Chapter 113: New upgrades

(3rd Person's POV)

Beneath the midday sun, a figure wove through the bustling street. Crisp white silk, quite a kimono, flowed around her ankles, brushing against the cobblestone path. Her obsidian hair, smooth as a raven's wing, cascaded down her back, framing a face etched with cool serenity. Dark eyes, sharp as sunlit blades, scanned the crowd with an unreadable intensity.

This woman, walking towards the haven of her home, was Shiki Ryougi, a paradox of light and shadow, gliding through the city like a ghost in the noontide.

Her moments came to a halt when she saw a man standing before her.

He held a straight sword and wore a mask. Brown hair, but she couldn't see his face as it was hidden behind a smiling mask.

It was clear as day that this man wanted business with Shiki. He might look average from his physique, but Shiki could tell this man was incredibly strong.

Shiki immediately drew a dagger hidden in her kimono and took a fighting stance. She also activated her Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, a supernatural ability that allows the user to see the inherent mortality of everything (both living and non-living) in the form of lines.

"Who are you and what do you want?" Shiki asked, her hostility clear. She was also on edge because her daughter and husband were at home.

"I am Titus Dusklock, the latest Brand-ranked magus from Clock Tower," the man introduced himself, stunning Shiki with shock.

Brand, the rank at which most of the Lords of the Clock Tower peak, is often considered the actual highest practical rank. Brand-ranked mages are vaunted geniuses, some of which have abilities comparable to a Grand.

If this man was speaking the truth, then Shiki was in a lot of danger. Not only her, but her family could also be harmed unless...

"What did you do to my daughter and husband?!" Shiki gritted her teeth, ready to launch her first attack. She also had many questions, like who leaked her location, as very few people knew where she was living.

"They are fine for now, but I can't guarantee their safety unless you hand over your mystic eyes," the man named Titus said. Without further ado, Shiki darted like lightning. Titus's form showed death lines, and following her mastery of blades, she swung her blade several times in a second. Seconds went by, and Titus's body fell into pieces.

After killing Titus, Shiki took a sigh of relief before she heard laughter. "Bravo! You really have the infamous mystic eyes of death perception. I only heard about you, but seeing you in person gives me butterflies," Titus clapped, coming out just fine.

Shiki widened her eyes. She swore she had cut a person. Even if Titus was using some kind of illusion magic, her eyes should be able to discern between fake and reality.

"Well, let's just say that it is not an illusion but I am controlling all your senses. Unless you have a plot armor like Ichigo, you can never land a hit on me," Titus spoke as if answering Shiki.

Shiki gritted her teeth and launched for the second attack. This time, she gave her all. Utilizing her mystic eyes, she swung the blade.

"Huh?" When she looked at her hand, she realized the blade of her dagger was missing. It was between Titus's fingers.

"Unfortunately, you can only do so much with just one blade," Titus said, throwing the blade before Shiki. "Now let's end this, shall we?"

Shiki fell on her knees and gritted her teeth. "I am willing to hand over my eyes. Please don't hurt my family." She knew that she was no match for this man named Titus. Her mystic eyes were her greatest weapon, and if they weren't working, then it was a losing battle. For Shiki, her family matters the most.

"Shiki, you are not going to give anything," Shiki heard a manly voice. It wasn't from Titus but from her husband Mikiya Kokutou.

Shiki widened her eyes when she saw her husband. Beside him stood her daughter Mana Ryougi and another girl with silver hair. Shiki had no idea what was going on until she looked at Titus again.

Titus removed his mask and gave Shiki a hand to stand, "Sorry for testing you, Ryougi-san. Shall we talk inside?"

---

(Titus's POV)

Now seated with the Ryougi family, Olga Marie was beside me as I brought her with me to tour around Japan. The Ryougi couple was in front of me, with Shiki glaring daggers and Mikiya trying to calm his ferocious wife.

"Mana, come here. Don't get close to this man," Shiki ordered her daughter, who was sitting beside me.

"No, Mana likes this uncle. He is super fun!" Mana pouted childishly.

Actually, before meeting Shiki, I had talked with Mikiya, explaining my business with Shiki. Mikiya was a simple man, and he agreed after I showed a letter from Touko. My parental skills also worked like a charm, and I also got closer to Mana Ryougi when I told her stories about a certain person going back in the past.

"Hehe, Mana-chan, Olga Marie here came to Japan for the first time. Can you show her around here?" I asked Mana, to which the little girl cheerfully agreed. Olga Marie didn't want to go, but discerning my gesture, she swiftly moved with Mana, leaving the adults alone.

"I don't want to have any business with you," Shiki declared, but Mikiya tried to calm her down, "Please at least listen to him. Touko-san has sent him, and I think he is a trustworthy person."

When Shiki heard Touko's name, she somewhat agreed to listen to my request. I cleared my throat and then explained what I wanted from them.

Children born into the Ryougi family are generally male and are artificially induced with dual personalities. Shiki was confirmed to display the trait instead and was raised as the family head in his place, displaying the personalities of SHIKI, a male personality customarily called the "yang" personality, and Shiki, the female personality called the "yin" personality.

It is not the result of Dissociative Identity Disorder, even though it is a dual personality, so it is more a matter of whose actions take priority. And I just wanted to learn that. I also wanted to scan her Mystic Eyes of Death Perception since it was one of the most broken abilities in the Nasuverse. However, it wasn't my primary target. Yeah, it was broken, but I had way more combat-related broken skills in my arsenal. I just wanted a simple skill that I would upgrade later.

"I cannot reveal my family's secret. Besides, it is a family heritage and cannot be taught outside of the bloodline. As for my Mystic Eyes, I can let you study them if it means no harm to my body or family," Shiki proposed her answer.

I sighed and then took out 100,000 yen before placing them on the table. Seeing so much money, the couple's eyes almost popped out from their sockets.

"Ryougi-san doesn't need to concern herself since both of your secrets will be safe with me," I smiled.

"My... my answer still won't change…" Shiki scorned off, but her eyes were still stuck on the money on the table.

I shrugged my shoulders and put 900,000 yen more on the table. Shiki shivered, now visibly sweating.

"Still… gulp*" Shiki gulped mouthful but still trying not to budge.

"I understand. Yes, you need a lot of money to support your family, and I think after what you went through, you need some happiness." With those words, I put 1 billion yen on the table. (AN: 1$ = 100¥) Mikiya coughed foam and passed out while Shiki went pale. Shiki had never seen this much money in her entire life.

"Well, if you don't want, then it's fine." I sighed and was about to put the money back when Shiki slammed her hand on the table and looked at me with a smile.

"Lord Titus, we will be in your care."

---

[Second personality has been created in your brain. Do you want to name this personality?]

"Hmm, how about the Lunar form?" I typed, and another notification popped.

[Congratulations! A new section with the title "Lunar Form" has been created. You can add any skill or trait from the current panel and add it to this panel. If you switch to Lunar Form, all these skills will be activated at the same time.]

"Just like super saiyan, huh." I chuckled, imagining my transformation. With the new personality, I don't have to fear myself from being changed. I could just switch off this Lunar personality again to being normal. Whether I would turn beast or some kind of deity, I could always become the same ol' Titus again. I hadn't tried this ability, but I was assured that it won't cause harm since I had already used my Odin's Eye to see the consequences. Just hope that I wouldn't have to use this ability in the near future.

[Death Perception A

Effect: You possess the ability to perceive the inherent mortality of everything, both living and non-living, represented in the form of lines.

Cost: 500 MP per second. Alternatively, you can utilize your mental strength, but it will exert a toll on your brain.]

I had also gained this skill after studying Shiki's mystic eyes and employing the creation runes in my eyes. It was a skill not on par with Shiki's OG eyes, but for the time being, they would also work. Originally ranked B, I used 50,000 LCs to upgrade it to Rank A.

"Since I have 3,199,050 LCs, let's upgrade my other skills." With those words, I decided to use LCs to upgrade other skills.

[You have upgraded Presence Concealment B to A for 50,000 LCs]

[You have upgraded Charmer C to A for 55,000 LCs]

[You have upgraded Avenger C to A for 55,000 LCs]

[You have upgraded Mad Enhancement C to A for 55,000 LCs]

[You have upgraded Skill Transferor C to A for 55,000 LCs]

[You have upgraded Fae Domain B to A for 50,000 LCs]

After upgrading so many skills, I still had 2,879,050 LCs left. Having so many Ranked A skills was enough to put anyone down. However, I still needed to upgrade more, especially this Fae Domain skill. It was the only skill available for further upgrade.

So, after repressing the deep depression of using so many LCs, I decided to spend more.

[You have upgraded Fae Domain A to EX for 1,500,000 LCs]

"I think I could also use a Skill Enhancement card." I said and drew a card. After using Odin's Eye, I decided to use it.

[Congratulations! You have successfully enhanced Fae Domain EX to Domain Cell EX]

[Domain Cell EX

Effect: A 50 km square cubic reality marble formed around you and your enemy. If the enemy's strength is above yours, they will be suppressed. You can also set your own rules and a maximum of 10 conditions in this space.

Duration: 1 hour

Cost: 20,000 MP]

"This is insane! Let's use this!" With excitement, I decided to trigger this skill.

First, I went to the desolate desert of Sahara and then clicked on the skill. Before me, several options were formed. For example, if I wanted a desert, jungle, or even an ocean to fight, I chose a jungle.

In the next second, the surroundings around me started to change. The once wasteland transformed into green woods. Temperature, as well as scent, also changed.

[Please choose conditions.]

I saw another panel before me. There were several options like if I wanted to set traps, apply curses, or some other debuff to the enemy.

"This is insane," I exclaimed and wiped my sweat. For example, I could also set traps like land mines in places and other debuffs like if an enemy lands 10 successful attacks on me, they would get a curse-lowering debuff. The only problem was that it would also apply to me too, though I could also apply another condition to grant myself immunity.

After testing this skill, I came back to the office to enhance one more skill. Right now, I had two more Skill Enhancement cards, and I knew exactly what skill to upgrade.

[You have used a Skill Enhancement card on Odin's Eye EX]

[…]

[Skill enhancement failed.]

"What! But how…!"

[System: Skills at Rank EX have a 10% chance of success. You have upgraded successfully before because of your luck stat.]

"Well, figures…" I sighed. Not gonna be arrogant since I knew how this works. Odin's Eye was already a high-tier skill, and upgrading it would be overkill. But I need OP skills since my next mission would be a bit more challenging.

After a while, I decided to use my last card.

[You have used a Skill Enhancement card on Odin's Eye EX]

[…]

[Congratulations! You have successfully enhanced Odin's Eye EX to Eyes of Fate EX]

[Eyes of Fate EX

Effect 1: You can see 'Destiny' of anyone or anything in the future. Actions would be suggested to change the 'Destiny'.

Effect 2: Clairvoyance: You can see anything from a 100 km distance.

Effect 3: Foresight: This allows one to see into the future, seeing possible outcomes

Effect 4: It shows the 'Value' of anything. For example, if a thing is fake or original, or how strong/weak or trustworthy a person could be. MP cost: 1 per thing/person]

"Neat! Now I don't have to worry about changing the future too much."

It was pretty much similar to Merlin's clairvoyance. I couldn't see in the past, but I could set a better future. I was pretty worried about changing the future, but now I could set everything without worrying about changing history.

Since I was making changes, I decided to use SPs on Agility since it was my weakest stat.

After that, I took the first look.

---

[[Status]]

Name: Titus Dusklock

Age: 20

Race: Human, Dragon, Great Father Fairy (Partial), Divine, Beast

Elements: Light (Special), Fire, Nature

Level: 83

...

Parameters:

STR: 754

MAG: 51266

END: 739

AGI: 682

LUC: 1510

Additional SPs: 0

…

HP: 29015

MP: 193179

…

Passive Skills: (Imperial Manager A), (Saint's Golden Rule A), (Presence Concealment A), (Charmer A), (Amaterasu: 5 tails EX+), (Emperor of War EX), (Dragon Slayer B), (Avenger A), (Ruler Maker A+)

Active Skills: (Force Control A), (Imperial Privilege EX), (Eyes of Fate EX), (Undying Hero A+++), (Mad Enhancement A), (Skill Transferor A), (Key to The Land of Shadows -), (Domain Cell EX), (King's Domain A), (Death Perception A)

…

Personality Change: Lunar Form

(Nordic Chief God's Spirit??? Z), (Divine Beast of the End -)

...

Magecrafts:

[Illusionary Arts: Rank A]

[Creation Runes EX]

[Miscellaneous spells]

…

Weapons:

Gungnir-Fae EX

Excalibur- Mirror World A+

LCs: 1,379,050

---

After wrapping everything, I decided to go home. When I arrived in Japan, I realized it was quite late. Since there was a significant time difference in the time zone, I usually got carried away.

When I entered the house, I saw Rin sleeping on a chair. Dinner prepared was also on the table.

'Ah darn, I messed up.' I scratched my head, a little shameful that I let Rin wait again. Yes, again. I didn't used to arrive late, but after the last mission, my workload had increased. But instead of getting angry or complaining, Rin just prepared dinner and always waited for me, even though I told her to eat before me.

"Oh Titus, you are… are here…" Rin woke up when she sensed my presence and yawned, "Let me heat the food."

"No need." I smiled and picked Rin up in a princess carry. She was surprised a little but smiled and rested her head against my chest.

We then went to Rin's bedroom where I put her on the bed. I was about to leave when Rin held my hand.

"Sleep with me today." Rin said, her eyes swaying and cheeks rosy. We usually sleep in different rooms since we didn't share any intimate relationship, so this coming from Rin was a bit of a change.

"Are you sure? I can't guarantee my dragon sleeping between your legs." I smirked to which Rin blushed hard.

However, her next words came unexpectedly.

"I am your wife. I can make demands."

"…"

I blinked a couple of times before a smile crept on my face. Placing my arm under Rin's head, I laid beside her, and she hugged me.

"Titus," She looked at me, "I might not be much of help, but I will always be with you."

"Thanks, Rin." I smiled, cuddling her in my arms, "Since you have said so, I want a kiss. Also, I will be cuddling your ass."

"…Pervert." Rin blushed, wrapping her arms around me and sealed my lips. On that night, I shared a passionate night with Rin Tohsaka.

[Volume 5 Ends]

===

I forgot the race change so I corrected it.

As for this volume, tell me how did it go? I admit that I rushed a little bit. Kingdom building is cool concept but I butchered a bit. I also wanted to write a lot of chapters with Artoria but I didn't. I will cover them with Omake in future.

Also, since my exams are near, updates might not be regular. It will be fluent in March and hope, I would be able to complete it.

If you want to read in advance or support me, visit:

www.patr eon.com/J_Titan