"You can manipulate space around you? What exactly am I looking at?", Frigga asked, seeing the welcome message from the Gamer System to join the Party.
"I wouldn't call it direct spatial manipulation. That is far above what I can do. It's not like I can shift an object from one spot to another. I won't go into details, but I can change my surroundings to some degree. What comes with that is the ability to quantify what I see. I can turn everything into numbers.", I said, while keeping it vague that I possess a System. People don't need to know that part. At most, they just need to know that I can change everything in my surroundings, and that it can bring people into said changes through the Party.
"You can turn everything into numbers? That sounds rather mystical.", Frigga said, becoming interested. I didn't see Frigga hesitate. The sole blue screen that hovered over her simply displayed [Yes/No].
To my surprise, Frigga proceeded to tap [Yes].
Secretly, I was feeling giddy inside. This is equivalent to inviting a secret endgame boss to your Party when such an option shouldn't even be available!
[Ding! You have successfully formed a Party!]
[Ding! Frigga - The Allmother - LV999 has joined the Party!]
[Ding! Your Party Members can now view their Status Window!]
[Ding! Current Party Slots: 2.]
"Interesting. I can see why you said you can change your surroundings into numbers and quantify them.", Frigga said, only to see a new view appear. Just like how everything works with Observe, various sorts of items began to appear around the room. She even walked back to her desk, picked up the same Asgardian Rune, and now saw it as [Low Grade Asgardian Rune: Empower], just like how I had seen it a moment ago. "I take it you can see how strong objects presently are?"
"So far, yes. They're sorted by Grade. The Asgardian Rune you are currently holding has some power to it, but it is not all-powerful. I take it, you know much stronger Asgardian Runes that you have yet to show me?", I decided to ask.
"I do. You will not encounter them for quite some time. We will start with the basic ones.", Frigga said. "And this Level business. I take it you can see not only mine, but everyone around you? At least within a particular distance?"
"For the most part. And likewise, you can see mine, right?", I asked.
"I do see a number floating above your head. It says Level 13. The gap between you and the number I possess is quite vast. I can only take it at face value. It just reassures you come from Midgard, and not from Asgard.", Frigga said, explaining how she viewed it. "Have you encountered anyone else who possesses this LV999?"
"Only one. The Allfather.", I said. Was there a reason to lie about it? In front of Frigga? No. So I answered honestly.
Hearing that, another smile appeared on Frigga's face. She acted as if she was expecting to hear such an answer.
"As one would expect the Allfather to be. He has participated through countless wars within the Nine Realms, and garnered years of battle experience, overcoming victory after victory. It was only recently that he finally decided that expanding Asgard through bloodshed served little purpose, and it is because of that he sealed Hela away, opting for a more peaceful outlook on life. Only unless one threatens Asgard would the Allfather take action. Now, he mostly leaves skirmishes to our two sons, Thor and Loki. Though the latter hasn't participated much in battle lately, I'm afraid.", Frigga explained, giving me an unexpected lore dump with how Odin currently works. Playing it innocently, I decided to ask about Hela. From Frigga's point of view, I shouldn't know anything about Hela.
"Hela?"
"The Goddess of Death. Odin's firstborn. Both Thor and Loki are not aware of her existence. It is a tightly-lipped secret only a few in all of Asgard know.", Frigga said, her eyes turning serious.
"And you are fine telling me such a secret?", I said, acting surprised.
"You are my direct apprentice. You ought to know things others do not. And before you ask, there is a sound barrier surrounding my study. It has become a habit to place one whenever we come here.", Frigga explained. "What comes into this study does not go out. Just like how you have informed me about the way you travel the Nine Realms, this ability of turning everything into numbers will be kept secret. On the honor of the Allmother, you can rest assured that I will not tell a single soul."
"Master...", I uttered, feeling thankful. Would the same happen if I decided to choose Thor or Loki as potential teachers? Likely not.
"It is dangerous out there, Myles. The Allfather has experienced it firsthand. You need to be ready for anything to be thrown at you. And well, you happened to choose one of the finest people in all of Asgard. I will be sure not to let you down.", Frigga said, and smiled. "And with that said, shall we proceed with our next lesson? We still have a couple hours available before you have to head back."
Checking the time, I saw it was 9:00AM. I still had three hours before Jarvis's lunch would be ready. I know I said I would likely push out the Kobold Nest until tomorrow since I have the 3PM meeting with Obadiah Stane, but now, I am beginning to think otherwise. Frigga accepted the Party invitation. I was already having a thought form inside my head...
"About that, Master. How about a little change of pace? You now know part of my capabilities. And well, it doesn't end there.", I said, only to do a gesture of my hand. Fwooom!
Frieren's Staff suddenly materialized. Frigga's eyes turned serious again, seeing a staff materialize out of nowhere.
"That's...the staff you carried with you out of the Bifrost. You can summon it at will?", Frigga asked, looking surprised.
"To put it bluntly, yes. And that isn't the only thing I can do with it. Why don't you step into my office for a change of pace?", I said, doing the Hulk grin a second time. Seriously, these moments just keep showing up on their own, haha!
Joking aside, you know what this means, right? It is time to begin my third Instance Dungeon, and I won't be alone! I had originally intended to invite Thor, but that clearly didn't happen. Instead I have someone better. Frigga, the Allmother. Those Kobolds won't know left from right. With this strength alone, we can definitely route the entire Kobold Nest in three hours. I'm feeling much more confident now.
[Ding! You have used ID Creation!]
[Ding! Please designate your ID.]
Three options came into view. Slime Tunnel, Zombie Street, and Kobold Nest.
'ID Set: Kobold Nest - LV15', I issued.
"This...", Frigga murmured, seeing the Instance Dungeon menu appear, only to see me select the latest one I could choose from.
[Ding! You have set Kobold Nest - LV15 as your ID.]
[Ding! ID Creation has leveled up! 2 - > 3.]
[Ding! A new function of Instance Dungeons is now available.]
[Ding! You can now challenge Elite Dungeons, or ED for short!]
[Ding! A new Elite Dungeon can now be challenged!]
[Ding! Elite Dungeon - Goblin King Stronghold - LV20 has been added to your ED List!]
[Ding! ID Creation - LV3's details have been updated and are ready to view.]
Before I could react, I saw a new page get added to the ID List. It is now split into two sections. ID List and ED List. Three options could be seen under ID List and one new option now appeared under ED List. Elite Dungeons, huh? I do not think this was a function the original Gamer System had. It is practically a whole new difficulty added to the existing Instance Dungeons. One that I should not tread lightly. Is it because I'm in the MCU of all worlds to be in?
The MCU is a gigantic multiverse that has dangers far and wide, much more dangerous to Han Jihan's world, to say the least. This is likely a way to help me progress and stand on equal footing with whatever is out there.
[Ding! You have gained another understanding of the Gamer System.]
[Ding! Your INT has increased by 50!]
[Ding! Current INT: 450.]
Neat. It looks like Elite Dungeons really are unique to the MCU! Another area to suit my grinding needs, so I am all for that. And Goblin King, huh? Classic. I will likely encounter many different kinds of Goblins if I head inside there. I was wondering when they were going to show up.
A certain Goblin Slayer must be feeling absolute ecstatic right now, haha!
Thinking that, ID Creation leveled up once. It is now Level 3. In response to that, the ID was set, and we didn't even have to wait long to see a visible change within Frigga's Study. Wooosh! Wooosh!
The same, starry portal opened up out of nowhere, making Frigga's eyes remain serious.
"I thought you said you couldn't distort space.", Frigga mused, seeing a new portal now open before our very eyes.
"On my own? No. This just so happens to be one of my Skills. Without it, nothing will happen. It will bring us to a place where we can gain practical combat experience without setting out into the Nine Realms. Even those Dark Elves aren't aware this can happen.", I said, explaining what Instance Dungeons are to Frigga.
"A place where you can gain practical combat experience? Interesting.", Frigga said, becoming interested. "And those who are in this Party have access to it. If that is the case, then please hold a moment."
I saw Frigga wander off to one section of her study, and rummaged through some items. I saw several tags tossed out one after another, items that I didn't know what they were, or that I didn't have interest in. As that happened, I heard a solid thud. Before long, Frigga brought out a powerful-looking staff. It was completely polished, made of a metal that appeared pale gold. It was around six feet in length, matching her height. Fine Asgardian patterns could be seen engraved alongside the metal, going from top to bottom. They formed interlocking lines which were reminiscent of vines and runes. At its head were several curved golden prongs with a small emerald crystal floating within it, not touching any side at all.
I didn't think Frigga had access to weapons, but then again, this is likely something that wasn't shown in the MCU from the movies and shows. Another unexpected gain. I mean, how else would Frigga be at LV999 if she didn't have the strength to show that off? I also saw its tag.
[Frigga's Staff (Rainbow)]
Of course it's Rainbow-grade. Why am I not surprised?
"There we go. I do not know what is inside this portal, but you can never be too careful. However, considering this will be your foundational training, I will not step in unless you find yourself in a tight spot. Will that be alright?", Frigga asked me.
"I wouldn't like it any more. Besides I have a particular Spell I would like to show you. It is what makes this staff of mine really strong. Though I do not know the intricacies behind it.", I said, and approached the Kobold Nest portal. I was talking about Zoltraak!
Plus I wanted to see if this Kobold Nest classified Kobolds as demons or not. Hearing that, Frigga nodded again, and just like that, the two of us stepped inside.
Let's hunt some Kobolds, shall we?