Surety
Running his fingers through his hair as a gesture of self-calming, Cairn exuded exasperation as he asked, "What are you doing...?"
"Why are you upset?" asked Vira, raising her right brow slightly as she explained, "There has never been a Karakut with Human Transformation, so I adopted this form to ensure Restia didn't make a mistake. Would you prefer to find out it had detrimental effects or long-term consequences by watching your companion's health decline?"
"..."
Taking advantage of Cairn's silence, Vira turned to Kaia and added, "To that end, it would be better if you didn't spend protracted periods in your human form. Practice is important, but don't let your emotions compel you to do something foolish. There has been at least one instance of a Dragon having their Mana pathways irreversibly impaired after spending too much time in human form and 'forgetting' the structure of their original body."
Nodding in understanding, Kaia affirmed, "I will take your words to heart. Thank you, Lady Viraja."
"A meaningless sentiment," Vira asserted. "Gratitude is something to be given in response to selflessness. The appropriate compensation for my assistance is 'cooperation.' And the person who shall reimburse me is our resident fool."
Furrowing his brows, Cairn was tempted to point out that Vira had taken it upon herself to assume her current form. However, even if there was less than a 1% chance of something adverse happening to Kaia, it wasn't a risk he was willing to take. Vira was doubtlessly aware of that, so arguing with her on the 'merits' of her decision was pointless.
Closing his eyes and exhaling a sigh, Cairn muttered, "Whatever..." before opening his eyes and meeting Vira's grinning gaze, his expression a mask of apathy as he asked, "Since you're here, what do you have to say on the possibility of creating or taking over an existing Dungeon?"
"It's possible, but the process takes time," answered Vira. "Matter cannot simply be created or destroyed, so everything from the structure of the Dungeon to the monsters inside would require Mana. That's why Dragons were chosen to serve as Dungeon Masters. With few exceptions, they are the only race with the requisite amount of Mana to construct and manage a Dungeon long-term."
Pointing at Cairn, Vira added, "You have the potential to be one of those exceptions, mind you. Acquire the [Mystic Mind] Talent and give up on being a 'Hero' who protects others. Such sentiments become completely meaningless when you can simply 'erase' any threats that appear before you. That's something that can only be achieved with an excess of Mana."
"What about your sister, Yuddha?" asked Cairn. "When you mentioned her previously, I got the impression she was more of a warrior than a mage."
"..."
Though her expression didn't change, Vira found herself at a genuine loss of words in response to Cairn's query. Yuddha definitely had a fair amount of Mana, but what made her the Battle God of the Dwarves was her near-indestructible body, ludicrous speed, and unmatched strength. She was a being that defied reasoning, and due to her unique ability, [Phylogenesis], it was virtually impossible to kill or develop a countermeasure against her.
Closing her eyes, Vira replied, "It was just a suggestion. Your path is your own to walk. Rather, it might be interesting to see a Champion completely squander his potential..."
Raising his brows, Cairn couldn't help asking, "No way...did I just stump you...?"
Narrowing her eyes, Vira responded, "You don't want to anger me, boy..." as a subtle pressure began to fill the bathroom. Elle and Mari tensed, the fur on Kaia stood on end, and Tarou outright passed out, but Cairn forced a smile and argued, "Hey, no need to get upset. Aren't you someone who pursues knowledge and understanding? Being stumped is a good thing. It means you still have more to learn."
"I also have much to teach..." Vira retorted, raising her right hand and shaping her fingers into black, talon-like claws.
"Yeah, but you won't violate our contract or do anything that might jeopardize your position in my group..." contended Cairn, maintaining his smile even as a cold sweat broke across his body, his hands and feet feeling like they had been dipped in ice.
Flexing her claws several times, Vira appeared to be considering Cairn's words as she met his gaze with a neutral expression. Then, despite the pressure in the room disappearing, Cairn felt like a weight had dropped in his stomach as Vira adopted a too-broad smile, narrowed her eyes, and remarked, "This is why I adore Champions. You have every reason to be afraid but still behave with such...cheek."
Retracting her claws, Vira set Tarou on the ground before rising to her feet and stretching her body, her movements being the only source of sound in the room. Once finished, she met Cairn's gaze again, this time sporting an expression of icy contempt as she declared, "When your path invariably crosses with my sister's, don't expect me to intervene..."
Seemingly finished with what she had to say, Vira's form disappeared in the blink of an eye. In the wake of her departure, warmth returned to the room, but only Cairn felt a sense of relief. Elle and Mari were as white as sheets, the nearly identical girls staring at him as if he had completely lost his mind...
"What...?" asked Cairn, feeling nervous as he pointed out, "It wasn't like I was 'trying' to piss her off. All I did was ask her about her sister and state the obvious."
"That's the problem..." Elle muttered, swallowing hard as she knew Vira was likely still present.
Nodding her head, Mari added, "Grand—the one thing Gran Ma despises more than anything else is being talked down to or having her knowledge challenged by those speaking from a position of ignorance. You should apologize or try to make amends with her as soon as possible..."
Exhaling through his nose, Cairn resisted the urge to argue he had done nothing wrong and instead asked, "Any suggestions?"
Though Elle and Mari shook their heads in concert, it was the former who explained, "It would be best if you came up with something on your own. The most important thing is that whatever you choose, it expresses your 'sincerity.' That's the best advice we can give..."
Sighing a second time, Cairn closed his eyes and considered what he knew of Vira. He honestly didn't feel he owed her an apology, but as he hadn't 'intended' to offend her, it wasn't wrong to say he owed her one. After all, making amends for unintended slights was the very foundation of an apology...
With such thoughts in mind, Cairn opened his eyes to stare at the thin black bracelet on his left wrist. It was an item Vira had given him before entering the Subterranean Spire. As for its effect, it had the detrimental but situationally practical function of preventing its wearer's Level from increasing.
'Well, I can't force being a Hero, and min-maxing life sounds like a pain in the ass...' thought Cairn, suppressing his gamer instincts as he removed the bracelet from his wrist. The moment he did so, a sensation akin to a surge of adrenaline and endorphins coursed through his body and mind, filling him with a sense of gratification as his Level increased from 19 to 21. His Fledgling Hero Title disappeared, but Cairn didn't mind it too much as something...peculiar had taken its place.
-----------------------------
Name: Adam Masterson
IWN: Cairn
Gender: Male
Age: 27(Apparent Age: 16)
Title: Grand Architect's Favored Disciple(Growth Rate+100%)
Class: [Jack-of-All]
[Attributes]
Level: 19(129,952/137,985)
HP: 14,940/14,940
MP: 3,460/3,460
Str: 50
Agi: 44
Vit: 120+178
Int: 140
Dex: 50+55
Cha: 100+110
AP: 82
Talents: [Slow Start, Endless Potential(21/100)], [Never Say Die(MAX)], [I Can Do It Too(2/10)], [Animal Magnetism(11/90)], [Shadowflame(19/100)], [Mining(41/100)], [Bedroom Arts(33/100)], [Shield Mastery(29/100)], [Pain Tolerance(35/100)], [Nurtured(26/100)], [Acid Resistance(17/100)], [Cooking(17/100)], [Fire Resistance(19/100)], [Pickaxe Mastery(13/100)], [Sword Mastery(10/100)], [Corruption Resistance(14/100)], [Charm Resistance(8/100)], [Disease Resistance(5/100)], [Grooming(8/100)], [Stun Resistance(4/100)], [Thievery(3/100)], [Taming(1/100)]
Skills: [Insight(MAX): 1MP], [Domination(2/10): 200MP], [Shield Bash(MAX): 50], [Sophistry(4/10): 30MP], [Penny-Pinch(2/10): 50MP], [Gamble(2/10): 10MP], [Self Immolation(MAX): 10MP]
--------------------------
Seeing the effect of Grand Architect's Apprentice, Cairn felt a wave of exasperation as he combed through his hair and internally groaned, 'It has the same fucking effect as Fledgling Hero...'
Shaking away his exasperation, Cairn invested 60 of his newly acquired AP into Int and the rest into Agi. His equipment was already way above the standard of his Level, so it made sense to bolster his Mana reserves and mobility.
Forming his resolve, Cairn was prepared to give up on his original plan of choosing [Heavenly Divine Body] when Vira appeared behind him, breasts pressed against his back and arms wrapped around his shoulders as she whispered, "Don't second-guess yourself..." before nibbling on the lobe of his left ear.
'What the fuck...?' Cairn asked himself, confusion washing over him like a bucket of befuddling liquid.
"I've seen your sincerity and thought about what you said," attested Vira, pricking Cairn with the tips of her nails as she added, "I'm also curious to see where your desired path will take you, so ignore my previous remarks and trust your instincts..."
"I swear, you're like a fucking whirlwind..." muttered Cairn, ignoring the feeling of Vira licking his ear in favor of choosing his new Talent and Skill. [Mystic Mind] was probably the most sensible option, but as he would miss out on 1000 Flat Damage Reduction by choosing [Heavenly Divine Body] at a later Level, he bit the bullet and chose it then. As for his Skill, his recently acquired Familiar all but mandated he choose [What's Yours is Mine].
-----------------------------
Name: Adam Masterson
IWN: Cairn
Gender: Male
Age: 27(Apparent Age: 16)
Title: Grand Architect's Favored Disciple(Growth Rate+100%)
Class: [Jack-of-All]
[Attributes]
Level: 19(129,952/137,985)
HP: 14,940/14,940
MP: 6,100/6,100
Str: 50
Agi: 66
Vit: 120+178
Int: 200
Dex: 50+55
Cha: 100+110
AP: 0
Talents: [Slow Start, Endless Potential(21/100)], [Never Say Die(MAX)], [I Can Do It Too(2/10)], [Animal Magnetism(11/90)], [Heavenly Divine Body(1/80)], [Shadowflame(19/100)], [Mining(41/100)], [Bedroom Arts(33/100)], [Shield Mastery(29/100)], [Pain Tolerance(35/100)], [Nurtured(26/100)], [Acid Resistance(17/100)], [Cooking(17/100)], [Fire Resistance(19/100)], [Pickaxe Mastery(13/100)], [Sword Mastery(10/100)], [Corruption Resistance(14/100)], [Charm Resistance(8/100)], [Disease Resistance(5/100)], [Grooming(8/100)], [Stun Resistance(4/100)], [Thievery(3/100)], [Taming(1/100)]
Skills: [Insight(MAX): 1MP], [Domination(2/10): 200MP], [Shield Bash(MAX): 50MP], [Sophistry(4/10): 30MP], [Penny-Pinch(2/10): 50MP], [Gamble(2/10): 10MP], [Self Immolation(MAX): 10MP], [Whelp's Roar(1/10): 100MP], [Darkness Dragon's Breath(1/10): 500MP], [Claw of Destruction(1/10): 50MP]
[Heavenly Divine Body]
Effect: Damage Mitigation increased by 100 per Level.
[Whelp's Roar]
Effect: Paralyze targets with a wave of sound and alert nearby Dragons to your presence.
[Darkness Dragon's Breath]
Effect: Expel powerful, corrosive flames that ignore non-magical defenses and increase the cost of sustaining magical barriers.
[Claw of Destruction]
Effect: Gather energy into your hand/claw to increase attack power and triple the rate at which a target or object's Durability decreases.
--------------------------
With his Mana nearly doubling and unbridled power coursing through his body, Cairn felt a sudden and almost overwhelming desire to experiment with his newfound powers. Fortunately, he wasn't the only one curious to see his capabilities. Vira and Kaia had a vested interest in his abilities, and since Elle and Mari had already called it quits for the day, they decided to accompany him into the Interspatial Pouch to spectate...
...
..
.
Feeling lonely and a little tired, Reine was lying in bed, gazing listlessly at the ceiling, when she felt the tell-tale 'pulse' of someone interacting with the barrier enveloping her Inn.
Rising to a seated position, Reine grabbed a crystal ball roughly the size of a grapefruit and peered into it. She expected to see Felix returning with her daughter, but what appeared within the crystal ball was a lithe woman with delicate facial features framed by distinct, antennae-like locks. Reine frowned as she imagined what relationship the woman had with Cairn, but she quickly suppressed her feelings and made her way to the front of the Inn to greet the peculiar beauty directly...
...
..
.