Chapter 239: One more reason to commit draconic genocide

Chapter 239: One more reason to commit draconic genocide

“I sense no recognition from the System,” Bertomne declared, crossing his arms. “You don’t expect me to obey someone who hasn’t passed any Tribulation, do you?”

In response to Bertomne’s provocation, Priam saw red and his draconic heart pounded with a terrible force. The pulse fused with his charisma and Conquest Aura, crashing over the assembly like a tidal wave. The physical impact slapped the insolent artisan, while the anger it contained paralyzed him.

A Dragon did not tolerate disrespect.

“I’ve triumphed over a quadruple Tribulation and am preparing for a quintuple. Does that give me the right to give you orders?” Priam asked. His tone was calm, but the mist raging in his eyes proved that the storm was already here.

That, and his Domain’s pressure which suffocated the artisan.

Lvl Up: [Intimidation] lvl 8

CHAR +3

Lvl Up: [Emotional Discipline] lvl 10

WILL +3

“I’ll take your silence as a yes,” Priam continued. “You’re alive because the borders of Oasis are holding back an infinite horde of undead; my father built part of those defenses, so show him some respect!”

His aura intensified to punctuate the command, reminding the artisan of his place in Oasis: that of a newcomer with everything to prove.

Lvl Up: [Intimidation] lvl 9

CHAR +3

Once he was sure the message had sunk in, Priam eased the pressure on Bertomne, allowing him to take a deep breath.

“... I apologize,” the sand singer stammered, gasping for air. His erratic heartbeat betrayed his panic.

Alain accepted the apology with a nod.

“Good,” said Priam. “In the future, make sure to be polite and respectful towards the inhabitants of Oasis, and we’ll do the same.”

A small community like Oasis needed civility to thrive. Priam waited for Bertomne to nod before finishing.

“One last thing: I’m open to dialogue, especially in areas I’m not well-versed in, but that doesn’t mean you can challenge fair orders. If you have a problem with that, you can leave.”

Everyone present held their breath. It was a death sentence, and they all knew it, but Priam wouldn’t let a pretentious artisan jeopardize Oasis’s security.

Lvl Up: [Intimidation] lvl 10

CHAR +3

For a few seconds, no one spoke until the young Lord retracted his aura. Despite his anger, Priam knew he needed artisans. If Bertomne was willing to obey, he could be very useful. After the stick, here comes the carrot.

“If you choose to stay, you’ll have access to the basic resources needed to practice your craft, interesting projects, decent housing, and you’ll be protected. Oasis doesn’t abandon its members. Now, you have a choice to make.”

Eyes downcast, the craftsman stared at his hands, deep in thought. No one tried to influence him. Everything had been said, and Priam wanted willing people around him.

“I haven’t changed my mind; I want to join Oasis,” the sand singer declared after his contemplation.

Priam smiled slightly. “Then I welcome you again.” The dragon within him still bristled at the artisan, but the young Lord knew that concessions were sometimes necessary. Bertomne deserved one last chance.

“I might be wrong, but you don’t seem like a fool,” Priam continued in a less harsh tone. Simultaneously, Log-a-rhythm softened the craftsman’s chair. The tree had sensed its partner's wrath. “Why insult my father? Were you testing my limits? Trying to see if I could control my draconic bloodline?”

His draconic heart exacerbated certain traits, especially anger and pride. Without his high charisma, Priam might have succumbed to his impulses and executed the artisan for his disrespect.

“... None of that, Lord Priam,” Bertomne replied after swallowing hard. “It’s just a tradition. Most tribes consider that a child must pass a Tribulation before becoming a man. It was insulting for me to be asked to obey under those conditions.”

Priam turned to Lamnas and Ymir. “Is that true?”

“He speaks the truth, my Lord,” Ymir confirmed as the elf nodded. “It is like asking a veteran to obey a novice in wartime just because he is highborn.”

Priam grimaced. How many battles had been lost due to incompetent officers?

“I’ll keep our differences in mind and try to learn your customs to avoid unintentional insults.” Priam took a moment to silence the dragon within before continuing. “I apologize for pressuring you, but know that I have little tolerance for rudeness; you’ll need to temper your remarks.”

“I’ll remember that,” Bertomne promised, his voice trembling. Priam’s aura seemed to have frightened him. Even when a predator was sated, the prey never forgot its place.

“Good. Now, let me assure you that nepotism has no place in Oasis. My father is in charge of this project because he has spent his life building and managing construction sites. He hasn’t passed a Tribulation yet because we’ve only been here a short time. Dad, anything to add?”

“Our team will be small, so I see no reason not to integrate you fully into the project if that reassures you about my competence,” Alain smiled, handing several sheets to the sand singer. “You won’t just be an executor but also a thinker. If you have suggestions, advice, or remarks, I’m open to all proposals.”

Bertomne nodded, eyes widening as he examined the plans, measurements, and material resistance calculations. A glance was enough to understand that Alain was the real deal.

“... I suppose I judged too quickly,” the artisan murmured as he studied the plan. “From what I can see, it’s a good plan, but it doesn’t account for my abilities. For instance, there’s no need for piles under the foundations,” he pointed out one of the diagrams, his tone now professional. “I can create layers with different properties that will absorb shocks in case of earthquakes and stabilize the structure. A sort of giant spring.”

Alain leaned in, scratching his beard. “Good to know, but we must account for the runes Rose will engrave; that will inevitably create weaknesses.”

“I have special skills to reinforce the materials I work with,” Bertomne replied. “My tribe was nomadic, so I rarely had the opportunity to use them on large structures, but I suppose it’s possible—even if time-consuming. I’ll need to experiment outside of work hours. By the way, maybe we should discuss my contract? Might as well get all the shitty stuff out of the way today.”

“Watch your language in front of Rose,” Alain admonished, ignoring the teenager rolling her eyes with a smile.

Priam frowned. “I already accepted a contract when I summoned you. Every day, the System will automatically deduct one hundred forty Sun Points from my wallet to pay your salary.”

Bertomne grimaced, opened his mouth, then hesitated. He seemed to choose his words carefully before replying. “I don’t want to be rude, but I’m not a slave. The salary you mentioned corresponds to eight hours of work per day, but I understand you want to build this outpost quickly...”

Ymir was a self-employed merchant, but the two artisans would work for Priam and needed to be paid for their overtime.

“You’re right. Very well, I suppose we’ll have to revise your contracts. Unfortunately, I don’t have the time or inclination to handle it,” Priam admitted, turning to his right. “Let me introduce you to the project supervisor: Myuri. If you have any questions or requests, she’s the one to see.”

Myuri and Bertomne sized each other up.

“I’m sure we’ll work well together,” the young woman declared.

“Maybe. I mean, yes,” Bertomne added after a glance at Priam.

“I’m sure of it too,” said Lamnas.

After another look at Priam, Myuri addressed Bertomne.

“I understand you have reservations about working more than eight hours a day. I get that you need rest, but remember that completing this outpost will allow you to enjoy the resources in Valaryth. I’m willing to offer you unlimited access to the protected part of Valaryth once the project is finished and the right to use any natural resources you find there. Then, it would be in your best interest to finish this outpost as quickly as possible.”

A thin smile appeared on Bertomne’s lips. “Given Alain’s plans, you have few artisans. I’m betting I’ll be constantly in demand. Your offer is generous, but I probably won’t have the chance to enjoy it. I want to be paid more.”

“Every extra hour will be paid twice the normal rate,” Myuri proposed.

“Four times more.”

“Twice, with a bonus if you perform well.”

“How will you evaluate that?”

“If your creations are rated higher by the System than those of... Rose, for example?”

Bertomne turned to the teenager and snorted. Seeing his new supervisor take charge, Priam smiled. Delegating is a good thing when you have competent friends.

It wasn’t perfect, but Priam did his best to be stealthy. The next animals didn’t seem to notice his presence.

Lvl Up: [Phantom] lvl 17

AGI +3

When the sky began to turn a pastel pink, Priam reached a two-story building. It was the first of its kind, as the outskirts of the ruins only had low buildings. The heart of the ruins had taller structures, but his instinct urged him to inspect this one before continuing.

The debris of a large door lay on the ground, and Priam cautiously stepped over it. The interior of the edifice had only one room, with a simple interior balcony that circled the second floor. The high ceiling created a spacious area, which had clearly pleased someone.

The dawn light filtered through the windows, scattering over scales to create a multicolored spectacle. Noticing the deep breath of the sleeping amphiptere, Priam wasted no time. Promesse in his right hand, he used [Phantom] to silently approach. His second racial Talent paralyzed the beast’s instincts, plunging it into eternal sleep as the spear pierced through the eyelid, eye, and brain in a single motion.

Lvl Up: [Phantom] lvl 18

AGI +3

Priam stood, momentarily shocked by the ease of the kill. Amphipteres might be formidable beasts, but when exploiting its weakness, that one stood no chance. And that's what the Tribulations will do to me...

Shaking off the morbid thought, Priam focused on the dying winged serpent.

Despite the fatal blow, the draconic heart took several seconds to stop beating, showcasing the beast’s exceptional vitality. An unnatural hunger gripped Priam, and he began working like a lousy butcher.

Removing the scales, cutting the muscles, and breaking bones, he worked like a man possessed. His forearms stained red with blood, Priam finally extracted the beast’s heart and bit into it. His draconic instincts liked it raw.

The Dragon’s ritual was complete, and his bloodline absorbed the essence of the amphiptere’s power. His teeth cracked the hidden core, releasing a torrent of energy within him.

“Ancient Dragons are as rare as their descendants are numerous. If you choose [Draconic], prepare to face hordes of mixed bloods. Devouring their hearts will increase the purity of the bloodline.”

The Phoenix’s words echoed in his memory, reminding Priam why the Dragon’s Way was as dangerous as it was profitable.

Consumption of a fragment of draconic bloodline...

Insufficient purity to elevate your bloodline.

A portion of the vanquished’s powers is your rightful inheritance.

The Dragon's Way helped Priam's cells and soul absorb the essence flowing through his veins.

Lvl Up: [Friction Resistance] lvl 19, 20

AGI +2

[Friction Resistance] has reached level 20, its maximum level as a common skill.

“... One more reason to commit draconic genocide.”

Status:

PHYSICAL:

Strength 707

Constitution 1 105

Agility 630 (+13)

Vitality 1 040

Perception 761 (+1)

MENTAL:

Vivacity (D) 570

Dexterity 653 (+1)

Memory 832

Willpower 1 163 (+4)

Charisma 692 (+15)

META:

Meta-affinity 784

Meta-focus 403

Meta-endurance 608

Meta-perception 339

Meta-chance 274

Meta-authority 210

Potential: 13 543 (+16)

Tier 0

Sun points: 1 467 616 (+2519)

[He Who Eludes Death] charge: PRIMED

[Tribulation]: Five Tribulations pending.

Future Tribulations delayed until:

Time: 155 days 22 hours 14 minutes 50 seconds.

Next thresholds: 12 attributes > 600 / 6 attributes > 900 / 1 attribute > 1 200