Chapter 152: Fallout

Chapter 152: Fallout

Priam forced a smile as Micro smoothed the beats of his heart. The Guardian was unfamiliar with humans, but an erratic heartbeat couldn't be normal. Priam had to be careful not to arouse suspicion.

He suspected that not everything about Apocryphal souls had been revealed. Perhaps because the Guardian didn't know the whole truth? After all, the System knew he was an Apocryphal soul, and no one had tried to kill him yet. This could mean two things. Either there are different degrees of Apocryphal souls, and I am still within acceptable limits. Or [He Who Eludes Death] is stabilizing my soul.

If Concepts could do it with a Grace, why not his Patron? After all, Priam didn't feel insane. His memories indicated that his temperament had changed within reasonable limits - partly due to circumstances. This might explain why the Concepts attempted to kill my Patron. They were interested in his power.

Of course, there was one last possible explanation. The Guardian of Secrets No. 37 458 seemed powerful and part of an organization with at least forty thousand others. They appeared to adhere to strict rules; otherwise, the Guardian would have read the memories of rivals. Priam was convinced that wasn't the case. After all, Prince Phoenix himself had said he would torture Priam for eternity to extract secrets from [He Who Eludes Death].

It made sense to assume the Guardian followed a code of rules. It was highly likely that payment guaranteed the accuracy of information. But Priam hadn't paid for information about Apocryphal souls. Did the Guardian have suspicions? Did he lie to Priam? In any case, Priam preferred not to ask more questions.

"I see I've given you something to ponder."

Priam almost jumped at the voice. He summoned a small smile and nodded.

"Indeed. I now understand a bit more how the world works and what the Concepts are truly after."

The Guardian burst into laughter. "We'll talk about it again when you grasp the kind of world you've landed in. Meanwhile, if you're not planning to trade more films, here's the location of the assassin's base." The Guardian snapped his fingers, and Priam felt a location appear in his mind.

"Thanks. By the way, I was wondering, what other information can you give me for free?"

"I see I'm dealing with a clever one," the Guardian grinned. "Sorry, but that information isn't free."

Priam rolled his eyes. "How much is it?"

"A silver Coin. Now, if you'd let me watch my films in peace..."

"Sorry for being poor. One last question before I go. Would you mind if I moved your menhir?" Priam asked.

Normally, he would refuse to let a potential threat near his family, but he had seen the power of the Guardian. Being a few kilometers away from Log-a-rhythm or right next to it made no difference. The Guardian was more potent than a minor god like Viracocha. "If I pee on this menhir, would it improve [Iconoclast]?"wondered Priam.

"Oh? You mean in the space where you placed a sun?" the Guardian asked, oblivious to Priam's thoughts.

"At first, but then next to my base," Priam replied. "The Necromoon is coming, and I don't know if I'll regularly be able to come see you once the event starts. Plus, I'm not the only one who will want to ask you questions."

"Hmm," the Guardian seemed to hesitate for a moment. "My mere presence would put your dimension to the test. But a few minutes to return to your base? I agree on one condition."

"Movies?" Priam guessed.

The Guardian smiled. "I know you'll eventually trade me your films. No, I want you to create a forum."

"A forum?"

"A public place outdoors, like an agora. It's a structure you can create with the Land Owner's Merit."

Priam checked the Merit Tree.

[Land Owner - Silver] - Tier 0: You can instantly create a building (Tier 1) on your Land - from a list provided by the System.

Seeing Priam grimace, the Guardian added, "I know your Merit points are scarce, but I promise it would benefit both of us in the long run."

Hesitating, Priam took a few seconds to think. Merits were among the most impressive boosts the System offered. Unique enhancements he couldn't buy with Potential. He was reluctant to part with them for nothing.

"I need to know what a forum does first."

"One iron Coin."

It was almost a giveaway. "Deal."

"The forum is the foundation of a camp. It's where merchants and travelers gather. With the upcoming event, it could greatly interest you..."

The Guardian's conspiratorial air indicated that there was a secret or at least synergy between the forum and the approaching Necromoon. Even so, Priam was reluctant to lose such a precious asset.

"One of my Merits allows me to emulate a Dragon's Breath. Will the forum be as interesting?"

"... This forum could save your base and your life within weeks. The decision is yours."

Did Priam trust the Guardian of Secrets? Not yet, no. But a being capable of killing him easily had little to gain by tricking him for so little. In the end, it was a gamble, and Priam knew that one didn't get to the top without betting once or twice.

"I accept."

"Great. And now... Hasta la vista, baby!"

With a laugh, the Guardian disappeared. Weird dwarf...

"I have the location of the assassin's base," Priam declared, turning to Kazuki. He knew their rival probably heard him, but there was little chance she had deciphered the hoplite language.

"It won't be necessary," Kazuki replied, shaking his head.

"Huh?"

"I found our mouse. When you absorb the menhir, she'll likely be distracted, and I'll take the chance to attack."

"Are you sure? We could simply set up an ambush and"

"Priam," Kazuki cut him off, looking him straight in the eyes. "I need the Skull Key to unlock Micro II. I need Micro II to survive my Tribulations. I need to be alive to save my family and civilization. My path is clear to me. Every second brings me closer to my Tribulations, so let's not waste time."

The intensity of Kazuki's gaze shocked Priam. He knew why he was fighting, and it gave him a terrifying strength. He's driven. Kazuki's determination stirred something in Priam. He too wanted a purpose.

Without further ado, Priam turned and placed his hand on the menhir. [Kinetic Control]. The stone was impossibly heavy. Priam's meridians began to groan as he expended more and more kinetic energy. Finally, in a tremor, the Guardian's phylactery lifted slightly.

Suddenly, [Concept Archipelago] trembled. The magical weight of the menhir distorted space. Under the pain, Priam's gaze hardened. His internal world sought to expel the Guardian's phylactery. The environment around the rivals began to warp as a second space overlaid.

"Var Elegis d men tu byr," announced Arnold, stepping back. With a wave of his hand, he tossed Jasmine at Priam's feet. A nod later, the homunculus disappeared.

Priam blinked before focusing on his internal world. By consuming his Potential, he managed to stabilize it. A few seconds later, he turned to Kazuki. "Did he just leave like that?"

"It seems so. I don't know what you did, but it was terrifying," replied the hoplite, professionally searching the assassin's body. Their rival was a woman whose appearance seemed human. She looked at them in turn without moving. "I was using Potential to detect his skills. At the end, Arnold used a legendary skill, [Quantum Teleportation]. He must be far away by now."

"... Damn monster."

A monster that spared them, and in addition, gave them a gift. Priam had no idea why, but he wasn't one to ignore a blessing.

"Ha!" Kazuki stood up, smiling. In his hand, the Skull Key glowed faintly. "Mind if I?"

"I lost it, and you found it. It's yours."

"Ours," Kazuki replied with a big smile. The man knew how to respect the bro code.

"I'm happy for you," said Priam, hiding a grimace. His internal world wasn't entirely stable. "We need to get back. My internal world is suffering, and I'm losing a lot of Potential."

"I'm with you. And her?"

Priam turned to the assassin and crouched in front of her, enveloping her in his Domain. The woman who had tried to assassinate him and Kazuki was no older than twenty. Pale gray eyes stared at him from under her black hood. Priam read fear, pride, and hope in them.

What should he do with her?

[Identification]

[Jasmine Kaldwin - Arkana] - The assassin.

Status: (Average value for a Homo sapiens male before integration: PHY 10 / MEN 10 / META 0)

PHYSICAL:

Strength 419

Constitution 724

Agility 432

Vitality 547

Perception 637

MENTAL:

Vivacity 342

Dexterity 444

Memory 142

Willpower 682

Charisma 450

META:

Meta-affinity 371

Meta-focus 261

Meta-endurance 208

Meta-perception 131

Meta-chance 219

Meta-authority 15

Potential: 1067 (-30)

Tier 0

[He Who Eludes Death] charge: OFF. Reloaded in 18 hours 50 minutes 54 seconds.

[Tribulation]: Five Tribulations pending.

Future Tribulations delayed until:

Time: 175 days 19 hours 24 minutes 7 seconds.

Next thresholds: 12 attributes > 400 / 6 attribute > 600 / 1 attribute > 800