We recommend you continue and complete this as soon as possible if you wish to continue.
Should I? Running sounds like a really good idea now. Whatever punishment Elveil has for me can’t be worse than this.
You would run knowing that Elveil is determined and capable of inflicting psychological torment with the intent to brainwash you?
Orange, do you or do you not want me to go through with this?
We will support whatever decision you make. You were losing your resolve during the fight. If we run to look for Gary, Elveil will use it as an excuse to punish you. Do you know what she will do to you if she finds you with Gary and learns what you planned to do?
I don’t think I want to find out. I looked at the three bodies blown apart from the waist up. But if I was going to back out, it would’ve been when those three were running. This needs to be worth it. I need to make it worth it.
Slowly I trudged down the hall, away from the bodies I left.
What is your plan for augments? You have a substantial total now.
Name:
Rina Lone
Augments:
Predator Android:
Level:
64
Cellular reconstruction
Upgradable
Agility:
700
Cerebral prediction matrix
Weaponized
Arcane:
500
Synthetic eyes lvl. 3
Predator Senses
Power:
230
HUD
Quickness:
950
Olfactory nexus lvl. 1
Resilience:
410
Echo sensors lvl. 1
Toughness:
410
Mana battery (shadow) integration
Unassigned Points:
40
Synthetic skin (face) lvl. 1
Shards:
4,266,164
Additional stinger arm X2
Arm blade X2, retractable
Shadow Powers:
Synthetic tendons lvl. 3
Manifestation lvl. 19
Synthetic muscle lvl. 3
Shaping lvl. 17
Synthetic bones lvl. 1
Distance lvl. 7
Epidermal plating lvl. 2
Anchoring lvl. 3
Nanobot blood replacement
Infusion lvl. 15
Mana-weave hair lvl. 4
Solidify lvl. 5
Voice projector
Shadow Lycan Form Spell
Plated dragon teeth
Synthetic tongue
Leg scythe X2, retractable
Talons
What I really need is an alternative way of recovering my energy. Eating monsters works as long as I have a steady supply of them. I have so much mana that I really wish I could use it to supplement my energy.
You’ve already denied one method when you choose your class. There’s other options, but you can’t afford them.
I remember the options, I still can’t afford them. I know I asked if mana was edible, but is there any way to convert mana into something edible?
Not with shadow magic. If you could grow something with nature magic, it’s possible. And if you were to start eating parts of yourself, you would ultimately lose energy. For an augment, there’s one option.
Mana core augment available.
Cost: 16,800,675 shards.
Insufficient funds.
Warning! Purchasing under the host’s current status will result in their death.
My hand instinctively touched the collar. Does that augment change me so that instead of energy, I use mana for everything, just like that one class option?
We are not allowed to tell you.
That’s okay, Orange. That’s confirmation enough. It’s not an augment I feel comfortable with, especially now. Yeah my hair gives me a crazy amount of mana absorption, but something tells me the metal of this collar isn't the only thing that inhibits mana absorption.
Correct. Our database has thirty-seven methods that prevent or reduce mana absorption. But does your plan to fight Elveil hinge on outlasting her, or being stronger?
I hung my head as I turned another corner. Outlasting her is a bad plan.
My mind ran dozens of hypothetical simulations. Trying to outlast her always ended with me being brainwashed. Then let’s focus on upgrades for now. They seem the most impactful right now. Starting with my skin.
Epidermal plating level 3 available:
Cost: 539,190 shards.
I took it. Instantly, my entire body heated up. The black metal turned bright red. I stopped and stripped my clothes off before they ignited.
Please choose a specialization:
Camouflage layering.
Darksteel tempering.
Shadow mana veins.
Razor tipped.
Even though I was given no descriptions of them, I could guess that each of them was going to enhance stealth, defense, magic, or offensive aspects somehow. Each of them had their appeal.
Razor tipped is the least useful, I think. Shadow mana veins would be useful for when I fight Elveil. But we just talked about how relying on magic isn’t a good long term plan. Camouflage was so tempting, but it would only help me ambush. I was sure Elveil’s eyes would have a way of seeing me regardless. Defeating her is the most important thing right now.
So I picked darksteel tempering. The metal turned white hot, distorting the air in a haze as the ground scorched as I stood on it. Then the metal started to swirl as a purple sheen appeared as it cooled. My metal skin was still black, but it had dark purple streaks through it. I rubbed my hand along my wrists feeling the joints. I barely felt them, and I couldn’t see them unless I magnified my vision. Overall, my body felt heavier—much heavier.
My arm blade slid out and had the same purple layering. After I put my clothes back on, my mind gave me a quick estimate on how much I weighed. I was somewhere between seven hundred and seven hundred and forty pounds.
Orange, I thought you said I could eat however much I wanted and I wouldn’t get fat? I weigh as much as four or five people.
Darksteel is much denser than steel and it covers…
Orange, it’s called a joke. I’m aware. I did the calculations.
Sorry. Humor is complicated.
I chuckled. Don’t worry. You’ll get the hang of it—eventually. And since nobody’s here, you can come out again, if you like.
Orange activated my eye projectors and appeared with a smile. “We’ll walk with you. You like seeing us and we like your hugs.”
A smile grew wider on my face. “Everyone wants something.”
With Orange walking with me, the horror I left behind felt even further away.
Epidermal plating level 3:
The entirety of the skin of the host has been replaced with an organic metal tempered with a darksteel alloy. This metal is flexible, nonmagnetic, conductive, and immune to oxidation. Defense and resistance in the augmented areas are increased by two and a half times. The host also has a customized retractable, water tight visor for the face.
Stat bonus: +220 toughness, +220 resilience, +28 agility, +16 power.
Epidermal plating level 4 available:
Cost: 2,102,841 shards.
I still had more than three million shards, so I decided to spend it on upgrading my lower level augments first. I had to stop and lie down for my next upgrade.
Synthetic bones level 2 available.
Cost: 160,885 shards.
Synthetic bones level 3 available.
Cost: 466,566 shards
Two levels in my bones was a massive difference.
A sudden, intense heat spread through my bones, igniting them from the inside. It was as if my entire skeleton had caught fire, but the pain was oddly distant, like a memory of something I should feel but didn’t. The nanites had begun their work, and I could feel them breaking down the existing metal, dissolving it into molten streams that pulsed with each heartbeat.
The molten streams then settled into an intricate lattice structure. Layer by layer, the nanites infused the metal with microscopic structures, making it denser and more flexible. I felt the weight increase, my bones growing heavier by the second. I clenched my fists, feeling the shift as the new alloy integrated into every part of me.
My mana flared to life, sparking with energy as I could feel my upgraded bones. I could sense the nanites shaping a reserve of mana within the bones themselves, a small but useful pool of power I could draw on. The sensation was unlike anything I’d felt before—my skeleton wasn’t just stronger; it was alive, humming with potential.
Then a pressure built inside me, as if every bone was expanding, filling with an immense energy.
My vision flickered as the sensation intensified. I could hear the microscopic fibers weaving themselves through the metal lattice of my bones, each strand reinforcing the framework that held me together. My limbs grew heavier, the density of my skeleton increasing, yet there was a surprising lightness too—an adaptability. A final wave of cold swept through me, and the transformation was completed.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
I felt heavy, very heavy. My bones added another three hundred pounds to my weight. I weighed half a ton. My movements were sluggish as the effort to move everything was almost too much.
Synthetic Bones Level 3:
The host’s bones are further reinforced with a more advanced, hyper-dense alloy, integrating nanostructures that provide additional durability. Additionally, the bones now have an adaptive rigidity feature, allowing them to become more flexible or more rigid as needed. This upgraded material not only enhances the structural integrity of the bones but also improves their flexibility, allowing them to withstand extreme pressures and impacts without fracturing. The metal is nonmagnetic, conductive, and immune to oxidation, but now it also has enhanced mana conductivity throughout the host’s body. There is also a small reserve of mana within the bones, providing an emergency source of energy when needed.
Stat bonus: +150 toughness, +75 arcane.
Synthetic bones level 4 available.
Cost: 1,819,609 shards
It looks like I messed up. I’m a bit out of balance now. All forty points I had to spend went straight into power. It helped but I had added too much weight too quickly. That wasn’t all. My body’s mana level was down to forty percent while my battery dropped to just over six hundred percent.
Your mana reserves have increased by two and a half times. You still have the same amount of mana; the percentages have been updated given your new capacity.
Right. Killa’s going to flip when she hears how much mana I can hold now.
I extended my arm blades and held them up. Are there any augments I can get to make these stronger and increase my power stat so I can move easier?
Blade expansion augment available:
Cost: 112,000 shards per blade.
Vibrational edge augment available:
Cost: 282,000 shards per blade.
Plasma edge augment available:
Cost: 223,000 shards per blade.
Magnetic accelerator augment available:
Cost: 142,000 shards per blade.
Mana infused edge augment available:
Cost: 172,000 shards per blade.
I hummed to myself and considered my options as I sat. Those are all good choices—expensive, but they all sound useful. The vibration, plasma, and magnetic all sound the most appealing. Let’s try the plasma one and see if I like it. If I don’t, I’ll try the vibration, and if that still isn’t what I want, I’ll make them all magnetic afterwards.
I purchased the plasma edge augment for my left arm blade. Through the center of the blade, a small channel was hollowed out by the nanites. They then filled the space with mana as it glowed orange. The blade grew hotter, almost hot enough to melt stone. The air rippled from the heat of the super heated metal that ran around my arm blade like a current.
When I swung the blade, it created a thin orange trail.
Plasma edge arm blade, retractable:
The host’s right and left forearm bones have been fused with an additional floating bone, effectively creating a natural weapon. This bone can retract and settle between the radius and ulna. Due to the epidermal plating level 3 augment, the blade is coated in the same metal as the arm, altering its offensive capabilities to scale with the epidermal plating’s toughness rather than the host’s power. The blade is integrated with a micro-plasma channel that can infuse the cutting edge with a superheated plasma field. This plasma sheath adds thermal damage to each strike that scales with the host’s resilience.
Stat Bonus: +45 Power, +15 Resilience.
I think we have a winner. I upgraded all six of my blades with the same plasma edge augment.
Plasma edge leg scythe X2, retractable:
The host’s right lower leg bones have been fused with an additional floating bone, effectively creating a natural weapon. This bone can retract and settle between the fibula and tibia. Due to the epidermal plating level 3 augment, the blade is coated in the same metal as the arm, altering its offensive capabilities to scale with the epidermal plating’s toughness rather than the host’s power. The blade is integrated with a micro-plasma channel that can infuse the cutting edge with a superheated plasma field. This plasma sheath adds thermal damage to each strike that scales with the host’s resilience.
Stat bonus: +48 Power, +30 Resilience.
Plasma edge arm blade X2, retractable:
The host’s right and left forearm bones have been fused with an additional floating bone, effectively creating a natural weapon. This bone can retract and settle between the radius and ulna. Due to the epidermal plating level 3 augment, the blade is coated in the same metal as the arm, altering its offensive capabilities to scale with the epidermal plating’s toughness rather than the host’s power. The blade is integrated with a micro-plasma channel that can infuse the cutting edge with a superheated plasma field. This plasma sheath adds thermal damage to each strike that scales with the host’s resilience.
Stat Bonus: +56 Power +30 Resilience.
Additional plasma edge stinger arm X2:
The host has gained an additional arm attached to their collarbone. This limb gains all the benefits of the augments to their other arms. Instead of a traditional hand, the arm ends in a sharp bony stinger. Due to the epidermal plating (arms) level 3 augment, the stinger is coated in the same metal as the arm, altering its offensive capabilities to scale with epidermal plating’s toughness rather than the host’s power. The blade is integrated with a micro-plasma channel that can infuse the cutting edge with a superheated plasma field. This plasma sheath adds thermal damage to each strike that scales with the host’s resilience.
Stat Bonus: +52 Power, +10 Agility, +30 Resilience.
I decided to spend the last chunk of my shards. They won’t be any good to me if I fail.
Synthetic Muscle level 4 augment available.
Cost: 1,671,103 shards.
My muscles throughout my body grew thicker. The plates that were my skin shifted. Orange continued watching passively as my body changed until it looked like I was a professional athlete with very toned muscle definition.
I lifted my shirt to look at my stomach and saw my abs were now a chiseled six-pack. My biceps had a noticeable curve, as did my calves. “I look like an amazon.”
Orange smiled and tilted her head as she closed her eyes. “You’re much too short for that. But yes, your musculature would make you look like a childish amazon.”
“Childish?”
She pointed to my chest. “Your bust is too small as well. Amazons are well known for being almost seven feet tall, well-endowed, and strong enough to bend steel plates with their bare hands.”
Synthetic Muscles Level 4:
The host’s muscles have been upgraded with an advanced arrangement of coiled metallic nanofibers. The host has chosen the speed specialization. These nanofibers respond to electrical signals with unparalleled efficiency, granting the host precise control over their movements. The nanofibers are extremely conductive and will malfunction if exposed to excessive amounts of direct current. The new nanofibers are designed to withstand small amounts of direct current without malfunctioning.
Stat bonus: +450 Quickness, +60 Power.
Congratulations. Level eighty milestone reached. Please select one of the following class perks:
Augmented weaponry—Enhances one random natural weapon.
Expanded armory—Receive one additional random natural weapon.
Improved predator senses—Upgrade augments for improving senses.
Hunting mobility—Receive augments for improved flexibility.
Predator’s superiority—Upgrade augment for improving body.
Not wanting to go through the ordeal of overwhelming my senses again, and I was feeling a little giddy from the boost I just received, I chose predator’s superiority.
Augment upgraded: Mana-weave hair level MAX.
Mana-weave Hair level MAX:
The host’s hair reaches its pinnacle of enhancement with the most potent mana-infused filaments. The hair can now extend and retract instantaneously, acting as an extension of the host's will. It can absorb and store vast amounts of ambient mana, providing an inexhaustible flow of mana through the body. The host’s hair gains high resistance to magic-based attacks, even absorbing them outright if they are too weak. Through their hair, the host can influence the mana around them.
Stat bonus: +250 arcane.
Name:
Rina Lone
Augments:
Predator Android:
Level:
82
Cellular reconstruction
Upgradable
Agility:
710
Cerebral prediction matrix
Weaponized
Arcane:
680
Synthetic eyes lvl. 3
Predator Senses
Power:
406
HUD
Predator’s superiority
Quickness:
1100
Olfactory nexus lvl. 1
Resilience:
610
Echo sensors lvl. 1
Toughness:
620
Mana battery (shadow) integration
Unassigned Points:
0
Synthetic skin (face) lvl. 1
Shards:
90,420
Additional plasma edge stinger arm X2
Plasma edge arm blade X2, retractable
Shadow Powers:
Synthetic tendons lvl. 3
Manifestation lvl. 19
Synthetic muscle lvl. 4
Shaping lvl. 17
Synthetic bones lvl. 3
Distance lvl. 7
Epidermal plating lvl. 3
Anchoring lvl. 3
Nanobot blood replacement
Infusion lvl. 15
Mana-weave hair lvl. 4
Solidify lvl. 5
Voice projector
Shadow Lycan Form Spell
Plated dragon teeth
Synthetic tongue
Plasma edge leg scythe X2, retractable
Talons
I was much stronger, but I shuddered when I thought that Elveil had the same capacity for growth. My only hope was that I could grow faster than her and make sure my plan to create a blade devil form would be enough. Every step I take is one Elveil can take as well.
With the added strength, I stood up and noticed my movements were more exaggerated. I ran all my limbs through their full range of motion to recalibrate everything. After the quick few hops, the difference was still awe inspiring.
“This is getting addictive,” I said absentmindedly.
“What is it you’re feeling?” Orange stepped up to me, her eyes shining.
I shrugged. My head felt clear, but my heart was heavy. My body was quickly becoming the perfect killing machine. “I’m not sure, I feel both elated and depressed.”
Orange looked down.
“It’s okay. You can always ask. Just right now, things are difficult for me. I’m still wrestling with this life altering decision.”
Her gaze slowly drifted back up to mine. “Every decision you make from here on is life altering. Not just for you, but for those closest to you, those you meet, and those you’ll never get to know. This is why we’ll help you but never make decisions for you. You’re the one who must live with the consequences.”
I frowned. “Your life is tied to mine. You have as much stake in this as me.”
Orange leaned closer. “Your life is the most important thing to us. We just want you to be satisfied.”
A small smile crept along my lips. “Thanks, Orange.”
She smiled back and gave a slight bow. “You’re welcome. Now, what else can we do?”
“Well, I’m not sure. Let’s just get going. This distraction is only going to last so long.” I turned back toward the path and started walking again. Even though my body was stronger, the goal I had made my footsteps drag along the ground.
Orange’s mouth cursed downward as her face grew longer. “We’re only trying to help.”
“You are. You are.” As I stepped up to her, I tried to put my hand on her shoulder, but it only passed through the projection.
In such a short time, I wanted to believe Orange was with me in reality and more than just an image. Her sadness deepened as she gave me an apologetic look before turning around and walking away.
I followed her. My feet constantly scraped along the ground. The weight on my heart and soul was growing. No amount of increased strength would lessen that burden.
Three more hours, we walked in silence. Every minute of the clock was a twist of agony in my heart. I wanted to speak with Orange, but I couldn’t come up with a way to break the silence. From what I could tell, she wasn’t doing any better.
The chittering from behind me eventually stopped following me. The hallway seemed never-ending, until we finally reached the end, where a round wooden door stood, adorned with an iron embossment spiraling outward from the center. Orange stood in front of it with a frown. Her eyes wouldn’t lift to meet mine.
I stopped ten feet away and stared. “This is how it starts. Time is my worst enemy, but I need more—just a little more.”
Orange lowered her head further as she clenched her fists. “Don’t think, just work as fast as you can without letting them see you. If you want, we can stay silent.”
I pulled my gun out, checked the chambers, and stared at it. “It would make things easier to not think.”
Orange vanished without a word, only a frown.
In the center of the door looked to be a handle. I twisted it, and the door rolled to the side with a heavy rumble. The ground stopped shaking when the door stopped moving.
Nobody was waiting for me on the other side. I cautiously stepped into the room that went from the inside of roots to brick and mortar. The room was well lit by four glowing white spheres. They reminded me of the light the one guy summoned to dispel my field of darkness.
Experimentally, I attempted to touch it with a thin line of my shadow mana. Once the mana got within ten feet of the orb, it fell apart like it hit a wall.
That makes sense. Darkness and shadows are opposed by light. It’s surprising that my magic works at all in the sunlight. Maybe it has to do with the proximity and intensity.
It’s based on if mana is involved. Sunlight isn’t the product of magic; therefore, it has no effect on your mana. These light orbs emit light mana. If your mana was stronger than the light mana, you would be able to block it out.
Orange’s little tutorial was helpful. Thanks, but please, be quiet.
Stop thinking and finish this as quickly as possible.
Right.
The room had several empty racks. Those that did have something were filled with coiled rope or backpacks. I put my hand on the door handle. It was my last chance to back out. My hand locked up. My arm locked up. Everything went rigid. Orange didn’t say anything.
With a hard push, I opened the door and let my mind go as black as it could. An intersection greeted me with a path on my left and a path on my right. Both paths curved subtly in the same direction. The left was as good a start as any.
There were two doors on the left side of the hall and nothing on the right. I opened the first one I came to. It was full of crates but no people. The second door was the same. As I continued down the hall, there were more doors. But as I started picking up the sounds of people walking and talking my way, I slipped into the closest room and closed the door.
The room was filled with a table with maps and charts. The room was full of boxes of scrolls and books. Four people were headed my way. While I tried to ignore their conversation, once one of them said something that seemed out of place, that was impossible.
“The new chick must have really done something to convince Miax to mobilize the entire Antennae Alliance,” the first voice said.
“I heard that the Scaled Sanctuary and the Feathered Fortress are getting involved as well,” a second guy said.
A third one continued, “Something has the three factions teaming up on the Pawed Palace. Do you think it has to do with that strange woman who killed Tulm’i?”
“If it does, I doubt this will be enough,” the only woman in the group added. “This feels like a hopeless war where we’re sent to die. If all four factions couldn’t deal with Tulm’i, why would they think three of them could deal with the one who killed him?”
The first guy spoke up again. “We’re not supposed to engage her. Miax said that the new girl—who showed up out of nowhere—is supposed to deal with her. All we have to do is clear out everything else.”
“What do we get out of all this?” the woman asked.
“A quarter million shards plus whatever we get from anything we kill,” the third guy answered.
It’s obvious they’re talking about me. But who is the woman they mentioned? Killa? Shadara? Nix? Nix doesn’t care about me anymore. Destroying the nexus is her goal. We agreed to leave each other alone. Killa and Shadara are mounting a rescue mission for me. I should’ve known they would do something like that.
I opened the door as I put my gun away. Orange, change of plans. We can’t do this anymore. This information changes everything. I can’t let them get near Elveil.
The four people jumped as I stepped in front of them. “Take me to your leader.”