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Chapter 792 - Adjusting the objective

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All the options are ridiculous honestly. The Halo looks like the worst at first glance but when you think about how it becomes a foundation for other abilities... That makes you pause. A creepy ass parasite sounds pretty fun... The ability to devour anything made out of mana is cool but it depends too much on your intake so I'd rule it out... Now the one that takes the cake is the Empyrean Ichor - I mean what else is there to say? Something that predates the system?!?!? Just grab it quick!

Sushitrash

I disagree. The ichor converts his blood into hyper condensed mana. That's literally a step towards making his body even more mana conductive, and empyrean skills were already described as being incredibly strong.

Tyler Engelke

The frame feels like the only contender. Ichor converts mana to blood, the parasite feeds on his mana and can react for him, losing control. The stomach lining is useless unless he is finding things to eat with more mana infused than he has. The Frame provides further protection from getting teleported into space. The main draw for ichor seems to be that it works outside of the system boundaries, which is something he's interested in.

Nictis

Holy hell I love those last 2 option! ^__^

Woodstock179

I think he will choose Empyrean Ichor for three reasons

Jacob Ennis-Ingerman

Ichor, literally for the rejects foreign mana part.

Gavriel

Okay but with halo, he can make a mana crown, and even learn how to do a thermal crown, kinetic crown, and even (heaven forbid) a crown for every stat (with manifestation, should he try?) To end up beating Pride and his "Highest stats out of any being ever" thing he has going on

Marwolaeth

How do I join the discord

CreamPuff aka

Was thinking the same he prob think Elian has hit a ceiling already saying Liss will trash him 😭

Primo

Hard to find a less lethal combo then eye, physique and blood for the trait synergy like the tyrant grandpa said tbh, only thing I can think of is Nat thinks active skills are the best path to dominate like Lissandra & this might influence him for the halo as it can stabilise every thing he will do via those skills hence he can go wild to a more extreme degree

Primo

time to decline the trait for improved champion rewards, tournament style

Budgie

So the Halo Frame sounds really good. It protects from spatial warping like what Io did to him, and I'm sure it would seriously buff his ley lines and vessel manifestations. It also mentions being compatible with "other abilities", presumably including Primordial energies. There's a good chance he could even move his constructs to the Frame to avoid them clashing with any future body upgrades. However, if he acts on the advice Trait Grandpa gave him, Empyrean Ichor is obviously the best. Preeminence Eyes turns his sight into "a conduit of raw mana", where "every fiber of the body aligns with the user’s gaze". Mana Physique turns his physique into "a finely tuned vessel for mana", and Empyrean Ichor would essentially turn his very blood into liquid mana. Just as Trait Grandpa suggested, all the traits would feed into each other, all toward the goal of supporting more mana. Which we all know is Nat's dream. Not only does it fit perfectly, but the blood flow itself produces a field that rejects outside mana/influence. It's not explicitly said, but it seems likely that the more mana Nat manages to compress into his blood, the better that field will be. Your average Beyonder might think he already has too many ways of suppressing outside influence, but any normal person like Nat surely knows otherwise. At one point Nat had a thought about how his body would look if it were 60% mana instead of 60% water, and while it was said kinda jokingly, I think that's basically what he's aiming for. Likely much, much higher than 60% though. All of that is not even getting into whatever the hell being "fundamentally dissonant with the established laws of the current mana system" would bring. Mostly we've seen Empyrean effects come with higher damage and a better ability to pierce other mana constructs. Plus this being an effect centered in the blood makes it a prime candidate for something Lily might be able to replicate to a lesser extent in herself and others of their group.

Kyle

Smh couldn't be who has to pick a trait lmao these sound official ichor and parasite and halo lol dont want to start being like biscuit and eating everything.

tishane Imperial MageKiller

Oh also we can safely assume that whatever Elian recommends Nat will choose something different

Johnny

Damn those are all so sick anything you choose you’ll regret missing out on the others! Good prob tho

Johnny

The last 2 options were crazyyy. I feel like the Ichor sounds more badass one way or another, it made me think of how Lissandra had superior mana to all, even if it was due to totally different reasons. Talking about Lissandra, I'm always getting so excited every time she's mentioned, she's a true badass.

Hardworking Guy

Soooo, he has to take frame right? Or does he think he has a good enough foundation and the frame doesn't really add to it? Feels like the frame is more metaphysical than physical and so would be the last step in his forever limiting his con, and not an anti to what he was doing with con. Empyrean Ichir seems like a trait he gets for black mana, so insanely good, but not the one he was "going for"

Morde24

the halo seems like a flexible op buff he can apply to other things whilst the ichor just seems most thematically appropriate for someone so mana obsessed, I can see how linking skills or manifestations to the halo can make the indestructible but hyper compressed mana blood that others cannot take away for a mana obsessed individual, also it falls outside of the system so what can he do with it that isn't intended Nat won't give up or share his mana with a parasite and the eating one seems too situational with having to find mana objects to eat for buffs or regen

FarFromLogic

What’s DOTF?

Shane Edelstein

Weird-Ass Gall Bladder of the Malafic Viper. No way!

Jimbo

He's not into snacking, though. So, got to be frame.

Jimbo

If he gets Frame, he could tie his janky-ass constructs to that so his body doesn't blow up. Obviously, putting that stuff on his own body is not going to work in the future.

Jimbo

Immutable, well we have a Winner

Thedevilsdemon

Frame would make dealing with the black hole Kindness is in easier.

Todd

He was kinda defenseless against the thylarin with the body swap skill during his beyond mission where he met the last elf, even tacita was defenseless halo frame might help fix this flaw

Primo

His avatar too. Even his constructs would become indestructible if I understand it correctly. Could help with his next body upgrade too. All options except the parasite seem decent, but this one seems the most interesting in my opinion. I’m sure this totally normal person will find a way to replicate empyrean blood on his own by etching some constructs onto his veins or something.

Wasim Petersen

I think the ichor will not be the pick ... but that would be smart for black mana as he could then not have his mana absorbed ... but I don't think he will want to get rid of mana cycling...

En T. Khephra

I have always wondered if Nat could treat these offers like a tournament: “Can I forgo my [lvl 400 trait options] to improve my [future] rewards for the [Tutorial] and the [lvl 450 upgrade]?”

facetiousk

Not seeing parasite on the menu or Nat acting like Zac from DOTF and eating crap for Mana when there are better choices. Halo sounds interesting but Im sure he is going to make his own janky version of it, The blood that predates system and allows him to actually turn his blood into Mana and reject foreign Mana which would help with Cristoph says Nat all over it.

Hms

The potential for permanent stat boosts is the only reason I thought the lining had a chance.

Stoney

To be fair, it does specify that it is an internal field, implying it protects from external mana influencing him. It says nothing about commanding other mana externally. And, an easy loophole, is that he commandeers the external mana and claims it as his own. It doesn't specify how the mana is generated/wavelength, just the ownership. The field generated could easily be opened to external mana that Nat perceived ownership of.

facetiousk

Be honest Cerim, how many traits did you break off until next chapter? What are you hiding from us?! "I'm watching you Wazowski, always watching." 👀

facetiousk

I feel like he can do all those things but the last one himself given enough time

le moi

1 - nobody can have my mana.. So pass 2 - items, who needs items.. So pass 3 - any mana needs to be my mana.. So pass 4 - i'm gonna look like a saint. I am the most normal here. Also future use.

BalerionTheGreat

These traits are awesome sounding

Wallaby Vonwise

I want to see his reaction, second chapter please!

Gavriel

Biscuit would go for the Mana stomach, Nat will curse at the parasite for even thinking of touching his Mana, he will avoid the Ichor because it rejects foreign Mana and he already can just will any mana under his control, so I'm willing to bet Nat is thinking of the Halo with a brief moment of remembering some of the Frameworks from previous floors.

CptJimmy42

My guess is either the frame or much more likely, unknown trait option number 5. Ichor could be pretty cool too. I'm sure Elian will tell him what to take, and Nat will struggle with his pride in obeying as its what he wants to take as well. Poor Nat. He's gonna need to beat up so many demons and monsters to vent his frustrations after biting his tongue so much.

Terri Harris

Maybe he can build a mana body or store part of his consciousness in the indestructible halo.

Abomb1723

Man I really like the sound of Empyrean Ichor (especially cause it feels a little bit like screwing with the system) but Immutable Halo Frame seems like it suits Nat so well and addressed so many of his current needs. Maybe we'll see a change in options once he's done with the quest that combines the best of both of them but I feel like there's always a tradeoff with the system (unless Nat can do a sneaky little subversion).

PigNebula

Honestly the mana parasite seemed like the least appealing one to me.

Kevin

Immutable Halo would be powerful when tied to Eclipse I think.

Nate 3000

Ichor all the way!!!!!

Chase

Until it blocks his system given skills or healing from others.

Ivan Jelenić

I don't think the system would offer it if it were a way to destroy it.

Ivan Jelenić

I think Empyrean Ichor sounds the coolest. I think it even fits the “current”, “conductivity” concept pretty well with his body being a mana system and the liquid transporting it. Immutable Halo Frame seems to have its own connection properties that seem cool as heck and fits Nat’s theme as well. Everything connects together to work together. This is some theory headcannon shit but it feels like Pride’s skills are just ten powerful skills (Sword, Mirror are the ones I remember) but Nats skills are kinda looking like parts of one package. Very system like? Hmm.

DeadbearKill

I'm so mad he could literally get a mana venom syboite but I dont think he will choose it

Josh Betts

There's still time, maybe he will hide which one he chooses. 🥲 But seems kinda unlikely, given that Magi will observe him. Who knows.

Ivan Jelenić

Thank you for the chappie!

Kirin

It could interfere with the system-given abilities?

Ivan Jelenić

Why not, it could be an actual parasite that helps in the short term, but when it grows and becomes powerful enough, tries to take over his body.

Ivan Jelenić

The obvious choices are either Mana-Absorbent Gastric Lining (infinite growth) or Immutable Halo Frame (overall improvment to other skills and stuff, and resistance to gravity, teleportation, and other shennanigans). I have a feeling that he won't like the idea of eating money, so Frame it is. Fuck the parasite in the body (hostile takover and creepy), plus he can do what it does on his own when he's stronger, similarly with the Empyrean thingy. But the Empyrean thingy could make his future choices work against him as they are system-given. I wonder if the Empyrean one gives a higher chance of getting Empyrean skills though? Another benefit, do system-skills work outside the system? If not, then Empyrean could be great in the future, if he goes to the borderlands.

Ivan Jelenić

I agree that it's gotta be one of the last two. Blood sounds awesome and is my first pick, but Halo honestly sounds more like something Nat would choose. It lets him make bigger and more stable mana forms, maybe even linking in constructs and his avatar

Nemesis

Like nath has said many times before he is sprinting down a hill hopinh he wont fall going faster and faster, only empyrian ichor i feel follows thst here. The halo would help fix his body but it's too safe for him. I feel like the ichor one will make him go even faster downhill.

Sammot

I can't help but notice that parasite quite clearly shores up a weakness (low durability) which we've been told the system almost never does. It prefers to improve strengths. Either Nat is uniquely lucky, or even the system is concerned about his weaknesses 🤣

Nemesis

I’m fairly certain he’ll choose the Ichor. Before that, though: since he himself said “my four traits”, either a fifth exists that hasn’t been revealed yet, or there are only four options—which would make sense, as there’s no clear reason to hide one. Of the options, the Parasite seems weak because it still means depending on an external factor, even if technically internal. The Gastric Lining could synergize with his crafting, but it’s too situational and still relies on outside resources. The Halo also feels inefficient given his current skill set, as it mainly benefits ley lines and his vessel—the vessel being something he’s trying not to rely on heavily. That leaves the Ichor. It’s Empyrean, so inherently powerful, and its origin predating the system could have major, unknown advantages. Mana rejection also shouldn’t be a major issue since he can still convert mana into his own. The key question is practical benefit: could this effectively replace the DIY mana crown he currently uses, providing a permanent and more efficient version of that function?

Miranoji

It’s going to be the frame because it’s the only one that allows Nat to build on what he has and not replace one of his other abilities

NerdyFellow

Thank you!

Andrew

Gastric lining = Palate of the Malafic Viper

granndfunk

🤣

TreeReader

1. Mana parasite would be one of my faves… possibly fixing his weak body? Though Nat’s pride might not allow him to depend on anything external for this such as the parasite, and his love for mana might not allow him to share it either. 2. Mana gastric lining would be cool. Since he studies all them items anyways and doesn’t want to rely on them, having the ability to later eat them after he’s done with them and gain permanent boosts ( probably with pristine level equipments,) could be well worth it. I don’t think Nat cares about a lotta stats other than Mana though, so it might not be worth it for him. 3. Ichor sounds insane. First because it has empyrean in the name, and second because it implies another level of compression. Currently the highest level of mana compression allows for black mana, I wonder if there any synergistic effects with that. A con could be not being able to rely on Lily for healing though if the trait rejects any foreign mana… but how crazy that girl is or Nat, either one of them should be able to change the frequency/ other of qualities of her healing mana to trick his body into accepting it? 4. Halo frame also sounds pretty good, just because of potential synergistic abilities. It has “absolute stability against spatial warping” and can confer that to other skills. Just that sounds pretty impressive. But it kinda also sounds pretty niche. Nat hasn’t really had to struggle against spatial warping yet so just from the description it doesn’t sound something he terribly needs. Parasite would prolly round up his weaknesses (mana reinforcement) but Ichor sounds like the move Nat’s going to choose

Madje Tobi Marc'Avent Tchona

It’s definitely the gastric lining. It lets him increase his mana pool. He doesn’t need the frame he can just focus his way into that. And black mana is better than empyrean. He doesn’t need another lil buddy he already has biscuit

Schmidt

I like how you think, but if that were the case his lance would be black

13L00D13ANE

Hmm.. only 4 options? Usually it is an odd number. My guess is the 5th/5-7th will be revealed tomorrow and itll be a brain trait, maybe more. Tbh im not impressed with these so i sure as heck hope so.. Edit: a parasite sounds awful, stomach lining is only good because he could increase his mana pool, the halo frame is redundant and the ichor resists other peoples mana (reminder. He commandeers other peoples mana A LOT).

13L00D13ANE

Is it possible to get a new, 5th trait option, if Elian does some shenanigans? Or maybe he might interfere in the assimilation to upgrade one of the traits, who knows?

Blooper

Halo frame it is. Long term benefits are too good

Abhishek

Interestingly, the Halo and Ichor are opposites. The Halo creates stability and coherence, the Ichor creates dissonance. I think Ichor would be a sick way of training actually. The question is, could he eventually create that effect via Empyrean Lance + Current manually?

zoarian

"Predatory Mana Parasite" should be called "Predatory Mana Symbiote". Parasites provide no benefits.

Gio

I can't believe Cerim didn't hide the choices from us for the next twenty chapters. Is he maybe not a complete sadist?

zoarian

I like the ichor myself. But I'm sure we are being tricked. Bet at least one more skill that he hasnt listed yet and will be dropped tomorrow with him saying something about it being terrible and no use.

J W

The Halo being indestructible Nat would use as a limitless mana battery , would work with Eclipse and Mana Crown

Bruno Correia

The Ichor is the only viable option, with a trigger like Empyrean, and predating the system it's the only thing Nat can't get on his own in this list.

Arnon Parenti

I want my money- I bet tree reader that we will know his traits before chapter 800

TYRELL GRAY

But Nat can get all of that by himself, why take a redundant trait?

Arnon Parenti

I think for shits and giggles parasite is probably what is taken at the end, even if I like Empyrean and Halo more

Bladehawk256

What if black mana real name was empyrean mana ?

Gutz

Wow, such totally normal options.

Florin Cojocaru

Reminded me of the trait grandpa warning, could still have some synergies although much more active

Primo

I like Empyrean Ichor. If Nat aims at destroying the System, this will be the way to do it. 🤔

Adrian Rake

Tftc I'm guessing there will be a better one tomorrow.

Fdrugc

Nats mana is his and his alone so no parasite. His poor teeth will break trying to eat anything worth digesting so no on the tummy. (Could be awesome for Jean.) Blood seems like a boring safe choice. So nat will never take that. Framework sounds awesome to link his healing passive to but thats also boring and safe so nat wont take that either. Will Elian make a 5th choice available for him??

I Is Patron

Do Nat's bones count for the Gastric Lining trait? Like he can regrow his arm and shit. Free Mana Conductive food.

Manther

Second option will be the one chosen, cuz MORE MANA, though the halo is interesting Edit: saw some comments on the ichor, which i do find interesting, i'm greedy enough to like that option too

Yozora

Halo or Emperian are the only choices

John

Halo is the best individually, but also has the least synergy with his other traits, so it might not be the best choice.

Gio

Basically primordial mana for blood or a Halo. Obviously mana as blood wins especially since it predates the system

River

I think ultimately it's going to be Empyrean Ichor because Nat dislikes the system and his lack of trust towards it, he fears one day his mana might be taken away from it, but from the description of this trait, he might truly wield his mana as his own, outside of the system's interference.

Alucain

The system is fair and generous!

tost

This is Nat listing them, so obviously he is going worst -> best in order.

Manther

Doubt he takes the parasite one because he knows and Liss reminded him not to let anything else bear his mana in his place. Low chance of being The Gastric one because Nat doesn't like to rely on tools, and not sure how the empyrean ichor one unlocks more dominance than black mana when his black mana seems superior to his empyrean skill so far. The Halo one seems like it will unlock crazy synergies with everything else and stabilise that wild black mana. Either way Cerim is cooking gud 🔥

Primo

TFTC

Lance Beam

Thanks for the chapter

BlackRazaras

Mana-Absorbent Gastric Lining -> literally mana stomach haha. He could become a discount, janky Savant :D

zoarian

It’s the last two traits for me especially the last one halo frame but the empyrean blood is crazy

Twotons

Pretty boy angel Nat, I need art

Austin Dominguez

He transforms foreign mana into his own frequency, so I think it'd still synergize.

zoarian

Ichor! Ichor! Ichor!

jax rammus

For me, it's a toss up between Empyrean Ichor and Immutable Halo Frame. Obviously leaning towards the Halo but the Ichor being "fundamentally dissonant with the established laws of the current mana system" sounds fucking rad.

zoarian

I noticed something while reading this chapter. HDT... can be categorized under many genres, but isn't it also a comedy book in a sense? I'm usually laughing so hard my stomach hurts while reading the chapters :D

Melih

i was thinking Halo, but hell, your reasoning makes so much sense

Flo Zilla

“allowing other abilities or effects to be connected to it, and any such connections gain the Frame’s stability” potentially stable black mana? Indestructible mana-bloc?

Mister Cakers

Damn he’s gonna pick the halo. Interesting thought though: since his avatar also has his traits can he have numerous halos? And as a follow-up can he cocoon himself in his myriad halos? Can we have cocooniel?

Mister Cakers

Bet my ass its gonna be Halo. Everything else sounds too..mundane? Normal? The effects are kinda straightforward and there are no interesting gimmicks. Halo sounds like something cool, unique, and cheat-like the most from all choices

frozzi

TFTC! He's definitely taking the Frame 😅

Ishamoridin

Disgustingly powerfull traits. So Ichor or Halo?

M van Dongen

No chance he chooses the blood, since it would reject foreign mana. Half his strategy is just swiping other’s mana. He’ll probably take the frame and start transferring his manifestation and constructs onto it, and likely once it’s fully evolved it’ll become the base of his new body

John Smith

Thank you for the chapter!

Insomnia

The ichor sounds really cool

Alec Young

Ohhhh, these are some tough choice. I think my favourites are enpyrean blood and immutable halo frame. The blood could be very useful for his ongoing mana tyrant mana dominations. However I could see him using the halo frame alongside his ley lines.

Michael Williams

Empyrean Ichor combined with Nat's low constitution would be an interesting mix.

Sadyix

TFTC, my guess is the blood, it's the only thing that will screw up his body even more

Tan Choon Long

<3

jax rammus

Tftc. As cool as the Ichor sounds being pre-system and all, Halo is gonna be so broken. Stable black mana, stable manabloc items, all types of fragments and primordial energies that can be stabilized. It will also provide some stability for his body before his mana control is precise enough to not ever bother with constitution.

tyhuko

TFTC

UnevenCornet341

TFTC!!!

vEnviouz


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