By the time Vincent left Zar-Rhah's cave it was dusk and the sky was painted in a beautiful, orange twilight. "That damn jerk." He muttered to himself. "Needs a week to prepare my ass. He just wants to procrastinate on training me!" The dark haired man protested.
Shaking his head he began to make his trek back to his own cave. "Oh well.. I suppose it's not like there's any shortage of things for me to do.. Definitely still pissed off about Gildarts too. The rewards for my toils were inadequate to say the least, especially considering how many times I almost died." He said with a roll of his eyes while bounding through the trees.
He crouched as he ran in order to ascertain the effectiveness of his improved sneak abilities. It was almost comical to see him moving through the jungle. Due to his agility being well over 100 Vincent was faster than most creatures around this area, even while crouched. He appeared to the naked eye of most creatures as a dark blur. Like a ninja, one might be inclined to say.
Overall he was pleased with the results. None but the most powerful and perceptive monsters would find Vincent if he put forth true effort into hiding his presence. Even if they did manage to find him, catching him would be equally as challenging. In terms of battle capabilities Vincent could easily go toe to toe with the strongest level 50's, as evident by his fight with the Fang. Of course, an elite level 75 would probably still force him into retreat without too much quarrel.
Vincent was roughly halfway home when his companion sent him a mental plea to gather some more supplies before heading home. Their potions were getting dangerously low and the pack was also getting hungry. 'Certainly don't want to pay store prices…' Chuckling he dropped to the ground below and began to travel at a more civilized pace. It didn't take him long to find large patches of blue and red crystals as well as multitudes of plants he could make use of.
The crystals in particular were easy to find. They could typically be found in areas that had high concentrations of energy, either because of high level monsters or the natural environment in some more intense areas. To someone like Vincent, those massive concentrations of energy may as well have been signal fires.
While gathering materials the blue eyed man was so caught up in his thoughts that he almost didn't even notice them… The desecrated bodies that lined the jungle floor. Vincent's guard was up in an instant and his Aura flared to life.
"Stupid and reckless.." The man berated himself. Sweeping his gaze slowly from the left to the right, he looked with more than just his eyes as he surveyed the remnants of a massacre.
"They've struck again… Fucking wretched beasts…"
Death was a part of life that was something he had been forced to accept long ago. But when the depraved killed there was no rhyme or reason to it. They simply devoured everything in sight. They were monsters that thrived on spreading fear and pain. It made them stronger…
Most of the victims' bodies were shriveled and decayed.. A pile of lvl 40 crimson lotuses had been turned to a dull gray husk. True to their namesake they had the appearance of red flowers. Unlike most creatures in the Nexus they were docile and harmless unless provoked. They spent their days nurturing the growth of the jungle and recycling death and decay.
Essentially they had the ability to absorb dead or rotting substances and regurgitate it as powerful fertilizer for all manners of life. The Hellspawn themselves avoided harming the playful and kind sentient flowers, proving that even in the system there was some light..
There were other creatures around too. A titanium plated boar of some type, several large insects, ect. Many of these creatures weren't devoured and instead were mercilessly slaughtered and discarded. Most of the bodies were bloated from leftover gas and chemicals within the body. They were in the early stages of decomposition, and their blood had long since dried. All of this indicated they had been dead a few days now. Vincent used his considerable abilities and mental prowess to replay the situation in his mind.
It was clear to him that most of these creatures were lower level natives of the jungle that had come to the aid of the Crimson Lotuses. They had tried feebly to save some of that rare light in this world from the depraved…
He gathered some of the more preserved bodies for sustenance and materials. At least their deaths wouldn't be in vain. They would make him and his pack stronger so he could avenge them.
"All of these creatures.. All of these different, violent species that would have torn each other apart any other day.. Came together to try and save the lotuses." Vincent's words were soft and loaded with the confliction that he felt. For the first time in a long time.. He was reminded of humans again.
The mythical cave in the mountain..
It didn't take Vincent long to arrive home. However, immediately upon exiting the jungle the man could sense something was off. He figured a large part of it had to be his new unique ability; Network of Souls. It was as if there was an intense sorrow resonating from within him but at the same time he could tell the source came from the others nearby.. If he focused hard enough he could almost see the connections between the souls of his pack and himself. Within those connections, energy and emotion flowed. "What is going on..?" He wondered out loud.
The pack was gathered in the center of the dens where a large open 'pit' could be found. This was typically where spars occurred and the young were taught how to fight. Vincent made his way over to the young prince, his second in command. His pack gave him a wide birth as he passed and none would meet his gaze.
"Dawn.. what's going on?" Vincet asked with a frown once he'd gotten within earshot of the majestic blue wolf. The prince bristled before turning swiftly around to face his master. Based on his facial expressions and energy flows he was clearly dealing with a great deal of stress and anguish.
The wolf's fur swayed side to side as it set its feet and sucked in a deep breath. It reared back its head and howled at the sky. The air vibrated with force and power and a stream of blue fire shot from the prince's open maw as it roared.
Vincent couldn't help it as a part of his subconscious instinctually analyzed every aspect of his close friend's skill. It had to have been at least Legendary tier. The basic shape of the energy wasn't unlike the fireball skill; sporadic and rotating rapidly. But there was something different about this skill than the fireball. Something that made it mutate and evolve.
Dawn had always been exceptionally great at the Fireball (Rare) skill and knew that he would get an improved version with time but this was a cataclysmic transformation. Vincent knew by his intuition and Sixth sense that it was more than just some random input or reward from the system.
Dawn had done something that Vincent thought only he and his companion could do… He created this skill. The attack contained traces of Vincent's energy as a foundation, probably as a fuel source. The wolf's emotions gave it shape and his desire and will made it happen, his perception of his needs caused a sort of self actualization.
Any other time this type of epiphany would be a cause for immediate celebration. Especially as the system window flashed across his vision.
Congratulations!
Ecology skill has grown stronger!
Sixth sense skill has grown stronger!
System interference has grown stronger!
New skill: Flamecloak (Epic) created!
Flamecloak (Epic) A fiery embrace that burns brighter and hotter with the user's emotions. The flames of the user's will burn with emotion so intense it consumes all forms of harm. Due to the 'Epic' rarity potency and degree of control gain a bountiful bonus per level. (Active skill) (consumes 2500 mana)
Despite his involuntary copy catting and his subconscious breakthrough on the fundamentals of skill creation, his mind was focused only on the meaning behind the intense emotion from his friend. A few wayward tears escaped from his eyes. The depraved had gotten another tribe and none made it out alive.
Zar-Rhah's home in the woods over a week later…
Vincent sat cross-legged in his meditative Complete tranquility. Before him was a large pond on the other side of which was the mouth of a cave. His back was to the woods, but directly behind the man his teacher stood, hands resting stop his wooden cane.
"Focus now boy.. you must create a bond with your sword and shield. You have to believe that your sword can pierce any obstacle, and your shield can protect you from any harm. It is not enough to think this is true, you must know it." He lectured.
"What I know is that it's hard for me to focus when you won't shut the fuck up." Vincent grumbled. Zar-Rhah snorted in response. "This is your problem. You're too rash. Too emotional. You must be focused and disciplined. Each action must be made with purpose and intent! Not half assed hopes and needy, entitled wants."
"Agaaaah!!" Vincent yelled, opneing his eyes and standing up. "I've been at this for three days! This is a waste of my time. I could be doing real training. You're telling me not to use my emotions or rely on my instincts when that's literally where all of my power comes from. Have you ever thought maybe I'm just different from you? Maybe you're the one teaching me wrong." He insisted angrily.
Zar-Rhah fixed him with a stern frown. "This is exactly my point. And you're damn right you're nothing like me. You're arrogant and impatient, a C- student at best amd thats being generous! When you swing your blade you swing a piece of metal. You probably do not even know your weapon's desires. Do you even hear it when it speaks?"
Vincent's face was sour as he contemplated all of this. Somehow he got the feeling that the master was being literal when he asked these questions. The blade obviously had emotions so why hadn't he considered the fact that it could have ambition and a voice? Hell the blade was practically alive, it had its own soul and a piece of his.. his shield and armor were as well.
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He was also sure that the master swordsman who had been studying all of his life was probably a little bit more experienced in these matters than himself. Even though his logical self knew all of this.. he still couldn't shake his uneasy feelings bubbling inside of him. Everything that had shaped him the last three years he was now being told was wrong. Every struggle and lesson he'd had ingrained into his brain in order to survive was somehow holding back his true potential. He would have to tear himself down and rebuild from the bottom.
"Even if you are right.. my emotions and instincts power every single one of my skills. Even you told me once that every skill requires emotion to activate. Now you're telling me not to feel anything when I fight?" He huffed in frustration and confusion. The aged Orc merely closed his eyes and sighed. "Wrong again.." He took in a deep breath and focused on Vincent with his steely gaze.
"You are correct that the power of your skills comes from your emotions and will.. but YOU must be the master of those emotions. You must be the one in control of them, never let them control you. If you fight in anger or sadness or even joy you fight sloppy! You hesitate, you choreograph yourself! To remain calm and focused while harnessing the inferno of the soul within oneself.. that is how you become truly powerful. Watch.." He spoke, drawing his ridiculous claymore that looked more like a broadsword and walking forward to the edge of the water.
He took in a deep breath and let go of his cane gripping his sword with both hands. Somehow, magically the cane remained upright on its own. "Rend the sky for me... Caelum Rendere!"
With a casual upswing of his blade a force of golden energy in the shape of an arched blade blasted forth. The energy crackled madly and rapidly expanded as it left his blade. Vincent watched paralyzed with awe as the beam of energy streaked throughthe air, first a mile then two.. the energy easily grew to over one hundred feet long and half as wide before it impacted a far off mountain completely demolishing the top.
The aged Orc sighed deeply before stowing his blade and retaking his cane. He panted slightly and leaned ever so imperceivably on the gnarled branch of a thing. "Heh.. back in the days of my youth that entire mountain would have been leveled and I'd have barely broken a sweat!"
Vincent fell to his knees in denial. "I dont believe it.." he mumbled. Zar-Rhah snorted and turned away. "That is why you fail." The old Orc whispered. Vincent lowered his head even further, until it touched the hot stone. "Please teach me, master." Zar-Rhah shook his head and sighed. "I have tried." He hobbled away towards the mouth of the cave. Vincent remained kneeling, eyes closed tightly. Beneath the surface his emotions boiled. How could he remain calm.. when the world was so damn unfair?..
A few weeks later…
Master and student were sparring 'lightly' in the very same spot where the master had demonstrated the depths of his true capabilities. Zar-Rhah placed an engraving on a dummy set of armor Vincent had created that would allow him to increase its weight using his gravity manipulation ability. That coupled with the natural ball of gravitational resistance he constantly placed around himself made even a slight spar a considerable workout.
Vincent's Diverging perception was pushed to its absolute limit as he tried to focus not only on surviving the onslaught of his decidedly mentally unstable master's blows, but also on pushing the flows of his energy to the absolute limit one at a time. He made his skills expand and flow faster while trying out different combinations and shapes. Sometimes he focused on the energy comprising his skills and other times he tried tinkering with his Health, Mana and Stamina, which was an altogether different process. He used his system interference and the way it acted as a magnet to propel, dissect and combine his energy much faster than he was able to naturally on his own.
He obsessed over the lesson Zar-Rhah had tried to demonstrate in showing how one could use their emotions to fuel their power while also remaining focused and intent. Adding to that he tried to remember how the skills of his pack experienced abnormalities during emotional turmoil. He discovered that everything he had learned about tue foundations of emotions and instincts hadn't necessarily been wrong.. he just needed to reconsider how he applied their effects. He needed to allow his instincts to find the path but he had to be the one to walk it. He had to have more control.
Zar-Rhah had been absolutely right when he had said that a strike made in blind fury, no matter how much extra bluster was behind it, would never be as sharp or effective as an attack made with unwavering intent. The true secret to being the best was learning how to find a balance and harness both of those forces at once. Using your emotions and flawlessly switching between them, without letting them cloud your judgment and experience.
Once he understood how to maintain composure under pressure those very same instincts he'd honed so carefully over the last three years would actually help incorporate his new behaviors into his muscles' memories. This would cause much more effective gains overall.
He thought it was quite funny how so many of his skills provided small passive benefits such as leveling faster or more easily controlling his powers. Or in the case of his Diverging perception; allowing him to focus on improving in a multitude of areas at once. With all of his stats and abilities his powers were beginning to become self propagating, slowly improving the entirety of his being over all. He may not be able to evolve through levels.. but he would more than compensate for that through sheer skill and ability.
The grizzled old master took a step back to breath and Vincent took full advantage knowing that hesitation here would lead to his only chance to make some headway being missed. He gathered all the energy he'd cultivated thus far and created a dozen balls of different colored energy and elements. This was the current limit to the amount of elements he had control over. Using a new move he'd learned he released the unstable spheres in 12 rapid sword strikes.
Congratulations! Your skill; Flurry of strikes (sword technique) (Epic) has increased to 17!
Flurry of strikes (Epic) User unleashes a number of quick blows each containing a percentage of the user's overall strength. Due to the 'Epic' rarity, gain a moderate bonus to the strength of each blow and the maximum number of blows per level. (Active ability) (consumes 500 mana)
This particular attack wouldn't do a lot of damage on its own, even with all of the kinetic force he had managed to gather, but when combined with another new legendary ability he had developed..
Skill: Critical strike (Legendary) A unique skill developed by one who is intimately familiar with the energies of the Nexus. Allows all of the users attacks to automatically hit his targets weak spots. If no weak spots or openings exist, the user creates one. (Passive skill) (Lvl. Max)
Each of his twelve blows caused the mighty Orc to put at least a semblance of effort into blocking to avoid taking any damage. Vincent didn't intend to stop there... However, he was running low on Mana.
By his careful estimation Vincent had just enough to charge an Unwavering strike coat it in his potent wrathful flame ability which he wasted no time doing. Unfortunately before he could use it, his master swept his legs with his cane. Vincent was able to shadow step away just in the nick of time before hitting the ground, but he lost his momentum and the ability to strike his intended target.
Vincent gasped and puffed reaching the limits of his stamina. His vision swam and his head was pounding. His incredible regenerations would rapidly restore his vigor and vital energies but not fast enough to matter in the midst of battle. Plus it was harder to use his more powerful regenerative abilities while focusing on fighting and leveling. His Complete tranquility required intense concentration and his Yggdrasil skill required him to be sitting still to receive its full effect.
He wasn't quite sure how exactly he'd go on until Zar-Rhah raised his hand and said "That's enough for now. Clearly you're at the ends of your rope and I.. am beginning to feel the effects of age on my aching bones. We shall take a break." Vincent sighed in relief. Unable to speak, he settled for nodding in response while continuing to breathe heavily. The man with one blue eye and one red closed them and focused as he activated Yggdrasil; The Ancient World Tree and slipped into his Complete Tranquility.
Instantly his regenerations increased from their base rate of about 8 to over 50. He sighed in relief and content as warm golden energy flooded his body. His health pool was over 20 thousand and would take about ten minutes or so to fully regenerate even with his capabilities. He felt absolutely dreadful for everyone else who probably had to sleep an entire day before they reached tip top shape again. That or rely entirely on potions and mages who could heal.
Speaking of which.. For whatever reason his master insisted he not be allowed to use potions during the duration of their training. Maybe he figured forcing Vincent to use his skills instead would level him faster.. Personally Vincent was inclined to believe the bastard was just a bored, sadistic, lonely old man.
The duo made their way into the cave where they enjoyed a meal prepared by Vincent himself. Zar-Rhah had absolutely no qualms with taking full advantage of Vincent's wide variety of more.. practical abilities. He'd even gone so far as to have Vincent construct an elaborate self-sustaining garden and fishing mechanism to provide him with food materials while the human was away.
As the two finished their meal in silence and Vincent absentmindedly began cleaning with his telekinesis ability, he couldn't stop himself from asking, "Zar-Rhah?" The Orc grunted in acknowledgement. "I couldn't help but wonder.. Why did it choose the name 'Skyrender'? And why is it in the old tongues?"
The system window appeared to each individual differently and more or less shaped your growth based on your personality. To that end every single being in the Nexus had its own unique concept of languages. Almost all of them had a 'modern' tongue which to Vincent the system translated to English, and then they had an 'ancient' language which for Vincent appeared to be Latin. Engravings were typically a combination of ancient language and modern contexts.
He had noticed when his master swung his blade an engravings translating into Skyrender lit up on each side. That was also the name he'd shouted as he performed the move. The grizzled old Orc merely shrugged. "Swords are simple beings. They simply exist. They simply are. There is only the function, there is no why. He chose Skyrender because that is what he does. That is his nature."
Vincent nodded slowly, pulling out and examining his own blade as he did so. "So what's it like? Do you hear a voice in your head or some shit?" He asked, half interested. Honestly he didn't even think his blade was like other blades since it was created from his very soul and not the system itself. Zar-Rhah chuckled.
"No, I do not hear Caelum rendere's voice in my head. It's more like.. a feeling.. so strong that I can interpret the will and intent of the blade as if it was speaking. If it were given shape I know what voice it would have, what it would look like, how it would act." He finished explaining. Vincent stared deadpanned.
"So really you mean to tell me you've never actually heard your Sword speak with your ears your souls are just resonating? Why didn't you just say that from the get go? That would have made my trouble so much easier to understand." He sighed, throwing up his hands in frustration. Zar-Rhah merely chuckled.
"It is better for you to learn things on your own than to have all of the answers handed to you. Plus if you couldn't even understand that much then you wouldn't have been worthy of my teaching anyways." He said indignantly with a shrug. Vincent rolled his eyes thinking 'yeah whatever basically you're just lazy and you like to be a dick. Reminds me of my dad.'
The two probably would have broken into a bickering match save for Gildarts showing up with a grim perplexity. Zar-Rhah hobbled over to the slightly larger man. "What is it boy?" It never escaped Vincent's notice how much mutual respect for one another the two Orc's seemed to share despite both of their outcast backgrounds. Actually now that he thought about it, perhaps it was because of their similar dispositions.
"The timeline has moved up." The larger Orc said, looking over at Vincent as he continued. "You must have his training finished within the next four years because after that the three of us.. must go our separate ways until the conclusion of the ascension."
Vincent's eyes widened in surprise. He had originally figured he probably wouldn't be included overmuch in whatever this ascension affair was due to the fact that it was 'Orc business.' Yet for some reason beyond his comprehension, Gildarts was urging Zar-Rhah to finish his training before the ascension began. Why else if not for his eventual participation? Would that even be something he would want?
He had joked one time about becoming the king of the jungle when he had first been integrated by the system. Alot had happened since then. He had become strong. But he would never in a hundred years have dreamed of becoming king of the entire country he now called home.
Sure he had defeated the Fang, a creature a little over level 50 in just three years, but Gildarts was confident in his own capability of that feat before the Orc had ever even reached close to level fifty. Now that he had achieved that level…
Vincent shiddered, feeling uncertain of how much stronger a being as talented as Gildarts became after an evolution. Based on how dense the man's Aura had become he was sure he was at least three times as strong as he was before. That didn't even take into consideration how his skills had most certainly grown as well.
Zar-Rhah stood and ambled over clapping Vincent on the back. "Well then.. I was going to wait to introduce you to this until you had come further along in your training but perhaps.. it's time you learn the art of engravings." Vincent for his part beamed at the thought, though he questioned if he were truly ready. From what he understood engravings required a complete mastery of one's emotions and he was only just beginning to grasp the concept. Would four years even be enough? It was going to have to be, he figured.
Vincent and his teacher invited their mutual friend to stay for dinner but he declined, explaining it would take most of the remainder of his days hunting the strongest creatures the country had to offer in order for even him to reach level 100 in such an inconsequential amount of time. It took most beings decades to reach level 100. It took so long and so much effort in fact, that depending on starting level and lifespan, many never even reached it at all.
After taking a seat, conversating and sharpening their blades Vincent decided to inquire about something that was bothering him. "My sword and shield don't level up any more. Neither has my armor since becoming part of me. They'll absorb experience and gather energies but they just won't level. Are they capped with me?" He asked the much older and wiser man.
Zar-Rhah rubbed his chin. "Hmm.. I should think probably so. Have you tried strengthening them at a forge?" Vincent blinked rapidly at the question. "Obviously." He huffed with a deadpan expression. Zar-Rhah just shrugged, "How did you level your equipment before?"
Vincent scratched the back of his head and laughed, "Well they kind of just evolved on their own when they'd gathered enough experience." He explained. Zar-Rhah raised an eyebrow, his interest fully peaked this time. "Well that is strange indeed.. perhaps.. Your.. weapon and shield contain a piece of your soul? But also have one of their own..? How is this possible?" He asked finally studying Vincent's equipment with intense scrutiny for the first time.
After several minutes Vincent began to get uncomfortable with the close contact. Thankfully that was about when Zar-Rhah pulled back and said, "Yes I see now. It would seem that somehow your equipment was once a part of you and now they have evolved into their own beings with your soul as their foundation. How peculiar. You bring more and more questions by the day. I begin to wonder just what the hell are you?" He asked somewhat accusingly.
Vincent merely smirked. "I'm the guy that's going to break free of the system's hold. I'll never let snything control me again. I was weak and powerless. I still am. But I won't always be so. Also none of that really even answered my question."
Zar-Rhah chuckled. "Indeed yours is a bold claim brat. Frankly.. I don't know. Probably no one but the system does. The very same system you seke to challenge. None save Garkan himself have ever been so ambitious. And it cost him everything. Are you willing to sacrifice everything that you are for the sake of power?"
Vincent merely shrugged. "I've been at the bottom of the barrel with nothing left to lose and what I've learned is that what doesn't kill me.. can only make me stronger. But I'll never forsake my virtues or honor if thats ehat you mean. I refuse to kill the weak and defenseless." He finished clenching his fist with determination.
Zar-Rhah threw an arm up and waved him away in dismissal. "Very well. Pursue your dreams until they are crushed. I'll do my best to assist you but frankly.. You've got an infinitely long way to go." He chuckled, causing a tick mark to appear on Vincent's forehead. With that directive in mind the two would spend the next few days going over the basics of engravings.
End of chapter 27