Two weeks had passed since they had recovered the Deonida. Alistair's initial impression of the ship being put together from modules had turned out to be true, and the information and building technique was far more advanced than what they had found in the Study Dungeons sub-sections of more advanced planets. The integration of magic had made removing the more intact modules a breeze, and James integrated those new techniques into the new craft they were building. James started by using the main bridge of the Deonida and many of the more intact passenger compartments, and he and the Neshan Shipwrights worked on creating new modules and much more robust armor plating for the craft.

Alistair and Riseth made a few more trips into the orbit of the Automata world and found some broken-up warships of Stuquit's make. According to James, they were much less sophisticated, but they still gained him some valuable insights. Alistair had also leveled up three more times, putting him at level 76. He had spent most of his time refining his body cultivation, which had finally caught up, and upgrading some of his skills that had fallen behind.

Skills: Tier: Name: Description: [Legendary] Kinetic Skinguard

This skill allows the user to absorb and effectively redistribute kinetic energy [KE] automatically upon touching the user's skin. The skin has been tempered, remolded, and refined with the essences of [Stability], [Resistance], and [Heavenly Purity] in order to resist any attempt to dispel or disperse or manipulate the skill with high efficiency. If possible, the skill will automatically dispel Kinetic and related energies and store them in the user's augmented body part or into up to ten orbiting spheres of force at a moderate cost of [MP] relative to the KE stored. Once these spheres are at capacity, any energy overflow will be dispelled through kinetic shockwaves unless directed otherwise by the user. This ability comes at the cost of a small portion of [Qi] proportionate to the absorbed kinetic impact. The user may redirect and use the absorbed energy through their body but increases [HP] damage taken over time the longer the energies are held onto.

[Legendary] Kinetic Control Increases [Control] and [Power] when handling kinetic energies to an exceptional degree. Allows the user to distribute energy within and outside their body for extended periods without any energy loss. Significantly enhances the efficiency of channeling kinetic energy through items and skills. Minimizes damage to the user's body when storing and transferring energy, reducing it to nearly nothing. Greatly aids in expelling kinetic and related energies from the body. [Epic]

Bloodcurdling Presence

Allows the user to passively radiate an intimidating aura, which instills emotions of fear & hesitation. Due to [Primal Revelation], the user can actively attack others [Mind] with bloodlust at a tiny cost of [Qi], the efficiency of the skill scales off the user's [Mind] stat.

The user may exclude his allies from his aura and moderately hide it from other users with the [Primal Revelation] skill from detecting the attack. Detection is based on others' [Senses] and the user's [Mind] & [Control] stats.

[Epic] Counterspell List

A [Compound] skill that enables the user to collect counterspell-themed spells within a spell list, overall efficiency for the grade is very good.

Compounded Skills:

[Dispel Magic] [Disperse Magic] [Dispelling Aura] [Dispelling Ward] [Warding Array] [Dispel Curse] [Resist Element] [Dispel Poison] [Teleport Ward] [Warp Snare] [Dispel Illusion] [Dispel Elemental] [Dispel Disease]

[Rare] Auto Barrier Protects the user by automatically creating a protective barrier that either surrounds the user or a designated area at the cost of some [MP], shielding him from non-kinetic attacks. The Barrier drains a small amount of [MP] over time and requires additional [MP] to maintain itself based on the damage it receives at a high efficiency.

Alistair had upgraded his Kinetic Skinguard to the legendary tier by enhancing its efficiency and increasing the number of spheres he could maintain. His new insights into aura control had also allowed him to better manage his Bloodcurdling Presence, preventing it from affecting his allies and concealing it from others when necessary. This way, he could use his intimidation skill without everyone nearby noticing. Alistair's Kinetic Control skill, which occasionally upgraded itself as his understanding deepened, had finally reached the legendary tier. Each time he enhanced his kinetic skills, such as Kinetic Skinguard and Kinetic Grappler, the skill seemed to make significant leaps forward. His Counterspell List had also gained a few additions like Dispel Poison and Dispel Illusion, something he had worried about but now would be better equipped to deal with if he encountered it. He had also upgraded his barrier skill to work automatically on non-kinetic attacks, though he suspected he would need to rework the skill later on. He had tried to improve the barrier skill further by allowing it to let his attacks pass through it but had little success so far.

Alistair was currently flying through the Slayer world on the back of King in the hopes of baiting out strong monsters with mixed results. King had also obtained the [Primal Revelation] title over their last week of hunting, which had cut down on Alistair having to point out bloodlust directed at them.

Suddenly, he sensed a familiar bloodlust, which hit him for but a moment. King had sensed it, too, and descended toward the offender, but Alistair had already lost track of the elusive beast. He was quite sure it was the same one he had found in the glacier territory, which had fried the brains of its opponents. They landed close to a small river that flowed beside Giant Forest NE1, where Riseth had fought the Nyuvwira.

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Alistair dismounted from King and glanced around suspiciously. The sound of rushing water, the chirping and buzzing of insects, and the smell of mud and forest were the only things he could detect. King similarly looked around, somewhat on edge.

A voice rang through Alistair's head, "Don't kill me. I surrender," as his armor warped from the intrusion.

Something had just telepathically spoken to him and King as the Wyvern exchanged a look with him. Alistair gestured for the wyvern to stand down for now.

"Alright, show yourself then," Alistair called out.

He wasn't particularly worried as he was confident in his power to defeat this creature. Alistair heard a slight splash behind him and turned and paused at what he saw.

It was a peculiar creature, resembling a cross between a corgi and a penguin. Quadrupedal in nature, its paws were a curious blend of traditional paws and webbed, yellowish feet reminiscent of a penguin's. The creature was compact, similar in size to a corgi, with smooth black fur dominating its top half and head, occasionally interrupted by blond stripes. In contrast, its belly and legs were coated in pristine white fur. As it emerged from the water, its fur briefly appeared camouflaged, its texture smooth like that of a wet baby seal. A broad, fluffy tail hinted at its aquatic prowess. Large, dark blue eyes encircled by yellow fur gazed curiously while it sported a dog snout with a beak-like point. Completing its ensemble were two slightly oversized, floppy ears.

Identify revealed it to be a [Yagan - lvl 71], and it tilted its head, its ears flopping, and its long pink tongue lulled out a bit, looking expectantly at Alistair.

"God damned, that's the cutest little shit I have ever seen," Alistair thought as he had to remind himself that this creature had smushed a ton of monster brains.

"Alright, why surrender now? You were thinking of killing me a moment ago?" Alistair inquired, trying his best to look stoic. He knew if Riseth had been here, she would have already caved to the puppy eyes that damn Yagan was displaying.

"That was just to get your attention. I knew from our last encounter that you could detect hostile intent. And I am surrendering because I am running out of time and don't want to die," The Yagan told him telepathically.

Alistair paused, intrigued. This was the first time he had encountered a beast or individual created by the system that was able and willing to talk to him, so he would take the chance to ask some questions.

"Alright, but first, I need some answers from you," Alistair said, his gaze fixed on the creature, which had settled down on its haunches and was now panting nervously like a dog.

"Firstly, what can you tell me about the Trial? And secondly, what do you mean by running out of time?" Alistair inquired.

"The second is tied to the first," the Yagan replied telepathically. "I will cease to exist once the trial collapses. To avoid this fate, the system has provided us with two ways out. I must either grow powerful enough to earn a place to be seeded into the new universe or kill an initiate and claim their spot. However, I don't feel confident about killing either you or the woman accompanying you," it explained, its adorable appearance contrasting with its grim message.

Alistair was taken aback by the creature's practical and cold mindset. Then he thought about it, and it made sense that the system would handle things like this, and it would explain the aggression many of the less intelligent beasts showed. They were eager to claim a spot, thinking it was their only chance not to be wiped out of existence by their creator. Alistair was curious about how smart this creature was already.

"So why did you surrender to me then?" Alistair questioned.

The Yagan tilted its head, casting a glance at King before replying. "Trick question. I doubt this wyvern will vanish once the trial ends. You must have a way to extract us beasts from the trial, and I want in."

"Why the rush? You seem quite powerful; you should be able to get seeded and gain your freedom without tying yourself to me," Alistair probed.

The Yagan whined, and it sounded heartbreaking with that cute face. Alistair had to make sure it wasn't messing with his mind, so he checked his armor, but it wasn't warping. It only did when the creature was talking telepathically. Eventually, the creature relented.

"I might have angered one of the more powerful beasts still sealed by the system. It may or may not have threatened to kill me once it gets free. I know you've encountered some of the guardians and hidden beasts. I saw you collecting bodies from that strange giant crystal in the water, which was guarded by that ice elemental," Yagan explained.

This gave Alistair some pause. While he did indeed find some more elementals and had started collecting bodies from their kills, he had not found any other sealed creatures.

"Tell me about these sealed creatures," Alistair requested.

"No. Take me as a follower or whatever you do, and I will tell you everything I know and guide you to treasures I could not claim myself," The creature demanded.

Alistair paused, scrutinizing the creature, his fingers idly stroking his beard. He entertained the idea of taking the little creature as his summon, but he planned to retrieve Viv once he returned to Earth and was sure she would not take kindly to a dog-like creature. Also, despite his race boosting the affinity, he didn't envision himself as a Summoner. Additionally, Nessy was searching for a suitable summon, and she would be one of the best people to acclimate the Yagan to social interactions. Once this Yagan became a summon, he would need to teach it to weaponize its cuteness, as he doubted it was aware of that ability.

He gave Nessyra a quick call over the Akashic Link, explaining the situation and questioning if she wished to be its contractor. Nessyra sounded in favor but requested Alistair to share his vision with her, and she laughed as she saw the creature.

"Oh, I think I can use this little bugger," She said confidently, agreeing with his suggestion to weaponize its cuteness.

"Alright, It will require a summoning contract binding you to me as my summon. And I plan to pass you along to somebody in my clan who is better suited to your abilities," Alistair said as he elaborated on some of the details of a summoning contract.

The Yagan paused, appearing to contemplate the proposition as it exchanged looks with King before redirecting its attention to Alistair. "Who would be my contractor?" It inquired.

"It would be Nessyra. She is the executive of my clan," Alistair said as he observed the Yagan turn to King again, presumably communicating with him before making an excited little hop.

"Yes! I agree. She sounds perfect," the Yagan conveyed telepathically, its tail wagging enthusiastically as it hopped up and down in excitement.

Alistair, who had let Nessyra observe the exchange, felt that she was pleased by the exchange but hesitated. "Wait, can you actually communicate with King?"

"Can you not?" the creature asked, its tone and body language hinting at confusion.

"Not directly. Regardless, let's get this contract business over with; we need to give you a name. Do you have one already? And are you male or female?" Alistair Inquired.

The Yagan let out some kind of sneeze, and based on the emotions Alistair sensed, he presumed it was a show of being offended by the question.

"I am Male, and no, I do not have a name. Please give me one," he requested.

Alistair thought about it, and Nessyra encouraged him to name it, as she wasn't big on naming things and preferred to leave it to others. There was that one show he had watched with a former girlfriend ages ago. It was about a psychopath who was raised by a policeman who had shown him how to function as part of society and how to live out his urges to kill by killing only bad people fitting certain criteria in secret. Also, Alistair had always thought Dexter was more of a dog name. In hindsight, Alistair wondered why many women seemed to enjoy watching psychopaths on TV that much. Either way, he hoped that the Yagan wasn't actually a psychopath and would be more personable once he was more used to social interactions.

"Alright, how about Dexter?" Alistair asked.

The Yagan tilted his head from one side to the other before making another excited hop, his tail swishing again.

"I like it! I am Dexter!" He proclaimed.

Alistair chuckled as he initiated the summoning contract.