Chapter 393: Hit-and-run No-hit run?
Sofias first reflex was to identify the mana heart.
[Nascent mana heart of Aphenoreth]:
Rank : F tier
Imprint power until next rank : 0/50
Effects (on use) :
All stats -30% (-60%) (F rank base)
Wager bonus (Glimpse from beyond) : Unlocks new unique ranks past the maximum
Wager penalty (The consequences of your actions) : Cannot regain life
Time before setting : 9 months, 33 days, 8 hours
Oh This is Dangerous.
Just like this the unlife runes have become completely useless for the trial The penalty is only for the trial, right?
Using the heart like this would actually lower all stats by 30%... Matches with what Kyle said. Unique ranks If I dont reach them then its like I had no bonus at all. But if I do reach them, it has the potential to be incredible. And I cant forget about the bonus from the crown doubling all stats. Clearly it applies, since it doubled -30% to -60%...
Would it double the other effects Kyle mentioned? Probably not, right? Then to be efficient its best if all the imprints I take are just raw stats. Preferably mana.
But can I be picky like this?
Maybe I should just kill everything in sight and just rush to the unique ranks, imprint stats be damned.
Feels wasteful, though. But if the -30% stats evolves into the positive Well, Ill see how it goes For now the plan will be to try to give the Health and extra effect imprints to Pareth while Ill take Mana. I dont really know about stamina. Pareths stamina never goes down since hes a skeleton But at the same time it does make him tougher.
Well, lets check his heart too, negotiating with the Knowledge church to get the essence wasnt really easy even if Richard and Grandma helped a lot, so it better be worth it
Sofia switched to Pareths vision, without doing this she wouldn't be able to identify an item he was currently wearing. Sensing her presence, he looked down at his pendant.
Lets see.
[Nascent mana heart of Knowledge]:
Wager bonus (Salvaged writs) : You can fully absorb monsters imprints even when their body or soul is too damaged
Wager penalty (Corrupted meanings) : You cannot see your hearts details before it sets
That was unexpected. Hmm. New information here, if the kill isnt clean then the imprint cant be fully absorbed Theres a chance that if I blast monsters with the explosive bolts there wouldnt be any trace of an imprint left. But I guess thanks to this I still have the option, just that it will be Pareth who gets them all.
The penalty is a joke compared to mine Especially since I can compare his heart to mine. I can just open a new system sheet, I already keep track of his status sheet so this is not a huge deal.
[Nascent mana heart of Knowledge]:
Its only natural, Sofia answered, we have much better chances if we dont hinder each other. Cooperation is a bit far fetched, but the planet should be more than large enough for us four to all get what we want.
Youre not going together? Michael noted.
Astelia shook her head, No, shes going with Pareth, but I will go alone. I have a feeling that cooperation isnt as good as it seems, especially when we each have to deal with our own wagers special traits.
The shuttle started rumbling.
I get that. Feels a bit like a prisoners dilemma, this whole situation Michael commented, Anyway, it seems were about to go, we better brace for the launch.
From all around them, Kyles voice resounded, slightly distorted, Liftoff in ten, nine
The lower the count went, the faster and louder was the shuttles rumbling, as if it were about to explode.
-, zero, have fun guys.
With the end of Kyles countdown, the walls of the shuttle became clear like glass, giving everyone a view of the outside of the shuttle, which was currently enveloped by what could only be described as a violent lightning storm inside the tower. The electricity all around them exploded with a deafening boom and the four trial takers were pressed into their seats like flattened overripe fruits.
By the time they understood what had just happened, they were already in space, the clear glass-like walls of the shuttle giving a perfect view of the great void and its millions of stars. The seats opened up as soon as the flight was stable allowing them to move and stand up if they wanted to.
Shit, everyone alright? Michael asked, That was worse than I thought it was gonna be.
Im fine, Sofia and Astelia both answered.
Relieved to hear that, Michael continued as he stood up, he walked up to the walls and stared outside, speechless. Astelia and Pareth soon did the same.
Only Sofia spent a few more seconds in her seat, just basking in the moment, and really intrigued by the shuttles propulsion method. I know the Angels bolt magic pattern when I see them. It was clearly similar in some way.
Oh right, time to take out the dagger. Gotta have that title active. I just hope that the flames from the effect wont damage the imprints or Im going to need to change title.
I could use [Master Thief] for stealth, depending on the situation I guess, else [The Impervious] is actually really really good with my penalty.
[The Impervious]: Lost your head and survived.
Effect: Hits that would deal less than 5% of your maximum health do not damage you.
I wouldnt have to worry about losing a few health points here and there as long as I avoid the big hits. I can leave [THE GLORIOUS] up for now but Ill keep this one ready in case I need it.
Sofia stood up to join the others in looking outside.
Cant see the planet Hard to say how fast we might be going.
Absent-mindedly, she looked at the sun and the stars.
Its not as magical anymore when youve spent weeks alone floating in there.
Still beautiful.
But also a bit dreadful.