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Update initiated!
!ERROR! REPAIR NEEDED. LV2 DEVICE REQUIRED.
Skill List:
Kanji (lv1): Aspect of Energy: Electricity, Thermal, Sound, Elastic.
{Skill points: !ERROR!}
[Full destructive power limit: Village]
Skills: [1. Infuse/Absorb] [2. Energy travel] [3. Energy trail] [4. Energy bolt] [5. Energy wave] [6. Energy blade] [7. Energy shield] [8. Energy dual conduit] [9. Energy healing] [10. Umbral Cape]
[Vortex battery (Storage)]
Inventory: Geographic sphere, mechanical soap, spyware device, tungsten-infused nanotech silver chain, tech tablet (Portal) (Hide, Input, Output, Convert, Compress), night vision goggles.
Claire (lv0): Aspect of Creation
Skills: [1. Create (Slots: 5)]
Inventory: Black cloak, crossbow, crossbow bolt (modified with rotatenium), ammo pouch, Fanfics, mechanical soap, a spyglass.
David (lv1): Aspect of Form
{Skill points: !ERROR!}
[Range limit: Self]
[Vortex battery (Control)]
Skills: [1. Expand (x2)] [2. Spikefacation] [3. Delay (1-10s)] [4. Shieldfacation] [5. Trigger] [6. Transform pattern Wave] [7. Net Transform] [8. Whip transform] [9. Blend around] [10. Uno]
Inventory: Iron bat, AK-47, mechanical soap.
Amelia (lv1): Aspect of Reality
{Skill points: !ERROR!}
[Attack type: illusion] [Attack range: x3 field of view]
Skills: [1. Third-person vision] [2. Blurring Mirage] [3. Double] [4. Connect] [5. Vision Swap] [6. Disguise] [7. Flash Mirage] [8. False movement] [9. False Touch] [Mentaltomisis]
[Vortex Battery (Charge)]
Inventory: Frying Pan, knife, mechanical soap.
Sarah (lv0): Aspect of Fiction
[Skill access: 1 skill for each item] [Conjured item 1]
Inventory: Mechanical soap, Nezha’s leopard bag (Nezha’s ring).
Noah (lv0): Aspect of Emotion
Skills: [Emotion infusion] (Emotional requirement: High)
Inventory: Gilded axe, mechanical soap, a sharpening stone.
Diana (lv0): Aspect of Law
{Laws unlocked: Law of Friction} {Limit: Only manipulate small values}
Inventory: Mechanical soap, a pickaxe.
Adrian (lv0): Aspect of Knowledge.
{Connected Minds} {Info Extraction} [Limit: half of basic info}]
Inventory: Mechanical soap, rope, Handbook (recorded events).
Azan (lv0): Aspect of Change.
{Limitation: 1. Follow under the concept “change” only. 2. Changes under other aspects require hand-holding.}
Change slot: 1
Inventory: Metal suitcase, mechanical soap, miniature fan, blue boxing gloves.
Mina (lv0): Aspect of Time
{Limitations: 4 skills (Currently).}
Skills (!ERROR!) (Auto Input Activated): |1. Aging| |2. Time Exchange|
Inventory: A machete, mechanical soap, yellow boxing gloves.
Gwen (lv0): Aspect of Destruction
{Limitation: Gas only}
Inventory: Mechanical soap, Izzybot, P.T.A.
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...
In the heart of Manhattan, New York, a frantic exodus grips an esteemed art gallery. Even the allure of a renowned artist's masterpiece proves insufficient to tether patrons against the unnerving presence of 11 intimidating figures, sporting fresh wounds as if survivors of a brutal duel.
A pair of security officers, perplexed by the wave of evacuees, venture to the spectacle's epicenter. Yet, the sight that greets them ignites their flight instincts, propelling them too toward the exit. A hasty retreat that would ultimately cost them their jobs.
Diana "Ummm, boss. All the guests just left."
Kanji "The more, the better. This way there won't be any witnesses."
Mina "I mean... We're not that frightening. Are we?"
Dave "Yo, Minabro. I think it was Amber's bloodlust. Turn that shit off."
Amelia "Sorry, It is truly difficult to keep it under control. Especially after dueling one feisty lass."
Sarah "Oh, I'M FEISTY! You're a psycho! I'm not training with you again!"
Amelia initiates a lively chase scene, her arms spread wide in an attempt to hug Sarah. But in Sarah's eyes, this hug holds the threat of a lethal grip, and so she seeks refuge behind Noah. Noah's cheeks flush a soft pink, and, a bit flustered, he swivels his gaze toward Diana. Observing this, Diana exhales a sigh and strides over to mediate, scooping up the two girls.
Diana "This is no time for games. We are in the middle of a trial. Right, boss?"
Kanji "Put them down. It's ok, the challenge hasn't started yet."
Diana sets the mischievous pair down. They teasingly poke their tongues out at her, but she merely shrugs it off, choosing to tail Kanji instead.
Diana "What are you staring at, boss?"
Kanji "This painting of course. Do you know what it is?"
Diana "I'm not much of an art expert, boss."
Claire "It's The Starry Nights. A gorgeous and mesmerizing artwork painted by Vincent van Gogh from around 1889 to 1890 in mid-June. What I love the most about this painting are the vivid blue sky and yellow lights that reflect the feeling of looking out a window at the night sky. Over recent years, people have gained a greater appreciation for this painting as it may also represent Space which is a region we are exploring right now."
Gwen "That explains why there's no other artwork in this room. This is that special and awe-inspiring."
Diana "That sounds cool but I don't get art. Boss, why is this important again?"
Kanji "The crystal map says that in 10 hours something will occur."
Dave "Seriously, ten hours! Bro! Might as well sleep or maybe... Play some fucking games!"
Azan "I'm in the mood for games. What do you have in mind?"
Dave "Let's play charades, dudes. But... we use like our powers to help us."
Adrian "So... Super Charades. That sounds fun."
The wielders congregate around Dave, who stomps his foot with authority. Within moments, the room's entrance starts distorting, shrinking and then sealing completely. With a snap of his fingers, a cluster of floor tiles obediently ascends, assembling a makeshift stage.
Dave's hand tightens around his bat, held near his mouth as he rhythmically taps his fingers on the grip. The bat's head responds, starting to wiggle.
Mina "Oh, is it a snake?!"
Azan "No, Mina. It's supposed to be a snake charmer. Nice one, Dave. How about you give us a harder one next time."
A grimace transforms Dave's face, lower teeth protruding defiantly. Emitting a guttural grunt, he thumps his chest thrice, syncing with the emergence of spikes adorning his bat. Carrying the menacing tool nonchalantly over his shoulder, he prowls around the stage. Each thud of his footfall sends tremors through the very foundations of the platform.
Diana "Hahahhahaha! What the fuck is that supposed to be?!"
Kanji "Is it Orge? No, that would be too easy. It must be something more specific. This... This feels familiar."
Adrian "Wait, is it an Oni with an iron club?"
Dave "Yes, dude! Kanbro, I can't believe you didn't get that!"
Kanji "Yeah, looks like I'm going to need to brush up on my Japanese folklore. Okay, next one I'm surely going to get it."
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
The game of charades unfurls over a span of four hours, the torch of performance passing every two turns. When the dust settles and the scores are tallied, Kanji secures 50 points, Claire earns a respectable 23, while Dave emerges the victor with 60. Amelia trails with a mere 12, Noah garners 20, Sarah and Azan share the 35-point mark, Mina acquires 17, Adrian impresses with 55, Diana lags at 10, and Gwen wraps it up with a solid 40 points.
AN "Hi, everyone! I'm back! I'm gonna tell you that it was quite busy and.. wait... what happened here?"
Sarah "We played charades for like hours. Where have you been?"
AN "I had some commanding duties to complete. But now that that's over. Can I join in the fun?"
Kanji "I don't know how you can participate. Maybe if we play Simon Says. That can work."
AN "Simon Says, huh. Yes... I am a bit familiar with it. It is like commanding people but if they mess up, they lose. Am I correct?"
Nodding in agreement, AN plunges into deep thought, considering a gesture that wouldn't prove too challenging. The action that springs to mind is...
AN "Ok. Simon says jump!"
The group takes a magnificent leap, their hair just brushing against the ceiling's surface. A genuine smile graces AN's face. After what felt like the first time in forever, AN is embracing the thrill of fun once again.
Fast-forward six hours. The wielders sprawl across the floor, bathed in sweat, their flawless run yet unbroken. Kanji fumbles for his tablet, checking the time. The digits displayed incite panic, his gaze quickly darting to the artwork.
The painted sky had vanished.
An uncanny sound reverberates in the room, eerily reminiscent of a fleshy sack laden with sludge and bone, squelching and scraping across the floor.
Kanji "Damn it! Why is the room so dark now?! Wait, I still have that!"
Kanji quickly dons his night-vision goggles, turning around to locate the sound's origin. What he discovers stuns him— a lump?
It appears to be an amalgamation of the sky's missing blue hue. Even more unnerving are the stylized yellow lights dotting it, lending the creepy impression of countless eyes.
Claire "Kaney, what's happening?!"
Kanji "Everyone remain calm and stick behind me. We need to find the light switch."
AN "Kanji, it's on the opposite side. But you have to pass that thing."
With no other choice, Kanji decides to take the offensive. He lunges for the switch, narrowly sidestepping the entity. Success. Lights flood back into the room, revealing the grotesque horror in its entirety— the monster aimlessly tumbling across the floor.
Then, they spot something odd.
Noah "Woah. What the hell?" "First of all, ew. Secondly, why is it like that?!"
Gwen "It's emitting a kind of darkness but there also appears to be a shroud of light near its mass. How contradicting."
Claire "Ah! I get it! This is my trial! Isn't it? That little guy is going through the cycle of creation."
Azan "Err, that's a cycle I haven't heard of. how does it work?"
Claire "Before you create anything, you need inspiration. No form of creativity comes from nowhere, there has to be something that influences it into being. When it was in darkness, it took inspiration from it. The same for when it was met with light."
Azan "So are we supposed to kill it or help it grow?"
Adrian "It could also be both where we have to build it and then fight it. At least, that's what I'm seeing using my power on it."
Kanji "If that's the case then we need to think carefully about what we should expose it to. Knowing that aspect wielders are immune to toxins, gas, poison, and venom. Our best bet is to start with that."
AN "That was genius, Kanji! But does anyone have those components?"
Kanji "Unfortunately, I don't keep that kind of substance around in my storage. So the only way we can get them is through Claire's ability. However, since this is her trial, her power might be useful in defeating this thing."
Gwen "Thinking five steps ahead. Nice. Fortunately, for us. I do have some spare poison inside Izzybot in case someone tries to steal her.'
Kanji "No. Seeing Izzybot is your greatest strength, I say we don't do that. Instead, we should do small harmless actions like pushing to begin with. Diana, you can do that, right?"
Diana "Ok, boss. I'm on it. A little push can't be that hard."
Diana approaches the tumbling mass, gently nudging it to the left. The blob reacts, starting to quiver and launching itself forward in periodic, irregular jolts.
Kanji "Okay, that is quite an interesting result. It has dashes now. That can't be good. Does anyone have any other suggestions?"
Dave "This might sound gross, bro. But what about licking? That shit is quite harmless."
Kanji "That is true but who's gonna do it?"
Dave "Let's do rock paper scissors!"
With unanimous agreement, Dave is declared the scapegoat. His smile saddens as he steps toward the creature. A glance back reveals his friends encouragingly flashing him a thumbs up. With an unruly grin, he extends his tongue, daringly licking one of the creature's yellow eyeballs.
It halts its erratic movements, beginning to convulse once again. From its underbelly emerges a massive, tongue-like protrusion that licks the floor as it propels around the room.
Mina "Ok, ew. Maybe hair. Hair is harmless, right?"
Azan "Yeah, but I'm not sure if that thing can take hair as an inspiration."
Mina "We won't know unless we try! Here I go!"
Mina dashes alongside the wacky creature, jabbing a strand of her hair into its malleable form. However, she slips on the trail of slime left in its wake as she runs back
Her machete spirals through the air and lodges into the creature's side.
The monster's reaction is immediate and intense. It collapses to the floor in spasmodic flailing, then starts a bizarre bouncing pattern. Another limb sprouts from its body, molding itself into the very likeness of a machete. The creature's drool now transforms into strands of hair with each passing second. As it navigates the room, the machete-arm slices through the surrounding hair, leaving a trail of severed strands in its path.
Sarah "Mina! What the fuck?!"
Mina "I'm so sorry! I didn't know it had saliva! I mean it isn't THAT bad... it is just doing a bit of trimming."
Kanji "Calm down. At least, it isn't attacking anyone right now. We need to think of something that can stop it before it comes this way and chops us all up into cubes."
Diana "Boss, what if we hold it down? Will it be like staying in one place?"
Kanji "It's worth a shot. But can anyone handle that?"
Diana "Not to worry, boss. I got this! A little puny blade can't destroy these gains!"
Undisturbed by the creature's threatening blade, Diana charges headlong toward it. Her imposing hands descend upon the creature's mass, stopping it. Gritting her teeth, she endures the painful slashes across her arms
The creature's flailing subsides, its form beginning to sprout roots in its current position. Its oversized tongue travels up its body, slithering around in a circular pattern along the floor, stimulating the growth of an even denser cluster of hair around the creature.
Diana "Oh fuck. Boss! What now?!"
Kanji "Get out there right now!-
Suddenly, a force grips her arm.
Diana whirls around to find two sinuous, blue arms attempting to draw her away. Planting her foot firmly, she yanks herself free. Overpowered by her might, the arms relinquish their hold and Diana dashes back to her friends.
Diana "Okay. What the fuck?! It has two hands now. When did that happen?!"
Kanji "When you grabbed it. It must have thought of it as two types of inspiration."
Sarah "Umm, guys. This shit doesn't look good."
The team beholds the entity.
Its newfound arms wave ominously overhead. Yet, a far more alarming sight grabs their attention— the machete arm now carves through the surrounding hair bushes with a frightening velocity.
Despite its speed, Kanji notes a strange irregularity in the blade's rhythm, a janky, mechanical cadence.
Kanji "Why is it moving like that? And what's with this speed?"
Gwen "Ah! I understand. It was pushed to adapt to its current situation. Once, it was its body that was being pushed. Now it is its blade."
Kanji "Are you trying to say that in addition to the swinging... it is also getting pushed?"
Gwen "Obviously. We need to dial it down will be objective. Anyone wants to volunteer?"
Sarah "I will! I'm pretty good at dodging."
Noah "What? Are you sure?" "Sarah! Are you crazy?! I mean look at that thing!"
Sarah glances over at Noah and gives him a timid smile. She then runs past him.
Noah "Ok. Then." "Shit. She's serious. But with a smile like that. I think... I think she can do it!"
Dave "Yo, Sas. Good luck, bro! Also, what are you going to introduce it to?"
Sarah sheds her hoodie, twisting the fabric to extract a pool of sweat onto the floor. She drapes the moist garment around her neck.
Dave "Dansgame! What the fuck?!"
Charging ahead, she halts just beyond the creature's slicing circle. She wrings another round of sweat into her hand, flinging it at the bizarre creature.
Dave "Huh?! Sas! I thought you were going to go all in!"
Sarah "That was my first idea but I think this is WAY safer!"
The creature responds with a flurry of vibrations, revealing a set of tube-like protrusions encircling its eyes. These tubes then start to emit a peculiar liquid, coating the surrounding area. To Sarah, the fluid bears the scent of sweat, yet it visually resonates with the artistic style of the creature's body.
Sarah "Shit! Some of it got into my hand!... Wait, nothing is happening?"
Sarah retraces her steps back to Kanji and the rest, her eyes awash with worry. The alarm in her gaze speaks volumes.
Dave "Dude, you fucked up. Now, that thing has a shotgun."
Sarah "Hey, at least it's harmless. Right? Right?!"
Gwen "Remain calm. Shall I take a look at it?"
Gwen retrieves a glass vial, collecting some of the strange fluid before placing a drop on a small glass panel. As she leans in for a closer inspection, her eyes transform. Her typically purple iris adopts a pink hue, her pupils dynamically adjusting as she examines the intriguing substance.
Gwen "Ok, on an atomic level, it is technically Sweat. But there is a foreign substance which I presume is the creature's own cells."
Claire "Is it dangerous? Is Sarah going to be ok?!"
Gwen "She's fine. They appear to be inactive and deteriorating at a rapid pace. However, I suggest we be more careful about what we should feed it next. Perhaps a less biological approach might be best."
AN "Less biological? Like metals, stones, plastic, and glass?"
Kanji "Yeah, maybe some kind of weak material like paper. Then again, paper cuts are a thing."
Adrian "I got an idea. What about music?"
Kanji "That... that might actually work. But we should choose something quiet like- D-Dave? Dave! What are you doing?!"
It is too late. Dave is already at the creature's side, his phone projecting Reck Astlay's hit, "Never Gonna Give You Up".
The creature halts all motion, seemingly arrested by the tune. Then, Its hands and machete sway rhythmically, the randomness in its slicing pattern giving way to a precise tempo. As its body commences a mesmerizing spin, the iconic song echoes around the room, stuck in a perpetual loop.
Dave "HAHAHAHAHAHHHA! HOLY SHIT! I'm dying out here man! I can't believe that worked, man!"
Kanji "Dave! What the hell?! Get back here!"
Dave retreats towards the group, but before he can utter a word, Diana lands a punch squarely in his stomach.
Dave "O-Ok... I deserved that."
Diana "I can't believe this! What now, boss? How many more things do we have to give that monster?!"
Kanji "I don't know and it is eating us out of ideas. Wait... eating. Eating food! Food, of course! Quick someone grabs anything out of the storage that seems reasonably editable."
Kanji activates his portal, into which Amelia dives in. She emerges moments later, holding a hunk of cheese and a bottle of fine wine.
Kanji "Why the wine?"
Amelia "Maybe we can introduce it to drinks as well. Maybe the bloody thing thinks it as something different."
Kanji "Good idea! So, who wants to deliver the cheese?"
Amelia raises her hand. Kanji hands her the cheese. Darting along the room's left side, Amelia surveys for an opening. Spotting her opportunity, she nimbly slides beneath the creature's lethal blade, embedding the cheese within its body. In a swift motion, she lashes out with her legs, striking its tongue and propelling herself back to her companions.
The top of the creature's head begins to bubble, similar to a simmering soup. This culminates in the creation of a substantial chunk of blue cheese.
Kanji "Ok, that's weird. It's just cheese. Maybe this can work after all. Okay, who wants to deliver-
Mina "Can we like rest for a bit? I mean nothing will happen if we don't do anything."
Kanji "That's true but we can't be too relaxed. Then again, as your leader, I'll need to hear what the others think."
Predictably, all hands shoot up in the air, with the sole exceptions of Gwen and Diana.
Diana "Oh come on! Are we seriously going to leave that thing alone?"
Gwen "Yes, that is quite concerning. It might be possible for an external factor to influence it."
Kanji "I understand your concerns. But Dave did seal this place off, so that is highly unlikely..."
...
As the wielders engage in heated debate, a subtle movement catches the corner of one's eye. From a crevice in the room's corner, a tiny rodent nose emerges. This small critter, known worldwide as Jeremy has spent eight years living off food scraps left by guests sneaking in snacks.
Some even call him the guardian spirit of The Starry Nights. Today, an unfamiliar scent piques his interest. Darting around his crevice home, his gaze jumps from one spectacle to another until— he spots it. A mammoth chunk of cheese, larger than his whole body, sitting whole and untouched. A sight he's never before encountered.
Driven by the allure of experiencing this new food, he scurries forth, weaving past the cluster of humans. As he nears his prize, an overpowering sense of dread washes over him, a fear surpassing even the peril of navigating a field of walking humans.
Lifting his gaze, he spies a blade spinning overhead, the gusts it produces nudging against his tiny frame. Memories of construction workers wielding a formidable saw flood back. He recognizes the danger. Patiently, he watches for the perfect moment. Then— his instincts surge forth. With nimble leaps, Jeremy bounces onto the blade, then off onto the cheese.
His petite paws sink into the soft, squishy cheese. A tentative taste reveals a blend of sweet and tangy flavors. With that, he delves into his meal. But a few bites in, a strange sensation overtakes him. His eyes flutter shut, and tendrils of blue pull him into the creature's blue depths.
"BE REBORN!"
Those words echo ominously around the room. Roused, the wielders rise, their eyes fixated on the creature.
It appears to be condensing into... an egg?
Dave "Ok, it wasn't me this time. I swear, dude!"
Kanji "We know that! You were here. Shit, something must have touched it, or maybe there was a time limit. Whatever it was... we better be ready. Everyone! Prepare your weapons!"
As they ready their weapons, a dozen mysterious markings manifest on the egg's shell. Gwen takes note and strides toward the object. The others attempt to intervene, but Kanji holds them back. He trusts her...
Gwen "I think these are the inspirations we introduced to it. Now, what was the one that caused this transformati-
An immense oil canvas tail erupts from the egg, striking Gwen and catapulting her into the wall, rendering her unconscious.
All "Gwen!"
They behold a colossal rat-like creature. Its fur bears a striking resemblance to the texture of the famous painting's blue sky. The creature's eyes consist of the transformed yellow lights, now numbering six on each side of its head. Its rodent-like legs have melded with the ground, resembling towering tree trunks that crack the tiles beneath. Along its back, arrays of cannon-like protrusions. Adding to its menacing appearance, four undulating arms sprout from its underbelly, each wielding a blue machete.
The creature's gaze fixates on the group. It playfully sticks out its tongue, causing saliva to coat the ground, transforming into the same hair-like strands as before. Its four arms extend and swiftly dice through the hair, reducing it to nothingness.
A familiar yet distorted tune increases the tension. The unmistakable lyrics of "Never Gonna Give You Up" echo through the room.