The Stubborn Skill-Grinder In A Time Loop

“I know, I know, it’s pretty good, isn’t it?” Orodan asked.

And for a moment, the parlor was entirely silent. Zaessythra looked awe-struck, the pulsing glyphs upon W78’s frame spoke of a pattern of new information… and the other person in the room was speechless too.

“You… that’s…” Zaessythra muttered.

“Information entered into database. Observation: subject attempting to interfere with enemy facial recognition. Predicted effectiveness: 0%,” W78 stated.

“W-what?!” Orodan protested.

“You’re wearing a damn rag over your head!” Zaessythra shouted as her wings shook with outrage. “At least take this seriously! How does a washcloth with eye-holes cut out make a disguise?!”

“Why not? Aren’t we going to a world of vampires, werewolves and necromancers? Surely, I can pretend to be a walking corpse or something?” Orodan asked.

“Compared to the deathly pallor of an actual corpse, your bronzed complexion isn’t fooling anyone,” Zaessythra said. “You’d have more success pretending to be an actual necromancer.”

“I can bring back the dead, doesn’t that make me a fine hand at the necromantic arts?” Orodan asked.

“No, you’d fail because you bring them back completely.”

“That just makes me the best necromancer around,” Orodan declared.

Was it not true? Necromancers empowered and bound a corpse to their service. Even if things went well and the necromancer was exceedingly skilled, it was still inferior to what the regular flesh and blood body was capable of. At least, if the skills of the previous body were brought into the comparison.

With Time Reversal, he technically brought corpses back to life, and in far better condition than any undead minion. Therefore, from a certain radical perspective, Orodan was a necromancer. Even if he hated them far too much to ever seriously label himself one.

“No, that just makes you a bizarre idiot wearing a re-purposed towel over his head,” Zaessythra said.

Finally, the other inhabitant in the parlor with them broke their silence.

“In an odd way, I can see the effectiveness, provided you applied ashes and disguising agents to your skin,” the woman said. “After all, the more civilized necromancers of Narictus often follow the cultural practice of covering the faces of their minions. A bit of respect for their service in death.”

This woman was the leading cultivator of the Dao of Disguise within the Ascendent Sword Cluster. It was a rather esoteric Dao, and cultivators of competence often specialized in the Dao of Illusions instead. As a result, the woman was only at the Grandmaster-level in her Dao.

There’d been much discussion among the Sovereign Council of the Celestial Court, and the decision was made to avoid using anyone specializing in the Dao of Illusion. Even though there were Transcendents of the art, the problem with illusion was that it left a very noticeable trace of energy no matter what energy source fuelled it. Narictus was bound to have scans which detected illusions, and even high-level illusory weaves had small things which could be detected by keen eyes and specialized wards and devices.

A disguise, however, was something that could allow hiding in plain sight. And a world was a massive place, particularly one the size of Narictus. Not everywhere would be heavily watched, and people wouldn’t scrutinize them too closely at all times depending on how they entered.

“Indeed, we read all about it during the boring-” a slap was delivered to the back of his head. “I mean, during the interesting study of Narictus’s culture, politics and history.”

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn more,” Zaessythra said, not looking at all bothered that she’d just smacked Orodan upside the head. Honestly, sometimes he wondered why he even tolerated the haughty half-dragon. Orodan supposed her actions in sacrificing herself for him had something to do with it. “That being said, even if Orodan’s disguise somehow holds up, what of the rest of us? I have very little skill in necromancy…”

“And yet, you kept up the sham of being Exus Baldrimon,” Orodan said. In hindsight, her alibi of being an ancient necromancer had been questionable when she couldn’t give any relevant knowledge of necromancy.

“Who?” the disguiser asked.

“Never mind him,” Zaessythra said, deflecting the question.

“In any case, avoiding any displays of necromantic potential shouldn’t be too difficult. Many necromancers have other skills they rely upon for combat, and it’s no oddity upon Narictus to see one capable of raising dead also display other combat skills,” the disguiser said. “If anything, it would add prestige to yourself.”

In fact, one might think that a world of vampires, werewolves and necromancers would place great prestige upon the particular schools of magic that were in-line with the mood. And they were, however, talented practitioners of other fields of magic were just as prized.

Yes, Narictus’s history was one of the blood-curse and undeath, however the history books oft spoke of individuals specialized in the very counters of vampires working alongside them. A powerful mage or a mighty warrior would be revered and quickly offered many riches, and perhaps even the ‘gift’ of vampirism if they wanted it. A swift induction and marriage into one of the royal families of the Midnight Court would then follow.

“Something we’re distinctly trying to avoid,” Zaessythra said. “

“Why? The more eyes we draw, the better, no?” Orodan posed.

“If possible, I’d rather not have an entire planet chasing me down with additional reinforcements minutes away,” Zaessythra countered, and Orodan simply huffed in disappointment. Causing trouble for an entire planet sounded fun. “Besides, our objective is to get inside, grab the weapon, and leave. Unnecessary fighting isn’t our goal.”

“I certainly won’t say no to a good fight though.”

“Think of more than just yourself,” Zaessythra said. “Your brash antics will get not only I, but your friend W78 killed as well.”

In response, Orodan could only huff. He’d been mostly joking of course. His own death was but a n afterthought. Be it temporary, returning him to Ogdenborough, or permanent, the kind the Reject threatened to mete out. Orodan feared oblivion not.

The thought of Zaessythra or W78 dying swiftly sobered him from his battle lust, however.

“I understand. Still, you’ve all agreed to this mad plan that will more than likely result in my death many times over,” Orodan said. “And that means it will all reset, and your experiences and memories will be undone. You’re… okay with this?”

“I’ve come to accept the reality of the time loop you’re in, even if I can’t remember any of it,” she replied.

“Information: Unit incapable of existential dread. Unit lacks emotional response module,” W78 answered.

Orodan sighed.

He would genuinely have preferred to do this alone. Yet, if anyone two people were suited to join him, these two lunatics were closest to fitting the bill.

“Your light-hearted jests on the eve of an impossible task are both inspiring and concerning,” the disguise cultivator said. “Now come, I still have to put the finishing touches upon these outfits of yours.”

Another twenty minutes of work passed as the disguise cultivator silently worked on Orodan, Zaessythra and W78, each in a separate stall. Her assistants worked on the other two, while she focused on Orodan.

Even by his standards, the thought of pretending to be a corpse was a stupid one. However, the one disguising them claimed that it could certainly work. To that end, all manner of strange concoctions, ashes and herbs were slathered over his body with a brush. Someone else might’ve felt a bit shy about it, but he’d fought unclothed enough times to not care, and the woman was a consummate professional.

There were some problems, however.

“The binding agent doesn’t work… do you have some kind of defensive skill active?” the disguise cultivator asked.

“No? Why should I-” Orodan muttered and then came to a realization. Vision Of Purity saw what was going on. “Never mind. Rather, my body isn’t composed of regular cells like a normal being of flesh and blood. The binding agent is likely designed to react with the cells, isn’t it?”

She nodded.

“That is… unique. But this only gives me the opportunity to hone my art further,” she said while cracking her knuckles and producing an alchemy set from her spatial ring.

She quickly got to producing ingredients and brewing.

“Hope you don’t mind the fumes,” she said. “I’ll also try not to get any splatter on your sensitive bits.”

Orodan sighed and shook his head. Yes, he was unclothed, and yes, she’d chosen to just begin an impromptu alchemical session in the stall anyways. Not that he minded of course.

“It doesn’t matter anyways. If the concoction wouldn’t harm the sturdiest part of my body, then it can’t hurt the most vulnerable either,” Orodan replied. With Absolute Body Composition he had no weak points on his physical form. Blowing his head off was the same as chopping off an arm. “Besides, what level is your Alchemy at? You shouldn’t be having any spatter or accidents, not for something so simple.”

“Oh? You dabble in the arts as well?” she asked. “I have yet to form the Dao of Alchemy proper but have many of the skills I plan on coalescing into it. My spirit-flame is past the Adept-level, however. And I’ve been focusing on its development more than I have my advancements in Alchemy. As for the overarching skill itself, it’s on the cusp of reaching the Elite-level.”

Such shoddy alchemic handling when her Alchemy was near-Elite? It only reinforced the fact that people could have different perspectives and levels of ability in a skill, even at the same level. In his opinion she was a bit shoddy in her workmanship, an Alastaian alchemist wouldn’t be as careless or messy at the same level. However, despite the skill levels, the two entirely different traditions of alchemy likely produced separate results. Skill levels could only reveal so much, and they were no guarantee of exact parity.

“I’ve heard of the spirit-flames your alchemists use, and I’m aware that different factions within our galaxy have access to different skills. However, I’m also told that Alchemy is one of those skills that isn’t restricted to anyone,” Orodan said, prompting her to nod. “Then, what skills do you use for your alchemy?”

“Aside from the basic Alchemy which you also possess, I utilize Cauldron Intent and Wind Intent to control the alchemical process in a finer manner,” she answered.

“Cauldron Intent?” Orodan’s eyebrow quirked as he asked. “Do you empower it with Qi? How does that work?”

He used Shield Intent himself to generate a powerful shield light capable of stopping disgusting amounts of damage from his enemies. Of course, his was empowered by his soul, a feat that was a step above to the baser method of empowering it with Qi.

“Cauldron Intent involves using Qi to alter the nature of the cauldron in which we brew, having it do much of the work for us. As you’ve correctly guessed, mine is powered by Qi. However, my attainments in the soul arts aren’t near enough to let me fuel it with soul energy like you can.” she replied. “Alas, I can only dream for now. Yet, one day I might be capable of it, after all, one has naught but time as an immortal.”

And that was another thing about the Masters and Grandmasters of the Ascendent Sword Cluster… they essentially lived forever. Transcendents Life and Time cultivators simply kept people in the prime of their lives and aging simply wasn’t a concern. A stark contrast from his home world of Alastaia where human Grandmasters met their natural deaths past the three-thousand year mark. Supposedly, this woman was twelve-thousand years old. And yet, the Grandmasters he knew from Alastaia were more capable than her in some skills while being under three-thousand years of age themselves.

Orodan didn’t voice his thoughts on immortality leading to complacency and slower growth. To the cultivators of this world, Alastaia would be seen as a backwater wild planet where immortality among the elite wasn’t widespread. However, perhaps the pressures and harsh realities of a backwater weren’t without merit.

“Interesting. Where I’m from I’ve seen plenty of enchanted cauldrons, expensively warded alchemical workshops, multiple assistants and all manner of supporting equipment and methods, but this is the first time I’ve seen a skill which manipulates the container itself into aiding the alchemic process,” Orodan said. “My early attempts at alchemy often destroyed the container itself, would your Cauldron Intent solve such problems?”

“You surmise correctly,” she replied. “Cauldron Intent is one of the backbones of alchemy for us cultivators. Perhaps less than a handful of those following the Dao of Alchemy have formed the skill without it.”

It was all quite interesting to consider. In some ways the cultivators of the Ascendent Sword Cluster had a very individualistic alchemic tradition. On Alastaia, alchemy oft involved assistants, supporting apparatus and heavily enchanted workshops which were expensive to even maintain let alone operate. Here, however, it was more individualistic, with even high-level concoctions being brewed by a single cultivator, and the rare collaboration involving two alchemists working on the same thing while still maintaining individualism.

The universe was a big place, and he hadn’t really gotten the chance to explore it. Which was a shame because Xian and the Ascendent Sword Cluster were themselves a place Orodan could spend centuries venturing and never learn everything about. It reminded Orodan that he wouldn’t mind throwing himself into a few loops of crafting and exploring once more. Unfortunately, the coming conflicts took center stage at this time, but he wouldn’t mind simply sitting down and honing his various crafts for a bit. At least once battle and the prospect of permanent death weren’t looming above his head.

“Anyhow, you say that your cells are different and can’t be affected through regular concoctions, correct?” she asked, and Orodan nodded. “Good. This new disguising agent I’ve concocted won’t need to interact with your cells to function.”

“I see it… it’s meant to be a self-sealing film which will spread out over the surface of my skin and form a layer, correct?”

“Good eye, yes that’s right. It’s a clingy film that’ll make your skin look deathly pale and your eyes, those of the deceased,” she replied. “However, any sort of exaggerated movement will cause it to lose efficacy.”

“If I’m being honest, that’s all but guaranteed with what we’ll be doing,” Orodan said, and the woman only sighed. “I’ll be wearing this bag over my head anyways, so perhaps they’ll take a while to notice even if the substance comes off. Though, if you don’t mind… could I get the recipe for this?”

She nodded and handed him a small scroll from her spatial ring which he quickly perused. The contents were committed to his memory and the scroll then returned.

Five more minutes of work and Orodan’s disguise was ready; he clothed himself and left the stall, only to immediately receive a message.

[Disguise 8 → Disguise 9]

One of the attendants nearby who’d spotted him looked genuinely startled for a second.

Success! And the fact that the skill had gone up meant that it wasn’t the disguise cultivator’s work, but the stealthy mask he donned which had done the trick.

Truly, the System and his friends underestimated the sleeping giant in the arts of subterfuge.

Yes, she recognized him immediately after, but so what? It had worked for a few moments at least, which was progress.

Zaessythra was outside waiting, and the only reason Orodan knew it was her was because of the horns protruding from her head from which various regal and ornate trinkets now hung.

Upon regaining her body, she’d taken to wearing heavy armor fitted specifically to her. This was now replaced with a dark and foreboding robe bearing various sigils, most prominent of which was the symbol of a blood moon on the back just beneath her wings. And strapped across her back, a large scroll which was about half her height.

“I must say, I preferred the armored look better, although the ominous necromancer look isn’t the worst,” Orodan said. “You almost make me like them… almost.”

“Blending in as a visiting guest of the Midnight Court is to our advantage, particularly with the symbol of House Varachma upon my robes. They’re known to often hire and host mercenaries, scholars and dignitaries from other worlds and factions,” Zaessythra replied. “We don’t need the disguise to last long-term, only until we succeed in retrieving that weapon.”

Excromon - one of the dragon Transcendents of the Hegemony who Orodan had fought - hated any manner of draconic half-breed. The Transcendent dragon was one of the Hegemony’s more powerful members, and half-dragons of any sort had been driven to complete extinction on a majority of the Hegemony’s worlds because of it.

A majority, but not all.

Particularly, not on Narictus, whose strongest being was another leading figure within the Hegemony. Their existence on the world of the Midnight Court was reportedly a source of friction with Excromon, yet the Transcendent dragon could do little when it meant offending another powerful Transcendent vampire of the Hegemony.

On Narictus, half-dragons were in fact seen with great prestige and lured with tantalizing offers to join the royal houses of the Midnight Court. The prodigious energy generation capabilities of dragons also extended to any half-dragon species. It was an asset any faction would want on their side in battle. And some of Narictus’s most powerful beings were those of already mighty species who’d then accepted the gift of vampirism.

Orodan’s blood sang at the thought of battling a mighty vampire dragon, or worse… a vampiric Arch-Devil. His reading of Narictus’s history and the texts on broader galactic politics had been enlightening.

“Fair enough, although I can’t say I pictured you being a necromancer,” Orodan said. “And what’s with the scroll on your back? Some sort of weapon?”

“Information: unit has undergone frame adaptation to improve probability of successful mission,” a familiar voice intoned.

“T-that’s you?! Don’t tell me she did that to you!” Orodan exclaimed in false outrage.

“Don’t be ridiculous. If I hurt W78 who else will help me rein you and your antics in?” Zaessythra remarked. “It’s inside the scroll case and changed form of its own volition.”

“Directive: infiltrate world, designation - Narictus. Secure enemy weapon, exfiltrate.”

“I’ll contest the accusation that I get up to antics,” Orodan said. “If anything, my battling has helped us get this far.”

“And it could also lead to great disaster for us when on an enemy world surrounded by foes with no avenue for escape,” Zaessythra fired back.

The double doors leading to the parlor opened, and the High Sovereign Zhou Shan walked in, flanked by the Puppet Sovereign and the Thousand Broom Sovereign. Behind them was the knight commander of the Conclave, her luminosity brightening the already bright parlor.

“Your friend speaks true, Orodan Wainwright. This is a mission of caution where the stakes are high,” Zhou Shan said as he walked up. “For as long as I can remember the Hegemony have been neck-and-neck with the Conclave for the position of the strongest faction in our galaxy. In a straightforward battle we would be hard-pressed to win, especially when the Celestial Emperor, our faction’s mightiest Transcendent, is now on the side of the enemy. Your very existence works to our advantage as the foe wishes not to confront you for fear of you using the time loop against them… yet we need to seek more advantages and deny our enemies their own. To that end, the first step is the procurement of this deadly weapon.”

“Do we know where it is?” Orodan asked. “I’m aware that A1 and the Unity’s intelligence network allow us to know of its general location, but is that as specific as it gets?”

“Unfortunately so. That weapon, even in its inert state, causes the subtle backdrop of the System to function erratically. Nothing detrimental to yourself, but noticeable, and it can be tracked by those that know how,” Zhou Shan said. “The distortion is what makes it noticeable in a general area, yet it’s also what prevents specific tracking. At least, without warriors on the ground.”

“And the one on Narictus is the only one we can reach?”

“Unless you’d prefer to assault the Hegemony’s prime world and battle their entire army by yourself,” Zhou Shan said and then quickly put a hand up to stop Orodan’s declaration that he’d love nothing more. “The endeavor will doubtlessly lead to your death, and likely a permanent one. We don’t know what those foul artefacts they use are, but they’re dangerous and the records we have of them suggest that their origin is quite otherworldly. They possess two of them, and the one on Narictus is the least risky for us to reach.”

Orodan would have to examine these weapons for himself then. Much as he wanted to rampage against the wall directly, the two people relying on him wouldn’t appreciate that.

“Fine. I’ll go to Narictus, and I’ll retrieve this weapon for our forces,” Orodan declared.

“We will go to Narictus. Yes, you’re a mighty time looper, but don’t write us off so quickly,” Zaessythra said. “I’ve been alongside you through some rather apocalyptic situations already, some I remember, some only you do.”

Orodan could say nothing more to that. Although he silently vowed that he would let nobody else die on his behalf if he could help it.

“You know, if you’re so concerned about losing me to some esoteric assault which causes permanent harm, then why send me to Narictus to begin with?” Orodan asked. “You know me and my proclivity for battle… you aren’t concerned that I’ll be drawn into a fight and dealt a grievous blow?”

“Indeed, I am. As a matter of fact, we all are,” Zhou Shan said. “Which is why Knight Commander Sujana here has loaned one of the Conclave’s soul shattering weapons to us. I’m told the destruction of your soul’s outer layer isn’t an issue.”

“So, you do want me to die endlessly against the Hegemony’s forces? Why not send me alone then.”

“Because your judgement on when you should die to reset the loop is spotty at best, and deranged at worst,” Zaessythra said. “This fail-safe weapon… will be operated by me.”

Orodan gave her a flat look.

She only stared back.

“If this is revenge for all the times-”

“No, it isn’t. And I would appreciate it if you didn’t make light of the responsibility in my hands,” she interjected. “Amusing as it may seem, I don’t actually enjoy the thought of killing a friend. If I sense you’ve called forth enemies who could capture you or cause permanent harm… I’ll be employing the weapon.”

“What if there’s a chance I survive it?” Orodan asked.

“Considering it detonates with power enough to rival the explosion of a soul nexus, I doubt it.”

An explosion capable of destroying a star system then. Utter overkill, and something he wasn’t anywhere near being able to survive yet.

“It’s a great burden upon us as well,” Lady Sujana, Knight Commander of the Conclave said. “Galactic treaties between all major factions technically prohibit the destruction of entire star systems, and such wanton devastation can draw the ire of the Administrators. Agreeing to utilize it for the purpose of preventing your capture or permanent maiming is a great show of faith on our end, Orodan Wainwright.”

“I appreciate all you’re doing to aid me. For my part, I can only move forward and give this task my all,” Orodan said. “Still, given that you’re arming Zaessythra with destructive power rivalling a soul nexus explosion, this disguise farce seems a bit pointless, no?”

“Far from it. We know you’ll die; however the disguise is to set you up with multiple avenues of operation should you so choose,” Zhou Shan said. And finally, the real intent was clear to Orodan. “Orodan Wainwright… we not only want you to steal the enemy’s weapon, but also to strike as great a blow to the enemy during your mission as possible. Slaughter every enemy Transcendent, kill all their Gods… sow as much war damage to Narictus as possible during the short time you’ll have before the enemy’s response. Take heed of the enemy’s locations, their proclivities, their strengths and weaknesses… repeat the loop as many times as necessary to deal the perfect blow to the enemy to start off this war.”

A shimmering dimensional passage opened, and through the warped haze of shifting dimensional boundaries Orodan could vaguely see a land of darkness, and the ripples of multiple bright moons overlooking a world where the night was eternal. This was no mere spatiomancy, it was a combination of dimensional ability and subterfuge which would be far harder to detect.

To the side, Zaessythra nodded, and Orodan understood what the assignment really was.

Here, in this parlor, he would return and re-convene after each attempt. Information would be shared, disguises re-adjusted if needed, and additional equipment ferried along if required. Then, there was only one thing he had left to do…

[C#he*ck&po%in$t S@et]

“The passage will take you to the wilderness farthest away from any locations of enemy strength. We shall await your return,” Zhou Shan said. “The enemy can normally detect the presence of a Celestial skill bearer, to that end, Lady Sujana and I will be working to weave the ripples you produce and misdirect our foes into thinking you’re elsewhere.”

Orodan nodded, appreciative of that. He still hadn’t really learned how to control the emissions of his Celestial skill. As it stood, it was akin to sending out a constant signal to anyone that he was there. He took one final look around, at the High Sovereign, the Conclave’s Knight Commander and the disguise cultivator and then… the merry band of three took one step into the dimensional passage before it swallowed them up.

[Dimensionalism 20 → Dimensionalism 21]

The shifting dimensional layers wobbled them about a bit, and they took steps onto ground in various dimensions before finally settling.

The grass wasn’t green.

That was the first thing Orodan noticed. It was a tawny color, and the surrounding flora were shades of yellow, orange or brown. Some of the plant-life glowed with a subtle aura of mana and world energy, and the life in the area seemed quite different to what he was used to upon Alastaia.

The chief difference being that there was no sun. He’d read that the three moons of Narictus cast light unto the planet at all times, no matter where they were, and the world itself never received any direct sunlight. The convoluted methods through which this was possible weren’t something he dwelled on. This was all part of a gigantic planetary ward which blocked out the sun, and instead, only moonlight shone down upon the surface.

The nearby wildlife looked mostly normal, although they also had strange and mystifying aesthetics which either helped them to camouflage easier under moonlight or strange organs which seemed to absorb the light of the moon.

It didn’t affect him, but Orodan noted objectively that it was cold. The lack of a sun might’ve played a part in that. Still, he wondered how people got by if it was colder across the entire world in general, at least, without skills to negate it.

High above, overlooking Narictus and illuminating the landscape, were the three moons. Red, white and yellow.

It was pretty.

“Well don’t spend all night gawking, the flora and fauna don’t exactly seem friendly,” Zaessythra said as she casually plucked a thorny blade of grass out from the ground. It wriggled in her hands and seemed utterly paralyzed with fear at having a Transcendent hold it. “If I recall, this species of grass can drain the blood of a common man dry in seconds.”

“Good thing neither of us are average humans,” Orodan said. She was a half-dragon, and he’d changed his body composition to become better suited for combat. “A bit on the nose for a world of vampires to possess blood-sucking grass, isn’t it?”

“Analysis: predatory floral species. Information added to database. Scanning… nearby settlement detected. Six-hundred miles,” W78 intoned. There were no glowing glyphs to indicate his friend was speaking, so the explanation was as though a ghost was talking. “Directive: secure enemy weapon and exfiltrate. Solution: seek out settlement, acquire information.”

“You can scan out to six-hundred miles?” Orodan asked. His own Vision Of Purity was decent, but nowhere near that range. Admittedly, his was a skill specialized in finding the most minute of imperfections, while W78’s skill was one meant for long distance scanning and reconnaissance. Still, it was mighty impressive. “Nice work W78!”

“Information: Unit possesses latest-generation scanning and module technology. High level of skill synergy with technology,” it intoned.

Orodan hummed.

“Anyhow, time to move, let’s see if we can’t reach that settlement,” Zaessythra said.

“You’re acting rather carefree for someone who’s just stepped onto an enemy world,” Orodan remarked. “Shouldn’t you be verifying the surroundings, launching magical scans of your own and attempting to scramble our position?”

The county militia’s basic training had included the theory work on clandestine operations and movement through the wilderness behind enemy lines. Not that he or any of the low-level militia had ever gotten the chance to employ it, and it was no more than theory, but he still knew the principles.

“All of my detection abilities are magical. I could map out the surrounding two-thousand miles perfectly… and promptly trip many sensors and wards within that range too,” she answered. “Plus, any trackers at the Grandmaster-level and up would sense me if I sent such a pulse out. Still, before I deploy the weapon, I’ll be sure to launch an overpowered scan and map out as much as I can. Your mind can hold the information anyways, can it not?”

“Treating my mind like a journal, are you?” Orodan asked and then sighed. “I’d normally abhor the thought, but I suppose I trust you.”

She made a show of turning around to roll her eyes at him.

“Considering that a version of me died for you, that would be the least you could do.”

They bantered and spoke as they walked towards the settlement. They were in a clearing within a deep and dark forest whose trees put any he’d seen upon Alastaia to shame. The local fauna included animals such as nervous rabbits, deer and the occasional snarling wolf or bear. There were even some ferocious giant spiders and centipedes that had made lairs and webs in certain parts. However, these animals looked far more nervous and afraid of their surroundings than an animal in an Alastaian forest might. They weren’t just predators themselves, but prey. As though they feared something.

That fear came in the form of the supernatural side of the forest. The atmosphere within was eerie and haunting, and Vision Of Purity and his mastery of the soul arts allowed him to pick up numerous wraiths and actual ghosts wandering about. Anyone else wandering the forest would’ve rightfully been scared and shortly killed by one of its many denizens.

And then…

…there was Orodan, Zaessythra and W78.

Wolves and bears ran for the hills. Spiders fled to the very tops of the trees and the centipedes skittered as deep underground as they could manage. The wraiths and ghosts wisely became silent as their party walked through and the few that were stupid enough to approach were paralyzed by fear upon actually seeing the three Transcendents.

Yes, it was a spooky forest. But Orodan was enjoying the scenery. And nothing within it could really threaten someone of his level. Scary forests and dark caves could be a real threat, and he’d often died deep underground during his earlier loops, but it hadn’t changed the fact that he was a warrior, made for battle. Where others would feel fear or be wary of such nefarious environs, he instead relished the thought of meeting the monsters within and having a good fight.

The supernatural beings of the forest were wise to flee.

W78 analyzed the landscape as they hiked, noting efficient paths through the thicket and providing snippets of information as it catalogued the various plants, animals and supernatural things, and the trio trudged on. Spatiomancy was out of the question as it would be detected, and Zaessythra at least compromised that once they knew where things were and what response might come their way, it would be on the table. For now, however, the standard hike through the wilderness was their method of travel. Something Orodan was quite used to and relished as he’d often gone on patrols of the woods surrounding Ogdenborough in his time with the militia. A trek was a nice way to pass the time.

Tracking the emission of mana, soul energy or Qi was a simple and reliable method of detecting things. And emissions where there should be none would likely alarm any detection systems or people who were on the lookout.

At one-point Orodan began to notice the taint of necromantic energy suffusing the plants, wildlife and very ground, but of course he was barred from using his Celestial skill lest the emissions of soul energy also be detected. Narictus was famed for its prevalence of vampires, necromancers and werewolves. The soul arts were focused upon heavily and the likelihood of meeting Transcendents of Soul Mastery or other soul skills was very high.

His Pathfinding skill had gained three levels over the course of the trek, but they’d finally arrived. In the distance, a village of… undead?

Undead minions with glowing green eyes were shambling about carrying heavy boxes and pushing carts. Many of them were human corpses, however some were reanimated trolls and ogres, and there was even a four-armed Demonic Berserker mindlessly standing guard next to an overseeing necromancer.

What was even more surreal… was the fact that a little girl was running in circles around the Demonic Berserker and occasionally going for a ride atop the back of one of the undead trolls. She wasn’t the only one so at ease with the undead either.

The few humans in sight seemed relaxed. None of them were laborers, they all had some manner of skilled trade, and the hard labor was being done by the undead. All in all, they actually looked happy.

“As expected, to hear and read about it is one thing, but to see it is another,” Zaessythra said. “A world where vampirism and undeath serve the common mortal instead of oppressing them. Why defy the Midnight Court at all when they provide a good life for those living under their rule…”

“So, they aren’t evil and monstrous?” Orodan asked. “I’m half-tempted to walk over to that Demonic Berserker and eradicate it where it stands.”

“No, that would be too early… and these are just common people, folk who have nothing to do with the Hegemony or our enemies,” Zaessythra said. “Necromancy, much like any branch of magic, is but a tool. What it’s used for determines the morality. Anyhow, you’re supposed to be my undead minion, so start acting like it. I’ll do the talking inside.”

Orodan nodded, and soon, he and Zaessythra were walking down the paved path towards the overseeing necromancer who was in control of the undead.

Some of the small children pointed fingers at her wings however their eyes quickly widened the moment they saw the blood moon symbol on the back of her robes. They became silent after and their parents ushered them inside.

The overseeing necromancer caught sight of them and warily walked over.

“May the moons guide you esteemed one, what may our humble village do for you? Does House Varachma require anything of us?” the man asked. “Our lord, sir Osrach, is away on a hunt.”

The man looked to be a regular human. He didn’t look scared, malnourished or unhappy. Rather, he looked well-fed and healthy. And he was also a necromancer given the glowing green energies swirling around his hands and the flasks of mana potions on his belt. Orodan sensed the man was around the Elite-level, but that was nothing in the grand scheme of things.

“Your liege lord, who is it? Where is this place?” Zaessythra asked.

“Ah, apologies my lady… this is the village of Moonstele, our lord is a knight in the service of House Evgaros,” the man answered. “With us being so close to the cursed Fraakshal Forest travellers often get lost and turn to us for directions. Nasty things inside of that place… wraiths, spirits of the dead and giant spiders and centipedes. If you’ve ventured through there you might’ve seen some of them.”

Vision Of Purity noticed the imperfections in the dimensional boundaries, and Dimensionalism helped confirm it.

Someone suddenly stepped in behind them.

“You saw some of them as you walked… but they also saw you,” the feminine voice replied. Orodan had already turned to look as soon as he felt the ripples.

A deathly pale complexion, red pupils and an overly frilly dress which Orodan felt was a bit pretentious and inconvenient for combat. Vision Of Purity confirmed the fact that she was a vampire. Early Transcendent-level too.

“A half-dragon, it took me a little bit to confirm it, but you must be the Transcendent revived by the time looper,” the woman spoke. “Did you think we wouldn’t be on high alert? That we weren’t expecting an attempt on the weapon? And I see you’ve brought a minion with you.”

[Disguise 9 → Disguise 12]

Success! Let none say his rag over the head wasn’t effective.

The vampire’s eyes squinted, rapidly blinked and then narrowed. Until they widened.

“Time looper!” she shouted and reflexively took a step back. “You shall not touch me with your foul skill like you did Ragamul!”

Well… that had lasted longer than he thought it would.

“If you just tell me where the weapon is then-”

“No. Peer into her mind. Now,” Zaessythra interjected and ordered.

The vampire immediately tried to recoil away, but Domain Of Perfect Cleaning shot out and enveloped her. He brutally smashed into her mind and found no relevant information on the whereabouts of the Hegemony’s weapon whatsoever.

“Nothing. Rather forceful of you though, Zaessythra,” Orodan said. “Maybe we can search around a bit n-”

A sudden wave of magic emanated from her, extending out for a great distance, simultaneously he felt something attempt to force his way into his mind.

It was only after he realized it was her that he lowered his defenses and used his Celestial skill to help guide the memory packet into a stable position.

“Information: cross-dimensional assault inbound,” W78 warned.

Things progressed rather fast after that.

On one hand, he noticed the boundaries of the material plane being torn asunder and a beam of horrifying proportions rushing towards him. There was no warning, no introduction and no cheap talk prior. On the other end was the weapon which Zhou Shan had explicitly assured him would take a week to prepare.

The System-influenced parts of his soul trembled in fear, but a mad grin overtook his face as he prepared to defend against it head-on.

In his final moments he realized that Zaessythra had already primed the fail-safe device.

“Meddling half-dragon!” Agrimon roared.

As the darkness took him, courtesy of Zaessythra’s fail-safe, the terrified part of Orodan’s soul was thankful that it was Zaessythra who was in charge of triggering the reset.

[C$h@ec(kp*oi#nt R#es%to&red]

[U@ses Re^ma#in@ing - 2187]

“The passage will take you to the wilderness farthest away from any locations of enemy strength. We shall await your return,” Zhou Shan said. “The enemy can normally detect the presence of a Celestial skill bearer, to that end, Lady Sujana and I will be working to weave the ripples you produce and misdirect our foes into thinking you’re elsewhere.”

“Who the hells said the weapon takes a week to prepare?” Orodan asked. “It’s a trap. They’re on high alert and ready for us.”

Zhou Shan’s eyes widened, and he looked to Lady Sujana who also seemed worried.

“Yet, I see you’re here alive and well…” Zhou Shan muttered in shock.

“Thanks to Zaessythra’s trigger happy attitude towards the fail-safe weapon,” Orodan replied, giving her a deep and appreciative nod of respect. “It killed me before the weapon got to me.”

On one hand, the battle-seeker within desired to challenge the beam. On the other, his soul felt a very real and visceral fear towards whatever that was.

“Any relevant information?” Zaessythra asked.

“Well, my Disguise worked!” he exclaimed with a grin. It subsided shortly in the face of her continuing glare. “…for a few seconds anyways.”

She shook her head and sighed.

“That it did so at all is a miracle. Anything else?”

“The wraiths and ghosts within the Fraakshal Forest are being used as spies for the enemy,” Orodan answered. “The vampire who confronted us said as much. Also… you gave me a cluster of memories.”

Zaessythra nodded and opened her mind as Orodan sent the packet her way through the usage of his Celestial skill which counted Psionic Assault under its domain. She quickly produced a mental projection cube and linked her mind to it, using it to skillfully produce an accurate rendition of the two-thousand miles from the center of where she’d performed her scan.

For a while, she simply stared at it quietly.

Orodan broke the silence.

“That’s a lot of wraiths. And a lot of details. I’m impressed that your skill is capable of tracking so much.”

“Pah… you should be capable of far more with a dedicated detection skill of your own,” she replied. “Still, the sheer number of wraiths and ghosts poses a problem. Especially if they’re all being used as eyes and ears by the Hegemony.”

Using magic to traverse would get them detected. Using his Celestial skill to take out the wraiths would alert whoever was using them to watch, and simply being spotted in the wilderness was grounds for being thoroughly investigated.

The Hegemony was prepared for an attempt on the weapon, and the amount of time he had to work with was quite small.

Still, the checkpoint was set before he set foot onto Narictus. And plans could be adjusted, starting positions changed and disguises altered. This had been the plan from the get-go after all. There was a reason such mad plans were never attempted, because the failure rate was too high. Yet, what did failure matter when one had multiple attempts?

As many tries as it took to get the perfect robbery.

Furthermore, if the time he had was extremely limited… maybe it was time to begin expanding his repertoire when it came to chronomancy.