Mask of Humanity

It took five days. Nicolai would've been done sooner, but the damage from the Tribulation delayed him.

But, inevitably, he'd gotten it done.

Within him there were now a total of thirty Nodes. Twenty two of them Minor, and eight Major. His mind spun through his body.

In each of his arms, there was a Major Node in his hand, and two minors—one near to his elbow, the other in his shoulder. As he'd already learned, the main benefit of the arms was that the hand Nodes each gave five small subsidiary Nodes in his digits.

There was a Major Node in his brainstem, the same he'd made back in the castle. But now it was joined by some subsidiary Nodes. One above his forebrain, which had acted a little like his hand Major Nodes—it had sent strands out which formed tiny subsidiary Nodes in his eyes. Likewise, there was a Node connecting to his ears, one connecting to his nose, and one connecting to his mouth. With these, he should be able to use sensory Symbiotes, and his Soul Sense had also grown very slightly with each new brain Minor Node.

His spine now had a Minor Node toward the top, at the bottom of his neck where the cervical portion of the spine led into his upper back, becoming the thoracic. There was then another Minor Node where the thoracic became the lumber, and finally the Major Node was located where the lumbar became the sacrum. The upper two were touching on his spinal cord, whereas the last, Major, was nestled amidst the roots of that cord, the cauda equina.

Based on his reading, spine Nodes gave one useful effect—they would slightly boost his ability to use multiple Arts at once. For instance, someone who normally had a limit of eight would have it boosted to ten, if they had completed all their spine Nodes. Nicolai, not having many Symbiotes, had yet to find his own limit, but had noticed that he'd never seen a Cultivator use 30 Arts at once, even though the body had room for 30 Nodes.

Connected to the Major Node in his stomach were three new Minor Nodes. One in his liver, then one for his small intestine and another for his large intestine. So far as he could tell, the intestine Nodes would help make his absorption of energy taken through his stomach Node slightly more efficient. He wasn't sure if the liver Node did anything on its own, though he imagined it was suited for holding Symbiotes that would better help him process toxic matter.

In his legs, there was a Major Node in each foot, then, following a similar logic as the arms, each leg had a minor just above his knee and in his hip. Unlike the Major Nodes in his hands, the ones in his feet didn't connect to each individual toe and form subsidiary Nodes. In fact, so far as he could tell, and unique amongst the sets of Nodes, the feet Nodes didn't appear to give any additional effects.

But, as they'd been the last Nodes he'd completed, he had noticed something else.

The moment that last Node was finished and his internal system complete at last, a wonderful sensation had moved through his body and Soul. He felt pure and complete, and his entire Soul seemed to firm and grow stronger. With this, he gained a final boost to his Soul Sense.

It had been able to reach ten metres, back when he'd got his first Node. With the completion of his brain Major Node, that had increased to fourteen, and finishing the remaining brain Minor Nodes had boosted it to fifteen. Now, with his internal system complete, the final boost had brought it all the way to twenty metres. With the Soul Snake Symbiote, which would make the tendril slimmer, he could reach forty.

This was quite significant, as having a larger base Soul Sense also meant he was straight up stronger in spiritual terms. More Soul Sense meant a higher spiritual combat power and sustain, as you could both take more Soul Sense damage and strike harder, or defend better, with the larger mass.

He also felt that his Soul was stronger overall, perhaps to the same degree. That should make him better able to resist entities like Paxolnaz, better at breaking free if his Soul Sense was broken and held in his body by an attacker, and more capable of fending off spiritual infections like Soul Rot.

While finishing the last few Nodes, he'd determined his true Aptitude. His rate of improvement for Minor Node building plateaued very early, as his increasing experience at making them bore out. For the Major Nodes, he only hit the cap of his Aptitude with the last two, his feet Major Nodes.

The maximum grading of Major Node he could create was 84, so that meant he could be considered a low-A Aptitude. He supposed that was pretty decent, though he'd hoped for higher. His goal remained, of course, to reach 100, AKA Flawless, through any means necessary.

Cultivation (Internal System Complete)

Maximum Oma: 1272

Heart (Flawless)

- Right Lung (B)

- Left Lung (B)

- Right Kidney (B)

- Left Kidney (B)

- Windpipe (A)

Left Foot (A)

- Left Knee (A)

- Left Hip (A)

Right Foot (A)

- Right Knee (A)

- Right Hip (A)

Lower Spine (A)

- Middle Spine (A)

- Upper Spine (A)

Left Hand (A)

- Left Elbow (A)

- Right Shoulder (A)

Right Hand (A)

- Right Elbow (A)

- Right Shoulder (A)

Stomach (B)

- Liver (A)

- Large Intestine (A)

- Small Intestine (A)

Brain (B)

- Eyes (A)

- Mouth (A)

- Ears (A)

- Nose (A)

He did have the option of deconstructing every Node which wasn't at his Aptitude. Those would be the majority of his Major Nodes, as only the last two were at the cap, though only the Minor Nodes in his chest area would need to be replaced as the rest were all, barring one exception, at the cap.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

The Oma mine was already bearing quite significant fruit, so Nicolai did intend to do so relatively soon. He just wouldn't feel quite right until he knew that every Node was as perfect as he was capable of making it. For now, however, he would welcome a break from the drudgery of Yin-Yang Rotation Orb forming.

In any case, there was a much better use of the Yin-Yang Rotation Symbiote now. Ensuring all of his Nodes were as good as possible would still ultimately net him only a small increase in total Oma capacity. Building a complete Node system in the Infiltrator was a much better use of time and Oma. That was the new priority.

Nicolai had only finished his system less than an hour ago, but already had passed the Symbiote over to the Infiltrator, currently piloted by Cyberwarfare, Threat Analysis, and Aiming.

He looked to the side, where the Infiltrator was hunched over a bag of Oma crystals. The ripples of activate Cultivator poured from the Yin-Yang Rotation Symbiote, floating over one of its extended manipulators.

They'd already created a temporary hand Node in that manipulator a few hours ago, when they'd done some testing in preparation for this. The Modules had been very eager to get started with the Infiltrator's Cultivation, and Cyberwarfare had opted to try and build that Node all by itself. It had been successful, though the Node was just a weak, temporary one. Good enough for now.

During this testing, it had been discovered that the Modules, even controlling the Infiltrator's Soul, were somewhat lacking when it came to some aspects of Cultivation. Most notable, they struggled with Node building, which was obviously quite problematic.

It was uncertain whether, even with three working together, they would be able to reach his current grading. In fact, Nicolai knew that when they were with him, all working together, that was one of the elements which helped him increase his ability to construct a more powerful Node.

This had led Cyberwarfare to ask for the Mask to join them, and when it did so, things had changed. The Mask transpired to be able to boost a built Node by a good amount. Together with those three and the Mask, they were solidly in the B range for Nodes.

Nicolai was privately hoping that if they could improve separate from him, then when they rejoined and merged, his own capability for Node building could rise even higher. After all, he knew that they already boosted his grade a little.

Having the Mask away caused the Dark to stir, but with the Blade he considered it manageable. No hallucinations so far, that he'd noticed, and he felt it would be good practise. The Mask was with him for now, as the Infiltrator was creating Yin-Yang Rotation Orbs. He would only send it out when it was time for Node building.

He settled into a chair, drawing his attention away from the Infiltrator. He'd been keeping an eye on it, but everything looked good. The three Modules were able to use the Symbiote and create Orbs without issue. In fact, it would have been fine even with just one Module, but the Modules preferred working together, and all were eager to spend time in the Infiltrator to practise their control over it.

There were a couple tasks left to him, now that he'd completed his system. One of them he took to with quite some satisfaction—moving the various Symbiotes he'd collected which had not possessed a proper place, into their new homes.

They spread from his heart Node, swimming through the passageways Oma took towards their chosen destination.

Of course, the components of the Spectral Claw, including the full Finger set, filled his right hand, arm and shoulder. Meanwhile, he put the duplicate Finger Symbiotes he possessed, the Grasping and Repulsive Fingers, into his left hand.

The two Wolf Bugs, gained from the Inheritance, took up residence in his feet. These Symbiotes were quite simple—they slightly boosted the speed of his legs whenever activated.

The Soul Snake went into his brain Major Node, as always.

In his heart Node remained his Skin Shield and Burst Skin Shield. Accompanying them was also the Brawler Symbiote, also from the Inheritance. This heart Node Symbiote would increase his overall strength and speed whenever used. He'd tested it and it did so by a fair margin, perhaps thirty percent. The downside was it required his heart Node, just as any Skin Shield did. If he wanted to use the Brawler, he'd have to go without protection.

Two of the Symbiotes could go just about anywhere. The Lurking Bark Symbiote he put into a kidney Node, and the Storage Symbiote remained in his left lung.

The Yin-Yang Rotation Symbiote, alongside the Small Silver Ant, were of course outside of him. The Yin-Yang Rotation Symbiote was in use by the Infiltrator, and the Small Silver Ant rested in its heart Node, ready for use once they had ten rotation Orbs and were ready to work on Nodes.

He'd also gained a reward for completing his internal system. His Mark had been blinking at him ever since he'd finished the last Node.

You have completed a Challenge: Complete your Node System.

Reward Available.

He claimed the Reward, and a statue grew from the ground. It rose into a bipedal shape. Legs spread wide, slightly hunched, arms held out as though mid-fight.

The figure had compound eyes set wide across a flattened face, glaring out from above a pair of serrated mandibles. Slender antennae were swept back along its head.

It looked, more than anything, like a humanoid wasp or hornet. Nicolai moved around it, bending and peering closer, fascinated.

The hornet had long, skinny, multi-jointed limbs. The external of its form was all segmented chitin plates, smooth and glossy and dark. At its joints he saw lighter, more flexible parts covered by a soft fuzz.

It wore additional chitin armour over its chest and the topmost sections of its legs. An amulet hung from its neck, resting on the armour. Its thighs were thick, but merged into much spindlier lower segments and ended in little three-jointed feet, each tip ending in a claw.

Finally, emerging from the base of its spine was a bulbous protrusion, thick at the base and tapering to a tip. From that tip jutted a long barb, like a stiletto. Nicolai examined it closely. The stinger.

The insectoid was shorter than he was by perhaps one and a half feet, but in spite of its smaller size the thing looked dangerous. The armour and the amulet told him it was no mere animal.

Nicolai tapped it, and with a thought Examined it.

Refinement Reward Shrine (Tier 1)

These shrines appear to grant rewards to Marked who have completed a Quest or Challenge within the Game. They come in various types and tiers.

From this Shrine you may claim one reward from three options.

This particular shrine depicts a Hornet Warrior. Found on most planets where bug races exist, and even in some places they don't, Hornet insects are among the small number of Elite insect races.

Elite insect races are smarter and more dangerous than their less intelligent brethren. They were used as special units or in commanding roles by those who long ago created the insects races for an ongoing war effort. Though the creators vanished long ago, the insects they created remain and have done nothing but spread.

Hornets, originally devised as commanders and elite troops, typically possess a matching supremacist and imperialistic worldview. They consider themselves genetically perfect, natural rulers of any world they find themselves on. They seek to enslave and dominate other insect races, using them as labour and soldiers.

As to non-insect races, they typically consider them a form of vermin, but, cunning and ruthless, they are willing to work with other races if necessary.

Hornets are intelligent, gifted in Cultivation, and highly capable in combat. By the typical standards of most sentient beings, they are considered especially cruel, ruthless, and even evil.

Each Hornet possesses a unique organ and associated Node—the Stinger. Within this Stinger there lives the Stinger Symbiote, which is created naturally during a Hornet's formative years. The Stinger Symbiote develops and rises in Tier alongside the Hornet who bears it. This Symbiote allows for a very powerful Soul Sense attack that will paralyse a Cultivator's Soul and body while disrupting the workings their Nodes—Oma within will be rapidly transformed into a useless sludge that must be ejected.

For personal safety, it is recommend to take any actions necessary to avoid coming into contact with Hornets.

The dire warning had little effect on him. These statues had warned him about all kinds of strange beings. In a world as vast as that he found himself in, it was unlikely he'd encounter Hornets anytime soon.

On two proffered hands, and a third little dais that grew out from its chest, the statue offered three rewards. On the left, a Symbiote. It resembled a patch of dark, almost muddy seeming blood. In the middle, there were two Symbiotes. He recognised these easily—they were basic Symbiotes. Two Workers. That explained why all those he'd sold to had already possessed some. Finally, on the right, there was a clump of a silver-coloured crystal.

Nicolai examined the blood Symbiote, and the crystal.

Pig Blood Symbiote

This Symbiote serves little use on its own, but acts as a binder when performing Symbiotic rituals, refining Symbiotes or Artifacts, and during some Realm advancements.

There are many Symbiotes serving roles like this, with the Animal Blood Symbiotes being especially useful as binders. Amongst such Symbiotes, the Pig Blood Symbiote is common and of low value.

Silver Shardache

Used as a catalyst when refining and during some Realm advancements. Serves some other purposes, too.

He knew of both these items, and there was a definite theme to all the rewards.

All of these would be useful for attaining Tier 2. He'd already gathered the necessary basic Symbiote, and thus saw no need for two more Workers. But either of the other two would be useful.

Silver Shardache was a more common variant of Golden Shardache, and was used in attaining Tier 2, but you needed quite a bit of it. You also needed a smaller amount of Golden Shardache. The amount of Silver here wouldn't be enough, sadly, but it would help him get closer to what he needed.

When one pushed through to Tier 2, they needed to use some form of binder Symbiote, like the Pig Blood Symbiote, and the specific Symbiote used would bring about a certain amount of a benefit.

This benefit would be an increase of his Aptitude. The better the binder used, the greater the increase.

A Pig Blood Symbiote would not give much of an increase, perhaps not any at all. But it would allow him to finish the process. With it, he could reach Tier 2.

But Nicolai didn't simply want to reach Tier 2. He wanted to do so in the most perfect manner possible, gaining the absolute maximum from the process, increasing his Aptitude as far as possible.

If you missed that Aptitude increase, you wouldn't be able to gain it again. Not unless you somehow tore your Cultivation apart, bringing yourself back down to Tier 1. Thus, he refused to miss out on even so much as a 0.01% increase in Aptitude.

He took the Silver Shardache, seizing it from the statue's proffered hand. The Hornet statue collapsed into the floor, disappearing.

Silver Shardache was certainly useful, and he'd need quite a bit of it. A Pig Blood Symbiote, on the other hand, could never do more than allow him to just barely attain Tier 1. Therefore he would never use it. It did have some uses for refining other things, in fact it could be used in many ways—but if he needed one, he would just buy one in the Phantom City. In the meantime, he knew for a fact he would need Silver Shardache in the future.