Priam
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Chapter 136: The Slave, the Princess and the Madman
🕑 Added 2023-11-04 14:06:08 +0000 UTCChappie!
*
Esmée’s grimoire trembled. The princess, her hands covered in soapy water, mentally connected to it. A moment later, she froze.
The Corrupted was heading towards the First. The Hoplite was also present. Three out of the ten rivals would soon be united. The Corrupted would undoubtedly be hostile, and a fight would draw the attention of the others.
This opened up possibilities she had to seize. After all, an [Author]'s job was to use every possible element to craft a story... a bloody one.
Preferably with her brother in the role of the sacrifice.
"Hurry up!" an impatient voice exclaimed.
Esmée raised her head. Across from her, Muyri vigorously scrubbed the plates of the Crown Prince's guards.
"You seem almost happy to be doing the dishes for your master's men."
"I'll be most happy not to be whipped. Not all of us are princesses."
The slave was not wrong. Even among women, some were treated better than others. As evidenced by the scarred face of Muyri, one could always fall lower.
"They won't whip you," Esmée assured. "The smell of blood could attract beasts."
The prince and his guard had set up a camp near a stream. The nearby trees had been young enough to be cut down, and the monsters were relatively weak. Meaning they had only killed three out of the nine guards in just under two days.
"They'll find something else. The Prince is inventive these days," murmured the slave.
Esmée shook her head as she resumed polishing a knife. She needed to finish the dishes quickly to take action. However, one thing still troubled her.
"I don't understand why my brother chose to bring a slave instead of a warrior."
The brother had been able to keep ten people close to him, and he had chosen nine champions and a jack-of-all-trades woman. A strange noise made Esmée look up. Muyri was laughing. She had never heard the slave laugh.
Esmée felt anger wash over her. How dare this slave mock her?
"Why are you laughing?" she spat.
"Because it's obvious," Muyri replied with a cold smile. "And it’s funny how you would have preferred a tenth guard. You think you're better than me, so you hate it when reality reminds you that we are both washing dishes. You can't stand men looking down on you, but you do the same to me."
Esmée almost retorted that she had a plan. That she didn't intend to be submissive for the rest of her life. In her thoughts, she killed her brother every night!
She fell silent. If they heard her, she would die. After a few seconds of silence, she responded.
"Do you think my double standard is ridiculous?" Esmée asked. "It might be true. I despise you. I despise all the women of the Empire. For three thousand years of oppression, none have fought. Because of half of my ancestors, I have to obey my brother, my father, and all the others."
Muyri looked up at the princess with cold eyes.
"You think no one has fought? Men write history, Your Highness. You're not the first princess to want to eliminate a moronic brother."
Upon hearing those words, Esmée's heart raced. Was it true? It might explain many things. However, she refrained from responding. Muyri was treading on dangerous ground, and there was no indication that she was an ally. Esmée had been betrayed too many times to confide easily.
"You still haven't told me why my brother chose you over a guard."
The silence lasted almost a minute before Muyri replied.
"Because he's not just foolish, he's also lecherous."
*
Congratulations, you've unlocked Micro - Stage 1.
[Supremacy - Micro] - Micro allows the user to control his body down to the smallest detail. Operating in Stages, Micro is used in every Universe.
You've successfully influenced your body using Micro - Stage 0.
You've succeeded in creating a resonance between your mind and Micro. You now have a better understanding of this Supremacy - Stage 1.
Current stage: 1 - Micro Imprinted
Old Bonus: PERC +5 / DEX +10 / VIVA +10 / WILL +5
New Bonus: PERC +10 / DEX +20 / VIVA +10 / WILL +20
Good news never came alone.
Your heart becomes more compatible with your body.
Bonus: Micro +5% > Micro +15%
New compatibility assessed at 79%.
[Tribulation Wyvern Heart - Silver(Gold)]
The Dragons' first gift is an innate instinct for destruction and creation. [Instinct Draconique].
The Dragon’s second gift... Delayed until compatibility exceeds 90%.
VIT +20% (30%)
Attribute evolution... Delayed until compatibility reaches 100%
Just a little over ten percent left for my heart... No Achievement for Micro? Too bad, but understandable.
From what Priam gathered, an Achievement was often tied to being one of the first to accomplish a particular feat. Stage 1 of Micro had undoubtedly been achieved by many grandmasters already. I’ll get it for stage 2!
Priam tried to smile as he reread his notification. After transcending his limits and facing death head-on, he had successfully accessed stage 1. His mind now communicated directly with the Supremacy, bypassing his brain. With a single thought, he could clearly feel every nerve in his body.
Nerves that all sent him the same message: pain.
"Are you okay?" Sphinx asked, concern in her voice.
He hadn't even felt his friend approaching. Priam, slumped against Log-a-rhythm, tried to articulate a response but was unsuccessful. Feels like Blueberry slept on me...
Without a telepathic link, she didn't hear his response. But his tree did. Log-a-rhythm's artificial consciousness asked him if he wanted to be moved into a bath of regenerative sap. Priam hesitated. Moving an injured person was a delicate matter that could worsen his condition. What state am I exactly in?
Closing his eyes, Priam focused on Micro. His mind instantly connected with the Supremacy, which provided a report on his condition.
A shattered heart, no left hand, no right arm, a broken spine, and a severe concussion worsened by bleeding. On top of that, he had a plethora of fractured bones, torn muscles, ripped tendons, and damaged nerves. Despite his physical attributes, Priam was in a sorry state. But there were still two pieces of good news.
Lvl Up : [Diagnostic] lvl 2,3
PERC +2
The first was that he was going to die. For Priam, that meant additional rewards.
The second was that his Supremacy was worth it. Priam felt the full potential of this new ability.
Previously, when he wanted to move a finger, Priam's brain sent an electrical impulse to his nerves. The impulse traveled to certain muscles in his forearm, which contracted and moved his finger. It was a well-established system that had proven itself.
But every system had room for improvement. The human brain and nervous system were not perfectly in sync. This was why karate practitioners trained for a long time to break a brick with the edge of their hands. Behind this training lay a truth: more than their musculature, it was their brains that were evolving. The structure of the fibers responsible for transmitting signals changed.
The consequence of this evolution was better coordination of the muscles in the arms, shoulders, and torso. Through training, the brain better controlled the body and unleashed the muscles’ power. Priam couldn't afford to train for years to acquire this kind of coordination. Stage 1 of Micro solved this problem.
Thanks to his epiphany just before the impact, his mind now had direct access to the Supremacy. His every thought was transmitted to Micro, which created a perfect electrical impulse for his nerves. The reverse was also true: Micro instantly analyzed his nerves' response and shared the information with his mind. In short, Priam's motor skills and senses now communicated through Micro rather than his brain.
If this evolves to cover my whole body, I won't even need my brain anymore...
Concerned by his silence, Sphinx licked his hand, and Priam felt it with absolute clarity.
My coordination and body's response time have increased, he rejoiced. In fast-paced battles, this would make all the difference.
Using Micro, Priam forced his pinky finger to stroke Sphinx's fur. His friend froze before bouncing with joy. She was adorable.
"Do you want me to help you die?" she asked cheerfully.
Less adorable. Priam continued to pet her to divert her attention. He didn't intend to die in front of everyone.
Watching his friend squirm under his finger, Priam admired the power of Micro's Stage 1. Without the overclock, his pinky finger shouldn't have moved. The Supremacy allowed his muscles to use their full power, at the risk of overexertion. His brain sometimes acted as an inhibitor to preserve his inhuman body; Micro had no limits.
His right arm could attest to that. The full force of his strength, though far inferior to his constitution, had literally blown up his arm upon impact. Kazuki must be in a sorry state...
"You're in a sorry state," Kazuki said.
Priam looked up at Kazuki. The hoplite seemed perfectly fine. What?
"I know what you're thinking," Kazuki grimaced. "How can he still be alive?"
Priam managed to grunt.
"I'll return the question: why are you so close to death? You have a skill that can redistribute kinetic energy, right?"
Priam remained silent. First, because he was unable to speak, and second, because he was annoyed. I’m stupid...
Kazuki smiled, shaking his head. "We've all been there. You've only been fighting for a few weeks. With more experience, you'll learn to take a step back from the situation. Stage 1 of Micro will help you ignore the mood-influencing drugs."
"Congratulations on Stage 1!" Sphinx exclaimed.
Priam smiled. The seventeen facial muscles mobilized were on the verge of breaking, but Sphinx deserved to see a smile.
"Will you make it?" Kazuki asked softly. The hoplite tried to hide it, but Priam sensed concern in his voice.
Despite his waning strength, Priam gave Kazuki a determined look. He had something to do before he died and didn't want the hoplite worrying about his disappearance.
Kazuki hesitated for a moment before stepping away. He understood that Priam needed space. "If you need anything, have Log-a-rhythm let me know."
Priam smiled one last time at Sphinx before contacting Log-a-rhythm. A portal opened behind him, and he gently fell into a bath of regenerative sap. For what he had to do, he wanted to be alone. He had no desire to traumatize Rose or his father by dying in front of them. A moment later, the tree let Sphinx pass in his room.
His friend looked at him for a moment before puffing out her chest. "You have to come back!"
Before Priam could respond, she lowered her head and curled up beside his body.
"I have a riddle for you. With him, I can laugh and cry. Through ups and downs, I'll never say goodbye. Who is he?"
Priam's draconic heart tightened upon hearing his friend.
I'm so selfish. She's my friend, a child, and I'm her anchor in this world.
"I… Alright...," he breathed, wincing.
Sphinx locked her eyes with Priam's, meowed, then left.
Priam's brain fainted at that point, and his spirit took over. He sent a thought to Log-a-rhythm. A moment later, a box of carved stone was placed before him. A branch pushed the lid off, revealing a bone fragment the size of a human femur.
[Identification]
[Bone fragment - Tier 2] - A bone fragment corrupted by the NecroMoon.
A gift from Dishnu. According to Kazuki and the dryad, the Necromoon was approaching. Priam wasn't foolish and had already been killed by a Necrowolf. If a Tier 2 could be corrupted by the malevolent Moon, then he could too.
Log-a-rhythm sent him a feeling of fear. Even his mighty tree feared the influence of the NecroMoon. Maybe intentionally poisoning myself wasn't a good idea?
Let's weigh the pros and cons. Pro: I'm going to die and possibly develop a resistance to this filth. Con: I'm going to die in pain. I think for a second and...
Priam ordered his tree to connect him with the bone. Refusing to touch the fragment, Log-a-rhythm tipped the box over Priam.
The bone touched him. Despite his condition, Priam screamed.
*
On the riverbank, Kazuki practiced his shadow boxing. Priam's technique of replacing the mental shadow with a realistic image was intriguing. Priam. Kazuki sighed, ceased his movements, and then sat in the grass.
His rival was in bad shape. Kazuki himself still felt the effects of his attack. To avoid losing, he had to overclock all the muscles involved in a punch. The difference with Priam was that he had done it right, while the High Human had mutilated himself. Of course, Kazuki would have been gravely injured - possibly dead - if he hadn't summoned the image of his armor at the last second. Partially protected by his Mecha, he had only been lightly wounded.
Thinking about Priam's injuries, Kazuki grimaced. He was on the brink of death. Sure, he seemed confident - neither Kazuki nor his armor's AI detected any trace of fear in the young man's gaze - but what if he was wrong?
Kazuki didn't want Priam to die. After all, the hoplites would arrive soon and need shelter.
His wife's voice echoed in his head. "Stop always pushing others away. You can turn respect into friendship without being weak."
Hyshana was often right. Kazuki's pride forced him to face the truth: he felt respect for Priam. Maybe they were on the verge of becoming friends?
"I hope you'll make it..."
A loud noise snapped him out of his thoughts. Kazuki sprang to his feet and turned toward the forest.
Boom!
Something was attacking the barrier! Without a moment's hesitation, the hoplite began to run.
"Take refuge in Log-a-rhythm!" he shouted to the others before entering the forest.
Log-a-rhythm's influence was still weak, and its domain was limited. Ten meters into the forest, the hoplite detected the intruder.
Standing at a towering two and a half meters, with intensely black hair and piercing red eyes, the stranger was skeletal. His clothes were torn but still concealed his body. A dark, cursed aura surrounded him while he was delivering powerful blows to the barrier protecting the camp.
Looking at him, Kazuki's corrupted wound began to throb.
[Multi-Analysis]
[Seth - Tier 0] - A dead rival.
The NecroMoon had already converted one of them.
Upon spotting him, the individual - Seth - stopped.
"When I knock on the door, it's rare for someone to answer," he chuckled, his voice hoarse. The hairs on the hoplite's neck stood on end upon hearing the unknown yet understandable language.
"I'm sorry a warrior has fallen so far from his world. Let me grant you rest," Kazuki responded in the hoplite tongue.
"Rest? After the trouble I've gone through to survive? I don’t think so."
Kazuki furrowed his brow. "Is your corruption voluntary?"
Seth's red eyes gleamed, and he growled. "Let's just say it was a way to survive after a certain homunculus vaporized half of my body."
He fought another rival, Kazuki realized.
"What do you want?"
"Me?" Seth burst into insane laughter. "Just to convert you," the madman grinned.
Kazuki smiled back. Seth was a threat, and he knew how to respond to threats.
Summoning his lance and Mecha, the hoplite Champion took a defensive stance.
*
Status: (Average value for a Homo sapiens male before integration: PHY 10 / MEN 10 / META 0)
PHYSICAL:
Strength 398
Constitution 646
Agility 404
Vitality 511
Perception 582 (+8)
MENTAL:
Vivacity 322
Dexterity 422 (+10)
Memory 127
Willpower 620 (+21)
Charisma 418
META:
Meta-affinity 326
Meta-focus 241
Meta-endurance 173
Meta-perception 107
Meta-chance 216
Meta-authority 12
Potential: 787 (+2)
Tier 0
[He Who Eludes Death] charge: PRIMED.
[Tribulation]: Four Tribulations pending.
Future Tribulations delayed until:
Time: 176 days 14 hours 23 minutes 16 seconds.
Comments
PriÀm
I'm going to blush... Thank you!
PriÀm
In chapter 3, we see that Esmée has prepared herself for access to Elysium. Thanks to her power, she already knew something was coming. No one sent her to Elysium; she came alone, by winning the Tutorial.
John Anastacio
Poor Kazuki. Poor Priam. Timing of this confrontation is terrible. There were hints before that Esmee's society is pathologically patriarchal but I hadn't realized it was that bad. Interesting that it was Esmee then who went to Elysium instead of a man.
Luciaron
Oh man we’ve got a clash of rivals coming up, I can’t imagine how they’ll all come through, especially if the guy throwing around nukes shows up
Andrew
Thank you!
Amazon Shopper
Fantastic chapter, you are improving by leaps and bounds for the pacing of the story with each chapter. It now really feels that each chapter is necessary and engaging.(Lots of the earlier chapters while not filler didn't drive the plot further or add much meaningful stuff to the story, it really feels that you have improved in that aspect for the most recent chapters) Keep up the great work and I'm looking forward to more of the chapters to come!
Baconwargod
Hes CLOSE to five tribs now. I wonder how long itll take Priam to die then resurrect. I hope its fast. Kazuki can hold his own for a while but I really don't want kazuki to get corrupted.
