Chapter 27 - Terminate the Wulver! (Patreon)

[The skill HP Regen is now level 5!]

[The skill MP Regen is now level 6!]

NSLICE-00P quickly reformed the magic circles and opened fire once again as she started to recover.  Solamh barely had a moment to process what had occurred before another beam slammed into him.  He quickly kicked himself away and started dashing, beams crashing into the ground and tearing through the dirt behind him.

He wanted to leap at her once again but NSLICE-00P was alternating fire from each of her arms now.  She would catch him before he arrived.

His claws began to glow with mana as he dashed forward to avoid another beam, swinging his hands along the way.  An arc of light flew through the air towards NSLICE-00P, forcing the cyborg to move out of the way.  Solamh leapt at her in that moment, just before she could bring her lasers back on target.

NSLICE-00P deactivated her repulsors and dropped from the sky, allowing Solamh to pass overhead.

“Adapting strategy.”

NSLICE-00P’s AI had finished some new calculations analyzing the effect of the beams on Solamh, and calculated that the full power blast was extraneous.  Which meant if she lowered the power of each beam, she could generate significantly more of them while still dealing damage.

So she let the magic circles layered on her arms fade.

And as Solamh was still falling to the ground, she turned her attention to magic casting.  Her AI once again copy and pasted Light Beam magic circles, while her organic half activated the Multicasting and Farcasting skills to support.

The sky lit up.

Solamh landed once more and turned back towards his opponent.  He froze, his eyes widening at what he saw.

The air all around the dueling zone was now filled to the brim with glowing magic circles.

And then…

NSLICE-00P sent out her mana.  Her cybernetic half instructed the organic which circles to activate.  The organic channeled as much mana as she could with the Supercharge skill towards those circles, and then the AI assisted in getting that mana where it needed to go.

A dozen of the circles lit up, firing their beams.  Four beams struck one another and fused into a superbeam, three such beams striking Solamh from different angles.

[The spell Fusion Light Beam is now level 13!]

[The skill Light Magic is now level 10!]

[The skill Multicasting is now level 7!]

[The skill Farcasting is now level 4!]

[The skill Supercharge is now level 5!]

[Mana control is now 150!]

Solamh grit his teeth and started to move.  He dashed once more, beginning evasive maneuvers.  A dozen more magic circles started glowing, firing another three superbeams at him.  He jumped and twisted in the air as he dashed, just managing to dodge the barrage.

Then NSLICE-00P added another four magic circles, activating sixteen at once.  Pain shot through her mind but she just barely managed to hold things in place.

One beam from above, Solamh started running forward.

One beam from the side and another from the front.  Solamh was forced to jump over them.

And then the fourth struck him dead on, pushing him back slightly and taking a chunk of his health.

[The skill Multicasting is now level 8!]

[The skill Supercharge is now level 6!]

[Mana control is now 155!]

NSLICE-00P’s organic components burned, struggling to contain the vast quantities of mana surging through her.  Her AI noted the strain and recalculated for a slower pace.

But then…

Her organic half refused.

It signaled it could handle this.

Its mana control and Multicasting skill were growing with every volley, taking some of the strain off it.

And…

This was the solution it proposed.

So it would fulfill its role to the best of its ability.

For a brief moment the AI paused, not entirely comprehending what the organic half had reported.  But it calculated that the organic half was not at risk of damage due to the strain, so carried on with the assault.  Instead, it focused on analyzing and predicting Solamh’s movements, and so choosing the appropriate circles to contain him.  It also focused on holding those circles in place after they fired, so that they would not need to be reformed and the organic half could focus entirely on channeling the mana.

And then something happened that neither half had predicted.

[Mana control is now 160]

[You have learned the skill Continuous Casting!]

[Conditions for Strategic Magic met!]

[You have learned the Strategic Spell Aurora Barrage!]

[The skill Strategic Magic has gained 3 levels and is now level 4!]

Suddenly additional lines of mana began to grow and extend, linking all of the disparate magic circles, uniting them into a single, overarching spell.  Having obtained the Strategic Mage feat earlier in the fight, NSLICE-00P had unlocked the ability to cast strategic spells, wider area spells meant for battling entire armies.

Which are normally cast with entire teams of mages in lengthy rituals and not considered at all useful in a duel.

If one is not a cyborg with a bonded AI/dungeon core, that is.

For NSLICE-00P…this was much easier than holding over a hundred magic circles in place and Supercharging them one by one!

The pain faded from her organic half as the spell took over the work.  Now, instead of supercharging and activating each individual magic circle, her organic half could simply pump as much mana as it could into the big strategic magic circle.  The AI no longer needed to calculate the angles required to fuse the right superbeams together, but could simply direct a target for the larger spell, which began firing beams from all over all on its own.  Shifting patterns of light shone across the sky as beams fired from different parts of the magic formation, colliding and fusing together into stronger superbeams before gouging the ground below.

And anyone who might be caught there.

And so the barrage intensified.  Where once three or four beams came at a time, now they began to fire continuously.  Where once they were carefully calculated precision strikes, now they simply flooded from all directions and bathed the entire area in deadly light.  Solamh dodged this way and that but he was taking fire with each moment, his HP dropping by the second.  He grunted and groaned, gritting his teeth.  And the ground below him was now filled with trenches and holes from the constant strikes.  More than once he stumbled and tripped as he tried to dash out of the line of fire.

He launched counterattacks with his claw strikes but NSLICE-00P simply moved out of the way.  Her AI had more than enough leeway now to calculate evasive maneuvers while maintaining the barrage.  His strikes did not stop the deluge of beams.

He could not keep this up.

So he abandoned his defense.  He activated all his skills that would grant him additional strength and speed and launched himself at the cyborg in the air.  He grunted as the beams struck him but still he flew, intending to end this fight with a single blow.

And NSLICE-00P obliged.

Her organic half focused all its mana into the spell…

And her cybernetic half focused her electrical power back into its implants, lifting a hand.

“Equalizer engaged.”

When she first fought the Ursanus, she had tried to bypass HP entirely.  That had failed.  The Equalizer could not strip the HP barrier fast enough and so could only open a tiny hole.  Her laser attacks, still relying on her conventional technology, barely made an impact on the monster’s hide.  She didn’t have the penetrating power to make use of such a small opening.

Now?

The rainbow beam struck Solamh’s chest as he approached, easily stripping the HP barrier in a small area.  Solamh was committed to the attack and soaring through the air.  He could not move to evade the Equalizer without abandoning his assault.  So the Equalizer remained on target, clearing a fist-sized hole.

And then the magic circle began to glow.  Solamh had just arrived before NSLICE-00P and was swinging his claws…

Dozens of beams fired all at once, combining together into a single beam, layering the mana of countless Light Beam spells into a single, thin strike.

[The strategic spell Aurora Barrage is now level 2!]

[The skill Supercharge is now level 7!]

A thin beam pierced straight through Solamh and into the hill below him.

And destroyed his heart.

Solamh’s eyes widened.  His arm stopped and fell back, claws mere inches from NSLICE-00P’s face.  And then he began to fall.

He hit the ground with a thud.

NSLICE-00P kept her eyes fixed on her target, the magic circle still glowing above her.

Solamh’s HP rushed to repair the damage.

But there was too much.  And his HP was far from full.

It all drained away before his heart could be restored.

[You have slain Wulver (Level 65)!]

[Gained 70 Personal XP and 67 Dungeon XP!]

[Compiling prior experience…]

[Gained 1305 total Personal XP and 1108 total Dungeon XP!]

[You have leveled up 13 Personal levels and 11 Dungeon levels!]

[You are now at Personal Level 26 and Dungeon Level 28!]

Notifications from the foreign program flooded across NSLICE-00P’s view.

“Analysis: No vital signs detected.  Mana signature fading.  All sensors support foreign program’s conclusion.  Combat Status Update: Target terminated.”

NSLICE-00P’S DUNGEON STATUS:

[Dungeon Management]

[Overview]

• [Name: The Human-Dungeon Hybrid]
• [Level: 28]
• [XP: 47/100]
• [Available Perk Points: 29]
• [Mana: 93/93 (115/115)]
• [Exterior: Human/Automata hybrid (LOCKED)]

[Affinities]

• [Cyborg: Primary]
• [Rodent: Minimum]
• [Earth: Minimum]
• [Arachnid: Minimum]
• [Slime: Minimum]
• [Light: Minimum]
• [Nature: Minimum]

[Implants]

• [Bionic Prosthetics +3: (Mana Upkeep: 0) Overwrites STR and SPD, Values: 130 STR, 65 SPD]
• [Armor Plating +2: (Mana Upkeep: 0) Overwrites DEF and RES, Values: 120 DEF, 60 RES]
• [Bonded AI: (Mana Upkeep: 0) Enables direct contact with the System.  Overwrites Dexterity stat, Value: 1000 DEX]
• [Techno-Organic Interface: (Mana Upkeep: 0) Enables conscious control over organic and emotional functions, resists mind-influencing effects.]
• [Advanced Sensors +2: (Mana Upkeep: 0) Vastly expands scope and effectiveness of senses.]
• [Internal Weapon Bays: (Mana Upkeep: 0) Enables use of dungeon traps as weapons]
• [Internal Capacitors: (Mana Upkeep: 0) Stores additional power to supercharge abilities and weapons]
• [Repulsors +1: (Mana Upkeep: 0) Enables flight and tactical boosts]
• [Energy Channels: (Mana Upkeep: 0) Enables user to channel internal energy into external attacks]
• [Dungeon Field Generator: (Mana Upkeep: 5) Surrounding area counts as dungeon territory.  Enables mana absorption within area of effect.]
• [Monster Hanger (small): (Mana Upkeep: 1) Provides living space for 5 small monsters.  Unlocks subordinate summoning.]
• [Item Foundry: Unlocks Item Creation]

[Rooms (locked)]

[Inventory]

• [Total Items: 0/100]

[Item Creation]

[Subordinates]

• [Total Subordinates: 4/4]
  • [Name: Rattingtale, Species: Monster Rat, Level: 6, Upkeep: 1, (Check Status)]
  • [Name: Lilussees, Species: Monster Spider, Level: 8, Upkeep: 1, (Check Status)]
  • [(TEMPORARY) Name: Ateia Niraemia, Species: Human, Level: 9, Upkeep: --, (Status locked)]
  • [(TEMPORARY) Name: Taog Sutharlan, Species: Human/Wulver, Level: 8, Upkeep: --, (Status locked)]

[Traps]

• [Assault Rifle +3 (Amount: 1/2): (Mana upkeep: 2) Rapid-fire projectile weapon with high penetration]
• [Autopistol (Amount: 2/2): (Mana upkeep: 2) Rapid-fire projectile weapon with medium penetration]
• [Anti-Armor Missile Launcher +2 (Amount: 1/2): (Mana upkeep: 2) Homing explosive designed to penetrate armor. Very high penetration.]
• [Anti-Personnel Missile Launcher +2 (Amount: 6/6): (Mana upkeep: 6) Homing explosive designed for area damage, medium penetration]
• [Stun Ray (Amount: 1/1): (Mana upkeep: 1) Rapid-fire projectile weapon with high penetration]
• [Wrist Blade +2 (Amount: 1/2): (Mana upkeep: 0) Wrist-mounted blades that can be deployed at high-speed]
• [Proximity Mine Layer (Amount 1/1): (Mana upkeep: 1) Distributes proximity mines]
• [Flamethrower (Amount: 1/2): (Mana upkeep: 2) Deals fire damage and applies burn status in a large cone]
• [The Equalizer +1 (Amount: 1/1): (Mana upkeep: 0) Huh?  What the heck is this?  Some kind of weird metal that doesn’t even exist here?  Um…well…best I can tell it’s some sort of anti-magic field generator?  Eh…well it’s yours, not mine, so you don’t need me to tell you right?  Like, you already upgraded this thing yourself, so you’re good, right?]

[Dungeon Skills]

• [Analyze: Check the status of a target. More detail for targets within the dungeon.]
• [Contract: Bind a consenting target to the dungeon, per terms agreed upon by both parties]
• [Transfer: Move yourself, a subordinate, or a consenting target within your dungeon]

[Perks]

• [Human-Dungeon Hybrid: Enables Implants Tab, Enables unique dungeon-combat skills. Enables direct manipulation of dungeon mana.  Grants +100 HP. Rooms tab locked. Exterior locked.]

[Feats]

• [Dungeon Victor: To the victor go the spoils.  Unlocked by destroying or subordinating another dungeon.  Unlocks Dungeon Warfare category perks, +1 perk point]
• [Dungeon Overlord: A master of masters.  Unlocked by subordinating another dungeon master.  Unlocks Subordinate Core category perks, +2 perk points]
• [Raid Boss: Fine, I’ll do it myself.  Unlocked by destroying or subordinating another dungeon with no assistance.  Unlocks Raid Boss category perks, grants +50 HP, grants +1 level in HP Regen skill, grants +1 level in MP Regen skill, +2 perk points]
• [System Upgrade: Unlocked by manually performing a system upgrade.  Which is not supposed to be possible.  Ugh, this is going to get complicated, isn’t it?  Um, I don’t know, just have +20 dungeon perk points or something?  Whatever, you’re figuring this out yourself anyways so close enough.]

[Dungeon Master Status (locked, use Personal Status instead)]

NSLICE-00P’S PERSONAL STATUS:

[Personal Status]

[General Information]

• [Name: NSLICE-00P]
• [Species: Human/Dungeon Core/Automata Hybrid]
• [Level: 26]
• [XP: 23/100]
• [Available Perk Points: 66]
• [HP: 200/200]
• [MP: 106/106]

[Physical Attributes]

• [STR: 130*]
• [DEX: 1000*]
• [SPD: 65*]
• [DEF: 120*]
• [RES: 60*]

* Overwritten by Implants

[Magical Attributes]

• [Mana Density: 102]
• [Mana Control: 160]

[Active Skills]

• [Infused Mana Beam (Level 15): Focus mana into a channeled energy attack. Infused: May infuse Mana Beam with attributed mana.]
• [Sneak (Level 1): Move quietly to avoid notice, makes it harder for others to notice the user.  Effectiveness highly dependent on environment.]
• [Multicasting (Level 8): Can cast several spells at once.  Number of simultaneous spells increases with level.]
• [Anti-Mana Beam (Level 3): My best guess is that this projects a kind of inverse-mana that reacts destructively with normal mana, including HP.  While it can fully deplete HP, it does not harm matter itself.  Requires The Equalizer.]
• [Claw Strike (Level 1): Infuse mana into a claw strike.  Power and range increase with level.]
• [Farcasting (Level 4): Allows the user to manipulate mana and create magic circles at far distances.]
• [Strategic Magic (Level 4): Governs the use of Strategic Magic spells]
• [Supercharge (Level 7): Fill a spell with additional mana to boost its effects. May cause the spell to misfire. Effect boost depends on the amount and density of mana added. Misfire chance depends on mana control and amount of mana added.]
• [Continuous Casting (Level 1): May use additional mana to retain a spell form, allowing the spell to be instantly recast.]

[Passive Skills]

• [Dungeon Combat (Level 1): Dungeon traps and skills count as personal weapons and skills]
• [HP Regen (Level 5): Automatically recover HP pool, increased regeneration speed for damaged body parts]
• [MP Regen (Level 6): Automatically recover MP pool]
• [Presence Detection (Level 5): Detect living entities around the user.  Range and scope of detection increases with level.]
• [Trap Detection (Level 5): Detect traps.  Range and scope of detection increases with level.]
• [Challenger: Damage dealt x1.5 against targets of higher level.  Damage received x0.75 against attacks from targets of higher level.]
• [Enchanting (Level 1): The art of infusing objects and beings with mana.]
• [Poison Resistance (Level 1): Resist and recovery from poison status, resist poison-attributed damage]
• [Schools of Magic]
  • [Arcane Magic (Level 9): The school of magic governing the manipulation of unattributed mana.  A solid foundation for students of the mystic arts, though somewhat less mana-efficient than the more specialized schools.]
  • [Earth Magic (Level 7): The school of magic governing the manipulation of Earth-attribute mana.  One of the basic elemental magics, strong at defensive spells and spells that deal physical damage]
  • [Fire Magic (Level 6): The school of magic governing the manipulation of Fire-attribute mana.  One of the basic elemental magics, strong at offensive spells and spells that inflict the burn status]
  • [Light Magic (Level 10) *Spell Choice Available: The school of magic governing the manipulation of Light-attribute mana.  One of the basic elemental magics, quick and precise spells that are excellent against dark-aligned foes.]
  • [Nature Magic (Level 3) *Spell Choice Available: The school of magic governing Nature-attribute magic. Focuses on growth and plants.]
  • [Poison Magic (Level 3): The school of magic governing magical poisons.  Excels at spreading poison status and dealing damage over time.]
  • [Recovery Magic (Level 3): The school of magic governing healing through magic]

[Spells]

• [Arcane Magic]
  • [Dense Magic Missile (Level 18): Form and launch mana into a small projectile. One of the most basic offensive applications of magic. Dense: Increased mana density, increased damage.]
  • [Mana Barrier (minor) (Level 3): Form mana into a barrier to block attacks.  One of the most basic defensive applications of magic.]
  • [Mana Blast (minor) (Level 1): A cone shaped blast of mana.  Deals damage and knockback to the area.]
  • [Mana Infusion (minor) (Level 10) *Upgrade Available: Infuse mana into a target.  The most basic enchantment.]
  • 
    
• [Earth Magic]
  • [Rock Throw (Level 6): Use mana to form and then launch a small rock.  Mana cost increases dramatically if cast without a nearby source of Earth.  Deals physical damage.  One of the most basic offensive applications of Earth magic.]
  • [Earth Wall (Level 4): Use mana to temporarily form a wall of Earth.  Mana cost increases dramatically if cast without a nearby source of Earth.  One of the most basic defensive applications of Earth magic.]
  • [Pitfall (Level 4): Dig a large hole in a target area, may be concealed. Mana cost may increase depending on suitability of terrain.]
• [Fire Magic]
  • [Fire Bolt (Level 1): Use mana to form and then launch a small bolt of fire.  Mana cost decreases dramatically if cast with a nearby source of Fire.  May inflict burn status.  One of the most basic offensive applications of Fire magic.]
  • [Fire Blast (Level 7): A cone shaped blast of fire mana.  Deals damage and inflicts burn to the area.  Mana cost decreases dramatically if cast with a nearby source of Fire.  May be continuously channeled.]
• [Light Magic]
  • [Light Bolt (Level 1): Use mana to form and then launch a small bolt of light.  Mana cost increases dramatically if cast without a nearby source of Light.  One of the most basic offensive applications of Light magic.]
  • [Fusion Light Beam (Level 13): Form mana into a beam of light to attack.  May pierce through its target.  May be continuously channeled.  Fusion: Light Beams may combine with themselves or other compatible attacks to boost power.]
• [Nature Magic]
  • [Vine Grasp (Level 4): Grows or manipulates a vine to wrap around a target. Mana cost may increase or decrease significantly depending on surrounding plant life or environmental suitability for plant growth. The most basic plant manipulation spell.]
• [Poison Magic]
  • [Poison Bolt (Level 6): Use mana to form and then launch a small bolt of poison.  Mana cost decreases dramatically if cast with a nearby source of Poison.  May inflict poison status.  One of the most basic offensive applications of Poison magic.]
  • [Poison Blast (Level 1): A cone shaped blast of poison mana.  Deals damage and inflicts poison to the area.  Mana cost decreases dramatically if cast with a nearby source of Poison.  May be continuously channeled.]
• [Recovery Magic]
  • Heal (Level 3): Use mana to heal minor wounds and damage.  Effect increases with user’s knowledge of the body.]
  • [Cure (Level 1): Cures abnormal status conditions. Type and strength of conditions that can be cured increases with level.]
• [Strategic Spells]
  • [Aurora Barrage (Level 2, Light Magic): Continously rains Light Beams on the target area. If Fusion Light Beam is available, beams may be combined at will.]

[Feats]

• [Against the Odds: Unlocked by winning a fight when outnumbered by equal or higher levels opponents.  Grants +1 perk points]
• [Solo Conquest! Unlocked by conquering a dungeon alone.  Grants +1 level in HP Regen skill, grants +1 level in MP Regen skill, grants +1 level in Presence Detection skill, grants +1 level in Trap Detection skill]
• [Arcane Prodigy: Unlocked by learning a high-tier magic skill under level 20 without spending perk points.  Unlocks more advanced magic perks.  Grants +3 perk points.]
• [Enchanter: The first step on the path of the magic craftsman.  Unlocked by manually accomplishing a mana infusion.  Grants +1 level in the Enchanting Skill.]
• [Skill Creator: Unlocked by creating a brand new skill.  To be honest, this normally happens when you're a MUCH higher level so I’m a bit worried about passing you this much this early, but, um, ok, +20 personal perk points.]
• [Healer: Anyone can deal in death.  It takes an expert to deal in life.  Unlocked by using mana to heal a wound.  Grants grants +1 level in skill Recovery Magic.]
• [Challenger: Levels and odds are just numbers.  Unlocked by defeating an opponent over twice your level alone.  Grants +3 perk points, grants the skill Challenger.]
• [Strategic Mage: A strategic mage is king of the battlefield. Unlocked by affecting a hundred or more equal sized opponents (or equivalent) at the same time with magic.  Grants +1 level in the Strategic Magic skill. Unlocks Strategic Spells.]
• [Dungeon Conqueror]
  • [Dungeon Conqueror (Rat Cave): Unlocked by conquering the Rat Cave Dungeon.  Grants +1 perk point, grants +1 level in the Sneak skill]
  • [Dungeon Conqueror (Earth Tunnels): Unlocked by Conquering the Earth Tunnels Dungeon.  Grants +1 perk point, grants +1 level in the Earth Magic skill]
  • [Dungeon Conqueror (Spider Tree): Unlocked by conquering the Spider Tree Dungeon.  Grants +1 perk points, grants +1 level in the Poison Resistance skill]
  • [Dungeon Conqueror (Slimy Pit): Unlocked by conquering the Slimy Pit Dungeon.  Grants +1 perk point, grants +1 level in the  Poison Bolt spell]
  • [Dungeon Conqueror (Glimmering Grove): Unlocked by conquering the Glimmering Grove Dungeon.  Grants +1 perk point, grants +1 level in the  Light Magic skill]
  • [Dungeon Conqueror (Nature’s Wrath): Unlocked by conquering the Nature’s Wrath Dungeon.  Grants +1 perk point, grants +1 level in the  Nature Magic skill]
  • [Dungeon Conqueror (Beast Lair): Unlocked by conquering the Beast Lair Dungeon.  Grants +1 perk point, grants +1 level in the  Claw Strike skill]

Author’s Note:

Wulver warchief terminated!  And a lot of the other wulver!  Like…a lot of wulver!

…I love LitRPG statuses as a reader, but now that I’m writing them, I’m like uggghhhhh do I have to figure out all the exact numbers?  I want to hand wave things and make the characters as strong or weak as the story needs them to be!

What’s that?

That’s like, the good part of LitRPG?  It forces us authors to stay consistent and actually consider these details?

Ugh fine.  Well, if it’s for the sake of making 00P OP, I guess it’s worth it then.

Anyways!

What happens now that NSLICE-00P has emerged victorious?  Will giving NSLICE-00P access to strategic magic cause any problems?  What does everyone else think of this battle?  Tune in next time, to find out!