LATEST UPDATES

Published at 12th of February 2024 06:29:18 AM


Chapter 47: Problems, Solutions, and Revelations

If audio player doesn't work, press Stop then Play button again








Chapter 47: Problems, Solutions, and Revelations

The craftsman's words stopped Priam in his tracks. They can raise the dead?! If that were true, it would change everything. Maybe I can sell them my own head? If they can resurrect people and I can revive every day at midnight, perhaps I've just discovered a glitch!

Priam became serious again. He was ready to make peace with the Revenants if they could resurrect certain members of his family. Perhaps he'd even shake Claire's hand. Shake her hand very hard.

Soon, all the implications of the news became clear. Priam massaged his temples as he insulted them. Resurrecting humans wasn't impossible - he was living proof of that - but it couldn't be easy.

However, whether this was true or false was of no consequence. The Cult had given hope to all humans who had lost a loved one.

All it took was for one person in a hundred to believe in it and be desperate enough to try, and millions would seek to kill him. Priam wasn't worried about his health; he was far beyond the power of the average man. Even if a few people still had guns, no small-caliber bullet could hurt him - his Constitution and [Kinetic Control] would stop them.

What worried Priam was his public image. Most attackers would be desperate, but Priam couldn't spare them all. He would have no choice but to fight for his freedom. If he had to slaughter thousands of idiots fighting for their families, it would affect him and his relationship with humanity.

Maya or Mercury would understand that he had to kill thousands of people. And he would do it to survive. But his family would be shocked by the news.

Priam raised his head sharply, clenching his fists. Some people will realize that they don't stand a chance against me. But I've got a weak point, my family...



Suddenly, Priam panicked. It wasn't impossible that the Revenants would resurrect members of his family who had already died. After all, if Mercury hadn't found any members of his family yet, they might have already died. The idea knotted Priam's stomach, but he didn't want to lie to himself. If that were the case, he'd have to ignore what they'd done if he didn't want his family tortured. But I'll never work for them, even if they hold my family...

"Sons of bitches..." he swore. He looked at Boss again. "Do you believe in this resurrection power?" he asked.

"It's a fact. They've resurrected enough people to believe in it. Even someone I know. Unfortunately for them, I don't love anyone but my wife, and she's safe in another world ruled by the Lotus Sect," the craftsman explained with a laugh. Priam sighed: if Boss believed it, so would others, and it wouldn't be one in a hundred, but one in ten.

The tailor understood Priam's thoughts and continued. "I know the others believe in it too. At least, they want to. Despite the Tutorial and [Humanity adapts], it's hard for most people to deal with this apocalypse. Many were unhappy with their lives and now want to become men and women of exception. For them, this apocalypse is a second chance. But for those who cherish their families... The Revenants' offer gives them hope."

"And when even death can't stop hope... "

The craftsman nodded. He approached a cabinet, took out a bottle and poured himself a glass.

"The Cult won't hurt me. There's a big difference between forcing an artisan to work and killing him. Anatole is an intelligent man, and he won't take any risks. He provides me with free resources, so it's not such a bad deal for me," Boss said, pointing to the workshop around them.

Priam sighed, "Good for you, I suppose. I don't have much time if what you say is true. Will you agree to work on my outfit?"

"I'm not planning to report you, but why would I help you?" the craftsman asked, raising his glass. The amber liquor was mesmerizing. "I'd have to make your tunic outside my working hours if I didn't want the Cult to notice."

Priam remained silent for a few moments. He could threaten the craftsman, but there was nothing to stop Boss from agreeing and escaping with the spider glands. Sphinx sensed Priam's indecision and jumped onto a work table.

She glared at Boss, who cowered. Despite her small size, she exuded a majestic aura. Sphinx came from a mythical race and the craftsman instinctively knew he was outmatched.

"You will help Priam to accumulate positive Karma," she declared. "You didn't resist when asked to work for the Revenants. They commit their misdeeds wearing your clothes, and the blood they spill taints your karma. Help Priam defeat their master and atone for your crimes. All other choices lead to your death."

When the last word was spoken, Sphinx emitted an aether wave, like a divine judgment. The wave struck the three humans present in the workshop, and instinctively, Priam shivered. Sphinx's words were imbued with a magic that Priam knew well. The sentence was final: Boss would obey or die.

The difference in power and the craftsman's negative karma enabled Sphinx to activate her power without posing a riddle. Priam clenched his fists. Sphinx was on his side, but how many monsters in this Universe could kill him with a simple thought? I've got to get stronger...

The craftsman remained petrified for a few seconds as he pondered the situation's stakes. One of the qualities of those who work with psychopaths is that they are quick to make sensible decisions. An essential quality for staying alive.

"I'll help. As much as I don't care about strangers, knowing that monsters are wearing my creations bothers me," he admitted before turning to Priam. "I'll make your tunic."

The assistant chose this moment to cough. Priam and Sphinx turned to her.

"I overheard some Revenant officers complaining this morning - when I was helping them change their wardrobe," she said as the attention turned to her. Priam smiled as she saw that the assistant also wanted to get rid of her negative karma. "Beneath Viracocha lies an area guarded by a terrifying spider. The Cult is planning a full-scale attack in a few hours to defeat it..."

"Its gland could strengthen my tunic," Priam guessed.

"Indeed," replied Boss. "But it's a Viscount. Handling Tier 1 material is too hard right now. I won't be able to get the best out of it. On the other hand, while those idiots are fighting the spider, you could break into their vault," Boss offered.

"There are quite a few materials I'm interested in for your tunic and myself. I'll make you a list. They've stolen from almost every faction in Viracocha, so there's quite a lot of interesting stuff." The craftsman's eyes sparkled and Priam laughed. The last twenty-four hours had taught him that he loved stealing valuables.

"Let's make a contract then," said Priam, winking at Sphinx.

The tailor took half an hour to get Priam's measurements and expectations. Strangely enough, the craftsman was highly qualified in the field of wardress. He informed Priam of some of the young man's preconceptions and guided him towards the perfect outfit.

Apparently, the silk was supple and resistant to both physical and magical damage. The artisan explained that the System would evaluate the final product to improve his skills and that he intended to make it his masterpiece. Trusting the tailor to defend his own interests, Priam let himself be guided.

"Well, the outfit will be as light as it is strong and won't hinder your movements. The pockets will be large and secret, and the hood will protect you from the elements." Priam had insisted on a hood. He sensed that the rain in Elysium would be dangerous and insisted on his anonymity.

"Finally, I plan to entrust the inscription of the outfit to another craftsman. He's not a friend, but he'll accept to increase his skills, he's also very qualified. These inscriptions are not just stylistic; the runes formed interact with the surrounding aether to increase the silk's resistance. I know that some grandmasters can inscribe runes so powerful that the garment repairs itself and increases the wearer's power, but we've only been using the System for a few days. I will have an alchemist treat the silk to strengthen it. It will be a masterpiece of humanity," Boss declared.

Priam had to admit that, while the craftsman had neither scruples nor empathy, he was very competent. He hoped his equipment would finally be up to the task of his enemies. Arnold, the hoplite champion and all his future rivals were certainly over-equipped. He couldn't afford to fall behind.

"How soon will the outfit be ready?" he asked.

"It's hard to say. I've never worked with such impressive materials. I'd say three days," replied the craftsman.

Priam frowned. He was facing a Tribulation in less than a day. Even with two lives, he wanted to put all the odds on his side.

"Can't we go any faster ?" he asked.

Master Boss laughed dryly. "I'm not teaching you how to kill monsters, so don't teach me my job. It's three days of spending all my time on it and betting that you'll kill Anatole. I'll give up all my other projects for that. Without my skills, it would be at least two weeks. If you want the best equipment, you'll have to wait a while."

Priam nodded. His paternal great-grandparents had been tailors, and he knew this kind of work took time.

"Three days then." He turned to the assistant. "Do you know where this treasure room is?"



Lvl Up : [Climb] lvl 6,7,8

AGI +3



You have gained the skill: [Aether Manipulation - Rare].

[Aether Manipulation] - Manipulating aether is the key to the Zenith. Everything is possible with aether. Manipulate Dimensions, Karma, Soul, Energy, Matter, Order and Chaos. To control the aether is to go beyond these concepts. This skill knows no limits and its potential is infinite. The only limit to your power is your imagination.

Aether can be influenced, dominated, mastered and cajoled. What's your path?

META (PERC) +1

META (AFFI) +1

META (FOCUS) +1

Priam smiled as he read the description of his new skill. Since the Tutorial, he hadn't yet had time to explore the wonders of this new world. He'd been reacting more than anything else. But rereading the description of his skill, he almost felt like dropping everything to explore the arcana of magic.

The only limit to your power is your imagination. It meant that aether could create talent. There was no mention of work or time spent developing superb skills. Priam concluded that it was possible to get to the top quickly by finding the right applications. I could partition my consciousness to work on several subjects at once. Or maybe, its possible to manipulate time and matter to obtain infinite resources?



Priam was not lacking in imagination. He couldn't wait to leave the Reunion to concentrate on these projects.

A snoring Sphinx drew him from his thoughts. Priam wasted no time in using his new technique. His skill enabled his mind to grasp the fundamental fluid. Then he used Micro to manipulate the aether flowing through him.

An aether jet shot out of the palm holding the crystal and exploded. Sphinx gasped and Priam winced. Using this new skill was almost instinctive, but it would take him some time to manipulate it precisely and meticulously. A second later, he heard Albin's message echoing in his head.

The Revenants are so-called because we died before the Tutorial. The System captured some souls who drifted on the earth's surface and had the rage to live. But this new life is temporary. To make it permanent, we need to earn points by completing quests.



The main quest that would allow all Revenants to live freely is simple. Destroy or convert humanity.'



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

PHYSICAL:

Strength 119

Constitution 197

Agility 143

Vitality 212

Perception 272



MENTAL:

Vivacity 165

Dexterity 148

Memory 38

Willpower 98

Charisma 109



META:

Meta-affinity 115

Meta-focus 81

Meta-endurance 61

Meta-perception 7

Meta-chance 46



Potential: 196

Tier 0



[He Who Eludes Death] charge: PRIMED.



[Tribulation]: Tribulations are coming.

Time: 25 hours 12 minutes 38 seconds.




Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!


COMMENTS