Leveling up the World

Chapter 889: Platinum Achievement

Chunks of water flew in all directions, twisting, tearing, then merging again without reason. None of them could hold any form for long, controlled by two forces stronger than gravity. Harps natural ability allowed her full control of the magic threads that composed the liquid, while Dallions awakening powers granted him control of everything within his domain.

It wouldnt be the first time hed make use of his surroundings, raising mountains or hurling chunks of rock about. Only now he realized how deep his control went. Within his domain, he could be treated as a nymph, as a dwarf, as a fury, and a lot more. Every part of the environment could bend to his will. In the past, he had only focused on the obvious, as had many of the domain rulers hed seen.

The sea beneath Harp and Dallion thrust up, giving birth to waves the size of mountains. Each would slam into the other, attempting to envelop it and steal away as much of its substance as possible.

Just like a tug of war, Dallion thought. Just like combat splitting.

The tip of a rapier thrust towards his chest. Before it could reach it, though, the water it was composed of lost its hardness, dripping away as the nymphs hand stopped ten inches away, holding an empty hilt.

Dallion could see the relief and pride within her blossoming like sunflowers. She was pleased that hed reached his current level, though that didnt mean she was simply going to give up.

Your grandmother would have defeated me by now, she said, tearing a chunk of the sea, which she transformed into a giant harp.

Before Dallion could react, the harp played a few chords, filling the air with sounds of destruction.

AVERAGE WOUND

Your health has been reduced by 10%

AVERAGE STRIKE

Dealt damage is increased by 50%

A pair of red rectangles emerged simultaneously. Harp was definitely putting him through the ringer, not sparing her own health just to deal damage.

Going through options in his mind, Dallion focused on the air around them in an attempt to create air currents powerful enough to negate the sounds. His execution was completely wrong, causing two more rectangles to appear in the air.

At this rate, two more seconds and hed be done for. Harp wasnt particularly better, but the point of the challenge was for him to defeat her, not have them both lose their health as a result of the nymphs actions.

You could be quite extreme, he thought. Never giving an inch, even when defeat is likely.

Her latest action had put him in a rather difficult spot. He could probably take control of the water harpthe control over his domain was stronger than her control of waterbut that was a temporary measure. All she had to do was form another harp of water and repeat the attack.

Sorry, Harp. Dallion infused his sword with spark to the point of shining, then threw it straight at the nymph.

Evading it would be elementary, but that was never the point. The bright glow, while incapable of blinding her completely, obscured just enough for him to use his final two clay cylinders. Within each was a ray of destruction spell that shot at her.

The surroundings turned purple. The rays crashed into the sea, burning through until they reached the bottom and continued a bit further.

REALM DAMAGED

Overall stability 95%

REALM DAMAGED

Overall stability 90%

Red rectangles emergeda result of self-damaging actions. Dallion split into instances, searching for the red rectangle that mattered. After several fractions of a second, he finally found it.

CRITICAL STRIKE

I must say, Im slightly disappointed, dear boy, Adzorg said. Thirty-seven seconds of blurriness and splashes. Wed have appreciated something a bit more opera-like. Although, well done. Youve achieved a rather impressive victory.

One that youll keep from the emperor, I hope, Dallion thought.

Lets join the others, Giaccia said. Everyone deserves a bit of celebration.

In the middle of a war? If I dont stop the nymphs, theres nothing from

The fight has already made you out of sync with the real world. Youll gain nothing going out there in your current state. Relax a bit, heal, get some rest. There are many things you need to consider before you return to the real world.

That sounded just like the good old Harp. With the shadow of her former self put to rest, she was back to being the motherly figure that had guided him since his first steps into the world of awakening. She was right, of course; Dallion did need a moment of rest to reboot before plunging into the fight outside. That was one of the good things about awakeningone could take a pause to let go of it all. It wasnt a foolproof method. As Dallion had seen, there were cases in which entities could interfere with the time to pause, though now that the void had been dispersed, there was no fear of that.

For the first time in a very long time, Dallion allowed himself to spend some time with the inhabitants of his realm. Looking at them, it was remarkable how many of them there were and how much they had grown. Ages ago, only a small crackling cub had been here, later accompanied by Nilor what Dallion believed to be Niland the strange firebird chick that had become Lux. Gia had later made her way into Dallions lifethrough a series of machinations by the Order and House Elaznithen the armadil shield.

There was also the case of Dallions echoes. Reluctant to create any on his own, he converted them from his awakening trials, making them join his realm one by one. Gen, the current caretaker of Dallions personal realm, was the first. Then Julythe one to tend after the familiar companions of the realm. That one had joined the realm with Gleam, who had been freed from a Mirror Pools hand mirror. And finally, there was Arielthe cold, seemingly distant one, who took on the role of protector against any realm invasion.

Other guardians had also joined in: the shy bowl dryad, Ondathe moody teenage forger, the twin dagger guardians as well once they had been purged of the void that controlled them.

And, of course, there was Gem. The aetherfish remained confused about the entire situation, though not one to say no to celebrating. He floated about, moving from conversation to conversation, always listening in, yet rarely saying a word.

Finally, there was the latest additionthe childhood bully turned friend.

I have to give it to you, Veil approached, holding a glass of dark indigo liquid. You actually managed to improve. He shoved Dallions shoulder. Remember what a wimp you were back in the village?

I doubt youll ever let me forget, Dallion said beneath his breath.

Full of awakening ego, yet frustrated that you couldnt get to level four. Veil took a sip of his drink. Back then, one level seemed like the entire world. Before the envoy came to Dherma, I didnt think that double digits existed!

You have your grandfather to thank for that, Dallion thought. And mine.

Remember the crazy plan for taking down the chainling? the blonde laughed.

Dont remind me

You were an idiot to think it would work. I was a bigger idiot for following you.

We still made it, though.

I guess that makes us three lucky idiots.

There was a pause. Thinking about the first hunt made Dallion think about Gloria, which in turn made him think of Eury. Looking back, both of them had missed a lot of opportunities together, always focusing on other things while time passed by. One of the fallacies about being awakened was that they had all the time in the world. In truth, all the time meant nothing if it wasnt used adequately. Awakened remained people like everyone else. There was a constant danger of them being killed, sealed, or corrupted by an embodiment of the void.

I should have given it, Dallion whispered.

Huh? Veil looked at him.

Nothing. I was just thinking about the battle were in. Theres more than one nymph out there.

I have faith in you. Veil gave Dallion a slap on the back. Because if not, were utterly screwed.

Famous words of motivation. Dallion shook his head with a laugh. Still, he planned on winning this. There were too many things he had to do for him to fail here.