Eric’s head had barely hit the pillow when sleep overtook him. He rarely dreamed, but this night he did.
It was an oddly interconnected series of faces, smiles, and discussions. The dream felt like a blend of his memories of the past timeline with Luciana on the battlefield, in the medic tents, at the mess tent, cut together with snippets of his night with Misty and Xera.
He woke up with a start. Someone was knocking on his door.
Who the fuck could that be?
His cautious side took over, and he got out of bed, grabbed his Deflection Matrix, and slipped it onto his hand. After going to the door, he opened it, and found an exhausted-looking Naomi holding a smooth, silver bracer.
“I couldn’t sleep,” she muttered quickly. “I just had to build, so I made some of these. One for each of us. Oh, also one for Darius, since he’ll be getting info for us. But I have to put it on you.” She stifled a yawn. “No one is stealing my manatech. It won’t work if I’m not alive. Now, hold out your arm.”
Holy fuck, Naomi. Did you blow through all of the Components for this? We could have crafted so much with that stuff.
“Thanks,” Eric said, masking his disappointment. “How did you figure out the process?”
She smiled a tired smile. “I have a Skill, Tinkerer’s Template, where all I have to do is just visualize what I want and then I can see a blueprint for it, floating in front of me. After that, it’s just a matter of using a Rote called Craft—generic, I know—to make the design come to life.” She pursed her lips. “It did take a few attempts: one of the downsides of doing something never done before on Elyndor. Also, we’re out of Components.”
Eric winced internally. That was a lot of valuable resources gone. Some rarer Components as well, which were not needed for early experimentation. “In the future, maybe don’t use the high-Tier stuff for practice and testing. Those are hard to get.”
She blinked a few times, and then a frown crossed her face. “Fuck. I was too caught up. Sorry.”
“Hey, it happens. Lessons for the future.”
Silver lining: the bracer is closer to its finished status off the get-go.
“Which arm?” she asked.
Eric held out his left. “Makes sense on the left. Same hand for Sigils.”
She nodded and clasped it around his arm. Her hand flared with the green symbol of a Sigil being expended, and she ran a finger along the seam, sealing it onto his arm permanently. “It will automatically clean the skin underneath, and you won’t even notice it being there, since it adapts to your body temperature. I’ve got a list”—she pulled out a slip of paper and shoved it into his palm— “all the features. I can add onto it later.”
[Gear Acquired: Manatech Bracer.]
Eric dismissed the message from The Paths and scanned down the note. The bracer had built-in communication, with Ley Lines acting as cell-phone towers for signal strength. It would map places he explored, or download maps he scanned. To scan one, he’d have to pass the device over a drawn one, where a small aperture on the bottom would capture it. It also contained a HUD interface, which could replace the messages in his vision from The Paths.
The functions were fairly basic, and such manatech already existed on Elyndor. Eric knew that while communication devices that used Ley Lines as cell towers were uncommon, mapping gear was slightly more common, and HUD interfaces to prevent The Paths’ messages from showing up in someone’s vision were as well.
All in all, Naomi wasn’t breaking new ground, aside from shoving all of the functions into a single object. The unique facets of the bracer was that no one could steal it, their line of communication couldn’t be hacked because it was ‘tuned’ to Naomi’s unique signature, and Naomi could upgrade it with new functions down the line. Later, if and when she got her satellite network up and running, she could put on far more features that would make it an unparalleled tool.
I can't wait until she makes that orbital laser again, Eric thought.
“This is epic,” Eric said. “Thank you. You’re amazing, you know that?”
“Yup. I do.” Naomi suppressed another yawn. “I’m going to sleep.” She shuffled off down the hallway to her room.
Eric shut the door and looked at the bracer. He felt a sense of warmth and comfort at the sight of it. The device that had been with him most of his past timeline. It served as a tether to the past and all he had experienced. The bracer was a reminder that grounded him.
Eric skipped his usual routine for the morning, given how late he had been up. The first thing he did was write a sincere thank-you letter to Misty Baxter, with a request for her services as a Chirurgeon, not for a date. He wanted her aid in applying the Body Enhancements.
He immediately tracked down and gave it to Benson. “This one gets an express courier for delivery. To Misty Baxter. She ought to be here tomorrow.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Benson replied.
Most of his time that day was spent writing letters to all of the various merchants, nobles, and courtiers. He wanted to knock it all out in one session, rather than spreading it out over time.
Better to rip the band-aid off and get it done now instead of dragging it out.
He was able to use a template for the response, but every single message was expected to be penned in his hand, and he had to stop several times to soak his wrist in the hot spring pool outside to alleviate the cramps.
Then, as evening descended, Eric sat at the dinner table looking at the various Body Enhancements laid out before him. He had a plethora to choose from. He had made a simple list of what the item was and what it did, focusing on the ones that were not just cosmetic and had some type of tangible effect that could aid him in the Twilight Depths.
I can’t bind more than two of these without really hampering my ability to be relevant in a fight. And of course, I don’t want to break social norms while I’m here.
- Air Sprite Alveoli (T2) - When bound to the body, the wielder’s lungs filter natural environmental toxins and poison (inhaled only).
- Longears (T3) - When bound to the body, the wielder’s aural capabilities are amplified.
- Umbral Eyedrops (T3) - When bound to the body, the wielder’s vision allows for sight in the dark.
- Mana Veins (T4) - When bound to the body, the wielder’s mana channels are more closely bound to their veins. This results in the user’s mana capacity being more closely correlated to the user’s physique. WARNING: Blood loss results in mana loss.
- Neversick Slime (T5) - When bound to the body, the wielder cannot contract viruses, infections, or other maladies found in nature.
- Mana Muscles (T6) - When bound to the body, the wielder’s mana channels are more closely bound to the muscles. This results in the user’s mana capacity directly contributing to their physical strength.
He had many good options, but he was facing some choice paralysis. Mana Veins and Mana Muscles would be excellent if he were some blend of martial and magic Classes, but he planned on being a purely magic setup.
He pushed the Neversick Slime to one side.
Definitely going to apply that. Not being able to suffer from diseases is going to be fantastic. Toxins and poisons are still an issue, but a Class like Healing Mage can easily deal with those, so the Air Spire Alveoli aren’t required. I don’t need the Umbral Eyedrops, since Blackflame provides illumination. I won’t be hanging out in the courts of intrigue often, since my dismantling of the Admiral and Steward’s operations will be more destructive if all goes to plan, so I don’t need the Longears.
He sighed and took a sip of tea. Someone knocked on the door and, after glancing over, he waved at Peter. “Hey there.”
Peter was leaning against the door frame. “Still figuring out what you want to do?”
“Yeah. Are you doing—”
“Mana Muscles and that Neversick Slime. Doesn’t seem smart to have Mana Veins when getting hurt and bleeding makes me stronger.”
“Smart. It seems like it’s designed for someone who is not going to be on the frontlines but still uses their physique. Someone like Shannon.”
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Peter walked over and sat next to him. “A few good options here. What are you thinking?”
Eric crossed his arms. “I’m thinking I want to see if I can trade some of these. Get something I can use instead.” He gestured to the Mana Veins and Mana Muscles. “Those are good to hold onto. But the Alveoli, Eyedrops, and Longears aren’t ones I need.”
“Can you even buy this stuff?”
“Oh yeah. Just need to know where to look. I might just go with just the Neversick Slime and hold off on any more Body Enhancement until we get done with our next trip into the Twilight Depths.”
“Well, you’re the one with exp—” he caught himself, and cleared his throat. “I’m sure that holding off is just as smart as using something.” Peter stood up and stretched. “I have to write a few of those stupid letters.” He sighed with exasperation. “Gonna take me weeks.”
“Have fun,” Eric replied.
The next day, Eric woke up and performed his usual workout routine. His mana channels felt great, and his muscles, though sore, felt stronger. After getting dressed, he headed to the lounge. The other Summoned joined him there.
“So,” Shannon said, tapping her feet on the couch cushion as she took up the whole piece of furniture, “what’s today going to be like?”
“From what I read, we’ll be getting the equivalent of surgery,” Eric said from the opposite couch he shared with Naomi. “Just with Rotes and Skills to prevent pain.”
Naomi clutched the jar of Neversick Slime in one hand and a vial in the other. “I am a bit nervous.”
“Don’t be,” Eric said as he put a hand on her knee and squeezed gently. “It’s going to be fine, I’m sure.”
There was a commotion at the front entryway. “They’re here,” Eric said.
Everyone else stood up, Body Enhancements of their choice in hand, and faced the entrance to the lounge.
Benson brought their guests in.
Misty Baxter was dressed in a professional, white outfit, with her hair tied back in a bun and hidden under a neat, white cap that was quite similar to a beanie. She was accompanied by three other people who, judging by their attire, were Service Classes involved in medicine as well.
Eric bowed appropriately. “Chirurgeon Misty Baxter, welcome to our home. Please, feel free to keep things informal, if you like.”
She was practically beaming. “It is good to be here. I did not have the chance to meet your fellows directly at the soirée.”
The others quickly introduced themselves, and then Misty’s companions each directed one of the Summoned to their respective bedrooms. Eric took Misty up to his and opened the door for her. She walked in, raised her hands, and the bright, purple Sigil over her left hand, which was shaped like a perfect circle, vanished.
The entire room pulsated with a matching light. “And there we go. Sterile environment.” She pointed to his mattress. “To the bed.”
“Of course,” Eric replied as he sat down.
“Which Body Enhancements are we doing today?” she asked politely.
“The Neversick Slime.”
“Just one?”
Eric shrugged. “I don’t think the others are very valuable to me right now.”
She sat on the side of the bed. “I brought something from my family’s personal reserves. I figured a Reaper like you would be able to use it.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a thick, deep-silver paste. “This is called Mana Skin. It is Tier seven. Effectively, it turns your skin into a secondary repository of mana. An emergency reservoir, if you drain your usual mana to nil. But if you’re injured, you lose mana depending on how much of your skin was damaged. A small cut? A small amount of mana. Once it’s healed, you can refill the stockpiled mana.”
Eric felt a warmth in his chest at the incredibly generous gesture. He’d never heard of Mana Skin before, but having an emergency repository of his most valuable resources, especially when his Class relied on a specific damaging Rote so much, was extremely enticing. As a backline, evasive combatant, the odds of him suffering damage were lower than someone like Peter, so losing the mana upon being injured wasn’t too much of a threat.
He sat up and scooted next to her, gently placing a hand on her knee. She blushed slightly as he replied, “You are kind for offering. Are you sure this won’t be missed? You won’t be in trouble?”
Misty shook her head. “I might get into a little trouble, but I am trying to court a Summoned, after all. My parents will surely understand.” She gave him a lascivious smile. “And, when I apply it, I get to see everything I am courting.”
Eric pushed aside her lewd comment, feeling a genuine concern for her wellbeing at that moment. Stealing from one’s family was never looked highly upon. “I just don’t want you to be put into a position that puts you at a disadvantage.”
She giggled. “I appreciate your concern, but don’t worry. My family will understand, and I am one of my father’s favorites. Now, strip down. The Neversick Slime just requires access to your chest cavity. But this? I have to apply it to your entire body, from head to toe.”
Eric began taking off his clothes and lay back on the bed. He wasn’t quite sure how to feel, being subjected to Body Enhancement in this timeline versus applying them to others. A little flattered, a little embarrassed. However, he wanted to remain calm and show he could keep cool under pressure.
Just think of it like going to the doctor and getting a checkup, he thought. But then his thoughts took a darker turn. Or being on an operating table.
There was a part of him that knew he was taking a risk by putting trust in this woman. She would be paralyzing him for the procedure, as was the norm given her Class and its Skills. If she wanted to, she could kill him with ease.
But, he remained confident she didn’t have any subversive goals. She was courting him, after all. Why would she kill him? And based on his investigations in the extinct-future timeline, the Baxter family was one that was wholly uninvolved in the horrible activities of those who brought about Eric’s downfall.
There was no way Misty was working for or paid off by the Admiral or Steward.
Misty’s voice became cold, detached, and clinical as she said, “Now, first the incisions. This is going to hurt just for a moment, then the pain will go away and become a dull ache. Your chest will be sore for a day, and it will feel congested as if you were getting over a bad case of the flu and were on the mend but coughing up phlegm.”
Misty waved her hand, another Sigil was used, and Eric felt his body lock up in place. “That is to keep you from moving as I make the incisions, so that the cuts are precise and there is no scarring.” She waved her hand once more, and a deep sense of calm washed over him as his body relaxed fully into the bedspread. “And now you won’t feel much at all. Again, just that slight, momentary pain.”
Eric braced himself mentally, familiar with injury, preparing for the pain. He heard the slight snick of the scalpel being unsheathed, felt the discomfort and white heat along his stomach, and then a weird squeezing sensation along his torso, as if he was being hugged really tightly but only on the inside of his chest cavity.
“The slime is now spreading throughout your body and soaking into your organs,” she continued. “It will take most of the day to process, soaking into the spaces between your vital components and then will be fully incorporated. Let me just seal up this wound.”
He felt a cooling sensation across his stomach, and the pain became a dull throb. She continued, her voice still cold, but filled with a tender undertone as she said, “Now, the Mana Skin. This is going to be very unpleasant, I’m sorry to say. Like thousands of ants crawling all over you . . . and biting. Even my Skill won’t help with this, as your skin is being dissolved and then replaced. Brace yourself.”
Eric tried to reply, but couldn’t, as her Skill was still in place and keeping him from moving. He could feel the thin goop slathered across his body. If he had been capable of blushing at the moment, he probably would have been, as his whole body was exposed and she was moving her hands all over him, exploring every inch of him with mechanical precision.
“I have to flip you over.” She grabbed him under the arm, rolled him onto his stomach, and finished applying the goop. “Now that you’re covered fully, the pain begins. I am sorry for what you will experience, but the results will be worth the price.”
Eric wanted to bite down into the pillow. To scream in agony. His whole body felt like it was being eaten alive. He’d experienced something similar before, back on Earth, when he’d been pushed down on the playground, right into a hill of fire ants and wound up bitten over most of his body. The stinging, searing pain in thousands of little pinpricks had made him see white stars.
This was worse than that, but not as bad as the time he had been dipped into acid during attempted executions in the other timeline.
Eric had no clue how long had passed, but eventually the stinging sensation faded, and his vision returned to him. He felt control over his body come back, and he let out a painful groan as he rolled over.
[Body Enhancements applied.]
[You have 6 (-2 from Body Enhancements) Loadout Slots.]
[Please choose one of your Equipped Skills to remove.]
Eric let out another groan.
[Not a recognized response. Defaulting. Removing (Backblast) from Loadout.]
Misty was sitting on the side of the bed, calm and grinning. Her cold, detached, physician demeanor had vanished as she said, “And there we go! All done. Only two minutes.”
Eric held his arm up in front of him. His skin looked very similar to before, a slight tanned color. But small flecks of Blackflame flickered along the surface, almost imperceptible. He could feel the mana in his inner reservoir slowly decreasing, as the coloration of the skin shifted and then returned to normal; the undulating Blackflame surged up and down his body before settling into a near-rhythmic heartbeat that sent ripples of mana along the surface of his skin.
“Thank you,” he said as he sucked in shallow breaths. He chuckled. “This feels . . . interesting.” He winced as he levered himself up, feeling pain in his torso. “Mind helping me get dressed?”
She acquiesced, and after he was dressed, he sat back down. “You took to the procedure well,” she softly said.
“It definitely hurt. But, I’m sure the payoff is worth it.” Eric chuckled, then coughed. It felt weird, as his chest was fuller than normal and he couldn’t get a full breath in. It was like he was really congested, post-flu, and had to cough up a bunch of phlegm yet couldn’t. “Did you like what you saw?” he asked, trying to add some levity to his voice—yet it came out in a wheeze.
Misty’s voice took on that clinical, detached tone as her eyes flashed purple from the Diagnose Rote. “Your physique is appropriate to your estimated age, height, and build. Your muscles are recovering from their exercise. There are no other physical issues that I can see.” Her eyes returned to normal, and her voice resumed its sweet, considerate tone as she said, “I did like seeing what was on the table. You’re . . . more than satisfactory.” She cast a glance down to his lap, and smiled lewdly for just a second before she turned away.
Eric let out a chuckle and winced. “Thank you for the Body Enhancement, and for being here to shepherd me through it.”
“Of course.” She turned back, cupped his chin, leaned over, and gave him a little kiss on the cheek. “Now, I do have other duties to attend to. Take care, and I shall call upon you next week.”
“It’s a date,” he replied.
She smiled fondly then departed.
Eric let out a sigh and collapsed onto the bed. He closed his eyes and let himself sink into the comfortable surface. Now that she was gone, he could put off the brave front. He had been scared during the procedure. That pain was so close to what he had experienced during those executions—well, attempted executions, when the Steward and Admiral pinned all of their crimes on him and he was sentenced to death by the prince who had become king.
Eric pushed aside those memories of the pain and tried to focus on Misty’s face, smile, and charming voice. He had so much to look forward to in the coming week, had received a Body Enhancement that he had never heard of before, and was damned sure that there was an authentic connection to one prospective match.
Eric surrendered to blissful rest and passed out from the stress his body had gone through.
Tomorrow we are back to the Twilight Depths! Prepare for a good, solid week of dungeon diving!