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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, 15 Flesh syringes, 15 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 (lv1): Aspect of Fiction

[Skill access: 1 skill for each item] [Conjured item 1]

[Vortex Battery (Weapon Recall)]

Inventory: Mechanical soap, Nezha’s leopard bag (Nezha’s ring), Shovel, Ice Whale Eye.

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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The exit portal thrusts Sarah into an ornate hallway, its walls adorned with fancy portraits and intriguing art, hinting their origin is from the 1800s. At its end stands a polished door of deep, dark oak, its scent a poignant reminder of pristine oak forest.

Gently, Sarah turns the knob.

Beyond it lies a cozy haven, flanked by two towering bookcases. Marble statues act as sentinels between them, the left cradling a top hat, the right embodying a mysterious man of Victorian descent. Sarah meanders towards an inviting couch before a chimney.

As she nestles in, the hearth flares into life, its warmth weaving a comforting embrace around her spirit.

A wave of relaxation sweeps over Sarah, abruptly halted by the sight of an envelope resting on an adjacent table. She opens it up and reads...

"Dear, Sarah Li, Aspect of Fiction. My sincerest apologies to inform you that we have noticed that your trial was tampered with beyond what was allowed. It extended to the point that some of your belongings have vanished despite finishing your-

Sarah "Hold the fuck on! Really!"

With a swift glance at her inventory, Sarah's heart sinks as she validates the letter's claim.

Sarah "Fuck my awesome bone jaw thing! And my bandages! Fuck you, Earthas!"

Seated, her brow furrowed in frustration, she delves deeper into the text...

"-trial. Again, we are sorry. We wrote this letter to give you two gifts for our incompetency. I hope you will enjoy them."

[Religious threshold uplifted!]

[Additional Vortex Battery function is unlocked!]

[Vortex Battery (Weapon Recall) (Followers Benefits)]

Sarah "Woah... does this mean what I think it means. Fuck yeah! I can turn into the eldritch creatures in my grimoire! But what does "Followers Benefits" mean?"

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

[Followers Benefits: Gives your followers the blessing (Group Abilities) of all your chosen fictional characters/creatures at once. You also have full control over your followers.]

Sarah "That sounds awesome! I also leveled up! Does that mean I can take another weapon from Nezha's leopard bag?"

A quick rummage through the bag and her fingers graze something.

With a forceful Yank... It is Nezha's Fire-tipped spear!

Sarah "Awesome but the fun starts now!... Shit. I left my grimoire in my room. Hey! Awesome fancy dude! Can you let me out now?!"

The chimney bifurcates, disclosing a mirrored door, now hewn from sturdy oak.

Beyond, the tantalizing aroma of a bustling cafe teases her senses. She swings the door open... there, Sarah emerges from the restroom.

Sarah "Guys! I'm back!"

Seeing Sarah, her friends rise from their chairs. Noah's hug sends a warm blush cascading across her cheeks. The normal world feels uncanny.

Kanji brings her to a seat. With an unexpected choice, he orders a round of... beers? Twelve, to be precise.

Sarah "Wait... beers? Why?"

Kanji "Yeah we were pretty tired of drinking coffee so we go for beers as it would keep some of us happy while making some of us more tolerant like me and Claire."

Dave "Kanbro, my dude here just went from 2 beers to fifty in one day! Can you believe it, bro? I call hacks."

Kanji "Dave, as I told you before, I did cheat using nanobots in my body to be more accustomed to the heavy beverage. Same with Claire. What was your record again?"

Claire "88. Kaney. 88 for the win! Sarah, please tell me about your adventure! I'm so excited to hear about it!"

Sarah "What makes you so excited?"

Claire "Duh, your battle scars. Here have a look in this mirror."

Claire was right. Sarah sees three distinct scars adorning her visage— one gracing her forehead, another tracing her chin, and a third etched onto her right cheek.

Sarah "Ok this looks sick and all but... is there a way to fix it? Scars aren't really my thing."

Gwen "Not to worry, Sarah. Izzy, if you please."

Izzybot extends a branch, from which sprouts a needle. Gently piercing Sarah's neck—

Sarah "Ow! Why the hell?!"

Gwen "Remain still. This will only take a second."

A tingling sensation ensues, as her skin begins to knit together over the scars. Sarah takes a mirror, delighted by her transformed reflection. A smile dances upon her lips as she turns to Kanji

Sarah "I'm guessing you want the whole story now."

Sarah recounts her arduous journey— the trial she overcame, the formidable beasts vanquished, and the extraordinary creations crafted from their remains.

Diana "Holy shit. Man, you did ALL of that without your weapon. Impressive."

Kanji "I'm more impressed with her ingenuity. Knowing how to create tools and equipment is essential to survival. I'm confused since you're not the kind of person to go camping in the woods."

Sarah "Yeah, about that. I also watched a lot of internet videos but not just games. I had this one phase in high school where I watched some dude use primitive technology to make shit."

Gwen "The properties and biology of the creatures you mentioned, to be honest, have made me a bit envious. Such wasted opportunity, if only you had kept a sample from the trial."

Sarah "Hold on, I still have that!"

Sarah retrieves the frosty eye of the ice whale. Gwen's eyes glisten with curiosity.

Sarah "I know that look. Fine. You can keep it. You probably know how to use it more than I do anyway."

Gwen "Thank you, Sarah. I promise to repay you."

Mina "Hey, Sarah. You mentioned that the gust of wind is Earthas's way of sending messages, right?"

Sarah "Yes, I'm pretty sure it was Earthas."

Azan "Mina, is looking for a way to communicate with him in this world. Mostly, to send that bastard insults."

Sarah "Yeah, I don't think that's gonna happen. Sorry, Mina."

Mina "It's alright. We'll find another way one day. Gonna have some hope."

Amelia "Hi, Sarah. Dave and I are wondering about your new powers. You have mentioned them, yeah."

Dave "Yeah, dude. Show us the new ass weaponry or eldritch shit."

Sarah "Well... apart from Vortex battery which allows me to recall weapons and gives my followers specific powers-

Dave "Woah. Woah! Woah!! You got two powers from the Vortex thingy, bro!"

Sarah "Yeah, it was a kind of apology from the higher-ups or whatever they are."

Kanji "At least we can assume that some of them are fair. Since you're level two now, I believe you have gotten another weapon from the leopard bag. Didn't you? And since Nezha only has two weapons that I know of. You got The Fire-Tipped Spear. Am I right?"

Sarah "Nothing can escape your big brain, huh? Yes, I got that. But now here is the fun part! Eldritch powers, here I come!"

With haste, Sarah dashes out of the café, propelled by an uncontainable urge. Her destination— The RV. Bursting back to the cafe, grimoire clutched tightly in her grasp.

Page after page, the book flips, unearthing the outcomes.

A momentary pause... and a sad aura settles upon her face.

Noah "Ummm, Sarah? What's wrong?"

Sarah "God fucking dammit! I got a low tier and a high tier."

Noah "Say what now?"

Sarah "Okay. Let me explain. The eldritch beings I created in this grimoire are ranked from low tier to high tier to eldritch god to elder god."

Adrian "Why did you decide to go for an array of beings instead of just the gods?"

Sarah "I know! I'm sorry. Fuck! At the time, I was trying to be quirky and spice things up you know."

Diana "I understand that feeling, sister. It's like drinking the same brand of protein shakes every day or using only dumbbells. Things get bland after a while."

Kanji "Are the ones you got useful? That's the real question."

Sarah "Yes. Luckily. Let's start with the low tier. I call this creature "Sciophobalos". Shadow creatures that were created by a higher eldritch being. They come in a variety of forms. Most of them resemble humanoids with thousands of tendrils sticking from their back."

Gwen "I like the fact that you named it based on phobias. I like to take a wild guess that same goes for the rest of the unknowable entourage."

Sarah "Yeah, you got it. Anyway, Sciophobalos only has two abilities. An active which allows it to teleport a short distance. Another passive where if it teleports to another member, they switch places. These two are labeled as "Group". This is very good for my followers. Ummm... maybe I should tell them."

Fingers gliding across her phone's screen, Sarah begins to type...

@TheEldritchone: My dear devotees. The day has come. The high beings have bestowed onto us great powers. What powers they are, you must find out and master. One last note, one must not use their powers to kill innocents. Only our enemies.

Dave "Bro, why didn't tell them the whole biz?"

Sarah "They'll figure it out themselves. I believe in them. Now for the high tier. I called this creature "Arachnochidna, The Spike Mother". The Queen of a horde of low-tier Arachnokitas. She is massive like the size of a truck and has hundreds of dangerous spikes growing out her back using her own blood. Her colony also lives underwater by the way."

Mina "Ah yes. Double nightmare fuel. Is underwater breathing one of its passive?"

Sarah "Yeah. I got the ability to make me and my allies breathe underwater as a passive ability. The reason The Spike Mother has this ability is that each colony usually has a symbiotic relationship with a group of blood worms that don't breathe underwater. She uses them as blood bags to refill her spikes. Anyway, speaking of spikes."

The group's gaze fixates on a painful sight— a crimson spike emerging from Sarah's palm. Enshrouded in an otherworldly, translucent purple gossamer.

Kanji "Doesn't that hurt, Sarah?"

Sarah "No, not at all. No need to worry. This spike can cause paralysis and necrosis. Super useful as fuck."

Noah "Hey, Sarah. About the Sciophobolas... is there a cooldown of the dodge?"

Sarah "Yes, about 5 minutes. I have a feeling that isn't what you're curious about. Am I right, Noah?"

Noah "You got me. I was thinking... If we read and follow your book, couldn't we-

Sarah "No! No, I want guys to stay as friends, not followers. Also, I can mind-control my followers, do you really want that?"

Noah "Okay, that would be awkward."

Kanji "That was an excellent question, Noah. Though even if we were to go through with it, I doubt that it would work. I feel as though our belief in your fiction is more forced than genuine which may not trigger the conditions for the powers. Okay, now that I'm done with that hypothesis. Are there any other powers to report?"

Sarah "Yeah, The Spike Mother also has two more abilities. Climbing and web shooting. You guys can guess what those do. However, something interesting did pop up. Since I have all of the Sciophobolas's powers, I can transform into them. Getting even more powers like greater speed, strength, and changing my form depending on darkness."

Noah "That sounds sick! Show it to us!"

Sarah's eyes catch the sight, prompting her shadow to surge forth, enveloping her form.

Now concealed within the encompassing darkness, her face eludes the group's view, leaving only the faint silhouette of her figure in their sight.

Sarah "Hello guys. Can you hear me?"

Adrian "Oh Jesus! That scared me! Your voice is horrifying!"

Sarah "Gooood..."

Sarah resumes her normal state, brushing off the shadow like loose clothing.

Kanji "Any side effects to report?"

Sarah "Nope. I can do it at anything."

Kanji "Excellent! We can leave it at that for today. Now, for the final trial. Gwen, are you ready?"

Gwen "I'm sufficiently prepared. Though a tad nervous as I'm unsure what scheme that oversized amphibian is cooking up. I hope he doesn't touch Izzy."

Kanji "Looking at the entry method. It seems to revert to its old riddle-like ways. Earthas was probably punished so there is no need to worry. You have to find a body of water, make it swirl into a whirlpool, and jump into the eye."

Gwen "That sounds plausible. But the solution at hand is utterly repulsive."

Gwen's gaze gravitates towards the bathrooms, while the rest of the group recoils in disgust.

Azan "Relax. Good thing we have Amazon teleporting service. Here, check this out."

A small swimming pool spawns on the floor.

Gathered around this aquatic feature, the wielders unite, their attention fixed on Azan as he presses two buttons.

The water commences its rough dance, swirling inward.

Gwen "Okay... wish me luck."

Claire "Hey! Bestie! You forgot these!"

Gwen "Hold on... You're giving me all of them?"

Claire "Yeah! See how bad things were from the last trial. I think this is a good idea. Now, take them!"

Claire presents Gwen with a generous bounty of 15 bandages and 15 healing syringes. Grateful, Gwen exchanges a warm smile with Claire before plunging headfirst into the eye of the pool.

Gwen "Wait... where is this? The seabed. Oh no... my breath!"

Izzy extends two branches, twirling them to generate an upward draft. Riding the rising currents, Gwen ascends to the surface, only to be greeted by a disheartening sight— a place that offers little promise for survival.

Gwen "So an endless ocean is my battleground. Am I supposed to survive or find something?"

There is no response.

Gwen "I see how you're going to play this, Earthas. I'll tag along and find the solution for myself. Izzy! Construct a raft!"

Izzy's branches extend, knotting and entwining, only to separate from Gwen, severing their connection.

Gwen "There. There. You have exhausted a lot of energy. Have a rest."

Gwen stows Izzy in her inventory. As she lies down, she notices the sun staying fixed with her sight every time she turns.

Sighing, she awaits... Soon Gwen spots a distant raft with subtle movement.

Gwen "Patience has paid off. Maybe our guest can help us with our problem."

With the raft drawing nearer, Gwen raises her hand, ready for action.

The creature aboard appears corpse-like, adorned in a haunting mixture of red and green seaweed.

Exerting her will, Gwen clenches her fist, unleashing a devastating wave that obliterates every gas molecule within her reach.

Gwen "Okay... this is unexpected..."

The corpse teeters erratically, devoid of any audible sounds to accompany its movements.

It falls into the water causing the most silent splash Gwen has ever heard. She carefully eyes the shadow darting around her raft.

Plunging into the water, it descends with a scary silent splash, catching Gwen's focus.

Aware of a shadowy presence darting around her raft, Gwen acts swiftly. She ducks and delivers a forceful kick, propelling the corpse into the air. It crashes down, erupting into a pool of blood upon impact.

Gwen "Attacking from the back. That was very predictable."

Gwen gathers as much seaweed as possible before the drifting raft distances itself. Time passes, a couple of hours elapse, and Gwen retrieves Izzy from her inventory.

[That Was An Awesome Nap, Master Nya!]

Gwen "I bet it was. Do you have enough energy to paddle?"

[Aye! Aye! Nya!]

Gwen senses the intensifying surge of the waves.

As anticipation builds, a colossal Viking-styled boat emerges on the horizon, drawing nearer with each passing moment.

Gwen "This is an odd location such a grand vessel. Izzy, attach our raft to it."

Izzy extends two branches, securely fastening them from the corners of the raft to the ship. With the connection established, Gwen takes a leap, gracefully landing on the ship's deck.

The ship remains utterly motionless, devoid of any signs of life. Gwen scans the empty deck, finding nothing. Determined to explore further, she attempts to descend to a lower level, only to encounter obstructing doors. Inscribed upon these doors are...

"May these doors open when the sun is granted passage through this fine vessel."

Gwen "A riddle huh? Normally, I would indulge in this but this is a trial. Let's try a more aggressive method."

Izzy morphs its branches into two powerful gorilla-like arms, striking the door. However, to Gwen's disappointment, the door remains unaffected by the impact.

Gwen "Shit. That was worth a try. Anyway, I already know the answer."

Responding to Gwen's command, Izzy proceeds to tear down the sails, allowing sunlight to flood through.

The stubborn doors finally swing open, revealing a passage.

Gwen steps forward and enters a room, her eyes sticking onto a desk that holds a fragment of a note. With interest, she reads the message...

"At the...

Gwen "That's it. Meaning there must be more out there."

(To be continued)