In a base that consisted of over fifty percent elves, it wasn't a good look when the strongest elf and only Chosen walked sobbing through the base. Seeing all the elves looking to the ground, Thalion made plans to talk a bit with Kaldrek and Maike about the organizational parts of the faction. So far he had mostly been some sort of protector without being really involved when it came to building defenses, scouting, or gathering materials. Until the third system event he couldn't do much more besides getting the form in front of him and do a bit of hunting as a wyvern.
But first it was time to check out the beast the gods had sent, as this was why he had come here in the first place. It was an Eternis Wyrm, and the skills that creature had made Thalion's mouth water. With this, he couldn't wait to see what the Tidecaller Serpent might become.
Flow of Ages (Divine)The beast exists slightly outside the normal flow of time. Its perception, reflexes, and movements are constantly accelerated, allowing it to react before most opponents can finish an attack. Harmful effects such as poison, curses, bleeding, and burning decay significantly faster, while beneficial effects on enemies within its aura have their remaining duration reduced.
Frozen Epoch (Divine)The beast releases an overwhelming surge of temporal mana, briefly freezing time within a large area. For one to three seconds, all enemies caught inside become completely motionless, unable to move, cast, or think, while the beast alone continues to act freely. The duration scales with the target's grade and temporal resistance. After the effect ends, all delayed damage and momentum are applied simultaneously.
Thalion couldn't believe what his eyes were seeing. He knew that his new Acquire Form could upgrade skills, but he had never thought that he would get two Divine skills. The wyrm was only of Empyrean race, which made these skills even more ridiculous.
To be fair, the wyrm was pretty lopsided as those two skills were the only good ones. All other skills were barely of Epic rarity, but with those two Divine skills it didn't need much more. With a wide grin, Thalion transferred the two skills to his Serpent form and kept the wyrm, hoping to breed more Divine time skills with it when evolving to D grade.
Those two skills were so strong and universal that they probably worked with any of his forms. Maybe that was because time was one of the great affinities? Thalion had no idea, but he liked it. Testing those skills should also be something he should definitely do before the third system event.
This alliance with the gods is only getting better and better, Thalion grinned while he moved back to the outer part of the city where Maike and Kaldrek were living. He didn't know the exact address anymore, but the moment he got close he could hear the splintering of glass and Maike's loud shouts.
"AGAIN! A SPIDER ATTACK! Where was the elven patrol? If the spiders killed someone off track that would be one thing, but in one of the highly protected areas not far from the city!"
Thalion knew Maike for quite some time, and he had seen her angry before, but this must have been a new high.
"We were in position. We are elves. We never make mistakes. The dirty humans should have looked better after themselves. It isn't..."
The arrogant answer of the elf was interrupted by a loud crashing sound.
"Hey, not my new mugs. Okay, okay, I'm quiet." Kaldrek shouted, only to back down rather quickly.
"You are all suspended from duty. Go and help with gathering in Section C, and there better be no other incidents."
Maike shouted so loudly that the windows rattled. A moment later three elves exited the house, and the moment the wooden door closed behind them they immediately began to complain.
"What is this human thinking who she is? Like it would be our job to protect those weaklings from such pathetic spiders."
"Did you see where they are living? Wooden floor, the whole room not bigger than my bathtub. The moment we can send D-grade elves, the wind in this base will hopefully change."
The elves moved away from Thalion, which was why they didn't see him looking after them, only moments away from granting the Bloodseed to kill them. But he still remembered that the last time he had killed the elves, and back then the aftermath hadn't been too good.
Still, that many of the elves were incapable of seeing humans as their equals, or at least treating them with respect, was troubling. He didn't fear that the elves were taking over in the future, but that weaker humans were dying only because elves were purposefully looking in the other direction was unacceptable.
Thalion gave Maike two minutes to calm down a bit before he opened the door and stepped in. The floor was filled with what once must have been Kaldrek's drinking mugs and flasks.
"Thalion, what are you doing here? We saw the show and are very sorry, but also happy to not contribute to Eric's success anymore. Really, that he didn't get red like an apple after that display says everything. Do you want something to drink? Currently I still have four mugs." Kaldrek immediately came over while Maike was still hanging over the table, not looking too well.
"Hi, Kaldrek. Actually, something good to drink is exactly what I need right now." Thalion grinned, who hadn't even thought about drinking a few mugs. Maybe he really was a bit overworked, and taking a step back to get a clear mind might be the right decision after all.
"Splendid. I of course have a large selection of alcoholic beverages. What do you want? Frostgrain Lager freezes your insides and is the perfect fit for a hot summer day. Oh yes, I had been wondering where I placed this one."
Kaldrek exclaimed in a good mood while looking through a large wooden cupboard in the back.
"Krakenink Liquor. Incredible taste, but most important, that stuff hammers you real good. Even Kargul couldn't drink more than half a flask before Evelyn had to step in. Hmm, there is of course the normal light and dark beer, but I have to say they got quite boring. Ah, there is another jewel. Hell Potion 21. This one got created by a human, and I tell you, the first one tasted so horrible even I had to spit it out, and normally I drink everything as long as it's alcoholic. But the twenty-first alteration is actually very good and really has the right kick, if you know what I mean."
While Kaldrek was presenting bottle after bottle, Thalion's gaze switched between Maike and Kaldrek. With every bottle Kaldrek pulled out, Maike's condition worsened and she began to ruffle her hair more and more.
"Hmm, difficult choice. Since so far alcohol hasn't worked on me, I would like to give the Krakenink a try." Thalion said rather fast to not pressure Maike even more. She already looked close to the next eruption.
"Hoho. Too many points in Vitality, hah?" Kaldrek laughed loudly while continuing as if speaking to himself. "Hmm, what am I taking? I can't drink Krakenink again, but it can't be too soft... What about this little sweet Redberry Wine with Purplescale Powder?" From Maike's position under her hair, a loud huff echoed through the room. It sounded a bit like a bull who was about to charge.
"Okay, no Redberry Wine. Then what about the Frogliver Liquor? Excellent name, but the taste is horrible..."
Kaldrek quickly placed that bottle back in the cupboard as Maike's aura rushed outward and kicked up a wind in the small room.
"This is getting quite difficult. Yes, now I know it. Green Strawberry Juice with Darkeye Calamari Essence. Perfect." Kaldrek ignored Maike's huff and filled himself a drink while handing Thalion a whole bottle and a glass.
"Now how can I help you?" Kaldrek said with a wide smile as both sat down on a small green couch that looked like it should have been thrown away last year. It was ripped in multiple spots, and there were multiple black stains where drinks had been spilled. On the other side, the wall was also badly damaged as it was the main target of Maike's anger and the direction where she was throwing Kaldrek's mugs.
"I just wanted to ask how things were going on your end. Haven't really been doing much to help you, and now I have a bit of time." Thalion said, trying to keep a smile while trying to ignore Maike, who was sitting at the small wooden table in the middle.
"Aha. Reaaally. I thought you would be busy after what happened in the show. Now no one wants to be allied with us, and even the small alliances we had before cut off their connection and blocked their teleportation. Quite annoying if you ask me. At least they could pay us for what we have done for them, but normal decorum doesn't exist in integrated space, you can believe me that. Well, at least none of us got captured and tortured. Torture in integrated space really is something else, they burned out my eyes over ten times a day." Kaldrek shook when he thought back.
"Well yes. I need to calm down a bit before the third system event. It will be the most difficult one for sure given that everyone I am about to fight has won one of the last two system events." Thalion said, trying the Krakenink. It felt like a punch in the face followed by a whirlpool in his stomach while a bittersour taste dominated his mouth. To this moment Thalion hadn't really noticed alcohol due to his high recovery, but just this little nip showed what this drink could do.
"Haha, it packs quite the punch, right?" Kaldrek grinned widely. "Now on how things are going. Hmm, I would say a lot better than first thought. We are still gathering at least two D-grade crystals a day, and every base is growing rapidly. There are mainly three problems. The spiders who continue to ambush our gathering parties, the ants enjoying the taste of Ricarda's plants, and our own elves who aren't taking their guard duty seriously when they should protect humans."