Walking Disasters and Me-Casting the Die – Ch 20

Walking Disasters and Me-Casting the Die – Ch 20

Ios keeps the crazed look in her eyes as she begins rubbing both sets of hands together, like a movie villain about to pull one over on the protagonist. Which concerns me, because in that scenario the protagonist is me! Although I would be lying if I said I wasn't feeling that kind of manic euphoria a bit too, knowing that I can game the shop 4 times in a row is wildly powerful knowledge to have! I resist the urge to join in on the hand wringing, since Ios does it better anyway by having 4 hands, and try to get the conversation back on track. I settle instead for just a slightly manic smile.
"Okay, yeah this is
huge
news guys! Maybe we can even force the shop to give us whatever is after Heaven rank, depending on the manuals you're wanting to buy Ios!" I turn to Akiko, who has a bit of fear at the mention of that being a possibility. Her ears and tails shoot straight out, and her entire body seems to recoil at the idea. Huh, I thought she would be just as jazzed as me and my otherworldly companion are...
As I'm contemplating her reluctant behavior, she addresses both of us with that concerned tone bleeding through her voice and worry lines on her face, "If that is possible, then we may encounter another obstacle to beginning Amelia's training. I mentioned before that this Heaven does not allow beings of the 6th Realm or higher to linger here long, correct?"
Ios finally shakes out of whatever she was fantasizing about, by actually shaking her head a few times which is adorable, and then responds to Akiko. "Yeah? But what would that have to do with... Oh
come on!
You're telling me that this Heaven even denies Transcendent Rank
items
from existing here?! This place is such a buzz kill!" Ios huffs out in a pout, going back to her classic double-crossed arms look.
Akiko lowers her head slightly before confirming Ios' suspicions, "Unfortunately, that is the case spirit Ios. There are Heavenly Laws that prohibit the creation of anything above quasi-transcendent Rank, and the records that I have been privy to that tell of times that a true Transcendent Rank item has been brought to the surface tell of a merciless wrath of Heaven on whoever holds the item. Because it's not a tribulation but instead a violation of one of its Laws, Heaven is free to use all the power it can muster onto the offender, much like how it reacted to your arrival here Amelia." Akiko continues on with a slightly despondent, apologetic look. Even her fluffy tails are drooping slightly now too, which is an injustice that cannot stand! I guess she's bummed to be the bearer of bad news, which is fair considering how hyped Ios and I were.
Ios gives a frustrated sigh and then uses one pair of arms to ruffle her hair with an annoyed expression on her face while the lower pair stays crossed against her ample chest. I gently give Akiko a few more head pats to put an end to the travesty that is her tails being droopy, and we all sit in contemplative silence for a bit. It really does seem like this world, or Heaven, is setup in such a way to keep everyone here suppressed. Like... What would happen if multiple Immortal people came down at once? It's obvious that this Heaven isn't guaranteed to win a fight versus someone who is
ascending,
even if they do win 9 times out of 10. I doubt its chances would go up when someone who has already been in the 6th Realm for a bit who knows what they're doing shows up and bitch slaps them.
So then, what is the point of the forceful limits? Just for shits and gigs from whoever created this world to begin with? If that's true, that's even more fucked for the people here. Are all powerful cultivators like that? Just punching down because they can, or spreading fear because they're strong enough to do so?
I get the impression that Akiko and her harem are outliers in attitude and world view in this world, maybe even this universe. I realize I haven't like, traveled the world and really gotten a solid grasp of how other societies and stuff work here, but from almost every interaction with other stronger beings, as well as the context clues from Ios and Akiko, it really seems like nearly everybody around here who has a speck of power is a selfish, self-important asshole. So, you know, not that different from Earth.
Hell, even Akiko isn't exactly immune to that mentality. The only real difference is
she can back it up.
Between her cultivation and bloodline, there honestly may not be a stronger person on this world right now. And thankfully she only goes full murder hobo when the situation calls for it! It's just fucking wild that the situation would
ever
call for it, especially if they know her!
While I'm deep in my thoughts, a sudden realization occurs to me. Ios doesn't always
need
to summon an item in a specific way, right? She started out giving me stuff in little boxes and what not, but when I was in deep shit with the bears, she was able to summon the spear, ready to go in attack position. Also, the sleeping bag came in a bigger bag, but I think that may have just been its own oddity... I get my thoughts in order and ask out to the group.
"Ios, Akiko. What
exactly
do I need to do to start using the manuals and begin cultivating. I know I need to learn how to bring in Qi in various ways, I paid attention during both of your lectures. I mean... Do I need to
physically read the manuals?"
My low, sultry voice breaks the forlorn silence and both powerful women send me a confused look. I mimic Ios and cross my arms, but more in a... 'I'm thinking hard' kind of way before adding on.
"Ios, you don't always need to summon items in boxes or whatever right? You plopped the spear right into my hands when I needed it to kill the bears. So, do we even need the manuals to
physically
exist here on Mara for me to use them? Can't you like... I don't know, shove it into my soul or something? I would suggest a storage ring like Akiko has, or the bag I guess, but that still just kicks the can down the road. We'd still have to
eventually
pop out the manual to let me read it. And if Heaven is going to get an-gy every time it notices them being here, then the only way I can see this working is if we figure out how to never let it notice them in the first place. We'd probably still have to stuff the one for the Sect Leader directly into a ring, but since it seems like that is going to need some time to be delivered it can't be helped." I finish my rambling thoughts.
I think I made some good points, but I honestly have no idea if it's even possible to do. Hopefully my suggestion can shake something loose for these two though, I'm sure they can figure something out so long as they don't give up on the idea. There is no way in hell I am passing up on some broken ass, overpowered cultivation methods. I'll need every advantage I can get to keep Sandra safe and see her again.
Akiko is the first to break me out of
my
stupor this time. Apparently I had zoned out a bit there at the end after talking. I quickly ask her to repeat herself with a blushing apology, before she smiles softly at me and pats the top of my head with a delightfully soft tail and says again, "You're fine my dear, I was just saying that I think that could
technically
work. When you reach a certain level of understanding with cultivation techniques, manuals, or items they do in fact become a part of your soul. Typically, the latent Qi within them resonates with your own after such a long period of usage, or comprehension, and they fuse into you. Spiritual cultivation actually uses this feature quite often, as it makes it difficult for others to steal techniques and such once they have been fused to a soul.
My first concern is that you have not spent the allotted time with these manuals that we are theoretically forcing into you. There is a possibility of a back lash, or rejection, from the items themselves, as anything with Qi inherently has at least a simple intelligence. Your idea about directly storing the manual for the Sect Leader should also work, at least from my understanding. I can simply use my Qi to keep my ring's collection status open as spirit Ios summons the script and then absorb it into the ring before Heaven is even aware of what has transpired. What do you say, spirit Ios?" I am so glad that Akiko was the one to become my sensei through all of this! On top of being a badass, funny, cheeky, and above all sinfully fluffy, she is smart to boot! And beyond sexy, of course, but that's like calling water wet.
Akiko completes her explanation as she asks Ios her opinion. She seems to still have some deep concerns, as her gaze never really leaves my form even after speaking to Ios. I give her a curious look and head tilt, which only makes her concerned look deepen to a degree before she sighs and then turns to regard Ios' answer.
The projection in the room thinks for a few more moments and then gives her answer to us, her arms still holding themselves across her chest, and her face having a stern look to it, "It should work. It's... unconventional doesn't even begin to describe what we're suggesting, but technically it should work. There shouldn't be any back lash from the items, since they were bought by Amelia they are already inherently attuned to her, even if she is lacking Qi right now. What I'm worried about is the stress it will put on your soul Aims, this is going to be wildly dangerous.
For this to go off without a hitch, you are going to need to absorb the manuals, and then
instantly
learn what Qi gathering techniques they tell you to do. Ideally, if we had time, Akiko and I would go over this with you and help you combine them into one, universal technique. Thankfully, your
[Hardened Soul]
title should help you long enough to endure and breakthrough... But you're right, we simply do not have many options right now, and I can tell you think the same way I do about it. There isn't a snowballs chance in hell we can pass up the opportunity
[4 Leaf Clover]
would give us with something this important.
That also means that as soon as you buy the manuals, you will be facing the initial tribulation that marks the point a mortal becomes a cultivator. Akiko," Ios turns with her still serious expression and tone to meet the fox woman's gaze, "How long would it take you, or one of your disciples, to setup a time dilation formation. If we can't have that, then how long would it take you to make a talisman with the same effect? You seem rather proficient in those, judging how you stick them to everything you can like some kind of post-it note maniac." Ios does end with a little giggle, thankfully. This whole atmosphere was getting kinda... heavy...
Akiko takes a while to reply, her brows bent in heavy thought as she crosses an arm across her bountiful breasts and raises the other hand to tap her chin. Her ears occasionally flick to the sides while she thinks, and her tails follow in similar fashion, sometimes tapping the ground or whipping out into the air. It takes all of my willpower to not disturb her display, and I have to remind myself that she is basically an all-powerful being here in this world that would smush me if I upset her. Hmm... depending on
how
she would smush me though... Jesus Aims, get your head in the game!
Before I can get too much further down the horny rabbit hole, Akiko apparently comes to a decision, "I should be able to create a talisman of that nature indeed, spirit Ios. Unfortunately, none of my girls or myself are quite versed enough in formations or arrays to make something of that nature. The downside to us using a talisman to achieve that effect is that the duration will be short, Amelia." She says as she turns to me with her own serious look now and keeps talking.
"If we use one of my talismans, you will have your perception of time effected quite strongly, for about 30 seconds in the world around you. You, however, would feel as if 5 minutes had passed while under the talisman's effects. I hesitate to make it stronger or last longer, as your mind is still that of a mortal even with your fantastical Ability Scores and titles. There is just no way to safely say what it would do to you if we were to push those thresholds.
That means you shall need to comprehend all three paths' breathing or gathering techniques, whatever they require, in that allotted time. It... should be enough, as those initial steps are meant to be absorbed by a mortal mind to begin with so as to start the cultivation journey. However, if it is not, spirit Ios is correct. If you are about to place 3 Transcendent Rank manuals into yourself, regardless of their sub rank, your mortal soul
will not survive it.
I will speak plainly to the both of you, I am not for this decision simply on the merit of it being too dangerous for Amelia." As she says that, she reaches out and holds both my hands in hers, her soft velvety skin rubbing against mine, as her thumbs make small circles on the backs of my hand. Her tails come up to wrap around us slightly, once again cocooning us in warm, safe fluff as her serious, authoritative voice and face slips away to the caring, motherly side of her which always melts my heart.
"Amelia, I know that this opportunity is likely seen by both you and spirit Ios as a massive windfall. And perhaps it is. But all of this is for not if you perish in the attempt at even starting cultivation. And not only you, but your sister and both spirits would perish as well. There are surely other advanced, powerful manuals that you can procure from your system, techniques and styles that would make you Queen of this world and beyond. I simply... do not want to lose you so soon after meeting you, and from something that may only occur from unchecked hubris resulting in disaster." She ends her heartfelt explanation by fully wrapping me up in a tight hug, pushing my face against her shoulder as her tails now fully envelope us. I can feel her honest, desperate concern emitting from her very being as she wraps me up as tight as she dares with her superhuman strength.
I return the hug with the same intensity, or at least as much intensity as I can provide. God, I am so lucky that she was the one that found me in that cave, lost and alone in the world. Sure, I had Ios but... I would have gone crazy if I didn't have someone to be physically close with too, especially since the only person back home I let myself be like that with was Sandra or my exes. Before I can parse through that particular string of logic, I make up my mind on the whole matter.
I stay nuzzled into her neck as I give her my answer, my voice low and soft against her fresh scented, alabaster skin, "Akiko you amazing, wonderful, sexy, wantonly murdering foxy woman. You don't know how much your care and concern mean to me, someone who's barely known you all of a day. And I count myself beyond blessed to have met you, and I will always treasure and value your opinions and teachings. But I feel it, Akiko. This is what I need to do, not only to keep myself safe, but to keep Sandra and you and Ios and Ilya and all the girls safe too, eventually I think. You have demonstrated it enough for me to understand it plainly, this world respects only one thing and that's strength." I raise up from her neck just enough so that our faces stare into each other, only a few inches apart before I keep going with a small smile on my face.
"I can't hide behind you forever, firstly because I wouldn't ever allow you to get hurt or be compromised for my sake. You are too important to so many people and the Village. Sure, you're definitely the baddest bitch around, but trying to protect me forever is bound to put you or others in a dangerous situation at some point. I would never be able to live with myself if you or any of your harem got hurt because I wasn't strong enough to fend for myself. And I know you would never see it that way, but we all already know how fucked my brain is right? It wouldn't matter what anyone said, maybe even Sandra, in that scenario. I would always blame myself, knowing that whatever tragedy happened may have been prevented if I wasn't such a coward when I started out on my journey.
Secondly, we are eventually going to be joining your Sect Leader girlfriend up in space to deliver her manual right? We are all going to need to be as strong as we can possibly be to face Heaven's wrath, that includes Sandra and your girls too, if they're coming. And again, if I fail or die during that tribulation, my last thought would be how much I failed and hurt you and Sandra and everyone who is counting on me and loves me. I will not put any of you through that, not when I can avoid it by womaning up and doing what needs to be done. You both have done a fantastic job of explaining everything to me, including the risks. I cherish both of you more than you may ever be able to know." I say as I gently hold a hand to Akiko's cheek while moving my gaze to Ios.
She has a proud, knowing expression on her face. Like she knew this would be my answer. I give her a small wink before turning back to face Akiko who still looks beyond worried at this whole situation. I stroke my thumb across her check softly and give her my best reassuring smile before saying with conviction.
"If there is anything else we need to prepare, let's go over it now. Because we
are
using
[4 Leaf Clover]
for the manuals."

Casting the Die – Ch 20