Walking Disasters and Me-Final Preparations and Explanations – Ch 21
Akiko, bless her, finally gives a soft sigh of acceptance before giving me another nearly bone crushing hug that I'm eager to return with gusto. I never knew hugs could feel so amazing, honestly. I think the tails add an unfair advantage to the overall comfiness of the hug that mere mortals couldn't hope to contend with. Maybe if we can somehow get Ios a body, we can see how the 4 arms compare...
Before I get too lost in distracting myself from committing to the most dangerous path imaginable, Akiko speaks up quietly with her downy soft voice, "Very well, dear Amelia. I shall begin making the talisman when we are ready. It shouldn't take me long to produce, merely an hour's time give or take. I will also offer you several pills from my collection and creation that should aid in your formation of your dantian, body refinement, and soul refinement. One of the perks of being a spiritual cultivator, it seems, is that we must train all categories to a degree, so while they may not be as focused as other paths would create these pills should be more than enough to start you on your journey."
She pulls back with a soft smile once again on her features, but even I can tell the good bit of concern it's masking. I nod back with my own thankful smirk, "Thank you Akiko, I'll definitely be needing all the help I can get it seems! Can either of you think of anything else I may need? And what exactly do I
do
during the tribulations? If I have to fight clouds, we may be in trouble." I say while stepping back a couple steps to regard both women.
Ios is the first to pipe up in her usual chirpy, high-pitched tone, "Akiko's gifts are quite a good offer indeed Aims, I would have suggested we go ahead and buy those pills before you started anyhow even with our tight budget! And no silly, you're not going to be fighting clouds!~" She laughs into one of her hands for a couple breaths before looking back at me, "You're going to be fighting lightning
coming down
from the clouds!"
I can tell she isn't messing with me
per say
, but it was still an obvious attempt to rile me up, this little troll! Well, I'm fully awake now and not trying to recover from bouncing between panic attacks like a pinball, so she'll have to step up her game if she wants to rattle me!
"You do realize how that's equally as impossible for me as I am now, right? You obviously have an
actual
plan for me to use, right Ios?" I say with my best deadpan expression and flat tone I can muster. I even go the full monty and cross my arms over my chest while leaning back slightly. I can tell it lands a good hit on the eldritch menace, because she instantly pulls out her adorable pout and looks away. My low voice laughs out into the room at having finally stumped my tormentor and new friend for the first time.
"Tch... Of course I have a plan. You're more fun to tease when you're mentally exhausted and trying to adjust to a new reality. I'll have to try even harder now going forward..." I can vaguely hear Ios mutter in a hushed tone as she's looking away, a small bead of sweat forming on my face from the implied threat. Before I let her linger too long on various new forms of shattering my world view, I turn to Akiko for confirmation.
"Akiko, is that true? I'll have to somehow fight lightning, which, inherently, moves at nearly one-third of the speed of light. Which is fuck off fast. I don't care how many points I put into Dexterity, that is not something I'm going to be able to do right now."
Akiko, who had seemed to be rather enjoying the show in front of her, responds back with a bit of stifled laughter in her voice, "But of course dear Amelia, unless you wish to just lay still and let Heaven have its way with you~." She says with a wink, which for sure effects me more than Ios' attempt at being cheeky, "Which, I would not recommend, of course. Even single path cultivators like myself need to fight and push against Heaven as much as possible to survive the later trials it sets for advancing through the Realms. However, worry not. In theory, all trials should still be able to be overcome, it is simply a matter of preparation and determination to do so.
The earliest trials normally are not close to being lethal power wise, and the speed of the Heavenly Lightning is greatly reduced in order to accommodate fresh cultivators. The power and speed increases drastically as you advance your path, which is a given, but so long as you can deflect some of the strength of the lightning you should be more than fine. Although, I base this off of previous experience with myself and training new members, I truly have no comparison for someone in your position or with that... extreme title you possess in your system." Akiko further clarifies to me, her arms rest lightly in front of her as her snowy, ice tipped tails wave lazily behind her.
I think about it for a couple seconds, my chin resting in my hand briefly before I nod once again, "Well, sounds like I won't be totally up the creek then. But I figure I should voice this part too, I have zero idea of how to fight, like at all. The only weapon I was ever familiar with back on Earth was something that apparently isn't allowed to exist here either, and I only got lucky with the spear because its hard to fuck up using a spear. Just... Stab them with the pointy end. So if I'm going to be trying to poke literal lightning bolts, I may need to learn how to use the pointy stick a
tiny
bit better."
Ios is the first to respond again, probably figuring this was going to come up. "You're right Aims, and usually I would be the first one to suggest Akiko take you about back and give you some top-of-the-line training montage, but to circle back to Akiko's earlier statement, I want you to buy the manuals as soon as possible. Preferably when we are done with this conversation, if I'm being honest. The longer we wait, the longer you have to reconsider and second guess yourself, or for something else crazy to happen around here."
Probably noticing my annoyed and hurt expression, she quickly explains, "I'm not saying you would back out honey, but you and I both know your brain is a piece of work, you even mentioned it yourself a few minutes ago. The last thing you need when cultivating,
especially
when you're just starting out is to be distracted or doubting yourself. It's even worse for what we are planning to do, since you will need to be as focused and locked in as you possibly can be to decipher the first steps of the manuals as quickly as you can. Akiko can back me up on this too, I promise I'm not using your mental or emotional situation as leverage or something."
I still feel a little called out and slightly betrayed, even if I know deep down that Ios wouldn't ever do that to me. Which, kind of proves her point. I
am
a piece of work upstairs, and me being defensive about someone acknowledging it just adds fuel to the fire. I breathe for a second before catching Akiko's attention again, and she takes the hint and places a hand on my shoulder.
"Sprit Ios is correct, Amelia. What she is describing is in and of itself often the hardest obstacle for mortals to break through into cultivation. There are a myriad of techniques and manuals across the world and beyond, but if you cannot learn to keep a still, focused mind during these initial steps then you will never progress. Or, at the least, not properly. I also highly doubt that sprit Ios was attempting to use your conditions against you, nor would I have stayed silent if I thought that the case. We both want you to be successful, especially with this dangerous path you have decided to embark on." She gently squeezes my shoulder with her hand before after finishing her defense of Ios.
Ugh... Fine... I get what they're saying, but she could have worded it better. I sigh mentally before looking at the both of them again. "Fine, I get it. I know you meant well Ios, but it was the way you phrased it that got me upset. Let's just move on for now." I say before shanking my head a few times to knock the thoughts off, "So! We need Akiko to make her talisman and some way for me to learn how to use a spear that doesn't look like someone 5 beers deep at the batting cages. Thoughts?"
Ios giggles slightly, followed by a warm apologetic look to her face when she answers me back, "Although it would be fun to see you do your best Babe Ruth impression against some lightning bolts, I have an idea that will help out. And you're right Amelia, I could have described what I was trying to get across better. I'm sorry for even implying it. Forgive me?" She says with big, puppy eyes that instantly make me forget even being upset at her. Am I too weak to cute women? Is that even a weakness?
"Okay okay fine! I forgive you, just put those lethal weapons of cuteness away!" All three of us laugh, trying to bring the mood back up just a bit. Been too much doom and gloom talk over the past few minutes; we need some kind of break. I continue on after we all calm down a bit, "So what's your plan then Ios? Beam spear fighting knowledge directly into my brain or something?"
Ios looks at me dumbfounded for a second, her mouth slightly open before she snaps it shut and goes back to her pouting for some reason, "You're just taking the fun out of everything today Aims!" She says before glancing back to me, a small smile pulling on the corner of her lips indicating that she's just joking around, "Yes, there are training programs in the store that you can buy, and the basic spear one is pretty cheap. We will need 2300 of your points for the four manuals, and then the spear program is 75 points. We have barely just enough for it all, those quest completions coming in clutch.
Also, what I had meant to say earlier regarding Akiko taking you out training was involved with this too. While you
can
buy programs for learning how to use weapons or crafting tools or basically anything really, I would always advise you to learn it on your own. Especially for combat related things, there is an ocean of difference between knowing how to use a spear and knowing how to
fight
using a spear. After you break through and start cultivating, you'll need to throw yourself into learning weapons and crafts since you'll be so behind everyone else at your level for a while. But, this time it can't be helped. We simply don't have the time to train you properly." She looks over to Akiko after finishing her thoughts.
Akiko nods and stands up off the couch and stretches, a couple of her tails brush across my face and tickle my nose in what I assume was
totally
an accident as I shoot her a playful glare. She seems not to notice my staring, but that smirk on her face seems awfully suspicions... After she gets comfortable, she nods to the both of us. "Very well then spirit Ios, I shall go begin construction of the talisman. I would suggest you both go to the Qi Gathering Array room, which I can lead you to as it is on the way to where I perform talisman creation. It has a formation that insulates the Qi inside the room from the outside world, and a runic array that aids in the collection of ambient Qi. Ideally, this should help Amelia quickly move into the 1st Realms of her paths."
Both Ios and I agree that sounds like a good idea, and I pick up her communications box and follow Akiko out of my new room and into the hall. The interior of the estate is surprisingly well lit throughout, and I notice its from those tiny crystals that are hanging every so often. Hippies would love this place, the crystals here actually
do
work!
Thankfully we arn't wandering too long, even with my buffed strength this box is awkward as shit to carry around through the halls and turns. Next time we're buying one with wheels damn it! My angry ruminations stop as Akiko slides open another wood door and leads us into the special room. Instantly, I can feel a heavy pressure that descends in this space, like the air is almost thick enough to swim through.
I throw...
*ahem*
gently place Ios' bulky ass box down once I shake my head and try to get used to the literally oppressive atmosphere in here. The projection of Ios reappears with her eyebrows quirked at me, to which I just shrug. "Next time get one with wheels." I say as I stick my tounge out at her playfully as Akiko giggles at my display.
On our little midnight stroll through the mini mansion, I had been thinking about something that I think the other two forgot. Now that we're here and I can feel just how chalk full of energy this place is, I check my status page again just to be sure, before voicing out "Hey, I just remembered and checked something about my system. Don't I already have a massively increased Qi gathering rate? Is that going to fuck up the array or like... I don't know the surrounding area? Since I'm assuming all of those lights are running on Qi, not to mention if you have any other things like in the bathroom that need Qi to run, if I hoover it all up on accident then wouldn't that be bad?"
Both women pause for a moment, obviously showing the idea or thought slipped their minds. Akiko frowns slightly before giving me an answer, "Truthfully, dear Amelia, I am not sure. The formation I mentioned should prevent such a thing occurring, but if you were to over draw the ambient Qi that the array has gathered then it's possible that it would become inactive for a time until it has recharged, so to speak. At any rate, you shouldn't need to worry about effecting the surrounding area so long as that formation holds, which it should in my opinion. If not, then I shall simply have a better version constructed in the future."
Ios seems satisfied with that answer as she adds on, "I agree with Akiko, the air here is filled with Qi but even if you do end up drawing it all in somehow, the overall protections on this room were pretty solid~! Now! Akiko, go make your talisman! I gotta show our dear Aims here how to use her stick properly~ Hehe!"
Akiko laughs loudly as she exits the room with a small wave to the both of us as I turn to this perverted little menace, "You're a child, Ios." Sadly, even though my words show my disappointment, the smile and unserious tone I say it in has the opposite effect. She gives me a wink while sticking her own tounge out this time in an adorable display, before moving on.
"Oh c'mon, that was funny!~ Right, let's get you learned up on the spear then. Take a seat and get comfy, it'll take about 30 minutes to fully download everything into your noggin honey!" I do as she asks and find a comfortable space on the floor since this room seems to be completely empty except for a pillowed cushion in the middle of the room. That feels like a trigger to a boss fight, so I avoid it like the plague for now, I'll take resting in the corner of the room instead~.
You have purchased [Basic Spear Fighting Knowledge (No Rank)] for 75 Points!
Available Shop Points: 2325
Hundreds, maybe thousands of images flash throw my mind. Men and women wielding spears of various lengths and fixed heads to stab or slash at other people or creatures. Using their spears to block swings from swords or axes, before using the long shaft of the weapon to shift momentum and dig the spear point into their assailant. Images of hundreds of people all lined up in formations, drilling over and over the same thrust of the spear, until the mere action of it takes but a flick of muscle memory. All of these scenes play out in various forms for who knows how long, until I once again find that I am in the Gathering room with Ios, who seems to be looking at something only she can see in her projection.
"Ugh, what the hell... You could have warned me that that was going to be fucking intense Ios! I feel like I just watched the entire human races history with pointy sharp sticks all wrapped up into a short, shitty documentary." I rub my eyes as I come back to, having apparently leaned against one of the walls during my spear-based fever dream.
Ios chirps back to me after a beat, "Ah shit, sorry hun I should have mentioned that. Thankfully it was the basic version, if we had had enough points for the advanced then you would have been out for like, 3 hours I think. But! All the more reason to learn these things the natural way, right? Or, as natural as you can for you, since your titles and skills will be power leveling you through it all~! While you were out I double checked the manuals and their higher ranked options just to make sure we are ready. Do you want me to go over them while we wait for your 'foxy mommy' to come back~?"
I cross my arms in a huff quickly as a blush fiercely forms across my face at this cheeky monstrosity, "I leave you alone for 30 minutes and you turn into an even bigger troll! *Sigh* Yeah let's go over them real quick while we have the time."
"Hehe~! It's your fault for not playing along earlier!~ Now I have to try my best to rile you up honey! Okay! So first up is your body cultivation path. I found one called
[Moonlit Midnight Sovereign's Body (Peak Heaven Rank)]
for 500 points that, if our calculations are correct, will turn into
[Eternally Moonlit Midnight Sovereign's Immortal Body (Peak Transcendent Rank)].
Aside from the much longer and imposing sounding name being different, it's a moon attributed path and the level of techniques and overall power that upgraded version will offer you is
insane.
Between your points from quests, leveling up, and advancing cultivation, you honestly may be able to give a lower tier 6th Realm a run for their money strength wise when you hit the half step of 5th."
I hardly get anytime to process that knowledge bomb before Ios keys up the next slide. It's honestly kind of nice, it reminds me of our time in the clearing when she just machine-gunned knowledge at me.
"So! For soul cultivation I was a bit torn between a few, but one of them just... called out to me. Like it fit you perfectly, somehow. Honestly the other two had the same effect, but they made more sense on their own that I didn't notice it... Oh well!~ I'm sure its fine! The soul cultivation path I picked out for you starts as the
[Soul Guiding Ferryman's Monarch (Peak Heaven Rank)]
again for 500.
This one should get bumped up to
[Dominating Empress' Soul of the River (Peak Transcendent Rank)]
and is also quite insane. The power suppression, auras, and buffs that come from this path are wild Aims, and it seems like it naturally plays into and upgrades your soul incubation ability as you progress it. It is also directly soul attributed, which is beyond rare.
And lastly, the most important and expensive one. Spiritual cultivation didn't have many options with void attribute, which was a shame. I wanted to make sure that your strongest attribute was based in your spiritual path, as that one is the basis for your other two paths to work in harmony going forward. However, after some digging around while you were hanging out with Akiko yesterday, I found the perfect one~!
[Spiritual Embrace of the Endless Void (Peak Heaven Rank)]
, and it will transform into one that sounds just as badass as the other two in my opinion,
[Imperial Spirit of the Unending Void (Peak Transcendent Rank)].
Like I said, this one is pricer than the other two coming in at 1000 points, but it will be the backbone of all of your paths. Not to mention, it is beyond powerful in its own right, the void attribute has no match or counter other than other void users, and even then its not a counter really. Both void powers just merge and become even more deadly to the surrounding area, like almost black hole level shit."
As I'm stuck processing all of this with a slightly dazed expression on my face, the sliding door opens once more to reveal Akiko who has changed into a much comfier looking set of clothes that nearly resemble what a kimono and pajama pair would look like if they loved each other very much. Seeing me dazed and helpless on the floor, she gives me a curious look before coming over and picking me up
with her tails.
Oh shit, does this reveal some fantasies for me... Sadly before I can daydream about that any further, Akiko rubs the top of my head slightly before announcing to the room,
"I have completed the talisman a little earlier than anticipated, and the effects shall be as I had described previously. Amelia, if you're ready to begin then I can hand you the pills and spirit Ios shall begin purchasing your manuals."
.
!
Final Preparations and Explanations – Ch 21
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