126 Xirixian (1/2)
”Everything in this room that are displayed are Xirixian.” Starakt asserted. ”As for that particular Xirxian, her name is Umbralis. She's a stubborn one. She has been masterless for thousands of years.”
”What can she do?” Hayden asked in curiosity. ”That is quite peculiar among the Xirixian in this room.”
”It is unique even among the Xirixian, yes.” Starakt nodded. ”She is the stubbornest among the Xirixian. But perhaps the most powerful as well. Alike all other Xirixian, she can be manipulated telekinetically and can even move without any of your orders when you form a contract with her. As for her powers, she can become a skin-tight armor, go into your skin for concealment, removing the need for camouflage, enhance your physical powers when worn, and when concentrated, can become a shield.”
”That's kind of overpowered, isn't it?” Hayden exclaimed. ”Isn't this basically the power of a summoning wielder?”
”Well, it is more one-track than the evolution of those kinds of Abilities.” Starakt explained. ”A Xirxian's power is directly proportionate to its user, howbeit, it doesn't gain any kind of extra power. In other words, it doesn't 'evolve.'”
”I see.” Hayden felt that was kind of obvious. ”Are there Xirixian out there that isn't from Gaia's or isn't monitored by Gaia?”
”There are.” Beside them, Gaia verbalized herself. ”There are plenty out there. These Xirixian aren't actually part of me. They're simply a product of the evolution of Earth. Although some of those Xirixian cannot be as strong as these ones. Probably.”
”I see that your observation is limited.” Hayden probed.
”It is.” Gaia didn't hide this fact at all. ”This is because my duty isn't as simple as making sure that I am not destroyed. I have many more responsibilities. Such as the enforcing the laws of a planet. Most of my energy is spent on this. Manifesting my consciousness in this form is quite taxing.”
”Okay, you should walk around and examine every one.” Starakt said. ”There will probably some that will respond to you.”
Hayden immediately walked to Umbralis. As he walked, some of the Xirixian he passed by hummed. However, Hayden has his eyes set on Umbralis, therefore, he ignored every other Xirixian.
Stopping in front of the glass case of Umbralis, Hayden put his hands behind his back. Unlike many Xirixian in the vault, Umbralis didn't resonate with him. Hayden smiled dryly, ”I guess you don't like me, huh? I know you're sentient. That's why, can I ask why?”
A black-skinned woman materialized in front of Hayden. She was small, about at the height of Hayden's chest, with red hair in a bob cut, and red eyes. She wore a red dress as well. She was half-transparent, identical to Gaia.
”What do you mean, Umbralis?” Hayden tilted his head. ”Are you saying that you are a Xirxian for protecting the weak?”
”Exactly.” Umbralis nodded. ”I cannot form a contract with you as you are too strong. You have the most powerful will and resolve amongst everyone I have encountered. Superior even than my previous master. You do not have any form of malicious intent to boot.”
”I see.” Hayden closed his eyes. Meanwhile, Starakt and Gaia gaped at him. Umbralis has never shown her form to anybody. This included Gaia and Starakt. ”I hope you find a master soon. Must be boring here.”
”It has been boring. Quiescent for nearly 2,500 years.” Unpredictably, Umbralis sighed in a melancholic manner. ”I hope you find the perfect Xirxian that will supplement your powers.”
Saying that, Umbralis dissipated. Hayden exhaled heavily. 'You would've been the perfect Xirxian. Guess these Xirixian have personalities too.'
Closing his eyes, Hayden first thought of what he wanted for a Xirxian now that Umbralis has rejected him. His melee combat was already invincible, at least to Level 3 wielders. His defense was absurdly high with Indestructible Devil. And he preferred using his claws for dealing damage in melee.
'What I lack are powerful long-ranged attacks. Especially for the late game.' Hayden pondered. 'In the present, I can overwhelm them with high-level skills of Essence Manipulation Arts. But skills have its limitations. Raw power is still something that cannot be bridged.'
Look at Black Devil's mobility for example. Witnessing the power of those portals himself, Hayden was kind of envious. As a stoic though, Hayden accepted that he can't have that. He has to make do what he has. And that's why he needs an overpowered long-ranged attack.
'If not, it's either something that can augment my physique, can close the gap of me and my opponents within a fraction of a second, or pure defense.' Hayden thought.
Eyeing his surroundings, he caught sight of three things. Some kind of black greaves. A red dragon-scale longbow that has a design of what you will see in fantasy games. And for some reason, a beautiful white scarf.
He approached first the longbow. Starakt popped up beside him. ”This is Halichi. A cannon bow that dishes out sheer destructive power. He is one of the Ashikza, nineteen of the most powerful Xirixian, along with Umbralis and seventeen others.”
”What are his powers?” Hayden was fascinated of Halichi.
A half-transparent white-skinned bespectacled man in a black and red butler suit materialized in front of him. He had medium-length red hair and red eyes. He bowed towards Hayden with respect.
Afterwards, he advertised himself. ”Like all bow-types in this vault, I do not need arrows and can conjure them with essence energy. You can also feed me essence energy to create stronger arrows. My arrows have a natural fire affinity that belongs that of what humans call 'dragons.' As for my powers, first is that I can do a charged shot. The longer you draw the bowstring, the stronger my shot is. If powerful enough, a dragon will follow the arrow itself. Second is that I can lock onto specific targets through our mental link and conjure multiple arrows that will home in on the targets. Lastly, I can become a mounted ballista, a weapon of destruction. In this form, I can be manually aimed, but I am also self-sufficient.”
”Will you be willing to form a contract with me?” Hayden didn't blink twice prior to inquiring. Halichi was suitable for his needs! Well, the second one was unnecessary for him with his Divine Perception and whatnot. However, the first and third ones alone was worthwhile!
”I am glad to serve such a master.” Halichi genuflected in front of Hayden. ”I will happily form a contract with you, master.”
”First, stand up.” Hayden narrowed his eyes. ”Second, this is a relationship where we benefit from each other. My Level enhances you. You strengthen my combat power. Third, you can voice out anything. Complaints. Opinions. And your own views on matters. Fourth, we will respect one another as a person. You are sentient, and I can sense that you have feelings. Fifth, do not, ever, genuflect and treat me as a master. A friend is better. As such, address me as Hayden, not master.”
When the trio heard this, they were put in a state of stupor. Nobody in the history of Foriast and Overseers did they treat a Xirxian in this way. Everybody thought these Xirixian were simple objects. Including Starakt.
Halichi stood up. Gaia and Starakt's shock deepened when they saw Halichi smile for the first time in his existence. ”I have served countless masters. I never expected to befriend one.”
With that, the golden display case of Halichi opened up. Halichi faded away. Hayden and Starakt made eye contact. Starakt nodded. Walking to Halichi, Hayden took ahold of the bow.
A ray of light escaped his white shirt from his Origin Crystal. This light went to the grip of Halichi. Everything pertaining to Halichi flowed into Hayden's mind. 'We are now connected, mas- Hayden.'
'Are you not comfortable in calling me by my name?' Hayden questioned. Halichi's tone when he uttered his name was uncomfortable. 'I can waive that rule if you want?'
”Thank you!' Halichi sounded relieved. Which was honestly surprising to Hayden. 'I have never called my user of their names. It is truly uncomfortable.'
”Okay, that settles that.” Hayden said aloud. Halichi transformed into a fashionable wrist cuff with a red dragon-scale design in his left wrist. ”Captivating. Say, can I take two?”
”Well, you can…” Starakt paused in reluctance. ”It's just that… Xirixian are choosy and will turn you down if you have contracted with a Xirxian. Nobody has been, excluding me, an exception to this. At any rate, you're welcome to try.”
”Thanks.” Hayden moved to the metal greaves. ”I can sense that you are powerful, too. Tell me, what's your name?”
A lanky man as tall as Hayden and with long black hair appeared. He wore a black feather robe with a simple black tank top underneath and jeans. He bowed, ”Hello. I am Shabilo, one of the Ashikza and the sole footwear among them.”
”Nice to meet you, Shabilo.” Hayden nodded once casually. ”First, let me ask if you will still be willing to form a contract with me?”
”Naturally, I am.” Shabilo chuckled slyly. ”Unlike other Xirixian and Ashikza, I am not fussy. All I want is to fight.”
”That is good.” Hayden ignored Shabilo's personality. As long as he was useful, he'll take him. He didn't mind it at all. ”What are your powers then?”
”First, alike all footwear-type Xirixian, I can boost your running speed up to 50%. This is called Speed Boost.” Shabilo smiled at Hayden. ”If essence energy is infused, I can hasten you further. The second is called Matter Step. This allows me to make contact with any kind of matter of any kind of phase. This will aid greatly in your mobility in spite of being quite common. The last thing is Spatial Folding. I can fold the space between two points, allowing you to take one step, and appear in another. The maximum for this is ten meters, however, if you infuse purified essence energy, you can further it. This has a base cooldown of five seconds and adds a second every meter.”
”Form a contract with me.” Hayden eagerly commanded.
”Okay.” Shabilo chuckled shrewdly prior to vanishing. The display case opened. He really wasn't fussy. Touching it, another ray of light shot out. This time, it surrounded the greaves. 'I can turn into sneakers, boots, and my base form.'
Shabilo shapeshifted into a pair of sneakers with a black and white color scheme. It was quite stylish. Putting his shoes in one of his Space Rings, Hayden wore Shabilo. He was quite comfortable. 'Thinking of that sentence is weird.'