Rakna jumped to his feet, startling the onlookers. He staggered a bit the moment he stood up and held his head. He groaned and took his mask off. The blood on his face was gone but a deep scar was crossing his eye. He scowled at the people around him and they gulped nervously.
|| Successful Surcharge. User Conscious. Transferring Data… || The mechanical eye spoke up again and the therian looked estranged but only for a second as rows of data rolled in his vision.
A grid momentarily superimposed the topography of his environment, several lines of information scrolled past the people he looked at, their heartbeats and temperature were revealed to him, and even their skeleton shone for a second. After that small calibration, information was directly put into his brain and he learned everything that was said and done while he was unconscious.
“Quite a good item pull... Thanks, Alexa,” he muttered.
[I am relieved you are safe,] the AI responded.
“{Me too… good lord, that was stressful,}” Fray followed up.
“Well, at least, I got to talk with the dude inside my soul,” the therian and turned around to catch Pronos who jumped on him flustered. “Sorry about that, little guy. I took a lot more damage than I thought. I chose not to use Titan,” he said whilst comforting the snake.
“Um, sir,” one of the healers spoke up and he turned toward him. “Are you… okay? You were in a severe condition…”
“Yes,” Rakna replied dryly and held his mask up. He looked at it for a short moment then his left eye’s mechanical layers rotated. The mask’s inner side promptly smoothed up and an impromptu mirror was created.
The therian looked at himself and clicked his tongue. “After all my efforts to keep my face clear of scars…” He muttered and shifted the mask’s angle to take a better look at his ‘eye’. With a simple mental command from him, the eye’s structure began to spin until it settled into a perfect imitation of a real eye.
Rakna closed his eyelid a few times and he didn’t notice any sort of difference, whether it was in appearance or feeling. When he was done with that, Scherzo deconstructed itself into Allegro and he turned to the enforcers who were stuck between tending to him and keeping their distance out of respect for his identity.
“You said you were apprehending the members of Fang’s organization, right?” He asked and the chief enforcer nodded slowly.
“Yes… We are planning to get the necessary information out of them to dismantle their item, drug, and slave trafficking network. It’s suspected that they are connected to the Abyss so we need to act fast before they are scrapped.”
“No place for suspicions. They were with the Abyss,” Rakna retorted as he put Sonata around his neck and pulled his hood down, making his new scar even clearer. “Fang was a vampire. If I didn’t have a title specifically made to boost my stats against Abyss Creatures, I would have gotten even worse injuries. If that had happened… let’s say I would have been forced to use a skill even more potent than the one I used.”
The chief enforcer flinched. ‘Something worse than a black hole? What is Obsidian teaching to a fresh Host?’ He thought to himself.
“Regardless, you don’t need to interrogate them,” Rakna continued whilst cracking his neck.
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“I can give you that information myself.”
“How?” The chief inquired. “Have you gotten something out of Fang?”
He snorted. “No. But I will.”
“Sorry…?”
“Follow me. You’ll get what I mean. A small confirmation before that; how long has it been since the fight ended?”
“Well, if we are talking about the time your spell struck; about seven minutes?”
“Hm, it should be fine,” Rakna uttered and flash-stepped down the building. The chief followed him with equal speed and they quickly reached the crater dug by the black hole.
Rakna looked around and mused. “Fairly destructive… It could’ve gone bad.”
The chief’s mouth twitched. “Excuse me, sir, but… have I misunderstood or you… used an untested high-tier spell in the middle of the city?”
“…maybe?” The therian replied with a tilt of his head. “But if we’re strictly talking about ‘tests’… I did attempt it on a smaller scale… Although it failed each time. But I always figured it was because the star wasn’t big enough, and I was right.”
“…” The chief fell silent in disbelief.
“In any case, I’m not here to discuss that,” Rakna said and spread his arms. He closed his eyes and scattered his soul around. There was a thing he had learned in the past weeks; souls lingered after death. There were different stages to it but the one relevant to him was the first, which generally lingers for around five to ten minutes after death.
He scanned the area to find the scraps of Fang’s soul. “[Dead Men Tell,]” he intoned and pushed everything together to extract what he wanted from it. Right away, memories and knowledge were pushed inside his brain right before the last vestiges of the vampire’s soul vanished.
Interestingly enough, this normally would take him time to process and assimilate, but this time, his brain, which had been enhanced by his new eye, stored it in the blink of an eye.
“I see,” he nodded and lowered his arms. He waved his right hand and a sheet of paper made out of his cold energy formed. He mentally drew a map on it according to the memories he had just gotten as well as the 3D scape that was automatically showed by his mechanical eye.
When he was done, he tossed the map to the chief who caught it. “There are six marks on it. Each of them is either a base or a warehouse of Crimson Gem. Send your men and do your work.”
“How did you find this…?”
“Dead men tell,” Rakna kidded and turned his back. “I’ll be going to the biggest warehouse on that map. See you.”
“Wait! At least take some people with-!” The chief couldn’t finish as Rakna disappeared from his view with a flash-step that even he found impressive due to its channeling speed. He sighed and scratched his head whilst looking at the map.
“At least he doesn’t seem to be a guy that will make us lose our job on a whim…” He grumbled and tapped on his temple a few times to open a channel to his team while he flew off. ‘Better hurry and get done with the organizing and go after him. Still… that kid, he’s probably already stronger than I was back at level 200,’ he thought somewhat bitterly. ‘What a monster.’
* * *
“{So, did you get something useful from Fang’s memories?}” Fray asked.
‘Yes,’ Rakna responded as he flash-stepped off another rooftop. By this point, the clouds had fully returned and filled the sky. ‘Interestingly enough, when he claimed we could climb the ladder of the underground together, he partially meant both the Abyss and the Arena. It seems both organizations are connected.’
“{Oh… well, that makes things harder,}” the author commented. “{Arena Zero seems to be already deep-rooted and powerful but if you add up the Abyss to the lot… you get the leaders of crime and the leaders of evil on the same team.}”
‘No matter. The good thing is that I learned a few things about the Arena from Fang. Notably, various methods and locations to access Plateau Zero. Most of them are on the 100th Plateau and a few others above it.’
“{You have upgraded DMT quite a lot, huh? How about the eye from the Heavenly Chaos Box? That item; what does it do exactly?}”
‘Well, why don’t we take a look together,’ Rakna replied and promptly opened all the notifications that had been muted by Alexa, as always, to make sure he wasn’t distracted, and his full status.
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Physical Damage Resistance has ascended through Exceled!
Magical Damage Resistance has ascended through Exceled!
Artzpul has ascended through Exceled! Two bursts can now be triggered at once.
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You have used Ireful Descent – Spill the Blood!
Wrathful Obsidian Blood has been triggered! Attributes altered!
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Cold Star Reinforcement has ascended through Exceled! You can now mold the shape of full-reinforced body parts and remotely control them when detached.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
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You have learned the Tier 2 Spell, Natcattiram Carivu! (Currently Limited to Manifestation)
Cold Star Magic has Exceled!
Mystic Cold Star Magic has leveled up! 2x
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The Gold Item, Eye of Heavenly Chaos, has established a symbiotic connection with the Host!
Eye of Heavenly Chaos has fully integrated the Host’s Nano-Machines!
Eye of Heavenly Chaos has fully integrated Allegro!
Eye of Heavenly Chaos has fully integrated Andante!
Eye of Heavenly Chaos has fully integrated Skulking Sonata!
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You have gained a new Trait; Eye of Symphony!
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Name: Rakna Xiorra Blade
Age: 17 | Level: 97* (4520/970)
Path/Race: Nine-Tailed Werewolf
Affiliation: Throne of Glory
Titles: Legendary Slayer – Legendary Wolf Emperor – Divinity Slayer – Treasure Hunter – Nemesis of the Abyss – Dungeon Bane – Calamity Hunter – Dimension Breaker – The Kind Demon’s Kin – True Imperial Designation
Potential: S+ | Host Rank: IX
Normal Attributes:
STR: 64.4 | END: 61
SPD: 58.9 + 10 | DEX: 40.1
INT: 41.4 | LCK: 9
Werewolf Attributes:
STR: 102.4 | END: 97
SPD: 110 | DEX: 64
INT: 66 | LCK: 9
Available Volatile Points: 0 (10 Assigned to SPD)
Available Attribute Points: 170.6
Available Skill Points: 2
Normal Statistics:
STA: 145/358 | MP: 126/666
SWI: 264 | AGI: 286
SEN: 1 398 | ATC: 285
ATT: 558.8 + 10% Cold | DEF: 367
MA: 159 | MR: 6.86/min
Werewolf Statistics:
STA: 550 | MP: 1032
SWI: 408 | AGI: 382
SEN: 2 146 | ATC: 447
ATT: 816 | DEF: 513
MA: 239 | MR: 10.5/min
Proficiencies:
- Mana Control (Lv. 16 ⋆)
- Soul Sense (Lv. 15 ⋆)
- Mana Sense (Lv. 13 ⋆)
- Runecraft (Lv. 12 ⋆)
- Flight (Lv. Ex)
- Magic Theory (Lv. Ex)
- Magic Circle Theory (Lv. Max)
- Blacksmithing (Lv. Ex)
- Tracking (Lv. Max)
- Weapon-Mastery (Lv.9)
- Magic Formation Theory (Lv.9)
- CQC Mastery (Lv.8)
- Crafting (Lv.7)
- Woodworking (Lv.6)
- Cooking (Lv.6)
- Alchemy (Lv.2)
…
Magic Skills:
- Cold Star Magic (Lv. Ex) => [Cold Star Manifestation (T.0); Natcattiram Carivu (T.2); Natcattira Vīḻcci (T.4), Natcattiram Cataract (T.5), Natcattira Kirīṭam (T.6), Natcattiram Viḻuntatu (T.6), Star Puppetry (T.10 – T.1); Star Hearth (T.10 – T.1); Star Monarch (T.10 – T.1); Cold Star Mist (T.10)]
- Mystic Cold Star Magic (Lv.7) => [Uniform]
- Sloth Magic (Lv.9) => [Path to Absolution (T.9)]
- Union Magic (Sloth + Cold Star) – Frosted Sloth => [Niflhel Niflheim (T.7); Tūkkamum (T.8)]
- Item Dependent Spells => [Eruption (T.7) {1/3}; Petal of Collapse (T.7) {2/2}]
Cognitive Skills (Passive):
- Absolution of Belphegor (Lv. UEX ⋆⋆⋆)
- Soul’s Decree (Lv. 26 ⋆⋆)
- Pain Resistance (Lv. Max ⋆)
- Primal Soul Core (Lv.19 ⋆)
- Fatigue Resistance (Lv.18 ⋆)
- Fear Resistance (Lv. 17 ⋆)
- Magical Damage Resistance (Lv. 14 ⋆)
- Physical Damage Resistance (Lv. 12 ⋆)
- Cold Soul Aura (Lv. 11 ⋆)
- Despair Aura (Lv. Ex)
- Dimensional Damage Resistance (Lv. Max)
- Walking Star (Lv.6)
…
Spontaneous Skills (Active):
- Awakening of Divinity (-)
- Empirical Tribulation (-)
- All Virtues Shall Sloth (Lv. UEX ⋆⋆⋆)
- Rift Shuttle (Lv. Ex ⋆⋆⋆)
- Celestial Gate (Lv-)
- Eonian Gate (Lv-)
- Flash Step (Lv. 18 ⋆)
- Dead Men Tell (Lv. 16 ⋆)
- Soul Breath (Lv. 15 ⋆)
- Call of Hounds (Lv.14 ⋆)
- Soul Scourge (Lv. 14 ⋆)
- Stealth (Lv. 13 ⋆)
- Cold Star Reinforcement (Lv. 12 ⋆)
- Fabled Sight (Lv. 12 ⋆)
- Artzpul (Lv. 11 ⋆)
- Claws (Lv. Ex)
- Werewolf’s Moon Shine (Lv. Ex)
- Raise Undead (Lv. Ex)
- Gigantism (Lv. Ex)
- Cross Dimensional Sagacity (Lv. Ex)
- Soul Drain (Lv. Ex)
- Weapon Reinforcement (Lv. Ex)
- Shadow Step (Lv. Max)
- Gradation Hex Buffer (Lv. Max)
- Appraisal (Lv. Max)
- Projectile Reinforcement (Lv.7)
…
- Fortune Search (Lv.4)
…
- Legendary Imperial Guard (Lv.1)
Nirvana Skills:
- The Harvester
- The Scavenger
- Ascension of the Titan
- Ireful Descent: A Nirvana Skill born from the combination of Ireful Shell, Wrath Yaksha, and Obsidian Blood. The holder of this ability will see their defense passively increase by 1% with every damage they take. This effect can be stacked up to 100% and each increment lasts for five minutes after it is triggered.
The holder’s blood production will be boosted and their bones will snap back into place whenever they are displaced or broken. Note that this is not equivalent to regeneration and only allows the user to fight longer for as long as their willpower allows it.
Additionally, two skills will become available; Wrath Demon and Spill the Blood. The former will attract the animosity of surrounding hostile creatures and increase the user’s Magical & Physical Defense by 50% at the cost of 500 MP and a cooldown of one hour.
Spill the Blood allows the user to manually trigger the Trait, Wrathful Obsidian Blood with a cooldown of one hour. Note that Ireful Descent has decreased the negative side effects of this trait. But beware, repeated uses will still be detrimental.
Note: This is a cursed skill. It is currently on the verge of being classified as a Tier 1 curse. The System personally wishes to warn you; the Host can repress the curse on his own but there is no telling of what will happen once the curse evolves to its final stage.
Unique or Racial Traits:
- Eion Auto-Sustainable Nanomachines
- Shape Shift
- True Smell of the Wolf God
- Luquila’s Wings
- Lesser Regeneration
- Shuttle Specter Physique
- Internalized Magic Circuits
- Void Breathing
- Wrathful Obsidian Blood: A trait born from the combination of Wrath Yaksha, Ireful Shell, and Obsidian Blood. It is an alternative mind that alters the Host’s behavior. The change is so drastic that the body itself has to follow. When this trait is triggered, SPD & DEX are halved and STR & END gain the difference.
Additionally, for one minute after activation, the Host’s metabolism stops bleeding and the healing factor is upgraded to the next stage.
Note: This trait can be triggered through emotional shocks or the Nirvana Skill; Ireful Descent.
- Eye of Symphony: Originally the Gold Item, Eye of Heavenly Chaos, which, after implanting itself into the biology of Rakna Xiorra Blade, has been elevated to Eye of Symphony.
Its most essential uses include; the expanding of sensorial inputs, regulation of brain waves, increase in thinking speed, organic data storage, various analytical programs, connection to networks in range, unparalleled hacking capabilities, mental input, miniature quantum calculator, HL compatibility, etcetera…
Upon connecting to Allegro, Andante, and Sonata; the eye established a connection to the item set known as Symphony and can now be used to control them at will. Allegro’s modes can now be mentally altered by the user through their mind.
Eye of Symphony made contact with the Eion Nano-Machines and through its integrated programs, enhanced their specs and applications. The Nano-Machines can now be controlled to defend against all sorts of invading energies or substances. This allows near-immunity to all poisons, toxins, and parasitical magic and creatures.
The eye has simultaneously integrated Eion Energy into its systems and has rationalized a program to generate new nanobots out of mana and stamina. Through that, the nano-machines have reached a completely new level of symbiosis. Thanks to the Eye of Symphony, they now are biologically part of the Host.
Whenever the Host gets injured, the nano-machines will replicate and replace the flesh and blood lost, transforming said body part into an organic, strengthened, malleable material.
Current Nano Resources Available For Replicating: 13%
Reconstruction Rate: 1% per hour (without noticeable mana or stamina cost involved)
Effect of the Eye: +100% to Senses
Nano-Machines Effects: +10% to STA, SWI, AGI, ATT
Recommendation: Allow Eye of Symphony to run the Overhaul Program and fully transform the Host’s body to boost their physical capability.
WARNING: A painful experience is to be expected. The Host will no longer be made of true flesh and blood. If you do not wish for this; turn off nano-machine reconstructions as it will eventually lead to it over time if the host continues to heal with this method.
Current Progress: 0.268%
Note: Eye of Symphony is perfectly blended into the Host’s organism. It is thus affected by abilities such as Reinforcement or Regeneration without issues.
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Rewards & Experience were previously put on hold due to the critical state of the Host. Do you wish to claim them now?
Yes/No
Note: You will directly reach Level 100. It is recommended to find a safe location to proceed.
❮ ◈ ❯