Chapter 144: Rivalry

Chapter 144: Rivalry

One Potential point per skulc slain. Two Bosses, each promising a unique reward. As if that weren't enough, Priam's next target was a rune stone that sat at the center of the skulk village. Seth had no inkling of the stone's powers, except that it disrupted the Necromoon's light. That was good enough for Priam.

"Fate is urging us to eradicate these creatures," he whispered.

"Good riddance; I loathe these pests," grumbled Kazuki, scanning the coniferous forest. "We need to kill as many as possible. These beasts reproduce rapidly and can change genders as needed. There were only five hundred a week ago."

"You're quite bloodthirsty," remarked Priam.

"The world will be better off without them. You'll understand soon enough."

"If you say so. What about the Bosses? How do we handle that?"

"What do you mean?"

"You discovered the quest. I can let you choose the Boss you want," Priam offered.

Kazuki blinked before repressing a laugh.

"What's so amusing?" asked Priam.

"We're in Elysium," Kazuki replied when he caught his breath. "If I didn't finish the quest the first time, it's because I failed. I had a hard time escaping alive. If you manage to kill one, you deserve your reward."

"Are they that strong?"

"You'll see. I'll go right; you take the left."

"It's not wise to separate. If only we could coordinate our att"

"I'm a hoplite," Kazuki cut in. "Overcoming adversity and improving is my way of life. I'm here to surpass myself and progress. I would like to complete the quest, but that's a bonus. The most important thing for me is to face this immense wall until I can knock it down."

"... I thought you wanted to improve Log-a-rhythm?"

"I wouldn't be here otherwise. However, we won't survive in Elysium by being weak. An impregnable base like your tree will help, but only my spear will win me the war. Don't lose sight of your true goal," advised Kazuki.

There was truth in what the hoplite said, and Priam understood.

"So, are we enemies on this one?"

"Rivals," the hoplite smiled.The origin of this chapter's debut can be traced to N0v3l--B1n.

Upon hearing the Champion hoplite's response, Priam's heart raced. His rival was right. Preparing the Necromoon and its Tribulations wasn't just about accumulating resources. It was about transcending limits.

"You've convinced me," Priam smiled. "I'll take care of both Bosses in no time."

"Unless I kill them first," Kazuki replied, baring his teeth.

"Big talk for someone who had to run away with their tail between their legs last time."

Kazuki's eyes gleamed while Priam's burned with intense determination.

Their competitive spirits flared. Without a word, the two rivals parted ways.

Lvl Up: [Phantom] lvl 7,8,9

AGI +9

As Priam progressed, he noticed the temperature dropping. The spruces were now covered in a fine layer of snow. Without the magic of [Moon Mist], his misty cloak would have frozen long ago.

After leaving Kazuki, Priam activated [Phantom] to approach the center of the skulc microcosm. The fir branches became denser, but his skill helped him delicately navigate the obstacles. Priam seemed to have no mass as his kinetic energy control allowed him to step on the snow without sinking. Behind him, a tracker would find no traces.

Like a ghost, Priam quietly advanced toward his enemies. He wasn't in a hurry. The duel's winner would be the one to kill one of the Bosses first. If Kazuki had failed the first time, he would be cautious this time. The hoplite wouldn't accept two failures.

Suddenly, [Broad Spectrum vision] detected something. Priam froze, focusing on his surroundings. Thirty meters ahead, an infrared spot stood out behind the trunk of a gigantic spruce. Squinting, Priam used his perception to discern the source of the anomaly.

Then he saw it. Half-hidden by a dark trunk and thick branches, a humanoid creature waited. A scout. The monster was well hidden, motionless and camouflaged, but its heat gave it away.

Lvl Up: [Broad-spectrum vision] lvl 6

PERC +1

Priam didn't try to identify his opponent to avoid alerting it. However, that didn't prevent him from studying his adversary. The skulc was about two meters tall, with brownish-green skin. Its eyes scanned the surroundings like an eagle, and its muscles were poised for action.

If Priam had initially thought he was dealing with a goblin cousin, the specimen before him brought him back to reality. No enemy in Elysium was weak, and this one was no exception. An obsidian glaive hung from its belt, and a few throwing darts were strapped across its chest. Despite the cold and calm, the guard remained focused.

Priam's instinct whispered to him to be decisive. He sent a thin mist thread toward his opponent. The mist's density was so low that the line was invisible. Yet, when the thread penetrated within ten meters of the skulc, the monster's eyes fixed on it.

Without a moment's hesitation, Priam rode his mist. No sooner had he materialized than he activated [Battle Footwork]. Catapulted forward by his aether, Priam summoned Promesse at the last moment. [Unrelenting Thrust].

Raising its blade, the skulc narrowly deflected Priam's attack. It opened its mouth, ready to alert its kin - or maybe spit on Priam. Before a sound could escape its throat, Domain froze the air around its mouth. [Kinetic Control] absorbed the sound wave before Priam's body collided with the creature, carried by his momentum.

The two opponents rolled in the snow in silence. The skulc gained the upper hand in an instant, pinning Priam beneath it. After a submission, the warrior struck Priam's head against the ground. His nose violently collided with a root. The scout then tried to break Priam's neck. Too late. The monster's eyes widened as it felt a force petrifying it.

Priam disappeared into the mist, freeing himself from the enemy's grip. He reappeared behind the skulc, wearing a somber expression. His Domain and [Kinetic Control] synergized to immobilize his enemy.

Wiping a drop of blood from his nose, Priam felt a terrifying resistance fighting against his kinetic absorption. Either the skulc had titanic strength, or it had an epic skill. Placing his hand on the skulc's chest, Priam absorbed its macroscopic kinetic energy. [Kinetic Control] trembled but managed to stop the enemy's heart. A few moments later, the resistance disappeared.

Priam smiled as he read the report from his add-on. The scout above only exposed its head, and the one below was partially hidden. It wouldn't save them.

As Priam authorized the assault, [Priams System] activated. The two darts vanished. The next moment, both Skulcs collapsed. Two and three.

Lvl Up: [Priams System] lvl 13,14

MEM+4

VIVA +2

Priam rushed to the first corpse to cushion his fall. An adult skulc weighed over two hundred kilograms and could easily break a spruce branch when falling. Intercepting the body, Priam gently laid it on the ground next to its dead colleague.

He knelt to check the aftermath of his attack.

The two darts had disintegrated into liquid water upon impact, but the damage was done. The brain of the first corpse had exploded, but not its head. The heart of the second corpse was pierced, but the ice hadn't exited the body. In essence, his add-on had calculated the optimal energy to kill his enemies without overkill. In addition to saving energy, Priam was happy that he was spared having to clean up the area.

A few moments later, the snow covered all evidence of his passage.

Continuing on his way, Priam congratulated himself on creating his add-on. In a fast-paced fight, it could create shields and attacks autonomously. Not that I should rely too much on it.

Priam didn't plan to abuse this new combat option, but it was a valuable aid.

A few dozen meters later, Priam reached the edge of the forest. Stealthily, he glanced ahead.

About a hundred tents had been erected in a circle. In the center, a water basin provided drink to the tribe. A large menhir covered in runes stood at the center of the pond. Around fifty skulcs were currently worshiping it. Between the crowd and the menhir, a shaman chanted with closed eyes.

No one had yet noticed his presence. Now, to kill the Shaman, which is better: Draconic breath or assassination?

Status:

PHYSICAL:

Strength 399

Constitution 662

Agility 408 (+4)

Vitality 538

Perception 600 (+16)

MENTAL:

Vivacity 338 (+4)

Dexterity 434 (+2)

Memory 139 (+5)

Willpower 657 (+9)

Charisma 427

META:

Meta-affinity 336

Meta-focus 255

Meta-endurance 185

Meta-perception 119

Meta-chance 216

Meta-authority 15

Potential: 594 (+24)

Tier 0

[He Who Eludes Death] charge: PRIMED.

[Tribulation]: Five Tribulations pending.

Future Tribulations delayed until:

Time: 175 days 21 hours 33 minutes 17 seconds.