Chapter 210: Evolution (2/2)

It paid off being a living dimension after all.

I pulled another set of gray armor out of my dimensional storage, cooling the surface of my skin. After wrestling it on under the rubble, I walked out of the ground, good as new. With a quick leap, I landed in the tunnel Chrona left in the stone. She was in a sorry state, ribs broken, limbs contorted, and a few rips in her skin. She'd be fine though. Schema's reorientation of her metabolism made her far harder to kill, just like it had mine.

Kessiah and a few health potions helped me come to that conclusion though. It would take a bit before she was fine as well. Once upon her, I reared my fist back, ready to continue the beating if I had too. A Sentinel appeared above me, dashing into the tunnel and stopping the fight. I let out a deep sigh of relief, glad they ended the fight there.

I stayed there for a moment, collecting myself. After a few deep breaths, I paced back out in front of the crowd once more. I raised a hand to a roar of applause.

Once more, I'd won.

Unlike last time, this was by a much thinner margin. Half a second later on the singularity, and Chrona might have had a chance of winning. It exposed a hole in my build, my strength not being up to par with some specialist builds.

To fix that, I'd be investing into constitution for a while. Constitution fed 40% of its value into strength, and my Immense tree added 25% of my mass as extra physical damage. That would come after this fancy rune I was working on.

Extra physical damage was a deceptive stat. It mainly meant general strength. Improving it quickly with extra mass was pivotal if I was going to face off against behemoths like the hybrids, Helios, or even Chrona. Learning that temporal dilation would make a massive difference as well.

I tucked that tidbit into the back of my mind as Kiki Mosk scrambled to explain what the hell happened in the fight,

”Ahem, so, er...The Gray Giant used alteration magic on his, uh, skin to make it metal? Then he used it as a zoning tool against Chrona by heating it into a glowing liquid...And then...er, he...um...”

He turned to the crowd, ”You know what, I'll just leave it to the analysts to decipher. Regardless, the Gray Giant came out on top despite some very close calls. I'll say this much, he had more cards up his sleeve than I ever expected of the one-sided slugger.”

Using a gravity well, I pulled Chrona from the crater, giving her several health potions. After gulping them down, she glared at me and sent out a telepathic wave,

”That grin of yours confused me for a moment. That is the only reason you won.”

I shrugged, ”All is fair in love and war. Besides, you're lucky I didn't just melt the armor you were wearing. Boiling your blood was another option. Maybe-”

”That's enough. I'm glad you decided to keep within a few parameters.” she continued on a lighter note, ”I am astonished by my progress as well. The fact I almost won is a testament to my progress.”

I let her have that almost there. In my opinion, she still had a way to go.

”It is,” I crossed my arms, ”It isn't that surprising though. You've fought for what, centuries?”

”A century, but yes, I have fought for a long time.”

”Point is, you have an enormous amount of experience and a wealth of difficult to learn skills. In that regard, I'm not your match. You just need to get used to the system and you'll be golden.”

Chrona scoffed, ”I would argue that in regards to your skills. I've never seen you fight in that manner. It was so odd seeing you implement it.”

I spread out my hands, ”Well, I was trying to use my head this fight. I'll be honest, you're a fucking monster at slugging it out. If we pummeled each other, there was a solid chance I might lose. I took the safe route, eliminating your chances of winning.”

She shook her head, ”By the time your delayed explosion landed, my body was in tatters. Your armor's claws and swords were the only reason I could cleave through you. You are denser than steel and hard as gemstones. I don't understand how your heart pumps blood through your frame.”

I didn't either.

She hissed to herself, Just as well, before getting my class, I wouldn't have stood a chance. I'd have broken myself before I could've hoped to break you.”

I gestured to the arena of gialgathens, ”Let them know that if you can. Either way though, I'll be fixing my lacking strength here soon. Don't you worry about that.”

Chrona wore a smirk, showing her teeth, ”Yes, lagging strength as you call it. I look forward to it.” She winced, ”If you'll excuse me, I'll need some time to recover, however. Perhaps a new set of armor could be made as well?”

I nodded, ”Of course. I'll let Krog get you out of here.”

By now, Krog had recovered his ability to move and fly. His injuries weren't as severe as Chrona's. His own armor was still covered in dents and tears. I waved my hand to him, and he flew on over. As he landed, he stomped a foot,

”You were so close to defeating the Dark One. I could not believe it. I was on the edge of my seat as I watched and healed myself.”

Chrona sighed and said, ”Speaking of healing, I could use a bath in the springs here. That and a few numbing herbs and barrels of mead. I shall feel these aches tomorrow.”

”Honestly though, you probably won't. Once your health's topped off, you'll be fit enough to fight again. Perks of the system...You'll still be mentally tired though, so take it easy,” I said.

She nodded, ”We will.”

”To the springs we go then,” Krog said with a bit of excitement in his voice.

He picked her up by grabbing the edges of her torn armor and flying upward. As they left, Kiki scratched the side of his head,

”Look at them go. Krog's already up to carrying her somewhere to heal. In all my days, I've never seen a gialgathen live after the punishment he took, let alone carry a comrade hours after.”

I flew back up, projecting my voice once more, ”And you know why. If those battles didn't illustrate why you should consider my offer, I don't know what will. You'll find me at Chrona's current residence, near the top of Rivaria. I look forward to seeing the most driven and ambitious of you there.”

After finishing my spill, I gave Kiki's shoulder a pat, ”Thanks for keeping us safe man.”

He looked down at my hand, then back up to me, ”Of course. Glad to be of service.” Kiki glanced across the arena, ”And to all those here, have a wonderful rest of your year until the next Honoring of Lehesion. The champion will be given his rewards during the award ceremony back in Yildraza. Goodbye and goodnight!”

The crowd gave one last hoopla before I glanced towards Helios and Caprika. Caprika was cheering, making a huge ruckus even from her wheelchair. She poked and prodded Helios as I flew over.

”Hah, I told you that my judgment was sound. Did you see him at his peak? Even our the Emperor would be proud.”

Helios crossed his arms, his mask hiding what was probably a deep frown,

”Perhaps...Perhaps not.”

Caprika rolled her eyes so hard that her head rolled too, ”I found talent. You can accept it or live in denial. It's your choice.”

I landed beside them, lifting and flexing an arm, ”Hope you guys are impressed. That was about all I've got.”

Helios let out a groan before dragging his hand down his black facemask, ”I might've even complimented you if your ego wasn't already about to burst.”

I scoffed, ”If anything, I was humbled. Chrona almost won.”

”I doubt that.” Helios said while shaking his head, ”You managed to defeat her, though you are both comparable. I underestimated the potential of their species. Even my uncle would vie for their favor. Her temporal dilation in particular is extraordinary now.”

I shrugged, ”They were strong before getting Schema's assistance. Obviously they'd be unbelievable with it.”

Helios raised a hand, ”Yes, maybe, but I never anticipated such a rapid change in her output. Chrona dented you with such simplistic ease. From what I've heard and seen of you, you're rather difficult to kill. To break your bones with strikes alone...”

Helios let his shook his head, ”Even more so, however, was your regeneration. How did you heal bones so quickly? It was as if you've the blood of an immortal in you.”

”Eh, trade secret,” I said with a smirk.

Caprika put a hand on my arm, ”I've spoken with uncle about temporal dilation before. It increases both the output and damage dealt by the user. It's very taxing on your mana reserves, however, so he rarely uses it.”

I narrowed my eyes, listening close. 'High' mana costs were irrelevant to me.

”In her instance, she's hastening herself. Stretching out the blows she receives dramatically reduces their impact. The same could be said of her own strikes, their fierceness remarkable.”

Helios gestured a hand to her, ”I believed that magic not worth its investment. I may speak with uncle and uncover a few of his journals on the topic. He no doubt has detailed knowledge of it if it's this effective.”

I pointed at Helios, ”Well this all makes me feel better about the situation and all, but I was meaning to ask what he plans on doing after we meet?”

Helios tilted his head, ”His intentions are beyond me. I will simply say he finds you interesting. Whether or not that will prove to benefit or harm you, only time will tell.”

Helios let out a laugh, ”I'm sure he viewed your performance in this fight as well.”

”Really? Damn, I thought he'd have more important shit to do.”

Helios scoffed, ”He didn't only view the fight. I'm certain he accomplished a dozen tasks as he did so. My point is this-” Helios adjusted his stance, looking a bit out of place for once, ”I was wrong about you. You've exceeded my rather low expectations of you.”

Caprika gave Helios a slow clap, ”Well well, you have the ability to admit you're wrong. I never thought I'd see this day. Truly this is incredible.”

”Hah, hah, live up your short lived victory while you can. We must leave soon,” Helios said.

Caprika turned to me, ”As promised, you shall be receiving the highest status I can give you, and I guarantee a large guildhouse will be available to you in my city. I will advertise your legion for all ears that will hear it and eyes that will see it.”

I grinned, ”Thanks.”

Caprika leaned back into her seat, relaxing a bit, ”I can't believe I'll finally be allowed back onto the homeworld.”

Helios mumbled, ”Neither can I.”

She shoved him, succeeding in rolling herself back. She let out a puff before glancing back at me, ”You know, I've never heard of a non-classer defeating a classer with an over 4,500 level lead. That's not even counting her unique class and skillset.”

Helios rolled his hand with impatience, ”Enough with the egocentric praise. Perhaps you can attempt sucking his metaphorical dick when I'm not around?”

Caprika crossed her arms, ”Ho, ho, is someone jealous?”

”It's time we leave,” Helios grumbled, ”Follow me unless you believe he'll protect you this time, unlike the last.”

Helios stepped through a wormhole of his creation. As I stared at it, Caprika molded her fur, hardening it into makeshift limbs. They pulled her wheelchair along by gripping the floor. She reached right beside the portal before turning to me,

”Thank you for helping me. You will not regret it.”

I raised my eyebrows, ”Eh, that depends on what kind of mood your uncle's in when we meet.”

”Oooh, that will be fun to see. Do be prepared for a bit of eccentricity. He's...unusual.”

”I figured. Goodluck.”

”Likewise.”

With our goodbyes said, Caprika rolled through the wormhole, the rift in spacetime closing right after. I glanced around, finding most of the crowd remaining after the fights. They chatted with animation in their voices. That was good. I would need quite a few volunteers to join my guild soon.

With that in mind, I flew off towards Emagrotha's old home and Chrona's current residence. The icy cavern sat near the mountain's peak, icy sculptures illuminated in the fading sunset. As orange light danced in the many frozen carvings, I took off my gray armor and began collecting strips of blackened metal.

Within an hour, an orange gialgathen covered in yellow stripes flew in across the sky. It was Sheom, her skin smooth and moistened by a constant fog she kept over herself. As she paced into the icy den, I finished ripping another chunk out of my arm. I was sitting on a stack of metal plates, waiting to be forged. She walked up to me, her eyes curious and searching.

”Do you do that for discipline, perhaps?” Sheom said, her voice grave.

I shook my head, continuing my work, ”It doesn't hurt much. I'm relatively numb to pain at this point. It's like pricking my finger, and that's not something that can phase me at this point.”

I jerked, my skin snapping with a loud pang. As I set it down behind me, it clattered on the ice, smashed ice all around my workspace. I'd fix it before I left.

”Is that numbness also from the system you speak of?”

I stood up, ”Yeah, it is.”

Sheom took a deep breath, ”I...I am sorry for calling you a dirtwalker earlier.”

I scoffed, ”You don't need to apologize to join me. What I need is for you to work, and work hard.”

Sheom nodded, ”I will do anything to gain the powers they owned.”

With an evil grin on my face, I took a piece from Torix as I cackled,

”I hope you're ready.”