Chapter 220: To steal Prometheus’ thunder?

Chapter 220: To steal Prometheus’ thunder?

Lvl Up: [Frozen Meditation] lvl 24

PERC +1

WILL +2

Contemplating the mechanisms of his soul, Priam acknowledged the impossibility of getting a mythical skill at Tier 0. The fact that nothing, not even the instructions of the Heavenly Dragon, mentioned such a possibility had already indicated to him that it was unlikely, but a part of him had still clung to it. Yet, the shape of his soul offered him no hope: it lacked the fifth layer necessary to host a Mythical skill.

However, not all the news was bad. Priam was optimistic about the possibility of a sixth Legendary skill. Even with four more skills like [True Will], approximately ten percent of the legendary layer would remain free. By slightly expanding its size, it would be possible to host another Legendary rune.

It was an arduous and distant goal, but Priam knew it was essential: an additional ideal Legendary skill would set him apart even among theAces. Tier 0 did not seem to truly have hard limits—the runes of common skills were minuscule, and its first layer was not even one percent filled—but an accumulation of mediocre skills would not allow him to defeat a Tier 3. It was Legendary skills maxed out, supported by Concepts and Supremacies, that would enable him to push above his league.

This kind of build would give him the ability to retrieve Sphinx and exact vengeance upon Sumstreh. For a moment, Priam imagined his hands closing around Bastard's neck. He tightened his grip, and the false god agonized, finally aware of their mistake...

[Focus] killed the useless thought, and Priam refocused. He was there to take control of [Revelation Resilience].

His gaze fell upon the rune existing on the third layer of his soul. Instinctively, he understood that the sigil was perfect. The ideal resistance shone, transforming the aether delivered by the soul core before it was projected into Priam's body.

Mentally, Priam focused on the rune and... nothing happened. It would have been too simple.

The rune was a creation of the System and [Homo Elysian Obsession]. If the soul was a motherboard, each rune was a peripheral. Some were interactive, but resistances were passive.

Undeterred, Priam focused on the aether modified by the rune. The difference with his own aether was minimal, but he could sense it thanks to [Ideal Aether Perception]. Suddenly, he realized that it was the first time he had focused on the characteristics of his aether.

Lvl Up: [Ideal Aether Perception] lvl 8

META (AFFI) +3

META (PERC) +6

His ideal skill added dimensions to meta-perception. More than the presence of aether, Priam could discern its color, hear its sound, and smell its odor. The Seven Concepts had transformed his soul, allowing him to translate aether’s information into organic senses. Energy now made sense.

Priam’s aether possessed a sort of familiar scent. Perhaps because it was his own energetic scent, Priam had never noticed it before. If he were to describe it, he would say that the fluid emitted a fragrance of passionate struggle and a desire for freedom. His ego transformed his aether, and its imprint was profound. An enemy like Dishnu could not fail to understand who he was facing.

For a moment, Priam attempted to modify his aetheric scent using [Aether Manipulation] before realizing the futility of the action. It was certainly possible, but not with a rare skill.

Instead of wasting time, he compared his raw aether with the energy modified by [Revelation Resilience]. In addition to Priam's identity, the latter possessed a defiance towards observers. It was hard to describe, but it was the intuition that his ideal perception skill provided him.

The aether modified by the epic resistance left his soul, traveled through a spiritual meridian to his human heart, and began its journey through his ideal pathways. During its circulation, the fluid infused his body to impart anti-divination qualities. Priam followed its flow attentively.

Lvl Up: [Revelation Resilience] lvl 12

MEM +3

META (AFFI) +3

META (AUTH) +3

Lvl Up: [Ideal Aether Perception] lvl 9

META (AFFI) +3

META (PERC) +6

[Alert: Over 86% of the aether modified by [Revelation Resilience] is injected into the skin before disappearing.

Probable causes:

Leaks to the external environment.Mutual destruction with hostile divination probes.]

Intrigued by his System's finding, Priam focused on the cells of his epidermis. If the majority of his resistance was concentrated on his skin, it was no coincidence. It was possible for the aether to dissipate into the air, but Domain detected nothing of the sort.

The second hypothesis of his add-on was certainly closer to reality; the skin was a boundary between the body and the outside world and, as such, a probable stage for the information warfare that concerned him. An observation validated the hypothesis: the modified aether dissipated upon contact with a particular type of foreign aether.

By focusing on the microscopic currents created by the encounter between his energy and the hostile energy, Priam discovered that sorts of aether packets would stick to him. Some melted like snow in the sun, while others disappeared, taking a sample of his aether with them. The latter probes were often small, sometimes barely detectable, and Priam theorized that they came from skills rarer than Legendary.

His resistance was both epic and ideal, but it was far from invincible. For now...

By focusing on the rougher probes, Priam quickly captured some similarities. These packets all shared a scent of inquiry. They asked for information about him, and his own aether, modified by his resistance, refused. The interaction caused mutual pollution. The remaining fluid spread into the air like smoke, impervious to Priam's orders.

Lvl Up: [Ideal Aether Perception] lvl 10

META (AFFI) +3

META (PERC) +6

"It's fascinating..."

By hypothesizing, testing, observing the results, and interpreting the findings, Priam was uncovering a whole new aspect of the aether. Delving into the mysteries of magic armed with scientific rigor, he was ecstatic. Understanding the world thrilled him more than just casting fireballs. There were undoubtedly nuances that eluded him, but Priam thought he understood the essentials. Now, can I glean information from these probes?

Focused on his Domain and [Ideal Aether Perception], Priam selected a large and crude packet. Using [Aether Manipulation], he attempted to influence it, but his mental command slipped over the foreign aether. The probe touched his body before dissipating, blocked by his resistance.

Lvl Up: [Revelation Resilience] lvl 13

MEM +3

META (AFFI) +3

META (AUTH) +3

Frowning, Priam chose another packet and focused on it. Using Domain on such a tiny target was hard, but he managed to clumsily immobilize it. He attempted to take control using his aether proficiency, but the probe ignored him. Like an agile fish, it escaped his sphere of authority, and suicided on his defenses, increasing the invisible experience bar of [Revelation Resilience].

Priam sighed before massaging his temples. He was satisfied with his resistance but refused to be a dumb tank. More than spotting those attempting to scry him, it was an opportunity to increase his aether proficiency. And to reach five hundred points in Memory.

Glancing at his titanic reserves of Potential, Priam opened the floodgates, letting the divine fluid provoke artificial epiphanies. It was time to use all his advantages.

"Long live Prometheus! Long live the king!"

It had been nearly a quarter of an hour since the battle had ended, yet the troops continued to let out cheers as they worked. Those who had finished the fight without suffering serious injuries seemed determined to prove their worth.

"I do not forget those who sacrificed themselves to allow this victory. The best tribute we can pay them is to use the experience, weapons, and knowledge gained today to protect humanity. You are the Shield defending our civilization!"

Cheers began to erupt, and Prometheus waited a few moments before continuing.

"Today, you saw it with your own eyes, humanity's army achieved the impossible: we defeated an Arkanean Tier 2!" Prometheus thundered, fervor gleaming in his eyes. "Our triumph today is not a miracle; it is an event that will be repeated as long as we are united! Lend me your strength, and together, let us free humanity!"

The atmosphere began to tremble under the army's roars.

"Long live Prometheus! Long live the king!"

The shouts of thousands of men and women made the world tremble. Rage, sadness, passion, and thirst for glory; various emotions fueled their roars, but all shouted in unison.

Announcement to Humanity:

Priam Azura slayed a Necromoon Viscount (Tier 3) while in Tier 0.

A Mythic feat!

In a fraction of a second, silence reclaimed its throne. A shocked muteness descended upon the plain.

"What a monster... I'm sure he did it on purpose," sighed Gloria after a few seconds.

"He—" Guandi stopped himself. Knowing humanity's Spear, it was possible.

"Fuck," Eloise summed up, and everyone nodded.

Guandi turned to his king. Was he disappointed with his accomplishment? He'd beaten a Tier 2, a Legendary Completion, but Priam's feat was... Mythical.

Prometheus stood tall, rereading the announcement. As the general hesitated to speak, his king smiled, sweeping through his interface.

"The Shield defends, and the Spear attacks," he announced to his soldiers. His voice was soft, but the wind carried his words. "Tonight, let's celebrate and revel in humanity's double triumph. Tomorrow, the Arkaniens will come, and we will welcome them as they deserve. Let's show Priam he's not alone in the race!"

After a moment of silence, the army roared again, and Guandi joined them. Priam might steal their thunder, but he couldn't stand against the fire gifted by Prometheus.

Status:

PHYSICAL:

Strength 620

Constitution 979

Agility 608

Vitality 870

Perception 755 (+1)

MENTAL:

Vivacity (D) 516

Dexterity 620

Memory 498 (+9)

Willpower 1 047 (+3)

Charisma 631

META:

Meta-affinity 598 (+19)

Meta-focus 385

Meta-endurance 428

Meta-perception 285 (+20)

Meta-chance 230

Meta-authority 84 (+6)

Potential: 18 841 (+17)

Tier 0

Sun points: 1 180 114 (+0)

[He Who Eludes Death] charge: OFF. Reloaded in 2 hours 23 minutes 15 seconds.

[Tribulation]: Four Tribulations pending.

Future Tribulations delayed until:

Time: 162 days 2 hours 56 minutes 28 seconds.

Next thresholds: 12 attributes > 600 / 3 attributes > 900 / 1 attribute > 1 200