By the time we were on the road, I still didn't have an answer to my question.
I stared at my status sheet while walking behind my companions. Investing in strength made sense; it felt good to be stronger, and being locked in place by the puppets did not feel good.
Yet, strength wasn't what I needed, not now.
Constitution was where I needed improvement and maybe agility, too. The extra flexibility and balance I had started to feel tempted me to put in more points there.
<...
2023-12-14 18:06:01 +0000 UTC
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"Damnit…" Devon growled.
I stared at the notification, letting the words sink in.
[ALERT] EMERGENCY LOCKDOWN OF LOCAL NODES.
NEXUS LEYLINES CLOSED.
URGENT QUEST AUTOMATICALLY ACCEPTED.
…
…
…
[ALERT] NEW QUEST ACQUIRED: HUNT THE MONSTER THAT THREATENS THE NEXUS! Eliminate ALL Threats!
"Devon, what does this mean?" I...
2023-12-13 18:06:01 +0000 UTC
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I blinked and stared at nothing. Then I blinked again, and my vision started to clear.
As my eyesight cleared, a wave of exhaustion hit me, and my body ached all over.
"Uggh…"
"See, he's alive," came Devon's voice.
"Are you sure? I don't feel like it."
"Can you get up?"
Can I?
I tried to stand by bracing my arms at my sides, but my left arm screamed in such agony that I released another groan.
After regaining control, I flopped my hea...
2023-12-12 18:06:00 +0000 UTC
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Igas opened the door and strode in. "Hey, what's up with you and Cyrus?"
Isaac had his back turned, but he sat on a chair and looked out the window. Despite the source of light having its curtains thrown back, the room looked gloomy.
"Too gloomy. He's brooding." Igas thought.
The large oni sat on the edge of the large bed and rested his arms on his knees.
Isaac stayed silent, and Igas waited. The rogue was the brooding type, so this wasn't an unusual scene, bu...
2023-12-11 18:19:01 +0000 UTC
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(FINAL CLIMAX FIGHT, ONE ONE MORE CHAP LEFT FOR B1)
My body crashed to the arena floor, and my world became a tumble of dark sand and my own limbs. A pulse from my cloak helped dampen the blow, and the sand cushioned my fall as I slid to a stop.
I tried to stand up, but my side screamed in protest. I raised my hand, and what little light shone through the darkened room illuminated the bright red dripping off my fingers.
Cage. Dark shadows. Ins...
2023-12-11 18:06:01 +0000 UTC
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The cake version of Teddy's parents was delicious. And we were all waddling away after finishing. Teddy, Celanae, and Eodyne left, with Teddy joining his parents to discuss something kingdom-related.
I tuned them out and watched as Igas slipped away while munching on a chunk of moist cake in his hand. He talked to Isaac, but the rogue hung back just enough that when Igas turned the corner, he silently closed the door to the dining room.
After turning around silently, the shadows i...
2023-12-08 19:19:02 +0000 UTC
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Their bodies didn't move, and neither did Devon. Only the creature, clutching its shadowy limb to its chest, continued to shift around, its head lolling to the side. The last of the humans popped out of the sand, the grains falling away to rejoin the arena floor. They looked stiff, unnatural. Their eyes were hollow, pure white, without irises or pupils. I counted four women, two men, and a single small child.
That has to be Thelassa's grandson. Holy crap, is he even alive anymore?
2023-12-07 18:06:00 +0000 UTC
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(Only 3 more chapters of B1 left! We're in for the homestretch!)
I pulled out my own axe and crossed over into the expanded cavern. Dark, endlessly so. It was impossible to see the other side of the cavern; the shadows acted like a sponge, absorbing the meager light from the vials.
The smell intensified. A burning feeling began to spread through my chest. The foreign thoughts didn't say any words, but I could feel them scratching, readying, like a cat prepared to ...
2023-12-06 18:06:01 +0000 UTC
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"Cain, stop! Focus!"
I hesitated as Alice gripped my shoulder. I paused long enough for her to forcefully turn me around.
"You heard Devon," she yelled. "They have walls and can handle themselves."
"But the people, Alice!" I argued, despite not moving. I turned and stared at the broken branches left in the beast's wake. "What if they break through the gate?"
"Have your wolf check it out. Calm down."
I growled but shut my eyes. The connection was there, and I imag...
2023-12-05 18:06:01 +0000 UTC
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"Hey!" Sereza protested.
I ignored the betrayal on her face and winked at Isaac before closing my eyes. If I was caught, I might as well have fun with it.
Letting Erebus' point of view take over, I caught sight of the elf having a few tentacles of her own emerge from her sleeve.
Urry looked ready to explode, but I didn't miss the hesitation in her hand. Her movements stuttered, reluctant. I doubted Isaac missed it, either.
Isaac stood up and dragged the two thugs with ...
2023-12-04 18:19:01 +0000 UTC
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We waited, and I sent out my wolf once more. I watched through its eyes, trusting Alice to pull me back to my body if something came.
For a while, we stood there, and my wolf continued to race through the trees. It made a circular arc, hopping over the river to scout the other side and then wrapped back around.
Nothing's coming. What's going on?
Several minutes passed, and my wolf had completed an entire rotation. I pulled back from my wolf's sight and blinked to ad...
2023-12-04 18:06:01 +0000 UTC
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I handed over the silver and accepted the last batch of food from the vendor. He shook his head and wiped away the powdered dust.
"I hope you're feeding an army; that's enough to kill you if you aren't careful," he remarked as we waddled away.
"It just might! Depends on how hungry she is," I joked, motioning with my head toward Sereza carrying her own armful of bagged food.
"You're lucky you're buying the food," she replied.
We eventually made our way to a restaurant w...
2023-12-01 19:19:01 +0000 UTC
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We raced back, and the entire time, my blood began to boil.
Another buzz forced the connection to waver.
Come on!
I sent mana flowing through the connection, hoping to keep my wolf alive.
Strangely enough, I found myself beginning to gain on Alice. She glanced my way but kept her head straight as we burst through the tree line.
Another paw swiped at my wolf. My wolf moved out of the way, but the spray of rocks clipped its hide and sent a salvo of flare-u...
2023-11-30 18:06:00 +0000 UTC
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Devon had us clear the ground of every stray rock or pebble. With the stones removed, leaving a grassy circle, he had everyone step out.
"Cain. Burn the grass, only the grass; do not disturb the ground."
Okay, I can do that.
I raised my arm and closed my eyes, conjuring the spark. Control was needed, so I kept the flame low and restarted when it grew too big. A new flame took its place, small, barely a match's worth of heat and light.
Runic lines appeared and ...
2023-11-29 18:06:01 +0000 UTC
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(IGNORE THE WEIRDNESS, YES THIS IS A REPOST, BUT CHAPTER 42, THE REAL ONE HAS BEEN UPDATED. I'LL GO CHANGE THE TITLE, ANYWAYS, HERE'S THE CHAPTER, I KNOW IT FUCKS UP MY BEAUTIFUL TIMELINE T_T BUT OHWELL. THIS IS EASIER THAN SWITCHING PICTURES AROUND.-- FTR Chapter 42 (the real one now) is today's upload just uploaded early. Go reread it if u want, for the missing context and important info T_T
He quietly removed her hands from his cloak and forced them down. She hiccupp...
2023-11-28 05:03:21 +0000 UTC
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"Is there a reason you two are bowing?" I asked, looking at the solemn faces of the two felkins.
Daergo spoke first, lifting his head to stare almost wonderstruck, at Zharia. "My apologies, Cyrus. I should have realized it when Sereza mentioned you. I meant no disrespect, sir."
"Master. He smells tasty."
"Like tasty flames? Don't eat him."
She pretended to pout, but despite all the teasing she directed at Sturmrorex about his pride, the little phoenix...
2023-11-27 18:19:00 +0000 UTC
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The system notification came in and informed us of having slayed corrupted beasts.
[Alert] You have slain: Corrupted Beast x2
…
…
…
Calculating Hunt Reward
Applying Strain-Modifier: -25%...
…
…
[Alert]: Diverted excess to Lore Matrix…
…
Calculation Complete.
After the notification appeared, it blinked out, and no other changes were made. App...
2023-11-27 18:06:01 +0000 UTC
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After exiting my soulspace, I exhaled deeply and stretched.
With a thought, I summoned up my status and shared it with the others.
STATUS
Name: Cyrus
Race: Reborn (Felkin)
Age: ??
Tier: 0
Active Skills:
- (T:0 R:9) Summon Familiar: Verdant Healer: (Áine )
- (T:0 R:9) Summon Familiar: Resplendent Inferno: (Zharia)
- (T:0 R:9) Racial Skill: Dimensional Storage: (Chomperz)
<...
2023-11-24 19:19:00 +0000 UTC
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The connection blazed so brightly in my mind that I could hear the sound of the beast clawing at the gates.
Even as shadows rose up like a devouring swarm to consume me whole within their maw, I smiled a savage grin and raised my head to release a howl.
Darkness overcame the moonlight, and my vision faded away.
"Wuulf!"
Black talons shredded black curtains, creating a gleam of white in between. The negative lines tore the wave into strips that splashed against...
2023-11-23 18:06:01 +0000 UTC
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Screw this.
My arm extended, and I let the fire crawl along my palm. Runic lines blazed to life, fueled by the heat flowing through my veins.
I let the fire build, and it clamored for release, but then the shadows swarmed from across the firepit. They rose like a tide, blocking out the light, consuming it whole.
“Ek kalla heiðarloga!”
Fire shot out, and instead of punching through the darkness, the shadow tide folded over the blazing ball, wrappi...
2023-11-22 18:06:01 +0000 UTC
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We were back in the forest, sitting and waiting for Devon to tell us what to do next. The man in question stood with his eyes closed, leaning against a tree, his hood up. No matter how many questions I asked, he remained dead silent.
"Devon, seriously. What's the game plan?" I demanded.
"The plan is to wait," he grumbled.
"You don't think that's silly? All things considered? Especially with what happened yesterday?"
"Have you paid zero attention to what I've been sayin...
2023-11-21 18:06:01 +0000 UTC
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Almost at once, the heavy pressure in the room faded away. I looked at my arm and saw a small bead of moisture drip down my skin.
I shook my head and waited.
"Well, now that the major concern is out of the way, here's a question we've always wanted answered. What's it like traveling through the spirit planes?"
"Mostly amazing. Some places are terrifying, others peaceful. Most of the guardians are frightening but generally interesting to talk to. Only had one major issue with...
2023-11-20 18:19:01 +0000 UTC
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Safe, warm, protected.
I hunt, but not the star. New prey, new task.
Must keep promise, must protect my kin.
Howl, call, begin the endless hunt!
When I woke up this time, I smelled the remnants of the campfire's smoke. The fire itself had dimmed considerably, barely more than a few flickering flames poking out beneath the logs. A small gust stirred the embers, sending the smoke wafting away and up into the canopy.
I blinked and...
2023-11-20 18:06:01 +0000 UTC
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I sat across from Anastasia, with Nathan and Teddy watching from the corner. My eyes drifted down towards the table where the pseudo-checkers marble game was set up.
That's a lot of rules. Damn.
Anastasia remained silent as I looked to her face and saw her smile.
And I still don't understand what sort of game you're playing. It's so obvious this whole thing is a facade.
Even if for a second I believed they were simply bored and in need of entertainmen...
2023-11-17 18:06:00 +0000 UTC
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(I didn't mention it because I kinda legit forgot. But yesterday was my B-day. I'm now another year closer to being a decrepit corpse!)
Applying Strain-Modifier: -25%...
…
…
[Alert]: Diverted excess to Lore Matrix…
…
Calculation Complete.
Hunt Reward: (Level Up! Level 3 Available!)
I blinked, and the system notification closed.
That… doesn't seem right?<...
2023-11-16 18:06:01 +0000 UTC
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The notification was damn tempting, but I wanted to get out of the cavern. Steamy, humid and filled with dust everywhere, I was concerned for the child and her already labored breathing.
Thankfully, Alice didn't stop for long and resheathed her weapon before quickly moving over to the pile of corpses scattered around the cavern floor. She used her boot to kick away the rubble and then bent down. She repeated this a few more times while I moved to the exit.
When she joined me, she ...
2023-11-15 18:06:01 +0000 UTC
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Alice glanced up in surprise, but she never stopped moving. When the fireball crashed into the stalactites just above, she jumped out of the way as the explosion cracked the stone. The monsters cornering her looked up in time as an avalanche of broken stone fell upon their heads.
The elementals went down in a scattering of rocks. I saw their bright, burning blood spew out, but judging from the hissing and popping noise they made, as well as the twitch of moving limbs, they were alive.
2023-11-14 18:06:01 +0000 UTC
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"So what now? What's your plan now that we're back in the capital?" I asked as we made our way through the streets.
"Visit the library and say hello to a few acquaintances. Now that we're here, I have a few letters to send back home. After that? Who knows. With Teddy's parents being home, things can get weird; it's best to prepare an open schedule," Celanae replied.
"They seem like the best kind of fun. Though, I'm surprised they're only now reaching tier three. Didn't Brelten adv...
2023-11-13 18:19:01 +0000 UTC
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(This will be my final drop-down now that I'm completely off RS. Going to maintain 4x a week M-T-W-Th moving forward. And on other news, Finishing FHC this week, only 3 more chaps left for B1, then onto B2 without delay! Thank you all for those who've subbed, and big thanks to those who've continued to stay subbed. I hope you'll enjoy Cain's journey.)
I glanced at her hand but noticed her gloves looked fine.
That was effective. But we'll need more than that.
2023-11-13 18:06:00 +0000 UTC
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They looked horrifying. It took me a second to understand my summon's surroundings, but the thing that attacked it clambered over its fallen companion to rush at my summon. My vision went dark as the ground swallowed its vision. A new sight replaced it, one muted and grey, like the world but in negative.
My wolf moved away from the creatures made of burning embers and dim coal. Their eyes were pits of red-hot flames that flared malevolently as they raised their picks into the...
2023-11-10 18:06:00 +0000 UTC
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