NOVEL NEXT B3 Chapter 19 - Kiamoni
“Another unbelievable ascension! Congratulations,” excitedly exclaimed Avatar.
“Thank you very much,” replied John.
“No soft cap reductions detected! Besides for [Runes], of course. All your hard work paid off. And by your hard work, I mean those magnificent injections the ganians have been giving you that increased your racial grade and all the rare and expensive materials needed for [Stalwart Vessel] they also gave you. What generous benefactors! And to think, you didn’t even want to travel to this world, you silly boy.”
“Downplay my accomplishments all you want, but I won those materials by my own hand fighting in the arena,” replied John. “I’d like to get this tier’s [SupraType] [Perk] before checking my summary. I need to train some [Skills].”
“You got it.”
John did his daily allotment of training and then continued training the rest of the spells impacted by his new peak-concept in his modified-room. Since he was going to be in the NetherRealm for months, he didn’t want to have much harmony left after getting the next [SupraType] [Perk]. It was considered one of the better ones. He didn’t think it was too exciting though. It improved his cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, and lymphatic systems.
Once done with all the training, John only had to merge two very old pottery [Skills] to get enough harmony to put him right where he needed to be for [Picture of Health].
Back in his Mind’s Eye, John asked Avatar, “How good was my ascension? What am I looking at for [Stat] increases?”
“8.3475 for every [Stat] but [Runes]. And a reminder the majority of terrans only increase [Capacity] and two other [Stats] by 3.15 to 3.375 ascending to Silver. I hope you’re finally starting to realize how lucky you are.
“But that’s not all. The [Silver] [Perk] increased all [Stats] by an additional 2. Silver tier made a lot of fundamental changes to your body I’m sure you don’t care about. The formation part of [Leech Body of the Morning's Glory] increased [Physical] and [Elemental Fortification] by 8, and [Strength] and [Swiftness] by 4.”
“Nice,” said John. “And I’m just playing it by ear.”
Avatar clucked her tongue and said, “Don’t you start with that nonsense, silly boy.”
“Then stop calling me silly boy. Or boy.”
Avatar smiled and said, “Stop annoying me on purpose. And don’t forget [Picture of Health] increased your [Conditioning] by 6 and its efficiency by 6%.”
“Got it,” said John. “And thanks. If that’s it, I’m ready to see the summary.”
Avatar glitched for a moment. “What a silly boy thing to say. You ascended to Silver. Remember what happens for most cultivators at Silver?”
“I’m not a silly boy. You’re a silly girl.”
Avatar laughed. “Let’s say I had feelings and was an actual elderly lady. You can’t truly think that would’ve hurt my feelings at all or made you look like less of a silly boy, now do you? I wish you had to study up on insults for your entrance exams. You’re very bad at them.”
John wanted to say that he was good at insulting, but that would only prove Avatar’s point. “What happens at Silver,” he asked.
“We usually have users hold off until peak rank to see if they open an aspect naturally, but there’s no point in your case. This is the first tier you can force open or increase an aspect. Since all your aspects are open, you can only increase ‘shadow’ to major or ‘battle’ to average. I know you want my recommendation. Increasing ‘battle’ from minor to average would benefit more of your manifestations.”
Avatar walked John through the process of increasing his aspect. Afterwards, he said, “Thank you for your help, Avatar. I appreciate it. And I appreciate you too. Very much so. I don’t tell you that enough. Anything else?”
“No,” said Avatar after glitching again for a moment. “I’ll bring up the summary. Just as a heads-up, we predict there’ll be a soft cap reduction next rank up, but not much of one. You’re not endangered anymore, and that’s the important part. I’ll skip all the [Achievements] and aspect changes you’ve already seen, but I’ll go back to the last time you checked the full summary for [Skill] changes.”
“Good call. And thank you again.”
Tier/Level/Race 4 (Mortal) (Silver), 16 (Low), Terran-D
Active Title Blessed by Magnus Gar’tar
Aspects/Affinities Vampirism (99.999%) (Major), Change (98%) (Major), Protection (96%) (Major), Battle* (97%) (Average), Shadow (98%) (Average)
NCU Energy Cost 79% (-73.9%)
Active NCU Upgrades Nano Assistance, Emergency Heal, Theta Waves, Heal Delta A, Heal Delta B, Inexorable, Refractory, Nano Support C, Nano Support D, Lock and Key, Scuta Mater, Encase, Mata Support A
NCU Expansion Upgrades 6 of 16 slots opened, 4 slots empty
1) Theta Enhancement – T1C
2) Auto-Reflect – T1C+
STATS [Effective] Current (Increase)
Strength [35%, 211.22] 156.46 (14.35)
Swiftness [35%, 211.03] 156.32 (14.35)
Conditioning [42%, 223.90] 157.68 (16.35)
Min. Power [22%, 145.87] 119.57 (10.35)
Capacity [23%, 135.22] 109.94 (10.35)
Runes [20%, 90.78] 75.65 (7.23)
Physical Fortification [37%, 222.40] 162.34 (18.35)
Elemental Fortification [34%, 217.80] 162.54 (18.35)
Mental Fortification [20%, 180.72] 150.60 (10.35)
Highest Skills [Leech Feckless Retreat Technique] 96.48
[Mixed Style Swords] 93.71
[Mixed Navigation] 91.13
[Mixed Stealth] 88.91
Synergy Skills Ready
Class NA
Perks Orb of the Crimson Palace, Dynamic, Physical, Potent, Protected, Strong, Fast, Healthy, Quick Thinking*, Resilient, Powerful, Expansive, Harden, Resistant, Soulful, Good Genes*, Leech Body of the Morning's Glory, Regeneration, Mutating, Bronze, Fibrilized*, Lightweight, Cloak Essence, Stalwart Vessel, Silver, Picture of Health*
Manifestations Vampirism, Draining Blade, Drain Essence, Hide, Multi-Enhancement, Multi-Shield, Puppet, Reflect, Shadow Spray, Slip, Spoil
Glyphs Least Glyph of Darkflame Jet, Glyph of Plasma Barrage
Last Achievement Archaea 2 - E
Highest Achievement SSUR Body - SSUR
Titles Blessed by Magnus Gar’tar, Blessed by Unnamed Exalted, Ptagmog, Multi-Record Holder (System), Multi-Trailblazer (System)
-Start Notifications
63 tracked skills changed, 20 of interest. Scaled summary per notability/interest user profile.
Expert: Essence Manipulation – 47(1), Turmoil Within Tranquility Cycling Technique – 44(1), Hide –42(0), Unbind Defense – 42(14), Heal – 41(-3), Vampirism – 41(-1)
Journeyman: Unbind Manifestation – 40(6), Multi-Enhancement – 39(-2), Multi-Shield – 36(-3), Essence-Infused Projectile Weapons – 35(1), Reflect – 35(5), Slip – 33(-12), Spoil – 31(-6)
Apprentice: Drain Essence – 28(-6), Shadow Spray – 28(-5), Draining Blade – 27(-7), Puppet – 22(-8), Manifestation Defense – 22(1), External Energy Manipulation – 19(16), Glyph of Plasma Barrage – 18(10)
[Vampirism] replaced [Blood Manipulation] but performed all the functions [Blood Manipulation] had plus a lot more. A lot of spells and [Skills] lost many levels, and John was happy they were all now about where they were prior. Building them back up from what they had lost was beneficial as increases generated harmony all over again.
John was also able to infuse his new ‘vampirism’ concept into spells that previously lacked any element of ‘blood’ or ‘leech,’ such as [Hide], [Spray Shadow], and [Slip], without having to make whole new spells. He couldn’t wait to test his new concept in the NetherRealm.
Unrated Perk attained: Silver.
Rated Perk attained: Stalwart Vessel (S-rated).
Perk attained in the SupraType progression chain: Picture of Health.
Concepts, aspect, aspect tier changes.
Orange aspect, Minor, increased to Average.
3 common Achievement attained for a cumulative [NCU Energy Cost] reduction of 0%. Focus here to see each individually.
6 notable Achievements attained.
‘Racial increase’ attained (Unrated). Increase race by one grade. Race upgraded from E to D-grade. Minimum Energy Unit effectiveness increased by 10% for all Stats. For record only. Unrated due to method of increase forced on user.
‘Gorilla 2’ attained (E-Rated). Attain an effective rating of 200 Minimum Energy Units with the Strength Stat, 0.20 [NCU Energy Cost] reduction, cumulative 73.1%.
‘Cheetah 2’ attained (E-Rated). Attain an effective rating of 200 Minimum Energy Units with the Swiftness Stat, 0.20 [NCU Energy Cost] reduction, cumulative 73.3%.
‘Husky 2’ attained (E-Rated). Attain an effective rating of 200 Minimum Energy Units with the Conditioning Stat, 0.20 [NCU Energy Cost] reduction, cumulative 73.5%.
‘Armadillo 2’ attained (E-Rated). Attain an effective rating of 200 Minimum Energy Units with the Physical Fortification Stat, 0.20 [NCU Energy Cost] reduction, cumulative 73.7%.
‘Archaea 2’ attained (E-Rated). Attain an effective rating of 200 Minimum Energy Units with the Elemental Fortification Stat, 0.20 [NCU Energy Cost] reduction, cumulative 73.9%.
End notifications-
The lack of really notable [Achievements] bothered John, but not too much since he would soon be battling many, many creatures of the Nether and he hoped to gain a slew of mighty [Achievements].
All in all, John was happy with his ascension and once again pushing back the soft cap. With his saved rune points, he thought about increasing [Least Glyph of Darkflame Jet] to [Lesser Glyph of Darkflame Jet], but if he waited until he had enough points for [Glyph of Darkflame Jet], he’d save on a point. And with his soul issue, points couldn’t be wasted. He decided to leave it and waste less runes in the long term.
John trained and studied and worked on [External Energy Manipulation] until the morning of the Purge. He knew his spells could do more with his new concept, but without combat and live targets to practice on, he’d have to wait to find out what.
After trying to get some sleep the night before leaving for the Purge, he gave up after realizing it wouldn’t happen. As a Silver, he needed even less sleep. He tried leaving his district for the portal early, but the Oli guard wouldn’t let him go until the exact time specified on his pass.
John meditated near the guard until he was allowed to leave. He arrived in the portal center of Hub City to see a small crowd gathered outside of the massive and well-guarded doors leading to the Netherworld Kiamoni.
Since he was being ignored by everyone, John went to the side of the crowd and observed what he could. A very young Alii was in charge. She was a Gold, meaning she was the lowest tier an Alii could be. The sacs on her chest were all flat and John could tell she was feigning her confidence.
There were sixteen Transcendents in the portal center. John couldn’t figure out which of the Mortal tier Oli were guards or the three that were going. He was told only 20 participants were allowed on the Purge, all Oli besides himself, and none of them would be from the same kauwa.
It took the Alii a while to notice John, but when she did, she walked straight up to him. “Big-spray! I was worried you’d be late. Um, the boys all have helmets and, uh, I think there’s some other stuff. Um, follow me, Kahaka.”
John thought it was strange the Alii was getting less attention than most got from Peerless men, especially when not of her own kauwa. They tended to openly leer. All the Oli in the portal center occasionally gave her a quick leer, but it wasn’t close to the usual amount.
The Alii brought John to a brute. “Kahaka Four-one, this is Akeoli Two-three-five, Conqueror of Hyavod. He’s…well, no Alii are going so no one’s in charge, but, um, three Akeoli are going, and Akeoli Hyavod is…he’ll provide guidance. He’s been a big help to me setting this all up.”
Akeoli Hyavod smiled warmly at the young woman. “I try to be helpful, Alii. You just remember to fire up your CSL and let me know once you have a puffy sac. I’ll fill another to help you along.”
The Alii laughed and touched the chest of Akeoli Hyavod. “Oh, I wish I could skip ahead and have my first sac quickened. My own kauwa! Oh, I can’t wait. You know I’ll contact you.”
It finally made sense to John. New Alii were as off-limits as Alia. After ascending to Gold, Alii had to do something like a year of internships before receiving her kauwa, and once she had it, one of her own men had to earn credits given by her hand to take her virginity. Only then would she be open to the public for purchase.
After removing her hand, the Alii said, “Anyway, I’m sure you know this Kahaka from the highlights. Um, do you know where he gets a helmet and, uh, the other stuff? Oh, I have the pingers.”
The Alii handed John a small device. “That’s a pinger. Once all the boys enter, we’ll close the portal. Unless there’s new demons on Kiamoni, time should, uh…you’ll all be in there for about, uh…uh…praised Akua, I forget.”
Akeoli Hyavod said, “About half a year, give or take a month or two, Kahaka, but the exact time doesn’t matter since we can’t leave until the pinger beeps its alarm. Then you’ll have about four standard weeks to make it to the portal before it closes again, or you’ll be stuck there until the next Purge. Don’t put it in your storage device. Keep it on you at all times. Wait, I don’t feel a storage device on you. You’re going on the Purge without one? You know about the points, right?”
John tried to sound humble as he said, “I received information on how the points work. I had the crystals to buy a storage device. I kept asking if I could come here or go to Kotown to get one, but no one ever replied. All the ones made in Kulolo have to be sold to you…the Peerless. I have this large pack instead. Best I could do.” He turned a little to show the ruck on his back.
The Alii looked sad. “Oh, you poor thing. I’m sorry. If I knew, I could’ve, uh, tried to do something about it. Sorry.”
Akeoli Hyavod said, “Well, you tried. I’m sure one of us boys can spare you a loaner. We have a helmet for you, a knife, and some other necessities. We’ll set you up in camp on the other side. Sound good?”
“Yes, Akeoli,” replied John, gratefully. “That’s fantastic. Thank you very much.”
The massive doors guarding the portal opened. Once activated, three Akeoli, thirteen other Transcendent, two Salts, and a Diamond Oli entered before John.
As John stepped into the NetherRealm, the air, thick and filled with an odd energy, swirled around him, and he felt sticky. The sky was dark and starless, and strange clouds of brutal colors filled it as far as the eye could see, as if a madman painted the scene.
John, having spent a decent amount of time on a different Netherworld, could see much further into the Nether than he could when he first entered Esau as a Wood.
Kiamoni looked very similar to Esau. The terrain was black and a dull red, like rust, with some browns and tans mixed in, and somehow seemed both dry and moist at the same time. Only a few plants broke free of the ground, and all were sharp, had an uninviting look to them, and contained little vital essence. Sharp, sickly, and brutal looking trees peppered the landscape, as did some far-off mountains he could barely make out.
There were also ruins of buildings all around the portal. Since the portal was so massive, John assumed he was in the ruins of the inner point of the old Circle Joyat.
As John tried to find a set point to orient off of in the madly colored sky, words showed unbidden in his eyes.
User entered the NetherRealm. All advanced functions of the NCS deactivated. NCS downgrading to [Basic] [Preventive] and will only reactivate upon exiting into real space. User is to immediately exit the NetherRealm back to real space.
[OVERRIDE]
[OVERRIDE] [Status] [Authorized] Entertainment package reactivating.
As John tried to find a fixed point, he also tried to remember the name of the fixed point of Esau, but it continued to evade him. He hoped every Netherworld had one, and if they did, he wondered if they all had the same name. After about an hour, he finally found a fixed point.
Since John was unable to spot camp, he began studying the tracks the Oli left. All the tracks ended a short distance from the portal. He figured the Peerless were playing a prank on the new guy. He put some thought into where camp would be set up.
Then John became startled. Adrenaline coursed through his body, making him alert. His heart beat faster as fear gripped it harshly and terror numbed his brain.
Something was looking at John. He didn’t know what or from where, and with his senses and orb-eye, he noticed nothing that should cause such dread. But whatever was looking at him was as deserving of fear as the cold-dark.
John had felt that fear before. Whatever looked at him now also did the same the first time he entered the Nether, right as he arrived at Second Point.
Thankfully, the feeling didn’t last long, and John’s mind began to thaw, and his heart began to slow.
A couple minutes later, a Transcendent swooped down and landed in front of John, the brute’s face completely hidden behind a full helmet.
John knew whatever frightful thing looked at him was much more powerful than any Transcendent, so it certainly wasn’t the brute that caused the fear.
“Hey, Kahaka. Glad you made it. I’ll fly you to camp. You have the alarm?”
“The pinger? Yes, attached to my sash.”
“Good. The portal will stay open for a couple more weeks. The alarm will sound when it’s closing. This is your best chance to exit if you’re having second thoughts.”
John tried to smile in a friendly manner. At Silver, he was better at sensing ranks within tiers. “Not at all, Two-two-one. Do I…do I sit on your arm? That’s the only way I’ve seen it done.”
The brute laughed. “Are you an Alii in disguise, Kahaka? If not, I’ll fly you normally.”
The brute grabbed the back of John’s neck with a large and meaty hand, similar to how he saw the Alia present the newborn Li at the Nani Victor hall.
Then the Oli lifted John into the sky and began to fly. It wasn’t comfortable at all. He didn’t enjoy being flown as he was. To help calm his heart, he focused on the fixed point and orienting himself during the flight.
The trip didn’t last all that long. A little past some ruins of another old point of Circle Joyat, John spotted the camp. There were four small tents set up, and three large ones. One of the large ones looked very fancy and sturdy and was set on top of a giant ritual circle.
The brute set John down at the edge of the camp. Akeoli Hyavod walked up to him as soon as he landed.
John was very surprised to hear a female in coitus in the large tent on top of the ritual circle. The sounds were greatly subdued, but his hearing and senses were far beyond those of a normal Silver. He had only seen Oli enter the portal. He was the last to enter. No female entered ahead of him.
The smile left the brute’s face as he looked harshly at John. “Hear that even through the dampening ritual, do you? Damn. That’s not good. Not good for you at all, Kahaka.”