Chapter 194: The defiance of a rising star

Sorry for the delay! I was working on the chapter and an interlude at the same time and it took a while to finish everything...

So I'm posting both at the same time! 

Thank you for your patience.

Next chapter: Saturday. 

*

Priam's heartbeat accelerated as he understood. "The Eighth Concept doesn't exist yet. The System wants us to create it."

"Indeed. But it's far from simple; otherwise, my Ancestor wouldn't have faltered," the phoenix replied in a melancholic tone.

Priam held a few moments of silence as a mark of respect. Even though it was just a hologram, the phoenix had been a significant aid, and Priam empathized with its sorrow.

"Regardless, it's premature to dwell on that now. My enemies are drawing near, and I'd like to invest my ten Merit points. Any advice?"

The phoenix flew to a bush, picked a berry, and pecked at it. Its beak evaporated the fruit upon contact, and it sniffed the released gas. Priam blinked in astonishment.

"I'm a somewhat special hologram," the phoenix smiled. Perhaps due to his bloodline, Priam could now discern when a bird was happy. "Well, [Ace] is a no-brainer. The Title is crafted to fill your gaps. [Bloodless] is decent for increasing your meridians count and tempering your body."

"I already have a mythical-grade temperance method," Priam pointed.

"Designed for Tier 0. I'm talking about another tempering. It will be useful for… your bloodlines and Micro."

The phoenix wore an annoyed expression, and Priam understood that it couldn't divulge more.

"Anyway, only the first Tier of [Bloodless] interests you for the ideal upgrade of your kinetic skill. You should save the rest of your Merit points for [Iconoclast]."

Priam recalled the mentioned Merit. [Iconoclast - Gold] - Tier 0: You're beginning to feel your soul.

"I thought it was a trap?" Priam raised an eyebrow. In a previous conversation, the phoenix had warned him that the gods, Viracocha first among them, wouldn't forgive him for choosing this Tree.

"It's a good way to get on the gods' bad side," the phoenix acknowledged. "But I believe you're already on a crusade against the one who captured your friend, right?"

"...He'll pay for it," Priam swore.

"Or you'll die. I'd tell you it's a stupid idea, but I think you're well aware," the phoenix sighed before evaporating another berry. "You should keep four Merit points in reserve, in case the Fallen notices you're not his puppet. [Iconoclast] will help you not get crushed like an insect under the spiritual pressure of a Tier 4."

Priam recalled the helplessness and terror that Viracocha, Sumstreh, and the Guardian of Secrets had stirred in him. The weight of their souls was so heavy before his that he couldn't even defend himself. If [Iconoclast] allowed him to bypass the issue, then it was a must-buy. But not until the last moment.

"They banned this Title because it enables resistance against them," Priam realized. "Motherfuckers!"

The phoenix flew toward the birch and began observing the passifloras. "They do much worse than that: the most powerful clans allow their children to unlock this Title and its Merits. It's quite useful for climbing the Nobility ranks. Another way to widen the gap with the commoners."

Priam gritted his teeth before bursting into laughter. Facing the bird's astonished gaze, he explained, "I love my freedom, and I love pissing off those who look down on me. This Tree allows me to do both at the same time.

"You liked pissing on them too," replied the phoenix.

Priam grinned in amusement. "Okay, you've convinced me. However, is it necessary to take it so early? I fear very little with [He Who Eludes Death], and I'd like to avoid catching a curse from Viracocha."

"You fear very little? If the Fallen dominates your soul with his spiritual superiority - which is quite simple - you'll be trapped in your body, unable even to commit suicide. He'll lobotomize your soul, and that'll be the end of you. And me. And everyone you love."

The phoenix's words struck Priam, knotting his stomach as he envisioned the torment Sumstreh could inflict on his family.

"...If I take [Iconoclast], will I have a chance to harm Bastard?" he asked in a cold voice. Priam liked the name Jasmine chose for the Fallen.

"...Take it." The phoenix couldn't say more, but it was enough for Priam. He would keep four Merit points for the Title. When Bastard fell, Priam didn't plan to watch the fight from afar. Pyro will burn him alive.

"Very well. And for my last Merit?"

Five points in [Ace], one for [Bloodless], and four for [Iconoclast] totaled ten. That was his current Merit points, but becoming a Mist Sage would earn him another point.

"No Merit is useless, but [Weathered] or [Three-Headed Hydra] are interesting. The first will help you unlock ideal upgrades for your resistances more easily. The second will allow you to restore your body and thus your soul. By torturing yourself a bit, you should be able to unlock Domain II at Tier 1."

"I feel like each of my progress is made in pain," Priam grimaced.

"As is often the case. But let me tell you that even by agreeing to suffer, most races cannot achieve Domain II at Tier 1. Out of a hundred [Ace], only one upgrades this Title to mythic at Tier 1. And believe me, you want that upgrade," the bird said before settling on a ripe, shiny passiflora. In seconds, all that remained were pits.

Priam nodded. "I suspected that Domain was hard to obtain." Kazuki wasn't an idiot, but his rival struggled to attain Supremacy.

"Physical races have an advantage with Micro, those using tools prefer Mastery, and ethereal races have an affinity with Domain," the phoenix explained as it flew to the pond to wash its beak.

It was interesting, but it didn't help Priam choose. He invoked both Merits to compare them.

[Three-headed Hydra - Silver] - Tier 2: When your body is in perfect health, your Vitality accumulates. The subsequent injury you receive will be healed all the faster because your Vitality has accumulated.

[Weathered - Silver] - Tier 0: Your resistances are even more effective.

"[Three-Headed Hydra] doesn't synergize well with [He Who Eludes Death]."

The hologram lifted its head to respond. "You know you can consume your Potential to change a Merit, right? Ask to reverse it."

Priam furrowed his brows and connected to his Potential.

Editing the Merit of [Three-headed Hydra - Silver]...

[Three-headed Hydra - Silver] - Tier 2: Exchange your lifespan to dramatically increase your regeneration speed.

Validate this change for 1 750 POT?

Priam grimaced at the price. The new Merit suited him well, and he hesitated with [Weathered]. Nevertheless, he had one last question before choosing.

"What about [Horseman of the Apocalypse]?"

Priam liked the Conquest Aura, and he was sure the Title would aid him even more if he managed to succeed in a quintuple Tribulation.

[Horseman of the Apocalypse - Legendary] - Tier 1: Eye of the Conqueror. It's hard to run away from a Conqueror.

"It's an exceptional Title, one you should invest in as soon as you customize your Aura. The catch is that the second Merit is inevitably a mutation of your eye. And you already have one, don't you?"

"Hecate New Moon. Does it ring any bells?"

"None, but it surely has something to do with the Mist and Moon theme of your Reunion. In any case, overlaying two mutations without mastering the first would be foolish. Now, validate your Merits, and let's deal with [Ace]," the phoenix said impatiently. Apparently, the Title was worth the detour.

Priam was annoyed by the response, but it made perfect sense. He remained still for a few seconds, paralyzed by indecision. Which Merit should he choose? Ideal upgrades would be interesting in the long run, but Priam had immediate problems.

Becoming a tank was never a bad idea. Discarding his last doubts, Priam validated the transformation of [Three-Headed Hydra].

A source within him opened, pouring streams of Potential into his soul. The System trembled before updating.

[Three-headed Hydra - Silver] - Tier 2: Exchange your lifespan to dramatically increase your regeneration speed.

POT -1,750

Taking a deep breath, Priam validated two Merits. He had made his decision, and there was no need to linger further. To be patient to achieve the best result was a quality, but he knew that sometimes, you had to go all-in to hit the jackpot.

[Three-headed Hydra - Silver] - Tier 2 ACQUIRED

[Three-headed Hydra - Silver] - Tier 3: The poison in your blood now causes accelerated aging.

[Bloodless - Bronze] - Tier 0: Your blood network transforms into a second set of meridians. ACQUIRED

[Bloodless - Bronze] - Tier 1: Aether flows through your veins, elevating your body. LOCKED - Requires epic-grade temperance.

8 Unused Merit Points.

The effect of the first Merit hit him like a tsunami, and Priam collapsed onto the grass of his world. As his veins pulsed under the influence of divine energy, a wave of indescribable sensations swept through his body. The vigor of a hydra awakened in his blood, and his mind became aware of a new ability. While he still didn't master Micro enough to manipulate his vitality, Priam now felt hidden potential in each of his cells.

The second Merit kicked in. A divine flood filled his veins and arteries, strengthening them to prepare for the passage of aether. Part of the blood network was rearranged, channels redirected to guide the aether where it needed to go.

Priam smiled as he saw his Pathways reconstructed and decided to activate his new ability. All his cells stirred, exchanging the future for the present. His heartbeats intensified, his kidneys filtered more, acidity increased in his stomach, and his brain awakened. Simultaneously, the rearrangement of his body accelerated, new meridians connected to the old ones, working in harmony to obey his commands.

As Micro observed the changes to his body, Priam's hearts pulsed again, sending a mixture of blood and aether coursing through his body.

Priam trembled as he felt his cells vibrate. His body bathed in aether shouted its joy, and his soul quickly joined the symphony.

Lvl Up : [Aether Perception] lvl 40
META (PERC) +3

[Aether Perception] has reached level 40, its maximum level as a rare skill. Depending on your background, one upgrade is available:

[Aether Perception - Epic] - Boosted by META(perception), your soul appreciates aether through your senses and Supremacies. You see the surface of the world.
No future upgrade possible. Potential Cost: 5

*

Status:

PHYSICAL:
Strength 557
Constitution 860
Agility 552
Vitality 840
Perception 714

MENTAL:
Vivacity 505
Dexterity 587
Memory 385
Willpower 998
Charisma 615

META:
Meta-affinity 423
Meta-focus 350
Meta-endurance 299
Meta-perception 207 (+3)
Meta-chance 230
Meta-authority 33

Potential: 5 256 (-1 748)
Tier 0

Sun points: 56 753 (+178)

[He Who Eludes Death] charge: OFF. Reloaded in 1 hour 43 minutes 49 seconds.

[Tribulation]: Three Tribulations pending.
Future Tribulations delayed until:
Time: 165 days 2 hours 17 minutes 2 seconds.

Next thresholds: 6 attributes > 600 / 3 attributes > 900

*

Interlude: Mercury, the rise of a merchant.

Gaia, private estate of the Riuslings clan.

Mercury descended from the luxurious fiacre lent to him by his guild. A gust of wind made him stagger, and the elven coachman behind him had to prevent him from falling.

"Thanks. Without you, the fall would have been rough," Mercury smiled, avoiding looking behind him. He had a slight vertigo, and the floating island he had just landed on was situated several hundred kilometers above the capital.

"Not as rough as the fine. Without a license, you have no right to fly or fall into the VIP airspace," the coachman replied as he climbed into the driver's seat. "A friend's widow had to sell their house after he committed suicide."

"...My condolences."

"Don't be sorry; she's sleeping at my place now," the coachman laughed before whistling, urging the four pegasi to take off. Symbols of his guild, Olympus, the creatures soared, carrying the carriage. The enchanted taxi to stay stable and the legendary beasts were costly, but it was a sacrifice willingly made by his guild to maintain its status.

Mercury doubted that the pegasi would impress his client of the day.

As his vehicle drifted into the air, he turned towards a monumental portal forged from black metal. Mercury had no idea about the alloy's nature, but its imperviousness to [Identification] demonstrated its value. Taking a deep breath, the merchant froze his face into a smiling mask and advanced.

The heavy gates opened slowly, revealing a sea hidden behind the walls enclosing the island. As he entered the property, Mercury didn't hear the slightest runic crackle, proof of the quality of the rituals protecting the vast domain.

He stopped a few meters away, observing the path of fine sand that split the sea in two. The way was evident, but did he really have to walk kilometers alone? No one was waiting for him, except for a pair of menacing bronze and steel statues.

"Junior Merchant Mercury, I presume?" The voice belonged to the automaton that Mercury had mistook for a statue. Three meters tall, the metal golem left its pedestal and approached with preternatural grace.

"That's me."

The automaton turned towards the sandy path and began to walk. Mercury raised an eyebrow before following suit. The reception was strange but not necessarily evidence of disdain. Each faction had its own rules and customs, and Mercury knew that draconic forces were particularly uninterested in all other species.

If they didn't devour you alive, it was already a mark of respect.

Three strides later, Mercury left the sandy path, leaving behind a vast sea. The automaton must possess a space-manipulating enchantment. A thin smile appeared on the merchant's face. The wonders of this world never ceased to amaze him.

Before him stood a mountain, transformed into a mansion. A single peak existed, at the crossroads between natural terrain and a castle. The structure seemed to have been carved from a single block of black marble with silver veins. Windows of various sizes, more or less hidden, were visible in the broken-angled rock.

Not a speck of dust desecrated the wonder, and time seemed to have no hold on the fortress. An enchantment bestowed a halo of black light on the stone, completing the creation of a fantastic atmosphere. Black light?! Seeing the laws of physics so easily ignored, Mercury understood that the builder had been a High Tier. Perhaps even one of the few Immortals of Sector Hope.

The automaton moved towards an arch covered in vines. A crack appeared, revealing an imposing double door.

The entrance led to a hall carved from bright white marble. In the center, a smiling young human awaited.

"Young Master Aarthash is waiting for you in his office. Please, follow me."

Mercury followed her, remaining vigilant. The maid emitted high-frequency spiritual disturbances, revealing a soul baptized by High Tribulations. However, to his knowledge, no human had yet reached Tier 1. The servant had taken the appearance of a human, but for what purpose? To win him over? Or to prove that they knew humans well?

The Riuslings were one of the most powerful clans in the sector. Recently, they had invested in many human businesses. On Gaia, the giant continent where Mercury had landed, over five million humans had appeared. A significant number were sponsored by major powers hoping to gain weight in the upcoming human Reunions.

The servant stopped in front of a stone wall that disappeared, revealing a cave with golden reflections.

"I will wait outside," the maid smiled.

Mercury entered and almost jumped when the doors closed behind him. A telepathic invitation touched his soul, and he advanced, taking care to keep his eyes on his feet. Many treasures lay on the floor, and the draconic bloodline of the Riuslings was pure enough to arouse paranoia. It was undoubtedly a rumor spread by the clan itself to flatter their heritage, but Mercury preferred not to take any risks.

If Aarthash Riusling thought Mercury coveted his treasures, he would kill him.

"Welcome, Junior Merchant Mercury," a voice as powerful as it was majestic roared. "Raise your head. Unlike thieves, merchants steal without hiding."

Mercury complied, smiling politely at the host's jest. His smile lasted only a fraction of a second, eclipsed by the admiration inspired by the drake standing before him. Aarthash might not deserve the title of Dragon, but he was nonetheless the most majestic creature Mercury had ever seen. Four metallic wings covered a body adorned with precious scales. Powerful muscles protruded under his skin, and esoteric Concepts seemed to manifest in his starry eyes.

"You look like an elf with no affinity for aether," Aarthash said, releasing Mercury from the grip of his charisma. "Your civilization must exploit this resemblance."

"You are absolutely right, Young Master Aarthash," Mercury replied, focusing on his posture. Legend had it that dragons appreciated politeness, and those who possessed their bloodline liked to imitate the originals. "It is thanks to this that I was accepted at Olympus."

Mercury grimaced, realizing he had invoked the name of his guild. It could be seen as a feeble attempt to protect himself.

"No need to remind me of where you come from, Mercury. I didn't bring you here to eat you," reassured Aarthash, bursting into laughter.

A weight lifted from the merchant's shoulders. When he was summoned by the young master of the Riuslings, he had tried to guess why. Only two explanations had appeared.

Some young members of the aristocracy in Sector Hope were known to devour members of new species introduced by the System in search of a useful racial Talent. It was more interesting to kill essential specimens of a race than thousands of weak ones. If Aarthash had no intention of tasting his flesh, there was only one possibility...

"Do you know that our clan sponsors tens of thousands of humans?" the drake continued. "Some have brought us interesting information. Priam Azura, your Champion, has just become an Ace. Do you know him?"

The question was rhetorical; Mercury wouldn't have been invited otherwise.

"I had the opportunity to do business with him," the merchant admitted.

"Tell me more," ordered the drake. His aura and charisma merged, gently pressing Mercury. His mouth opened, and he began to speak without hiding anything. In a few minutes, he summarized his interactions with Priam.

Aarthash nodded thoughtfully. "I believe I understand his character better... Too bad he's in Elysium; it makes him impossible to contact."

Mercury remained silent. Both knew that contacting someone in Elysium was not difficult, but the consequences on the eve of a Universal War could be terrible.

Aarthash turned towards him. "Do you think he will resume facing the waves of the Colosseum before the next Reunion?"

Mercury nodded. "It's likely. He has the ability to return to the Moon, and the rewards from the first Reunion are too useful to ignore."

"Good. Let it be announced that if Priam Azura, Champion of Humanity, reaches wave eighty, I will buy and release all willing humans under contract in Gaia. If he reaches wave ninety-five, I will send them to join your Front."

At these words, a light nova formed around Aarthash before exploding. His draconic bloodline was pure enough that he couldn't easily go back on his word.

Mercury stood in stunned silence. Among the five million humans on Gaia, half had signed malicious contracts. Most were barely more than slaves. Freeing them was expensive, but nothing that could dent a Prince's fortune like Aarthash's. Apparently, Priam's new Title made him interesting in the eyes of the powerful.

The second promise was much more surprising. After the Tutorial, humanity had been dispersed across thousands of different worlds. Approximately one percent of humans, chosen from those who had passed a Tutorial other than easy, had ended up on a virgin planet: the Front.

To spice things up, the System had grouped humanity with other newly imported civilizations. Thus, humanity was not alone on the Front. One of these races would prevail at the end of the third Reunion. They would then have a stable headquarters, ensuring a safe place in this new universe.

Earth could eventually become a second headquarters, but it was currently infested with monsters. The reconquest of their world would begin during the second Reunion, but Mercury knew it would take time.

The situation on the Front was disadvantageous for humanity. According to his informants, Prometheus fought valiantly for the survival of their species, but the rival civilizations were terrifying. Three million new humans arriving with resources could change the game.

But why help us so much? Sending so many humans to the Front before the third Reunion was incredibly expensive. For the same price, Aarthash could have bought three billion Tier 0s.

"It's very generous of you," Mercury thanked after regaining his composure.

"Rare are the relationships my money can buy," Aarthash replied simply. For the drake, it was obviously an investment.

"Humans won't forget your kindness."

"It has nothing to do with humans," Aarthash replied. "Your species is interesting, but I especially want to forge a connection with a potential powerhouse. It's also a way to ensure he deserves his Title."

"Priam will make it," Mercury assured.

Aarthash narrowed his starry eyes. "We shall see. My Tier 0 record was wave ninety-four. A record that has stood for millennia in our sector."

Mercury widened his eyes. Aarthash Riusling was known to be an Ace and a rising star in Sector Hope. His draconic bloodline was incredibly pure for such a remote corner of the Universe of the Seven.

"What is the boss of wave ninety-five?" Mercury asked.

The stars in Aarthash's eyes shone as he answered.

"The phantom image of an ancient Phoenix Prince."