Priam forced a smile as Micro smoothed the beats of his heart. The Guardian was unfamiliar with humans, but an erratic heartbeat couldn't be normal. Priam had to be careful not to arouse suspicion.
He suspected that not everything about Apocryphal souls had been revealed. Perhaps because the Guardian didn't know the whole truth? After all, the System knew he was an Apocryphal soul, and no one had tried to kill him yet. This could an two things. Either there are different degrees of Apocryphal souls, and I am still within acceptable limits. Or [He Who Eludes Death] is stabilizing my soul.
If Concepts could do it with a Grace, why not his Patron? After all, Priam didn't feel insane. His mories indicated that his temperant had changed within reasonable limits - partly due to circumstances. This might explain why the Concepts attempted to kill my Patron. They were interested in his power.
Of course, there was one last possible explanation. The Guardian of Secrets No. 37 458 seed powerful and part of an organization with at least forty thousand others. They appeared to adhere to strict rules; otherwise, the Guardian would have read the mories of rivals. Priam was convinced that wasn't the case. After all, Prince Phoenix himself had said he would torture Priam for eternity to extract secrets from [He Who Eludes Death].
It made sense to assu the Guardian followed a code of rules. It was highly likely that paynt guaranteed the accuracy of information. But Priam hadn't paid for information about Apocryphal souls. Did the Guardian have suspicions? Did he lie to Priam? In any case, Priam preferred not to ask more questions.
"I see I've given you sothing to ponder."
Priam almost jumped at the voice. He summoned a small smile and nodded.
"Indeed. I now understand a bit more how the world works and what the Concepts are truly after."
The Guardian burst into laughter. "We'll talk about it again when you grasp the kind of world you've landed in. anwhile, if you're not planning to trade more films, here's the location of the assassin's base." The Guardian snapped his fingers, and Priam felt a location appear in his mind.
"Thanks. By the way, I was wondering, what other information can you give for free?"
"I see I'm dealing with a clever one," the Guardian grinned. "Sorry, but that information isn't free."
Priam rolled his eyes. "How much is it?"
"A silver Coin. Now, if you'd let watch my films in peace..."
"Sorry for being poor. One last question before I go. Would you mind if I moved your nhir?" Priam asked.
Normally, he would refuse to let a potential threat near his family, but he had seen the power of the Guardian. Being a few kiloters away from Log-a-rhythm or right next to it made no difference. The Guardian was more potent than a minor god like Viracocha. "If I pee on this nhir, would it improve [Iconoclast]?"wondered Priam.
"Oh? You an in the space where you placed a sun?" the Guardian asked, oblivious to Priam's thoughts.
"At first, but then next to my base," Priam replied. "The Necromoon is coming, and I don't know if I'll regularly be able to co see you once the event starts. Plus, I'm not the only one who will want to ask you questions."
"Hmm," the Guardian seed to hesitate for a mont. "My re presence would put your dinsion to the test. But a few minutes to return to your base? I agree on one condition."
"Movies?" Priam guessed.
The Guardian smiled. "I know you'll eventually trade your films. No, I want you to create a forum."
"A forum?"
"A public place outdoors, like an agora. It's a structure you can create with the Land Owner's rit."
Priam checked the rit Tree.
[Land Owner - Silver] - Tier 0: You can instantly create a building (Tier 1) on your Land - from a list provided by the System.
Seeing Priam grimace, the Guardian added, "I know your rit points are scarce, but I promise it would benefit both of us in the long run."
Hesitating, Priam took a few seconds to think. rits were among the most impressive boosts the System offered. Unique enhancents he couldn't buy with Potential. He was reluctant to part with them for nothing.
"I need to know what a forum does first."
"One iron Coin."
It was almost a giveaway. "Deal."
"The forum is the foundation of a camp. It's where rchants and travelers gather. With the upcoming event, it could greatly interest you..."
The Guardian's conspiratorial air indicated that there was a secret or at least synergy between the forum and the approaching Necromoon. Even so, Priam was reluctant to lose such a precious asset.
"One of my rits allows to emulate a Dragon's Breath. Will the forum be as interesting?"
"... This forum could save your base and your life within weeks. The decision is yours."
Did Priam trust the Guardian of Secrets? Not yet, no. But a being capable of killing him easily had little to gain by tricking him for so little. In the end, it was a gamble, and Priam knew that one didn't get to the top without betting once or twice.
"I accept."
"Great. And now... Hasta la vista, baby!"
With a laugh, the Guardian disappeared. Weird dwarf...
"I have the location of the assassin's base," Priam declared, turning to Kazuki. He knew their rival probably heard him, but there was little chance she had deciphered the hoplite language.
"It won't be necessary," Kazuki replied, shaking his head.
"Huh?"
"I found our mouse. When you absorb the nhir, she'll likely be distracted, and I'll take the chance to attack."
"Are you sure? We could simply set up an ambush and"
"Priam," Kazuki cut him off, looking him straight in the eyes. "I need the Skull Key to unlock Micro II. I need Micro II to survive my Tribulations. I need to be alive to save my family and civilization. My path is clear to . Every second brings closer to my Tribulations, so let's not waste ti."
The intensity of Kazuki's gaze shocked Priam. He knew why he was fighting, and it gave him a terrifying strength. He's driven. Kazuki's determination stirred sothing in Priam. He too wanted a purpose.
Without further ado, Priam turned and placed his hand on the nhir. [Kinetic Control]. The stone was impossibly heavy. Priam's ridians began to groan as he expended more and more kinetic energy. Finally, in a tremor, the Guardian's phylactery lifted slightly.
At ground level, Priam summoned a portal leading to his world and released the runic stone far from Myuri. Priam closed the portal and shuddered. His mind felt nauseous, as if he had eaten too much. His spirit was destabilized by the presence of the Guardian of Secrets. I need to hurry ho.
An explosion echoed behind him, and Priam turned around. Kazuki's cha was single-handedly attacking the ruins of a burning barracks. Suddenly, the shifting shadow created by a fla behind a wall gained substance. A mont later, a female silhouette dashed towards the forest.
Kazuki remotely piloted his armor, javelin in hand. As Priam prepared to pursue the fleeing assassin, the hoplite stopped him with a hand.
"Let handle this."
Under Priam's gaze, Kazuki threw the javelin. Wrapped in his Mastery, the projectile crossed space to reappear a few ters behind their rival. To avoid being impaled, the assassin jumped to her left. There waited Knightmare. The cha shifted from purple to a dazzling white.
"[Fallout]!" shouted Kazuki.
If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringent.
An imnse wave of light forced Priam to close his eyes. The next mont, the shockwave and heat hit him as the ground trembled. Despite the distance - over three hundred ters - between him and the cha, Priam felt the scorching air arrive like an avalanche. His Domain activated to protect him.
A few seconds later, he turned around. An imnse flaming crater replaced the skulc village. Nothing remained of the cha or their rival. Kazuki clenched his fists.
"She's still alive even if badly injured."
"Your cha"
"It was the only way. It will co back stronger. Can you lead to her base?"
Priam winced at the sight of the small nuclear mushroom rising into the sky.
"Let's go quickly. Arnold must not be far from here."
Without a word more, Priam and Kazuki darted away.
Status: (Average value for a Homo sapiens male before integration: PHY 10 / N 10 / TA 0)
PHYSICAL:
Strength 419
Constitution 724
Agility 432
Vitality 547
Perception 637
NTAL:
Vivacity 342
Dexterity 444
mory 142
Willpower 682
Charisma 450
TA:
ta-affinity 371
ta-focus 261
ta-endurance 208
ta-perception 131
ta-chance 219
ta-authority 15
Potential: 1067 (-30)
Tier 0
[He Who Eludes Death] charge: OFF. Reloaded in 18 hours 50 minutes 54 seconds.
[Tribulation]: Five Tribulations pending.
Future Tribulations delayed until:
Ti: 175 days 19 hours 24 minutes 7 seconds.
Next thresholds: 12 attributes > 400 / 6 attribute > 600 / 1 attribute > 800
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