NOVEL NEXT B3 - Chapter 70 – The pinnacle of power
Greg glanced at the number scrolling across his vision.
-----
[Gift Received: 240,583 Stardust.]
-----
"Holy…" Greg trailed off, then activated his comms. "Quinn? What's that from?"
"Jace killed a big thing on a death world."
Greg was flabbergasted and stood up, "The hell we doing here having Priam just meditate?! We could be out there killing stuff that grants that much Stardust?!"
"Without Void he would have been destroyed," Xera replied, cutting Quinn off. "That is the only reason he is alive. Even you, with all your defensive Skills, would be suffering injury after a few minutes of combat. And with you taking the hits for both Priam and Dee? You would fall quickly."
Greg felt jealousy towards Jace. A moment where he craved something that someone else had. It was so sudden, and he shook his head. No. I'm not jealous of what he went through. He pushed aside the feelings and stood up as he took in the landscape. I wouldn't want to go through all of that. And besides, I'm plenty strong on my own. I'm more durable than any other Aspirant or Ascendant based on Darrin's System-wide search.
He had tasked his Wayfinder with looking into that; finding the strongest, fastest, toughest, smartest, and most powerful Aspirants or Ascendants. Making a list, as it were, so that Greg would have points of comparison to use in contrast with his own progression.
Dee walked up the stone steps. It was hard to get a read on her species, because it was so alien, but she sagged down onto one of the cushions. "Ugh. Fighting takes so much work! Just easier to blast stuff."
"Did you get the Stardust from Jace also?" Greg asked.
"Yeah," Dee replied as she fiddled with the cloth on the cushion, one of the tassels that she played with between her fingers. "It is a lot. Makes what we are doing seem worthless in comparison, eh?"
Greg sighed and nodded, "Yeah.
"I'm a bit jealous."
"Felt that, too."
"But it's okay because I know I'm unrivaled in offensive Skills!"
I knew that, also, Greg thought. Darrin's results had shown as much. Greg was the hardest thing to kill in the System, Dee was the most powerful offensive Skill user, and Priam was the greatest healer and support personnel. Thankfully, they all had code names thanks to Xera's actions post-wedding explosion.
That still grated at Greg, and while he had been standing watch and guarding Priam during his meditation, he had been seething. Thinking of what he would do to Troxanir. How he would make the entity pay for taking his loved ones from him. Friends and family. People he cared for so, so much. He clenched his fist, feeling the raw power of his muscles thanks to the Cosmic Infusion (Rank 10). He didn't care that Xera could now manipulate his physiology. All he wanted was revenge.
That, and staying alive to spend the rest of his soon-eternal life with Missy.
Priam snapped out of his meditation and stood up. "Done! Got you a good chunk in an hour."
-----
[Stardust Split: 400]
-----
Greg chuckled at how insignificant the sum seemed to be, given how much Jace had just sent them. "Good job, Priam," Greg said.
Priam frowned, "We got a lot from Jace, didn't we?" Greg nodded, and Priam sighed. "Well, we can at least level up and get closer to him, I guess. But meditating won't get us to Tier 10 fast enough to fight Troxanir's Astral Body inside The Cosmic System depths!"
Xera's voice came over the comms, "I've decided. You three can head to the death world with Jace. Level up and get to The Cosmic Corridor. It is going to be dangerous…but it is the fastest way."
Priam pumped his fist, "Yes!" A series of status screens filtered across Greg's vision as his allies spent their Stardust.
-----
Name: Quinn Cipher (Aspirant, Tier 9)
Power [Class Level]: Star [Broker <Celestial Coordinator> 100] / Exoplanet [Reality Strategist <Tactician> 94]
Skill Name (Rank) [Evolutions]: Universal Translation, Environmental Adaptation, Broker's Instinct (Rank 8), Broker's Contract (Rank 20), Broker's Fee (Rank 16), Cosmic Infusion (Rank 10), Magic World Interface (Rank 10), Magitech World Interface (Rank 10), Technology World Interface (Rank 10), Other Realm Interface (Rank 5), Celestial Observer (Rank 1), Coordinator's Critical Gaze (Rank 10), Coordinator's Warning System (Rank 9), Stratagem (Rank 63) [Mobility][Obliteration][Bulwark][Grounded][Resolved][Chaos Strike][Shattered Views][Slip Away][Skip][Time Lock], Inter-reality Relay Network (Rank 5), Tactician's Orders (Rank 5), Grand Tactics (Rank 10), Advanced Tactics (Rank 4), Reality's Order (1/day)
Stardust: 1,546
Equipment: Reality Interface, Broker's starting gear, Webwalker Implants, Pheracorp Bionic Brain Mk. 1, Pheracorp Bionic Eyes Mk. 1, TPSB
Boons: Uncommon (Variable)
-----
Tactician's Orders (Rank 3) – As Rank 2, and the target will be granted increased speed to complete the task.
Tactician's Orders (Rank 4) – As Rank 3, and the target will be granted increased coordination to complete the task.
Tactician's Orders (Rank 5) – As Rank 4, and the target will be granted increased efficiency until the task is completed.
Grand Tactics (Rank 1) – If a target acts how a Tactician dictates, they will have a x2 increase to all characteristics and traits.
…
Grand Tactics (Rank 10) – As Rank 1, but increase bonus to x10.
Advanced Tactics (Rank 1) – When giving a complex task through Tactician's Orders, the Tactician may supplement the effects of Tactician's Orders with additional energy, further increasing the granted bonuses.
…
Advanced Tactics (Rank 4) – As Rank 1, but offset energy expenditure by 30%.
-----
Name: Deasyl 'Dee' Luna (Aspirant, Tier 9)
Power [Class Level]: Nebula [Blaster <Artillerist> 100] / Flux [Demolisher <Obliterator> 94]
Skill Name (Rank) [Evolutions]: Universal Translation, Environmental Adaptation, Energy Cost Reduction (Rank 10) [Goop Replacement], Cosmic Infusion (Rank 10), Demolisher's Devastation (Rank 93) [Blast][Beam][Cone][Eruption][Cloud][Trap][Broadside], Artillerist's Acumen (Rank 6) [Zeroed In], Artillerist's Discipline (Rank 5) [Empowering Exclusion], Overflowing Obliteration (Rank 1), Evolution Stack (Rank 1), Spinal Laser (1/day), Desert's Shield (1/day), Arbiter's Anathema (1/day)
Stardust: 1,546
Equipment: Desert God Guard, Artillerist's Ingram, TPSB, Everfall Kite, Anathema Eye
Boons: None
-----
Demolisher's Devastation (Rank 93) – As any lesser Rank, but increase the damage inflicted.
-----
Name: Priam Westerfold (Aspirant, Tier 9)
Power [Class Level]: Pulsar [Priest <Seraph> 100] / Gigastar [Exarch <Cultivator of Bonds> 94]
Skill Name (Rank) [Evolutions]: Universal Translation, Environmental Adaptation, Cosmic Infusion (Rank 10) [Innervating], Exarch's Ward (Rank 23) [Multi-Target], Exarch's Seraphic Soothe (Rank 17) [Contingent][Regeneration][Stored][Recursive][Overheal][Ward Mending][Chaining][Wave][Full Heal][Gravewaker][Viral], Exarch's Blessing (Rank 3) [Enduring], Energy Cost Reduction (Rank 10) [Alternate Source], Wrath of the Gods (Rank 5), Heavenly Smite (Rank 17) [Marking], Fount of Energy (Rank 5) [Multi-Target], Unbreakable Bonds (Rank 13), Empowering Aura (Rank 14), Ishtar's Embrace (1/day), Energy Drain (1/day), Rapturous Release (1/day), Arbiter's Anathema (1/day)
Stardust: 1,546
Equipment: (Light / Life Screen) Archpriest Vestments, (Conservation) Soul Warden Writ, (Insightful) Dad's Hat, (Light) Venture Pack, (Overcharged) Argent Reservoir, Resplendent Reservoir, survival meals (x100), enhanced canteen, optimized medical kit, Power Hammer, TPSB, Anathema Bo Staff
Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.
Boons: Uncommon (Variable)
-----
Unbreakable Bonds (Rank 13) – As Rank 4, but increase efficacy to 100%.
Empowering Aura (Rank 1) – The user constantly exudes an aura 10 feet in all directions. Those who are in the aura reduce incoming damage by 10%.
Empowering Aura (Rank 2) – As Rank 1, but increase size of the aura to 20 feet.
Empowering Aura (Rank 3) – As Rank 2, and those in the aura increase outgoing damage by 10%.
Empowering Aura (Rank 4) – As Rank 3, but increase size of the aura to 30 feet.
Empowering Aura (Rank 5) – As Rank 4, and those in the aura increase movement speed by 10%.
Empowering Aura (Rank 6) – As Rank 5, but increase the size of the aura to 40 feet.
Empowering Aura (Rank 7) – As Rank 6, and those in the aura reduce incoming damage by an additional 10% (20% total).
Empowering Aura (Rank 8) – As Rank 7, but increase the size of the aura to 50 feet.
Empowering Aura (Rank 9) – As Rank 8, and those in the aura increase outgoing damage by an additional 10% (20% total).
Empowering Aura (Rank 10) – As Rank 9, but increase the size of the aura to 60 feet.
Empowering Aura (Rank 11) – As Rank 10, and those in the aura increase movement speed by 10% (20% total).
Empowering Aura (Rank 12) – As Rank 11, but increase the size of the aura to 70 feet.
Empowering Aura (Rank 13) – As Rank 12, and those in the aura reduce incoming damage by an additional 10% (30% total).
Empowering Aura (Rank 14) – As Rank 13, but increase the size of the aura to 80 feet.
-----
Greg glanced at Darrin, his Wayfinder spider, who was floating next to him. "I'll hit the threshold for a Class Expansion, right?"
"Yup," Darrin replied. "We can use it mid-level-up if you want to make the decisions now."
"We've talked about this."
"That we have. You certain?"
Greg nodded, "I need it."
-----
[Your Wayfinder has prompted the Class Expansion feature of The Cosmic System.]
[Qualifier of 75 levels in an Advanced Class met. Bypasses 'extreme emotional state' restriction.]
[Class Expansion available.]
[Juggernaut <Revenger>]
[Confirm selection?]
[Selection auto-confirmed by Wayfinder.]
-----
Name: Greg Bhastal (Aspirant, Tier 9)
Power [Class Level]: Planet [Warrior <Eternal Bulwark> 100] / Supermassive [Juggernaut <Revenger> 89]
Skill Name (Rank) [Evolutions]: Universal Translation, Environmental Adaptation, Weapon Training (Rank 10), Armor and Shield Training (Rank 5), Power Strike (Rank 11), Energy Cost Reduction (Rank 10), Cosmic Infusion (Rank 10), Series of Strikes (Rank 10), Aggravating Presence (Rank 10), Ceaseless Vigil (Rank 4), Bulwark's Defenses (Rank 20), Eternal Guardian (Rank 10), Planetary Panacea (Rank 3), Indomitable Juggernaut (Rank 70), Singularity Soul (Rank 6), Revenger's Reprisal (Rank 10), Mark of Retribution (Rank 4), Arbiter's Anathema (1/day)
Stardust: 10,546
Equipment: (Channeling) Devastator Sniper Rifle, (Heavy / Aquatic) Exo-planet Power Armor, Beamblade Emitter, TPSB, Anathema Straight Sword, survival meals (x100)
Boons:
-----
Singularity Soul (Rank 6) – As Rank 5, and the user may absorb five hostile effects each day with the same energy recovery and limitations.
Revenger's Reprisal (Rank 1) – Those who strike the user or the user's allies with a harm-inducing effect will have the same effect turned back on them at 10% efficacy. This calculates pre-damage mitigation.
…
Revenger's Reprisal (Rank 10) – As Rank 1, but increase efficacy of redirect to 100%.
Mark of Retribution (Rank 1) – The user declares a target within their ability to sense. That user always knows the distance and direction to the target. Additionally, the user may teleport next to the target whenever they suffer harm from them.
…
Mark of Retribution (Rank 4) – As Rank 1, and the user may target 3 additional entities.
-----
Priam looked over at Greg as they all finished reading each-other's level ups and Skill selections or Rank ups. "I see. You want to get hit!"
Greg chuckled and nodded, "I'm already being hit a ton, and redirecting damage for you two. I need some form of dealing damage, and a redirect sounds like the perfect option for me."
Dee gave a thumbs up, "You are already one beefy tank of a man. You have tanks on Earth, right?"
"Yes, we do. And that is a good comparison."
Jace activated Void Stalker (Rank 1) as he fell, but the creatures kept track of him as they all moved in on the falling, tasty morsel who just appeared. "Ollie? Any ideas?"
Level up. You won't be able to get your Astral System integration until we get to Khrox. Level up, get a big "kaboom" Skill, and wipe them all out with Void.
"That'll mean no Stardust," Jace commented as he used his grapple to descend to the ground in smooth, short swings that negated his momentum from the fall. He began sprinting across the landscape as the various creatures all followed him. "And the rest of the group needs Stardust."
They are heading to this world soon enough with Xera's permission. There will be plenty for them to kill and harvest. Plus, they do no have to worry about Void eliminating the entirety of the creature like you do.
Jace nodded, "I'd rather get back to Khrox and do it all in one go. If I get enough distance, I can use a [Horizon-Splitter] and then let my energy refill."
You'll need quite some distance, or let them all get very close.
Jace nodded and glanced over his shoulder, seeing the chasing foes begin to split off and a few fighting amongst themselves. A battle to be the apex predator of that world. But some of the faster beasts were still chasing him. He stopped, turned around, and held up his hands, waiting. As soon as the closest one opened its mouth within fifty-foot range, he activated the Skill. "Void Beam [Horizon-Splitter]!"
The world in front of him vanished. The white-grey energy shot out over the shattered landscape, carving a huge conical gash before him. The creatures charging him ceased to be, and Jace stumbled to a knee as his energy fully tapped out. He was sucking in deep breaths and sat back on his rear as he gasped out, "See...easy."
I need energy to open the portal. Thankfully, yours comes back quickly.
Jace sat there for a few minutes, reactivating Void Stalker (Rank 1) which thankfully did not have as much of an energy cost as the replenishment rate. He sat there until the portal to The Cosmic Corridor opened, and he stepped through, emerging in that prototype chamber. Greg, Priam, and Dee were standing there, and looked just as surprised to see him as he was to see them.
Jace hiked his thumb back towards the portal, "It's rough out there. If you give me a little bit, I can level up, get this Astral System-"
Ollie's voice came out from the speakers, Get started without us, you three. It'll take us a bit, and we also need to test this Astral System integration in a safe space.
Priam gave a thumbs up, "Be careful."
"I should be telling you that," Jace replied.
Priam shrugged, "Greg is really…tanky? Right, that's what' you called him?" he asked looking at Dee.
"Yes, he is "tanky." A true powerhouse of defensive might."
Greg waved his hand dismissively, "Oh, stop it, you'll make me blush." Not that Jace could tell if he was really blushing, thanks to the heavy tech-world armor. "Is the world a tech one?" he asked.
Jace shook his head, "Sorry, Greg. No gun."
The man sighed, and was about to say something but his Wayfinder, Darrin, spoke up from somewhere inside his armor. "There are no local administrators to enforce that. Greg, guns free."
"Yes! Finally!" Greg moved his hand over the TPSB and pulled out an enormous rifle that looked like it could have killed that giant dragon with a single shot. It glowed and thrummed with Cosmic and Ascended Power; arcing lines of red, blue, green, black, and purple crackling along the barrel. "Let's go get it!" he charged through the portal with a whoop, and the other two followed. The portal snapped shut behind the trio.
They will be fine, Ollie said in Jace's mind. Come on. We have stuff to do. The world warped around Jace and he was standing in a bright, white chamber. Some type of sterile space that was easily a few city blocks across.
Xera was standing in front of him, and she walked forward. Jace let his helmet retract as she stopped right in front of him. She reached a hand up and cupped his cheek softly, "I'm so, so proud of you."
Jace nodded and gently pushed her hand away, "I won't forget what you have done…but I understand why you had to do it. But this whole "playing up the mother figure" to get me on your side? It has to stop."
Xera nodded curtly and her expression shifted to her neutral one. "Very well. Apologies." There was a tinge of sorrow to her voice.
Jace sighed, "You can't lie to me, I can't lie to you…so let's put it on the table. I'll admit, early on when we met, and you played up that role…it felt good. I've never had that before, someone who felt like they cared for me unconditionally. But you used me. And yeah, we cannot lie to each other now…so I'll just say it. That hurt. It cut deep. I wish I could trust you again."
Xera's visage cracked. From the stern, serious nature to one that was filled with remorse. "I'm so…so sorry, Jace," she whispered. "But I needed you. I never meant to hurt you…One day…maybe one day you'll forgive me." She managed to pull herself back together to a semblance of composure. "Well…this is it. The first ever Tier 10 Aspirant."
"And I have some Ascension Trial to take, right?"
Xera nodded, and her face became taut, as if she were clenching her jaw and biting back something. But she spoke regardless, "First, level up and hit Tier 10."
Jace nodded, "Ollie, let's do it. Fifteen levels?"
The Wayfinder extricated himself from Jace's head, and Jace winced before activating Dark Matter Mending (Rank 1) to stop the pulsating headache. "Yup, fifteen. What do you want?"
"Can we go up any more in Eidolon's Persistence?"
"Nope. Same with Power Through. Existing Skills you can Rank up further are as follows: Void Removal for more area, Voidsoul for more hostile-effect-absorption, Void Step for more distance, Edge's Intuition for a larger area, Void Beam for a wider beam, Void Blade for a stronger damage-over-time and slowing effect, Aura of Wrath for more area, and Shattered Limits which just increases the multiplier." He grinned, "Shattered Limits has no cap, either."
Fifteen levels, Jace thought. The <Eidolon> Class Expansion could be leaned into more, but Shattered Limits is just so, so good. The multiplier to my physical, sensory, and cognitive traits is just so powerful. With Troxanir and the Astral Verge…I think that I'll be coming up against stronger foes a lot of the time. He nodded, sure of his choice…but he did want to check with Xera. "What do you think?"
She raised an inquisitive eyebrow, "The most obvious is Shattered Limits, since it is so powerful of an amplifier. I would go all-in on that."
"Great minds think alike," Jace replied. "Ollie, let's do it. Everything into Shattered Limits."
-----
Name: Jace Seren (Aspirant, Tier 10)
Power [Class Level]: Dark Matter [Swordmage <Wrathblade> 100] / Void [Edge <Eidolon> 100]
Skill Name (Rank) [Evolutions]: Universal Translation, Environmental Adaptation, Swordmage Stance (Rank 3) [Astral Annihilator], Dark Matter Dart (Rank 4) [Exploding], Dark Energy Mine (Rank 3) [Distant], Cosmic Infusion (Rank 10) [Innervating], Dark Matter Mending (Rank 4) [Vampiric], Energy Cost Reduction (Rank 10) [Siphoning], Void Brand (Rank 1), Shattered Limits (Rank 19) [Single-Minded Fury], Ruination Razor (Rank 3) [Wrecking], Raging Cleave (Rank 10) [Echoing Cleave], Aura of Wrath (Rank 11) [Voidflame Vestment], Void Blade (Rank 17) [Rending], Void Shield (Rank 6) [Reflecting][Wall][Sphere], Void Beam (Rank 3) [Limited Range][Horizon-Splitter][Piercing], Edge's Intuition (Rank 5) [Danger-Sense], Edge of Possibility (Rank 3), Void Counter (Rank 10) [Storing], Void Step (Rank 17) [Burst], Symbol Shift (Rank 1), Void Removal (Rank 10), Voidsoul (Rank 3), Void Stalker (Rank 1) [Group], The Architect's Gate (Rank 1), Eidolon's Persistence (Rank 5), Power Through (Rank 2), Arbiter's Anathema (5/day), Hope's Edge (1/day), Primalist's Command (1/day), Reaper's Shadowstep (1/day), Archmage's Admixture (1/day)
Stardust: 0
Equipment: (Returning / Adaptable) Nethaldrim, (Medium / Snowguard / Burnguard / Repairing) Reaper Armor, (Thrice Judged / Soul Tether) Anathema Arms, (Overclocked / Lightfoot) Anathema Legs, (Terrifying / Sealing) All-Seeing Dragon's Eyes, (Anathema) Primal Hide, (Flexible) Adamantine Skeleton, (Reactive) NICIF, TPSB, survival meals (x100), enhanced canteen, (Restful) Wildercloth tent, Devilsram wool bedroll, Blood-Infused Holy Water (x3), Guatch Grappler (Unequipped)
Boons:
-----
Shattered Limits (Rank 19) – Amplifies the user's physical, sensory, and cognitive traits by x100. Only useable when at 50% health or lower, or when facing a vastly superior foe.
-----
[Congratulations! You have reached the highest limit of The Cosmic System! If you wish to take your Ascension Trial, speak with your Wayfinder!]
-----
Jace felt flush with warmth that dissipated after a few moments. Xera had shielded herself with some type of bubble, and she breathed a sigh of relief. "I wasn't sure what that would do, since you're the first one to reach this level of power."
Jace looked over to Ollie, "Alright…what does this Ascension Trial entail?"