Chapter 1162 (2/2)
The Paths that he finished now would be the ones he would have for the frontlines.
Setting that mess of options aside from now, Randidly focused on the two other options, the Ashes. He now possessed Ulaat, the Patron of Ash, and Illym, the Above-Average Child. Both would probably bring him power, but both might have unintended repercussions for his images. Especially because he hadn’t yet cut to the heart of Illym, Randidly set both of those aside.
Ulaat had brought Randidly enough trouble for one lifetime. Until he had enough time to furiously observe his Soulskill, Randidly wouldn’t finish that Path.
The final two options were new arrivals to Randidly’s Path list. The Flame that Burns Memories and the Nether Chimera were Paths that likely had been created due to recent changes in Randidly’s images. In addition, the Nether Chimera appeared to be an evolution of the Nether Adaptation Path, which is why it bore the numeral IV despite him never seeing it before.
For the same reasons that Randidly decided to stay away from the Ashes Paths, he was hesitant about a Path titled the Flame that Burns Memories. Certainly, there was obvious power in that. But there was also the obvious drawback that what he received might require him to actually burn away memories in order to access that power.
Perhaps someday Randidly would wish to burn away his memories, but that day was not today. Over time, Randidly had learned that so much of images was the weight of familiarity and experience. Without memories, those images became light. That was the reason that he was slowly digesting the power of the hiltless blade, even when it was clearly a Fate of someone extremely powerful.
Shaking his head, Randidly considered the even more condensed list of Paths that he felt confident in starting with.
Growth of Yggdrasil III 0/2000, Peerless Engraving 0/1000, Search for the Akashic I 0/200, The Nether Chimera IV 0/1000
Four options. Three that represented different Paths toward refining his Yggdrasil image, and one that focused on his Grim Chimera. Honestly though, Randidly did plan on holding back on Growth of Yggdrasil until he had nailed down it as a Skillset, rather than just a grouping of Skills. That way they could grow together.
And if Randidly wanted to finish carving the Akashic so that Path would go more smoothly… That linked Path could wait. Perhaps Peerless Engraving would help for the work he was doing on the image, but that also could wait until he understood his situation better. Especially because the Path might just help him work with Mana.
So he finally settled on finishing the Nether Chimera Path first. Or at least starting it, and then checking how much PP he received.
For the short term, at least, Randidly was here on the frontlines and encountering Nether quite frequently. In addition, the experience of condensing a Fate would be accomplished through a Nether Ritual. As such, the more familiar he was with Nether the better.
That was even ignoring Nether’s new role in Randidly’s Alpha Cosmos…
Randidly cracked his knuckles and then added his 300 PP into the Nether Chimera Path. Every 25 PP, he earned 1 Endurance and 1 Resistance. After adding 300 PP, the long-awaited notification arrived.
Through trial and fire, the bond between you and your Soulskill has become ever tighter. Your flesh is the substance of the Soulskill, and the strength gathered by your Soulskill fuels your growth. With the introduction of Nether, your Soulskill has begun to walk an ever more narrow Path. You are balanced perfectly to transform into something truly unique.
Unknown error, the automatic scan of your Soulskill failed. System present, but information flow has ceased. Please contact your Village Spirit for more information.
Congratulations! PP from your Alpha Cosmos flows into you! Some has been absorbed by your local System, but the vast majority of the tithe still belongs to you. You have gained 12,001 PP!
Randidly released a low whistle. “Twelve thousand, huh… that’s certainly a lot…”
Then he scratched his chin as he finished off his Nether Chimera Path. “...well, one thing at a time.”
Congratulations! You have completed the Nether Chimera IV Path! Your body and image have become increasingly steeped in Nether. You should be warped beyond recognition. Yet you seem to possess the peculiar trait of welcoming both of the energies into your body. You have become a dangerous example of what one could be by utilizing Nether.
Congratulations! Nether related Skills become more effective for each Skill Level they possess. All Grim Chimera Skills now have notes of Nether in them! Grim Chimera Skills grow more powerful per Skill Level. The strength of your body grows at an unusual rate. +10 to all Physical Stats.