Chapter 61: Indecent Proposal
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Chapter 61: Indecent Proposal
The Domain seemed to be pressing down physically on Priam, trying to force him to bend his back. Submissive positions led to submissive habits. Priam refused to give in.
As he advanced, he could feel the pressure building. Here, in the tree's heart, his ability to manipulate his mist was diminishing with every step. His bubble had gradually shrunk to a sphere barely a meter across.
A few meters further on, Priam stopped again. He had no idea how long the tunnel was, but his sphere would soon be reduced to nothing if he went on like this. It was impossible to know what would happen then - certainly nothing pleasant.
Inhaling calmly, Priam used Micro to slow his beating heart and save oxygen. There was no point in being stubborn, and this ordeal had to have a solution. Priam tried to take manual control of the sphere around him. He pushed back his mist to enlarge his breathing space. The ambient fog, supported by the Domain, pressed on him. After a few seconds, he realized that his efforts had no effect.
Reflecting for a moment, Priam recalled his scientific knowledge. His mist was still a gas. It could therefore be compressed up to a certain limit. Beyond that, he remembered, the gas changed state and became a liquid. The more pressure at a constant temperature, the closer the gas was to a liquid state - and vice versa. It was why it was possible to boil water at just 72C at the summit of Mount Everest - because atmospheric pressure was so low.
Smiling, Priam focused with [Focus] and produced more mist. What interested him here was compressing it as much as possible while keeping it in vapor form - Priam hadn't yet learned to breathe underwater. Once the pressure in Priam's sphere exceeded that of his surroundings, the mist would push back the tree Domain. The trick was to keep control of his mist during the operation.
Priam sat down on the bark of the tree and began to meditate. The presence of the Domain was pressing on his mist and body. Only Micro and his new resistance skills enabled him not to flinch or give in to panic. The pressure on his body was as physical as it was mental. Fortunately, Priam's body was adapting.
Lvl Up: [Star Iron Body] lvl 4
CONST +3
Priam thought for a moment before activating [Meditation]. The skill promised to help him concentrate, and he didn't expect to be physically attacked in the tunnel. In any case, if the tree wanted to kill him, Priam would already be dead.
Legs crossed, breath slowed, [Meditation] and [Focus] working in concert, Priam used [Moon Mist].
His meridians had recovered a little since his fight with Blueberry. They were activated to transform the aether in Priam's reserves into steam.
The aether circulated through Priam's body down to his skin and seemed to magically create a mist outside his body. Priam knew that one day he'd have to find out exactly how his skill worked, but that would be for another time.
The mist began to densify in his sphere, and some naturally flowed out. Instantly, Priam lost his control and frowned. He had just increased the amount of mist in the tunnel and thus strengthened the tree's domain.
Priam took a breath and refocused. A white haze began to materialize on the surface of his body. This time, he controlled it to prevent it from moving away. Over the next few seconds, he increased the amount of mist in his sphere while preventing it from leaving.
After a few seconds, his sphere was saturated. If he continued to produce mist, it would become liquid. Priam stopped and concentrated all his Will into [Moon Mist]. He wished to take conscious control of all his mist.
The seconds passed slowly as Priam's consciousness tried to completely dominate the mist that belonged to him. Initially, he had tried to befriend it. It was a good technique as it allowed Priam to manipulate the fog without expending a lot of mental resources. But when a better friend arrived - here, the Earl Jubokko - the friendly mist refused his orders.
A few minutes later, Priam began to lose patience. As his Will tamed one part of the mist, another part slipped out of his control and sphere of authority. He then had to recreate the fog, losing aether in the process. The tree's domain prevented him from naturally recovering his aether. Priam's number of attempts was therefore limited.
The young Viscount's mood was darkening despite [Meditation]. His frustration wasn't helping his concentration, and Priam was making more and more mistakes. Finally, after several minutes of failure, he decided to spend his stolen resources. They would be useless if he died as a result of his next Tribulations. He wouldn't take these treasures to his grave, so he might as well spend them.
From one of his pockets, he reached into the small purse that accompanied him everywhere and pulled out one of the trophies he had borrowed from the Revenants. The treasure took the form of a small tea case. Priam took out a leaf of a blue he would have called temporal for want of a better adjective.
[Identification]
[Da Hong Pao Aethereal] - A leaf of an extraordinary orchid-flavored tea. As an emperor's beverage, Da Hong Pao enables you to sequence your thoughts and focus your attention. This leaf permanently purifies the mind.
Best consumed as an infusion, it can also be swallowed directly.
Priam swallowed the leaf - he didn't have a teapot next to him. He winced as he swallowed. Blueberry's claws did a number on him.
After a second, Priam allowed himself a smile. The tea's description was brief, but its effect was fantastic. His mental capacities seemed unlocked, similar to when he used his Potential - minus the divine inspiration.
Suddenly, it was easy to manipulate his mist, and Priam's mind covered his entire sphere. He imagined himself mentally locking control of his sphere, and suddenly his mist seemed to freeze. The pressure of the tree's domain had almost disappeared as Priam rose to his feet. He resumed his progress through the plant tunnel, his sphere now protecting him from the Jubokko Domain.
His breakthrough was artificial, and he knew it. The aether in the tunnel was as dense as the pressure of the Domain was intense. As the seconds ticked by, the effects of the tea leaf disappeared. But like a child with the little wheels removed from his bike, Priam had managed to dominate his sphere once. He'd managed to ride and had no intention of falling again.
His mind now knew how to dominate the mist close to him, and Priam concentrated on keeping control. The Jubokko Domain continued to compress his bubble of steam with every step. He may have covered two hundred meters since the beginning, but the tunnel seemed endless. Drops of sweat beaded on his forehead as he pushed back against the tree's efforts.
Suddenly, the effects of the tea disappeared, and Priam stopped. The pressure of the Domain was now colossal and threatened to crush Priam. Only his mist saved him, and the young Viscount concentrated with all his might to keep it under control.
Priam had been motionless for several seconds. Slowly, time passed as his mental effort became more and more intense. His strength was wearing thin, but he wasn't giving up. Mentally, he kept telling himself that he would become the best. He had faced the rabhorn, the hoplite warrior and even Abominations. He had always survived.
In the end, he would save his family. He would be free.
Fists clenched, Priam put all his Willpower to work, taking control of his mental attributes to fight against the Domain that was crushing him. Vivacity, Dexterity, Perception... All these attributes came to life under the impulse of his Will, and helped Priam focus on his survival.
He didn't know what he was fighting for. He didn't know if there was a way to win. But he was fighting death. It was what he had always done.
Finally, after a while, the moment's intensity triggered a change. Something clicked.
Lvl Up : [Focus] lvl 20
PERC +1
VIVA +1
DEXT +1
[Focus] has reached level 20. As a rare skill, a bonus is available. Choose one of these three options:
[Greater Focus] - Reinforces the advantages and disadvantages of [Focus]. POT -30
[Body Focus] - [Focus] works best when focusing on your body. Synergizes with Micro. POT -30
[Mental Focus] - [Focus] works best when focusing on your mind. Synergizes with Domain. POT -30
Priam gave himself a moment's thought, which almost proved fatal. The Domain swallowed part of his mist, instantly reducing the volume of his protective bubble. Death was less than fifty centimeters from his face.
Closing his eyes, Priam made up his mind. It was still too early to choose between Micro and Domain. Micro was a Supremacy he'd already unlocked. However, Priam found Domain extremely useful. He didn't intend to be a brute who could only destroy his enemies with his bare hands. Priam aspired to do more than that.
[Greater Focus] - Reinforces the advantages and disadvantages of [Focus].
POT -30
"... What are you doing here?" asked Priam.
"I was reporting to the Earl before a catastrophe occurred." Blueberry straightened, exposing a right arm that was at an odd angle. The Viscount caught his arm and pulled it back into place with a swift movement. Priam winced at the sound before looking around.
They were high, almost to the top of the tree, and the branches formed a kind of natural bowl. Seats were carved into the wood at the sides. A promontory - also carved - dominated the assembly. Above them, in the canopy, the redwood's leaves trembled - the result of a titanic battle.
But Priam's eyes were on something else. At the bottom of the bowl, an amber liquid stagnated.
[Identification]
[Spring] - The quintessence of blood absorbed by the Jubokko, mixed with its sap. Contains a mighty regenerative power.
Priam almost rushed to bathe in the several thousand liters of sap that lay before him. His lung was still hurting, and the Blood Way hadn't helped.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Blueberry warned without moving.
Priam stopped and watched the bear. He knew he was faster than the Viscount, and the latter was in no condition to stop him. Looking around, Priam detected a few animals hiding and watching the fight above them. Each one looked powerful, and some were Viscounts. None looked at him.
"Why not?"
"Because the Earl sacrificed thousands of beasts to feed the Jubokko and create this Spring. That's why the areas around the Domes are empty. Every liter of this pond comes from countless sacrifices. If you touch it, he'll sacrifice you too to atone for your sin."
The Jubokko's trunk trembled as the fight above them reached its climax. "And why would the Earl need this resource? Does Anatole scare him so much?"
Blueberry growled. "Don't be stupid, human. You can feel the vibrations of the fight all the way here. The leader of the false humans would die just by hearing the Earl's roar."
Priam looked up. The redwood tree he was standing on was an Earl specialized in defense. Even Priam's most powerful attack would not have been enough to sever one of its branches. And yet, the fight between the Earl and the stranger made its whole trunk vibrate. Lions are known for the power of their roar. I'm not sure I'd survive that kind of attack either.
Sighing, Priam turned back to Blueberry. "So what's the purpose of this Spring?"
Blueberry shrugged in an almost human motion. "The Earl also uses the System. His tribulation is coming. It's his trump card."
Status: (Average value for a Homo sapiens male before integration: PHY 10 / MEN 10 / META 0)
PHYSICAL:
Strength 148
Constitution 258 (+3)
Agility 158
Vitality 284
Perception 294 (+5)
MENTAL:
Vivacity 175 (+1)
Dexterity 178 (1)
Memory 40
Willpower 274
Charisma 143 (+2)
META:
Meta-affinity 138 (+3)
Meta-focus 98
Meta-endurance 90
Meta-perception 32
Meta-chance 114
Potential: 1343 (-53)
Tier 0
[He Who Eludes Death] charge OFF. Reloaded in 13 hours 25 min 6s
[Tribulation]: Tribulations are coming.
Time: 17 hours 45 minutes 0 second.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
Chapter 61: Indecent Proposal
The Domain seemed to be pressing down physically on Priam, trying to force him to bend his back. Submissive positions led to submissive habits. Priam refused to give in.
As he advanced, he could feel the pressure building. Here, in the tree's heart, his ability to manipulate his mist was diminishing with every step. His bubble had gradually shrunk to a sphere barely a meter across.
A few meters further on, Priam stopped again. He had no idea how long the tunnel was, but his sphere would soon be reduced to nothing if he went on like this. It was impossible to know what would happen then - certainly nothing pleasant.
Inhaling calmly, Priam used Micro to slow his beating heart and save oxygen. There was no point in being stubborn, and this ordeal had to have a solution. Priam tried to take manual control of the sphere around him. He pushed back his mist to enlarge his breathing space. The ambient fog, supported by the Domain, pressed on him. After a few seconds, he realized that his efforts had no effect.
Reflecting for a moment, Priam recalled his scientific knowledge. His mist was still a gas. It could therefore be compressed up to a certain limit. Beyond that, he remembered, the gas changed state and became a liquid. The more pressure at a constant temperature, the closer the gas was to a liquid state - and vice versa. It was why it was possible to boil water at just 72C at the summit of Mount Everest - because atmospheric pressure was so low.
Smiling, Priam focused with [Focus] and produced more mist. What interested him here was compressing it as much as possible while keeping it in vapor form - Priam hadn't yet learned to breathe underwater. Once the pressure in Priam's sphere exceeded that of his surroundings, the mist would push back the tree Domain. The trick was to keep control of his mist during the operation.
Priam sat down on the bark of the tree and began to meditate. The presence of the Domain was pressing on his mist and body. Only Micro and his new resistance skills enabled him not to flinch or give in to panic. The pressure on his body was as physical as it was mental. Fortunately, Priam's body was adapting.
Lvl Up: [Star Iron Body] lvl 4
CONST +3
Priam thought for a moment before activating [Meditation]. The skill promised to help him concentrate, and he didn't expect to be physically attacked in the tunnel. In any case, if the tree wanted to kill him, Priam would already be dead.
Legs crossed, breath slowed, [Meditation] and [Focus] working in concert, Priam used [Moon Mist].
His meridians had recovered a little since his fight with Blueberry. They were activated to transform the aether in Priam's reserves into steam.
The aether circulated through Priam's body down to his skin and seemed to magically create a mist outside his body. Priam knew that one day he'd have to find out exactly how his skill worked, but that would be for another time.
The mist began to densify in his sphere, and some naturally flowed out. Instantly, Priam lost his control and frowned. He had just increased the amount of mist in the tunnel and thus strengthened the tree's domain.
Priam took a breath and refocused. A white haze began to materialize on the surface of his body. This time, he controlled it to prevent it from moving away. Over the next few seconds, he increased the amount of mist in his sphere while preventing it from leaving.
After a few seconds, his sphere was saturated. If he continued to produce mist, it would become liquid. Priam stopped and concentrated all his Will into [Moon Mist]. He wished to take conscious control of all his mist.
The seconds passed slowly as Priam's consciousness tried to completely dominate the mist that belonged to him. Initially, he had tried to befriend it. It was a good technique as it allowed Priam to manipulate the fog without expending a lot of mental resources. But when a better friend arrived - here, the Earl Jubokko - the friendly mist refused his orders.
A few minutes later, Priam began to lose patience. As his Will tamed one part of the mist, another part slipped out of his control and sphere of authority. He then had to recreate the fog, losing aether in the process. The tree's domain prevented him from naturally recovering his aether. Priam's number of attempts was therefore limited.
The young Viscount's mood was darkening despite [Meditation]. His frustration wasn't helping his concentration, and Priam was making more and more mistakes. Finally, after several minutes of failure, he decided to spend his stolen resources. They would be useless if he died as a result of his next Tribulations. He wouldn't take these treasures to his grave, so he might as well spend them.
From one of his pockets, he reached into the small purse that accompanied him everywhere and pulled out one of the trophies he had borrowed from the Revenants. The treasure took the form of a small tea case. Priam took out a leaf of a blue he would have called temporal for want of a better adjective.
[Identification]
[Da Hong Pao Aethereal] - A leaf of an extraordinary orchid-flavored tea. As an emperor's beverage, Da Hong Pao enables you to sequence your thoughts and focus your attention. This leaf permanently purifies the mind.
Best consumed as an infusion, it can also be swallowed directly.
Priam swallowed the leaf - he didn't have a teapot next to him. He winced as he swallowed. Blueberry's claws did a number on him.
After a second, Priam allowed himself a smile. The tea's description was brief, but its effect was fantastic. His mental capacities seemed unlocked, similar to when he used his Potential - minus the divine inspiration.
Suddenly, it was easy to manipulate his mist, and Priam's mind covered his entire sphere. He imagined himself mentally locking control of his sphere, and suddenly his mist seemed to freeze. The pressure of the tree's domain had almost disappeared as Priam rose to his feet. He resumed his progress through the plant tunnel, his sphere now protecting him from the Jubokko Domain.
His breakthrough was artificial, and he knew it. The aether in the tunnel was as dense as the pressure of the Domain was intense. As the seconds ticked by, the effects of the tea leaf disappeared. But like a child with the little wheels removed from his bike, Priam had managed to dominate his sphere once. He'd managed to ride and had no intention of falling again.
His mind now knew how to dominate the mist close to him, and Priam concentrated on keeping control. The Jubokko Domain continued to compress his bubble of steam with every step. He may have covered two hundred meters since the beginning, but the tunnel seemed endless. Drops of sweat beaded on his forehead as he pushed back against the tree's efforts.
Suddenly, the effects of the tea disappeared, and Priam stopped. The pressure of the Domain was now colossal and threatened to crush Priam. Only his mist saved him, and the young Viscount concentrated with all his might to keep it under control.
Priam had been motionless for several seconds. Slowly, time passed as his mental effort became more and more intense. His strength was wearing thin, but he wasn't giving up. Mentally, he kept telling himself that he would become the best. He had faced the rabhorn, the hoplite warrior and even Abominations. He had always survived.
In the end, he would save his family. He would be free.
Fists clenched, Priam put all his Willpower to work, taking control of his mental attributes to fight against the Domain that was crushing him. Vivacity, Dexterity, Perception... All these attributes came to life under the impulse of his Will, and helped Priam focus on his survival.
He didn't know what he was fighting for. He didn't know if there was a way to win. But he was fighting death. It was what he had always done.
Finally, after a while, the moment's intensity triggered a change. Something clicked.
Lvl Up : [Focus] lvl 20
PERC +1
VIVA +1
DEXT +1
[Focus] has reached level 20. As a rare skill, a bonus is available. Choose one of these three options:
[Greater Focus] - Reinforces the advantages and disadvantages of [Focus]. POT -30
[Body Focus] - [Focus] works best when focusing on your body. Synergizes with Micro. POT -30
[Mental Focus] - [Focus] works best when focusing on your mind. Synergizes with Domain. POT -30
Priam gave himself a moment's thought, which almost proved fatal. The Domain swallowed part of his mist, instantly reducing the volume of his protective bubble. Death was less than fifty centimeters from his face.
Closing his eyes, Priam made up his mind. It was still too early to choose between Micro and Domain. Micro was a Supremacy he'd already unlocked. However, Priam found Domain extremely useful. He didn't intend to be a brute who could only destroy his enemies with his bare hands. Priam aspired to do more than that.
[Greater Focus] - Reinforces the advantages and disadvantages of [Focus].
POT -30
"... What are you doing here?" asked Priam.
"I was reporting to the Earl before a catastrophe occurred." Blueberry straightened, exposing a right arm that was at an odd angle. The Viscount caught his arm and pulled it back into place with a swift movement. Priam winced at the sound before looking around.
They were high, almost to the top of the tree, and the branches formed a kind of natural bowl. Seats were carved into the wood at the sides. A promontory - also carved - dominated the assembly. Above them, in the canopy, the redwood's leaves trembled - the result of a titanic battle.
But Priam's eyes were on something else. At the bottom of the bowl, an amber liquid stagnated.
[Identification]
[Spring] - The quintessence of blood absorbed by the Jubokko, mixed with its sap. Contains a mighty regenerative power.
Priam almost rushed to bathe in the several thousand liters of sap that lay before him. His lung was still hurting, and the Blood Way hadn't helped.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Blueberry warned without moving.
Priam stopped and watched the bear. He knew he was faster than the Viscount, and the latter was in no condition to stop him. Looking around, Priam detected a few animals hiding and watching the fight above them. Each one looked powerful, and some were Viscounts. None looked at him.
"Why not?"
"Because the Earl sacrificed thousands of beasts to feed the Jubokko and create this Spring. That's why the areas around the Domes are empty. Every liter of this pond comes from countless sacrifices. If you touch it, he'll sacrifice you too to atone for your sin."
The Jubokko's trunk trembled as the fight above them reached its climax. "And why would the Earl need this resource? Does Anatole scare him so much?"
Blueberry growled. "Don't be stupid, human. You can feel the vibrations of the fight all the way here. The leader of the false humans would die just by hearing the Earl's roar."
Priam looked up. The redwood tree he was standing on was an Earl specialized in defense. Even Priam's most powerful attack would not have been enough to sever one of its branches. And yet, the fight between the Earl and the stranger made its whole trunk vibrate. Lions are known for the power of their roar. I'm not sure I'd survive that kind of attack either.
Sighing, Priam turned back to Blueberry. "So what's the purpose of this Spring?"
Blueberry shrugged in an almost human motion. "The Earl also uses the System. His tribulation is coming. It's his trump card."
Status: (Average value for a Homo sapiens male before integration: PHY 10 / MEN 10 / META 0)
PHYSICAL:
Strength 148
Constitution 258 (+3)
Agility 158
Vitality 284
Perception 294 (+5)
MENTAL:
Vivacity 175 (+1)
Dexterity 178 (1)
Memory 40
Willpower 274
Charisma 143 (+2)
META:
Meta-affinity 138 (+3)
Meta-focus 98
Meta-endurance 90
Meta-perception 32
Meta-chance 114
Potential: 1343 (-53)
Tier 0
[He Who Eludes Death] charge OFF. Reloaded in 13 hours 25 min 6s
[Tribulation]: Tribulations are coming.
Time: 17 hours 45 minutes 0 second.
Chapter 61: Indecent ProposalThe Domain seemed to be pressing down physically on Priam, trying to force him to bend his back. Submissive positions led to submissive habits. Priam refused to give in.As he advanced, he could feel the pressure building. Here, in the tree's heart, his ability to manipulate his mist was diminishing with every step. His bubble had gradually shrunk to a sphere barely a meter across.A few meters further on, Priam stopped again. He had no idea how long the tunnel was, but his sphere would soon be reduced to nothing if he went on like this. It was impossible to know what would happen then - certainly nothing pleasant. Inhaling calmly, Priam used Micro to slow his beating heart and save oxygen. There was no point in being stubborn, and this ordeal had to have a solution. Priam tried to take manual control of the sphere around him. He pushed back his mist to enlarge his breathing space. The ambient fog, supported by the Domain, pressed on him. After a few seconds, he realized that his efforts had no effect. Reflecting for a moment, Priam recalled his scientific knowledge. His mist was still a gas. It could therefore be compressed up to a certain limit. Beyond that, he remembered, the gas changed state and became a liquid. The more pressure at a constant temperature, the closer the gas was to a liquid state - and vice versa. It was why it was possible to boil water at just 72C at the summit of Mount Everest - because atmospheric pressure was so low. Smiling, Priam focused with Focus and produced more mist. What interested him here was compressing it as much as possible while keeping it in vapor form - Priam hadn't yet learned to breathe underwater. Once the pressure in Priam's sphere exceeded that of his surroundings, the mist would push back the tree Domain. The trick was to keep control of his mist during the operation.Priam sat down on the bark of the tree and began to meditate. The presence of the Domain was pressing on his mist and body. Only Micro and his new resistance skills enabled him not to flinch or give in to panic. The pressure on his body was as physical as it was mental. Fortunately, Priam's body was adapting.Lvl Up: Star Iron Body lvl 4CONST +3Priam thought for a moment before activating Meditation. The skill promised to help him concentrate, and he didn't expect to be physically attacked in the tunnel. In any case, if the tree wanted to kill him, Priam would already be dead. Legs crossed, breath slowed, Meditation and Focus working in concert, Priam used Moon Mist. His meridians had recovered a little since his fight with Blueberry. They were activated to transform the aether in Priam's reserves into steam. The aether circulated through Priam's body down to his skin and seemed to magically create a mist outside his body. Priam knew that one day he'd have to find out exactly how his skill worked, but that would be for another time. The mist began to densify in his sphere, and some naturally flowed out. Instantly, Priam lost his control and frowned. He had just increased the amount of mist in the tunnel and thus strengthened the tree's domain.Priam took a breath and refocused. A white haze began to materialize on the surface of his body. This time, he controlled it to prevent it from moving away. Over the next few seconds, he increased the amount of mist in his sphere while preventing it from leaving. After a few seconds, his sphere was saturated. If he continued to produce mist, it would become liquid. Priam stopped and concentrated all his Will into Moon Mist. He wished to take conscious control of all his mist. The seconds passed slowly as Priam's consciousness tried to completely dominate the mist that belonged to him. Initially, he had tried to befriend it. It was a good technique as it allowed Priam to manipulate the fog without expending a lot of mental resources. But when a better friend arrived - here, the Earl Jubokko - the friendly mist refused his orders. A few minutes later, Priam began to lose patience. As his Will tamed one part of the mist, another part slipped out of his control and sphere of authority. He then had to recreate the fog, losing aether in the process. The tree's domain prevented him from naturally recovering his aether. Priam's number of attempts was therefore limited. The young Viscount's mood was darkening despite Meditation. His frustration wasn't helping his concentration, and Priam was making more and more mistakes. Finally, after several minutes of failure, he decided to spend his stolen resources. They would be useless if he died as a result of his next Tribulations. He wouldn't take these treasures to his grave, so he might as well spend them. From one of his pockets, he reached into the small purse that accompanied him everywhere and pulled out one of the trophies he had borrowed from the Revenants. The treasure took the form of a small tea case. Priam took out a leaf of a blue he would have called temporal for want of a better adjective. IdentificationDa Hong Pao Aethereal - A leaf of an extraordinary orchid-flavored tea. As an emperor's beverage, Da Hong Pao enables you to sequence your thoughts and focus your attention. This leaf permanently purifies the mind.Best consumed as an infusion, it can also be swallowed directly. Priam swallowed the leaf - he didn't have a teapot next to him. He winced as he swallowed. Blueberry's claws did a number on him. After a second, Priam allowed himself a smile. The tea's description was brief, but its effect was fantastic. His mental capacities seemed unlocked, similar to when he used his Potential - minus the divine inspiration. Suddenly, it was easy to manipulate his mist, and Priam's mind covered his entire sphere. He imagined himself mentally locking control of his sphere, and suddenly his mist seemed to freeze. The pressure of the tree's domain had almost disappeared as Priam rose to his feet. He resumed his progress through the plant tunnel, his sphere now protecting him from the Jubokko Domain.His breakthrough was artificial, and he knew it. The aether in the tunnel was as dense as the pressure of the Domain was intense. As the seconds ticked by, the effects of the tea leaf disappeared. But like a child with the little wheels removed from his bike, Priam had managed to dominate his sphere once. He'd managed to ride and had no intention of falling again. His mind now knew how to dominate the mist close to him, and Priam concentrated on keeping control. The Jubokko Domain continued to compress his bubble of steam with every step. He may have covered two hundred meters since the beginning, but the tunnel seemed endless. Drops of sweat beaded on his forehead as he pushed back against the tree's efforts. Suddenly, the effects of the tea disappeared, and Priam stopped. The pressure of the Domain was now colossal and threatened to crush Priam. Only his mist saved him, and the young Viscount concentrated with all his might to keep it under control. Priam had been motionless for several seconds. Slowly, time passed as his mental effort became more and more intense. His strength was wearing thin, but he wasn't giving up. Mentally, he kept telling himself that he would become the best. He had faced the rabhorn, the hoplite warrior and even Abominations. He had always survived.In the end, he would save his family. He would be free. Fists clenched, Priam put all his Willpower to work, taking control of his mental attributes to fight against the Domain that was crushing him. Vivacity, Dexterity, Perception... All these attributes came to life under the impulse of his Will, and helped Priam focus on his survival. He didn't know what he was fighting for. He didn't know if there was a way to win. But he was fighting death. It was what he had always done.Finally, after a while, the moment's intensity triggered a change. Something clicked. Lvl Up : Focus lvl 20PERC +1VIVA +1DEXT +1Focus has reached level 20. As a rare skill, a bonus is available. Choose one of these three options:Greater Focus - Reinforces the advantages and disadvantages of Focus. POT -30Body Focus - Focus works best when focusing on your body. Synergizes with Micro. POT -30Mental Focus - Focus works best when focusing on your mind. Synergizes with Domain. POT -30 Priam gave himself a moment's thought, which almost proved fatal. The Domain swallowed part of his mist, instantly reducing the volume of his protective bubble. Death was less than fifty centimeters from his face. Closing his eyes, Priam made up his mind. It was still too early to choose between Micro and Domain. Micro was a Supremacy he'd already unlocked. However, Priam found Domain extremely useful. He didn't intend to be a brute who could only destroy his enemies with his bare hands. Priam aspired to do more than that. Greater Focus - Reinforces the advantages and disadvantages of Focus.POT -30"... What are you doing here?" asked Priam."I was reporting to the Earl before a catastrophe occurred." Blueberry straightened, exposing a right arm that was at an odd angle. The Viscount caught his arm and pulled it back into place with a swift movement. Priam winced at the sound before looking around.They were high, almost to the top of the tree, and the branches formed a kind of natural bowl. Seats were carved into the wood at the sides. A promontory - also carved - dominated the assembly. Above them, in the canopy, the redwood's leaves trembled - the result of a titanic battle. But Priam's eyes were on something else. At the bottom of the bowl, an amber liquid stagnated.IdentificationSpring - The quintessence of blood absorbed by the Jubokko, mixed with its sap. Contains a mighty regenerative power. Priam almost rushed to bathe in the several thousand liters of sap that lay before him. His lung was still hurting, and the Blood Way hadn't helped. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," Blueberry warned without moving.Priam stopped and watched the bear. He knew he was faster than the Viscount, and the latter was in no condition to stop him. Looking around, Priam detected a few animals hiding and watching the fight above them. Each one looked powerful, and some were Viscounts. None looked at him."Why not?" "Because the Earl sacrificed thousands of beasts to feed the Jubokko and create this Spring. That's why the areas around the Domes are empty. Every liter of this pond comes from countless sacrifices. If you touch it, he'll sacrifice you too to atone for your sin."The Jubokko's trunk trembled as the fight above them reached its climax. "And why would the Earl need this resource? Does Anatole scare him so much?"Blueberry growled. "Don't be stupid, human. You can feel the vibrations of the fight all the way here. The leader of the false humans would die just by hearing the Earl's roar."Priam looked up. The redwood tree he was standing on was an Earl specialized in defense. Even Priam's most powerful attack would not have been enough to sever one of its branches. And yet, the fight between the Earl and the stranger made its whole trunk vibrate. Lions are known for the power of their roar. I'm not sure I'd survive that kind of attack either.Sighing, Priam turned back to Blueberry. "So what's the purpose of this Spring?"Blueberry shrugged in an almost human motion. "The Earl also uses the System. His tribulation is coming. It's his trump card."Status: Average value for a Homo sapiens male before integration: PHY 10 / MEN 10 / META 0PHYSICAL:Strength 148Constitution 258 +3Agility 158Vitality 284Perception 294 +5MENTAL:Vivacity 175 +1Dexterity 178 1Memory 40Willpower 274Charisma 143 +2META:Meta-affinity 138 +3Meta-focus 98Meta-endurance 90 Meta-perception 32Meta-chance 114Potential: 1343 -53Tier 0He Who Eludes Death charge OFF. Reloaded in 13 hours 25 min 6sTribulation: Tribulations are coming.Time: 17 hours 45 minutes 0 second.
