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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: Several Villages]
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, Blue headphones, Notepad and pencil.
Claire (lv1): Aspect of Creation
Skills: [1. Create (Slots: 10)] [2. Absorb (Only created and non-broken items)]
[Vortex battery: The Ninth Prince’s Order]
Inventory: Black cloak, Crossbow, Crossbow bolt (modified with rotatenium), Ammo pouch, Fanfics, Mechanical soap, A spyglass, Night-vision goggles, Medicine belt (sling bag and pockets for syringes), UV flashlight, A safari hat, A dumbbell, 14 Flesh syringes, 14 Healing Bandages, Giant fan.
David (lv1): Aspect of Form
{Skill points: !ERROR!}
[Range limit: Room]
[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: Tungsten bat, AK-47, Mechanical soap, Night-vision goggles.
Amelia (lv1): Aspect of Reality
{Skill points: !ERROR!}
[Attack type: Strong 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), Broken bone jaw, Shovel.
Noah (lv1): Aspect of Emotion
Skills: [Emotion infusion] (Emotional requirement: Medium)
[Vortex Battery (Fall Resistant)]
Inventory: Mechanical soap, Sharpening stone, Anger stone, Tungsten ax.
Diana (lv1): Aspect of Law
[Vortex Battery (Three Talisman: Regen, Resistance, Speed)]
{Laws unlocked: Law of Friction, Newton’s Third Law} {Limit: Only manipulate small values}
Inventory: Mechanical soap, A pickaxe, Night-vision goggles.
Adrian (lv1): Aspect of Knowledge.
[Vortex Battery (Wings Parry)]
{Connected Minds} {Info Extraction} [Limit:Full Basic Info}]
Inventory: Mechanical soap, Rope, Handbook (recorded events), Reinforced glass shield (Red Cross symbol).
Azan (lv1): Aspect of Change.
[Vortex Battery: (Greater Flight)]
{Limitation: 1. Follow under the concept “change” only. 2. Changes under other aspects require hand-holding.}
Change slot: 2
Inventory: Metal suitcase, Mechanical soap, Miniature fan, Blue boxing gloves.
Mina (lv1): Aspect of Time
[Vortex Battery: (Mark Speed)]
{Limitations: 8 skills (Currently)}
Skills (!ERROR!) (Auto Input Activated): |1. Aging| |2. Time Exchange| |3. Time Wrench|
Inventory: Mechanical soap, Yellow boxing gloves, Peepo's remains, Piza's remains, Sandra's remains, The Heart Striker.
Gwen (lv0): Aspect of Destruction
{Limitation: Gas only}
Inventory: Mechanical soap, Izzybot, P.T.A, Codex Seraphinianus, Spherical terrarium (containing a black widow), Notepad and pencil.
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A radiant, oval portal, the color of dawn's first light, blooms into existence above the coffee table. The wielders rise from their seats, their weapons at the ready, only to be greeted by a face they know all too well. It's Mina—
With a flurry of motion and unspoken emotions, she bolts off, pushing aside Sarah and Azan.
Sarah "Woah!"
Azan "Mina! Wait! What's wrong?!"
A single, heartbreaking pause... Mina's face is etched with poignant sorrow before she darts away once more. Azan, his right hand clenched tightly, bolts in hot pursuit. As the others attempt to follow, they find their path barred by Kanji.
Kanji "I think it would be best to leave those two to their own devices. Give them time. I'm sure Mina will calm down soon. That trial must have given her a bit of trauma. Perhaps even more than the previous trials."
Diana "That sounds extreme. Like some mental shit like in Noah's trial. She looks really fucked up as if something died. Or maybe someone?"
Noah "Yeah, we can tell she is very scared. Something crazy must've happened. Those eyes are the same as someone who just witnessed a horror scene from a movie. And I don't mean the passive ones. The real creepy shit..."
Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.
With concern etched on their faces, they deliberate over their friend's plight. Elsewhere, within the RV, Azan ascends the staircase, each step bringing him closer to her floor.
The soft whimper of weeping seeps out from beneath a blanket. Gathering his courage, Azan takes a shallow breath and perches on the edge of the bed.
Azan "Sooooo.... do you want to talk about it, Mina? You seem less... enthusiastic. Where is the sun shined with hope? Where is the girl who loved life, always cheering for her friends? Always... looking for a brighter tomorrow."
Mina "What... are you even talking about? Just leave me alone. Wait... on second thought. Don't go. Stay."
Azan "You're a complete mess right now. Come on. Talk to me. Let me share your burdens. You don't have to do this alone."
As the blanket lifts, a pair of bloodshot eyes meets his gaze, and a vibrant red scarf wraps her neck.
Azan "I like the new look. Where did you get the scarf? And your eyes... You look like one of those goth models."
Mina "What?! No way! I look nothing like them! I bought this scarf just a moment ago from Amazon. Azan... Thanks. I feel a bit better I guess. Listen. You don't have to worry much. I... I lost a couple of friends when I was there. I learned things I wished I didn't learn."
Azan "I see... it's never good to lose anyone. However, do you think they would be happy if they see you like this? If they were alive right now, what would they say?"
Mina "They would say... "Peepo thinks my lord should keep going.". "Go further and beat them up all up, my lord.". "Happiness and hope are the keys. I hope my lord keep them close to heart.". I feel like these were the words they emitted during their death. Like in a spirit-psychic way. You know."
Azan "Yeah. Hey! If it makes you feel any better then... do you want to bury them? Give them a proper funeral."
Mina "NO! No... I don't want to. I wish there is a way to bring them back. They died because of me."
Azan "If only you could turn back time-
Mina "That's it! I know that the system won't allow me to! But I swear on my life! I will make it happen!"
Azan "There's the Mina I know! Awesome yet the task seems impossible unless there is a way to break our limitations."
Mina "Yeah, there must be! Hey... Ummm... Azzy... Can I have a hug? But just a short. Okay. This doesn't mean anything! Just a hug between friends."
Azan "Sure if it makes you feel better. Hug away."
Chained in each other's arms, they exit the confines of the RV, returning to the familiar warmth of the Cafe. Guided by Kanji, they find their way to a couch that their comrades unearthed from the dusty storage closet.
As they stride towards their new seating area, Mina's gaze falls upon a fresh face clocking in her shift, brimming with the same fear as the last employee.
Settling down in the middle of the couch, Mina begins to unravel her tale. AboutTemporia. The Three Tribes. The Four Time Guards. The nature of the trials And, that "Monster".
As her words fade into silence, her fellow wielders are left in a state of numbing disbelief.
Kanji "Well, that was revelatory. To think there was a creature who created all our trials. No wonder they were so specific. This creature also seems to bear hatred toward us which is why there are more solo trials. Mina tells us more about its appearance."
Mina "Yeah... about that... all I know is that it looks like a massive salamander. Sorry, I think it erased parts of my memories."
Gwen "Unfortunate, but there is a silver lining. The mention of a "salamander" keeps popping up again first with Tom and then now. Plus... Azan didn't you mention that a salamander popped into your dreams?"
Azan "Hold on! Tom mentioned a salamander-
Without warning, a jolting pulse strikes Azan, sending him onto the floor. Mina gasps and she swiftly scoops him back onto the couch.
Mina "Oh my gosh! Are you alright?! Azzy! Stay with me!"
Azan "I'm fine, Mina! Something cleared up in my head. Yes... I can see it clearly now. My dream. That salamander is made out of earth and water."
Kanji "That makes sense considering the chains it locked Mina in."
Dave "Aw shit what now, Kanbro?! We have a giant Earth salamander on our asses."
Azan "Yeah, but back to the question I was about to ask. Gwen, how?"
Gwen "Oh you mean the info of Tom mentioning the salamander. Yes, I just pressed him using my methods of interrogation. Specifically more about the conversation between the two voices. Now that I think about it... Didn't one of the voices also hold hatred for us?"
AN "Hold that thought... earth... water... like the planet, Earth. Oh no... I think... that salamander is-
Adrian "Earthas! Oops sorry for stealing your thunder, AN."
AN "No problem but still this is an amazing discovery! It suggests that the other creatures you guys dreamt of might be the other three, Jupiteroth, Marsagoz, and Neptunez. And perhaps those voices Tom heard belong to two of them. Or the other siblings."
Sarah "Omg! This is so awesome! You mean one of them is a giant flesh monster! That sounds so sick."
Noah "Yeah but there's a bigger problem here. How in the fuck are we going to beat them?! We're strong but not godly strong."
Kanji "Who says we need to beat them? We just need to escape Earth and get far away as possible. Preferably through hyper-jumping."
Claire "Kaney, I'm worried that this might be an agro problem. You know like where you aggro a mob in an MMO and they chase you. I don't know if this salamander has a range or not. But still... I believe we can do it! We got to try!"
Diana "That's the spirit! I'll be sure to keep everyone safe even if I have to wrestle that thing. I'll turn it into the Universe's biggest dumbbell!"
Amelia "This might seem naive but perhaps a negotiation could be bartered with the giant amphibian. Perhaps the lad just needed to chill and have some Cheetos."
Mina "I don't think that's a good idea. I tried. It didn't work."
Amelia "Oh... did you try giving him Cheetos? No. Well, I'm knackered out of ideas, d-dudes."
Dave "Holy shit! You did it! You said the thing!"
Diana "Oh you gonna be fucking kidding me! Seriously! Claire! Can you make me a pair of earplugs?"
Claire "Sorry, but that would be a waste of my points."
Mina "Okay back on topic. I like to point out that I find it strange that I could use my powers a lot more than usual during the trial. For a giant evil salamander, it was a pretty fair perk."
Azan "No, it's more like it was taking orders. Presumably from Lord Kin."
Mina "Yeah, you're right..."
Mina sinks into the couch, her mind adrift in a sea of thought. Sensing her focus...
Mina "Hey... AN. Remember when you said that awakening our powers would involve crystals? Well, that was a fucking lie."
AN "Yeah... I am incredibly sorry about that misinformation. I was running off the assumption of past aspect wielders."
Mina "Nah, it's alright. Here is my real question. Is it possible to break our limits?"
Her allies lean forward with intrigue, waiting for an answer. AN, a bead of sweat tracing their forehead, nervously taps a rhythm against the pedestal
AN "... I don't think that you guys are ready for that. It is complicated. We should focus on awakening everyone then... maybe... just maybe... I can let lose a little."
Kanji "I'm wondering if this is related to the "Pandora's Box" you mentioned before. For now, we should focus on our last two members. We are so close!"
Sarah "Please! Please be me! I need an upgrade! Like super bad!"
Gwen "Honestly. I wouldn't mind it being her though... having the power to destroy liquids would be tremendous."
Kanji opens up the map—
Kanji "You can't be fucking serious! Another solo trial! Hell! There isn't even an entry requirement. He is literally begging to kill us!"
Dave "Looks like Earthas real fucking mad dude. That fucker wants us dead like a rat on The New York City street."
Sarah "I don't care! We can take it! That fucker can throw anything at me! Or her! Shit! Who's trial it is for?"
Kanji "It's yours. I gonna warn you... this is the first time that a trial is told to be "Ultra dangerous". I recommend you prepare. Claire, you know what to do."
Claire gives her all her bandages and syringes.
Sarah "Thanks. Anything else I should get before entering."
Gwen "Yes. Here have this..."
Sarah "Errr... what is it?"
Gwen "It is a radar. Super efficient at detecting life forms, made by yours truly. I hope you find it most useful."
Sarah "Thanks! Alright! I'm ready! Sent me in, Kanji!"
The crowd steps back as a looming gray portal manifests, swallowing the table that had innocently sat before the couch. Sarah gulps down a fortifying breath, then plunges headfirst into the mysterious beyond.
She awakens amidst a dense forest, teeming with exotic, unidentified foliage.
Sarah "Okay. This is new. Wait... no... NO! No no no no no! Where are my stuff?! My weapon!"
Stripped down to the basics of her inventory— healing supplies and.... a life sensor?— she draws out the device, flicking it to life. A wave of relief washes over her as it confirms the absence of nearby creatures. Finding a sturdy tree, she secures her back against its bark.
The device then explodes!
Sarah "Shit! What do I do now?! I don't know anything about survival! Let alone surviving in this fantasy wasteland! Fuck! Okay... I need a weapon. I need a fucking weapon!"
With an unexpected surge, the tree's roots burst from the ground, ensnaring her legs.
Cloaked in prickly thorns, they burrow into her flesh, siphoning her blood.
She wrestles with the roots, but they won't budge. A sharp sensation creeps up her back—
As if to reveal its gruesome façade, the trunk splits open, revealing a cavernous maw bristling with jagged splinters and bizarre, olive-colored teeth.
Sarah "Fuck!"
Leaning forward with all her might, Sarah narrowly evades the voracious bite of the tree.
Its teeth, missing her legs by a mere fraction, sink instead into the earth below. Gathering her resolve, Sarah clenches her fists together and unleashes a furious barrage upon the woody adversary.
A powerful strike sets the tree free, albeit with a few dislodged teeth left behind.
Sarah "Hey! Maybe those can work!"
She snatches one of the fallen teeth, employing it to saw her way out of the entangling roots. Gathering the remaining teeth, Sarah sprints away as fast as possible.
In a moment of peace, she takes a breath to examine the teeth.
Sarah "Strange. It feels like metal and sharp as fuck. Maybe I can make a weapon out of these."
Sarah swiftly applies two bandages to her wounded legs. She ventures forward cautiously, navigating the twisted forest...
As the sun reaches midday, a lucky discovery awaits Sarch— an expansive river stretches before her. On the opposite bank, a herd of reptilian creatures captures her imagination, their backs adorned with odd plates made of lead pipes. Ankylosaurus-like in appearance, she hopes to remain hidden and avoid drawing their attention.
Suddenly- A splash shatters her train of thought.
Sarah "What was that?! Oh- Awwww! I mean I guess they are... kinda cute."
Sarah's gaze is drawn to two playful infants engaged in a play-fight within the river, while the concerned adults observe from the sidelines. Amidst their frolicking, one of them falls over, snapping off a pipe.
Without hesitation, Sarah plunges into the water, swimming towards the broken object before it drifts away. Securing it in her grasp, she makes her way back to the riverbank. However, as she turns around, her heart sinks— The reptilian beings have noticed her presence.
In perfect unison, they unleash a roar before running away.
Sarah "Am I really that awful? God, I bet if Mina were here, she could tame those guys. Sucks to be me I guess. Now what to do with this baby."
Sarah approaches a nearby tree and lightly taps its trunk... just in case. To her relief, there is no reaction— the tree appears perfectly ordinary, oozing sap in a typical manner. Or so it seems...
Sarah "Wow this sap is like super glue! No, it is even stronger!"
A triumphant smile graces Sarah's face as she retrieves the teeth and pipe from her inventory. She ingeniously aligns the teeth in a row, fashioning the pipe into a makeshift saw.
Sarah "Yes! The first weapon was acquired! Now, what... Hey! Big stupid salamander dude! What am I supposed to do?!"
In a sudden rush of wind, a mysterious force carves a sequence of letters onto the bark of a nearby tree, capturing Sarah's attention.
|YOU INSOLENT GREY INSECT! THOUGH I AM IMPRESSED THAT MY IDENTITY WAS EXPOSED SO EASILY. NEVERTHELESS, THIS PLACE WILL BE YOUR GRAVE! I WILL ENJOY EVERY MOMENT THAT YOU SUFFER UNTIL YOUR DEATH!|
Sarah "Oh wow... Sooooooo helpful. Hey, isn't this against the will of your father?!"
The gust of wind returns, but this time its presence feels fraught with unease.
|YOU FUCKING FUCK... FINE! SURVIVE FOR 50 DAYS AND YOU'LL PASS. BUT I HOPE YOU DIE! DIE!! DIE!!! FUCK YOU!|
Sarah "Thanks big E! Very fucking motivational by the way! I hope you get salamander cancer if that is even a thing!"
With a graceful leap, Sarah effortlessly clears the river, landing on the stretch of a serene grassy plain. Her eyes alight upon a towering tree, its lofty stature beckoning her to ascend. Determined, she begins her ascent, steadily climbing higher until she reaches the top.
From her vantage point, Sarah's gaze sweeps across the surroundings, scouring the landscape for any noteworthy sights. And then— a large figure catches her eyes.
(To be continued)