Chapter 188: Oasis

Chapter 188: Oasis

As the warm breeze carried away Eiji's last ashes, everyone resumed their tasks. It was time for the living to fight the dead.

Under Hyshana's orders, the eight surviving hoplites went their separate ways. Three headed towards Log-a-rhythm to rest. Kazuki had sought permission to let his soldiers sleep safely. The hoplites fought to defend the base and deserved to rest in a protected place.

Moreover, if one of them were to pass away in their sleep, they wouldn't succumb to corruption.

Two other soldiers were assigned to military engineering. Their initial task involved deconstructing their old barracks, with Hyshana deciding to recycle the wood to reinforce the rampart surrounding the clearing.

The last group had the most critical mission. Armed and vigilant, they patrolled the domain's border, opening the barrier and guiding the corrupted into bio-traps. The base needed Sun points more than ever.

A few minutes before the merchant's arrival, Priam followed Alain and Rose. The two artisans were working on a defensive turret project. Priced at five thousand points in the Sun Shop, its blueprint was available at half price. In addition to the discount, building the machine allowed the two humans to enhance their skills.

As Alain refined his wood control, Rose traced runes that would enable the turret to condense ambient aether into projectiles, rotate, aim, and fire.

"How does the turret identify the corrupted?" asked Priam.

"I bought a rune that establishes a connection between an object and Log-a-rhythm," explained Rose. "The original turret targeted Necro Concept carriers, but Log-a-rhythm isn't as limited. Moreover, its knowledge of everyone's position enables it to prevent friendly fire"

"The connection is made through ambient aether?"

"It requires direct contact, but the roots make that easy."

"That's clever!" exclaimed Priam.

Rose smiled before showing him the rest of the circuit. Dozens of sigils intersected like components in an electrical network. That Rose could create such combinations with mental attributes below a hundred proved her extraordinary talent.

"You can be proud of yourself," smiled Priam. The teenager blushed. She was at a stage in her life where she needed recognition to thrive, and Priam was happy to offer sincere compliments.

[Two minutes before the merchant's arrival.]

"I have to go; the merchant is coming," said Priam.

"I hope he sells spices! By the way, when do we become Homo Elysian?" asked Rose. "I'm interested in the attribute boost."

"I'm waiting for Jasmine to finish her Tribulations. If the System doesn't take this boost into account, then it's better to wait for your first Tribulation," explained Priam. If that were the case, the racial upgrade would increase their chances of survival.

At the mention of Tribulations, Rose and Alain cast a fearful glance towards the pyre. Mirscella's death was a warning that everyone took seriously.

"We'll wait..." replied Rose.

Priam nodded before heading to the forum. Kazuki and Hyshana were already there. The two hoplites weren't wearing their armor, but each had a hand close to a weapon. In front of them, the summoning sigil finished charging with aether in a bright flash. Priam expected a portal to open and was disappointed.

A transparent bubble expelled all matter, then burst, revealing a massive white bison with intelligent eyes.

"... Doesn't look like an elf," commented Priam as he approached to caress the creature's immaculate fur. Standing close to two meters, Priam wasn't small, but his hand barely reached the bison's shoulder. "Where is your master?"

The bison blinked before opening its mouth. Reality warped to the right of the Menhir of Secrets. Thunder accompanied the appearance of a red and white pavilion. Lavishly decorated, the tent would fit in a desert oasis. Two flaps covering the entrance opened to let an individual out.

Priam hadnt expected Ymir to be so majestic. His wise eyes calmly surveyed the world. The elf was tall, slim, and had white eyebrows that surprised Priam. Snowy hair was gathered in a chignon held by a handle-less blade. His albino skin was partially concealed by a dawn-colored mage robe. He looked more like a scholar than a merchant.

The elf stepped forward, crossing his fingers in front of him. The impractical gesture made it challenging to strike easily and must be a form of greeting.

"Lord Azura, Ymir Saharn offers his respects," he said in an unknown language that Priam had no trouble understanding. A Talent necessary to communicate with his clients.

"Merchant Ymir, it's a pleasure to have you among us," replied Priam, gesturing to Kazuki and Hyshana. "Here are Kazuki and Hyshana, Champions of the Hoplites and defenders of our base."

Ymir mimicked Priam's gesture to greet the two hoplites. "I entrust my safety to your expert hands." He turned to Priam, who was still caressing the bison. "I see you've met Ka'shak. He's a bison with a taotie bloodline. The ideal companion for any wandering merchant."

"A life that must be as exciting as it is dangerous. I presume the current event convinced you to abandon the wandering aspect of your profession."

Ymir smiled, revealing blood-red teeth. "Elysium is dangerous in normal times, and the necro event only worsens things. I needed a base, and you needed a merchant... Here we are, brought together by the System," the elf smiled, placing his palm on his forehead. It must be a religious or superstitious gesture.

"The System rewards those who help themselves." Priam appreciated the neutrality of the System. "Do you need time to prepare your goods?"

"Not at all. I'd be happy to show you my humble shop."

The merchant invited them into his pavilion. Upon entering, Priam whistled in astonishment. The tent was spatially enhanced, and the interior was the size of two tennis courts. Rows of shelves and stalls were arranged to allow visitors to admire the displayed items.

"As a wandering merchant, I sell everything," explained Ymir. "In my bazaar, you'll find weapons, medicines, elixirs, pets, food, clothes..."

"Egg-laying birds?" asked Hyshana. The hoplites were more carnivorous than omnivorous, and the diet of fish and berries was starting to tire them.

"Let me prepare an omelette to convince you to buy some auhracks," smiled Ymir.

The elf didn't look like a merchant, but he had a business sense.

"Living as a wandering merchant in such a dangerous world must not be easy with creatures lurking around," remarked Kazuki, running his finger along the tip of a bone lance.

Ymir shook his head. "My skills allow me to avoid the most perilous places. It's the thieves that are the most challenging to deal with. Tradition obliges me to bury them myself."

The implication was clear; Ymir wasn't defenseless.

"What kind of currency do you accept?" asked Hyshana.

"Normally, I engage in bartering with local tribescores, rare plants, leathers... However, I can now accept Sun points."

The information was interesting. The use of bartering meant that no power had succeeded in imposing its currency. Their region was a sort of Wild West: opportunities were plentiful, but no higher authority would protect the rights of the inhabitants.

"Are there many local tribes?" asked Kazuki.

Ymir shrugged. "The Wandering Islands are immense. I've spent the last century exploring them and have only seen a small part. What interests both of us are the nearest tribes. One of my Talents indicates three tribes approaching and likely to settle here."

Priam grimaced. According to Seth, the tribes had Tier 3 fighters. At least.

"Why would three different tribes decide to come at the same time?" Hyshana's question interested Priam, who listened closely.

"The Seven push away the most dangerous creatures when new Champions arrive. This predator vacuum is a boon for locals living in fear of a cataclysm triggered by a bored high Tier."

"Do you think these tribes will be hostile?"

Ymir placed his palm on his forehead again. "Only the Seven know. Nevertheless, for reasons that border on superstition, tribes refuse to establish territories. Your camp, though primitive, is their only way to access the Sun Shop Auctions. If you play your cards right, their presence will be a boon rather than a bane."

Priam's face remained impassive as he insulted Seth inwardly. Lets hope leaving one of theirs for dead isn't reason enough for them to attack us...

While Kazuki asked for details about the nomadic lifestyle favored by the Wandering Islands inhabitants, Priam pondered the opportunity offered by these tribes. Perhaps I could direct them against Sumstreh...

A few minutes later, seeing Priam gazing distractedly at his merchandise, Ymir approached.

STR +1

AGI +1

DEXT +1

With the level-up, a minuscule amount of aether entered his body. Under normal circumstances, Priam wouldn't have noticed, but the absence of aether circulating in his meridians made the influx evident to his senses. A skills level-up gives me aether? Where does it go?

Surprised, his concentration broke, and Priam failed to execute a movement. Annoyance surged in his chest, and he forced himself to exhale. The shadow restarted from the beginning, and Priam imitated it. As the exercise progressed, his frustration disappeared.

While his breath became raspy, Priam stumbled upon a challenging kata. Refusing to succumb to frustration, he merely breathed. His mistake showed him the way. He just needed not to repeat it to improve.

Cut off from the world, Priam failed and restarted, again and again. Without daylight or a watch, time seemed suspended. He wouldn't have been able to say when, but eventually, practice made perfect.

Lvl Up: [Shadow Boxing] lvl 10, 11

STR +2

AGI +2

DEXT +2

Lvl Up: [Gymnastics] lvl 7,...,15

AGI + 9

Lvl Up: [Balance] lvl 14, 15, 16

AGI +3

DEXT +6

There was nothing like stretches and hoplite katas to work on flexibility and physical coordination. Priam smiled as he saw his strength and agility reach four hundred ninety-five points. The first threshold was close.

[Step 4: Face your Rival Shadow. The shadow will change in size and technique every ten minutes.

Tip: Since [Kinetic Control] is unavailable, simulating the clash between two weapons is impossible. An evasive fighting style has been selected to account for this limitation.

Despite this, resetting your body as soon as [He Who Eludes Death] cooldown ends is strongly encouraged. Death number 7 (Exsanguination) is preferred.]

Priam had a thin smile, remembering the creative deaths listed by his system. The worst part is that I'll end up testing them all...

The shadow went on guard, and Priam cleared his mind. It was time to unlock his Mastery. [Focus].

Status:

PHYSICAL:

Strength 495 (+4)

Constitution 856

Agility 495 (+22)

Vitality 765

Perception 685

MENTAL:

Vivacity 421

Dexterity 547 (+9)

Memory 318

Willpower 925

Charisma 585

META:

Meta-affinity 418

Meta-focus 350

Meta-endurance 296

Meta-perception 204

Meta-chance 230

Meta-authority 30

Potential: 1962 (+21)

Tier 0

Sun points: 34 853 (-1 731)

[He Who Eludes Death] charge: OFF. Reloaded in 4 hours 43 minutes 22 seconds.

[Tribulation]: Three Tribulations pending.

Future Tribulations delayed until:

Time: 166 days 5 hours 16 minutes 15 seconds.

Next thresholds: 6 attributes > 600 / 3 attributes > 900/ 1 attribute > 1 200