Walking Disasters and Me-Expanding Numbers – Ch 70

Walking Disasters and Me-Expanding Numbers – Ch 70

We all stand in varying states of disbelief, Akiko and Ios especially at the sudden revelation of just how quick I'm able to power through these quests. Honestly, if they didn't have the multiplication bonus, we all would probably be jumping for joy right now! Instead, we just look awkwardly between the floating quests text and ourselves, letting the silence weigh heavily on us as time passes. Eventually, Ios rallies a bit and begins the process to bring us back to life.
"Alright," She begins, her voice a little waving still at the sheer might of my system aided cheat skills, "So it took Aims about 5 - 6 bolts to essentially get to 1%. That means in roughly 500 or more, she'll be done with this quest and get that boost.
Shit
... I'm kind of at a loss here. It honestly doesn't look like there's going to be a way for decent understanding to happen without maxing out the Mastery levels for ranged weapons..."
Akiko nods beside me, her tails alternating between rising and drooping as we all process this bizarre situation, where we are actually nervous about me getting stronger for the first time. Well, soul stuff aside I guess. "Agreed, spirit Ios," Akiko replies, "that seems to be the case. I know you desired for Amelia to receive the most out of those later quests completion, but I cannot in good consciousness allow her to not progress further if she desires to use bows, crossbows, or the like. Despite what this system says, and barring any other occurrence from her past life, there is simply
no
outcome that would justify such lackluster training."
The quest text floats away, replaced by the still beyond pretty but currently quite aggravated form of Ios in all her glory, her four hands running wild through her curly blonde hair as she groans in frustration. "
Ugh
... Damn it! We could have banked that completion when she was
so much
further into her cultivation, once her stats would have been beefy and then
skyrocketed
them!
It's not fair~..."
A cute as hell whine escapes her lips as she huffs and sits down on the floor in protest, likely at the unjustness of having her plans fall apart in the most unexpected way.
Aren't I supposed to be the one devolving into a pitiful mess right now?? Not only at yet another
insane
occurrence regarding me and the system, but also because of the unoptimized potential that this means? Why is Ios the one who is rolling around on the floor now, groaning and mumbling in despair?!
Akiko and I share a look, me with my slightly confused yet growingly amused face at Ios' tantrum, while Akiko looks just beyond mischievous as her ears flick out to the side once or twice. With a teasing tone, Akiko turns back to my languishing mental companion and says, "My dear spirit Ios~. While I agree this is likely not the
preferred
outcome, I do not think it warrants splaying yourself out on the ground in such a sad manner, even if it is amusing to watch~."
Ios' hands leave her face, crossing over her nicely shaped chest as she huffs and levels a glare at the two of us as we stand over her. "Maybe it does, and I can wallow all I want! Akiko, Aims is going to be missing out on
so many
stat points now! Not to mention that means she's going to be starting to work on the Intent level of the quest, which is so
absurdly
insane for so many reasons." Contrary to her words, by the end of her little rant, she is standing once again, although she missed the whole standing up part and just reprojected herself vertical.
"I know, spirit Ios. Like I said, by far not the ideal situation, but one that we cannot avoid. Why not seek Amelia's opinion on the matter to help ease your burden?" Akiko calmly states back, her gentle voice soothing and comforting as she verbally helps Ios out of her little mood.
I take the initiative to speak up, my own thoughts pretty much aligning with Akiko's, "Ios, I wouldn't feel comfortable using
any
kind of ranged weapon or item or whatever if this is as far as we let me go for now. Sure, the system may be helping me aim or implanting knowledge in my head or something, but I'm by no means at a level where I wouldn't be concerned - to say the least - to use a crossbow in actual combat. Besides, it seems like I get stat buffs or multipliers when I rank up cultivating, so even if we're missing these ones for the next bit, I'll still get a good power up in! And honestly, by the amount of points that's going to be floating around, maybe we can go after those Intent ones when I hit the 4th Realms or something." I end with a shrug, but end up digging the hole a little further for both the women accidentally.
Akiko's slightly worried face answers me back with her voice matching her demeanor, "While certain genius 4th Realms
can
create Intents, it is still considered
wildly
dangerous to do so. Not only for the cultivator in general due to the stress it puts on their souls, but also because it creates a target of obsession, jealousy, and wounded pride by those around them. And the fact that you would have multiple stemming from these quests only further complicates the matter..."
Ios ponders a bit before she speaks up in a thoughtful tone, "Well, Aims already almost created some kind of Love or Soul Intent a little over a week ago, so by the time she is
that
strong I don't think that will matter. But I do agree about the unwanted attention being an issue. Maybe we could combine them, all the weapon ones I mean..."
She doesn't get a long time to wonder, though, as Akiko looks between the two of us with a shocked expression. "
What?!
What do you mean spirit Ios? Amelia, did you
truthfully
almost create an Intent while still in the 1st Realms?!"
Oh fuck... Ios didn't
tell her?!
I glare over to said person, who looks like a deer caught in headlights as she raises up her hands in virtual defense and quickly fires back, "Shit, I forgot! We were going to bring this up to you before the training and soul stuff started kicking off,
honestly
Akiko! We just got wrapped up in that, then the soul stuff, and then I was worried about Aims' recovery, so it slipped my mind!"
I back up Ios, flying a hand to Akiko's soft yet firm arm as I attempt to shed more light on the truth as I see a bit of hurt in the beautiful fox's eyes, "Ios is right, I wanted to sit down and talk with both of you about it together, but we just got so wrapped up in other crazy things that it got kind of... swept under the rug? We weren't hiding it from you, I
swear
Akiko. I'm sorry."
Akiko takes in both of our hurried responses as one of her hands comes up to pat my head, her own voice still level and thankfully devoid of any sign of annoyance towards us as she says, "I understand, I suppose. Times have been beyond fluid since you started this journey, Amelia, so I cannot find it in myself to fault you. Take it as a sign to improve, because sharing such vital and foundational changing information should be at the forefront of your mind, especially given your unique scenario." I look up to her and see she just has a small smile on her face, her eyes still kind and showing no hints of betrayal before she leans down to kiss me softly. I hum into the embrace, relief flooding my mind as she backs away and gives a slightly sharper look to Ios.
"Sprit Ios, we had
more
than enough time to at least
discuss
the event that you two have described while Amelia was indisposed. I know you both care for each other deeply - as do I for both of you, Sandra, and the rest of my girls - but we cannot let our emotions overcome something as glaring as forgetting to mention how a newly minted cultivator
nearly created an Intent."
Ios squirms a little bit, not really having much of a defense besides just nodding her head a couple times which seems to pacify Akiko, thankfully. With a small huff and shake of her own head, Akiko takes a step back so that she can see both Ios and I clearly as she continues, "Very well then. Do start from the beginning about your theory that young Amelia nearly did something that no cultivator at her rank has
ever
done on Mara."
Eager to keep the fox happy, we spend the next few minutes going over exactly what happened, how I was deep in my soul space healing and talking to Sandra before my emotions nearly overcame me at seeing how well she was healing after I bumped up my stats. I go over how sudden and natural it felt, all of the love and devotion blasting off of me like some kind of explosion of prismatic color before I reigned it back in and then talked to Ios. When she hears her name and my pause in the story, Ios hops in and tells her side of things, that she noticed no interference from the Empress at the time, and likely she wouldn't be able to influence me quite like that anyhow. We wrap up our tales with both of us once again reiterating how the plan was to sit down together, the three of us, and talk this out before life just kind swept us up in a different direction.
Akiko listens intently, nodding along at Ios' assumptions and theories after hearing the events leading up to everything. At the end of our little info dump, she sighs out and looks over to me, her tails slightly puffed and flicking periodically which I take as a sign of concern, "I agree with spirit Ios' assessment, my dear. You
somehow
, beyond any sane reasoning, nearly created some kind of deep, emotional Intent aimed at your connection and devotion for Sandra. Simply
incredible
, my sweet girl~. Anytime you are awake, you seem to devise new ways to break norms and fly in the face of what was thought possible."
It's my turn to squirm a bit from the sudden praise, but I don't get to for long as a couple white tails come up to wrap around me and press me once more into a hug with Akiko. Her gentle voice sounds out from above me as we link together, "I suppose it is a good sign, all things considered. You should be able to handle those powerful abilities that we now know you will be acquiring quite quickly given your completion rate for the system tasks. The main issue now is trying to devise ways or methods for you to combine said intents like spirit Ios suggested, just to keep the weight off of your soul as well as to strengthen them further."
I look back up to her immaculate face as I ask back, "What should I do about the one I almost formed on accident? I honestly don't really know what set it off last time, but I still have to go and heal Sandra. I'm
not
giving that up just because I may be considered too low level by others to be carrying around an Intent."
Akiko chuckles as she plants another kiss on my lips, "I would
never
ask that of you, Amelia. Truthfully, there is not much we - or rather
you
- can do in that regard. If you happen to develop an Intent as you're healing your mate, then that is what happens." She shrugs slightly, both our bodies pressing together at the motion before she continues, "I see spirit Ios' logic in it. Your soul is that of a powerful reincarnated being, so as long as we keep the number of Intents and levels of them low before you progress your cultivation paths, there should not be a problem. If you, somehow, develop a stronger intent, we simply will need to have you advance quicker than planned."
"Let's hope that doesn't happen..." I hear Ios grumble from the side, obviously not a fan of the ever-thinning tight rope I'm now having to walk across. I give Akiko one last squeeze before I move to step back, her tails letting me get some space yet still keeping their delightful contact that sends periodic shivers through me as I address the group, "Well, I guess that's the plan then. Nothing like a good ol' 'wing it' to really inspire confidence~. Hehe! So, what should we do for ranged stuff now? Get to Advanced first on the other two groups for the buffs, drop as many spare Ability Points into Wisdom as I can, and then spend the rest of the next couple days getting familiar with all of them, likely hitting Mastery?"
Man, it really is nice not having Panic breathing down my neck. I'm pretty sure this whole conversation, especially the part where Akiko found out about the Intent stuff, would have been enough to make a little episode. Now, I still feel the brief flashes of those feelings, but much more muted and manageable, and they pass by quicker than a car speeding down the highway. I return back to the present after that brief introspection to see that Ios and Akiko both seem to be agreeable to my plans, and we end up doing just that for the next little while as Akiko pulls out both a standard long and short bow for me to play around with. The speed for the bows quest is just as ludicrous as the crossbows was, and after a few failed attempts at posture, arrow placement against the string, and learning how to aim, I am met by the completion notifications by the Basic and then Advanced versions:
[Quest Completed! Gain Basic Proficiency with Bows!
Learn the ins and outs of the weapon class known as: Bows.
Reward: 25 Ability Points, 50 Shop Points, 2 Skill Points, 10 points into Dexterity, Intelligence, and Wisdom.
Rewards increase for each level of proficiency.]
[Progress: 100%]
Dexterity is now 1,522!
Intelligence is now 1,147!
Wisdom is now 2,897!
Available Ability Points: 882
Available Shop Points: 8,650
Available Skill Points: 416
[Quest Completed! Gain Advanced Proficiency with Bows!
Learn advanced methods of use, efficient knocking speed, and familiarity of the weapon class known as: Bows.
Reward: 250 Ability Points, 500 Shop Points, 25 Skill Points, 100 points into Dexterity, Intelligence, and Wisdom.
Single time effect of current Dexterity, Intelligence and Wisdom x 25% (After previous increase applied).
Rewards increase for each level of proficiency.]
[Progress: 100%]
Dexterity is now 1,622!
Intelligence is now 1,247!
Wisdom is now 2,997!
Applying one-time x 25% buff...
Dexterity is now 2,027!
Intelligence is now 1,558!
Wisdom is now 3,746!
Available Ability Points: 1,132
Available Shop Points: 9,150
Available Skill Points: 441
[Quest Started: Gain Mastery Proficiency with Bows!
Become a world leading master of the weapon class known as: Bows.
Reward: 2500 Ability Points, 3000 Shop Points, 150 Skill Points, 1000 points into Dexterity, Intelligence, and Wisdom.
Single time effect of current Dexterity, Intelligence, and Wisdom x 50% (After previous increase applied).
Rewards increase for each level of proficiency.]
[Progress: 2%]
Damn
, yeah this is getting
crazy
pretty freaking fast! I quickly pick up a spare arrow and twirl it around my fingers, my new Dexterity turning the piece of metal tipped wood into a fidget spinner like nobodies business~! I haven't even started most of the crafting quests, which a lot of them seem to favor Wisdom, not to mention the fact that I haven't leveled in the system at all really yet, as well as all the
*ahem*
sexy time quests
that are always available... I can really start to see the ramp up beginning to click into gear now~. Akiko and Ios still seem a tad bit on the fence about the rapid progress but not really seeing another option, we continue on after a brief break for lunch with the thrown weapons next as Ios pops in to explain some things.
"The ones for thrown are a little more generous in the rewards category since the subject is so broad. That also means that it may
actually
take you a few tries on various things to get up to the Mastery quest, but honestly with your monstrous speed I wouldn't be surprised if you blow through these ones too hun~." She says as we all giggle a bit around the newly cleaned up aftermath of lunch. I stand up and stretch before Akiko follows me and produces a laundry list of items that are the typical fanfare for these kinds of weapons.
As Ios predicted, these quests
do
end up causing me a bit of trouble, taking most of the rest of the allotted training time to finally break past Advanced. Turns out it takes a bit more skill to accurately hit something with the bladed end of a knife - which I learned is called a kunai-, small hatchet aka hand axe, or ridiculously thin needles which are named senbon. The javelins and other overhead thrown weapons go a little smoother, mostly requiring me to get the aiming of it down correct. I do nail the darts first time though, so that was fun~! As I'm about to turn back to the walking armory of Akiko, I finally get the awaited ping from the system and check through my messages.
[Quest Completed! Gain Basic Proficiency with Thrown Weapons!
Learn the ins and outs of the weapon class known as: Thrown Weapons.
Reward: 50 Ability Points, 250 Shop Points, 10 Skill Points, 50 points into Dexterity, Intelligence, and Wisdom.
Rewards increase for each level of proficiency.]
[Progress: 100%]
Dexterity is now 2,077!
Intelligence is now 1,608!
Wisdom is now 3,796!
Available Ability Points: 1,182
Available Shop Points: 9,400
Available Skill Points: 451
[Quest Completed! Gain Advanced Proficiency with Thrown Weapons!
Learn advanced throwing techniques, uses, and situational needs for the weapon class known as: Thrown Weapons.
Reward: 500 Ability Points, 1000 Shop Points, 50 Skill Points, 250 points into Dexterity, Intelligence, and Wisdom.
Single time effect of current Dexterity, Intelligence and Wisdom x 25% (After previous increase applied).
Rewards increase for each level of proficiency.]
[Progress: 100%]
Dexterity is now 2,327!
Intelligence is now 1,858!
Wisdom is now 4,046!
Applying one-time x 25% buff...
Dexterity is now 2,908!
Intelligence is now 2,322!
Wisdom is now 5,057!
Available Ability Points: 1,682
Available Shop Points: 10,400
Available Skill Points: 501
[Quest Started: Gain Mastery Proficiency with Thrown Weapons!
Become a world leading master of the weapon class known as: Thrown Weapons.
Reward: 4000 Ability Points, 5000 Shop Points, 300 Skill Points, 2000 points into Dexterity, Intelligence, and Wisdom.
Single time effect of current Dexterity, Intelligence, and Wisdom x 50% (After previous increase applied).
Rewards increase for each level of proficiency.]
[Progress: .2%]
Oh yeah~.
That's
the ticket right there~! I shiver slightly at the new stats, all the various points, and the pure thrum of satisfaction that comes with ticking off these things as I exhale out and wipe the few drops of sweat from my forehead. "Well," I say as I turn back to Ios and Akiko, "Looks like that's me all caught up then~!" I skip over joyfully - and much faster than before - to the kitsune and wrap her in a warm hug, her comforting feel and scent mixing in with the still buzzing emotions of growing power and success inside of me, my voice nearly purring in delight as I snuggle in.
Akiko chuckles as she strokes my hair and holds me closer with a couple tails, her matronly voice echoing around us as she says, "I believe that is so, my dear girl~. Wonderfully done,
as always
. I hope you keep this enthusiasm when we return to the martial weapons in the next few days, when the alure of quick and rapid results is not as easy to obtain~." Ugh, buzz kill! I pout up at her from her shoulder where my head was resting, only getting further amusement in response as she continues on, "I know you will always try your best, my sweet~. Would you like to join the others for dinner, or do you wish to navigate straight back to your room so that you can begin healing Sandra? It is still early enough in the day that Gerra may have only just finished preparations for tonight's meal."
I hum as I debate the options, wanting to spend more time with the girls while also eager to see how my new absolutely
ridiculous
Wisdom is going to work on Sandy... I ask her to give me a moment and try diving into the soul space, just to give it a test run, and am shocked to find that I am already instantly in front of Sandra's recovering form, the prismatic rainbow of light still feeding heavy amounts of Qi into her. Confused, I think about the flow model and find that I am now observing that instead with seemingly no travel time having passed. Well shit, that's
definitely
one obvious benefit of the new numbers~! I think back once more to Sandra, and before I can blink, I am back to my previous spot. I try gathering more Qi with the combined technique, taking control of the now -
somehow
- slightly autonomous connection between us to manually start delivering the silvery energy to the spots I deem need it.
Like before, it moves where I want it to go and with as much output as I want it to have, but now I notice that the Qi is actually filling in exactly where it needs to go, perfectly sealing a small wound on her underside in a matter of seconds! I quickly bring up the main quest to see the current progress, and still slightly frown at the results:
[... current amount healed: 2.67%]
And that was with basically a
week
of non-stop energy flowing into her... I test it one more time, finding another hairline fracture that can be quickly filled in and do so, checking the progress once more.
[... current amount healed: 2.72%]
Fuck me
, this is going to take a while... I sigh mentally, the conjoined space around us waving along with my internal breath. Oh well, nothing for it then. I'll just have to make sure to stay dedicated and keep on top of it and forbid her from pulling off anymore crazy stunts like the heart demon trial. I send a feeling of love into the bond, a slight bit of blue mixing in with the fading pink as I don't receive anything back again, before I instantly pull myself back to the present, still resting my head against Akiko's delightful form.
"Well, seems like the new stats really speed up my movement in there, how long was I out?" I ask up curiously.
"Amelia... You
just
finished saying you were going to be diving into your soul space not but hardly a second ago..." Akiko replies, her voice a mixture of curiosity, awe, and astoundment as her tails wave behind her happily.

.
!
Expanding Numbers – Ch 70