MOMENT OF BLISS
I sat and relaxed in my study as today was a slow day like the day prior. Judge Gallito was now able to deal with the city's demands and complaints. Krapht must be going insane with the number of adventurers pouring in from the Earth Kingdom, and traders from the Fire Kingdom were already on their way to clear Cain's debt.
I sighed, enjoying the tranquility of the day. I couldn't remember the last time I had time to breathe and relax.
KENDO & CINDA
Chief.
They called out to me at once, and I jolted upright. My jaw fell briefly, surprised to see Don standing before me. It has been at least three weeks since we talked face-to-face. But as I racked my brain on why he was standing before me, an answer came to mind as he spoke.
DONATELLO
I believe there is a mistake, Chief,
He explained quickly.
DONATELLO
A party of seven Earth Mages from the Earth Kingdom is here to meet with the city planner.
Bahrain was the city planner, but her expertise was quickly overlooked since Wedge and Biggs were so skilled. Now that I remembered her, I also remembered Don urging me to get rid of her.
LEON
Ah, yes, it's a good thing Bahrain is still around.
I said, taking a jab at him with a cordial smile.
LEON
But no, the Earth Mages were personally requested by Krapht and me.
DONATELLO
Why was I not warned of this beforehand? Surely, you could've questioned me about this decision.
He asked bluntly.
LEON
As the Chief, I do not need your authority, Donatello.
I stated sternly, and he bowed respectfully.
DONATELLO
My apologies, Chief. I will sign off on their pay promptly.
And with that, he quickly departed.
I clenched my jaws in annoyance. Officer Krapht forgot to send the papers directly to me. And as luck had its way, I went to heed Krapht's call for a prompt meeting.
I arrived at the guild house with Kendo, Bahrain, and two Guardians at my back and noticed the guild house was now the size of three homes. They were buying out the stores next to them, increasing their size, and had private builders working on it. However, a part of the left and backside of it was still under construction.
Striding into the guild house, I was greeted with a spacious lounge of richly designed wooden tables and cushioned chairs. Chocolate-colored sofas lined the left and right walls of the vast lounge. We ambled along a gold and brown carpet toward an oak-carved desk where three guild officials sat.
I could feel dozens of gazes flowing up and down my body as I came to a stop behind an adventurer. The official to my left noticed me and sprang to his feet.
GUILD OFFICIAL
Oh! Chief! One moment!
And he fled through the back door, and seconds later, he poked his head back out.
GUILD
Guild Officer Krapht is ready to see you.
We followed him into the back room, strode past a small office space where seven guild assessors worked, and into a cozy dining room that also doubled as a kitchen. Krapht was standing behind the head of the long table with the guild cooks at his back.
He smiled widely as I entered,
KRAPHT
What do you think?
He asked, gesturing the room and hot food on the table.
KRAPHT
I was inspired by your galley.
LEON
I like it,
I nodded in approval.
LEON
Cozy and warming.
He beckoned me to sit, and we sat at a table capable of seating ten people.
LEON
Where are the Earth Mages?
I asked as I took a quick glance around.
KRAPHT
Ah, they've likely retreated to their absurdly wealthy wagons outside the city—If you see the wagons, you'll understand why.
I glanced down at the food and noticed the blood-red colored meat.
KRAPHT
Ever had lagardiente cuisine?
He asked, and I smiled with a nod while thinking to myself, These things are varyingly tricky to cook.
LEON
A staple delicacy for the winter.
Like any other fiend, eating perfectly cooked meat of an edible fiend would grant either temporary or long-lasting buffs. Lagardientes, if cooked to near perfection, would increase my resistance to the cold without any harmful side effects.
KRAPHT
Worry not,
He reassured me as he began to cut into his meal.
KRAPHT
These were Sarumonin's finest cooks.
LEON
Were?
Krapht swallowed quickly before clarifying,
KRAPHT
Of course, Sarumonin has found better ones to feed his ego.
He finished with a chuckle.
LEON
So, what is it at hand you wanted to discuss? It was the Earth Mages, no?
I wondered, and he nodded confidently.
KRAPHT
They were astonished at how quickly you paid. Every kingdom in the north typically takes weeks and would cause the Mages grief...
He complained as he shook his head.
KRAPHT
And then they will return to me, the assessor, and give us a headache.
LEON
Since you've put in a good word for our city, I'm curious, what would it usually cost?
KRAPHT
Oh... unfortunately, the Mages increased their price,
He murmured nervously.
KRAPHT
Because of the Ire's Bounty. They sought extra for the danger in the area. But,
He started with a smile and a nod.
KRAPHT
I figured your Treasury Keeper's hastily approval of the four-point two million puries meant that it was not much of an issue.
Four point two million puries! He gave me a concerned look as I fixed my composure.
KRAPHT
Was that alright?
He asked cautiously, and I figured he had no recollection of me ordering him to send me the papers directly. Tch—I didn't see any point in bringing up his failed memory and shook my head.
LEON
No—no, it's okay. I'm surprised how quick my Treasury Keeper was on this. He's typically slow.
KRAPHT
Aren't they all?
He laughed.
LEON
What else did you want to discuss?
I asked, and he gave me a blank shake of his head.
KRAPHT
Nothing. In courtliness of your Treasury Keeper, I wanted to treat you both.
LEON
Oh? Did you send him an invite as well?
I prodded, and he nodded slowly, looking off to the side.
KRAPHT
Quickly informed me he was not able to come... what a shame.
He quickly perked up,
KRAPHT
Oh right!
He laughed, and I stared at him, confused.
KRAPHT
I completely forgot,
He muttered as he massaged his forehead.
KRAPHT
Eldritch!
LEON
Eldritch!?
I blurted, not expecting her to come up.
KRAPHT
She has arrived.
LEON
She did? How did you forget that?
Krapht shook his head,
KRAPHT
Sorry, quite a lot is going on with these damned scavengers. But, yes, Eldritch and her party arrived early this morning and are currently staying at Hippogriff's Inn.
He chuckled to himself as I took in the information.
KRAPHT
Her arrival was not taken too kindly by the other adventurers.
I took a sip of the black-colored wine, my mind scrambling what to do next.
LEON
How soon can I request to meet with her in the Courts?
I blurted, but Krapht shrugged.
KRAPHT
Whenever she wakes up, I believe.
*****
I was eager to test Lesser Solusion Ritual, and in my rush, I had attempted to bring back a lively arachnid.
ABIMELECH
I do believe,
He interrupted as I was looking at the low chances of succeeding.
ABIMELECH
This will not go well.
I scratched my head as I increased the elemental energy upon the pedestals. The chances of succeeding stayed low.
PAIN
What makes you say that?
I questioned. I never once told him how Lesser Solusion Ritual worked or what was required—he would simply watch in silence.
ABIMELECH
Requirements of Rituals tend to grow exponentially with every level.
He explained.
PAIN
The pedestals require elemental energy.
I told him,
PAIN
Any recommendations?
ABIMELECH
I find your need to depend on me for knowledge is becoming repetitive.
PAIN
Seriously?
I could feel his smug attitude within me as I began the ritual anyway.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Seconds into the ritual, black lightning bolts flared out wildly, digging into the ground and ceiling of the chamber. A bolt of lightning came at me, but I grabbed hold of it and redirected it away, ending the ritual.
ABIMELECH
You are getting better at resisting it.
The soul I used for the ritual returned to me feeling... a bit hot as if it needed to cool off, and the undead arachnid I used as a catalyst was a steaming pile of mana energy slowly dissipating into the air. I eyed the carved marks created by the lightning and noticed how similar they were to the marks in Kari's shrine near Abi's remains.
PAIN
You know Abi,
I exhaled.
PAIN
What should we do with your remains?
ABIMELECH
Leave it,
He scoffed.
ABIMELECH
I am not worthy of a proper burial. As for my robes, the enchantment is called En Mana Zone. It should aid your Zone magics.
I prepared to test Lesser Solusion Ritual again.
ABIMELECH
Repeating something in hopes of different results? A term for that, if I recall.
He jibed.
PAIN
You used to be helpful in these situations.
ABIMELECH
I implore you to perfect your tech—
PAIN
I am.
I snapped, and I could feel him smiling smugly to himself again as I tried Lesser Solusion Ritual again. And again, I failed, but I did so only to ensure the chances were the same. With Abi's strict guidance and schedule in place, he gave me a decent amount of time to practice Lesser Solusion Ritual.
With that in mind, I retrieved one of the study books and began to read. Abi began to applaud me sarcastically.
PAIN
This is why your son turned his back on you.
ABIMELECH
Possibly,
He uttered freely.
I flipped through the pages frantically as my mind began to understand the hieroglyphic text.
Unfortunately, as I finished the book and figured out what I needed for elemental energy—
ABIMELECH
Mana Emissions.
He ordered, and I groaned.
Aptitude Acquired:
Basic En Mana Zone(x), Lesser En Mana Zone(x), Petty En Mana Zone
Aptitude Increased:
Petty En Mana Zone(4%)
After acquiring Abi's old robes, I learned something new about aptitudes.
ABIMELECH
As you do not have any version of this passive, you must start from the beginning.
He explained.
PAIN
Hmph, that makes sense...
ABIMELECH
Be wary of those individuals who wear enchanted armor granting weaker abilities.
He further informed me, and I realized how easy it was to fool someone by wearing a Petty En Body enchanted piece while, in fact, having the Greater skill.
For the rest of the day, I trained according to Abi's schedule to maximize my overall growth. The following day, I eagerly prepared the ritual for Lesser Solusion Ritual.
From the study book, I learned that puries were the best source of mana energy, and I had access to three types: sapphire, ruby, and obsidian. Placing the elemental puries on the pedestal and replacing the bison skulls with crude shards of obsidian puries, I checked my chances and saw that they doubled.
Still, it was only at a rough seventy percent. Curious, I called back my first hawk, wolf, and arachni to test their roles as catalysts. My hawk came first and flew onto the center of the pentagram.
My chances shot up to a certainty, and I shouted in excitement. I also saw that my hawk would evolve into a fiend. Using Petty Scan on the images in my head gave me insight into the types of fiends it may become. A fiend called a kagawk was the most probable outcome, and it would undoubtedly have the vampir curse. It had skills such as Basic Night Vision and Lesser Shadow Phase and passives such as Lesser Regeneration and Petty Fire Aversion.
After a bit of concentration and twelve minutes later—
ABIMELECH
This is called Transcendence,
Abi said, appearing next to me as we both studied my newly evolved, vibrant kagawk.
ABIMELECH
A rare and nearly forgotten natural occurrence that is gifted upon the strong. Yet, somehow, you are able to force the growth within your sols.
PAIN
In my soul?
But I quickly remembered,
PAIN
Oh... you mean my animals.
He nodded, distracted, as he studied the kagawk closely.
ABIMELECH
Such a magnificent and terrifying ability. I was right to be wary of such power.
PAIN
Why does it happen? What causes this?
I asked, and he stood up straight.
ABIMELECH
Unfortunately, I have no knowledge of that. However, I am wondering about something else. Solusion uses part of your soul during the ritual.
I furled my brows at him.
PAIN
It does?
ABIMELECH
Though, why would you, an immortal being, feel such a thing.
He continued on, ignoring my question while lost in a ramble.
ABIMELECH
Thus, your mind is not split. Your soul is not damaged... amazing. Quite a fascinating and terrifying combination of immortality and Solusion.
He finally looked up at me,
ABIMELECH
I wonder, what happens when one of your sols meets its end?
I shrugged in response. Oddly enough, not a single one of my animals died, and I was reluctant to test it.
ABIMELECH
I beg of you to test it. I do believe my hypothesis is correct.
PAIN
And what is your hypothesis?
He seemingly took a deep breath and eyed my kagawk.
ABIMELECH
They are using your soul—part of it. But, a percentage of infinity... is infinity.
He revealed. Now I understood what he meant, but neither my animals nor this kagawk had Infinite Regeneration.
PAIN
So, you want me to purposely slay one of my own animals?
ABIMELECH
If you would not mind.
My wolf came to my side, and I kept my gaze on Abi.
PAIN
If I lose its soul, you will have to answer every one of my questions for the next sixty hours.
He thought about it for a moment before nodding,
ABIMELECH
Fair, I agree.
And I swiftly beheaded my wolf with a sharp blade of wind. From its corpse, a soul floated above its body. It was unusually gleaming with bluish energy compared to the ordinary souls I harvested.
ABIMELECH
What? What do you see?
PAIN
The soul, it's vibrant. Looking at it, I can tell that my wolf's growth is gone, but the memories remain intact.
ABIMELECH
Fascinating...
He uttered in awe, and I raised an eyebrow at him,
PAIN
Any idea why it is shining so brightly?
I asked, but he shook his head.
ABIMELECH
Oh no... other than your God Item: Infinity.
PAIN
I can feel your anxiety. What is it?
ABIMELECH
Pardon my exuberance, but I would rather not divulge unless I am confident I am correct.
PAIN
Wait—what?
I blurted and gestured at my wolf's slain body.
PAIN
What about this? Were you certain?
He smiled softly,
ABIMELECH
Oh yes, quite positive.
I squinted at him before tending to my wolf and bringing it back to life.
Into the week, I revived a number of fiends and transcended dozens of animals. It was faint, but I learned that my soul and affinity to dark magic influenced what type of fiend my animals would transcend to. I studied them with excitement.
Many were shadow-loving fiends such as the brood—a purplish arachnid with abilities to summon the dead, a brumaire—a black steed that created fog by using mediocre Water and Fire, and a shadinu—a black canine that was as bulky as a horse.
The only transcended creature not of the shadows was a sorataka—a vibrant golden hawk with broad wings that used Wind and Lightning magic.
But, despite the new fiends I obtained, the one fiend that caught both Abi and me by surprise was the white arachnid. Now that it was a fiend, it had access to its magic, passives, and skills. Abi was teething with amusement as we both witnessed the white arachnid performing symbology.
PAIN
Why Symbology?
Abi nodded eagerly as the white arachnid raised six forelegs, and after a blinding flurry of movement, a green hieroglyphic symbol floated before it.
ABIMELECH
Amazing, truly amazing!
PAIN
You seem intrigued.
I muttered.
ABIMELECH
I was once a fervent conjuror and sought to study white arachnids. It is unfathomable! The way their minds can freely understand hieroglyphs with ease. Truly, a fearsome beast.
He was squatting before the white arachnid, studying every bit of detail.
PAIN
But, symbology is weak against mana emission.
I pointed out, and he rose to his feet with a solemn shake of his head.
ABIMELECH
I implore you to spar with it and learn. You will, in time, learn to understand the difference between a beast with near-perfect instincts and us fog-minded kinans.
PAIN
Hmm, maybe later, after my mana training.
But even after touting my excuse, I kept a keen eye on the white arachnid and saw it could use a wide variety of magic with symbology. Symbology's weakness to the widely popular Mana Emission and its long casting time was likely a trade-off. However, to be able to call forth any form of magic opened up a gateway of ideas for me.
And yet, I wonder if Abi knew about the white arachnid's ability to use auras. As an undead, it was strikingly useless. But now, it was on par to be as dangerous as the black arachnid.
Passive Increased:
Lesser En Vitality, Lesser Blood Control, Lesser En Scent Detection, Lesser En Reflex
Skill Increased:
Lesser Night Vision, Lesser Quickstep, Lesser Heat Vision, Basic Soul Harvest, Lesser Shadow Phase, Lesser Sound Vision
Aptitude Increased:
Petty En Mana Zone(15%)
The end of another week of intense training came, and I was, as Abi would say, exuberant about my growth. I lounged in my sleeping area, thinking how Abi was a strict teacher and refused to let me get an ounce of rest. He did so after I told him about my dreams of Limbo.
ABIMELECH
Your dreams may be a danger to us all as they will become a bridge to the depths of Limbo and call forth the innumerable demons of old to lay waste to the plains.
I remembered how he spat at me with fierce diction as I was in the midst of performing one hundred push-ups.
PAIN
What?
And he appeared before me in his blue-fiery silhouette.
ABIMELECH
I am just pulling your chain.
He said with a smile.
PAIN
...what?
And he laughed at my ignorance.
I sighed and stared out the eyes of my kagawk. Its vision was superb in the cloudy night sky, granting me an enhanced view of Dagon City down to the strand of hair.
PAIN
Such a beautiful night.
I mumbled.
ABIMELECH
Where do you hail from?
He suddenly asked.
PAIN
Oh, right, I never told you, did I? Fire Kingdom.
ABIMELECH
Oh, I should have known that.
Since he was talking, I decided to ask,
PAIN
Were you a Father?
A string of emotions of all kinds ran wild over his soul.
ABIMELECH
With such a question, you were a scribe, I take it?
I said nothing, allowing my silence to admit my guilt.
ABIMELECH
...sorry. The power-hungry generation of my father proposed such a vile thing to King Banki.
PAIN
Did you have a favorite?
I asked, my mind painting a clear image of Cleric Valentine.
ABIMELECH
A favorite?
PAIN
Yes. A favorite boy or girl?
I clarified and after a moment,
ABIMELECH
I did.
He confessed, and I smiled warningly at the thought of Valentine.
PAIN
So did I.
A brief silence of understanding one another drifted between us before I abruptly jolted upright.
ABIMELECH
What? What is it?
I stared down from the eyes of my kagawk and was sure of who she was. My heart thumped in my chest as my mind fluttered through a list of actions I should take.
ABIMELECH
What is it? What do you see?
PAIN
Someone strong is approaching.
ABIMELECH
Just one?
I shook my head, staring at the six of them on horseback.
PAIN
Six of them.
With the Petty Eagle Eye skill from my kagawk, I could see the enchantments on each piece of their gear, making my stomach flip in on itself.
PAIN
Led by a brute named Eldritch.