Chapter 9 - Sun and Moon - part 3

The Gamer ability was utterly broken given enough time and proper use of it.

I had already gotten used to mentally summoning various sorts of command prompts, especially after my fight with that first Bandit Leader who didn't let me take my time to retrieve my Valyrian Gladius from my INVENTORY.

Depending on whether it was the book or TV version, I had between a decade or two before the Long Night started.

If it will start at all, since winter comes and goes every year now.

Well, my presence alone meant that nothing that I remembered could be completely trusted.

Regardless, there was no way I was letting everything freeze to death.

I had plenty of time to make my plans until then.

At the age of one I began speaking and showing hints for writing and reading.

Given the bizarre coincidence of the Common Tongue being pretty much English, I obviously didn't really need to learn it from the beginning.

Thank God, or Gods, that I didn't frighten anyone with how quickly I learned or grew.

A few servants and guards were a little shocked, but none of my parents were ever scared of me.

Perhaps just a little creeped out.

Which was all I needed, since their influence was very significant.

It kept me alive until I had the capacity to fend for myself and fight a group of Bandits without breaking a sweat.

Thankfully, everyone decided I was healthy and also a genius rather than cursed or possessed.

As backwards as this society is, it was constantly a real worry for me.

Babies and children were popularly known, back in my previous life, to have an insane learning capacity, and I made sure to use that excuse as much as I was able to.

I tried to learn everything.

Being already fluent in several other languages and many fields of study, the Linguist perk only made sure that I could speak fluently basically every language I had come to study.

Everything I was allowed was pretty much fair game, and even what wasn't didn't stop me from pursuing it in secret, as I tried to fill as much of my time with learning as I could.

Which now had just expanded after I bought the 'Sleep is for the Dead' perk.

But still, I made sure to avoid being a nuisance by only questioning what was really necessary to those I knew I couldn't trust.

In the end, I also made pretty great progress with my powers.

To avoid raising too much suspicion, I settled for reading through the nights in secret.

As time went on, I was finally able to start experimenting with my powers in a more bold fashion.

I still only had limited success there, since any real noise would draw too much attention.

Now that I am slightly older, I expanded my lessons into cooking.

Part of it was just from homesickness and the variety of dishes there, not to mention taking full advantage of the freedom I had thanks to neither of my parents really caring about me up to this point.

From the snatches of conversations I overheard, I had gained some considerable amount of fame as well with most of the servants in the Red Keep.

Thankfully, tutors had also been easier to arrange and my lessons had become even more fruitful.

Also, I now stored a number of items into my Hotbar.

They were a set of slots that allowed me to summon items directly into my hands without having to physically retrieve them from my INVENTORY, so I was always prepared for surprise and hostile encounters.

Rhaenys had that limited version as her INVENTORY.

A not so bad tarde, considering she wasn't capable of seeing and manipulating her INVENTORY window to suit her needs.

I already knew there were several differences in how my powers work and how game mechanics functioned.

The inclusion of real world physics and my powers was a bit odd at first, since for the most part I was the only one 'living as a video game character'.

But I needed every advantage I could get, so I spent my rare free time still testing it.

Same as most games I enjoyed playing did.

One interesting gimmick I've found to pay off was that, since I've practiced with both hands to maximize my early grinding, I no longer had a dominant hand.

It seemed like such a small change, but it made a huge difference, especially when dual wielding.

Hadn't really thought about it much before since I was right handed in my previous life and still used it most of the time.

During my night raids as "The Stranger", I've come up with a special style of combat that would be very effective, even without using my Valyrian Gladius.

It basically consisted of me twisting and summoning my weapon at the last second and as soon as I struck I stored it again.

I couldn't summon it inside someone, but with Valyrian Steel blades, that wasn't necessary.

My leap attacks were so much more powerful, with a twist while jumping, summoning two weapons then storing them before I landed and then repeating it all over again.

A quick flurry of attacks with weapons that flickered in and out of existence killed anyone as easily as it made me look like a badass.

And that all comes into a beautiful combination with my newest feats.

{ALERT}

You are always on the lookout for danger, gaining the following benefits: You won't be surprised by an attack while you are conscious. You gain initiative in 75% of your encounters. +1 STEALTH stat point.

Really useful during both combat and stealth situations.

Not to mention its synergy with my 'Sleep is for the Dead' perk, which allows me to rest properly without getting unconscious.

{SENTINEL}

You have mastered techniques to take advantage of every drop in any enemy's guard, gaining the following benefits.

When you hit a creature with an opportunistic attack, the creature's speed becomes 0 for five seconds. Creatures get exposed to opportunistic attacks from you even if they choose to disengage before leaving your reach.

When a creature within 5 feet of you makes an attack against a target other than you, you can immediately react with a melee weapon attack against the attacking creature. +1 STEALTH stat.

It will become even better once I'm tall enough to make use of long range weapons like spears, greatswords and warhammers.

Perhaps I should even consider Polearm weapons to stack it up with another perk I had available to buy.

{CROSSBOW EXPERT}

Thanks to extensive practice with the crossbow, you gain the following benefits: You ignore the loading quality of crossbows. Being within 5 feet of a hostile foe doesn't impose disadvantage on your ranged attacks. When you attack with a one handed weapon, you can skillfully attack with a hand crossbow you are holding on the other hand. +1 MOBILITY stat.

You know me, I love crossbows.

Having the heaviest of them basically becoming my automatic rifle was just too good for me to pass.

Not to mention wielding it alongside one of my Valyrian Gladius.

{SHARPSHOOTER}

You have mastered ranged attacks and can make shots that others find impossible. You gain the following benefits: Attacking at long range doesn't impose disadvantage on your ranged attacks. Your ranged attacks ignore half cover and three-quarters cover. Before you make a ranged attack with a ranged weapon, you can choose to take a 50% penalty to your accuracy. If you do so and the attack hits, it deals double the damage. 75% penalty for thrice the damage, 90% the damage for five times the damage, and 99% penalty for ten times the damage. +1 MOBILITY stat.

Had to make this my second pick.

Otherwise bows would become too useless for me to keep grinding it.

The best part was that my Crossbow could now hit with the power of an actual Scorpion, siege weapons used to actually kill dragons.

Although it would be a lucky shot in one hundred.

But with my rapid fire, I could lay waste to armies without even aiming.

OP as fu*k even if I ignore the chance of a deadly friendly fire.

Not to mention the prospect of spellcasting like a sniper.

—————————————————————

Alysse's relationship with Rhaenys was unexpected, as the two were opposites in most respects, none thought they would befriend one another.

With both girls being particularly close to me, who encouraged their intellectual and martial pursuits.

Rhaenys was a spirited girl interested in fighting and exploration, unlike Alysse.

Raised as a lady, Alysse possessed the traditional feminine graces of her milieu, with a keen interest in music, poetry, singing, dancing, embroidery, and other traditional feminine activities.

Alysse was fond of sweets like cakes, with Jayne, my caretaker, making treats whenever she could.

Rhaenys was left-handed, quick, dexterous and often bites her lip whenever she is anxious.

She wanted to learn how to fight with a sword even before we met, to the confusion of Alysse, who enjoyed the more traditional pursuits of a noblewoman.

While both Alysse and Rhaenys received a noble's education from the Grand Maester, they had different performances.

Rhaenys was said to underperform at most subjects she was taught, noticing she couldn't read properly due to her reversing the letters in her head.

But after I aided her with my Teaching skill, my Companion quickly got into Warcraft, Astronomy and High Valyrian. Though she still wished to learn a little bit of horseback riding one day.

Meanwhile, Alysse was said to excel at multiple subjects such as mathematics, household management and medicine.

Probably seeking to follow my example, though she still had her shortcomings.

Like many girls her age, Alysse was enthralled by songs and stories of romance and adventure, particularly those depicting handsome princes, honorable knights, chivalry, and love.

While Rhaenys could be described as knucklehead and short tempered, Alysse ever so often was little too kind and compliant.

I wanted to shape them to become better versions of both the current Master of Coin and Whispers.

To make Alysse a formidable opponent for both Tywin Lannister and the Lady of Thorns in the Game of Thrones, while combining Syrio's water dance to Varys' spy network for Rhaenys.

My own Ambassador and Spymaster if you will.

Varys was a master of disguise and could change his appearance, gait, smell, and costume to become unrecognizable. And his skill at acquiring secrets had earned him a reputation for being seemingly omniscient, which was all thanks to his spy network of "little birds".

Agile orphans raised and trained by Varys.

Rhaenys would begin managing my actual army of birds.

And rats… and cats.

Petyr Baelish possessed considerable skill in commerce and coin, as well as manipulation, and had a gift for political improvisation. He was often underestimated by many high lords due to his low birth.

At least this version of him, everybody trusted because he seemed powerless, and was always very friendly and helpful.

After he was named Master of Coin and appointed to the Small Council, he increased his influence by moving his own people in place, as well as harbormasters, toll collectors, and wine factors.

Meanwhile, he also developed a complex web of loans, transactions, and investments, such as to supply the King and the King's Hand with enough gold, while also buying a number of establishments, including several brothels.

Had hinted the location to Alysse about a considerable amount of incriminatory evidence that, in the hands of someone as influential as her father.

The Hand of the King.

Petyr had no chance of lying his way through.

Especially since I made sure to make him not see it coming, having Rhaenys targeting his connections on both high and low places.

And with the details of Littlefinger's affair with Lysa Tully being revealed as well, Hoster Tully could only make due by correcting his past mistake and relieved Petyr from his head, after Jon Arryn requested for the annulment of his marriage.

Lysa was so shocked by the execution of her beloved Petyr that she attempted suicide, only to fail and be forced into the order of the Silent Sisters, also referred to as the Handmaidens of The Stranger.

To everyone's shock, her belly showed signs of pregnancy soon after.

No one knew if the child was Lord Arryn's or Baelish's, which was a delicate matter for the honorable Jon Arryn, who wouldn't risk having his own offspring be labeled as a bastard.

And so, the falcon would accept an unknown egg into his nest.

That reminds me of a theory I had heard about once.

Cuckoo birds, you see, aren't just the inspiration for intricate clocks.

They're also shameless parasites.

Brood parasites, that is.

Many species of cuckoos have been known to leave their eggs in other birds' nests, letting their young be raised by entirely different species.

Mockingbirds are best known for the habit of mimicking the songs of other birds.

It was a little too early for 'Little Sweet Robin' to be born, but if one of Lysa's original stillbirths is actually born, I will have another OC on my hands to deal with.

One with quite a bit of similarities with me.

Probably Littlefinger's last move climbing the ladder and playing the Game of Thrones, before the fall broke him.

Until a better candidate could be found, mother managed to place a not so famous Lannister as the interim Master of Coin, and ȧsserted more of her family's control over the Iron Throne.

…

"So… it was you?" Alysse asked me with a shocked expression when I finally decided to reveal everything to her and congratulate her success.

For quite some time, she had avoided telling me about her personal investigation, thinking I wouldn't be safe if I knew about it too.

"Yes. And I'm pleased with the way you handled a traitor to the crown." I replied, content with everything I stole back from Baelish while having Rhaenys come out of hiding and bow beside me. "I've got a lot to tell you."

…

And just like the Falna system from Danmachi, I decided to show them a draw of their stats to make their evolution more easily comprehensive to them.

Understanding their own weaknesses and strengths while being aware of their progress rate.

Unlike me, Alysse and Rhaenys wouldn't be able to rely on magic, but the inferior version of my System should at least give them some significant edge.

———————————————————

Alysse…

I want you to master the art of oratory.

Persuasion is regarded as a high art for a reason, a well-reasoned, well-spoken argument often proves more powerful than objective truth.

A blend of logic and theatrical wordplay, winning over skeptics and detractors with logical arguments, and plucking at heartstrings to appeal to the emotions of entire audiences.

Collecting bits of knowledge from sources as diverse as scholarly tomes and peasant tales, whether singing folk ballads in taverns or elaborate compositions in royal courts, use the 'Gift of life' to hold your audiences spellbound.

When the applause dies down, the audience members might find themselves questioning everything they held to be true, from their Faith in the Priesthood of the local temple to their Loyalty to their own Lords.

Even though I recommend you to master deceit, you should also pursue beauty and truth.

Be a wolf among sheep with your silver tongue.

Use your knowledge to uncover secrets and turn them against others through extortion and threats if needed.

Did you know that one could actually 'weave magic' through words and music to inspire allies, demoralize foes and even manipulate minds.

Become a master of song, speech, and the forgotten magic they contain.

After all, the cosmos we live in is a work of art, the creation of the Gods, whatever might they be.

That creative work included harmonies that continue to resound through existence today, a power known as the 'gift of life'.

Draw on that primeval and intrinsic human art through dance, music, and poetry, and know this lesson: "Before the sun and the moon, there was the gift of both Life and Death, and its music awoke the first Dawn and foretold the last Twilight. Its melodies so delighted the stones and trees that some of them gained a voice of their own, and now they sing too. Learn the Song, as Lord Bloodraven did and you too can teach the mountains to sing and dance."

———————————————————

Rhaenys…

I need you to develop a knack for finding the solution to just about any problem, demonstrating a resourcefulness and versatility that is the cornerstone of any successful mission.

I've initiated you on the grim art of 'gift of death'.

Hired killers, spies, bounty hunters, and even specially anointed Knights are trained to exterminate the enemies of their Lord.

A proper rogue should always be capable of relying on skill, stealth, and their foes' vulnerabilities to get the upper hand in any situation.

Stealth, poison, and disguise will help you eliminate your targets with deadly efficiency.

Your focus should be on people, being completely aware of the influence and secrets they have.

Many spies, courtiers, and schemers follow this path, leading lives of intrigue.

Like with Alysse, words are your weapons as often as the knives and poisons that I provided you, secrets and favors should be some of your favorite treasures.

You must excel at rooting out secrets and unraveling mysteries, relying on your sharp eye for detail, but also on your finely honed ability to read the words and deeds of others to determine their true intent.

You must excel at defeating opponents that hide among and prey upon ordinary folk, and your mastery of lore leading your sharp eye make you well equipped to expose and end hidden evils.

I've trained you on the art of the blade, relying on speed, elegance, and charm in equal parts.

While some warriors are brutes clad in heavy armor, your method of fighting will resemble a performance, making you unmatched in single combat, and capable of fighting with two weapons while safely darting away from an opponent.

But don't forget to hone your skills in the larcenous arts, never leaving things up to chance.

Make your own luck and be always armed with cunning cheats.

—————————————————————

CROWN PRINCE'S BEDCHAMBER

"So you've become an Alchemist?" Alysse asked with a mirthful smile, inspecting the scroll I had handed to her. "I mean, of course you did."

"You know me, my mind needs a challenge as a sword needs a wheatstone." I replied poking at my forehead.

"I know, but it's not like your Valyrian Steel swords actually need to be any sharper." She contemplated before inspecting another scroll. "So you've really managed to translate a code that had been forgotten before the Conquest?"

"I did." I nodded, taking the scroll she had just read with my Mage Hand. "Though unfortunately not everything was salvageable. The previous Great Masters didn't consider that their fireproof scrolls could be threatened by mere rats."

"Have you sent your rats to look for the missing pieces?" She questioned with a thoughtful expression.

"I have tasked Rhaenys to lead them every once in a while." I replied before approaching her.

"You know, I can't believe you know magic." Alysse remarked with wide eyes at seeing my hair and eyes changing colors.

"Wasn't that hard, I was born with it." I told her.

"If I'm not mistaken, it's due to your Valyrian blood, isn't it?" She asked.

"Most likely." I bowed. "The first Sorcerer in the family, at your service."

She chuckled before thinking. "Is there a chance for Rhaenys to learn it too?"

"With luck." I pondered. "She needs to grow past 1 MAG stat point for me to teach her my cantrips. But manipulating mana with spells isn't the only way to use magic."

Alysse nodded, recalling the reason why we were here. "These inscriptions…infusions are another way."

"Indeed." I replied picking up the ones I managed to translate. "Alchemist infusions are extraordinary processes that rapidly turn a non magical object into a magic item. The Alchemist Guild must have been a mighty institution back in its prime."

"You want to teach me?" She understood my intentions.

"I do. Heard your family has a history with similar forms of magic."

"The Arryns? No, the Royces!" She quickly recalled. "You mean the runes? Are they really magical?"

"Precisely, Runes were once used by the First Men as a writing system, engraving them on stones and other objects, found all over Westeros." I explained to her. "To this day, the Lords of Runestone wear the bronze armor of their forebears, etched with runes that are said to ward the wearer from harm."

"However, many members of House Royce have been defeated or died whilst wearing such runic armor." Alysse recalled.

"True, but I never said the magic in runes lasts forever, much less ȧssumed they were properly carved to begin with." I told her. "One thing they were right, bronze is really susceptible to magic. Reading through several tomes and scrolls from the Guild, I noticed how much it requires bronze to work."

"Since I've managed to comprehend your introduction to Alchemy…" Alysse's eyes began gleaming with a glint of interest. "Would you mind showing me what you got?"

"Not at all." I smiled before casting Minor Illusion to display several intrinsic inscription arrays, giving her a sort of classroom projector.

Deciding to show first her heritage, I displayed what a proper Runic bronze armor would look like.

"The armor can't be removed against the wearer's will." I began explaining. "If the wearer is missing any limbs, the armor replaces those limbs - hands, arms, feet, legs, or similar appendages. The replacements function identically to the body parts they replace."

Alysse watched in silence, absorbing all the new knowledge like a sponge as I showed some infusions that sadly I bȧrėly had enough materials to make at least one, much less mass produce them or replenishing their magic.

PROPULSION INFUSION

"Increases the wearer's walking speed." I said by having the illusionary armored man matching a horse's speed. "It's gauntlets could channel magical power for nasty punches, while having the unusual feature of giving them a thrown property.

When thrown, the gauntlet detached and flew at the wearer's target, then immediately returned to the wearer, reattaching itself.

"Incredible." Alysse muttered to herself, paying more attention to the Inscriptions patterns than the actual representation of the effect.

TOOLS INFUSION

This one showed infused tools, like the ones for artisans and thieves.

WINDING PATH INFUSION

The boots and greaves from an armor, allowed the wearer to teleport up to 5 meters to an unoccupied space he could see.

It's only requirement is to have occupied that space at some point before.

ARCANE FOCUS INFUSION

While holding an item with such infusion, be it a rod, staff or wand, the wielder gains various levels of control over their magic, avoiding wasting it during spell casting as a result.

ENHANCED DEFENSE INFUSION

Made the armor almost unbreakable against non magical attacks.

ENHANCED WEAPON INFUSION

Made a weapon's point, edge or blunt piece go past most types of defense with ease.

AWARENESS INFUSION

Pretty similar to my Alert perk, though instead of making the person possessing it more alert, it functioned like Sting from LOTR or a Witcher's medallion.

MIND SHARPENER INFUSION

The infused item could send a non-harmful jolt to the wearer to refocus their mind. Basically waking someone from unconsciousness, be it due to getting sleepy or being knocked out.

RADIANT INFUSION

While holding it, the wielder can cause it to shed bright light in a 10-meter radius and dim light for an additional 10 meters.

One of the few infusions I could mass produce, being one of the main arrays to produce The Essence, commonly known as Wildfire.

And it was the first I added to my Valyrian Gladius, quite literally making them just like Lightbringer, the magical sword ȧssociated with the heroic warrior most commonly named Azor Ahai.

REPEATING SHOT INFUSION

The magic weapon enchanted with it is granted the feature of ignoring the loading property.

If no ammunition is loaded in the weapon, it produces its own, automatically creating one piece of magic ammunition when making a ranged attack with it, the ammunition created by the weapon vanishes the instant after it hits or misses a target.

Basically another lite version of my perks, this time the Crossbow Master, though it didn't make the wielder a better marksman than he already was.

REPULSION INFUSION

Meant to be used in shields, giving the wielder the opportunity to cause a reaction immediately after being hit by a melee attack, pushing the attacker up to 5 meters away.

It's on my shopping cart to make my buckler shield useful again.

Would love to grind my skill with it more.

RESISTANCE INFUSION

Gives the armor, the effect of resistance to one of the following damage types, which depends on the ingredients infused in the item: acid, cold, fire, force, lightning, necrotic, poison, psychic, radiant, or thunder.

Pretty cool.

RETURNING INFUSION

Meant to be applied on a simple or martial weapon with the thrown property, making it returns to the wielder's hand immediately after it is used to make a ranged attack.

Same principle with the propulsion gauntlets.

Not to mention the great opportunity for role playing as Thor.

MANA-REFUELING INFUSION

Basically a cross between a portable battery and a Mana potion as it stores all the wasted Mana and gives it back to the wielder.

Although I now had perfect control of my Magic, I've been wasting my Mana regeneration since my first day in this world.

Had two more Infusions recipes with me, but integral pieces of them were missing.

The first being a list of magical items such as the Cloak of Invisibility and Winged Boots.

And the other being the very intrinsicate blueprints for building a Homunculus Servant, some sort of mechanical construct.

Even Tobho Mott had never heard of it, and could bȧrėly understand the piece I had with me.

Those damn rats knew what they were doing!

I'm counting on you, Rhaenys, to avenge me.

Make an example of those traitor rats so every rodent in King's Landing knows better than to go against me.

…

Heh.

Just joking.

Thankfully the Alchemist had already recovered several hidden jars of Wildfire, so there was still hope for me to find the stolen pieces.

"It's all so wonderful." Alysse finally spoke as I dismissed my Minor Illusions. "You said previously that the main obstacle for it, besides trained manpower, were the costs surrounding the necessary material for production."

"Indeed." I replied. "Since you were capable of actually learning something from the previous Master of Coin, I'm leaving this to you."

"Understood." She nodded confidently.

—————————————————————

MAGICAL DUNGEON

A spell casting undead screeched angrily before taking three crackling beams of Eldritch Blast at point blank.

*BOOOOM!

The undead's head rolled over the ground before a boot squashed it, which didn't match the cute little dark skinned girl with an ominous grin.

"Took it long enough to empty its mana Bar." I smirked while deactivating the Radiant enchantment on my weapon. "Don't know how I even managed to survive it before."

"The monsters were certainly powerful, not only in numbers, but their lack of emotion made them hard to scare." Rhaenys pointed out, storing away her weapons.

"Indeed, but they also lacked proper rational tactics to respond to our advances." I reminded her, wondering why their INTELLIGENCE stats were higher than the average servant in the Red Keep.

"Master, aren't you tired?" She asked me. "I heard that you spent the day studying with Alysse."

"Don't worry. I'm feeling well rested." I smiled. "Have you collected the poison darts?"

"I have. Can't say I recognize it from Pycelle's books or Varys' lessons." She remarked. "Do you recognize any of these Undeads' clothing?"

"Most likely the remnants of the First Man that died or were buried here in this sealed bunker." I said, repeating the justification I gave for the existence of this Magical Dungeon. "Since we've cleared it, it's probably the safest place in all of Westeros."

"I guess." Rhaenys nodded while approaching me.

"Make good use of it during my absence." I finally said, drawing some reaction from her. "Don't tell me with all the espionage training you've been taking, you weren't aware that I would become a Ward to the Warden of the West."

"That's not it." Rhaenys said with the tough expression she had learned from Varys, but I could tell that she was sad, thanks to my OBSERVE skill. "Can I go with you?"

"You know you can't, not without having to become a faceless man yourself." I patted her head, sometimes forgetting she was still a young girl. "But soon I will have enough power to make the rules. By then, if you wish to never step foot here again in the capital, I won't ask you to."

She raised her head to compensate for our difference in height.

"After I leave, there won't be anyone that can make you stay." I gently brushed the strand of gold-silver hair from her face. "I was being truthful about caring for your dreams. If you wish to not wait and leave, I won't be angry nor will I hunt you down."

"Shut up!" Rhaenys shouted before punching my ċhėst with a pout on her face.

*Clank

After a brief moment of silence, she shook her hand, feeling she had just punched a wall.

"Sorry." I then broke the silence, surprising her. "I don't want to lose you, but I don't want to keep you against your will even more."

Just like we did that time during our Night Raids, Rhaenys allowed tears to slide over her cheeks before I moved to hug her.

"Stupid Master." She said as I wiped her tears. "I'm your dagger in the shadows and your trusty Spymaster. You've told me that the past is gone for good. I could keep mourning its departure, seeking revenge, or I could prepare for the future with you."

"Tell you what…" I raised her chin and looked her in the eyes. "You did so well with learning the Water Dance moves, that I think you might benefit from some maneuvers I came up with."

No longer did Rhaenys show contempt after hearing the name of a Kingsguard, although she wasn't ready to thank my uncle for saving her.

We had already solidified her understanding with some maneuvers like: Ambush, Distractive Strike, Evasive Footwork, Feinting Attack, Lunging Attack, Tactical Assessment, Bait and Switch.

She immediately nodded, with signs of a faint smile and followed my lead.

"The first one, I call…Menacing Attack." I said, recalling Barristan's chuckle at my name choice. "Contrary to the way I taught you to read your opponent's intentions, this time, you'll have to telegraph how scary you are."

"But…" She corrected herself. "…sorry."

"Go on." I encouraged her.

"I… want to know how I can frighten someone more than I already do?" Rhaenys asked. "I mean, since I'm much smaller… and can't cast illusions like you."

"Well, it's a complex matter. You see, the original use of this maneuver was to merely stupefy one's adversary with a sudden action, not giving them room to think. But fear tactics are more of a long term condition." I began explaining. "As The Stranger, in King's Landing, we got enough exaggerated rumors to make half of the job for us. Just like I taught you how to see the whispers in someone's body language, you need to make your body scream loud enough. Posture, posing, symmetry, stillness, eye contact, voice tone and everything like it."

Approaching her I gave a small taste of what the System made me capable of accomplishing.

My usually stoic expression became much sharper, as I straightened my shoulders and exhaled heavily before fainting a surprise attack.

[FRIGHTENED ATTEMPT SUCCESSFUL!]

Rhaenys stumbled as she back paddled, her eyes widened in fear as a chill ran down her spine.

"Pay attention to how you are feeling now." I said, stepping forward, prompting her to back paddle again and gulped. "You are now clumsy, slower and more propense to hit with less power. Vulnerable for any opponent to exploit." Walking forward again, Rhaenys insisted on keeping her distance.

This peculiar side effect of this condition made me wonder if I could one day halt an entire charging Khalasar of Dothraki screamers by shouting at them with Thaumaturgy, fearlessly standing my ground and promising to lay waste to allow them.

Quite the definition of a One-man army, which would be really epic.

"Snap out of it!" I commanded.

Right then, her status window lost its Frightened condition as she succeeded the metaphorical wisdom saving throw.

"Do you get it now?" I asked, hoping I hadn't overused one of my trump cards.

From her shock came a face of relief and a satisfied smile. "Yes!"

"So let's continue."

…

"Maneuvering Attack."

"As you attack a target, your following action should be to maneuver one of your comrades into a more advantageous position. Best part of it that I discovered myself, it also works with animals, as they draw the attention of your target, making them more vulnerable to your strike, or being attacked by your companion themselves while you distract it."

This would help me get a certain ally out of a pinch, or perhaps even into one, if they are tough enough to handle the pressure.

Wouldn't risk Shadow's life though.

"Trip Attack."

"When you attack a target, you can attempt to knock them down. Always remember, the bigger they are, the harder they fall. And size doesn't matter if we are knocked prone."

A classic.

The Iron Dance of Westeros could be quite deceptive sometimes.

Especially after grinding my Dirty Fighting skill.

"Riposte."

"When an opponent misses you with a melee attack, you can react by swiftly delivering a melee attack back against the opponent."

A common ground between the Bravossi fighting dance and the Westerosi one.

"Precision Attack."

"After you attack a target, you focus all your strength and dexterity to deliver a critical blow more confidently."

Basically a better version of my Power Strike skill.

Invaluable as an awesome finishing move.

"Disarming Attack."

"When hitting an armed target, you attempt to disarm the target, forcing it to drop one item of your choice that it's holding, landing at its feet."

Basically the badass way to finish an encounter.

Interesting enough, it also works with ranged weapon, coming really in hand when combined with both my Crossbow Expert and Sharpshooter perks.

"Pushing Attack."

"When hitting a target, you attempt to drive the target back, pushing it up to 5 meters away from you."

Another dirty trick that can be really useful against a skilled opponent.

"Stop, that will be everything for tonight." I said, leading her out of the Magical Dungeon.

"Understood." Rhaenys obediently replied.

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After spending another night nailing the beautiful Chataya, having completely surpassed all of the expectations she had when first accepting to fuċk a kid bȧrėly over his fifth Name Day, accepting the break she asked for and took the opportunity to continue polishing my singing and dancing skills in the common room.

The brothel had clearly prospered under my patronage, being much more frequented since the conditions were even more refined than before, as my other humble contribution being my services as a popular Bard during some of the nights.

I pretended to be a foreigner from a far away land, visiting and sharing my art with the rest of the world.

Wealthy men and women from all around the Crownlands danced and sang while listening to my song as I played my lute.

Even my father, the King, was somewhat of a fan, at least at how I made maidens more open to his advances.

Recalling another song from my previous life, I began with a fast paced melody.

"Once upon a younger year…" I began. "…When all our shadows disappeared, the animals inside came out to play."

"Went face to face with all our fears,

learned our lessons through the tears,

made memories we knew would never fade."

"One day my father told me: "Son, don't let it slip away". He took me in his arms, I heard him say: "When you get older, your wild heart will live for younger days. Think of me if ever you're afraid"

"He said: "One day you'll leave this world behind, so live a life you will remember"

"My father told me when I was just a child:

"These are the nights that never die""

"My father told me…" I made a pause and sure enough the audience took the cue began singing.

"When thunder clouds start pouring down, light a fire they can't put out, carve your name into those shining stars."

"He said: "Go venture far beyond the shores,

Don't forsake this life of yours. I'll guide you home, no matter where you are"."

"One day my father told me: "Son, don't let it slip away". When I was just a kid, I heard him say: "When you get older, your wild heart will live for younger days. Think of me if ever you're afraid"."

"He said: "One day you'll leave this world behind

So live a life you will remember"."

"My father told me when I was just a child:

"These are the nights that never die""

"My father told me…"

"These are the nights that never die!"

"BRAVO!" Shouted Robert while raising his mug, almost blowing his cover. "ANOTHER!"

And the rest of the audience followed along, all asking for another song as the interesting new type of drink, named soda, and Hamburgers were being delivered by beautiful waitresses.

I changed instruments, opting this time for my specially crafted piano, and continued with a slow melody this time.

"Once I was seven years old, my mama told me: "Go make yourself some friends or you'll be lonely. Once I was seven years old."

"It was a big big world, but we thought we were bigger. Pushing each other to the limits, we were learning quicker. By 11 smoking herbs and drinking burning liquor. Never rich so we were out to make that steady figure."

"Once I was 11 years old, my daddy told me:

Go get yourself a wife or you'll be lonely."

"Once I was 11 years old…"

"I always had that dream like my daddy before me. So I started writing songs, I started writing stories. Something about the glory just always seemed to bore me. 'Cause only those I really love will ever really know me.'"

"Once I was 20 years old, my story got told before the morning sun, when life was lonely."

"Once I was 20 years old…"

"I only see my goals, I don't believe in failure.

'Cause I know the smallest voices, they can make it major.'"

"I got my boys with me, at least those in favor. And if we don't meet before I leave, I hope I'll see you later."

"Once I was 20 years old, my story got told.

I was writing about everything I saw before me."

"Once I was 20 years old."

"Soon we'll be 30 years old, our songs have been sold. We've traveled around the world and we're still roaming. Soon we'll be 30 years old."

"I'm still learning about life, my woman brought children for me, so I can sing them all my songs, and I can tell them stories. Most of my boys are with me. Some are still out seeking glory.

And some I had to leave behind. My brother, I'm still sorry. Soon I'll be 60 years old, my daddy got 61, remember life and then your life becomes a better one.

"I made the man so happy when I wrote a letter once. I hope my children come and visit, once or twice a month. Soon I'll be 60 years old, will I think the world is cold? Or will I have a lot of children who can warm me?"

"Soon I'll be 60 years old…"

"Soon I'll be 60 years old, will I think the world is cold? Or will I have a lot of children who can hold me?"

"Soon I'll be 60 years old!"

"Once I was seven years old, my mama told me:

Go make yourself some friends or you'll be lonely."

"Once I was seven years old."

"Once I was seven years old."

Well, will you look at that? I've managed to make the mighty Robert Baratheon, demon of the trident, cry because of my song.

Can't be because of his brother, or me, my siblings and my mother.

He's probably reminiscent of his time in the Erie with Jon Arryn and Eddard Stark.

Simpler times for him, I guess.

Hearing the people having a good time, talking, laughing, drinking, eating and fuċkɨnġ, I went for another song.

One even more calm then the previous one.

At least after explaining how my homeland named the days of the week, Sunday to Saturday.

Might not make much sense for them now, but at least they won't be lost during my presentation.

"Where there's a will, there's a way, kind of beautiful. And every night has its day, so magical.

And if there's love in this life, there's no obstacle …that can't be…defeated."

"For every tyrant, a tear for the vulnerable.

In every lost soul, the bones of a miracle.

For every dreamer, a dream, we're unstoppable.

With something to believe in. Monday left me broken. Tuesday, I was through with hoping. Wednesday, my empty arms were open. Thursday, waiting for love, waiting for love."

"Thank the stars it's Friday! I'm burning like a fire gone wild on Saturday. Guess I won't be coming to church on Sunday."

"I'll be waiting for love, waiting for love… to come around…"

"We are one of a kind, irreplaceable. How did I get so blind and so cynical? If there's love in this life, we're unstoppable. No, we can't be defeated.

Monday left me broken. Tuesday, I was through with hoping. Wednesday, my empty arms were open. Thursday, waiting for love, waiting for love.

"Thank the stars it's Friday! I'm burning like a fire gone wild on Saturday.Guess I won't be coming to church on Sunday. I'll be waiting for love, waiting for love… to come around!"

The crowd now begged me for just one more song, reminding me so much of my half-siblings.

Since I didn't want to be a party pooper, I picked another song, this time taking the unconventional harp.

"Feeling my way through the darkness, guided by a beating heart… I can't tell where the journey will end, but I know where to start."

"They tell me I'm too young to understand, they say I'm caught up in a dream. Well life will pass me by if I don't open up my eyes. Well that's fine by me."

"So wake me up when it's all over! When I'm wiser and I'm older. All this time I was finding myself, and I didn't know I was lost. So wake me up when it's all over.When I'm wiser and I'm older. All this time I was finding myself, and I didn't know I was lost."

"I tried carrying the weight of the world, but I only have two hands. Hope I get the chance to travel the world, but I don't have any plans."

"Wish that I could stay forever this young. Not afraid to close my eyes. Life's a game made for everyone. And love is a prize."

"So wake me up when it's all over! When I'm wiser and I'm older. All this time I was finding myself, and I didn't know I was lost."

"So wake me up when it's all over! When I'm wiser and I'm older… All this time I was finding myself, and I… didn't know I was lost!"

"I didn't know I was lost!"

Being showered by applause as I bowed in gratitude for their praises and offerings, I took the opportunity that my father was getting busy with a fair maiden and went back to Chataya's arms.

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(05/10/2021)

*Hope this chapter is of your liking.

Anything you wish to ask, feel free to do so.

Check out my auxiliary chapter if you still haven't.

Thanks as always for your attention and please be safe.

Any problems with my writing, just point them out and I will correct them as soon as possible.

** Please tell me if the new pace of the narrative is enjoyable.

Honestly, I was tempted to let Baelish live, but I knew it would be just too stupid for my MC to allow it.

And I would also like to know what you think of the gaming mechanics and the OCs I've been introducing, especially Alysse and Rhaenys.