Priam
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Chapter 373: You Say You Have Nine Lives? Let’s Test That
🕑 Added 2025-05-27 02:21:02 +0000 UTCSecond of the day. Read the 372 before this one! Enjoy! PS: Priam Character Sheet by the Discord guys! PSS: the Discord. Come say hello! * R
Second of the day. Read the 372 before this one!
Enjoy!
PS: Priam Character Sheet by the Discord guys!
PSS: the Discord. Come say hello!
*
Rohan leapt to his feet and summoned his bound swords. It was more reflex than true necessity. Out of aether and mental strength, he couldn’t use his Aura or Concept. In these conditions, wounding Priam permanently was impossible. That’s why he had played dead for nearly a minute. Faking unconsciousness before nearly twenty thousand spectators… It was cowardly, and his reputation would be forever tarnished. Still, his clan’s future outweighed his personal honor.
And judging by how effortlessly Priam was evading the White Tiger image, he had been right to provoke him.
But the cat-and-mouse game ended with Priam’s mistake. The Champion had realized he needed to reach Rohan to end the fight, but he hadn’t known that an image could return to its summoner’s side at any moment. A gap in his knowledge that the Aelbe had ruthlessly exploited.
A swipe from the image descended on the human. Behind the strike, the inertia of a steel body, the strength of an aether skeleton, and the weight of the Myth fused into something unstoppable.
A sharp crack echoed.
Rohan’s eyes widened. Priam’s bone had just broken. Impossible!
The arm should have exploded into bloody fragments. It took an elite Tier 3 or a Tier 2 tank to endure a mythical skill head-on. A sky-high constitution wasn’t enough without a story capable of surviving contact with a Myth. That, or an impressive collection of Myth fragments. In other words, Titles.
But he’d need dozens!
In less than six months? It was so ridiculous that Rohan felt like crying.
*
The impact rippled through Priam’s body like an entire building had collapsed upon him. Scaly patterns flashed across his arms before his spectral draconic scales burst under the intensity of the strike. His knees buckled, and he felt the bones of his right forearm crack and then shatter. As his kinetic skill absorbed as much energy as it could to keep him alive, his meridians seared under the surge. Waves of agony coursed through him, each pulse mapping the extent of his injuries.
Lvl Up: [Sun Steel Body] lvl 31
CONST +6
META (Endurance) +3
Far from discouraging him, the pain twisted Priam’s lips into a smile. Its very presence meant he was still alive. The mythical image had been terrifying, but if he could withstand one strike, he could endure a second. The rest of the fight would no longer be a battle of magic, spears, and hit-and-run maneuvers. It would be a brawl.
That suited the Juggernaut just fine.
His unbroken hand clenched into a fist that smashed into the tiger’s skull, driving it back. Priam gasped in pain—hitting the beast felt like striking a block of steel. The creature retaliated, splintering his collarbone. It might have been disastrous, but at that precise moment, the bones of his injured arm finished knitting back together thanks to [Four-Headed Hydra]. Trading a few minutes of lifespan for accelerated healing seemed a fair bargain amid a fight to the death.
In the following seconds, Priam and the image traded blow for blow. The Homo Elysian dodged only the tiger’s fangs—he wasn’t keen on losing chunks of flesh that couldn’t be restored without a meal, and rest.
Beneath him, the sand was turning red and sticky from the messy fight. The Champion wasn’t a specialist in unarmed combat, and grappling with a tiger wasn’t quite the same as wrestling a hoplite. Priam had nothing to rely on but instinct, and the battle devolved into sheer savagery. The man bit while the beast clawed, and headbutts were far from rare.
Which was good for the Juggernaut’s physique. As a Homo Elysian, he was good at adapting in real time.
Lvl Up: [Shear Resistance] lvl 21
CONST +7
META (Endurance) +2
The duel might have dragged on endlessly if Priam didn’t possess the vivacity of dragons. While his primal instincts fought for survival, a parallel thought was probing the aetheric construct of the image for a fatal weakness. It found none, but his add-on identified multiple tiny flaws. The more intricate a system, the harder it was to patch perfectly.
After nearly a minute of trading blows with a mythical skill without tiring, Priam was certain no spectator would ever again underestimate his physique, not even Arnold. Time to show them I’m not just a punching bag.
Overclocking his muscles, Priam delivered an uppercut to the tiger-beast. His fingers broke on impact, but they transmitted an aether pulse that struck a pressured energetic node. The magical equivalent of an overheat ensued, and the system glitched.
As half the tiger’s face disintegrated, Priam burst into laughter while the bones in his hand reformed.
“A ‘Myth,’ huh? More like an anecdote.”
*
Every other blow resonated like thunder; the rest sounded like a butcher tenderizing meat. Unfortunately for Rohan, Priam remained steadfast. He seemed capable of absorbing endless punishment. Eleha had spoken of a phoenix and Ophis of a dragon. To Rohan, the Champion looked more like a titan, a hydra, or a behemoth.
A fresh strike shattered the Juggernaut’s jaw, wiping the infuriating grin from his face. Rohan cursed as he realized that Priam’s eyes were still smiling. A heartbeat later, the bone was as good as new.
Dammit, not even the Gaeserts can pull off something like that!
Should he intervene? Before him, man and beast fought a savage duel. Matching each other in ferocity, they sought to dominate their opponent by sheer force. Blow after blow, neither relented. Where the tiger seemed invincible, the Juggernaut harbored a well of vitality that felt inexhaustible.
When an otherwise unremarkable strike erased half the tiger-image’s head, Rohan’s pulse quickened with fear. His orders were to incapacitate Priam—or at least gather as much intel as possible. But aside from confirming the Champion was the father of all cockroaches, he had learned nothing. At this rate, he would just waste one of his lives for nothing. Summoning the image of a Myth was no trivial matter. One had to pay the price.
I have to do something.
The Aelbe stepped forward, locking eyes with the Juggernaut. In Priam’s gaze, he read a promise of violence so deep that he froze.
*
“Ahhhhhhh!”
With a roar of rage, struggling beneath the half-collapsed weight of the tiger, Priam met Rohan’s gaze. The Aelbe stood there, swords in hand, paralyzed. Pathetic.
It was time to turn the tide. Priam couldn’t access his Domain as the image’s was superseding his own. Incapable of summoning a Concept or skill beyond his body, he returned to basics. Biting his tongue, the Champion spat at Rohan’s face.
Usually, that would be more insult than attack. Not when the Juggernaut had stored all the kinetic energy he had absorbed during the battle into that expectoration.
[Spit speed: 4472 m/s.]
Lvl Up: [Adaptive Golden Meridians] lvl 31
META (Focus) +3
META (Endurance) +6
A few of Priam’s meridians seared under the instantaneous energy discharge, but the sacrifice was worth it. The air exploded from the speed of the bloodied projectile. It was so fast, Rohan’s surprise lagged behind. Lowering his head in astonishment, the Aelbe stared at the hole that opened below his navel, one large enough to fit a hand.
Priam frowned. He had aimed for the core, but the tiger’s tail had managed to deflect his spit at the last instant. With his new ideal resistance to poison, Rohan wouldn’t die from the toxic blood staining his wound.
Seeing the relief in the Aelbe’s eyes, Priam decided to shatter his hopes.
“The poison’s just a bonus,” he winked.
With its latest upgrade, [Bloodless], enabled his blood to fuel his flames. The few drops staining Rohan’s wound were like beacons to Priam’s will.
Neither the tiger’s Domain nor the Aelbe’s meta-endurance could stop the ensuing inferno. A few milliliters of blood sufficed to summon Pyro’s wrath.
A geyser of flames cauterized Rohan’s wound before engulfing him in fire. Simultaneously, the blood soaking the sand and matting the metallic fur of the tiger also ignited. Since the inferno had a physical basis, it partially escaped the image’s Concept suppression.
A second later, the Aelbe screamed while the beast’s pelt melted.
Priam only recalled his flames when the image of the White Tiger faded.
*
Under the crowd’s cheers and the Demiurge’s scrutiny, Priam strode slowly toward Rohan’s body. Half-charred, the Aelbe groaned weakly. His breathing was labored, and the core that had summoned the image had cracked under the infernal heat.
“I wonder if you can use your nine lives in this state.”
Rohan opened a blind eye and turned it toward the victor. “There… are seven marks intact.”
“Seven lives, huh?” Priam knelt beside the fallen man. “You’re wondering whether to burn one to keep fighting. It might end your suffering… but is it really worth it? You can’t beat me.”
“Don’t expect me…” A fit of coughing wracked him, and he spat blood. “To believe your stamina is limitless.”
Priam burst out laughing. “That’s the first time I’ve heard you sound annoyed. Forgot to put on your mask this morning, or is defeat finally opening your heart?”
Rohan murmured something incomprehensible, and Priam shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. I don’t really blame you for Jasmine, you know? But people need to understand I’m no pacifist. I’m flattered you all think I’m worth scheming against, but I hit back…” He placed a hand on Rohan’s forehead. “With interest.”
A spark ignited at Priam’s fingertips, and Rohan froze.
“…” A question flickered in his eyes.
Priam explained, “I like my enemies to stay dead. I have a Skill for that, [There is no Heaven]. Ever heard of it?”
“No!” A shout rang from the sky, but the Demiurge raised his hand, and Léo was frozen in place.
“Looks like your father’s already heard of it,” said Priam, locking eyes with Rohan.
The Aelbe met his gaze steadily. His eyes were clear, and the Juggernaut detected no fear, no deceit, no bitterness. He who had lived as a lord was ready to die as a warrior.
“… Yesterday, you told me everyone needs friends,” said Priam, a smile tugging at his lips. He opened his hand, revealing a hydra pill. “Now that we’ve knocked each other around, I’m inclined to agree.”
Rohan blinked, then coughed. Priam thought he might die, but a hoarse laugh reassured him.
“Fair enough. I don’t feel like being your enemy.”
Priam smiled, but offered no reply. He wasn’t fond of lies.
Life wasn’t a fairy tale, and terrible things were in motion. The Aelbes would strike with or without Rohan's approval.
Thus, within three days, the two clans would be no more. Kazuki wouldn’t have it any other way.
But before that, I want the ideal upgrade of [Art of Movement].
And so, Priam handed Rohan the regeneration pill. One had to make a good impression.
*
Status:
PHYSICAL:
Strength 1 249
Constitution 2 083 (+18)
Agility 1 637
Vitality 2 092
Perception 988
MENTAL:
Vivacity (D) 664
Dexterity 891
Memory 1 150
Willpower 1 298
Charisma 952
META:
Meta-affinity (O) 1 398
Meta-focus 886 (+4)
Meta-endurance 1 584 (+16)
Meta-perception 842
Meta-chance 1 089
Meta-authority 768
Potential: 34 003 (+9)
Tier 0
[Tribulation]: Three Tribulations pending.
Future Tribulations delayed until:
Time: 2 months 12 days 7 hours 58 minutes 2 seconds.
Next thresholds: 12 attributes > 900 / 3 attributes > 1 800 / 1 attribute > 2 100
*
White Tiger
Comments
Julia Niles
Priam why must you find the worst synergy possible and then constantly use it without fixing the problem? I’m talking about that fucking lifespan taking for heals
MomoDG
If not Priam almost certainly another Juggernaut Archtype
Shadow Korosu
With the information we've gained on Myths and how they work in this world, I'm now *very* interested in the origin of Wukong. Across all of mythology, he's often regarded by nearly everyone as the most fearsome and unstoppable deity to exist. Maybe it's not an exact 1:1, but I can see some overlap with Priam and Wukong. Priam grows very rapidly in power, learning new abilities and techniques at an astonishing rate, and displays a nearly limitless potential for learning things that would be nearly impossible for others to learn, especially at such speeds. He also survives things that should kill him, and would kill almost anyone else, and he grows stronger from it. This is very similar to Wukong and his own monstrous growth, gaining techniques and powers at terrifying rates. Wukong also has layers of immortality, returning to life stronger than before if someone manages to kill him. Like I said, it's not a perfect/flawless comparison, but it's definitely interesting to notice and if not Priam, I'd like to see who else inspired the Myth of Wukong.
MaxWyght
The myth of Osiris fits what Seth went through with being put back together constantly.
Zaim İpek
This brings up some questions. Is young Osiris actually the source of the myth for THE Osiris? It would make a lot of sense as a deity of life and death.
Derze
besides Juggernaut?
luciano stavale varol
Apparently not, speaking of which it was one of the skills about to evolve before the time skip, I'm curious if it evolved or not.
John
does priam use his dragon scales?
Diremccane
He really should get a deception skill out of that.
Zaim İpek
I think this gives us a hint of what Priam will become. It must be something for which we already have a myth. And the in-story explanation will be that the myth didn't exist until Priam made it, but everyone remembers it always existing because aether transcends time. That's super interesting. Never read an idea like that before.
luciano stavale varol
So titles are fragments of myths, this is very interesting information and a little scary to imagine. Having so many titles is really worth it beyond the merit trees.
Alex O'Connor
Thanks for the chapter
Alex O'Connor
I think chimera would have to hit mythical status but that’s a great idea!
Custus
Thanks for the chapter!
Quyan640
Could Priam acquire the bloodlines of all four auspicious creatures? He already has the azura dragon and vermilion bird. The durably of the white tiger would fit well with Priam’s build. And I can see the same being the case for the black guardian, which is usually depicted as a tortoise.
Zaim İpek
That was pretty good! We learned a lot.
Andrew
Thank you!
James Faulkner
Tftc!
Sodium
The demiurge restored it along with jasmines life
Strategist One
Thanks for the chapter. I really loved Priam's dialogue in this one.
Ed
Oh? I thought he had to burn One life when jasmine stabbed him in the heart. I must have misunderstood.
PriÀm
He did Rohan had 9, and now he has 7 left :)
Alex Kagan
Bleerg.... He should have taken 2 lives for Jasmine's one.
