Chapter 7: Toil and Trouble (2/2)
It was one of the first things she had recovered from a cache. It was a rare but inexpensive tool that produced light for mana.
Most people with basic attunement could light their life mana to lighten their surroundings, but the illumination would be weak. The stone’s purpose was to provide more light when required. She had coveted the thing with single-minded obsession. Only Solfis’ stern warning had prevented her from using it at night to ward off the endless darkness. She used it now.
White light shone on desiccated walls. It did not stink, and she thought she had figured why: the black mana had killed all the microorganisms responsible for decomposition. The place was too dead to even rot properly.
There were no creatures inside. She dropped the coating for now and made her way down.
The supply dump was less intact than others. Something had hidden in it at some point, but at least it had the decency to close the cistern and Viv took a moment to fill her flask, drink, and wash her face. She did not remove her skin suit to bathe. It was cold, and she was already weakened. Hygiene felt like a secondary concern.
She found the box too. It contained a single bag made of some leather she could not recognize. It felt wrinkled and dry under her touch, although it still hung on. She took that as well. It was lighter than the water.
She climbed back on and sat down to focus.
The coat came easier this time. She knew what to do and had black mana up to her head in no time. It was tiring, she realized. She would not be able to keep it up much longer.
This time, her path weaved between clusters of creatures instead of charging forward like an idiot. They gave her nothing more than a passing glance. Some even politely stepped out of the way.
It was weird.
All she had to do was say ‘hello’ and she would be dead in moments. The idea called to her like the void. It would mean an end to the constant pain she was in.
Then she remembered that Solfis was up there and the possibility of giving up became revolting. She climbed the edge of the ravine, spitting and vociferating against those stupid scouts who could have chosen a nice hill, but instead chose a gap next to a giant scrotum. They really were assholes.
//Well done.
“Are you sure this thing can hide me? It looked like they saw me and just didn’t care.”
//It can hide you in the dark. Or at night.
//And only if the coating is regular.
//But the black emission makes you look much less human, and thus, not like a target.
//Powerful undead beings leak black mana.
//You leaked black mana, Your Grace.
//Therefore, they took you for a necrarch.
“So they completely saw me from the start. Are you going to give me the full data at any point in the future?”
//Of course, Your Grace.
//But right now my priority is to save your life.
//You have been in this world for five days.
//This unit has operated in this world for over five hundred years.
This was the driest ‘shut up, kiddo’ she had ever been subjected to.
The path interface is now available.
You are now fully integrated into Nyil.
“Paths?”
//Excellent.
//This will assist us.
//Think the word “path”
“Is it like a job?”
You may choose a path from the following list. Every path represents a commitment to a concept. Paths empower your body and mind, allow you to grasp associated skills more quickly and to increase their potency.
You can only have one path until your current path evolves.
Paths can evolve to a more specialized concept, or several paths can combine into one. There is no wrong choice, as long as you follow your convictions.
Good luck out there!
Available paths:
//Pick Black Hedge Witch.
“Hey, can’t I read?”
//Of course, Your Grace.
//Read, then pick Black Hedge Witch.
Viviane grumbled and skimmed the list. There were a lot of choices, most of them related either to being a lightly-armed fighter, or doing a desk job. The only exotic one besides [Black Hedge Witch] was [Alchemist] and she had not come across a single herb in the past week.
You follow the path of the [Black Hedge Witch.]
“When do I get my cat and my hat?”
Mental stats are 1.2 times more efficient when casting black-aligned spells (on average). Relevant skill acquisition is improved.
“More math.”
//Do not concern yourself with those overmuch, Your Grace.
//They are points of references to make you understand the impact of committing to a path.
“Is this a good path, at least?”
//There are no bad paths, Your Grace, only bad choices.
//Hedge Witch is one of the lowest paths of dedicated spellcasters who explore black mana.
//The closest one is Black Apprentice, and it relies more on book study, while you rely on meditation and spoken guidance.
//This path is perfect in these circumstances.
//You will be able to upgrade it later.
//In the meanwhile, it will allow you to cast more and delay the extent of the poisoning.
“I don’t feel any different.”
//A path is a commitment over time.
//Like most things, it will bear fruit through your efforts, You Grace.
//This unit begs for your patience.
//This unit will guide you to greatness.
//In the meanwhile, we should move on.
//This unit sees that you recovered the medical supplies.
“Yep!”
They opened it. There were bandages. Viv removed the dried up exterior and found that the inner fabric was still serviceable for some of them. That was a small miracle. She also found bottles of glass that had contained antivenoms and tonics at some point in the distant past, now evaporated. The scissors and scalpel were a nice touch, but the real find was a minuscule crystal vial with a wax stopper. It still contained a dense red liquid.
“What is that thing?”
//This is a dragonblood potion.
//It is not actually made from dragon blood.
“Abat.
//That is currently not the case.
“Pfffft. Killjoy. When do I blast stuff?”
//Soon.
“I’ll hold you to that.”
//This unit is pleased that you subscribe to the idea of obtaining the genocidal maniac skill.
“Hey!”
Viv’s interface.
Current status:
Mana distribution:
Current attunement: 5.21%
Physical
Mental
Power
11
Focus
27
Finesse
16
Acuity
28
Endurance
19
Willpower
28
General skills
Polymath
Beginner 3
Athletics
Intermediate 2
Survival
Intermediate 1
Householding
Novice 8
Hand to hand combat
Intermediate 6
Pain tolerance
Intermediate 4
Small blades
Beginner 7
Meditative Trance
Intermediate 5
Mana manipulation
Beginner 1
Paths: