Daz was happily chatting with Mu as they stepped out of his flying car when Daz stopped talking midsentence.

He'd activated his Soul Vision out of habit to scan the local area for anomalies - a new habit of his - when he saw something... well, odd yet not unexpected.

"... I wanted to spar with you when we got back. It seems like I won't be able to. I'll see you later, Mu," Daz bade farewell as he stored the Ridomochi in its key then shoved said key back into his Industrial Item Box.

Mu followed Daz's line of sight and nodded after also activating the racial trait of a reaper. "Madison's soul... I do wonder how she knew you had returned, Brother. I shall leave arranging the demonstration of my Embers to you then. Remember that the sooner it is done, the sooner people can begin reflecting on the matter."

"Yeah. Don't worry, I'll have a proper stage set up for you soon enough," Daz said before he hooked his right foot into Hamson's handle and then stood on the shovel's blade.

The next moment, he was soaring through the sky towards Madison.

Daz could barely make out Madison's features as he saw a pair of ethereal wings soar towards him.

"Daz!" Madison yelled with that deadpan voice of hers as she slammed into him, wrapping her arms around his back. "Missed, you."

Mr Barrier was sat atop her head of golden hair and the creature stealthily shuffled over to rest itself on Daz's head instead, blocking out his halo and upsetting Reika as a consequence.

'Stupid blue blob! He's an insolent fool but you, you're a... a... an ignorant fool!' Reika yelled.

Daz ignored her and Mr Barrier either couldn't see and hear her or it was also ignoring her. The incorporeal demon princess huffed and inflated her cheeks before floating to sit atop Mr Barrier, apparently seeing no other option.

"Did anything big happen while I was away?" Daz asked Madison.

She shook her head lightly. "Don't, think, so. Been, trying, essence, sharpness. Failure, mostly. Don't, understand. More, clues?"

"Tonight Mu will be showing off something similar to what I want you to learn. Maybe watching him will help you out. You still don't have an identification skill, do you?" Daz asked.

Madison tilted her head to the side and gave Daz a bit of a blank stare. "No. Why?"

"If you did, Mu could just let you see what it is I'm trying to get you to learn. That's how I learned about it. Lesser Identification is only 10,000 merit points. I'd suggest spending a skill slot to learn it. I started with Higher Identification which is, admittedly, far better, but it's a very useful skill to determine your opponent's strength and to find out what a weird object is regardless of its rank. It has more uses than that too- ...Why am I trying to sell this to you? You're gonna buy it anyway, aren't you?" Daz had noticed that look in Madison's eyes.

It was the look she gave him when she understood what he was suggesting and was more than willing to go along with whatever it was.

She smiled with her eyes. "Mmm, purchased. Can, identify, you?"

"Uh, sure. Go ahead," Daz answered.

He wasn't exactly expecting her to immediately want to look at his status, but if that's what she wanted, then what reason did he have to deny her? It wasn't like he had anything to hide from her.

Warning! You have attempted to access the status of a host who has the ability to deny such an attempt from the [Lesser Identification] skill. They have been alerted to this. Congratulations! The host [Daz] has allowed you to view his status with no restrictions.

'Yay,' Madison happily thought as a big blue window appeared in her vision.

She scanned his information then frowned with her eyes. "Daz, problem. Description, blocked, system."

"Huh? Oh, right. I remember Harriot saying the same thing a while ago... Hmm, give me a second, I'll ask the system some questions," Daz said positively.

Madison nodded and waited patiently. Since they weren't sure how long Daz would be, the two began walking through Fort Home hand in hand as they headed towards Fort Skip up on the cliffside.

A few minutes of blissful peace passed before Daz nodded. "Right. You should be able to see most of my description now. There are certain details on there that the system doesn't want to show. Weird that it doesn't just erase them since it curates them, but it is what it is, I suppose."

"Mmm." Madison wasn't one to question the system. That was better left to Daz and Rose.

Instead, she once again took a peek at Daz's status.

Daz's Status Description

Born into a wealthy and powerful esper family, Daz - formerly Darenzo Hamilio - grew up being abused by his father Davido Hamilio almost every waking moment.

His childhood saw many a beating, however, this only served to fuel his hatred for his father. It was the existence of his closest family that kept him from giving in to his buried rage.

Those he cherishes dearly are his anchor, and for them, there is little he would not do. So much so that it is doubtful if any moral barriers could keep him from ensuring their safety and happiness.

Through several strokes of good fortune and luck along with his own unwavering will, Daz has come to be the king of the fledging kingdom, New Earth.

Hidden Description

Favoured by the system's Master of Flavour Text, Player Botund Relox, Player Altros and Player Pheldorapod.

Champion of the lesser god, the God of Shovels.

Basic Information Name: Daz Species: Reaper Race: Archreaper Age: 20 Sex: Male Class: Crystal Digger Affinity: Lawful Neutral Energies Lifeforce: 100,000/100,000 Death Energy: 95,000/105,000 Worldforce: 17,500/17,500 Stats Strength: [LR] 1,500(2,250) Dexterity: [LR] 2,000(3,000) | Item Boost: +50. Constitution: [LR] 3,000(4,500) Intelligence: 1,483(2,224) Transparency: [LR] 780(1,170) Agility: [LR] 1,500 Charisma: [LR] 2,000 | Item Boost: +15. Defense: [LR] 2,000 | Item boost: +3,000. Immunity: [LR] 2,000 Soul Power: 42,000 Luck: [LR]1,250 | Item Boost: +375. Justice: 7,680 Corruption: 0 Wisdom: 2,633 | Item Boost: +250. Regeneration: 1,933 | Item boost: +100. Mana Sensitivity: 1,474

Madison's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. "So, much, information..."

Daz grinned. "And that description is the abbreviated version according to the system. It's kind of weird how I can't see my own description but I can create a fake one if I want to... but yeah, if you get good at reading statuses you can learn a lot about a person the second you meet them. I try not to use my identification skill on people that I'm not hostile to or wary of, but yeah, still incredibly useful."

Madison nodded enthusiastically. "Can, tell."

She glanced over his stats and then wore a confused look in her eyes. "How, stats, work? Numbers, weird."

"Well, they give percentile bonuses to stuff. You can ask the system for more info and it'll tell you if you have a good enough access level," Daz answered helpfully. "Wanna talk about it a bit more while helping me set up a good stage for Mu to show off what I want you to learn?"

"Mmm!" Madison's hair flopped around as it followed her erratic head bobs. "Sound, fun!"

"Haha, with you by my side I'm sure it will be," Daz chuckled, resulting in a faint blush creeping onto Madison's face.

They were in public, after all. Still, she tightened her grip on his hand. Public or not, she hadn't charged up on her Daz energy for over a week! She wouldn't let her own embarrassment get in the way of something so important.

Immediately upon returning to Fort Skip, Daz summoned his clones and Rimmy again.

Alpha immediately set off for Las Vegas, Gamma had no immediate tasks so was left to do what he wanted - which happened to be working on the broken airship - and Beta was directed to go find and help Greg Miller wherever the former general was.

Rimmy's main body was left outside of Fort Skip's outer wall like usual but Daz had missed the crystal giant's company so he asked him if he wouldn't mind following him and Madison with his core. Naturally, Rimmy obliged.

The group of 3 were fast approaching the venue Fiona used with her fellow artists and musicians to put on shows when Daz glanced over at Rimmy.

More specifically, he glanced at the tiny speck of black matter hidden deep within his friend's body. "Still haven't finished absorbing that king, huh?"

Rimmy shook his head sadly. "Rimmy."

"I know you're trying, but don't force it. That thing almost sucked my soul out of my body. It's not wholly unexpected that it would take a while to properly become a part of your power," Daz encouraged.

Madison frowned with her eyes even though she'd already heard the story about Daz accidentally summoning an incredibly powerful pitch-black gem which almost took control of his body.

The thought of Daz dying was scary to her but the mere notion that something malicious could have become Daz... well, that gave the girl nightmares.

"Rimmy!" Rimmy said as he gave Daz a big thumbs up.

Smiling, Daz replied, "Trust you to not be down in the dumps for more than a few moments."

Before long the trio of Daz, Madison and Rimmy's core were inside the old stage-turned-theatre speaking to Fiona and a skinny man wearing a tie-dye shirt.

The man's hair flowed down to his hips and he had a bass guitar covered in skulls and flowers strapped to his back. A peculiar combination, for sure, but the instrument looked both equally terrifying and calming, which was... unique, to say the least.

His name was Albert Dunkleman and he was a refugee from Canada that had travelled all across the continent to seek safety in New Earth.

"Sure. We don't have anything planned for tonight except rehearsals, right, Fifi?" Albert asked as he stepped back and sat on a large speaker.

Fiona nodded. "Yeah. How long do you guys, uh, need?"

'Oh, that's nice. She's looking me in the eyes while talking to me. That's an improvement. It still looks like she has something to say to me, but she isn't avoiding me. Her confidence must have gone up or something,' Daz thought before answered, "An hour or so will do. Just long enough to demonstrate something several times."

"Not a problem, bro," Albert said with a flowery smile. "How's 7 sound? We can wrap up rehearsals by 6-30 and have the place cleaned up by quarter-to-7."

Daz nodded. "Perfect. Thanks for being so accommodating."

"Don't sweat it, bro. You're the top dawg, aren't ya? Only natural we do you a favour here or there when you need it," Albert said with a short laugh.

"Regardless, thank you," Daz repeated. He then looked down at the daughter of the former mayor of what was once Waterford. "Fiona."

"H-Huh? Need something else?" the confused teen answered.

"If you ever want to talk about anything, I can always make room to listen. Well then, we'll see you two in a few hours," Daz said in parting.

He, Madison and Rimmy then left the room and the stunned teen with Albert.

"Hahaha, he's got your number, huh? I heard he wasn't very emotional but he's sure picked up on your awkward cues, that's for sure," Albert said teasingly.

"... Shit," Fiona cursed. 'I want to apologise to him and say thanks but there's never a good time and it's weird since he's a king now. Damn it. Why'd he have to notice?'

"Gertrude, darling, how I've missed you so!"

"Seriously, Sten, don't kiss the damned tank. You'll catch something."

"Nonsense, old boy! Can't you hear Gertrude purring in delight at our reunion? It's been over a month since we were separated! You can't deny me the chance to express my feelings!"

"Separated? Is that how you call blowing a guy up and almost injuring the king?"

"Bah, he had it coming and His Majesty would have been fine. You'd never hurt the king, would you, Gertrude? That's right. I thought not."

"... I really should have bribed General Retford to extend our ban. The damned machine's not a good influence on you, Sten."

"To think that you considered something so heinous and dastardly! I see that I've failed you as your father."

"Oi, don't go rewriting history like that. You hadn't even met my mother until our first off-period in the royal army!"

"Now, now, Leston, it's petty of you to mind the small details..."

"My mother certainly wouldn't have appreciated your 'small detail', that's for sure... Ha-ah... Whatever, anyway, say goodbye to the tank. We need to go guard the walls since the king's holding a big event in that fancy theatre. Guard rearrangement or whatever."

"What nonsense are you speaking, Leston? Of course we'll be defending the gates with the assistance of our fine and beautiful Gertrude!"

"No! Not unless you get rid of that big red button and make it a bit wider inside!"

"Ha-ah... To think you'd raise your voice and argue against me, your loving father... My poor heart can't handle such an emotional attack..."

"Then let it pop. I'm not budging on this! I don't want to be demoted to toilet duty and light guard work for another month!"

"Tch. You're no fun, Leston. You really should grow out a fabulous moustache. I swear on His Majesty's name, it'd give you a lot more character."

"Whatever."