XelofBloom

19.0

Added 2023-02-27 06:25:07 +0000 UTC

Eve was a skilled runemaster with Eternal Library and Crystal Core taking up the majority of the burden. In this world, short of the Divines, she suspected her knowledge of mana and runes was unmatched. She had been studying them for a few months now, and she knew that the amount of mana and runes required to push her from Level One to Level Six would be significant. It also seems to follow the old Fibonacci sequence, but that might actually be logical.

Eve knew that the runes were her ticket to allowing the Shroud to gain the power of Falna. With proper understanding, they could be used to channel mana even more efficiently. She also knew that the amount of mana required to cast a Spell was directly proportional to the level of the Spell and that the number of runes required to cast a Spell was dependent on the complexity of the Spell. The upside is that Spells gained from the System are inherently the most efficient. Studying them gives me the pattern to craft my own with the same perfection. Got to give it to Wilson, his Race is beyond broken.

To begin her calculations, Eve had to first determine the amount of mana required to push her from Level One to Level Six. She knew that the amount of mana required to level up increased exponentially and that it would be a significant amount from talking to Riveria. According to all her research and experimentation, it followed the numbers of nature, the Fibonacci sequence, although that might only be because she was an outsider. Most people appear to just keep filling the pipe until their body reaches capacity. Once that occurs the Divine Statue solidifies the change. I won’t need a Statue though with my own gifts.

Based on her knowledge of mana and the leveling system, Eve estimated that the amount of mana required to push her from Level One to Level Six would be approximately 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 Floor Boss Units. Every five Floors was a major shift in the Boss' power, but Eve knew of an easier way. Well, easier in fact that it was possible. Black Tier Floor Bosses. A result of detecting Divinity, or something similar. If I trigger the spawn of those, then I should be able to get everything taken care of by Floor Thirty. In theory. I’ll need to make sure that no one in Loki Familia is delving when I do this.

Next, after finishing the leveling theory Eve determined the number of runes required to cast spells at Level Six. She currently knew that the complexity of spells increased as levels increased and that more runes were required to cast more complex spells. Complexity was a bit of a misnomer, but close enough.

Based on her understanding of the Rune System developed so far in her studies of this world, Eve estimated that the number of runes required to cast spells at Level Six would be approximately 7 runes, one primary, and six secondaries. It had taken a few simulations with Crystal Core to finish the calculations.

As the final component Eve determined the relationship between the amount of mana and runes required to push her to Level Six. She knew that the runes acted as a conduit for the mana and that the more complex the spell, the more runes were required to channel the mana.

Based on this understanding, Eve theorized that the ratio of mana to runes required to push her to Level Six would be three to one. This meant that for every three mana units, she would need one rune to channel the mana. The ambient mana in the air was just too thin to get a one-to-one ratio going.

With this series of breakthroughs, Eve used her knowledge and understanding of runes and mana to theorize the amount of each required to push her from Level One to Level Six utilizing the Crystal Core simulations. Based on the finalized calculations, she estimated that she would need approximately twenty Floor Bosses mana units of increasing power and seven runes, with a ratio of two to one for mana to runes. With this knowledge, Eve was confident in her ability to push herself to the highest level of power. Well, not the highest but enough to have a seat at the table that’s for sure. I’m not looking to rule this world, just power up enough to escape it. Reaching the breakpoint of Level Six will require putting in the work.

In order to delve, Eve informed Finn. The shortie met her in the laboratory as she was putting together a smaller version of the D.S.S.T. The Drilling Silver Snake Tank had become somewhat of a mascot and representation of the Loki Familia, and taking it for her personal power-up was a no-go now.

“What is our resident mechanical genius up to?” Finn asked taking a stool to watch as she prepared the small wedge-shaped personal transport vehicle. Eve had cut a deal with the Pallum to get the materials. Once she left the world, it would become his personal chariot and that was fine.

“I’m going to start leveling seriously,” Eve said as she worked underneath the floating construct.

“Blacks?” Finn asked hesitantly.

Eve replied affirmative, “I suspect they are the only way for me to push my mana high enough to force a break with my Witch’s Body.”

“That is actually rather reasonable.” Finn mused. “You being from outside the world and with the Curses, you showed….”

“Exactly what I thought,” Eve said. Riveria had already shared her theory that the breakpoints for Witch’s Body would be higher in terms of total mana. She had learned about developmental ability when Eve asked for help on the issue. It even makes sense when you consider my powers are currently sealed. The additional mana costs to reach my previous level of power are like skeleton keys. Reality can only restrict so much without breaking its own rules after all.

“There was a long talk of the benefits of keeping you here, but eventually Riveria won that argument,” Finn said finally with a sigh.

Eve’s eyes rose under the vehicle’s cab and she asked, “What made you think I would stay?”

“With you, we would have a chance to replace Zeus and Hera’s Familia at the top. Your inventions, your way of manipulating mana, your obscenely powerful abilities. Even I would be willing to work with you for a single one of those, much less all of them. With time my name would echo after yours to the far reaches of the world.”

“Gareth was neutral on this wasn’t he,” Eve said as her eyes narrowed.

“Correct.”

“Riveria beat you down with logic?” Eve asked curiously.

“Worse, she asked me how I would feel chained to a Familia that would never help me complete my goals,” Finn said with a depressed tone.

“Ah, that would do it,” Eve said using her mechanic’s tray on wheels to roll out from under the craft.

“Indeed. I would hate a Familia like that, and hatred from someone with unknown abilities, that’s suicide.” Finn said with a glint in his eyes.

“Killing me wouldn’t work either,” Eve said. “I’ve suspected it for some time, but I think if I was killed I would snap back to full power. It wouldn’t be permanent, but it would be enough to teach a lesson before the world forced me out.”

Finn looked at her with a questioning gaze and she rolled to her feet to loom over the Pallum with shadowed eyes. “Outside this world are many hungry things. At full power, traveling is easy and safe, but if I was cast out with reduced power….”

“Things wouldn’t go so smooth heading home, eh?” Gareth said from the side of the workshop’s entrance.

Eve leaned back with a sunny expression and flashed a smile at them both before saying, “Exactly. It isn’t a risk I’m willing to take if I don’t have to.”

“Well, you're approved to leave and gain world-breaking power,” Gareth said with a snort.

“I’ll need Loki Familia members recalled. The method I’m using will likely have risks.” Eve said as her coveralls shifted into comfortable combat clothes. Grease and dirt melted from her body dumping out of her suit like liquid sludge exiting a pipe.

“We’ll see it done. It won’t be a problem with the communications you’ve built up.” Finn said finally.

Nodding, Eve flipped a switch nearby opening the garage door. She got into the device that resembled nothing so much as a flying vehicle from a galaxy far, far, far away. As the vehicle swiveled in the place she gave a manic grin.

“Finn doesn’t that look….” Gareth said as his voice was drowned in the roar of a powerful engine. Eve gunned the vehicle with a vicious smile. Had to design custom runes just for this!

She blazed out of the lab’s workshop garage with a smirk pasted on her patented villainous expression before heading directly for the Guild Tower. Behind her the choking sound of two Level Four shouting resounded. I probably shouldn’t go back until I’m on equal footing. Not that I’m scared or anything, just taking reasonable precautions. Indeed, very reasonable ones.

Talking with Eina and calling on one of the favors the body camera and drone setup provided was easy. The Guild would put out a notice on every fifth floor after the first with their communication crystals. Eve hadn’t been involved in creating those, but it wasn’t like she was the only genius in existence, either. Anyone who stuck around when she moved to spawn the Black Tier Floor Bosses would just have to deal with the outcome.

With the major issues taken care of in all the time she desired to spend on them, Eve entered the Dungeon’s descent and drove down to the First Floor. It was the work of a few minutes of driving to get to the center of the Floor. Most monsters, when faced with something that had the tonnage of a speeding truck in a wedge shape, tended to be cleaved in twain. After a short time, she was in the exact center of the central cavern. Exiting her transport, she killed the power to her vehicle leaving it to float. With the flick of a wrist, Eve keyed a runestone that locked the vehicle. It also caused the device to conjure a personal protective bubble. It wouldn’t do to have the transport wrecked every fight, after all.

Taking a deep breath Eve let out a sliver scenting of her power. It required squeezing her body like a grape until a minuscule portion of the scent escaped. For a moment there was a pause as if a massive beast was scenting the air. Then the Dungeon screamed with rage. Eve watched with bated breath as the Troll wove into existence ten times normal size and twice as ugly. The creature had deep red eyes glowing with power and skin blacker than the darkness of the Void.

“Perfect,” Eve said. Her Jian phased into existence in her right hand and she looked out over the plethora of goblins that were forming. Runes lit up on her skin shining through the silver clothing and denoting a Ritual tattoo crafted just for this purpose. Without wasted motion, Eve sprang into action. Moving through the ever-spawning horde of goblins she defeated powerful monsters. As she killed the amount of mana they dropped increased with rapid speed, and she was able to accumulate mana in her False Falna tattoo. It was a piece of rune art that wove into existence on her back courtesy of Witch's Dust within her bloodstream.

At first, Eve thought the goblins would be easy to defeat so she could focus on the main dish. But as she continually engaged in battle, she quickly realized that their numbers were overwhelming. The Dungeon seemed to have no limit to the amount of mana able to be spent. Eve used her knowledge of mana manipulation to channel her absorption even faster, but the goblins kept coming.

With her mana reserves running low, Eve had to rely on her quick thinking to turn the tide of the battle. She noticed that the goblins were disorganized and lacked leadership, so she targeted the goblin leaders who formed and created confusion in their ranks. It won’t be enough. Time to improvise.

Eve ran through a number of ideas finally settling on one that had a high possibility of success. Crystal Core started automating the process of drawing mana into the False Falna tattoo. At first, it was like a small stream, but that didn’t last long. Eventually, a river of energy was rushing into Eve’s body in a whirlpool of speed. It was so much that the mana below the whirl began to rise up. A dead zone was created from just above Eve’s head to the floor itself and inverted torus-like creation that did a single remarkable thing. It combined with the Shroud pulling the entire construct into balance.

It was a unique twist that removed all mana between two points.

Eve grinned as her failsafe activated upon detecting no mana in her surroundings. Her form shifted as the pain she had done to alter her body paid dividends. Her hair lengthened; every strand silvered to blinding levels. The tail on her current form grew into a flexible blade club. Dust-spore nanites swirled around her in imitation of Witch’s Dust. Even more impressive her body’s skin dropped all pretenses turning silver-chrome. The entire ensemble fit with the glowing silver power blazing from her twin orbs of sight.

The feeling of humanity dropped away into the shadows of her mind as Savage Survival Mind surged to the forefront. There was no need to think as Combat Bot replaced her previous motions with mechanical fluidity. Crystal Core linked with both turning the machine of death she had become into a relentlessly brutal blood goddess.

Her body danced without pause. Her silver Jian reaped in one hand, while there a fist pulverized. Legs were severed, heads crushed, arms lopped, and throats smashed. Every movement was calculated for maximum potential and smoothly executed without waste. Eve moved like an artful specter of intrinsic mayhem mowing across the carpet of living goblin flesh.

Goblins screamed, shouted, and died with regularity finally exhausting the Dungeon’s ability to summon them. It was to be expected, as Eve’s speed reached the point where she was killing goblins at the spawn points. Finally, after the long and grueling battle, Eve's inhuman form emerged victorious. She had defeated the goblin horde and accumulated a significant amount of mana and runes.

Without emotion, the Troll Floor Boss fell to the same cruel tactic as before. Eve immediately felt the mana crystallize in her body forcibly reverting her failsafe and she knew that this victory would push her into Level Two. With the impressive influx of power, she felt more determined than ever to continue her journey. This is the path to exiting this world. I will pursue it with all haste!

Witch’s Body reached the breakpoint and Eve felt more than heard the sound of an invisible shackle being unlocked.

Numbers scrolled through her sight as undecipherable symbols were captured by Crystal Core.

There was a brief moment before her body shifted fully into the new parameters and Eve grinned with unbound glee.

Name: Eve Smith (Hidden)

Alias: Eve of Loki Familia

Level II

Basic Abilities:

Strength (SSS-1501) (3002)

Endurance: (SSS-1501) (3002)

Dexterity: (SSS-1501) (3002)

Agility: (SSS-1501) (3002)

Magic: (SSS-1501) (3002)