Chapter 164: Chekhov's gun
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Chapter 164: Chekhov's gun
Hyshana's smile vanished as she beheld Kazuki's condition. She hurried to her husband's side to support him while Priam instructed Log-a-rhythm to prepare a bath of regenerative sap.
Approaching the couple with Sphinx by his side, Priam observed as the hoplites secured the perimeter, their efforts unnecessary.
"My love, I'm back from the war," said the proud hoplite, leaving a trail of blood behind him.
"Covered in honor and scars," smiled Hyshana before beginning to examine her husband.
"You look like you've been chewed up by a monster," Sphinx remarked.
"Yeah, seems rather serious," added Priam. The tiny scales on the hoplite warrior were drenched in blood. His right arm hung tentatively by a few tendons, and he moved with a limp. Several bones protruded from his body, and a portion of his entrails was missing. A scar across his face had claimed his nose and one eye. Blood-soaked hair and unsteady balance indicated a head injury. The perfect zombie picture.
Despite all this, Priam sensed a dangerous aura around Kazukisomething indefinable had changed. A pressure reminiscent of Bechar or the necrowolf surrounded him. His soul had changed.
"I'm glad you survived, and I suppose you two have things to discuss. But why not do that in a bath of regenerative sap?" Priam suggested.
Kazuki attempted to nod before grimacing. For the hoplite champion to show discomfort, his injuries must have been as severe as they appeared.
"Good idea. Meet me later, we need to talk," Kazuki replied.
"Deal," said Priam, stepping forward to help. "Now hurry before you collapse like a poorly assembled IKEA shelf."
Kazuki and Hyshana gave him a puzzled look.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience
"Ah" Kazuki sighed in relief as he sank into the sap bath.
"Do you want a nanorobot injection?" Hyshana asked, her voice filled with concern. The hoplites had brought supplies for medical treatment, and each mecha could operate on a hoplite with embedded technology and AI.
"Let's not waste our resources. With my new vitality, I'll be fully healed in two or three days. This sap accelerates my recovery and gives my body the energy it needs to heal on its own."
"Two or three days? That sounds... optimistic," Hyshana remarked.
Kazuki looked at his wife with a sparkling gaze. Despite missing some teeth, Hyshana found him captivating. "I unlocked Micro II," he revealed, shocking his wife. Only a handful had achieved this feat in hoplite history, and none as young as Kazuki.
"I can feel my body restoring itself. Give me a few hours, and I will accelerate this process. Micro III, here I come!"
The next moment, he coughed up blood.
"Kazu..." The intensity in her husband's voice brought a smile to Hyshana's face. Even with his horrific injuries, he still thought about training, improving, and surpassing himself. His body had changed, but not his spirit. The teenager who had sworn to become the hoplite Paragon was still there.
"I'd like to stay by your side, but I can't like leaving my phalanx alone... I'll ask one of our men to keep an eye on you," Hyshana announced, rising. Kazuki's hand closed around her arm.
"We need to talk."
"Yes, Love ?"
"First, I prefer to stay alone and concentrate on my recovery.
It was against the hoplite rules of warfare, but Hyshana trusted her husband's judgment.
... Okay.
Did you bring your Swords with you?"
"A mix of my Swords, your Spears, and three Ishakas Shields."
Kazuki's face hardened, and Hyshana continued before he could protest. "He provided the portal that sent us here. He also redirected a lot of resources to upgrade our mechs. I didn't really have a choice. At least, he got competent people. Our people are keeping an eye on them."
After a few moments of silence, Kazuki grumbled. "You know how to earn the respect of your soldiers. They'll be eating out of your hand in a few weeks... But a cataclysm is approaching. We have barely three days to prepare, and I don't want to fight while watching our own men."
Hyshana nodded. "I'll keep an eye on them, but they're also fighting for the Honor of the hoplite."
Ishaka, the hoplite Supreme General, was power-hungry but not to the extent of betraying his race.
"I know, but Priam is not a hoplite. They might decide to sabotage our agreement."
Hyshana furrowed her brow. "Priam Azura is a Black Code, but if you've unlocked"
"First, I will fight none of them," Kazuki interrupted. "Second, I think I'm stronger than Priam, but it's hard to say. In any case, he would slaughter you. I'm incapable of killing him."
"He's that resilient?"
Kazuki had unlocked Micro II, and the Supremacy was truly terrifying at this stage. The fourth and last hoplite Grandmaster was born four hundred years ago and could tear mechs apart with bare hands. With no System, his physical attributes probably didn't exceed sixty. After five Tribulations, Kazuki's limits were hard for Hyshana to imagine.
"He can resurrect. I'm not arrogant enough to think I can defeat death yet."
Hyshana remained silent for a moment before reaching out. Gently, she caressed her husband's chinthe only untouched part of his body.
"Death's obsession. That's the description the System gave me about him. I guess it was literal."
Kazuki gave a faint smile as he met his wife's eyes. "I already know what you're thinking, Shana, but focus on the real enemies, okay? Priam is... he's a friend, and I like his family."
Hyshana opened her mouth in surprise. "A friend? The future Paragon Kazuki, instructor of the Titans, Heart of the people, and Master of the Spear has a friend? An equal?"
Kazuki pulled his wife to kiss her forehead. "You're my equal too."
"And you moved heaven and earth to marry me. Should I be worried?" Hyshana teased.
Kazuki burst into laughter before a fit of coughing seized him. He spat, and the sap bath turned redder.
"Rest, my love. We'll talk when you're better," Hyshana whispered.
Kazuki nodded with difficulty, looking into his wife's eyes.
"Shana?"
"Yes, Kazu?"
"I'm glad to see you again... Together, this world is ours."
"And you are my world," Hyshana finished, leaning down to kiss her husband.
"It's too small to be called an archive. But there is a large mural that circled the room," said Kazuki. "Passing my hand over it, I had a vision."
"About the Necromoon?"
"Indeed. I saw a skulc city. Not just a savage camp, but a civilized city worthy of the descendants of dragons. Millions lived there, mostly Tier 0s and 1s, but also Tier 2s and above. One day, night fell, and the world was covered in crimson light. Most Tier 0s and 1s went mad and started attacking everyone. The elites tried to restore order, but it was chaos. There were many casualties. Beasts attacked, creating a breach in the walls. The wounded began to go mad in turn."
Kazuki lowered his eyes to the necrotic mark he had received before Priam's return to Elysium. The wound had almost disappeared.
"In a few hours, everyone was dead. Only the leader and two shamans were left. Their powers were immense... High Tier 3s or 4s.They were waiting for suns that never rose. Instead, the immense charnel ground began to tremble. Blood rose into the sky to form a portal, and something crossed through."
Kazuki had a somber face as he finished his tale. "The three skulcs tried to quell the terror. Two died quickly, and one of the shamans fled. She must have created the Skull Temple afterward."
"... We knew it would be tough. The Guardian of Secrets is a Tier 6, and I feel that he also fears the Necromoon. But we don't need to destroy it, just survive until the end of the event."
"We have to prevent it from summoning abominations nearby," grunted Kazuki. "We can't allow mass sacrifices."
Priam nodded.
"There aren't millions of skulcs hidden in the woods, and I took care of the spiders that were nearby. There are no more large groups of monsters around here."
Kazuki shook his head. "There are the rabhorns. We see few on the surface, but thousands are in the tunnels. They must be terrified of the Necromoon. If one of them gets infected..."
All the others would eventually be corrupted. Either they would be sacrificed to summon a terror, or they would attack Log-a-rhythm. The territory of the rabhorns was close, and Priam would bet his two hearts that the System wouldn't let thousands of magical rabies-infected horned rabbits coexist peacefully next to humans and hoplites.
"I'll take care of it," sighed Priam. Killing thousands of rabhorns didn't appeal to him, but he had done worse to survive. He was ready to nip the problem in the bud.
"I will prepare the defenses in the meantime."
"Thanks. By the way, can you tell me what happened to your soul?" Priam asked, getting up to leave. He didn't intend to ask for Kazuki's exact rewards, but he was curious.
"I unlocked Micro II and a bloodline," Kazuki smiled. "My soul... grew, I guess? I feel much closer to the Supremacies and Concepts, but it forced a Tier up. I used one of my rewards to postpone my High Tribulation, but it's coming. In three months, I'll be a Tier 1."
If he survived. Priam preferred not to consider this possibility and focused on the clues given by Kazuki. The first stage of the Supremacy was the maximum at Tier 0, further proof that they were linked to the soul. A hasty breakthrough would lead to High Tribulation No way Ill Tier up before having exhausted the usefulness of Tier 0.
"Congratulations," Priam smiled. "But I'm surprised you didn't get the same Tribulation rewards as me. I never had the option to obtain a bloodline."
Both had successfully undergone a quadruple Tribulation, and Priam was surprised that Kazuki had received different choices.
"It has nothing to do with the Tribulations," Kazuki corrected. "If you pass the trial, you can select one of the temple's treasures. I chose a diluted drop of blood from a Titan."
Priam's hearts raced. "There were other drops?"
"I saw sphinx, black taotie, and phantom panthers blood. Plus the heart of the skulc shaman who created the temple."
Status: (Average value for a Homo sapiens male before integration: PHY 10 / MEN 10 / META 0)
PHYSICAL:
Strength 420
Constitution 773
Agility 432
Vitality 666
Perception 652
MENTAL:
Vivacity 359
Dexterity 453
Memory 185
Willpower 706
Charisma 456
META:
Meta-affinity 408
Meta-focus 298
Meta-endurance 239
Meta-perception 170
Meta-chance 228
Meta-authority 15
Potential: 1120
Tier 0
[He Who Eludes Death] charge: PRIMED
[Tribulation]: Five Tribulations pending.
Future Tribulations delayed until:
Time: 173 days 19 hours 47 minutes 53 seconds.
Next thresholds: 12 attributes > 400 / 6 attribute > 600 / 1 attribute > 800
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
Chapter 164: Chekhov's gun
Hyshana's smile vanished as she beheld Kazuki's condition. She hurried to her husband's side to support him while Priam instructed Log-a-rhythm to prepare a bath of regenerative sap.
Approaching the couple with Sphinx by his side, Priam observed as the hoplites secured the perimeter, their efforts unnecessary.
"My love, I'm back from the war," said the proud hoplite, leaving a trail of blood behind him.
"Covered in honor and scars," smiled Hyshana before beginning to examine her husband.
"You look like you've been chewed up by a monster," Sphinx remarked.
"Yeah, seems rather serious," added Priam. The tiny scales on the hoplite warrior were drenched in blood. His right arm hung tentatively by a few tendons, and he moved with a limp. Several bones protruded from his body, and a portion of his entrails was missing. A scar across his face had claimed his nose and one eye. Blood-soaked hair and unsteady balance indicated a head injury. The perfect zombie picture.
Despite all this, Priam sensed a dangerous aura around Kazukisomething indefinable had changed. A pressure reminiscent of Bechar or the necrowolf surrounded him. His soul had changed.
"I'm glad you survived, and I suppose you two have things to discuss. But why not do that in a bath of regenerative sap?" Priam suggested.
Kazuki attempted to nod before grimacing. For the hoplite champion to show discomfort, his injuries must have been as severe as they appeared.
"Good idea. Meet me later, we need to talk," Kazuki replied.
"Deal," said Priam, stepping forward to help. "Now hurry before you collapse like a poorly assembled IKEA shelf."
Kazuki and Hyshana gave him a puzzled look.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience
"Ah" Kazuki sighed in relief as he sank into the sap bath.
"Do you want a nanorobot injection?" Hyshana asked, her voice filled with concern. The hoplites had brought supplies for medical treatment, and each mecha could operate on a hoplite with embedded technology and AI.
"Let's not waste our resources. With my new vitality, I'll be fully healed in two or three days. This sap accelerates my recovery and gives my body the energy it needs to heal on its own."
"Two or three days? That sounds... optimistic," Hyshana remarked.
Kazuki looked at his wife with a sparkling gaze. Despite missing some teeth, Hyshana found him captivating. "I unlocked Micro II," he revealed, shocking his wife. Only a handful had achieved this feat in hoplite history, and none as young as Kazuki.
"I can feel my body restoring itself. Give me a few hours, and I will accelerate this process. Micro III, here I come!"
The next moment, he coughed up blood.
"Kazu..." The intensity in her husband's voice brought a smile to Hyshana's face. Even with his horrific injuries, he still thought about training, improving, and surpassing himself. His body had changed, but not his spirit. The teenager who had sworn to become the hoplite Paragon was still there.
"I'd like to stay by your side, but I can't like leaving my phalanx alone... I'll ask one of our men to keep an eye on you," Hyshana announced, rising. Kazuki's hand closed around her arm.
"We need to talk."
"Yes, Love ?"
"First, I prefer to stay alone and concentrate on my recovery.
It was against the hoplite rules of warfare, but Hyshana trusted her husband's judgment.
... Okay.
Did you bring your Swords with you?"
"A mix of my Swords, your Spears, and three Ishakas Shields."
Kazuki's face hardened, and Hyshana continued before he could protest. "He provided the portal that sent us here. He also redirected a lot of resources to upgrade our mechs. I didn't really have a choice. At least, he got competent people. Our people are keeping an eye on them."
After a few moments of silence, Kazuki grumbled. "You know how to earn the respect of your soldiers. They'll be eating out of your hand in a few weeks... But a cataclysm is approaching. We have barely three days to prepare, and I don't want to fight while watching our own men."
Hyshana nodded. "I'll keep an eye on them, but they're also fighting for the Honor of the hoplite."
Ishaka, the hoplite Supreme General, was power-hungry but not to the extent of betraying his race.
"I know, but Priam is not a hoplite. They might decide to sabotage our agreement."
Hyshana furrowed her brow. "Priam Azura is a Black Code, but if you've unlocked"
"First, I will fight none of them," Kazuki interrupted. "Second, I think I'm stronger than Priam, but it's hard to say. In any case, he would slaughter you. I'm incapable of killing him."
"He's that resilient?"
Kazuki had unlocked Micro II, and the Supremacy was truly terrifying at this stage. The fourth and last hoplite Grandmaster was born four hundred years ago and could tear mechs apart with bare hands. With no System, his physical attributes probably didn't exceed sixty. After five Tribulations, Kazuki's limits were hard for Hyshana to imagine.
"He can resurrect. I'm not arrogant enough to think I can defeat death yet."
Hyshana remained silent for a moment before reaching out. Gently, she caressed her husband's chinthe only untouched part of his body.
"Death's obsession. That's the description the System gave me about him. I guess it was literal."
Kazuki gave a faint smile as he met his wife's eyes. "I already know what you're thinking, Shana, but focus on the real enemies, okay? Priam is... he's a friend, and I like his family."
Hyshana opened her mouth in surprise. "A friend? The future Paragon Kazuki, instructor of the Titans, Heart of the people, and Master of the Spear has a friend? An equal?"
Kazuki pulled his wife to kiss her forehead. "You're my equal too."
"And you moved heaven and earth to marry me. Should I be worried?" Hyshana teased.
Kazuki burst into laughter before a fit of coughing seized him. He spat, and the sap bath turned redder.
"Rest, my love. We'll talk when you're better," Hyshana whispered.
Kazuki nodded with difficulty, looking into his wife's eyes.
"Shana?"
"Yes, Kazu?"
"I'm glad to see you again... Together, this world is ours."
"And you are my world," Hyshana finished, leaning down to kiss her husband.
"It's too small to be called an archive. But there is a large mural that circled the room," said Kazuki. "Passing my hand over it, I had a vision."
"About the Necromoon?"
"Indeed. I saw a skulc city. Not just a savage camp, but a civilized city worthy of the descendants of dragons. Millions lived there, mostly Tier 0s and 1s, but also Tier 2s and above. One day, night fell, and the world was covered in crimson light. Most Tier 0s and 1s went mad and started attacking everyone. The elites tried to restore order, but it was chaos. There were many casualties. Beasts attacked, creating a breach in the walls. The wounded began to go mad in turn."
Kazuki lowered his eyes to the necrotic mark he had received before Priam's return to Elysium. The wound had almost disappeared.
"In a few hours, everyone was dead. Only the leader and two shamans were left. Their powers were immense... High Tier 3s or 4s.They were waiting for suns that never rose. Instead, the immense charnel ground began to tremble. Blood rose into the sky to form a portal, and something crossed through."
Kazuki had a somber face as he finished his tale. "The three skulcs tried to quell the terror. Two died quickly, and one of the shamans fled. She must have created the Skull Temple afterward."
"... We knew it would be tough. The Guardian of Secrets is a Tier 6, and I feel that he also fears the Necromoon. But we don't need to destroy it, just survive until the end of the event."
"We have to prevent it from summoning abominations nearby," grunted Kazuki. "We can't allow mass sacrifices."
Priam nodded.
"There aren't millions of skulcs hidden in the woods, and I took care of the spiders that were nearby. There are no more large groups of monsters around here."
Kazuki shook his head. "There are the rabhorns. We see few on the surface, but thousands are in the tunnels. They must be terrified of the Necromoon. If one of them gets infected..."
All the others would eventually be corrupted. Either they would be sacrificed to summon a terror, or they would attack Log-a-rhythm. The territory of the rabhorns was close, and Priam would bet his two hearts that the System wouldn't let thousands of magical rabies-infected horned rabbits coexist peacefully next to humans and hoplites.
"I'll take care of it," sighed Priam. Killing thousands of rabhorns didn't appeal to him, but he had done worse to survive. He was ready to nip the problem in the bud.
"I will prepare the defenses in the meantime."
"Thanks. By the way, can you tell me what happened to your soul?" Priam asked, getting up to leave. He didn't intend to ask for Kazuki's exact rewards, but he was curious.
"I unlocked Micro II and a bloodline," Kazuki smiled. "My soul... grew, I guess? I feel much closer to the Supremacies and Concepts, but it forced a Tier up. I used one of my rewards to postpone my High Tribulation, but it's coming. In three months, I'll be a Tier 1."
If he survived. Priam preferred not to consider this possibility and focused on the clues given by Kazuki. The first stage of the Supremacy was the maximum at Tier 0, further proof that they were linked to the soul. A hasty breakthrough would lead to High Tribulation No way Ill Tier up before having exhausted the usefulness of Tier 0.
"Congratulations," Priam smiled. "But I'm surprised you didn't get the same Tribulation rewards as me. I never had the option to obtain a bloodline."
Both had successfully undergone a quadruple Tribulation, and Priam was surprised that Kazuki had received different choices.
"It has nothing to do with the Tribulations," Kazuki corrected. "If you pass the trial, you can select one of the temple's treasures. I chose a diluted drop of blood from a Titan."
Priam's hearts raced. "There were other drops?"
"I saw sphinx, black taotie, and phantom panthers blood. Plus the heart of the skulc shaman who created the temple."
Status: (Average value for a Homo sapiens male before integration: PHY 10 / MEN 10 / META 0)
PHYSICAL:
Strength 420
Constitution 773
Agility 432
Vitality 666
Perception 652
MENTAL:
Vivacity 359
Dexterity 453
Memory 185
Willpower 706
Charisma 456
META:
Meta-affinity 408
Meta-focus 298
Meta-endurance 239
Meta-perception 170
Meta-chance 228
Meta-authority 15
Potential: 1120
Tier 0
[He Who Eludes Death] charge: PRIMED
[Tribulation]: Five Tribulations pending.
Future Tribulations delayed until:
Time: 173 days 19 hours 47 minutes 53 seconds.
Next thresholds: 12 attributes > 400 / 6 attribute > 600 / 1 attribute > 800
Chapter 164: Chekhov's gunHyshana's smile vanished as she beheld Kazuki's condition. She hurried to her husband's side to support him while Priam instructed Log-a-rhythm to prepare a bath of regenerative sap.Approaching the couple with Sphinx by his side, Priam observed as the hoplites secured the perimeter, their efforts unnecessary."My love, I'm back from the war," said the proud hoplite, leaving a trail of blood behind him."Covered in honor and scars," smiled Hyshana before beginning to examine her husband."You look like you've been chewed up by a monster," Sphinx remarked."Yeah, seems rather serious," added Priam. The tiny scales on the hoplite warrior were drenched in blood. His right arm hung tentatively by a few tendons, and he moved with a limp. Several bones protruded from his body, and a portion of his entrails was missing. A scar across his face had claimed his nose and one eye. Blood-soaked hair and unsteady balance indicated a head injury. The perfect zombie picture.Despite all this, Priam sensed a dangerous aura around Kazukisomething indefinable had changed. A pressure reminiscent of Bechar or the necrowolf surrounded him. His soul had changed."I'm glad you survived, and I suppose you two have things to discuss. But why not do that in a bath of regenerative sap?" Priam suggested.Kazuki attempted to nod before grimacing. For the hoplite champion to show discomfort, his injuries must have been as severe as they appeared."Good idea. Meet me later, we need to talk," Kazuki replied. "Deal," said Priam, stepping forward to help. "Now hurry before you collapse like a poorly assembled IKEA shelf." Kazuki and Hyshana gave him a puzzled look.Visit noveLbin.com for the best novel reading experience"Ah" Kazuki sighed in relief as he sank into the sap bath."Do you want a nanorobot injection?" Hyshana asked, her voice filled with concern. The hoplites had brought supplies for medical treatment, and each mecha could operate on a hoplite with embedded technology and AI."Let's not waste our resources. With my new vitality, I'll be fully healed in two or three days. This sap accelerates my recovery and gives my body the energy it needs to heal on its own." "Two or three days? That sounds... optimistic," Hyshana remarked.Kazuki looked at his wife with a sparkling gaze. Despite missing some teeth, Hyshana found him captivating. "I unlocked Micro II," he revealed, shocking his wife. Only a handful had achieved this feat in hoplite history, and none as young as Kazuki."I can feel my body restoring itself. Give me a few hours, and I will accelerate this process. Micro III, here I come!"The next moment, he coughed up blood."Kazu..." The intensity in her husband's voice brought a smile to Hyshana's face. Even with his horrific injuries, he still thought about training, improving, and surpassing himself. His body had changed, but not his spirit. The teenager who had sworn to become the hoplite Paragon was still there."I'd like to stay by your side, but I can't like leaving my phalanx alone... I'll ask one of our men to keep an eye on you," Hyshana announced, rising. Kazuki's hand closed around her arm."We need to talk.""Yes, Love ?""First, I prefer to stay alone and concentrate on my recovery.It was against the hoplite rules of warfare, but Hyshana trusted her husband's judgment.... Okay.Did you bring your Swords with you?""A mix of my Swords, your Spears, and three Ishakas Shields."Kazuki's face hardened, and Hyshana continued before he could protest. "He provided the portal that sent us here. He also redirected a lot of resources to upgrade our mechs. I didn't really have a choice. At least, he got competent people. Our people are keeping an eye on them."After a few moments of silence, Kazuki grumbled. "You know how to earn the respect of your soldiers. They'll be eating out of your hand in a few weeks... But a cataclysm is approaching. We have barely three days to prepare, and I don't want to fight while watching our own men."Hyshana nodded. "I'll keep an eye on them, but they're also fighting for the Honor of the hoplite."Ishaka, the hoplite Supreme General, was power-hungry but not to the extent of betraying his race."I know, but Priam is not a hoplite. They might decide to sabotage our agreement."Hyshana furrowed her brow. "Priam Azura is a Black Code, but if you've unlocked""First, I will fight none of them," Kazuki interrupted. "Second, I think I'm stronger than Priam, but it's hard to say. In any case, he would slaughter you. I'm incapable of killing him.""He's that resilient?"Kazuki had unlocked Micro II, and the Supremacy was truly terrifying at this stage. The fourth and last hoplite Grandmaster was born four hundred years ago and could tear mechs apart with bare hands. With no System, his physical attributes probably didn't exceed sixty. After five Tribulations, Kazuki's limits were hard for Hyshana to imagine."He can resurrect. I'm not arrogant enough to think I can defeat death yet."Hyshana remained silent for a moment before reaching out. Gently, she caressed her husband's chinthe only untouched part of his body."Death's obsession. That's the description the System gave me about him. I guess it was literal."Kazuki gave a faint smile as he met his wife's eyes. "I already know what you're thinking, Shana, but focus on the real enemies, okay? Priam is... he's a friend, and I like his family."Hyshana opened her mouth in surprise. "A friend? The future Paragon Kazuki, instructor of the Titans, Heart of the people, and Master of the Spear has a friend? An equal?"Kazuki pulled his wife to kiss her forehead. "You're my equal too.""And you moved heaven and earth to marry me. Should I be worried?" Hyshana teased.Kazuki burst into laughter before a fit of coughing seized him. He spat, and the sap bath turned redder."Rest, my love. We'll talk when you're better," Hyshana whispered.Kazuki nodded with difficulty, looking into his wife's eyes."Shana?""Yes, Kazu?""I'm glad to see you again... Together, this world is ours.""And you are my world," Hyshana finished, leaning down to kiss her husband."It's too small to be called an archive. But there is a large mural that circled the room," said Kazuki. "Passing my hand over it, I had a vision.""About the Necromoon?""Indeed. I saw a skulc city. Not just a savage camp, but a civilized city worthy of the descendants of dragons. Millions lived there, mostly Tier 0s and 1s, but also Tier 2s and above. One day, night fell, and the world was covered in crimson light. Most Tier 0s and 1s went mad and started attacking everyone. The elites tried to restore order, but it was chaos. There were many casualties. Beasts attacked, creating a breach in the walls. The wounded began to go mad in turn."Kazuki lowered his eyes to the necrotic mark he had received before Priam's return to Elysium. The wound had almost disappeared."In a few hours, everyone was dead. Only the leader and two shamans were left. Their powers were immense... High Tier 3s or 4s.They were waiting for suns that never rose. Instead, the immense charnel ground began to tremble. Blood rose into the sky to form a portal, and something crossed through."Kazuki had a somber face as he finished his tale. "The three skulcs tried to quell the terror. Two died quickly, and one of the shamans fled. She must have created the Skull Temple afterward.""... We knew it would be tough. The Guardian of Secrets is a Tier 6, and I feel that he also fears the Necromoon. But we don't need to destroy it, just survive until the end of the event.""We have to prevent it from summoning abominations nearby," grunted Kazuki. "We can't allow mass sacrifices."Priam nodded."There aren't millions of skulcs hidden in the woods, and I took care of the spiders that were nearby. There are no more large groups of monsters around here."Kazuki shook his head. "There are the rabhorns. We see few on the surface, but thousands are in the tunnels. They must be terrified of the Necromoon. If one of them gets infected..."All the others would eventually be corrupted. Either they would be sacrificed to summon a terror, or they would attack Log-a-rhythm. The territory of the rabhorns was close, and Priam would bet his two hearts that the System wouldn't let thousands of magical rabies-infected horned rabbits coexist peacefully next to humans and hoplites."I'll take care of it," sighed Priam. Killing thousands of rabhorns didn't appeal to him, but he had done worse to survive. He was ready to nip the problem in the bud."I will prepare the defenses in the meantime.""Thanks. By the way, can you tell me what happened to your soul?" Priam asked, getting up to leave. He didn't intend to ask for Kazuki's exact rewards, but he was curious."I unlocked Micro II and a bloodline," Kazuki smiled. "My soul... grew, I guess? I feel much closer to the Supremacies and Concepts, but it forced a Tier up. I used one of my rewards to postpone my High Tribulation, but it's coming. In three months, I'll be a Tier 1."If he survived. Priam preferred not to consider this possibility and focused on the clues given by Kazuki. The first stage of the Supremacy was the maximum at Tier 0, further proof that they were linked to the soul. A hasty breakthrough would lead to High Tribulation No way Ill Tier up before having exhausted the usefulness of Tier 0."Congratulations," Priam smiled. "But I'm surprised you didn't get the same Tribulation rewards as me. I never had the option to obtain a bloodline."Both had successfully undergone a quadruple Tribulation, and Priam was surprised that Kazuki had received different choices."It has nothing to do with the Tribulations," Kazuki corrected. "If you pass the trial, you can select one of the temple's treasures. I chose a diluted drop of blood from a Titan."Priam's hearts raced. "There were other drops?""I saw sphinx, black taotie, and phantom panthers blood. Plus the heart of the skulc shaman who created the temple."Status: Average value for a Homo sapiens male before integration: PHY 10 / MEN 10 / META 0PHYSICAL:Strength 420 Constitution 773Agility 432 Vitality 666Perception 652 MENTAL:Vivacity 359Dexterity 453 Memory 185Willpower 706Charisma 456META:Meta-affinity 408 Meta-focus 298Meta-endurance 239 Meta-perception 170 Meta-chance 228Meta-authority 15Potential: 1120Tier 0He Who Eludes Death charge: PRIMEDTribulation: Five Tribulations pending.Future Tribulations delayed until:Time: 173 days 19 hours 47 minutes 53 seconds.Next thresholds: 12 attributes 400 / 6 attribute 600 / 1 attribute 800
