19.2

The Dark Juggernaut was predictably the most annoying thing Eve had fought so far. Not in relation to its actual power, but in the fact that the creature knew when it was outmatched. Instead of charging forward to die, the damn raptor-cat hybrid attempted to escape. At least it is smart enough to see the difference in power.

What should have been a short jaunt to hit Tier Four turned into a two-year slog of combat. She spent the time between respawns zipping up to the upper levels and wiping out monster populations. Entire floors would be emptied and the crystals pumped into the expanding Loki Familia. Finn had devised and negotiated a standardized system for when she summoned a Dark Boss.

The years hadn’t been without progress. Eve didn’t fail to note the ever-increasing numbers of Delvers. Personal transportation craft such as speeders, skimmers, hover boats, and float barges were common now. Communication crystals had led to the ability to call for assistance thus increasing safety by a large margin. No longer did surprise Pass Parades lead to mass fatalities. Instead, the monsters were led into chokepoints and murdered en masse with vicious brutality.

While the Dungeon was sentient, it wasn’t able to plan complex strategies. That weakness was easily apparent when heavy tank constructs were used to hem in monster waves. The development of artillery was a key breakthrough for the Hephaestus blacksmiths. Eve had heard there were two schools of blacksmithing now. One for melee weapons and one for ranged apparently the arguments ran deep after a few drinks.

Eve used the time between respawns to travel, but the world wasn’t very interesting outside Oro Oro. It was mostly villages, a few cities, and an empty wilderness. There wasn’t anything challenging outside the Dungeon. Monsters from the wilderness were like pale imitations of those found beneath Oro Oro. Eve had calmly accumulated the mana inside of her during the two-year wait. And now, after the patient period of her wait, she was finally ready to unlock the full potential of that energy and reach Tier Four.

Eve hadn’t completely wasted the intervening time. She had studied every book, every manual, and every ancient text that she could get her hands on. She had meditated for hours on end, focusing her mind and her energy, pushing herself to new heights of concentration and discipline. She had endured countless hours of grueling physical training, pushing her body to the limits of its endurance and beyond. If she sometimes took a break to cook delicious meals, well that was something a Soul Cook needed to do better to stay in practice.

The Guild had sent her a politely worded letter asking her to stop her efforts to reduce the criminal population. Apparently, the ingredients were noticed when Eve acquired them in large batches every few months.

When the final Dark Juggernaut appeared, Eve was ecstatic. The poor creature lasted a fraction of a minute before being bombarded to death in a closed box of ritually sealed space. As soon as the corpse hit the floor, she ripped the final crystal out. Witch’s Dust smoothed the floor to a mirror gloss before carving a large Sacrifice to Power circle into place. Two years had been plenty of time to figure out the ins and outs of ascension.

Eve placed the final crystal of thirteen into its allotted place before the entire cavern was bathed in silver light. She closed her eyes and focused her mind, drawing on the energy within her combining it with the ambient mana, and then cycling it into the Ritual. She felt the massive power coursing through her veins, pulsing with chaos and potential. She opened her eyes and raised her hands, palms facing outward. A tear in space formed before her eyes, a ripple into a portion of the Void just outside the Crystal Wall Defense.

A surge of energy shot out from her fingertips, a brilliant burst of light that lit up the room. Like a signal light from the deeps of space, it flashed in a complex pattern of mana. Eve was confused until she felt her energy level spike, reaching levels that they had never seen before. Suddenly a message flashed before her eyes in golden script. Her silver eyes widened in shock.

System Wilson has received the coordinates of Eve Smith.

Calculating…

Inferior Constructed System recognized…

Recalibrating User…

Corrective Measures applied…

Deciphering Patch…

Registering Coordinates…

Claiming World…

Moving Reality Slice…

[This World has been claimed by The System.]

Eve felt her communication crystal jitter with multiple requests. She ignored it in favor of looking at the woman weaving herself into existence.

“Hello, Wilson,” Eve said with a raised eyebrow. “Mind filling me in?”

System Wilson looked her over and said, “Certainly, but let us first fix that dreadful jury-rigged monstrosity.”

Eve felt instructions transmit themselves to Witch’s Dust providing information. Silver motes swirled around her in an ever-growing storm. The Core World Construct was absorbed into her Soul before being reconstructed. She felt her body shift as Witch’s Dust overwrote the current world’s forced template. There isn’t enough mana for this.

“That won’t be enough no matter how efficient you are.” System Wilson said towards her sparkling silver tool. With a waved hand from the System avatar, a flood of mana poured into the swirling silver motes providing the boost needed.

Words shifted in the golden letters of the System.

Witch’s Dust shifted the words into silver script. Eve decided not to comment on either.

Silver Status Template has been [Corrected]!

“Status,” Eve said with anticipation.

Status

Name(s): Eve Smith, The Silver Witch, Zun Eve

Level: 7,500 (Tier Six)

Race: Silver Prime Traveling Dust Witch

Class: The Silver Prime Traveling Witch of the Dust Library

Profession: Silver Prime Traveling Dust-Talisman Librarian

Affinities (4): Paper, Ink, Space, Dust

Mana: (Infinite)

Sustained through use of the Traveling Dust Witch's Core of Space-Papered Ink-Dust.

Stats: 105k (All equal due to Ritual of Balance)

Str 105k

Dex 105k

Con 105k

Int 105k

Charm 105k

Slots: 117B, 64M

Skills

Traveling Dust Witch's Core of Space-Papered Ink- Dust

You extract food to regenerate the appropriate Resource from anything within your Zone. Immune to Mana Burn.

Immune to World Energy Overload.

Immune to Chaos Contamination.

Everything is food for a Traveling Dust Witch.

Runic Cryptography V

You can decipher any Rune Language.

There is no lock without key.

Ritual Rune Ciphering V

You can write in any Rune Language learned. Skeletons keys are not supreme.

Runic Skeleton Key V

You can break any Rune Lock with time.

Unlock the potential of eternity.

Ritual Runes of Body V

You can carve Runes into your flesh to form Rituals. Only a single Rune can be active per each amount of twenty thousand Intelligence Stat.

A true Rune Mistress is never unarmed.

Skills

Soul Cooking

Runes, Flesh, Soul, Food.

Art from the ancient Dremora. Let the Hunger be assuaged!

Runes of Flesh (5/5)

Rune of Shroud

Burn existence to fuel existence.

You maintain a Shroud of Mana under your control around you.

Rune of Ink

You have learned the Primordial Rune of Ink. The pen is mightier.

Rune of Paper

You have learned the Primordial Rune of Paper. Record to remember.

Rune of Space

You have learned the Primordial Rune of Space. Infinite.

Rune of Dust

You have learned the Primordial Rune of Dust. Bigger isn't always better.

Spells

Siren's Voice

Your voice is pleasing to all.

Your voice can be altered at will.

This effect is maintained indefinitely with Mana.

You cannot be Intimidating while using this Spell.

Dryad's Scent

Your scent is pleasing to all.

Your scent can be altered at will.

This effect is maintained indefinitely with Mana. You cannot be Unclean while using this Spell.

Continuous Prestidigitation

You are always under the effect of Clean V. Your clothing is always under the effect of Clean V. This effect is maintained indefinitely with Mana. You cannot be Stained while using this Spell.

Summon Food

You can summon any food you have eaten before. You cannot Poison any food you have Summoned. You cannot Disease any food you have Summoned. You cannot Enchant any food you have Summoned. You cannot Sustain from any food you have Summoned. This effect has a variable cost in Mana.

Summon Drink

You can summon any drink you have drunk before. You cannot Poison any drink you have Summoned. You cannot Disease any drink you have Summoned. You cannot Enchant any drink you have Summoned. You cannot Sustain from any drink you have Summoned.

This effect has a variable cost in Mana.

The cost in Mana for alcoholic drinks is double the normal cost.

Thousand Ghostly Hands

You have a thousand ghostly hands that touch the mortal world in a thousand unseen ways.

Each hand can craft with the affinity of your own. You cannot use these hands directly to fight.

The number of hands currently in use depends on the amount of Mana allocated.

Items

Primarius:

Talisman of Dust III (Unique)

Soulbound.

A mystical Talisman created by a combination of Skills, Spells, and Traits that were exposed to the Primordial Dust. Mystical runes scroll across the surface, their power beyond mortal minds.

Two may exist, one bound to the Witch, one to her Hut.

The cost of new Runes increases by double the previous amount.

There is no limit to the amount of space to inlay Runes.

The Item is unaffected by anything lower than a Higher Power. Grants Immunity to Mind, Body, or Soul alteration.

Grants Damage Reduction.

Grants Balance of Power. Grants Immortality.

Grants Devour.

I am forever, I eat eternity.

Secondus:

Tome of Dust (Ritual)

Soulbound.

A mystical book Sustaining multiple Rituals.

Witch's Ink Athame (Ritual)

Soulbound.

A mystical knife Sustaining multiple Rituals.

Witch's Paper Candle (Ritual)

Soulbound.

A mystical candle Sustaining multiple Rituals.

Tertiarious:

Core World Construct

Potential to decipher, absorb, and structure made manifest.

Zones

Primarius:

Library of Dust III (Unique) Soulbound.

A mystical Zone created by a Librarian exposed to the Primordial Dust. Library, Factory, Sanctuary, and Sword is the Zone.

Two may exist, one bound to the Witch, one to her Hut. The Zone attracts ambient mana doubling

regeneration rates.

The Zone allows for Space Folding limited only by Sight.

The Zone is unaffected by anything lower than a Higher Power.

Grants Multiply. Grants Manipulate.

Grants Consume.

Grants Craft.

Grants Sight.

Here be a monster, mortals

Perks

Ritual Paper V

Spend available Slots to create a Ritual with Paper.

Ritual Ink V

Spend available Slots to create a Ritual with Ink.

Paper Intent V

Spend available Slots to alter existing Paper.

Ink Intent V

Spend available Slots to alter existing Ink.

Big Tool Sack V

Within the space you command, all items are tools. Within the space you command, all tools are equal.

Paper Stack V

Spend available Slots to stack effects on Paper. Effects cannot be duplicated.

Max limit of ten effects.

Ink Sheets V

Spend available Slots to stack effects on Ink.

Effects cannot be duplicated.

Max limit of ten effects.

Tome of Dust (Ritual)

Grants Eternal Memory

What you witness cannot be forgotten.

Grants Sacrifice for Power

Using a runic circle trade material objects for Soul Slots.

Grants Instant Ritual

Rituals have no cast time.

Grants Boosted Ritual

Rituals are three times stronger.

Grants Permanent Ritual

Rituals are hardened into Reality unless dismissed by will.

Grants Multi-Layer Ritual

Wheels within wheels, gears within gears.

Grants Ritual of Space

Rituals can be carved upon Space itself.

Grants Ritual of Time

Rituals can be carved upon Time itself.

Grants Ritual of Attack

All combat is easier.

Witch's Dust learns attack methods faster.

Grants Ritual of Defense

All defense is easier.

Witch's Dust learns defense methods faster.

Witch's Ink Athame (Ritual)

Grants Ritual of Truth

You know when they lie.

Grants Ritual of Elements

You play with fire as easily as drinking water.

You move earth as easily as air.

Grants Ritual of Detection

You know where they are.

Grants Ritual of Obscurity

You surround yourself with the inverse of your Charm Stat.

Grants Ritual of Silence

The bane of those who must speak to use Mana.

Grants Ritual of Reflection

Upon experiencing a non-physical attack Witch's Dust learns to reflect a smaller version of it using ambient mana.

Grants Ritual of Mimicry

You can mimic what you have experienced.

Combo: Ritual of Reflex

Grants Ritual of Movement

You are faster than mortal eyes can witness.

Speed above mortal limits requires Mana to be spent.

Combo: Ritual of Acceleration

Grants Ritual of Reflex

What you have fought once, you can defend against without thinking.

Combo: Ritual of Mimicry

Grants Ritual of Acceleration

As a combat encounter continues, you grow faster.

Combo: Ritual of Movement

Witch's Paper Candle (Ritual)

Grants Ritual of Strength

You are Immune to status effects involving Strength.

Grants Ritual of Dexterity

You are Immune to status effects involving Dexterity.

Grants Ritual of Constitution

You are Immune to status effects involving Constitution.

Grants Ritual of Wisdom

You are Immune to status effects involving Wisdom.

Grants Ritual of Intelligence

You are Immune to status effects involving Intelligence.

Grants Ritual of Charm

You are Immune to status effects involving Charm.

Grants Ritual of Balance

You cannot lose your balance.

Grants Ritual of Mapmaking

Where you travel, you remember.

Grants Ritual of Storage

Like a dragon's Hoard, a lich's Vault, or a fairy's Pocket, what you own is stored in a dimension accessed only by you as long as you exist.

Grants Ritual of Looting

Anything that isn't nailed down, and some that is, can be placed in Storage.

Eve smiled as she felt the power coursing through her. She closed her eyes and concentrated, focusing her energy on a single point. And then she felt it. A shift in her energy, a change in the way it flowed through her body. She opened her eyes and looked down at her hands, amazed at what she saw.

Her fingertips were glowing with bright, pulsing silver mana. She could feel the power surging through her, feel the potential for even greater strength and control. She raised her hands and concentrated, focusing her energy on a single point.

“Congratulations. Most people when they get lost in the Void don’t come back.” System Wilson said with a slightly impressed tone. “Considering your lineage though, I really can’t expect anything normal to apply effectively.”

Eve grinned as she pointed at the Void Tear with her power before she then she let it go. A beam of energy shot out from her fingertips, an explosion of power that shook the very foundations of the Dungeon.

Eve laughed in delight as she realized what she had just done. She had unlocked a whole new level of power, a level that few had ever achieved. Eventually, she was going to take it even further. Precision is the tool that allows for the best returns.

“Done?” System Wilson asked.

“Yes,” Eve said with a giddy grin. “I couldn’t help myself.”

“To business then, do you cede the coordinates of this world to me?” System Wilson requested with a formal tone.

Eve shifted her form dropping the wolf features and restoring her standard template of silver hair, eyes, and curves. “What exactly does that mean?”

It took a few hours for the nuances to be explained, but the long and the short of it were easy to understand. New dimensions existed, and those who discovered them commonly sold the coordinates. A new slice of reality was more than just a world, it was an entire universe of resources. Things like the Dungeon of Oro Oro were just one of the many strange or bizarre things that could be found in a new universe.

“I don’t mind selling, but will it affect those here?” Eve said with slight trepidation. Finn and the Loki Familia had been allies when she needed them. Even if it was best to sell them down the river, for their own good, she still wanted to make sure they were taken care of.

“Out with it. Who should I favor to make this deal worth it for you?” System Wilson said with candor.

Eve pursed her lips and said, “The Divine Loki, and her Familia members. They helped me when I had nothing but the bare minimum of resources. Return the favor in my name.” She watched as System Wilson cocked her head calculating. Her eyes caught the faint image of Numbers shifting around the System avatar.

“Done.” System Wilson finally said. “Now ask what you’ve been dying to know.”

“How did you find me?” Eve asked. If she had gone through suffering when the System was watching it might be time to re-evaluate her plans.

“Every single User is a carrier of the System. Like anchors to reality, they stabilize the space around them. It is the only way to hold territory in the Deeps. That is why killing above Tier Six is monitored closely. Every single Tier Six and Seven are anchors to claim more of the Deeps.” System Wilson said in a tone that brooked no argument.

“Tier Seven, it is a Threshold, isn’t it? I remember the wording on one of my tier-ups saying that.” Eve said as her thoughts raced. Crystal Core was stringing information together at lightning speed.

“Are you going to continue asking questions you know the answer to?” System Wilson asked stepping back into the Void Tear.

“No,” Eve said as her eyes narrowed.

“This intervention has cost one of the three that your brother paid for. You might have returned without it, but I saw no reason to risk it.” System Wilson said with a devious smirk right before the Void Tear closed.

Eve rolled her eyes at the System avatar as it departed. Over the next few hours, Eve spent every waking moment experimenting with her powers, trying to push them to new heights. She focused on refining her control, finding ways to channel her energy more precisely and with greater force. And then, after much trial and error, she discovered a way to modify her powers to make them even more effective with Ritual Runes. Her Crystal Core sped up the process of refinement by a large margin. The work of years compressed into minutes. It was also helpful that she didn’t need to take breaks to assuage her Curses anymore.

After almost seven straight hours of practice, Eve felt the approach of several crafts.

The Loki Familia had arrived.