Reto was woken up by the sound of stone shattering, somewhere below them. The free thralls stood still in the area surrounding them, as they were earlier, probably not having moved at all. There was no longer any light coming through the sparse windows, nor the ambient light that previously made everything in the room visible.

Finally, time slowed to a stop.

[Congratulations!] [For completing your third accomplishment, you get to pick One skill!] [For your accomplishment being of greater or higher difficulty, you get to pick One rare trait!]

Rare? That’s interesting.

[For your accomplishment being of rare rarity, you get to modify one skill!]

[For fighting and sneaking through an entire trapped military base, curing yourself of a deadly curse, and forcing it’s leader to escape using magical means, you get to pick between three skills, or take a random one suited to your temperament.]

{Danger Sense} – Your proficiency with avoiding traps has saved your life numerous times already, but it won’t always be enough. Sense danger a short time in the future

{Cursebreaker} – Curses take root inside a person in order to protect themselves from detection and interference, and intelligence and skill alone won’t allow a person to reach in there and take them out. Provide all abilities with an extra dimension, increased Mana cost whilst doing so

{Loosen Bindings} – You are able to fight with your magic bound, but wouldn’t it be nice to have those bindings loosened a little? Use Mana to loosen bindings

Whilst reading they hadn’t yet noticed, but the presence of Loosen Bindings brought their attention to the fact that they couldn’t cast Riven Spell.

How could I even use that third one when I can’t even use the {Riven Spell}? I don’t think that it would make for a good choice anyway, because I already have ways to deal with any magical binding, and from what I’ve seen people don’t use anything else. It’s not entirely something I want to gamble on, but in this case I think I will, just because of the second option.

‘Provide all abilities with an extra dimension’. I was thinking this already, but could that be where my Mana is stored? I sure hope I haven’t sprouted a new organ in place of my stomach, but seeing as I’m feeling both at the same time and in the same place I’m assuming that’s not the case. The first is quite ominous, but I can’t lose Riven Spell just yet, and I certainly don’t want to risk losing an easy food source that comes with it. In that case, {Cursebreaker}

[You have chosen {Cursebreaker}!]

[For your difficult accomplishment, you get to pick between two rare traits.]

{Thrill Seeker} – In only a few days you have got three Accomplishments, all of medium difficulty or higher, which is pretty impressive. Lose the ability to gain accomplishments below medium difficulty, but use relevant easy accomplishments to improve benefits

{Dungeoneer} – Dungeons don’t exist in the way that you think of them, but if they did then you would sure be good at invading them! Gain instinctive knowledge of defended buildings and the people in them. Increase to effects of relevant skills

I don’t really think the first one seems that good, really? I mean, it’s likely that accomplishments get harder to get as you get more anyway, right? Plus, the other one seems really good. It could even be used to defend buildings myself, as well. Plus, {Cursebreaker} feels like it should be pretty relevant, doesn’t it? So, I’m not going to think about it too much. {Dungeoneer}.

[You have chosen {Dungeoneer}!] [You have been given the opportunity to modify One skill! Choose a skill to modify!]

I think I should probably look over them all first, right? So, in that case, {Stats}.

Reto Mason – Mage Adept – Lv.3

Health – 0/20

Will – 26/30

Mana – 54/55

Power

: Physical – 1.10

: Mental – 1.05

: Magical – 1.35

Durability

: Physical – 1.10

: Mental – 1.25

: Magical – 1.20

Speed

: Physical – 1.10

: Mental – 1.30

: Magical – 1.55

{Desolate Survivalism} – {Mana Feeding} – {Riven Spell}

{Anti-hero}

{Cursebreaker}

{Adept Mage}

{One Man Army}

{Dungeoneer}

Right away I can cross off {Ant- the middle option, just because I don’t need anything more. I’m not entirely sure what modifying a skill does, honestly. I suppose it changes its capabilities in some way, but there are a few ways it could do that. Either by adding new ones, or making the ability apply to something else entirely. For example, with {Cursebreaker} it might-. Oops.

[You have chosen {Cursebreaker! You can pick between three modifications.]

– Improves with use

– Increased range of use

– Decreased cost

Interesting. The way these are written is similar to the way it’s written in the skill descriptions, so I guess these just get added after that? But which to pick. I am drawn to the first option, but the second seems interesting. I don’t think that there’s much reason to make it improve itself when it’s effect doesn’t seem to need much direct improvement, and the Mana cost is likely not much of an issue, or it won’t be in the future. (Increased range of use)

[{Cursebreaker} has been modified. The new description is as follows.] [{Cursebreaker} – Curses take root inside a person in order to protect themselves from detection and interference, and intelligence and skill alone won’t allow a person to reach in there and take them out. Utilise an extra dimension, increased Mana cost whilst doing so]

What does that mean? Utilise an extra dimension? Does that mean I can move other things into that dimension, or even myself?

They didn’t have much time to contemplate however. A few seconds after time resumed, there was a second crash, and then boots thudding up the stairs. The sound was of course different as a result of the spikes sticking out of the walls, but it was still identifiable. They prepared for a fight, having been revitalised by the rest, as well as improvements from increasing in level.

What came through the door was not an enemy, as expected, but the person who originally asked them to help free these people. He came rushing through the door, sword drawn and expecting a struggle. When he saw the thralls now just standing still, and a bloodied Reto tense in the middle of the room, he relaxed. However, his sword remained drawn.

“Hail! Have you been able to dispatch of the enemy unassisted? A truly impressive task, indeed! I thank you greatly! Though, where is the body of the general?”

Way to rub in my face that I let him get away, jerk. He doesn’t have any way of knowing, sure, but I’m still upset.

Reto dejectedly pointed to the hallway with the strange room at the end, presumably the teleporter he mentioned earlier, without bothering to sign anything. Last time, it took a dedicated scholar, so it’s unlikely that just anyone could.

They do speak English, actually. If the language developed the same way in that regard, it’s possible it did in others as well.

“Ah, he escaped did he? Well, no matter. It will surely be simple to track him down. Vermillion generals are hardly known for subtlety, even when using subtle abilities. This mental compulsion he was using could have given compulsions to entire cities and, over the course of years, eventually incited everyone into a riot. Instead, they went for total control of a smaller amount of people, and did blatant kidnappings. Ah, look at me, rambling as I do. You may call me Nobleheart for now, though perhaps I could tell you my Truename, if we work together more in the future.”

At this, he gave a charismatic smile, though it’s effect on Reto was diminished due to their tumultuous emotions.

Together. Together! As if, I did all the work, and he just shows up at the end and does nothing! At the very least he’s tracking him down, but seriously! Ugh.

Annoyed as they were, they were still curious as to the name he mentioned.

Nobleheart. Interesting name I suppose, and there seems to be a culture around not telling people your, what did he say, ‘Truename’? Like the fae?

As they were remembering his phrasing in this regard, they noticed something odd. Any time they hear someone talk in real time, they understand the meaning of the words and automatically think about them in English, but when remembering details, it seems to be in a completely different language.

How can I understand what they’re saying then? It’s probably not translating it because I don’t actually hear English words, but it’s also not me just knowing the language, because I can’t translate to or from it. If it’s just pushing the meaning into my head, then how do people learn languages? Unless they don’t, and they’re just speaking completely random languages to each other? I’ll have to figure it out later, then.

Actually, why did they have a linguist in that case? Unless it was just complete chance. It makes sense for people to have highly specific jobs, and there may be limitations to the translation, like the curses that they mentioned earlier.

“Ah, well, I’ll be off then, shall I? Perhaps we’ll meet again. Oh! And feel free to take a few of those enchanted weapons down below, you’re the one that freed all those people after all.”

Oh, he’s still here? Was, I suppose. Now that I’ve got some time, I should try to use {Cursebreaker} to get my magic back under my control.

As they thought the word Cursebreaker, it felt as though an entire world had opened up. Immediately, they had the feeling of travelling a short distance, though they stayed in the same spot. The world seemed to expand, layers adding onto everything in esoteric materials, before soon starting to disappear. Eventually, they found themselves looking out upon a vast empty expanse, coloured red. Though there were darker spots where they knew objects were, the main thing they could see was mana. In the distance, they could see glowing blue spots of light, and even further there were some that shone like stars, a veritable beacon to all that wish to find them,

This… I don’t have any words. It’s sort of insane?

Up close, there were spots of mana that looked to be in the shape of objects, those seemed to be the enchanted items. Others were fleshy orbs of varying sizes, mana cores, some of which occasionally pulsed before deflating slightly.

That must be when people cast spells then. If these correspond to Mana, then are there versions for Health and Will? And, can I damage peoples mana directly.

Of course, they could not. Whenever they tried to move they found it impossible, as if there was no possible leverage for a being like them. Strangely, it made them feel like they didn’t belong here.

Turning it inward, they saw something else. It was as if they had entered their own core, and could feel the mana swirling around. There looked to have been some strain on the walls, either from when their mana overflowed or just using almost none for their entire time here. It looked to be lessened currently though, due to the usage of Cursebreaker. Reto decided to see what they could figure out comparing it to their stats screen

Reto Mason – Mage Adept – Lv.3

Health – 0/20

Will – 27/30

Mana – 54/55

Power

: Physical – 1.10

: Mental – 1.05

: Magical – 1.35

Durability

: Physical – 1.10

: Mental – 1.25

: Magical – 1.20

Speed

: Physical – 1.10

: Mental – 1.30

: Magical – 1.55

{Desolate Survivalism} – {Mana Feeding} – {Riven Spell}

{Anti-hero}

{Cursebreaker*}

{Adept Mage}

{One Man Army}

{Dungeoneer}

My health still hasn’t recovered at all, but at least my Mana hasn’t refilled. I really need to figure out if that’s something I should worry about. My magical speed is my highest multiplier, I wonder if that’s the reason it’s so active? That and the fact that I’m constantly absorbing more.

Looking again at their core, they found what was causing their issues. In the very centre of their core was a cloud of mana that seems to be shifting between a few runes, constantly staying in the shape of ay least one of them at all times. Swiping at it did nothing, nor did trying to direct the Mana inside their core.

They attempted to direct Riven Spell at it using Cursebreaker, but when the two skills connected it caused them to be immediately moved back to the lair. Frustrated, they attempted it again, only for Riven Spell to suddenly return a moment later, though still directed entirely inwards. They attempted to move it back outside and found controlling it was easy as before the skill evolution.

Was that lack of control a result of the curse then? I’m much better off than I thought then.

Reto then looked over to the teleporter, and realised they shouldn’t have been so careless.

Thank god I’ve not been able to increase the range too much, or that could have been really bad. I have no idea what might have happened if the runes suddenly got sundered, or worse only some of them.

They shook those thoughts out of their head before going to the lower floor to look at the weaponry. As they passed the landing, they noticed the blood splatter and quickly averted their eyes. They could see that both walls on the lefthand side were shattered entirely, though seemingly conforming roughly to the shape of the doorway.

Free of the haze of adrenaline and fear, they were able to take the room in more clearly, and noticed plaques on the bottom of each of the weapons cases. They each were lit with a faint glow from within, and as Reto approached each one, the letters would shudder before rearranging into English, never giving them the chance to see what the original text was.

The first one was a club made out of a bone-like substance, or actual bone based on the shape, with a description that read as ‘Greater incorporeal form’. The next, a blue crystalline flask enchanted with ‘Crystal structure’, Reto couldn’t quite figure out what it did, and was afraid to test it.

The majority of the weapons had already been taken by the Rouj, leaving only the ones with strange enchantments or trinkets with passive effects. The only actually sword left phases through anything that’s alive, and they struggled to think of a single situation it would be useful to them.

There were many different items throughout, but they ended up taking only three. The first was a somewhat sharp steel-grey disc enchanted with ‘Enhanced throw’, it would be a pain to recover it whenever it saw use but a semi-decent ranged attack wouldn’t go amiss. The second was circular, golden badge with a starburst pattern that increased healing, though whether it was specifically for spells or also counted passive regeneration they didn’t know. Either way, it would be good to have.

The final was a dark spaulder, a band of plate that covers only the shoulder, which had the effect ‘Aura IFF’, again something that they weren’t sure of the use of initially. When they touched it, however, they felt that they could blacklist something from their auras effects. It doesn’t work on anything general, and if it leaves their range for long enough then it gets removed, but generally it seems quite useful.

The disc they simply tucked into the belt that also held their dagger and crossbow, not the most secure but it would have to do. They affixed the badge above their heart, making it close to both the heart and the brain. Depending on how the effects work, it may be more effective on body parts closer to it. The spaulder they just put over their right shoulder.

Now I just need to see if I can use that teleporter to leave.

----

I can’t believe this! Not only has he killed my protégé, but he also had to invade my base. Mine! The sheer gall of that man. Well, it won’t matter for long. He has no idea just who he’s made an enemy of, not just me, people far greater in power than I as well. He won’t see another day of rest!

With a manic gleam in his eyes, and a too-wide smile, the General took a letter to a blue-flamed torch lodged in a fallen tree. As the fire licked at the corner of the note it swiftly expanded to cover the entire thing, and when it dissipated there was nothing left in the space at all.

----

The teleporter was a bust. As it turns out, it was set to teleport to a randomized location within set parameters, and then deactivate it behind him. It’s not impossible to follow it to one of the locations it can give, but not the specific one he went to. All Reto was looking for was a way down however, so it wasn’t a huge disappointment either way.

Eventually, they found themselves meandering through the streets, walking in the general direction of the second entrance so they can finally leave.

Once I’m away from… all this, I should just try to think about it. I can’t imagine it’s a good thing to be just going between near death experiences that quickly, just being in this place is making me feel paranoid.

They felt as though they were being watched, though there was never anyone there when they looked, and unless Mana gives passively gives people supernatural senses as well it’s unlikely that it actually meant anything. Even still, it feels oddly familiar.

As this feeling persisted, they steadily increased their pace until eventually they were just running through the town, taking turns carelessly and only avoiding running into people on account of there being none. Most of the prisoners must not be ready to leave yet, they have been under the influence of a powerful mind controller for quite some time after all.

It was when they were stood before the gate that they realised the feeling was gone and, unsure of when it left, they moved forward into the unfamiliar landscape of this side of the mountain. Rather than being completely lifeless, this side was populated with moss and wildflowers. In the absence of soil the plant life was limited, but there are still dozens of plants that don’t need it on Earth, there may be hundreds here.

If plants can grow over here, then what’s different with the other side? The Desolation?

They were never particularly interested in plants, so their lack of knowledge meant that these looked exactly the same as the plants on earth. The only one that they knew for sure was different was one that was for some reason completely transparent. At night it may be entirely invisible, but currently the sun was in the process of rising so Reto could see quite clearly. They noticed that as they got closer it seemed to slowly turn green, as if their presence was preventing whatever allowed to be clear.

They had an idea slowly forming and, in order to test it, they moved Mana Feeding away from the plant entirely, leaving it completely uncovered. Slowly, the colour left it until it was completely clear again.

So, it becomes transparent to absorb mana? Or, becomes green to absorb sunlight maybe. I wonder how that works exactly. What about being transparent makes mana so much easier to absorb? Should I be doing that? Well, it’s impossible I suppose, but that’s beside the point.

Curiosity satisfied for now, they continued to trek through the plants. Soon they became quite dense, meaning that Reto had to pick their steps carefully in order to avoid crushing any of them. They may not be interested in plants, but it didn’t feel right to just trample them carelessly.

Of course, many already have been. Those soldiers had to have come from somewhere, and they certainly aren’t going to care much for plants when people are in danger. They aren’t dead yet though.

As they got further from the town, they noticed the ground below the mountain was coming closer and closer, to the point where it should only be another half hour or so at this pace to be able to get to the ground. Reto was about to question how the soldiers got there so quickly, until they realised they fell asleep after the battle.

Must not have been for too long in that case. Why do I feel so well rested then? Did {Desolate Survivalism} have something to do with, I can’t quite remember.

They opened their stats menu, and from there got the description for Desolate Survivalism.

[{Desolate Survivalism} – Surviving on a mountain is difficult enough, least of all this one. Reduce requirements for food, water, and sleep. Increase mental and emotional resilience when faced with Desolation]

It does reduce sleep then. But there’s also the increased mental and emotional resilience. Does that exclusively apply to Desolation, or is it a more general effect that activates under certain conditions? It could explain why I seem to have recovered easily from the whole ordeal, but I wasn’t always faced with Desolation only at the beginning.

Reto Mason – Mage Adept – Lv.3

Health – 2/20

Will – 26/30

Mana – 55/55

Power

: Physical – 1.10

: Mental – 1.05

: Magical – 1.35

Durability

: Physical – 1.10

: Mental – 1.25

: Magical – 1.20

Speed

: Physical – 1.10

: Mental – 1.30

: Magical – 1.55

{Desolate Survivalism} – {Mana Feeding} – {Riven Spell}

{Anti-hero}

{Cursebreaker*}

{Adept Mage}

{One Man Army}

{Dungeoneer}

So I was right. I thought I noticed my Will going down earlier, but I was more focused on checking on {Desolate Survivalism} to be sure. Does that mean that I’m consuming Will in order to sustain myself mentally? My Health also recovered a little bit, only by two though. I was hoping for more.

As they neared a road, one that winds past the mountain and never comes too close to it, they saw a great expanse of forest. From the height granted by the base of the mountain, they could see the rooves of the houses, and the upper half of a watchtower.

I guess that’s where I’m headed next.