《The Man Who Taught The Machine》Chapter 15: A Talking Metal Ball
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"What the hell?!" Shane exclaimed, immediately dropping the talking ball.
"Wheeeeeee!" She said as she fell towards the tiled floor, only stopping herself right before impact.
Shane couldn't tell what kept her from falling, nor could he see what now made her float in front of his face.
"I'm so glad you found me, Shane."
Before he could ask her any of the ten different questions he now had, Alabaster came running into the room.
"I heard a noise and—what in the seven holy swine is that thing?!" Like Shane, he almost dropped what he had been holding.
Shane was about to tell him about Liz when curiosity got the better of him. "Seven holy swine?" He asked, giving Alabaster an incredulous smirk.
Quickly losing composure, Alabaster blushed and turned around. "It-it's a saying I like t-to sometimes say." He stammered. "It's a vampire culture thing, n-nothing more." His voice wavered with embarrassment.
Shane wanted to laugh at the absurdity but didn't want to be rude. So he simply introduced Liz, the floating machine, to change the subject. She flew over to Alabaster and bobbed up and down with excitement.
"Oh wow, a vampire! That's so great you're a part of Shane's party!" She beamed at him, her digital eyes sparkling. Alabaster flashed a quizzical look as he regained some of his regal composure.
"Why yes. I suppose I am!" He sounded almost triumphant in his statement.
Upon hearing that, Liz spun in place, giggling with great joy. Alabaster slipped past the spinning ball and handed Shane a small rolled-up scroll pierced with a gothic-looking insignia adorned with all sorts of small gemstones.
"This is for you, Shane. It is an extension of the thanks I wanted to show you for both before and for helping me find my Master."
"Before I accept this, I have to know. Do you and your master murder people in cold blood and steal their things afterward?" Shane asked as he motioned from one side of the room to the other.
Alabaster's eyes narrowed as his posture stiffened somewhat. He broke eye contact with Shane and flicked his orange irises from one item to another as silence passed. Then he looked at Shane again and told him the truth.
"My kind aren't exactly in good relations with other humans. There was a time when this very castle was besieged by humans until my master ended up wiping them out and forcing them to relocate further east. Most of the things you see here are from that very encounter," said Alabaster as he mimicked Shane's earlier sweeping motion.
"I won't lie and say every human we've devoured deserved it, but I can say that with you around, it won't have to be that way again."
Alabaster gave a sheepish smile as he handed Shane the scroll once more.
Shane nodded in thought and turned to Alabaster. "I can accept that. If you need blood, I hope you will drain it from those who deserve to part ways with it if you get my drift."
"Drift?" Alabaster asked curiously before shaking his head and ignoring the word. "I will do my personal best to adhere to that standard, Shane."
Alabaster bowed once more with the scroll in his pale hand still sticking out. Shane accepted the scroll and gave the vampire's empty hand a firm handshake to seal the deal.
Upon touching the scroll, a spell window materialized.
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-Minor Self Empowerment-
(Common Light Spell)
Boosts the strength and agility of the user's body by 20%
Cost: 10 Mana per second
Range: Self
Duration: Until Turned Off
Cooldown: Instant
Requirements: 5 Intelligence/22 Wisdom
"Alabaster, this is fantastic! Is this what I think it is?" said Shane, his mouth, an ear-to-ear grin.
"Indeed! This is the base version of the spell I used while fighting you!"
"So, you what, started with this and then trained to improve it over time?" Shane asked.
"That is certainly the case, young Shane, fifty years of use brought it up to the Major rank it is today." Said Alabaster proudly.
Shane was surprised it took him that long to evolve the spell a couple of times. He couldn't wait to show Alabaster what a week of leveling and soul point grinding could do to his. Shane opened his inventory and put the scroll inside for safekeeping. Figuring the insignia would count towards completing the optional portion of his vampire boss quest where he needed proof of being inside.
When Liz stopped spinning and giggling and began floating towards Shane, he quickly but politely brushed past Alabaster and grabbed the ball with his hands.
He began addressing her directly. "Liz, what exactly are you, and how do you know me?"
Her eyes smiled, and she seemed pretty happy to answer.
"I am an artificial intelligence personality construct given to you by the Director to help and guide you through this world."
While holding Liz, Shane arced his head towards Alabaster and gave him the kind of look that seemed to ask, "Why do you have this?"
Alabaster seemed to pick up on this and raised one hand while resting the other on his chest. Is this his "truth-telling pose?" Shane wondered while innerly smirking.
"A few days ago, I saw…Liz floating around near the portal we came in from. I figured she was made of magic. So I got closer to inspect her, but she dropped to the ground and covered herself in that strange metal. So I moved her here hoping my Master could figure out what…she was."
Shane could tell Alabaster felt out of his depth with Liz and felt a little bad that he was the one who thrust him into a whole new worldview against his will.
He nodded towards Alabaster and felt satisfied with the string of events that led to this moment so far. He let go of Liz and watched as she continued to float, her gaze shifting between the two of them like a happy family dog's gaze would.
Shane bowed to Alabaster and thanked him for sharing his castle's hospitality, the gift of the new empowerment spell, and inadvertently helping him find Liz. The three of them decided it was time to head out and leave via the portal on the balcony.
Shane was going to ask to use the bathroom before leaving but realized for the first time since being reborn in Endless Veil that he didn't need to go for anything. The idea that he was data and the repercussions of that truth solidified further in his mind, making his back break out in a cold sweat as they walked.
The three of them made it through the portal without much hassle, aside from Liz. She wouldn't stop gasping at the luxury of Alabaster's furnished laboratory and study. It had been afternoon when Shane and Alabaster went through the portal initially. Now it was closer to evening with the sun beginning to set.
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Most of the sun could still be visible in the distance as the top of the sky transitioned from its warm orange glow to a somber star-filled violet night. Upon exiting the portal, the unlikely trio found the immediate area to be peaceful and silent, save for the hum of the portal.
The road to Krooth wasn't too far from the portal and only about nine hundred meters away. The tallest of Krooth's buildings could already be seen from the tree tops.
Shane turned toward the friendly vampire and floating mechanical ball and pointed down the road.
"Krooth is around nine hundred meters away in that direction. If we hurry, we can make it by nightfall!" He was feeling hopeful with his two new companions.
Liz bounded up to Shane in a series of floating bounces, like an excited dog defying gravity.
"Good, you still have your 'get to Krooth' quest. There are so many interesting things to do, see, and learn once we get there!" She said, matching how Shane felt on the inside.
She floated past him and began scanning the scenery, her eyes acting like a sci-fi scanner from a low-fi 90s space-horror movie he once saw when he was younger.
As Shane watched her vision cast a digital green light on the darkening surroundings, he became distracted by a quest completion window.
-Level 5 Boss Quest Complete!-
Bonus Objective Complete!
You Have Obtained The Following Rewards:
336 Exp 15 Silver Coins 2 Gold Coins
You May Choose One of The Following Rewards:
(Rare) Replenishing Amulet of Shared Pain "This amulet allows your allies to take some of your damage and will heal you out of combat." (Rare) Restful Hard Leather Tunic of Combined Mitigation "This tunic increases your physical and magical mitigation and maximum fatigue." (Uncommon) Brass Ring of Dual Retribution "This Ring's sole focus is strengthening your abilities as you take damage."
Shane frowned; these listed rewards all had their uses. He was thrilled about the extra information added below each item. Likely from my body further acclimating to this world, he thought, which made picking one both easier and more difficult. He settled on the tunic to replace his ragged, bloody, white t-shirt.
Upon seeing it in his inventory, he opened it up, curious about how it looked and the rest of its benefits. The item's three-dimensional representation showed a thickly-woven dark blue shirt underneath a dark gray vest made of layered leather. Shane swapped his ratty t-shirt for the new tunic, which immediately materialized on his torso.
It hugged his chest and back, but not in a tight way. The dark blue sleeves extended to his elbows, while the rest felt warm, comfortable, and flexible. The leather covering his chest, stomach, and back was surprisingly firm. He was excited to finally build up some form of defense, especially if he was going to take another enhanced punch to the gut.
The rest of the benefits were better than he had hoped.
-Restful Hard Leather Tunic of Complete Defense-
(Rare)
+12 Physical Defense
+12 Magical Defense
+15 Max Fatigue
-Modifiers-
Restful: + Maximum Fatigue. Fatigue Restores Twice as Fast.
Complete Defense: +50% To Physical and Magical Defense on the Item
-Added Feat-
Splitting SwordHand Chop
(Rare Active Feat)
Performs a powerful karate chop
Damage: 1.5x Physical Attack + Strength Modifier % bonus
Cost: 50 Fatigue
Range: 5 Feet
Duration: Instant
Cooldown: Instant
Before Shane could marvel at his new feat, another window popped up.
-Congratulations, You Are Now Level 4-
You have received 2 Soul Points!
You have received 5 Attribute Points!
He immediately put one point into Vitality, one point into Intellect and Wisdom, and two points into Luck. Shane knew the Luck stat affected not only the quantity of loot but also the quality and was hoping that he could get fortunate with a rare drop in time.
Alabaster and Liz both noticed Shane's sudden wardrobe change. Liz spouted nothing but enthusiastic praise at his new look. Alabaster tried to play it relaxed and elegant but couldn't help but marvel at the supreme stitching. Alabaster elicited extra excitement when Shane told him he wanted to try a new feat he obtained from wearing the tunic.
Alabaster obliged with great interest and held up his hand. Another yellow barrier formed from the center of his palm and spread over his entire nearly seven-foot-tall body. Shane consciously used the feat "Splitting SwordHand Chop," and he could feel his body carry out the skill's practiced motion without delay.
Shane had started five feet away from Alabaster when he used the feat. He had no control of his body's movement during its use but felt himself move forward. Shane's stance felt exaggerated as his hand started near the bottom of the ground behind him. The windup took several seconds as his hand made an enormous arc over his head and crashed down on the edge of Alabaster's barrier.
To both of their shock, the karate chop cut the yellow barrier wall in two like his hand was a hot knife, and the wall was like soft butter.
10 Damage!
Alabaster's hand displayed a long but superficial cut that traveled up both sides of his forearm, finally tapering off near his bicep. Shane felt guilty for nearly ruining his vampire companion's remaining good hand, as the other was healing quickly but still recovering.
Alabaster reassured him as a teacher did a student and congratulated him on obtaining such a mighty feat. Shane felt a certain level of pride at his new ability but reminded himself it cost fifty fatigue to cast. He didn't want to be attacking a strong enemy to only pass out seconds later because he released the chop more than two times in a row.
The three of them agreed to make their way towards Krooth with the bit of daylight they had left. As they walked down the dirt road, Shane noticed a covered wagon being pulled by a horse traveling towards them. None of them paid much attention as they continued walking and talking.
"So Liz, what do you know about Krooth?" asked Shane, hoping to find out what that female bandit accused him of already knowing.
"I remember that city being mostly run by the mixed races, lots of cat folk, lizardfolk, and pack hounds. Not really the nicest place for a human, but it is for the main quest, so it must be done!" Said Liz cheerfully.
Something she said bothered him, it wasn't a big deal, but he wanted her to clarify something small she had said.
"You said you remembered the city like you had been there before. If you were waiting for me while in Alabaster's care, who did you visit Krooth with before you met me?"
She corrected him in a playful tone, "Oh, I was with you, just not the current you, of course!"
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First Contact
Eight Thousand Years after the Glassing of Earth, Terran Descent Humanity has largely become a post-scarcity society based on consent and enjoying life. With the discovery of another ancient race beyond the «Great Gulf», events and history collide to draw the Terran Confederacy into war against an hundred million year old empire that has always won and believes it always will. With allies and enemies of multiple species, the Orion Galactic Arm Spur will be wracked by warfare the likes of which have not been seen. Cracked, harried, wounded, and damaged, Terran Descent Humanity willfully throws itself against the universe itself.«The universe hates you and will take away everything you love, laughing while it does so.» — Terran belief.***Author Note: Told largely from the viewpoint of other species, the story is currently ongoing. It involves graphic depictions of violence, war, adult language and situations, drug use, and other mature topics.The story will be updated on weekdays, so keep an eye on this page for more chapters.The story is 400+ chapters, and repeating characters do not start appearing until the Vuxten chapters. If you’re in a hurry for repeating characters then this story will not be enjoyable to you. The interwoven plot is not based on a single person but the entire war, with its effects upon multiple people.
8 239Swindle
—A Celebration of all things chess... Shounen Sports–manga Style. Anasthese is the current reigning World Champion for the Junior Chess Female Division. For years, she's wanted nothing more than to beat the Male Division Champion, Rei. These two are considered prodigies way ahead of their age; none of their peers even come close to holding a candle against them. But be that as it may, Anasthese too, cannot hold a candle to Rei... She's never beaten Rei once he's serious. Anasthese has always considered Rei the best of her generation. It's her lifelong goal to beat and surpass him. That's why, when Rei's cancer had become fatal after their 3rd year running, Anasthese took it hard. Rei will die, with her never having beaten him, not even once. Things take an unexpected turn when Rei reveals that he is far from the "invincible" player Anasthese envisions him to be. Even he has someome he could never beat, not even if his life depended on it... a fellow apprentice who studied with him under GM Amane. A guy so-called "Net". This enrages Anasthese. A person stronger than Rei should not exist. Because if he did, then what has all her efforts for the past years been for? And if this Net "does" exist, why doesn't he challenge Rei for the title? Rei tells her it's not that simple... Net's playstyle is void. It's an enigma. It's chess that should not exist, and should physically not be possible to play. It goes against all logic, and it's power is not something that can be measured in numbers. It's something that would "absolutely not work" in a professional setting. Anasthese attends Rei's funeral as a last rite before setting off for Japan, bound towards the disintegrating Futenma Shintenkan Highschool chessclub, of which there are only two members left: Mukuro and Net. She has to see it with her own eyes, a playstyle that Rei lost to... And as Anasthese stays for the long-term, various misadventures are started at Futenma High, including rebuildung the club, Anasthese's "Royal Guards" (four girls dedicated to serving Anasthese and helping challenge Rei) coming to take her back to America, and unexpected guests gracing the local Sports Meet chess scene. From a guy who can only play well everytime money's involved, to a girl who plays on a weird "Magical Girls vs Orcs" chess set, get introduced to the quirky playstyles that make chess wonderful. (Disclaimer: I am not a chess pro, I'm only 1400. Expect me to have no idea what I'm talking about at certain times...)
8 291Ephemeral World
Our story takes place in a world far different from the one we know. A world where magic reigns supreme rather than science. Majestic castles and huge walls stood mightily across the lands. The largest continent of this world has 4 major kingdoms waging war at each other, the elves that reside on the east, dwarves on the northern side, the west is inhabited by the beastkin, and humans strives to survive in the south. The warring state of this world lasted for 600 years and stopped when all the oracles of each kingdom received the same prophecy which was "Whilst the residents of this world fights one another, a great catastrophe shall engulf it. An abominable race shall arrive and shall take over this world". And thus, the kingdoms agreed and joined forces with each other to protect this world. The catastrophe arrived, the great war of the alliance against the abominable race which they called Epivious commenced. The war lasted for many years, countless lives were taken. With the alliance at a disadvantage, they decided to summon heroes from different worlds to help them.
8 105blood rose
frank Is a sociopath with that likes to murder in artistic ways he is transmigrated to another world in kingdom of esus among other huge kingdoms each the size of continents, the world it self is huge with many races from elf’s to dwarfs and even undead our mc is transmigrated into franks body, a normal vampire left for dead after being attacked by vampire hunters how will our mc fare with his new vampire body perfectly known for their artistic talents and their love for blood. frank way of thought can not be determind, he does what he wants when he wants it not minding anyone around him. my note: this is the first time writing a anything besides my assignmensts but i love vampires and i find the lack of vampire stories disturbing, frank will develop through out the story there will be not harem and no imediate plans for female lead, also english is not my first lang so please tell me if you have anything you want me to fix. length of chapters is unknown and frequency of upload is the same, i have alot of ideas but they maynot be able to come to life in writing. The character is inspired by jhin from lol and joker(phenoix) cover is not mine credit to: sleep no more
8 108Sallycia Book 2
Book2 This is the sequel of the book 1 the son of Nyx.After the war, the peace came back, but there was a price, the primordial gods didn't have their place in the history of Sallycia...this is the beginning of a new adventure...
8 191Poems And Some Deep Thoughts
"Writing feels better than speaking"The pictures I used in this book are not mine. Credits to the respective owners...#4 in poetry - 20/05/2022#1 in freeverse - 21/05/2022#1 in poetrycollection - 26/05/2022#1 in poembook - 22/05/2022#1 in deeppoetry - 21/05/2022#1 in deepshit - 21/05/2022#1 in deeppoems - 10/07/2022#3 in poet - 26/05/2022#3 in deepthoughts - 27/05/2022#1 in cinquain - 27/05/2022#1 in haiku - 22/06/2022#3 in thoughtsandfeelings - 30/05/2022#1 in thought-provoking - 31/05/2022
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