Lurona city [southern shores of Fuminao Legacy Kingdom], local time [1794.01.11]
His predicament was easier to solve than he thought. The trick was to observe the reaction from his newly acquired ‘Spiritual Synchronization’ Matrix Skill.
He slotted it right away, depleting his Matrix space by 18 points. It was costly for a mere Tier 1 Skill, but he expected the expenditure. Only Spells he created himself were able to break the trend of the multinomial cost increase – standard Tier 1 Spells cost at least ten Matrix Space, not to mention the Skills that tended to cost even more.
What was more worrying was the pace of increasing his free Matrix Space. After slotting his newest addition, he was left with only 54 points. Even after leveling 13 times, he was left with only that much. True, his Profession didn’t see much improvement, as he had focused on his Class. It was disheartening nonetheless. His Profession may be the main purveyor of Matrix Space, but even after min-maxing his development, the parameters were still lacking.
The most complicated Spells, the three Tier 2 Spells he gained from his Class, required hundreds in units of Matrix Space. His total was way below that still. If he were to multiply his arsenal, the remaining Matrix Space would be consumed in no time.
image [https://i.imgur.com/uMAzF5X.jpg]
image [https://i.imgur.com/X4aC6B9.jpg]
Name: Zeph Einar Perk: Body fluidity auto-training Race: Human (type 6671: 'Earthling') Passive Enhancements: Power 60 Intuition 228 Flexibility 50 Memory 68 Regeneration 50 Greater Willpower 76 Basic properties: Resource: Total: Available: Reserved: Matrix Space: 233 54 179 Mana Capacity: 1 543 1 531 12 Mana Generation [/s]: 207 166 41 Class: Level: Unallocated points: Matrix space taken: Force Generalist [Seeded] 14 0 141 Profession: Level: Unallocated points: Matrix space taken: Shaman 35 0 27 Soul contamination: Details: Space (type: B5001) 5,22%, slightly increases [Matrix space] Will (type: H1) 8,73%, enhances interaction between Will and Mana Iron Isotope Alloy (type: ZW1) [Soul] imbalance detected! Natural [Soul contamination] balance not achieved!
[Synhronization] detected! [Soul contamination] instable!
3,00%, stabilizes I.I.A. ZW1 in Mana environments Planaria Ferrium Fullerene (type: CON8795-XA65) [Soul] imbalance detected! Natural [Soul contamination] balance not achieved!
[Synhronization] detected! [Soul contamination] instable!
0,18%, [Unknown] effects.
Class Skill Matrices (CSM): Skill: Tier: Level: Activation Reserved resources Time: Cost: Channel: Matrix: Electrify 0 57 0.66 s 63 M 10 M/s 1 Lesser Ignite 1 65 0.49 s 4 M 1 M/s 2 Lesser Condense water 1 65 1.5 s 2 M 4 M/s 2 Lesser Humidity detect 1 50 3.5 s 4 M 8 M/s 2 Lesser Sound detect 1 55 1.19 s 1 M 1 M/s 2 Lesser Harden 1 53 1.23 s 4 M 2 M/s 2 Lesser Telekinesis 1 95 2.20 s 5 M varies 3 Lesser Grinding 1 56 1.47 s 2 M varies 2 Stabilize 1 72 0.88 s 50 M varies 3 Lesser Life ward [P.S.S.] 1 61 8.1 s 5 M - 3 Primitive life detection 1 61 0.5 s 4 M - 2 Lesser Life detection 2 16 1.07 s 6 M - 4 Lesser Air sphere 1 1 3 s/mod varies varies 12 Lesser Tremor detect. 1 6 1 min 1500 M 100 M/s 14 Lesser Magnetic scan 1 39 2 min 1200 M 50 M/s 32 Lesser Force weave 1 32 0.42 s 300 M varies 25 Lesser Mana beam 1 97 9.87 [6.1] s 120 M - 13 Lesser Mana bomb 1 42 3.2 s 150 M varies 17 Profession Skill Matrices (PSM): Skill: Tier: Level: Activation Reserved resources Time: Cost: Channel: Matrix: Mana Highlight [Spell] 1 58 41 s 957 M - 2 Lesser Light [P.S.S.] 1 59 0.71 s 1 M 1 M/s 2 Flashlight [Spell] 1 63 0.26 s 3 M 3 M/s 3 Flash [Spell] 1 41 0.3 s 10 M - 2 Spiritual Synchronization 1 25 varies varies varies 18 Passive Skills [Streamlined]: Skill: Tier: Reserved Matrix: Reserved Mana: Primitive enchanting 1 5 0 NOTEBOOK
Truth be told, it was much better than at the beginning of his journey. Being able to implement cheap Tier 1 Spells was a blessing. He became truly versatile and free in his choices and Spell execution. Even if it didn’t help with the Duels, as his new abilities had to be tested and trained excessively before being implemented into his fighting style, new ventures were already open for him.
Thus, he was almost ecstatic after using the ‘Spiritual Synchronization’ for the first time as a test. It was a Skill, not a Spell. He couldn’t modify its Mana framework – it was much too complex and involved more than simple shaping of Mana flow, but what it lacked in versatility and accessibility was outweighed by functionality. He didn’t have to learn how to use it. All of its capabilities, limited as they were, were available from the very start.
Of course, Spells could be used similarly in most cases. The name Spellwielders didn’t exist without reason. But such a path was a dead end in relation to Classes.
Either way, ‘Spiritual Synchronization’ was cheap enough. It was automatized for the most part and, like most Skills, it was working internally. All he had to do during drug testing, was to observe if it reacted and started consuming more Mana.
As he suspected, the state of his mind played a major role. Meditation was useless. The mind zone he was entering during physical exercises fared a little better, but it wasn’t the same without music.
After a few tries, he had enough clues to understand what he had to do. Swallowing his pride and, with no small amount of embarrassment, he did what he imagined every Shaman on Earth had to at some point in their lives.
He started dancing in place while playing on his improvised drum – a table. It provided the three main ingredients he confirmed were necessary: music, physical exertion, and a comfortable rhythm bonding both.
The results were obvious. It was easy to forget himself while doing that for a few minutes and the constantly-active Skill started to react, helping him to achieve a dream-like state even before he took any of the drugs.
It was a shame that any conscious use of his Will actually interfered with the process. It meant he couldn’t artificially enhance it. Also, it wasn’t enough.
Next came the chemicals secreted by Phleya. The pleasant warmth relaxed him as his mind drifted further away, but he still wasn’t able to see what he saw back on the surgery table.
The mixes prepared by P’pfel and Pavail he took in small doses. Small enough to be flushed from his organism after a few minutes. Because he was so close already, their influence was easily spotted.
The most potent mix was in the form of incense, as it turned out. He was quite sure opioids were involved, going by the symptoms. It was also quite natural to use these drugs for pain relief. He would have concerns, stemming mostly from the availability of such substances on the market, but he knew well that with their strengthened bodies it wasn’t that easy to get addicted. It was, most probably, even necessary to have access to stronger anesthetics.
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They adjusted the mix a few times as Zeph started inhaling more of it. The sleep-inducing effect was minimized, the hallucinogenic effect slightly strengthened, and the anesthetic effect enhanced. They even managed to induce a stress reaction in his body by injecting more aggressive stimulants.
It was a lengthy process and Zeph was quite high at the end, but he did manage to achieve his goal.
The synesthetic trip started slowly, painting the smoky room in non-existent colors. As his consciousness slowly shifted inwards, directed by the now-churning Skill, a familiar impression started forming in his mind.
His mind was relaxed, flying unwittingly with the flow. He wasn’t directing it, not even entertaining the thought of plotting a course. Instead, the stream of impressions followed his wishes, slithering and bending and reforming to accommodate whatever he cared for.
Instantly, and simultaneously after an indeterminately long time, he saw them. The remnants of foreign influence – the clusters of black, cloudy sheep – were prancing about near vast, waving, raucous rivers of distortions flowing up into the sky.
As the sounds started tasting and the colors started touching his skin, he frolicked within the puffy blackness, playing with the waves and shapes and sounds and smells.
It was becoming more psychedelic by the minute as he allowed himself to dive further into the chaotic cacophony of sensations.
He learned a lot. Of their tamed hunger; of favorite lazying spots; of their tastes and penchants.
Those simple creatures, those clouds of dust flying freely whenever they wanted, were, in fact, chained down without them realizing. Their world, vast as it seemed by extending into the illusionary infinity of whiteness of the spiritual landscape, only extended as far as the rigid waves they raided on. Their numbers slowly dwindling as more and more become one with the flesh of their existence. Even though they fed and multiplied to their non-beating hearts content, it wasn’t to be.
Feeling the flow weaken and slowly regaining his thoughts, Zeph decided it was enough.
In the final act before his return, he imposed his Will and the waves did stop.
His mind exploded in white as his senses shut down. He directed the entirety of his Will to interact with itself – a thing he could not impose without the trance.
His head was spinning as he had come to. The drugs were still flowing through him, clouding his eyes, but he could see clearly enough to know he was on the floor.
A very, very comfortable floor.
He licked his lips to give them some moisture. “I think… I think I will take a nap…” he said as his eyes already started to close.
“Ah! It’s okay, I will bring you to the bed!” He heard Pavail’s muffled voice, although he couldn’t tell from what direction it had come.
Before the darkness took him, he saw her gas mask as she bent down from above to look at his face.
~~~
He woke up slowly, noticing that his body felt much better.
Even his mind seemed to be more focused than yesterday. The pressure on his Will disappeared, too.
It seems it worked in the end, he thought, sitting up on his double bed and looking around. Pavail left him in his yesterday’s clothes – a tight toga and simple trousers. He could still smell the vestiges of the incense in the air, even though they used it in the guest room.
Being deep in the stadium complex, his apartment lacked windows. The soft light coming from glass pipes filled with flowing phosphorescent liquid illuminated the room instead.
He put his feet down on the lavish carpet and walked to the doors, turning a small control wheel to increase the intensity of the light.
Looking at the Wadokei, it was five in the morning. The start of the Tournament was planned for nine, so he had a few hours to burn.
Firstly, he inspected yesterday’s notifications.
Congratulations! [Profession Skill Matrix] [Spiritual Synchronization] is now [T1] [L25]! (+24)
Congratulations! [General Skills] leveled up:
[Shamanic visions] is now [T2][L15]! (+14)
[Willforce] is now [T2][L55]! (+6)
[Will] is now [T2][L85]! (+3)
[Will manipulation] is now [T2][L93]! (+2)
[W.P. Soul perception] is now [T2][L78]! (+3)
[Ambient Mana] is now [T1][L87]! (+2)
Hmm, no new Advanced Statistics? he wondered, noticing that Willforce crossed the Tier 2 Level 50 threshold. Maybe it’s not paired yet? Or is it connected to the malfunctioning statistics of Will? I need to keep an eye on the logic behind those… Anyway, a good haul, he concluded happily. His new Skills had a good start and he hoped that ‘Shamanic visions’ would now provide more clues as to how to enter the trance without ending up comatose on the floor.
After taking a quick bath – which was a little problematic because of his disabled arm – he donned his armor and decided to see if Aisha was sleeping. He missed the meeting yesterday, so it would be good to get an update.
He only needed to ring once before Aisha opened the door.
“Good, I was wondering if we would have to wake you up,” she greeted him.
“Important news?” he asked, walking inside.
“Not about our opposition, no,” she said leading him to the guest room. “But something that will surely interest you personally.”
As they entered the room, he was surprised. On the sofa sat Ciriyal, whom he hadn’t seen in months. She practically disappeared into thin air after contacting Aisha.
“Hi, Zeph,” she waved. “How have you been?”
“I am sure you know better than me,” he commented, sitting down on the opposing sofa. “I was wondering what you were up to.”
“I had to take care of my own mess, nothing interesting,” she shook her head but Zeph could tell from Aisha’s face that it wasn’t true at all. “I have a message for you,” she said with a twinkle in her eyes, leaning forward.
He looked at Aisha, raising his eyebrow.
“It’s private,” she said with a smirk. “We will inform Kwan and the rest later.”
He shrugged and gestured for Ciriyal to continue.
“I think I understand what it’s about, but please confirm,” she said, taking out her notebook. “Please don’t mention the contents to anyone after we discuss it. It was one of the requirements for passing the message to me.” After removing a blank page, she placed it on a ceramic board and started writing while speaking. “It was left in the Library yesterday. You were quite busy, so Onji Togana called me as, evidently, the contents were quite urgent. She couldn’t send it through the Interface because the author restricted the access to only you and one messenger.” Her hand sped through the paper with mechanical precision, leaving neat lines of text behind. A few seconds later, the letter was ready and she handed it to him.
Zeph took it anxiously. He wasn’t expecting a word from the Gibbons – it would be much more in their style to catch him somewhere in the city after making sure he wasn’t followed.
Dear Tail,
We are happy that you finally decided to relocate. For you to visit this city is a miraculous coincidence.
The time in the city is flowing like raging storm clouds. So much happened that it’s hard to properly describe; too many times we wondered if it was worth our efforts. Though our wellbeing is secure, turbulences in life never allow for a moment of rest. Thankfully, our new responsibilities align with the path we took long ago. The Onjis were gracious enough to lead us to a place where we could continue our existence meaningfully, working for goals larger than us alone.
Our family is now bigger; the house has become much louder. We shield the young as much as possible so they may continue their carefree lives in peace, but you would know that it’s not always possible. We can’t wait for you to know them better, as they are constantly asking about you. Especially our third son, Avis – he still remembers your early teachings and can’t wait for more now that he has grown up.
We heard of your newfound achievements and troubles, which are curiously similar to the story from the book you lent us so long ago. It seems you have found your happiness, and it is truly heartwarming to know that. In your current predicament, we hope you overcome all challenges with ease. But please, be careful and don’t strain yourself without reason. We still remember the bad times, and how hard they were for you. Remember, you have us, and sometimes, it’s better to turn away and find another path than to plow forward blindly.
We should meet soon. We will invite you to our humble abode as time allows, just remember to reserve your time appropriately.
A.A.
Zeph finished reading and was staring blankly at the paper. He wasn’t sure what to do with the information he was given. The wordplay was easy to understand, at least for him. Without context, it was hard to guess what was insinuated.
“If you finished…” Ciriyal said, reaching out with an open palm.
He nodded wordlessly and gave her the letter. She instantly put it in a bowl and used an ornamental lighter to burn it. The ceramic plate she used to write on was already polished to shine – to remove all traces left by her pen.
Okay, I should probably tell them, Zeph thought, slowly coming to a conclusion.
Nonetheless, he was happy to know more about his old companion’s situation, especially that their assassination spree wasn’t done without reason or under external influence. He still couldn’t understand what made them form an information network and a strike team, but as long as it happened because of their free will, he could accept it.
They would contact him soon enough, either way. Judging from the letter, they certainly had resources to spare, so he was quite curious about where they lived while hiding from basically the whole city.
I have to find a way to mark my clothes with an appropriate symbol first, though. Because of the local fashion, yellow could be quite hard to apply.
He turned to Aisha and Ciriyal, who were patiently waiting.
“I have two pieces of important news; Tournament-related. But… can we speak openly here?”
Aisha shrugged. “The enchantments are always active. I don’t believe we can find a better place.”
Ciriyal nodded with enthusiasm, excitedly shuffling forward.
“Well… First, my third opponent is somehow related to the Temple of Pure Souls…”
Aisha frowned hearing that, her stance shifting into a more aggressive one.
“The message wasn’t stating that directly, but we are talking about a fanatic group with advanced Soul arts and enough wealth to create an artifact that will help the combatant. The artifact that will, obviously, assault the opponent’s Soul. Also, I was advised to use lethal force against them or, in case it’s more than I can take, forfeit the match.”
Aisha shook her head instantly. “Let us work on that problem first. If we find enough evidence, we can disqualify them.”
Zeph smiled warmly and turned to Ciriyal. “So, how much did you manage to find out by yourself?”
She sighed, scratching her head. “Only the part about the third contestant having something to counter you, and the fact that he will be hunted down later either way. Well, besides some unimportant clues about their group. Hard to tell what is true, though.”
“Good job,” he said, crossing his arms. “Either way, the problem is – if they plan to hit in the stadium, it means they are here already,” he said more seriously. “And, in my opinion, ambushing the target here is not only doable but preferable for that group.”
Aish massaged her temples. “Are you serious? After you told us all that, we can be held accountable for their death. And if we disqualify them before that, the investigators will knock on our doors for sure.”
“Let’s do what we can. I am sure they won’t leave me on thin ice without a reason. Anyway, shouldn’t we inform Kwan?”
That question made her sigh with irritation.
~~~
The discussion had been quick and relatively painless. They hadn’t mentioned that the opponent would be targeted to prevent any law enforces from easily extracting information from the Hannyajin – their weakness, the limited ability to lie, was the main concern.
Aisha had left not long after to deal with her own investigation while the rest of their group was gathering in the observation hall.
Kwan’s Duel was first today, so she was absent. Without a working arm, she was majorly disadvantaged so the arbiters decided it was better to put the decisive match before the rest.
The contestants were already standing in the arena. Kwan, in her black armor and wielding her oversized club one-handedly, and a giant of a woman in bronze armor and two hammers in her hands.
The signal was given, and the two rushed at each other. The club met the two hammers, but instead of clashing, they stopped midair as if buffered by an invisible barrier. Between the weapons a dark, swirling mass started forming.
With an explosion of lightning, Kwan was hurled backward while her opponent spasmed in place.
Thus, the second day of the Tournament has officially started.