Terror Infinity Side B
Chapter 18, Apocalypse Alice Intermission
Since the announcement had been made, they had no choice but to accept reality. Team Japan then began to discuss enhancements.
Due to the amount of points and highly valuable ranked rewards they earned this time everyone, including the two newbies Connor and Jin, everyone had the opportunity to exchange stat enhancements or a higher tier weapon, but Shin was worried about the balance of the team.
Shin: Instead of choosing a more rounded enhancement like I did at first, maybe the two newbies should focus on what is best for the team and specialize? Of course, choosing this path wouldn't increase an individual's survivability much and I can't tell them what to get knowing that, but...
Shin normally wouldn't care that much. He would sometimes give advice (like what he thought was cool, or what he would want) to Hikari, Aqua and the others, but never outright forced someone to get something for the sake of the team. It wasn't necessary before, since Saki hinted at what everyone should get and even if they ignored her they all ended up getting something that worked out.
Shin: The problem now is the team battles. We can't be so carefree about what we get as individuals anymore. To defeat possible twenty-man teams that have better team work or teams that are outright more powerful than us, we can't just get things randomly anymore.
That was Shin's current concern.
When there are three, or used to have threee people in a team that have unlocked the Genetic Constraint, that team would meet other such teams on the missions at random. On Team Japan there was Aqua, Misaki, Connor, and Shin himself who have unlocked the constraints. They were destined to not only survive dangerous missions, but fight other teams at the same time. More than ever, not just one’s owns safety, but the whole team’s safety is most important.
Thinking back, it was one thing to finish a mission with a few members, but another ball game to do so while fighting another team. Shin thought about what would have happened if there was such a hostile team in H.O.T.D, BTOOOM and Apocalypse Alice. Doing so, it didn't take much for Shin to be certain that they wouldn't make it out alive. Not even Aqua, who he thought to be an invincible Player.
Shin: I have no choice but to ask.
Not able to believe that their current way of doing things would work from now on, Shin approach Connor and Jin. He couldn't force them to do what he likes, even as the leader, since they had earned those points and rewards with their own abilities by risking their lives. They were also just about to graduate as newbies, so it was still a dangerous time for them, yet he still conveyed the problem at hand to them.
TEAM JAPAN:
ATTACKER/CLOSE RANGE FIGHTERS - To fight/distract the enemy while fighting up close and our responsible for defeating enemies to protect the team.
1. Shin: Ki Energy, One-eye Ghoul Genetic Mutation, Na Rings, Gravity Blade, Lesser Fenrir Coat and Robo Cop's Auto 9 with infinite ammo.
2. Aqua: Nen/Aura, Wolverine genetic mutation, Werewolf Bloodline and Thompson Contender Magic Code gun.
3. Misaki: Observation Haki, Armament's Haki, and Firebending.
GUNNER/MID RANGE FIGHTER - To fight from a distance. To either support those fighting up close, or to decisively defeat a enemy with a power attack.
Kampa: Infinite Ammo M41A Pulse Rifle.
SNIPER/LONG RANGE FIGHTER - To fight from a far distance. Defeats the enemy from a distance, or has an ability that can't be used from close up.
Shuai: Low level Shaman Power.
SUPPORT/OTHER - Has a role that helps team members or plays another role.
Hikari: Support Type Persona.
Shin: This is our current team layout without including either of you yet. You might be able to see that, although we don't lack front line attackers, we need more Gunner/Mid-Range Fighters, Sniper/Long-Range Fighters, and Support/Other roles. I hope that you keep in mind that we don't need more people like me who are only good in close combat and, with our current team’s size, Hikari is enough of a support role for now and her abilities will improve soon after this exchange. That is why I am hoping that you two can discuss it and decide who would like to be a mid-range fighter and would want to be a long-range fighter to fill the gap in our team’s ability.
Jin: That's okay. I am not much up to a close range fight anyways, so I might go midrange. In all the games I've played to date, 75% of the time I play a mage, 10% of the time I play a warrior, and the remaining 15% I play as a gunner. I'm best when I fought using magic and can say that I've never lost playing as a mage.
Shin: Okay then. What about you Connor?
Connor: I'll use my points as I like, but I have always been best with a gun. I am also most proficient with a sniper rifle. I doubt I'll choose anything outside of the Sci-fi category.
Shin: That's probably for the best. Alright then. I'll check on you two later, so just look thoroughly through the exchanges for now and if you need any advice ask Aqua, our most veteran Player on the team, or myself.
Shin conveyed his thoughts and pushed them in the direction that he wanted using a trick of Saki's. She would use to use round about explanations and hint at the things that suited her, all the while staying amongst the majority. It was definitely fascism, but smart long as you don't get caught.
Shin: (I do feel a little bad, but in the end they were probably going to get what the team needed most. A midrange mage and long range sniper).
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Shin: Now... What should I get this time around?
After the Apocalypse Alice mission and my repairs, I had a total of 7050 Points and 2 B rank rewards.
Base Survival Reward 1000 Points, Combat Mission Reward 1000 Points and two D rank rewards, Protect Main Character D rank reward, over 500 Labyrinth Monster KILL for 50 Points, twelve Labyrinth Elite KILL 600 Points, KILL the GIRL and SAVE the WORLD 4000 Points and 2C rank reward, SAVE the Girl and SAVE the WORLD 2000 Points and C rank reward, Yousuke Endou Death Negative 1500 Points, my repairs cost 103, and my previous 3 Points and two C rank rewards left over from the last mission.
Not as great as my first two missions, but good enough that I don't have the right to complain as I still came in first. As for what I should get this time around... it should be obvious.
Shin: I already have high level whole enhancements and mutations. There's no need to get any more at the moment, and without a higher level of my Genetic Constant there's no point in going any higher even if I had an A rank reward. I'm also not confident about combining different types of mutations or energies as well. Don't want to become a monster or explode, now do I? I'm also well equipped with weapons and armor for the moment. What I immediately need to become stronger in close combat enhancement path that I'm traveling down are skills! Ones that will compliment Ki Energy, One-eye Ghoul Mutation, or sword, my three main points of enhancements. And ideally, at least one offensive and defensive skill at that.
In Apocalypse Alice, it was more of a team effort than myself or Aqua alone who won the battle. Everyone did their part and won, and that is a good thing, yet... I wished at that time I had a trump card to play. Not Soul Crushing Strike or Kagune, but a real one hit kill KO type move like Aqua's Eclipse Fang Hatsu. One that, if used in an emergency and in the final moments of a fight, would turn the battle around. Looking through the list of possible skills like that in my price range, the following came up.
External Spirit Bone -
Rating 90.
Allows one to grow an additional limb(s). Grants the user a special ability and increased stats, ability and stats increase as the user grows stronger. While not active can be stored inside the user’s body. If broken will heal with time. To form the spirit bone energy is needed to bring out the bone and to put it away, and energy is needed to activate the ability. User may possess only one External Spirit Bone. Requires 5000 Points, Rank B reward, and Ki Energy or equivalent energy source.
Battle Ki Armor -
Rating 78.
Able to create Ki Energy semi physical weapons to attack and armor to defend. Can also be overloaded to self-destruct. Requires 4000 Points, B rank reward, and Advance Ki Energy.
Shin: Damm! It's really a shame. I have the rewards, but I can only get a powerful offensive skill and decent defensive skill, or a solid defensive skill and decent offensive skill like Soul Crushing Strike.
My anger for those newbies who cost us all 1500 points has begun to resurface. I try to put it behind me, yet I'm unable to. If not for that I would have over 8000 points. It would have been possible to get two great offensive and one defensive skills in the 3000-5000 point ranges. Maybe I should forgo it this time and get three or four useful, yet low cost skills. My current three skills that I exchanged were useful and saved my life and the others, but settling like this doesn't it right at all.
Shin: Well, there isn't any point in staying angry, right? I already have to exchange the proper skills for my Skill Mastery Ki attacks. I'll just settle for a power offensive skill... and whatever defensive skill that I can afford for now. But first let me get that. The unexpected Quest Reward that I got at the end of the mission and high rating magic weapon, Holy Sword Switch!
I connected to God and found it. The Quest Item that I and only can wield. The silver heroic sword that saves both the girl and the world.
Holy Sword Switch -
Rating 97.
The sword brought into creation for the sole sake of saving girls and a hero's little sister rather than killing them off for the sake of the world. Materialize the magic sword that saves the girl and saves the world. Those stabbed in the heart by this sword will have all magic alignments and brain washing of all forms removed, and all damage done by them is perfectly reversed. Passively negates all attempts and forms of brainwashing with Skills A tier and below. Capacity defect fixed. Two Transform States: Great Sword and Small Dagger. Unable to buy normally. Quest Reward: Requires 500 Points.
Shin: It is a shame that only I can use it since I was the one who picked it up, but that makes it all the more special! But still, this really is a great magic weapon. I never gave it much thought, but enemies who would try to take over my own mind or those of my comrades may be the most nasty to deal with. You may not always be able to solve the problem by punch and kicking after all, so this is really a top tier weapon that should cost tens of thousands of points and at least an A rank reward. Just 500 points is a real steal, and they even fixed the terrible range of the sword by giving it a real sword mode as well!
Excitedly I made the exchange to God and unexpectedly the weapon didn't appear in my hands. Light particles floated down from God and seeped into my head. Apparently, Holy Sword was a true magic spell that creates a sword rather than existing as a real sword at all times. It was a relief considering the swords size, but I always dreamed of carrying around a giant, badass sword on my back waiting to hack my foes with.
Once the process was done I could hear music and a rhyme replaying over and over again, but I knew that it was something vocal that I was hearing, but it was in fact playing in my mind. The song kept going on and on until I felt compelled to say it out loud.
I snap my fingers to start up the cursed song within my head. Even without a《Headphone Fuzz》the song begin to play and instinctively I knew I could summon the magic sword.
Shin:【 Deceiving the night ♪ Beguiling the world ♪ The darkness that saves the girl of the endless night ♪】Holy Sword Switch!
I pull the trigger that will activate the magic. On doing that the silver sword appears within my hands. Shrouded by light, a shining silver sword of heroes. A sword of hypocrisy that resembles a sword that a hero carries into battle. However, part of the blade is fake, or was before. This was a joke from Liezel who made the design a mismatch to the main character of Apocalypse Alice.
The actual range is shorter than even a knife and the true form of the magic resides in that short portion, but that was before. Now the two-handed sword can display its powers as an actual sword as well while also having a small dagger form as backup. Once the sword is stabbed deep into the heart of anyone effected by magic or mind control, the sword silver will sever that alignment away.
Shin: Really does look like some badass giant sword used by some hero in an anime, and a holy sword at that. Never been much for holy knights and the lot, but I can see the appeal when you can swing this giant sword around!
Once I was done admiring the false holy sword I thought about it happening and it went away as if it didn't exist. Such was the convenience of a magic sword made up from just magic, but that too could be a weakness if it didn't have a proper physical form like my Gravity Blade. Unlike it, the sword would disappear if hit by a magic negating power like Imagine Breaker or Rare Kind.
Shin: Now moving on let's get Skill Mastery out of the way. I can now use all of them to 70% accuracy, but they still drain of too Ki. Well, at least they don't cost too much point wise and afterwards I can use Ki emission attacks more freely and in barrages.
Ki Bullet -
Rating 62.
A normal physical bullet of condensed Ki from the palm. Can strike both physical and non-physical opponents. 1500 Points and C rank reward. SKILL MASTERY CONFIRMED. NEW COST 150 POINTS AND D RANK REWARD!
Hollow Bullet -
Rating 67.
A Ki bullet that expands on impact, decreasing penetrating power for explosive power and causing more damage to flesh. 1800 Points and C rank reward. SKILL MASTERY CONFIRMED. NEW COST 180 POINTS AND D RANK REWARD!
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AP Bullet -
Rating 64.
A Ki bullet with high penetrating power and designed to break through the defenses of hard opponent. 2000 Points and two C rank reward. SKILL MASTERY CONFIRMED. NEW COST 200 POINTS AND D RANK REWARD!
Far Bullet -
Rating 69.
A weightless Ki bullet designed to attack spirits and the soul. As a side of effect of hitting those with a physical body as well, they may be temporarily unable to move or use otherworldly powers like Ki and Magic. 2200 Points and two C rank reward. SKILL MASTERY CONFIRMED. NEW COST 200 POINTS AND D RANK REWARD!
Quickly making the exchanges four scrolls appeared within my hands and one after another they disappeared and their contents were absorbed into my head. I didn't know I was getting used to this or they were just too low level to affect me, but the flow of information wasn't as bad as the last time with Soul Crushing Strike, Instant Movement, or Ki Blast.
Shin: Good. Now I have a greater depth of understanding for emitting Ki. Now I can work on the next step and try attempting high tier ranged Ki attacks, but that's for another time.
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I connected with God once more to get my final two exchanges. My offensive and defensive skills. With my eyes closed, I began searching for the two skills most suitable for me and made my choices and a few moments later scrolls for the corresponding materialized out of thin air and into my hands.
Shin: Defensive Ki Skill - Silver Dragon's Scale Scroll! Offensive Ki Skill - Spirit Wave Sroll!
Silver Dragon Scales -
Rating 70.
Using Ki Energy or Mana the skin of the user comes closer to the scales of a Silver Dragon. Some heat resistance. Requires 1500 Points, C rank reward, and C or higher rank Ki Energy or Mana.
Silver Dragon Scales was a Ki technique to harden the outer layers of one's skin with the scales of a Silver Dragon. I choose Silver Dragon Scales for one reason. It was a low cost Ki skill that fixed my Kagune’s weakness.
As a Rinkaku (Shinning Scales) type Kagune it was highly versatile, yet they were easily destroyed. Every time I had to repair them/make new ones it took a toll on my body not unlike using Ki. So far, I offset this weakness by coating them in Ki, but it was a flimsy fix at best that also consumed my Ki reserves. Silver Dragon Scales, if I am right, will allow me to harden the outer layers of my body, but it is my hope that it will include my Kagune. And compared to using Ki randomly in large amounts, coating the outer layer with a Ki skill that is only C rank will be more cost effective in the long run.
Shin: This was the right decision and who knows, despite being a low end skill it states that you have to have C rank, Intermediate Level Ki Energy or higher to use. This might turn out to be a decent skill one might overlook for high tier defensive skills. Now... Defensive Skill - Silver Dragon Scale Scroll!
Like with past skills, the book or scroll appeared within my hands and quickly faded away in a poof of smoke. The instructions on how to use the skill came flowing into my head, and this time after consuming so many skills to date I was able to not flinch as the information came pouring into my head.
Shin: Now... let life become silver claws and resist the heavens, Sliver Dragon Scales!
The Eight Grader syndrome within me came up with the chant. As I was getting over my embarrassment, the skill started to activate (not because I called the skill’s name). From the core of my Ki Energy, the navel, a unique Ki flowed through my body. Given direction, the Ki condensed just under the skin of my fingertips up to my elbows and took effect. From the tips of the fingers to the elbow, the pigment of my skin changed to a almost unnoticeable pale silver. I had expected that my skin would become metal like, yet that wasn't the case at all. Like the Bronze Skin and Iron Skin skill techniques that belong to The Gamer, the skin didn't feel hard at all and still had its natural flexibility and elasticity as skin. Worried that this kind of protection was weak, I took out my partner GB (Gravity Blade) and tried cutting the wrist of my left hand.
Shin: Give it your best shot GB.
GB: My pleasure.
Shin: ...
- *CLINK*!
I swung down my somewhat sadistic Gravity Blade without increase weight at my right wrist. To the surprise of both the dark sword with a consciousness, and myself, the sword was repelled off the silver colored skin as if it had hit metal. The result was the same after doing it again and again, so I came to a conclusion.
Shin: It isn't the best, but this is a better skill then I originally gave it credit for. Silver isn't a metal suited for weapons or armor, but being replica scales of a dragon might have helped out its defenses. From what I can tell it can definitely resist gunfire and blades without breaking its defense. It is also so low cost and efficient that it is actually better than simply empowering an arm or leg in just Ki. I also have the option of adding on additional Ki Energy for a better defense. Really, just coating my whole body in this and it would be like I am wearing a full set of armor. My Lesser Fenrir Coat is still better since it raise my stats and defenses, but adding this skill to the mix perfects my defense! This might be better than a high cost Defensive Skill that drains me dry with one or two uses!
And without evening testing it I know that it will work well with my Kagune. The good pints of my Kagune are its fast and flexible tentacles that possess high striking power. Silver Dragon Scales won't slowdown my Kagune in the least and will increase their attack power and durability to new realms.
Shin: It might be worth it now to try making larger and more powerful weapons with it like blades or hammers if I coat them in Silver Dragon Scales. Oh, I wonder how powerful Soul Crushing Strike is now if I add Silver Dragon Scales, but that is for another time. Now, last but not least the final skill. Offensive Skill - Spirit Wave! The ultimate skill of Genkai, the teacher of Yusuke Urameshi, the main character from Yu Yu Hakusho. A top tier skill that you have to have Advance Level Ki or higher to even use!
Spirit Wave -
Rating 104.
The user turns the entire body into a catalyst of energy, creating a powerful flow of power within the body and released as a devastating wave of energy, or focused into a single punch or kick. All of the body's energy is used up afterwards. Requires 4500 Points, B rank reward, and B rank Ki Energy or higher.
The B tier and 4500 point Spirit Wave scroll appeared like the others, yet it was noticeably different. The size of the scroll was 5-10 times thicker the C and D rank skills from before. The scroll took at least ten full seconds to disappear and when it finished...
Shin: Aaaaaahhhhhh!
I clutched my head instinctively. More so then the others, the vast information of the skill and the speed that it was flowing into my mind was too much. It was far too much to take in at once and I almost passed out from the extreme pain coming from inside my head. It took a full five minutes to regain my senses and another three minutes to calm down. As I began to organize this new information, I had to wonder what would have happened if I ever exchanged a rank A reward skill in the future, or if the first skill I ever exchanged was A rank without building up a resistance with D and C rank skills.
Shin: Screw that! I would have gone catatonic... whatever. It's over now. Now for Spirit Wave... from the core of one's Ki, let it spread through the body as you imagine yourself becoming a grand catalyst of power. Then focus it through a point of the body and...
I did as instructed and the results surpassed all of my expectations and its effects were noticeable by everyone on the platform (though I already had their attention with my screaming from before). From the navel, Ki Energy, now a light blue shade instead of green had moved from my core swelled up and went into every part of the body. Then from there the powerful energy slowly surfaced outside my body under my full control. It was then in those final moments that it happened.
Shin: Ahhhhh!
Hikari: Shin!
Misaki: What the hell is-
Aqua: Turn it off!
Jin: Hahaha! So extreme!
The Ki Energy that I normal had full control over had become a storm. My body had become a torrent of energy that rushed out of my body in an explosive wave of energy that soon became a pillar of blue light. Those shock waves of Ki hit everyone nearby and only Aqua was able to stand her ground against the storm that I had now become. I realized that my power was going to kill someone if left as is, so I condensed the power back into me. Not all of the Ki could flow back into my body, so there was a continuous wave of blue energy surrounding my body like a fine veil of light.
Hikari: How pretty. It is like looking at the sea.
Aqua: Yeah, it is pretty, but that is far away from the word gentle.
Connor: How can you all stay calm right now? I can hardly breathe.
Misaki: My hair is standing up right now!
Out of all of them, only Aqua and Connor, who had unlocked their constraints, and to a lesser extent Misaki, who had just unlocked his, and Kampa an experienced mercenary of many battlefields, could feel the threat of the blue energy surrounding me. They knew that anyone who came into contact with that energy would be seriously injured, or die. It represented such a threat to others that just bumping into me walking could hit them with enough force to kill a normal human. I myself wasn't oblivious to this power, but I was feeling not fear, but pure excitement.
A power far beyond myself swelled up in no time at all and turned my body into the most dangerous weapon imaginable. Just like how the MC did in the Anime, I could imagine myself blowing someone miles away with a single punch or kick. It was definitely a first tier skill and I had to question the sanity of the characters who knew this skill, yet never bothered to use it more than once. It was then after twenty seconds passed that the blue energy surging from me weakened and disappeared, and I felt myself utterly weakened. I didn't even have the strength to stand anymore and fell over. Hikari was the first to recover from the surprise and she ran over to me and carefully looked at my body. After finding out that there were no injuries she let out a sigh of relief.
Hikari: Shin, what happened? Are you... are you alright?
Shin: Haha, sorry to worry you, Hikari. Everyone. I was testing the skill I just exchanged. It is the strongest skill that I have ever exchanged so far and what I believe can defeat any foe, but... it uses up all of my power. Ki Energy to be exact, and about half my stamina was consumed for that skill.
Everyone soon recovered from the surprise. Kampa and Connor were standing on a distance calmly. Shuai, Misaki, and even Aqua ran over to me in excitement. They and Hikari started asking questions about the Spirit Wave skill I just exchanged. I emphasized that the skill consumes a huge amount of energy. I originally thought I could use it in a crisis, but it took everything from me. The skill also didn't last too long and I would only have 10-20 seconds to strike the enemy once activated before losing all strength within my body.
Shin: Until I am able to exchange the next level of Ki Energy, Spirit Wave could only be used in the decisive moment when there is only life or death in the next second. Once used I'll be useless for the remainder of the mission unless we are there for more than one day, and even if it is possible for me to move again there would be no chance of me being able to immediately use Ki. If I force myself, then maybe I could keep going with the strength of my One-Ghoul Mutation, yet it's best to count me out after each use.
There were definitely major drawbacks to this skill, but I already had enhancements, weapons, and other skills, so no one here could complain that I wasted my points for a one hit move that leaves me helpless afterwards. My main purpose was just to increase my offensive power for a sure kill strike. I succeeded beyond my wildest dreams.
Aqua: Well, you are fine as you are. Just remember to keep in mind that once you use that skill Shin, most likely for the rest of the mission you are done for and defenseless.
Shin: I will. After this next mission is over I'll look into some kind of recovery skill to balance out Spirit Wave's energy consumption. Heck, just a technique might come in handy in other ways as well.
Aqua: Like what?
Shin: In bed so that I can keep up with-
KO!
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After exhausting himself with Spirit Wave and a swift kick to the face from Aqua, Shin was knocked out. Hikari who was off to the side could only lament her choice in men.
Hikari: ...Why couldn't there be more of a choice of men here in this world? My taste in men is the worst.
Aqua: I feel the same.
Hikari: ...Why does knowing that my boyfriend's other girlfriend is going through the same thing... actually make me feel better? Really, otakus are the worse! Trash! Scum! Stains of society!
Aqua: I am beginning to agree with you.
The road for respect and harmony for Shin's harem... was a much farther goal then he would have liked.
Shin's Leftover Points and Rewards: 120 Points and 2 D Rank Rewards.
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Authors Note:
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Proofread by Hoebagger
Thank you for the following Ki Skill Ideas: Nizen.
Shin's new Ki skill, Silver Dragon Scales is a technique that opens Shin's eyes to new possibilities. It shows him that there are low level skill that could compliment each other so well they could rival higher level skills, and that low level exchanges that require the Player to already have higher level enhancements are greater then there rank leads them to be.