Chapter 181: The Legendary Primogenitor
Gabrielle stared at the Necromoon, a scowl etched across her face. The bloody orb had replaced the stars she once cherished. Now, the perpetual twilight unsettled the tribesmen's circadian rhythms. Despite their vitality, many clan members were worn out.
The constant battles also induced mental fatigue, escalating the number of casualties. Gabrielle's stomach twisted at the memory of the torrents of blood she had witnessed throughout the day. Every shadow now seemed to conceal a corrupted being, lurking to kill her in her sleep.
A heavy mass collapsed into the hammock next to hers, causing Gabrielle to jump in terror.
"Who's there?!"
"It's just me," groaned a weary voice.
Placing a hand over her chest, Gabrielle waited for her heartbeat to steady before responding.
"You scared me half to death," she whispered, careful not to wake the sleeping children nearby. "Weren't you supposed to assist a scout today?"
"I just got back. Eleha had me running for kilometers carrying Ophis's son."
"Eleha the Smiling Blades?!"
"The very same."
"How is she?" Eleha might not be a Gaesert, but Gabrielle still admired the huntress. Some whispered that she had a chance of reaching Tier 4.
"Strong, skilled, and impatient."
"That's the definition of a Tier 3. And Vyphers?" Ophis's son, the chief of the Snaherts, was known for being an insufferable fool.
"He was an insufferable fool."
"Was?"
"... He fought one of the Champions."
"Did he win?"
Broli burst into laughter.
"Quiet, you'll wake everyone," Gabrielle hushed.
"Sorry," Broli apologized, calming down. "Vyphers was on the brink of death when they found him. The Champion spared him, but took his draconic essence."
"Ophis gonna be furious."
"Hard to tell with that cold-hearted monster. He was mostly annoyed that Eleha left his son alone."
Elysium had never been a peaceful place, especially during the Necro event. "Why did she do that?"
Broli grimaced. "Officially, so that danger can help him grow. Unofficially, the Snaherts young master was insufferable. I don't know if the explanation will convince Ophis, but he can't do much to her anyway."
"... Do you think he'll go after the Champion?" Gabrielle asked with a worried tone. The tales of the Champions had shaped the childhood of every tribe member. After all, their ancestors were also Champions.
"... I don't know. Eleha said it's a complicated matter. We'll have answers soon."
"Soon?"
"The tribes break camp in three days. In a week, we'll be neighbors..."
The passage closed on Priam, isolating him from the outside world. Taking a deep breath, he surveyed the room. Approximately thirty square meters, illuminated by the golden and crimson veins of the tree. A powerful vitality aura enveloped the High Human, penetrating his cells and recharging his batteries.
Coddled and protected, Priam felt good.
Smiling, he turned to the only metallic component in the room. The hoplite mech contrasted with Log-a-rhythm's sylvan architecture. Priam would have preferred not to use the device, but his quantum processor would be necessary.
A glance at his HUD informed Priam that a new objective was fulfilled.
[Royal Empyrean Genome Analyzed: 100%]
POT -396
[MKX Arkanian Genome Analyzed: 100%]
POT -198
[High Duatian Genome Analyzed: 2%]
POT -6
Soon.
The evolution of his race was near. Thanks to hoplite technology, Priam had sequenced the blood of Osiris and Vyphers. Now, Priam possessed the genetic heritage of five humanoid alien species. Titan Hoplite and Snahert were too genetically distant from High Human, but the other three genomes would suffice.
Royal Empyrean, MKX Arkanian, and High Duatian had the same number of chromosomes as a High Human. Analyzing their genomes revealed many close sequences. Coincidences or Concepts machinations, Priam didnt care for now.
"Time to choose the characteristics that interest me from the different races," he murmured.
As his system compiled genomes, Priam sat cross-legged, activating [Focus] and [Frozen Meditation]. His mind sharpened as unnecessary thoughts faded away.
Lets start.
Connecting to [Eidetic Memory], Priam felt the results of his add-on's analyses downloading into his memory. The volume of data was so significant that he winced in pain. Massaging his temples, Priam spent several minutes checking all the knowledge related to his genes and those of Jasmine and Myuri.
Lvl Up: [Humanoid Anatomy] lvl 2,...,6
MEM +15
Witnessing the complexity upon which life thrived, Priam marveled. The next moment, [Frozen Meditation] neutralized the unnecessary emotion. Without wasting time, he created a mental model of DNA intended to be the foundation of his future race. It was time to choose the most interesting elements from each genome.
Eyes closed, Priam envisioned the structure upon which to build his future race: the DNA of a High Human. A double helix-shaped macromolecule appeared in his mind. Encoded inside was Priam's entire genome. The System had done a fantastic job, and High Human was close to Tier 2. His racial talent, [High Human adaptation], was exceptional, and Priam intended to build on it rather than replace it.
There was a second reason for Priam to choose High Human as the foundation of his future race: to retain his identity. Cosmetic changes, even significant ones, posed him no problem, but the structure of his brain was a sensitive point. [Tenacious Spirit] had awakened his intellect, but the cerebral organ still had the potential to influence his ego.
Using the High Human blueprint, Priam began mentally removing all non-functional genes. About twenty percent of the sequences disappeared, optimizing his genome.
Observing his DNA, Priam began choosing the sequences to replace with alien sequences. Like an enthusiast assembling his computer or car piece by piece, Priam added better genes.
Quickly, he realized that, despite his Vivacity, he couldn't calculate all the consequences off the top of his head. Like a complex algorithm, the slightest alteration of his genome led to cascading errors.
Aware of his limitations, Priam had borrowed the hoplite mech lying in a corner of the room. He shared the necessary data with the AI, letting the quantum processor calculate the consequences of his modifications.
Sequence after sequence, Priam began modifying his DNA, testing different combinations, and trying to perfect his new race. His system and the mecha's AGI help him predict the ideal changes.
Most changes were subtle. Some muscles shifted, while some proteins and biochemical reactions changed. Borrowing some genes from Jasmine, Priam improved the structure of his bones and lymphatic system. Myuri's race, Royal Empyrean, allowed him to slightly modify his brain and nervous system. The organ being plastic, Priam knew that some modifications could be dangerous, but he relied on [Tenacious Spirit] and his Potential to smooth out the edges.
Some characteristics remained unchanged, starting with his two hearts. Priam discovered that his Titles had modified his DNA. His descendants would have a non-zero chance of being born with two hearts. Some of his resistances and his phoenix bloodline had also changed his genome. Priam incorporated the changes brought by Jasmine's resistances, such as Shadow Resistance, adding certain qualities to his skin.
On the other hand, he was surprised to find that his draconic bloodline and Hecate New Moon were invisible on the genetic level. It raised interesting questions.
Time passed as Priam continued his calculations. Despite his mental abilities and the help of a quantum computer, creating a race was a lengthy process.
[High Duatian Genome Analyzed: 100%]
POT -182
The notification briefly caught Priam's attention. Osiris's genome meant new possibilities and the need to tweak his model. Priam would accept nothing less than perfection.
Seated cross-legged, periodically nourished by Log-a-rhythm, the First continued his research.
Lvl Up: [Geometry] lvl 2,..., 11
VIVA +10
MEM +20
Lvl Up: [Comparison] lvl 13,..., 20
MEM +7
Possibility of integrating [Comparison] with [Priams System].
Validated.
Lvl Up: [Priams System] lvl 40
MEM +2
VIVA +1
[Priams System - Rare] has reached level 40, its maximum level as a rare skill.
Lvl Up: [Frozen Meditation] lvl 18, 19, 20
[Royal Path - Gold] - Royal Empyrean's racial talent. Your will passively guides aether, manipulating probabilities to achieve your goals.
[MKX Flair - Gold] - MKX Arkanian's racial talent. Your animal instinct is highly developed.
[Soul Duality - Gold] - High Duatian's racial talent. Your soul is linked to your body. The degeneration of your physical envelope leads to that of your soul.
PHY +10
MEM +10
Dexterity exceeds 500 points. First milestone reached. Congratulations!
System note:
For the moment, there is no known superior race for Homo Elysian.
The only Tier up possibilities are:
Absorption of alien codes.Catalyzing new spontaneous developments with Racial Talent.
Modification of Tribulation thresholds: To avoid unnecessarily restricting users whose race has the potential for rapid development, the System grants different Tribulation thresholds according to the races Tier.
Homo Elysian is a Tier 2 race. The new thresholds are now every 1(+2) hundred.
Tribulation Thresholds:
One attribute above 300 was detected at Tier 0.
Three attributes above 300 were detected at Tier 0.
Six attributes above 300 were detected at Tier 0.
Twelve attributes above 300 were detected at Tier 0.
One attribute above 600 was detected at Tier 0.
Three attributes above 600 were detected at Tier 0.
For a total of six Tribulations.
The user has already withstood four Tribulations at Tier 0.
[Tribulation]: Two Tribulations pending.
Future Tribulations delayed until:
Time: 166 days 18 hours 42 minutes 17 seconds.
Next thresholds: 6 attributes > 600 / 1 attribute > 900
Titles upgrade!
[Primogenitor - Gold] becomes [Primogenitor - Legendary]
[Primogenitor - Legendary] - You pioneered a new Tier 2 race. It's your job to keep improving it.
Your charisma doubles when you talk to a member of your own or your original races.
You can convert some similar lifeforms to your race.
CHAR +30% > CHAR +40%
[Tribulation Wyvern Heart - Silver(Gold)] becomes [Tribulation Wyvern Heart - Gold]
[Tribulation Wyvern Heart - Gold] - Your draconic heart holds the power of a Tribulation.
Your bloodline is now awake.
The Dragons' first gift is an innate instinct for destruction and creation.
The Dragons second gift is an exceptional affinity for their element. (Select)
Choose an attribute to evolve.
VIT +20% > VIT +30%
Bloodlines:
Phoenix - 1% - awakened (T1)
Dragon - NEW.
Reading his notifications, Priam thought of rivals, enemies, and the incomprehensible powers of the Necromoon or the System. The trials awaiting him were terrifying, but Priam had taken a new step on the Zenith Path.
Wait for me Sphinx, I'm coming!
Status:
PHYSICAL:
Strength 464 (+15)
Constitution 827 (+12)
Agility 470 (+15)
Vitality 749 (+62)
Perception 683 (+20)
MENTAL:
Vivacity 416 (+24)
Dexterity 508 (+10)
Memory 313 (+83)
Willpower 858 (+22)
Charisma 554 (+48)
META:
Meta-affinity 415
Meta-focus 342
Meta-endurance 262
Meta-perception 201
Meta-chance 230
Meta-authority 24 (+3)
Potential: 2246 (-1078)
Tier 0
Sun points: 4010
[He Who Eludes Death] charge: PRIMED.
[Tribulation]: Two Tribulations pending.
Future Tribulations delayed until:
Time: 166 days 18 hours 42 minutes 17 seconds.
Next thresholds: 6 attributes > 600 / 1 attribute > 900