***
[Basic Information]
Name: Alexander Shen
Codename: Conqueror
Slayer Rank: D-Rank Slayer
Fabel Ranking: Chronicle (Deep Arcana)
[Skills: 5/4]
ACTIVE
Memento Recollection
Rank SSS
Type: Item Accumulation
Description: You possess the special power to materialize your interpersonal relationships as physical items. These items are called [Mementos], created when you have established a significant bond with an individual (the holder). Each [Memento] is ranked from F (weakest) to SSS (strongest) depending on the relationship.
The rank is dynamic. If the holder is deceased, the [Memento] will remain but its rank cannot be changed. There is no limit to how many [Mementos] you are able to acquire. You can receive a personal description of each [Memento] upon selecting it. You cannot use duplicate [Mementos] simultaneously unless explicitly stated.
You may [Synergize] your [Mementos] to create new weapons. The [Synergy]’s rank will be the average of the [Base Mementos]. You are unable to use [Base Mementos] after [Synergizing] unless explicitly stated.
This is an [Awakened Skill] and is thus always active without taking up a [Skill Slot].
Certain Shot
Rank A
Type: Concept Application
Description: Apply the Certainty Principle to any launched projectiles. They will hit their determined target in a theoretical reality, however still obeying natural law and logic in the real world.
Forged Skin
Rank A
Type: Body Enhancement
Description: Through brutal conditioning conducted by your uncle, your skin has become harder than steel and resist damages of almost every type.
Intimidating Presence
Rank C+
Type: Presence Enhancement
Description: Apply mild intimidation to any weak-willed individuals around you. You are able to toggle this [Skill] on and off at will.
Mana Impact
Rank C
Type: Internal Energy Manipulation
Description: Condense mana in a determined point inside your body and release it upon impact. You are able to control the quantity of mana condensed. Higher concentration will produce a more powerful result.
INACTIVE
Home Cook
Rank B
Type: Cognitive Enhancement
Description: You are able to remember all recipes you have cooked previously down to the individual ingredients and measurements required.
Algebraic Mind
Rank C
Type: Cognitive Enhancement
Description: You can mentally perform difficult algebra without the use of a calculator.
Note Transfer
Rank C
Type: Reality-System
Description: You are able to transfer all contents from your [Notes] into physical documents or electronic files and vice-versa.
UNDEVELOPED
Anti-Slayer Techniques
Rank SS
Type: Nested, Pressure Point Techniques
Linked Skills: Sixteen-Point Obliteration [SS], Sixteen-Point Incapacitation [SS] [?], Momentum Kill [S] [?], Flow Reversal [S] [?], Phenomena Negative [S] [?]
Description: Created by Alistair Romanos, your uncle, these techniques were specifically designed for a single purpose: to eliminate Slayers as a regular, Systemless human. Today, the Anti-Slayer Techniques are said to be the greatest and most coveted countermeasure against Slayers.
Acquisition Requirement: You must attain adequate mastery over all five linked [Skills]. Current progress: [4/5].
Dual Dragoneyes
Rank S
Type: Martial Art Technique, External & Internal Perception
Description: The foundational technique of the [Zhenlong School] series. One eye peers inward into the internal world, piercing through bloodstream and qi and entering the schema of the body. The other eye leers outward into the external world, marking the ebb and flow of the natural way.
Acquisition Requirement: You must discover a method to obtain the [Dragoneyes].
Zhenlong School
Rank SS
Type: Nested, Martial Arts Techniques
Linked Skills: [Tears…] [S], [Ruinous…] [S], [Dust…] [S], [Blades…] [S], [Casket…] [S], [Earth…] [S], [Spirit…] [S], [Sparrows…] [S], [Graveyard…] [S], [End…] [S]
Description: The techniques belonging to the Zhenlong Tactical School, created for the sole purpose of killing cultivators of the Jianghu. Assassins from Zhenlong are some of the most feared amongst the land for precisely these techniques.
Acquisition Requirement: You must attain adequate mastery over all ten linked [Skills]. Current progress: [0/10]
The Fool’s Many Faces
Rank ???
Type: ???
Description: Its effects have not yet been revealed…
Acquisition Requirement: Unknown, though as you continue on your journey, the [Skill] may open itself to you.
[Memento Recollection]
BASE
Chain Gauntlets
Rank A+
Holder: Bastien Romanos (deceased)
Memento Type: Gauntlet
Description: The [Memento] of your father, taking the form of tightly-wound chains. His wisdom and teachings are crystalized within these hands. Above all, they contain his sins, his regrets, and his responsibility. Much like how your own hands have scars.
Special Effect: You may unravel the [Gauntlets] into long chain-lengths.
Yuzhou
Rank A+
Holder: Shen Xingyu (deceased)
Memento Type: Armor
Description: The [Memento] of your mother, taking the form of full-body armor. This [Armor] is protection. Warmth. Security. It will protect you from the outside world and endure as a constant reminder of her bright spirit. Always look towards the light, she says, and remember who made you smile.
Special Effect: When paired with [Mementos] or [Memento Synergies] involving the Shen Family, increase the rank of this [Memento] to S.
Technique Daggers
Rank A
Holder: Althea Shen
Memento Type: Dagger
Description: The [Memento] of your younger sister, taking the form of silversteel daggers. You’ve been through everything together, from the moment you held her tiny hand to today. Even if the world is falling down, you would crawl through Hell for her.
Special Effect: When using [Technique Daggers], you may summon additional [Daggers] up to the number of [Techniques] in your sister’s possession. The maximum is currently 5.
Nightingale Watch
Rank A
Holder: Alistair Romanos
Memento Type: Magick Firearms
Description: The [Memento] of your uncle, taking the form of matte-black magick firearms modeled after their real-life counterparts. He imparted you with many things: his infamous Anti-Slayer Techniques, his combat experience, and his philosophy. Violence can only be subjugated through extreme violence. That’s the way of the horrible world for people like us.
Special Effect: This [Memento] takes the form of individual firearms: [Nightingale Pistol], [Nightingale Rifle], and [Nightingale Shotgun].
Chord/Discord
Rank C-
Holder: Okano Kotone
Memento Type: Psionic Field
Description: The [Memento] of the esper who’s fond of music, taking the form of a psionic field around your body. You’re both away from your home country having suffered from the same pains, and despite your pleas, the world keeps turning. At least you’re both turning together, knowing comfort in each other’s presence.
Special Effect: [Chord/Discord] possesses a natural repulsion force. You are able to manipulate the field’s shape and form, but the field itself cannot be disconnected from your physical body.
Solitary Demonblade
Rank D
Holder: Leona Ryu
Memento Type: Sword
Description: The [Memento] of your colleague and unwitting roommate, taking the form of a demonic blade. She brought you into Angels Guild and helped your family that’s almost impossible to repay. Perhaps you don’t need to reconcile the debt, however. As long as she’s in your company and you in hers, life in the ivory tower might not be so insufferable.
Special Effect: N/A
Conviction
Rank E
Holder: Angels Guild
Memento Type: Wings
Description: The [Memento] of Angels Guild, taking the form of angel wings. Everyone in your team has their own reason for joining: protection, the truth, a home. For you, it’s not so different: you’re fighting against the idea of a tragic ending—more than that, you’re fighting for a future brighter than the sun itself.
Special Effect: You are capable of flight.
SYNERGY
Pinion Pylons
Rank E
Synergy: [Chord/Discord] + [Conviction]
Memento Type: Psionic Pylons
Description: The [Synergy] of angels and espers, resembling a certain someone’s signature weapon. After experiencing the worst of humanity, there’s nothing more comforting than having a place to call “home.” Even if you make mistakes, even if you feel worthless, there’s always a place for freaks like you.
Special Effect: The [Pylons] function similarly to its real-life counterpart.
Angel Bullet
Rank C
Synergy: [Nightingale Watch] + [Conviction]
Memento Type: Long Rifle
Description: The [Synergy] of angels and soldiers, becoming a firearm forged in Heaven. Good must prevail. Evil must be vanquished. We must hold onto the faith in our hearts and stand on the side of morality. As long as we remain true, our path will never falter.
Special Effect: Unless stopped by an equal or greater force, the [Bullet] will never miss.
[Loadout]
Weapon(s): N/A
Armor: [High Intensity Combat Suit]
Accessories: N/A
Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
High Intensity Combat Suit
Rank A
Type: Armor
Description: Manufactured by team engineer Sage (that’s me!), your [High Intensity Combat Suit] is a lightweight combat bodysuit that’ll serve you well in the field! On Celestial Empress’s recommendation, your [Combat Suit] is paired with additional clothes so you don’t have to fight wearing only a skintight bodysuit. For additional information, please tap on this link.
[Weekly Commission]
Weekly Commission: First Order Special Task Force
Weekly Pay: 52,100smp
Description: You are a member of the Special Task Force inside Angels Guild working directly on the behalf of its Guild Masters and Kosmos. Complete your assignments as they are ordered.
***
“Hey, Conqueror.”
“G’morning, Conqueror.”
“Conqueror, hope you slept well!”
“...I think I prefer being hated,” I told Leo, morning coffees in hand.
In the past fifteen minutes, about a hundred people reached out with friendly words and gestures. Apparently, my guildmates weren’t as torn up on losing a shitton of money as I thought; instead of facing scorn and envy, I was met with respect and a little bit of fear. Leo, on the other hand, was generally feared because of the small fact that her aunt was Cheonma. She didn’t let her blood relations keep her from enjoying a good time, because she was smiling like everything was sunshine and rainbows.
“You don’t like being a celebrity?” she teased as we marched toward the elevators.
“It’s…annoying.” I sipped my hot coffee, hoping none of the workers were petty enough to spike it with saliva or anything else. “In OU, I was something of an idol.”
“‘Something of an idol.’ You gotta be more specific than that.” She pressed the button, and we waited.
Dammit, guess I walked myself into that one. I unfortunately elaborated, “Long story short, I became known as that one weird corpo who could beat up swords.” (“I wonder how.”) “Mhm, and for some reason, that’s a really attractive trait.”
Leo raised an intrigued eyebrow, coffee to her lips. “Hmm?”
“I couldn’t go more than a week without a chick from Systemic Works asking me out. Either in-person or through my socials, however they found my accounts.” The elevator opened and we entered. Leo scanned her keycard and we were on our way to the top floor. “Also a few guys too, but I’d rather not dwell on those moments.”
My vague story left enough for the imagination to have Leo burst out laughing. Good thing we were in an elevator because I didn’t need my reputation to plummet back down.
“And you’re still clueless about why?” she asked through immature chuckles.
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not clueless, but as you can tell, I don’t have a ‘feminine mind.’ Women are… You know what, I shouldn’t finish that sentence. The security camera’s capturing my every word.”
“As a woman, I’ll give you an insight: of course they’d be attracted to you, lovely. Whether you intend to or not, you’re naturally intriguing if that’s the right word for it. You know, hard-to-get. Mysterious, even.”
I drank my coffee to swallow whatever biting remark I had. “Right, until I drive them away with my lovely personality.”
Leo leaned against a railing, smiling. “Even with your personality. I…” Then, her caramel eyes drifted down to the polished floor as the elevator display ticked upward. “I understand why those girls chased after you. You’re tall, strong, and ridiculously handsome. Hell, a few years ago, I would’ve chased after you myself.”
I continued sipping my coffee to swallow whatever inappropriate remark I had. “Right.”
She cleared her throat a few times and swept a few brown locks behind her ears, trying to hide the obvious flush in her cheeks. “Don’t misunderstand. I’m offering a professional opinion, okay? It’s stupid to deny that you're actually attractive.”
Her cute reaction had increased the temperature in my cheeks by a few degrees. “Thanks for the compliment, princess. Don’t misunderstand what I’m going to ask either: why ‘a few years ago’? I know Baekyong hurt, but you're not interested in relationships anymore?”
Leo faced the doors on this suddenly long elevator ride, the flush fading. “Pretty much. I have too much...stuff to handle something like that. Not for a long time, I think. I mean, what’s the point?”
“In what? Romance? The connection?”
"Along those lines, yeah. The thing is, Alex, I’m still the second-in-line heiress of the Ryu Family. Despite functionally being a bastard child in the eyes of the Demonic Cult, there might be a day where I have to perform my duty as an heiress. If that’s just slightly plausible, entering a relationship is… It’ll make for a good romance movie, just not a good romance.”
A strange feeling rose inside my chest, like I was a little disappointed to hear that. No, there was no ambiguity. I was disappointed and admittedly a bit sad.
“Is that the excuse you’re going with?” I challenged.
My pretty rude question got a side-eye from her. “Okay, lovely, what does that supposed to mean? In fact, are we really having a conversation about my lovelife now?”
I gestured toward the shut elevator doors. “It’s a long elevator ride.”
“God, Alex.”
“Look, you could be right, but keeping the door open might be a good thing—”
“No, hell no.”
“You never know what could happen—hey, you never know! This is a weird fucking world!” I spoke up, making sure she wouldn’t interrupt me. “I’m not saying you should sign up for a dating app, Leo. Just… Locking your own doors won’t keep the bad guys out, it'll trap you in.”
Leo rolled her eyes and brushed me off worse than an disinterested teen. “I can’t believe I’m getting love advice from you.” (“You know I’m right.”) “No, fuck, I really don’t—actually, you know what, we’re here. Thank goodness. This conversation’s over.”
The elevator doors opened as if on cue. The princess forcibly snatched the lead while I briskly chased after, coffee in hand.
I caught up, head swiveled toward her and not the long hallway in front of us. “I’m not done talking yet, Leo.”
“Fine!” Leo wagged her coffee at my face, some threatening to spill out of the tiny opening in the lid. “If you wanna talk about romance so much, let’s talk about Lyressa.”
“We’re not talking about her—”
“Lyressa is gorgeous.” (“Sure.”)
“Lyressa is a sweetheart.” (“She has competition.”)
“Lyressa is an elf.” (“Who’s probably older than me by a few centuries.”)
“Lyressa is interested in you!” Leo stopped in the middle of the hallway and lightly slapped my chest. “I—okay, let me not yell that for the world to hear. She’s interested in a dick and douchebag like you. But guess what? No [Memento]. Probably because you didn’t cook dinner for her.”
“You’re still on that—”
“She was your guest! Treat her like one—hell, treat her better than a guest. Treat her as a date—”
I scoffed and downed a liter of coffee to wash away the frustration in my voice. “I’m not chasing after relationships right now—”
“Oh, really now? Really?” Leo crossed her arms. “After all that bluster about my love-life, that’s your answer?”
“Hey, I didn’t say I was completely disinterested unlike you—” (“That’s not what I said!”) “—you’re on your way to becoming an eunuch, princess.”
“God, fuck off already. You’re strangely fucking insistent on this.”
“Like how you’re pushing Lyressa.”
Leo smacked her lips and did the same thing as me: downing her coffee to wash all the bad feelings away. Caffeine wasn’t a cure unfortunately, not for both of us.
I couldn’t win with this girl. One moment, she was on the edge of flirting with me, then she hopped away from the cliff of romance and wanted to play matchmaker. It was a frustrating dance. Look, I get it. Leo had big responsibilities and terrible memories, but so did I. Although balancing a relationship on top of everything wasn’t ideal—although intimacy was as scary as facing the wrong end of a sword—I shouldn't outright deny the possibility from occurring. That was, despite my lack of knowledge and wisdom about matters of the heart, the least I could do for myself.
A few seconds passed between us with not another word said.
So I took the bait: “Look—”
“Why the hell are you so interested in my life anyway?” Leo glared, and I felt some of her qi channeling through her eyes. “Give me a reason, and maybe I’ll stop being such a contrarian.”
I shrugged, trying not to appear hostile or aggressive. “I don’t know, princess. You—you deserve to be loved, I guess.”
Leo said nothing. She didn’t have much of a reaction. Really, she just…stood there, letting her eyes soften back to normal, and stared at her coffee. I couldn’t tell what the hell was going on inside that stubborn head of hers, but she came to some conclusion.
"...Do you actually think that?" she quietly asked.
I did my best to smile brightly. "What do you believe, princess?"
"Heh. You corny asshole... I hate you so fucking much." Leo bowed her head for a moment and laughed at how our conversation ended up. "Alright. You win. I... Lemme freshen myself up in the bathroom for a few minutes. I don't wanna clock in on the brink of tears."
Guilt sucked the caffeine out of my blood. “Leo, if I said anything too harsh—"
"No no, lovely, you're great. Just...give me five minutes and I'll forget the whole thing." She smiled, the joy reaching her eyes and melting the caramels in them, and she gave me a dorky, exaggerated salute. "See you in a few, loverboy."
I...
I wasn't sure if the outcome was good or bad, but she was smiling.
Seeing her smile made my days better, at least, so it had to be the former.
***
Entering the Office of the Guild Masters—alone, mind you—I was greeted with a surprise: it was a roster of three of the most powerful men in the guild. We had the Commander of the Special Task Force, Overseer; Vice Guild Master Rector; and finally, Wing Commander Colossus. All we were missing was Kosmos and probably Rei.
The three weathered men greeted me with subtle nods when I entered; before my rude interruption, they’d been enjoying a wonderful, mature discussion. Ironically just moments earlier, I had an awful and juvenile argument with Leo which would stick to my psyche for the next couple weeks.
Luckily, this should cleanse my thoughts. I hope it did, because otherwise, I’d be tempted to spike the rest of my coffee with vodka.
Rector, the most powerful of the three, sat behind his desk and rubbed his eyes. He was luxuriously casual. “There you are. Where’s Empress?”
“Freshening up in the bathroom.” I faced Overseer and Colossus next, nodding respectfully. Mainly the latter. Pretty much only the latter. “Colossus, sir.”
Colossus made a small wave of his hand. “Conqueror. It’s a shame we didn’t properly speak after yesterday’s match.”
“I heard the recruitment went well, though.”
“Mhm.” He faced other Angels in the room. “I was discussing Dictum’s next steps with Rector and Overseer. You naturally came up as a topic. From Determination to you, they’ve given their compliments despite all of them losing money. Even I have to admit, I didn't expect that outcome.”
“Conqueror is a box of surprises,” Overseer said, hovering near Rector’s desk and fiddling with a pen.
I set my coffee down on a nearby table and stuck closely with my uncle. “I think we were all pleasantly surprised yesterday.”
Everybody hummed. Yup, just humming and maintaining perfectly stoic, well-rehearsed smiles like we were having dinner with the President of the United States. This…wasn’t a friendly conversation as I thought. Three absurdly powerful and influential men were in the same room, and one of them had thought himself as a political mastermind. I assumed Colossus wanted to give his apologies and assure his Vice Guild Master of his loyalty, yet with that unnerving look in his bulging eyes…
“Does this settle your concerns?” I asked him directly, knowing he wouldn’t dare try anything.
Rector and Overseer stiffened where they were, and the latter chewed on a forming scowl.
Colossus was undisturbed by my question. “About?”
“The Special Task Force. In the past twenty-four hours, we went from outsiders to mildly respected.”
“Unquestionably.” Colossus cracked his knuckles to give his fingers something to do. “I’ll always have my concerns, Conqueror, especially regarding your purpose. But your firepower doesn’t worry me anymore. If this is your progress after a few months, then I can’t imagine what you’ll become after a few years. Though, that creates more problems than it solves. With someone as powerful as you in the team, who knows what will happen in the future. You're a dangerous piece, boy."
A vein popped in my head.
Wasn't good enough, huh?
Rector bounced forward in his chair, taking his subordinate's words with a slight narrow in his lavender eyes. “Pardon me, whose office is this? Colossus, keep your concerns to yourself. I can tolerate a question here and there, and sometimes I’ll stomach stunts like yesterday, but if this happens again—”
Colossus cracked a knuckle. “As long as you know what you’re doing, Rector, but these aren't 'stunts.' They're checks. The world depends on Angels Guild. Anything that jeopardizes our stability has to be dealt with. Nobody wants a repeat of Oasis.”
“Comparing us to Oasis is a bold, bold choice,” Rector said, his voice as sweet as venom.
“I’m just telling you the public sentiment.”
Overseer spoke up, likely noticing my locked jaw when Oasis was brought up, “Don’t overestimate your position, Colossus. The next time you want to challenge the STF, it should be a friendly competition. Otherwise, you'll dislike the ultimate outcome.”
Colossus stared down the smaller veteran, hands by his side and his expression sickeningly neutral. “Overseer, as much as I respect you for raising Conqueror, an old rifle doesn’t know much on how a castle operates. It’s best that you stick to your own office. I’m a Wing Commander because I bled for the position. Yours were given from apparent nepotism."
Overseer showed a rare, rare smile that could chill a room filled with high-rankers, and it did. He stopped clicking his pen. "I fertilized the fields you bled on."
"Really—?"
“Is that all, Colossus?” Rector stood, looking more unamused than angry. “We have to discuss the plan for today.”
Colossus widened his naturally bulging eyes, but he relaxed. He didn’t seem offended at all. “I’ll be with Dictum. We should have everything processed soon.”
“Go and do that.”
“Mmm, and Conqueror?” Colossus turned to me, and I felt small under his height. “I hope you don’t become a problem for Angels Guild. I’d hate to see it.”
"You too."
He left, having to duck underneath the door-frame to leave.
“Christ,” I said when the room felt lighter. “When did he develop his trust issues?”
“After he became the 3rd Wing Commander,” Rector answered and collapsed into his chair again. “He’s always been…critical of our decisions. The STF is his latest fixation.”
Overseer asked, “And I’m assuming he’s too useful to casually throw away?”
“Yes, but I’m also tired of his bullshit. You know how it is with bureaucracy and politics: it’s easy to fill a chair but ludicrously difficult to kick them off. According to our procedures, we would need a really good reason to revoke his command."
I commented, “Other than death and gross scandal.”
“Other than death and gross scandal. So unfortunately, he’ll likely press his luck further and we’ll have another song and dance.”
I nodded. “At least the STF isn’t universally despised, but I’ll leave the politicking to you. I’ll do my best to be scandal-free.”
Overseer off-handedly said, “Until rumors surrounding you and Silverhonor pop up.”
I loudly groaned. “What ideas did Leo fill your head with?”
“You were the one who’d invited Silverhonor to our home.”
Rector looked like he wanted to bash his skull open over his own desk. “I genuinely cannot deal with this right now.”
“Rector, I promise you that if I ever get into a relationship, you’ll be the first one to know—”
“Just kill me at that point, Conqueror. Please—!”
Somehow after that, we shifted gears onto the schedule for the day.
After I pissed off the girl who’d been nothing but supportive and sweet to me. After Colossus showed he wasn’t backing down. Great. I’m a grade-A fuck-up. Whatever, I had a job to do. What was on the list? We had Kotone and her new [Psionic Pylons] with Sophos, whatever internal drama was going on at Angels, [Memento Synergy] and [Dual Dragoneyes], and other machinations that I was unaware of.
I was looking forward to it—just as long as I didn’t end up on TV.
***
<...That’s what you’ve missed, Father.>
Guild Master Jin Junjie delicately lifted his white tea and sipped the smooth drink, smacking his lips together to savor the subtle notes.
Jin Tianyou kept his head low, not daring to meet his father’s eyes.
Father’s hand froze, the tea-cup mere centimeters from his lips.
Father set his cup down, wrinkles and muscles tensing together.
Father hummed like the low buzz of a machine.
Jin Tianyou commented,
Jin Tianyou already knew the answer:
Father plucked his tea again and admired the wonderfully crafted ceramic.
[Complete: Episode 3 - Prove Yourself! Battle of the Wings!]
[Next: Episode 4 - A Day in the Life]