Chapter 223: The Elite Four

Chapter! A bit late, but tomorrow is a labor day in France, so that should give me a chance to catch up!

I'm off to bed and back to writing as soon as I wake up!

We're approaching the first big time skip in history...
Next chapter : Wednesday 1/05 or Thursday 2/05. I'll try to finish it tomorrow.

Enjoy! 

*

Lvl Up: [Revelation Resilience] lvl 21
MEM +3
META (Affinity) +3
META (Authority) +3
Lvl Up: [Divination Interception] lvl 5
META (Affinity) +2
META (Perception) +1

On a wooden platform atop Log-a-rhythm, four rivals, each a Champion of a civilization, gathered around a round table.

Jasmine, lounging in a chair, toyed with a dagger, never taking her eyes off Arnold. The assassin seemed to be searching for a weakness in the Var Elegis' form.

Kazuki was sitting upright, hands resting on the table, his eyes closed. His muscles twitched as he experimented with Micro II, pushing his limits.

Arnold, in his homunculus form, was observing his three rivals in turn, precisely five seconds each. The periodic staring match with Jasmine seemed to enrage the young woman.

Priam was casually seated, his right hand resting on the table, his left arm on the back of his chair. Observing his rivals, he pondered their relationship and common traits. What a perfect opportunity to test Arnold.

"We're all potential paragons of various concepts. Or should I say, Concepts," Priam declared.

Jasmine furrowed her brow, Kazuki opened his eyes, and Arnold interrupted his routine.

"Excuse me?" asked the young assassin, bewildered by Priam's sudden proclamation.

"Seeing us gathered here today made me wonder: what do the Seven want from us?"

The rivals glanced at each other before Jasmine shrugged. "I'm not sure we can comprehend the goals of entities as strange and powerful as the Concepts."

"Great Concepts work in mysterious ways?" Priam grinned. "Yet it's important to understand our place on the chessboard if we want to progress."

"What's a chessboard?" 

"A strategic game board," Arnold replied. Jasmine wore a look of incomprehension before shooting a glare at the Var Elegis.

"I was talking to Priam."

"Isn’t the main purpose of a question to learn its answer?" Arnold inquired.

"The main purpose of my previous statement was to make you understand that I don't want to talk to you. I don't like you. Is that clearer now?" spat the young woman as she planted her dagger into the summoned table. Log-a-rhythm trembled, and the young woman grimaced. "Sorry."

Kazuki coughed. "Let's refocus. Priam, do you know what the Seven expect from us?"

The young Homo Elysian nodded. "Maybe. Let’s start with what I know to be true: I aim for the Zenith because I want to be free. The Concept of freedom resonates with me just as the Concept of protection resonates with you. Two Concepts that slightly diverge from the Seven we know."

Dimension, Energy, Matter, Chaos, Order, Soul, Karma. The Seven Concepts seemed to encompass everything, yet they lacked a piece. The mysterious eighth Concept.

"Protection seems under the domain of Order," remarked Jasmine.

"In part," agreed Kazuki. "But the protection I envision requires an intention, an understanding, a selflessness that Order does not possess. If it did, this Universe would be different."

"Freedom should depend on Chaos or Soul," added Priam. "However, I'm also convinced that my definition of Freedom and that of the Concepts are different. If they refuse to deeply alter our souls and get too involved, it's because they seek a deviation, a personal touch that eludes them."

"What's that?"

"No idea. The only way to learn more is to become more powerful."

Jasmine nodded. "That I agree with."

"Are you suggesting that we have affinities with Concepts that interest the Seven?" summarized Kazuki.

"They're seeking to create an eighth Concept since forever; they must have an idea of its foundation. Yours, mine, and our other rivals’ raison d’être represent a possibility of reaching the eighth Concept," declared Priam. "That's my theory."

"A rather arrogant way of thinking," commented Jasmine.

"I'm not modest," smirked Priam. "But think about it: what's our common trait?"

"Our talent?" suggested Jasmine after a few seconds. "We're all geniuses at the top of our civilization... at least in terms of potential."

"Who's arrogant now?" teased Priam. "No, I know at least one exception." He could be considered a prodigy, but he knew he was far from the smartest or most athletic human. It was another quality that had allowed him to triumph over the Impossible Tutorial.

"We are extremely driven," declared Kazuki. "Each of us has an ideal, a desire that compels us to excel."

Priam nodded. "Let's go further: ten Champions, each with a mentality, ideas, convictions, and the talent needed to attempt the Zenith Way, are selected by an Impossible Tutorial. Then, the System exacerbates our rivalry... What's going to happen?"

His rivals fell silent, pondering the question.

"The System wants us to stimulate each other. A sort of positive peer effect," said Kazuki after a few seconds.

"There's more to it than that," said Arnold. "If we accept the First's hypotheses, then the Seven want us to influence each other."

"That's what I think too," smiled Priam. "Either they want us to rub off on each other to broaden our mindset and thus our future Concept, or they hope we can purify our vision."

When two ideas clash, there are only two outcomes: either they inspire each other to grow, or they are deemed opposing and become more radical.

"What do you think, Arnold?"

If the Var Elegis supported the second explanation, then their existences were incompatible.

The homunculus reached out and placed a golden seed in the center of the table. "I regret my behavior during our first encounter. Here, a token of apology."

Priam noted the use of the verb 'regret.' According to the Guardian of Secrets, Var Elegis regretted nothing, which indicated that Arnold had changed. The seed disappeared into the wood of the table.

Log-a-rhythm has consumed the inheritance seed of a Chamaecyparis Vita. Congratulations!

POT +2,500

Features acquired: Necro Resistance III, Rot Resistance II.

Log-a-rhythm trembled, absorbing the new abilities into its sap, circulating the life-giving liquid from its lowest roots to its highest leaves. The resistances infused every cell of the tree before reaching the other plants in its domain. Priam smiled, feeling the entirety of Oasis's trees beginning to recover from the corruption of the Necromoon.

"Apologies accepted," he said before noticing Jasmine's astonishment.

The young woman looked from Priam to Arnold, evidently confused by this turn of events.

"Var Elegis are very hegemonic," explained Kazuki. "Arnold attempted to kill Priam for this reason, and he later killed Seth. The purpose of this conversation was to confirm that his goals had changed. The gift of this seed proves that it's the case."

The Var Elegis nodded. "During my first encounter with the First, I followed my protocols and... I failed. Each of our subsequent encounters has shown that the fundamental truths of Var Elegis are inadequate. I don't intend to purify a mistaken core belief; I want to make it grow by being inspired by the First."

Priam blinked before holding back laughter. Arnold wanted to emulate him?! Poor fool... I hope he enjoys dying.

The Var Elegis then looked at Kazuki. "However, allow me to dispel a misunderstanding: my long-term goals have not changed, only my methods. I will use the System and the First's teachings to dominate this Universe."

The three Champions of Oasis widened their eyes before a wry smile spread across Priam's lips. My Terminator friend is a dictator in the making, but at least he's honest.

"I'll kill you first," growled Jasmine.

"... Is that humor or lack of awareness?" asked the confused Var Elegis.

"Let me plant my dagger between his eyes," Jasmine asked Priam through their connection. 

"Later, we still need him."

Priam decided to change the subject before a fight broke out. "Well, now that we know our short-term goals lean towards cooperation, let's get down to business. It seems you have a favor to ask of me?"

The Var Elegis nodded. "I've discovered a Tier 4 Earl possessing a fragment of a divine realm. I would like to form a temporary alliance to kill him."

Priam felt his lips stretch into a smile. "I suppose you're referring to the fallen god located here?" he asked as the table's surface transformed into a topographic map of the rabhorns’ valley.

Arnold nodded. "As expected from the First. Am I to understand that you don't need my help?"

"On the contrary. They’re a formidable opponent whose Domain strengthens the divine realm fragment they occupy. Our last encounter confirmed that I can't kill him alone. Is there a problem?" Priam asked as he saw his rival blink. It was rare to see the homunculus react.

"I was just reassessing your level," Arnold replied, tilting his head slightly. "I am still far from being able to survive against a pseudo-god."

Seeing Jasmine raise an eyebrow in his direction, Priam coughed without trying to dispel the misunderstanding. Being in a position of strength in a negotiation was always a good idea. "Well, I am in favor of an alliance to destroy this monster. I have already enlisted Seth in this war and should be able to recruit Esmée. I don't know about our other rivals, but it should be possible to interest the tribes."

He decided to keep Eve's capture quiet.

Arnold nodded. "The Judge will be interested, but the Guardian will only intervene if the battle threatens the forest. I have no information on the other two. When do we take action?"

Priam gritted his teeth. "Not for another month…. There's a problem. The Fallen has one of my friends hostage. Our attack must be swift, and our victory total. Otherwise, she'll die. I won't allow it!"

Clutching his fists, Priam fell silent and let Kazuki explain their plan.

"To prevent that, we have a plan: summon a powerful Necro Envoy with Seth's help. The forces of the Necromoon are supposed to be enemies of all System users, and an attack will be considered normal. Any other approach risks Sphinx."

"... This valley is an excellent location," warned Arnold. "If locals colonize his valley, the Fallen might react in regrettable ways."

"That’s why we must declare it as our territory," Priam said. "In a month, a tournament will decide which tribe chooses which territory, and we are invited. Each participant will designate a duelist per Tier, making sixteen duelists in total—four for Oasis. The valley will be ours if we win first or second place in each Tier. All it takes is for each of us to win a category."

Jasmine grimaced. "I'm an assassin, not a duelist. If my opponents know I'm there, I've failed at my job."

"You will wipe the floor with their Tier 0s," Priam smirked. The young woman glanced at him briefly before looking away.

"... You're the boss." Priam felt a wave of joy emanate from his subordinate.

Kazuki raised his hand. "I suppose I'll handle the Tier 1s?"

"Yes, please."

"I’ll do it. With my next High Tribulation, the abilities of the local Tier 1s interest me."

Priam smiled before turning to Arnold. "In exchange for a place in my plan to kill the Fallen and access to the Auctions, I would like you to face the Tier 3s."

A month was a long period that Priam planned to use exclusively for training. He was convinced that his growth would be impressive, but he had already picked the lowest-hanging fruits. The most powerful Tier 3s of the tribes certainly had a few centuries on Eleha. He harbored no illusions about his chances of victory against such monsters.

Defeating Tier 2 elites would already be an achievement.

"Very well," Arnold accepted without argument.

As if the System had been waiting for these words, a notification appeared in front of Priam's eyes.

New Quest: Fallen

Once a God, now a Fallen.
Will he who fell by arrogance repeat his mistake?

Kill Sumstreh, the Fragmented Rabbit.

This is a shared quest.

Reward:
Bloodline Purification (+1%)
Talent Token - Seraph Rarity

Reward (for the executor):
Title - Seraph Rarity

Difficulty: Seraphic

"You got it too?" Jasmine asked.

Priam nodded. "The System wants us to cooperate."

They had no chance individually, so the Seven encouraged them to collaborate. However, a glance at the last reward revealed that they wanted to create rivalry, not alliances.

Only one person could execute Bastard. Priam understood that their alliance would end when the Fallen began to show signs of weakness.

"The rewards are impressive," Kazuki murmured. The hoplite had already upgraded [Spear Virtuoso] to Legendary rank, but a Seraphic rank Talent would grant him incredible proficiency with the spear. Priam was almost jealous.

"Two ranks above Mythical... Too bad about the Token, I would have preferred a Gift," Arnold declared.

Priam turned to him. "Have you already used your Mythical Gift? What's inside?"

Killing a Tier 3 Viscount had allowed him to unlock a Mythical Achievement, and one of his rewards was a Mythical Gift.

"It's a Mythical-quality item of your choice. Token, weapon, resource,... Even a living being. Ask, and the Seven will grant your wish."

A gleam appeared in Priam's eyes, and he smiled. "Interesting."

"A die of temperance is available?" Kazuki asked.

"Of course."

The hoplite exchanged a glance with Jasmine, who nodded. Priam wouldn't be the only one attempting to temper his body.

The conversation died down before Arnold stood up. "I think it's time for me to leave. I'll be back in a month for the tournament."

Jasmine ignored the Var Elegis as Priam and Kazuki nodded. The next moment, Arnold disappeared, and the air rushed to fill the void left by the Var Elegis.

"Our barrier doesn't block his teleportation," Priam noted.

"The dome blocks spatial transfers, but his skill is too powerful. We should purchase specialized defenses against our rivals' talents—"

"You'll discuss that later," Jasmine grimaced. "I can practically smell Blueberry's grilled fish, and I'm starving."

"Aren't you afraid of getting fat?" Priam teased.

"This new body is great, everything goes into the boobs. Want to see?" she asked, puffing out her chest.

Priam shot an embarrassed glance at Kazuki, who just smiled. "I think Priam prefers princesses."

Jasmine narrowed her eyes. "What princesses?"

"Let's finish this meeting quickly and go eat," Priam grunted, hoping to divert Jasmine's attention by invoking her passion for food. "What are you going to do this month?"

"I'll train," Jasmine replied. "If I lose against one of their Tier 0s, I'll be ashamed for life."

Kazuki nodded before turning to Priam. "My defeat against Eleha opened my eyes. It's when I felt death coming that I unlocked Spear Mastery II. I want to regain that feeling by facing necro elites. My spear thirsts for blood, and it's time to make my people proud by achieving some Achievements."

Priam looked at Kazuki with concern but didn't try to discourage him. Before being his friend, he was his rival. 

“Good luck, bro.”

"Tell that to my enemies," said Kazuki fiercely. "What about you?"

"I'll temper my body," Priam declared. He also planned to upgrade [Kinetic Control] and optimize his build with his various unused rewards.

"What does that mean?" asked Jasmine.

"Well, I’ll abuse my resurrections to unlock as many ideal resistances as possible—without triggering a sixth Tribulation. Then, I'll go hunting to obtain trophies."

The best ones came from monsters he killed himself, which had a draconic affinity. Priam knew of a world where such beasts existed.

"But first, I have two things to take care of: using my Sun points and having a conversation with Eve."

"Nah, first, we’re going to eat!"

*

Status: 

PHYSICAL:
Strength 620
Constitution 979
Agility 608
Vitality 916
Perception 760 

MENTAL:
Vivacity (D) 516
Dexterity 622
Memory 635 (+5)
Willpower 1 051
Charisma 631 

META:
Meta-affinity 636 (+6)
Meta-focus 387
Meta-endurance 432
Meta-perception 293 (+1)
Meta-chance 230
Meta-authority 105 (+3)

Potential: 14 146 (+5)
Tier 0

Sun points: 1 184 370 (+797)
[He Who Eludes Death] charge: PRIMED.

[Tribulation]: Five Tribulations pending.
Future Tribulations delayed until:
Time: 160 days 13 hours 49 minutes 55 seconds.

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