But of course, Elenos Institute of Noësical Academics was an area of the 'map', per se, that provided the most protection by 'plot armour'.
By logical fallacy, it would be stupid for such a powerful Mage, such as h̵̯͛̇i̷̖̒͋̐̓̌̆̌̽̐̈́̒m̴̭̬̻̹̫͔͖͍͕͋̓͆̇̃́ to slowly plant the seeds of doubt inside the kingdom, which ultimately lead to its fall. H̷͉̑̋̐̈́́͗e̸̟̊͝ who is someone who has shown knowledge of higher existences by recognizing me and has shown to have the Authority to interfere with aspects of the game. If someone like that were to have been allowed at the start of the game, I am sure that no single individual could hold one-one billionth to his might.
Sure, you can argue that it was the strategic move to slowly degrade the kingdoms and their people, but I know for a fact that ẖ̴̹̹̝͈̌̀ĭ̶̦̲̘̭̺̫͖͚͉̝̉̎̊̌̇̽̎̀̑͑̽s̶̱̺̠̭̦̊̈́̾͊̒̏̉͝ team doesn't give a flying fuck about the citizens.
So why?
Why would he not enter the Capital of Elenos?
Because there's a narrative blockade. That's the likely reason. The Story of how this world progresses should naturally be a phenomenon that surpasses the aspects of the game.
Stories CAN exist without a game, but the aspects of a game cannot exist without a story.
Stupidly simple delusions on my part if all this happens to be false.
But fuck it, where else can I go that he cannot reach?
If he interferes with systems only available to me, as a foreigner of this world, as a player, for all I know, he could access the exact coordinate of my location down to the millisecond and /tp @p there or something, even if it may be to the ends of the universe.
Therefore, it would be in my BEST interest to head to the Capital of Elenos, where the 'narrative' fortress is. Not to mention who is of equal power to h̴̡̡̧̩͈̤̣͓͓͍̺̤͍͒̆̓̔͗̾̂̇͂͜í̶̘̜͖͈͔͍̦̣̒̊́͂̀͂̾̆͋͗͛̏́͘m̴̺̟̙̤̣̣͍͙͕͎͇͋̀̎͗͝ in the original story.
I pray that buffs were given in the DLC not solely for h̴̡̡̧̩͈̤̣͓͓͍̺̤͍͒̆̓̔͗̾̂̇͂͜í̶̘̜͖͈͔͍̦̣̒̊́͂̀͂̾̆͋͗͛̏́͘m̴̺̟̙̤̣̣͍͙͕͎͇͋̀̎͗͝…
Isaac flashes back.
The Institute was protected by the headmaster, mainly, A Paragoned-Class Wave Binder, approximately 17-Stars in terms of the EAA.
His name is Headmaster Orthellius Sol Tharis.
Holder of achievements such as:
"The Sigil of the First Spark."
An award granted to esteemed Wave Binders who have made unconventional developments to Thaumitonic Theory, or as the game puts it, "where raw instinct meets arcane theory."
"The Prime Arcanum Laureate."
An award to those who have dedicated their lives to Thaumitonic Theory. Those who have perfected and evolved the 4 main Modules, I.E, Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire
And yet, most importantly:
"The Oculus of Infinite Theses."
An hourglass given to scholars whose body of work becomes indispensable—their papers and documents are woven into information stored in the World Archive, housing all the knowledge of humanity. In respect to it, only 1 hourglass exists in a single kingdom and will be passed on upon the holder's death or resignation.
I'm sure that he or the sovereign has sufficient strength to protect me. Hell, I can use my little future knowledge to gain their trust. It has to work, right? Even if that boss has the authority to rewrite the game. His power should be limited to some degree, like debuffs.
But shit…
In death's void, I saw a message about the main storyline being infected.If this is true, only God knows how much this 'plague' has spread already. Therefore, orientation is needed.
I should head there to inspect the corrosion; if not, try to fix it.
Aight. Let's go.
.
.
.
Uhm… Hmm… How the hell am I gonna reach the Institute? Am I even in the Elenos Kingdom?Considering how vast the EAA's map is, it would be a fortune to be even put in a native kingdom.
The map was a 1:1 replica of Earth with unique continents that arose from similar but diverging histories. It was even tested once, a player Isaac had read about during 'those' days, attempted to fly across the map utilizing a 'Spell' which propelled him at Mach 0.81 (1000 km/h).
In total, it took her 40 hours, 4 minutes, and 30 seconds, proving that the map really was the exact circumference of the Earth (40,075 Kilometers).
Isaac, who could have been anywhere on the 148,940,000 km² of land on Agerea, the equivalent of Earth, should have a nigh-impossible chance of knowing where he was.
Ah!
But Isaac had the equivalent of Google Maps.
"System, where am I?"
Apparently, the servers were down.
Joking. Joking. This shit is fucking useless…
He got off the poor Ritualist and undid his tear-soaked cloth gag.
"FUCK YOU! F-FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU! IT HURTS SO F-FUCKING MUCH. I'll FUCKING KILL YO一"
A stomp to the back of the knee, directly against the wound.
Another scream of pain.
"Answer me quickly if you want to die faster. Where are we?"
"SHUT THE FUCK UP! I'll KILL Y-YOU!"
"Tsk… Uhhh… You chose this outcome, okay? Remember, it's YOUR fault."
Contrary to Isaac's belief, he would never subject any person to such treatment, especially using externalization of blame to cope.
Ever.
And yet, all his morale values crumbled at this moment. To him. Everything in this world was still an aspect of a game.
NPCs included.
This bloody bum. Know your place.
Isaac raises his arm and brings down the dagger against his thigh before drawing another as a threat.
Again, another cry of pain.
"Where. Are. We? Mathew."
"H-HOW THE FUCK DO YOU KNOW MY NAME! O-OKAY! OKAY! WERE IN THE SOUTHERN ROTSHADE C-CANOPY!!! JUST LET ME GO, PLEASE!!!"
"Wrong answer," He adds another dagger whilst twisting the previous. "Where is the Capital of Elenos?"
"UP NORTH! UP N-NORTH! STOP!"
"Last question. What is an Esoteric Kabbalist? What is the 8th Quaternion? Which Esoteric Art do you follow? And, can you use Magic?"
"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU SAYING! M-Magic?"
"Answer."
"I follo— I-I can't say…"
"ANSWER."
"I CAN'T SAY!"
"ANSWER ME!!!"
"FUCKING HELL! OKAY! I FOLLOW THE GRE一"
What followed was not an answer, but rather.
The Sacrifier being sacrificed.
Ritualist Matthew's form began to contort along impossible axes, folding in and out of standard geometry. An oscillation between scream and silence was what it was, dualities being formed. It was as if wells of quantum gravity selectively flickered in and out of existence just to torment this betrayer.
Isaac immediately tore the dagger free and stumbled backwards at the mathematical horror in front of him. The second dagger left in his body began grinding against itself before vanishing.
What the fuck???
When the folding of noncommutative geometries ceased, what remained was no longer Ritualist Matthew but his heart only, still pulsing with no vessel in sight. The rest of his body had collapsed, folded upon itself into infinite macroscopic spaces beyond human comprehension.
Did he just… Hah… I see how it is.
A truth.
The moment he wanted to talk about his 'God', he got folded against a Z-Axis, most likely. Inhering from that, it's simple. There is something… Something out there that doesn't want its identity revealed.
But… FUCK.
I should have gotten more information out of him.
Why the fuck did I not ask nicely!
My god… I'm so stupid.
"Sigh~ "
Well, that's worrying, somewhat. I can think of what he was about to say as 'forbidden knowledge'. If one thinks about that entity, then one perishes.
Interesting as well.
At the bare minimum, a Fourth Dimensional Entity.
Cool. Cool. I'm stuck in a world where I could get folded inside out, intestine to lungs, at any time if I just read the wrong book…
Wonderful…
Oh well~
No looking back, I don't have a lot of time either way… At least he gave me a rough location.
Isaac climbed atop a lichen-crusted house and cast his gaze across the horizon. The rising suns split the land into conflicting shadows.
Didn't pay that much attention to the map. But… Since I'm in the Southern Rotshade Canopy. North should be about…
Hm?
Isaac narrowed his eyes against the sun. There, half a league east, rose the jagged silhouette of a towering spiral, a stone protrusion thrust from the earth.
The 'Thalionic Spiral', or, as it was called in the game… The Stormbreak Spiral. Its peak pierced the dark clouds above as the generated electrostatic charge drew the clouds in.
A landmark of the game's first great Act.
He exhaled in quiet relief.
Phew… The Institute is a two-day trek beyond. Approximately 144 kilometres? Well. So be it.
The course was set. He leapt down, bones protesting, yet breaking into a sprint.
…
Instantly regretting it.
FUCK.
Not a good idea.
Jeez, how weak is this body?
Isaac's lungs smouldered, his legs faltering after scarcely minutes of exertion. At last, he bent forward, hands pressed to his knees, drawing huge breaths.
In the game, the protagonist's journeys had never been about cardio and stamina… I am NOT him. How the hell did he battle for 3 days straight in the later Acts?
A crack resounded from the undergrowth.
Huh?
He stilled, instantly drawing two daggers and shifting into his boxing stance.
A foolish attempt at bravery.
The Rotshade Canopy was never a place of benignity. Its inhabitants, though lesser than the Myconids, bore no reticence in claiming blood.
Slowly, Isaac straightened, his gaze settling upon the swaying gloom. Motion stirred, too substantial for a hare and far too deliberate to be harmless. At length, it revealed itself: an Ophiocervus, juvenile, near two meters in stature.
Its serpentine neck coiled, the scaled hide glimmering with an obsidian sheen, while the scimitar-like antlers lowered with menace. Within the game's taxonomy, such a creature was deemed an Apprentice-Class Monster, three stars in strength, standing 2 ranks beneath the dreaded Myconids.
Isaac, by contrast, was but an Intermediate-Class Wave Binder, no more than two stars.
The beast hissed before it lunged.
Fuck!
Isaac flung himself aside, striking the soil with bruising force as the antlers tore through the earth where he had stood moments prior. Scrambling upright, he swung the dagger he had plundered from the Ritualist downwards with great resolve.
The metal glided down against the creature's hide, leaving no scar whatsoever.
The second dagger in his off hand was not so lucky.
At the moment of stabbing contact, the blade shattered.
The monster scarcely acknowledged the blow with an exhale, readying for the next.
Stamina: 24% |
Are you kidding me…No weapons, shitty stamina pool, and no plan.
Isaac retreated at a pace; the disparity between him and the serpent was undeniable. It, which followed, ripped through any trees in the way.
But I got something for you, you damn snake.
Isaac began to strip down to his underwear.
By Isaac's own calculation, the arithmetic was simple: From his perspective, each Wind Slash, a 1-Star Spell, had consumed twenty mana points from his mana reserves. Thus, a Second-Star invocation would cost forty, a Third-Star, eighty. As seen before his third death. With a reservoir of two hundred fifty, and one hundred eighty-nine still present, he could risk four Two-Star Spells or entrust himself to two Three-Star Spells.
Either four 'Bursts' or two 'Gale Javelins'...
Remaining MP: 189/250 |
The Ophiocervus poised for another strike. Isaac, in turn, raised his arm, mind balancing the imagery of explosion and spear, both ready to be summoned at need. The two began a standoff: the ravenous predator and the desperate intruder, each suffused with killing intent, each waiting upon the other's misstep.
The silence was dreadfully long. But just as fast as that silence begins, the Ophiocervus breaks the quiet with a hiss and a lunge.
Isaac threw his stripped clothes aside. Perhaps it would act as a distraction.
"Gale Javel-"
Isaac halted mid-incantation.
The Ophiocervus undulated laterally, paying no mind to the clothes thrown. Its body cutting in a sinuous S. Its antlers, curved like scythes, logically, were used to drive toward Isaac's torso.
But Isaac had anticipated this. He threw his clothes away not to distract.
But to keep them clean.
Heh… At least these haven't changed. They always came from the side, either way.
"Burst!" His voice rang out, strained yet resolute.
Concussive straight to the head. Stun and disorientate.
His left palm was braced beneath his right tricep. By unclenching his fist, a torrent of compressed wind detonated from his hand. The concussive blast diverted the antlers, the force staggering the beast, exposing its underbelly.
Remaining MP: 150/250 |
Duck. Shovel Hook. Pierce.
Again…
Seizing the instant, Isaac ducked low and drove the dagger into the soft flesh beneath its exoskeleton. Grotesquely, the skin parted like crushing a grape. Inside the belly, his nails scrape against its muscle.
Last but not least… Execute.
"Burst!"
This time, the Clause-Construct was released from within. A gruesome eruption travelled through its viscera, wind pressure ballooning against the confines of armoured scale.
What nature had perfected for survival became the instrument of its demise. The implosion tore the creature asunder from within, spraying the clearing with flesh fragments and ruptured organs.
To add metal into the blood, literally. The dagger that was plunged into its body broke into countless fragments, lacerating the remaining inner husk.
Seriously? That's it?
Also EWWWWW!
IT SMELLS LIKE SHIT AND PISS!
Remaining MP: 110/250 |
Stamina: 5% |
Isaac fled the scene, trembling, his chest heaving with exhaustion, breathing in and out heavily, trying to numb the pain of 'Burst's backlash against his palm. The price of adrenaline weighed heavily, his vision blurred, and his limbs sagged onto the ground. There was that iron tinge on his tongue as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
Around him, a messy scene of guts and gore, with Isaac being covered in it.
Tsk… fuck my hand… The aperture in its underbelly was too narrow for the kickback of 'Burst'. Momentum that should have dissipated outward instead underwent elastic backscatter, slamming straight back into my hand.
Shit, it fucking hurts… I basically held an exploding firework.
Still… HAHAHA GG EZ.
No Spell cooldown nor damage cap for me to follow, unlike the game. I'mma just start spamming this shit if that's the case.
Burst! Burst! Burst!
Sounds damn fun.
The judgement? Victory belonged to Isaac, without hesitation, without doubt.
Even for a moment, the forest gave him solitude. Although calming. It was a genuine blessing in disguise, he was grateful for. No witnesses would mean no questions, and questions, especially from the Institute, that would cause him trouble.
Like fate herself was blessing Isaac, a pond with clear water was just ahead. Isaac soaked his clothes in the water before dirtying the pond with gore. Unfortunately, his underwear was now soaked in blood.
He had to cross the distance undergarment-less.
On the contrary, the flicker of the System fortunately arrived. At its sight, he smiled despite the ache.
Hehehehe
Vitality: 2-Star → 3-Star |
Agility: 2-Star → 3-Star |
Thank you~
An improvement, meagre yet invaluable.
With a step, he passed the mangled corpse of the Ophiocervus, setting his gaze upon the horizon where the silhouette of the Thalionic Spiral was.
Two days of walking at bare minimum, two days through this damn world with no game mechanics. That's aigh't though. So long as I get there before that b̵͔̘̖̦̹͉͙̄̓̌̿͑̒̇́̓̑̑̓̚̚͝ơ̷̢̨̡̬̦̝̺̱̙̫̗̳̖̈́̂̓̍̀͌͆͑̆̚̕͘͝͝s̷̢̟̫̥̬̯̝͙̜̯̆͒͌́͊̃̿̽̇̉̂͂̽͘͝s̴͔̈̊́̾̉̃̿̊̀͑̽͋̈́͠ is stunned by the System, then it's fine.
That truth kept ringing in his head, the words of h̶̡̲̙̮̥̰̯͓̖͇͙̹͔͕̋̈́͌̀̊̒̒̉͐̅̀͆̔̕i̷̢̙̺̖̱͎̖̫͍̋̕m̴̩̪̱͙̠͘ echoin. Isaac was an outsider of this world, one unfit to belong and live.
He got up, resolved to carve his mark by force.
. . .
Fuuuuucking heeeell… Even with the upgrade in vitality and agility, this body is still shit.
Two hours in, Isaac's body screamed in protest, though the stat-improvement steadied his breath and kept his stride from collapse. Still, it was insufficient. Every wasted second invited a fate and agony greater than exhaustion.
If stamina betrays me, then Mana can serve me instead, right?
His mind sifted through the arcana of EAA's Wind Noësis.
'Float', a Novice-Class Spell, 4-Star, that could work. But my mana reservoir is too shit, so nah.
Lethal. I'd die if I launched myself a bit too high.
'Flight'? Adept-Class, 5-Star Spell…
Hell nah, even worse.
That leaves two choices: 'Tempest Leap' and 'Wind Walker'. The first one is broken limbs without reinforcement.
The second, ehhhh… I think that works.
Isaac got into a sprinter's stance.
'Wind Walker' it is.