Chapter 219 (2/2)
Heretic XII 0/???, Nexus Traveler Cohort 5 0/50, Path of Control 0/200, Basic Mana Engraving 0/100, Journeyman 0/150, Experimenter I 0/50, Agony I 0/100, Initiate of Ash II 0/150, Bacterial Mutation I 0/125
Randidly grimaced. There were simply too many desirable options, and his 73 remaining PP was only enough to finish of Nexus Traveler Cohort 5. It wasn’t all that desirable of an option, either way… The two new arrivals were the second half of the Initiate of Ash Path, and the Bacterial Mutation I Path, both of which drew Randidly. There was also the Path of Control, which was still his highest and most used stat as an option. Although it didn’t really draw on it directly, Randidly’s spear work had always been more graceful and delicate than his skills could explain. They were likely aided by that high Control stat.
Increasing that would help him… But Journeyman was a Path that would provide him with skills. That would increase his PP, but likely do nothing for him in the short term… Agony could perhaps give him some gifts… Bacterial Mutation was an intriguing new addition, which was likely due to his high Bacterial Regeneration skill, but the inclusion of Mutation made Randidly somewhat wary.
All of these paths were investments that would pay off at a later date. He would likely not be able to get 20 PP tonight, not with how sore and battered his whole body was, even with his powerful regeneration abilities… He might spend his time pouring over the full version of the Spear Phantom’s journal, but Randidly wasn’t sure how much good it would do.
Then, sighing, Randidly made his decision. What had truly decided the day, had rid him of that persistent, violent energy that Azriel had injected into his body, and gotten him back on his feet in the wake of Bertarn, was his regeneration. If he could push that to the next level… that was his advantage, it always was. His unrelenting determination.
Randidly put PP in Bacterial Mutation I, and every 5 PP he received 1 point in Vitality, which was an amazing return for this level of Path. And after putting 23 PP into it, he received another notification, which made him smile in satisfaction.
Congratulations! Your Soul Skill has released the Blessing of Fetid Growth upon you. Vitality +3, Control +6, Resistance +3, Endurance +3. Your body increases in size by 1%. Your body compacts, retaining efficacy but decreasing in size by .5%. Health Regeneration increases by 15.
For a second, nothing happened. Then Randidly’s body began throb and pulse. It was actually…. a profoundly enjoyable experience. His muscles bulged and flexed, his bones creaking and stretching, his tendons elongating. Then everything tightened slightly, and pressed back downwards, his body returning nearer to his original state. The feelings passed quickly, and Randidly looked down at his fist, feeling the power pumping through his body.
Then he smiled bitterly. It was a step in the right direction, but it would not take him within striking distance of the two individuals he had faced in his 2nd and 3rd matches. It was the same sort of qualitative difference that Randidly had undergone through his training in the prison area…
Well, perhaps a little less than that. He was getting very near to them in terms of physical capabilities, but he believed there was a profound difference in terms of image and skill level. That was the oppressive weight that being an Artisan possessed. Even though Randidly had fought successfully against one before, that was an average fighter who had reached that peak, and had allowed himself to regress through laziness. These groomed young geniuses likely had higher rarity skills, and better training, even though they had less experience.
Randidly made a mental note to ask Shal how exactly rarities were determined and turned back to himself. He put the remaining 50 pp into his skill, earning even more Vitality. Then he received the 4th, and he believed, final notification that his Soul Skill would give him.
Congratulations! Your Soul Skill has released the Blessing of Devouring Ash upon you. Strength +3, Willpower +9, Focus +3. Your body temperature increases. Your immune system grows more robust, resistance to all status ailments and debuffs increases by 1%. Free stats +3.
The world of your soul skill turns! The denizens of your inner world evolve. A matriarch appears amongst the White Hunters. Her eyes rise to the sky as she searches for you, the Soul of the world that animates them.
Hobgolems arise amongst the Earth Golem people. Their cunning and strength lead to the formation of tribes across the land.
Very few of the Swamp Spiders grow old and wise, and become Weavers, and they begin to record the history of this realm in their intricate webs.
The clever Spriggits discover the power of steam, and their technology bursts forward, bringing with it progress and prosperity. As a people, they grow rich and happy.
As the world turns, Arbor and Thorn become more deeply involved in its function. Their connection grows deeper, and their strength grows as the world evolves. Due to their influence, small animal life has been brought to your world.
It has been one cycle since this world’s creation. Would you like to add anything to the world? (Warning, the added qualities will be taken from a skill. A single skill level will be consumed in the taking. Other side-effects are unknown).