Fonta watched as a bridge connecting to an orb appeared. As he walked towards it, he felt a familiar sense. “Casimar, hold Yang’s right hand. I have an idea.”
Casimar looked at Yang, then back at Fonta, with a look. “Do I have to?”
“Casimar I assume you came for a cultivation technique, correct?”
“Yes. Mine is a bit basic, why?”
“Yang you care more about the healing, is that correct?”
“That it is.”
“I think I can swing the rewards.”
Placing his hand on the ball as a familiar screen appeared, only in front of him.
Would you like to split the rewards? Rewards unlocked, Secondary Talent Awakening, Personalized Cultivation Technique, Physical Reconstruction/Bloodline Awakening, Precursor Relic, and 80,000 Credits.
“I’ll take the relic and the Secondary talent awakening,” Fonta said aloud as he mentally told it to put the money in his book.
“To Yang the Physical stuff, and for Casimar the Cultivation technique.”
Fonta watched Yang fall to the ground, his prosthesis shooting off as stumps grew and extended as the rest of his body changed. In seconds, his feet had regrown, his legs lengthened, and his body looked stronger. His hair was now a deep azure, and his eyes seemed radiant. When he got to his feet, Yang was six feet eight inches tall, dwarfing Fonta by a head.
“Vits! I'll take it back! Give me the evolution!”
No takebacks, also you are not able to receive an evolution. There is nothing to improve.
Primary talent: All things in this universe are a weapon, and you are a master of all of them. Rarity: Lost.
Secondary talent: Secondary secondary talent learned, “Many hands for many weapons. How many weapons can you lift bruh? Me? All of them.” Rarity: Lost.
Tertiary talent: locked
Fonta scowled as he felt the spoon at his side and like an extension of his body, the spoon rose into the air with only the slightest ounce of thought. The technique felt like a muscle in his brain that could be trained over time. “That's pretty nice. Imagine it, I walk into battle with hundreds of spoons surrounded behind me shooting forward and turning people into spoon cushions.”
“Next time we're unlocking my secondary talent. Giving you more weapons in nightmare fuel.”
“You could likely do one on your own now abilities. Both of you to be honest. Hey Casimar, how many elements do you control with that new technique?”
“Earth and Metal, why?”
“Do you care to join my sect in the future? We need all the teachers we can get.”
“What about me?” Yang asked.
“You’re our best forever first disciple. You learn things so good.”
“Well. I learn things well.”
A pathway opened up as a bridge connected to the exit and Casimar nodded. “I’ll think about it. Where can I find you?”
“We’ll find you if you ask around.” Fonta waved as he held the final item.
Portabase, you may design a base of operations using the building blocks provided. Requires materials to increase size and potential building blocks. You may consume these ruins for materials and development points. As well as any other ruins you manage to complete. This item is blood-bound and will reappear in 200 years if you die with no successor. You may designate an unrelated blood successor. Would you like to do so now?
“Nope. Now then let's consume these ruins.”
You will receive 1 point for every dead Elpmet stage cultivator or apprentice mage of which there are 26, and 15 points per awakened cultivator with varying amounts of points based on the conversion of their gear. There are 13 Awakened dead cultivators inside. You may perform a one-time resurrection on anyone who died attempting the trials here, though they will be bound to the territory and will be unable to cause harm to anyone who works under you until you deem the debt has been paid. Until the choice is made, the souls trapped in these ruins will be able to be called up and summoned via the Portabase.
“I’ll hold onto them for now. I need to talk to my master, absorb the rest of these ruins.”
200 development points were obtained for the traveling Ziggurat.
“Yang, apparently I can resurrect those who died here, do you know what that means?”
“Some ruins by nature capture the souls of those who die. By their nature ruins are said to be ways to learn how the world works. They usually hold onto the souls of those they kill until someone with the proper artifact arrives. Some reincarnate, others resurrected, some even do a bit of both.”
“So resurrection is common?” Fonta’s hand subconsciously fell to his umbrella as it started to move on its own. Locking the item in place.
“No, death is usually the end, it just doesn’t always have to be.”
“I heard all of that. Did you save any rewards for me?” Shinra said as she rose from Fonta’s shadow, partially.
Fonta silently spent 1000 credits to create a page for the Mal Dynamis. A trick he picked up very recently when trying to copy it. He set the permissions and limited sharing, as he thought of how much to put into the item.
“Would you like socks and other clothing?”
Fonta concentrated on his book as a small rectangular screen appeared in his hand, setting the upcharge to by a zero Fonta handed the screen with a total of 40,000 credits for her to use of which he’d get back a good amount.
“Wait, you're the one selling these, and they're expensive, no wonder the auction house prices it all so high.”
“So you know, no reselling anything in that catalog.” No need to inform them that he was already making quite a bit off of sales.
“Zara is going to kill you if she finds out. I think she’s already suspicious. She saved four paychecks to never mind.”
“Ah, Ho! Ho! Ho! Tell me more.” Fonta was always curious about how people spend money.
Yang placed a hand on his shoulder. “Listen you dying here would be very inconvenient so let's get you home before you dig yourself a grave.”
“Fine.” Fonta dismissed the portabase as the ruins disappeared leaving a bunch of tired and badly beaten cultivators on the ground.
Looking about Fonta failed to find Gil, checking the log of the dead didn’t show him either. Which left him with nothing to do, or so he’d thought.
----------------------------------------
Usually when Fonta was surrounded by tough people, they forced him into a fight or set him off in one way or another. This time, Fonta could say that he didn’t want to anger the people in front of him.
Leading the group was someone he knew via association. The man of many eyes, the Self-Made King, and the Doctor eyed him worry. All were allies but all were also the equivalent of ambassadors to those in their homelands.
“Three of our number have died, we require briefing, but not here. Something troubling has occurred.”
Fonta was brought to a private tea house with Yang as Fonta was permitted to speak after a relic covered them.
“Ok, so when we got there, I’m not sure if the swordmaster was an idiot or being mind-controlled but he impaled a participant with one of his flying swords which set me off, so I rushed him, using his sword of chi to cut through the shields produced by the Aegis. I didn’t kill either of them” Fonta floated his cup to his mouth and took a measured sip before slowly putting it down.
“I don’t believe that.” stated a young man with a crown, possibly the Self Made King.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
“If he used the swordmaster’s chi blade it is possible I assume both died?” Stated Many Eyes.
“Afterward, they were only knocked out when I left. Anyhow, the Seductress tried to enthrall me, when that failed she enthralled Casimar and forced him to attack me, sending me into the ruins.”
Yang picked up the pieces. “Fonta was gone for the next part but the seductress ordered Casimar to kill Aegis and Swordmaster before using him as a trap pincushion. She commanded the other participants to enter the ruins. After meeting up, Fonta bested the Seductress and Casimar finished the job removing her head.”
“Did Casimar win?” The Self Made King asked.
“No, but I did share the rewards,” Fonta stated.
“What did he get?”
“A custom cultivation technique. It’s what he wanted.”
“Good, now we just need to explain away the deaths and reports of treachery.”
“Well, the deaths can be fixed once, though I will not bring back any of the awakened cultivators using it. Not until I talk with my teacher?”
“Magic or relic?” The Doctor asked.
“Relic, limited to those who have died in ruins. They will be bound to the relic but freedom can be obtained.”
“Don’t use that function without their consent. Some believe it removes them from the cycle or damages their soul, while others may find life like that as being less than deceased. You’d have complete control over them which is troubling to many.”
“I wouldn’t do anything like that but I get it some people don’t desire this kind of resurrection.”
“Aye, now then, let's move on to the next order of business, since you’ve unlocked that second talent I guess you should learn how your third factors in. Your first talent is based on you as a person, your second usually fills in for what you often lack, of which I must assume you tend to end up with arm injuries or need an extra hand for something.”
“That would make sense.”
“Your third talent is based on what you want to become and is unlocked when you pass into the Nascent realm. Which for someone like you, isn’t as far off as it looks. All of your meridians are open and your next step will be entering the awakened realm.”
“You could tell that just by looking at me. I’m sure my teacher will have a lot to say.”
As the group talked a red-haired woman with a collar over her neck stopped at their table. She was dressed in a black work uniform and had been taking orders and delivering food and drink to tables.
“Ah, didn’t expect to see you here master?” Zara said with her eyes closed.
“I was just about to go. Have you also been avoiding me?” Fonta said as he’d gotten to his feet, by now he’d grown slightly taller than her.
Zara looked up, then down towards the others, noting Yang had also grown quite a bit. “N-no I haven't been avoiding you, but you both seemed to have grown quite a bit. Is this from that ruin trip?”
“The growth? Yes. I'm just annoyed.”
“Same here. On an unrelated note, someone showed me something interesting recently. You aren’t hiding something from me are you?”
Fonta looked to his shadow as though it betrayed him then at a window. He could jump through it if he moved swiftly.
Yang nonchalantly leaned over the window to procure a drink menu, blocking off the exit. He wasn't going to fight someone over his greed. “Fine. Fine. Talk to me at the place.”
“So it was true.” Zara nodded slowly.
Fonta felt a cold sweat bead on his forehead. “Look, my clothes have shrunk again. I’m going to go take a nap. Bye!” Fonta placed some money on the table and made his way casually running for his life. Usually when Fonta was surrounded by tough people, they forced him into a fight or set him off in one way or another. This time, Fonta could say that he didn’t want to anger the people in front of him.
Leading the group was someone he knew via association. The man of many eyes, the Self-Made King, and the Doctor eyed him worry. All were allies but all were also the equivalent of ambassadors to those in their homelands.
“Three of our number have died, we require briefing, but not here. Something troubling has occurred.”
Fonta was brought to a private tea house with Yang as Fonta was permitted to speak after a relic covered them.
“Ok, so when we got there, I’m not sure if the swordmaster was an idiot or being mind-controlled but he impaled a participant with one of his flying swords which set me off, so I rushed him, using his sword of chi to cut through the shields produced by the Aegis. I didn’t kill either of them” Fonta floated his cup to his mouth and took a measured sip before slowly putting it down.
“I don’t believe that.” stated a young man with a crown, possibly the Self Made King.
“If he used the swordmaster’s chi blade it is possible I assume both died?” Stated Many Eyes.
“Afterward, they were only knocked out when I left. Anyhow, the Seductress tried to enthrall me, when that failed she enthralled Casimar and forced him to attack me, sending me into the ruins.”
Yang picked up the pieces. “Fonta was gone for the next part but the seductress ordered Casimar to kill Aegis and Swordmaster before using him as a trap pincushion. She commanded the other participants to enter the ruins. After meeting up, Fonta bested the Seductress and Casimar finished the job removing her head.”
“Did Casimar win?” The Self Made King asked.
“No, but I did share the rewards,” Fonta stated.
“What did he get?”
“A custom cultivation technique. It’s what he wanted.”
“Good, now we just need to explain away the deaths and reports of treachery.”
“Well, the deaths can be fixed once, though I will not bring back any of the awakened cultivators using it. Not until I talk with my teacher?”
“Magic or relic?” The Doctor asked.
“Relic, limited to those who have died in ruins. They will be bound to the relic but freedom can be obtained.”
“Don’t use that function without their consent. Some believe it removes them from the cycle or damages their soul, while others may find life like that as being less than deceased. You’d have complete control over them which is troubling to many.”
“I wouldn’t do anything like that but I get it some people don’t desire this kind of resurrection.”
“Aye, now then, let's move on to the next order of business, since you’ve unlocked that second talent I guess you should learn how your third factors in. Your first talent is based on you as a person, your second usually fills in for what you often lack, of which I must assume you tend to end up with arm injuries or need an extra hand for something.”
“That would make sense.”
“Your third talent is based on what you want to become and is unlocked when you pass into the Nascent realm. Which for someone like you, isn’t as far off as it looks. All of your meridians are open and your next step will be entering the awakened realm.”
“You could tell that just by looking at me. I’m sure my teacher will have a lot to say.”
As the group talked a red-haired woman with a collar over her neck stopped at their table. She was dressed in a black work uniform and had been taking orders and delivering food and drink to tables.
“Ah, didn’t expect to see you here master?” Zara said with her eyes closed.
“I was just about to go. Have you also been avoiding me?” Fonta said as he’d gotten to his feet, by now he’d grown slightly taller than her.
Zara looked up, then down towards the others, noting Yang had also grown quite a bit. “N-no I haven't been avoiding you, but you both seemed to have grown quite a bit. Is this from that ruin trip?”
“The growth? Yes. I'm just annoyed.”
“Same here. On a totally unrelated note, someone showed me something interesting recently. You aren’t hiding something from me are you?”
Fonta looked to his shadow as though it betrayed him then at a window. He could jump through it if he moved swiftly.
Yang nonchalantly leaned over the window to procure a drink menu, blocking off the exit. He wasn't going to fight someone over his own greed. “Fine. Fine. Talk to me at the place.”
“So it was true.” Zara nodded slowly.
Fonta felt a cold sweat bead on his forehead. “Look, my clothes have shrunk again. I’m going to go take a nap. Bye!” Fonta placed some money on the table and made his way casually running for his life.
----------------------------------------
After a long trip home Fonta made his way through the door, Fonta found Shinra, Angel, and Zara gathered at the table.
“How! How did you beat me back here?” Fonta tripped on the entryway trying to back peddle.
“You got lost! Were you trying to get your story straight?” Yelled Yang from the back room.
“You too?”
“If we’re going to work with you for a long time, we have some demands.”
“Of course. Is this about the shop? Look, I can't understand a percentage of what I can buy from it.”
“Ignorance is not a shield. You just need to communicate.”
“What do you want and what do I get out of it?”
“I saved your life,” Shinra stated.
“You’re my brother now,” Angel stated.
Zara looked away for a long moment, “I’ll teach you magic.”
“Cultivators can’t learn magic,” Shinra stated.
“He’s different from most. Magic is a key foundation for many cultivators, most just don’t realize that there is actual overlap.” Zara looked at Fonta and for the first time, he knew that she suspected his nature.
“What do you want?”
“Full access to your shop, with everything at its base price.”
“No.”
“Limited access with clothes, and curatives at the base price while everything else has a value you set.”
“Fine, weapons will cost, as well as other trinkets and baubles, but I guess I can sell the other stuff, at cost to you. So long as you don’t resell anything you will maintain access to the Mal Dynamis.” Fonta pulled out his book and willed his intent into a copy appearing in his opposite hand at the cost of 10,000 Ducrates.
“That’s bigger than the page from earlier,” Shinra stated.
“This has more options and more things to buy. Reselling anything you buy will cause the book to disappear. Please share it for now.” Fonta turned to leave.
“Oi! Fonta, I have a hoard of ducks to spend, can I look at your book?” Yang yelled.
Zara spoke aloud. “This is in the ancient script, deciphering it will be difficult. So you’ve conquered one of the ruins.”
“I just guess and assume it will work out.”
Fonta paid for a new set of clothes, spending 2000 Ducks as he left the room. Standing next to the chair Yang had been sitting in, Fonta dropped the tome over his lap.
Yang rushed to catch it out of reflex as his knees slammed into the underside of the table.
“Longer than they used to be, of course.” Yang shot Fonta a suspicious look.
“Same terms as them, prices are adjusted when anyone else uses it.” Fonta played dumb.
“Ah, not as easy to navigate as I thought. So many options with no explanation as to what things are as the language isn’t one we know.” Yang handed it back.
“What did you want?”
“This is where you get all those minor relics and items from the ancients.”
“Aye. Took an arm to get it.” Fonta stated as he turned towards his teacher.”
“I heard about Casimar, apparently his people are looking for recompense for the slight on their family on the Sewin Continent. He used a communication relic to speak with his father and now ships are to negotiate a take over. With 3 ambassadors dead, 1 exposed Nascent realm Dark cultivator, and 2 more chasing them down, the people here have an army of around 500 Awakened cultivators, many of which will choose not to participate.”
“So you want me to help.”
“No, I believe it’s time to leave this city and find a suitable location to set up the sect. Anyone still in this city will be subjugated, cultivators will be unharmed but the hunt for the people at fault.”
“But they died.”
“I expect 10 Nascent Realm cultivators on ships arriving in 3 months or so. Going by what my people intercepted.” The puppet crossed their arms.
“Casimar may have been pissed but he knew the danger.”
“He was prepared for ruin dangers, not human failings. I assume he helped you beat the boss?”
“Meh, Shinra did that. I just happened to go the wrong way when I reunited with Yang and Cas.”
“Shinra beat a ruined boss?”
“Slit its throat while I struggled to kill everything else.” Fonta drew his spoon and sliced the wings of a fly in a single motion.
The fly landed on the table still alive and struggling.
“You have gained a deeper understanding of all weapons haven’t you.”
Fonta scowled as he used a burst of chi to clean off the spoon despite not making direct contact.
“Looks like it.”
“Why did you waste chi on that?”
“This spoon didn’t like being used like that.” Fonta sat spoon on a piece of cloth next to a tea set.
“Alright, with 15 meridians open you should be at least 150% stronger than you started. Be at work tomorrow morning.”
“I thought I was off!”
“I expected the trip to last longer. I didn’t realize it was a roaming ruin, though I did know you’d received a base, which is odd.”
“So what, keep doing odd jobs until my time is up?” Fonta didn’t question his teacher's ability to gather information.
“Yes, only don’t use your hands. The puppet pointed towards Fonta’s hands and two armbands instantly made him stumble, his head nearly hitting the short table as he partially kneeled.
“How is this so heavy?”
“They are only ninety pounds a piece. That should be within the limits of your physical strength. Walking should be easy, but cutting vegetables will be difficult.
Pushing to his feet Fonta looked at his teacher with an eye twitch. His weight had tripled. “I’m annoyed, so, no hands for work?”
“No, when you need them control your arms with that telekinesis of yours.”
“Wait what?”
“Your arms are a weapon, control them.”
Fonta knew this, as shreds of chi surrounded his left arm, then his right and he commanded him to rise despite a staggering amount of pain. After a minute Fonta released his arms.
“That’s difficult, it's like I’m ripping them off.”
“Then you have two choices, learn to wield a knife with your mind or build enough strength to lift your arms with your mind. Doing both at the same time would be preferable but…” The puppet didn’t have much faith in Fonta pulling them off.