I was requested—by VICOS message—to attend another Rumah meeting in an hour or two, depending on everyone's availability. So upon arriving back within the Territory, I decided to finish checking my updates. Which is how I find myself currently sitting comfortably on one of the couches I had available in my Tower's lobby.
'Skills, then Spell updates for the last four–five days please System, thank you.'
** DING **
Skill obtained Firearms Proficiency
Skill obtained Improvised Weapons Proficiency
Skill obtained Claws Proficiency
Skill obtained Hammers Proficiency
Skill level up, Visualization 17 > 24
Skill level up, Evasion 15 > 17
Skill level up, Parry 8 > 14
Skill level up, Dodge Roll 12 > 14
Skill level up, Firearms Proficiency 1 > 7
Skill level up, Improvised Weapons Proficiency 1 > 8
Skill level up, Claws Proficiency 1 > 7
Skill level up, Swords Proficiency 7 > 13
Skill level up, Hammers Proficiency 1 > 7
Skill level up, Polearms Proficiency 8 > 16
Skill level up, Axes Proficiency 6 > 15
Skill level up, Bowed Weapons Proficiency 4 > 12
Skill level up, Maces Proficiency 7 > 16
Skill level up, Soft Weapons Proficiency 5 > 13
Skill level up, Thrown Weapon Proficiency 14 > 18
Skill level up, Dagger proficiency 13 > 16
Skill level up, Unarmed Combat Proficiency 13 > 14
Skill level up, Heavy Armor Proficiency 15 > 19
Skill level up, Shield Proficiency 9 > 12
Skill level up, SYMPHONY 13 > 15
Skill level up, Inspect 15 > 17
Skill level up, Soul Sense 13 > 16
Skill level up, Mana Sense 19 > 21
Skill level up, Intimidate 3 > 11
Skill level up, Taunt 12 > 17
Skill level up, Tracking 6 > 14
Skill level up, Poison Resistance 6 > 9
I have successfully gained a number of new weapon proficiency skills as well as levels for both old and new skills, but have yet to successfully evolve or fuse them into one all-encompassing skill. My ability to track, evade, defend and manipulate my opponents and several core skills has also seen some improvements. Ah~, I feel giddy at the sight of those rising numbers.
Journeyman spell learnt Splash of Verdance
Spell mastery rank up, Disinfect Basic > Intermediate > Advanced
Spell mastery rank up, Unsoil Intermediate > Advanced
'Inspect!' X2.
Splash of Verdance - Early. Journeyman Rank. 100 mp. Give to nature and nature shall give back. Compress and convert mana into a splash of vital energy that both nurture and provide sustenance to incite a growth spurt on one flora by [MAtk] hours.
The final consensus on a spell to fall back on in case of food shortage is on one that accelerates plant growth, which is exactly what Splash of Verdance is. I spent 7500 creds for it and had added the spell into my Tower. Magico Disk is free to use on any enemy within Rumah's walls by the tower, whereas the other spells are currently set to only cast when individuals in a whitelist speak a certain keyword that corresponds to each spell. I love how Inspect now shows the spells formula.
Disinfect was a more organic targeted spell, but a bit of a tweak in how the spell travels from bounce-floating into more of a caterpillar-crawl when on hard surfaces now allow the spell to affect objects, it has also become a ranged spell. Disinfect ended up being a great convenience, because Fun Fact, did you know Goblins slather their weapons in one poison known as rotten feces? The entry for unpleasant in the dictionary should especially mention them. This same disgusting-ness allowed me to upgrade Unsoil, so that the spell's remnant mana starts to emit a familiar pleasant smell as they dissolve back into nature, it is simply the mana drawing memories from our subconscious mind.
Conjure Weapon - Early. Journeyman Rank. Mana cost varies. Mastering a single weapon may be one monumental task, let alone mastering all that there is. But remember, it never hurts to be prepared. Spend [20% of conjured weapon's volume] mana to Conjure a weapon of your design. The weapon will dissolve after [35% of MAtk] minutes and has [10% MAtk + 60% Atk, multiplied by 115 + half mana spent percent] attack power.
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Spell mastery rank up, Blink Basic > Intermediate
Spell mastery rank up, Vermillion Lord of Storms Early > Basic
Spell mastery rank up, Beam Torrent Early > Basic
I had not managed to improve Animus Incision, what more are there to improve about a wyvern attacking my enemies soul? Quantity? Size? Whatever it is still eludes me. This also applies to Pocket Suspense, I intuitively know it is about increasing the quantity of ripped space, but have yet to succeed in actualizing the concept. Whatever tricks I try to include a larger amount of space within the bubble fails.
Conjure Weapon is a great spell, true what it said, it never hurts to be prepared. Though one annoying thing about Inspect now showing formulas is that, although the displayed information satisfies a large part of my curiosity, I'm still curious since I can't see how much my Attack, Magic Attack or the likes are anywhere in my status interface.
The tunnel created by Blink is now much more stabilized, allowing me to do short hops through Subspace for up to seven times before needing to recast the spell. I also decided that VLoS needs a bit of an upgrade in its AoE and versatility department, so the lord now has several more attack options; one being the usual lightning bolt, as well as a charged up version, then a chain lightning bolt that would jump between several nearby enemies before losing power, and finally an icicle javelin to boost the spells effect for freezing targets. Last but not least, my Beam Torrent now has a larger gun barrel upon its center that may be used for a charge shot, while the 29 smaller gatling gun barrels circle it, coming up to a total of 30 gun barrels within the cylinder construct without any significant difference to its size, this gives any user an option between quantity or quality.
Done with the wall-of-text updates, I began browsing the store under the keyword, 'siege' while waiting for the meeting.
—
I am currently standing atop Rumah's east wall, overlooking a young field of grass. Any signs of civilization outside the Territories boundaries have now been reclaimed by nature. During the latest intel report about the trio of Simon, Barry and Holly. We were informed of how they were on their leisure way towards Rumah. By leisure, the scouts meant Simon would stop to consume every single creature they slew. Though he seems to be eating them normally, as in without the shrinking method I saw him use on his dad, Wisman.
Every ten minutes, a new report would come via Wafting Whispers—our scout's choice of a messaging spell—for Mr. Herman. Who would then coodinate us into position as necessary. While waiting, I re-Inspect the three siege spell the leaders of Rumah decided upon. 3x 'Inspect. Thank you.'
** DING **
Ten Tides of the Boreal Sea - Early. Expert Rank. 100 mana /caster, min of 10. Conjures a [caster number * 7] meters sphere of frigid water. The main caster may then use it as is, or he/she may also solidify all or parts of the body of water into an iceberg. No matter the form, the ball may be shot towards a direction of choice. Subsequently upon impact, it shall cause [(100+size in meters)% of accumulated Matk, multiplied again by the percentage it is solidified] causing elemental Water and/or Ice damage before slowly dissolving into ambient mana.
Twelve Fragments of a Scorched Star - Early. Expert Rank. 100 mana /caster, min of 12. Compacts [half the number of caster] fiery comets [main caster MAtk] meters above the ground. Each comet may be hurled at a location of the Main Caster's choosing. On impact, each fragment deals [main caster MAtk + (35% of total accumulated MAtk of every caster involved)] physical Earth damage and half that in an explosion of fire damage.
Eight Storms Lightning Dragon - Early. Expert Rank. 150 mana /caster, min of 8. Release an Oriental Lightning Dragon who soars and swallows an enemy, dealing [accumulated MAtk] damage on impact and [25% that] extra damage every second to swallowed enemies. Its passage brings about strong wind in the form of [caster number] keen blades that randomly flies through and around the dragon, anything touched by these blades are dealt [averaged MAtk from all casters] slashing wind damage each touch. The spell lasts [10 + caster number] seconds before dissipating.
First of all, a water-ice elemental spell to counter Barry's fiery spit. The spell, after a thorough analysis, allowed us to assume that albeit having low damage potential when compared to similar ranked spells. It, instead, may also function as a crowd control spell. Next, an earth-fire elemental spell to oppose Holly's wind. This one may be used to cover a large AoE or as a focused fire attack, not to mention the damage it can cause, which is plenty reason enough. Lastly, a Wind-Lightning element spell to add variety as we do not know much of Simon's preferred element. This one is assumed to be a single target high damage spell with an additional touch of AoE in the way its wind blades function, though nothing in the description says it may only swallow one target.
Henry and I, as well as several people who had the means and wished to, had also bought a Knowledge Package regarding siege spells. Therefore, we now know that all siege spells are named after the minimum number of required casters, and that each spell has a range of—bar by design—100 meters per number of caster involved in the casting. With the only upper limit to the number of casters involved being the Main Caster's ability to control the spell. The spells may be bought as a main caster for its full price or as an auxiliary caster at a 90% discount. Anyone who owns the whole spell may then begin casting the spell, allowing anyone who has either the full or auxiliary spell to join the casting. Generally, a siege spell is slow to cast but may be held on for an indefinite amount of time, limited only by the weakest caster's physical needs. We had made sure everyone got their bathroom needs taken care of.
Currently, the only main caster for all three spells are Henry and I, with up to fifteen other auxiliary casters among the spellcasters. Unfortunately, No test casting has been done on the spells, on account of maintaining the environment surrounding Rumah to keep any damage to a minimum. I had failed to convince the population to agree to a test run. Adapting and comforted by their new–almost peaceful–life at Rumah, they find it hard to accept the idea of a new threat to endanger their now routine lives.
But life is never always how we wish it to be. By noon, even with the naked eye, three silhouettes may be seen approaching our Rumah. All three figures are irritatingly familiar to me. Command are yelled and followed, the walls became a bustle of activity as everyone began preparing for the inevitable.
** DING **
Quest received
FIGHT DEVOURLINGS WITH A DEVOURLING
Task: Slay the System-rogue Devourling hybrid, Simon Mizwar
Fail condition: your death or target escapes the universe
Competition Rewards:
* +10 levels
* Increase relationship with The System
* Your choice of a System Skill / Spell / Trait / Title it owns of which you do not own
Penalty:
* -10 levels
* Decreased relationship with The System
Accept?
Y / N
Whaaat~? 'Accept!'
Target leaves the universe… seems like a pretty time flexible quest. Not to mention I plan to do what the quest requires anyways. Though, System-rogue? Which I assume to mean that he has forsaken the system, following in the footsteps of that other guy—our eons-past senior hybrid—that The System mentioned. Reading between the quest lines, among the three, only Simon has a bounty on his head. Though I'll have to get past the other two to get to him. What is it with Devourling hybrids and forsaking The System.
'Might make me more invested if you reward me with a System Point.' I inner speak, but was only rewarded with;
** DING **
Quest accepted, FIGHT DEVOURLINGS WITH A DEVOURLING