Allan_G
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Chapter 102 – The Meddling Price
🕑 Added 2024-09-20 22:43:10 +0000 UTCThe world stopped moving, and the room morphed. The characteristics changed, becoming more polished and functional until it felt like he was on a viewing platform like you might find at the top of a skyscraper. There was a massive window in front of Tom which was currently completely opaque, but he knew that when she wished it otherwise, it would grow transparent.
There was a polite throat clearing behind him, and he turned to see Dux standing there.
He was not at all surprised and had been expecting something like this. She stood with her normal relaxed stance and was impossibly beautiful. Her features had changed slightly once more and reverted away from Everlyn and toward what she had been like in the tutorial. Her hair, for one was noticeably darker. Her appearance he knew from prior conversations was tailored to his perception of beauty.
She was a person and not. Forty years in the tutorial with only her company had taught him that, but that wasn’t important. She had always been the DEUS avatar a couple of steps removed from the actual goddess, a shadow of a shadow of a shadow type of thing. He was pretty confident that today the link was going to be more explicit.
More memories stirred, but these were less confronting that the others. “I’m about to watch a meeting of the GODs, aren’t I?”
“Yes, and no. Time, as you know is not perfectly linear.”
He glanced at her sharply. He hadn’t known that but given she was a GODDESS he wasn’t surprised to hear it. “How so?”
“This will feel like a recording to you. But it’s not. There is only a single timeline. Your input here will matter.”
“Why? Surely, I’m not needed here for anything specific.”
“Because this is how I wish to do it.” She told him and then the window was no longer frosted. He could see through it clearly, but reality twisted and rather than peering through a window he was given access to all of DEUS’ senses. At least those his mind could comprehend without going mad. But the visual spectrum is what consumed his focus.
The scene echoed with memories from his strained soul. He had been here before and witnessed this. The incongruity between apparent size and reality. The craziness of him being able to witness it.
There were seven GODS, with their physical presence represented by unimaginable large clouds of swirling gases and energy. None of them were inherently more powerful than any other, though slight spacing differences showed a degree of deference to the one he knew to be SUPREME. He felt DEUS’s amusement at his thought. That respect was paper thin on all sides. Usually, more space was left for the adjudicator of the current competition, but SUPREME was on a similar level to SANATORES and MAKROS in everyone’s esteem.
“This is completely ridiculous.” MAKROS declared. “We don’t need an emergency meeting whenever I move to kill one of your reincarnated monkeys.”
The enemy GOD, now that Tom was focusing on him had a slightly different form to the others. The apparent thunderstorm of energy seemed to have more lightning crackling inside it than the others and there were bursts of wind which puffed out of its surface. They were tiny and almost unperceivable compared with the rest of it, but they were occurring. Shearing gusts that he somehow knew were capable of demolishing the town he lived in, if even the very edge of those explosions of energy touched it.
The scale of these beings were terrifying.
He knew he should have been reduced to a blubbering mess, but like the last time he had witnessed this meeting, DEUS was supporting him. She focused on her fellow GOD. “MAKROS, don’t do this. The cost if you fail will be more than you’ll be happy to bear.”
“What cost? A divine intervention for every eight results I need to change. It’s a price I’m willing to pay.”
“And if he survives?”
“He won’t just like the last two.” There was a sense of triumph in the delivery of those words. “This precious child of yours will meet the same fate as the other two.”
“SUPREME I’m formally warning MAKROS. There are unknowns at play.”
“What’s your point DEUS?” SUPREME asked, sounding bored.
Internally, Tom got the impression that DEUS was pleased with that response. Whether it was boredom, incompetence or a change of heart, that indifference was playing into her hands.
“I want my stance on record. Even if there is unknown information, he cannot use it to wiggle out of consequences. Desist or suffer full penalties under our agreement.”
“I’m not going to abandon a successful intervention like this because you’re scared and trying to bluff,” MAKROS snapped. “That’d be the height of stupidity.”
“If he fails. I’ll be holding him to the letter of the competition agreement.”
“That is bullshit. She can’t just warn me away and think that is sufficient.”
“I didn’t act like this with the last two. For those I gave no warnings”
“She did not,” SUPREME agreed. “Consider yourself formally warned.”
“I’m doing nothing wrong. I haven’t broken a single rule. My hands are clean. My divine invention left the intent of his fate use completely intact. If he is stupid enough not to protect against this, that’s not my fault.”
In the middle of the space, a greatly amplified scene appeared. It still looked tiny compared to everything else, but it was easy to watch. A shadowy, indistinct figure with no defining features was stupidly throwing a wooden disk around. The only reason Tom knew it was a reflection of what he had done was because he could remember all the movements being made.
Dux moved to stand next to him. “MAKROS doesn’t know who you are. He is just targeting the promising youth of an opponent. If he knew who you were, he wouldn’t be doing this. You obviously won, but win or lose here humanity would have profited. He lost the moment he decided to act. Admittedly, you surviving is going to make him lose a lot more.”
Below him, the figure completed the thirteenth toss.
“MAKROS for your health please reconsider before spending another divine intervention.” DEUS interrupted.
“He has used his eight changes to force these thirteen straight ones. He’ll be annoyed at having to use a second.” Dux explained to him quietly. “But cost no longer matters. He is fully committed.”
The targeted GOD puffed up slightly. “If you care about my health. Give up the competition. Hand the humans over to me.”
“I won’t do that. I refuse to doom them.”
“Which reveals the false sympathy hiding your lies.”
The fourteenth disk landed as a positive, and he saw past or was it present him standing in front of the no GOD shield door, psyching himself up.
“And I win again,” MAKROS crowed in triumph. “Your humans, despite their so-called spark of genius are too predictable. Their psychology is so easily manipulated.”
“Give up now,” DEUS tried again. Tom could tell she wasn’t trying to dissuade him but rather infuriate her opponent, and it was working. “We can still back away from this and pretend it never happened. Give your blessing and I’ll act to save his life and if there are unexpected consequences, you won’t need to suffer them.”
There was some hesitation from MAKROS. Non-linear time complexities aside, this was supposed to be happening in real time yet while the GODs talked, the image of his current / past actions had been frozen. “I’ll do that for ten divine interventions…. No twenty,” MAKROS corrected after a moment. He was gloating with everything he had.
“That is ridiculous. I won’t be extorted. Remember when the shit hits the fan that I warned you in good faith.”
“Your warnings are tainted. You never do anything for free.”
“Not only a single warning, but I’ve given you four of them. And I’m warning you again don’t do this.”
Dux chuckled maliciously. “We need him angry and not listening. Playing the concerned sister will enrage him.”
“It’s too late DEUS. You’ve lost. He’s going to die.”
“Is he?” she said quietly.
Below them, the shadow figure took a step and then doubled over, clutching at its stomach.
“What is this!” MAKROS yelled in sudden fury. “Cheater. Explain yourself. How is this happening? DEUS you did something didn’t you. You cheated.”
“I did nothing.”
“She’s blameless.” SUPREME confirmed.
“But…” MAKROS stuttered. “The humans’ Danger Sense wasn’t strong enough to act like this.”
“I warned you.” DEUS said simply. “The disk was a more advanced version of his skill.”
“You admit to cheating artefacts aren’t allowed.”
“Self-crafted ones are.”
“How could a six-year-old do that.” DEUS said nothing, and it was clear she didn’t need to. Her opponent was enraged and had fallen for her trap. “The only explanation is manipulation. For him to have created that. He would have required a lot of fortunate events to have occurred to make that possible. Trust me DEUS I won’t let this stand. I will destroy those vermin.”
The GOD was talking about him, and he had promised to… The world started falling apart around Tom and there was blackness for a few moments as DEUS put him back together. When he was able to see again, the location MAKROS occupied was obscured. Tom had no doubt the GOD was still there but DEUS was stopping him from seeing anything.
He had never been so grateful for anything in his life.
“Sorry, that was on me,” Dux said quietly. “There are some things mortals shouldn’t see.”
“There’s something wrong with him.” Tom muttered, as he tried to understand the anger and mood swings and those puffs of energy the GOD had been losing. It was like its core was unstable.
“And other things they shouldn’t think about.” Dux said seriously. “That observation you just made never say that out loud again.” This time, her voice was like steel. “You’re protected here, but nowhere else would be safe. Now watch.”
“Sprung,” the shadow figure said proudly. “Sprung. I know a GOD just targeted me.”
The figure was frozen as time stilled and the reaction of the GODs was telling.
“He didn’t,” FAMES whispered.
GOBUS was laughing in delight.
SUPREME was detached but also invested. He felt like he was worried.
“DEUS children are always so random. Especially these humans.” WADOR chuckled.
“He knows,” GOBUS finally got out. “He knows which means it’s going to cost MAKROS.”
FAMES flared up in distress. “This only occurred because of that cheat from earlier. We must have an audit.”
“There was no cheating,” SUPREME snapped. “I’ve checked this person’s history explicitly. There was no cheating.”
Time started up, and the figure went through the safe door.
He watched as MAKROS became visible once more. The puffs of air, while individually not larger than before, were more numerous. “An unfortunate outcome, but no harm done.”
“He recognised the meddling.” WADOR said. “That makes your mistake more costly.”
“He was clutching at straws,” MAKROS retorted. “There is no evidence that was anything more than the random muttering of a barely sapient bug. The human didn’t even look distressed.”
“Exactly,” FAMES said quickly. “There is no harm done and nothing needs to be paid.”
“No. This trick killed two reincarnators, and it was agreed in advance that humans would be compensated if your actions were discovered. That was the condition of you being allowed to be doing this. I wanted it banned but SUPREME, in his wisdom set the rules.”
The storm part of MAKROS grew in strength. “No one cares about two of your ants.”
“You cared enough to use two divine interventions to try to kill one,” DEUS said. “That speaks to their value.”
“What do you want, then?” FAMES said, his interruption caused MAKROS to settle.
“Acknowledgment of the facts. He knows about godly interference, so he gets two levels of Known Heretic under standard rules and half a million competition points from your team.”
“Too much.” MAKROS interrupted.
“Two levels are too much for a single event.” FAMES said.
“No, it’s not.” DEUS disagreed. “Not only did you plot to kill him, you also directly interfered in the world to do so. That’s two actions and so two levels.”
“They’re the same action.” FAMES protested. “SUPREME, you can’t let this slip through.”
MAKROS studied SUPREME intently, so DEUS did the same. Tom, with the help of DEUS’s experience at reading her fellow deities could tell that SUPREME was leaning in her direction.
“Fine, he can have the titles.” MAKROS declared. “Level two is not much stronger than one. But if he gets the titles, then no ranking points.”
“You spent divine interventions to try to kill him. The ranking points reflect that expenditure, the titles are for the fact he identified GODs acting against him.”
“Agreed. He gets the titles and ten thousand ranking points.” SUPREME said, settling the argument.
Tom could feel DEUS’ displeasure at that ruling, but she chose not to object.
“Is there any other reason we’re here DEUS.” SUPREME asked. The words were very pointed.
“We agreed on standard rules and as he is already a Known Heretic, I assume those levels get added to the top.”
The cloud that was MAKROS started to expand. Lightning glowed within it. Bolts that Tom knew were powerful enough to wipe out an entire country.
Then once more, MAKROS’ location was obscured.
There were a long thirty seconds of silence which Tom imagined was taken up by the dragon GOD screaming insults.
Finally, SUPREME flashed with anger. “Control yourself.” There was a pause. “Better but no more outbursts. And yes DEUS the two levels will be added to his existing title.”
MAKROS reappeared. “How is it possible for him to have already had the title.”
The smugness radiating from DEUS almost exceeded the level of MAKROS earlier gloating.
“Oh, that,” DEUS’s surface sparkled. “Oh, that’s a funny story.”
“Spit it out,” MAKROS warned as she paused without elaborating further.
“You know how you’ve targeted mortals before.”
“I played the game.”
“Yes, but I’m talking about ones you’ve personally yelled at. You know actions that might earn a title like this.”
Silence deadened.
“As I said it’s a funny story.” Then her voice hardened. “That rat of mine, you explicitly targeted, despite my warnings. Well, by an amazing and funny coincidence that rat is TOM.”
Given the buildup, he had been expecting some sort of reaction, but it actually went the other way. FAMES, MAKROS and GOBUS all went very, very still.
“I warned you,” DEUS continued grimly. “That it would be costly and gave you lots of chances to back away.”
“Is she lying?” FAMES finally asked.
“She is not,” SUPREME answered.
“That’s ridiculous. I wasn’t told. No one knew. I’m not at fault.” MAKROS tried to argue half-heartedly.
“You targeted TOM despite an agreement not to.” DEUS spoke over him. “You’re a GOD. You can’t argue it was an accident.”
Warning lightning flashes were going through MAKROS. He was almost glowing they were so bright and consistent. “This is a.”
“No MAKROS,” SUPREME interrupted. “There are no excuses here. Not after how past events played out. We agreed it was a HARD rule.”
“But she planned this look at her. She was planning it while else would she have championed anonymity for humans in the divine champion’s trial?”
Dux next to him shook her head and laughed. “I championed anonymity because if I didn’t, he would have organised his assassins to kill them directly.” She told him quietly. “But it does not help my cause to argue that.”
With a click, the external time which had frozen started up.
“Of course I did.” DEUS chuckled her voice merciless. “And now I will get compensation for my diligence.”
“The double upgrade is enough.”
“It is not MAKROS and you know it. I agreed as a condition of reincarnating my selected few that you could hunt them without penalty. I accepted FAMES placing that blessing on Tom,” she twisted the word ‘blessing’ so that Tom heard the word ‘curse ‘at the same time. “I even allowed you to direct your species’ fate ritual to target berserking reincarnators.”
“You did not allow it.” SUPREME interrupted. “I made the ruling that it was acceptable.”
“Yes, because it was technically allowed under our various agreements, even if it was completely against the spirit.” DEUS said her voice beyond angry. “But the wording specifically states that MAKROS cannot target Tom, and he just did so directly. He was warned not too and so I demand satisfaction as per the contract without the distortions brought on by arguing about intent or anything like that.”
“My hands are tied MAKROS,” SUPREME apologised. “You will have what you desire DEUS.”
Somehow MAKROS had gotten even smaller as DEUS had delivered her speech and then shrunk even further at SUPREME’s interjection. “What compensation would you ask?” the cowed god asked.
Everything seemed to freeze.
“As I said earlier,” Dux told him. “Time is not perfectly linear. We can discuss how we want to play this.” She handed him a folder. “This is your new upgraded title. Please familiarise yourself with it.”
Tom read his eyebrows rising as he did so.
Title: Known Heretic (4): The regard of GODs is a heavy burden especially when you are aware of it and it must be balanced by positives.
Reward: All who know you, even in passing, will be affected by a passive influence.
· Benefit 1: Those stronger than you will think more highly of you and will be reluctant to act against your interests and more likely to frequently gift you a valuable item tailored to your needs.
· Benefit 2: Those weaker will perceive you to have more strength than you actually possess and treat you accordingly. They will regularly feel compelled to give you tribute that will also be shaped to benefit you as much as possible.
· Benefit 3: Those who view you as an enemy will struggle to plot against you. Orders and requests for help from their allies will be garbled and mistranslated in your favour. Magical tracking spells will be significantly more likely to fail.
· Benefit 4: System Resources will be more tailored to you.
The title makes it almost impossible for anyone but yourself to recognise the effects of it. Any gifts received will not be noticed by others.
Awarded for:
· Being aware that you are known by name and reputation by all eight GODs.
· Have had at least two GODs actively plot to affect your life
· Have had a god physically try to kill you by affecting Existentia directly.
Mythical Title. Title is hidden from all but you and your patron GODDESS so no ranking points or experience may be awarded until this status is revoked.
“It’s a lot stronger.” Tom said finally.
“There’s going to be a discussion of rewards. Is there anything you would change in the title?”
Tom hesitated.
“Share your thoughts no matter how outlandish they might seem.”
Tom felt a thrill of excitement. This was his chance. He looked Dux straight in the eye. “I need the Briana situation to be fixed.”
Instinctively, she shook her head. “No. This is not the type of opportunity that you’d use to solve that problem.”
“But it’s important to me. Please.” He waved the folder. “It’s more important than some stupid title. I don’t want to have to listen to her crying every night.”
“I know,” she answered patiently. “I know what you’re feeling, and I’ve already dealt with it. I’ve used a divine intervention to protect you and Kang. It’s not a perfect solution, but it’ll buy you time until you’re both ten. Then Then, providing you’re on good terms she can be protected by your title.”
Relief flooded through him. “Are you serious? Have you really?” He felt like crying and it was as if a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. It was more important than anything.”
“Yes, it’s done, but,” She waggled her finger at him in a warning manner. “Don’t keep making those mistakes because I won’t always be able to bail you out.”
“Does that mean I can stop directing fate toward her?”
“Yes, it does, but Tom what you did was good. It reduced the cost to me to fix the mistake.”
“Dux, thank you. Thank you. You can’t understand how relieved this makes me.”
She laughed. “I am a GODDESS. Ttrust me I do. Now let’s focus on the important stuff.” She tapped the folder. “What do you want improved or changed?”
“It seems unfair that my good fortune costs my allies’ resources.”
Dux nodded. “I completely agree. It also seems unfair that the amount of resources you receive depends on how rich your allies are. For example, there’s no reason you should be penalised for leaving a civilised area and exploring.”
“I guess.”
“Well, is it or isn’t it?” She pressed.
Tom narrowed his eyes. She was clearly playing a game, and he was happy to buy into it. “It is, and why we’re at it. It doesn’t seem right that my enemies don’t get punished.”
She smiled. “I like that.”
The rest of the world restarted.
“I’ve consulted with Tom.” DEUS declared.
“How?” MAKROS asked dangerously.
“It doesn’t matter,” she said. “This is what he wanted.”
Information passed between all of them, and in front of him three lines were added to the title.
· Gifts granted can be stored in soul storage and, when removed will be 2 tiers stronger, provided no one notices the improvement. All gifts received will be bumped up to a minimum of tier 4.
· Those granting gifts will get their world luck increased until they’re compensated at three times the value of the gift given.
· Enemies seeking Tom’s death or imprisonment will suffer losses equivalent to Tom’s recent gains from the title.
Tom read it and the first point jumped out at him as an issue. “I really like it, but sometimes I’m going to want to give these to my friends.”
Dux smiled. “That’s something I’m sure we can slip in.
The negotiations started in earnest.
Counters and offers went back and forth until finally SUPREME sounding bored interrupted. “Are we in agreement?”
There were no objections, and then between one moment and the next he was deposited in his system room once more with the full text of his new title displayed in front of him.
It had gone up to the sixth level, but he focused on the changes that had been made on the upgrade from four to six.
· Gifts granted can be stored in soul storage and, when removed will be upgraded to tier three or a single tier higher than the original gift. Whichever is more valuable, provided no one notices the improvement. In the event that friends are unaware of the original gift, the upgraded version can be shared with them without penalty.
· Those granting gifts will get their world luck increased until they’re compensated at twice the value of the gift given.
Additional Negotiated Rewards.
· One million ranking points are to be transferred to the human’s total from the dragons.
· MAKROS (or proxy) will have no communications, explicitly or implicitly, with any individual or species about humans. This includes changing, accelerating, or cancelling any existing orders given to assassin teams. Breaking this condition will result in MAKROS immediately forfeiting the competition.
All the rewards were great. They were massive boons to him personally and to humanity, but Tom stared at that second last line. Everlyn and Dimitri were both going to flip when they saw his new ranking points.
AG. a few things.
First. Sorry for the delay. This chapter was 3.6k words. I can do 3k comfortable but any more pushes things. What I usually do is get 4 hours ahead on the weekend and then lose time every day until this last chapter gets delayed.
Second. I'm entering school holidays for the next two weeks so chapters may be more erratic than usual. (i.e. I might miss a day or two. )
Third. This may be the end of book 3. It's a good place to finish but I wanted to resolved the Briana issue first. Basically the end point will depend on the words already in book 3 and how long the next mini arc (starting next chapter) takes to finish. I want all the books to be a similar number of words.
Fourth. The original version of this was slightly different to what was emailed. There is a post specifying the differences.
Comments
Gavriel
· Gifts granted can be stored in soul storage and, when removed will be 2 tiers stronger, provided no one notices the improvement. All gifts received will be bumped up to a minimum of tier 4. Nothing in that says a thing about the gifts not being able to be shared... It's also less valuable, as the tier increase goes down by 1, and the minimum goes down a full grade as well, furthermore, the returns on the gifts are 2X instead of 3X. Finally, the old title effected everyone, while the new title only effects MAKROS (it's still potentially better). I don't understand why the gifted benefits are reduced, after all tiers are presumably exponential.
Cam
That was a powerful moment when DEUS reveals that it was Tom. This was also a phenomenal chapter aside from that moment. All the interplay amongst the GODs, DEUS revealing the curse to Tom and how it was a one off ritual she tried to block, all of it: beautifully done! I'm glad I subscribed and binged.
Solopath
2 million ranking points. Tom has that competition shaker title for being one of the first to earn a thousand ranking points. I wonder if he'll be able to upgrade it by being one of the first humans to earn 2 million or 2^21 ranking points.
Sanderson
Thanks, great chapter, I like the titles and rewards.
Corwin
Deus could push for a favorable outcome but it doesn't mean Tom would get it. And two years will mean that Tom will lose out on upgrading 6 to 8 gifts if they keep coming. Is that horrible no. But that seems to be the rate he acquires them. So less than possible. And soul storage is not cheap. FP in the first chapters proved that. It was expensive and it only got more so the further everyone climbed. Points would probably come at the cost of the random additions. But that can be offset by the things he finds while traveling. It will be annoying but Deus will be working against everyone since all the others will be aware this is for Tom.
KB
This was a great chapter. I hope we get a POV chapter for some misc humans reacting to this. Then Duex possibly showing it to Tom later to remind what he’s fighting for.
Arnon Parenti
If level 2 heretic is Legendary, and 4 is Mythic, what happens to it the next time Tom catches a GOD red handed? It's very suspicious that GOBUS went quiet, I think Drone dude is gonna be Tom's next heretic level, and it would be in a very strange and unpredictable way, like they would use some token that invokes direct divine intervention when fighting Tom and when their GOBUS shows up they get slapped for meddling with this individual Monkey. GOBUS talking directly to Tom and thanking him for the win on the first Champion's Trial will be super icing on this cake.
Arnon Parenti
Now that I know the numbers I wish Tom had thrown the disk a couple more times just to steal more interventions from MAKROS who is a rabid gambler and doesn't know when to quit.
Zed
Ttrust > Trust
Laplause
Sounds like a good plan, while I have loved this young arc don't get me wrong, it is getting a bit too much yab feel me
James Faulkner
Goddamn MAKROS is getting his cheeks clapped lmao, Tftc!
Arnon Parenti
I thought the title granted soul storage, on second it could be interpreted either way and I feel like DEUS would push for the most favorable interpretation possible. Besides he would get a soul storage trait within 2 years, that's literally nothing to the GODs, they won't see granting him this trait as anything beside a miniscule piece of DEUS shoving random benefits to see what sticks, and who wants to put points on this particular speedbump?
Corwin
Couple of things: 1) Tom doesn't have soul storage yet. So he should ask that the benefit works with storage rings as well as soul storage. 2) Tom should ask for a T0 skill to help make him clear headed when he goes berserk. 3) The benefit doesn't cover Tom going to explore areas, like it was discussed.
Arnon Parenti
I need to know what Maurice is thinking about this, she has to be getting some points for aiding Tom in entering the DCT and she will also see Tom's name shoot through the top of humanity in the rankings. Just his joining the rankings has to make huge waves in humanity, lots of unnerved are going to find second winds, with the heroes of humanity back on the board. They don't know he is 6yo, all they know is The Tom, the best of the best of them is back and making waves that change everything on the competition. Already stealing points from the Dragons, and mingling with other races like they were best buddies. This also shifts things for the Blessed of Sanatores and the Wador. Tom coming back means the Blessed can open negotiations with the humans that are trying to flood their settlement.
Arnon Parenti
If Vturalta ever learns TOM has met DUX outside the tutorial, and been touched by DEUS three times that he can remember, she'd spontaneously combust. There won't be a DEUS species in the competition who wouldn't be making strange statues of a monkey without a tail, and no claws or fangs or scales either, weirdest monkey you can imagine, how are they even supposed to survive in the competition? Here have some Fate to help you along little monkey.
Arnon Parenti
And the best part is, now with a storage title trait he can recieve direct gifts from his teachers in the DCT, so all that teaching can take a tiny fraction of the time required to actually pass it. With Throm as his personal trainer and Vturalta as a spiritual advisor, he can BREAK every rule the system ever had on the heretic title's knee.
Allan Greenwood
I haven't planned it out yet but the next thirty ish chapters is going up to age 15 and a bit. I'm not sure if it will be 70 monthly type skips or a five year chunk. It'll be a combination of both
Laplause
Any chance of a mini time skip once bri I'd solved? Just because he has to do crafting and learning spells for a while. TFTC!
KipBR
This chapter was so good, thank you for posting it.
Adurna
I think this is an excellent ending point even if resolving Bri would be nice.
Allan Greenwood
Both will be covered
Shannon Sexton
Soul storage is broken anyway... but now enhances gifts! Upgraded ring now soul bound to Tom and grants him the ability to enhance his senses as well as dull them? This will go great with treasure sense. Also Tom can continue to be a bit socially inept without blowback.
CherMi
Thank you! Although please clarify whether Kang is also shielded or only Tom. It would be a pretty stupid way for Kang to die if he's not...
Allan Greenwood
Luck is based on base value. Tom giving gifts won't get any value
Allan Greenwood
If hypothetically MAKROS dies / breaks... I won't do another series about the replacement steps. If it does occur I would capture the consequences and the theortical benefits that Tom might get from being part of the process.
Allan Greenwood
Damn it!. I pre-wrote the bare outlines of the conversation days ago and because I had written it I forgot it when I was putting together the chapter.... I'm brain dead at the moment but I'll fix it up later today. The bit in my notes is below. “I need the Briana situation fixed.” “This is not the type of reward that should get directed to do that.” “But it’s important.” “I’ve already used divine interventions to protect you. It’ll shield you until your at least ten. You should probably look at improving your relationship with her.” “So we can stop using Fate.” “Yes but what you did was good it reduced the cost to me to fix the mistake. But now after this conversation we can relax a bit.”
Nicolas
Good chapter. I have to ask, with the people giving gifts gaining extra luck, could that technically apply to Tom if he passes on a gift since it doesn’t say only people giving gifts to Tom get luck. I know this goes against the spirit of the instructions but I know the gods like to play with the wording. Also I wonder if the value for determining the amount of luck is based on the base value of the gift or the value after it is upgraded.
CherMi
Very nice title, but Tom was strange here. He had Dux right there, why didn't he ask her for advice about Briana? Even if she wasn't allowed to answer, she certainly could have slipped something in conversation. I mean, that's the problem on Tom's mind for the last weeks, surely it should have occurred to him?
George
interesting stuff! I'm expecting the next volume after unhinged fury to be about replacing MAKROS after he dies
Johan Persson
Great chapter, and massive rewards! The global luck coming from gifts will i think be *very* material.
Krzysztof Kiel
Thanks DEUS for bullying MAKROS, I needed that
im Panda
Good ol DEUS shenanigans tftc
Omer Segal
Title change suggestion: The Price of / for Meddling
Rottoxor
First 😎 ty
