Spark's body still trembled. But it wasn't from pain anymore. It was from the sheer, raw power thrumming beneath his skin. A vibration that resonated with every fiber of his being.
He felt different. Profoundly altered. As if the very essence of him had been forged anew.
He stood still. Steadying his breath. The air in his lungs felt sharper. Cleaner. His already formidable muscles felt denser. More coiled. Ready to unleash unimaginable force.
His mind was also clearer. Sharper. Capable of processing information at more accelerated pace.
And, there seemed to be a low hum resonating within his soul. A deep, contented thrumming that hinted at newly unlocked depths.
Without a wasted motion, Spark reached for his Spatial Belt. His large hand effortlessly took out a dark, leather-bound book. It was his Ego Appraisal Grimoire. A Technomind Gear he himself had meticulously crafted for this very purpose.
Analyzing his own quality. Through cold, hard data. He needed to quantify this change. He needed to know precisely what the Nephilim Potion and the Child of Fortune Talent Orb had done.
He flipped open the grimoire. The pages shimmered with internal light. It was coalescing into glowing script.
=====STATUS PANEL=====
[Name: Spark Nighthawk]
[Class: Jackmaster]
[Level: Fortified (3rd Tier)]
[Soul Power: *Sanctified Level (5th Tier)]
[Mind Power: *Sanctified Level (5th Tier)]
[Body Power: *Sanctified Level (5th Tier)]
[Talent: Primal Soul]
[Talent: Primal Mind]
[Talent: Primal Physique]
[Talent: Overlord's Favor]
[Talent: *Child of Fortune]
Spark's dark-grey eyes, usually impassive even in surprise, widened perceptibly. A wide smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
Sanctified Level. Tier-5. His core powers had been two full tiers ahead of his level. He should still be a Fortified, 3rd Tier Jackmaster. But his actual Soul, Mind, and Body capacities had been equal to those who had been elevated to the 5th Tier.
This wasn't just an improvement. It was a quantum leap. For most awakened people, it should take years, even decades, to painstakingly climb from Fortified to Sanctified.
He had done it in an instant. Simply by consuming two incredible items from a dungeon. The sheer efficiency of it was almost obscene. It was obvious why people wanted to explore these troublesome labyrinths.
He was now a Tier-3 Jackmaster. Operating with the raw power reserves and fundamental capabilities of a Tier-5.
This meant that his skills should be more potent. His defenses sturdier. His magical capacity vaster.
He could go toe-to-toe with individuals two tiers above his formal classification. And still hold a decisive advantage due to his Jackmaster versatility, his brute strength, and his unique talents. The world had just tilted in his favor. Significantly.
His gaze flicked to the new talent. Child of Fortune. He mentally pinged the grimoire for a definition. The glowing script on the page shifted. Providing the requested information.
[Talent: Child of Fortune. This talent bestows upon the possessor an unprecedented affinity for favorable outcomes, subtly manipulating probability and circumstance in their favor. It draws desirable opportunities, rare items, and fortunate encounters towards the wielder, manifesting as enhanced serendipity, critical discoveries, and an instinctual pull towards advantageous paths. It does not guarantee success, but significantly increases the odds of it occurring.]
Spark considered the definition with a meticulousness that belied his outwardly easy-going demeanor.
Manipulating probability. Enhanced serendipity. Instinctual pull towards advantageous paths...
This wasn't merely good luck. This was an active, subtle force that would guide him. A constant nudge towards profitable ventures and strategic advantages.
And with the two dolls he discovered, the Witch Doll of Fortune and the Witch Doll of Misfortune... he could truly be the Child of Fortune.
He opened the next page. Still showing his hard data.
[Soulcraft Fairies: Honey, Holy, Heaven]
==[Species: Omnielement Fairy (72%), Celestial Fairy (64%), Devil Fairy (64%)]
==[Level: Fortified (3rd Tier)]
==[Growth Items: Pure Honey, Moonstone Dust, Black Blood]
==[Shared Talents: Instant Casting, Mana Regeneration Boost, Enhanced Charisma]
==[Abilities: Soulcraft Crest - Elemental Coating, Healing Light, Devil Contract (Blank)]
The corner of Spark's mouth twitched again. A hint of satisfaction. He had estimated an increase for the growth of his contracted fairies. The numbers confirmed it. Roughly 30% boost.
The growth of his soulcraft fairies had jumped dramatically. Pushing all three of them into the mid-to-high 60% and 70%. It wasn't as drastic as the growth given by Glory Orb. But, it was still great.
He paused at Ability: Devil Contract (Blank). A faint sigh escaped him. This was the one missing piece. This should be the ultimate trump card for his Soulcraft.
This ability to copy any monster's skill was invaluable. But finding the right monster with the right skill to contract had proven elusive.
They had encountered dozens of creatures in the Labyrinth of Fortune. From Dire Wolves to the Centaur Knight. Each with their own unique abilities. None, however, had possessed a skill that truly resonated with his desire.
He wanted something impactful. Something that either complemented his overwhelming physical strength or provided a unique strategic advantage. Not just a minor buff or a simple attack skill.
"Hopefully..." Spark muttered under his breath. His eyes were flickering back to the Child of Fortune talent. "... that luck can help with this."
With this talent... Finding the perfect monster with the perfect skill suddenly felt less like a pipe dream. And more like an inevitability.
Next, his Framepath.
[Framepath Monsters: Grim Lion (68%), Dragon Ant (66%), Lightning Cheetah (64%)]
==[Level: Fortified (3rd Tier)]
==[Growth Item: Wild Red Meat, Reptile Egg, Wild Red Meat]
==[Acquired Talent: King Disposition, Draconic Bones, Godspeed Reflex]
==[Desire Boost: Lust]
==[Ability: Framepath Fusion - Draconic Werelion]
Spark felt another surge of internal approval. His Framepath monsters had also received a substantial jolt. All leaping into the mid-60s. Great.
Finally, his Technomind Gears.
[Technomind Gear: Power Rifle (78%), Spatial Belt (66%), Sky Grimoire (58%)]
==[Types: Gun-Type, Spatial-Bag-Type, Sky-Ship-Type]
==[Level: Fortified (3rd Tier)]
==[Growth Item: Copper Coin, Eldritch Steelwood, Mystic Silver]
==[Shared Talent: Clear Mind, Spatial Sense, Enhanced Stamina]
==[Ability: Technomind Form - Sniper Power Rifle, Spatial Belt, Sky Ship]
These were also shown a substantial increase in integration rate. 78%, 66%, and 58%. Not bad.
Spark closed the Ego Appraisal Grimoire. The light faded. And it returned to its inert, book-like form. He tucked it back into his Spatial Belt.
While he was at it, Spark decided to check the status panel of his subordinates. He drew the Slave Grimoire from the Spatial Belt.
He flipped open the grimoire. The pages shimmered as the glowing script inside showed the information.
=====STATUS PANEL=====
[Name: Lilith Lunaire]
[Gender: Female]
[Age: 27]
[Class: Technomancer]
[Level: Fortified (3rd Tier)]
[Loyalty: 100%]
[Soul Power: Fortified Level (3rd Tier)]
[Mind Power: Fortified Level (3rd Tier)]
[Body Power: *Enhanced Level (2nd Tier)]
[Talent: Shadow Soul]
[Talent: Versatile Mind]
[Personalities: Submissive, Adaptive]
[Personalities: Playful, Organized]
[Modifier Currency: Mystic Silver]
[Minor Paths: -]
[Technomind Gear: Gun Type (98%), Light Armor Type (91%), Blade Type (72%)]
==[Growth Item: Bloody Lead, Chameleon Skin, Trent Root]
==[Shared Talent: Enhanced Agility, Enhanced Charisma, Disease Immunity]
==[Artifact Form: Arcane Handgun, Shadow Armor, Cursed Dagger]
[Soulcraft Fairy: Hell Mist Fairy (100%), Spatial Fairy (97%), Lightning Fairy (83%)]
==[Growth Item: Arcane Crystal, Mystic Rose, White Pearl]
==[Shared Talent: Mana Efficiency, Spatial Sense, Rapid Recovery]
==[Ability: Soulcraft Crest - Mist Form, Spatial Blink, Lightning Speed]
=====STATUS PANEL=====
[Name: Ivy Stellaire]
[Gender: Female]
[Age: 21]
[Class: Battlemage]
[Level: Fortified (3rd Tier)]
[Loyalty: 100%]
[Soul Power: Fortified Level (3rd Tier)]
[Mind Power: *Enhanced Level (2nd Tier)]
[Body Power: Fortified Level (3rd Tier)]
[Talent: Verdant Soul]
[Talent: Moist Physique]
[Personalities: Submissive, Affectionate]
[Personalities: Meticulous, Observant]
[Modifier Currency: Rose Petal]
[Minor Paths: Alchemy, Poison-Potion Study]
[Soulcraft Fairy: Plant Fairy (100%), Flower Fairy (96%), Rain Fairy(83%)]
==[Growth Item: Mystic Water, Earth Quartz, Blue Crystal]
==[Shared Talent: Fast Recovery, Plant Affinity, Water Affinity]
==[Ability: Soulcraft Crest - Plant Appraisal, Rapid Growth, Healing Rain]
[Framepath Monster: Mandrake (94%), Bellgnome (79%), Mystic Trent (58%)]
==[Growth Item: Poisonous Mushroom, Heavy Water, Pure Milk]
==[Shared Talent: Poison Immunity, Disease Immunity, Healing Affinity]
==[Ability: Framepath Fusion - Floral Dryad]
=====STATUS PANEL=====
[Name: Melody Aurora]
[Gender: Female]
[Age: 18]
[Class: Sorceress]
[Level: Enhanced (2nd Tier)]
[Loyalty: 100%]
[Soul Power: Enhanced Level (2nd Tier)]
[Mind Power: Awakened Level (1st Tier)]
[Body Power: Awakened Level (1st Tier)]
[Talent: Melodic Soul]
[Personalities: Submissive, Devoted]
[Personalities: Artful, Graceful]
[Modifier Currency: Clearfire Wine]
[Minor Path: Wishart]
[Soulcraft Fairy: Harp Fairy (56%), Echo Fairy (50%)]
==[Growth Item: Cloud Berry, Mint Leaf]
==[Shared Talent: Resonant Echo, Angelic Aura]
==[Ability: Soulcraft Crest - Enhancement Melody, Recovery Song]
=====STATUS PANEL=====
[Name: Serenade Aurora]
[Gender: Female]
[Age: 36]
[Class: Sorceress]
[Level: Fortified (3rd Tier)]
[Loyalty: 100%]
[Soul Power: Fortified Level (3rd Tier)]
[Mind Power: *Enhanced Level (2nd Tier)]
[Body Power: *Enhanced Level (2nd Tier)]
[Talent: Melodic Soul]
[Personalities: Submissive, Calm]
[Personalities: Prudent, Elegant]
[Modifier Currency: Arcane Quartz]
[Minor Path: Wishart]
[Soulcraft Fairy: Flute Fairy (100%), Harp Fairy (100%), Drum Fairy (96%)]
==[Growth Item: Mint Leaf, Water Berry, Black Orchid]
==[Shared Talent: Lingering Echo, Seductive Aura, Source of Chaos]
==[Ability: Soulcraft Crest - Mystic Lullaby, Weakening Symphony, Oppressing Beat]
=====STATUS PANEL=====
[Name: Scarlett Eventide]
[Gender: Female]
[Age: 19]
[Class: Technomancer]
[Level: Enhanced (2nd Tier)]
[Loyalty: 100%]
[Soul Power: Enhanced Level (2nd Tier)]
[Mind Power: Enhanced Level (2nd Tier)]
[Body Power: Awakened Level (1st Tier)]
[Talent: Witch Soul]
[Talent: Eldritch Mind]
[Personalities: Submissive, Masochistic]
[Personalities: Enthusiastic, Diligent]
[Modifier Currency: Blazing Lava]
[Technomind Gear: Spatial-bag Type (86%), Mystic-key Type (84%)]
==[Growth Item: Space Stone, Eldritch Sapphire]
==[Shared Talent: Spatial Sense, Enhanced Accuracy]
==[Artifact Form: Spatial Bag, Archthief Key]
[Soulcraft Fairy: Curse Fairy (92%), Ghost Fairy(90%)]
==[Growth Item: Black Diamond, Primordial Bone]
==[Shared Talent: Mythical Mana Capacity, Instant Casting]
==[Ability: Soulcraft Crest - Weakness Curse, Spirit Form]