Priam
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Chapter 114: The Cabin in the Woods
🕑 Added 2023-09-28 23:08:23 +0000 UTCEnjoy!
*
"To survive what's coming, how about we temporarily join forces?"
The phrase seemed to have wearied Kazuki. For a proud warrior, asking for an alliance was an admission of weakness.
"What exactly are you proposing?"
Priam had many secrets, and most were not meant for the hoplite to learn. Nevertheless, outright refusal would be foolish. Information was the sinews of war, and Kazuki seemed willing to talk.
"The environment is growing increasingly hostile. Without a strong base, survival in the wilderness will become complicated."
"Log-a-rhythm - my base - piqued your interest," Priam understood. "What's in it for me?"
"An extra pair of arms to protect your base against those seeking to occupy it."
Instantly, an image of a certain homunculus flashed in Priam's mind.
"Do you have information on our... rivals?"
Kazuki smiled. "Some that I could share with an ally. The first being that we are not in a position of strength."
"...I see."
The proposition was intriguing, but Priam was caught off guard. He needed time to think. With a thought, he asked Log-a-rhythm to serve them a drink.
The leaves rustled before a root pierced the ground between them. Fanning out, it formed a bowl before magically filling with an amber liquid.
"I've forgotten my hospitality," Priam said, gesturing to the bowl. "Please, help yourself."
Kazuki thanked him with a nod before reaching for the liquid. The bowl detached suddenly. Unfazed, Kazuki caught it mid-air and waited for a second bowl to materialize for Priam.
"To your good health," Priam said before bringing the vessel to his lips. He suppressed a sigh of satisfaction. The taste had changed since the first time. It awakened his taste buds with a tangy flavor, akin to mango syrup with a hint of lemon. One of the best perks of this new life was being able to savor various exotic flavors.
"Excellent," Kazuki remarked. The hoplite had drunk without hesitation. Either he trusted Priam or… He must have an ironclad resistance to poison.
Setting the empty bowl against the branch, Priam watched it meld with it. Log-a-rhythm was at the forefront of recycling.
"It's also for your wife, right?" Priam probed.
The hoplite smiled, shaking his head. "I worry more about the others. My wife is the greatest swordswoman in our history. Unfortunately, she won't come alone. Politics," he spat.
He's willing to save people he doesn't even like...
Kazuki was the Champion hoplite and seemed to take his role as a protector more seriously than Priam. The latter pondered while looking at his magical tree.
"Log-a-rhythm is powerful, but its space is limited. I fear eleven inside is too much."
Kazuki gave him an amused look. "I'm sure you can improve it. If you're lacking resources, know that I spent over three weeks mapping the surroundings..."
Priam's eyes lit up. Finally, some good news!
"Would you be willing to provide a list of the resources you've come across?" Priam asked.
"No, but I'll help you obtain the necessary resources to enhance Log-a-rhythm if you accept my proposal," Kazuki countered.
Priam smiled, seeing the hoplite bargaining. Apparently, he hadn't become the Heart hoplite solely through his martial prowess.
"...If you agree to teach me how to wield the lance, then we have a deal."
Learning the spear from a master was too good an opportunity to pass up. Priam wasn't too arrogant to think he didn't need a master's help, especially if that master was the Champion of a warrior civilization that had practiced this art for millennia. Louis would help him to a certain extent, but the old man wasn’t a spear master.
That was the only reason prompting Priam to consider Kazuki's offer. Despite the hoplite's alarming words, Priam didn't fear most of his rivals. He had more than one trick up his sleeve.
Kazuki smiled. "At seventeen, I was an instructor for the Titan classes. You’re sorely lacking, but I accept," he said, placing his clenched fist against his chin. The Tsalk was both a salute and a promise - the equivalent of a handshake. Priam mimicked the gesture and stood up quickly.
"I hope I’ll no longer bring shame to Promesse," Priam chuckled, indicating his spear.
"Is that its name?" Kazuki asked.
"Yes. It means promise in my language."
"A magnificent name. Not like your grip, though. You have much to learn."
*
Log-a-rhythm Features:
Abundance - Life I
Abundance - Aether I
Protection III
Tribulation Resistance II
Secret Passage
Measurements:
Ceiling Height: 3 meters.
Interior Area: 32 square meters.
Log:
Day 1: Creation of Log-a-rhythm.
Day 5: A foreign entity triggered a Tribulation.
[Steel Winds] inflicted structural damage to the outer shell.
[Tribulation Resistance] I mitigated the damage.
… Critical damage received. Low survival chance. Master absent.
Emergency procedure activated: Exile of the foreign entity.
Restoration...
Day 20: Full restoration.
Tribulation Resistance I evolved into Tribulation Resistance II.
Protection II evolved into Protection III.
Day 28: New selectable theme.
Day 29: Connection to the Master restored.
Choose one theme:
Abundance - Life II
Abundance - Aether II
Protection IV
Tribulation Resistance III
Secret Passage II
Camouflage
Attraction
Underground
Comfort
Volume
Water Control
Land Owner
Kazuki eventually triggered one of his Tribulations to force his evacuation. Priam had to admit, it was clever. In the future, he would avoid imprisoning people in Log-a-rhythm.
Nevertheless, Priam considered himself fortunate. The tree had sustained significant damage but emerged stronger. It was both positive and worrying. In Elysium, Log-a-rhythm wouldn't be the only one to adapt quickly.
Priam quickly thought about the quest that had asked him to slaughter a few spiders. It hadn't been updated yet - probably because he was far from them - but he was willing to bet they were better established than four weeks ago.
"So?" Kazuki asked.
"I can increase the volume of Log-a-rhythm." Kazuki's sigh of relief made Priam smile. "However, we may have another option. What about creating a barrier around Log-a-rhythm."
Kazuki raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Priam briefly explained the concept of Titles of Nobility, the domes, and the barriers that protected them.
"I've already encountered two Barons," Kazuki finally responded. "The first inflicted this on me," he said, indicating the wound that refused to heal. "I fled when I spotted the second in the distance. My instincts were screaming that I stood no chance."
"So, Nobles are more powerful in Elysium. I should have guessed," said Priam, dejected.
Crouching down, Kazuki traced a circle in the earth. "Land Owner might be a good idea, especially if we build good shelters outside of Log-a-rhythm. That way, we won't encroach on your territory - except in emergencies. The problem lies with the barrier."
"It would need to be concealed. If it's visible, it could attract monsters," said Priam.
"Or worse."
Priam knelt, observing the map of the surroundings that Kazuki was sketching. "Do you think Nobles might attack me to enhance their Title?"
"That seems obvious to me. You have a target on your back - but our rivals too. On the other hand, I doubt the first spatial enhancement will increase Log-a-rhythm's internal volume tenfold. Ultimately, it boils down to a simple question."
Kazuki locked his eyes onto Priam's. "Do we hole up in your magical tree, hoping to evade the monsters, or do we take up our spears and go hunt our dinner?"
Presented like that, the answer seemed clear. A smile stretched across Priam's lips. "I don't know about you, but I'm hungry."
*
The interior of Log-a-rhythm remained unchanged. Veins filled with luminescent sap still produced a gentle light. His leaf bed hadn't moved. The tree had gained a bit of space - a little over four square meters in four weeks. If its development was linear, it was little, but still welcome.
In a secret alcove, Priam felt the presence of the mythical die he had hidden. Kazuki hadn't mentioned the item, surely considering it already consumed. Soon.
Before that, Priam had something to do. From his pouch, he took out several items and entrusted the rest to Log-a-rhythm. He kept only a few tea leaves, a Sequoia Sempervirens Aether seed, a cocoa seed and finally, the Crimson Fruit.
Instantly, the tree began to vibrate. A question appeared in his mind.
"I bring you gifts," Priam confirmed. He headed toward one of the walls and placed the items there. One by one, they were absorbed into the wall. The tea leaves elicited no reaction, but Log-a-rhythm vibrated with pleasure as it consumed the two seeds.
Looking at the last item, Priam hesitated. The pineapple-shaped ruby in his hand was precious. Very precious.
[Identification]
[Crimson Fruit - Legendary] - A fruit born of the sacrifice of a grand tree. Naturally capable of reaching the rank of Duke, it never fulfilled its full potential. That same potential now pulses within its fruit.
The tree originates from another Universe; alien truths are buried within this fruit.
Its consumption stimulates the latent potential present in your blood.
Planted, it will give rise to a unique tree.
Consuming it would instantly elevate him. On the other hand, if Log-a-rhythm managed to distill the powers of the fruit... In the long run, his base would become one of his trump cards.
His blood boiled, urging him to consume the treasure immediately. On the other side, his draconic instinct seemed uncertain. Refusing to be led by a mere impulse, Priam pressed the fruit against the tree.
The important thing was to win the game, not dominate the early.
"I have a build designed for snowballing, it would be a shame not to take advantage of it," he reminded himself.
Confident in his decision, he watched the fruit vanish. Log-a-rhythm trembled as it absorbed the treasure. Quickly, the sap took on a blood-red hue. Space began to distort, and Priam was abruptly ejected from his tree.
Landing roughly on his rear, he raised his head just in time to catch sight of a silhouette. Seated on a tree branch, it met his gaze, and Priam was paralyzed. The entity observing him was incomprehensible.
[He Who Eludes Gods] vibrated, struggling to keep its soul in one piece.
Finally, the tree ceased trembling, and the silhouette finally vanished. Eyes unfocused, Priam gazed at the simple beauty of the light playing in the now reddish leaves. Dazed, he only reacted when Kazuki extended his hand.
"Are you alright?" the hoplite asked, helping him up.
"...You didn't see anything?" Priam wondered.
"Beside you daydreaming with your eyes open? Nothing."
"I might have been dreaming..." [High Human Adaptation] was already blurring the memory, and Priam didn't stop it.
Finally regaining his composure, Priam stood up and selected the floating notification.
Evolution of "Log-a-rhythm".
The Tal Quercus - the base of your tree - has evolved.
The royal lineage of the elves traces back to their mythical ancestors, the Primo Elves.
A unique event awakened this connection.
Log-a-rhythm had been created from the stump of a dead Tal Quercus, felled by a Tribulation. The tree itself was born from the sacrifice of a Royal Elf, and the crimson fruit seemed to have revealed the link between this being and their ancestors.
Priam's gamble had paid off.
Potential Awakening for Log-a-rhythm:
Themes now have a cost in POT.
Passive Gain: 100 POT/day.
New available themes:
Primo (1,000,000)
Tal Quercus (10,000)
Nature (1,000)
Cocoa (500)
Sequoia (1,000)
Tea (500)
Old available themes:
Abundance - Life II (1,000)
Abundance - Aether II (1,000)
Protection IV (5,000)
Tribulation Resistance III (2,500)
Secret Passage II (1,000)
Camouflage (500)
Attraction (500)
Underground (500)
Comfort (500)
Volume (500)
Water Control (500)
Land Owner II (1,000)
Current POT: 843
Without hesitation, Priam bought Camouflage for 500 POT. A breeze swept through the clearing, and Log-a-rhythm's presence seemed to blend into the surroundings. Its striking colors subdued. Simultaneously, the trees bordering the clearing took on reddish hues.
To an outside observer, Log-a-rhythm was simply a tall tree slightly isolated from the rest of the forest.
"Incredible," Kazuki murmured. "It's not just a physical transformation. My gaze glides over it without stopping."
Priam didn't notice anything special. As its owner, the tree's magic spared him.
"I'm activating Land Owner," he announced.
Land Owner activated.
Select a feature to construct:
Land privilege
Protective barrier.
Luminous barrier.
Environmental barrier.
Alarm.
Other hidden options - prerequisites not met.
Nice! It was precisely what he needed. He suspected that some options wouldn't be available - building a Coliseum for two people would have been ridiculous. Even if it were possible, the danger of the endeavor would have deterred him.
In the end, Land Owner simply expanded Log-a-rhythm's options, which suited Priam just fine. He wasn't here to build a city, just a secret and fortified base. He quickly selected Protective Barrier.
A mental switch later, a transparent dome appeared. Centered on Log-a-rhythm, it covered about half of the clearing. Priam sensed its presence through their connection, but otherwise, it was invisible.
"How did you do that?" Kazuki furrowed his brow while looking around. He used his spear to make hesitant gestures. His behavior surprised Priam.
"What do you mean?"
"The intangible trees," he said. Each movement seemed to add to his confusion.
Clueless, Priam asked Log-a-rhythm for an explanation. The next moment, trees appeared around him. "Oh!"
Priam reached for one, amused to see his hand disappear inside. The trees created by the synergy of Camouflage and Protective Barrier were simply illusions - visible but untouchable.
Mentally, he asked the AI to create a whitelist and add Kazuki.
The hoplite's eyes widened before nodding. "Perfect. The dumbest monsters won't even notice. Unfortunately, that won't be enough to keep our rivals at bay."
"We'll have to increase the size of the dome," Priam conceded.
As the dome didn't reach the edge of the clearing, a portion was suspiciously empty. If one of their rivals had an aerial view, it might raise their suspicions.
"Can you do that now?"
Priam shook his head. "I'll need to sacrifice more resources. Or wait seven days."
He only had 343 POT left, and Camouflage II cost 1000.
"It would be dangerous to wait that long. If you need samples of special trees, I have a few ideas," Kazuki offered.
"Let's g..."
A portal suddenly opened in front of Priam. The cutest creature in Elysium emerged. A miniaturized Sphinx, brimming with excitement, surveyed her new surroundings.
"The grass is blue!" she exclaimed. "Is it edible?!"
Without waiting for an answer, Sphinx leaped onto an unlucky blade of grass and devoured it.
"BLAHHHHH!"
*
Concepts Archipelago.
"Shouldn't we have held her back?" Mirscella asked, observing the still-open portal.
Louis shrugged. "I didn't even know we could leave here without Priam's permission."
Alain sighed before turning to Blueberry. The bear trembled, sprawled on the ground. He was the last one to have spoken to Sphinx. "Hum Blueberry ? Do you know how this delightful child pulled it off?"
Blueberry tried to get up and failed. After a few seconds, unable to hold it in any longer, he burst into laughter.
Alain, Mirscella, and Louis exchanged glances before shrugging. Eventually, the bear calmed down.
"After going around the island about three hundred times, Sphinx wanted to see something else," he explained, wiping away a tear.
"It's almost a prison for a hyperactive girl," Mirscella remarked.
Alain cleared his throat. "Priam's doing his best," he pleaded.
"Anyway, she created a skill to find Priam without wrecking everything," Blueberry continued. "After several tests, she found a Potential efficient skill."
"Which one?" Louis asked. He, too, was eager to get out.
"[Join your Pet]," Blueberry replied, bursting into laughter again.
*
Status: (Average value for a Homo sapiens male before integration: PHY 10 / MEN 10 / META 0)
PHYSICAL:
Strength 318
Constitution 451
Agility 308
Vitality 466
Perception 534
MENTAL:
Vivacity 288
Dexterity 357
Memory 76
Willpower 477
Charisma 410
META:
Meta-affinity 252
Meta-focus 186
Meta-endurance 164
Meta-perception 77
Meta-chance 207
Meta-authority 12
Potential: 966
Tier 0
[He Who Eludes Death] charge: PRIMED.
[Tribulation]: One Tribulation pending.
Future Tribulations delayed until:
Time: 179 days 23 hours 7 minutes 6 seconds.
Comments
Wiggles1
Me skimming the land owner options: |Alarm. |Other hidden o_tp_s "Fuck yeah go for the hidden octopus! ...Wait, lame."
PriÀm
The evolutions - after a thirty-day wait - were only for the most advanced options... basic options. An option like Primo would never have been available. In addition, they had a ceiling (rank V).
Andrew
Thank you!
ciopo
tftc! If he still had the one "free evolution", couldn't he have taken "primo" with that, and wait 2 days for some potential to get the barrier?
John Anastacio
I suspect Alain doesn't have citizen of the aether yet. Elysium's aether density would kill him if he stayed too long, the way it did Priam.
Arrogant Savant
Alain might get "Join your child" but the rest aren't so lucky.
Quyan640
Making a tribulation area to farm tribulation resistance would be profitable in more than one way. After all, paying for the service would likely allow leniency for the person undergoing their tribulation. Meanwhile, Priam can risk undergoing more tribulation at once.
Amazon Shopper
tftc! a funny one!
Joshua LaBarge
Join your pet, lol
