Chapter 248: They Grow Up So Fast 2

Kalik walked through the open earthen doorway, ready to be done with this torturous trial the Gods were putting him through.

They had already spat in his face forcing him to use the same weaponry as the human after his years of training to use the ancestral weapon of choice of his people.

He gripped the stones the man had given him in his hand as he entered, the sound of the door closing behind him, but Kalik stayed unperturbed.

He had received a second subtree skill stone from his class completion quest, as well as appropriate weaponry and a piece of clothing that he honestly put away immediately as it embarrassed him.

[Subtree Stone: Meridian] [Rare]

Unlocks the Meridian Subtree branch.

Requirement: Have one or more empty Subtrees. Have a Main Class Tree unlocked.

[Subtree Stone: Brutal Tranquility] [Epic]

Unlocks the Brutal Tranquility Subtree branch.

Requirement: Have one or more empty Subtrees. Have a Warrior-based Main Class Tree unlocked.

While the stone was of Epic Rarity, he was honestly very happy to see the name of the stone more than anything.

Finally, something that matches with me. He thought, having a glimmer of hope.

There was also the weapon he had gotten.

[Delinquent's Worn Knuckles] [F-Grade] [Uncommon]

205 to 210 Physical Damage

5 to 10 Magic Damage

+5 Dexterity, +5 Endurance

A weapon used by ruffians to not only brutalize but extort their fellow man. The weapons show noticeable wear from repeated use, probably on the side of someone's skull.

The gods must have a sick sense of humor to think that he, a proud warrior of the Rahk would ever resort to extortion of someone, but he hardly had a choice but to use the weapons because of his class requirements.

Then there was the item he had received, which made him grimace.

[Ruffian's Bancho Cloak] [F-Grade] [Uncommon]

A long sleeveless coat that marks the leader of a hastily made gang.

30 to 67 Physical Reduction

22 to 50 Magic Reduction

2% Critical Hit Reduction

+5% Defense Proficiency

Truly the Gods thought poorly of him.

He let out a sigh, steeling himself for yet another unwanted yet necessary trial.

"I have gone through much to get here," Kalik muttered, looking at his hand that had been healed a white line, the only indication of it being previously severed, "But there is always more still."

He gripped the stones in his hand tightly, prompts filling his screen.

[You wish to consume Subtree Stone: Meridian] [Rare]

[Confirm?]

[Yes] [No]

"A warrior of the Rahk never backs down from a fight! I accept!"

The sleek stone stayed silent at Kalik's acceptance for a beat, then quickly melted in his hand pooling in his open palm until it finally was subsumed by his flesh sending a wave of cold he could only call one of death.

He ground his teeth, feeling his tusks scream in protest from the pressure as he did his best to hold out from the feeling overtaking him.

Soon the cold flipped to intense heat that made him feel as if he had been thrown into a cooking pit yet several times hotter.

The radically changing waves of heat and freezing temperatures crashing inside of him forced Kalik to double over, his jaw locked so tightly in pain that he couldn't even pause for a breath.

And just as quickly as it came, it was over. Peace had found him.

[You have consumed Subtree Stone: Meridian] [Rare]

[You have unlocked Primary Subtree: Sun Lion's Body of the Still Lake] [F-Rank]

[Passive effects have been applied]

[You have unlocked 5 new skill stone slots in Sun Lion's Body of the Still Lake]

[You have unlocked 1 of 1 Primary Subtrees]

[Sun Lion's Body of the Still Lake] [F-Rank] P1(0%)

While bathing in the glow of the sun, the Great Lion found both power and peace staring out into the glass lake of its ancestors. And so shall you be bestowed with such grace.

Passive Effects: +10 to Dexterity and Endurance

Additional Passive Effect: Calm Body - Increases resistance to Abnormal Internal and External Effects by 25%. (Increases based on Proficiency)

Skill: Lion's Peaceful Body - "May I see clearly and be at peace. Lion's Peaceful Body."

Body Enhancement Skill that momentarily increases aura perception by 100% and increases Pure Mana internal disruption rate by 5% for 2 Minutes.

Cost: Medium amount of Stamina

Cooldown: 30 Minutes.

Kalik took in a calm deep breath, feeling the cold air turn and find equilibrium inside his lungs.

He closed his eyes, exhaling and taking in another large lungful before shouting at the top of his lungs, roaring with everything he had nearly shaking the walls around him.

But he felt calm still, he had found tranquility in his anger and fury. It was a constant and he now knew how to live in tandem with the boiling rage he couldn't escape before.

A smile creased his face. His mind was clearing and he looked to the next stone, anticipation creeping up inside him.

[You wish to consume Subtree Stone: Brutal Tranquility] [Epic]

[Confirm?]

[Yes] [No]

This time Kalik was prepared for what was to come, he stood his body tense ready for the onslaught of the power that was to envelope him.

"I am ready!"

The stone inside his grip melted, leaving his clenched hand empty as it tightened against his own flesh, the unforgiving chill running up his arm, every pore, every vein, every inch of it until it found home in his chest.

Then suddenly a burst of heat beat from his chest overtaking the cold until it was all he could feel, all he could think of, all he could process, unrelenting, cruel fire.

He let out a silent scream but only felt his face upturn into a smile as he battled with the stone's process, his body cracking and splintering underneath his skin as he felt the power well up inside him.

And finally, it was over. Notifications chimed in his head as he stood there heaving one breath after the next, small puffs of white smoke.

[You have consumed Subtree Stone: Brutal Tranquility] [Epic]

[You have unlocked Secondary Subtree: Brutal Tranquility] [F-Rank]

[Passive effects have been applied]

[You have unlocked 5 new skill stone slots in Brutal Tranquility]

[You have unlocked 1 of 1 Secondary Subtrees]

[Brutal Tranquility] [F-Rank] P1(0%)

Peace and balance in all things. For every fallen leaf a beat of a hummingbird's wing. Every breath, a storm. In this world, there is one truth, one balance.

Passive Effects: +15% to Strength and Dexterity.

Skill: Brutal Separation - "Balance is sometimes a cruel hammer. Brutal Separation."

Area of Effect Skill that allows the user to physically manifest their inner energy bringing down a 15-foot palm strike on the opponents dealing +150 Pure Mana and 5 to 1 Dexterity as damage. (Increased based on Proficiency)

Skill: Brutal Coalescence - "Balance is reckoning. Brutal Coalescence."

Execution Skill that strikes at the core of a 30% or lower healthed opponent imploding their internal mana to deal a 300 Pure Mana strike. Strike deals up to 200% more damage based on the opponent's remaining mana pool. (Increased based on Proficiency)

[You have advanced to F-Rank]

[You have received Title: Student of the Tyrant Asuran]

[You have received Title: Prodigy of the Rahk]

[Prodigy of the Rahk]

You have brought to fruition the praises and expectations of your elders.

+10 to each Stat.

Kalik sighed, letting out a painful breath as he slowly fell forward, his tired body unable to support his weight any longer. A single thought coming out in a voice much deeper than he recalled his own to be his vision darkening as he fell to the floor.

"Even in celebration, I can not escape that damned man…"

—------------------------

Quetz shivered slightly as she entered the small room, not because she was scared or anything. Ok, maybe she was a bit scared of the dark. She didn't like being restrained.

She had been through enough with her flock now that she had come to terms and confronted some of her traumas, but there was always something lingering still. Mental scars such as the ones she had didn't heal overnight no matter the salve.

Quetz looked around the room giving a sad coo, the two stones in her hands jingling against one another lightly.

"Quetz isn't scared… Quetz will get stronger…" she said to herself, "Good girls do what they're told and Drake told Quetz to use the stones so she's going to…"

She looked down at the stones seeing the small sheen of the two weapons she had gotten from her quest, both sitting in their holsters on her new comfy cute pants.

Quetz gave a small grin.

[Toting Hand Guns] [F-Grade] [Uncommon]

120 to 137 Physical Damage

30 to 41 Magic Damage

+10 to Dexterity

A 6-mana bullet-loaded revolver set used by an otherworld desperado.

Requires: Any type of .33 Mana Bullet.

[Cowboy Techno Chaps] [F-Grade] [Uncommon]

A cowboy's leather chaps that seem to be slightly techno-punk?

20 to 54 Physical Reduction

10 to 30 Magic Reduction

1% Increased Movement Haste

+3% Defense Proficiency

She chirped happily to get new shiny things and the comfortable new pants she had gotten made her wiggle with a joyful coo.

"They're so cute too! Quetz likes the old cowboy's taste!" she giggled.

Quetz knew she was procrastinating, not wanting to feel the onslaught of mixed and painful feelings the stupid stones made her experience.

"But Drake is going to be mad if Quetz doesn't use the stones…" she pouted, not wanting to disappoint Drake.

She cooed and took in a deep breath squeezing the first stone.

[You wish to consume Subtree Stone: Fierce Gale] [Rare]

[Confirm?]

[Yes][No]

"Quetz won't go back on her word. I'm a good girl! Y-yesh!" she said, accidentally biting on her tongue.

She wailed from the pain of nipping her own tongue, but it only lasted a moment before the stone in her hand liquified, disappearing in her grip as it crawled up her arm with the same cold she despised from the Main Class Stone.

Quetz groaned and cooed painfully, flapping her wings as if to try and throw away the chill that kept snaking up her arm. And soon, just like before the chill subsided, consumed by the overwhelming heat of how it felt to fly below the sun several times.

Throwing her wings back and forth trying to cast away the heat that felt as if it was burning her feathers, she dropped to the snow, rolling back and forth to extinguish the non-existent flame consuming her.

Finally, with a heaving breath, she sat upwards, the battle inside her waning replaced by a subsuming feeling of power welling inside.

[You have consumed Subtree Stone: Fierce Gale] [Rare]

[You have unlocked Primare Subtree: Raging Gale's Concerto] [F-Rank]

[Passive Effects have been applied]

[You have unlocked 5 new skill stones slots in Ragin Gale's Concerto]

[You have unlocked 1 of 1 Primary Subtrees]

[Raging Gale's Concerto] [F-Rank] P1(0%)

A fierce gale does not strike once but is ever blowing, a tempest that uproots even the oldest tree. A Gale is coming and you, its Conductor.

Passive Effects: +20 to Dexterity

Additional Passive Effects: Each Mana Bullet shot is now Wind Affiliated. Dealing +5 Wind Mana Damage. (Increased based on Proficiency)

Passive Skill: Conductor's Finale - The last bullet within the chamber of a firearm or range weapon now deals extra damage to a consecutively hit target. (Weapon Choice Increases based on Proficiency)

Pistol: Final Bullet now deals negative condition Bleeding for 30 seconds, dealing 1 bleeding damage per 20 Dexterity over time. (Increased based on Proficiency)

Crossbow: Final Bullet in bolt belt now deals negative condition Poison for 30 seconds, dealing 1 poison damage per 20 Dexterity over time. (Increased based on Proficiency)

Bow: Every Fourth Consecutive Arrow inflicts +1 increased slicing damage for every 10 Dexterity. (Increased based on Proficiency)

Sniper: Every Consecutive Bullet deals increased penetration damage, +5% increased physical and magical per bullet to the same target. Max 20%. (Increased based on Proficiency)

Quetz groaned, sweat dripping down from her forehead and dampening her feathers.

"Quetz doesn't like the way these stones feel…" she sighed, slumping forward onto the ground, "Ah… the snow feels sho good…"

She brought the second stone in front of her face frowning at it.

"Don't make Quetz feel yucky please!" she begged, gripping the stone.

[You wish to consume Subtree Stone: Gunman's Arsenal] [Uncommon]

[Confirm?]

[Yes] [No]

Quetz pouted, "Only because Quetz has to…" she muttered bracing and closing her eyes tightly.

But the intense feeling she expected never came. Instead, a small prickling feeling crawled up her arm leaving a slight chill but compared to before was completely bearable.

[You have consumed Subtree Stone: Gunman's Arsenal] [Uncommon]

[You have unlocked Secondary Subtree: Gunman's Weapon Sling] [F-Rank]

[Passive effects have been applied]

[You have unlocked 5 new skill stone slots in Gunman's Weapon Sling]

[You have unlocked 1 of 1 Secondary Subtrees]

[Gunman's Weapon Sling] [F-Rank] P1(0%)

A gunman's best friend isn't the pistol in his hand but the fully loaded pistol at his hip.

Passive Effect: +5% to Reload Speed, +5 to Weapon Haste

Passive Skill: Weapon Sling - Allows the user to sling a chosen weapon in a spatial container that can be accessed at will.

While weapons are stored within the spatial container they are reloaded over time at varying speeds.

Weapons stored gain a brief +25 Pure Mana to initial bullet increase in damage and will lose effect over 5 seconds if not fired. (Increased based on Proficiency)

Only 1 Weapon can be slung at a time. (Increased based on Proficiency)

[You have advanced to F-Rank]

[You have received Title: Student of the Tyrant Asuran]

Quetz gave a chirp of relief.

"That wasn't so bad!" she cooed, but her reprieve only lasted a moment after she finished reading her notifications as she felt her skin worm, the bones under her skin crackling and a sudden darkening of her vision as the room swam around her.

"Geh!" she screamed as she fell backward, blacking out.

—---------------

Clotho reluctantly entered the earthen room, nodding to his sister as he did.

"I hope no one changes for the worse…" 

Those were the last words Clotho heard, his ears twitching in apprehension as the earthen wall closed behind him, leaving him in a darkened room.

Unlike the others, he did not have the quests to complete but he had received two Subtree Stones from Drake.

[Subtree Stone: Restraint] [Uncommon]

Unlocks the Restraint Subtree branch.

Requirement: Have one or more empty Subtrees. Have a Main Class Tree Unlocked.

[Subtree Stone: Marionette] [Uncommon]

Unlocks the Marionette Subtree branch.

Requirement: Have one or more empty Subtrees. Have a Main Class Tree Unlocked.

Clotho didn't hesitate to use the stones, not wanting to wait any longer for the ability to grow stronger and protect his sister. He knew very well he could have waited until they returned and bided his time, gathering cores until he was able to purchase a better subtree stone, but just as the small squirrel girl had said.

It would be expensive and he was already so begrudgingly indebted to the man already.

Clotho knew he was starting lamed but to him, it was a willing struggle. Despite his appearance as a doting and caring brother now, before the Great Wolves took their clan into the hunt he was a shy and helpless boy.

He had always been helped by someone, his sister, their parents, the clan head. It was always someone else, never his own strength, his own struggle.

But after he met that man, the human his sister revered to the point of disgust. He not only made it forward on his own ability but he found with his hard work he was excelling beyond his own expectations. It was almost as if.

He was born for this.

Clotho gripped the stone, his teeth baring as a low growl escaped his lips.

[You wish to consume Subtree Stone: Marionette] [Uncommon]

[Confirm?]

[Yes] [No]

"Yes…" he growled.

The stone cracked and melted into his palm, a cold chill shooting up his arm, but he easily fought against it. Enduring the freezing pain.

It didn't even compare to the pain from back then after all. It was almost laughable.

Soon the cold turned to heat and Clotho overcame it as well, nearly letting loose a scoff at the attempt to break him.

Then there was power. A stream of pooling power welled within him as he let out a puff of white smoke his canines peering through his upward smile.

[You have consumed Subtree Stone: Marionette] [Uncommon]

[You have unlocked Primary Subtree: Fate's Doll] [F-Rank]

[Passive effects have been applied]

[You have unlocked 5 new skill stone slots in Fate's Doll]

[You have unlocked 1 of 1 Primary Subtrees]

[Fate's Doll] [F-Rank] P1(0%)

The strings of their fate are yours to pull. The puppeteer behind the performance.

Passive Effects: +10 to Wisdom.

Skill: Fate's Doll - "A fate cast by threads, is fate indeed. Fate's Doll."

The user's weapon constrains the trapped opponent, turning them temporarily into an immovable object for 5 seconds. (Increased based on Proficiency)

Cost: Small amount of Mana. (Decreased based on Proficiency)

Cooldown: 30 Seconds. (Decreased based on Proficiency)

Clotho laughed, feeling the euphoria of the subsumption of the stone taking hold of him. He had never before felt such pleasure. His life was filled with slim recollections of such joy. The most recent ordeal overtook even those memories of his family, his sister.

"More!" he shouted, gripping the second stone.

[You wish to consume Subtree Stone: Restraint] [Uncommon]

[Confirm?]

[Yes] [No]

 The stone shattered in his hand, the specs turning to liquid as they touched his skin and Clotho excitedly waited for the feeling of power to come again.

But this time was different, the chill that battered against his body intensified, turning his muscles rigid as it dropped to the ground, his arms outstretched and clawing at the snow-covered ground in front of him.

Spittle and drool pooled below his gaping maw as he screamed, hearing the crackling of bone below his skin like broken glass.

And just as quickly he felt as if they were seared back into place with a heat that made the torture he had endured from his time as a slave seem blissful.

The knife's edge balance of his consciousness seemed to drag on against the flames inside him before they finally sputtered out and he was able to breathe, his body slackening and dropping to the cold ground in a heap.

[You have consumed Subtree Stone: Restraint] [Uncommon]

[You have unlocked Secondary Subtree: Timeless Petrification] [F-Rank]

[Passive effects have been applied]

[You have unlocked 5 new skill stone slots in Timeless Petrification]

[You have unlocked 1 of 1 Secondary Subtrees]

[Timeless Petrification] [F-Rank] P1(0%)

Time is a plaything in your masterful hands. Decide their fates with the golden string.

Passive Effects: +20 Intelligence and Wisdom.

Passive Skill: Longing Petrification - Striking or restraining an opponent for 15 seconds will begin to inflict negative condition Petrification.

For each 5 seconds the opponent is under restraint they accrue a stack of Petrification. (Can be cleansed by High Tiered Holy Magic.) 

At 5 stacks target(s) are fully petrified and become 'brittle'. Stacks diminish after 10 seconds.

Extra Effect: Brittle - Targets under this condition receive 500% more physical damage.

[You have advanced to F-Rank]

[You have received Title: Student of the Tyrant Asuran]

Clotho felt his head clear as his vision darkened, too exhausted to even scoff or smile.

—-----------------------

Atropos hesitantly entered the earthen room, giving a nod to her brother as he did to her. She turned around, getting one last look at her savior, the man she was so greatly indebted to.

Lord Drake.

His visage filled her head with hope and joy, even after he continued to increase his pack with one woman after the other. But what was a hunt without competition?

The door closed as she heard one last string of words from Lord Drake.

"I hope no one changes for the worse…"

What could he mean by saying such things? She thought, her face furrowing slightly.

"The Great Wolves themselves could come down and I would not change for the worse, Lord Drake…"

Atropos gripped her hands in front of her chest. She knew. She knew Lord Drake only thought of her and the other girls as a father would a daughter.

"But even if he does not love me in the same way now…" she sighed, a smile creasing her lips as her eyes opened slowly, an eerie blue reflected in them, "I am sure there will come a day he does…"

One hand went to her cheek as she thought on it blissfully, her other gripping the first stone in her grip as she thought on how she would use her strength to destroy anyone who stood in his way or besmirched him.

[You wish to consume Subtree Stone: Weapon Mastery] [Common]

[Confirm?]

[Yes] [No]

"But of course," she mused.

The feeling of the chilling cold only served to increase the shiver sent down her spine as she thought of how she would help and serve Lord Drake, his face flashing time and time again in her mind as she battled against the severe cold that soon cascaded to intense heat in her body.

But it could not even hold a candle to the punishment she had received for simply having beautiful eyes from before, or the beating passion she had for the man who punished those same disgusting people.

In fact, she reveled in the intoxicating feeling of being alive as she embraced it, the pain only small pinpricks in comparison.

Letting out a gasp of air Atropos saw her hair dampened and only stopped long enough to read the new prompts of the stone's completion.

[You have consumed Subtree Stone: Weapon Mastery] [Common]

[You have unlocked Primary Subtree: Weapon Mastery] [F-Rank]

[Passive effects have been applied]

[You have unlocked 5 new skill stone slots in Weapon Mastery]

[You have unlocked 1 of 1 Primary Subtrees]

[Weapon Mastery] [F-Rank] P1(0%)

A skill allowing increased weapon competency.

Passive Effects: Increased overall weapon damage of 1% (Increased based on Proficiency)

The skill was not the best she knew, but she also knew it was the same as Lord Drake's. Which made her shiver down to her very soul.

"And now I have come closer to him in a small way…" she smiled as she wrapped her hands around herself, "But I mustn't waste time."

Atropos gripped the second stone, one she had been given by Lord Drake that differed from the one she wanted, but she couldn't defy a request from him.

[You wish to consume Subtree Stone: Mage Bane] [Uncommon]

[Confirm?]

[Yes] [No]

Atropos sneered at the prompt, detesting the fact that she was to use a stone that could be used against Lord Drake but begrudgingly accepted.

"Only because I must," she frowned.

The stone shattered and the pieces melted as they fell against her skin, consumed by her flesh as the droplets rolled down it.

She let in a swift gasp of cold air as colder still was the piercing force of the stone running up her body.

Atropos squirmed but quickly began to go stiff as she was brought to her knees on the ground, her eyes closing shut against the pain.

But once again he helped her, and the face of her savior flashed in her mind.

Another gasp escaped her lips as the cold turned to heat, searing both the stone's power in her body as well as the image of the reason she went through such pain.

Lord Drake, the man she would be forced to love from afar.

The turbulent clashing of power inside her soon calmed and allowed her to breathe evenly for a moment as it coalesced into a deep well of a euphoric crescendo.

"All shall love him, and despair…" Atropos muttered as she lurched forward, her body releasing the sound of bones breaking beneath her skin and a reverberating 'pop' as she finally succumbed to exhaustion.

[You have consumed Subtree Stone: Mage Bane] [Uncommon]

[You have unlocked Secondary Subtree: Mage Bane] [F-Rank]

[Passive effects have been applied]

[You have unlocked 5 new skill stone slots in Mage Bane]

[You have unlocked 1 of 1 Secondary Subtrees]

[Mage Bane] [F-Rank] P1(0%)

A killer of Magic must use Magic. The ire of Mage's is the decided outcome.

Passive Effects: +5% to Intelligence and Wisdom

Passive Skill: Mage Bane - Your strikes and magic now have increased 10% Mana Disruption properties. (Increased based on Proficiency)

When landing a successful blow target gains a stack of Mage Bane increasing mana disruption and their ability to cast magic. Stacks up to 3 times for a max of 30%. (Increased based on Proficiency)

[You have advanced to F-Rank]

[You have received Title: Student of the Tyrant Asuran]

[You have received Title: Unrequited Love of the Tyrant]

[Unrequited love of the Tyrant]

Your fervent passion for the last of the Asurans may have fallen on deaf ears… for now, but your loyalty will not go unrewarded.

+20% to Aura Submission Effects to those of the same rank.

—-------------

Landin sighed, ignoring the last little tidbit that Drake said as he closed up the hole behind him.

"Can that guy be any more dramatic? I mean based on what has been happening so far…" Landin thought aloud, clenching his hand around the stone, "It's only natural some things change. Whether it's for better or worse, is up to us."

Landin double-checked his stones, as well as the items he received for the quest completion.

[Subtree Stone: Regalia] [Epic]

Unlocks the Regalia Subtree Branch.

Requirement: Have one or more Empty Subtrees. Have a Main Class Tree Unlocked.

[Subtree Stone: Nurturer] [Uncommon]

Unlocks the Nurturer Subtree Branch.

Requirement: Have one or more Empty Subtrees. Have a Cleric Main Class Tree Unlocked.

[Ritualist's Unlucky Staff] [F-Rank] [Uncommon]

10 to 21 Physical Damage

50 to 133 Magical Damage

+5 Wisdom

+3% to In-combat Mana Regeneration

A staff used by a Ritualist who has met an untimely end.

[Ring of the Earth] [F-Rank] [Uncommon]

+10 to Vitality and Intelligence.

+1% Critical Damage Reduction

A band made from earth infused with mana giving beneficial properties to the user.

He reread the descriptions placing each one into his inventory in turn. Some gave him pause.

"What does it mean unlucky staff… Why am I getting a staff that is unlucky? This thing isn't cursed is it..?" he grumbled.

Landin also remembered what Drake had said, and placed all of his clothes and old armor into his inventory stripping down to his skivvies.

"Alright show time."

[You wish to consume Subtree Stone: Regalia] [Epic]

[Confirm?]

[Yes] [No]

"No backing down now! I've come too far to stop changing for the better!" he roared, gripping the stone.

His howl cascaded through the small room, Landin trying to psych himself up for the pain he knew was coming given how the Main Class Stone nearly knocked him out.

And just as promised his body locked up, forcing him to fall naked in the snow that felt warm to the touch compared to the cold, forcing his body rigid as a block of human-shaped ice.

His jaw snapped shut as he froze fighting against the stone's consumption, feeling almost as if he chipped a tooth, but soon he was limber once more and fighting against sweltering heat that had now encompassed his whole body as he screamed his hands on his head.

Landin let out a deafening scream while trying to calm his mind and body from the heat boiling his insides.

Finally, after what felt like hours, he could hear his breathing calm, notifications chiming through the blood in his ears.

[You have consumed Subtree Stone: Regalia] [Epic]

[You have unlocked Primary Subtree: Regalia Maker] [F-Rank]

[Passive effects have been applied]

[You have unlocked 5 new skill stone slots in Regalia Maker]

[You have unlocked 1 of 1 Primary Subtrees]

[Regalia Maker] [F-Rank] P1(0%)

A king is only as good as his attire and as mighty as the beasts they are wrought from. Stand in the embodiment of the souls they contain.

Passive Effects: +20% to Intelligence and Wisdom

Additional Passive Effects: +10% to Summon Experience Gain.

Skill: King Maker - "Dwell within me. King Maker."

Extract the summon from a given piece of equipment to embody their form and gain 100% of their stats for 3 Minutes. (Increased based on Proficiency)

Up to 2 Summons may be extracted at a time. (Increased based on Proficiency)

Summons will be unavailable but will continue to gain experience while extracted.

Extracted Summons will not transfer known skills while embodied.

Landin gripped against the ground huffing puffs of white smoke as he smiled, reading the description.

"Now that is a skill! About damn time," he beamed, thinking of the small little blue wolf currently in his inventory safe and sound.

"And now one more," Landin grunted, pulling out and gripping the second stone.

[You wish to consume Subtree Stone: Nurturer] [Uncommon]

[Confirm?]

[Yes] [No]

"I won't go back to the old me, there's only forward now. Yes!"

Landin tried to sit up, but the stone quickly melted, faster than the first, and put him right back down on the ground reeling from the swift onset of bone-chilling cold.

He gave a wry smile, or at least tried to, at his attempt of bravado in standing up for the second round. The smile however only managed to come out on his face as a crushed mess when the pain that accompanied the cold began tearing at his flesh and bones.

Soon the heat returned solidifying whatever was happening beneath his skin in a christening flame, sweat pooling on his skin, melting the snow beneath.

Moments later, it finally subsided and he was able to enjoy the relief of the last stone's power calming within him.

[You have consumed Subtree Stone: Nurturer] [Uncommon]

[You have unlocked Secondary Subtree: Summoner's Helping Hand] [F-Rank]

[Passive effects have been applied]

[You have unlocked 5 new skill stone slots in Summoner's Helping Hand]

[You have unlocked 1 of 1 Secondary Subtree Skills]

[Summoner's Helping Hand] [F-Rank] P1(0%)

A summoner never fights alone. And even the help sometimes needs a nurturing hand.

Passive Effects: +5% to Wisdom

Passive Skill: Summoner's Spirit Regeneration - While a Summon is unsummoned their regeneration is increased by 50%.

Additional Passive Effects: While unsummoned for 12 Hours, Summons gain a Rested Buff for 4 Hours.

Effect: Rested Buff - Increased damage dealt by 15%, Increased resource regeneration by 10%.

[You have advanced to F-Rank]

[You have received Title: Student of the Tyrant Asuran]

"That… That wasn't so bad right?" Landin ventured, trying to get up again only to have his body collapse instantly, his entire being protesting against the sudden gut-wrenching pain that was taking place under his skin.

"Okay! I w-was wrong!" he growled, as his vision tunneled, eventually turning pitch black.