium vanished into the item box.
Damn, I found the perfect Exp farm. Punch the damn bastards to oblivion! A day later, two hundred of them were pummeled to oblivion. Pandora took their souls before the Dungeon could. I gained ten levels.
> You reached Half-Kitsune Stoneborn level 18
>
> You gained 5 Attribute points.
>
> You gained 1 Strength, 2 Dexterity, 3 Endurance, 1 Mind, 1 Willpower, 2 Charisma, 1Magic, 1 Luck, and 1 Soul.
>
> If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.
>
> You gained 3 rank 2 species Perks.
>
> Ultimate Surpasser granted you 7 Attribute Points
>
> You reached Master Crafter level 18
>
> You gained 2 Strength, 1 Dexterity, 3 Endurance, 2 Mind, 3 Willpower, 3 Magic, and 1 Luck.
>
> You gained 3 rank 2 Class Perks.
>
> Ultimate Surpasser granted you 7 Attribute Points
The 14 points were split, 10 into Charisma and 4 for Ego. I felt I was going to need it.
The small fry with zero Attributes was worth close to nothing at this point. I properly challenged them and killed them one by one. I gained 12% of the Exp to the next level. All that was left was the big one that started it.
The Kythaurpódi alpha wasn't attacking anymore. I stood in front of it.
As if.
she preened with a monstrous gormandizing groan.
Contested Charisma test failed. Target is angered.
I wonder how difficult it was to convince someone to die seven times so you'd spare their life. Now I know. It was "no fucking way" difficult.
> For killing level 178 Kythaurpódi Matriarch 414B Exp (Base 2900757 x3,125 fast learner x3.38 favored enemy x3,38 challenge x2 Rarity x2 Rank).
>
> For killing level 174 Kythaurpódi Matriarch 395.8B Exp (Base 2771851 x142,805 modifiers).
>
> For killing level 170 Kythaurpódi Matriarch 377.8B Exp (Base 2645874 x142,805 modifiers)
>
> You reached Half-Kitsune Stoneborn level 20
>
> You reached Master Crafter level 20
>
> You ranked up. Your unallocated Exp was divided by 1,000,000
>
> For killing level 166 Kythaurpódi Matriarch 180.1B Exp (Base 2522827 x71,402.5 modifiers).
>
> For killing level 162 Kythaurpódi Matriarch 171.6B Exp (Base 2900757 x71,402.5 modifiers)
> Your species ranked up into Half-Dvergar Half-Zenko-Kitsune (Very Rare, rank 3)
>
> Due to your Royal status, you gain +1 to all Attributes.
>
> Your progression is:
>
> 1 Attribute point at every level.
>
> 1 Endurance, Magic every even level.
>
> 1 Luck, Dexterity every odd level
>
> 1 Mind, nothing, Ego, and Willpower alternating every level.
>
> 1 Strength, Charisma, Soul, and nothing alternating every level.
>
> 11 HP and 9 Energy per level.
>
> 1 Perk every even level and another Perk at levels 10 and 20.
>
> You gained the Perk, Moonstone Aspect: Your fur becomes snow-white. Your Illusion magic is 25% more powerful and difficult to resist for each moon in the sky.
I became one of the "good" foxes in the Shintoism myth. Why was it recorded in the System is anyone's guess. Probably because this System was manufactured on and brought from Earth. After my Rank-up finished, I re-colored my fur and hair to their original color.
> Your Class ranked up into Grandmaster Crafter (5-fused, Ultra-Rare++, rank 3).
>
> Your progression is:
>
> 1 Strength, Willpower every odd level.
>
> 1 Endurance, Magic every even level.
>
> 1 Willpower, Dexterity, Mind, and Luck, alternating every level.
>
> 1 Perk every even level
>
> 10 HP and 8 Energy per level.
>
> You gained 1 technical proficiency
> You reached Half-Dvergar Half-Zenko-Kitsune level 12
>
> You gained 12 Attribute points.
>
> You gained 3 Strength, 6 Dexterity, 6 Endurance, 3 Mind, 3 Willpower, 3 Charisma, 6 Magic, 3 Ego, 6 Luck, and 3 Soul.
>
> You gained 7 rank 3 species Perks.
>
> Ultimate Surpasser granted you 17 Attribute Points
>
> You reached Grandmaster Crafter level 12
>
> You gained 6 Strength, 3 Dexterity, 6 Endurance, 3 Mind, 9 Willpower, 6 Magic, and 3 Luck
>
> You gained 6 rank 3 Class Perks.
>
> Ultimate Surpasser granted you 17 Attribute Points
> You gained the Perk, Pinnacle of Mind (very rare): Your thought process is twice as fast and precise. You recognize illusions for what they are. You recover Energy 50% faster.
And only now I remember that I should've shared my Exp with Alfondric and Vanagon. And I didn't keep any of the souls to ress-farm their Exp. The only one I kept was the one I needed.
Keeping with my promise, I spent my Perks.
* Stoneskin (very rare): Your skin is as tough as stone. You take 30% less physical damage.
The Perks Stoneskin, Steel Scales, Reflexive Scales, and Hardened Scales were combined with Titan Skin.
* Titan Skin (combined): Absolute Damage Reduction 90%. Your integument [1] is always impeccable and can be colored at will. Add 40% to stealth if you aren't fully covered. Hair, fur, feathers, or scales regrow in the time needed to regenerate 2% of your maximum HP. Add a tenth of your maximum HP to your maximum MP. Reduce bleeding damage by 90%. You can sense with your skin, granting rudimentary lightless "vision" 10 meters all around you. You are immune to integument afflictions.
* Elemental Tai (very rare): Tail Slap attacks with your tails deal 100% elemental as well as 100% blunt damage. The base damage for a tail attack is 3d8.
* Shamanic Frenzy (very rare): Your rage bonus adds to Magic. The extra MP is spent first. You can now cast spells when enraged.
* Conjure Tools (very rare): You can conjure the tools you require for crafting. These tools work as normal and do not grant any bonus.
* Forgeheart (ultra-rare): Working next to a massive source of heat slows your fatigue accumulation by 50%
Onto the third rank.
* Illusion Magic Affinity (very rare): You have a magical affinity with Illusion Magic.
* Weather Magic Affinity (ultra-rare): You have a magical affinity with Weather Magic.
Another two tails grew behind me. One was a fuzzy gray like a stormcloud, the other was, for lack of a better word, iridescent. It would take in the color of whatever was next to it. As my tails moved naturally, it flickered between them mischievously, stealing a bit of color from one only to drop and imitate the next. It was strange to think a person's tail would have something akin to a personality, but unless I focused, the nineteen tails moved on their own. Maybe my subconscious mind guided them. Maybe not. Purchasing Illusion unlocked another magical affinity, and I thought, why not? Nineteen, twenty, let's round it up.
* Shadow Magic Affinity (ultra-rare): You have a magical affinity with Shadow Magic.
This tail was a tumultuous dark gray. Darkness magic was pitch black graphite, this one was hazy lighter in color. Shadow magic, the Affinity told me, was a type of magic that gave illusions substance. I could create an Illusionary warrior and he would only feign an attack, revealing its nature if contact happened. A Shadow warrior, on the other hand, would cause real damage.
* Fast-Caster (rare): Increase your casting speed by (Mind + 50)%
* Spell Power (rare): Add half your Magic Attribute to Willpower to determine your spell's effects.
* Hardened Force (ultra-rare): Your Force spells spend 25% less MP to resist impacts.
* Solidified Force (ultra-rare): Your Force spells spend 50% less MP to resist impacts.
Class Perks
* Enchanted Forge (ultra-rare): You can enchant an item as part of the crafting process. Reduce the Exp required to enchant by 34% and increase the points available by 34% (minimum 1).
* Magic Conductivity (very rare): You can spend MP during the crafting process, increasing the enchantment points available by 25%.
* Perfect Hardening (rare): Metallic items you craft are 100% more resilient and durable.
* Living Thread Mesh (unique): By weaving strands of Living thread inside an item, you grant it the regenerative abilities of the thread.
I wasn't expecting a unique Perk to be up for grabs in the Class list. My newest Affinity also played in unlocking some neat Perks.
* Shadow Anvil (ultra-rare): You can conjure an anvil made of Shadow magic that works exactly like a customized anvil. Requires 600,000 MP per hour.
* Shadow Furnace (ultra-rare): You can conjure a furnace, smelter, forge, or kiln made of Shadow and Fire magic that works exactly like a customized version of the conjured item. Requires 3,000,000 MP per hour.
I removed the original body and extracted the Core. I was worried about that since I didn't have any high-rarity high-level core to devour this time, but hers would be just fine.
> You devoured a level 178magic core.
>
> Source: Kythaurpódi [abomination].
>
> Half the Attribute points were given to your familiar.
>
> You gained 10 Strength, 15 Dexterity, 10 Endurance, 10 Mind, 10 Willpower, 10 Magic, 9 Luck, 15 Soul.
I didn't bother to put on clothes. I could "Lady Godiva" myself with my twenty tails and not show an inch of skin. Alone in the depths, I sat on the clean floor of the Dungeon and started to weave. A Tabard, made of {Living Thread} with Windemere's coat of arms. I added a few organs hidden in the seams to make it able to live and took the Kythaurpódi soul. I was moved by instinct, doing what I felt would work.
"I name your species, Tabard of Windemere. Live!"
It took a ridiculous amount of Energy and some divine power from Pandora. With the Wisp's help, the piece of clothing returned to life as the Kythaurpódi Matriarch lost another four levels from repeated resurrections.
> Level 158 Tabard of Windemere
>
> HP: ~ 350,000
That's all I needed to pull the wool over Torgo's eyes.
----------------------------------------
[1]: Biological term for whatever forms the outer boundary of any living organism. Includes not only bark, skin, hide, hair, fur, feathers, and scales but also cellular wall or membrane (for microbes, slimes, etc). https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/integument