Chapter 240: Lethal Copulation

The Dragon’s Means helped Priam’s cells and soul soak up the draconic essence flowing by means of his veins.

Lvl Up: [Friction Resistance] lvl 19, 20

AGI +2

As his physique and soul remodeled, the expertise made Priam mirror on the completely different paths that might result in Tier 10. Cultivating the Three Coronary heart Supremacies elevated the self by growing attributes and aligning the physique, thoughts, and soul nearer to the Zenith. Micro, Area, and Mastery—every technique was completely different, but Priam knew they have been pure and complementary.

A extra harmful however huge path was that of the Ideas. To alter the world, one needed to perceive and combine it. It was harmful for the ego as a result of drawing nearer to an concept was no trivial matter. Getting too near Hearth would get you burned, simply as whoever tastes Freedom would search to interrupt their chains. Ideas modified your mind-set, so it was essential to keep away from practising these not aligned together with your true nature.

That was with out even mentioning the affect of these strolling the identical path as you. Nonetheless, regardless of its pitfalls, it was a viable path, as confirmed by the Seven.

A final various was the notion, understanding, and manipulation of aether. The primordial vitality was the supply of all the things and defied the foundations. Starting, finish, ideas, concepts, logic, and even entropy had no maintain on the everlasting essence; at the least, that’s what Priam had been advised.

In contrast to the opposite paths, mastering aether required a medium. One had to make use of runes—a construction that had which means for the aether, that resonated with it—which might take an infinite variety of varieties and ideas. A sigil drawn within the sand was as legitimate as a spoken incantation or the particular vibration of an atom… and simpler to copy than making a constellation.

Runes, the alphabet of aether, have been as infinite because the fluid they allowed one to control, however some creatures had virtually managed to grasp them. Essentially the most well-known have been the dragons.

The place most legendary races created cores and fulcrums, the supreme race had the innate potential to inscribe runes instantly onto their souls. This energy allowed them to control actuality instantly.

A implausible energy that the System had managed to democratize.

Priam had lately understood the true nature of expertise: a rune or a ritual etched onto one of many layers of the soul. Moreover being a shortcut to control actuality, these sigils perfected the self’s trilogy: physique, thoughts, and soul. This enchancment was gradual and higher often called “leveling up.”

A number of strategies existed to stage up one’s expertise. The commonest was to coach exhausting and consciously. The System and runes then helped with the regeneration of muscle fibers after work, guided the restore of microfractures within the bones, oriented physique development, perfected muscle reminiscence, and optimized mind synapses.

Priam hadn’t but totally understood what leveling up and upgrading a ability entailed for the soul, however the end result was clear. The person discovered and progressed sooner and higher with out the System changing the trouble; it merely maximized the outcomes obtained.

Leveling up corresponded to raised proficiency and the attributes gained by the person. Achievements, Titles, Quests, or Colosseum rewards might additionally stage up expertise, however all these strategies had a standard level: these good points weren’t merely given by an all-powerful entity, they have been earned, untainted by a bloodline or Idea.

Every level-up was thus a brand new step in the direction of the Zenith: a miracle in keeping with the insurance policies of the Seven Grand Ideas, which refused to deprave the inhabitants of their world.

Chewing the final piece of the defeated beast’s coronary heart, its barely managed vitality coursing by means of his physique, Priam understood why dragons have been so feared. The similarity between their Means and that of the System meant their bloodline was additionally able to conferring level-ups. It was marvelous as a result of it meant each draconic adversary was a possible supply of uncooked energy.

It was perilous as a result of the extra Priam ascended, the extra appetizing he would turn into to those that shared his bloodline.

“Allow them to come,” he smiled.

As he used his mist and Area to rinse off the draconic blood, a part of Priam’s consideration checked his notifications.

[Friction Resistance] has reached stage 20, its most stage as a standard ability.

Relying in your background, two upgrades can be found:

[Great Friction Resistance – Rare] – Basic improve. No future improve doable. Potential Value: 5

[Smooth Scales – Rare] – You possess draconic scales and the essence of an amphiptere flows in your veins. Excessive improve potential. Potential Value: 20

Priam hesitated for a second to just accept a excessive improve. May he unlock a great improve together with his distinctive construct? Perhaps, however it is going to be exhausting. He hadn’t even unlocked a typical improve, not having labored exhausting on this resistance. [He Who Eludes Death] and [Kinetic Control] would possibly ultimately assist him attain insane speeds in a fluid, possibly even explode in flight like a rocket re-entering the ambiance, however would that be sufficient?

Furthermore, Priam was reluctant to die like that. His structure was too shut to 12 hundred, which might be a demise sentence. Plus, he had been alive for nearly 4 days—a report to date—and one in all Elysium’s chain quests was to outlive. Log-a-rhythm’s seed had been his reward for surviving three days, so Priam anticipated the subsequent milestone: per week.

“Too unhealthy, I might have appreciated to see what occurs while you solely unlock supreme upgrades for a ability,” he murmured as he validated the improve. “Subsequent time.”

You’ve got chosen the ability [Smooth Scales – Rare].

POT -20

[Smooth Scales] – Friction is the resistance that one floor or object encounters when shifting over one other. Your draconic scales act like a lubricant, permitting you to partially ignore this drive. You lose much less velocity as a consequence of interactions together with your atmosphere.

This ability has different benefits that won’t be listed right here to maintain this description kid-friendly.

AGI +3

A layer of spectral scales appeared on the floor of his pores and skin, bringing a smile to Priam’s lips. Due to [Ideal Aether Perception] and his structure’s milestones, he might see that his new resistance solely utilized to his draconic scales; a safety he might invoke and banish at will. Briefly, he might change between a mode with friction and one with out. This might be an attention-grabbing trick…

Whereas learning his new ability, Priam seen one other vital level by studying the choice description. He had obtained a excessive improve for 2 causes: he possessed draconic scales and had absorbed the essence of the amphiptere. By extrapolating a bit, one might suppose that the draconic essence had been built-in into [Friction Resistance] as a result of it was one of many winged serpent’s primary traits.

“Relying on the species of dragon I hunt, I’ll get a corresponding reward,” mused Priam. By focusing on particular monsters, he might fill his gaps. “Higher but, I might get higher upgrades. If I had absorbed the essence of a Tier 2 amphiptere, it could actually have counted as a prerequisite for a great improve.”

Priam needed to clench his abs to keep away from bursting out laughing. This was good news! In fact, it was harmful, however between this discovery and his [Life is Hard; I’m Harder] Title, he now had two free conditions for the perfect improve of all his frequent and uncommon resistances. The day he turned the last word juggernaut was now not to date off.

The chirping of a chook exterior pulled Priam from his reverie. Counting your chickens earlier than they hatch was silly.

“I have to confirm that killing and absorbing the draconic essence of different amphipteres can enhance the extent of [Smooth Scales]. If it’s true, then I want to seek out all of them.”

The ability boosted his agility, an attribute removed from the subsequent harmful threshold—9 hundred factors. The resistance impact would permit him to fly and swim sooner, which might certainly be instrumental in his future hunt in opposition to the Terrors of Valaryth.

“Take up the essence of amphipteres and different draconic species, monitor and kill the Terrors, use their cores as trophies for Heavenly Dragon, then survive my Tribulations. Seems like a plan,” Priam smiled. After a ultimate look on the carcass starting to draw flies, he cautiously exited the constructing.

It took Priam practically two hours to discover a second amphiptere. Whether or not draconic species have been uncommon or the monsters had slaughtered one another earlier than he arrived, they have been few and much between.

His dream of rapidly maxing out [Smooth Scales] shattered, Priam centered on his hunt. The winged serpents left little hint. [Ideal Aether Perception] could not detect their aether, and [Sense of Smell] did not catch their scent—comprehensible for airborne monsters.

Finally, Priam began trying to find giant buildings with huge entrances. In any case, amphipteres weren’t small and wanted double doorways to enter their lairs.

This led him to a grand amphitheater close to the town’s coronary heart. Seeing the principle gate busted open, he grinned and entered by means of a facet door. After navigating a protracted hall, he arrived at a room overlooking the stands. Priam’s superhuman notion and excessive vivacity let him rely ten thousand seats in below a second. Name me Rain Man…

Finely carved pillars and lifelike statues hinted on the builders’ aesthetic sense. It wasn’t the grandest stadium Priam had ever seen, however for a small metropolis, it was spectacular. The construction was designed for your complete inhabitants to collect, be it for sports activities, video games, or politics—Priam could not inform.

All this paled compared to the huge amphiptere having its breakfast within the enviornment’s middle. The draconic beast was utilizing its claws to butcher what appeared like a cow or bison. It appeared occupied however commonly lifted its head to examine its environment. Seeing it able to allow its scales, Priam was positive that the beast’s instincts weren’t dulled by [Homo Elysian Predation]. The warrior watched for a number of minutes, observing the cautious opponent and on the lookout for a sample in its surveillance. If I can not kill it in a single strike, our battle will alert your complete area…

As Priam contemplated his subsequent transfer, his add-on recommended an answer. No plan survived contact with the enemy, however some have been safer than others, and Priam determined to wager on this one.

Utilizing [Phantom], he retreated and exited the constructing. Surveying the facade, he centered on Micro and [Climb], one in all his first expertise. With a smile, he leapt practically eight meters excessive and nimbly scaled the construction. A extra highly effective soar would have brought on vibrations within the floor, and his main objective was stealth.

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Reaching the roof in lower than two seconds, he confronted stone bars radiating in the direction of the sector’s middle like spokes on a bicycle wheel. Between every beam, a tarpaulin supplied shade for spectators. It was surprisingly well-preserved, however Priam didn’t belief it to carry his weight.

Taking a deep breath, he mentally mapped the town earlier than dashing alongside the beam forward. He ran nimbly, holding his breath. Forty meters lengthy, the beam led to an open circle. The previous gentle properly illuminated the sector’s middle and allowed the amphiptere to take flight. Reaching this level, Priam executed a swan dive.

Just like the protagonist of a well-known online game franchise, he plunged into the void, Promesse in hand. Beneath him, the alert amphiptere lifted its head, eyes blazing with hostility. Its scales shimmered with a spectral sheen, and considering it was the predator, it opened its maw to swallow the impudent intruder.

Found, Priam didn’t hesitate to gradual his fall with kinetic mastery and readied Promesse. In a fraction of a second, he aimed on the gaping maw and threw.

“What the fuck?!”

Jasmine leapt because the physique collapsed behind her, laughing at Priam’s shocked expression.

“Did I catch you off guard?” she winked.

“How did you try this? My assaults can pierce a financial institution vault’s door, they usually couldn’t even scratch this factor’s scales!”

Jasmine shrugged. “I suppose I’m simply that sturdy.”

“… Okay, you’re mighty,” Priam replied, amused. “Are you able to inform me your secret now? Is it your dagger?”

“It’s Legendary high quality,” Jasmine admitted, twirling her weapon. “However it’s largely my new Legendary ability, [A Shadow of Their Former Self]. I can quickly nullify buffs. With out its draconic scales and with a Legendary dagger, it wasn’t exhausting to pierce this snake’s mind—particularly because you had its consideration.”

Priam frowned however accepted the reason. Jasmine was a glass-cannon murderer who might simply take down an unsuspecting enemy. In return, her construct made it unattainable for her to deal with giants and left her weak to a sniper or vigilant duelist. Their strengths have been completely different, and he had no proper to be jealous. But, he was a bit.

“It’s fairly conceited of you to suppose you would be higher than me at my specialty,” Jasmine snorted, as if studying his ideas.

“Touché. Alright, I’ll harvest the guts of the one I killed first, and we will go,” Priam sighed, heading towards the male he had decapitated.

“And the opposite one?”

“It’s your kill, do no matter you need with it,” Priam replied, shrugging. The legal guidelines of the Dragon wouldn’t reward another person’s feats.

“I’ll depart it right here. I respect my dagger an excessive amount of to plunge it into these entrails. By the way in which, why is the male’s penis torn off? You didn’t interrupt them throughout…”

“Don’t ask questions you don’t need solutions to.”

Jasmine remained silent for a second earlier than grinning.

“… He who wished to fuck obtained fucked. Humorous.”

Priam shivered, providing a silent prayer of apology to the winged serpent.

Standing:

PHYSICAL:

Energy 707

Structure 1 105

Agility 773 (+143)

Vitality 1 040

Notion 766 (+5)

MENTAL:

Vivacity (D) 570

Dexterity 656 (+3)

Reminiscence 842 (+10)

Willpower 1 163

Charisma 692

META:

Meta-affinity 799 (+15)

Meta-focus 409 (+6)

Meta-endurance 617 (+9)

Meta-perception 339

Meta-chance 274

Meta-authority 216 (+6)

Potential: 13 607 (+64)

Tier 0

Solar factors: 1 478 906 (+11 290)

[He Who Eludes Death] cost: PRIMED

[Tribulation]: 5 Tribulations pending.

Future Tribulations delayed till:

Time: 153 days 18 hours 47 minutes 10 seconds.

Subsequent thresholds: 12 attributes > 600 / 6 attributes > 900 / 1 attribute > 1 200