Priam
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Chapter 300: The Heart of the Deluge
🕑 Added 2024-11-14 03:21:15 +0000 UTCChapter 300! How time flies.
This is a very big chapter, both in length and content, but you deserve it!
Two small announcements:
I'll be taking the weekend to go help family in Spain (there were some heavy rains recently, and flooding…). I won’t be able to write until Monday, which will push back chapter 301. To make up for the delay, I’ve taken a day off (from my day job) next week to write and will take another if necessary. There will be the usual number of chapters this month!
This chapter wraps up this Deluge mini-arc, and as you might have guessed, the next one will be Priam’s Tribulations. I’ll take advantage of this weekend to review all the details, but as Patreons, I have a surprise for you. Check it out at the end of the chapter (after the status).
Enjoy!
PS: Priam Character Sheet (you can thanks the Discord guys! Come say hello.)
*
With every turn of the spit, the meat browned a little more, sizzling in a dance with the flames. Not a minute went by without Priam's stomach growling from the delicious aromas tickling his nostrils. Honest with himself, the amateur cook admitted that the scent of smoke was stronger than that of the meat.
Using a strip of Chenoo fur as fuel, a crackling fire roasted a few choice cuts from the beast’s chest. The gaseous combustion product, mostly carbon dioxide, rose lazily toward the igloo’s ceiling, drifting through a crude opening Priam generously called a "chimney." He had miscalculated the position and size of the vent but relied on [Poison Body] and [Asphyxia Resistance] to endure the impure air in his shelter.
As he kept a close eye on his meal, a droplet fell onto his hair, prompting him to cast a wary glance upward before refocusing on the roasting meat. An Inuit might have had a thing or two to say about his ice shelter’s questionable design, but the dome was solid enough to cut the wind, which was all Priam needed for now.
When the smell of the meat finally became too tempting, he carved a thick fillet with Promesse and wolfed it down. Knowing the meat contained the souls of the Chenoo's victims, Priam had been hesitant about eating it. Those concerns vanished with the burst of flavor that shook his taste buds as he started chewing. The surprisingly tender texture caressed his palate, revealing a delicate taste, akin to wild boar.
A warmth spread from his stomach like a cozy blanket, wrapping him in comfort. Either this meat had anti-freezing properties, or the gratitude of the dead was palpable.
“Did you even read the description?” Jasmine’s disgusted voice echoed. “You’re eating a local humanoid.”
“That thing was way past being a Rhem.”
Priam was hungry, but not enough to eat a sentient being.
“How do you know?”
“I’ve got a quest that lets me earn the racial Talents and Concepts of the locals if I kill enough of them, and it didn’t upgrade.”
“All that proves is that Chenoos aren’t native to this universe but ours. One of this creature’s ancestors was infected by that bloodline and had descendants with a Valaryth native. In the transformation, it must’ve lost any Racial Talent or Concept tied to the Rhems—if it even had one—and adopted the Chenoo's traits.”
Priam paused mid-bite. Jasmine’s theory was plausible. According to Titus, there had been a war between their universes ages ago. It was entirely possible that some Rhems had had descendants with an invader. Willingly or not…
“Well, it’s possible, but its bloodline turned it into a mindless beast. I saw it in its eyes; that thing was as smart as a rock—actually, I’m almost sure coral is smarter.” Priam took another bite, feeling a warmth spread through him again. “Anyway, I’m freeing souls with every bite, so I’d say my karma’s in the clear.”
“... Do they taste good?”
Priam carved another chunk before answering. “The souls? Like booze—burns a bit going down. But the meat itself? Excellent.”
A shadow dancing along the wall stretched out, and a hand emerged. “Gimme.”
The young woman’s principles faded in the face of her stomach’s call. Smirking, Priam offered her another piece. Her hand vanished back into the shadows, prize in tow. Even in the igloo, the temperature was biting.
After gorging on several kilos of yeti meat—Priam’s stomach was strangely elastic—he turned back to the Chenoo’s corpse. He had made a clean incision at the belly to remove the entrails and retrieve his meal.
Pulling at the skin, the warrior opened it like a sack and smiled as steam emerged. The monster had mutated to resist the cold, and its body was warm inside. Nodding, Priam slid inside.
“What are you doing?!”
“Keeping warm,” Priam grinned. Bear Grylls would be proud.
With that, he drifted off, lulled by the crackling of the fire.
*
Jasmine didn’t speak to him until he melted some snow to wash up. She insisted she could still smell his stench despite ordering Micro to block her olfactory sensors. For revenge, Priam created a tiny hot spring inside the igloo as a bath. Apart from annoying her, the pause let him recharge mentally.
At dawn, Priam continued his journey, trudging through snow for nearly eight hours and sparing two more yetis he encountered. His father had taught him not to waste good food. With a glance from the apex predator, the creatures bolted without looking back.
The freezing atmosphere soon returned to bite at him, and despite his efforts, Priam still couldn’t acquire [Cold Resistance]. His adaptation was hindered by the Deluge and its Concept, his cell mutation incredibly slow. His instincts told him it wasn’t impossible, but Priam had to give his body time. When the light began to fade again, the warrior started to believe he wouldn’t unlock the resistance before finding the exit.
Yet, just as Priam began to question his sense of direction, a gray-and-white column appeared on the horizon. It covered only a small area, barely the size of a baseball field. Seeing the small dimensions of the zone, Priam understood that this would be the last. The quest’s objective, the heart of the Deluge, was within reach.
The Juggernaut took a few more steps before stopping and turned to his shadow.
“… Head back to the igloo.”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s too dangerous.”
“If you’re going—”
“Please.”
There was no arguing with Priam’s tone, and Jasmine understood. He wasn’t sending her back to guard his secrets but because she would be a liability. Priam was ready to risk his life to finish this quest—but not his friend’s.
After a moment, his shadow split in two, and half of it receded. “I’ll be waiting…”
Alone again, Priam approached the curtain and touched it with his fingertips.
Fifth zone of the Deluge cleared. Valaryth’s Ocean’s reward: Seed of Potential - Cold.
System integration… Ideal prerequisites for [Cold Resistance] recorded.
The mutation of Priam’s cells sped up as a white aether orb appeared near his soul. The seed gradually dissipated, infusing its energy into his second soul layer. Soon, he could make out the outlines of a rune.
Prerequisites met:
[Homo Elysian Obsession]
[Life is Hard; I’m Harder]
You witnessed the cold of space.
You survived the Deluge’s blizzard.
Valaryth’s seed of Potential - Cold detected.
You have selected the ideal skill: [Cold Resistance - Rare].
[Cold Resistance] - What is cold but the absence of heat?
Microscopically, particles slow; on a human scale, your body fails, and hypothermia sets in. You shiver, your teeth chatter, and you’re numb as your body temperature drops. The cold progresses further, and you now experience frostbite, lack of coordination, and impaired judgment. Then the shivers stop, your body becomes pale, and finally comes death.
This skill turns your skin into an effective insulator, preserving your warmth. The rest of your tissues are now better irrigated by your blood to prevent frostbite.
You used to be hot and cold. Now, you’re just hot.
CONST +1
VIT +2
Priam couldn’t help but smile at his new resistance. Another ideal skill for his collection!
Lvl Up: [Cold Resistance] lvl 2
CONST +1
VIT +2
Despite the frostbite and fatigue, conquering the blizzard had been worth it. Valaryth’s reward allowed the one who braved the Deluge to surpass the block created by the Tribulation. Better still, the aether seed poured its energy into the resistance, accelerating its growth.
Lvl Up: [Cold Resistance] lvl 3
CONST +1
VIT +2
Over the next few minutes, Priam’s body translated his survival experience into progress, quickly leveling up the skill. When the rush slowed, the ambient cold was still biting but less deadly.
Lvl Up: [Cold Resistance] lvl 4, 5
CONST +2
VIT +4
A snowflake drifted onto his palm, and Priam examined it closely. Despite the cold, it should have melted from absorbing his body heat. Instead, the snowflake stayed solid. This clear demonstration of his new resistance kindled a fire of excitement in Priam. In mere minutes, his body had adapted to a fundamental force of the universe. Now, that’s what I call magic…
Releasing the snowflake back to the wind, Priam hesitated to endure the snowstorm until he gained immunity, but quickly reconsidered. Kazuki and Hyshana were waiting to travel with him to Proxima, where he would initiate his own Tribulations. This was not the time for training but for action. With his decision made, the warrior took a deep breath and stepped into the new zone.
The fury of the Tribulation hit the instant he crossed the threshold. In this final zone, rain, snow, and hail coexisted in an environment worthy of hell. Yet the wind didn’t try to push him back—he was free to move forward. Priam caught a glimpse of a lightning bolt before his retinas were scratched a thousand times over by microscopic ice crystals. His eyes slammed shut, his pained growl devoured by the tempest.
Lvl Up: [Shear Resistance] lvl 35
CONST +3
He might have retreated if not for the pulse of his draconic heart. The Tribulation sensed kin. Shielding his head with his arms, the warrior took another step. The wind intensified, its roar shattering Priam’s eardrums with its power. Anyone who had never heard the scream of a tornado couldn’t understand the monstrosity of the sound that the air produced as it tore itself apart. It was as if reality itself were crying out, and the consequences were always destructive.
Lvl Up: [Shear Resistance] lvl 36
CONST +3
With the third step, Priam felt his skin being torn away. Dust and hail powder whipped against his body like the world’s most powerful sandblaster. Layer by layer, the tempest eroded his dermis.
Lvl Up: [Shear Resistance] lvl 37
CONST +3
Reaching for his Mist Concept, Priam attempted to ride the fog, one of the elements of the storm. His Concept remained silent. Undeterred, and while advancing another step, he tried to harness the ambient aether to conjure a protective rune. The fluid slipped from his grasp, whisked away by the magical maelstrom.
Lvl Up: [Shear Resistance] lvl 38
CONST +3
Then came [Kinetic Control]. A kinetic pulse blasted out from his body in all directions, creating a bubble of calm. Another step. Before Priam could weave a protective ritual, the Deluge’s fury manifested as an apocalyptic lightning pillar.
Lvl Up: [Lightning Resistance] lvl 2, 3, 4
CONST +6
VIT +3
Priam’s pain receptors drowned in agony before the cyclone closed in on him. Priam’s resolve wavered on the sixth step. As the flesh of his hands was torn away by the wind, he refused to continue training his resistances in this way. His will was strong, and he was ready to endure torture to secure his freedom, but even he couldn’t remain indifferent in a walking grinder. The progressive, inevitable destruction of his body rippled through his linked soul, giving rise to a primal fear impossible to master.
Lvl Up: [Shear Resistance] lvl 39
CONST +3
The wind grew so vicious that it cut off his breath despite his Concept. Ripping the air from his lungs, the tempest drained the warrior’s remaining strength. Priam stopped, wanting to turn back. Nothing prevented him from grinding his skills for a few days before returning. All he had to do was leave, and the torture would stop. Thanks to Micro, he was feeling every gram of his flesh leaving his body, torn away by the Tribulation. He didn’t have to endure this. Nothing was worth such suffering.
Except my freedom. And in this world, power is the prerequisite.
Pain and death were forces that couldn’t stop him. Not yesterday, and not today. Shedding tears of blood, Priam took another step toward the Zenith, driven by his obsession.
Lvl Up: [Free Will] lvl 12
WILL +6
CHAR +3
Another step, and his soul’s state no longer allowed for coherent thought. His instincts took over, forcing his body to continue. They knew that sometimes, fleeing was more dangerous than advancing. This philosophy resonated with his battered soul, pushing him another step forward.
As his muscles were worn by the crystal storm, as the wind’s pressure exploded his lungs, as his soul was too damaged for his skills to progress, Priam smiled. In his blind eyes, an Immortal would have read no fear.
Reduced to a few muscles on a skeleton, the Juggernaut took one final step.
*
Congratulations, you are dead! Your Talent [He Who Eludes Death] brings you back to life once a day.
Number of deaths: 25
Synergy detected with your talent [Homo Elysian Obsession] and your Titles [Three-Headed Hydra] and [Life is Hard; I’m Harder]. Your body and spirit are rebuilt and will be more resistant to what killed them:
… Attribute potential redirected to skills per user request.
Lvl Up: [Cold Resistance] lvl 6, 7
CONST +2
VIT +4
Lvl Up: [Lightning Resistance] lvl 5, 6, 7
CONST +6
VIT +3
Lvl Up: [Shear Resistance] lvl 40
CONST +3
[Shear Resistance] has reached level 40, its maximum level as a rare skill. Depending on your background, two upgrades are available:
Prerequisites met:
You have faced dimensional blades.
Your soul has been cleaved.
You were bisected during a Tribulation.
Traces of Valaryth’s Laws detected.
Your body has been eroded by billions of ice crystals.
Ideal Upgrade unlocked :
[Blades’ Arch-enemy - Epic] - Most sane people fear blades. Blades fear you. Potential Cost: 360.
You have selected the ideal skill [Shear Resistance - Epic].
POT -360
[Shear Resistance - Epic] - Shear is one of the five physical forces that can damage an object. Not you.
Small or large, you ignore blades that seek to cut you. Sharpened or rusty, you disdain tips that seek to pierce you.
This skill enhances cellular cohesion, resisting separation by external force. Your cell membranes become capable of absorbing a small portion of an attack's kinetic energy. Multiplied by their number, the result is significant.
Some masters have spent a lifetime honing swordsmanship; this skill spits in their face.
CONST +7
META (Endurance) +2
*
As Priam regained consciousness, he braced himself for the storm’s return. It never came. After a few seconds, he noticed something else missing: the fury of the wind. Opening his eyes, the warrior understood: he stood in the cyclone’s eye.
Valaryth Quest: Invasion I - Fragment 84’s Map.
Discovered unique landmark: Heart of the Deluge.
Reward: Your property title “Valaryth’s rift” is extended by one year.
“Looks like I made it,” Priam smiled as he rose and stretched. Like after each of his resurrections, he felt in Olympic form. While warming up—the temperature was cold enough for his breath to form clouds—he surveyed his surroundings. Within a three-meter radius, peace reigned. Just beyond, winds strong enough to uproot Yggdrasil raged. The contrast was striking.
The only thing Priam felt was a breath on his skin, the effect of an aether current so dense it restricted his Domain.
Looking up, Priam glimpsed the stars. Few ever thought to check above, often falling to basic traps. Although he sensed no immediate threat, he remained wary; disrespecting the Deluge was a sure way to die.
Feeling somewhat reassured, he gazed down at the ice beneath him. Just a few centimeters below the surface lay a skeleton, likely that of a Tier 2 warrior who had triggered and then failed this aborted High Tribulation. Nodding respectfully, Priam refrained from disturbing its rest. After paying his respects, the warrior extended his hand to the cyclone’s exact center. Nothing seemed to be there, but [Tribulation Hunter] sensed something hidden.
A unique evolution of [Tribulation Resistance], it allowed him to detect the weaknesses of a Tribulation. Closing his eyes, Priam connected the skill with his Domain. As if an illusion lifted, an object appeared in his palm. It was an organ, a pearl, an orb, a star… The heart shifted constantly, devouring the ambient aether to produce something. Whatever it was, it couldn’t succeed. The operation released filtered energy that surged toward the sky to fuel the Deluge cloud and down into the ocean to power the vortex. The cyclone and siphon then returned the aether to the heart, creating an unending cycle, a vicious circle doomed never to birth the aether capable of baptizing a Tier 2 soul.
Priam closed his hand, plucking the organ like a divine fruit. The instant his skin made direct contact with the Tribulation’s nucleus, his body jolted awake. The Champion gasped, momentarily overwhelmed by the ravenous hunger of his draconic heart. The Deluge core was ideal for his body tempering. Heavenly Dragon had mentioned a draconic trophy for his fulcrum, but now, every instinct in Priam craved the object in his hand.
Valaryth Quest: Invasion I - Pseudo Alien Tribulation.
Retrieve the heart of the Tier 2 High Tribulation ‘Deluge’ for the System.
Reward: Rewards of a Triple Tribulation, plus validation of the following thresholds: 12 attributes > 600 / 6 attributes > 900 / 1 attribute > 1,200
Difficulty: Mythic
“Yeah, nope. That’s mine.”
A divine power descended to claim its prize, but Priam tightened his grip, instinctively rejecting the quest. The equivalent of a triple Tribulation was an incredible reward, but it wasn’t as valuable as the intact heart of a High Tribulation. The opportunity to go beyond perfection with Heavenly Dragon was too tempting to let slip away. This was a chance to become unique, to harness for himself the power of a fundamental law of aether.
For a split second, the omnipotent will of the System hesitated. Then it resumed, and reality itself bent around Priam’s hand, folding like origami, prepared to stash the heart away. Without a second thought, Priam yanked the prize toward him and swallowed it whole. The physique of a Homo Elysian was not designed to contain an unreal object, but the lung of a dragon could manage.
Priam grimaced as he felt the heart settle in his spiritual organ, but satisfaction settled over him. He knew he couldn’t resist the System, but his action proved his commitment to rejecting both the quest and its reward. The Tutorial had spelled out only one rule for the System: it respected the will of its users. Time to put that principle to the test.
For seven heartbeats, nothing happened. Then a pulse froze reality itself. Time halted as the dimensional fabric peeled back to reveal an incomprehensible creature.
Priam blinked, and the monstrous form shifted into a humanoid silhouette. His skin and clothing were so deeply black they could shame a black hole. Only a few golden jewels, a red ribbon, and a rainbow-colored die contrasted with the absence of color.
Instinctively, the Juggernaut felt he was absolutely outclassed. That didn’t stop him from summoning Promesse. With a bit of luck, he would upgrade [Iconoclast] before dying.
The entity smiled, and Priam’s fear dissolved, swept away by an impossible charisma.
“I knew you’d refuse the rewards—had a bet on it, actually.”
“… I prefer the Tribulation’s heart over a free triple Tribulation.”
“What about a quadruple?” the being winked. “Pleasure meeting you in the flesh and soul, Priam. I’m called Thaal, the Immortal Gambler, and the System has sent me to strike a deal.”
*
Status:
PHYSICAL:
Strength 893 SEALED
Constitution 1 383 (+56)
Agility 1 173
Vitality 1 179 (+36)
Perception 858
MENTAL:
Vivacity (D) 599 SEALED
Dexterity 752
Memory 891 SEALED
Willpower 1 012 (+8)
Charisma 653 (+5)
META:
Meta-affinity 999
Meta-focus 554
Meta-endurance 899 (+3)
Meta-perception 539
Meta-chance 589
Meta-authority 343
Potential: 17 597 (-316)
Tier 0
Sun points: 143 444
[He Who Eludes Death] charge: OFF/ Reloaded in 19 hours 41 minutes 16 seconds.
Concepts:
Breath (T0): 100% / Harmony
Fire (T0): 100% / Unity
Pyro (T1): 100% / Half-step Unity
Mist (T1): 100% / Symphony
Bloodlines:
Phoenix: 2%
Dragon: 1%
Rewards standing:
Fusion Token - Skill (Epic)
Evolution Token - Skill (Legendary)
Affinity Token - Tier 1 (30%)
Alien Concept fragment (7th Terror)
Talent Token - Upgrade (Seraph)
Revelation Token - Ideal Prerequisites (Epic)
Colosseum VIP Token
Reborn Token - Reset biological lifespan (Legendary)
[Tribulation]: Six Tribulations pending.
Future Tribulations delayed until:
Time: 132 days 20 hours 14 minutes 29 seconds.
Next thresholds: 12 attributes > 600 / 6 attributes > 900 / 3 attributes > 1 200 / 1 attribute > 1 500
*
Thaal is the administrator of the Hope Sector and a genuine Tier 8. Even on a universal scale, there are very few of them.
As Patreons, I’ll let you become the MC for the next chapter:
What questions would you ask this Primordial? (not just about the reward; about anything in ANC)
In addition to the three free Tribulations (the base reward), what would you ask for?
Comments
Wiggles1
He said two chapters sometime tonight
MR105
Any one know when we are getting the next chapter?
stormferret
Well you can have the heart as a loan with interest. Then give it back when it's time for me to temper my ideal tribulation hunting resistance. Help with an ideal probability manipulation resistance or better and knowledge on how to overcome abilities that stop him from forming resistances. (A resistance against resistance impairments) Assistance hiding or blocking knowledge when he upgrade the merit tree that makes prim soul resistant to divine influence, so they won't hunt prim after investing in the merit tree. This is above and beyond his current cipher resistance. Anything ideal for race upgrades be good but I'm not sure what specifically prim should ask for. GPS tracking of all the terrors Upgraded Hydra merit combined with the Hydra bloodline to evolve his vitality with both Hydra and Phoenix Enrollment to the best school of ether ruins Probably one of the best people to get help from to break Esme from her bindings. Since he's someone who should have even better probability manipulation. it would look like someone else in the royal bloodline or nobles had planned out the assassination that actually killed the prince or king etc instead of prim.
stormferret
I agree with question 7 I think reward 10 should just be automatic
stormferret
^^this! I died but I got better so why do you keep resetting my s*** it's to survive not do I live or die. Especially when you got like necromancers and stuff running around
stormferret
He has shadow resistance now. Could some how have jasmine become his falcrum for tempering by actually becoming his shadow. A living concept embodied falcrum. She already has a shadow heart. Make the heart the shadow of one of his two hearts
PriÀm
Oh, I don't plan on answering overly sensitive questions about the future of the story—some answers will come in due time, not before. But this allows me to see what interests you; another perspective is always valuable, and the author should be aware of their readers' questions. This chapter-by-chapter format lets me ensure that the mysteries I sprinkle in are digested as I intend. Don't worry, Patreons' questions won't change the story, but it might allow me to clarify or provide details on one of the countless topics that populate the world of ANC and that interest you, without jeopardizing the story's progression. The narrative has too much momentum for me to change it by revealing answers too early. As for the rewards, I already know what I want to include, but some of your ideas could make for nice additional touches. Let’s say I know the recipe, but I’ll let you choose how much salt to add ;) Kinetic Control… I’d rather not say too much since it’ll soon take center stage again. I’ll simply say that synergies are the foundation of a build capable of jumping Tiers, and your ideas are excellent!
Strider K Zimmerman
Maybe he can get a die like for his tempering but instead for his mind ennobling?
androide
I want Priam to petion to Thaal to create the [Dumbass] Title he said he'd do it if he met a King, well Thaal is not a King (that we know) but I think he can help! Also getting help with [Probability Manipulation Resistance] seems like a good idea because if not getting that as Ideal would require of Esmee's cooperation (and she has refused already)
Wiggles1
Shouldn't need said, but: [Questions and rewards that Priam would ask for/ that move the story along, even if we missed them]
Wiggles1
I mean, we already know. Q: "Who's the tsundere who writes my skill descriptions, and should I just bang them already?" A: "Aww, I thought you'd never ask!" (blushes)
Wiggles1
^This
Wiggles1
Questions: (Indirectly) Can we talk about Tribulation Hunter. (If so) Is it really a "Resistance"- ie can I use it for tempering? Why'd you give it? Why me? What's the favor you want? Will this piss off the Concepts or other high-Tier entities? What's "mind ennoblement"? Is it important at Tier 0? Are there different flavors & rarities? How do I get it? Excluding what I've figured out, what are the most important things Phoenix wanted to tell me but can't? (Relevant Q's about his Patron.) Essential Rewards: Ideal upgrade to Aether Manipulation is top priority. Barring that, hard-to-get prereq's, like evolutions of Meta(Affinity), Meta(Focus), and Meta(Endurance). Soul de-aging, resistance to soul aging, longer soul lifespan, or modifying the [Three Headed Hydra] merit or [Homo Elysian Obsession] so his healing stops aging his soul. So far he's been ignoring this Sword of Damocles. Race upgrade, or an increase in thresholds as if he had a race upgrade. His rate of new tribulations is inhibiting his foundations. Outside the box Rewards: Fix whatever's wrong with Seth, or neutralize him in a way Osiris would be OK with. Info on a HWED recipient he could feasibly defeat. Free Merits. A "get out of jail free" card, akin to "Survivor Tips" or Temporal Reversion. A bunch of free Potential.
Stefan Landshut
A funny question could be "What is the best question I could ask you and what's the answer to it " XD
Ihsan Gunay
Nope spirit houses mind
_mori
Spirit and mind are the same, I think.
Zaim İpek
There are already many good suggestions. I want to echo the suggestion of getting help to develop Probability Manipulation resistance. The admin is definitely capable of manipulating probability and not merely predicting it. Having him help Priam gain the resistance should be easy. Also, if he can give Priam a mana manipulation training puzzle/curriculum that would be better that whatever he might find in the market back in Elysium. As for questions to ask, other commenters have already given great suggestions.
Zaim İpek
This.
M. Kazai
The Resistance for the Fulcrum needs to be Legendary, tempering as a prerequesite doesn't work, at least not for the upgrade to Legendary.
Ihsan Gunay
I imagine more than 10 tribulations in tier 0 likely qualifies as the fifth prerequisite
_mori
Just by claiming this high tribulation, and stealing the tribulations of others, he’s probably unlocked like 2 ideal prerequisites already. A third will likely be his tribulation heart. A fourth could be his legendary talent (since tribulation hunter is technically an upgrade for a resistance). Meaning he’s only missing one or two more. If he tempers trib hunter for his fulcrum, that will most assuredly count as another prerequisite. And one thing I can imagine him tempering the skill with is the tribulation essences he steals. Or a tribulation itself
Sander hult
the alien adaptation concept being used in a race evolution to help counter people stopping resistant gains
jacob christie
Ask what the hell an administrator is and how they became one brother where the system moderators at ??? Wtf who employed thaal? Was he powerful before he was an administrator???
Ihsan Gunay
Upgrade obsession to integrate body, soul, spirit and mind
Naasir Smalls
One more: Attribute evolutions Ideal Skill upgrade
Ihsan Gunay
He already knows where his own high tribulation heart will be
Shadow Korosu
In one of the earliest chapters, I am fairly certain that they actually gave a Potential cost to such an upgrade, which was actually a higher upgrade than merely doubling it. If they gave a number instead of saying it was impossible, then I believe they very well could do it, and for a significantly lesser price than the one given prior.
Shadow Korosu
"You are asking me to compromise and cripple my very foundation, my potential to grow and thrive. This fulcrum could very well be the difference between not only my survival but my ability to reach the Zenith, and you are asking me to sacrifice that. What are you even able to offer me that would be an equivalent exchange for something like that?" That is almost exactly the type of response I would expect from Priam. Bechar gave a very good example of how vitally important it is for his tempering to be as flawless as possible. Giving this up could weaken him enough that it very well may be the difference between being able to surpass a certain Tier level, or not.
Shadow Korosu
I believe it's an issue of overloading the soul with conflicting things. Usually, to my understanding, having too many Concepts, especially of a higher tier, runs the risk of them clashing within you or possibly overriding who you are. Similar to how Priam briefly lost himself once he hit Unity with Fire, or how his body began tearing itself apart when his Phoenix bloodline clashed with his Dragon bloodline.
Stefan Landshut
I feel he needs information on how to survive a six trubulation. Also, ask for somthing to upgrade Oasis?
HJSecond
Also merging the adaption Valryth concept fragment with his human heart would be cool. And a way to make sure people don't disconnect his soul, spirit, and body to prevent adaptation.
Derze
it's an Alien Talent, he would need to ask his Patron. Doubt the System would know how to upgrade
HJSecond
Questions: 1. How can he Ennoble his Mind 2. How are bloodlines made and what are the 3 supreme ones 3. How can he prevent others from stopping his adaptation 4. How can he get Ideal aether manipulation 5. Can I have you act as a second Patron? (An Extra talent related to chance like HWED maybe) Rewards: 1. Ideal Legendary Probability resistance for tempering 2. Help upgrading Tribulation Hunter 3. Help unlocking the alien adaption concept of Valyrith 4. A race upgrade using ideal specimens 5. Another trophy for the fulcrum
Derze
HAHHAHAHAHAAH.
_mori
Ask Thaal if he foresaw this situation when he helped Priam get Tribulation Hunter. That was a pivotal moment for Priam, quickly followed by him getting a tribulation heart and then a draconic tribulation heart. While all of that was happening, this world fragment was already within arm’s reach of logarythm. In hindsight, the trib heart seemed like something Priam would encounter one way or the other.
Naasir Smalls
I meant like directions to something equivalent that he’d have to take down himself not just like they give him one
Eivind Aabakken
I'm really opposed to this gift as it seems to me we won't be asking better questions than you could, Priam. There's no way all of our questions get answered anyways, so you'll have to select the best ones. The Q&A also needs to keep in mind that some answers might be best left open, or discovered later in the story. Also, you know best which rewards (as we've got a blank check from the system here) will allow you to do the cool stuff you're planning for the ascent to tier 1. On a sidenote, when Kinetic Control becomes the awesomeness, would there be synergy between Kinetic Control, Cold Resistance (ideal), Domain and Pyro? I imagine Priam unleashing hell with Pyro, absorbing all the thermal energy in a wide area with Kinetic Control, putting the domain close to absolute zero, then going kinetic rambo. Add in some aether-runes and it's looking rough for any melee fighter.
Hemlock
A gambler, huh? What's his payment or ante in this? Is there a way for Priam to do a double or nothing to gain the heart and some free tribs?
_mori
For PriamMa purposes, the high trib heart probably doesn’t need to be t2, or even t1. Maybe he can negotiate for that difference
Baconwargod
What are bloodlines would be neat though I know that’s not super relevant at the moment
Daria
Would keep the heart. Or instead (added to the free tribulation) an additional trophy that is equal in value to him but maybe not to the system?
Prem Chanumalla
An upgrade to his He Who Eludes death to twice a day
Prem Chanumalla
The exact steps he needs to take to beat his upcoming tribulations
Narcoleptic Jellyfish
Gambler style concepts could be useful for resistances. I wouldn't bet against a T8 gambler!
_mori
Priam should ask for something just for the right to negotiate lmao. They’re imposing this on him in the first place
_mori
If the system still insists on striking a deal, then they would ideally be offering something just as good, if not better for Priam, than this high tribulation heart. Not just that, the fact that the system wants this heart means that it’s very valuable, possibly more so to the system than it is to Priam, which is even better for him. For Priam, it may just be a uniquely powerful fulcrum, but there might be other things that can serve that function just as well as the t2 tribulation heart would
Renn
Would an alternative trophy of equal quality even work? How the other trophies work is you had to personally be the one to defeat that thing otherwise the remnant of it would fight back and explode you. I don’t know how that would work with buying one basically
Lijwent
1. Equivalent things for his fulcrum Absolutely necessary or the trade would not be worth it 2. Race upgrade (or way to do so) 3. Questions on the system, like why they want this heart, more info on apocryphal sould and why they don't want any left alive, more info on skill acquisition / creation... 4. Ask for the impossible things, like the resistances he couldn't get at his tier 5. Ask for why/how the last million tier 9 failed to become the 8th concept when these ascended
Hazer0508
Was not expecting that 😮
Ihsan Gunay
A comprehensive encyclopedia of great titles, talents, merits, achievements, skills, attribute evolutions, bloodlines, items, materials, etc. Internet basically to learn everything a scion could learn.
Ruin The Burned
First off! Priam needs to barter with Thaal just to come to the table and consider giving up the Trib Heart. The fact that they won't/can't take it by force gives Priam a lot of power, and he should play hard-ball. At the very least, get some information in exchange for considering the trade. Second, he needs to know why The Concepts want it, and if it's more valuable to them than it is valuable to him. This could be like sacrificing seeds to Log vs grafting them. If using this in his Tempering is a squandering of it's real value, then them giving him an equivalent might not be as costly as Priam would think it is. Third, this is a chance to get stuff that would otherwise be impossible for him to get. So anything that he can earn on his own is off the table (as much as I like Ideal Aether Manip...). There is also a ton of information he could get from the Guardian of Secrets guy (might be a better place to ask about Mind Ennobling). We're talking BIG stuff here, The Concepts sent a T8 to haggle, they want this thing bad. I want him to ask The Concepts to make a way to earn Merit Points asides from getting Titles, or a Unique Talent on par with He Who Eludes Death. Someone on the Discord mentioned a Time Concept fragment for his inner world, that's a good one too. Also, in like chapter 7, he tried to use Potential to upgrade HWED so that his soul aged a day each hour (to give him 24 lives a day), and they wanted like a quintillion Potential for it. That could be good. In terms of questions for Thaal (as part of his pre-negotiation), I want a T8's perspective on what Aether is, and on what missing piece The Concepts are looking for to become T10.
Ihsan Gunay
A talent to cannibalise attribute points for other resources. Convert them to other attributes, potential, merit, bloodline, attribute evolution, etc. It can be nerfed appropriately to be of equivalent value and be upgraded as time goes on. Or maybe for x attribute points.
M. Kazai
Thanks for the chapter. He get's the heart back when Priam wants to temper his Fulcrum. Is unlikely. Maybe they can split it and share? Information about Mind Ennoblement + Method Generell Informationen about how skill work and how much they can encompass at each Rarity until Mythical. Methods for Aether training. +a ping when he reaches the Aether master level required for Ideal Aether Manipulation. 2 new gold(minimum) Talents that perfectly complement Priam. 4. The Location of all World fragments within 100 km radius of Log-a-Rythm. Ideal Tempering spots in his reach. Constitution doesn't trigger new tribulation at Tier 0. Loosen some of the Phoenix Prince restrictions. A comprehensive list of Resistance not available to his species. What are the 3 Supreme Bloodlines? DNA examples of 5 compatible Tier 2 Races. A list of compatible noble bloodlines.
omri tal
Upgrade aether manipulation to ideal (including the prerequirments)
Custus
Thanks for the chapter!
Quyan640
Is there a limit to the number of concepts a person can have? To my understanding the only reason why people don’t have more is that having two or more concepts enables the chance for fusion insight of subpar or skewed paths of higher tier concepts.
Feliprins
1- Why the system wants the tribulation heart so much; 2- How to undo Geass. 3- Why Apocrypha are hunted down by the system.
PaperMache7
A unique talent to be able to hold more concepts. A rarity upgrade to his body tempering method.
Pievalley
1. Information on the strengths/weaknesses of the other valryth terrors (partly to replace the heart he’s losing) 2. Ideal prerequisites of a couple of the resistances he’s going to use to temper 3. What is/how to enoble your mind 4. A book of useful runes so he can get better at them and share with the crafters 5. A seraphic aether puzzle
Alex Kagan
I would ask for the system to at least double (or dare I say triple) his stats threshold ceiling to keep pushing his foundation out to insane levels as a tier 0 before ranking up. A road map to ideally upgrade his race to whatever tier dragons/phoenixes are. Reduce the downsides of having body and soul connected. Make the Homo Elysian be considered as 1 or 2 tiers lower for the purposes of having children.
Naasir Smalls
Yea less of an advisor and someone who can answer questions for him is really what I meant maybe a library or books from past juggernauts
Disclancer
1) A trophy of equal or greater value for his tempering (that is in effectiveness for his tempering not necessarily monetery value) 2) A method of enobling his mind of legendary rarity or better (Preferably Seraphic, but as its a mythic difficulty quest that might be pushing it). Questions: 1) Why is a septuple tribulation thought to be impossible/ how might one complete one. 2) Are there other equivalencies to tempering other than enobling the mind, and how might he gain access to high quality methods for them/it
brennon Petersen
I like all of your reward ideas, however going by my understanding the advisor idea might do more harm than good, for multiple reasons first being that priam has done things that are supposed to be impossible simply because he hasn't been informed about it (side note that priam might not care about what they deem impossible and do it anyway) Second and the more important reason in my opinion is that alot of this information that is being withheld from him could guide him down a path that makes it impossible tk reach the zenith witch is why I believe the system keeps the information shackled. (again priam will be priam so who knows) Just my thoughts on the matter could be wrong on the matter and I can't wait to find out.
GreatCabbage
Personally, I think he should keep the heart. Otherwise: A list of unique encounters, like the deluge or even valaryth itself, that he can both potentially utilize and would be most effective for him.
James Faulkner
Ho-ley shitttttt, I’m not sure he should give the heart up lol. His sponsor’s gift shows how powerful abilities/items from other planes of reality can be, and this tribulation core would let him imbue it directly into his body. Tftc!
Amari Charles
I wonder why they want that heat so bad it seems odd. I kinda hope he rejects the deal, it would cool to see what he does with it. Alternatively id love to see him gamble for it
Derze
Not sure if the questions are limited. So I’ll try to make it short. My main one is: 1. What would it take for you to sponsor me? Priam ~ bet on me! (Ask the genie for more wishes lol, if he accepts, we get more answers over time) 2. Could you give me instructions on how to build my soul without turning it apocryphal. Prizes: 3. Demand for another system wish. Might come in hand soon. 4. Ask for the records of Pyro’s Path. He was a Candidate to reach the Zenith, might as well. Even if it’s an incomplete one, if it’s up to Tier 3~4 will be very useful. 5. Some Merit points. Anything between 3 and 5. 6. System Assistance to Integrate the Terror Concept fragment into his heart? 7. A Lord 5 post tribulation , to have room for his skills to grow. 3 to 6 months should be enough. 8. Stat evolution. Meta-Perception 9. 2 Skill Fusion Tokens. (probably enough to finish building his resistances to epic) 10. Make the system recognize Jasmine as his Shadow. Similar to Promesse, she could at least benefit from his Resistances a bit, while connected to his shadow.
Fred
Reward - "stop resetting my survival quest timer when I die"
torrey deloach
A method to ennoble his mind and directions to an achievable replacement, not easy just something he can reach in the time frame he has. And then naasirs's questions. + guide for upgrading his race
Naasir Smalls
New one Seraphic or higher sapling sample for Log a Rhythm
Quyan640
It would be extremely stupid but hilarious to ask the immortal if they wanted to gamble.
Andrew
Thank you!
Davan Krueger
Other impossible resistances like radiation resistance
Naasir Smalls
Yea man without that I’d just walk away
Fred
An alternative trophy of equal quality is the MINIMUM requirement to consider it.
Akshay Avala
love the chapter! Excited to see what information is revealed tomorrow
Renn
Why are you so bad at making descriptions? And then maybe a better explanation on the spirit Like what spirit resistance actually does
Naasir Smalls
Questions 1. What is a Myth? 2. What is ennobling the mind? 3. How do you modify an aetheric code? 4. Why is the system so obsessed with this tribulation heart? Especially only a tier 2 Trib Heart 5. What is a Story and how does it tie into the tiering process? 6. Why are you helping me at all 7. How do I evolve stats without bloodline? 8. What’s the origin of the world fragment I’m on Reward Ideas 1. New Talent/Title related to tribulation hunting sort of like a Tribulation Bounty Hunter for other universes 2. Bloodline enhancement for BOTH bloodlines 3. Tier 3 racial upgrade 4. TOKENS just tokens, fusion skill tokens, talent upgrade token, and uh any cool token 5. Directions to an equally good trophy for Priam to substitute the loss 6. Hmmm, just Lord 5th in general at this point 7. A FREAKING ADVISOR OR SOMETHING WHOS NOT BOUND BY CONFIDENIALITY 8. something unselfish to increase the power of his two main generals Kazuki and Jasmine 9. Just a guide, road map if you will to what Tiers 1-4 look like 10. Seraphic Title for bartering with the system
Lion Heart
Gotta be questions and requests regarding ennoblement of the mind. Learn more about it's low-tier impact and preferably get Priam a method to start working on it (maybe exchange the triple rewards for a high quality method?)
brennon Petersen
Tftc!
