Chapter 177: Wish List

Sunday's chapter! I spent the weekend writing, but that makes four chapters this week, so I'm happy :)

Enjoy! 

*

"Hey son, everything okay?"

From the tone of his father's voice and the concerned glint in his eyes, Priam understood that an honest answer was expected.

"I'm good, Dad," Priam replied, embracing his father. The hug lasted a few seconds before Priam released his father. "I'm stressing a bit about my Tribulations."

And I worry for Sphinx. Those were the words Priam wanted to utter, but he couldn't. The old man had always been honest; if he knew the truth, Eve would sense it. Priam refused to put his father in danger, even if it meant lying to him.

"Well, I'm sure you'll find a solution. Deadlines have always fueled your motivation. I remember you always cramming for your exams at the last minute."

Priam burst into laughter. "Tribulations would be a deadly exam!"

As he spoke, his thoughts turned to Mirscella, trapped in her mind in his inner world. Would the old thief overcome her Tribulations?

Deciding to trust the grandmother, Priam looked around. On the terrace hidden in the branches of Log-a-rhythm, his father stood alone. "Where are Kazuki and Hyshana?"

"They're harvesting Sun Points from their unit."

"Excuse me?" Priam turned to his father, surprised. "The points aren't individual?"

Alain shook his head. "Yes and no. The simplest way is for you to see for yourself."

Priam displayed his menu and selected the Sun Shop. The window expanded before splitting into multiple tabs.

Sun Shop:

Resource
Item
Fragment
Territory
Medicine
Lottery
Auction (Locked)

"Seven tabs for seven Concepts," Priam remarked. "They're really obsessed with that number."

Clicking through the different tabs, he noticed that, unlike the others, Territory offered the option to pool Sun points for purchasing improvements and infrastructure. Curious, he opened it.

Sun Shop:

Territory:

Some infrastructures are available as blueprints at half the cost.

Protective Barrier II (10,000 points) - A protective barrier capable of covering 1,000 square meters and indefinitely stopping attacks from an average Tier 1 (Elysium standard).

Camouflage II (10,000 points) - A camouflage enchantment covering 1,000 square meters, disrupting the senses of an average Tier 1 (Elysium standard).

Alarm I (5,000 points) - An alarm covering 500 square meters, detecting most Tier 0 intruders (Elysium standard).

…

Necro Purification Ritual I (5,000 points) - A ritual purifying the ambient aether from the curse of the Necromoon. Covers 500 square meters.

Natural Growth Ritual I (5,000 points) - A ritual accelerating the growth of living beings, particularly effective on plants. Covers 500 square meters. Possibility to add organic remains to enhance the ritual's efficiency.

Guardian of the Forest Ritual III (25,000 points) - A ritual elevating the status of a Guardian of the Forest. Strengthens the symbiotic relationship between the two parties. Increases the Guardian's domain size to 2,000 square meters.

…

Holy Guardian Blueprint - The blueprint of a Holy Guardian. Variable price.

- Juvenile Aarht (120 points) - An omnivorous reptile capable of changing the color of its scales. Standard power at adulthood: Tier 0 - common.

…

- Mist Wyrm Egg (254,000 points) - Avian predator, the Mist Wyrm is as terrifying as elusive. With its Draconic Mist Concept, it traps its prey in mazes of mist. Standard power at adulthood: Tier 4 - Duke.

Holy Guardian I (5,000 points) - Transforms a blueprint into a Guardian. Capable of detecting intruders, it defends your territories.

Properties: Immune to the Necro curse. Resistant to the Necro Concept. Cannot leave your Territory.

…

Tribulation Chamber II (10,000 points) - Improvement.

Forum II (10,000 points) - Improvement.

Rampart II (10 000 points) - Improvement.

Skull Temple IV (50,000 points) - Improvement.

…

Gravity Trap I (5,000 points) - A gravitational trap capable of shredding an average Tier 0 (Elysium standard). Points earned benefit the Lord.

Gravity Trap II (10,000 points) - An upgraded gravitational trap capable of shredding an average Tier 1 (Elysium standard). Requires Gravity Trap I. Points earned benefit the Lord.

Crushing Trap I (5,000 points) - A mechanical trap capable of shredding an average Tier 0 (Elysium standard). Points earned benefit the Lord.

…
Auto Turret I (5,000 points) - A turret capable of riddling an intruder with projectiles. Requires ammunition. Points earned benefit the Lord.
…

Artisan I (5,000 points) - Summons an Artisan. Requires Workshop or Forum.

Judge I (5,000 points) - Summons a Judge. Requires Tribunal or Forum.

…

Merchant I (5,000 points) - Summons a Merchant. Requires Shop or Forum.

Diviner I (5,000 points) - Summons a Diviner. Requires Boutique or Forum.

Guard I (5,000 points) - Summons a Guard. Requires Barrack or Manor.

…

As Priam's eyes scanned the endless list, his heart raced. The event was a Pandora's box. If the Necromoon was a terrible curse, the Sun Shop symbolized hope.

To think I used to see corrupted as enemies. In Priam's mind, every skeleton had just transformed into a gold coin—coins ready to swarm him as soon as he lit a flame.

Alain smiled as he saw his son's face light up. "Are you already making your wish list?"

"Maybe," Priam laughed. "How many points do we have?"

"Nine thousand four hundred forty-two," Kazuki's voice answered. The hoplite had just crossed a portal with Hyshana. "Half of that because all participants earned three hundred points by repelling the horde."

At the word 'participant,' Priam looked at his father, who confirmed. "The runes we placed on the wooden spikes took out a lot of monsters. I gained almost a thousand points without brandishing a weapon. Only Myuri got nothing."

"You and Rose did a great job," Hyshana smiled.

Satisfied that the hoplites recognized his father's value, Priam quickly calculated.

"With me, we're almost at thirteen thousand points," he revealed. "We can round up to fifteen thousand with Blueberry."

Kazuki whistled at the number. "Your mist wreaked havoc. However, I don't think we should spend it all on infrastructure. Strengthening our base is crucial, but this shop should also help us progress individually."

Hyshana nodded. "The System doesn't give gifts; the shop is a tool to survive the event."

"Infrastructure helps the group, while the other tabs help the individual," Priam summarized. "Did you spot any useful rewards?"

Kazuki nodded. "Several. Take the Holy Pill I, a drug that can partially dispel Necro corruption for a Tier 0. Five hundred points each, but in case of emergency, it's priceless."

Sounds like a home shopping network pitch. Nevertheless, Kazuki was right; with one of those pills, Blueberry wouldn't have been in danger.

"Body Temperance Pill, ten thousand points," Hyshana continued. "A catalyst during temperance. Perfect for building a solid foundation before advancing to Tier 1."

Priam nodded. After his race upgrade, he planned to start tempering his body.

"Mist fragment, ten thousand points," Alain said, looking intently at his son. Buying Concept fragments was even more profitable for Priam than buying an average enchanter. He hadn't fully exploited this ability of his inner world, but according to the Phoenix, it was one of his best advantages.

"[Free Spirit - Rare] - With this spear in your hands, you will no longer lower your gaze in the face of Death," Kazuki read. "One hundred copies, forty-nine thousand points."

Priam whistled at the prices. "We haven't finished farming skeletons. Basically, we need points to progress, but some of these infrastructures could be vital in the future. When we have to buy one, I propose everyone contributes."

It was his French side speaking. Each person contributed a small part of their earnings to buy a common good. It worked well on the scale of a small, united community.

"Equal or fair contribution?" Hyshana asked.

"Can you clarify what you mean by fair?"

"Inversely proportional to the contribution in combat."

We don't have the same definition of fair... Considering the hoplite warrior culture, Priam expected this question.

"Without my father and Rose, some would be dead by now. Any individual with area damage will destroy more skeletons, but we also need DPS to defeat the Bosses. Measuring an individual's contribution is hard when each one can make a difference."

"That's true. I hope you didn't find my statement insulting; it wasn't my intention," Hyshana apologized, looking at Alain.

"Not at all. It just motivated me to kill more corrupted than you in the next battle," Alain smiled.

Hyshana seemed surprised for a moment but then smiled back. The provocation was friendly, but she seemed ready to pounce on the first revenant.

"A contribution seems wise, but will it be per individual or per group?"

"Per individual," Priam asserted firmly.

The two spouses looked at each other for a few moments, communicating silently. With the hoplites being more numerous, they were disadvantaged by an individual contribution. However, Priam knew cohabitation could only work long-term if they considered themselves a single group. Creating an additional distinction between hoplites, humans, empyreans, and arkanians would go against this goal.

Of course, future Reunions and the politics of their respective civilizations would create problems in the medium term, weakening their unity. A fact everyone was well aware of.

"The long-term survival of our races depends on us three," Priam said, interrupting the couple's thoughts. "Even if a war breaks out between our two civilizations, we must remain united in Elysium. An equal contribution per individual seems the best way to create cohesion."

Hyshana and Kazuki stared at him for a few seconds before nodding.

"Everyone has to feel concerned about the group's future," Kazuki confirmed. "I renew my promise to you. Tonight, let's officially celebrate our alliance!"

"Excellent idea," Alain smiled. Priam contented himself with a relieved nod.

"As for the infrastructures, I propose allocating them the general gains," Hyshana resumed. "For our first battle, that's three hundred points per person, totaling four thousand eight hundred. Almost enough for something basic."

"I'll top it up," Priam offered, calculating that the hoplites were contributing three thousand three hundred points. Hyshana looked at him for a moment before nodding in gratitude. Buying a good image with the hoplites for two hundred points was a deal in Priam's book. "Is there anything urgent to buy?"

"Something to defend ourselves?" suggested Alain. "But not barriers; Log-a-rhythm could buy them alone, and they wouldn't really protect us."

The accessible barriers would block Tier 1s, monsters that weren't a deadly threat to Priam or Kazuki.

"I agree," Hyshana said. "The two main dangers are the hordes and the Bosses. Our current protections shield us against weak hordes, and improving our barriers won't help against the Bosses."

"Alarm II would be a good start," Kazuki grumbled. "The third danger remains our rivals, and if one of them manages to infiltrate our base, it would be terrible."

The subtext was clear: Kazuki wanted to know Ève's position.

Alain winced. "We would first need to buy Alarm I and then upgrade it. That would cost fifteen thousand points, our entire savings."

Everyone started brainstorming, trying to find a smart and affordable idea. After five minutes, Priam shook his head.

"We're going in circles," Priam declared. "The fact is, we don't have enough information to make the best decision. The Guardian of Secrets should be able to offer us some perspective."

The Phoenix, having never entered Elysium, knew nothing about the Necro Event. The Guardian was the only one capable of answering their questions.

Hyshana nodded. "Good idea. I insist on paying half the cost of the public utility questions."

Priam gave her a smile. Only a united group had a chance against the coming storm.

*

Seth furrowed his brow as he opened his eyes. Thanks to the First's mistake, he hadn't had much trouble directing a horde of corrupted in his direction. Yet, despite the fury of the assault, none had died. A barrier now blocked access to their base, and no random revenant would break it.

Some Necromoon servants were capable, but Seth couldn't easily control their thoughts. I could go myself, but it would be dangerous... The mist tsunami had left an impression on Seth. Even the First's subordinate was dangerous. His resilient body would be useless if she pulled him into her shadow.

And with the Sun Shop, they can buy counters to my necromantic powers.

"Relax," Osiris said, strengthening his brother's muscles. His organic magic worked miracles, even on a dead body. "You'll get wrinkles if you keep frowning like that."

"I'm too old not to have wrinkles," Seth joked. Osiris rolled his eyes, and the necromancer focused on the positive.

His other ambush had worked. The Empyrean parasites were in a tight spot. Soon, the princess would be...

Lvl Up: [Divination Resistance] lvl 3,4,5,6,7
META (AFFI) +15
Lvl Up: [Probability Resistance] lvl 4,...,13
META (CHANCE) +30

… Fuck.

The vengeance of the Chaos Princess promised to be terrible. Despite his brother's request, Seth frowned.

*

Status:

PHYSICAL:
Strength 449
Constitution 794
Agility 455 (+9)
Vitality 684
Perception 667

MENTAL:
Vivacity 390
Dexterity 495
Memory 218
Willpower 836
Charisma 506

META:
Meta-affinity 415
Meta-focus 338
Meta-endurance 260
Meta-perception 201
Meta-chance 230
Meta-authority 15

Potential: 3321
Tier 0

Sun points : 3229

[He Who Eludes Death] charge: PRIMED.

[Tribulation]: Six Tribulations pending.
Future Tribulations delayed until:
Time: 170 days 0 hour 31 minutes 25 seconds.

*
What would you have bought?