Lvl Up : [Divination Resistance] lvl 4
TA (AFFI) 3
Priam swallowed as he looked up at the imposing Colosseum. The building was even more impressive up close. A majestic aura emanated from it, betraying its divine origin. It was not n who had bled to build this building. The Concepts reminded n that the road to the Eighth Throne was long. No matter how much progress he had made in the last few days, the power gap was still vast. Priam gritted his teeth, the ocean may be vast, but with the System, he could cross it. He would cross it. No matter if he died a million tis, he wanted to be a god. He wanted to be free.
If he was honest with himself, he wanted to be powerful. There was sothing enjoyable about running faster than a galloping horse. I'm sure flying is even better.
His thoughts helped him ignore the aura of the Concepts. A winning ntality was what kept Priam going - literally. The aura was just a test of the Concepts. Getting to the Colosseum was impossible without ambition. Shaking his head, Priam moved closer to the Colosseum.
Lvl Up : [Focus] lvl 12
PERC 1
VIVA 1
DEXT 1
The surrounding area was empty of people, and he made his way to the main entrance. Tjay wasnt here yet. Inside, a large hall awaited. Luxurious, red and gold dominated. The floor was a massive slab of obsidian, black as night. Priam could see his reflection judging him. On the ceiling, will-o'-the-wisp lights illuminated the room, floating randomly. On the hall's sides, screens showed the gas in progress. Out of the corner of his eye, Priam saw a man fighting a species of boar. The fight looked like a bullfight, but the beast seed to have the advantage.
At the end of the hall, two staircases led to a second floor that was invisible at the mont. On the sides, doors led to apartnts and VIP lounges. In the center of the room, an elderly man behind a circular reception desk watched him approach with a smile. Priam moved closer.
"Hello... You're not human, are you?" asked Priam.
The man began to laugh. "You're pretty straightforward, aren't you? Well, you're right, I'm not human. I'm from a changeling race. I took on the appearance of an old man to reassure you. What alerted you?"
"An overall impression. You're imitating an old man, but you have enough muscle to beco the face of a protein brand. But most of all, you're dangerous. No human should make feel this kind of danger normally."
"A protein brand? I know your old world was mostly based on capitalist society, but to sell components of your cells... I chose this muscle mass because it seed to that you associate physical strength with size. But I guess that's inconsistent with my supposed age. For danger... You have good instincts," the changeling replied with a smile. The smile brought out teeth sharp enough to bite through steel. Priam felt as if he were in the jaws of a dragon. He could die at any second.
Priam gritted his teeth and stared into the eyes of the individual. Part of his brain suspected that the System would prevent this kind of monster from destroying humanity. But what kept him from backing down was his intimate familiarity with death. Anyone could die, at any ti. So faced death bravely and others ran away. Priam died enough to know that he would not run away again. That was not his way. He would fight to the end, dodge it, push it away. He would elude death.
WILL 1
The changeling laughed and the tension disappeared. "Finally, a proud human. I am Bechar, supervisor of the Colosseum. For the opening, I'll personally handle the reception. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them, Baron Priam..."
Priam relaxed his muscles. He didn't necessarily appreciate the little test he had just undergone, but it certainly wouldn't be the last. This new world valued strength and ambition.
"I have a few questions, yes. First, what is the Colosseum, and how would it benefit ?"
"Excellent questions! The Colosseum is a building created by the System to test warriors. Here, you learn how to fight and survive. The staircase on my left leads to the training rooms. There are several levels, and only the first one is free. They aim to help you unlock the different Heart Supremacies. Domain, Micro and Mastery. I'll let you ask the instructors for more details..."
Priam had already heard about the first two Supremacies. The last one was still unknown to him.
"I've heard of it before. What about the stairs on your right?"
"This is my favorite. If the training rooms teach you how to fight, nothing beats the pressure of death to progress! Matches between two fighters, tournants, but most importantly... Monster Waves!"
"... I suppose there's a reason I'd want to face hordes of monsters? Other than wealth and fa?"
"Im saddened that the simple joy of slaughtering your enemies is not enough to motivate you. But the Concepts have thought of everything. Each wave brings a reward and each validated training level too. Attributes, Potential, skills, custom equipnt and Titles are awarded to those who prove worthy. It is in addition to your own progress. You're the best human I've seen so far, Baron Priam, and I have clones in all the dos. But if you don't take advantage of the Colosseum, I'd say so humans will catch up with you soon. That would be a sha because with your assets... you could beco a real monster."
Bechar paused before continuing.
"I have seen many people like you, Priam. You hesitate. I'm sure you have a family to save or another sentintal quest that is very moving. Can I give you so advice?"
"... I'm listening."
"Don't forget one thing. You are now in the Concept Universe. Here, power decides everything. You can spend the rest of the week looking for your family in dos where tens of millions of people live. Maybe you'll even find them. And then what? They'll go back to their world and you to yours. You'll have to travel between worlds if you want to save them. You must know that this is not an easy task. So, a piece of advice. Get strong. If you are strong enough, nothing will stop you. Earn the title of First Gladiator, and your family will know where to find you. Keep getting better, and one day you will find them."
"What if they died while I was training? My father is old Bechar."
"This is the Universe of the Concepts. Death is not the end here, you know that, right?"
Bechar's words had a whiplash effect on Priam. The supervisor had no reason to lie. His progress could be teoric if he took advantage of the Colosseum.
Bechar drew him out of his thoughts.
"So, where do we start?"
The rcenaries will wait a few more hours.
"I grew up by the sea. I will surf your waves, Bechar."
The sharp teeth of the changeling appeared again. "I'll look forward to it, Priam."
The second wave consisted of two boars. The third was four. The fourth was eight. A skilled warrior could have defeated them by playing on the beasts' lack of coordination and propensity to get in each other's way as they charged. But without skill, the warrior would have had to forfeit the fifth wave. The mother boar was back and the best footwork wasn't enough to defeat a two-ton monster. Priam killed it with ease.
Lvl Up : [Strike] lvl 15
STR 1
He then received his first reward. The monsters disappeared quickly after their death and it was impossible to recover their equipnt. The rewards in the Colosseum were chosen directly by the warrior. His first reward was an extra level in one of his skills.. Priam decided on [Kinetic Control].
Lvl Up : [Kinetic Control] lvl 13
VIVA 2
DEXT 3
TA (FOCUS) 4
It was his primary skill, his bread and butter, giving him many attributes. The only problem was that it gave him Dexterity. If his Dexterity exceeded 100, he would have six attributes above 100. His tribulation would undoubtedly beco more difficult.
Priam thought that a regeneration or life-stealing skill must be handy to reach the end of the hundred waves. But if he was strong enough, he wouldn't need it. All roads led to the Zenith. A minute later, the gong sounded again. A wolf stepped forward.
"Let's see how far I can get!"
Status: (Average value for a Homo sapiens male before integration: PHY 10 / N 10 / TA 0)
PHYSICAL:
Strength 85
Constitution 103
Agility 112
Vitality 164
Perception 142
NTAL:
Vivacity 126
Dexterity 99
mory 33
Willpower 69
Charisma 76
TA:
ta-affinity 65
ta-focus 56
ta-endurance 1
ta-chance 40
Potential: 604
Tier 0
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