Pandora Unchained - a Cultivation Progression Fantasy

As a coastal city, Delphi's food culture revolved around fish and seafood. New dishes appeared every day, and the mark of a good restaurant was a constantly evolving menu that kept its clientele coming back for the latest innovation at least every two weeks.

Their group stopped at the harbor for a brief lunch, which included clam chowder, bread, and a roast demonic fish accompanied by pureed and deep-fried lobster. The meal cost 50 gold per serving, which was apparently on the lower end when it came to nutritious meals for Bone-Forging cultivators.

"I expected the seafood since the city is coastal, but what I didn't expect was the city-wide geothermal heating system," said Daphne as she bent down to inspect one of the many conduits outside a residential building. "Such intricate runework. Such attention to detail. It's clear that the standards for mages are much higher in Delphi than in the Outpost."

"I hear their library is a hundred times bigger than the one in the outpost," said Sorin. "I haven't personally gone there, but word has it that even demigod-level spells are available for perusal. And since Delphi's emblem is the sun, I'd imagine a lot of them are fire-based. What a happy coincidence."

A gleam appeared in Daphne's eyes. She abandoned the geothermal heating device and practically dragged them toward the sloping section of the city. "Then what are we waiting for? The sooner we get this bounty business sorted out, the sooner we'll be able to hit the books. I mean, see the sights."

The city's transportation system was also quite advanced. The geothermal energy harvested from Mount Parnassus was practically endless, and the mages had figured out how to convert thermal mana into a universal energy source that could power lights, running water, sewage, and an expensive tram system. Every major street had double tracks passing through their center where mortals and cultivators alike could travel the entire city free of charge. It was a utopia for the common people—assuming they could afford the steep rent.

The tram saved them several hours and allowed them to take in the most popular tourist destinations from a distance.

Once such location was a large complex affixed with the same twin serpents found on Sorin's identification document. "Is that your family's hospital?" asked Stephan.

"One of them," admitted Sorin. "The biggest one. It's more of a school than anything else. Half of it is dedicated to classrooms and libraries, while the other half is a learning hospital. I spent every evening there after primary school, only seeing my parents briefly every month or so as was convenient.

"It must have been difficult studying while other children were out playing," said Stephan. "It was the same for me, but all they did was make me fight in an arena. Every day was a different demon."

"For me, every day was a different condition, a different patient," said Sorin.

"But I was home for dinner every day, and I usually had a couple hours to myself," continued Stephan. "And once Haley moved out, I even had a bit of freedom."

"It was difficult," Sorin admitted. "Even for me. But I knew what was expected of me, so I didn't complain." He sighed. "Alas, all that training seems to have gone to waste. I'm a physician at heart, but even my family, who expended so many resources training me, won't support my right to practice."

The tram traveled quickly and soon led them to the northeast part of the city, where the snow had yet to melt. A steady trickle of mortals and cultivators could be seen climbing up steep stone steps that led to a shrine that towered over large swaths of uncontaminated wilderness outside the city.

Their destination was the building located at the base of these steps: The Hero Association. It was three stories tall and occupied at least a square mile. Thirteen large steles stood before the building, listing out the many heroes that had popped up in the province of Parnassos, along with their notable deeds, their path, and the cause of their deaths.

"That's a lot of heroes, even for four and a half hundred years," said Lawrence, using his ability to read from a distance. "Look at that entry: Henry Martin Vanderbrook. Berserker. Sailor. Father of forty-three. Singlehandedly defeated a three-star merlion while still in the Bone-Forging Realm. Discovered three new islands, along with ten new demon variants and 56 beneficial plants. Perished from the besiegement of over 1000 sirens that sang for three days and three nights until his soul could no longer bear it."

"They're all embellished like that," said Stephan. "The longer a hero lives, the more exaggerated the stories become. But it's all part of the gig. We're examples for the rest of humanity, Lawrence. Glorified mascots, if you will.

"See those cultivators and mortals over there, offering their respects to the heroes on the steles? That's who we're here for. It's one of the many reasons humanity has been able to stand up to the Seven Evils despite our insignificant numbers and inferior strength."

They received a polite welcome from the guards stationed at the entrance. Like the cultivators and mortals up front, none of them were heroes. Their roles were mostly ceremonial, and they served more as ushers than actual keepers of the peace.

Upon reporting that they were new arrivals in the city and that this was the first Hero's Association they'd ever visited, the guard thanked them profusely. "It is an honor to greet new heroes of Parnassos and to record your names for future visitors."

"Record our names?" asked Lawrence. "You mean, you're going to write them down right now?"

"Not me," said the guard. "But your arrival and your declaration of your identities has initiated the process. Please don't be shocked by any sudden visions you might be privy to."

"Wait, what visions are you talking ab—"

Sorin suddenly found himself looking at the tallest of the thirteen steles. It was emblazoned with Apolo's symbol, that of an arrow piercing the sun. Like the others, the steel was made of marble but with one side coated with a lustrous silver metal.

Tang!

His soul quivered when his first name, Sorin, appeared on the stele.

Tang!

His middle name, Abberjay, appeared right next to it, and the name began to shine with a soft golden light.

Tang!

His last name, Kepler, appeared on the stele, and he suddenly felt an intimate connection with it. A golden light filled him and combed through his entire body, then began filling out the space next to his name.

Sorin Abberjay Kepler. Adventurer. Apothecary. Physician. Inheritor of the Path of Asclepius.

His medallion burned hot as this last entry was struck through, and the golden hue on his name faded until it was the same black-gray as everyone else's.

Sorin Abberjay Kepler. Adventurer. Apothecary. Physician. Slayer of the Minotaur and pioneer of the Daedalus Labyrinth Dungeon. Purifier of the Bloodwood Outpost Aqueduct. Slayer of eleven two-star treants while still at the one-star level. Slayer of a third-forging cultivator while still in the blood-thickening realm. Once again, his medallion acted up and deleted his notable achievement, though Sorin did notice that the silver glow that was slowly accumulating on his name had increased substantially.

First, God Seed to be corrupted and maintain his sanity.

Pioneer of the Dual Paths of Ten Thousand Corrupt Poisons.

Post-Congenital God Seed: Using his vast medical knowledge, he intentionally guided the corruption in his blood and mana to forcefully open his Governing Vessel and awaken his dormant divinity.

After three failed attempts, the stele gave up on extracting sensitive information. It searched through what had transpired after his breakthrough and found one noteworthy event: Their defeat of the Dark Lady, a peak two-star myth.

"You alright, mate?" asked Stephan as Sorin's consciousness returned.

"I'm fine," said a pale Sorin, noticing that he was the last to withdraw his consciousness from the stele. "That stele did not agree with me."

"Some heroes with weaker souls have trouble adapting," reassured the guard. "Not that I'm accusing you of having a weak soul or anything. It's probably much stronger than average."

"Hey, Sorin's soul isn't weak," started Lawrence, but Stephan cut him off.

"Many thanks for your warm welcome," said Stephan. "We'll be on our way." He then led their group up the steps that only heroes were allowed to tread. "Try not to volunteer any information if you don't have to, Lawrence. It's a very bad habit, and it could very well get us killed."

At the end of the stairway was a wide double door. He moved to open it when suddenly, a powerful force pushed him back, and the doors swung open from inside out.

Six young heroes walked out from the Hero Association. Like Sorin and company, they were all at the first forging and bore a bright silver glow.

But it was the figure in white at their center who stole the show. Her black eyes drew Sorin's gaze and refused to let it go. She was of moderate height, slight of build, and pale of skin. Her long black hair cascaded down over her fragile shoulders that could only belong to a mage, a healer, or another casting class.

The lights dimmed slightly as she turned her head towards Sorin and locked eyes with him. He saw something familiar on her forehead: a bright symbol. Unlike Gabriella's glowing torch, this woman's symbol was that of a silver moon and black skull. Just looking at it provoked something primal in Sorin and caused the Violence in his blood to bubble and boil.

Fortunately, he now had much practice at reigning in his emotions and successfully held back his inner violence. He also realized that the bubbling violence had masked something—a sense of aggression stemming not from himself but from the other party. Whoever she was, she was hostile to him. Sorin steadied his breathing and calmed down enough to catch a hint of gold as she walked past their group, no longer paying attention to Sorin and his companion. "She's a God Seed," he said to his companions. "And not a friendly one."

"I wonder why she's here?" said Stephan. "And how are you still alright? That aura nearly forced us down to our knees."

"Do you think she's here for that event you mentioned?" Daphne asked Stephan.

"Maybe," said Stephan. "Though if she's participating, it won't be much of a competition. I mean, look at us. None of us, excluding Sorin, could even raise our heads."

"Aren't you being a little pessimistic?" said Lawrence. "She might be intimidating, but she's still a cultivator, just like we are."

Stephan shook his head. " God Seeds aren't just cultivators—they transcend human understanding and have more rallying power and influence than you could ever imagine. Sure, we were disproportionately affected by her because we were unprepared, but in battle, this kind of pressure is difficult to overcome."

"This event," said Gareth. "It's not just first place that wins out, is it?"

"It's not," Stephan confirmed. He turned his gaze back to the double doors that had just closed shut. "Well, that was a bit anticlimactic. I was hoping to make a dramatic entrance, but it seems that won't be possible anymore. Let's ignore the God Seed, make our final report, and claim our bounties before enjoying a well-earned break."