Book 4. Chapter 9: Aftermath and Meetings

Book 4. Chapter 9: Aftermath and Meetings

The beastkin were somber, arranging their dead. Some avian and wolf beastkin conversed with the reptile beastkin, and some news was spreading about the resurrections that were possible. Many had already witnessed this, but many were filled with doubt, looking on with interest.

Fhesiah asked, What do you think happened, husband?

Jake looked over at Fhesiah, and he sighed. All the anger and rage in our bonds really added up. Bloodberris anger at the loss of her necklace, wanting vengeance. Tandas desire for vengeance for losing the beastkin. Iras frustration at being unable to make a difference. Even Fhesiah had some frustration at her surprise being spoiled. When Ophelia died, I Lost myself to all our emotions, I guess?

Ophelia hugged him harder, once again reminding him she was there. He smiled at her.

He continued, Im guessing, there was some level of compatibility with Wrath and my emotions, but the covenant was still broken on some level. My body and core are suffering a major backlash now, as a result of forcing the shift to a new covenant. Its too early to say, but when I redesign this I may be able to use this. Even my skill went up as a result.

Fhesiahs eyebrows rose in surprise, but she smiled. Well, at least some good came of it, then? Clan Hart came out on top once again. We have much of this mana water to drink ahead of us, unfortunately.

They worked on recovering, and Bloodberri started resurrecting.

When Bloodberri resurrected the first beastkin, the surroundings went completely still. They were raised up with holy light, and they stood on their own feet, as the light dissipated. It was an avian beastkin woman that she raised first.

I Im alive? I had felt a pain in my chest, and then Jake saw that she stirred her auril with his [Arcane Eye], her heart beating powerfully in her chest. The beastkin surrounding her gasped, and a woman exclaimed, Lina! Your song its really you!

Y-Yeah. Whys everyone looking at me?

The reptile beastkin looked over fervently to Bloodberri once more, as she continued to resurrect each of them. Between the three of them consuming mana water, they were able to resurrect one every five minutes, but over a hundred had died. Many didnt have bodies to be resurrected, and would instead be revived within a week.

Tanda looked at Jake and her new Clan mates with pride. She had tears of joy in her eyes. Im so glad We really did it! Im an auril hero now, just like my father and mother before me. I can truly feel the connection to the world better now.

Berri said, We all did a good job, Tanda! Even you, you destroyed the tower. It would have taken me a little too long, that knight might have carved through half the battlegroup by then.

Jake nodded, smiled at Tanda. That health drain was going to become harder and harder to counter as more died. We all did it together.

Vesuvius walked over from his people. The Goddesses powers are truly amazing. That they can revive our fallen brethren is proof that they are above our old gods.

He turned to Fhesiah, We didnt talk about this the last time, but there has been some talk that many will want to worship Hestia or Echidna instead. Your fire makes our hearts beat with fervor, but our minds are at odds with our hearts. We followed that feeling blindly before, and we have suffered for it.

Fhesiah smiled at Vesuvius. Thats no problem for me at all, Vesuvius. I told you I wasnt a jealous goddess. The gods of Lugh, Cernunnos, Brigid, and Arawn appear to be related to this worlds founding. There is also Bastet and Athena, that are likely joining our family. They, too, should be considered. Well be adding shrines to our new Alliance HQ shortly, along with anything else that becomes available.

She turned to Jake, Speaking of, Husband, dont you think that you should claim that building? It feels like it is currently dormant, despite releasing that wave of light.

Jake nodded, but he realized he had a number of screens to review first.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

[Conquest Complete! Primary Alliance HQ recaptured. Conquest Points gained, split among all involved: 350,000 Party Share: 225,000]

Jake viewed the conquest progress, and found that it did move nearly ten percent in the Alliances favor. They were now at 41%. This one action earned Jakes party the same amount of conquest points and progress as closing around 150 rifts all at once, by themselves. Throughout the week and a few days, Jakes party had closed over fifty.

Still, this was an absolutely absurd amount of conquest points. They had only earned 25,000 from the level 15 [Fortress Assault]. This was over ten times the amount.

Ophelia said, If I had to guess, it looks like we earned a lot of conquest progress because Tartarus invested heavily in the defense. There wasnt a limit to how many people could assault and would really be required for victory. The final battle required ten elite combatants instead of our five with the Fortress Assault, and then hundreds of people outside to beat those towers. Since we could regenerate so much mana over the course of the conquest, this challenge was manageable for us. But for a party unable to defeat the catapults, or unable to regenerate mana, its hard to imagine it being possible to win for others without thousands of people.

[Additional Party reward: Access to Epic+ Temporary Conquest Store for 24 hours.]

Jake then realized the reason there was such a huge disparity in the conquest point earnings. The four of them had each earned Mythic Items as a portion of the reward, previously, the 25,000 likely just being a remainder. There were many Mythic items available to choose from, each in the ballpark of nearly 50,000 CP. This time, they got to decide on their reward.

The girls immediately began browsing the temporary store, and Jakes brief looking at it found that many of the items were so rare, they wouldnt even appear on auction. Many were capability improving items, such as those that cultivators sought, and rare equipment. After feeling some flashes of desire from each of the girls, he realized that he was glad he had saved his Contribution Points as much as possible.

He let them peruse the store, and began to head over to the door at the base of the tower. Jake looted the death knight and the dragon, him needing several storage bracelets to contain them all. The skill split everything into pieces in which they could be used for different purposes.

From what Jake understood, while some young titan or some sort of giant out there might be able to wear the large death knights armor, most of the time, the high-end materials were often used for crafting. They would learn what they could from the materials, then melt down or carve out and make armors and weapons for many Adventurers, instead.

As Jake walked by, the many beastkin were jovial, their brethren rejoining them one at a time. They were proud of what they accomplished, taking back the territory that they thought they had lost forever.

Vesuvius was talking with Rookard, the two getting along well. Jake had promised Vesuvius his people would have a place to live, should they take back this city. They had done it, so there was a happy mood among them as they looked around at what would be their new home.

Jake lamented that he could not bring his own guild to participate in this conquest, but many were just not strong enough. Rookards hunters, Vesuvius tribe, and Tandas flock were just a cut above his guild at the moment.

If Brock and the rest of Jakes guild were here, they would have died and became undead in that final battle, becoming nothing more than a burden. Jake hoped they could advance rapidly, so that the next Alliance HQ they attempt to retake, they could all do it together.

Jake attempted to activate and enter the building beneath the tower, and was once again presented with a prompt.

[Conquest Option]

[1. Revert City, Lose Alliance Buildings, Gain HQ Node: Gain 50,000 CP for Replacement HQ]

[2. Keep Current City including defensive tower, repair damages, keep HQ only: 25,000]

[3. Upgrade City, Merging Styles: Keep defensive walls and tower, change to Tribal style city, Restoring previous Alliance Buildings and fixtures: 100,000]

Jake groaned. Already, he could see that if they picked the third option, there was no way they could afford everything that they wanted. He knew that it was important to pick it, because it had a teleportation portal.

Then, he realized something. A majority of the people who participated in this recapture were within his guild, and the guild received fifteen percent by default, earning something around 20,000 of the earned points just from this.

Not only that, but his guild had stored thousands from similar things, as the incursions that his hundreds of guild members were doing daily added up, even if they were low level. Each solo incursion only earned his guild a handful of CP at Tier 0, but with nearly a thousand members having completed some, this added up.

While Jake had been slow to finish his first incursions, he was a beginner when it came to being a warrior. These people had been stuck at level zero for years, but fought nearly daily, or survived in harsh conditions.

Many of the beastkin were like Ophelia, their stats and skills almost similar when it came to melee combat. He still remembered how, at level one, she stomped level 5 gnolls with ease. The natives completing incursions because it was a contested world split the rewards between CP and credits.

His guild was able to pay more than half the amount, and Jake knew this was a worthwhile expenditure. He chose to upgrade the city and merge the styles.

Seamus nodded over to the Asian-attired warriors, that appeared to be their leaders. Their party was two men and three women, two of the women being some sort of mage or priestess, and one archer, that appeared to have talismans tied to her person and arrows.

The men were definitely powerful melee combatants, that Jake bet could hold their own against someone like Roxo or Rookard just by looking at them with his [Arcane Eye].

The two men and many of the other men had a special energy inside them, but the women did not, only having mana. They all appeared to be human, to Jake.

Jake could tell they were members of a guild, [Warriors Brotherhood].

The smaller man in green spoke up. Our lord sent us here to aid your people. He knew this fight would require much bravery and courage, to have a chance at victory. We knew there was a chance wed be waiting in the void for a while before our souls could be retrieved. We never could have guessed itd only be a week or two, and still be on this world.

He turned to Jake. Champion Jake, we thank you. Your strength and courage is unsurpassed at your age and tier, even our Lord did not become a Champion until tier 2. May you go on to fight a million battles. I am Yiming, and my cohort here is Longwei. The other three are our wives. All five bowed to Jake, and he gave a slight bow of his head in return, not really knowing what to do there.

Two of the women had Longweis color scheme matching his red robes, the other matching Yimings green. Jake wasnt sure what to say to this praise.

Thank you for your kind words. Were all glad we were able to free Lifes Haven so quickly. We opted for rushing here before Tartarus could move their own pieces, and it looks like it paid off. Who is your Lord?

Yiming smiled. It is best to move with expedience and bravery, but to temper your haste with caution. Our Lord is the great Guan Yu, from Earth. He has recently started his approach toward godhood, one of the few from Earth to ever reach as far.

Jake was shocked. He had played a game in which warriors were from a certain dynasty. The man in question was a playable character, Guan Yu, who appeared during the Three Kingdoms era of ancient China.

Jake also knew that he was somewhat worshiped across Earth by the Chinese people, revered as a symbol of loyalty, righteousness, courage, and strength.

Yimings smile grew wider. You seem to recognize our Lords name? He had sent us here to help, but also to meet you. He said you were the one to thank for him to soon be able to walk the Earth once more, and he does want to meet you himself.

Jake nodded. He wasnt sure what that would be like. I look forward to it, should time allow. We have a war to fight, for the time being.

Longwei laughed, his voice booming. Well be busy for a while. Fighting evil is grim business, but business is good! There will be no shortage of enemies to raise our [Valor] with.

Jake had read about [Valor] in his research about alternate energy types. What Jake understood was that after it was activated in a persons spirit, one would grow it by showing courage and bravery, as well as fighting battles and gaining victories to expand it and make it more powerful.

It could be used for offense and defense, as they could manifest their spirit into their attacks. From the descriptions, it sounded like how the beastkin could extend their weapons with auril to aid in their attacks or defense, just without the unique flavorings that the beastkin could awaken: their manifestations.

It could even work together somewhat with mana, but if there was a problem with it, it was that it was a double-edged sword. Any trace of fear, doubt, or lack of heroism, and their spirit would become weakened.

When [Valor] users died, often, they would sometimes be set back significantly, a shadow of what they once were. Jake guessed that at least dying heroically may aid in reducing this to an extent, but it would still require some recovery.

In addition, awakening the battle spirit itself required a near-death experience. As far as Jake understood it, most attempted activation of [Valor] in their Tier 0 Trial, typically taking a concoction to ignite their spirit. If they failed, it would always result in reduced potential, their spirit harmed significantly.

By the time Jake learned of the energys existence, he was already sort of too-late to activate it. It may be possible for him to do it, but it would be a real challenge thanks to his hearth core interfering.

He also thought it was not something that matched him well. While valor users could also use mana, most of it was used internally within their bodies. Cladding their muscles and skin with valor or using it would cause the mana to be unable to leave them.

It was similar to how Tandas heartbeats would disrupt mana usage, yet different. It was more like they would form a barrier outside their body in order to use the energy, and mana would simply be trapped inside. Popping the barrier was a major detriment once they clad themselves.

Jake said, Im glad you are on our side, we can use all the help we can get. We have made progress with weaponry and equipment for the beastkin which helps a lot, but they are still low leveled.

Jake looked over the large crowd of people, and did see plenty of other people in Asian-style attire, but hundreds of level ten to twenty Adventurers, as well. Most were guildless, though some were in random guilds.

Jake equated many of them to be about what he saw of the adventurers of Ariminum. Forming battlegroups, they should be able to complete rifts of their own. It would be slow-going, but they should reduce the burden on Jakes party.

From what Jake understood, many of these people could and should be from Fringe worlds like Jake, having arrived early in the defense. Assigned to Highlands by the Framework, to aid in the war. In a way, it didnt give them much of a choice, these people unable to leave until they had paid their dues from the Frameworks perspective.

The Adventurers that stayed in defense of Lifes Haven were only five or six hundred, from what Jake could tell. Nearly half or more of them were either undead, or those wearing the Asian-style clothing.

The separate crowd of beastkin were in the thousands, perhaps over ten thousand, and Jake was somewhat happy about this. Jake had thought almost nobody had integrated, but this was not the case.

However, this city was even larger than Kenwodi. Hundreds of thousands of souls had likely been lost to the enemy forever. While ten thousand was better than nothing, it was still a sparse number compared to the original.

Tanda picked up on this too, perhaps gathering Jakes emotions as he looked over the crowd of beastkin with dismay. Seamus was still the only auril hero, despite originally likely having several tribes as part of the city. Many of his people were lion or lioness parentage, though their people were overall just as diverse as Kenwodi.

Tandas ears were flat on her head as she asked Seamus, What happened to those from that guild, [War, Glory, Profit]?

He scoffed. They left! And good riddance! Those people indirectly killed thousands of our people. One of those assholes even activated a [Challenge] of a rift near a town and ran when we wouldnt give him what he wanted!

Jake was shocked. Activating a Challenge and not facing it in earnest was a major detriment. It was almost like giving the enemy a week worth of progress at that Rift all at once.

Ophelia couldnt believe it, and despite how tired she was, she was furious. How can they even do that? How dare they! There has to be some way that we can punish them!

Yiming nodded. The Framework works off intentions, and so if entering the Challenge to harm the Alliance by fleeing was your intention, the Framework wouldnt allow you to do it. But if you order a subordinate to enter the challenge or perhaps by forcing a non-integrated native to activate it, then someone else order them to flee in the case of a subordinate

Yiming paused, letting people take that in. So, the subordinates intentions would simply be to follow orders, thus allowing them to do something they shouldnt.

Yiming continued, In regard to anything we can do, there is. Since Jake claimed the HQ here and was made aware of the crime, he can report this activity, as it indirectly harmed the war. They assumed this world was as good as lost, so their actions would go unpunished.

Ophelia saw some hope at justice. She asked, How does that work? Are there any witnesses, or what do we need?

Morwen, the veiled undead priestess, interjected, I witnessed their threat, and I am willing to provide my testimony. That will then be brought in front of the sector council, where they can review information from the Framework to see if there was foul play. There are all sorts of ways in which punishment can be meted, from reparations to hard labor, to even termination. The Framework is not the sole decider on these matters. It prevents most foul play, but you can see its rules like a lock on a door. It keeps honest people honest, but does little to those with a lock pick but slow them down on its own.

Yiming nodded. With this, that should be enough to find justice. However, its important to keep in mind the danger.

Jake was perplexed. Danger? For reporting a crime?

Longwei laughed boisterously. Youre new to the Alliance, huh? Their Guild can try to defend their Adventurers actions, trying to get you to back off your claim. They can make your Guilds life a living hell, challenging your guild to [War Games].

The dullahan man, Bedwyr, chuckled, his scratchy voice within his helmet resounding in the plaza. Let them come. Morwen and I, along with all the other emberborn you see here: would like to join your guild, Champion Jake.