Lighting eruptions from within the monster as the barrier I created within it maw is galvanized and dissolved. Its real lighting, not a spark or a live wire. Even the air has changed gaining a fresh sent that's quickly over come by burning flesh. As I'm retreating something slams into my sternum, and the system voice tries to speak into my head before falling silent.
With all my effort I stop myself from throwing up and instead pull out my status book. Hopeing to see if something has changed that can explain it all.
Name-Ghost
Race-Human
•Body-H
•Mind-H
•Soul-H
•Core-H
Level-o[50%]
Class-N/A
Job-N/A
•Affinity-[Space(E)]
•Traits-[Phaze Frame]
•Abilities-[Harden]
•Skills-[Blessed barrier-Lv:1*]
•Shards-[
Health-[100%]
Force-[0%]
Conditions-[Contracted*]
•Constitution-[3
-Strength-[2
-Durability-[2
-Vitality-[5
•Awareness-[7
-Wisdom-[5
-Dexterity-[8
-Agility-[8
•Will-[4
-Intelligent-[5
-Refinment-[6
-Power-[2
•Charisma-[5
-Presences-[1
-Attraction-[8
-Aura-[7(17)
•Luck-[3
Equipped items
Ring of Life's Reach(Aura+10)
A strangled cough pulls my attention way as Fragment stumbles out of the room looking fairly burnt. But also clutching a large black marble, his own sever foot, that horrible sparking club, and that oddly sharp rock he got from the 7th floor. He collapses next to me and leaning against the wall.
"Thank you Ghost I. I would have died without you. I'm sorry for getting upset earlier, it makes sense that you have limitations just like I do. And clearly you've been exploring your magic too! That." He waves his hands around in an oddly excited manner." Was incredible, forming walls out of thin air! There's so many possibilities, can you create little ones, sharp ones or soft ones? I want to know so bad what the limits are… but seriously thank you."
Suddenly I find it hard not to stare at the idiot as if he'd grown a second head! But with a practiced ease I hide my surprise and discomfort." Your welcome Fragment. It wasn't easy doing that, stuff. But I couldn't just let you die. We, need each other. Sure we got off to a rough start, but I'm certain that everything will be fine from now on."
-
Something is different about her. That much I can immediately tell as I sit beside Ghost and apologize for how I've treated her. She saved my life. I can't not repay that. Though at least some of my message is scrambled from the adrenaline. Setting my stuff aside i gingerly hold my left foot up and wiggle my toes. Detaching my hands, is odd but strangely mundane compared to not having a foot beneath me. Reattaching it is very comforting. I like being whole, but i perhaps more than anything am enjoying magic. The shear power and raw possibility that Force, no that can be found in this altered world is unbelievable. I want to explore Al of it!
PUUUURRRRRR
"HAA. Sure Glutton sure, take what I have left in the tank you've earned it." I smile sleepily as am drained by the hungry Spirit.
"Are you talking to your club?" Ghost asks with confusion.
"Oh! I forgot, this is Glutton an…a lightning Spirit. I helped them come into existence somehow and they live in my wepon. At least I'm pretty sure Glutton and the club aren't the same thing?" Probably, the Sprits thoughts on the matter gives me a confusing mix of agreement and detachment from the statement.
"Did you go insane shortly after we separated?"
"Your intangible, my head is detachable, what's so hard to believe about a living weapon?"
"Why a club and…electricity then? Wouldn't a sword like you had before be better. And fire would have been more lethal."
"I'm not really a fighter remember? Most of the not getting killed I did in that fight came from Glutton guiding me. I definitely don't know how to weld a sword. As for their element I don't fully know why they came out as a lightning spirit, but I assume it's because one of the cores Glutton was made from came from that large electric beetle."
I shrug as she shuffles away but make sure the spraking club is as far way from her as possible while still keeping it at my side. Sitting back and closing my eyes I recall the message that got beam into my head as I killed the monster that infected this floor. Or rather killed the Coruptor Heart.
[ CONGRATULATIONS YOUNG Denizen! The Chalengers Guild recognizes your hand in slaying a Coruptor Heart! On behalf of the Slayes Guild we offer you one of 3 Rewards. Check your Status Book for options. Once selected announce your choice.]
That's probably as close to a confirmation as I'll receive that this dungeon wasn't supposed to have these monsters in it. Even still i don't look forward to descending knowing that an angry tree is probably in control of the last three floors. There was a second less coherent message to but…
[ You Asspireing Acolyte of Life have successfully cleaned the Mothers garden of its infection. To repay your diligence the Saint Malady offers one of 3 ->;-{}-1 BINDING CONTRACT•••—-1Major shard, min0r sha(d-
••Please ascend to the 5th level]
That's definitely evidence that the Pillar of life is at least influencing the Dungeon. But I feel that tree is the practical owner. At best she has rules she has to follow, but clearly these rules are flexible. Warily I summon my status book finding a few things have updated.
Name-Fragment
Race-Human
•Body-H
•Mind-H
•Soul-H
•Core-N/A
Level-o[97%]
Class-N/A
Job-N/A
•Affinity-[Spirit(H)]
•Traits-[Willful Vessel]
•Abilities-[Cleave]
•Skills-[Bind-Lv:3]
•Shards-[Astral]
Health-[25%]
Force-[1%]
Conditions-[Auto Possession] [3rd degree burns]
•Constitution-[4+1]
-Strength-[2*
-Durability-[9
-Vitality-[4
•Awareness-[3]
-Wisdom-[8
-Dexterity-[2
-Agility-[3*
•Will-[8+1]
-Intelligent-[4*
-Refinment-[10
-Power-[12
•Charisma-[4]
-Presences-[4
-Attraction-[5
-Aura-[3
•Luck-[1]
Despite ripping my core apart twice I've almost gained enough kill energy to build my core to full, though some part of me says there's way to much material in my center…this is easily twice as much as I had going into the fight. 87+87=174 percent not 97? Is ripping my core apart making it more expensive to build one in the first place? I bloody hope not! Otherwise at this rate I'll have to kill several Coruptor hearts to stand a chance at building my core within a reasonable time. Setting that matter aside for now I flip through over to my rewards page.
Potential rewards for completing Bounty 101 of newly integrated partial Real.
1- H grade body refinement treasure.
2- Tire 1-Survival Shard
3- opertortunity to learn a version of-skill minor healing.
Reminder from the Slayers Guild. This bountie can be claimed multiple times. Please continue completing bounty's to potentialy become an Initiate Slayer.
The Mother Gifts-
-Contract- Become a Subpillar of the Pillar of a Life. Terms include-""""-!!.€||>\{•}>~|__::
-Tire 6- shard of LIFE
-Trie 1- Shard of sur^iva|
A headache hits me as I try and read the jumbled up terms and conditions that the pillar of life sent me as a potential reward. After staring blankly at the page for a few minutes I finally understand. I finally realized how foolish I've been.