novelraw Chapter 109: Istellise’s Gratitude
Chapter 109: Istellise’s Gratitude
The possession has ended.
Your power has returned to normal.
Back Stab has leveled up.
Berserk has leveled up.
You have acquired a skill: [Basic Dagger/Knife Mastery Lv.1].
You have acquired a skill: [Assassination Arts Lv.1].
You have acquired a skill: [Stealth Movements Lv.1].
Your Strength has increased by 2.
Your Dexterity has increased by 5.
Your Stamina has increased by 3.
Your Mind has increased by 1.
You have used up 371 Plausibility for the possession.
I quickly canceled the possession the moment we were far enough from the city. Looking at the System messages, my jaw tightened in frustration at the amount of plausibility used. Almost two-thirds of what I had was gone in the blink of an eye. Such was the hefty price of using Fabled Vessel at the full potential of what I could unleash.
Even so, some of Selene’s knowledge and skills in assassination remained at the back of my mind. I felt that the more I possessed the same legendary figure, the more of their powers I unlocked. My stats weren’t the only limiting factor in this equation. It was as if I myself were the vessel. With stronger stats, I would become a stronger vessel. And by accommodating the same kind of power repeatedly, that vessel—me—would grow more compatible with it, making the process more efficient.
While running alongside the others, I opened my status screen.
Maximillian Anderson Lv. 24/60 (EXP 1,556/3,360)
HP: 83%
MP: 202/675
Rank: Gimmel [3]
Patron God: Istellia (Goddess of Imagination)
Class: Paradox Incarnate
Title: One Who Conquered the Impossible (6)
Status: Exhausted and Slightly Injured
Strength: 344 + 37 + 34 | Dexterity: 347 + 24 + 35 | Stamina: 293 + 25 + 29
Mind: 213 + 21 | Magic Power: 303 + 5 + 30 | Luck: 300 + 30
Plausibility: 225
Free Attributes: 170
Signature Skill(s): [Absorb Plausibility], [Fabled Vessel], [God!$# Creation], [Grant Plausibility], [Gravity Magic Lv.2], [Scenario Manipulation]
Skill(s): [Assassination Arts Lv.1], [Basic Alchemy Lv.7], [Basic Cryo Magic Lv.6], [Basic Dagger/Knife Mastery Lv.1], [Basic Hand-to-Hand Combat Lv.7], [Basic Neutral Magic Lv.8], [Basic Shield Mastery Lv.8], [Back Stab Lv.4], [Berserk Lv.3], [Calm Mind], [Chantless Casting Lv.3], [Desperate Willpower Lv.8], [Divine Sermon Lv.1], [Extraordinary Agility], [Extraordinary Endurance], [Extraordinary Fortune], [Extraordinary Magic Power], [Extraordinary Memory], [Extraordinary Power], [Fast Equip], [Heavy Slash Lv.7], [Heavy Stab Lv.6], [Inspect Eye Lv.3], [Intermediate Spearmanship Lv.2], [Intermediate Swordsmanship Lv.3], [Inventory], [Mana Manipulation Lv.7], [Mana Sense Lv.8], [Mental Tolerance Lv.5], [Negotiation Lv.6], [Night Vision], [Pain Tolerance Lv.6], [Paralysis Resistance Lv.3], [Poison Resistance Lv.3], [Projectile Defense Lv.3], [Predator’s Step Lv.4], [Shield Bash Lv.1], [Stealth Movements Lv.1], [Weapon Manifestation Lv.3], [Wind Rush Lv.6]
Spell(s): {Frozen Icicle}, {Graviton Pull}, {Gravity Field}, {Mana Arrow}, {Mana Bullet}, {Mass Alteration}, {Spinning Mana Arrow}
Great. Now, I’m level twenty-four. Several of my skills have also reached fairly high levels.
However, I was concerned about something: I was beginning to accumulate too many skills. Normally, some of them would merge or combine into a single one, whether through happenstance or training… but I hadn’t had enough time to practice lately. And even then, knowing about such a process and actually accomplishing it were two very different things. Thankfully, I had a cheat that let me sidestep the hassle, which was by using Grant Plausibility.
The problem was… I didn’t have much plausibility left. No matter what I tried to do, it always came back to the same issue: finding more ways to gather plausibility.
“After this, it would be wise for me to check the Great Wilderness in the Rift of Dungeons,” I mused.
After ten more minutes of running, we finally slowed once we were far enough from the city. At this distance, pursuit was unlikely—at least not anytime soon. The sun had begun to rise over the horizon as we came to a stop beneath the shadow of a craggy hillside, my companions gathering around with equally labored breaths. Dust and exhaustion clung to us, yet there was a quiet relief in having made it this far.
Despite his effort to hide it, Boris leaned against a boulder after letting Istellise down, his chest rising and falling with deep, controlled breaths. Michelle dropped to one knee, her hands trembling from the strain of battle. Lucian merely brushed the dust from his cloak, though I could tell that his mana reserves were running low. Tuilë, in contrast, casually wiped down her hand cannon, wearing the same careless expression as though it had all been a game.
It was only then that I noticed the cuts and bruises scattered across each of them. Like me, they had been so focused on completing the scenario that the pain of their wounds had only just begun to register. Well, we were surrounded by dozens, if not hundreds, of enemies. It was only natural.
Albeit equally weary, Istellise stood apart from the others, clutching the crystal ball tightly to her chest. Her silver hair shimmered in the light of the rising sun as she steadied her breath and walked toward us—toward me in particular.
“I… I don’t even know how to put this into words,” she said softly, her voice heavy with overwhelming emotion. “If not for you, I would never have escaped that nightmare, nor safely recovered this sacred relic. The kindness you’ve shown me… I will always remember it.”
She pressed a hand to her chest, bowing deeply with sincerity. “I will never forget this night, nor the faces of those who stood by me. No matter where fate takes me, I will carry this debt close to my heart. One day, surely, I will repay it.”
Her words were enough to silence us all. She bowed deeply, her silver hair spilling over her shoulders like a curtain. There was no mistaking the sincerity in her gesture. Perhaps this was the immense gratitude granted as a reward by the scenario.
You have cleared Character Quest: [Help Istellise].
You have earned Istellise’s immense gratitude.
This will influence the future course of the scenarios you will face.
“Don’t worry about it. You don’t need to burden yourself with such words,” I replied, shaking my head. “We didn’t act purely for your sake. Circumstances demanded it, and we responded. That’s all.”
Still, I couldn’t deny the faint warmth that spread in my chest. Gratitude—true, untainted gratitude—was a rare thing in this world. But I couldn’t help but think of the possibility that she was none other than Istellia herself. The gratitude of a god was not something to be taken lightly.
Boris cleared his throat. “Don’t be so formal, little missy. I know you are carrying a burden on your shoulder. It’s only right that we lend a hand to those in need, especially someone with good intentions in their heart.”
“Yeah, we’re friends, aren’t we?” Tuilë said cheerfully, giving Istellise’s shoulder a friendly tap. “We won’t just sit around and watch you get dragged off.”
Michelle nodded at their words. “If our paths cross again, we’ll help you again.”
Although Lucian remained silent, the look on his face made it clear he wasn’t entirely opposed to the idea of aiding her again, even though it seemed to be more of a hassle for him.
Istellise straightened, wiping the corner of her eye, and managed to make a faint smile. “Then let me say it again: I am grateful beyond words. You’ve shown me a kindness I had thought lost to this world. It isn’t much compared to what I owe you. But I hope this will help, even a little, in what lies ahead.”
A gentle light radiated from her hands, enveloping the group in a warm, golden glow. It settled over us, seeping into every bruise and cut. My fatigue vanished, the aches in my body fading away as if they had never existed. Around me, I saw the others blinking in surprise as their wounds closed—skin knitting together, bloodstains vanishing, strength flowing back into their limbs.
You have received [Saintess’s Blessing].
Your wounds have been completely healed.
All fatigue has been removed.
All stats have increased by 5.
The same blessing from the same person will not increase your stats again.
Boris flexed his arm, astonished to find the gash across his shoulder completely gone. “Well, I’ll be damned,” he muttered.
The others were no less impressed by what Istellise had done. Although our injuries would have healed once the scenario ended, none of us would complain about being restored beforehand. More than that, her blessing had strengthened us as well. This wasn’t just a token of gratitude—it was the kind of gift only a chosen vessel of the divine could bestow.
Istellise’s smile lingered as the light faded. “May our path cross again, divi—.”
Congratulations.
You have cleared Scenario #7 [To Protect Whom?].
You have fulfilled the first extra condition of the scenario — Help the true target with their goal. (1/1)
You have fulfilled the second extra condition of the scenario — Defend the target from three consecutive assassination attempts. (3/3)
You have fulfilled the third extra condition of the scenario — Uncover the hidden mastermind behind the attacks. (1/1)
Basic Rewards: 4,000 Soul Coins
Additional Rewards: A Random Rare-Grade Skill Book & Rare-Grade Elixir Voucher.
You have acquired the Phantom Blade Skill Book.
Your Stamina has increased by 2.
Your Magic Power has increased by 1.
Gravity Magic has leveled up.
“—ne…”
Wait, what is she saying? I couldn’t catch the final word before the desert dissolved around us, replaced by the familiar sight of the Rift of Scenarios in Fantasia.
“Divine… warriors,” I muttered, stiffening upon realizing what she had very likely said. “But it can’t be, right?”
Since I alone knew that Istellise was the image copy of Istellia, the others remained oblivious to her final words. Well, scenarios were never something mere mortals could truly comprehend. After all, as the creator of Divine Will, I had designed them to be as mysterious as possible while still keeping them entertaining for the gods who watched. And the upcoming Battle of Divine Will would transcend whatever the scenarios would offer.
Regardless, if Tuilë and Lucian hadn’t joined us, the outcome of this scenario might have been far worse. I wouldn’t have merely suffered minor injuries; those Templars were not to be underestimated. And the plausibility I had left would never be enough to face whatever awaited in the next scenario.
“Congratulations on clearing the seventh scenario, divine warriors,” Elysia greeted us, her usual serene smile in place.
My companions exhaled in unison at her words, already accustomed to her greeting us after each harrowing ordeal within the scenarios. Yet I couldn’t help but wonder what implications might arise from aiding Istellise in this scenario. Only time would tell.