Nightmares Paradise [LITRPG System Integration]

After the… unfortunate incident regarding his attempt at creating a spiritual item, Jon refrained from practicing with [Threads Through The Loom] any further. Aside from the fact that each failed instance of his ritual of creation caused the destruction of a fragment, the spiritual energy requirements of his Fragment Of Creation was too much for the amount of effort he wanted to put in.

Manifesting five threads took half of his maximum weave natured spiritual energy. Without another ability increasing the maximum amount of spiritual energy within his Weave Mana Core, Jon would only be able to use [Threads Through The Loom] twice before running out of mana.

If Jon wanted to overload [Threads Through The Loom], a single ritual of creation would expend all the spiritual energy contained within his Weave Mana Core.

In comparison to other abilities, like [Rhapsody Of The Cold Star] or [False Spear Art; Concealed Spear Detonation], the cost was near inconsequential. Jon could continuously practice his manipulation and usage of his Fragment Of Hunt or Fragment Of Trap for over an hour before expending all of his spiritual energy.

In accordance with Ashvattha Rana's suggestion, Jon left his Fragment Of Creation alone for the time being deciding to focus on filling out his Weave Mana Core with more abilities, pushing himself closer and closer towards Knighthood.

Jon had yet to claim several of his task rewards. After the completion of his first optional task, Jon now had the opportunity to obtain seven fragments of his choice, in addition to four Mana Cores.

Knowing that in order to resummon Schwarz Eis he would require an additional Fragment Of Summon left him with just six fragments.

'I possess just five remaining empty slots in my Weave Mana Core. Even if I integrated another five fragments today I would still have just one remaining. Although thankfully, I only plan on integrating two fragments today. One of which, is already in my possession.'

Jon cradled two different fragments within his hands.

The first took the form of an almost translucent pale-blue cube. Dozens of overlapping fractals and geometric patterns could be seen within the fragment. Jon was unable to isolate each individual pattern even with his Minerva-Sagacity Eyes enhancing his visual acuity and retina quality.

Turning the fragment on its side transformed the structure of the fractals within into something entirely different. Even after rotating it back onto its previous face, Jon could not see any resemblance between the patterns contained within and the images contained within his Sea Of Knowledge.

Fragment Of "Ward" discovered.

Would you like to integrate this into your Weave Mana Core?

Y/N.

The second fragment in his hand, was one that he had kept in his possession for quite a while now. A silverish-grey rectangular-prism, that did not possess any distinctly unique qualities or physical characteristics. He had obtained this fragment after he killed Han Of The Red Wind and originally thought about integrating it after becoming a Knight.

Fragment Of "Slash" discovered.

Would you like to integrate this into your Weave Mana Core?

Y/N.

Although Jon initially wanted to integrate a Fragment Of Pierce into his Spear Mana Core, he subsequently decided against it after manifesting [Imperial Spear Art; Divine Spear Extinction] from his Fragment Of Eradication.

All the abilities that he had manifested from his Spear Mana Core, bar [Helel], were ones that Jon used during combat. Even if Jon opted to use Assail over Luin, he still found himself casting [Thou Art The Monarch Of Spears And Truth] in addition to using [Wrath Is The Paradise Whispered On Thou Lips] to manifest false-spear constructs capable of mimicking the damage he inflicted.

If Jon wanted to use his Fragment Of Eradication, a single instance would require around fifteen percent of his maximum spiritual energy. If Jon found himself in another battle against a Knight Ranked creature, he would require all his spear natured spiritual energy to be imbued into [Helel].

Leaving little to no room for a Fragment Of Pierce.

'But a Fragment Of Slash on the other hand, when integrated into a Weave Mana Core…'

Jon accepted the integration notice for both the Fragment Of Ward and the Fragment Of Slash. Both the cube and rectangular prism in his hand both melted into his flesh, the concepts contained within being imbued into his Weave Mana Core.

Jon did not even have to wait a full minute before the effect description of his Fragment Of Slash appeared before his eyes.

[Fragment Of Slash]
[Ten Thousand Threads]
(Weave, Slash, Technique, Spell, Ability, Debuff)

Effect (Mortal): Chant, imbuing ones fingertips with the inexorable severance of ten thousand threads. While [Ten Thousand Threads] is active, produce near-invisible thread-shaped constructs of weave natured spiritual energy from the fingers. Objects or individuals that come into physical contact with the thread-shaped constructs will receive varying degrees of weave natured damage and become inflicted with an instance of [Bloodied Weave].

The length of the thread, and the number of threads produced is determined through the amount of spiritual energy poured into it.

[Bloodied Weave]: Inflicts a continuous weave-natured damage over time effect. Weave natured spiritual energy physically lingers on those struck with [Ten Thousand Threads], causing pain.

Jon raised an eyebrow, reading the effect description of his Fragment Of Slash. Although the System description seemed to portray [Ten Thousand Threads] as an extraordinarily adaptable ability, Jon could not help but somewhat suspicious of this ability.

'[Ten Thousand Threads] is limited to fingertips, an obvious constraint. Although that is not nearly as restrictive as [False Spear Art; Concealed Spear Detonation] or [Wrath Of Green, Piercing Wood Eruption]. The mana expenditure scales with the length of the thread and the number of threads produced as well.'

'Is there a range limitation? I mean there must be if the Spell manifests from the fingertips. Physical objects that come into contact with [Ten Thousands Threads] will receive weave damage as well. Is that where the concept of "slash" comes into play?'

Jon lifted his finger, opening his mouth to begin the chant associated with his Fragment Of Slash. But before he could even utter a word, the System presented another effect description in front of him.

[Fragment Of Ward]
[Spiritual Weave Art; Phantasmal Faerie Ward]
(Weave, Ward, Defensive, Sensory, Spell, Technique, Construct)

Effect (Mortal): Chant, while imbuing the fingertips with the illusory protection of a phantasmal faerie ward. Construct an intangible spiritual ward which remains active over extended periods of time. The [Spiritual Weave Art; Phantasmal Faerie Ward] resists the effects of abilities with the Mind Trait, Sensory Trait, Perception Trait and Divination Trait.

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The structure, formation and effects of the [Spiritual Weave Art; Phantasmal Faerie Ward] relies on the intent and emotion imbued into the Spell.

The area that the Spell encompasses is determined through the amount of spiritual energy poured into it.

Jon glanced at the effect description of [Spiritual Weave Art; Phantasmal Faerie Ward] before frowning, realizing the nature of abilities manifested through his Weave Mana Core.

Although Jon had integrated unique fragments with powerful concepts into his other four Mana Cores, each one of them possessed some sort of unifying characteristic that most of his abilities shared.

Abilities manifested through a Knowledge Mana Core, would in some way or another, allow the individual to acquire knowledge or information more easily. Even [Cometh Thy Red Horse Awaits] allowed Jon to swiftly comprehend concepts relating to "war" and "conflict".

Abilities manifested through a Spear Mana Core should possess inherently offensive attributes. Even [Wrath Is The Paradise Whispered On Thou Lips] possessed a damaging effect. The damage inflicted on Jon was inconsequential, but still inflicted some measure of damage, nonetheless.

The fragments integrated into his Wood Mana Core, Ice Mana Core and War Mana Core were too varied or specialized for all of them to share one unifying quality. Despite this, Jon knew that his Wood Mana Core was conceptually related to notions such as "life" and "growth" which was evident through [Green Is The Flesh, As Red Is The Blood] and [Green Shall Become The Ode To Eternity].

Abilities manifested through a Weave Mana Core on the other hand…

'Each one of them possess some sort of… freeform quality to them. Weaving rituals of creation. Weaving slashes made through thread-shaped constructs. Weaving wards through intent and emotion. None of them behave in the same manner as other Spells.'

'I expected the Fragment Of Ward to manifest something similar to [Temperance Of Green, Imperial Wood Barrier] considering I want to develop my Fragment Of Barrier into something… grander in appearance. [Spiritual Weave Art; Phantasmal Faerie Ward] is not a physical construct… but rather a metaphysical one.'

That was easy enough to infer from the Sensory Trait the Spell possessed. Not to mention the fact that it relied on intent and emotion in order to be formed, instead of just pure spiritual energy.

Lifting his gaze towards the Earthen Treasury Womb, Jon could not help but raise an eyebrow towards his bodhi tree summon.

"Did you know what manner of abilities a Weave Mana Core would manifest, Rana?" said Jon.

Ashvattha Rana shook her leaves and branches in response.

"I have not personally interacted with individuals who have integrated a Weave Mana Core. I have heard that it is quite a valuable Mana Core all things considered, but I did not know that its nature was so… creative, to say the least," the bodhi tree admitted.

Jon just nodded in response, scratching the top of his head before letting out an over-embellished sigh. The nineteen-year-old did not quite anticipate the inherent nature of his Weave Mana Core.

Both [Threads Through The Loom] and [Spiritual Weave Art; Phantasmal Faerie Ward] were unlike any other ability that Jon had manifested thus far. Rather than his Fragment Of Creation or Fragment Of Ward manifest an ability with set rules and regulations, both allowed him a level of control that was unfathomable in comparison to his Fragment Of Prana or Fragment Of War.

"At any rate, I should at least try and get some practice in before dinner this evening. [Ten Thousand Threads] does not seem particularly complex. I think I'll try that before Phantasmal Faerie Ward," Jon said to himself, lifting a single while channelling spiritual energy into his Fragment Of Slash.

Whiteish-purple weave natured spiritual energy poured out of his Mana Core, appearing remarkably similar to the threads that [Threads Through The Loom] created. Focusing on creating just a single thread along the tip of his index finger, Jon muttering the chant associated with his Spell.

"I once heard a tale, of a man who could sever the red-string of fate. Who could rend lies from truth. A man who could look into the heart of darkness, and slash through the nightmares that plagued the soul of man."

"This is the tale of a man and his thread, who sought to end the enmities born from karma and love."

The moment Jon completed the incantation for [Ten Thousand Threads], the tip of his index finger started glowing with a faint weave natured spiritual energy. Following the effect description that the System had given him, Jon allowed his finger to slide across the space in front of him in a wide arc, manifesting a metre-long thread of spiritual energy.

Although almost imperceptible to mortal senses, Jon could quite clearly see the construct of spiritual energy with his Minerva-Sagacity Eyes. The effects of Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation further enhancing his already superior visual acuity to an almost bestial degree.

When Jon moved to lower his index finger, he noticed that his finger continued to produce more threads, forcing him to halt the flow of spiritual energy into his Fragment Of Slash.

Although in doing so caused the construct created using [Ten Thousand Threads] to vanish into tiny motes of whiteish-purple light. His expression morphing from one of expectant curiosity into one of displeased annoyance.

'What the hell!? The construct doesn't linger after cancelling its effects!? But I cannot control the construct after creating it!? What!?'

Jon frowned but recited the incantation for [Ten Thousand Threads] once more. Gathering weave natured spiritual energy around his index finger, Jon waved his arm across the space in front of him, manifesting another long thread-shaped construct.

Bu this time, attempted to loop the excess thread around his finger, hoping that it would allow him to control his manifested construct.

'Perhaps I will be able to pull on the thread? Using it as some sort of flexible sword?' Jon thought to himself.

However…

Jon felt his eyes widen and any control he had over his Fragment Of Slash vanish as his manifested thread construct cut deeply into the flesh around his index finger. Small whirlpools started to appeared within his Sea Of Knowledge, as the waters within grew turbulent in response to his pain.

The thread construct that once wrapped around his finger vanished, leaving nothing but a finger dripping crimson.

Although Jon's first reaction was to use [Green Is The Flesh, As Red Is The Blood] to begin regenerating the damage, the more rational part of his brain started churning, his eyes slowly turning towards his injured finger.

'This is… interesting.'

Despite the pain coursing through his hand, Jon could not help but smile glancing towards the position of [Ten Thousand Threads] on his status page. Although he had almost cut off his own finger, Jon now understood just how potent the damage effect of his Fragment Of Slash was.

'Oh I am going to have so much fun with this ability.'