Monsoon117
patreon
306 Fitting Right In
🕑 Added 2021-03-20 16:56:48 +0000 UTCI leaned back while opening my arms wide, "What? You don't remember me? I guess it's harder with my helmet on."
Tera's eyes narrowed while he searched his memories, many thousands of people popping up in them. He shook his head, "You're not like many I've met if anyone."
"I'm Daniel Hillside. You helped me with getting access back into the system because I was messing around with the cipher."
Tera's eyes glazed over, and they stayed that way for a few seconds. As I began believing he forgot me entirely, his eyes widened as if someone attacked him,
"You're that Harbinger? No, no way. That's impossible. Absurd. You actually ended up killing Yawm?"
I pointed behind me at Hod, who bragged about his food contest cred. Hod's belly jiggled as I scoffed, "No, he did. I helped out, though."
Tera kept peering back and forth, unable to form words for a minute. He gasped, "You've changed. Excuse me for not recognizing you, but you're so different. Utterly changed. Unbelievable."
I gave him a light nudge on the shoulder with my fist, "So have you."
As we spoke, I found myself using another of my psyches to observe him in tandem. This other mind noted Tera's nature-based motif, all of his goods based on organic means of combat or control. Unfamiliar vials of different poisons strapped onto the front of Tera's chest, along with other potions at his side. He took the teeth and claws from his enemies, making them into his weapons. Those tools covered him.
The observing psyche even passed over its own comparisons. The mind mentioned how Tera was like an experienced handyman, just one that dealt in death instead of construction. All that flowed into my acting consciousness while another inspected Tera's titles and status.
Tera, The World Breaker(lvl 9,000 | Class: Speaker | Race: Skeptiles | Origin: Mowak | Age: 47 |...)
This other mind found a staggering difference in information when compared to my first inspection of Tera. Funneling in like some video feed, the anima gave me a laundry list of every detail I could've ever desired, even more than I wanted. One of the more valuable tidbits was Tera only gained a thousand levels since we last met while I'd gained over ten thousand. This other mind decided that I still looked up to the Speaker anyways.
The curious conscious even reminded me that Tera gave me a vial of eldritch energy that accelerated my evolution. It was pivotal at the time. Now Tera was here, wondering about at a party on Blegara. It seemed odd to me and my other mind. Combine that with all the additional insights, and I swallowed in apprehension.
All of this knowledge assaulted me like the crushing weight of the world on my shoulders. I kept talking despite it all,
"Man...it's great to see you. How have you been?"
I told the other minds to quit sending me so much info as Tera turned, peering around, "I'm doing well. I can see how you've been just by peering around. You've grown until you're hardly recognizable. I dwarfed you when we first met, and now you do the same to me. Hah, I remember when Schema tasked you with killing Yawm of Flesh. Now you have exceeded him, and you have a nice little slice of this galaxy to yourself."
He gave me a genuine smile, "You've done very well for yourself."
His words uplifted me, but at the same time, my other psyches kept funneling in observations. One mind mused that Tera was like my older brother returning from a visit across continents. Now that Tera came back here, I finally showed him all the progress I made. This anima noted the feeling permeated because Tera knew me before I turned into a ruler of worlds.
It made his compliment more sincere because he didn't assume I spawned from a race outside of Schema-owned space. Tera understood the full extent of my humble origins. That made his current tone of respect feel earned instead of given.
Though I appreciated the insights, having those thoughts flopped into my mind put me on edge. Keeping up with everything proved impossible, and I took a sharp breath. This was too much to take in at once, and it paralyzed me. The Manifold Mind skill carried infinite potential, but its darker showed itself now.
A disparate psyche thought through the reason why - I didn't use it like this, ever. I automated tedious, meh functions that required little thought. That meant organizing the minds was like coordinating menial laborers. Now, this was like speaking for a council of Daniels, each of them shouting in my ear.
The insights washed me away in a veritable sea of helpful info.
I hid my internal struggle as I smiled at Tera, "Thanks...So, why are you here of all places?"
Tera narrowed his eyes at me, "You ok? You seem like your in pain."
I was. Being the head of this council of Daniels exceeded my ability, especially when they expected me to understand their counsel and act accordingly in real-time. It left me fumbling for more mental processing power. Stretching out into my mana reserves, something clicked in my mind as I grasped out.
My mana drained, and I found enormous amounts of processing power at my disposal, all of it left unused. As this acuity flooded in, the mana siphoning into my cipheric runes dampened a bit. I undulated these two ends like a scale, finding my mind's speed correlated with the mana's changing stream. A realization clicked in as that happened; I could turn mana into mental processing power.
Duh.
I never understood that or used it, probably because of how my blood magic operated. It made mana a more physical activity for me. However, this was likely how most people 'made' mana. They sacrificed their mental abilities to generate the tangible forces of mana. Afterward, they tempered the energy into something useful.
I excelled at generating the energy from my own blood, and I tempered it well compared to most. However, since I always sacrificed blood and bone for it, I never made this mental connection. I skipped this step long ago while in BloodHollow. In a moment of desperation to generate mana, I destroyed my own body instead of drawing it from my mind.
I shook my head, stunned at my ignorance. It was a gut punch, one that left me breathless. Tera put a hand on my shoulder, "Are you sure you're ok?"
"Yes. I'm fine."
I gulped. If I'd just made this connection earlier, there were many, many issues I could've handled independently. The logistics behind our war, learning quicker than ever, and even just speaking better was all within my grasp. I had never seized this connection or ability, and that left me neutered compared to my potential.
I shook away a wave of guilt, ashamed at how long I'd gone without knowing all of this. Reigning my emotions in, I put this behind me for a second, trying to work with the new ability. Pulling in my mana, my mind responded like a viper's strike. It flourished under the untamed energy's influence.
Using the improvements, my psyche gained a volition I hardly comprehended. Acting out with this bizarre, unwieldy processing, I contemplated all the streams of information at once. Unlike before, the insights soaked in with ease. In that way, I didn't gain any creativity or brilliance from the shifting mana. It was more like memorization and extra time to think.
Still, knowledge was power. Connections snapped into my head as my mind assimilated data. This mental conversion was how Torix operated as he did with so many tasks at once. It was also how the Overseer handled other duties while speaking with me. I could even explain the supernatural observance of the Emperor with it. He noted details and thought about them quickly enough that it seemed simultaneous even if it wasn't.
All those possibilities cropped up in my own mind, but I stared down under strain. My hands shook as the sheer pace of my mind overwhelmed me. Even if I now understood this newfound force, wielding the tool was a different matter altogether. I twitched about, unable to tolerate it all.
Tera gave my arm a light tap, "I'm about to call for help."
Snapping back into the moment, I raised a hand,
"I'm fine, I'm fine. I was trying to use a new skill while speaking with you, but it wasn't working out. That's why I was acting weird."
I'd have to investigate the mana connection some other time.
"You sure? I can have someone check you out. You did just finish a battle, and lingering injuries could be, you know, lingering."
I shook my head with confidence, "I'm fine. Better than fine. I can finally breathe for a minute instead of racing headfirst into death every day. I'm just adjusting to that. It's a little surreal."
"Hm...I'll listen to you for now, but if you start shaking again, I'm going to get someone over here that could actually help you."
"I'm sure you could give me a potion or something."
Tera raised an eyebrow, "And lose the credits when someone else could handle that for me? I'd rather not. I need every credit I can get."
Another observation came in. Tera was poor. I gave just a pinch of mana into my mental faculties so that I wasn't thrown off in the conversation,
"So, are you struggling to find work?"
Tera sighed, "Quite the opposite, actually. I've been handling missions for Schema and the Empire. I've been busy this way for years now. That's why I've fallen behind on most recent events. I knew we were going to the Harbinger's party here, but I didn't think the Harbinger also killed Yawm. I neglected to do any research beforehand."
More observations streamed in. Tera was overwhelmed by his current position and often isolated. I kept talking with those facts in mind,
"With your skills, you might've been able to get a good offer from someone in my position. Why not do the research?"
"Hah, I'd never find the time to capitalize on the opportunity. This war gives me all the work I could ever need, and I'm sure you understand that. I'm also not in the position to be asking anything from someone from your station. I'm just trying to get by, at the moment."
That was a loaded statement, but I chose not to pry, "I can relate. Like I mentioned, I'm glad to have finally crawled my way out of the war." I turned to the display cases, "And with something to show for it. How about you? Any good loot lately?"
His eyes softened, "No, not particularly."
I raised an eyebrow, not that Tera could see it, "Ah, did Schema not give you a quest either?"
Tera gawked at me, "Schema didn't even give you a quest? No wonder your guild signed a ceasefire. You're just throwing yourselves against a wall with teeth and for nothing at this point."
"I know. I couldn't justify it anymore either. Its weird Schema didn't give me a quest, however."
"That's not like Schema. It wouldn't normally fail to seize an opportunity like this. It doesn't make sense that the crafty AI would miss out when it sees everything either."
I sighed, "I'm right there with you, but we're trying to figure it out. I have a meeting with the Overseer planned and everything. Anyways, you're still getting quests. Anything interesting lately?"
His gaze averted mine once more, "I've got plenty of quests, but they don't amount to much, even when I do complete them. Such is life, sometimes."
I caught an undertone in his voice. He wasn't looking away to think or ponder. He peered away out of shame, something I was all too familiar with. I'd seen it happen to people who met up after a long absence. One progressed, and the other stagnated. The comparison put one of them in a dim light as if they stood still while everything moved around them.
At least, that's what a mind of mine sent over, and I happened to agree with myself. Weird as all that was, I hated seeing an old friend go through this, especially when it was someone who helped me out. I waved my hands in circles, entering my problem-solving mode,
"Are the quests not balanced or something? I know you're getting a lot done. I mean, you have the title of a world breaker. No way that doesn't mean something impressive."
He rubbed his shoulder as if I struck him, "It's not what you're imagining. You're an actual breaker at this point. My past isn't that glorious."
Sensing a deep pain there, I dropped the issue while pointing at an exit out of the chamber, "Hey, if you need to talk, I can listen. It sounds like something's eating at you."
My concern resulted in the opposite reaction I wanted. It only exacerbated Tera's unease, his anxiety growing as he murmured, "Daniel, I haven't changed much since we last saw each other. As I said, I'm just getting by, so let's not talk about me. Let's talk about you and your stories. I know you have plenty to share. Let's talk about those instead."
Normally, I'd have let the subject slide and did what he asked, but there was an edge to his voice that I didn't like. Pressing the issue might've been a terrible idea, but I couldn't watch him hide his torment like that. Not when I was in the position to fix it.
And so, my minds shifted into place to accomplish my current goal. One of them inspected his titles further, figuring out he worked under the Empire. I narrowed my eyes at Tera,
"Ok, this is all I'll say about it. You work for the Empire. You're accomplishing plenty but getting very little back. Are they messing with your quest rewards or something like that?"
I heard the beating of his heart clearly in my ears, and it sped up as I spoke. Another explanation from a mind confirmed those thoughts, meaning I was on the money. I raised a hand, "They're gouging you, aren't they?"
Tera turned side to side, "Daniel, drop it. Please."
I didn't use my perception like this as I rarely felt the need. At this moment, the demand arose, however. Drawing from my multiple minds, I considered Tera's words and motivations. I listened to his pulse, sensed his sweat, and witnessed his gravitational ripples. Another mind spoke out as they all communicated in sync,
"So they're taking your quest rewards. You wouldn't do that unless you had to. They've got something you don't want them to take, like a family, guild, a village, I don't know."
As I spoke, his heart rate spiked at the mention of family and village. I nodded, "You're working for them to protect your people." My eyes widened, "Wait...You're a servant?"
Tera blinked as I pried information from him he didn't want to share. He wasn't the only surprised. A Manifold Mind synergized with my Hunter of Many skill, a perception-based, mythical tier ability of mine. They gave me a clear picture of everything. With the extra mana working in my favor, I grasped the situation and its inner workings with precision and speed as well.
It gave me an eerie, almost inhuman understanding of what happened around me. It kind of scared me, actually. Tera remained unaware of this inner shift, thinking I was just an ass. He was probably right about that. He whispered at me, but his words fumed like glowing embers,
"Why are you doing this? What did I do to deserve this interrogation?"
I whisper yelled back, "You helped me. I want to help you."
We kept whispering as Tera snapped, "Yes, you're right. I'm a servant. That's all I've ever been. Does that please you that the great Speaker who looked down on you is nothing more than a tool? Is that what you wanted to hear?"
I frowned, "No, that sucks. I'm not prying because I want to embarrass you. I want to understand so I can help."
His eyes narrowed, "Help me for what? My mission was automated from Schema. I didn't do it because I wanted to."
I shook my head, "I'm not thankful for that. You gave me that vial of eldritch energy. Without it, I don't know if I would've survived."
His thorny brows furrowed as he scoffed, "I might as well have thrown you some trash I had on hand. No, I did throw you trash. You know that, right?"
I stared at him with an unbending will, "One man's trash is another man's treasure."
He raised his hands, "You're going to get me punished."
I crossed my arms, "No, I'm not. Besides, you helped me. I aim to repay you because you didn't have to, yet you did."
Tera raised his hands to me in frustration, "Then repay me by ceasing this line of questioning and let me be."
"No."
He shook his hands, "What is wrong with you?"
I parroted back, "No, what's wrong with you?"
"A cataclysmic world ender is scrounging in my business. That's what's wrong with me."
I pointed at him, "What's wrong with you is that you won't let me help you out."
"I'm not going to be put into another contract or arrangement for someone else. Never again. Not for you. Not Schema. Not Baldowah if he calls. No one."
"You think I need a contract to help you here? I'm helping you regardless."
Tera rolled his eyes, "I'm sure the great and mighty Harbinger just gives out gifts like this."
I narrowed my eyes, "Oh, you just wait. I'm going to help the shit out of you."
At this point, our voice rose until several nearby albony stared at us. One of the wealthiest ones paced up, his armor mirroring Obolis's graphene plating. Old and vulnerable, this albony wore a black mask with a noble voice. He turned to Tera, "Is this peasant bothering you, Harbinger? We can have him punished and taken off the premise if you'd like."
He spoke the wrong words in the wrong order, let me tell you. That being said, it was because he mistook our discussion as an argument. Maybe it was, but I wasn't actually mad at Tera, just frustrated. I turned to the old albony, my form looming like the shadow of a mountain,
"No, that won't be necessary. He and I are having a talk."
Under his well-stained mask, the old albony smirked. He believed the social pressure of the situation stopped me from punishing this servant. The albony turned a hand to me, "We assure you, there won't be any complaints from us should we need to have him reminded of his position. Someone, take him outside."
He put a hand on my shoulder, acting like we were familiar. I grabbed his hand with a gravity well, wrenching it off, "Oh no, there's no need to remind him of anything. Actually, he's an old friend of mine, so let me remind you that when you speak to him, you're speaking in part to me."
I stood over a head taller than him, "That means threatening Tera is threatening me. In case you needed to know, I don't require reminders of my position or punishments for speaking. Not from you. Not from anyone."
The old albony flushed in embarrassment as his face flared bright red under his fur. Before the conversation continued further, my minds came together as they had with Tera. They observed close enough that I saw right through this old albony. His shame shriveled into fear as his blood rushed from his face to his stomach.
I could tell by the shifting pressure in his vessels, each beat of his heart pounding in my ears like a drum. He raised a hand with a single finger upright as if he had a witty retort. I called out his false courage, tilting my head at him. My questioning glare fizzled any response he had. My helemet remained on, but the slit shifted up with an expression all its own. This albony, whoever it was, understood my disdain. That killed his courage, and he could no longer speak out.
Even in the heated moment, it stunned me how much information I could gain by listening closely. The albony's bodily reactions, the rate of his pulse, even the tension in his veins, I sensed it all. I mean, I formed a picture of him without needing vision, but I'd simply never understood just how much detail I could render in that theoretical picture.
From that mental image and its intricacies, it became simple to gain information. It was like this with Tera earlier. Florence remarked on this exact circumstance an hour ago; I could uncover what people wanted to hide if I observed closely. I never considered it, but higher leveled people experienced this dominance at all times. This tangible difference in ability, I perceived it now, and once recognized, it became undeniable.
This nobleman, who wielded a high station, was rendered helpless as a child because of my stats. His inner thoughts leaked out in ways he couldn't control, so I understood him. My multiple minds allowed me to inspect those hidden messages, and my increased processing meant I thought out my every action.
By comparison, this albony reacted to me. It was a game rigged in my favor now. Combine that with my physical superiority, and he was at my mercy. This absurd ability gave me an electric thrill from its hidden potential. In other ways, it terrified me. My current actions explained why people treated high-level classers with respect bordering reverence. Abusing this difference felt wrong. It made me wonder what kind of person I'd be if I exploited it. Maybe another Yawm? Perhaps a Lehesion? I listened to those fears in the back of my mind because I didn't want to be that kind of person. Following that instinct, I raised a hand,
"Look, we got off on the wrong foot. You misspoke because you didn't understand the situation. I get that because I've done the same thing plenty of times. Let's just reset."
A wave of relief, palpable as water, washed over the older albony as he nodded, "Oh, most certainly. Do excuse my transgression. I never would've anticipated you two had met. Now Tera, why didn't you speak of this?"
Tera's squeezed a scaly fist, "I...I didn't know we knew each other. I didn't recognize him."
A quiet fury brimmed under the older albony's words, "Oh, of course. We all forget things from time to time. You're more than forgiven for such a simple slight."
Based on his tone, the albony acted as the person in charge of Tera, and I searched through the memorized list Florence gave me. I connected this albony with the name Phillip Novas. He matched the picture and description in my status. He was a general who retired after getting Obolis another planet under his repertoire.
Phillip accomplished the feat by bankrupting the planet instead of fighting it, saving Obolis countless troops. That put him in a very high position in the Empire. There were still members higher up than him, and one of those people stepped up - Obolis himself. The Emperor spread out his hands, casual as could be,
"I overheard the conversation while I inspected the vast number of treasures on display. Excuse my interruption, but is there a problem?"
My manifold minds kept humming at a rapid pace. The treasures. That's why Obolis was so slow to respond. He oozed over the merchandise so much that his attention lapsed. Otherwise, he'd have intervened well before now, given his general perception. He made a mistake from greed, essentially, and I noted that weakness.
Mistake or not, Phillips exuded terror as he spread his hands, "There's absolutely no issue to be had here. I spoke out of turn, and the Harbinger gave me a wealth of understanding despite my transgression. I simply must apologize again for my indiscretion."
Obolis spoke like steel, "As you should."
If Phillip feared me, he writhed in terror at the Emperor. Obolis kept his gaze on the retired general, melting the older albony like butter in a roaring bonfire. He was the Carnage of Olstatia, after all. He earned that name in Schema's eyes. Phillip was all too aware, but before Phillip's skin peeled off, I raised a hand,
"Hey, we're good. He misunderstood the situation. Don't worry about it."
In all honesty, it wasn't alright, but I didn't want to press the issue right now. I'd save that for later after I talked things out with Tera. Unexpectedly, Obolis missed my lie as he placed a hand on my shoulder, "Thank you for your forgiveness. I'd have intervened earlier, but I was simply caught up in my viewing of your exotics. Please, excuse me as well."
He gave me a slight bow, and the other albony gawked in stunned amazement. Their eyes turned back to me, and I raised my hands to my defense, "Hey, let's let bygones be bygones. I'm going to go talk to Tera, and you guys continue enjoying the party. Please."
The Emperor raised an eyebrow, "Are you certain?"
I was wrong. Obolis had seen right through my lie and wanted to settle it now. I met his eye, "I'm positive. Besides, we can always talk later."
Obolis pulled his hand back, "Then it's settled. Everyone, continue as you were."
And as if the Emperor cast a spell on the crowd, they did exactly as he said, to the T. I held back my surprise as people chatted away with practiced comfort, some people beginning to laugh at old stories already. The sheer change acted like a surreal reversal.
They obeyed Obolis absolutely. He was the Carnage of Olstatia indeed.
I raised my brows behind my helmet, "Man, they're good actors."
Tera mumbled, "It's much easier to truly listen when your life is on the line."
I put my hands on my hips, "Speaking of lives, let's go talk about yours for a minute."
Tera's fangs slid against each other as if he ground his teeth together,
"Even if you give me temporary assistance, it won't change my position. I am under the albony still, and now their ire will end up berating me over the coming months. I will suffer because you had to speak out, and for what? Your own satisfaction."
He seethed, "That's easy to do when you're not the one who will pay the price for it. My family will pay in your stead for this. All of them."
I smiled, "Come on, let's go talk somewhere else. It's time I made good on my offers. You know, help."
He leaned over, "At this rate, your help will be the death of me."
We paced towards Torix's lair, "Oh, we'll see about that."
Comments
Monsoon117
I'll change it real quick, and thanks for the short, sweet stylistic suggestion.
SquidTheJim
Fun chapter, huge game changer making full use of manifold minds. One suggestion though, I think the phrase "Another man's trash is another man's treasure" is usually expressed as "One man's trash is another man's treasure". Seeing "another" used back to back like that was a bit jarring compared to how the phrase usually sounds.
Connor M.
I like this edit a lot more than the original. The mana = mental processing power is gonna be a gam changer, and Tara's arguments and refusals make more sense in this version.
Titaniumtac
"Oh, you just wait. I'm going to help the shit out of you." I'm so glad you kept this line, I crack up at it every time i read it.
Regnal
Correction "The Manifold Mind skill carried infinite potential, but its darker showed itself now." -> The Manifold Mind skill carried infinite potential, but its darker side* showed itself now.
Regnal
Yeah I really like this addition to his mental capacity. I also agree that the conversation had a much better flow with this edit. I don't mind these edits at all because everyone of them has improved the chapters noticeably.
Regnal
I really like the addition to how intelligence works because I agree that it kind of felt like a "plot hole" with how little tangible benefits there were. It also fits in real nice with how Daniel's mana works. It makes sense that he might not have noticed how it could work before with it being more like hp and not direct mana. What I really hope for now is for Daniel to go to Torix and proudly tell him how he figured out how to actually use his intelligence. The absolute shock and disgust that Torix would experience in the realization that his disciple had more intelligence points than him, but didn't even have the understanding in how to directly use it until now would be pure gold. I can just see the face palm from here. I want to read this interaction so bad!
Lockwood
Hell yeah! I really like that you're trying to revamp INT. Normally it's explained away as just more oomph to the mana that's used since video games and other system novels have made that common place. With Schemas system though stats are a much more tangible thing. Strength makes you stronger yes but it also alters the body to be able to be stronger. I.e. at the beginning strength made Daniel's hands bigger and shoulders broader. Reasonably that could be muscle mass but from what I understood Daniel was relatively "strong" before Schema and no human would ever be able to reach the heights of even Diesel much less Daniel even if they had an eternity to become stronger. Schema alters their physiques entirely to the point where they honestly could be referred to as an entirely new race. But with mental stats that becomes much more tricky since INT, WIS, and CHA are all very floaty. Intelligence doesn't make you smarter or plant facts in your brain but it reasonably could give you more processing power to go and more easily learn things for yourself. Wisdom could be interpreted as the opposite of brashness and make someone more patient and more strategically focused. While charisma could just give you insights on what people want/think based on bodily queues and help you know how to act with that knowledge. All in all I really like what you're doing with the story and world. Cant wait to see what comes next for our loveable bruiser. Keep up the awesome work man!
Monsoon117
In this case of the story, I've always thought of intelligence as a sort of small plot-hole in The New World. Its investment isn't as impactful as the other attributes, and unlike luck, which is intangible, intelligence is a concept most people can see and notice. I thought of this new introduction as a way of explaining why Daniel isn't a literal omniscient being without limits for his mind given his ludicrous mana and stats. This, along with quite a few details that will be described about it soon, acted as an excellent way of rectifying how intelligence works in the universe. It will now connanically make sense, and it won't be all airy anymore. It will be grounded, noticeable, and impactful from here on out. It has me excited to write about it, honestly.
Monsoon117
I actually have recently begun implementing a new ideation technique. After coming up with something I want to add, I create a list with three tiers under it - I. Implications II. Influences III. Inferences. The implications are direct, obvious outcomes that happen from something. These are very intuitive and generally understood immediately. The influences tier decides how those implications affect people, culture, etc. This is where I try to apply the obvious aspects of a concept towards the people or story. Afterwards, I work on the inferences tier. This is where I begin deep diving into the details and specifics of something using logic. In this case, I tried using that strategy on this concept. Thoughts continued below.
Steven Vollmert
Hey. Thanks for the edit. The story had a better flow in my opinion. Also his discovery about mana and mental capacity is just wow. I mean, how much stronger his potential got in just these few seconds. Its unbelievable. Also it ads a reason not to pump all his excess mana into his cyphers. Thanks again for this, can't wait for more
Lockwood
I could also be severely misinterpreting the individuality the minds have.
Lockwood
So I know that Daniel has some great self control but with the manifold minds and how they were described I feel like there could be a crazy internal war. To set the stage, Daniel's body is the universe that the minds are "alive in" but Daniel(the personality) is the only connection they have to the outside. If Daniel(the personality) were to go comatose or take a nap or something and lock them inside then I could see them forming into factions and fighting over natural resources i.e. Daniel's mana/ different flavors of mana or comprehension of the Cypher with psychic attacks on each other. The mana could be sustenance or a powerup for them. But through all of the fighting is a "prophecy" that the universe will reawaken and take them to the mystical "outside". Could be a side story where Daniel forgets to turn off the juice for the minds and speeds up their perception of time to like 1000 to 1. In the end though Daniel "reabsorbs"? them and just gains some proficiency in mental combat or something since it's just a side story. Sorry for the paragraph. :P
EvilGodAsura
Honestly Daniel should prioritize finding all the books he can since he has the book reading perk. Could be a nice break for some of his guild members as well or even a few golems to hunt down books on earth or even other places. I'm very excited to see how you present a large increase in Daniel's knowledge. Also one thing. Why would schema give a perk that allows reading on touch to every race if nobody uses books and digital media can't be read on touch? You would think a digital book within its system would be integrated with one of his primary perks right?
EvilGodAsura
The golems in particular are a very interesting point. Imagine the reactions of anyone if they learned he can produce fighters better than hybrids with almost trivial effort! The horror would be palpable.
Monsoon117
He's sticking with the smaller end of the size scale for now. Daniel doesn't have in depth physics knowledge, so he's just keeping it stable.
Lawless
So, are Daniel’s singularities getting larger as his mana reserves expand? If so, how large are they by now and will they get to the point of taking out a spacial fortress all at once?
Nopkar
ohmanohmanohman, he's letting his other stats speak for themselves! his strength is unreal but all of his cognitive functions he's been trying to filter through a small, very limited conscious intelligence! (I love daniel, but his mental acumen didn't start off at the highest peak). it's like he's a dam build up with all of his potential behind him but he's only letting a pinhole amount through because of control, but now he's opening that up to a torrent and he's benefitting amazingly!
Turora
Yeah! The way the eldritch and Daniel interact is already very cool. I’m also excited about the Ahcorus and maybe those crystalline like creatures he met on Giest at the tournament. I bet when they meet the golems they are going to freak out, in a good way.
Monsoon117
Grammarly's correction was in fact a mistake. I knew it. Thanks and fixed.
EvilGodAsura
Exciting to think of all the reactions of the various sentients right? To many he must be the most horrific thing they have ever seen! Especially those who can see his mana!
Turora
I thought this chapter was well executed, it highlights the speed up that’s occurring in Daniel. It’s showing us as readers that Daniel has the ability to read their thoughts easily. It establishes that he can read them with a simple thought so in the future we don’t necessarily need all the descriptions of how he’s coming to those conclusions. Further, it opens up plot points where he actively misreads or encounters those he can’t read like how he’d normally read people. Those who are too alien like the achorus but also those who are skilled at hiding it. Also, this chapter showed us Daniel being Daniel. He likes helping people in need.
Monsoon117
To Steve, I can shift the self reflections some to have them be more of a surprise. I can also have it less fluidly integrate, meaning Daniel's overwhelmed by the amount of observations being fed to him at all moments. That would make it feel more natural, I think. I can also explain the thoughts are literal announcements from his other minds, explaining the oddness about them.
Monsoon117
Daniel will be talking with the Emperor soon. I've got plans in the works. EDIT: This feels like a reply to a different comment. So, you're probably right about Daniel being more blunt. Over the course of the story, I've wanted Daniel to learn that his bluntness is both a blessing and a curse, and I was trying to showcase him showing some restraint here. At the same time, I might've overdone it. I can adjust it some so that's more obvious, I suppose.
Code Reed
I've been seeing a fair few Popping up on my feed that are sub par compared to this one. You seem to have both a passion, and a talent for this kinda thing, so I'm hoping things will work out that way.
Monsoon117
You know, it might just happen.
Monsoon117
That would be absolutely horrific. Interesting ideas, though Daniel's armor has stuck with the facial expression of hunger. It kind of seems like a missed opportunity. Huh. I'll think about it some more.
Monsoon117
Oh, absolutely. This was a satisfying chapter to write, and I'd always wanted to have Daniel meet royalty like this.
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter.
Bobby B.
Man, this chapter FLEW by!! It all but read itself
Jonathan
Given Daniel's tendency to bluntness, I kind of expected him to say something like: "Sera here is a friend of mind, and I'm coming to understand that this egotistical piece of scum here is threatening his family to make him had over the rewards he gets for his quests from Schema -- which are to help the Empire, by the way. I find behavior like that despicable under any circumstances; when someone is doing it to a friend of mine..."
Corwin Amber
'No way doesn't mean' -> 'No way that doesn't mean'
Lockwood
That's what we all like to hear. Hope you're still enjoying writing as much as ever. :)
Connor Alexander
I do kinda agree that Daniel’s analytics are a bit of a word blurb, but from his perspective he has several minds running at all times to do things so he’s got a massive rail complex of thought going on at any one point. And as Ethan and Asura said he’s prone to giving back. We don’t really think about it but Daniel has the resource and ability to pay others back with ease if he so chooses as well.
FlawlessMovement
Not even counting major things, he has a tendency to give out “minor” things to his guild as well. Most wouldn’t just throw out tons of pretty decent enchants like that I’d imagine.
Herald
If the helmet can smile and laugh as mentioned in previous chapters, The facial expressions he's exhibiting should be able to translate to the face on his helm. I think he would just have to make a conscious effort to force the armor to behave the way he wants it to rather then independently. And it should be a great deal more terrifying then intended.
EvilGodAsura
Rather than nothing. Daniel just really seems to enjoy paying back favors.
EvilGodAsura
Honestly pretty sure his helmet looks more horrifying than whatever expression his face could make. Just picturing that molding over his face like water in conversation gives me chills.
Steven Vollmert
I really liked the chapter and it highlights even more that Daniel is new to being a superpower. No one expects someone as powerful as him to just help you for nothing. But i thought that the selfreflections at the beginning were a bit too forced? I can't really explain it.
Blake Richardson
Thanks for the chapter
Titaniumtac
So much fun to read.
Code Reed
Man I feel spoiled. These chapter just keep coming, fast and furious. I love it. By the way I would absolutely buy this if it ever came out on audible.
kyle
Thanks!
Scott Rutherford
Interesting that they are going towards Torix's Lair.. I wonder if the ancient lich will have a part to play in extricating Tera from his circumstances. :)
Monsoon117
Thanks. I've been really handling stuff lately with more consistency, along with my reactions to stuff like criticism and the like. It's made a world of difference for me, along with the therapy.
Monsoon117
Hes keeping it up in this party so he can keep reading. He'll be doing that in the future, so I need to adjust some of my dialogue stylistically to this shift. EDIT: That's another good point to mention Gardor. Thank for that. This permanent helmet thing is throwing me for a loop. I'll work on my execution here next time, along with adressing other mistakes that are pointed out.
Gardor
So when he's asking Tera if he remembers him, he's asking without his face visible?
Maxime Cusson
If I remember correctly, his helmet is down, he was asked to bring it down to better interact with people. Though I also remember him wanting to keep it up to keep reading the cypher... so...
Monsoon117
He in fact does. He in fact does...Perhaps a different gesture or intimidating means is in order.
Lockwood
This has quite literally put a pep in my step. I can't wait for more!
s476
I enjoyed this quite a lot :)
Gardor
When Daniel raises an eyebrow at the noble, does he not have a helmet and a book concealing his face?
Lockwood
Woah someone's on a roll!
Steven Myers
Nice
Monsoon117
Let me know about any issues you guys find, and I'll aim to fix or adress them. As for the chapter, it was a very fun one to write. I always enjoy seeing Daniel in social situations he woefully unprepared for, as he isn't royalty. He's kind of winging it, but he's also learning fast. Anyways, enjoy guys.
