Chapter 1039 (2/2)
It looked like his body was sleeping. He had been sealed away.
Tsk, looks like the Heretics get extra special treatment… maybe, because we’ve already proven that we can avoid the System rules, they extract the images and keep us unconscious? Probably without the connection from Reign of Eidolon Crucible, my images would have been on their own out here… which would not have been good. As it is…
Randidly looked with not a little amusement at his clawed left hand and the bone spear that was sticking out of his right arm. At least fighting with this body would still be enjoyable. Then he tried to reach his Soulskill and felt nothing. In fact, Randidly couldn’t touch any of his Skills. Chewing his lip, Randidly kept his head down as they left the tent.
Rather than possessing an image with Reign of the Eidolon Crucible, it might be better to say that something woke up my consciousness in the Grim Chimera. Which would make me a reflection of myself, rather than myself… It does make a certain amount of sense… images are ultimately just portions of my personality given shape. And the Grim Chimera always was the closest to reaching the Master tier…
Randidly glanced upward and wondered whether he was actually him, or just figment conjured in the Grim Chimera. It would also explain why Randidly felt oddly detached and unconcerned about the fact that he could reach either Neveah or the denizens of his Soulskill. In fact, Randidly felt oddly relieved to be alone. That was the way it had always been in the beginning, after all.
Randidly sighed. Hard to tell whether normal me would have that thought or not… maybe it’s best not to think about it too closely. Instead of dwelling on the issue further, he opened up his senses and observed the surrounding area.
The sky above was a light orange and covered with scattered maroon clouds. Strange streaks of undulating gold flowed across the sky periodically, but it didn’t match any meteorological phenomenon that Randidly could recognize. It was also too large and even for a close shooting star. Honestly, it just looked like some giant golden beast that drifted across their sky quickly and then departed.
Shaking his head, Randidly’s focus turned to the ground. The ground was dirt, and aside from the constant visual instability, looked relatively normal. They were currently following the dragon-headed man down an aisle between rows of brown tents. Some tent flaps were open, and Randidly had a tingling intuition that powerful images were within several. A few times, he caught eyes flashing in wariness as the group trooped past.
But although he sensed their presence, Randidly couldn’t get a fix on who or what they learned. Or what their intentions were.
Which was when Randidly stumbled on a new realization.
After all that effort to upgrade my Perception… being removed from my physical body means that I don’t even get to use it here? Fucking shit. Better kill that bastard who has me locked away as quickly as possible to free myself-
Randidly blinked. He reached and found nothing when he grasped at Nether’s Caress. Or Nether Resistance. AFTER ALL THE FUCKING AGONY I WENT THROUGH TO LEVEL UP THOSE SKILLS-
Randidly forced the air out through his teeth, incensed at this strange state of affairs. Hearing the noise, the dragon-headed man turned and glanced back at Randidly.
Controlling his emotions, Randidly asked innocuously. “Your name… is Zagnal right? What are… those black stars hanging around you?”
For a split second, there was a hitch in Zagnal’s stride. He spared Randidly another glance over his shoulder, and during their eye contact, Randidly could once more see the three black stars that were floating above Zagnal. Then Zagnal turned to face forward and continued to walk. Randidly stared at Zagnal’s back with his eyes alight with curiosity. Why did the stars disappear when they weren’t looking at each other.
But to Randidly’s relief, Zagnal spoke as they continued to walk amongst the tents. “Ah… you must be a strong image, to see clearly so quickly. Did you notice when our eyes met earlier?”
“Yes,” Randidly replied shortly.
Zagnal continued to walk forward. “Huh, very strong then. Usually, it takes about a day for someone to notice. Those are… the scars I bear. But also the Pride I’ve accumulated. Every time you fight the Nether, you come away… changed. Scarred. It leaves its mark on you that will never truly heal. But there is a grand formation on this place that helps channel that lingering Nether to benefit you. Each star you see when meeting my gaze is a Pride that that strengthens me. ”
“Strengthens you?” Randidly wondered aloud.
Zagnal nodded. “Like a small amount of poison introduced into someone’s body to slowly cause immunity to form. But that doesn’t mean it is not dangerous. Once that developed immunity is breached… an outside force of Nether can cause the Prides to rupture, wounding you at a critical moment. But that is still far away for images of your level.”
That sharpened Randidly’s gaze with ferocity, but Zagnal turned on his heel and gestured to an open tent. “You’ll be staying here. You have three days to acclimate yourself to this realm. After that time, you’ll be taken to the front lines. Good luck.”