The next couple of hours were very stressful for Kon. When it was discovered that her daughter had slipped out, she used what talismans she had on hand to make shikigami to go search for her. Meanwhile, Mab didn’t seem to care. She was convinced that once the system acknowledged her as the owner of the name Lian Hughes, she would be able to control the little deviant however she pleased.
Kon was relieved when her daughter was returned to her even if it was done by Asmodeus. When he had told her about the corruption Kon immediately went to heal her. Once Kon was done she left her daughter to rest but put a talisman in the room to not only alert her upon awakening but allow her to keep an eye on her daughter so that they could discuss what to do without worry.
When she did wake up, she wondered what happened after she killed Austin. She didn’t even know that Asmodeus had carried her back.
“Whoa.” She had immediately gone over to a mirror when she saw her reflection and wanted to get a better look at herself now. While she would miss her old hair and eye color, she had to admit she liked the new colors but when it came to her ears and tail it was another matter.
“Aah. This is a little embarrassing.” She groaned as she paid closer attention to her ears and tail. While she was one of those who thought seeing people with these traits was adorable and fascinated with seeing them, she was always embarrassed when someone made her wear headbands or made her imagine herself with them. She just thought it was so cringy when it was on her.
While she continued to complain about how she couldn’t shapeshift her ears and tail away like Kon was when she called forth her claws in frustration. The surprise of it distracted her from how embarrassed she was to have ears and a tail.
“In. Out. In. Out.”
She kept making her claws appear and retracted them back inside her hands. As intriguing as this was, she just wanted to get used to the feeling of them.
“I should probably check my status screen.”
While she kept messing with her claws, she pulled up her screen and was amazed to see that she had reached level 10, had another title, a new affinity, and several new racial skills. Yet None of this really mattered to her as she was surprised with how many EP she had.
“How in the primordial flame do I have seventeen points?! Wasn’t it just one point per level-up? WHY IS MATH NOT MATHING!!” She was beyond confused by this. She began to mess around to find out how she had that many but couldn’t make any headways with it.
“Fuck it. Let's just bring Agility and Vitality up to twenty and deal with it later.” After she spent some of her points, she decided to reserve the others until she had a better idea of the path she wanted. Maybe spend them after she unlocks her first class. Next up was looking at her new skills.
[Foxfire: An ethereal flame that takes on the properties of the kitsune's affinities.]
“This seems like a rather unique kind of skill if I had to say something. Maybe I can forge with it.” When she said that out loud, she noticed her immediate excitement to forge something was missing. While she wanted to worry about that something seemed to bury that train of thought back under the surface.
[Demonic Heart: As your infernal rank increases your mana and health go up by 10% as infernal mana pumps through your veins]
“No wonder demons are known for being so tough.”
She was surprised by how amazing this passive skill was. She had heard that skills like this weren’t one-time boosts but scaled with how the attribute in question increased, making them exponentially better.
[Fae Lineage: For fae bloodlines and lineage are extremely important. The more you evolve the purer yours becomes. for every evolutionary realm you acquire your health increases by 2% and your mana increases by 6%]
“Maybe it’s all of the big three of the council.” She said not knowing how to process that she got another similar skill. While she could rejoice over having two powerful buff skills she was aware of the catch with them that the boosts were tied to her rank with the groups. For now, Gehenna was officially ahead of Tuatha when it came to recruiting her for that alone.
[Havoc Binding: All agreements made between you and others are reinforced by the cosmos itself. If no collateral or punishment is specified, then the system will corrode the minds and bodies of those who break their end of the agreement. The only way to stop it is to finish what was agreed upon or mutual agreement to nullify the contract from all parties.]
She was silent when reading this skill. The sheer savagery of this skill terrified her and swore to be more mindful of what she said from now on. She didn’t want her or those she cared about to end up dead because she forgot to do a household chore.
[Iron Kissed: Blessed by iron and steel you have no fae weakness to metal]
She should have rejoiced when she saw this skill but that same part of her that pushed her concerns about her lack of passion again shoved this train of thought away. As if she was trying to not acknowledge something concrete about her had changed.
[Tails of the Kitsune: For every tail you possess, your health increases by 4%, and your mana increases by 10%. Furthermore, each additional tail after the first will unlock a new ability for you. your attributes also increase as follows for every additional tail: Strength +5, Agility +7, Vitality +5, Magic +10, Charm +5]
‘Am I some kind of Mary Sue now? Not upset just surprised.’ She couldn’t help but think this. She just wasn’t ecstatic about any of it.
That worried her.
Why did she feel empty inside?
“Nope. Not going down that road.” She all but yelled this in a not quiet but not loud voice as she next checked her spirit affinity.
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[Spirit Affinity: This affinity helps resist anything that would negatively affect your soul while enhancing any spiritual-based abilities.]
She didn’t question it. She noticed it when she checked her attributes after becoming a fox person the first time. She assumed it had something to do with being part kitsune and moved on to her new title.
“Maybe I should go to therapy before I snap at someone I care about.”
As she read the title, she was worried about any potential anger that might be used to lash out at someone over a minor slight. She knew the control and discipline she had relied on to control her old violent tendencies had been shattered after He-Who-Is-Now-Dead assaulted her.
Though with all she had gained she was convinced she might one day be strong enough to find and save Pops. She believed something was wrong because there was no talk of a trial. It was as if his existence was now being hidden away after arresting him.
For now, all she could do was get stronger and the next step for that was to pick a class. She was looking forward to this so she saved it for last to build up the anticipation.
[Aberrant Trickster]
Card Appearance: A figure shrouded in a dark, swirling mist stands at the center of the card. The figure has a mischievous grin, their eyes gleaming with cunning intelligence. Dressed in patchwork attire that blends elements of a jester and a rogue, they hold a deck of cards in one hand, each card glowing with a different type of magic. Shadowy tendrils curl around their form, hinting at the chaotic and unpredictable nature of their magic. The background is a dizzying maze of mirrors and illusions, reflecting multiple distorted versions of the Trickster.
Stars: 6(7)
She had never heard of this class or anything about trickster classes but having your first class be a six-star was a huge boon as whatever your next class is will have a minimum number of stars equal to your current one at the time. Though she called out bullshit on the quest to unlock it.
Description: Aberrant Tricksters break the mold with magic and manipulations. They deceive others to get what they want even if it means risking their lives in the process.
Quest: Deceive 30 people into something detrimental against themselves at your benefit
Progress: 0/30
“Let’s just move on to the next one for now.”
[Battle Master]
Card: A towering warrior clad in mismatched armor pieces from various cultures and epochs dominates the card. The Battle Master stands with weapons in both hands – a massive sword in one and a finely crafted spear in the other. Their posture exudes confidence and readiness, with an arsenal of diverse weapons strapped across their back. The background shows a battlefield with ghostly figures practicing different combat styles, symbolizing the Battle Master's quest to master every form of combat.
Stars: 3(5)
Description: a warrior who doesn't seek to be known for one style but seeks to master every form of combat
Quest: Learn 5 different fighting styles, 5 different weapons, or some combination of them
Progress: 0/5
“I have my uncles to thank for this one.”
If Roark taught her enough to defend herself while unarmed Sol taught her how to flourish with several weapons. This was back when she struggled to get the balance right with the weapons she forged, so Sol taught her extravagant flourishing so she could get an idea of how the weapons are meant to move and feel. While impractical for combat, the knowledge did help her find out how to properly balance the gear she forged and improved her hand-eye coordination.
[Ember Smith]
Card: A muscular blacksmith stands at a glowing forge, hammering a blade that radiates a fiery aura. The Ember Smith is adorned in heavy, fire-resistant gear, their face illuminated by the intense light of molten metal. Sparks fly around them as they work, and ethereal, partially-formed weapons float in the air around them, each one shimmering with potential power. The background is a dark, cavernous workshop, with runes and mystical symbols etched into the walls, highlighting the magical aspect of their craft.
Stars: 4(5)
Description: A blacksmith that stokes the embers of their creations as they desire to make weapons that will obtain new heights
Quest: Forge 3 unique weapons each with a different elemental effect
Progress: 0/3
“Why am I not thrilled to see this?” Her heart was not moved like it should have when she saw this. Like she used to feel with anything to do with forging. With a heavy sigh, she moved on, for now, unwilling to dive too deep into her wounded psyche.
[Sorceress]
Card: A powerful mage stands confidently at the forefront of the card, with an aura of arcane energy swirling around her. She is dressed in elegant, flowing robes adorned with intricate symbols representing different schools of magic. She holds an ancient, glowing tome in one hand and gestures with the other, summoning a spectral dragon made of pure magic. The background is a grand, ancient library with shelves filled with magical artifacts and tomes, signifying her extensive knowledge and mastery of magic.
Stars: 4(5)
Description: The Sorceress is a powerful battle mage that becomes familiar with a specific type of magic art, they often discover new and versatile ways of making use of magics other spellcasters might overlook
Quest: Learn 1 magic art
Progress: 0/1
“While this sounds powerful, what is a magic art? Maybe Kon or Asmodeus can explain it.”
[Temptress]
Card: A captivating woman stands alluringly at the center of the card, exuding an aura of irresistible charm. She is dressed in a revealing, luxurious outfit that accentuates her figure, with jewelry that sparkles with enchantments. Her eyes are half-lidded, and a seductive smile plays on her lips as she holds a delicate chain in one hand, the other hand reaching out as if beckoning the viewer closer. The background is a sumptuous, dimly lit chamber filled with silken drapes and opulent furniture, creating an atmosphere of decadent temptation.
Stars: 4(5)
Description: A temptress is a woman who uses their affinity for lust to tempt others into obeying their whims
Quest: Charm 10 individuals
Progress: 0/10
“No.”
She had grown tired of waiting to see what happened next. Nothing to do with she believed she ran out of things on her system to check when she got another alert from her system.
“Searing slag that fairy queen is going to have to explain this name shit to me.”
