A Gamer Into Trails

It's a new week!

This chapter will introduce some of several changes to come. Read on to see how the Vermillion Eyes skill changes!

As always Giliath demands your power stones!

*

Before our very eyes, several shadowy blurs swooped down from the nearby trees once we bid farewell to the distant Schwarz Drache Barrier. They were monsters!

We likely intruded on their territory. It was also possible these spawns were completely random, not having any territory at all. There are what's called Septium Veins scattered all around the continent, and are known to trigger various phenomena that us humans can't really explain. On the surface, they're the number one cause to spawn monsters in the overworld.

Dungeons are a completely different matter. Once Septium Veins reach a breaking point, they can spawn in Dungeons altogether, like what showed up in Cold Steel II, the Infernal Castle. This method can also be affected by external means, such as incantations that the Hexen Clan use. But on a more normal scale like this, the Septium Veins nearby likely released a small burst of orbal energy, causing these monsters to appear.

I could go on about this all day about how monsters can appear, but that'd take ages. Why don't we see some of this in action instead? They walked right up to our doorstep. Literally!

"It looks like we've got some company, dad.", I said, welcoming the several monsters.

"So it would seem. These monsters are more tame, and aren't as aggressive. Stay beside me, and I'll show you a practical demonstration of Arts. Lady luck is on our side today.", Giliath responded.

"Before that, is it alright if I test something first? If we're being practical, this should be the best chance to do so.", I suddenly said, drawing Giliath's attention.

"Oh?", Giliath said, before nodding my head after he saw my serious eyes. "Very well. I think I know where you're getting at, son. I'll keep the monsters at bay. You have all the time in the world.", Giliath replied, nodding his gaze. His stance alone attracted most of the monsters. I had little worry about being attacked here. Father was much more of a threat to them.

"And I also have a favor, dad. Do you have the ability to limit your power to the monsters' level?", I decided to ask. You might know where I'm going with this, but I wanted to see if Father could do this first.

"Hmm, I do. That'd even the playing field a bit, but these monsters don't pose much of a threat. Shall I proceed to do so, son?", Giliath asked me, wanting to make sure.

"Yeah. This is something I want to test.", I firmly answered. I won't beat around the bush. I wanted to see Vermillion Eyes in action!

"Very well.", Giliath said. He didn't pull a weapon out of his ass like you'd see in the games. He was unarmed. All he had was his Combat Orbment to power him up. He'd show off weapons later, I'm guessing. I saw him brandish his Combat Orbment, flipping it open again. He was ready to attack at a moment's notice. He also took the time to limit his own power. He didn't seem as menacing as just a moment ago.

As if responding to the ongoing scene, I heard a surprising notification reach my ears.

[Ding! Gamer Naoto has encountered monsters for the first time. Vermillion Eyes' limits have been removed. All abilities have been unlocked. The Skill is now available for viewing. Would you like to view it?]

'Well that's a surprise. Vermillion Eyes was restricted until now? Either way, please do.', I replied.

Responding to my command, I was flooded with information. Vermillion Eyes sure was something, alright. I thought it was just a detection and Gamer-like skill that shows me a minimap inside my head, but that was only the beginning. I was left gobsmacked reviewing all of this new information!

[Vermillion Eyes - Lv1 (1/100)]

A special pair of eyes that are inherited by the now-ruined Phoenix House. By some miracle, its remaining members managed to hide in secrecy, and now these eyes have been passed down to its last member, you. It's a hereditary trait that displays powers as if it was connecting to the Sept-Terrion of Fire, Arc Rouge, itself. Gamer Naoto's eyes will change into a deep vermillion color once active. Gamer Naoto can consume EP to trigger a variety of effects.

Perk 1: Grants the Skill: [Flame-Born Intuition]. This Skill allows Gamer Naoto to detect the flow of mana and the energy Septium Veins release around him. [Flame-Born Intuition] additionally grants [Detection] and [Minimap] Skills.

-Consume 100 EP to Detect targets within 10 Levels of Gamer Naoto. Current Limit: Level 13. EP consumption decreases and target level difference increases based on Skill Level.

-Consume 100 EP to create a Minimap of Gamer Naoto's present location. Current limit: 100 Arge (100 meters). EP consumption decreases and range increases based on Skill Level.

Perk 2: Upon locking eyes with another close by or on host, the Vermillion Eyes triggers a phenomenon, and grants [Distant Flame] Skill to Gamer Naoto. This Skill provides the privilege of peering into past and/or future events, allowing Gamer Naoto to recall any desired scene.

-Consume 500 EP to recall a Short Memory. Consume 1000 EP to recall a Long-Distant Memory. Consume 2000 EP to recall a Future Event. Consume 3000 EP to recall a Branch Event. Consume 5000 EP to recall a Connection Event.

Perk 3: [Auslese Bloodline] has been strengthened to [Crimson-Tide Resonance] Skill, granting new effects to Gamer Naoto.

-Fire and Water elements now get added to attacks, crafts, and arts.

-Rapier Master I (Lv1 (0/100) remains in effect. Increases Attack Damage by 1% if using a Rapier.

-[Efficacy Reversal] remains in effect. If the target resists Fire or Water, it gets reversed, and becomes weak to it. Boosts Efficacy weakness by 50%.

-Fire and Water Damage additionally increases by 1%. Damage increases based on Skill Level.

Perk 4: Skill [EP Boost I] has been granted to Gamer Naoto.

-Provides a one-time 500 EP boost to Gamer Naoto's current EP.

-Gamer Naoto can now earn EP per Level Up. EP has been added to Gamer Naoto's base Level Up stats. Current EP per level: 50.

[Ding! The previous effects of Auslese Bloodline have been removed.]

[Ding! Gamer Naoto will no longer feel drained while using Vermillion Eyes. The Skills have been adjusted to one-time use consumptions.]

[Ding! Vermillion Eyes has consolidated into [Flame-Born Intuition], [Distant Flame], [Crimson-Tide Resonance] and [EP Boost I] Skills.]

[Ding! Whenever one of the Skills that [Vermillion Eyes] gets used, Skill EXP will be received. Depending on the Skills used, EXP will vary.]

[Ding! Vermillion Eyes can still be turned on and off. If Gamer Naoto has Vermillion Eyes off while Gamer Naoto Levels Up, [EP Boost 1] will not trigger. Please keep that in mind.]

[Ding! Additionally, [Flame-Born Intuition], [Distant Flame] and [Crimson-Tide Resonance] will not be active if Vermillion Eyes is turned off.]

[Ding! Gamer Naoto's Status Window has been updated. Would you like to view it?]

'Holy...', I thought, seeing a flood of notifications come through. At the same time, I felt more energized, likely due to the fact my EP suddenly skyrocketed. Unbeknownst to me, the nearby Septium Veins reacted, causing a little whirlpool of energy to swirl around me. It was visible too. Giliath raised his eyes the moment I activated Vermillion Eyes. I had only done so once before, but it wasn't in the middle of combat. I had used them to observe our guests from back then, the Steel Maiden.

It looks like entering combat was a new condition for Vermillion Eyes to fully unlock the rest of its Skills. I wanted to suck in a cold breath of air. While continuing to review this new information, I saw Giliath's eyes remain serious. He saw my once-golden eyes were now clad in crimson.

"I knew it. So you do have 'them'.", Giliath uttered, drawing in a cold breath. He felt the atmosphere around him change. Even though it was subtle, he felt a clear presence staring at him. He saw a violet-haired boy with crimson eyes looking at him now.

[Ding you have activated Vermillion Eyes!]

[Ding! Vermillion Eyes - Lv1 1/100 -> 2/100!]

"Phew. I think that did the trick. It took more effort to activate them this time. Last time was almost by instinct. Maybe it was because of that knight lady's presence.", I replied, turning on Vermillion Eyes. And as it mentioned, I actually don't feel my EP constantly draining. It no longer drained per second. It was static now. I could turn Vermillion Eyes on and off at will.

I know that was a lot thrown at me too. I've some new Skills to cover. But Father just mentioned something, causing me to look toward his direction. I could see his seriousness. It wasn't often he showed this side. I quickly reviewed my updated Status Window. I was left with a nice surprise.