Terror Infinity Side B

Chapter 26, BTOOOM Intermission

Aqua had yet finish making a decision for her new enhancements, so I skipped Aqua for now and went over to check on someone else. My next stop had me talking to Misaki.

Shin: So have you chosen what you wanted to get?

Misaki: Yes I did.  I had 3125 Points, 1C rank reward at the start. I broke the C rank reward back into into three D rank rewards and after my repairs I had 3040 points. I then spent each reward on three skills. Two of One Piece's Haki skills and a Pyrokinesis skill. All together 2700 points and all three D ranl rewards were spent to get them.

Color of Armaments Haki -

Rating 70.

The power of Haki to create a force of life energy similar to invisible armor around the user. Allows you touch and harm non physical beings with will-power alone. Substantially increases Muscle Density and Mental Capacity when active. Requires 500 Points and D rank reward.

Color of Observation Haki -

Rating 70.

Also called Mantra, is the Haki force of spiritual power. Allows you sense the presences of others even if invisible, and even feelings. Substantially increases Intelligence, Mental Capacity and Reaction Speed. Requires 700 Points and D rank reward.

Pyrokinesis Master -

Rating 53.

The ability to summon and manipulate flames with one's mind. One's emotional state is a factor in the power of this skill. Controlling preexisting flames will reduce the burden on the user. Requires 1500 Points and D rank reward.

Shin: Haki and controlling flames, huh?

Haki is a concept from the popular manga One Piece. In One Piece, Haki is a mysterious power that is found in every living being in the world and it is not that different from the normal senses.

However, most people do not notice it or fail to awaken it. Broadly, there are two types of Haki common to everyone, given the proper training; however, there is a third type that only a certain group of "Chosen ones" are said to possess. In simple terms, Haki is an ability to sense spiritual energy ( Observation ), use life force ( Armament ) and overpower enemies ( Mind/Will Power ).

The Color of Armament is one of the three types of Haki and it deals with offense and defense. In the manga, at its basic level allows one to hit those who are normally immune to damage like Luffy's rubber body or Logia type devil fruit users who are made of the natural elements such as fire and ice. Haki also lets you reflect back attacks, and at higher skill levels one can harden parts of the body with Haki for additional damage dealing.

The Color of Observation is the type of Haki that allows one to sense the presence of others. In combat this is used to increase ones perception and predict enemy attack and find hidden opponents. Also, once skileld enough one can read minds and feel threats from long distances.

Pyrokinesis is noteworthy power held by espers. There are many good examples of people who hold this skill can do, but famous instances are regular large scale fires that sweep town and burning people alive. In fiction, the espers who have this power are normally hot head and have hard times controlling their emotions, and Misaki fit this to a T, but such emotions if mastered can enhance the power of this skill.

So after spending 2700 points and all of his rewards Misaki was left with 340 points. That was enough to pay Shuai his 100 and 200 points for the trip back home to the real world.

Shin: Haki I can understand since it increases your combat ability in general and against the paranormal, but why Pyrokinesis? Are you a fan of arsonist?

Misaki: No! I just thought that controlling flames would be powerful. Also, I had a thought.

Shin: What?

Misaki: If I could later get the Fire Dragon Slayer Genetic Mutation and I have Pyrokinesis Master on top of that, won't my ability to control flames be very powerful? Your Ki and Ghoul powers match well, so why not Dragon Slayer and Pyrokinesis Master?

Shin: ...

Misaki: What?

Shin: No, it is nothing. I just never realized that you were this smart Misaki. As your leader, you've impressed me greatly.

Misaki: Shut up, and why do you sound so arrogant, leader? I bet I'm now far more powerful than you are.

Shin: Huh!? You want to bet on that? I'll give you one free shot on me and see if you can even knock me out with that flimsy fist of yours.

Misaki: Your on!

Shin was confident in his abilities, but he made a mistake in believing that Misaki couldn't hurt him just after getting his exchanges. Shin had forgotten that in a fight Misaki was exceptionally strong before and was much stronger now.

Misaki had covered his right hand in flames and sent it crashing into Shin's stomach, but there was more to it then that. The Color of Observation showed Misaki where Shin was weakest and The Color of Armaments gave Misaki additional power to hurt him. Now topping that off with the flames conjured by an esper and the result... Shin was sent flying across the platform and slammed into a wall.

Shin: ( ...Did I take on more then I can chew )?

Despite saying that, Shin was fine to Misaki's and everyone else's shock who saw the event. Sure, Misaki's attack was powerful, but for the current Shin it wasn't so much of a threat that he would have been forced into Unlocked Mode.

Even while caught off guard Shin instinctively jumped backwards to soften the blow and thanks to his new Lesser Fenrir Coat he was still wearing, most of the damage didn't successfully penetrate through and his already high stats that were also passively increased by the coat as well. Thanks to the combination of Shin's newly developed instincts from unlocking his Genetic Constraint and armor, he was able to stand back up just fine not even ten seconds after slamming into the wall.

Shin: Well, you didn't win, but you at least broke one rib... Let's just call it a tie, okay?

Misaki: ...Are you even human still!?

Shin: I am a half ghoul after all. This kind of damage will heal by today even if I don't have God heal me. Also, my coat is B rank equipment from the exchanges, so you can't underestimate my defenses.

Misaki: Are you a monster!?

Mokoto: Misaki!

Mokoto who happened to see the whole thing ran over to Misaki. Misaki was embarrassed that he couldn't really hurt Shin, but she didn't see it that way and said that he was amazing. Then, after an awkward moment they kissed each other.

Shin: Yeah. Please continue to act like I'm not here.

Then Shin feeling ignored and jealous that his girlfriend would kiss him in public, but his own won't, so he went to sulk in his room before coming out later to check on the others.

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Shin: So what did you get Kampa?

Kampa: I gave it some thought, but I choose to go with Saki's suggestion the M41A Pulse Rifle. Rating 69. Cost 1000 and D rank reward for the infinite ammo version. I already tried it out in Aqua's training center since we could recreate Sci-fi weapons, and I found that it matched me well. Still... Maybe I am lacking power.

Shin: How so? Is it the gun?

Kampa: No, this is definitely a fine gun, but I keep imaging that if Zero was here I feel that his sniping ability would surpass my gun wielding power in the field. And so, since I survived and he didn't then it is my responsibility as a professional mercenary to surpass him in however way I can.

Shin: That's very admirable of you. We all should become stronger for the dead so as not to make the same mistake as we all did, letting such a valuable member of the team die like that. If I was stronger, I know that he would still be here.

Kampa: Don't beat yourself up over it. To me, and probably to Zero too we see this world as nothing more then a mission. We were more cut out then anyone to be here. It's because we both knew the truth of the battlefield field. That anyone can die, and even if it is your best friends corpse you have to step over it, or use it as a shield to survive to come back home safely. So him dying the way he did... He expected it to happen one day and definitely came to terms with it despite any regrets he may have had.

Shin: Kinda harsh.

Kampa: I know, so let me put it like this. Zero is the lucky one since he was able to escape this hell dimension and go to heaven. In fact, I bet he is laughing at us for not suiciding already.

Shin: Hahahaha! That actually makes me feel worse seeing as that is true, but back to the subject at hand, you feel that you are lacking power?

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Kampa: That is right. I can't make up for Zero's absence in a long distance fights with my skills, but I can become someone who can kill the enemy in one blow despite any kind of defense that they might have. If I have that kind of power then I can become the pillar of the team along side you and Aqua who are incredibly strong in close combat ( No denying that ).

Shin: Do you have thoughts.

Kamap: Yes I do. After the next missing I plan to see if I can get a portable Plasma Cannon. You know, the ones they have in spaceships. I still have some points and a D rank reward, but for now I am going to use them to increase Muscle Density and Reaction Speed.

Shin: Why? You plan to carry all that around? I don't think even Aqua or I could carry that kind of equipment with us.

Kampa: I don't plan to ask. My idea is to get something similar to your Na Ring and Aqua's RPG Bag. That way I can carry it as a whole, or in small parts that I can put together later. I was thinking of the Plasma Gun and fighting like the terminator.

Shin: The terminator.

Kampa: It is my son's favorite movie.

Shin: Isn't he three?

Kampa: Isn't he something? It both brings me pride and sadness that he has made him his idol.

Shin: I see. Then may I make an suggestion?

Kampa: What?

Shin: I was looking through the Sci-fi weapons before the Btooom mission and I found the perfect weapon that might fit you if you have the points.

I then showed Kampa where the certain Sci-fi weapon was in the exchanges that I had my eyes on for myself.

SigMaxiss Rifle -   

Rating 79.  

A large hand-held beam cannon developed from the Diva-class's Photon Blaster Cannon. Requires 5000 Points and B rank reward.

Blustia Cannon -

Rating 89.

Referred to as a 'Miniature Photon Ring Ray', the Blustia Cannon is a weapon attachment for the SigMaxiss Rifle to dramatically increase its power and range, allowing it to take out large targets and obstacles in one shot. In order for the weapon to fire, a significant amount of charge time is needed and has a one time use before needing it to be repaired. Can be repaired for 800 Points and D rank reward. Requires 10,000 Points, B rank reward and SigMaxiss Rifle.

Unicorn Gundam Beam Magnum -

Rating 80.

A highly customized beam rifle designed with an energy condenser. The power output in a single shot is the equivalent of 4 regular beam rifle shots at the expense of an entire E-cap battery. A support kick stand for recoil has been attached. Needs E-cap batteries to fire. Requires 4000 Points and B rank reward.

GN Bazooka -

Rating 81.

The single most destructive beam-based armament currently employed by the Gundam Meisters in season 1. Is solar powered and requires charge time. Requires 4000 Points and B rank rewards.

Kampa: ...Why all Gundam?

Shin: Does that matter ( And why not? ), so what do you think? They are powerful and in a possible price range since it uses up bullets/batteries like you couldn't believe and has a cool down time as well. It lacks rapid fire, but anyone hit once with with is dead!

Kampa: Hmm... I was never a fan of Gundam ( A sin ), but if I have the points later I'll check it out. I am going to practice some more in Aqua's training room. Do you want to join me? I could teach you a few shooting tricks.

Shin: Maybe the next time when I get a cool Sci-fi gun. For now I'm going to look around and talk to the others.

Kamap: Alright comrade ( Said that in Russian for some reason ).

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Shin: So are you enjoying all of these goods?

Shuai: More so then I expect to. It was almost worth being forced to be bait. Still, don't do it again.

Shin: Alright. By the way... What were all those things that you had us all exchange for you?

Just now Shuai had made his decision of his enhancement path and at the same time had all of us buy him tools for his new profession... As a shaman. Not the exact kind from Shaman King, but more traditional and less giant sword slashing, although he could maybe go that route later on. Shuai had chosen to get a shaman type power whole enhanced.

Low level Shaman Power Enhancement -

Raring 65.

Applicable in missions that require contact with the supernatural. The power of a shaman allows one to contact spirits and elementals, and make contracts with them. Has access to Soul Energy. Requires 900 points and D rank reward.

According to Shuai, Shaman Power will allow him to call on and be able to summon on missions low level spirits and elementals. He will also be able to communicate with the undead and gain information from them.

Shuai: Do you see how great that is?

Shin: How so?

Shuai: You see, if we can communicate with ghost and the recently dead then we can gather information in ways we never could before. If I had this in the last mission we could have summoned the spirits of a defeated NPC and gain information about the Btooom Soldiers and Btooom Commander without facing them directly.

Shin: Or maybe we could have used that power on the enemy themselves after defeating one and gain information about Ryuta Sakamoto before we were ambushed.

Shuai: Now you are getting the idea.

Shin: Wait, do NPCs even have souls?

Shuai: Who knows, but in some fantasy novels it says that only humans have souls or everything in creation has a soul/life force ( Please, don't make me question the meaning of life anymore ).

Shin: That doesn't sound like an answer.

Shuai: I just became one with the Spirits ( So Eighth Grader's Syndrome ), so give me a break. Anyways, it's also possible for me to summon natural spirits, elementals to my side to fight with... But they won't be able to do that much at my current power.

To demonstrate Shuai summoned an elemental on the spot. It was a fire elemental apparently and it looked like a red light that size of a firefly. I couldn't see anything other then the light, but Shuai said that it was a small fairly like being the size of a grain of rice.

Shuai: This is the best I can do as I am now. Unless I raise my Shaman Power to a higher rank or just get the Elemental Mastery Enhancement it won't get any better. I could also try exchanging for a Personal elemental, but...

Shin: It is expensive?

Shuai: Don't even mention it. Powerful or useful elementals or ghost cost over 4000 points and C rank or higher rewards.

Shin: I guess you won't be becoming the Shaman King any time soon.

Shuai: You don't have to tell me that. To make a contract with the The King of Spirits needs a S rank reward and 75,000 points and Shaman Power has to be all the way up to the rank A Grand Master, and that cost-

Shin: By no means was I expecting a real answer Shuai. So what were the tools we got you were for? The one you made me get was some wired stick that cost the full 100 Points from what I owed you.

Shuai: Tools of the trade, Shin. Tools of the trade. You will just have to wait and see. As for the rest of my points, I'll just use them to enhance myself. I need to survive and I won't be too powerful till I get more points and rewards for my enhancement path.

Shaman Power.

Unexpectedly it seems to be a great enhancement with as much potential as Hikari's Persona with support capablities. Shuai really made the right choice in going down the Shamna King route. I just hope that he doesn't become a radical environmentalists like Hao and try to erase humans from the face of the planet.

Shin: By the way why did you choose Shaman Power in the first place? Don't get me wrong, it is a very amazing enhancement, maybe even better then my own in a lot of ways, but... Shaman is pretty out there. Did you like Shaman King or Tokyo Ravens?

Shuai: I do, but that isn't the reason. It is because of my father.

Shin: The one who wanted you to work for him back in China after college?

Shuai: That is the one. To me he is the pure embodiment of our capitalist society amd I always hated that he had so much expectations for me to follow his path. That was why I choose to to become a Shaman. An occupation that is outside main stream society and will anger him to no end knowing that his son has joined their ranks. Hahahaha!

Shin: ...Please don't destroy the world ( Also, someone bring back Shaman King Flowers! ).

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Authors Note:

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Next chapter will cover Saki and Aqua, and will be the end of the Btooom Intermission arc. Not very long, but isn't short.