Nightmares Paradise [LITRPG System Integration]

System Acknowledged Feat

[2]: Created an original fragment pathway as a Third-Veined Knight. Through the combination of a Fragment Of Horrors and Fragment Of Shapeless, Jonathan Randal Guiliman has formed the unique concept known as "Shapeless-Carcosa."

This feat has been recorded by the System and grants him two unique rewards in lieu of this unique achievement.

Knight Title Fragment "Logos Eidos": Increases the control over concepts and ideas during the formation of fragment pathways.

Knight Title Fragment "Father Of Shapeless Carcosa": Concepts and notions related to carcosa, shapelessness, the self and horror become infinitesimally easier to understand and comprehend.

Jon felt his eyes widen, seeing the two additional Knight Ranked Title Fragments sit beside Polyglot and Dungeoneer. Although this was the second System Acknowledged Feat that he had achieved since the beginning of the System Introduction, his expression remained relatively unmoved despite the happiness overflowing from his Fragment Of Mind.

His eyes still flashing a bright gold, knowledge natured spiritual energy emanating from every single pore across his body. Concepts of enlightenment saturating his flesh, mind and spirit, imbuing him and his senses with an unnatural sense of clarity and calmness.

His breath hitched, realizing that the blessing of enlightenment that Rana had gifted him had not entirely run out, nor had the effects of his Mortal Ranked Title.

His mouth half-opening wanting to say something, but restrained himself, instead turning the focus of his attention turning towards several of his other abilities, ones that he intended on turning into fragment pathways in the future.

[Cometh Thy Red Horse Awaits]. Fragment Of War and Fragment Of Conquest.

[Imperial Wood Art; Towering Tree Barrier]. Fragment Of Barrier and Fragment Of Tower.

[Rhapsody Of The Cold Star]. Fragment Of Hunt and Fragment Of Phantom.

[Wrath Is The Paradise Whispered On Thou Lips]. Fragment Of Ira and Fragment Of Courage.

[Envious Is The Beast That Lurks Within]. Fragment Of Invidia and Fragment Of Parasite.

His Sea Of Knowledge churning and tossing, unable to decide on which ability to transform. Dozens of different thoughts and considerations all bloomed within various parts of his Fragment Of Mind.

Tehom thinking of creating a Fragment Of The Crimson Horse by drawing upon concepts of "war," "violence," "battle" and "conquest." Using the aforementioned red horse in relation to the horsemen of the apocalypse.

Guf considering the possibility of using notions of "hunt," "pursuit," "intangibility" and "ghosts" to create a Fragment Of The White-Phantom Hunt.

Hadal remembering the ideas of using concepts of "ira," "desire," "courage" and "battle" in order to form a Fragment Of Pallas Ira.

'Ah, screw it! I'll deal with the repercussions after forming the fragment pathway!'

In the end, Jon just gritted his teeth, ignoring the previous four options and deciding on combining the fragments which he had used the least since becoming a Knight. War natured spiritual energy churning throughout himself mimicking the patterns and shapes used to construct his various spiritual veins.

Wood spiritual vein taking the form of a towering tree barrier.

Ice spiritual vein assuming the structure of an ice-given annihilation.

Knowledge spiritual vein warped into the expansive form of a draconian shadow.

Jon focused his Sea Of Guf on circulating war natured spiritual energy throughout himself.

His Sea Of Tehom on his Fragment Of Invidia and Sea Of Hadal on his Fragment Of Parasite.

[Envious Is The Beast That Lurks Within] was a Spell that inflicted instances of [Branded Envy] and [Invidia Maledictum] on targets. Less effective on opponents that possessed means of transferring or refining debuffs from their person, even less so as a means of tracking his opponent within their knowledge.

The integration of a Fragment Of Parasite into the Spell was done in hopes of resolving that very problem. Although did not go the exact way that Jon desired it to.

[Fragment Of Invidia]
[Envious Is The Beast That Lurks Within]
(War, Invidia, Spell, Ability, Technique, Buff, Debuff)

Effect (Knight): [Envious Is The Beast That Lurks Within] now gains two additional effects. This Spell will now also inflict instances of [Parasite Maledictum] and [Envious Beast]. Those that come into physical contact with those suffering from this Spells effects will now also receive the same debuffs and afflictions.

[Parasite Maledictum]: Inflicts a continuous war-natured damage over time effect. War natured spiritual energy forms parasites that gnaw at the flesh and spirit, causing pain and internal bleeding. Additional stacks have an additive effect.

[Envious Beast]: Inflicts a minute-mana drain over time effect. War natured spiritual energy parasitises one random Mana Core, transferring its spiritual energy regeneration to oneself. Up to a maximum threshold.

'It is time to change that,' he thought to himself.

Under the wisps of enlightenment that still saturated his flesh, mind and spirit, Jon unravelled the two fragments within his War Mana Core, allowing the concepts within to spill out, enveloped beneath an expanding prison of spiritual energy.

Jon looked down at his stomach, observing something that he was not quite capable of seeing with his Minerva-Infiltration Eyes. He just sat there unblinking, controlling his internal reservoirs of spiritual energy, allowing them to coil and entangle themselves within more than half-a-dozen different concepts and laws.

"Invidia," "desire," "jealousy," and "sin" expanded and contracted as though a writhing mass of flesh and scales. The heartbeat of some unfathomable creature that dwelled beneath the oceans surface, or beneath the façade of virtue that all living beings possessed.

"Parasites," "corruption," "theft," and "absorption," swarmed and flowed within their prison of spiritual energy, skittering and multiplying with each passing moment. Jon was forced to expend more and more spiritual energy with each passing moment in order to prevent the concept of parasite from spreading outside of his War Mana Core.

His eyes widening as he condensed each individual concept to their utmost, before compressing even further. Parasites and corruption fed off desire and jealousy. While envy and sin expanded in their obsession over theft and absorption.

Each propagating one another in sick and horrifying manner.

The corners of Jon's mouth could not help but curve upwards.

In the end, all that remained was a small, but bulbous-looking green gemstone.

One shaped into the form tangled worm, twisted and strange.

His eyes shining as the name of said fragment appeared within his mind.

"Fragment Of Thieving Envy."

[Fragment Of Thieving Envy]
[Writhing Worms Beneath Spirit And Flesh]
(War, Invidia, Parasite, Spell, Curse, Ability, Technique, Construct, Debuff)

Effect (Knight): Chant, then sacrifice one-tenth of your available lifeforce to manifest a Worm Of Envy. The Worm Of Envy is a pseudo-independent spiritual construct manifested from an amalgamation of flesh, lifeforce, desire and war natured spiritual energy.

Worms Of Envy are capable of being attached to either the flesh or spirit of another individual. Worms Of Envy that are attached to the flesh inflict their targets with instances of [Branded Envy] and [Flesh Parasite] up to a maximum threshold. Worms Of Envy that are attached to the spirit inflict their targets within instances of [Parasite Maledictum] and [Thieving Spirit].

Worms Of Envy are capable of being sacrificed to inflict all four afflictions onto a visible target. Worms Of Envy cannot be transferred. The number of Worms Of Envy capable of existing at once is equal to the number of fragments integrated into your War Mana Core.

[Branded Envy]: Brands a target with a tainted war natured spiritual energy. Individuals affected by [Branded Envy] will have their movements tracked within twenty-five kilometres of the caster. Reduces resistances towards war natured damages, afflictions, and debuffs. Additional stacks have an additive effect.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

[Flesh Parasite]: Inflicts a continuous war-natured damage over time effect. War natured spiritual energy gnaws at the flesh and bones, causing pain and internal bleeding. Additional stacks have an additive effect

[Invidia Maledictum]: Prevents the usage of the most recent ability for a short duration. War natured spiritual energy whispers horrifying jealousies and suspicions towards the mind and spirit, corrupting them with the green taint of envy. Additional stacks have an additive effect.

[Thieving Spirit]: Inflicts a minute-mana drain over time effect. War natured spiritual energy parasitises one random Mana Core, transferring its spiritual energy regeneration to oneself. Additional stacks have an additive effect up to a maximum threshold.

The exact moment his eyes read the effect description for [Writhing Worms Beneath Spirit And Flesh] did Jon feel the effects of his enlightenment fade, vanishing alongside the golden-green glow that Rana released. His mind, flesh and spirit, which had been bathed beneath the concept of "truth" and "enlightenment" had now regained their normal Knight Ranked functions.

Jon felt himself turn slow.

Or rather, return to his normal self.

For the first time in almost thirty minutes, Jon felt his lungs expand with an enormous mouthful of oxygen, pupils expanding back to their normal size, Seir-Perpetual Heart pounding back in its usual rhythm.

The weight of his thoughts burdened him.

The force within his muscles and bones constrained him.

His mind no longer enjoying its expanded capacity.

Jon did note, that in the corner of his vision, another Knight Ranked Title Fragment had appeared. This time, deciding not to hold back or restrict the overwhelming joy and excitement that overflowed from his Sea Of Knowledge.

Knight Title Fragment "Construct Rector": Increases the effectiveness of all abilities with the Construct Trait.

Break.

Wilheim, Sariel and Shamael, accompanied by two squads of twelve Knights gathered around the Boundless Heaven Gate. The three Second-Veined Knights stood beside nine First-Veined Knights and fifteen Veinless Knights, adorned in numerous spiritual items capable of increasing resistances and manifesting spiritual barriers.

Although the Wisdom Of The Myriad Lands was the second-in-command at the Merchant Guild, both himself and Sariel deferred to Shamael, knowing that it would reduce the misunderstandings between the other ordinary members.

Sariel, as the Adeptus Sanctus Medicus was perhaps the most popular of the three but was sent in to support Shamael in the event that the three of them were to encounter Theodore or Itsumade.

The twenty-seven Knights stood before Porta, allowing the Legionnaire Of Virtuous Pestilence to address them with a smile on his face.

"Our main objective is to assist the denizens of Saltstream Town. Although we represent the Merchant Guild, we are here to support in the establishment of defensive structures and the healing of any injured or wounded. Upon our arrival, Wilheim shall travel to the Saltstream Town branch of the Merchant Guild and discuss our presence with Tenzen and Floria, the two leaders of the Safe Zone."

"Sariel and her squad shall look to heal the injured or provide fragments to those that have lost summoned companions. You will be assisting in the routine patrols of Saltstream Town alongside their local Town Guard."

"The rest of you will patrolling, scouting and surveying for remnants of the insect swarm. Summoned companions will be required to assist in this regard."

"Is that understood?"

The twelve Knights either nodded or voiced their affirmations. Some of them showed expressions of worry or concern on their faces, having made friends within Saltstream Town.

Each of them knew that the total number of deceased had almost reached one hundred and still hoped that nothing bad had happened to their friends or acquaintances. Regardless of whether someone was a human or someone was a floresiensis, it was still possible for friendships to form even with someone from another species.

Or another planet entirely.

Turning around, Shamael let out a small sigh of relief, allowing no-one other than Wilheim or Sariel to see his face. His sister chatting away with his hazelnut-skinned friend, gesturing towards some of the other members within her squad. He almost did not notice the presence of a vaguely familiar shadow brush against his own, prompting him to lift his head seeing someone walk up beside him.

"That was a great speech boss! Really awe-inspiring!".

Shamael felt this person pat him softly on the shoulder.

"Thanks," he replied, giving the man a small smile.

"It's… Teddy, right?"

The man in question just nodded, flashing him a wry smile.

"Yeah, its kind of a weird name even for humans if I am being a little honest. Shamael on the other hand, now that is name worth remembering," the man replied, watching as Shamael's eyes turned ever-so-slightly hazy, gaining a faint blackish tint to them.

"Thanks… I guess," Shamael responded, brushing the corners of his eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, feeling himself grow ever-so-slightly tired all of a sudden reducing the amount of spiritual energy channelled into his Ashtaroth-Virtue Heart.

The man in question flashed another grin, wiggling his eyebrows and lowering his voice so that neither Sariel nor Wilheim could hear him.

"You have a Memento Source Item now too right? The one that you obtained after clearing Phel's Dungeon Of Wonder?" Wilheim whispered.

Shamael felt his shoulders stiffen, blinking multiple times before nodding. His blue-coloured eyes glancing towards his sister beside him, watching as she addressed several of the other healers and supporters within her squad.

"You know about that one?" He asked.

"Teddy" shrugged his shoulders, flashing a mischievous grin.

"Heard about it from a friend. Alongside all the restrictions placed within said Wonder. A Wonder Of "Dungeon" and "Time" though, what a novel concept. Those idiots from the Creationist Guild think that they can hide everything right? As if us Merchant Guild members don't have our own spies and informants within their Ranks."

"Right?"

"Yeah… although don't talk about that kind of stuff out in the open…" Shamael replied, watching as the man in question raised his hands as if to surrender himself. He did not notice the subtle twitching of his fingers, nor the wisps of mind natured spiritual energy that seemed to wrap around them.

"But enough of the boring stuff, what fragment and Mana Core did you use to form said Memento Source Item?" The man asked, voice soft and low, but also deep and penetrating.

Shamael, nor Wilheim or Sariel, noticed a single strange thing about this man.

Replying as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

"Fragment Of Fear integrated into an Incarnation Mana Core."

"Oh nice! I'm happy for you…"

"Although if you don't mind me asking… what type of abilities does this Memento Source Item possess?" Teddy asked.

Shamael gave "Teddy" a half-hearted response, nodding while shrugging his shoulders. He did not feel as though there was a single thing wrong with the words that this man was speaking. His cadence, his demeanour, his tone and his personality all seemed so familiar to Shamael that it did not even feel the slightest bit off while talking with him.

His Throne Of Temperament Mycelium not detecting a single thing wrong with the numerous fungal growths that contained his memories, experiences and feelings, throwing his worries to the back of his mind before gesturing towards the rest of the group.

"Alright everyone! It's time to leave! We'll have to travel about twenty kilometres in order to reach Saltstream Town after the transport, so each member is allowed to manifest a single summoned companion after we arrive!"

Turning his head up towards the enormous Boundless Heaven Gate, Shamael took a deep breath before inputting the coordinates closest to his intended destination. A wide and enormous portal, more than thirty metres in length manifested itself before him, prompting him to step through before his twenty-six other companions.

He did not catch the smiling expression which stretched across the face of the Murder Of Temperance And Humility, nor the thousands of invisible threads enveloping his limbs, organs and smile.

Threads of mind natured spiritual energy, manifested from a Fragment Of Control.

Threads that stretched beyond the Boundless Heaven Gate and towards their intended destination.

Saltstream Town.