Chapter 194: The Defiance of a Rising Star

Chapter 194: The Defiance of a Rising Star

Priam's heartbeat accelerated as he understood. "The Eighth Concept doesn't exist yet. The System wants us to create it."

"Indeed. But it's far from simple; otherwise, my Ancestor wouldn't have faltered," the phoenix replied in a melancholic tone.

Priam held a few moments of silence as a mark of respect. Even though it was just a hologram, the phoenix had been a significant aid, and Priam empathized with its sorrow.

"Regardless, it's premature to dwell on that now. My enemies are drawing near, and I'd like to invest my ten Merit points. Any advice?"

The phoenix flew to a bush, picked a berry, and pecked at it. Its beak evaporated the fruit upon contact, and it sniffed the released gas. Priam blinked in astonishment.

"I'm a somewhat special hologram," the phoenix smiled. Perhaps due to his bloodline, Priam could now discern when a bird was happy. "Well, [Ace] is a no-brainer. The Title is crafted to fill your gaps. [Bloodless] is decent for increasing your meridians count and tempering your body."

"I already have a mythical-grade temperance method," Priam pointed.

"Designed for Tier 0. I'm talking about another tempering. It will be useful for... your bloodlines and Micro."

The phoenix wore an annoyed expression, and Priam understood that it couldn't divulge more.

"Anyway, only the first Tier of [Bloodless] interests you for the ideal upgrade of your kinetic skill. You should save the rest of your Merit points for [Iconoclast]."

Priam recalled the mentioned Merit. [Iconoclast - Gold] - Tier 0: You're beginning to feel your soul.

"I thought it was a trap?" Priam raised an eyebrow. In a previous conversation, the phoenix had warned him that the gods, Viracocha first among them, wouldn't forgive him for choosing this Tree.

"It's a good way to get on the gods' bad side," the phoenix acknowledged. "But I believe you're already on a crusade against the one who captured your friend, right?"

"...He'll pay for it," Priam swore.

"Or you'll die. I'd tell you it's a stupid idea, but I think you're well aware," the phoenix sighed before evaporating another berry. "You should keep four Merit points in reserve, in case the Fallen notices you're not his puppet. [Iconoclast] will help you not get crushed like an insect under the spiritual pressure of a Tier 4."

Priam recalled the helplessness and terror that Viracocha, Sumstreh, and the Guardian of Secrets had stirred in him. The weight of their souls was so heavy before his that he couldn't even defend himself. If [Iconoclast] allowed him to bypass the issue, then it was a must-buy. But not until the last moment.

"They banned this Title because it enables resistance against them," Priam realized. "Motherfuckers!"

The phoenix flew toward the birch and began observing the passifloras. "They do much worse than that: the most powerful clans allow their children to unlock this Title and its Merits. It's quite useful for climbing the Nobility ranks. Another way to widen the gap with the commoners."

Priam gritted his teeth before bursting into laughter. Facing the bird's astonished gaze, he explained, "I love my freedom, and I love pissing off those who look down on me. This Tree allows me to do both at the same time.

"You liked pissing on them too," replied the phoenix.

Priam grinned in amusement. "Okay, you've convinced me. However, is it necessary to take it so early? I fear very little with [He Who Eludes Death], and I'd like to avoid catching a curse from Viracocha."

"You fear very little? If the Fallen dominates your soul with his spiritual superiority - which is quite simple - you'll be trapped in your body, unable even to commit suicide. He'll lobotomize your soul, and that'll be the end of you. And me. And everyone you love."

The phoenix's words struck Priam, knotting his stomach as he envisioned the torment Sumstreh could inflict on his family.

"...If I take [Iconoclast], will I have a chance to harm Bastard?" he asked in a cold voice. Priam liked the name Jasmine chose for the Fallen.

"...Take it." The phoenix couldn't say more, but it was enough for Priam. He would keep four Merit points for the Title. When Bastard fell, Priam didn't plan to watch the fight from afar. Pyro will burn him alive.

"Very well. And for my last Merit?"

Five points in [Ace], one for [Bloodless], and four for [Iconoclast] totaled ten. That was his current Merit points, but becoming a Mist Sage would earn him another point.

"No Merit is useless, but [Weathered] or [Three-Headed Hydra] are interesting. The first will help you unlock ideal upgrades for your resistances more easily. The second will allow you to restore your body and thus your soul. By torturing yourself a bit, you should be able to unlock Domain II at Tier 1."

"I feel like all my progress is made in pain," Priam grimaced.

"As is often the case. But let me tell you that even by agreeing to suffer, most races cannot achieve Domain II at Tier 1. Out of a hundred [Ace], only one upgrades this Title to mythic at Tier 1. And believe me, you want that upgrade," the bird said before settling on a ripe, shiny passiflora. In seconds, all that remained were pits.

Priam nodded. "I suspected that Domain was hard to obtain." Kazuki wasn't an idiot, but his rival struggled to attain Supremacy.

"Physical races have an advantage with Micro, those using tools prefer Mastery, and ethereal races have an affinity with Domain," the phoenix explained as it flew to the pond to wash its beak.

It was interesting, but it didn't help Priam choose. He invoked both Merits to compare them.

[Three-headed Hydra - Silver] - Tier 2: When your body is in perfect health, your Vitality accumulates. The subsequent injury you receive will be healed all the faster because your Vitality has accumulated.

[Aether Perception - Epic] - Boosted by META(perception), your soul appreciates aether through your senses and Supremacies. You see the surface of the world.

No future upgrade possible. Potential Cost: 5

Status:

PHYSICAL:

Strength 557

Constitution 860

Agility 552

Vitality 840

Perception 714

MENTAL:

Vivacity 505

Dexterity 587

Memory 385

Willpower 998

Charisma 615

META:

Meta-affinity 423

Meta-focus 350

Meta-endurance 299

Meta-perception 207 (+3)

Meta-chance 230

Meta-authority 33

Potential: 5 256 (-1 748)

Tier 0

Sun points: 56 753 (+178)

[He Who Eludes Death] charge: OFF. Reloaded in 1 hour 43 minutes 49 seconds.

[Tribulation]: Three Tribulations pending.

Future Tribulations delayed until:

Time: 165 days 2 hours 17 minutes 2 seconds.

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