Chapter 60: Night at the Zoo
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Chapter 60: Night at the Zoo
Priam felt the difference in atmosphere as soon as he crossed the border. Technically, there was no real separation between the woods and the Earl's courtyard. The trees grew progressively taller, and the aether in the air became more concentrated.
Yet Priam could have felt the difference with his eyes closed. His instincts told him that he was in the territory of a predator and being watched.
The change in atmosphere could, of course, be linked to a particular resource such as Spring. But most annoying of all was the mist, which seemed to keep its distance. Like a stranger, his friend refused to speak to him, and he knew he couldn't ride it. It reminded him of a specific memory: his fight with Sphinx. There too, he had been prevented from riding the mist. The sensation was extremely unpleasant, and he felt part of his freedom had been taken away.
In this grove, his control over the mist had greatly diminished. Only the fog within a ten-meter radius was still sending him information - reluctantly.
The phenomenon could have several explanations, but Priam was convinced he was in a Domain. An immense Domain, belonging to a being capable of manipulating mist over hundreds of meters. It was unlikely to be the work of the Earl. He was undoubtedly powerful, but Priam refused to believe he could be much superior to Sphinx. Even the Lord of the Dome's domain covered only two meters around her.
Walking alongside Blueberry, Priam theorized that the Earl had placed his court here for a reason. There was a potentially intelligent resource here, endowed with terrifying power. The Jubokko, Blueberry spoke of?
As he walked, Priam remembered one of the Merits that interested him most.
Trees of Merit
Each new Title opens a new Tree of Merit and allows you to upgrade a Tree of Merit once.
Upgrading a Tree of Merit to Tier 9 uses 10 Titles and thus condemns 9 other Trees. Be careful which trees you upgrade...
[Moon Viscount] - Tier 3: The mist protects you. You're not alone, Mistchild
7 Unused Merit Points.
By upgrading his Title to Viscount, Priam had finally unlocked the rest of the Tree of Merit. This one suited him, and he validated it without modifying it. Instantly, he felt the mist around him become friendly again. He was still unable to ride the mist over long distances, but within a zone of about three meters around him, he was its master. I suppose it's better than nothing...The origin of this chapter's debut can be traced to N0v3l--B1n.
[Moon Viscount] - Tier 4: Locked. Requires a Gold Title.
6 Unused Merit Points.
Priam took one last look at his Merits and decided to choose them after seeing the Earl. With his new Titles, he had the opportunity to improve many of them. The question now was what he should prioritize...
Blueberry turned to glance behind him, prompting Priam to concentrate. The two companions had walked several hundred meters through the courtyard, taking detours, crossing suspension bridges, and passing under colossal tree roots. They now found themselves among numerous animals. Dogs, cats, pigs, horses, cows, and exotic animals were walking fast. With a glance, Priam knew that all the animals were wild.
Where Blueberry moved gracefully, stood up straight, and radiated pride, the animals that crossed their path were hunched over and focused on their task. They pushed bundles or carried resources - usually meat or vegetables - walking with their heads down. Suddenly, Priam understood. The Earl didn't come from a human society. These animals weren't just an army destined to fight Anatole's Abominations. They were slaves!
The signs were all there. None of them looked at Priam or Blueberry, and all hurriedly moved aside as they passed. Seeing the meat being transported, Priam wondered if they weren't regularly sacrificed to feed the Earl's officers.
"I see these animals don't have many rights," he said, wincing in pain. Talking with a punctured lung was not a pleasant experience.
Blueberry growled. "They're beasts. The law of nature remains in force. Those who deserve it will gain intelligence and can then be accepted into our ranks. For the rest... They're food on legs. If I didn't have to take you to the Earl, I'd have bitten one already."
The bear turned back to Priam. "But I think, as a human, you're in no position to talk about animal cruelty, right?"
Priam hesitated for a moment. "Indeed, some factories didn't respect animals, but that wasn't the case with most farmers. Some really loved their animals and treated them well."
The bear snarled. "Who knows if there are good reasons to kill? Not me, anyway. I was a wild bear, and frankly, I don't care. Whether you like animals or not, it makes no difference to me. A wild animal does what it has to do to survive. Now hurry up, I'm hungry," Blueberry finished and started walking again.
Priam looked up at the Viscount. If this were the subordinate's way of thinking, it would certainly be the master's. The Earl was an intelligent animal with little respect for the life of his fellow man - or animal. Priam intended to keep this in mind during their discussion. If I don't show my usefulness, there's a good chance he'll try to kill me...
Five minutes later, after climbing a sort of vegetal staircase spiraling around the largest tree in the grove, they reached the level of a cavern carved into the wood. Priam spoke no more, concentrating on his alert senses.
He'd felt stressed, scrutinized, and pressured ever since he'd started climbing the tree. The mist around him was now hostile. His protective bubble - the mist that still obeyed him - seemed compressed by the surrounding Estate. Is it possible that this tree is the owner of the Domain?
It seemed possible. After all, a tree couldn't easily move or attack. It was likely that the tree specialized in defense and control of its environment. If a mighty tree were to unlock Supremacy, it would undoubtedly be a Domain.
Speaking of the tree, it was majestic. Priam had never had the chance to admire the world's tallest trees before the Tutorial, but the sight of this specimen humbled him. Nature was always both splendid and terrifying. Despite his powers, he was still far from rivaling the Creation. Perhaps one day...
Blueberry paused at the entrance to the cavern before turning to Priam. "The courtyard proper is at the end of the cavern. You should bow to the Earl and tell the strict truth. Disrespect is severely punished: you would serve as nutrients for the Jubokko."
"The Jubokko?" Priam worried. The Domain pressing down on him left him no escape.
"The tree." Without giving any more clues, Blueberry turned and started down the steps. Priam watched the bear leave, before focusing on the dark cavern. Despite his perception, he couldn't make out any light at the bottom of the tunnel - it was inky black. The tree's diameter was exceptional - around twenty meters - but Priam should have seen the end of it.
Smiling in spite of the pain, Priam decided to cross the tunnel quickly. The Viscount resumed his walk. It's even possible that this tunnel is a reward in itself...
Sphinx frowned as she entered a Domain. More like a pseudo-Domain. The difference was slight to a neophyte, but Sphinx knew a copy when she saw one. The tree's Domain was spatially weak, but one of its skills was extending it over the entire surface of the grove. This pseudo-domain was a diluted version of the real thing, but it had the advantage of being massive.
Sphinx shook her head, and her beautiful mane shimmered in the sunlight. She'd think about that after she'd found Priam. He was close, she could feel it.
Stepping towards the central tree, she shivered. Without knowing exactly why, Sphinx sensed that she wouldn't like the master of the house. I feel like I'm being watched?
Status: (Average value for a Homo sapiens male before integration: PHY 10 / MEN 10 / META 0)
PHYSICAL:
Strength 148
Constitution 255
Agility 158
Vitality 284
Perception 289
MENTAL:
Vivacity 174
Dexterity 177
Memory 40
Willpower 274
Charisma 141 (+3)
META:
Meta-affinity 135
Meta-focus 98
Meta-endurance 90 (+3)
Meta-perception 32
Meta-chance 114
Potential: 1396 (+2)
Tier 0
[He Who Eludes Death] charge OFF. Reloaded in 14 hours 7 min 23s
[Tribulation]: Tribulations are coming.
Time: 18 hours 27 minutes 17 seconds.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
Chapter 60: Night at the Zoo
Priam felt the difference in atmosphere as soon as he crossed the border. Technically, there was no real separation between the woods and the Earl's courtyard. The trees grew progressively taller, and the aether in the air became more concentrated.
Yet Priam could have felt the difference with his eyes closed. His instincts told him that he was in the territory of a predator and being watched.
The change in atmosphere could, of course, be linked to a particular resource such as Spring. But most annoying of all was the mist, which seemed to keep its distance. Like a stranger, his friend refused to speak to him, and he knew he couldn't ride it. It reminded him of a specific memory: his fight with Sphinx. There too, he had been prevented from riding the mist. The sensation was extremely unpleasant, and he felt part of his freedom had been taken away.
In this grove, his control over the mist had greatly diminished. Only the fog within a ten-meter radius was still sending him information - reluctantly.
The phenomenon could have several explanations, but Priam was convinced he was in a Domain. An immense Domain, belonging to a being capable of manipulating mist over hundreds of meters. It was unlikely to be the work of the Earl. He was undoubtedly powerful, but Priam refused to believe he could be much superior to Sphinx. Even the Lord of the Dome's domain covered only two meters around her.
Walking alongside Blueberry, Priam theorized that the Earl had placed his court here for a reason. There was a potentially intelligent resource here, endowed with terrifying power. The Jubokko, Blueberry spoke of?
As he walked, Priam remembered one of the Merits that interested him most.
Trees of Merit
Each new Title opens a new Tree of Merit and allows you to upgrade a Tree of Merit once.
Upgrading a Tree of Merit to Tier 9 uses 10 Titles and thus condemns 9 other Trees. Be careful which trees you upgrade...
[Moon Viscount] - Tier 3: The mist protects you. You're not alone, Mistchild
7 Unused Merit Points.
By upgrading his Title to Viscount, Priam had finally unlocked the rest of the Tree of Merit. This one suited him, and he validated it without modifying it. Instantly, he felt the mist around him become friendly again. He was still unable to ride the mist over long distances, but within a zone of about three meters around him, he was its master. I suppose it's better than nothing...The origin of this chapter's debut can be traced to N0v3l--B1n.
[Moon Viscount] - Tier 4: Locked. Requires a Gold Title.
6 Unused Merit Points.
Priam took one last look at his Merits and decided to choose them after seeing the Earl. With his new Titles, he had the opportunity to improve many of them. The question now was what he should prioritize...
Blueberry turned to glance behind him, prompting Priam to concentrate. The two companions had walked several hundred meters through the courtyard, taking detours, crossing suspension bridges, and passing under colossal tree roots. They now found themselves among numerous animals. Dogs, cats, pigs, horses, cows, and exotic animals were walking fast. With a glance, Priam knew that all the animals were wild.
Where Blueberry moved gracefully, stood up straight, and radiated pride, the animals that crossed their path were hunched over and focused on their task. They pushed bundles or carried resources - usually meat or vegetables - walking with their heads down. Suddenly, Priam understood. The Earl didn't come from a human society. These animals weren't just an army destined to fight Anatole's Abominations. They were slaves!
The signs were all there. None of them looked at Priam or Blueberry, and all hurriedly moved aside as they passed. Seeing the meat being transported, Priam wondered if they weren't regularly sacrificed to feed the Earl's officers.
"I see these animals don't have many rights," he said, wincing in pain. Talking with a punctured lung was not a pleasant experience.
Blueberry growled. "They're beasts. The law of nature remains in force. Those who deserve it will gain intelligence and can then be accepted into our ranks. For the rest... They're food on legs. If I didn't have to take you to the Earl, I'd have bitten one already."
The bear turned back to Priam. "But I think, as a human, you're in no position to talk about animal cruelty, right?"
Priam hesitated for a moment. "Indeed, some factories didn't respect animals, but that wasn't the case with most farmers. Some really loved their animals and treated them well."
The bear snarled. "Who knows if there are good reasons to kill? Not me, anyway. I was a wild bear, and frankly, I don't care. Whether you like animals or not, it makes no difference to me. A wild animal does what it has to do to survive. Now hurry up, I'm hungry," Blueberry finished and started walking again.
Priam looked up at the Viscount. If this were the subordinate's way of thinking, it would certainly be the master's. The Earl was an intelligent animal with little respect for the life of his fellow man - or animal. Priam intended to keep this in mind during their discussion. If I don't show my usefulness, there's a good chance he'll try to kill me...
Five minutes later, after climbing a sort of vegetal staircase spiraling around the largest tree in the grove, they reached the level of a cavern carved into the wood. Priam spoke no more, concentrating on his alert senses.
He'd felt stressed, scrutinized, and pressured ever since he'd started climbing the tree. The mist around him was now hostile. His protective bubble - the mist that still obeyed him - seemed compressed by the surrounding Estate. Is it possible that this tree is the owner of the Domain?
It seemed possible. After all, a tree couldn't easily move or attack. It was likely that the tree specialized in defense and control of its environment. If a mighty tree were to unlock Supremacy, it would undoubtedly be a Domain.
Speaking of the tree, it was majestic. Priam had never had the chance to admire the world's tallest trees before the Tutorial, but the sight of this specimen humbled him. Nature was always both splendid and terrifying. Despite his powers, he was still far from rivaling the Creation. Perhaps one day...
Blueberry paused at the entrance to the cavern before turning to Priam. "The courtyard proper is at the end of the cavern. You should bow to the Earl and tell the strict truth. Disrespect is severely punished: you would serve as nutrients for the Jubokko."
"The Jubokko?" Priam worried. The Domain pressing down on him left him no escape.
"The tree." Without giving any more clues, Blueberry turned and started down the steps. Priam watched the bear leave, before focusing on the dark cavern. Despite his perception, he couldn't make out any light at the bottom of the tunnel - it was inky black. The tree's diameter was exceptional - around twenty meters - but Priam should have seen the end of it.
Smiling in spite of the pain, Priam decided to cross the tunnel quickly. The Viscount resumed his walk. It's even possible that this tunnel is a reward in itself...
Sphinx frowned as she entered a Domain. More like a pseudo-Domain. The difference was slight to a neophyte, but Sphinx knew a copy when she saw one. The tree's Domain was spatially weak, but one of its skills was extending it over the entire surface of the grove. This pseudo-domain was a diluted version of the real thing, but it had the advantage of being massive.
Sphinx shook her head, and her beautiful mane shimmered in the sunlight. She'd think about that after she'd found Priam. He was close, she could feel it.
Stepping towards the central tree, she shivered. Without knowing exactly why, Sphinx sensed that she wouldn't like the master of the house. I feel like I'm being watched?
Status: (Average value for a Homo sapiens male before integration: PHY 10 / MEN 10 / META 0)
PHYSICAL:
Strength 148
Constitution 255
Agility 158
Vitality 284
Perception 289
MENTAL:
Vivacity 174
Dexterity 177
Memory 40
Willpower 274
Charisma 141 (+3)
META:
Meta-affinity 135
Meta-focus 98
Meta-endurance 90 (+3)
Meta-perception 32
Meta-chance 114
Potential: 1396 (+2)
Tier 0
[He Who Eludes Death] charge OFF. Reloaded in 14 hours 7 min 23s
[Tribulation]: Tribulations are coming.
Time: 18 hours 27 minutes 17 seconds.
Chapter 60: Night at the ZooPriam felt the difference in atmosphere as soon as he crossed the border. Technically, there was no real separation between the woods and the Earl's courtyard. The trees grew progressively taller, and the aether in the air became more concentrated.Yet Priam could have felt the difference with his eyes closed. His instincts told him that he was in the territory of a predator and being watched. The change in atmosphere could, of course, be linked to a particular resource such as Spring. But most annoying of all was the mist, which seemed to keep its distance. Like a stranger, his friend refused to speak to him, and he knew he couldn't ride it. It reminded him of a specific memory: his fight with Sphinx. There too, he had been prevented from riding the mist. The sensation was extremely unpleasant, and he felt part of his freedom had been taken away.In this grove, his control over the mist had greatly diminished. Only the fog within a ten-meter radius was still sending him information - reluctantly. The phenomenon could have several explanations, but Priam was convinced he was in a Domain. An immense Domain, belonging to a being capable of manipulating mist over hundreds of meters. It was unlikely to be the work of the Earl. He was undoubtedly powerful, but Priam refused to believe he could be much superior to Sphinx. Even the Lord of the Dome's domain covered only two meters around her.Walking alongside Blueberry, Priam theorized that the Earl had placed his court here for a reason. There was a potentially intelligent resource here, endowed with terrifying power. The Jubokko, Blueberry spoke of?As he walked, Priam remembered one of the Merits that interested him most. Trees of MeritEach new Title opens a new Tree of Merit and allows you to upgrade a Tree of Merit once. Upgrading a Tree of Merit to Tier 9 uses 10 Titles and thus condemns 9 other Trees. Be careful which trees you upgrade...Moon Viscount - Tier 3: The mist protects you. You're not alone, Mistchild7 Unused Merit Points.By upgrading his Title to Viscount, Priam had finally unlocked the rest of the Tree of Merit. This one suited him, and he validated it without modifying it. Instantly, he felt the mist around him become friendly again. He was still unable to ride the mist over long distances, but within a zone of about three meters around him, he was its master. I suppose it's better than nothing...The origin of this chapter's debut can be traced to N0v3l--B1n.Moon Viscount - Tier 4: Locked. Requires a Gold Title. 6 Unused Merit Points.Priam took one last look at his Merits and decided to choose them after seeing the Earl. With his new Titles, he had the opportunity to improve many of them. The question now was what he should prioritize...Blueberry turned to glance behind him, prompting Priam to concentrate. The two companions had walked several hundred meters through the courtyard, taking detours, crossing suspension bridges, and passing under colossal tree roots. They now found themselves among numerous animals. Dogs, cats, pigs, horses, cows, and exotic animals were walking fast. With a glance, Priam knew that all the animals were wild. Where Blueberry moved gracefully, stood up straight, and radiated pride, the animals that crossed their path were hunched over and focused on their task. They pushed bundles or carried resources - usually meat or vegetables - walking with their heads down. Suddenly, Priam understood. The Earl didn't come from a human society. These animals weren't just an army destined to fight Anatole's Abominations. They were slaves! The signs were all there. None of them looked at Priam or Blueberry, and all hurriedly moved aside as they passed. Seeing the meat being transported, Priam wondered if they weren't regularly sacrificed to feed the Earl's officers. "I see these animals don't have many rights," he said, wincing in pain. Talking with a punctured lung was not a pleasant experience.Blueberry growled. "They're beasts. The law of nature remains in force. Those who deserve it will gain intelligence and can then be accepted into our ranks. For the rest... They're food on legs. If I didn't have to take you to the Earl, I'd have bitten one already."The bear turned back to Priam. "But I think, as a human, you're in no position to talk about animal cruelty, right?"Priam hesitated for a moment. "Indeed, some factories didn't respect animals, but that wasn't the case with most farmers. Some really loved their animals and treated them well."The bear snarled. "Who knows if there are good reasons to kill? Not me, anyway. I was a wild bear, and frankly, I don't care. Whether you like animals or not, it makes no difference to me. A wild animal does what it has to do to survive. Now hurry up, I'm hungry," Blueberry finished and started walking again.Priam looked up at the Viscount. If this were the subordinate's way of thinking, it would certainly be the master's. The Earl was an intelligent animal with little respect for the life of his fellow man - or animal. Priam intended to keep this in mind during their discussion. If I don't show my usefulness, there's a good chance he'll try to kill me... Five minutes later, after climbing a sort of vegetal staircase spiraling around the largest tree in the grove, they reached the level of a cavern carved into the wood. Priam spoke no more, concentrating on his alert senses. He'd felt stressed, scrutinized, and pressured ever since he'd started climbing the tree. The mist around him was now hostile. His protective bubble - the mist that still obeyed him - seemed compressed by the surrounding Estate. Is it possible that this tree is the owner of the Domain?It seemed possible. After all, a tree couldn't easily move or attack. It was likely that the tree specialized in defense and control of its environment. If a mighty tree were to unlock Supremacy, it would undoubtedly be a Domain.Speaking of the tree, it was majestic. Priam had never had the chance to admire the world's tallest trees before the Tutorial, but the sight of this specimen humbled him. Nature was always both splendid and terrifying. Despite his powers, he was still far from rivaling the Creation. Perhaps one day...Blueberry paused at the entrance to the cavern before turning to Priam. "The courtyard proper is at the end of the cavern. You should bow to the Earl and tell the strict truth. Disrespect is severely punished: you would serve as nutrients for the Jubokko.""The Jubokko?" Priam worried. The Domain pressing down on him left him no escape. "The tree." Without giving any more clues, Blueberry turned and started down the steps. Priam watched the bear leave, before focusing on the dark cavern. Despite his perception, he couldn't make out any light at the bottom of the tunnel - it was inky black. The tree's diameter was exceptional - around twenty meters - but Priam should have seen the end of it. Smiling in spite of the pain, Priam decided to cross the tunnel quickly. The Viscount resumed his walk. It's even possible that this tunnel is a reward in itself...Sphinx frowned as she entered a Domain. More like a pseudo-Domain. The difference was slight to a neophyte, but Sphinx knew a copy when she saw one. The tree's Domain was spatially weak, but one of its skills was extending it over the entire surface of the grove. This pseudo-domain was a diluted version of the real thing, but it had the advantage of being massive.Sphinx shook her head, and her beautiful mane shimmered in the sunlight. She'd think about that after she'd found Priam. He was close, she could feel it. Stepping towards the central tree, she shivered. Without knowing exactly why, Sphinx sensed that she wouldn't like the master of the house. I feel like I'm being watched? Status: Average value for a Homo sapiens male before integration: PHY 10 / MEN 10 / META 0PHYSICAL:Strength 148Constitution 255 Agility 158 Vitality 284Perception 289 MENTAL:Vivacity 174Dexterity 177 Memory 40 Willpower 274 Charisma 141 +3META:Meta-affinity 135Meta-focus 98Meta-endurance 90 +3Meta-perception 32Meta-chance 114Potential: 1396 +2Tier 0He Who Eludes Death charge OFF. Reloaded in 14 hours 7 min 23sTribulation: Tribulations are coming.Time: 18 hours 27 minutes 17 seconds.
