!!!!! Pr Credits To Draconis Von BloodTrap & Dragonofsomesort Who Constantly Help With SR chapters, Please take the time to rep them for their work :)
Sorry guys i'm a bit tired no summary of last chapter for this early release.
Dragonofsomesort's last Pred chapter before he goes on an indefinite break! 149 i will have a new pr taking over his spot.
'This chapter i enjoyed because i got to add to the world building a bit and didn't rush things, i'm enjoying setting up quite a bit, makes me feel as if my story is a bit more realistic.
Quite a bit of positive praise here on RR but on the manga sites its uploaded at not so much. Honestly when i see the speech i cringe somewhat but for good reason. That was the past me and 2 years of progress has passed by. The next chapter i will add better sounding speech to the characters, chapter 2 will definitely be better prepared.
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Avrin saw that every particle in his body had undergone a change. Each particle seemed to vibrate and distort a minor portion of space around them, causing it to tremble with what appeared to be cracks forming in space which fixed them quickly.
The C.particles’ change was somewhat similar but different. The cracks and space trembling was focused within the core of the C.particles, within the small, brain-like blob that existed within. Making it sway and change, almost like jelly being shaken.
The most amazing thing was that when these small cracks were looked at on a larger scale, they all connected to each other due to the amount of particles, it was almost as if they were attempting to break the barrier of space or distort it enough for their own use.
“No wonder I felt stronger than before, it seems this is the peak of Type 12 particles. All that's left is to solidify those cracks. It won't be easy. I can tell the energy required will be immense, even for me.” Avrin frowned for a moment. Right now there wasn't much he could do. His first step was to tinker with all his C.particles.
He didn't have time to spend on his inner workings, the best he could do was stabilize as much as he could. He didn't dare try and reach Type 13 particles in his current state. He didn't doubt the energy needed was too much, so he left his particles after issuing a command to the C.particles to cautiously stabilize the cracks. When they judged the energy needed was enough without danger to him outside, meaning if they see that Avrin has energy to spare, they could begin to feed dark matter and energise them and the other particles to solidify these cracks and enter Type 13 particles.
Representing his progress in Type 13 particles was the stabilizing of these fractures which showed his progress was improving. These particles are unique in the sense that they are able to press down and distort a minuscule bit of space. Avrin soon left his inner workings. He would return to assist after he checked on some things.
He moved deeper, where his dark heart was, and as he looked over he could see that the fields of grass that had colors representing each of his Skymetal weapons were glowing a bit dimmer to signify his weakened state. Avrin saw that the Skymetal weapons were still orbiting the dark matter heart as if nothing had changed, but he could see the energy they were given by his dark matter heart was rationed.
Avrin made his way closer, each step he took causing a ripple in space that expanded on seemingly infinitely, almost like a tune lingering until no one was able to hear it, or in this case see it. As Avrin approached, he felt unusual. He looked around. Although things were quiet, it was as if even in his own body he was uncomfortable.
He approached the dark matter heart and glanced up before quivering slightly. He saw inside the dark matter heart several strands of colors, siphoning to a small object. These colors were green and orange. They were condensing together with a stream of dark matter to form the tip of what appeared to be a skeletal pinky finger. Only the tip was complete, and it was going at a very slow pace. Avrin could see that this skeletal pinky finger required a massive amount of energy. “I knew something strange was going on. What the hell is this?” Avrin truly had no clue what that skeletal finger was. Even the information God had given him held nothing on it. He assumed that it must be something key and a game changer or God would have allowed him knowledge of it, but it seems knowledge of this was quite valuable.
Avrin felt a strange feeling when he looked at this incomplete skeletal pinky. It was as if he was connected to it, but as he looked at it, it seemed odd. It was crystalline and transparent, representing both the green and orange matter, but the feeling it gave him was almost as if he were looking at a very, very priceless tool.
He felt that it was doing him no harm other than giving him a strange feeling. He glanced up towards Astaroth's orbiting light and held up his right hand. The orbiting light froze for a moment, then the glowing, molten surface of red energy began to stop in motion and solidify almost like molten metal setting. Cracks began to appear as if it were awakening, and a bright explosion and pulse of red light shot outward before dispersing as quickly as it appeared. In place of the red orbiting light was Astaroth in its form. It shot over towards Avrin and he swiped it out of the air. Avrin held it tightly. He felt much safer with this weapon despite it trying to kill him before.
He then pointed his free left hand towards Limos and it mimicked Astaroth, solidifying and then giving off another pulse of light before flying to Avrin’s left hand. Avrin pointed his index finger up and Limos rested upon it as if welcoming him back.
“Sarc-” Avrin didn't even finish before the light representing Sarcanus bulged like ferrofluid under a magnet. It formed into the shape of the hideous creature from before and let out a disgusting screech before shooting towards Avrin. It collided with his chest and exploded like a water balloon as the bits of Skymetal liquid reformed and reshaped over his body forming into his incomplete armor.
Avrin felt immense strength. Right now he was not fully healed at the New Deity level, yet with all this in his current state, he could definitely put up a fight against Orochi who had just entered the New Deity level. Avrin closed his eyes and the three Skymetal weapons shook before shooting away from his body in liquid forms of light that reshaped into the orbiting lights and resumed their usual behavior.
Avrin willed himself back to his inner workings. He had quite a bit of time left. He would definitely make good use of it until he had to return. One day had passed, and Sullivan had returned to the main Anzazia headquarters two hours travel from Roth. When he had arrived several hours ago after spending the night in Roth with several other of his fellow mercs to properly sell the remnant materials of the Blaze Tortoise they returned to a hero’s welcome, with their other companions cheering them on for a good profit brought home.
Sullivan though had matters to attend to and skipped out on the celebratory event. He didn't see this as anything good. After all, they lost two people for a hunt that should have been easier. He had already sent a letter beforehand in regards to the dodgy information and matters had already been taken care of.
Though his issue was the Sigil weapons Avrin had given him. The Anzazia headquarters could be considered a large fortress estate. High walls and thick trees to act as extra defense in front. The interior consisted of what one would expect, simply barracks, training halls, dining areas, and other such buildings, though the true feature was the main building. It was heavily guarded by mercenaries clad in makeshift plate armor carrying weapons that suited their taste.
Sullivan had a nervous expression. He had been thinking about his purchase from Avrin the entire day and wasn't sure if he made the right decision. “-I should have bought less…-” he thought to himself as he walked towards the main building. After moving past the guards who greeted him, he was let into the large iron-plated door. The interior was built to look somewhat lavish but Anzazia wasn't a big mercenary group, they had to make do with hardwood and impure metals like iron.
That being said the large hall that split off like a mini maze with many rooms each with a different task was being patrolled by similar guards to the ones outside. Sullivan made his way down the hall several meters before taking a right turn and going until he reached the end before taking a left turn and then finally going down that hall. He then knocked on a solid wooden door. Things were quiet for a moment before a voice sounded out somewhat disgruntled. “Come in, come in….”
Sullivan turned the round handle and entered. The interior of this office was quite large, with several shelves filled with scrolls in a messy, untidy manner. There were also books and maps and other pieces of knowledge scattered about. Over at the table, which was clean compared to the rest of the room, Sullivan saw Anzazia’s main leader with the rank of Founder, who is a former captain of the army from the Gar’shian Kingdom that rules this region. The captain had a bowl cut with a ponytail at the back.
His face seemed ragged and tired yet still gave off the feeling of a fierce beast that would rip one's throat out if he dared cross paths with him. Sullivan also spotted a middle-aged woman with her black hair worn in a bun, who although seemed old still retained an elegant beauty. She wore a red and blue dress that stretched down to her ankles.
Her features were nothing notable and apart from that elegant, mature beauty she seemed quite plain. He also noticed an elderly man wearing a clean white robe with a carved wooden cane in the shape of a dragon’s head. The elderly man looked to be on death’s door but the look in his eyes showed he had plenty of life left in him.
“Founder Urkan, I’ve returned.” Sullivan spoke before giving a salute. The founder glanced over at Sullivan carefully. “Welcome back. I assume the matters of the Blaze Tortoise materials are settled? Be sure to let our treasury know of the deposit.”
Sullivan nodded and the founder glanced down to look at the two in front of him, but then looked up as he saw Sullivan was still here. “Is there something else? I'm currently with guests from the Artificer Consortium.” The founder raised both his thick eyebrows carefully.
“About the matter concerning the potential craftsmen….it seems what Tomios spoke of, it was true. I also purchased some of the product from the funds you gave me.” Urkan glanced at Sullivan quietly for a moment then looked at the elderly man and the middle-aged female who was giving a curious look. “I'm sorry, it seems we will have to postpone this agreement for a later date, this matter is quite important. I will send word of my answer by courier. Since you have told me the details, I will need some time to think over this please.”
Urkan spoke in a solemn tone. The elderly man stood up and spoke with a rigid voice. “Of course, Sir Urkan. Our Artificer Consortium branch will definitely wait, though please know we can wait no more than a month before we must move. There are other groups who are waiting outside our doors for a bone to be thrown.”
Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
With that said the elderly man gave a slight bow before turning to walk out. The middle-aged woman’s eyes narrowed for a moment. One could easily tell she found this place and the fact that they were here irritating. She got up and left to follow the elderly man out. Urkan raised his hand to which a bit of mana flowed out and entered a small runic engraving on the back of the door. The door’s engraving began to glow for a moment before the door shut smoothly.
The door was then engulfed in a blue field of magic that spread across the room. This was the Grandmaster spell soundless. Because one wouldn't be able to hear anything from within the spell’s radius, it was perfect for secretive talks.
“This must be a sign that you came right at this time. So that boy Tomios was telling the truth? This product you're talking about, where is it?” Urkan seemed a little excited yet cautious at the same time.
Sullivan nodded. He also took this matter seriously. He retrieved the enchanted sack before emptying the contents onto the table to show the assortment of rings. Urkan’s brows twitched for a moment before the right one raised. “You know I don't like joking when it comes to these matters, commander. There better be a good explanation.”
Sullivan gave an excited smile and spoke. “Of course. Please watch, these Sigils are a bit special.” Sullivan picked one of the rings up and spoke. “Trigger short sword.” The dark matter Sigil began to morph shift. It seems to utilize this form at a constant it would draw mana from the Haze crystal and from itself that it stored.
The ring had nearly instantaneously shape shifted into the form of a glowing purple sword, at most 40cms long and 7cms wide. “Amazing….” Urkan’s eyes widened with curiosity he stood up the moment it morphed and looked on with fascination.
“The merchant assured me his product is unique. They are able to transform into accessories of any sort within reason as long as we have a mental image of it within our mind, “Trigger necklace…..Trigger amulet…..Trigger bracer.” Sullivan began to cycle through what he knew. The short sword shaped like a gladius began to shift to the appropriate appearance until Sullivan was satisfied with the amazed childlike look on Urkan’s face “Trigger sword short. Founder Urkan, the activation is simple.”
Sullivan began to explain from start to finish what Avrin had told him. The conversation lasted for an hour and Urkan even went as far as to test it on an Uncommon level shield after hearing about Sullivan’s experience with his weapon breaking after striking this weapon. The moment the shield was penetrated by the blade with ease, Urkan wasn't sure what to think. It seemed too good to be true. In his mind he had simply been a captain of an army regiment of the kingdom that rules this region. After he retired on bad terms he decided to found a mercenary group that led to this.
Now with the stabbed through shield in front of him that he held up and looked through he was glancing at the short sword of dark matter. “Such a strange crafting method….this merchant could make a fortune with such innovative techniques; he would surely be considered a true genius of the Artificer Consortium. Why would he sell to us? Truly strange.”
Urkan knew of Avrin’s circumstances to a degree thanks to Sullivan’s story. He had already made a decision. “Very well, if we have a week we will make good use of this. Take nine of our best men tomorrow and head out on a hunting trip. Take nine of these rin-.. I mean Sigils, with you. We don't need weapons to spar with each other, we need weapons to kill and feed each other. In the meantime, go get some rest. I'm sure you are quite tired and have people to see. Good job. Keep the remainder of the funds taken from the treasury and split it between you and Tomios. I'm in a good mood.”
Sullivan quickly nodded with a proud look before he walked towards the door that dimmed in light. The spell deactivated and Sullivan was able to open it and leave. When Sullivan left, Urkan reached and grabbed the remaining dark matter ring with fascination, several thoughts on his mind. “-If this is some sort of good luck bestowed upon me by the Four Heavens then I truly have to make good use of this and do my best to reel in such a craftsman...with such talent my group can rise greatly. If not, then at most I will be at a loss of Haze crystals that will be made up if I accept the Artificer Consortium’s deal….this is a win win for me-”
Urkan gave a solid smile before leaning back in the chair, continuing to look at the dark matter Sigil. The region itself was one of the more mid active areas within this country. Roth was more so a trade point and peaceful area compared to the rest of the land. The country was ruled by the Kingdom of Sarlez, which had existed for more than a thousand years, yet compared to some bigger kingdoms they were quite new and pitiful. Sarlez was grouped with a larger, more dominant ruler who owned a bigger portion of land, the Empire of Unitan.
The Empire of Unitan was a true monster of the land, with several other kingdoms under its protection it had managed to keep a good order of things. That was until one of its neighbour empires, which was just as big, had discovered a large Lucent crystal mine on the borders of the two empires. This had sparked many things, such as arguments, skirmishes and failed agreements.
The Lucent crystal mine was so large that other nearby empires had picked sides in hopes of reaping some benefits. Both sides were now at each other’s throats with battle raging constantly. Beautiful areas and villagers that had been safe near the borders on each region were now destroyed, abandoned or turned into fields of death. The effects so great that larger, stronger creatures had taken up residence nearby in this area making it more dangerous than it should usually be.
This conflict had gone on for thirty years and the mine was constantly changing hands. It was located at the foot of a large mountain. The mine housing the enormous Lucent crystal deposit was previously a black earth iron mine, and now work to dig out the ore was replaced by efforts to take as many as this crystals as possible.
The amount of which was so much so that it was able to fuel the war for it and lives lost with near ease. It even allowed both empires to use propaganda and coerce the large population that hardly dwindled to fight for them. There was no need for forcing people into conscription, the greed and hope of wealth was enough to entice them despite the deathly grim stories told by survivors.
Though while both these empires seem to flourish during war, the ones that profit the most are those who feed the engine of death, the Artificer Consortium and the Highland Syndicate. Neither had taken sides and were constantly busy making Sigil weapons and normal crafted high quality weapons for both empires.
Neither of these empires dared make either of these two enemies as by doing so it would give the opposing empire a one over the other. Of course, the two organisations weren't free of their own troubles. They had problems such as not having enough materials, which led to issues not being able to meet their deadlines or quotas.
This was the reason why the Artificer Consortium had gone to the Anzazia mercenary group not too far from Roth. They were tasked by headquarters, just like the other branches, to enlist as much help as they can from the local groups to gather creature materials of Common and higher quality.
Although the Empire of Unitan and the competing Empire of Larcost were at war with each other, on this planet they truly were small fries, even more so than the kingdoms under their wing would be in their eyes. They were part of one realm that spanned thousands of kilometers. The realm itself was a vast territory with many, many empires and even more kingdoms within it. The rulers of this one realm found the empires as nothing more than tax cows and didn't care what they did or found unless it caught their eye.
As long as the empire paid a tribute every one-hundred years then no issue would be found. The realm wouldn't take any sides. And when it came to realms, there were hundreds of them. Not many humans could imagine colonizing a planet with a circumference larger than Jupiter. Then again, not many would dare imagine that this planet was not even considered as anything much within the universe it was in. It was simply a drop in an ocean that was a drop within another ocean repeated many times.
It had been five days since Avrin had undergone reestablishing his body. The area around him was twisted and distorted slightly due to the influence of the lack of mana that was being absorbed by him under the barrier he had set. Strangely, this scene wasn't the most off. What was odd was that many shiny stones and ornaments were placed near and around where Avrin’s barrier was, from scraps of meat from the creature he had killed to skulls and even rare gems to unknown ornaments and even bone effigies carved to crudely resemble a cloaked figure.
Around it were several of these strange ants going back and forth every few hours or so, placing or replacing objects at this strange site. Some ants were even squatting in groups making strange humming sounds while their mandibles clicked together. After several moments they would bow towards Avrin.
Avrin’s eyes suddenly opened. He frowned as he looked around with his Divine Sense. “These things have not left me alone ever since that day. I should have gotten Tardiff to guard here….” Avrin wasn’t pleased. The sounds these creatures made and their constant presence made Avrin uncomfortable. He had been dealing with this since day one.
The first day after he killed the worm that these ants were attacking they fled and returned in larger numbers with an elderly looking ant with a crude bone staff. It went near to where Avrin was and did strange signs with its arms as if trying to communicate with him. Avrin, of course, wanted it to get lost and simply emitted a Phantom Pulse to scare all of them away, but it had the opposite effect.
It made them treat him as if he were a god. Not only was it uncomfortable, but because they were sentient to a degree and meant no harm to him it meant he couldn't kill them or harm them without feeling guilty. Though if he had his emotions sealed away to a degree because of the dark heart again it would make things easier, but he would never dare to do that again for no good reason.
“I’m not a god. Leave me alone!!” His voice echoed as he used a Phantom Pulse again, causing the space to distort a little and for all the items and objects to be blown away or crushed to dust. Though how would he expect that his action would have no results and even the opposite of what he wanted!
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Authors Note) I wont update avrins inner working status until his progress is me i wont add a purity table for it either since it will be something he strives for in the beginning of a particle type.
Avrin's Inner Workings Status
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Dark Stage Control ParticlesType 12100%Dark Stage ParticlesType 12100%God Essence WeaponsAstaroth-ScytheLimos-VajraGod Essence EquipmentSarcanus-Armor