RhaegarRRL
patreon
Chapter 530 Dangerzone
🕑 Added 2020-07-28 11:30:09 +0000 UTCAuthor's note: Hello all. New chapters up and more hopefully on Thursday :).
Thanks for reading!
PDF/EPUB: https://www.patreon.com/posts/32241245
Chapter Index: https://www.patreon.com/posts/37813894
Chapter 530 Dangerzone
As it stands, Elos could use more self aware beings, even if it might mean more competition to humanity. Not that we can really compete with the existing races. Everyone is busy dealing with the monsters around them. But even if we find some way to move the insects through the gate without them dying or turning to monsters, how the fuck would we move the meadow?
Ilea didnt question the positive impact Meadow once had on Erendar. Right now the realm was filled with spirits that did nothing else but fight each other and everything they came across.
Thats like if every human was like me, she smirked and landed a few kilometers away from the previous action. Ilea was sure a world with more sapient creatures was automatically better. Of course they had ways to make life miserable for everything around them and themselves but Elos proved quite a bit better than what she saw in Erendar.
Spirits came soon and she resumed her training.
Whenever too many Astral Spirits showed up, she would change locations.
The creatures either didnt care about pursuing her or had no way to even do so. Meadow informed her that the Astral Spirits only showed up when a large amount of mana was used in a certain area. For example a few thousand death magic spells.
Meadow assured her that the beings could randomly show up too but generally didnt care with something like Ileas passive magic output. It was a possible explanation why they didnt pursue her.
Their drain abilities luckily had a somewhat short range, allowing her to mostly avoid that problem during her fights. Ilea was really just a conduit to summon spirits of death and through them the Astral beings, residents of Sephilon.
Ilea returned to the temple after three hours, checking her gains as she entered the structure through the hole in the wall.
ding Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 9
ding Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 23
ding Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 21
ding Phaseshift reaches lvl 2
ding Phaseshift reaches lvl 11
ding Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 2
ding Space Shift reaches 2nd lvl 16
ding Space Shift reaches 2nd lvl 17
ding Body of the Valkyrie reaches 2nd lvl 15
ding Body of the Valkyrie reaches 2nd lvl 18
ding Deviant of Humanity reaches lvl 15
ding Deviant of Humanity reaches lvl 16
ding Monster Hunter reaches 3rd lvl 5
ding Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 8
ding Death Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 12
ding Death Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 14
ding Astral Magic Resistance reaches lvl 18
ding Astral Magic Resistance reaches lvl 20
ding Astral Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1
Astral Magic Resistance 2nd lvl 1
The power of the stars, harnessed and used to wreak unimaginable destruction. Few beings are able to channel this power through their bodies. It would not come as a surprise to find a human, of all beings finding a way to modify their weak vessel for its use. You should not let your encounters fool you, this school of magic is quite extraordinary and just as rare.
2nd stage: You have faced enough wielders of Astral Magic to warrant a second tier resistance. Your body is much less likely to disintegrate against this powerful school of magic.
ding One Third tier General skill point awarded
The second tier bonus was helpful, even during Phaseshift.
Quite a few levels for the little time I spent with the monsters.
She had to admit that the danger she had faced against the Queen was much higher than what the spirits managed.
If the Astral versions had been sapient, fully driven to hunt her down with their powerful abilities, there might be actual danger but as it was, she hardly thought it possible to die against them. Precognition, high level healing, high resistances, mana gained from enemy spells, two teleportation abilities, and her simple winged speed worked together to make her night unbeatable for the enemies she faced.
The Spirits of Death could pin her down if she allowed it but their simple mindedness made sure they couldnt capitalize on that benefit.
The fact of course remained that both the death and astral magic damaged her armor and health. If enough monsters worked together they could kill her in less than ten seconds without her regeneration and evasion. A being even of her level would be downright disintegrated if it took the same damage she did, let alone one with lesser resilience and resistances.
Ilea assumed that was a major part of the danger and level calculation. The high enemy levels made up another part of the equation. It would all slow down in time, as it had with the Guardians and Specters. But for now the magic governing her skill advancements still considered the Spirits of a high enough danger to reward her with frequent level ups.
If I make one dumb mistake, Im dead. Problem is, I wont, she thought as her wings settled behind her, the tail swaying slightly.
Hey there. You dont look so good, she said to the group of heavily armored people that had reached the throne room.
All were close to or slightly above level two hundred. Their mismatched gear suggested adventurers rather than military. There were ten people all in all, two healers with sweat dripping down their faces, one barrier mage who kept a dome around the group, and a variety of mages and warriors that currently just focused on fighting the high mana density.
They all tensed up when their eyes met Ileas ashen form.
Various whispers in the native tongue escaped them, the name Lilith audible a few times.
Im right here, Ilea said and waved. Who are you?
Lady Lilith! We are adventurers from Gyffold the guard made a posting at the local guild, for anyone brave enough to explore this place, one of the higher level people said.
Aha. Well good luck. Dont go out of the city. Youd be eaten alive, she said and blinked down to the vaults.
Hows it going? Ilea asked when she appeared close to Michael.
He barely glanced her way. Very well yes thank you.
A third Michael had joined the two, all currently occupied with a single piece of paper and the runes drawn onto it.
Welcome back, Lilith. An impressive display of resilience, Meadow said telepathically.
Thanks, she replied in the same way, noticing a few of the insect creatures glancing at her from the destroyed entrances.
Do they have food left? she asked.
There is enough for a few of your weeks. And Im sure more could be supplied from your realm, Meadow replied.
Good. Yeah, if you have anything to trade, she said.
The mage Michael is providing gold for information on various magic theories. Its quite peculiar that your species has found interest in such an element. Though the concept of currency is certainly quite useful, the being said.
I saw them taking away bodies earlier. I managed to retrieve the corpse of the Queen when she died, Ilea said.
The return of their leader should lead to some trust. I suggest you offer it to the survivors, Meadow said.
You dont care for it? Ilea asked.
Zaiked is no longer awakened. I shall remember her but I have no use for her remains, the meadow replied.
Huh, Ilea said and turned away, walking to the survivors.
Some of them retreated to the back of the hall but most actually remained, their various forms of eyes staring at her.
Ilea formed an ashen altar before she summoned the body, placing it down slowly before she stepped back.
The clicking noises were quite agitated, some of them moving their bodies in ways she hadnt seen before.
Theyre showing great volumes of emotion, Meadow supplied.
I guessed as much, Ilea replied and lowered the altar slowly, making her ash disappear.
Did you manage to increase more of your abilities to the third tier? Meadow asked.
Not yet. But I should get there in a day or two with a few of them. I dont suppose you know how to unlock the fourth tier? she said.
Good. Your question is difficult to answer knowing so little about your species. Have you unlocked Core skill points? it asked.
Ilea didnt see a reason to lie. Yeah.
That is good. It means you have either reached a level threshold or unlocked an additional Class. How many options are available to you? it asked.
Three currently. Leveling a third Class skill to the third tier, a stat boost, and a skill boost. Plus five locked options, Ilea said.
You can see the locked options. That confirms that you gained an additional Class before reaching the normally required level for Core skill points. It should also mean that the locked options will become available once you reach said level, the being said.
Why are you talking like youre not sure? she asked.
I have studied various awakened creatures since my own awakening. The pale ones for example are born at level one hundred. The horned beetles on the other hand at one hundred and fifty. They each are given a single Class upon their birth. The Rainbow Wisp was unique in that it was born without a Class but powerful resistances to ward off the dangerous nature in this realm. Their limited ability to cast and comprehend magic lead to a few preferred Classes but in the end they all perished due to the eclipse, the being explained.
Youre rambling. Species are different. Is that your point? Ilea said.
Indeed, young healer. I presume your own kind is not given a Class upon their birth? it said.
Yes. Why the assumption? she asked.
You have faced several two Class Pale ones and prevailed, despite your level. The Queen was powerful within her species yet she could not slay you. You stand against level six and seven hundred Spirits without danger to your life. It means your current levels are far beyond what your species usually achieves. Beyond the classification your level represents.
Requirements are different depending on your species. Your kind starts their life without a Class and thus should have more variety in the abilities they choose. With your comments on the third Class, I have to assume you are immediately offered two. And you have achieved a third, which should be rare for your kind. Harder to achieve than a Pale One gaining their second even.
I see that this information is not what you seek. There are differences in requirements for various species. Some things have remained a constant, I have found. The limit of ten skills to each full fledged Class, or the third tier skill limit of level thirty. Few ever unlock an additional Class beyond their species limitations. But when they do, they receive Core skill points, just like you have. It is fortunate that you have done so before reaching the level threshold, Meadow said.
How so? Ilea asked.
You would not receive Core skill points during this period at all, it said.
Really? So every point I get is a bonus one compared to if I didnt already get a third Class? she asked.
Precisely, Meadow replied.
And once I unlock all options I can advance skills to the fourth tier? Ilea asked.
Not yet. But you should receive a way to enhance your skills further. The fourth tier itself is not easily achieved. Beside myself, there are only two beings Ive known who have managed to reach it and shared the information with me. So far I believe only one skill per Class can be advanced, and only once you have enhanced every single skill with Core skill points, it said.
Theres a way to enhance skills with Core skill points? she asked.
Yes. You should receive the option once the level requirement is met. I suggest you refrain from spending any of your points until that option presents itself, Meadow said.
Sounds good. So thats it? I just level up to unlock the options and then enhance all my skills? Then I get to the fourth tier? Ilea asked.
There may be a simple level requirement but I am not familiar with your species. You likely are one of few who would ever seek such knowledge with the intention of achieving the requirements, Meadow said.
I dont know about that. Im pretty sure there are humans out there with insane levels of power, Ilea said. She liked fighting, yes. And she had really good Class combinations but that was pretty much it. She just wouldnt believe that there was nobody above four, or five hundred.
There are those who excel. Your kind has high potential but few will ever scratch even what you have reached. It is simply not in their nature to do so, it said.
Was Zaiked one of the creatures with a fourth tier skill? Ilea asked. Im curious.
No. Zaiked gained her second Class much earlier than her peers but while she was the strongest one alive when you arrived here, she was not comparable to those who came before. Centuries ago, when this city was thriving and survival on Erendar was difficult for their kind but possible.
Her kind had to reach level five hundred to gain Core skill points without a second Class and thus all the options for their use, it said.
They start at one hundred and we start at zero, meaning Ill get those options at four hundred? Ilea asked with a smile.
Your early ability to have two Classes and the adaptability that provides easily makes up for one hundred levels. I would not be surprised if it takes you even longer to unlock all options. My assumption is five hundred however. As it was for at least four species I have helped awaken, the being said.
Thats not exactly fair. Low level humans are super weak compared to Elves or the Pale ones. Its much harder for us to reach high levels than it should be for them, with such a start, she said.
I do not know the Elves you speak of but the Pale ones are near extinct. While your species thrives, capable of even responding to my call through the fabrics of space. Have you not slain a Pale one sixty levels above your own? Your kind likely requires shelter and is highly vulnerable when at a young age but the potential for growth and adaptation is truly remarkable, Meadow said.
I won against a Pale One with two classes. And no enhanced or fourth tier skills if what you said was true. Not exactly an incredible achievement. Well well see what happens at four hundred. Otherwise Ill just have to go for five, she said with a grin.
Not like Ill stop anytime soon.
Amusing. It should be possible, with how you fought those Spirits. You shouldnt undervalue your achievement however. Zaiked was on par with the same Spirits you fought today, her lower amount of Classes are no indication for lesser power. Even a being limited by one Class could challenge you, as the Astral Spirits have shown. The power of individual Classes is somewhat proportionate to the possibilities available. it said.
What do you mean? she asked.
It means that a level one hundred Pale one should match the power of a human with two level one hundred Classes. Just as much as a blind creature at that level should match when at the same level. The further you push beyond the normal ranges, the comparisons become muddled. Thus you are able to battle Spirits at much higher levels, just as Zaiked could. Perhaps she could have even matched other Pale ones beyond five hundred but it is difficult to say. The more abilities are unlocked, evolved, trained and mastered, the harder it is to rely on factors like levels or amounts of skills and Classes to compare your strength, Meadow explained.
She mostly agreed. With monsters she could get an idea of their danger due to the level they showed but even with them it became more and more convoluted. A death spirit at level six hundred hardly compared to a Specter of Rot for example.
Ilea noticed that after some form of ceremony, the insects in the vault started devouring the corpse of Zaiked. She turned away and ignored the process, accepting it as a cultural custom she was glad humanity did not usually possess.
How many Classes do you have? Ilea asked.
Five. Though I have awakened with them all, Meadow said.
Damn speaking of powerful species, she said and laughed, crossing her arms.
Power comes at a cost, the meadow said. Its a joy to have found not one but three Awakened with the ability to converse with me. One of you has proven hostile but you and Michael remain, each with their own set of questions, desires, wishes, and goals. But both of you accept my existence and are not driven mad by my very presence. I see and feel through magic, but conversation has been so very scarce in the last two centuries.
Ilea smiled. Im sorry. I guess I was just awed by your high level.
I cannot fly, as you can, nor do I find joy in consuming food for there is no need for nourishment. The killing I am forced to do brings me no satisfaction, only the loss of those who never found awakening, it paused. Apologies. I did not mean to overwhelm you with my own shortcomings.
She laughed and displaced herself a few times until she stood next to the tree.
What are you doing, Lilith? the Meadow asked, still using a copy of her own voice.
Its called a hug, Ilea said, squeezing the hard magic tree before she let go. Its supposed to be comforting.
The whole room vibrated for a moment before it calmed down, fireflies disturbed before they found their place again.
I am not a mammal, Ash mage Lilith, it said. But. I find appreciation for your simple gesture. Its meaning is understood but I am not in need for your emotional support. I have endured millennia without a conversation, I merely tried to contextualize your perceived weakness.
Sure, Ilea said with a grin.
Comments
tibbish
She can always get more general skills and level them. I'm actually thinking that long term getting general skills might be as close as you can get to a true 'cheat' since hypothetically you can get almost anything. Even other types of magic skills/spells. Of course without some sort of class bonus that helps them they probably won't be all that great for Ilea as a attack BUUUT they could improve her utility and strategies in combat. I strongly suspect that there are general skills that do grant some sort of body or stat enhancement though and THOSE would certainly help her out some if she can get and level them up. Imagine if dancing at T3 grants a passive AGI/STA boost for instance. Obvious we don't know if it does and I'm oooooobviously speculating here but I don't recall seeing something in story that completely kills this idea either.
Dominic French
I really hope she can break through these skill tier caps moreso than the lv 2000 meadow says is possible at all. I mean what is she going to do when she starts reaching lv thirty with all of her general skills as well are they also capped at third tier. Im hoping the lv 2000 meadow is impressive but also a bad guage of potential since it was born with the power it has and is hopefully just an average representative of creatures at that lv. So just as llea is extradinary right now maybe she can remain extraordinary at higher lvs. One can hope. Thanks again for the chapters G.Harthane.
Samuel Johansson
For 4th tier i think one must think of scaling and how to beat stronger foes. So, the best mobility skill will most likely be displacement, quick and very hard to counter. The she either needs more damage or damage+defense depending on the foe. My guess from all 1000+ foes is that her biggest flaw is damage and not defense. Her main class should get destruction into 4th since its damage without a resistance and the ashen class is much harder honstly. I dont think adding a 4th tier is worth it until a class evolution for that one.
Matt S.
Permanently killing a spirit of death is also probably worth a core skill point. :)
ShotoGun
Honestly there could be dozens of level 500+ humans on that continent alone and we never hear about them because they don’t care about politics or delegate to their subordinates. The high council of the golden lily might be one example. We don’t even know about how large the continent is compared to others. It could be like comparing The UK to Asia.
Skill cap will probably increase at 400, either naturally or with core points. I can't see her going 100 levels with no class skill increases.
Albedo's Ahoge
I must say that it would be rather dissapointing if Ilea would be stuck at level 30 on her skills and thus not be able to improve them. Yes, I know core skill points apparently can improve them, but to what extent? It's because of her good and high level skills that she can face off high level monsters. Once her skills are capped, other "human" monsters would somewhat catch up with her.
Dominic French
I think it would be kinda nice to have a time stamp every now and then so we can get a better idea of how long everything is taking. Because from our perspective weeks have played out while I think IIea has only been doing this Lily assignment for like a week and a half. It could be included in the chapter title like a date or something, or maybe a diary entry thing.
Tim Deral
Nice chapters, I ship the romance,! Freekirian#
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter.
Almost Famous
Could one describe it as... A zone of danger?
Connor Bruha
Thanks for the chapter!
Radius Morse
This meadow is basically a genus loci right.
Michael scott
So when someone kills a spirit of death the spirits don't really die. Even though the one to kill it gets a notice and x.p. because it's only their physical body that dies. Yet Ilea has the ability to perma kill them. Meadow said Ilea will get a little more x.p. from perma killing them. Just how much does a level 2000 being consider a little x.p. Ilea should try to perma kill one before all the others, and the astral spirits show up. Just to see how much x.p. It's really worth.
tibbish
Eh its good to have once in a long while (which it has been) to see how classes and skills are supposed to work.
Endoria
I agree a bit. I think this whole arc should be scrapped and rewritten to fit into the story. Illea always said she wants to keep far away from human conflict and wars and then she just accepts the invitation by the organization she wanted nothing to do with to participate in human conflict. The arc is riddled with inconsistencies and her weird behavior in these recent chapters, hart-bleed over every single slave but wasting DAYS to plunder cities instead of saving people only to kill the next best noble she sees torturing a slave? I'd go back to the chapter she got the offer by the Golden Lilly, told them to fuck off and do their own work and then for her to head out alone without all those annoying people to FIGHT MONSTERS, because that is what Illea does. Not this talky talky shit with other peoples.
Ivactheseeker
I dunno about the last two chapters. The content was good and I enjoyed the new worldbuilding elements, but the structuring was weird. We left the last chapter with Meadow agreeing to train Ilea in Space Magic: “You know that fighting will advance your skills the most. There is an untold number of spirits out there, willing to cooperate,” it said. “Yeah but they won’t help me with Space Awareness. You can" (ch 528) I interpreted it as Ilea saying she can fight any time, but now that she has a willing instructor she wants to have a better understanding of the class. but instead ch 529 starts with Ilea going out to fight spirits to lv up skills. She wants to get a few more of them to the third tier before getting tutored. Which is still fine, we love when Ilea trains with monster anyhow. But then she trains for only three hours, does not kill any spirits for... reasons and comes back. “Did you manage to increase more of your abilities to the third tier?” Meadow asked. “Not yet." ("Then why are you here?") I could almost hear the tree saying. There wasn't really any reason for her to come back so soon, things are somewhat stable with the portal and the pale ones, and while the following discussion with the tree was interesting, it's so far away from her current situation that she could have finished her training before coming back. And Phaseshift. Ugh, Phaseshift. That felt so out of place it was just cringy to read. If she wanted to switch skills she would have done so earlier, makes no sense to switch at 2-20 when she could have done so at 2-1. And phaseshift, of all the options. Someone was speculating she might get a new skill at lv200. That would have felt a bit better, but phaseshift? She tried, tested and discarded it when she got the class. It's not like it's changed now. If it didn't seem good then it's shouldn't be now, or viceversa. Now almost 50 chapters of training, leveling and incorporating force in her fighting style is gone, resetted to square one. And now phaseshift with lag behind the other skills for a while, slowing down things even more ( don't tell me many would not ask for phaseshift to catch up before she crosses 400). If she wanted Phaseshift, she would have chosen so at the beginning. I can't help but feel this was not planned and was all because of a few people on Discord a bit too involved kept bothering the author until he gave away. And after seeing the harmful effect the fandom had on many stories, this feels annoying. I wonder of the 2000+ patreons how many liked the change. Because Phaseshift is also tricky to balance. It might seem cool, but either it works against high level monsters, in which case it's OP and removes most of the tension from the fights, or it doesn't because they have a way to defend against it and it's just a meh skill. So it's an headache and a half for Rhaegar to make it work correctly. Overall, I don't care what's the logical choice, I care what's Ilea's choice. I just wish she sticks with it. End of the rant :D
Michael C
I like the quips at the end of many chapters. Sure. It was cute.
meadow went completely tsundere at the end there
Alexander Dupree
AWWWWW Ilea is so cute.
Adam Roundfield
I suspect Ilea read "How to Win Friends and Influence People" before she left Earth...
Michael scott
Very true. Still who could get that high of a level and not meet the requirements. For a human who starts at level 1 dont think it's possible. Now for an elf who I believe start at 200 maybe.
Some of the 3rd class option descriptions mentioned along the lines of "unlocked before hitting level 600". Another mentioned "before hitting 700". That implies that while 500 may be common, it's not automatic.
Michael scott
Phaseshift is already proving to be valuable. When she is in it, the spirits don't see her. Now we don't know if that only applies to spirits or if it will apply to other monsters also. It will be interesting to see. So Meadow has 5 classes at level 2000. The Accended was speculated had 4 at 1000. I was mentioned that ordinarily you get a 3rd class at 500. So a 3rd class at 500, a 4th at 1000 and a 5th at 2000. That's some serious progression. So anyone over 4000 would have 6 classes. I wonder what super fae level was.
Andrew
Thank you!
SoggyBiscuit
Eh, it's repetitive info, but it's still good that we now have confirmation that that remains constant across realms.
Corwin Amber
'her night unbeatable' night -> nigh
SoggyBiscuit
Yep, and even if she wants to enhance all her class skills, she'll still have enough to do it. Provided she gets a few more before gaining the ability to actually do it.
Thransk
I know Meadow said to hold off using Core points, but Ilea should still be using them to push her third class skills to the third tier. They will need to be pushed to that level at some point anyways, might as well be sooner rather than later. The stat and skill enhancement can rightfully be ignored. Also I feel robbed of seeing which 3rd tier resistance she chooses.
Max Scherer
Ahh its shy. Everyone needs a hug at some point!
Cyryl Chołodowski
Tsundetree
So long as it isn't Baron. I don't believe he and Meadow would get along.
Sure, play it off tough guy.
Scott
Ilea still has a mark with the fae, she could ask one of theirs to come talk with meadow. And there is that other entity in the decent. Maybe the case could shift the portal to the north.
tibbish
Eventually sure. For now they're all gonna want to push her around now that she has the Healer tag and ooooh what fun she'll have!!
Amazing chapter as always, really excited about the possibilities this opens up, I think the direction the story takes exploring these new worlds really compliments your style, the human politics chapters while interesting really take a back seat to this new direction!
tibbish
Yeah that is what I was thinking too. So long as there is some land down there they'd probably be fine together.
tibbish
Change its name to Meadow Huggins
HighterDK
Three question marks Lilith is going to make a lot of people shit themselves.
Relissi
Aww tree hug ;~; 💕
Blaublue
Thanks for the chapter "It means that a level one hundred Pale one should match the power of a human with two level one hundred Classes." - that long paragraph has already been said by the Fae (just using Dark Ones in the example instead), so even though Meadow does not know that, it still felt a little redundant as a reader
Adam Roundfield
Every(insert appropriate reference designator here) needs a hug sometimes.
Zacle
I don't believe so, Rather the way I took it was because she gained her core points through her 3rd class she gained core points for the achievements she already had completed/levels she has gained. Where as if she unlocked it via level then she would only aquire core points for levels in skills/achievements from that point on.
MountainFox
My brain is struggling a bit with the bonus core points. So Ilea can't gain anymore core points once she hits the requisite level?
Arkeus
I liked it a lot, you managed to do it without it feeling like an info dump imo.
Keifru
Sounds like the tree and the space whale from the blood cult dungeon could chill together for company.
Michael scott
Thanks for the chapter.
Vegetables
Ha Ilea the tree hugger.
Chase Clawson
Meadow deserves all the hugs!
Adam Roundfield
Keep up the good work!
