Interlude - Gift II

Interlude - Gift II

Interlude - Gift II

Go slowly.

Kri didnt think that was actually possible. Still, she tried to follow Ryuns advice. According to them, the bonding should be a quick and painless affair. But then again, theyve also mentioned that it would bond with her flesh so who knew. She took the talisman in hand and started the bonding process.

It disappeared, and immediately she felt pressure in the center of her chest, slightly below her throat. She pulled her shirt down and watched as her flesh pulled apart and the talisman emerged from it. There was pain, but it was faint, and far less than she had feared.

Oh, Kri said. That wasnt so bad.

She shouldnt have said anything. Then the pain really hit. It didnt come from her body, but someplace deep within, her soul if she had to guess. She bent over and fell to the ground, gritting her teeth as something ravaged all through her. She tried to marshal her willpower, to feed her |Tough Body| skill. Tali had said that it was weak, but that it would do for now. She was right, being tough didnt seem to help that much. The pain was twofold, both her body and something deeper, which made her terrified.

She heard Ryun and Selia talking above her, but she could barely understand them. And then, after what felt like hours, the pain slowly abated, and she felt the talisman settle inside of her. Finally, she gathered herself. It felt as if she had been pulled tight. She raised her head and saw Ryun and Selia studying her.

See, she didnt die, Ryun said.

Selia frowned at him. That is not how you treat children.

She is a grown woman, Ryun added.

She is twenty, Selia said, in a tone that meant she considered her a toddler. Kri nearly told her that she was older than that, but she didnt think that a few more years would change anything in her mind.

That is grown, Ryun said.

Selia opened her mouth, glanced at Kri, then closed it. Again, it seemed like they were having a soundless conversation, which made Kri frown.

Fine, Ryun said after a few seconds. How are you feeling, Kri? He turned to look at her.

Uh Kri took stock of herself, looked through her screens and made sure that she was alright before responding. I am fine, just feel a bit tired.

And the talisman? It works? Ryun asked.

I only got 100 stats from it, and 5 to base, Kri said.

That is more than we couldve hoped for, Selia added.

Yeah, a hundred stats at your level matters, Ryun said.

What now? Kri asked.

First, you tell us that you understand the danger of that item and what will happen if you try to use it, Selia met her eyes.

I Kri paused, if she understood what they had explained previously, her soul would probably evaporate into nothingness if she tried it at Lord. Yes, I understand.The source of this content no/v(el)bi((n))

Ryun clapped his hands. Good, now to the next part!

Next part? She immediately perked up.

Ryuns face turned into a smile. I had your mother do this at a higher Realm, but I think that what we have for you should be enough. If it doesnt kill you.

Her expression faltered. Uh what?

The answer to that question came a few days later. They were in the mountains, in the center of the Absolute Cold Shrine. Once they arrived, Ryun pulled out a tub out of his storage, and immediately mist started spilling out of it. She could feel the cold from over here.

Oh, she just said.

Your skills have evolved.

Tough Body >> Frost Touched Body

Resonance Sense >> Enhanced Resonance Sense

Congratulations! You have gone through a Crucible!

New title availableCrucible of the Body

Crucible of the Body

Go through a harrowing experience to improve your body by forging it in the harshest conditions possible based on your body type.

+500 to endurance and vitality, +2% to all stats, Unyielding (Body Perk), 50 000 Greater Essence

Unyielding

Your body is highly resistant to physical damage and can function at peak condition in all states, even after it was damaged beyond the point where most would falter.

She showed it to them, too stunned to speak.

Ha, Ryun turned to look at Selia. Told you.

Selia didnt respond. Then after a moment. Its unfair that it is so much easier when you are weaker.

It wasnt easy for her, Ryun said, then turned to look at Kri. You did it.

I did? Kri asked slowly.

Ryun grinned. Now take this.

Kri frowned as she took the small vial from his fingers.

Greater Drought of Path Perk Upgrade

Drinking the drought will improve the perk of your choice by two tiers of your Cultivation Realm Evolution.

Do the body, Ryun said.

She looked back at the drought, and without hesitation drank it all up. The change came over her quickly, washing and evolving her body. She felt it settling deep within the core of who she was. Both Tali and Ryun had always told her how important a True Body was for ones Path, it shaped everything to come.

Once it was done, she took a look at the new perk.

True BodyUntethered Winter

Your body has been reforged into your true self, adopting attributes to reflect your path. Your Path is that of transformation and advent of absolute cold, the authority of winter, as such nothing under Winters authority may exert unwanted influence over you. Any foreign influence attempting to change your state does so at a reduced rate, any cold-related power attempting to exert influence over you does so at a reduced effect. While in an area ruled predominantly by any Aspects of Winter, you may ignore any influences on your body that are outside the purview and authority of Winter. Physical changes. You walk through the cold, through the authority of Winter. Immersed in its laws.

Good, Ryun said. Now, you have a month, to change your techniques enough and get ready for Monarch.

Kri opened her mouth, but then closed it. A month, thats when they were heading to war. She was going to be ready.