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Published at 12th of February 2024 06:27:49 AM


Chapter 114: The Cabin in the Woods

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Chapter 114: The Cabin in the Woods

"To survive what's coming, how about we temporarily join forces?"

The phrase seemed to have wearied Kazuki. For a proud warrior, asking for an alliance was an admission of weakness.

"What exactly are you proposing?"

Priam had many secrets, and most were not meant for the hoplite to learn. Nevertheless, outright refusal would be foolish. Information was the sinews of war, and Kazuki seemed willing to talk.

"The environment is growing increasingly hostile. Without a strong base, survival in the wilderness will become complicated."

"Log-a-rhythm - my base - piqued your interest," Priam understood. "What's in it for me?"

"An extra pair of arms to protect your base against those seeking to occupy it."

Instantly, an image of a certain homunculus flashed in Priam's mind.

"Do you have information on our... rivals?"

Kazuki smiled. "Some that I could share with an ally. The first being that we are not in a position of strength."

"...I see."

The proposition was intriguing, but Priam was caught off guard. He needed time to think. With a thought, he asked Log-a-rhythm to serve them a drink.

The leaves rustled before a root pierced the ground between them. Fanning out, it formed a bowl before magically filling with an amber liquid.

"I've forgotten my hospitality," Priam said, gesturing to the bowl. "Please, help yourself."

Kazuki thanked him with a nod before reaching for the liquid. The bowl detached suddenly. Unfazed, Kazuki caught it mid-air and waited for a second bowl to materialize for Priam.

"To your good health," Priam said before bringing the vessel to his lips. He suppressed a sigh of satisfaction. The taste had changed since the first time. It awakened his taste buds with a tangy flavor, akin to mango syrup with a hint of lemon. One of the best perks of this new life was being able to savor various exotic flavors.

"Excellent," Kazuki remarked. The hoplite had drunk without hesitation. Either he trusted Priam or He must have an ironclad resistance to poison.

Setting the empty bowl against the branch, Priam watched it meld with it. Log-a-rhythm was at the forefront of recycling.

"It's also for your wife, right?" Priam probed.

The hoplite smiled, shaking his head. "I worry more about the others. My wife is the greatest swordswoman in our history. Unfortunately, she won't come alone. Politics," he spat.

He's willing to save people he doesn't even like...

Kazuki was the Champion hoplite and seemed to take his role as a protector more seriously than Priam. The latter pondered while looking at his magical tree.

"Log-a-rhythm is powerful, but its space is limited. I fear eleven inside is too much."

Kazuki gave him an amused look. "I'm sure you can improve it. If you're lacking resources, know that I spent over three weeks mapping the surroundings..."

Priam's eyes lit up. Finally, some good news!

"Would you be willing to provide a list of the resources you've come across?" Priam asked.

"No, but I'll help you obtain the necessary resources to enhance Log-a-rhythm if you accept my proposal," Kazuki countered.

Priam smiled, seeing the hoplite bargaining. Apparently, he hadn't become the Heart hoplite solely through his martial prowess.

"...If you agree to teach me how to wield the lance, then we have a deal."

Learning the spear from a master was too good an opportunity to pass up. Priam wasn't too arrogant to think he didn't need a master's help, especially if that master was the Champion of a warrior civilization that had practiced this art for millennia. Louis would help him to a certain extent, but the old man wasnt a spear master.

That was the only reason prompting Priam to consider Kazuki's offer. Despite the hoplite's alarming words, Priam didn't fear most of his rivals. He had more than one trick up his sleeve.

Kazuki smiled. "At seventeen, I was an instructor for the Titan classes. Youre sorely lacking, but I accept," he said, placing his clenched fist against his chin. The Tsalk was both a salute and a promise - the equivalent of a handshake. Priam mimicked the gesture and stood up quickly.

"I hope Ill no longer bring shame to Promesse," Priam chuckled, indicating his spear.

"Is that its name?" Kazuki asked.

"Yes. It means promise in my language."

"A magnificent name. Not like your grip, though. You have much to learn."



Log-a-rhythm Features:

Abundance - Life I

Abundance - Aether I

Protection III

Tribulation Resistance II

Secret Passage

Measurements:

Ceiling Height: 3 meters.

Interior Area: 32 square meters.

Log:

Day 1: Creation of Log-a-rhythm.

Day 5: A foreign entity triggered a Tribulation.

[Steel Winds] inflicted structural damage to the outer shell.

[Tribulation Resistance] I mitigated the damage.

Critical damage received. Low survival chance. Master absent.

Emergency procedure activated: Exile of the foreign entity.

Restoration...

Day 20: Full restoration.

Tribulation Resistance I evolved into Tribulation Resistance II.

Protection II evolved into Protection III.

Day 28: New selectable theme.

Day 29: Connection to the Master restored.

Choose one theme:

Abundance - Life II

Abundance - Aether II

Protection IV

Tribulation Resistance III

Secret Passage II

Camouflage

Attraction

Underground

Comfort

Volume

Water Control

Land Owner

Kazuki eventually triggered one of his Tribulations to force his evacuation. Priam had to admit, it was clever. In the future, he would avoid imprisoning people in Log-a-rhythm.

Priam didn't notice anything special. As its owner, the tree's magic spared him.

"I'm activating Land Owner," he announced.

Land Owner activated.

Select a feature to construct:

Land privilege

Protective barrier.

Luminous barrier.

Environmental barrier.

Alarm.

Other hidden options - prerequisites not met.

Nice! It was precisely what he needed. He suspected that some options wouldn't be available - building a Coliseum for two people would have been ridiculous. Even if it were possible, the danger of the endeavor would have deterred him.

In the end, Land Owner simply expanded Log-a-rhythm's options, which suited Priam just fine. He wasn't here to build a city, just a secret and fortified base. He quickly selected Protective Barrier.

A mental switch later, a transparent dome appeared. Centered on Log-a-rhythm, it covered about half of the clearing. Priam sensed its presence through their connection, but otherwise, it was invisible.

"How did you do that?" Kazuki furrowed his brow while looking around. He used his spear to make hesitant gestures. His behavior surprised Priam.

"What do you mean?"

"The intangible trees," he said. Each movement seemed to add to his confusion.

Clueless, Priam asked Log-a-rhythm for an explanation. The next moment, trees appeared around him. "Oh!"

Priam reached for one, amused to see his hand disappear inside. The trees created by the synergy of Camouflage and Protective Barrier were simply illusions - visible but untouchable.

Mentally, he asked the AI to create a whitelist and add Kazuki.

The hoplite's eyes widened before nodding. "Perfect. The dumbest monsters won't even notice. Unfortunately, that won't be enough to keep our rivals at bay."

"We'll have to increase the size of the dome," Priam conceded.

As the dome didn't reach the edge of the clearing, a portion was suspiciously empty. If one of their rivals had an aerial view, it might raise their suspicions.

"Can you do that now?"

Priam shook his head. "I'll need to sacrifice more resources. Or wait seven days."

He only had 343 POT left, and Camouflage II cost 1000.

"It would be dangerous to wait that long. If you need samples of special trees, I have a few ideas," Kazuki offered.

"Let's g..."

A portal suddenly opened in front of Priam. The cutest creature in Elysium emerged. A miniaturized Sphinx, brimming with excitement, surveyed her new surroundings.

"The grass is blue!" she exclaimed. "Is it edible?!"

Without waiting for an answer, Sphinx leaped onto an unlucky blade of grass and devoured it.

"BLAHHHHH!"



Concepts Archipelago.

"Shouldn't we have held her back?" Mirscella asked, observing the still-open portal.

Louis shrugged. "I didn't even know we could leave here without Priam's permission."

Alain sighed before turning to Blueberry. The bear trembled, sprawled on the ground. He was the last one to have spoken to Sphinx. "Hum Blueberry ? Do you know how this delightful child pulled it off?"

Blueberry tried to get up and failed. After a few seconds, unable to hold it in any longer, he burst into laughter.

Alain, Mirscella, and Louis exchanged glances before shrugging. Eventually, the bear calmed down.

"After going around the island about three hundred times, Sphinx wanted to see something else," he explained, wiping away a tear.

"It's almost a prison for a hyperactive girl," Mirscella remarked.

Alain cleared his throat. "Priam's doing his best," he pleaded.

"Anyway, she created a skill to find Priam without wrecking everything," Blueberry continued. "After several tests, she found a Potential efficient skill."

"Which one?" Louis asked. He, too, was eager to get out.

"[Join your Pet]," Blueberry replied, bursting into laughter again.



Status: (Average value for a Homo sapiens male before integration: PHY 10 / MEN 10 / META 0)

PHYSICAL:

Strength 318

Constitution 451

Agility 308

Vitality 466

Perception 534

MENTAL:

Vivacity 288

Dexterity 357

Memory 76

Willpower 477

Charisma 410



META:

Meta-affinity 252

Meta-focus 186

Meta-endurance 164

Meta-perception 77

Meta-chance 207

Meta-authority 12



Potential: 966

Tier 0

[He Who Eludes Death] charge: PRIMED.

[Tribulation]: One Tribulation pending.

Future Tribulations delayed until:

Time: 179 days 23 hours 7 minutes 6 seconds.




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