Chapter 1876

Chapter 1876

Congratulations! Your Skill Cursed Fate of the Unborn Duo (M) has grown to Level 887!

Randidly spared a wry glance for the notification that popped up in front of him as he read Commandant Wick’s message. A vicious smile warped his face as he focused down on the dirty knuckles of his hands. In the end, this is definitely more complicated than just a disciplinary hearing if the Skill relating to Devick activated in response to a message from Wick. But even if this matter isn’t simple...

His emerald eyes flashed. A horrifying, suffocating sensation, a combined experience of being set alight and being smothered by the thickest smoke, engulfed him. Once more, he witnessed Helen’s twisted body, ripped open and displayed like a gruesome trophy. After advancing so much in order to help Claudette, Randidly felt like he was getting close to being able to rival Wick in terms of power. And he was very tired of running away from the cruel man who had hurt Helen as a message to him.

“I could avoid the hearing, refuse to meet with Wick,” Randidly spoke out loud slowly. “...however, he will then have more justification within the framework of Military High Command to punish me. Maybe even enough that Devick will help him; I’m still definitely far from being ready for her. Shit, and the fact that she left the message of ‘Good Job’ with Don Beigon. Hah. Best not think about it. If I meet with Wick... this is a trap, definitely. But what sort of trap...?”

It was a very real possibility that Wick would have another person associated with Randidly already captured, to be used as an in-person demonstration as to the consequences of Randidly humiliating him. Wick would gladly murder another person in order to goad Randidly into attacking him, therefore justifying a full-on confrontation. Or perhaps he was just trying to upset Randidly so he made some sort of mistake in the conflict.

Randidly believed he had most of his close supporters protected within the Alpha Cosmos, but it would still be extremely uncomfortable to watch Wick torture someone else he knew. He couldn’t protect everyone.

At least not yet.

“Damnit,” Randidly muttered and raised his head to rub his eyes.

This left aside the most dangerous proposition for why the meeting was being held now; there had always been something extremely possessive about the way Wick looked at him. He had even suggested that Randidly come under him directly in some sort of weird symbiotic relationship. At the time, Randidly had rejected out of hand. Now that he understood the strangeness of Devick who instructed Wick, as well as the madness and rigid control the Commandant maintained over his image, a new possibility emerged in Randidly’s mind.

Commandant Wick... is an amalgamation of souls. Randidly’s expression was grim. I’m not sure how the process would work, but it likely is based on Devick’s ability to create a child from imprinting. So this whole time, Wick has been raising me to become some sort of nutrient for him. Based on how I could use my physical form to suppress him, he might think I’m nearing full ‘ripeness’.

Then the emotional influence is likely purposeful. The more upset and fixated upon him I am, the stronger the connection between us. This soul grafting process definitely relies upon some amount of Nether to function, so that connection is important. But even if I know that-

Obviously, Randidly remained slightly partial to the Determined Path. It hadn’t granted him any rewards so far, but he knew that there would likely be a treasure waiting for him at the end of the PP hole. However, that might not be until Determined X, or even further. So for now, he set that option to the side.

In terms of his current accomplishments, Randidly felt quite tempted by both Throne of Nether Homage I and Violent Currents of Amenonuhoko. Now that he had obtained the First Authority through his Nether Core, that Path felt even more tempting to him. Similarly, much of his other capabilities relied on his Moirae of Ripples Skillset as a base. And that Skillset stemmed mostly from Cutting Tide of Amenonuhoko. Increasing the effectiveness of that Skill would definitely provide a wholistic improvement to his capabilities.

At the same time, the two new Paths intrigued him. Cerebral Refinement was likely a direct result of al the overheated brain activity his Nether flares required. Meanwhile, Long Shadow of Accumulating Tragedy felt like it was connected to the ballooning Skill Level for Cursed Fates of the Unborn Duo. Considering that they had managed to resist Devick’s influence, at least for a short while, they deserved more of his attention.

Randidly tapped a finger against his lips. Unfortunately, Cerebral Refinement has a hidden cost. But with almost eight thousand PP, I probably can weather most prices. Hum. Better to start with what I definitely need.

First, Randidly poured twenty-five hundred into the Violent Currents of Amenonuhoko Path. Every 100 PP he spent earned him 2 Fidelity of the Ascendant Moirae and 2 Focus.

Congratulations! You have finished the Violent Currents of Amenonuhoko Path! The currents of energy through which you wade have pulled you in various directions, but your dedication to your Path has kept your aim true. As you advance, you gain experience. As experience gathers, you recognize patterns and manipulate repetition. So long as you continued to advance, even if the depth of forces around you continues to increase, you will never be blown off course.

Congratulations! Willpower +300! Your Skillset Moirae of Ripples has absorbed the benefit! A slight increase in effectiveness to Cutting Tides of Amenonuhoko. All other related Skills receive an extremely minimal boost. Unfortunately, the reward for this Path is insufficient to upgrade the Rarity of any Skills. Continue finishing Paths relating to this Skillset in order to reach new heights!

Randidly clicked his tongue, somewhat disappointed that he didn’t earn any new Skills and also had to take another related Path to experience a tangible benefit. All told, it earned him 400 Stats, but it was a lackluster reward.

After considering his other options, he settled upon the mysterious Cerebral Refinement. That ended up costing three thousand PP and gave him 2 Intelligence and 2 Wisdom every 100 PP spent.

Congratulations! You have completed the Cerebral Refinement Path! You have pushed your mind to its physical limits and provided such abundant energy that it has begun to shift. The Path you walk is lined with impossible challenges; to overcome them, you have turned your attention inward and have begun to overcome yourself.

Congratulations! Focus +200! Detecting resonance... examining options... Congratulations! Due to accumulated image fragments, your Stat Focus has evolved into Exquisite Piety (M)! Your worship of natural energy and observation of its holy rituals has been rewarded!

My... worship? Randidly’s mouth twisted. The crab wandered up to his chest and considered the value of making a home in Randidly’s armpit.