Chapter 287: Chapter 278: Three Gifts for a Dear Friend

Hyshana, Jasmine, Louis, and Kazuki listened attentively as Priam recounted his story. When he finished, a heavy silence hung in the air. The catastrophic end of the erased timeline was a tough pill to swallow.

Kazuki was the first to break the silence. “You were afraid Ève would tap into your memories to summon a nuke,” he said. “That’s why you let her go so easily.”

“A nuke, or worse,” Priam sighed. “If she reenacted the final ritual of that Bastard, it would wipe out the entire island.”

“She can actually do that?” Louis’s face went pale as chalk. Knowing gods walked these lands was one thing. Learning that several of their rivals had the power to trigger an apocalypse was another.

“No idea. I still don’t fully understand her abilities,” Priam admitted. “But none of our rivals should be underestimated. My instincts were screaming that she was a terrible match-up for me—if she had erased my memory after killing Jasmine and the clone, it would’ve been game over.”

Without his two subsystems, Priam was as vulnerable as anyone to Ève’s abilities. [He Who Eludes Death] restored his soul, not his memory—as his last death during the Tribulations had proven. It was only thanks to his reward that he had regained his memories.

When his draconic instincts whispered that the fae was even more dangerous than Arnold, Priam listened. There were fates worse than death, and he had no desire to experience them firsthand.

“I hate those who mess with people’s memories, minds, or egos,” Louis spat, disgust clear in his voice.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

“Knowing the Concepts, we’re bound to cross paths with her again,” Jasmine said. “She’s one of our rivals, after all.”

“We’ll be ready next time,” Priam swore. “I’ve already asked my add-on to figure out a trap that could disrupt short-term memory using Concepts Archipelago. It’s going to cost a fortune in Sun Points to buy the fragments of the Concepts we need, so I’ll need all of you to pitch in. If it works, we’ll unlock [Memory Manipulation Resistance] for everyone.”

The cry of a corrupted being crushed by a bio-trap punctuated his statement. With the duel over, the hoplites were busy opening paths through the Oasis barrier to farm undead.

Hyshana frowned. “Is this really necessary? We are already struggling with Sun Points to upgrade our defenses, and the new outpost in Valaryth isn’t exactly going to help our finances.”

“It is necessary,” her husband replied. “Ève chose to flee this time, but she could have killed us all—and lobotomized Priam—by sacrificing herself.”

“Why would she do that?” Louis asked. “We aren’t her enemies.”

“Because she’s insane,” Jasmine snapped.

“It’s hard to grasp unless you meet her, but she’s… pathologically unstable,” Priam confirmed. “I’m not sure if it’s just her fae nature or the sheer amount of memories and experiences she’s absorbed, but her decisions aren’t always logical.”

“The point isn’t whether she will attack us; the point is that she can,” Kazuki summarized. “And if it’s not her, it’s only a matter of time before someone else targets our memories. Therefore, I support Priam’s suggestion to build these traps and train ourselves in mental resistance.”

“At the risk of sounding like a broken record, there are far more immediate threats,” Hyshana reminded them. “If the Fallen decides to attack or activate his suicide ritual, our current barrier won’t hold. Then there are Dishnu’s Tribulations—I saw the look in your eyes, Priam. You want the best for Log-a-rhythm, but Oasis can’t endure the destruction.”

Priam had the decency to blush. “I’m not saying we shouldn’t reinforce our defenses.”

“We are not rich enough to do both. Why not use Potential or Sun Points to unlock these resistances?”

“Because resistance at level one doesn't do much, whereas with a permanent trap, we can gain levels,” Priam said. “Moreover, it's not available directly in the Sun Shop and is expensive in Potential. I know we’ve all unlocked several Achievements, but the System’s asking me for nearly a thousand Potential points just for [Memory Manipulation Resistance]—and that’s after several discounts thanks to my build.”

“Four thousand Potential points for me. I’m too broke to protect myself,” Louis mocked, shaking his head.

Hyshana read a notification that only she could see, her brow furrowing. “Of all the Oasis residents, only the elite would be able to afford such protection with Potential. That’s not what we want,” the general conceded. “I suppose a permanent installation is the best option. Did your add-on give you a quotation?”

“Around five million Sun Points.”

Hyshana raised an eyebrow. “Around?”

“Give or take two million,” Priam admitted. His system didn’t have enough data on Concepts Archipelago to be more precise.

Jasmine burst into laughter. “What’s a million here or there?”

“It’s expensive,” Kazuki said.

“If it were just for me, it’d cost a lot less. But I need to build in fail-safes. The goal is to gain resistance, not lose our memories at the first mistake.”

In truth, Priam knew the first prototypes would be imperfect. It would take at least five traps before they would be safe for the weakest of their crafters to use, hence the near-prohibitive cost.

“I guess safety is important. All in favor of Priam’s idea?” Hyshana asked.

Everyone raised their hand, and Hyshana nodded. “Alright, I’ll organize some expeditions to gather as many Sun Points as possible. Half of everyone’s earnings will go into a pool for the memory trap. Agreed?”

Hands went up once again, though Louis clenched his fist in thought.

“Something just occurred to me… We’re probably all on board with giving the crafters who’ve been here from the start free resistances. But are we going to charge Bertomne, Lamnas, Trap, and whoever else joins us in the future?”

It was a good question, but to Priam, the answer was obvious.

“Without resistance, Ève could turn them into clones. That’s a security risk we can’t afford. I say we offer a basic resistance set, if only to help them feel like they belong.”

“That’s wise,” Hyshana agreed.

“In the long run, five million Sun Points is a small price to pay. Better not to skimp on security,” Kazuki added.

Just like that, Oasis’s safety net was already better than what some pre-Tutorial nations had in place.

Other issues still needed addressing, and everyone raised important points. Decisions were made by a show of hands, most of them unanimous. In a community as small and tight-knit as Oasis, democracy was easy.

“How are we going to deal with the tribes?” Kazuki asked after an hour of discussion.

“Slowly,” Priam proposed. “Let’s wait a month while they organize their tournament. In the meantime, we focus on our Tribulations, purifying our bloodlines, tempering our bodies in Valaryth, and grinding the Colosseum for rewards. If everything goes well, we’ll be strong enough to be taken seriously by the Tier 4s.”

Surpassing the Tier 4s in a month was impossible. Braato had led his clan for centuries and could probably survive swallowing a nuke. However, Arnold had proven that he wasn’t omnipotent. If provoking the Champions of Oasis came at too high a price, their sanctuary would remain relatively safe.

“You still want to enter this tournament?” Louis asked.

“We don’t have a choice. We’re too wealthy.” Seeing his companions’ skeptical looks, Priam explained, “Log-a-rhythm, the Skull Temple, the Auctions, Valaryth, and soon our defenses—all of that has value. In this world, strength is everything. And until we show them our muscles…”

“They’ll treat us like their bitches,” Jasmine finished, making a crude gesture.

“I would’ve put it more politely, but yeah, that’s the idea.”

“On paper, it sounds great, but in reality… I don’t feel ready to face my Tribulations in less than a month,” Jasmine admitted with a grimace.

Priam gave her a wink. “I can help with that.”

The sun in the sky above Concepts Archipelago flared as Priam entered. It was the nest of a phoenix, which landed gracefully in the grass. Somehow, the ground beneath it didn’t burst into flames.

“You finally found time to visit me?” the bird asked, its voice laced with dry amusement.

“I’ve been kinda busy… you know, surviving,” Priam replied with a grin.

“If you weren’t my only source of entertainment, I would ignore you entirely. I hope, at least, you got what you were after?”

Priam nodded. “For the most part, but the debrief will have to wait until I give Jasmine her gifts.”

The bird, showing rare patience, didn’t push further.

“Gifts? Plural?” Jasmine’s voice lit up with excitement. The young woman regained a carefree attitude she only adopted when she was alone with him.

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Seeing her radiant smile, a stark contrast to her shadowy attire, Priam couldn't help but think she was the embodiment of lethal beauty.

“To be exact, I’ve got three gifts for you.”

“I love surprises! Can I guess what they are?”

“Be my guest,” Priam smiled.

Jasmine settled down on the edge of the central pond, her form-fitting outfit shifting into a sleek one-piece swimsuit as she dipped her long legs into the water. The phoenix let out a chirp of amusement. The water came from Priam’s old Talent, [Mirror of the Soul], and was half spiritual in nature. Without realizing it, Jasmine was cleaning her feet in the reflection of his very soul. Some people would pay a high price for such an experience. Let’s hope the System won’t take me for a fetishist.

Priam sat beside her and exhaled as he slid his legs into the cool water.

“I’m guessing you brought me something from the other timeline?” Jasmine asked. “Clothes? Jewelry?”

Priam’s eyes widened as he realized she had misunderstood his intent. “I… uh, not that kind of gift.”

“Oh? Am I not worthy of such luxuries?”

Her playful tone and the gleam in her eyes made it clear she was teasing, and Priam winked back.

“Next time, I promise.”

Now it was her turn to blush, an adorable shade of pink coloring her cheeks before she coughed awkwardly. “Alright, let’s focus. A weapon? No? Hmm… an elixir or maybe a method to strengthen my body?”

“Not quite,” Priam replied, reaching into the water. His hand emerged holding a drop of blood that refused to blend with the rest of the pond. The liquid spread out in his palm like a small pool of shadows.

“A drop of phantom panther’s blood from the Skull Temple. You don’t have a bloodline yet, so I thought…”

Before he could finish, Jasmine flung her arms around his neck. “Thank you,” she whispered into his ear, her voice trembling with sincerity.

Her trembling voice held not a trace of teasing. Perhaps for the first time in her life, the young woman received a sincere gift, and judging by the salty liquid Priam felt running down his neck, she was deeply moved.

Soon, she pulled away, wiping her eyes, while Priam remained silent. With a wave of her hand, Jasmine absorbed the blood drop into her shadow.

“Do you know what properties this bloodline has?”

Priam shook his head. It was the phoenix who answered. “Stealth, tracking, shadow manipulation, and assassination.”

“It’s perfect for me,” Jasmine smiled.

“It aligns well with your skills,” the phoenix agreed.

“Is it a powerful bloodline?” Priam asked, glancing at the bird. “I mean, compared to something like a dragon’s or phoenix’s?”

The phoenix gave him a look filled with disdain. “It’s a mid-rank bloodline, and not among the strongest. But,” the bird’s gaze softened as it looked at Jasmine, “I know there are pathways to high-rank bloodlines, so you won’t limit your future by grafting it into your aetheric code. Honestly, unless you raid an ancient clan’s vault, you won’t find much better.”

Priam opened his mouth to ask more, but a look from the phoenix told him that some things they would have to discover on their own. Oaths limited how much his mentor could share.

“One last thing,” the phoenix warned. “Depending on your compatibility, there is a real risk of atavism. Your body and personality could become… more feline.”

Jasmine winked at Priam. “I hope you like pu—”

“No dirty jokes, that’s beneath you.”

Thanks to her sub-system, Jasmine had mastered English quickly, especially its double entendres.

“Fine, fine. I promise I’ll be a good girl to get my second gift.”

Priam rolled his eyes but reached into the pond again, pulling out a shimmering token. It glowed with a deep crimson light, its aura so intense it was almost suffocating.

“[Talent Token - Seraph Rarity],” Jasmine read aloud, her eyes widening.

“It’s a gift from the other you,” Priam said. “You helped bring down Bastard, and the System completed your quest. You gave this to me before the timeline ended.”

Jasmine took the token, her hands trembling. “With this, my Tribulations…”

“They’ll be easier, but still no formality. Check your quest,” the phoenix instructed.

Jasmine obeyed, her expression souring. “The rewards have changed. The Token is now crossed out. All that’s left is the bloodline purification and the Seraphic Title if I personally finish the Fallen.”

“Same for me. The System won’t hand out the same rewards twice. Doesn’t matter though; compared to our other rivals, we’re still ahead.”

Priam had an edge over her too: his bloodline purification awaited him.

The phoenix’s breathing quickened as it realized its protégé had received the same token. “Have you used your rewards yet?”

“No,” Priam replied. “I was waiting for your advice—on which Talent to upgrade and which bloodline to purify.”

The phoenix nodded, its excitement palpable. “Good. Perfect. You cannot afford to waste this reward.” It hesitated. “Jasmine, I recommend having a good healer nearby before you use the token.”

“Why?”

The phoenix paused for several seconds, searching for the right words. “Talents are deeply engraved into the soul. A sudden, colossal modification to your essence can’t happen without consequences. Fortunately, you Homo Elysian have bound your soul and body together…”

Jasmine shot Priam a confused look. He translated, “Using the Token could be dangerous. If you upgrade a Bronze Talent, you’re skipping six levels of rarity to improve it to Seraphic rank. That’s not gonna be easy.”

“Six levels? Bronze, Silver, Gold, Legendary, Mythic, and… what comes before Seraphic?”

Priam glanced at the phoenix, who shrugged. “Use the Token and find out.”

“Spoilsport,” Jasmine grumbled, splashing water at the phoenix.

“Ignoramus.”

“Anyway,” Priam cut in, “as Homo Elysian, our racial Talents give us an edge. If our soul gets damaged, it affects our body… and vice versa.”

“Oh! Like when Osiris helped me de-age? Even if our souls take a hit from the upgrade, as long as we can heal our bodies, we’ll heal our souls too!” Jasmine exclaimed.

“In theory,” the phoenix confirmed. “In practice, some things—like losing lifespan—are more complicated. Upgrading a low-Tier Talent to Seraphic rarity will be risky.”

“I’ll decide which Talent to upgrade after accepting the bloodline,” Jasmine said, pocketing the token, which disappeared into the shadowy outfit that clung to her form.

The three of them continued talking for a few more minutes before the phoenix caught on that Priam wanted some time alone with Jasmine. It disappeared into the branches of a nearby maple tree.

“Finally alone. Where is my third gift?”

“Well,” Priam cleared his throat. What he was about to say wasn’t easy. “I’m not really sure how to address this topic…”

Jasmine raised an eyebrow. “With words?”

“One more bad joke, no third gift.”

She stuck her tongue out but stayed silent.

Taking a deep breath, Priam continued. “I’ve already told you this, but you died before I activated Back in Time. You lured Arnold into the shadows, which let us block his army of clones. Without you, I might’ve had to rewind before I even triggered my Tribulations. You saved me.”

“I’m glad I could help.”

Priam shook his head, locking eyes with her. “You don’t get it. You… you knew you were going to die. You sacrificed yourself for me.”

“It was the end of the timeline anyway. No big deal.”

“No!” Priam’s outburst startled Jasmine, causing her to take a step back. He lowered his voice, softer now. “No. It is a big deal. Our contract doesn’t demand you trade your life for mine.”

Jasmine stared at him. “I haven’t thought about our contract in a long time.”

“I know… neither have I. Your death made me realize something I’ve known for a while: I don’t see you as my subordinate anymore. You… You are my friend, someone I would risk my life for.”

Her hands started to tremble, and Priam took them in his own, realizing that his were shaking too.

“My third gift to you is this: I’m releasing you from the contract and the sub-system. You are free.”

Status:

PHYSICAL:

Strength 807

Constitution 1 187

Agility 948

Vitality 1 130

Perception 828

MENTAL:

Vivacity (D) 599

Dexterity 690

Memory 859

Willpower 1 172

Charisma 767

META:

Meta-affinity 923

Meta-focus 444

Meta-endurance 804

Meta-perception 443

Meta-chance 379

Meta-authority 258

Potential: 12 327

Tier 0

Sun point: 523 (+83)

[He Who Eludes Death] charge: PRIMED

Concepts:

Breath (T0): 100% / Dormant

Fire (T0): 100% / Unity

Pyro (T1): 95% / Symphony

Mist (T1): 100% / Symphony

Bloodlines:

Phoenix: 1%

Dragon: <>

Rewards standing:

Fusion Token - Epic skill

Evolution Token - Legendary skill

Affinity Token - Tier 1 (30%)

Alien Concept fragment (7th Terror)

Bloodline Purification (+1%)

Talent Token - Seraph Rarity (Upgrade)

[Tribulation]: Five Tribulations pending.

Future Tribulations delayed until:

Time: 152 days 1 hour 42 minutes 12 seconds.

Next thresholds: 12 attributes > 600 / 6 attributes > 900 / 1 attribute > 1 200