One satanas. One drus and one nadian sprinted through the forest, relying on their various physical enhancements to elevate their speed and agility above their racial limits. Their footsteps muffled thanks to Yueli’s Diana-Loneliness Shadow, allowing them to travel through the overgrowth in absolute silence.

  Vaa’mina’s Throne Of The Familial Hive connected to Shamael’s Throne Of Temperament Mycelium and Yueli’s Golden Mind Palace. The three Fragments Of Mind forming a metaphysical link between each other, allowing them to share thoughts, emotions and even senses given a sufficient level of control.

  The lone Second-Veined Knight of the group half-glancing towards the skies above his head.

  The winged-figures of both the Principality Of Concealed Harvests and the Throne Of Forbidden Autumn gave him no small measure of reassurance. His Fragment Of Principality and Fragment Of Throne had been integrated over a year ago, both at the recommendation of Avahni and Ru Luan Di.

  The natural concepts that were contained within his Source differed in comparison with his twin sister. Although the two were intrinsically connected to one another, Shamael had discovered that he possessed an inclination towards virtue-type fragments and angel-type fragments.

  Sariel on the other hand possessed affinities towards sin-type fragments and recovery-type fragments. The concepts inherent to her Source were the opposite of his own despite the connection that the two of them possessed.

  Although he wanted to open the connection between himself and Sariel, given the pseudo-metaphysical connection between Yueli, Vaa’mina and himself, he refrained from doing so, knowing this uniqueness was not common throughout the integrated universes.

  Instead the focus of his thoughts turned towards the Honeyed-Swarm Matriarch.

  “Vaa’mina. How far away are we from where Alba and Horatia disappeared?” He asked.

  The lone drus of the group, furrowed her brows almost imperceptibly, gesturing in the direction where the three of them were running. Although she lacked a sensory-type ability, the connection between herself and her summoned companions were deeper than most, perhaps amongst the top three within Springtown.

  She had not met the Imaginary Princess Of The Round Table, so could compare herself only to Shamael, Yueli and Michael.

  “Alba disappeared about two kilometres from our current location. Horatia disappeared about three kilometres further south. Alba informed me that the two of them had found the System-generated Lord, although her words were somewhat distorted.”

  “As though the connection between my Fragment Of Summon and Swarm Mana Core had been interrupted. I’ve never experienced such a thing before…” Vaa’mina admitted, causing both Yueli and Shamael to nod in response.

  “Fragments Of Mind and Fragments Of Spirit can be developed in order to possess disruptive capabilities. Fragments Of Quake can create offensive mental ripples in mental constructs inflicting wide-spread damage. While Fragments Of Pierce or Fragments Of Slash can even destroy core memories and experiences, if your opponent’s mastery is great enough.” Shamael lifted his head, gesturing behind him, in the direction where Saltstream Town laid.

  “Wilheim told me once that Jon encountered an opponent who transformed their Fragment Of Mind into some unknown dual-fragment pathway. This man was capable of erasing thoughts relating to himself if Jon stopped focusing for even a single moment.”

  “The potential of universal fragments stand above ordinary concepts. Even Fragments Of Annihilation and Fragments Of Extinction may pale in comparison, depending on how one uses them.”

  Both Vaa’mina, the Honeyed-Swarm Matriarch and Yueli, the Revenant Wolf-Mother perked their heads up at the mention of the Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation. The two of them had known that Shamael had adventured within Jon before arriving within Springtown, but seldom did he mention anything about his six months prior to living in the Safe Zone.

  Nor did Wilheim or Sariel, despite the two of them only ever chatting with the latter in passing.

  Yueli in particular, could not help but want to know more about the leader of the Merchant Guild. Jon, or just “Princeps” as he was more commonly known throughout Springtown, was not just the strongest Knight without Springtown, but also one that seemed so far ahead of the rest of them.

  Regardless of whether it was the formation of spiritual veins or the creation of dual-fragment pathways, Jonathan Randall Guilliman had the rest of them beat. His Fragment Of Draconian Shadows was an overwhelmingly powerful dual-fragment pathway. One that many had attempted to replicate over the course of the past few months.

  “Has the “Prin-,” I mean, has Jon always been so strong? Even before you arrived within Springtown?” Yueli could not help but ask.

  Shamael did not hesitate to nod his head in response.

  “Yeah. Even before he reached the Sixth Initiation did he attempt to fight back against a Knight Ranked Hobgoblin that attacked our camp. He managed to sever its arm before one of our summoned companions landed the finishing blow.”

  “That was even before he obtained his first Title as well.” Shamael admitted but without mentioning any specifics.

  The eyes of both First-Veined Knights widened in response, thinking for a moment that they must have misheard Shamael. For a moment, it almost sounded as though-.

  “He landed a fatal blow on a Knight!? Without even having a Title!? How the hell did he manage to achieve such a thing!” Vaa’mina exclaimed, her voice echoing across her Throne Of Familial Hive. Yueli too felt the foundations of her Golden Mind Palace tremble, before re-exerting control back over her Fragment Of Mind.

  Shamael just nodded at them both, communicating no word of a lie.

  “The Knight was around First-Veined Tier. Definitely not a Second-Vein. It specialized in producing debilitating effects and not pure damage, allowing Jon to resist it through his incarnation. In terms of physical capabilities, the Knight did not possess a Fragment Of Marrow or a Fragment Of Heart, something which Jon took advantage of.”

  “The Knight was not particularly intelligent either, probably the mental age of a young adolescent. I cannot be certain of anything, but if I was a betting man and if Jon fought the Knight Ranked Hobgoblin again, this time at the peak of Mortality, there is not any doubt within my mind.”

  “He would win. With little to no injuries.”

  Shamael took a deep breath, the corners of his mouth curling upwards into the shape of smile.

  “He is relentless. Fiendish resolve and an unbridled pride given flesh and form. While pain might deter others from continuing to fight, it merely stirs the monstrous focus that lurks within him. Every day he would practice the manipulation of his abilities, meditating in order to better hone his spiritual and mental faculties.”

  “He would train himself to failure and then train his self-recovery abilities in order to bring himself back to fighting form. He would do this morning to night, for more than six months without once stopping to rest.”

  “Although it might seem as though an exaggeration, I do honestly believe that Jon is the most powerful Knight not just within Springtown, but within our System-generated small realm as a whole. He has not just adapted quicker to the presence of the System but seemed to flourish under its influence.”

  “I don’t know if he was always like this, even back on Earth. Or if something changed within him since arriving within the System Introduction. But nevertheless, he is someone that I would trust with my life.”

  Shamael unconsciously allowed his emotions to bleed into the connection between himself, Yueli and Vaa’mina. The drus and nadian feeling the overflowing sense of trust and faith that the blue-skinned man felt for the Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation.

  The man that single-handedly fought against three Knights of equal Rank.

  The Spiritus Ensis Sanctus possessed some of the strongest offensive abilities within Springtown but still failed to defeat his Hades-Draconian Shadow, Hastor-Shapeless Horrors and Archetype Treasured-Avarice. His own lack of perception-type abilities and reaction-type abilities causing his downfall, preventing him from keeping up with so many pseudo-independent spiritual constructs.

  The Tribune Of Dusk And Destruction mysteriously felled after hearing voices in his head during his one-on-one fight with Jon. Perhaps one of the more rounded Knights within Springtown, he was defeated in a single blow after being caught off guard.

  And The Son Of Wolves And Hunger… well, he was strong but lacked the stamina and endurance to participate in extended fights. He excelled in the manipulation of multiple abilities with the Technique Trait all at once but did not possess the expanded spiritual energy capacity that Jon did through his various mutations.

  Although the three of them were undoubtably strong in their own right, Jon just seemed to beat them in areas where each seemed weak.

  Of course, things would be different outside of a tournament setting. Where summoned companions and extreme offensive concepts could be used, however, one must always remember that Jon too was prevented from summoning the Threaded-Heart Of Terminus Est or from using his Fragment Of Annihilation.

  “I heard that he also managed to obtain a Memento Source Item. Is that also something true Shamael?” Vaa’mina’s voice echoed throughout the overgrown shrubs and fallen trees. Wisps of lie natured spiritual energy and knowledge natured spiritual energy slipping into the mental connection between the three of them.

  Shamael, Vaa’mina and Yueli all felt their fragments tremble from within their various Mana Cores. The Legionnaire Of Virtuous Pestilence nodded his head, as though the question was the most ordinary of everyday occurrences.

  Neither the nadian nor the drus beside him feeling anything wrong with the line of questioning.

  “Yeah. He does possess a Memento Source Item. Although I do not know its exact effects, I know it takes the form of an expressionless mask. One that seems to emanate lie natured spiritual-.”

  The voices of both the Principality Of Concealed Harvests and the Throne Of Forbidden Autumn piercing through the veil of lie natured spiritual energy that clouded his mind.

  “Shamael!” Just his name alone enough to cause his Throne Of Temperament Mycelium to sprout hundreds, if not thousands of defensive mushrooms to conceal the thoughts, emotions and desires that grew beneath.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  His Phthisis-Cinder Spirit igniting the flickering wisps of knowledge natured spiritual energy that dared to encroach upon the mushrooms that contained his core memories. Ash-shaped rot burning away the foreign influence, causing the sound of laughter to emanate from the depths of his Fragment Of Mind.

  “Thanks for that little piece of information, “friend!” I never would have thought that annoying little prick to have integrated a Lie Mana Core into his Memento Source Item! Concealed beneath that Heretical Chalk Protection of his, who in the world could have guessed that wearing a mask!”

  The sound of maniacal giggling echoed throughout the overgrown forest, prompting Shamael, Vaa’mina and Yueli to halt their advance and move back-to-back, each one activating various perception-type and sensory-type abilities.

  [Eyes Of Malevolence].

  Shamael’s Ahriman-Perception Eyes was one of two successful dual-fragment pathway that he had formed since becoming a Knight. His Fragment Of Perception and Fragment Of Eyes had combined together, forming a Fragment Mystic-Eyes.

  Said Ahriman-Perception Eyes sweeping across the thick, verdant overgrowth, observing for any traces of lie natured or knowledge natured spiritual energy. Vaa’mina and Yueli on either side of him each manifesting one of their summoned companions.

  [Ceres Malice; Four-Thorned Piercing Wasp].

  [Ravana Invidia; Green-Eyed Phantasmal Sirius].

  An enormous truck-sized wasp manifested itself in the space above Vaa’mina, wielding two-sets of two-lance-shaped stingers as limbs, with two pairs of wings fluttering behind it. Each one of its stingers emanated a foul sense of malice and rage; poison dripping from their tips as though manifesting in varying shades of toxic green and lethal yellow.

  Beside Yueli, a large SUV-sized canine manifested from out of her Wolf Mana Core. Possessing an illusory, half-translucent figure, Ravana Invidia snarled the moment she manifested herself in three-dimensional space; glowing green eyes capable of tracking the movement of envy and resentment in the space around itself.

  The Green-Eyed Phantasmal Sirius felt something shift in the corner of her eyes, before announcing her discovery to the malice-thorn wasp that hovered above it.

  “Ceres! On your three o’clock!” The invidia-phantasmal sirius exclaimed, watching as its fellow summoned companion rushed in the direction where it had detected traces of sin. In the span that it took for an uninitiated mortal to blink, the Four-Thorned Piercing Wasp lunged its lance-shape stingers forward, hoping to end the unknown threat in a single strike.

  However-.

  The compound eyes of Ceres Malice twitched in surprise, as its stingers struck some sort of unknown reflective object. Through the knowledge and experience of this once Lord-level creature, it could instantly determine that the object that it had struck was indeed a-.

  “Ceres come back now!” The sound of Vaa’mina’s voice cut through its astonishment, realizing that it had fallen into a-.

  The sound of an elephant-sized blood-night acerodon tyrant crashing down upon the malice-thorn wasp echoed throughout the forest. An explosion of dirt, grass and dust kicked high up into the air as the Quiet Death Of Light And Virtue rained down upon the Four-Thorned Piercing Wasp as though a daemon summoned from the depths of Pandemonium.

  The sound of flesh being torn from exoskeleton caused Shamael’s brow to twitch as Vaa’mina felt the connection between herself and Ceres Malice turn still. Her concepts returning to the fragment contained within her Summon Mana Core.

  “Well damn Itsumade! You squashed that bug in just a single hit!” The unknown voice shouted, seemingly emanating from everywhere around them all at once. Darkness natured spiritual energy encroaching upon the patches of shadow that existed all around them.

  In the corner of Shamael’s Ahriman-Perception Eyes he thought he glimpsed the shape of a hulking winged mass of flesh and muscle. His Fragment Of Mystic-Eyes disrupted moments later before the sound of a deep but bellowing voice whispered softly throughout the shrubs and trees.

  “Hmm? A dual-fragment pathway encompassing perception and sight? Although undeveloped it is enough to momentarily pierce through Kagami, Kagami… How interesting.” The second voice seemed somewhat interested in the effects of his Fragment Of Mystic-Eyes.

  Shamael on the other hand continued to flow curse-natured spiritual energy into his eye-mutation, before activating a handful of other physical enhancements. He did not bother to even attempt to hide the circulation of mana throughout his heart and marrow.

  “I don’t know who the hell you think you are,” Shamael declared, activating his Fragment Of Lernaean-Metamorphosis. His blue-coloured skin shifting into dark-azure scales. Fingers and toes growing longer as his nails turned black, transforming into talons and claws.

  “But if you think that you can just kill those who I am responsible for.”

  His Knight Ranked Formless-Chainmail Shirt and Knight Ranked Invisible-Shield Pants stretching alongside his expanding physique. Flesh rippling and bones crackling as writhing tumours sprouted on each of his shoulders. His Hydra Mana Core surging with an incredible amount of spiritual energy, fuelling his growing metamorphosis.

  Concepts of “transformation” “hydras” and “blood” congealing together, elevating his Knight-Ranked satanas flesh, bones and muscles into one befitting a lernaean-spell hydra.

  The footfalls of his draconian feet echoed throughout the forest. Tumours shaping themselves into fangs, eyes and poisonous blood occurred within a matter of moments. The entire transformation process taking no more than a handful of seconds.

  A masterful display of control and finesse.

  Three pairs of Ahriman-Perception Eyes gleaming through the shadows and darkness.

  “Then I promise, your death will be both long and excruciating.”

  Several dozen metres away, Theodore Jeffery Manson felt his fingers twitch. A sensation of excitement and anticipation flowing through his veins. The sight of the lernaean-spell hydra causing an overwhelming sense of exhilaration to flow through his veins.

  It had been more than three months in the making, but finally, all of his hard work had paid off.

  Influencing both Regulus; the Son Of Wolves And Hunger and Raflea; Decadent Princess Of Beautiful Luxuria to oppose Jon was easy enough. Inferiority was easy enough to come by when faced with such a young but talented individual. The underlying negative emotions already existed, merely requiring someone to fan the flames, so to speak.

  The slow, but subtle manipulations of the Right-Eye Of Life And Nightmares was slightly more difficult. The appaloscian was the type of person to look down on others whose abilities he did not see as equal. Even if there existed a deep sense of mistrust within his heart towards Jon, he respected the level of strength that he had attained over a brief period of time.

  Celadonis or the Sunlit-Heart Of Golden Creation rather, was the annoying part of the process. Trying to influence an existence whose experience and level of mana manipulation far exceeded his own was difficult in the beginning but changed the moment he obtained Lacrimosa; Mindless Thread Control.

  The Memento Source Item born from the integration of a Fragment Of Control into a Mind Mana Core. While using a Knight Ranked Traceless-Spirit Thread as the basis for its creation.

  ‘But perhaps… the crème de la crème…’

  Was his momentary control over a certain ice devil spirit.

  His Fragment Of Mindless-Erasure removing all traces of his presence from her mind, creating a rift between Jon and his strongest summoned companion. The effects of his Fragment Of Phantasmal-Knowledge and Fragment Of Faceless-Spirit preventing Schwarz Eis Seir from ever regaining any of her lost memories.

  [Mine Is The Black Erasure Of Knowledge].

  [Lost Knowledge Art; Glitched Information Haze].

  [Thou Art The Monarch Of Faceless Lies].

  His mouth curling upwards, as his Eris-Thieving Grin revealed two rows of pearly white teeth. The Memento Source Item which threaded itself into his skin and flesh flowing downwards, extending their invisible tendrils in the direction of his newfound target.

  ‘Gotcha.’

  Name: Shamael Of Lemnos

  Age: 19

  Rank: Knight

  Tier: Second-Veined

  Title: Legionnaire Of Virtuous Pestilence

  Mana Core(s)

  [1]: Rot

  [Fragment Of Light]

  [Empty Rot Arts; Seven-Coloured Corruption]

  (Rot, Light, Spell, Debuff)

  (Erasure)

  [Fragment Of Flora]

  [Ahuatzi; Fungi-Mother Rafflesia]

  (Summon, Rot, Flora, Spell, Ability, Buff, Debuff)

  (Fungi)

  [Fragment Of Marrow]

  [Ours Is The Blood That Rots The Flesh And Soul]

  (Rot, Marrow, Mutation, Ability, Enhancement, Passive)

  (Karma)

  [Fragment Of Spirit]

  [Thou Art The Monarch Of Filth And Rot]

  (Rot, Spirit, Mutation, Spell, Enhancement, Debuff)

  (Cinder)

  [Fragment Of Darkness]

  [Serpent-Rot Art; Creeping Dusk Maw]

  (Rot, Darkness, Spell, Ability, Construct, Debuff)

  (Serpent)

  [Fragment Of Burst]

  [Explosive Rot Art; Rapid-Decay Bullets]

  (Rot, Burst, Spell, Debuff)

  (Propagation)

  [2]: Curse

  [Fragment Of Might]

  [Malignant Curse Arts; Withered Blood, Weakened Flesh]

  (Curse, Might, Spell, Debuff)

  (Agility)

  [Fragment Of Mystic-Eyes]

  [Eyes Of Malevolence]

  (Curse, Perception, Eyes, Mutation, Ability, Passive, Sensory, Perception)

  [Fragment Of Poison]

  [Malignant Curse Arts; Purple Haze, Violet Murder]

  (Curse, Poison, Spell, Debuff)

  (Liver)

  [Fragment Of Recovery]

  [Malignant Curse Arts; Severed Veins, Broken Mind]

  (Curse, Recovery, Spell, Debuff)

  (Bacteria)

  [Fragment Of Incarnation]

  [With Thou In Hand, Curses Shall Envelop The Skies]

  (Curse, Incarnation, Ability, Technique, Spell, Construct, Buff)

  (Cleanse)

  [Fragment Of Avatar]

  [With Thou Beside Me, Curses Shall Reign Eternal]

  (Curse, Avatar, Ability, Technique, Spell, Construct, Buff)

  (Twin)

  [3]: Fungi

  [Fragment Of Mind]

  [Mine Is The Throne Of Mycelium]

  (Fungi, Mind, Passive, Ability, Enhancement, Resistance, Self)

  (Temperantia)

  [Fragment Of Patientia]

  [Patience Is The Purgatory Whispered On Thou Lips]

  (Fungi, Patientia, Spell, Ability, Technique, Buff, Debuff)

  (Purification)

  [Fragment Of Swarm]

  [Malicious Fungi Art; Hive Of Swarming Spores]

  (Fungi, Swarm, Spell, Debuff)

  (Hive)

  [Fragment Of Shield]

  [Protective Fungi Art; Rebounding Spore Shield]

  (Fungi, Shield, Spell, Defensive, Construct, Debuff)

  (Retaliation)

  [Fragment Of Tree]

  [Malicious Fungi Art; Rotting Tree Death]

  (Fungi, Tree, Spell, Construct, Debuff)

  (Rot)

  [Fragment Of Caritas]

  [Graceful Fungi Art; Sin-Devouring Spores]

  (Fungi, Caritas, Spell, Recovery)

  (Devour)

  [4]: Blood

  [Fragment Of Constitution]

  [Hallowed Blood Arts; Strength Of The Lord Of Blood]

  (Blood, Constitution, Spell, Technique, Enhancement, Buff)

  (Regeneration)

  [Fragment Of Heart]

  [Regrets Of A Blood-Soaked Dream]

  (Blood, Heart, Mutation, Ability, Passive)

  (Summon)

  [Fragment Of Transcendence]

  [That Which Is Born Through Blood]

  (Blood, Transcendence, Ability, Spell, Technique, Enhancement, Buff, Debuff, Self)

  (Star)

  [Fragment Of Humilitas]

  [With Thou In Hand, Blood Shall Flood The Stars]

  (Blood, Incarnation, Ability, Technique, Spell, Construct, Buff)

  (Refine)

  [Fragment Of Pietas]

  [Life-Giving Blood Art; Restorative Blood Donation]

  (Blood, Pietas, Spell, Recovery, Buff)

  (Life)

  [Fragment Of Temperantia]

  [Temperance Of The Crimson Lord Of Blood]

  (Blood, Temperantia, Aura, Ability, Buff, Debuff)

  (Gratitude)

  [5]: Hydra

  [Fragment Of Summon]

  [Izuma; Viridian-Heart Of Jade Poison]

  (Hydra, Summon, Enhancement, Buff, Debuff)

  (Heart)

  [Fragment Of Fire]

  [Lernaean Spell Art; Threefold-Hydra Flames]

  (Hydra, Fire, Spell, Debuff)

  (Breath)

  [Fragment Of Lernaean-Metamorphosis]

  [Half-Hydra Transformation; Lernaean-Spell Tyrant]

  (Hydra, Transformation, Spell, Technique, Ability, Enhancement, Buff, Debuff)

  [Fragment Of Regeneration]

  [Lernaean Flesh And Blood]

  (Hydra, Regeneration, Recovery, Ability, Passive)

  (Organ)

  [Fragment Of Lightning]

  [Piercing Hydra Art; Thunderous-Hydra Spear]

  (Hydra, Lightning, Spell, Debuff)

  (Spear)

  [Fragment Of Ice]

  [Lernaean Winter Art; Freezing Hydra Cold]

  (Hydra, Ice, Spell, Debuff)

  (Winter)

  [6]: Summon

  [Fragment Of Serpent]

  [Aahron; Three-Headed Phosphoros Night]

  (Summon, Serpent, Mutation, Enhancement, Buff, Debuff)

  (Hydra)

  [Fragment Of Knight]

  [Lamorak; Knight Of Golden-Marrow Tree]

  (Summon, Knight, Mutation, Enhancement, Buff)

  (Marrow)

  [Fragment Of Virtue]

  [Palamedes; Virtue Of Dusk And Protection]

  (Summon, Virtue, Spell, Shield, Defensive, Buff)

  (Shield)

  [Fragment Of Principality]

  [Peleus; Principality Of Concealed Harvests]

  (Summon, Principality, Ability, Spell, Buff)

  (Concealment)

  [Fragment Of Throne]

  [Hashmal; Throne Of Forbidden Autumn]

  (Summon, Throne, Spell, Technique, Enhancement, Buff, Debuff)

  (Transcendence)

  [Fragment Of Abundance]

  [Forgotten Livers Of The Lord Of Invocation]

  (Summon, Abundance, Mutation, Ability, Buff, Self)

  (Excess)

  [7]: Incarnation

  [Fragment Of Fear]

  [Agamemnon; Fearful Reincarnation Monument]

  (Memento, Incarnation, Fear, Monolith, Rebirth, Ability, Technique, Construct, Buff, Debuff)