I've got an interesting perspective of the [Soul Crystal] from the new eye on the palm of my hand. Holding my hand and eye closer to the [Soul Crystal], I can clearly make out the split from the Crystal's center to the top right side, curving off slightly.

Within the tear is silver curdle, a remnant or side effect of King's spell, surely. At least it seems like it anyway. It reeks of the orb's Deific Essence with the way it drains over half my strength to sustain it.

I'm not the only victim, though. Looking closely, I can clearly make out wispy tendrils of mana and Essence filtering in—Essence outside my [Soul Crystal]. Whatever King's spell did changed the atmosphere, infusing it with Essence.

I'm a bit grateful. The last time I woke up in control here, it wasn't pleasant. I'm sure if Ire's atmosphere remained devoid of Essence, this mini-Deific sinkhole would've ended my immortality, just like she wanted.

Waving away the eye, I groan at the current predicament. Judging by that fight, I'd say I'm as strong as a brand-new Blood Orange tier or maybe even a capped Crimson.

Maybe it's not as grim as it seems though. Seeker wasn't with me this time— whether King left it behind in Hescaria because she never cared for the weapon or because she wanted to disarm me, I can't be sure which, but I'm betting on the latter. She never understood the value of the weapon, not from behind mirrors and Draugrs.

There's also the fact that I've got unspent trait and Essence points, as well as a second Ascension Perk. The last time I had a chance to pick one was right after escaping the wall and the line leading to those house-sized Demons. I picked [Reais Fiend] then for the boost in agility— something that still reflects on my sheet after so many years— and the increased Essence absorption.

My options this time are a bit more… diverse.

[Crystal Fabricator] — Decreases Essence required for amplification of [Soul Crystals] under users Esq. Doubles Esq absorption. 10% Esq Base. Exclusive Ascension Perk.

[Aspect Thief] — Attain Essence ability [Faithless Thievery] to steal and harness unique abilities, traits, and potentially spells. Attain Essence trait [Fiend Vision] with 100% cost increase on every level. Exclusive Ascension Perk.

[Resilient Brawler] — Attain Essence traits [Uncanny Reflex], [Aura of Oppressor],and [Null Ability] with 100% cost increase on every level. Exclusive Ascension Perk.

[Bonded Thrall] — 35% Effectiveness to Soul Bound Weapons, Armor, Relics, Arteficts and Sentient beings. Attain Essence traits [Bond] and [Enthrall] with 100% cost increase on every level. Exclusive Ascension Perk.

The "Exclusive Ascension Perk" tag at the end of each has my interest piqued. The first on the list, [Crystal Fabricator], is immediately my least-liked option. Not only do I not have the spare Essence needed to to amplify a separate [Soul Crystal], but I also don't have the need. I suppose the double esq absorption would make sense in my predicament, help me return to my true strength faster.

Though I think there is certainly some other way to heal the crack in my [Soul Crystal]. I'll find out somehow, but even without that certainty, things will be much easier once I retrieve Seeker.

The second on the list, [Aspect Thief], distracts me from every other below it. I've spent enough time shadowing King to know a thing or two about how mana and magic work—not enough to mimic arcane mastery like hers, but enough to be comfortable looking forward to manipulating more of it.

Simply stealing them as "aspects" would make learning new spells way easier than my current plan to mesmerize the secrets out of whoever I get my hands on. Though it's not a guarantee that I'll be able to steal spells, the chance at new traits and abilities is noteworthy enough to linger on.

However, [Resilient Brawler] is interesting as well. It comes with three Essence traits right off the bat, and I'm curious about [Null Ability]. What kind of trait is that? Does it do what I think it does? [Uncanny Reflex] seems particularly useful as well. I could have used a sixth sense when that brute got me—then again, I could simply have an eye on the back of my head.

[Bonded Thrall] and the Essence trait it gives, [Bond], have my notice as well, though not much else. The increased weapon effectiveness would be drool material, but in my predicament the weapon isn't what needs a boost.

In the end, it comes down to [Aspect Thief] and [Resilient Brawler]. There are countless possibilities between the two of them—stealing an opponent's abilities and harnessing it against them sounds karmic and something I'd like to have when in tight spots. The number of times mimicking a Demon's physical attributes has saved me on Reais is too many to count, and with [Aspect Thief] I'll be capable of more than that and even unlock new traits and abilities of my own.

[Resilient Brawler] and its [Null Ability] are a bit too vague: I doubt it completely nullifies others abilities. [Uncanny Reflex] could be worth it, but then I have an easy substitute in my [Full Mimic] trait.

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Decided, I choose [Aspect Thief] as my second Ascension Perk, and I'm greeted with a notification.

[Reais Fiend] Crimson tier Ascension Perk set!

[Aspect Thief] Blood Orange tier Ascension Perk set!

[Nightmare Prowler] Maroon tier Ascension Perk determined!

Trait [Fiend Vision]- Lvl.1 attained!

Ability [Faithless Thievery] attained!

"Determined?"

I know I'm right on the edge, but isn't it a little premature to determine the next Ascension Perk? Or is this what the "Exclusive Ascension Perk" tag was all about?

Whatever it is, I don't get any extra information about the Maroon-tier perk, only an extension to the stat sheet about [Aspect Thief].

Ascension Perk—

Blood Orange tier: Aspect Thief Aspect slots available: (0/1) Harnessed Aspects:

Thieveries available— King, [Death Grip]; Harness potential 60% Lumina au Hescaria, [Rock Prison]; Harness potential 30%

If I'm understanding any of this right, then I've got the option of harnessing one aspect at a time, and I get to choose whose aspect I harness from the Thieveries portion of the stat sheet. With any luck, there's a smoother way to go about it, but for now I better give it a test.

I go for Lumina's [Rock Prison] out of a boycott and not much else. King's [Death Grip] would surely end things faster, but I meant it when I said I want nothing to do with her, and I want to keep to that word.

[Rock Prison] Aspect Harnessed!

A chunk of Essence escapes me to form a new power, a new knowledge that soaks into my mind from the primal force that is Essence. Already, as it forms in my mind I know my variation of the spell will be entirely different from Lumina's. My lips part to chant the Key word, "Petriv!"

At the utterance, the earth bulges. Sandy soil rumbles to form an elevating wall that rises and circles around me until I'm completely enveloped. Placing a hand on the side, I infuse mana into it, solidifying the poked holes from the brittle, sandy soil with hard igneous materials.

"Brilliant," I say, satisfied and pleased with my work. With a bit more practice and some more chanting, I'll be on my way to building stronger lines of defense—something I'm sure I'll need in the future.

Still in the experience of harnessing an aspect, I figure extra points in wisdom would help the effectiveness of the aspect. Fortunately, I have a surplus of points to spend.

[Available Essence Points— 25]

[Available Trait Points— 25]

I restrain myself before fixing any trait points in. With [Aspect Thief], now I should wait a bit longer so I gain more traits and subsequently level them. While I'm tempted to sink in more points into [Armored Form] and [Mesmer], I'm certain the effectiveness of those traits will improve as the scar across my [Soul Crystal] heals.

That said, Essence points are open season.

Strength: 46-->56

Agility: 61-->66

Wisdom: 56-->66

I distribute ten points into strength, five into agility and another ten into wisdom, and already I can sense the difference. With my increased wisdom, the condition of my [Soul Crystal] becomes more apparent: the Crystal itself is damaged, the crack sinking across it exposing my Essence to an outside force.

At the same time, I'm not sure if this is how it's meant to be—nascent demonic instincts tell me to leave it undisturbed. All I've got to do now is… right, what do I want to do?

It's the same question with the pact as well. Sainid is done for, and it's Lumina's turn to serve my means. Whatever that means. Is there anything I need a Queen for? Not likely.

A hot draft blows over, scattering granules of sand all over burning Kyis in a moment reminiscent of Reais and Calridian's prickly domain. Figuring out how Kyis came to be this way and retrieving Seeker from Lumina should be enough of a plan for now. Afterwards I could simply ask what Lumina can do for me. It'd be convenient if she could get Valery to have a look at my Crystal, though I wouldn't hold my breath.

I have another look at my stat sheet so I'm sure I haven't forgotten to utilize anything—

Name: Nil

Race: Demon

Type: Transformed Deviant Soul

Age: Immortal – 36years, 5months.

Crystal Essence: [Blood Orange]- Lvl.9— 4320 Esq

[Available Essence Points— 0]

Strength: 56

Agility: 66

Wisdom: 66

Abilities: [Faithless Absorption], [Faithless Mimicry], [Faithless Essence Amplification], [Faithless Thievery]

[Available Trait Points— 25]

Traits: [Armored Form]- Lvl.5, [Mesmer]- Lvl.5, [Psychic Barrier]- Lvl.2, [Somatic Manipulation]- Lvl.5, [Full Mimic]- Lvl.3, [Fiend Vision]- Lvl.1

Ascension Perks: [Reais Fiend], [Aspect Thief] Aspects Harnessed: [Rock Prison]

Spells: [Invisibility]- Lvl.3, [Greater Deception]- Lvl.1

Patron: Lumina au Hescaria

—and satisfied with how it looks, I return to the first objective, using [Mesmer] to search for the minds of the young girl and boy. With their weapon in hand, it's a simple matter to latch onto their minds and reveal where they snuck off to while I dealt with the Demons.

They're close still—not a lot of places to run to, apparently. The girl—no, Elf— is from Hescaria. Her mind is a panicking mess. She and the other Elf with her are among some of the youngest draftees slotted under Navi's command.

She thinks they've been abandoned, that Kyis will be their final resting place, but of course she doesn't say any of it to him. Not while they're hiding from the new Demon, the one who stole her only remaining weapon and hasn't moved since dispatching the others.

I raise my head and look right in the direction I sense her mind, and panic jolts through her. She grasps what she believes is her last resort and says something to her companion.

"Wekt," I utter. Better if she doesn't see me coming.

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