A Novel Concept - A death a day, MC will live anyway!

Chapter 217: Priam vs. Necro Giant, feat. [Redacted] (2)

Chapter 217: Priam vs. Necro Giant, feat. [Redacted] (2)

Seated cross-legged, mere centimeters from an enchanted diamond, a man with obsidian hair sighed deeply.

"I despise those golden boys..."

"Stop grimacing," said a young boy beside him.

"You only just gave me those muscles," his brother countered.

"I should slap a smile on your face," the child muttered.

"I'd abandon this body right away."Nnêw n0vel chapters are published at novelhall.com

Osiris grunted before returning his attention to the broadcast. Priam was locked in combat against a towering Tier 3. The battle was breathtaking, and though he didn't grasp every detail, the young Duatian relished in the explosions and shockwaves. He had cheered while witnessing Priam's Breath and then jeered at the opponent who had failed to succumb to such a remarkable attack.

Now, something was troubling the young boy. If Priam struggled against this Tier 3, how would he overcome the Necro Envoy controlling it? A furtive glance in his brother's direction didn't go unnoticed.

"Don't worry, she can’t control me."

"...She commands the Tier 3."

"And I have access to the System."

Osiris nodded. His brother had unlocked the Legendary rank of [Necro Resistance] and used rewards from Tribulations, quests, and Merits to shield himself from the Necromoon's influence. It wasn't perfect, but he was convinced that not even a Necro Herald, a true Tier 5, could manipulate him.

"He's more powerful than I thought," grumbled Seth, focused on the combat projected in the diamond.

"He's Jasmine's boss," Osiris replied as if that explained everything.

"She's too old for you. Anyway, I was talking about the giant."

"You said 'he'."

"I can hear his soul screaming," Seth shivered. "Well, he's a Tier 3. Creating an instinct of that level is possible but complicated. The Necromoon prefers enslaving souls."

The bitter tone in his voice indicated Seth included himself in that group. The subject displeased Osiris, who diverted the conversation.

"You were saying it's... Hum, he’s more powerful than you thought? I find him powerful enough as is."

"He's supposed to be weakened by Elysian laws. So early in the event, no corrupted should approach Tier 3. He's not on the level of a Tier 3 Viscount as stated in his description, but he's not a Tier 2 either."

"It makes no difference to Priam; if he kills him, he'll get the Achievement," commented Osiris.

"That's the tricky part."

"A Tier 3’s corruption is not trivial."

Priam froze upon hearing Mirscella's mental voice. No, it's the Necro Envoy!

"Do you feel so alone that you want to talk to me?" he spat.

"I sense... hatred within you? I haven't killed any of yours yet."

Priam clenched his teeth.

"Except Eiji."

"...The hoplite? I admit I forgot about him. The laws of your world limit my power; I have to make choices."

Priam had several insults ready, but he chose to remain silent. Allowing oneself to be disturbed during a fight was foolish. He couldn't resurrect Eiji, but he could avenge him.

Lvl Up: [Necromoon Resistance] lvl 9

VIT +3

WILL +3

META(Endurance) +3

A brief diagnosis confirmed that the Tier 3's corruption wouldn't pollute his body before the cooldown of [He Who Eludes Death] ended. Reassured, Priam focused on his Domain.

"The Necromoon spares the ego of those who willingly pledge allegiance to it. Think about it."

To communicate with him, the Necro Envoy had to establish a connection. His fine perception of the aether detected a link. A sort of thread connected to his body. If he could trace it back...

Lvl Up: [Ideal Aether Perception] lvl 7

META (Affinity) +3

META (Perception) +6

It took him less than two seconds to find its origin.

"You're using the necro giant as a proxy," Priam understood as his system recorded the shape of the telepathic bridge between himself and the giant. A useful trick.

"Of course. But you haven't answered my proposal. Will you join me?"

"In exchange for the prerequisites of an ideal upgrade, I'll consider it," replied Priam.

"The servants of the Necromoon don't have access to your heathen System."

The honesty he felt unsettled Priam. Either the Necro Envoy was an incredible actress, or she thought there was a chance he would accept joining her. If the latter was true, then her soul was so alien that she didn't even comprehend the stupidity of her request.

Using his newfound proficiency with the aether, Priam severed the connection. Maintaining a mental link with a Necro Envoy couldn't be a good idea. It wasn't impossible that the connection could allow reading his thoughts or influencing his subconscious.

The necro giant hadn't remained inactive during the brief conversation. The crimson ectoplasm covering its skeleton had condensed to replace the destroyed vertebra. Despite all of Priam's efforts, he was back to square one. As frustration brewed in his heart, he received a notification.

Announcement to Humanity:

Prometheus slayed an Arkana Elite (Tier 2) while in Tier 0.A Legendary feat!

"... I suppose I'm not the only one making progress."

Priam was humanity's trailblazer, but how many geniuses and brave souls were fighting to rise alongside him? Many. The System itself acknowledged it: humans knew how to adapt. His competitive spirit ignited, and Priam refocused on the giant. If I hurry, I should be able to reply to Prometheus before he cracks open the champagne.

As Priam prepared to return to the fray, the giant turned towards him. Trapped in its jaws, a crimson nova was brewing. Priam's instinct screamed. Activating his wings, he narrowly dodged the bloody beam. The attack grazed him before igniting the atmosphere with the power of a gigajoule laser. Three kilometers away, the flank of a hill collapsed, ravaged by the ray.

The necro giant closed its mouth, growling its dissatisfaction before continuing toward Oasis. Its target was now just a hundred meters away.

Lvl Up: [Necromoon Resistance] lvl 10

VIT +3

WILL +3

META(Endurance) +3

"A word, just one, and you'll be free." Wracked with spasms, Priam briefly wondered if the message came from Hyshana or the Necro Envoy.

As his body fell apart and his soul crumbled, Priam felt the call of his second racial Talent. Half-conscious, he realized that the Talent was active. It had prevented Eleha from taking him seriously, and now it was influencing the Necro Envoy.

[Homo Elysian Predation] manipulated the instincts of his enemies to lead them to their demise. The fusion of Jasmine and Esmée's Talents could overturn the chessboard, offering a chance of victory to its bearer.

Ignoring the calls of the Necro Envoy, Priam listened to the whispers of his Talent. Something was brewing. All he had to do was appear weak. If the Necro Envoy underestimated him, the roles of hunter and prey would be reversed.

Time passed, and Priam continued to paralyze the giant. A black veil appeared before his eyes, robbing him of his vision. The screams of the corrupted who perished as they approached vanished. The smell of ash and decay faded. He hadn't been this close to death since his Tutorial.

This thought made him smile. If [He Who Eludes Death] were made public, many would think that was why Priam wasn't afraid of death. It was false. His Patron had chosen him above all because Priam didn't flinch in the face of the reaper. He dared to dance with her, to endure her attention, without ever accepting her kiss.

Priam never gave up.

"So this is how Priam Azura will die."

"You can't kill me," murmured Priam, unable to hear his own voice. "Neither you nor anyone else. There's a reason They named me Death's Obsession."

Priam still didn't know if the title bestowed by his Patron was serious, but the word of such a powerful being carried weight.

"If you're not dying, what are you doing?"

"I'm waiting."

"For whom?"

"... I think the First is talking about me," said a third voice.

When his add-on confirmed to him that the pain hadn't driven him insane, Priam breathed a sigh of relief and traded his lifespan for a hydra's regeneration. In mere moments, his body and soul were restored. Only his vision remained slightly blurred—the curse of Hecate New Moon not so easily dispelled.

Raising his eyes, he spotted the one-armed necro giant standing before the vanguard of the necro army. Half his skull was gone, the defenders' work. On its shoulder, Mirscella's possessed body glared at him with eyes ablaze with hatred. The Necro Envoy had revealed herself, believing in her victory. She finally understood that Priam had held onto his cards all this time. The Homo Elysian flashed her a mocking smile.

Priam turned to the newcomer. Just outside his Domain, a humanoid with synthetic skin observed him. Standing two meters tall, his high stature was less remarkable than his gaze. Inhuman, intelligent, and intensely focused, the eyes of the Var Elegis judged the world at every moment.

Priam looked at the homunculus who had killed him a few hours after his arrival in Elysium and smiled.

"You took your time."

Status:

PHYSICAL:

Strength 611 (+18)

Constitution 979

Agility 599 (+18)

Vitality 870 (+10)

Perception 730 (+10)

MENTAL:

Vivacity (D) 516

Dexterity 610 (+4)

Memory 476

Willpower 1 044 (+8)

Charisma 631

META:

Meta-affinity 568 (+4)

Meta-focus 385 (+9)

Meta-endurance 428 (+31)

Meta-perception 265 (+7)

Meta-chance 230

Meta-authority 66

Potential: 8 782 (+22)

Tier 0

Sun points: 37 505 (+0)

[He Who Eludes Death] charge: OFF. Reloaded in 3 hours 10 minutes 39 seconds.

[Tribulation]: Four Tribulations pending.

Future Tribulations delayed until:

Time: 162 days 3 hours 43 minutes 52 seconds.

Next thresholds: 12 attributes > 600 / 3 attributes > 900 / 1 attribute > 1 200