Antler roaches were the bugs Aaron had been bursting apart atop the mountain, and now he had a hundred of their eggs stored away in his pouch. They were apparently industrious little workers if tamed correctly from hatching. Of course, Aaron didn’t know how that was supposed to help him; he just hoped that his pouch’s ability to stop things ...
2025-07-11 19:46:48 +0000 UTC View PostHe had done it, he had formed mana anchors at his fists. Now, he would be able to use his new gloves properly, and their enchantment wouldn’t go to waste. Though in truth, that was an after thought. The real revelation was the two anchors secured to his fists. Through them, he would be able to channel denser, more powerful mana, and do it far ...
2025-07-11 19:46:08 +0000 UTC View PostLeaving his mediation, Aaron felt more at one with his mana than ever before. He felt like he had gained considerable insights, but he hadn’t had the breakthrough he had been hoping for. Not yet, at least.
However, it certainly wasn’t anything to get hung up over, and he decided it was time to go test himself against another trial. Aft...
2025-07-11 19:45:28 +0000 UTC View PostHis strides took him further. If he had been a superpowered man leaping through the desert dunes before, he was now a giant, bounding across them effortlessly. In fact, his power and energy efficiency had increased so much from his previous attempt that he didn’t even bother waiting for the signs of the worm attacks, instead choosing to simply...
2025-07-11 19:44:55 +0000 UTC View PostFast Food [ Common ] Some like to take more time and care with their culinary pursuits—you’re not one of those people. Passively, decreases the preparation time and cooking of all ingredients of E grade and below.
Dubious Mixture [ Uncommon ] You might think your creations are edible, but few others do. When ac...
2025-07-11 19:44:19 +0000 UTC View PostHis increased Perception sharpened his awareness of everything around him. At his level, the Stat was far from groundbreaking in the greater scheme of things. However, Aaron had been working with a handicap this entire time, training himself to pick up on the smallest of tells with almost no System assistance. Now, he had just tripled his Percep...
2025-07-11 19:43:39 +0000 UTC View Post“So, c’mon bossman. Lemme hear them Skills you got!”
Mind Master [ Rare ] You are the master of your temple, and your temple is your mind. Passively, constructs mental defenses to block out all forms of mental attacks. This Skill is affected by Willpower and is considerably more effective against mental attacks coming from an...
2025-07-11 19:43:02 +0000 UTC View PostHe died in excruciating pain. But this death had been different. His improved Willpower and the help of the stew allowed him to narrow down and focus on the intrusive powers in a way that he simply hadn’t been capable of before.
Willpower wasn’t just a defensive Stat against mind powers, or an offensive Stat for different Classes that ...
2025-07-11 19:42:24 +0000 UTC View PostExperimental Cook [ Common ] Who needs recipes anyway? Passively improves the bonuses provided by dishes that don’t follow recipes.
Line Cook [ Common ] Technique and skill are overrated. You get the job done, and that’s good enough. Passively decreases cook time for dishes you created of E grade and below. 2025-07-11 19:41:31 +0000 UTC View Post
Stepping through the doorway into the Crafting Station, Aaron’s eyes widened at the room that just went on and on. It was by far the largest of the rooms so far, and looked like a huge warehouse, or a jumbo jet hangar, and the same ominous purple torchlights from the hallway dotted its walls.
So, these were the options I had?&nb...
2025-07-11 19:40:41 +0000 UTC View PostNot wanting to miss out on an opportunity to meet a god, Aaron accepted Oozagh’s offer.
Gradually, the ogre shadow appeared before him in the obsidian hallway, and then color gradually filled it. Within seconds, the silhouette transformed from a shadow to a rather large ogre dressed in a skimpy loincloth. Tattoos marked most of its rough...
2025-07-11 19:40:03 +0000 UTC View Post“Elite?” Douglas exclaimed, almost choking on the word.
“Yeah, so?”
“You seriously expect me to believe you had two Elite Skill options available on just your second unlock?”
“Didn’t I mention that before?” Aaron said as he practiced running up the walls and jumping with his new tabi shoes. “These things are...
2025-07-11 19:39:27 +0000 UTC View PostTalia Rhineheart stood upon a grotesque, monstrous corpse riddled by boils and odd growths. Her long, blonde hair whipped against the mismatch of plate armor that clad her body as ribbons of power washed over her. In her hands, she held a sceptre in one and a shield in the other.
As two more snouted monsters like the one she stood over cli...
2025-07-11 06:54:58 +0000 UTC View PostAaron could feel the energy flowing through his veins. But it was unstable. Failing to find proper purchase as it traveled through him. With a guiding hand, he could aid the stamina flowing through him, ensuring it reached its destination more efficiently.
But he needed to push beyond that.
Aaron believed this possible. He had ...
2025-07-11 06:53:45 +0000 UTC View PostThanks to his gains from fighting the orcs, Aaron had just the idea for what trial he wanted to attempt as he approached the dial. His goal of leaving here empowered felt more real than ever.
Entering the trial, the shadow of Yendal the Empty-Handed appeared beside Aaron, looking as smug as ever as the Trial of Travels began.
I...
2025-07-11 01:10:28 +0000 UTC View PostEnergized Haymaker [ Uncommon ] Why strike the enemy many times, when one sufficiently powerful strike will do the job? When activated, Energized Haymaker floods the desired fist with energy, delivering a devastating blow that can pierce even the strongest of defenses.
Feather Step [ Uncommon ] On your feet, you’...
2025-07-11 01:08:21 +0000 UTC View PostHe entered the trial, and as usual, he challenged the orc tribe, and out came the champion. Before the battle started, he spotted the shadow and gave it a wink. The fight began with Aaron dodging blows and conserving energy. He held back, waiting for the attack that had bewildered him for so long. Only [ Relentless Scourge ] was activated, so th...
2025-07-11 01:06:30 +0000 UTC View PostAs it turned out, he could indeed simply challenge the orc chieftain every time. Barging into the tribe and trying to find the chief didn’t work and only got him killed, but if he just stood outside and shouted challenge, the leader would come out to meet his challenge after about ten minutes. The orcs couldn’t understand his words, and he c...
2025-07-11 00:57:30 +0000 UTC View PostThe first thing Aaron sensed under the influence of the Focus Stone was his mana, followed quickly by what he now recognized as his Stamina and Vitality. His Vitality pulsed with his heartbeat, coursing through his body in waves. His Stamina was more stable, suffusing his whole body like water. There was a subtle tension to it though, as though ...
2025-07-11 00:56:42 +0000 UTC View Post“So, is it just gonna be you and me hanging out this whole time, Douglas?” Aaron asked as he practiced, swinging his stabby fists through the air.
“Like I said, this place is a reward for the top tutorial rankers of your sector.”
“Oh, right. So, where are they?”
“The Tutorial lasts for 3 months, but in this space,...
2025-07-11 00:54:01 +0000 UTC View PostFor his first attempt after dying in the swamp, Aaron didn’t follow the majestic figure. However, that decision didn’t prove any better. Not far ahead of where he and the shadow had turned toward the swamp, a werewolf ambush had been lying in wait. There was nothing he could do; they were upon him in seconds.
Perhaps there was another ...
2025-07-11 00:53:11 +0000 UTC View PostIf I can’t outrun them, I’ll have to fight them, Aaron thought as he widened his footing into a fighting stance.
Unfortunately, he could tell from even a cursory glance that these attackers were no mages who lacked physical traits. These attackers were freaking werewolves, and they were big and strong, towering over him ...
2025-07-11 00:52:26 +0000 UTC View PostEvasion [ Common ] Evade attacks with more oomph than simply stepping aside. When activated, Evade sends the user 1 meter in any direction at a speed affected by their Agility and Strength.
Unstoppable Combo [ Common ] Never give your enemies a chance to breathe. When activated, Unstoppable Combo chains your unarme...
2025-07-11 00:51:13 +0000 UTC View PostThis continued on for another dozen deaths before Aaron was even able to dodge the first attack, which he managed by entering the trial whilst diving to his right.
A couple more deaths later, and he was able not just to activate his [ Thick Skinned ] skill, but land into a roll and get back to his feet before the sec...
2025-07-11 00:47:08 +0000 UTC View PostAaron sat cross-legged in the hallway before the trial selection stone. He had died fifteen times over the last few hours and had nothing to show for it. But he wasn’t about to give up. However, it was becoming clear that he wouldn’t be able to just mindlessly bash his head against the trials and expect to defeat them. He needed to take stoc...
2025-07-11 00:26:08 +0000 UTC View PostThe gazes of two gods were locked on the thousands of tiny, holographic screens that were spread across a wall. Each screen followed a different person as the final pre-integration moments of the hundredth and first universe neared their end.
“Oh, this is going to be good—my very own tutorial. It only took three hundred and fifty thous...
2025-07-10 23:39:27 +0000 UTC View PostThe fluctuations of strange energy had grown stronger as they neared the collection of floating rocks scattered like an asteroid field—save they behaved most like bobbing buoys.
As they approached, Abe realized it was more than just strange energy. Something was trying to conceal or twist its presence into something else.
Worse sti...
2024-07-15 01:36:48 +0000 UTC View PostAbe clapped and whistled as the ghouls and skeletons hurriedly stocked the ship. He didn’t want to seem impatient, but he was. And besides, these things need to be done as soon as possible.
Tapping his foot against the ground, Abe scanned the cave's entrance. Viara had left to gather some of her elites, and they couldn't leave without t...
2024-07-10 23:51:57 +0000 UTC View PostAfter leaving the colosseum below, Abe circled their new base. The guests mostly cleared out after he announced his takeover. Seizing a few dozen Astral vessels was tempting, and their owners weren’t particularly strong, but he didn’t need to risk pissing off any more entities from across the planes.
There was even accommodation ...
2024-06-28 20:06:57 +0000 UTC View PostA foul, stinking mist spread out from Gurgle as he pecked forward, sending the jeering crowd into overdrive.
Barred metal separated the colosseum observers, and they made for the perfect environment for Abe’s abilities.
Sending his tendrils shooting out in all directions, Abe took hold of the bars and flung himself around, keeping ...
2024-06-18 22:13:30 +0000 UTC View Post