Chapter 023

------------------------------------------

‘ ‘ for thoughts.

“ “ for speech.

* * for actions.

Please point out any mistakes/inconsistencies you find and feel free to comment on anything regarding this FF.

If you enjoy reading this FF, please Rate & Review!

Warning: May contain mature content (18+). Read at your own risk.

Just to be safe:

Asunder Online (and all its chapters) by fidelc123 is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Google Drive Link

Full thanks to Mecani for proofreading this chapter!

------------------------------------------

After the tiresome bargaining with the powerful fire spirit, Jack entered a meditative trance pondering on what kind of summon he wanted. It would have affinity to fire and soul, according to what the fire spirit had said. He wondered for a while on what form he wanted his summon to take.

Finally, he decided to start with something familiar, and modify it from there. One of the most iconic anime of his childhood was Pokémon. He didn’t care about the thousands of new Pokémon, which were released over time, but he had a special place in his heart for the original 150 Pokémon.

The most iconic fire Pokémon was Charmander, and its evolutions Charmeleon and Charizard. Jack started with Charmander, but modified it. He gave it a slimmer belly and longer limbs. He also covered its body in thick scales, and removed the flame on its tail. He also gave it claws and teeth from the giant lizards he had fought.

The end result was a four feet tall reptilian with powerful, if small, claws and fangs, its entire body was covered with though looking scales and it had muscular yet supple limbs. He then imagined the kind of attacks it could do. He modeled an enhancement for its claw attacks, based on his Mana Claws skill, the difference being that instead of a choice of elements, he restricted it to just fire, forming the enhancement Fiery Claws.

He also modeled a breath attack for his summon based on his mana breath, but limited it to the special affinity soulfire, thus forming Soulfire Breath. Jack also imagined his pet using soulfire to enhance its movement and attack speed. He named this physical enhancement as Blazing Swiftness. He concluded this form of his summon with a powerful, physical only attack with its tail, which he named Tail-whip.

Jack then moved on to imagine the next form of his summon. He increased the size of his summon to seven feet, and gave it harder scales and more muscles. This form of his summon would inherit all the attacks of the Charmander form. He added Soul Strike and Soul Scream to its spell arsenal.

The final form of his summon was modeled on Charizard, but it was very similar to the enhancements of its previous form and was around eleven feet tall. He imagined his summon to be strong enough to fly while he was perched in the gap between its shoulder and neck. For the additional attack, he imagined a powerful wing buffet, which would blast everyone near to it with soulfire damage and the resulting winds would cause everyone to be knocked back.

He then imagined the summon growing along with him. Its level would be equal to his level, and its stats would depend on his. As the summon skill tiered up, the different forms would be available. He named his summon as ‘Charlie’, since it was very easy to associate Charlie with the Charmander Pokémon and its evolutions.

Jack wanted a single summon spell, to have multiple options, as the fire spirit had warned him about multiple spells reducing each individual spell’s power. So he designed the spell the best he could, borrowing the concept of his summon from Pokémon. He hoped that he had designed a powerful, yet flexible summon. Jack then exited his meditative trance and addressed the OP fire spirit.

Jack: “You got that? I wish for the summon to grow with me in power.”

Powerful Fire Spirit: “Yes, your imagination was very sharp and good work modeling its attacks! I have enough mental imagery to shape your summoning spell. It will have a long cool down due to its power. Though I must say, you seem extremely fond of this ‘Pokémon’.”

Jack: *laughs* “Yes. Some very good childhood memories are associated with it.”

Powerful Fire Spirit: “Now it is time for me to delve in your mind and seal our pact. It might be painful, and you may pass out. For best results, I recommend you stay lucid. Also, due to the nature of your summoning spell, there might be certain side effects which I cannot fully predict. So shall we seal the deal?”

Jack: ‘Why do I get the feeling that the side effects will come to bite me in the ass? Too late to back out now anyway.’

Jack: “Yes.”

Powerful Fire Spirit: “Good then come near me. Steel yourself.”

Jack obeyed the OP fire spirit, and kneeled down in front of its throne. The OP fire spirit placed one of its hands on his head. The spirit began delving into his mind. Jack felt an uncomfortable, but manageable pain in his head, as the spirit seemingly reviewed all his memories in Asunder Online.

Occasionally he saw hyper speed flashbacks of certain incidents. He could also feel a link to a formidable psyche, whose foreign nature completely escaped him. It was just glimpses of the surface thoughts of the fire spirit. It seemed amused at how Jack had gained his Spirit Eater abilities from the Tortured Soul in the catacombs and his promotion to Bhikku.

It also paid particular attention to his next act of spirit eating on the wannabe lich. It also paid particular attention to his domination by Lady Salamander, and Jack thought that he actually heard a chuckle. Soon, the dull pain receded from his head as the OP fire spirit prepared to bestow a portion of its powers to him.

The spirit placed one of his flaming fingers just below his left eye, on his face. Jack suddenly felt as if lava was flowing from the flaming finger. The lava was agonizing and Jack screamed on the top of his lungs, but he was unable to move away. The lava spread through his entire body, and he struggled to retain his consciousness.

He desperately wanted to retreat to the depths of his mind and blackout, but grasped onto consciousness with all his might. The lava seemed to react especially violently with all his mana clusters, as it morphed him from within. After what seemed like hours, but in reality was closer to a few minutes, Jack was ready to give up. Gratefully, the burning lava receded in pain, and Jack slowly came to his senses. He noticed that the fire spirit’s lips formed a smile. It looked quite creepy as it addressed him:

Powerful Fire Spirit: “So Jack, I congratulate you on clinging to your consciousness. It was a praiseworthy act indeed.”

Jack: “What was that? It felt as if magma was merging with my body and soul.”

Powerful Fire Spirit: “That was just a drop of my power. The more powerful spirit you attempt to contract with, the more violent the reaction. Hence most shamans start with weak spirits…and slowly move up the chain.”

Jack: “If that was the amount of pain and torment I had to experience to willingly receive a bit of your power… I shudder to imagine what would happen if someone attempted to devour you fully. A mortal soul is like a drop compared to your vast ocean.”

Powerful Fire Spirit: *laughs* “Devouring me, that too attempted by a pathetically weak spirit eater like you? Perhaps if a deity attempted to devour me, when I was weak and outside my domain, there would be a possibility of success.”

Jack: “So I guess that concludes our business. May I know your name mighty spirit?”

Powerful Fire Spirit: “True Names of beings like us hold immense power, Jack. Never casually attempt to inquire for one. However, you have endured the ordeal of our spirit pact so you may know my common name. You have successfully completed a pact with Irfit, the master of fire spirits!”

Irfit: *flicks one of its hands and a portal appears besides Jack* “Do not casually reveal this piece of information, Jack. You may now leave my domain. In future if you wish to visit me, or bring one of your followers, just coat both of your bodies with soulfire and enter a fire attuned planar portal like the one you used this time.”

Jack: *bowing* “Thank you for listening to my request Irfit. I will now depart.”

Jack then shakily stood up and painfully made his way towards the portal. He was feeling so drained that each step felt like a struggle. He entered the portal, and appeared near the fuel less bonfire, in the kobold chief’s chambers. The kobolds stared at him in astonishment as he barely managed to sit nearby.

Chief Kobold: *approaches Jack* “Human Jack… you have been touched by a sspirit far greater than our father sspirit. Now rest.”

Jack nodded weakly as he lay down on the bear skin pelt, and for the first time slept ingame. While he was sleeping; the kobold shamans were applying a variety of salves on his skin. The Chief Kobold was dripping a viscous greenish fluid down his throat. They were treating him reverently, and with utmost respect, glancing at the ethereal tattoo on his left cheek which was visible only to the shamans.

Chief Kobolds: “This human Jack iss full of surprises. Shamanss and spiritss seeing the mark on his face will treat him with utmost resspect. And thiss was his firsst pact too!”

After sleeping for hours in game, Jack woke up. He checked the in game time, and he still had a few hours before he had to wake up for his parkour circuit on Tuesday morning. He glanced around and noticed that many of the kobold shamans were bowing to him. The Kobold Chief approached Jack and addressed him.

Chief Kobold: “Sso you were worthy after all! We do not have any more rewards for you, other than our utmost resspect and gratitude.”

Jack: ‘Somehow…I feel extremely refreshed…did the kobolds take care of me while I was sleeping? I do have a weird bitter taste in my mouth…and my skin feels kind of sticky.’

Jack: “That won’t be necessary Chief. I am grateful for your care. Do you perhaps have any food with you? I am feeling very hungry!”

Chief Kobold: “Of coursse Jack! Try some roasted lizard! Very Tassty!”

The kobold barked at a nearby warrior, who immediately retrieved a big haunch of roasted lizard meat. While it tasted like shit, he was grateful for it as he felt unexpectedly ravenous in game. After he finished his meal, he made arrangements with the Chief Kobold to visit their home for access to the fire planar portal, who readily agreed to his request. Jack then thanked the Chief Kobold and reviewed his notifications.

He had gained a new title “Irfit’s Vassal”. He had also gained a new skill “Spirit Pact: Irfit (Unique)” and a sub skill “Summon Charlie”. Furthermore, due to enduring the spirit pact, he had gained a +15 bonus to his endurance and willpower. The increase in willpower itself was worth three levels of stats, with another +15 increase in one of his special stats! Jack then summoned the relevant notification windows.

Title name:Irfit's VassalDescription:You have been marked by Irfit as its vassal. Most spirits wouldn’t dare to take any preemptive hostile action towards you. When dealing with non-hostile Shaman/Druid NCPs, you are treated as having an additional +500/ +100 fame. This title cannot be unequipped.

Jack: ‘+500 fame with shamans? So that’s why these kobolds are treating me so well. The +100 fame with the druids won’t hurt either. Now let me to see the info on my new skills!’

Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:Spirit Pact: Irfit (Unique)Trait------

You have negotiated with Irfit, and brokered a pact with it. Being one of the most powerful elemental spirits, this pact has altered you significantly.

You gain the following benefits:

+10% to your Fire resistance.

Freezing status effects on you last only for half of the duration they would otherwise last.

+20% to your fire affinity.

+10% to your Soul affinity

You can use the special element soulfire, in most spells which use the fire element.

You gain access to powerful exclusive spells, which are sub skills of this trait.

Spell casting feels natural, almost instinctive, to you and you and thus you improve the skill Mana Control (but not its sub skills) at double the speed.

However, the magnitude of changes have unexpected side effects to your spell casting abilities. In addition to your negotiated restrictions, you gain the following disadvantages:

Spell casting feels natural, almost instinctive, to you and you cannot take the aid of runic spell casting systems, including hermetic formulas and sigils.

Your capacity for the Enchanting is stunted and you cannot progress beyond Intermediate Lv9 (99.99%).

Any water affinity spells you use will cost 150% PP and be only 75% effective.

Jack: ‘What? The benefits are nice… but the disadvantages are like a kick to my balls. The time which I spent grinding Enchanting is a waste? IT looks like I can advance Enchanting only as far as I could if I were a novice. And it looks like Irfit is a unique spirit. Does this unique thing have any relationship to the rarity of items?’

Jack: ‘And what the fuck does it mean I can’t learn to use sigils and hermetic formulas? I don’t give a shit about hermetic formulas… but didn’t Instructor Theon say that sigils and mantras would come into play after I reached Intermediate tier in Mana Control?’

Jack: ‘Looks like I am stuck with my “natural spell casting”. I should have figured there will be some major backlash for a pact with such a powerful spirit. Fortunately… the penalties with water spells don’t affect me now. I hope Summon Charlie is worth it.’

Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:Summon CharlieBeginner100.00%

Irfit has created a being named Charlie who levels up along with you and resides with it in its domain. Every once in a while, you can summon Charlie to aid you. You may be unable to summon Charlie in certain locations.

Currently, you can summon Charlie in his child form, with the following stats and skills:

Charlie has Intelligence and Willpower equal to 101% of your intelligence.

Charlie has Str, Agi, Vit and Dex equal to 101% of your willpower.

Charlie inherits 50% of all your special stats.

Charlie knows the skills Fiery Claws, Soulfire Breath, Blazing Swiftness and Tail-whip.

You can summon Charlie, once every hour (Cooldown starts when you summon Charlie). If Charlie dies in battle, you cannot summon it for 24 hours ingame.

You can prematurely dismiss Charlie, to have a portion of the PP cost refunded. This does not however affect the spell's cool down.

Current level effects:

Costs 350 PP to summon child form of Charlie for 10 minutes and 30 seconds.

Charlie knows all its skills at beginner lv1.

Jack: ‘Well Charlie seems strong to say the least. I could use him as a distraction to escape sticky situations at the cost of him being unavailable for a day in game.’

Jack’s frustration at the penalties of the spirit pact were somewhat mitigated as he reviewed the spell Summon Charlie. He decided to meet Charlie, when he next visited Irfit in its domain. He then bought up his status screen. After completing the kobold’s quest and the spirit pact, Jack was lv61! He decided to invest most of his stat points in Intelligence, while he rounded his Dexterity to a nice 100.

STATUS WINDOWNameJackClassBhikkuRaceHumanGenderMaleLevel61 (86.17%)Fame / Infamy135/ 22TitlePackrat, Vermin Exterminator, Irfit’s VassalCONDITIONHP6766/(6066+700)HP/s8.1192/sPP8440/8440PP/s70.1520/sSpirit Energy0/120SE/s- 0.8% current SE/sSatiety / Thirst83% / 83%Weight Limit81/200Active EffectsControlled Breathing (Intermediate lv5)BASIC STATSStrength100Vitality183 + 10Dexterity100Agility115Intelligence300 + 10Willpower215 + 10Free Stat Points0SPECIAL STATSLuck10Endurance100Sustenance85Balance75Flexibility75Concentration135+10Wisdom130+10Indomitable Spirit95Elemental AffinityPhysical20%Soul35%Void25%Fire35%Elemental ResistancePhysical4% + 5%Soul7%Void5%Fire17% + 5%Ice0% + 5%

SKILL LISTAmbidexterity (Trait)Enigmatic Wisdom (Trait)Iron Stomach (Trait)Spirit Senses (Trait)Dagger Mastery (Beginner Lv 4: 12.38%)

Assassinate (Beginner Lv 5: 02.86%)

Enchanting (Beginner Lv 7: 32.61%)

Bestow Enchant (Beginner Lv 8: 21.73%)

Absorb Enchant (Beginner Lv 6: 43.25%)

Free Running (Beginner lv 4: 12.83%)Leadership (Beginner Lv 1: 00.00%)Mana Control (Beginner Lv 9: 12.35%)

Imbue Projectile (Beginner Lv 8: 78.46%)

Mana Blade (Beginner Lv 4: 22.31%)

Mana Identification (Beginner Lv 9: 82.13%)

Mana Repair (Beginner Lv 9: 64.53%)

Meditation (Intermediate Lv 6: 12.03%)

Meditative Stasis (Trait)

Controlled Breathing (Intermediate Lv 5: 15.13%)

Shackled Spirit Eater (Intermediate Lv 1: 00.00%)

Devour Soul (Beginner Lv1: 00.00%)

Eternal Rest (Beginner Lv1: 00.00%)

Sword Mastery (Beginner Lv 2: 76.23%)Survival (Beginner Lv 7: 11.55%)

Opportunistic Striker (Trait)

Danger Sense (Beginner Lv6:62.21%)

Poison Resistance (Beginner Lv 5: 34.12%)

Survival Cooking (Beginner Lv 8: 32.05%)

Survival Stealth (Beginner Lv 7: 16.13%)

Thrown Weapon Mastery (Intermediate Lv 2: 73.18%)

Improvised Missile (Trait)

Axe Throwing (Beginner lv 5: 87.34%)

Boomerang Throwing (Beginner Lv 9: 12.25%)

Chakram Throwing (Beginner Lv 6: 67.34%)

Dart Throwing (Intermediate Lv 2: 22.87%)

Javelin Throwing (Intermediate lv1: 29.54%)

Knife Throwing (Intermediate Lv 1: 27.78%)

Unarmed Mastery (Intermediate Lv 3: 21.02%)

Mana Claws (Beginner Lv 2: 14.62%)

Mana Fists (Beginner Lv 9: 12.23%)

Mana Gloves (Beginner Lv 5: 26.81%)

Entropic Leech (Beginner Lv2: 25.65%)Mana Breath (Beginner Lv4: 45.65%)Spiral Mana Bolt (Beginner Lv8: 13.65%)Soul Scream (Beginner Lv4: 14.75%)Soul Strike (Beginner Lv9: 12.23%)Spirit Pact: Irfit (Unique) (Trait)

Summon Charlie (Beginner Lv1: 00.00%)

One of the main things he noticed that the spirit pact had modified his ‘Spirit Eater’ skill to ‘Shackled Spirit Eater’. He noticed that despite leveling up at a very rapid pace and fighting higher leveled foes, he hadn’t gained a single stat point increase. Essentially, stat points were becoming more and more valuable as he leveled up.

The only stat boost he had gained was for remaining conscious while Irfit sealed the spirit pact. He elected to invest almost all his stat points into Intelligence because Entropic leech was extremely useful and it made melee fights a lot easier.

He still had to be cautious to dodge spell casters and ranged attackers, but he felt that for his level he had a reasonably high amount of HP. Furthermore, he now had Summon Charlie spell, which was could fill both defensive and offensive roles. Jack resolved to keep his Intelligence: Willpower: Vitality ratio as 3:2:2. This meant that for 300 Intelligence, he should have around 200 Willpower and 200 Vitality.

After he finished reviewing and investing his stat points, he thanked the kobolds, said his farewells and left their residence. He checked his map and set a direct course for the Mysterious Clearing. He decided to cover as much ground as possible, before he had to leave for his morning parkour circuit. The detour with the kobolds had taken quite a bit of time, and he didn’t want to delay his meeting with the druids any more than required.