Path of the Slayer B3 62. Veterans & Domains

“Took you long enough,” Merlin said, his voice the first to greet me as I awoke. “Watch it. The first moment of being a Veteran is trippy. It’s like having your sixth sense turn from an innie to an outie.”

“Dude, no, that’s a terrible description,” Thumper muttered, getting into an argument with the dwelf as their voices registered with values.

Every word was tracked and counted for. I knew the exact decibel of every uttered syllable somehow. I also knew the degree of heat they radiated, their exact measurements, and more information that was frankly too much. I also felt them reading me, measuring me, and the same was happening from other directions as I scanned my luxurious bedroom.

Grimmy was holding her stalwart stance next to me, and an eerie power similar to the others overlapped with mine. I also noticed the Young Pathwalkers who didn’t emit the overlapping power – a Domain – and seemed easily readable. I gathered their various values far easier. They were like open books, my System Logs confirming such.

[Identifying check succeeded! Pathwalker Weaver, Epic Path Energy, Level 92. Threat Assessment: Low. Deeper Description: Available.]

[Identifying check succeeded! Pathwalker Velira, Epic Path Energy, Level 93. Threat Assessment: Low. Deeper Description: Available.]

[Identifying check succeeded! Pathwalker Redfang, Epic Path Energy, Level 94. Threat Assessment: Low. Deeper Description: Available.]

[Identifying check succeeded! Pathwalker Kroker, Epic Path Energy, Level 94. Threat Assessment: Low. Deeper Description: Available.]

I blinked as the information became logged. This was far more invasive than mere observable measurements. Were Veterans using this the whole time?

I glanced over at the table where Sharia and Zez sat. Unlike Merlin, Thumper, and Grimmy, they were voids within the perception of my Domain. Merlin’s description wasn’t wrong. It really felt like my sixth sense was extended outward, far out, where it circled about as an entire orb.

“Have you all picked your sphere type and enhancement already?” I asked.

They all confirmed.

“Give me a moment,” I said, getting out of the Seiza Position. I glanced over at the door, and Sharia caught the meaning of my look.

“Nobody tried anything,” she said. “I’d been waiting for it.”

I nodded at that before taking a seat on my bed. Doomie faded out of my body and ran over to hug Grimmy and fool around. It wasn’t hard to see that Grimmy was enjoying the playful exchanges with Doomie.

Smiling, I pulled up my Domain in my System Profile.

[Domain: Personal Parameters (Rare), One Unselected Sphere (Choose Here), One Unselected Enhancement (Choose Here).]

I checked the Personal Parameters first.

[Personal Parameters: Level 101 (Rare): This is the start of having my own system, basically. While bound to my Path and Path Energy, it’s also a filter for the values assigned to every accountable person, place, or thing in the Realm Verse. Yes, that means I can even examine the values of how much damage I can deliver or endure. More importantly, with this being Rare Quality, I can apply identifying checks to people and objects within my Domain.] [Cost: 0%]

“I have a Rare Quality for my Personal Parameters,” I admitted, not sure what else to say. This was going to take some getting used to. I was a walking mini-system now.

“Yay! That’s all four of us!” Grimmy cheered while still entangled in a wrestling/hugging match with Doomie.

Sharia chuckled. “They really are monsters. Ours are Uncommon. Most Veterans have Common Quality.”

“There, there, dear. They’re going to need it with where they’re going.” Zez patted his wife on the cheek while standing in her lap.

“Are we allowed to hear this?” Velira asked. “Every time I try to learn more about the specifics surrounding a Veteran, it’s pushed aside.”

“Part of that is because of the System,” Zez explained. “But we have a unique opportunity where the System loosens her parameters at the birth of new Veterans. Your four Young Pathwalkers can use this to your advantage.”

Our juniors paid the new Veterans rapt attention. Redfang looked like she was going to burst a blood vessel with how intensely the half-gnoll watched me.

“I’m starting on the Sphere Selection,” I said, prompting for my options.

[Damage Sphere: Level 101 (Common): Activate this, and enclose your entire Domain in a Sphere that increases damage. Can only be used once after every full meditation.] [Cost: -100%]

[Defense Sphere: Level 101 (Common): Activate this, and enclose your entire Domain in a Sphere that increases defense. Can only be used once after every full meditation.] [Cost: -100%]

[Electromagnetic Sphere: Level 101 (Uncommon): Activate this and enclose your entire Domain in a Sphere that increases electromagnetic magic. Can only be used once after every full meditation.] [Cost: -200%]

[Hell Sphere: Level 101 (Uncommon): Activate this and enclose your entire Domain in a Sphere that increases hellish and cursed magic. Can only be used once after every full meditation.] [Cost: -200%]

[Doom Sphere: Level 101 (Uncommon): Activate this, and enclose your entire Domain in a Sphere that increases doom energy and magic. Can only be used once after every full meditation.] [Cost: -200%]

[Ancestral Sphere: Level 101 (Rare): Activate this and enclose your entire Domain in a Sphere that increases ancestral magic. Can only be used twice after every full meditation.] [Cost: -500%]

After seeing those options, I held back from selecting one. I flipped over to my Enhancement Selection. I could only choose one of each type, so I had to be doubly sure of what I got for the sake of synergy.

[Enhanced Support: Level 101 (Common): This can only be activated with a Sphere, enhancing support for your Personal Parameters.] [Cost: -100%]

[Enhanced Edge: Level 101 (Common): This can only be activated with a Sphere, enhancing the edge of cuts, thrusts, and such.] [Cost: -100%]

[Enhanced Bloodshed: Level 101 (Uncommon): This can only be activated with a Sphere, enhancing bloodshed.] [Cost: -200%]

[Enhanced Madness: Level 101 (Uncommon): This can only be activated with a Sphere, enhancing madness accrual.] [Cost: -200%]

[Enhanced Perception: Level 101 (Uncommon): This can only be activated with a Sphere, enhancing your perception.] [Cost: -200%]

[Enhanced Spirit: Level 101 (Rare): This can only be activated with a Sphere, enhancing soul and spiritual maneuvers.] [Cost: -500%]

If I were to dismiss everything other than the powers that were Rare Quality, it would cost me 1000% Path Energy with each use of Ancestral Sphere and Enhanced Spirit. Thankfully, I had a lot of energy.

Path Energy: 1500%.

That was me outside of armor. With armor, I would have 2500% Exquisite Path Energy. That was abnormal, and I knew the reason why.

[Vibrant Cultivator Core: Level 1 (Exquisite): With this lovely PASSIVE for Cultivators, your gates will remain at their nine positions: ankles, hips, wrists, shoulders, neck. Each one connects to the center of your body, just above the belly-button, where your core exists. Thus, leading you to having an extra 1000% Path Energy!] [Cost: 0%]

Earlier, it had mentioned an extra 200% Path Energy. The value had changed because I was a Veteran now. With all my new power, I could probably fight a Legendary Veteran at Level 150.

I could fight Sharia if I wanted to. That was insane.

Before I second-guessed myself, I secured the ones I wanted.

[Congrats! You’ve chosen Ancestral Sphere: Level 101 (Rare).]

[Congrats! You’ve chosen Enhanced Spirit: Level 101 (Rare).]

“See that look on his face,” Merlin said to Thumper. “That’s the look of someone with too much power and not enough nerfs.”

The tall, shadowy rogue shrugged. “I don’t have the Senior Giant Limiter Brand anymore.”

Merlin flinched away from the half-giant. “Oh, crap, seriously! Doesn’t that mean–”

“Yes, it does mean both of them are free. I’m a bit scarier now.”

Merlin looked from Thumper to me to Grimmy, green eyes shaking with realization. “I … have a lot more spell studying to do. Everybody’s going to surpass me, and I’m the Legendary!”

“It’s okay, little wizard.” Grimmy giggled while trapping Doomie in a headlock. “I’ll keep a spot underneath me open for you. You can be my squire!”

Merlin walked away, pulling out the gravity tome to flip through as he muttered madly under his breath. Despite Merlin’s insecurities about falling behind, having him be our sole Legendary was significant.

It wasn’t hard for me to guess that his Personal Parameters, Sphere, and Enhancement were all Rare Quality, and the latter two would only cost him -100% each. I soon learned I was correct when we traded info on our selections.

It didn’t pass my notice that everyone’s new Domain powers sounded similar to our own voices. Mine were more straightforward. Grimmy’s was more rapid and cute. Merlin’s was more in-depth. And Thumper’s was both dark and humorous. We all had chosen Rare Quality for our sphere and enhancement, regardless of the costs. We could all use our Spheres twice after every meditation.

“You need bonded armor,” I told Grimmy. “And I need to upgrade the bonded armor for Thumper and Merlin. That way you all will have anywhere from an extra 500% to 250%.”

The values differed depending on Path Energy Qualities. If all our bonded armors were Epic Level 101, then mine valued at 1000% Exquisite Energy while it would be 500% Epic Energy for Thumper and Grimmy. For Merlin, it would be 250% Legendary Energy. His full capacity would be less, but his Legendary Path Energy was a significant power in itself.

Talking about this and feeling out our changes was exciting. It was also tense, because it would be the four of us and Doomie against everybody else at the Grand Generational Passing.

“Did you all select the Level Lock?” I asked.

Merlin, Thumper, and Grimmy confirmed.

I opened my System Logs and followed suit.

[You have the one time option to Lock yourself at Level 101! This is important if you have Young Pathwalkers with you who are in the Level 90s or lower. And if you’re going to the Grand Generational Passing, you should definitely Level Lock. Please say yes.]

“Yes,” I said.

[You’ve been Locked at Level 101! You can request the System to end Level Lock at any time. If you end the Level Lock, you can’t partake in the Grand Generational Passing. Hold on until the ceremony, please.]

With that out of the way, I turned my attention to the next matter, what remained of my squad.

“You have something you want to say, Zez?” I asked, noticing how he kept twitching and hesitating to speak.

Even with him being a void in my Domain, my regular senses were far sharper and attuned than before. Every sound was far more crisp. Every touch was more sensational. And I could attune how much I wanted my senses to affect me. Everything about reaching the Veteran Grade was far better now.

“Well, sir, I suppose this is the perfect time to say I’ve already used my Dragon Princess Favor.” Zez smiled. “I was chosen when you could’ve revived anyone else. So, I figured it’d be best if Sharia and I spent this favor for our juniors here. A powerful group sent by the Dragon Princess will escort us to Velira’s place of stay. And they’ll act as an honor guard for, well, however long we need them.”

Velira’s eyes widened. “Elder Zez, this is too much.”

“We’ll be picking up our kids along the way, so that’ll ease the worry off our backs,” Sharia added. “I hope you don’t mind a bunch of rat-orcs scampering about.”

“I can babysit! I love babies! I’ll be really, really gentle and use oneness around them,” Redfang offered.

“I’ll be happy to assist as well,” Kroker offered.

Velira and Weaver shared a meaningful look before looking back at Sharia and Zez. They ultimately agreed to the offer.

From there, we held a proper celebration. I had plenty of pre-cooked meals from the Slayer Sanctum. But instead of just relying on that, I took a stove and some cooking implements out of a pouch and went about baking a cake.

I preheated the oven and greased the pan. Combining the dry ingredients acquired my attention next as I whisked together flour and baking powder in a bowl. In another bowl, I beat sugar and butter together with pure energy. Next, I added eggs one at a time and mixed it with vanilla extra.

With the wet and dry ingredients separately made, I combined the mixtures little by little while adding some milk periodically, beating it all together. With the oven already heated, I set the cake inside and worked on making frosting out of softened butter, heavily whipped cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Once the cake was done, I applied the frosting and served it to everyone.

With an expense of 80%, Slayer Feast enchanted the meal, and everyone dined in, drank, and passed around Merlin’s smoking pipe. We spent hours like this, eating, drinking, smoking, and conversing about anything. Doomie frolicked around, giving everyone within reach hugs and pats on their heads. She hugged Redfang the most every time the half-gnoll burst out and cried. Merlin received nearly as many hugs as he looked longingly into his cup of brandy.

I retold the story about the orphan hooch and had everyone laughing, Weaver falling over into the lap of his wife-to-be. When Sharia and Zez secluded themselves in my walk-in closet, Redfang grabbed me by the crook of my elbow and pulled me over to the far side of my bed. Then she sat down on the floor against the bed, and I joined her.

She snuggled in close, bringing all seven feet of her fuzzy frame against my six-foot own. When I looked into her eyes, I saw them sparkle with a deep need, the flesh of her cheek turning a deeper shade under her light fur. Then she leaned down and kissed me, and in that moment, my desire became still, calm, tranquil. It wasn’t fiery. It wasn’t fierce and feisty. It was accepting, but it was nothing like the passions I’d felt before.

When Redfang drew away, she looked into my face and let out a weary sigh that smelled heavily of alcohol. “What if she hurts you?”

“I’ll survive it.”

“What if she murders you? Or worse … eats you? I’ve been hearing about that. The Dragon Princess is preparing you. Like a sacrifice. And that’s not fair. You’re too incredible to be sacrificed.”

Smiling, I thought back to my years of being Rank 0. If Pathwalkers had more access to us lowly Rankers, would I’ve ended up on the dining table in front of Redfang?

Melody was probably the type who deemed other gods as worthy sacrifices.

“It won’t come to that,” I said.

Redfang furrowed her brow. “How are you so sure?”

“I have faith. And I’m fairly decent at this. Even if Melody feels tempted to take a bite, I’ll take her down still. She won’t see it coming.”

The half-gnoll let out a quiet and sorrowful howl before lunging onto me. We fell to the floor beside my bed, and she mounted me, her eyes set upon my face with a shaky, teary-eyed desperation. The only thing stopping her was my lack of passion reciprocating her advance. In the end, I reached up and patted Redfang kindly on her cheek, and she broke down from there.

For the rest of the night, she cried on my chest. I accepted her release of emotions, not judging her for it. She was helping me grieve as well.

I hoped the System would treat them kindly – Marnarka, Brug, Syleth, and even screwed-up Noodles. For anyone else, maybe not. For me, I imagined the System would shift the cosmos and bless them with whatever decent afterlife they’d landed in.

Once the morning arrived, I stuffed as much food blessed by Slayer Feast as I could into Zez’s and Velira’s storage devices. We exchanged our goodbyes, perhaps for the last time, and they left.

Five of us remained: Thumper, Merlin, Grimmy, Doomie, and myself.

“What’s next, Master Arden?” Grimmy asked, with a sunny steel in her eyes. Everybody turned to me.

I let out a slow breath. “We take our leave. Find a secluded enough spot. And conduct a special ceremony.”

They looked at me questioningly.

I smiled. “It’s time for you three to join me and Doomie. Be part of our roots. You’ve earned it.”

“Oh my freaking System, I’m getting the black card!” Merlin shouted, fists pumped, sparks of fire jetting from his mouth.

Thumper palmed his face, and Grimmy broke out into a dance with Doomie. I laughed and laughed.