《Draconic System Ascension》Ch15 Bound
Advertisement
I gave a quick glance over the new skills I obtained from the evolution, and it was a definite power up. Though, the new ethereal dragon breath doesn't appear to have the ability to burn through anything in the physical realm. Which might serve to be an obstacle in the future.
Of course, it's not like I want to raze a village to the ground. Well, at least not another one. Although I will admit that the plentiful amount of levels from the attack was intoxicating, but the number of armed humans around the towns has also spiked. At least in comparison to the village. If I consider the time I left the village to when I noticed the sudden spike, it hadn't been long, maybe two days at most?
Which brings me back to the thought that had been nagging me for a while now.
Did anybody manage to escape my attack, and more importantly, did they see me?
Though my worries are ill founded now, considering my new evolution. Even if the evolution isn't going to help much, at least diplomatically speaking, if worse does come to pass, I could simply fly away. Otherwise I should be able to handle myself in a fight. My claws alone would cut down most foes.
With that issue finally addressed, it's now time to leave the cave; my new size makes me scrape against the edges of the cave with my tail, which is a bit claustrophobic considering what I was used to.
Surprisingly I managed to squeeze my way out of the cave system with minimal effort on my part.
On my way out I made sure to take a big whiff of the fresh air, marveling at the beauty of nature.
Granted I hadn't been in the cave long, but it definitely felt like it had been a while, which was a bit odd. I hadn't had issues with either caves, or tight spaces before my evolution, though now it almost felt wrong being in one.
Advertisement
Ah, thoughts for another time.
I quickly headed over to Decorite and placed him in my little soul pocket, which acted like an inventory. It was one of the benefits of unlocking soul force, and reaching the first stage. The system currently listed the three different stages of soul proficiency as such:
(Current) First Stage: The most basic of soul manipulation, able to control users own soul to bend to its will and move anywhere in the body. This stage also gives the soul a storage ability.
Second Stage: Intermediate soul manipulation, able to use the soul to actively attack outside of the body. This stage gives the ability to manifest the users soul outside of the body.
Third Stage: Master soul manipulation, able to control the souls of others with but a thought. This stage gives the ability to create a new soul, and the unique skill [Soul Legion]
When I first saw the stages it was a bit depressing to see the lack of any offensive moves for the first stage. But the ability to store stuff in my own soul is invaluable. Of course, I'm not naive enough to put a living person inside of my own soul. Even Decorite is pushing it, but I'll just have to put my trust in him.
Or I would have.
I quickly snuffed out the sleeping Decorite from my soul, and into the bushes outside.
Looking over my ability list, I found what I was looking for.
[Soul Bound]
Following my command, a faint wisp appeared above Decorite, which I assumed was the soul. Shortly after the appearance of Decorite's soul, two crimson chains latched onto the soul in an X pattern. The soul tried to break free from it's binds to little gain. Not long after it's resistance fell apart, and it surrendered itself to its new fate.
Advertisement
New Soul Enslaved: "Decorite"
Although it's called "Bound" it's actually more akin to slavery. Of course I'm not complaining. Though I honestly didn't expect Decorite to have a soul, it was more of a test than anything. But now that Decorite's soul is bound, it makes things much easier.
I will confess that enslaving the soul did feel a bit extreme, I almost felt a very faint guilt. Not that my will can be broken so easily. Else I wouldn't have survived long.
I quickly put the map, and the orb, which had lost it's "corrupted" title, but still retained the same ability, into my soul.
Making sure I hadn't forgotten anything, I spread my wings and flew into the air, which kicked up a small wind.
While in the air I tried to harvest the shaman souls, but much to my disappointment, they seemed to have dissipated, or monsters just didn't possess souls, which would be quite odd considering Decorite had one. Another thing for the future.
Putting aside my disappointment I took off into the air.
The feeling was a thrilling, if unique, experience. To be able to fly, and quite fast as well, was mesmerizing.
Looking down at the forest I had just left, I couldn't help but think of myself ruling over the inferior creatures as I expand my territory
Advertisement
Nero Zero
Monsters plagued the lands for too long. No matter if one had fangs, beak, teeth, skin, fur, or feather, or was tall, stout, or diminutive, the people suffered. Until the Gadgeteers came with a device that could allow people to fight back. Powered by one's own magical power, feeding off of monster Essence, the Arbitrium bracer turned the tables. It also changed society. Strength of one's level cap was all that mattered. The strongest were Kings and Emperors. The weak or those too poor to afford the marvelous device, destitute. And so it has been for millennia. All that mattered was one's level cap. High, low, a fate decided the moment the strange contraption came alive. Too high and you were a threat to those interested in keeping the status quo, a weed to be nipped before it could grow and take root. Too low and you were nobody, fated to be a bit more than a simple farmer. What if someone, somewhere, came up with a zero for their level cap? Unable to use Essence, unable to level up. On all of recorded history, it never happened. Until it did. In a small village of fur-less and tail-less ape-beastkin, a boy found out he was uniquely handicapped. Nero's level cap was Zero. But he'd never let that stop him from reaching his goals. ------------------------------------------------ All stories have already been told. We merely reuse elements from them. From Joseph Campbell's Monomith to Stephen King's advice, and that encyclopedia of tropes you've visited, fiction has been dissected and reassembled countless times. One will surely find elements inspired on other works here. Just like cooking from basic ingredients, the recipe and presentation is what really matter. This is a fantasy adventure, of someone that goes from a zero to a slightly bigger zero. It will have romance but no harem. Cruelty but with hope dimly shining ahead. Lightweight where it can be, heavy where it must. Thanks for reading. Cover Credits (The cover is CC-BY-NC-SA): Steampunk Spider Bracer, by Daniel Proulx. CC-BY-NC-SA Picture Frame, @anaterate, Pixabay license. Some odds and bits from here and there.
8 262Ruins of Isulia ~ Book 1 : Awakening of the Emarine
Creatures once believed to be legend have invaded the kingdom of Vulkira. King Erik must uncover the truth behind their sudden attack. The crushing responsibility threatens to break him and his kingdom. In a remote town, Henry, an energetic bookworm is thrust into the world as chaos engulfs his once seemingly peaceful town. His lord has a task for him, one in which will change his life forever. A haunting past eats away at the Queen of Xer. Cara is hellbent on protecting the ones she loves and the future of her kingdom. Balancing the greater good, she fights to keep her head above a sea of guilt. Betrayal is at each corner, shadows step into the light, a supernatural force awaits the time to strike. Awakening an ancient civilization from their past may be their only hope now. A spiraling doom awaits the world of Isulia. **************** I put the gore warning not because my book is overly gory (It's not constantly blood and guts). However, there are several moments that are extremely violent. I've always loved shows/movies such as, (The Expanse, The Boys, Banshee, Kingdom of heaven, Vikings, Attack on Titan, Baccano, etc.) I am descriptive of the scenes with violence. So be warned :) I've worked long and hard and have finally finished my third draft. Still needs work but everything storywise is complete. There are still a few things I need to add and tweak. Grammatical errors and flushing out the characters and dialogue still needs work. If you see any errors or plot holes, please feel free to point them out. It helps me improve upon the story. Cover art was done by: Micaiah William If you'd like to consider supporting my work, there is a link to my Patreon.
8 79I Found Your Love -Interracial-
Maya Pierce isn't your average "popular" girl. She isn't anything big, she's just there. Maya is smart, attractive, and nice. Yes she may sound perfect so far. Although, Maya is a young African American girl in a white school, she's treated equally. She's has loads of friends, and everything going for her. But when teen sensation Chase Walker is transferred to her school. Her perfect world might just be coming to a end.
8 163Magical Girl Selector
After waking up in a strange room with no memory, Lexar is offered a contract that grants him the power to explore the world of infinity. In exchange, he has to find those with potential to save one world from its impending apocalypse.
8 107Of Cats and Magic
Riko Ibara is a new magical girl. Unfortunately, she has a tendency of accidentally setting things on fire. Hopefully, she will get better with time. At the insistence of Timothy, a winged cat, she temporarily attends a magical girl bootcamp. While it doesn't help her control her flame all that much, she does meet Ruko Kisara, a taciturn catgirl, there. Riko, Ruko, and Timothy form a magical girl team. What awaits this group in the future?
8 95My New Life - [Aqours × fem!reader]
(Y/N) (L/N), the girl who only makes friends with boys. When she finds out she's been moving to another school, a all-girls high school in Uchiura.There she will make new friends, or maybe... girlfriends?Will her life been changing or be the same? Find out in the story!⚠ Disclaimer I DO NOT OWN LOVE LIVE ⚠
8 153