Lurona city [southern shores of Fuminao Legacy Kingdom], local time [1794.01.27]
It took hours.
Halfway through, he was invited to have some tea. In other words, they were done with questioning him and he could rest.
Then, after the duo finished plotting the route Zeph had to travel in order to gather more data, they disabled the map and used the table in an old-fashioned way. That is, to eat the dinner.
The meal wasn’t bad. Or rather, it was on the level of a high-end restaurant, although a class-zero one as there was no entree and the food wasn’t super-fresh. It was delivered by yet another Mapmaker – a younger-looking man that, as it turned out, arrived with the Cartographer gall and took over the counter after Bob.
They ate in silence. Not an uncomfortable one, as they all got quite hungry by this point. Only after Bob started hauling the dishes to the sink at the bar the Cartographer addressed him about their findings.
“Our calculations aren’t promising. Your sense of direction is inaccurate,” she informed him, speaking about his Skill-provided ability to point out the direction of the Makrun deposits. Not that they knew what he was looking for exactly. “I will have to travel with you. Even if we were to teach you how to operate our measuring devices, the error margin is simply too big. The measurements will be much more accurate if I’m able to direct your attention and ask additional questions. We would still need to visit other continents for it to work, though.”
Zeph sighed with resignation. “How much?”
She shook her head. “No need. We will operate under the standard price of fifty gold per position calculated, but you will have to cover my travel expenses. Except for the food, of course.” It was another custom on Corora. Taking into account the price discrepancy between the cheapest and the rarest meals, no one would force another person to pay for them. If one were to pay for meals including an entree from animals with rare Soul contaminations, for example, even the Guild Leaders would go bankrupt in weeks.
Zeph’s eyebrow raised. “That sounds like an awful commitment from your side, no?” he asked, reaching for a salty snack lying on the table.
“That’s because we have a proposition,” Bob said, returning from the bar while drying his hands with a rug. “As you can see, our Guild is investing quite a bit in this affair. This device,” he pointed at the piece of magitech standing before them, “will stay here for your convenience. It will speed up the calculations and keep the data safely stored. If our initial assumptions are incorrect, we will be able to recalculate instantly.”
Zeph’s eyes squinted. “Bob, we both know that this isn’t a standard equipment to deal with minor requests like this. I hope you aren’t trying to rob me by forcing all this on me?”
The old man made a disappointed face before slowly sitting down in his armchair. “I see. If you are perceiving the world like that… Think of it as a bribe,” he shamefully declared. “Whether it works like intended or not, is none of your concern.”
Zeph grimaced at those words. “You should chill out, old man. It was a half-joke. But maybe you should explain what exactly are you expecting before giving me that proposition you have mentioned?”
“Right… Well, you said it yourself during our first meeting, La-Einar. The names of most of the places you are looking for aren’t stated in the Cir language. Same with the surrounding areas.” Zeph nodded. “But they do have names nonetheless. I wonder if one of the history associations on the higher stratum would have information on them? But I digress,” he cleared his throat. “It’s obvious that these places were previously inhabited, but long before the System Onji have raised to power. That would make them classified as ancient sites. After we triangulate those positions we will see if that’s really possible, but that’s not the only lead. For you to possess a Skill of such nature, you are probably looking for rare materials necessary for your implants.”
Well, that much was easy to guess… Wasting more than a year to personally find some kind of information in the wilderness? Paying over my head to find an archeological site? Yeah, very likely, Zeph thought sarcastically.
“Also, those materials can’t be available on the market if you were given the Skill. That leaves us with two options: deposits of rare minerals, or materials that were being produced at some point in the past but the technology to make them was lost.”
Zeph’s eyes widened and he nodded in understanding. “You hope to find ruins of lost civilizations and their technology? You want to go with me all the way there, right until we find what I am looking for?”
“Indeed, that is true…”
“But you are aware that—even assuming you are right in the assumption those are remnants—retrieving anything of value from those ruins is improbable at best?”
“Again, yes, but that’s not our direct goal. Others can try to decipher the ancient traces left behind; we just need to know where to send those people. We are the Mapmakers,” Bob said with pride. “That leads us to an important question. In case we find something, we would like to make a territorial claim. But the law isn’t as simple. The discovery rights will be split between you and our Guild. If I understand correctly, you are interested only in whatever you are looking for?”
“And what those rights give me?” he asked evasively.
“Fame. Management rights. Accessibility control to a huge extent. An ability to earn a lot if other factions will be interested in the discovery, but that comes with a number of headaches and political maneuvering,” Bob explained, waiting for more questions. When none arrived, he continued.
“Our proposition is as follows – if you were to forgo your discovery rights, we could finance the expeditions on the higher strata. Before you ask,” he raised a finger, “we would give you the right to claim five useful items from the inventory we gather. Also, we would make sure that whatever you need will be delivered in abundance. As for the reason, it’s simple. We can push our Guild further while you save on resources and time. We already know, for sure, that at least one place is on the stratum-two. As so, this arrangement should save you a lot of time. You won’t have to wait until you evolve your Class to travel there in person; you won’t have to travel at all,” he finished with a satisfied smile.
Would be logical if I wasn’t able to survive in higher Mana densities, Zeph thought, analyzing Bob’s face.
He couldn’t shake off the feeling that Bob wasn’t telling him the whole truth. Their Guild was going to great lengths in assisting him, it was suspicious as hell. And asking for the rights to his discoveries? That brought him back to the contracts stipulating who could own a patent – of course, not the inventor himself.
It took him only a moment to come to a conclusion.
“What about, you do what I am paying you for first? We can negotiate if I will need more of your assistance in the future. Also, if you are after those territorial rights, we can talk about that after I know what I am going to give up. I would rather avoid the political struggle - as long as you pay no less than your competition, I can’t see why you wouldn’t be able to buy those lands from me.”
Bob’s face was becoming more and more stern with each sentence that Zeph voiced out. He wasn’t pleased when he commented on that, too. “You are leaving yourself an option to keep the land. Also, didn’t I say we aren’t that prosperous?”
“Of course, I do!” Zeph rolled his eyes. “I don’t need fame, political standing, or endless gold. But I won’t sell a rake in the bag before checking the contents. And if you are as poor as you are indicating, it’s only true on this stratum, no? You already told me that you have representatives on the higher ones – that’s a legacy and a half right there. Anyway, why are you even asking me?” Zeph started to get irritated. “All you had to do, was to wait for us to finish collecting the necessary data. Then, you could just send the coordinates to your branch on the higher stratum. I wouldn’t be any wiser!”
“Because if we do so, this endeavor would be pointless,” the Cartographer lady said, interrupting Bob who was about to say something. “This discussion leads nowhere, and you are being disrespectful” She sent a withering glance Bob’s way. “Why don’t we start from the beginning,” she looked at Zeph in askance.
He took a few seconds to calm down and nodded for her to continue.
“We are looking for something, too. Our true legacy; an old structure of some kind. But if we find it, we don’t want the news to spread at all. If you were to give up your discovery rights, we would be able to force you to keep the location secret in the future. No territorial and ownership disputes as well, which would be very much preferred. But, like I said, it was a stupid idea to count on your ignorance. Our proposition was presented poorly from the very beginning.”
Meaning: if they could, they would try to keep up the deception. But I know just enough to understand that something wasn’t right… And I wouldn’t agree to their proposition because I have means of my own to check the places, he came to the conclusion. Fucking, despicable liars…
Zeph managed to keep his poker face, but Bob was glaring at her. He didn’t say a word, though.
“We normally don’t give away that information easily,” she continued, ignoring the old man, “but I would rather make you aware and cooperative than leave you half-informed and, perhaps in the future, feeling betrayed. Additionally, I am sure your whole Guild will know about the locations as soon as we gather enough data. It’s clearly unreasonable to expect no information leaks if we make you and yours our enemy at some point. Risking it would be foolish.”
Zeph has an impression that she wasn’t exactly low on the totem pole of their Guild. She certainly was disregarding Bob easily enough.
Zeph crossed his arms and tilted his head. “So, what are your expectations for our ‘cooperation’? Hmm?” He asked despite his suspicions.
“I was thinking about this: after triangulating the positions, we will send one person with you. A person who will work as a guide without the right to claim the discovery. Merely, a hired hand. They will be there to help you out, lead you, and confirm if the place is what we are looking for. If that comes to be, we will grant you a high-priority-guest position within our Guild. It will give you authorization to use our resources. Even the facilities from the uncovered site, if they are in a working order. Besides that, we can negotiate the price of the land with your Guild. We can have one of the Onjis as a witness to the deal.”
Zeph waved his head from side to side, thinking. It didn’t take him long, though.
“It sounds fair, but I still don’t understand one thing. Why are you going so far as to gather information on stratum zero? Can’t you buy information from Onjis – like the System – or search the land for yourselves?”
She signed wearily. “Do you know how long we are searching for it, Zeph?” she asked in a whisper. “The wilderness is vast and dangerous; the search cannot be done fast or cheaply. We don’t even know which stratum we should prioritize…”
“We are in contact with a few chosen Onjis, but this cooperation is yet to bear any fruit,” Bob said suddenly. “The place was secluded and kept secret from times immemorial. The information is scarce.”
“And we only have clues as to what we are looking for. Symbolism, some ciphered scraps of an old language that stems from another, a dead one with many variations,” the Cartographer added. “The large-area scans provided by Onjis are out of the question, at least until we gather more clues. The cost is astronomical if you take into account the level of structural detail necessary. That’s why we defaulted to buying information about promising locations instead. Of course, we are also reaching out to people who happened to find something new.”
Zeph was stumped, it wasn’t what he was expecting at all. “So, this operation is carried out globally?”
They shrugged but nodded.
“And how many of you—”
“Details like that are exactly what we are trying to keep secret,” Bob said sternly, interrupting him.
Zeph scratched his head, it didn’t seem like a bad deal. Especially because he would keep the ability to access whatever they would find. The whole affair suddenly became much more serious, though.
If not for the fact that I should be able to visit stratum one and two—soon, if not now—this discussion wouldn’t have taken place, I suppose.
“Okay… Let’s assume that I agree. What would you say for System Onji to make the agreement binding?” The greedy bastard probably already knows about them and our little talk either way…
~~~
After working out the details and agreeing to meet at the Shrine in three days, Bob took him to the warehouse area.
Another staircase was leading to the floor below the booth, it was available in the backroom.
Down there, he changed into the prepared clothes and said his goodbyes.
The technical corridors were full of activity. People were moving around the packed merchandise on big carts, while others were hurrying to deliver letters, random papers, or messages. Zeph’s own belongings were packed into an unwieldy crate to make him look like he belonged – not like anyone was paying him much attention.
The corridors were wide and the directions straight. Interestingly, the place was neatly decorated in engraved wood, ornamental lamps, and potted plants. There was no carpet on the wooden floor – to allow the carts an unobstructed passage – but overall, the place was much nicer than he had expected.
Back on Earth, he saw enough examples of how it could look – most of those places were raw, technically practical, and kind of messy. Because who would care about a nice environment for workers if it only brought more work and was less ‘efficient’?
Either way, Zeph had no problems reaching the back doors of the building.
He took out his belongings, utilizing an empty corner of the warehouse, and left the crate on a small pile near the carriage exit.
Those, sadly, traveled on the surface of the snowy landscape. Meaning, the exit was leading straight into the unwelcoming weather.
The winter was in its full bloom so he was forced to put on a face cover resembling a balaclava before stepping out. He also prepared his goggles, placing them on his forehead, before covering everything with a heavy hood.
After fighting with the clasps and cords for a minute – to make sure he wouldn’t have to adjust anything later on – Zeph raised a corner of the heavy curtain blocking the carriage exit and stepped outside.
The harsh winds hit his face immediately. It wasn’t snowing today so he hoped he wouldn’t have to use the goggles, but this notion was squashed instantly. His eyes started to water immediately; his tears freezing on his skin even before reaching the material covering his face.
He quickly brought down the covering for his eyes. He didn’t like them much because of how foggy they could get, but it was still better than fighting against the icy wind.
Looking around, he could see some workers were moving about, mostly towards the terraces set between the buildings on the other side of the street. He joined the next group to migrate in that direction.
It was rare to see human traffic above the snowy tunnels at this time of the year, but he wasn’t surprised. A lot of people were working here, so it was natural that a few bars, inns, and restaurants would operate around. Those people needed a place to unwind, and they needed it close.
The wooden structure of the terraces shielded the pedestrians from the worst of the winds – all entrances were covered with some kind of fabric while patchy walls covered the sides. Heat plates were fighting a losing battle against the dropping temperatures while warm lights illuminated the interior. But the overall atmosphere inside was welcoming and joyous for the most part. The slightly drunken locals moved around, cursing about their work, arguing over unimportant topics, and generally having fun.
He entered the first bar he saw and immediately started searching for a waiter. He had wasted enough time already and would like to hurry things up.
He didn’t even have to travel to the parking lot. As expected, the establishments here were ready to accommodate even the drunkards. In five minutes, the carriage was already waiting for him. He had to pay extra for the messenger to call it, but the loss of half a silver wasn’t enough concerning him anymore.
The ride was slow and cold, but Zeph didn’t even notice the passing time. He was too preoccupied with what he had learned about the Mapmakers and too excited at the prospect of meeting his old team. His thoughts drifted in random directions; incoherent and unbidden.
He just knew that he chained himself with some secret organization, again. The information he gathered played out before his mind’s eye again and again. And yet, he wasn’t able to come to any conclusions. If possible, he would rather avoid people like that, but the more time he spent on Corora, the more he acknowledged that almost every person of note was involved in dealings beyond his understanding and ability to control. Aisha and Makani should be the best examples of that fact, even though he had grown to trust them.
Even then, that fact made him reconsider all of his past encounters. He started to second-guess his past choices. Within a society built upon predominant principles of personal strength and direct connections to sources of power, could he really ignore the existence of groups dominating his surroundings? He was slightly special, as a specimen, but nothing more. Would he really be able to work in peace, alone, if worse came to worst? Was an escape possible?
Those doubts plagued his mind the whole ride. Thankfully, he woke up after noticing the change in the architecture.
He was almost there. This district was poor, although it wasn’t that obvious at first glance. The only thing that could differentiate it from normal areas was the architecture. Instead of using the oversized stone-, sandstone-, and granite blocks, the buildings here were made from bricks, mortar, and wood. They still stood tall – as in every other part of the city – but the difference in the quality of materials was indisputable.
The walls, no matter how thick, were damaged on the outside. No bricks were missing, but he could easily spot places that had lost integrity and were repaired, again and again, probably after every winter. The discoloration was a dead giveaway.
This neighborhood also lacked good illumination. It was hard to tell if the terraces were any worse for wear, but they certainly weren’t as welcoming as in the main cityscape. The corners and passages covered in darkness would cause anyone to think twice before entering or walking close to them.
“Hey, stop near the main avenue, would you?” He shouted to his driver. The man knocked twice on the wall separating them to confirm that he understood.
Zeph shut the curtains on the windows and started repacking. He took out the yellow monstrosity of a coat, packing his current cloak in its place. He wouldn’t have to worry about returning it – the Mapmakers counted it as their operational loss. That meant he had an additional bag, too, but that was actually welcome.
He also changed his boots. His trousers should suffice, covered by the yellow cloak as they were, but his boots couldn’t stand out. He had a pair of worn-down, mismatched work boots for the occasion, though.
Overall, he now looked like a person wearing whatever was more convenient and warmer. His two bags only enhanced the impression of a poor fella working with what he got. He felt a little uncomfortable without his helmet, but at least he had his armor beneath the shaggy clothing.
He had paid the driver before entering the carriage, so the moment it stopped, he jumped out and started walking back the way they had come from. He wasn’t going to show his new attire to the driver and this carriage lacked the back mirrors. It was easy to move away unnoticed.
After making sure his ride disappeared down the road, he turned to the narrow wooden scaffolding adorning the gaps between the houses in the area.
It took him three tries before he found one that connected to the underground tunnels. Thankfully, no one disturbed him when he was looking around. He should, probably, thank the weather – it was way too cold to stay outside without a good reason.
The tunnels weren’t as pretty as in the Roaming Onsen Village. People busy with work didn’t have enough free time to decorate them. And here, even the youngsters were working.
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
That exactly was the main indicator of a poor neighborhood, at least in his mind. Kids working to help their parents or communities. However, the locals had a more… flexible attitude. After all, more work meant more levels. More often than not, it meant longer lives as well. But higher levels didn’t mean a better future.
It was complicated.
Moving around erratically, Zeph gave himself two hours. If no one contacted him by then, he would get a ride back to the headquarters. It was already late, and he didn’t want to walk aimlessly for the whole night, even if he felt safe knowing how the Cororians reacted to unnecessary violence. Stealing was another thing, but he didn’t have much money on himself. Not physically, at least.
~~~
He was shuffling through another, especially dark tunnel when someone grabbed his shoulder suddenly.
He turned around immediately, knife at the ready, but froze midway as he saw the face behind him.
“Nice coat you have here,” a woman smirked. A few stray locks of brilliantly red hair were visible under her thick hood. “Care to come with me?”
“A—“ He choked down his own voice and gulped the word down. “You. Personally?” He expected a guide. A hint, maybe. Not… her!
She let go of his shoulder, her face hardening. “Well, you weren’t the only one waiting to meet the other party. Also, we really need to talk.”
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Interface (picture version):
image [https://i.imgur.com/0oiMO6s.jpg]
image [https://i.imgur.com/mSjV93W.jpg]
image [https://i.imgur.com/pq4kBab.jpg]
image [https://i.imgur.com/UVY3Zsi.jpg]
image [https://i.imgur.com/N0lCDdC.jpg]
image [https://i.imgur.com/2y85wDY.jpg]
image [https://i.imgur.com/LHrejMp.jpg]
image [https://i.imgur.com/ejCgiPA.jpg]
Interface (raw table version):
Name: Zeph Einar Perk: Body fluidity auto-training Race: Human (type 6671: 'Earthling') Passive Enhancements: Power 60 Intuition 228 Flexibility 50 Memory 70 Regeneration 50 Greater Willpower 76 Basic properties: Resource: Total: Available: Reserved: Matrix Space: 243 64 179 Mana Capacity: 1_630 1_618 12 Mana Generation [/s]: 219 176 43 Class: Level: Unallocated points: Matrix space taken: Force Generalist [Seeded] 14 0 141 Profession: Level: Unallocated points: Matrix space taken: Shaman 37 4 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!
3.44%, 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!
0.61%, [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
General Skills: Skill: Tier: Level: Type: Resource taken: Unusable or Level-irrelevant Interface 1 50 Inactive None Tabu 1 100 Inactive None Memories of the Earth N/A N/A Internal [variable] Mana, Will Position of materials N/A N/A Knowledge [10] Mana/s Knowledge Ancient Civilizations 3 21 Knowledge [691] Mana /s Universal Cir language 1 94 Knowledge [95] Mana /s Corora lifeforms 1 55 Knowledge [56] Mana /s Corora herbarium 1 16 Knowledge [17] Mana /s Survival 1 100 Knowledge [101] Mana /s Leatherworking 1 32 Knowledge [33] Mana /s Exotic Metallurgy 1 6 Knowledge [7] Mana /s Shamanic visions 2 15 Knowledge [179] Mana /s Knowledge of Physical Actions Mixed Enchanting Arts 2 35 Crafting [351] Mana /s Earth’s methodology 1 45 Science arts [46] Mana /s Explosives 1 99 Crafting [100] Mana /s Wood carving 1 12 Crafting [13] Mana /s Javelin and atlatl 1 76 Martial arts [77] Mana /s Spear [Enchanted] (style: E2M1) 2 75 Martial arts [695] Mana /s Close combat (Mima) 1 60 Martial arts [61] Mana /s [Enchanted] [Module] 3 7 Technique [397] Mana /s Mixed arts Willforce 2 55 Technique [523] Mana /s Resonation Suppression 2 47 Technique [454.2] Mana /s Extended Empathy: Feedback stimuli 2 45 Martial arts [437] Mana /s Related to Will and Greater Willpower Will contamination 1 61 Mixed [unknown] Mana, Will Will 2 85 Knowledge [781] Mana /s Will manipulation 2 93 Knowledge [849.8] Mana /s W.P. Mana manip. 2 85 Knowledge [781] Mana /s W.P. Soul manipulation 2 23 Knowledge [247.8] Mana /s W.P. Soul perception 2 78 Knowledge [720.8] Mana /s W.P. Soul whack 2 49 Technique [471.4] Mana /s W.P. Soul Memory access sharing 3 20 Technique [670] Mana /s Related to Mana Soul 1 75 Knowledge [76] Mana /s Ambient Mana 1 87 Knowledge [88] Mana /s A. Mana channeling 2 1 Knowledge [58.6] Mana /s Mana manipulation 1 49 Knowledge [50] Mana /s Mana perception 2 17 Knowledge [196.2] Mana /s Mana rupture 1 17 Technique [18] Mana /s Mana masking 2 15 Technique [179] Mana /s Life Energy 1 41 Knowledge [42] Mana /s
Universal Points available: 1.251.522 Total: 21.614.189
Traits: Mana incompatibility
[Race] You were born in a world without Mana. Your body is able to operate normally without Mana. On the other hand, Mana is toxic to your cells. Weaker suboptimal irregular Prana Metabolism
[Race] Allows you to live in Prana environment, giving a miniscule boost to your metabolism.
External Energy Dependency: None.
Reserved Energy Regeneration: None. Greater Will
[Race] Your Will can energetically interact with Mana and Soul.
Effects: Enhanced Mana Generation; Enhanced Manipulation; Enhanced Resistances; Specialized Soul Contamination; Greater Willpower; Greatly decreased Will dissipation; Ability to contamine Soul with [Will, type: H1]! Grants alternative method of sharing [Soul Memories]. Soul dissipation resistance
[Race] Powered by Will. Instinctual reaction when exposed to Soul damage. Hard Trained (HT) Intuition [Completed Achievement] You have spent your whole life without Mana. Even without an intermediary, Mana being one of them, you managed to connect with your Soul. You trained your intuition almost to its natural limit. Multiplies Intuition enhancement effectiveness by 2 until the next milestone. Soul fragmentation (10.00%)
[Diagnostics] You are lucky! Normally, at around 15% a cascade effect destroys a Soul! You managed to slow down this process significantly, but it was stopped only after you entered this world! You.Are.Welcome! You were right
[Reward] MS calculated that another mutagen had 94% chance of successfully implementing desirable changes to the [Garuan]. It Failed. The probability of your choice working was less than 5%. You were right, you have permanent access to Ancient Civilizations Database. Well-informed
[Reward] The Mighty System (MS) decided you are worthy communicating with. For some time, at least, and mostly because you will die prematurely otherwise. Second life
[Reward] You should be dead. Two times over, actually. Yet, you are still the first of your race to come. You have one reviving option (MS sends its regards), assuming prerequisites are met.
Advanced and independent improvements: Energy Enhancements: Details: Willforce
[Extended Will shielding] Basic [Energy component] of [Willforce Morphon], the complex [Modification]. This [Micro-structure] allows for advanced applications of [Will] and is acting as an intermediary in [Energy exchange]. It is permeating the [Body] and [Soul] and possesses [Unknown] manipulation applications.
Cost: Reserved 15% of [Mana Generation], Reserved [??%] of [Will Regeneration]. Enhanced structurized force transfer
[Power Milestone] Skin [Energy Enhancement]. Forms external Mana of the user into energy-transferring structures, spreading the force used in a wider area. Burns external Mana. Compatible with Spells. Incompatible with external Mana manipulation. Effectiveness depends on the amount of Mana around the user. Homeostasis defense
[Regeneration Milestone] Body/Soul [Energy Enhancement]. Passively prevents extreme metabolic reactions. Strengthens homeostasis in a body by negating macroscopic effects. Those functions can be negated. Mana-shaping internal amplifier
[Flexibility Milestone] Body/Soul [Energy Enhancement]. Intercellular network of micro-matrices. Enhances accuracy of neural activity. Passively links Mana control to the body movements and state. Enhances Mana shaping in all forms if used alongside physical exercise. Those effects can be internalized, disabled, or amplified. [Spell] Energy Enhancements: Body/Soul [Energy Enhancement], details: Heat Tier 0 Reserved: 2 Mana capacity, 1 Matrix space. Fog Tier 0 Reserved: 2 Mana capacity, 1 Matrix space. Air bubble Tier 0 Reserved: 2 Mana capacity, 1 Matrix space. Stiffen Tier 0 Reserved: 2 Mana capacity, 1 Matrix space. Space lens Tier 0 Reserved: 2 Mana capacity, 1 Matrix space. Scrubbing Tier 0 Reserved: 2 Mana capacity, 1 Matrix space.
Implants and symbionts: Details: Phleya (type: 3.07)
[By Grumgurg the Fast Falling Yellow Rock; modified by the Mighty System]
[Soul-linked] A type of Slime Mould maintaining a chosen alloy environment to acquire a safe structure to live in. Genetically modified to be able to live inside [Garuan]. Genetically modified to support
Traits: Living, Sentience potential, Soul-linked, Symbiotic, Genetically enhanced, Functional duality, Armor modification. Modified cardiovascular micro-plating
[mixed sources; no prototype] Strengthening mechanical micro-implant. Material used: Planaria Ferrium Fullerene CON8795-XA65 [redition by Ghrughah]. Core improvements to the cardiovascular system: internal Mana manipulation (+72%), internal perception (+76%), functionality (+216% on average), shielding (+24%). Modified Neural implant
[mixed sources; no prototype] Mechanical coating framework, applied in accordance to the [Kehayah Medical Academy: 'Brainworks' project]. Material used: Planaria Ferrium Fullerene CON8795-XA65 [redition by Ghrughah]. Core improvements to the nervous system: shielding (+136%); regeneration (+29.8%); functionality (+492%). Compatible with [Willforce Morphon]. Garuan (type: M1)
[by an Unknown Ancient Civilization TRA404]
[Soul-bonded] Able to crystallize surplus Mana of the host. Integrated with all circulatory systems and the digestive system.
Traits: Modified, Mutated, Growing, Living, Basic Sentience, Soul-bonded, Symbiotic Parasite, Lowered efficiency [69%].
Reserved: 10 Mana regeneration when not oversaturated "Cellular Energy Subsystem", Mitochondrion-like v.501
[by Maddening Aurenus]
[Soul-linked] Allows cells to metabolize Mana. An outstanding efficiency and a final creation of Aurenus.
Traits: Modifiable, Living, Soul-linked, Symbiotic. Mutagenic Bacteria B652H81
[by Maddening Aurenus]
[Soul-linked] Host-dependent microorganism specialized in enhancing and assisting the immune system in energy-enhanced environments.
Traits: Modifiable, Living, Soul-linked, Symbiotic. Modified "Source Net v.21.31",
[Imperial University of S&T: IG, IC, IMG, Kendroleiskie] The newest version of the funneling system, integrated within a body. A little stiff.
Traits: Best choice, Modifiable, Mana Siphoning, Self-maintenance, Lowered efficiency [60%]. Enhanced symbiotic microbes
[Soul-linked] You are in a symbiotic relationship with a number of microbes. Your organism is not able to operate normally without them. They were already enhanced to be able to operate normally in Mana environments. Further upgrades are possible.
Traits: First batch, Modifiable, Living, Soul-linked, Symbiotic.
Mutations and structural modifications: Details: Modified Metabolism
[Symbiotic Parasite] Expanded toxin resistance, extended intestinal digestibility, lowered blood metal levels, click here to expand. Willforce Morphon
[Extended Will shielding]
[Growing] Will/Soul/Body [Enhancement] integrated into Soul-Body metabolism and ‘information cloud’ of [Will]. Powered by [Willforce], applications can be further strengthened by spending [Will]. Shields [Body], [Soul], and [Will] by linking their [Energetical Resources] in new exchange pathways.
click here to expand Other sources: Details: Living armor
[Prototype; Unique; by
[Soul-linked] An armor based on a high-tech blueprint from Earth, fashioned from Planaria Ferrium Fullerene CON8795-XA65 (Ghrughah creation). Contains Phley (type 3).
Traits: Living, Soul-linked, Genetically enhanced, Self-maintenance, Functional duality, Symbiotic.