It was time to go through each of these and make a snap decision. Beginning with [W?lian Soldier].
No. Just no. There was no way in hell he was tying his fate to this empire and its wars. The same went for [Hunter of Ahsmati], for all the reasons Pauwna had outlined and more.
Pass.
Next were the charged classes. These were compelling. Most of his abilities were tied to the overloaded mechanic, so there was a synergy there. He still couldn’t help but feel that he missed an upgraded version when he chose not to get a third overloaded ability. Dante felt that he should at least decide between one of them. Of the two, he felt that the warrior version synchronized the most with his current attributes and his desire to live through this — though it was a bit too much endurance for his taste. He did like the idea of using multiple charges at once. But it had no attributes he liked, so he preferred [Charged Warrior].
[Aura Adept] was the most mysterious of the options. It seemed to hint at offering more finesse with [Overloaded Warding Flesh], which he had gotten a taste of with [Aura Manipulation]. He had liked what he had seen with that skill so far, so it was tempting. There was the line that said that it was a pathway to secret things, which appealed to his curiosity. However, it seemed like it would take time to master. Time that he did not have. The stats it gave were not optimal either. Cognition didn’t seem relevant, given his current situation. A reluctant no on that one.
His last choice was [Indomitable Survivor]. On the face of it, it seemed perfect. It focused on giving attributes that he would always need and it would boost his survivability. Dante was just leery of the line that said: ‘give up on change. ’ He wasn’t quite sure what it meant, but he didn’t want to be too passive. Sometimes, he would need to take a stand. When he had fought that Ahsmati earlier, he had only won because he had a way to strike back. Still, it was perfect on every other account. So maybe.
Which just left a choice between [Charged Warrior] and [Indominatable Survivor]. One was practical and the other was a risk. One flexible, one inflexible. Dante didn’t have time to agonize over this, so he went with his gut.
You have selected [Charged] Warrior as your [Class]
+1 to Constitution, + 1 to Fortitude, +2 to Endurance
4 free attribute points are available
A new ability can be selected
Keystone [Rising Tide] obtained
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 80%" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 99.0385%; text-align: center">Rising Tide</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 99.0385%; text-align: left">All abilities gain one charge. All overloaded abilities have increased intensity and longer charge duration. Penalties during downtime are increased and charge cooldown is reduced. While a charge is on cooldown, attributes are slightly increased.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
This is complicated. Perhaps the most text out of any ability I have. Let’s check … Yep, both of my overloaded abilities now have two charges. It seems incredibly good, just a straight up power increase. And that last part, I wonder if —
“Dante! Get into position. We have wasted enough time as it is.”
He looked away from his notebook to see the squad ready to go and Sūnva giving a rather stern look. That was the first time he had a look like that from Sūnva. It was not a happy one. The unit that they had assisted had already left. Dante began stuffing his notebook in his bag and rose to his feet.
I will think about that later. Also, I will need to take a look at whats available for my new class abilities.
“Sorry! Coming.” He called back, having stored everything and re-equipped his crossbow. He stood up and began jogging over when he remembered something.
Ah! I still need to distribute the free attribute points. I’ve been meaning to add points to alacrity. Everything in this war happens way too fast for me, so it’s time to change that.
+4 to alacrity
The instant he confirmed his choice, he began to feel … strange. It was only then that he remembered the deleterious effects that his past attribute changes had. Suspiciously, the effects from the class attributes hadn’t hit yet either. He only had time for one thought before it hit.
This is going to suck.
Time had slowed to a crawl. Heat flared through his muscle and his skin began to itch. The step he had taken towards the group moved as if through cold honey. The strange thing was that it was selective. His heartbeat maintained the same rate and he could hear it in his ears. A steady thud, thud, thud.
This persisted until his foot nearly reached the ground, a time made longer by his discomfort, then it flipped. His foot crashed into the ground, moving far too quickly. By comparison, his thoughts were now sluggish and he was falling before the change even registered. His heart rate caught with time, becoming a staccato thudthudthud. Then it was normal again and Dante caught himself right before the fall became hopeless. The entire experience was like the worst head rush he had ever experienced. He was unsteady on his feet and his limbs trembled, his sense of balance ruined. He forced himself to take another step forward. He couldn’t reveal what had happened. Already, his lapse had garnered attention from the group.
“Are you alright?” asked Sūnva, concern peeking through her placid exterior. Behind her, Pauwna sent him a knowing look and rolled her eyes.
“Yes. Sorry, just a brief bout of lightheadedness. I am fine now.”
That part was true, he felt fantastic. An aftereffect from increasing his constitution and endurance. He bet that, beneath his bandage, the wound was already partly healed. Plus, the change to his reaction speed was very noticeable. After all, he had nearly increased his alacrity by fifty percent. It was like he processed the world at a smoother rate, even his thoughts were quicker. He now understood that what he had thought were brief moments of strategizing were an eternity to someone with senses like this. How slow he must appear to them. It must have been aggravating. Sūnva gave him a piercing look and Dante could tell that he had not quite convinced her.
“Speak up if it happens again. Get into position. We have wasted too much time already.”
Nodding his head, Dante walked back into the center of the formation where he very much felt like a VIP protected by bodyguards. A picture that was highlighted, given that he was spotless where as they were covered in so much dust they appeared corpse white. Paired with the blots of blood from the earlier fight, they looked like they had gone through the wringer.
The feeling of uselessness came back. But then, he reminded himself that he had actually taken down an Ahsmati. Sure, it was injured and on the lower-level side, but he had contributed. In fact, perhaps there was a way he could help right now.
Dante sidled up to Pauwna, then focused on his sensation of [Overloaded Warding Flesh]. It was getting easier, especially with the increases to [Aura Manipulation]. He could feel the area had expanded, perhaps about a body length distance from him at all times.
“May I test something on you?” He asked Pauwna. “If it works, I can clean off all of that dust.”
Once she had given him a hesitant nod, Dante expended a charge and reached out with [Aura Manipulation]. With it, he managed to shape [Overloaded Warding Flesh] beyond anything he had attempted before. He pushed it towards Pauwna and it swelled beyond his expectations, easily enveloping her. She stiffened as all the dust flew off her as if she had stood in the path of a strong wind, her short hair billowing widely. When it was done, she was spotless save for the dried blood patches. Even her hair was free of impurities. It was strange, it seemed like the dust on the opposite side had also blown off, giving the impression that the wind had flowed through her and only affected the dust. It seemed like the ability went through objects. Recollecting herself, Pauwna inspected her gear and, seeming satisfied, gave him a nod.
“My thanks. That filth was distracting and it’s bad for the equipment besides.” She turned from him and yelled to the front: “Hey, Rhea, take a look at this!”
After displaying the trick again to Sūnva, Dante soon found himself doing the same for every member of the squad. He had to admit, being able to help in that way reassured some of the fear that he was a burden. It was small, but this was something that only he could do. Even if he was being, in essence, a glorified shower. Though it certainly didn’t seem to change Ren’s opinion of him. She had even rolled her eyes when she saw that they were stopping for this.
What even is her deal? Am I ever going to win her over?
It quickly became apparent that he didn’t need to use his charges for this, but at least he learned that the cooldown was closer to forty seconds now. Which was better than before, but still an eternity on the battlefield. He also saw firsthand the effect of his new keystone on his stats. With a single cast, it had changed substantially. He opened his character sheet briefly as they continued again.
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 99.3644%">
Name: Dante Embry
Race: Human
Class: Charged Warrior
Level: 5
Attributes
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 90.0644%" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 36.4036%">Alacrity</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 14.9015%">13 (14)</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 34.1037%">Endurance</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 14.6011%">16 (17)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 36.4036%">Charisma</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 14.9015%">7 (8)
</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 34.1037%">Fortitude</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 14.6011%">18 (20)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 36.4036%">Cognition</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 14.9015%">14 (15)
</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 34.1037%">Perception</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 14.6011%">11 (12)
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 36.4036%">Constitution</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 14.9015%">19 (21)
</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 34.1037%">Strength</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 14.6011%">8 (9)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 36.4036%">Dexterity</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 14.9015%">12 (13)
</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 34.1037%">Willpower</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 14.6011%">14 (15)
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Skills
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 90.0644%" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 72.3152%">Aura Manipulation (Rare)</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 27.6949%">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 72.3152%">Brawl (Common)
</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 27.6949%">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 72.3152%">Crossbow (Uncommon)</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 27.6949%">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 72.3152%">Deception (Common)
</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 27.6949%">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 72.3152%">Lock Picking (Uncommon)
</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 27.6949%">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 72.3152%">Logic (Rare)
</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 27.6949%">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 72.3152%">Builder (Common)
</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 27.6949%">6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 72.3152%">Sleight of Hand (Uncommon)
</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 27.6949%">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 72.3152%">Stealth (Uncommon)
</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 27.6949%">2</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Abilities
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 90.0644%" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 72.3073%; text-align: center">Chameleon (Rare)
</td>
<td style="width: 27.7027%; text-align: center">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 72.3073%; text-align: center">Overloaded Senses (Rare)</td>
<td style="width: 27.7027%; text-align: center">5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 72.3073%; text-align: center">Temporal Reactions (Legendary)</td>
<td style="width: 27.7027%; text-align: center">5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 72.3073%; text-align: center">Overloaded Warding Flesh (Unique)</td>
<td style="width: 27.7027%; text-align: center">8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 72.3073%; text-align: center">[Selections Available]</td>
<td style="width: 27.7027%; text-align: center">N/A</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Traits
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 90.0644%" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 72.2072%">Fickle Fate (Unique)
</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 27.8028%">MAX</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 72.2072%">Human Tenacity (Racial)
</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 27.8028%">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 72.2072%">Rising Tide (Class)</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 27.8028%">1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<REDACTED>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 90%" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 72.3592%; text-align: center"><REDACTED></td>
<td style="width: 27.6225%; text-align: center">2957</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
It wouldn’t hurt to take a look at my new ability options, would it? Besides, it’s also risky to fight when I am not at full power.
He opened the menu and made sure to keep his eyes forward. Dante eagerly devoured the new menu and was disappointed that it wasn’t near infinite like before. At least nearly all the options were good.
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 80%" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 99.9666%">
Choose a [Ability]
Charged Strike (Uncommon)
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 90.1035%" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 98.8472%; text-align: center">Description: Invest stamina to empower a strike. Hold it at the ready to accumulate additional power.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 98.8472%; text-align: center">Requirements: None</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Charged Block (Uncommon)
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 98.8472%; text-align: center">Description: Invest stamina to empower your guard. The longer it is held, the stronger it is.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 98.8472%; text-align: center">Requirements: None</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Charged Meditation (Uncommon)
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 98.8472%; text-align: center">Description: Fall into a meditative trance and recover health and mana. Starts slow and accelerates. Moving or casting will break the trance.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 98.8472%; text-align: center">Requirements: None</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Regeneration (Rare)
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 98.8472%; text-align: center">Description: Heal from damage at an accelerated speed. Can regenerate lost limbs at a slow rate.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 98.8472%; text-align: center">
Requirements: Suffer three life-threatening injuries and survive.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Mana Body Fortification (Rare)
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 90%" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 98.8472%; text-align: center">Description: Permanently dedicate a portion of your mana to preserving your body''s natural state. Stores a part of all damage, poisons, and adverse effects in a limited buffer. This buffer must be cleared to be available again.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 98.8472%; text-align: center">Requirements: Have at least twenty-five percent of mana dedicated towards defense. Must possess no abilities that are aggressive.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
“Close ranks! Ahsmati formation coming in from vunūr!”
Dante had barely read through the list when he was distracted by the cry. Before he could react, he was shoved against the side of the trench. He looked around, slightly dazed. They had just reached the second line of trenches and were at an intersection. Turning on his heel, he could see no sign of enemies.
I have no idea what direction is vunūr! How did I not get taught this?
Svōl, Pauwna, and Sūnva were standing between the party and the rest of the trench. Dante was squashed in the middle and behind him was Ren, Varvi, and Rēva. Everyone had their weapons out and were looking … up?
Following their gaze, he saw nothing at first until he spotted glinting specks moving through the sky. Ones that were quickly growing bigger. He had a few seconds. Dante made an impulse pick.
[Mana Body Fortification] Acquired
Trait unlocked!
[Mana —
Dante swiped the notifications out of the way and reached into his bag to grab the red bolt. He loaded it into the crossbow, aimed down the sights, and waited. Belatedly, he remembered to activate the charge on [Overloaded Sharpen Senses]. His vision sharpened and he could now make out a large feathered snake-like Ahsmati that he had never seen before. This one reminded him somewhat of an eastern dragon save for the feathers. It undulated through the air, somehow flying without wings. It was surround by a few dozen of the smaller winged serpent Ahsmati, like the one who had savaged him in the last battle.
After seeing that large Ahsmati, Dante regretted his choice of bolt. He hoped it was nothing like the Black Wind. If it was, then they were all doomed.
There was a thrum sound as another crossbow fired, which surprised him as he hadn’t known anyone else in the unit used one. A bolt lanced into the sky so quickly that the feathered serpent only had time to flinch before it struck. Curiously, it passed through the scales and out the other end without apparent harm but the beast roared in pain. Trailing it, were vestiges of blue something. He wasn’t sure what it was, except that it wasn’t blood.
Following quickly behind was Ren’s laser, the largest he had seen yet from her. It raked across the sky, felling a couple of smaller Ahsmati before focusing on the snake one — which largely seemed unaffected. She made a second gesture and a crystal lens formed in its path, transforming it into dozens of smaller beams which unerringly struck down the smaller Ahsmati. Taking it as a queue, Dante waited a second longer and then fired his own.
I hope this works as advertised.
A few feet into its flight, the bolt blurred, then became dozens. None were as large as the original, but it caused the Ahsmati swarm to disperse. Most made it out of the way. Most.
Level 6 [Tund Ahsmati] has been slain
Level 9 [Tund Ahsmati] has been slain
Level 7 [Tund Ahsmati] has been slain
Your Participation: 100%
Don’t think about it don’t think about it don’t think about it.
While his arrow had cleared all of the small ones, the big serpent had not diverted course. All of the bolts that struck it had bounced off to no ill effect. Green fire flickered in its maw and Dante did not want to figure out what that did.
Time slowed down as [Temporal Reactions] activated. It was more drastic than he expected, rivaling pre-specialization levels, but the ‘why’ of that could wait for another time. He looked around his teammates to see how bad this was. The best the situation could be described was pandemonium. Pauna was converting all of her blood to a shield, people were diving all around, and Svōl had placed his palms on the ground where a stone wall was rising. It was not fast enough, the Ahsmati would be upon them. He had to do something.
A flew plans flashed through his mind and died. Dante remembered what he had done the last time he had faced an Ahsmati using fire. It was risky, but could save them all.
No choice really.
Dante vaulted over the conjured stone wall and positioned himself in front of everyone. With a plume of green fire bearing down upon them, he activated in quick succession [Overloaded Senses] and then [Overloaded Warding Flesh]. The repulsive aura burst out of him like never before, about double its usual size. It wasn’t enough, but it was the best he could manage.
“[Empire’s Decree: Empower]” shouted Sūnva and Dante felt a strange energy infuse his limbs. The aura ballooned further and he began to shape his aura, extending it forward into a wedge shape. Then the flame was upon him.
It beat against his barrier and Dante was immediately pushed backwards. The back of his calves met the stone wall and he pitched over. Strong hands grabbed on and he looked back to see that Pauwna and Svōl had supported him. Now firmly locked in position, he could see the raging fire was breaking upon his barrier and the wedge shape had diverted it to the sides. They were not quite out of danger yet though, the onslaught was slowly inching towards them. He could feel the intense heat and it was getting worse by the moment. Even more worryingly, he could feel the end of the overcharge approaching.
With no sign of the flames ceasing, he paid close attention to the ability. The instant its power sagged and the dragon’s breath roared forward, he activated the second charge. Where once the heat was stifling, it was now unbearable. He could feel the burns beginning to form, a process he was now well familiar with. There was a splash of cold and the contrast made him gasp. Liquid dripped down him and he realised Pauwna had poured their waterskin over him. It helped tremendously, providing a much-needed barrier between himself and the heat. With a roar, he pushed back and kept the fire in check for a bit longer.
When it died, he would have fallen had the hands holding him not kept him upright. They lowered him to the stone, where he sat he in relief. His skin smarted, still feeling the heat, but he was unharmed.
Hovering in front of them, he could see the serpent panting. Another bolt flew from behind him and struck it, eliciting a roar. It winged away, splatting them with thick droplets of blood.
[Aura Manipulation] has increased to Level 3
He had done it. Tanked the attack. Proved his worth. Looking around, he could see a new level of respect in his companion''s eyes. Even Ren no longer looked down her nose at him.
Like all good things, it did not last long. There was a chorus of small roars and Dante looked up to see the smaller Ahsmati congregating. This battle was still far from over.