Is it Wrong to take a Chance in the Dungeon XVI Part 1

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“Come out here and fight me!” A woman bellowed from outside the shop, grief and rage mixing in her voice. “Face me, killer of my Familia!”

…oooh fuck.

I gave a look to Anubis, and she wordlessly came behind me before pulling up the back of my shirt. With a thought, the comforting weight of the Magic Iron Sword fell into my hand, and I turned to face the rest.

“Will you deny my challenge, coward?!” I grimaced at the consequences of my actions quite literally following me home and knocking on my front door. “I know you are here, and I will not rest until the Captain of my Familia has been avenged!

“Done.” Anubis chimed in from behind me, before handing me my Status Page.

Name: Selah

Race: Human (Variant)

Level: 2*

Ability Scores:

STR: I - 0 -> F - 325

END: I - 0 -> E - 434

DEX: I - 0 -> C - 656

AGI: I - 0 -> C - 678

MAG: I - 0 -> S - 999

Developmental Abilities:

Luck - H

Improves Luck

Magic:

Skills:

Black Sheep - Increases the growth of stats in proportion to the risk being undertaken.

Mad Dog - Increases Mind regeneration in proportion to ill will and negative emotions.

Dragon Scales - Effectiveness of Endurance stat increases in proportion to damage currently taken. Endurance's applications have broadened.

A part of me considered Leveling Up here and now just in case, but I decided to hold off for now. I don’t think the woman outside would wait for that to happen, and I’d rather she not come inside right now.

Speaking of, I turned to the rest of the people inside with me. “Ryu, Lili, if you want to run away and pretend you have nothing to do with me-”

“Pretty sure you cursed me so I can’t do that.”

“Last time I left you alone, you did this, so no.”

I shrugged in acquiescence, they were right and I wasn’t going to pretend they weren’t. “Thank you, but let me deal with the person outside for now. Please.” They nodded, and I tugged my shirt back down before walking to the door.

“Selah.” Anubis spoke suddenly, and I turned to her. “You aren’t allowed to come back to me dead.” Her terms were harsh and unyielding, so I could only nod.

My vision flickered red when I spotted the disheveled Amazon, and I was immediately made aware that she was on the verge of a breakdown right this second, and was only barely holding herself together to kill me. Traditions of honor from her homeland are all she’s got right now, and just the sight made me sick to my stomach.

Because she didn’t die to my spell, so she didn’t deserve this. I’m not so mindless as to kill someone for unknowing association with a piece of shit.

But my contemplations on how the literal worst case scenario is standing right in front of me were cut short when Moth Voice informed me that the second-worse case scenario was watching me from afar. I didn’t know anything about them, but the same horrifying sensation I’d felt when staring down the first Infant Dragon pressed down on me, when they were actively trying to hide their presence.

SOS! Get the fuck out of here, someone stronger than Ryu is here! I blared into the four people standing inside the shop at my back. Take a back exit and get as far as you can!

I didn’t give them anything else to argue against, and instead looked at the live bait in front of me. And realized one final thing.

She was absolutely fucking terrified. Her shoulders trembled, her knees quivered, her eyes flickered as she visibly contemplated running at the mere sight of me. She wanted to put as much distance between me and her as physically possible, and yet she stood in front of me and leveled a great sword in my direction.

“I!” She barked out, chasing away her fear beneath unyielding rage, and in that moment I knew that she was the exact kind of person I respected the most. An honorable warrior. “Am Aisha Belka, de-facto Captain of the Ishtar Familia! You have killed my sisters in arms and my predecessor, and I will have your head!”

She drew her blade, and despite everything she didn’t immediately charge me after she had finished. Not out of the fear she had discarded, but out of honor. 

Fuck, why did she have to work with them?

“... Selah, Captain of the Anubis Familia.” I spoke plainly, letting my Magic Iron Sword fall into my hand, heart heavy as the knowledge of how much I didn’t want to kill her washed over me. “While your sisters were slavers, I’m sorry that I’ve hurt you.”

While half her face was covered in long, messy hair, the visible eye glared at me with all the hatred she could provide as she screamed her heart out and charged at me-

The sword suddenly swung, and I had to rush to catch it with my blade, only for the tiny thing to completely shatter at first contact. But the swing was barely slowed, so acting on pure instinct and adrenaline I fired off a Handcannon straight into her stomach that sent her flying away from me and into a building across the street.

I could still feel the shards from my now-broken sword digging into my skin through my plain-clothes- Lili and I had changed between leaving the Dungeon and going to celebrate at the Hostess of Fertility.

With a flood of magic, I forced the now-empty hilt to begin repairing itself before dismissing the thing. Thankfully the shards of metal left along with it, though now small streams of my blood were trailing down my body, though it would be a quick fix with a potion. Which I can’t take with her getting up so quickly.

Fuck, she’s a Level Three. I don’t think I can fight her without killing her.

She’s too durable, too strong, and too fast for me to restrain nonlethally. A curse that’d slow her down would most likely cripple her when Ishtar finally gave in to my spell and she was left Falna-less. And the rest of my options varied from either too weak to affect her, or extremely lethal.

… fuck! No, I’m not going to compromise on this shit!

My shadow pooled beneath my feet beneath the absolute inky darkness that filled the sky, and with a thought a sword burst free hilt-first from the ground. Holding the edgy weeb-stick in my hand, eyes narrowed in frustration, I enacted a long-dormant spell I’d saved for an occasion not quite like this.

“Burn it out.” And with that, I could feel the astronomical amount of Mind that constantly filled my very being ignite and wisp away like smoke through my fingers. The process was thankfully quick, even if Aisha was going through a fucking flashback or something in that crater.

The sensation of being completely devoid of any and all magic was… haunting, in a word, considering how used to the sensation I’d become. It was like a star athlete suddenly waking up  middle-aged and overweight- every single thing about my body was both completely wrong and absolutely mine.

Though, the undeniable power echoing in my flesh more made up for it. The muscles in my body, already enhanced by my goddess, were practically rebuilt from the ground up. Undeniable power filled my flesh like an ocean, and a light tensing of my form made me feel as if I were made of steel. A single word fell from my lips, followed by an undeniable grin.

“Abracadabra.” And then I moved, stepping forward and swinging my sword in the same motion, knowing exactly how Aisha would block the strike before I’d even closed the distance. Her eyes widened, “-Satisfy my body, penetrate my body-” as three more slashes came from the opposite side from the first, faster than she could block.

My blade carved through the bare flesh, three smooth cuts along bare flesh before Aisha stepped away, “-Kill my body and prove your worth.” and swung brutally towards my hip, on my unarmed side.

Most likely, she hoped that I’d at least need to step back from the attack so I wouldn’t be cleaved in half, but unfortunately for her I flicked my wrist and let my katana cleave straight through her greatsword. While she looked on in shock, she finished her chant. 

“My starving blade is Hippolyta! Hell Kaios!” A shockwave of burning red Mind cut through the air and surged out towards me- like shark fins parting the water in pursuit of prey.

Unfortunately for them, I was significantly faster. In a breath, I was behind Aisha, and the hilt of my sword crashed into her temple. Her head twisted to the side from the force of the blow, but I knew she was merely unconscious.

I caught her before she could fall into a heap, and quickly pulled out one of my health potions before feeding it to her. If there’s one good thing about being in an anime world, it’s that unconscious girls naturally swallow.

… I blinked, and suddenly realized the fight was over.

450 points banked.

Roll failed.

… That’s concerning, but I have more important things.

Like the fact that I suddenly feel fucking amazing. Despite being under the effects of a Heavenly Restriction, it doesn’t feel like it’s restricting shit! I felt like I could punch steel into pudding, outrun the fucking wind, and react to lightning!

Anubis, using this has to be the best decision I’ve made today!

My Heavenly Restriction isn’t a curse, but a Binding Vow. In exchange for completely emptying my entire Mind Reserves, my strength is increased proportionally to what I give up. Including spells, techniques, and all that shit. And while the Vow prevents natural Mind regeneration while I’m on empty, I have two batteries filled with mana and a cheat-sheet from god on my back that says it won’t be a problem.

Though I did need to prevent myself from using Mad Dog and leaving me with barely any Mind and no bullshit technique to defend me.

But the most sobering sensation of all had nothing at all to do with the jury-rigged challenge from the heavens, and everything to do with the initial code-phrase.

“Abracadabra.” I whispered to myself as I felt the effects stamp out, an influx of feel-good emotions flooding my brain, and giving me enough clarity to realize how much of a fucking mess I’ve made. And am.

While I do agree with the whole, murder every motherfucker who forces their will on innocent people thing, why the fuck did I have to pull a Light Yagami and act like I needed to make sure everyone knew about it?

“Abracadabra.”

I’ve been acting like an overdramatic bitch about the whole situation. I realize that I could’ve done this with any degree of stealth at all, but I didn’t. Whether it be pride, wrath, or whatever.

But what’s done is done. I can’t undo the spell, and whining isn’t going to change it. So, how about I run away from the big bastard stalking me- where did he go?

The Heavenly Restriction was the sole reason I survived the next attack. A whistle filled the air, and despite the unconscious sense of danger I’d cultivated from the constant life or death combat, even further enhanced by the Restriction- I didn’t notice the attack until it was almost too late.

A sword was pointed to my neck, and all the intelligence and instinct I had made it clear- the strike would completely separate my head from my shoulders. I could almost feel my perception of time slowing down, but the strike was still too fast

I couldn’t dodge it. The sword was going to hit, and there wasn’t a fucking thing I could do to stop or delay the strike.

… At least the swing came from my left.

My forearm flashed between the blade and my neck, the arm guard Bast had bought me parting like butter as it dug into the muscle and quickly made it’s way towards the bone. Waltzing with Death immediately popped into my mind, considering I wasn’t going made with agony at the impromptu amputation, so I frantically repeated Abracadabra under my breath as I punched the bastard with my good arm.

The fucker- “Abracadabra” - was sent flying back, though the sword he was holding went along with him, carving an even larger wound into my forearm. I- “Abracadabra” bit down the various screams and tears that threatened to come out as I experienced the most severe injury of my entire life.

My left arm leaked a concerning tide of red, and I was now incapable of closing my hand, but at least it hadn’t been completely chopped off. Abracadabra. I clutched the sword in my enclosed fist, and glared at the motherfucker who attacked me.

“Who the fuck are you?! Abracadabra!” I couldn’t afford to try and rummage for a potion- I’d be effectively disarmed, a phrase that I was pretty sure would give me flashbacks after today- and I was focused on flickering my eyes red and trying to learn everything I could about my enemy.

… Obsessed with attention, lacks any finesse whatsoever, extreme anger issues, impulsive- how the fuck did this jackoff sneak up on me then?!

“My name!” The giant werewolf bellowed, swinging my blood- Abracadabra- off his great sword with one hand. The other, he pointed towards himself. “Is none of your business, scum!” Alright, I guess I could add fucking loud to his weaknesses. “But you will pay for your crimes against my goddess, with your life!”

And then he moved, charging forward like a truck barrelling down a highway, sword held back in such a textbook and overextended swing it fucking hurt to look at. I stepped away with ease, considering his speed was based on genuinely throwing himself forward as hard as possible it didn’t take a genius to know where he was-

The sword was stabbing towards my stomach, and on raw twitch-reaction I twisted my wrist and stabbed my blade into his and forcing him to impale the greatsword into the stone road we were standing on.

Following through, I slashed at the wielder of the sword who was still holding the hilt-

A sickly crack echoed out from my leg as the motherfucker- Abracadabra- kicked me in the leg before following up with a punch to my ribs that knocked me off my feet.

The world turned sideways as wind rushed in my ears and I was sent flying away, my mind racing as I was getting my fucking ass handed to me in a way that made no sense.

He was obviously using something to fuck with my perception of him- he was the least stealthy person I had ever met! I sensed him earlier despite him being higher class, yet I consistently react to the wrong thing!

My impromptu flight ended when a nearby building caught me, and my momentum sent me crashing through the outer wall and skidding inside. Bouncing once on my severely injured arm, and feeling my ribs scraping against themselves, I lashed out with my sword and anchored myself by stabbing into the ground.

The blade dragged a bit across the ground, and I muttered another abracadabra through what felt like sawdust.

For a moment, despite the recent application of my feel-good code word I wanted to pop my Domain Expansion. I wanted to curse this fucker with all my heart and soul, and make him pay for doing this shit to me.

But then a thought occurred- well, more a memory of something. 

On a show called LBX (Little Battlers eXperience), the main character had learned a new technique and during his first battle after learning it- he just spammed the move over and over.

Naturally, despite how powerful the move was, he lost. And he vowed that he’d never fight like a one-trick pony again, and use everything he’d learned from now on.

The mistake I’d made was irritatingly similar to that. I hated something, so I cursed it without second thought. No, I tried to think twice about it, but I ignored it to ride the high of my own rage.

I am a curse specialist. I probably always will be. But fuck, I’m more than that! I’m a shitty swordsman, a basic-bitch tactician, and Captain of the Anubis Familia.

All those things mean something, an ability to use my brain and consider my options, and the accountability to do so. And I tossed it aside in an instant.

I don’t regret my spell or the intent behind it- but I cannot forgive myself for doing the magical equivalent of wearing fingerless gloves during a heist!

“Abracadabra.” I muttered once more, grip tightening on my sword as I made the decision I should’ve made hours ago and used my head.

… Before I couldn’t find him with my sixth sense, and only dodged because of my hearing. Then I tried to find him with my eyes, only for my instincts to kick in and realize he was attacking in a completely different way.

… Fuck, why do I keep fighting bitches with gimmicks?! What is this, Demon Souls?!

Right, focus. I exhaled heavily as I centered everything on my sword, and prepared to use the Heavenly Restriction to its fullest limits.

After all, despite being incapable of seeing curses unaided, Maki was capable of fighting against them just by feeling the wind move around their forms. And other such bullshit.

550 points banked.

Control - Maiden’s Prayer - Final Fantasy IX (200 points)

Roll Success! Purchased! 350 points remaining.

[Maiden’s Prayer] We’re not quite sure why it has the name it has. However, it does smell rather sweet, and while you hold it you find your health returns rather quickly regardless of injury. It allows a person to summon Fenrir, should they not know how.

A… what I can only describe as a bottle of perfume shaped like a flower bud fell onto the floor in front of me in a clatter. An item that gives me constant healing is perfect for me, especially right now.

… It’s too bad I’m currently fighting a guy I physically cannot predict, and can’t afford to grab it with my singular working arm due to the fact it’s holding my only weapon… ah, whatever.

I let go of the sword embedded in the ground and reached out for the Maiden’s Prayer, and immediately lashed out with a kick as the black-furred motherfucker tried to pounce on me.

Considering his complete reliance on overwhelming offense and the fact he probably expected me to not notice the attack, he was incapable of blocking and sent tumbling away.

“Abracadabra.” I muttered as I quickly scooped up the item before tossing the neck to my teeth as I threw myself back to my sword. Feeling the injuries throughout fix themselves with a soothing green light, I gripped the weapon in a crouch and focused solely on feeling the movement of the wind.

And suddenly I knew where he was. Right in front of me, catching his breath inaudibly as he picked up his massive weapon with visible strain.

Fuck, he’s actually a terrible fighter, isn’t he?

For the first since the fight began, I didn’t need to chant my codeword. My every muscle fell under my control, and I felt my pulse quicken even more than before in sheer excitement. This moment right here, turning the tides and snatching victory from defeat- it was what I lived for.

In one motion, I stood and pulled the blade from the ground, instinctively naming the attack as I went.

New Shadow Style-

And then He appeared, and my body stopped dead in it’s tracks.

… How do you describe the feeling of complete and utter defeat? Despite all the confidence I had, the elation and discovery I could only find on the edge of death, I had to fight to keep my weapon from tumbling out of my fingers.

Every thought of defeating the man behind him was completely cast aside as an impossibility, and my defeat became the only thing I could see from this point on.

The sun would rise. Water would flow. And the King would never lose.

… I squeezed the hilt tighter in defiance, as petty and inconsequential as it was.

“Enough.” Ottar, Captain of the Freya Familia, stated with the weight of a stone. “This battle is over. Selah,” I jolted at the sound of this seven foot behemoth uttering my name.”You have proven yourself in this battle. Our Familia will no longer interfere with you based on your actions this evening.”

My left hand jolted upwards and caught whatever he’d just thrown at me. Based on the feel, it was a vial of something.

“Wait.” I said suddenly, and the burly man didn’t bother reacting. “Was this all just- just a trial by combat or some shit?”

“Yes. Your actions, while initially concerning to us, had no actual effect on Freya herself. If it had, she would have ascended like Ishtar.” I didn’t particularly want to blink in front of these two, but to be honest they’d be able to kill me even with my eyes completely open, so why not?

Still, Ishtar had already gone? How did I not- wait, could I have even noticed? I’m practically a magic cripple at this point, and it’s not like everyone on the planet knows every time a divinity ascends or descends unless it’s nearby.

At the very least, Ishtar had still been around by the time I dropped Aisha… probably literally considering I’d been damn near assassinated. But she’s Level Three, she can take a face plant onto stone.

“Besides, isn’t it fitting for you to receive judgment without warning with execution being the consequence of failure?” The stone-carved behemoth expressed no emotions despite hitting me with the most painful statement I’ve heard since I fucking got here.

“So, that’s it? You all won’t do anything to me or mine now?”

“Why would we? You killed a dozen mortals we have nothing to do with, and booted a goddess to the Heavens. If you could do anything like that again, you would’ve used it in the fight instead of trying to improvise a sword technique with one hand.”

A shiver went down my spine- with just a glance, he knew exactly what I was about to do with my sword before I’d even swung? Who the fuck built this motherfucker?!

“You can’t use the technique again, and if it could affect Lady Freya it would have done so already. At this point, your actions have nothing to do with us. Be sure to drink the elixir.” 

And without giving me so much as the chance to blink, Ottar and the werewolf behind him disappeared. I blinked for a second, taking in the ruined shop around me, before finally rising to my feet.

Popping the cork of the vial, I let the rim rest against the inside of my lips- while I doubted Ottar would bother poisoning me, Moth Voice refused to let me just accept the gift from the guy who admitted to setting up my death with no concerns.

After finding no reaction, I knocked it back-

And got to experience the disquieting sensation of having my Heavenly Restriction forcibly shattered, because of course drinking a magic shot of liquid mana would shatter the technique.

Though I knew breaking it with Mad Dog would be even worse, considering I’d start in Mind Down territory, but the sensation of my body getting substantially worse was terrible. I was half-tempted to Level Up right then and there just so I could get everything right as soon as possible.

Now, where the hell did those four go?

A quick telepathy call informed me that they’d never left the shop, and that Ottar was going to get his shit rocked the next time I saw him.

Considering I offered no explanation of the situation besides ‘Strong guy, run for your lives’, the four people I was closest to decided to instead come to help me/jump him. So fucking proud.

Unfortunately the strongest adventurer in the damn city decided otherwise, and knocked out Ryu for trying to help anyway.

Naturally dropping off the magic item that heals all wounds to the person who fought for my dumbass even after I all but ignored her advice, I decided to sit in one of the other rooms while Bast dealt with Ryu and Aisha and Anubis finally got Lili her Falna.

Sitting on the ground, leaning against one of the wooden walls, I thought and contemplated for a while. My actions, the consequences of them, Anubis’ stomach-

“Oh, hey.” I greeted her, looking up past… peering through the valley of her sizable breasticles to see the calming yellow of her eyes looking down at me. “Finished inducting my student into your cult?”

The joke was stellar, but my heart wasn’t in it even as the Guide of the Dead hummed in confirmation. She then, ignoring all the free room in the offshoot I was sitting in, sat right next to me.

I looked inquisitively at her, and she patted her lap. I looked back at her.

She stared imperiously, leaving me no room to argue as I sighed and moved from where I sat to lay my head on her lap… after having her move several feet to the side, considering how much leg I have.

“Alright, Nubi, I’m in your lap.” A soft finger quickly fell over my lips, and I took the message.

“Okay. Now that everything is calming down, I want you to talk to me.”

“...” As much as I wanted to ask her ‘About what?’, even I wasn’t that dense. I let out a huff of hot air past my lips, before playfully biting the finger in front of me.

She removed her finger, looking both stoically unimpressed while her ears twitched in amusement. I chuckled lowly, before stopping and letting my thoughts come to me.

“... my spell reacts when an innocent person is forced, against their will to obey the target. But originally, I was going to kill every person who's ever had- owned a slave. Ryu and Lili kept me from doing that, thinking before I just fired blindly into the crowd.”

“Do you wish you had done the first spell?” Anubis asked, and I very much appreciated that I could only hear curiosity in her voice, even if the hand bruising through my hair was mildly distraction.

“... I wish I could use that spell without a guilty conscience. That everything was so simple, I could just kill my enemies and the evil in front of me, and not have to consider they’re people.”

“But you didn’t.”

“‘Cause I can’t. Because… because when I hear slave, I think of. Family. Grandmothers and grandfathers who lived on plantations, picking cotton.” I hated that I had to explain this to Anubis, who clearly had no idea what I was talking about or referring to but was so blatantly concerned it hurt me to see.

But… she needed to hear this. And I needed to say this.

“But when other people hear slave, they think of a bunch of other things. Debt slavery, prisoners, fucking Pokmon. And I… I can’t understand that. Those things are completely different, ‘cause those things are either deserved or at least semi-voluntary.”

“... When you heard about slaves in Orario,” Anubis’ eyes were soft, even as they seemed to glow like yellow lanterns in the unlit storage room we sat in. “You thought of us, didn’t you?”

I grimaced. “Yeah. I- I know that’s a stupid fear. That there are rules and regulations that prevent shit like that, but dammit when has any law completely stopped a crime from happening?” I asked hotly, glaring to the side at nothing. “Can anyone look me in the eye and tell me there’s a single person, willing to sell people, who wouldn’t snap up at the chance to make a goddess into product?”

“... And me saying that’s impossible doesn’t help, does it?”

I huffed humorlessly. “Maybe if I weren’t an emotional, out of context problem that gets attached too easily it would. But that ain’t true, so it won’t help.”

“... What did you gain?” A small smile found it’s way on my face, as that little bit of decision making came out of my Goddess’ mouth. When did I stop asking that question?

“Peace of mind, maybe a smidge of appreciation from Freya."

“What did you lose?”

“Anonymity, neutrality with a bunch of people, enemies I genuinely feel bad for hurting…”

“If you had thought it through, what would have changed?”

“... Probably wouldn’t have made a seen and made the entire thing much harder to connect to me.” I paused for a second, frowning. “Which, now that I think about it, is weird. Like, I’m certain the Hostess of Fertility girls wouldn't've snitched on me considering I still paid, and I don’t think a single person above Level One that didn’t worked there was around. So how the hell did Freya’s pack of simps figure me out?”

And why were they the only ones to attack? Considering the events that occurred, I’m hyper aware of everything nearby, but no one’s come this way since Ottar left.

Were the Freya Familia just the first ones to figure it out? Is everyone still afraid of going after Ottar’s prey, even if he never said anything about defending me-

“Anubis, I’m an idiot.”

450 points banked.

Divination - Status Page - Fate (Free)

Roll Success! Purchased! 450 points remaining.

 A natural boon given to all masters, you have the ability to view the abilities of your servant and other beings in the form of an RPG statistics page. While this does not give you any information you do not already know, it does put it into an easily understandable format. 

Oh shit that’s actually really good. Thank Anubis I don’t have to write the Status Pages for this.

“I know.” 

Ignoring her smartass comment, I continued. “I… don’t think anyone else actually knows. The first guy told Aisha about me to act as bait… or kill me if I was too weak, but I don’t think anyone other than Freya’s Familia knows it was me. I mean, I’ve flooded the Hostess of Fertility-”

Anubis’ shoulders shook with silent laughter, but I continued to ignore her. “- With my Villainous Aura before, and no one really acted weird about it. I don’t think anyone was paying attention to my conversation with Ryu, because as much as I love that girl I can barely hear her when she’s standing right next to me sometimes.”

“And considering no one else has made their way here, since we don’t exactly hide where you live, they probably aren’t coming.” The jackal girl added, and I pointed at her in agreement.

“Right, so… the only issue is that I had left before everything happened, but who the fuck would suspect a Level Two of doing this based on the crimes of ‘feeling extra scary’?”

“Loki and her Familia.” She said, making it clear that in exchange for having the majority of Orario left none the wiser, the two stronger Familias are more than aware.

… Oh Anubis, I’m going to have to make sure they don’t try to arrest me or something, aren’t I?

“Let’s… check if we’re cool in the morning, after I bullshit some barriers.”

“And have sex.”

“And-” My heart throbbed in my throat at the sudden non-sequitur. “Huh?”

“I said tonight and I meant tonight, terrorism and Freya be damned.” A wild look entered Anubis’ eyes as she stared down at me, a small yet sharp smile on her face. “I’m not waiting for a second set of assassins to get bored.”

… huh. Not the weirdest boner I’ve ever had, but I’m still concerned.

Ah, what the hell, not like there’s anything better to do. I’ll deal with murder and my non-existent innocence tomorrow.

A/N: Chapter complete, hopefully this one doesn’t light the forums on fire.

I know I probably didn’t satisfy every single complaint or issue in this chapter, but I did my best to make sense of everything that’s happened. A few of the things in the Chapter XV Incident were extreme considerations based on the events prior, but due to various real life things I didn’t have the energy to do much aside from the general response post.

The concerns were valid, and I do acknowledge the awkward cut-off point as the main reason for them. But the scale of everything, save the spell itself, was exaggerated due to people taking everything to the logical extreme.

Thank you to everyone who defended me when I didn’t have the mental energy to. Thank you to everyone who rightly criticized me for the faults in my writing. I hope I landed this burning plane.

Again, thank you for reading. Peace.

[Ancient Traditions] Souls are powerful, the Lord Souls are the entire reason for the rise and victory of the gods against eternal dragons. According to ancient traditions, gods would put dying allies out of their misery to take their power, making good use of the waning soul within them. Following the old ways, you too have taken to following this practice and the benefits it implies. By being in physical contact with an enemy on their death, you are able to absorb their essence into yours directly. What exactly this entails depends on those you slay/are touching when they die. Normal souls simply empower you a little, or en masse will begin to make you grow larger. Truly numerous souls can even cause you to double or triple in size. Those who would have “Boss Souls” as identified in the “Soul Collector” general perk can impart entirely new abilities and skills that you didn’t have before. Based on power in relation to your soul, they can even give considerable enhancement to power. It’s important to note two things however. The first being that souls with natures in direct opposition to your own, such as belonging to someone with a polar opposite mind, or belonging to a being completely unlike yourself, can have subtle unwanted influences as well When purchased with Knight of the Lord, you can instead direct the absorption of a soul into a piece of equipment you currently have on you, such as weapons, armor or miscellaneous objects, to enhance those things instead. Taken with Lord Splinter, and you can throw lightning spears with Miracles. 

SI: On one hand, this seems extremely useful, and gives me access to soul-manipulations. On the other, it’s from Dark Souls, if I kill anything too different from me I get corrupted by their mindset/personality, and Anubis will make me sleep on the couch if I fuck with the souls of the dead too much. And it’s 600 fucking points.