Leveling up the World

Chapter 486: Seven Days Left

Chapter 486: Seven Days Left

You have broken through your fifty-eighth barrier

Your level has increased to 58

Choose the trait that will serve you best

The green rectangle emerged as Dallion landed on the floor. Veil had already vanished, making Dallion feel slightly sad. He would have liked to have chatted a bit more with the echo, even if he knew that it wasnt the real Veil. Still, there was nothing stopping him from visiting Dherma on his way back.

Without hesitation, Dallion chose the reaction trait, increasing it to thirty-one. It was funny how much he had neglected it. Upon entering this world, it was the first that he had chosen, making himin his mistaken opinioncrazy fast. Since then, though, he had only maintained it out of a sense of balance. Now, it was clear that he had to boost it up a bit. Sadly, that wasnt the only thing he had to boost.

There was a time when having thirty on a skill seemed out of this world. Now all his stats seemed laughably low, and not only them. There was no reason for Dallion not to have increased his skills to their level cap. The only reason he didn't was because he considered it a bother.

Confidence is a tricky thing, Nil said. Too much or too little and youre practically fighting against yourself.

Is that your way of telling me that Ive become arrogant? Dallion asked.

Deep inside, he knew that he had a bit. Being a hunter came with certain advantages that he now took for granted. In the past, he had to have others vouch for him, even as an awakened. After hed received his hunters emblemeven that of an apprenticehe was pretty much welcome anywhere.

Its not your fault, everyone goes through it. Even I have. Its a normal part of an awakeneds development.

You keep saying that a lot. Dallion summoned his harpsisword and did a series of artistic strikes and slashes.

The markers had long vanished since the end of the trial, but that didnt stop him from experimenting with certain combos. As he did, Dallion thought back to the time when the village chief had placed a limiting echo in his realm. If memory served, the annoying entity had used quills to attack him.

Nil, any idea how writing can be used for combat?

That would be called gossip and rumors, dear boy.

Very funny.

Actually, it isnt. Its one of the skills frequently used in high society.

I thought that music did that.

Music changes emotional states. Words can kill. The echos tone became darker. And, as you know, in the awakened realms everything that could be is.

The pen is mightier than the sword, Dallion thought. Concentrating, he focused on a part of the wall, thinking of the first insults that came to mind. To his surprise, a series of quills appeared in the air above him, and flew forward, sticking into the wall, like darts on a dartboard.

Poor performance, but you get the gist. Music relies on emotion, writing relies on logic. Combine words with attack and you have a sharp and deadly tongue.

Lux, can you find her?

Before Dallion could add anything else, the kaleidervisto had disappeared again. One could only hope that it wouldnt get into trouble. There was such a thing as being too eager.

How much time do you think I have? Dallion asked. A week? Ten days?

About that, Id gather, Nil mused. If you arent wounded and theres nothing chasing you, I guess you should make it. Personally, Id give you a week.

A week It wasnt a lot. So far, Dallion had only been in the canyon for two days and already it seemed incredibly vast. For all intents and purposes, it was almost as if it were its own worlda place that the Moons forgot. The only problem was that they hadnt forgotten. Rather, they had deliberately kept it isolated from the rest of the world.

Looking at the tip of the pyramid in the distance, Dallion thought back to what he had seen in the temples within the world sword. There were carvings of the Eighth Moon in a few chambers there. With all ruins here being significantly older, there was every chance that there would be more information. Also, it posed other questions. The Star being from Earth would explain modernat least post-Renaissancearchitecture and interior design concepts. However, it wouldnt explain how the knowledge was present millennia ago, unless time moved differently between worlds. That could well mean that no one had even noticed Dallion was missing. In fact, it was even possible that he hadnt officially gone missing at all.

Theres no guarantee that youll find the dragonlet, Nil said. Its not even certain its here.

Its here. Im sure of it.

Because you feel so?

Because of the Green Moon in the sky.

Ill take your work for it, there was a note of concern in the echos choice mixed with envy. Since weve been here, Ive yet to see a single Moon. Although that doesnt guarantee there werent any.

The comment didnt surprise Dallion as much as it used to. He knew that the Moons tended to hide from those they didnt want to be seen by. However, why had he seen two Moons? The Green Moon, he could understand, but the Red one? More and more, it was starting to look like this wasnt going to be a simple case of finding the creature and taking it out of the canyon. There was going to be fighting involved.

Its here, Dallion repeated. All I have to do is find it.

Guys, Im heading for the pyramid, Dallion said in his realm. Got there directly. If youre there before me, dont enter.

Dallion was just about to make the first step, when he felt the harpsisword vibrate on his back.

Harp? he asked. Whats the matter?

Dont falter, she said in a voice created from musical sounds. Whatever happens, Ill be with you.

Is that Star there? he asked. That was the only reason for her to reassure him in this manner.

Im not sure. Im not as free as I once was. Something is there, and it is linked to the Star, but I dont know if its him.

Dallion nodded. There was going to be a fight, after all. It was a lot sooner than he hoped it would be, although he had no illusions that hed be able to avoid it. So far, he had faced the Star twice and each time he had been saved by the Moons rules. A casual observer might say that Dallion had two victories, but the truth was that they werent victories, but rather reprieves. If the Star really was there, this was going to be the real thing, and this time Dallion could no longer rely on the Moons to help him out.