Augmented Aspects: Chapter 188 Power Leveling - Guild Style (Patreon)

Chapter 188

Power Leveling – Guild Style

Okay, so my friends and daughter are officially weird. That is all I will say about that, though I did find out something interesting. Namely the fact that apparently Qi might channel differently through different body types.

I had always assumed that Qi flowed and would feel the same regardless of the form it was being channeled, so long as the wielder was the same. This was the way it was with magic, as I could channel the necessary mana through my body and have it project at the area that I desired out from my body. I had experimented multiple times with all my different doppelganger forms that I could take to prove this, as I hoped that there might be some difference. Of course, there wasn’t.

Now I just came across an amazing discovery that sadly took me a perverted friend to realize. Namely the way Qi traverses through a body might change, depending on the body being used to channel Qi.

Yes, that is an overly complex statement stating that I effectively need to do more research on the way Qi leaves a body.

Again, I had assumed that after so much testing of mana through different bodies and not recognizing a noticeable difference, I assumed that Qi would operate the same way. Honestly, I don’t quite understand the difference, as I channel and cycle the same energy through my normal form, this form that I am in, as I would while in the body of King De’Arcaneri.

The only thing that I can think of off the top of my head is that in a larger body, the Qi I push outside of my body will be at a slightly more diluted state than in my normal form.

From the impromptu experimentation performed, it was clear that both golden, or mortal Qi and spirit Qi can be felt and provide benefits. Golden Qi seems to have a direct link to the body, in that I can use it to help heal muscles and ligaments faster than I could with Healing magic. While Spirit, or silver Qi has a more direct impact on the nervous system, in particular they can be used to force a subject to feel stimulated.

Also, again it was found that while the Qi I released in my natural form was beneficial, it was more stimulating, while I was in the form of King De’Arcaneri.

Now there are a few factors to focus on, while trying to come up with rationale for the different metrics observed and ways to do impartial tests in the future. First, Mallory is a freak, and I will never put my finger or any other body part of mine in or near her mouth again. Second, I will likely need to do a blind study taken from multiple people with varying levels and qualities of power. Third, does being an alternate gender have any impact on the way the Qi is received?

With that thought, my mind instantly turns to Jhonny, my bodyguard, protector, and student. I feel that he would be a prime test subject, and one that I could basically get to do almost anything I wanted. I almost feel bad for him, but then stop myself, as I realize he might not be as perfect of a candidate as I originally thought.

See Jhonny, despite failing the Guild’s tests, passed my own personal tests, and was in fact the first student who was tenacious enough to form his own core. Seeing as he has his own core, his experiences with different Qi are both important to note, and will likely throw off my end results if I use him as the basis for my testing.

That leads me to my fourth variable to consider, the fact that being a Qi practitioner might alter the effectiveness of Qi flooding into a body.

With that, I start nodding to myself as I realize I’ve come up with a plan forward. Also, deep down inside, part of me is happy to find something to draw my mind and attention away from Mallory the freak, and Gwen.

I almost wanted to ask Gwen if this solved their problems, but then wisely held myself back. Though I did find it enjoyable that Gwen asked to participate in my morning Martial Arts classes. At least the modified yoga that I will have her perform on account of her being pregnant.

Now that the last twenty-four hours are finally over, I can finally reap the benefits of working so hard.

Honestly, I felt that completing three major quests would have been different. Looking at them all at once I could see that I did increase a great deal from everything that had happened. Though I couldn’t help but feel that there was a bit more to the structure of the rewards being offered. Particularly with how the individual components all seemed to be linked together in a structured way that had me questioning what exactly the world had store for me.

Take for instance the first quest that I had gotten rewarded for, and how it almost immediately allowed me to change the course of how the final few hours played out.

Hidden Quest Completed (Timed Limited Duration): Proving Your Worth by Removing the Guardian’s Power. You managed to remove the power and fighting spirit of Flumberro, the last and most powerful of the ancient Cardinal Protectors allowing peace to reign over the region. Rewards: Experience, Title(s), variable.

Experience Gained.

500,000 / 250,000 / 250,000

Title Gained: Core Master: Your ability to destroy, create, or otherwise work with cores is improved greatly. Effect +25% skill efficacy while focusing on an individual’s core.

Double Simulacrum Mastery Proficiency: Able to increase the number of Simulacrums under your command by +100%. (Current usage 4 / 4).

With this quest, I had gotten a million experience points, a random title dealing with core manipulation, which I believe had to deal with the way that I both took away and then recreated the core of the Cardinal Protector. Then there was the fact that I finally reached a level of power with my Ethereal Simulacrums Master class that allowed me to have not one but two more Simulacrums at my disposal. Something that was crucial, as it allowed me to add a second Simulacrum to the Acranarus Tower immediately. Then a second one that I could switch with here in our home base, allowing me to be twice as effective with my remaining tasks.

Then there were the rewards for completing the second quest.

Hidden Guild Quest Completed: Mastering the Cardinal Protectors: Your Guild, the Midnight Hunters, has successfully conquered and assimilated the four key protectors of the great wastelands into the guild. You must protect your lands, while not fully destroying the Cardinal Protectors of the Wastelands. Current status of protectors (4 / 4). Rewards: Experience, Guild Title, variable.

Experience Gained.

1,000,000 / 500,000 / 500,000

Guild Title: Guardians of the Cardinal Protectors: Your guild has managed to subdue and work with the opposing elemental forces of a region. By doing so you helped maintain the balance and stability of the region. This will have a cascading effect allowing all Midnight Hunter Guild Members to have an increase of +25% to the use of all elemental powers. Along with a Partial-Neutral rating to all elemental and guardian forces.

Personal Reward: Due to your personal contributions to this mission, being part of the peaceful subjugation of all four guardians, resurrecting one guardian you have gained the title: Friend to the Guardians.

Title Gained: Friend to the Guardians: You will be recognized as a friend to all realm guardians.

Two million total experience for completing the quest, or a total of three million experience overall for the first two quests. Then another title that made it so I wouldn’t have to fight anymore guardians in the future. A bit late, but ultimately good to have. Thinking back to my first days here, that title would have saved me from my first kill. I honestly wonder how much my life would have changed without that.

Thinking back, the kill was the only thing that allowed me entry into the Maltese Empire as a Dark Elf. Had it not been for that kill and the bragging rights to that accomplishment, then I honestly don’t know where I would be today. I know I wouldn’t have met Hector and Golum, and wow, that is a depressing thought as I just remembered that Hector and Golum both are dead.

Sigh.

Onto slightly less disturbing things, that brings me to my third and final quest completed today. Well technically yesterday, but as this is still within a few hours of the final completion, it still feels like today.

Guild Quest Completed: Unclaimed Land Acquisition Charter: Your guild has managed to claim over a thousand acres of land. Holding off both the Ancient Deolar Empire, along with the Wasteland’s four Cardinal Protectors. Acres of land claimed (1067 / 20). Rewards: Experience, Guild Title, Guild Land, variable.

Experience Gained:

1,500,000 / 750,000 / 750,000

Guild Title: Land Protectors: Your Guild’s Successful defense of your land will be proportional to a skill and attribute increase while defending your guild lands from any current or future threats. Current Skill and Attribute Bonus received while defending Guild Lands: 100%.

Guild Land Available for immediate production: 1,067 acres.

Bloodline Evolution Perk marked.

Bloodline Evolution Markers Gained: Mana and Qi core manipulation markers identified.

That was an extra two point five million experience points, that led to a cumulative total of five million experience points over the past twenty-four hours.

Ding.

Level up.

Akashic Qi Master has increased by 78 levels to level 231.

Ethereal Simulacrums Master has increased by 63 levels to level 273.

Ethereal Healer has increased by 97 levels to level 359.

That was a total of 238 levels that I increased overall. Once again I saw that I would soon be forced to make crucial upgrades. Most importantly were the upgrades to

Physical         Base               Bonus

Strength          104                 475

Dexterity         137                 1048

Endurance      134                   589

Social              Base              Bonus

Personality        98                  559

Sociability         95                   563

Attractiveness   87                1817

Mental              Base             Bonus

Perception           172             1890

Intelligence          171               2163

Willpower            170                2861

With that last push, all of my Attributes were now over the two-thousand-point threshold for Mental Attributes. With my Willpower clearly entering the three-thousand-point threshold. My Attractiveness, for whatever it is worth was also nearing the two-thousand-point threshold, while my Dexterity had finally met the one-thousand-point threshold.

Now that I finally managed to make a few of my personal goals, I realized just how hollow they ultimately were.

I don’t feel the difference in Attributes, in fact even now when I am supposed to have gained over two hundred levels cumulatively, I can’t help but feel the same. Or maybe not feeling the same is the wrong way to describe this, maybe this is just some slow onset delay? Regardless of the overall effects, my cumulative total for levels placed me at level 863. This had been nearing the upper-middle for levels among the Midnight Hunters, but seeing as most everyone else likely got the same amount or nearly the equivalent amount of experience from the quests I assume my level would still be near the middle for the Midnight Hunters.

As for additional reasons why I might not be feeling the full effects of so many levels is that I right now am missing quite a few advancements. In fact, currently each class has its own upgrade pending.

Akashic Qi Master Level 200 Class Evolution: Trait

Ethereal Simulacrums Master Level 250 class evolution: Aura

Ethereal Healer Level 300 Class Evolution: (Spell, Perk, Skill, Magic, Trait)

Inwardly I groan, and want to hold off on making any choices, but I realize that if I leave this all to chance I might get stuck with something stupid, especially for my Ethereal Healer bonus. Right now, the idea of the world forcing me to take a spell with not only my primary class, but each additional class seems a bit ridiculous.

I also dislike the idea of being forced to take a Magical discipline, versus being able to pick and choose between magic and Qi for my Ethereal Healer class. That of course is until I remember when my daughter is following in my footsteps, well not my footsteps exactly, but the steps of my class. Meaning that if I run crazy here, then Gwen will have a harder time following in my footsteps.

With that sobering thought, I decide to slow down, and take a minute to finally realize what is happening and what I want each class to be able to do in the future.

Traits are always a bonus, as such, I know that my Ethereal Healer class option will once again be a Trait, which will then lock me in for a new Trait for all three of my classes going forward.

With that in mind, I pause and try to think of something that I would want as a Healer that would ultimately allow me to save more lives in the future.

Then I realize the number one use of my Healing so far as been either to cure things of the Blight, or to Resurrect others.

Pausing for a moment, I try to figure out what would be the best thing for not just myself, but a world filled with Ethereal Healers.

While the Blight is one of the biggest detriments we face currently, it doesn’t mean that it will always be an issue. Additionally, as far as I can tell, the one true constant in this world is death. I already have an Ethereal Class Perk that helps with improving my ability to reincarnate others, with my level 50 class perk Reincarnation.

Class Perk: Reincarnation: You have begun to take the next step in bridging the gap between life and death. Now you can regenerate life where there was none before. Effect: Healing efficacy increased by 50%, Tissue Regeneration increased by 100%, ability to create a body to match a free-floating spirit.

While that had been enough for the time, I think that having a whole class Trait devoted to Resurrecting others would make the most sense. As such, that is what I choose.

You have chosen the Ethereal Class Evolutionary Trait: Resurrection as your preferred Level 300 Ethereal Healer evolutionary path?

“Yes,” I say and think mentally. And like that the first of my three choices comes to fruition.

Class Trait Unlocked: Resurrection: The ability to take a spirit that is otherwise separated from their mortal shell and re-insert the spirit into a similar, or improved version of the mortal shell.

I was glad that there wasn’t too much push back. In my earlier levels I had to wait a week for some of these changes to go through. Now it seemed to think either I would forget in a week, or was done arguing with me over what I wanted and finally accepted that I would choose something that worked for me at the moment and that I would stick with it. Regardless of the reason, I was glad that I was able to work through these options as quickly as possible.

Next, while I was already at it, I focused on the Aura I wanted for my Ethereal Simulacrums Master class.

For my Ethereal Healer class I chose the safe route of Generic Energy Aura.

Generic Energy Aura: Produces an area effect around the class holder that generates 1% of the class owner’s overall magic pool per second. Radius of effect equal to one tenth of user’s Willpower. Aura of effect be toggled on and off, at a cost of 0.5% mana per second.

This time I felt that I could make a bit more of a splash, but figured that I could take a potentially future negative hit, if it meant that I could make a greater impact currently.

Seeing as I didn’t plan on sharing my Ethereal Simulacrums Master class with anyone else, I realized that I could do something solely for me. Well me and the world.

I also realized that this aura would be able to be shared directly by all my Simulacrums and be a constant. Which was even more of a reason to have an aura that could passively fix the world without me having to constantly remember to do so on my own.

This was why I decided to go with an aura that will provide a net passive good for the world.

Ethereal Simulacrums Master level 250 class evolution chosen. Blight-Healing Energy Aura.

Blight-Healing Energy Aura: Produces an area effect around the class holder that generates an N% reduction of Blight related pathogens around the wielder per second. Radius and efficacy of aura is equal to one tenth of user’s Willpower. Aura will be considered passive and unnoticeable via mana consumption. Note: Due to the nature of this aura, stealth and other obfuscation related skills and abilities will be hindered by an additional 25%.

There it was that hidden balance that this world is so known for. While this aura is surprisingly free, it also means that I will stand out like a beacon to anyone with magical sight. Well more of a beacon, as my bloodline already did this. Effectively this would mean that I cannot hide at all, at least not by the means I used to use in my previous life.

However, I think I have found a way to hide in an alternate means. Namely, if I either hide in plain sight, where everyone can see me and expect to see me, they will eventually grow numb to me. There is also the fact that I can hide in areas of intense magical disturbances rather easily. Though finding a magical disturbance that can mask my presence might be dangerous or deadly, those are the two scenarios I find myself leaning towards right now.

That said, with those two class evolutions out of the way, I find myself once again stuck with finding a worthwhile Trait for my Akashic Qi Master class. Since this class is wholly unique, I know that I won’t need to worry about what others might need or want with this class. As such I find myself once again able to make a strictly selfish choice for my class’s evolutionary path.

With my mind realizing this is my chance to be completely selfish, I find myself relaxing even more. This time I equate my choice with being the equivalent of Cassie’s chocolate chip ice cream, sweatpants, and rom-com movie night. That’s right, no one needs to know how much I binge, cry, or eat, as I will be the only witness to what actually happened, and it will be glorious.

My last Akashic Qi Master Trait was of course Celerity, and probably the Trait that I have used the most. Well next to Teleportation, Telekinesis, and Telepathy. I have to admit those base Traits are still my favorites, but I have found that I focus the most on Celerity.

That said, I realize that the primary types of powers and skills I have been learning for my usage of Qi are either related to devouring the Qi of others, or shattering the cores of others. While the latter does help gain control over a situation quickly, I feel that it is far too violent of an approach towards life. I mean it is a small step from shattering cores of enemies, to their hearts.

I pause at that realizing that Mallory might say something if she heard my internal monologue. Then I remembered that I can’t talk to Mallory right now as she is kind of creepy and must work things out between her and my daughter.

However, remembering Mallory and her inappropriate swallowing of my finger to see if tasting Qi was better, bleh. Just bleh. But that does make me think that there could be something to that line of logic.

Only in so far as absorbing Qi from people at a distance and never letting anyone put anything of mine into their mouths, or anything of theirs into my mouth. Again, just bleh!

With that, I loosely form the idea for what I would like my next Trait to be.

Class Trait Unlocked: Qi Devourer. The ability to break down Qi related attacks and abilities and devour a portion of the power used in the attack. Success of breaking apart attack equal to a contested (Willpower X appropriate Skills) versus opponent’s (Willpower X appropriate Skills). Able to consume up to half of energy mitigated by this Trait that will be added to an auxiliar core. Once auxiliary core is completely full of absorbed energy, this Trait cannot be used until stolen Qi is utilized in absorber’s body.

Seeing that Trait, my inner husky girl smiles as if she gets to not only eat all the chocolate ice cream, but everyone else’s chocolate ice cream as well.

Finally with the last of my class choices made. I take a deep breath, realizing that I fortunately won’t have to do that again for a while. At least that is my hope.

I am lost in this thought when I see Zero coming to me frantically.

“Boss, boss.” Zero says, Telepathically sending his thoughts into my mind. Though not with my use of Telepathy, kind of odd and I meant to ask him about it, but instead I just focus on how excited he seems to be at the moment.

“Yes?” I respond.

“We need you to come quick, it seems that there is a problem…” Zero begins, and like that my moment of rest has come to an end, as I realize once again, I need to fix something.

“Well, in this case you are fixing your own mistake.” Zero chides, apparently reading my mind, and providing his own commentary to my thoughts.

And like that, I realize I really can’t let this one go, as apparently it is something I am being accused of.

“No accusation, you did it.” Zero replies and like that, I wish I could go back in time and choose a Trait that allows me to block my mind from the intrusive thoughts of familiars.

“Wouldn’t work, at this range we are able to connect to each other’s thoughts at will.” Zero responds.

“Okay, now before I think anything that will get me in trouble can you at least tell me what I allegedly did?”