[Voidknight Ascension] Chapter 264 – Catdog

As Sam looked over the older abilities he had earmarked as being potentially useful, he started to question his earlier decisions.

[Flash]

(Hybrid Ability) (E-Class)

(★ Common)

Swordsmen see their weapons as extensions of themselves. Through their weapons, they can perform a myriad of feats that would look like pure magic to any onlooker. By channeling a small amount of mana to your blade, you can create a blinding light that afflicts any opponents facing you that can see your blade. Grants a minuscule bonus to the effect of Arcane, Control, and Agility when using [Flash].

[Blade Pattern]

(Physical Ability) (E-Class)

(★ Common)

Known across the Shardrunes as the first step toward being a true Blademaster, Swordsmen are able to bond with their weapon in more ways than there are stars in the sky. One such way is to do the unthinkable and meditate during combat, attuning your mind and soul to that of your blade.

While using [Blade Pattern], you take 50% less damage, and your ensuing Pattern deals proportionally increased damage based on damage received while using [Blade Pattern]. Unlocks [Pattern: Flowering Gust]. Unlocks further Patterns. Grants a minuscule bonus to the effect of Strength, Vigor, and Dexterity when using [Blade Pattern].

[Pattern: Flowering Gust]

While utilizing a one-handed sword, attune yourself to the speed of the blade. Your striking speed is increased while the damage you deal is decreased. Grants an additional minuscule bonus to the effect of Agility and Dexterity when using [Pattern: Flowering Gust].

It wasn’t that [Flash] or [Blade Pattern] were useless. They were solid abilities with good utility. Unfortunately, [Blade Pattern] lost a great deal of appeal.

Since it only came with a single pattern, Sam had no idea what he might get in the future and could only judge the ability as it was. Which meant it was functionally useless now that he had the option to dual wield.

Using two greatswords was far more devastating than a single one. Even though [Pattern: Flowering Gust] would work with a single greatsword held in one hand, it didn’t make any mention of dual wielding.

[Flash] was still useful, even more now that it was E-Class. Unfortunately, it couldn’t beat an always-on trait like [Aura Blade]. And then there were the two new abilities he gained, each with the potential to derail his choice:

[Cover]

(Swordsman Ability) (E-Class)

(★★ Unusual)

Among Swordsmen, there are a select few who differentiate themselves from the rest by being champions of the weak and downtrodden. These protectors embody a lost code of chivalry, putting the welfare of others above their own. You have shown time and time again that you are willing to put your very life on the line to save people you barely know. Tapping into that wellspring of honor, you can extend your aegis to one other person within a short distance. The target gains the Covered effect, transferring all damage and enmity that they incur while Covered to you. Grants a minuscule bonus to the effect of Vigor, and Control when using [Cover].

[Iron Chivalry]

(Swordsman Skill) (E-Class)

(★ Common)

You have fought on the frontlines for so long you no longer remember what it’s like to attack without reprisal. Every action you take generates greater enmity, drawing the ire of nearby enemies and daring them to attack you instead of your weaker allies. Grants a minuscule bonus to the effect of Arcane, Control, and Resonance when using [Iron Chivalry].

Sam nearly hissed through his teeth. Both were quite good. They made him immediately shelve the older abilities.

Sorry, but I can’t pass up a chance to protect those I care about.

[Cover] was the obvious choice here. He already effectively did that with Komachi, didn’t he? However, that meant she had to stay in his armor the entire time.

That couldn’t be good for her.

It limited her range and her ability to contribute to the battle. The more she could roam around without fear of being hit, the more effective she could be.

Every battle Sam joined seemed to be larger than the last. From the fiery treants on Sil’mara to the ogre’s minions, monsters loved to gang up on him.

Why not make sure Komachi was safe?

She was a very small cat fighting alongside him against very large monsters. Many of which towered over Sam.

He couldn’t imagine how scary things must be for Komachi. Assuming she ever took a moment out of her day to think about it, that is.

As much as [Iron Chivalry] seemed like a great addition, [Cover] won out. He could keep Komachi or anybody else safe, even when he couldn’t physically put his body and his swords between them and the danger.

It didn’t hurt that [Cover] was also a higher rarity, making it more powerful right out of the gate.

Taking another helping of the savory flatbread that was on offer, Sam scooped up more of his spicy dish and went over his remaining level up prompts.

He didn’t expect anything too crazy.

Level Up!

Your [Void] Path has reached Level 38.

+3 Insight Talents | +2 Strength Talents

+3 Arcane Talents | +2 Vigor Talents

+2 Control Talents

Level Up!

Your [Void] Path has reached Level 39.

+3 Insight Talents | +2 Strength Talents

+3 Arcane Talents | +2 Vigor Talents

+2 Control Talents

Level Up!

Your [Void] Path has reached Level 40.

+3 Insight Talents | +2 Strength Talents

+3 Arcane Talents | +2 Vigor Talents

+2 Control Talents

The Void within responds to the harrowing call from Beyond.

You gain [All Consuming Void].

Sam raised a brow at the new ability. It had been a while since his Void Path gave him anything. It seemed sporadic at best, with no rhyme or reason to when he would gain something.

In a way, he preferred it to the constancy of his Job.

Not that I dislike it in any way, in case you’re listening Shard God Person Thing! Sam thought frantically.

It would be just his luck that some god was listening and would smite his abilities, turning them into utter trash the next time he was offered them.

If there was even a next time.

While the consistent gain of new skills and abilities was amazing, he always had to make a choice. That choice, for lack of a better word, sucked.

It meant that he was leaving something good on the table nearly every single time.

He still had [Aura Blade], and now [Iron Chivalry] that he wanted to pick up. Not to mention [Flash].

Those weren’t even all of the abilities that Swordsman had given him, just the best ones that he had been forced to leave by the wayside.

His Profession was even worse, forcing him to choose specializations with specific materials at the cost of others.

It was maddening.

[All Consuming Void]

(Path Trait) (E-Class)

(★ Common)

Those with Apocalypse mana generally count their remaining time in minutes to hours. The lucky few are given days or weeks. You have lasted months. Not only have you continued to stand firm against the corrupting nature of Apocalypse mana, you have found a measure of control over the Shard-ending force. As a result of your deepening understanding, whenever you attack with your Void mana, you are able to exploit weaknesses in the underlying fabric of reality to inflict Void Shatter on your target. Void Shatter increases damage taken from all sources. Grants a minuscule bonus to the effect of Strength, Insight, Arcane, and Vigor when using [All Consuming Void].

Level Up!

Your [Voidknight] Legend has Level 36.

+4 to all Stats

+1 to all Talents

Level Up!

Your [Voidknight] Legend has Level 37.

+4 to all Stats

+1 to all Talents

“Heh, Komachi gained [Dancing Tempo].”

Resting nearby, the armored bear cracked an eye open, then unfurled a long tongue into a jaw-creaking yawn.

“Hey, that’s great Komachi. But uh, what’s [Dancing Tempo] do?” Sam asked, glancing warily at the bear.

The bear licked Komachi with a tongue bigger than she was. It left her fur sticking in a single direction.

“Maaach!” she wailed.

His cat was only soothed by sorting out her fur with a [Shalebone Comb]. Rhagur, the affable wolfman, didn’t want it back after seeing all the stuff stuck in it.

Tucking her paws in, Komachi squinted suspiciously at the bear. “Muh new ability gives me greater oomph over single and area of effect spells. I could change ‘em a little bit before. Now this lets me change ‘em a lot.”

When Sam didn’t entirely get it, Komachi pushed the Shardscript over to him.

[Dancing Tempo]

(Bard Ability) (E-Class)

(★★ Unusual)

Few ever wish to resist the charm and succor of a soul aeder musician. Dance to the tempo to alter the potency and range of your songs, altering them into either single target or area of effect for greater healing and support. Single-target songs transitioned to area-of-effect lose a portion of their potency. Area-of-effect songs transitioned to single-target gain heightened potency. The cost of each song remains unchanged. Grants a miniscule bonus to the effect of Arcane, Control, and Resonance when using [Dancing Tempo].

Sam’s eyes widened with surprise. “Damn, that does sound pretty good. I bet you could drop some hefty heals onto me with that!”

Komachi nodded eagerly.

Zarishna watched the pair tiredly. She closed her dull metallic prosthetic hand around a mug of kaf. What he could see of the arm’s surface was marred heavily with chips and scratches as if it had seen heavy use.

Sam had to shut down the smithing part of his brain from figuring out how to bring it up to shape. Combined with that limp and diminutive height, she seemed so much weaker than the woman she would one day become.

He took a long sip of his own deliciously robust coffee. The Empire might call it kaf, but that was just another name for coffee to Sam.

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck and all that.

Zarishna motioned to the heavy brass key on the table. “As a visitor, you’re free to go wherever that key permits you in the Scarlet Lotus. Your room and board is settled for a few months. Of course, if you have other prospects, don’t let us hold you back from pursuing them.”

Sam looked at the key, then at Zarishna. He couldn’t help but wonder what the catch was. Even the Empress had an underhanded side to her. “What’s the Scarlet Lotus?”

“This establishment and guild.”

“And you’re just going to give me room and board? Just like that? No strings attached?” Sam couldn’t believe it. The Empire was far from altruistic. They may not be the monsters some made them out to be, but they were far from a pure force for good.

This was too easy.

Zarishna gave him a slight smile. “It’s hardly a secret what you accomplished in a single battle. No doubt the treasure coffer you earned will be grand indeed. Consider it thanks, and a bribe.”

“What treasure coffer?”

She lifted a curious brow at that. “The one you haven’t accepted yet. Don’t worry, most wait to go over their spoils from the attacks until they’re somewhere private.”

“Like my room, which you’ve graciously provided,” Sam said, catching on. “So, what’s in it for you?”

“I did say it’s a little bribe,” she said, amused. “You’re new, but powerful. I think anyone at the Scarlet Lotus would appreciate joining you during the next incursion.”

Sam pulled Komachi into his lap and looked around the table at the people there, trying to size them up. “Because they’ll get a portion of the rewards as well,” Sam guessed. “Is that why those four women were with Monsara?”

“Oh, that’s not all. Whoever joins you will be far, far less likely to die or be maimed.”

Sam motioned at the comfortable trappings around them. “Why bother fighting at all? You’re citizens of the Empire, right? Surely you can avoid the fighting here. I’ve seen merchants barricade their homes and shops. Nobody batted an eye.”

Zarishna stared at him. This time, it was less friendly. Whatever he pointed out hadn’t gone over as well.

However, she shut her eyes with a sigh. Irritation gave way to weariness. “What’s the use of being a coward? There’s no advancement in that. No betterment of anyone. And, quite frankly, I’m not too willing to discuss with you the ethical matters of the situation. If everyone hid in their homes, the Twinned Cities would be ransacked, no matter what the Immortals claim.” Some of that fire in her opened eyes resurfaced. “They are not as all powerful as they would have us believe.”

Sam put his hands up in surrender. “Fair enough. I mistakenly thought you wanted to avoid getting harmed.”

“Within reason,” She looked away to pet between the bear’s ears. He shut his eyes in contentment. “Like I said, you’re strong, Samuel Hunter. And sturdy as well. I’ve no doubt we won’t be the first to proposition you. Some will likely try to shower you with riches, even seduce you.”

She glanced over to Komachi. “Or maybe we should be making this offer to your dog. She does seem more trustworthy.”

“Listen, if you can’t even call her a cat, you’re not going to get anywhere with her,” Sam said with a chuckle.

“...Am I a dawg?” Komachi asked.

Sam scratched behind Komachi’s ears. “You’re whatever you want to be, my little golden retriever.”

Komachi’s eyes shut in contentment, just like the bear, but she still managed a rather quiet, “Bork.”