《Rock Falls, Everyone Dies》
Chapter 1: A [Rolling Stone] Gathers no Moss
Chapter 1: A [Rolling Stone] Gathers no Moss
On a certain mountaintop, high above the clouds, a hero and a viin were having a grand battle.
Take this[Holy Infinite Beaming Sword of Banishing the Nasty Darkness]!
Hah, that is nothing against my [Aegis of Divine Darkness for Repelling Pesky Heroes]!
Grand spells and abilities were flying every which way, tearing apart thendscape and slicing up the clouds below. It was a very grand battle indeedone that would decide the fate of the world.
But did it really matter? Like, really really?
Because the fate of the world was constantly shifting this way and that. There was always bnce. Another hero and another viin. Yes, it was the fate of the world, but
Only for like30 years or so, probably.
The record was half a year before a new viin rose up. A rather short eternity of peace that turned out to be.
Therefore, it really was not that special of a battle. Simr battles had been fought before. Simr battles would be fought again.
Whichever side won; the other side would eventually strike back.
Ultimately, it was a pointless story that would lead nowhere.
Luckily, they are not the main characters of this story. In fact, they will be left as mere footnotes in history, while our hero will lead a much grander tale.
On the violently shaking mountaintop sat a stone. It was a nice stonea gneiss stone in fact. It might have been more urate to call it a pebble. The type of pebble a child might take along due to its nice shape and pretty coloring. This pebble was spending its time as stones tended to, minding its own business. The racket nearby was quite annoying, and it wished that it could get some peace and quiet.
That however threw the stone for a loopwishing for peace and quiet? Since when had it wished for anything? Since when had it had thoughts anyways? The stone strained its mind but could only recall a long time spent infortable silence. Was this awareness a new thing?
It was.
Just a few minutes ago, one of the heros stray spells had hit this very pebble, causing some strange changes toe over it. The pebble found the situation quite odd and wished it could go back to the rxing state it had previously been enjoying.
Who wanted to be aware of eternity spent waiting on a mountaintop?
As it tried to rx its mind, the pebble noticed a strange screen hovering in front of it. Had that been there before? Noit had to be new. Curious, the pebble focused on the little grey box.
[Unnamed]
Title(s): None
HP: 1/1
Mana: 0/0
Level: 0
Experience: 0/10
ss: None
Sub-ss: None
Race: Gneiss Stone
Gold: 0
STATS
Diameter (d): 0.06m
Mass (m): 0.3kg
Velocity (v): 0 m/s => [0,0,0]
ABILITIES
Collide
Crash into a foe and inflict damage equal to m * v / 4.
Bounceback damage is reduced.
The stone found the screens rather curiousit somehow understood the contents. It understood that the screens were referring to itself in some way, and that they indicated that the pebble was not a very mighty pebble currently.
That thought saddened the pebble somewhat.
Now that it was aware of things, it considered itself superior to all the other pebbles around, but its statistics indicated anything but!
The pebble was not quite sure how it observed its surroundings, but somehow it did just that. All around it, other stonesy aboutmany quite a bitrger than itself.
The pebble did not like that.
It wanted to be the best of all stones.
Just then, as it was deep in thought, a new screen appeared in front of it.
Tutorial Quest Assigned
Roll out
Reach the bottom of the mountain.
Current Altitude: 10 000m
Difficulty: Legendary
Rewards: ??? (Legendary)
What was this?
A quest! A grand, heroic, quest! The pebble was ready to set forth towards danger, to seek out the mysterious rewards it could receive, when it suddenly recalled a poignant detail. It was a stone, and stones did not tend to move about too much.
A trap! A jest! A taunt! Who would be so cruel as to assign a monumental task like that to an immobile pebble? Oh greatest of sins, what cruelty!
Go, [Heroic Homing Overpowered Lazer of Atomic Water Bonds]!
You fool, all water is atomic, you cannot prate my [Imprable Shield of Darkness that Cannot be Prated]!
Of course, the battle was still raging in the background.
Just as the pebble was about to fall into a deep depression, a st of energy was deflected near it, and it wasunched into the air.
The pebble was perplexedit was moving!
For the first time ever, the pebble moved from that ce!
It rather enjoyed the feel of it and noticed a change on its stats screen as its flight passed its apex.
STATS
Diameter (d): 0.06m
Mass (m): 0.3kg
Velocity (v): 26.13 m/s => [3, 7, -25]
The numbers had gotten bigger! Overjoyed, the pebble realized that it should do this fly-about thing moreanything that made the numbers grow was surely a good thing. Perhaps it could even advance on its quest?
The pebble then noticed that its flight was nearing its end, as it was flying right at the head of some strange, red-skinned creature. The creature seemed to be engaged in battle with another white-d one. And the pebble was flying right at the red creature''s hea
Bonk
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 0,3 * 13.1 / 4 = 1 dmg to [Demon Lord Diablos]
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 13.01 m/s => [1.4, 12.3, -4]
The red-skinned creature flinched for a second as a pebble hit it in the face, allowing the white-d one to plunge its sword deep into the creatures chest.
This isnt over... I will resurrect in 666 years, and then humanity will be doomed!
Heh, I dont care. The isekai office only contracted me for one demon lord. Im saying goodbye to this shitty world.
Some more words were spoken, but the pebble was already far away, rolling down the mountain. Soon, a notification appeared in front of it once again.
You have assisted in defeating [Demon Lord Diablos!]
500 000 Assist experience granted!
You have gained the title: Enemy of Demons!
Effects: 20% Greater damage dealt to demons, 20% more experience from killing demons, permanent hostility with all demons!
Level up!
500 000 / 10 xp
Discarding overflow xp
You have reached level 1!
Stats up!
Mass (m): 0.3kg -> 1.0kg
Diameter (d): 0.06m -> 0.09m
HP: 1 -> 1
[Unnamed]
Title(s): Enemy of Demons
HP: 1/1
Mana: 0/0
Level: 1
Experience: 0/20
ss: None
Sub-ss: None
Race: Gneiss Stone
Gold: 0
It had grown!
Immense joy filled the pebble as it noticed that it had be arger pebble. This was the start of a path to greatness! It celebrated for quite a while as it rolled down, then finally noticed more screens.
You are eligible for the ss: Rolling Stone
ept the ss? Y/N
A ss?
The pebble slowly considered each new screen as it shed by and judged that it indeed did want to be a Rolling Stone. To be quite frank, it already was he pebble was making good speed down the mountain.
The pebble focused on the prompt and epted the ss.
Congrattions!
You are now a level 1 Rolling Stone!
New Ability Gained!
Steer
Subtly shift eleration vector into desired direction
The pebble parsed its new ability and stats and felt satisfied. It had grown bigger! Moreover, it had received some sort of new,plicated ability. It didn''t quite know what an eleration or a vector was but had time to learn. It would experiment.
Eventually.
A stone was a patient one after all.
The pebble continued rolling down the mountain, eagerly awaiting a chance to test out its new ability. It rolled onward to its grand quest.
Down the mountain.
Towards the unknown, dark horizon.
To where no pebble had gone before (probably).
And so, a brave hero set forth, as many had done before.
This is its story.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 9 673m
Chapter 2: Gathering moss
Chapter 2: Gathering moss
As fast as it had gotten started, the [Rolling Stones] journey came to an end.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 9 253m
Velocity (v): 0 m/s => [0, 0, 0]
The pebble had gotten stuck.
A cruel twist of fate, but also a somewhat inevitable one. All heroes need great trials to surpass, like the great titan who was sentenced to eternally push a rock up a mountain.
However, thereiny the issue. Our pebble had no push of its own.
As it had flown down from that great mountaintop, cast off in the sh of titans, it had been overjoyed. Such speed! Such process! It could watch the quest ticker tick down, and the velocity stat tick up. The numbers just kept getting bigger!
Faster and faster it had rolled, gathering speed and momentum, speeding down the mountain.
Until it had seen a target.
A queer sort of animal, with two long ears which twitched about happily as it observed its surroundings. Then the pebble remembered two things.
1. It could growrger by hitting things in the head really hard.
2. And it could [Steer].
Steer activated!
Steering to the [Right]
At that moment, its [Velocity] had been great indeed, so the pebble had begun using its new skill, subtly altering its [eleration] vector, gradually adjusting course towards the furred creature. The creature just sat in ce, a lone challenger for the rock, standing near a mighty cliff. The pebble saw itsck of motion, and knew the enemy to be inferior.
That was when it erred. For a pebble has rather limited awarenessit did not know of things like smell, taste, or... well, sound. It neared the target, bounced off a rock, and
An ear twitched. A rabbit hoppedand dodged.
And a rock thudded hard against stone, getting lodged between two boulders, a great chasm under it. But it was no longer falling. It was no longer moving.
Stuck.
The very-much-so-not-[Rolling Stone] began gathering moss.
A familiar feeling, really. It had spent most of eternity doing that, so it was in a way a return to normalcy. Retirement after a great career of adventure. It had gone where few rocks had gone before, uncharted waters, and managed to reach level 1. Not anything to be ashamed of.
Proud, the pebble looked back on the folly of youth, and sat back to enjoy its retirement.
And the seasons changed.
First came the chill winds of autumn. Great gales blew, but no fall leaves traveled up here. The mountaintop was a barren, dry ce. Far removed from any of the brilliant foliage down below. A high-up desert, with no mirages or oases offering hope to lost travelers. But the rock did not need hope, it did not thirst for water.
It was a rock. Calmly, it enjoyed the cool breeze against its stony exterior, like man might enjoy a warm hearth and home.
Then came the snow of winter, and the rock got buried under, frozen stiff. It had felt the sensation before, and though the ice chilled the pebble to the core, it did not despair. It was a stone. A bit of cold meant nothing to it.
Butas all retired adventurers knoweventually the call of adventurees once again.
The snow began melting.
Slowlyoh so slowlythings began to move. To change.
First, the packed frost turned to slush, only a thin film of ice sealing the pebble inside its tomb. Then water began flowing down the mountain in great torrents, and the londs despaired at the floods. But the pebble it sensed an opportunity.
It awoke from its retirement. Went down to the cer, grabbed the old heirloom sword, and started sharpening it.
For war was in the air.
It was ready, waiting to pounce forward when finally it happened. Softened to mud and silt by the torrential downpour, the dirt holding up the great boulders, and holding the pebble in ce shifted.
Just a hint. But enough. The stone began to gradually move forward. Then it fell, finally free from its bindings. Down, down into the chasm, its great journey began anew.
It had vengeance in its mind. The sword was sharpened.
Because... a certain rabbit was enjoying the fresh bounty of spring berries right down below. A lucky twist of fate? Such things were patterns. An enemy not put down will always return with a sharper stake. And the pebble had been watching, carefully.
The pebble used [Steer], and its downward [eleration] vector began gradually shifting to the side, with a precision born of endless patience, and a touch on the wheel that would not shake no matter the circumstance.
And there was no sound. Just a silent fall through the air.
Until there was.
THUD
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 1 * 20.1 / 4 = 5 dmg to [Common Rabbit]
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 13.01 m/s
A rabbit with a skull split in two fell to the ground, above the fresh spring berries, which also got crushed under the patient adversary.
You have gained the title: Patient Ambusher
Effects: Deal greater damage to foe proportional to how long you have been lying in wait.
And once more, the pebble started rolling down. Moss was shed, and the kinks of a long rest were worked out. And it began hunting.
Because a patient hunter could also be rather vengeful. The stone had spent a long two seasons up on the cliff, watching the happenings down in the chasm. And it had seen the rabbits wintery romance, and the brood it had produced.
The rabbit had cast the first stone. But only that first stone mattered, for it could easily shift [Momentum], and begin rolling back, towards the opposite direction.
With the inevitability of a rolling boulder, the pebble began [Steering] in a direction it knew very well indeed.
It rolled over craggy exposed rock and freshly blooming grass, over dirt and trickles of water, towards a little burrow in the cliffside. Towards the little rabbits frolicking in the spring air.
An ear twitched, and a young, curious eye turned towards the approaching avenger. With the arrogance of youth, a rabbit hopped to the side, easily dodging out of the way.
Or so it thought. But this pebble It did not forget. It had watched.
It was moving fast, elerating as it moved down the mountainside, and with a small and well ced [Steer], right at the perfect moment
The pebble cracked into a skull, midair.
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 1 * 5.2 / 4 = 1 dmg to [Newborn Rabbit]
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 20 m/s
Then it ricocheted off, and [Steered] towards the next, who did not suspect a mere pebble could move on its own.
Another skull cracked.
In a desperate escape, the little bunnies hopped down the mountain, instinctively fleeing along with gravity as their boost. A concerned mother joined them.
But a stone rolled. It did not falter in the chase. And they were running downhill. More calm [Steering].
St. St. St.
Three rabbits went down, skulls bashed in by a vengeful stone. Vain attempts at fleeing, all for naught.
You have gained the title: Line-Ender!
Effects: 20% Bonus damage to attacks ending family lines!
Level up!
25 / 20 xp
Discarding overflow xp
You have reached level 2!
Stats up!
Mass (m): 1.0kg -> 3.3kg
Diameter (d): 0.09m -> 0.14m
HP: 1 -> 2
The pebble reveled in the sensation of growth, the sweet ambrosia of numbers going up. This was good. This was right.
Coated in blood and stuck with fur, the pebble kept rolling down and downeventually arriving once more to an area of deceleration. A cliff of nd, and its momentum
It ran out just before the pebble managed to reach the next cliff''s edge.
Had our hero gotten stuck again?
No, because the scent of war was still thick in the air. Thickest here of all.
For this was no ordinary cliffside. Small green figures were assembled on two sides of the cliff, red eyes gleaming, and weapons pointed in each others directions. A site of imminent battle.
And the cracking of a stone hitting the ground from up above served as the starting shot. Warcries rang out all around the rock, projectiles started flying, and the green figures started rushing at each other, fury clouding their minds.
This too was a site of vengeance.
Two lines of fighters collided, with a pebble sitting right in the middle. Arms were hacked off and figures fell down in cries of pain, pools of blood expanding to coat the clifftop.
For a brief moment, the pebble hoped that the tide of blood would carry it forward, and restart its journey down the mountain. But sas was the fate of heroes
Although they were not always willingwar tended to find them.
A green figure fell down by the rock, clutching at an arm with an arrow embedded in it. Growls of pain, but a relentless determination born of long-held hate. It saw a perfectly sized rock, and picked it up. And threw.
The [Rolling Stone] moved once again.
And [Steered].
Straight into the fires of war.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 8 673m
Full Status:
[Unnamed]
Title(s): Title(s): Line-Ender, Patient Ambusher, Bane of Demons
HP: 2/2
Mana: 0/0
Level: 2
Experience: 0/40
ss: Rolling Stone
Sub-ss: None
Race: Gneiss Stone
Gold: 0
STATS
Diameter (d): 0.14m
Mass (m): 3.3kg
ABILITIES
Collide
Steer
Chapter 3: Getting Stoned with Goblins
Chapter 3: Getting Stoned with Goblins
Grogg the level 3 [Skirmisher] fell down on the field, an arrow in his arm. It hurt oh so much, but he gritted his teeth, and rose uponly for another arrow to swish right above his head.
Bastards!
Screaming, growling, he threw himself down, the wooden spear at his back useless. He could not get close! The foes were relentless with their ammunition!
The melee fighters had pulled off each other after the initial skirmish, and half of them nowy dead, dripping a rich river of crimson onto the windy hilltop. The others were staying back to nurse their wounds, letting the ranged fighters take control of the field.
But they could not take it back. All charges broke against the barrage of arrows.
Grogg felt despair and rage gripping him, all his hard traininguseless! He could not even get close enough to poke his spear in! He rolled to the side, dodging another arrow, then saw the pebble on the ground.
A pebble that was the perfect size. Covered in grime, but the heft of it Groggs youth ran through his mind. Once, before the fiends before him had ughtered his kin like animalshe had yed a game with his brother.
A simple game of children, throwing rocks.
Slowly, ying dead, Grogg reached out and grabbed the pebble. A stone that was really... just nice. Had circumstances been different, he would have started a rock collection then and there. A bit on the heavier side, but that only made him smile. More damage.
Lightning fast, he jumped to his feet, hefting the stone up with once-mastered technique, somehow still stored deep inside his muscles. With a prayer to heaven, he readied himself for the throw of his life. This ones for you, Grugg.
He pitched the stone forward, but the wound at his arm made him stumble at thest moment, and he lost his footing. The throw went off course, and Grogg yelled out a curse, falling back down to the ground. Arrows were thick in the air, but he still focused on that pebble, cursing how it was not going off course? His eyes widened, and the rage of battle faded as he focused on that miraculous flight.
Gradually, with eerie precision, the rocks trajectory changed. Rightward and rightward, and then when a wide-eyed goblin tried to dodge, it unerringly followed the sideward jump. A smashing hit right to the skull.
Grogg jumped up, heart filled with newfound faith, and praised all the Gods and Goddesses of the world. My brother! Your spirit of vengeance still lives on!
Then he paused. A goblin on the other side had picked the pebble up, and was aiming it at him.
Chuckling confidently, Grogg fell into a ready crouch, wound up. Because he was ready, he would not be caught unaware. He would zig if it zagged, zag if it zigged. The foe hefted the pebble up, spinning it around in his hand, and then the rock was thrown, right at him.
He used [Skirmishers Dodge], and leaped five feet to the side in one bounding step.
Hended on his side, head up, searching for that rock. His eyes widened.
It was heading right fo
THUNK
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 3.3 * 20.3 / 4 = 17 dmg to [Goblin Skirmisher Grogg]
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 0 m/s
The pebble celebrated internally. This ce was great! A veritable celebration of blood! A true battlefield!
The rock was gaining a new type of wisdom, for it found that it understood battle. More than many military men might themselves, for battlefields were a ce of motion, and more specifically, of two vector forces shing against each other, challenging each others strength.
Like two rocks tumbling down opposing mountains, grimly [Steering] course towards their inevitable sh. Who would break first?
Not a question the pebble cared forit only cared that the currents of war were an opportune ce to let go and be carried forward.
Almost as soon as itnded, a new goblin rushed to pick up the pebble. It had not gone unnoticed on this battlefield. Goblins were a poorer species, not generally able to afford enchanted tools.
But this rock There was something about it. Something odd. And goblins were noticing it. This was not a normal rock, not even just a very gneiss rock, no. This rock was...
Special.
Two times it had been thrown, and two lives it had imed. Already 5 goblins on the field had felt their treasure-sense tingle and were keeping a wary eye out. They were watching the 6th one, who had picked the rock up.
Kabab the mighty shall y every foe!
A muscled hulk of a goblin, who began to pitch out, muscles flexing as he readied for a throw.
He pitched. Once more, a great increase in movement.
But shields were up this time.
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 3.3 * 25.7 / 4 = 22 dmg to [Fortified shield]
Damage blocked!
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 0 m/s
An eager hand reached out from under the shield to grab the rockbut Kabab the mighty was a clever one. It had taken note of the previous throwers fate. The mighty goblin chuckled, pointed at the stone with his muscled arm, and activated a skill.
[Boomerang throw!]
Right as it cluttered against the ground, the pebble once more started elerating. Back toward the mighty hulk of a goblin.
Seeing a chance for magnificent gains, the pebble began to [Steer] upwards, at the great goblins face. But a force held it in a tight grip. Unnerringly, the shifts in its [eleration] vector were countered by an equal and opposite forcea skill ensuring the stone would return safely.
To the throwers hand. A thud, but softer, one readied for. Kabab smiled at the magnificent enchanted weapon in his hand. He began to aim once more, this time muttering a skill.
[Shieldpiercer].
Once more, the pebble was thrown. Faster than it had ever been thrown before. Shields were raised on the other side of the field, readying a hurried defense, but the pebble cared not. It was curious. A [ShieldBreaker] skill? That sounded like something worth investigating.
So the pebble steered right at the shields, aiming for the toughest one it saw on the field. Toughness was naturally a result of being made from the toughest and firmest stone, so it chose a greyish shield to go for.
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 3.3 * 29.1 / 4 = 24 dmg to [Fortified shield]
[Fortified Shield] has shattered! Damage pierced through!
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 15 m/s
The shield shattered into pieces, and the pebble pushed through. No time for a proper [Steer], but it was enough. The shrapnel from the shield shredded a face, sending the shield-holder down, beaten and bloodied.
Assist Experience granted!
And the pebble kept going, and passed into the backline, hitting an unprepared [Archer] right in the face.
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 3,3 * 15 / 4 = 13 dmg to [Archie the Goblin Archer]
[Fortified Shield] has shattered! Damage pierced through!
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 0 m/s
Then the pebble fell to the groundbut no one picked it up this time. Becauseas he had thrown the rockKabab had charged, leading his melee forces forward. And the lines shed once more, in a bloody storm of gore and steel.
The pebbley amidst it all, forgotten for his brief role in the fight. But the pebbleit had gained quite a bit from this fight.
So it was, that against the backdrop of a wars finale, the pebble sat back to rest. It began to view the notification it had gotten.
Level up!
40 / 40 xp
You have reached level 3!
Stats up!
Mass (m): 3.3kg -> 11.3kg
Diameter (d): 0.14m -> 0.20m
HP: 2 -> 3
New Ability Gained!
Energy Shift
Change energy from one form into another.
A new skillone more intriguing than any it had gotten before. The rock was not vibrating from excitementit sat stone-still, but regardless, it held anticipation within it.
And as it had sat there, pondering, the war had ended, one victor surviving.
Kabab stumbled forward, 10 arrows embedded around him, finally finding the stone of his victory. He picked it up, a smile on his face, and the pebble wondered how many years it would have to wait in service to this warrior? Perhaps a chance for levels. The anticipation grew.
And Kabab held the stone upup at the sky that glittered with a new moon. The gods have seen fit to bless my victory with divine miracle! Thus begins my new life as [King] Kaba
Thonk.
An arrow went right through his face, entering by mouth, then exiting out the back. Kabab stumbled down to the ground, dead in an instant.
And the hidden human [Ranger], who had been sneakily pelting arrows throughout the battle finally stepped forward. It was no coincidence that so many goblins had fallen down with arrows in them, evening out the forces until only one goblin had remained.
The pebble had not been the only one cing a stone of their own on the scales of war.
The [Ranger] walked around the battlefield, face not quite as grim as stone, surveying his work. A grim task. He went through everyst goblin, doubling checking they were dead, cutting off ears, then finally returned to the great goblins corpse, where he stowed away his bow.
He saw a stone. And smiled, his bushy mustache spreading out.
Heythis one is the perfect size! Just like I had been waiting for.
And once more, the pebble was carried out, to aid a new needy caller in a grand quest, and it felt the anticipation growing.
If such a great hunter could get rid of goblins with such contemptible ease... what ns might he have for an "enchanted" pebble.
The levels and growth the stone could almost taste them.
But it could not. A pebble could not taste.
So it once more set itself down intofortable hands to wait.
The patience of stone would always win over all, even if the man would carry it around for a hundred years.
And so, the stone was carried down the mountain, towards a humble hunters cabin.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 7 823m
Full Status:
[Unnamed]
Title(s): Title(s): Line-Ender, Patient Ambusher, Bane of Demons
HP: 3/3
Mana: 0/0
Level: 3
Experience: 0/70
ss: Rolling Stone
Sub-ss: None
Race: Gneiss Stone
Gold: 0
STATS
Diameter (d): 0.20m
Mass (m): 11.3kg
ABILITIES
Collide
Steer
Energy Shift
Chapter 4: Rock Hard; Hot and Steamy
Chapter 4: Rock Hard; Hot and Steamy
The rockit was a tiny pebble no longerwas not being thrown at enemies. Neither was it being dropped on enemies. Or even rolled
Wasnt that the whole point of being a [Rolling Stone]?
No, instead the rock was sweating. Well, not actually sweating, but it was growing hot, then being cooled by a spray of water in periodic intervals. That was close enough, right?
Yesit had gotten stuck again.
The stone had been ready toy down its arms and retire once more from a great career of adventureeven if its quest was yet to bepleted. But... there was just one issue.
This was noforting rest. The rock was being tortured.
Ity in a heap of its kin, thergest rock of all, centerpiece of the disy. Above a stove constantly stoked with fresh firewood, which kept the rocks heating up.
Until a spray of water cooled them again.
The rock cursed the inventor of this infernal torture device, which some may have recognized to be a sauna. The [Ranger] had stripped down from his gear, and now stood there, skin white and furless, exposing himself indecently before the rock.
Of course, it didnt care about that, per se.
If anything, the dangling bits shifting about before it were a fresh point of interest, something for the stone to discreetly observe. Some twisted kin of its? For two small pebbles sat hanging down behind the trunk. Were they trapped too, in torture as hellish as the rock''s?
It swore to free them, for this stone was a true hero. And so the rock began to plot. How could it escape this fiendish situation, and exact vengeance on its captor?
It began experimenting.
The [Velocity] vector was a t zero, and the stone was wedged tightly between its kin, so escaping through [Steer] seemed doomed to fail. One n out.
The only n, if it had still been the humble pebble of before, capable of only slightly changing course. But it was a grown stone now, level 3. A mighty warrior, truly.
With a new skill.
New Ability Gained!
Energy Shift
Change energy from one form into another.
Now, what exactly did this mean? It was a curious skill, with many new variables unfamiliar to the rock. But it smelled of potential. Or would have, if the rock could have smelled.
With the methodical mind of a boulder, it began to experiment. Because the stone was being heated up. And cooled. And whenever that shift happened, it had a faint sense of it. A shift in energy.
Energy of an unfamiliar sortso far it only understood the rtion of mass and velocity. Kic energy, the one most easy for a rock to grasp. For these were cyclic mountains, where the changes of heat happened slowly.
The weather did not shift in a matter of days, it took seasons for temperatures to truly move around. So the rock had never before noticed the true difference between hot and cold, before being trapped inside this chamber of horrors.
It tapped at that energy with a sense and shifted a small, tiny portion into its new skill.
Then it used [Shift Energy].
Energy Shift activated!
Converting [Thermal Energy] to [Kic Energy]
0.001k ->1.4 m/s
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 1.4 m/s
The rock shifted in ce, just a hint, and then settled back.
The [Ranger] looked up, then dismissed the change as a quirka cracking of rocks at the heat of a stove. He felt slight regret that he may have to find some new proper stones in the future.
But meanwhile a rock was waiting. Because that had been... absurdly powerful. Just one small, absolutely minuscule drop in temperature, and it had managed to increase it''s velocity by such an amount...
Clearly, this was perfectly bnced.
So, the rock waited a few more moments, warming up. More energy was obviously better, and it finally had a reliable storage of sorts.
So it waited, measuring the increase in energy throughout its body, feeling a growing anticipation. The [Ranger] was strong, a merciless killer who had taken down a horde of goblins on his own. But the stone had methods of its own too.
The man reached for thedle held within a bucket, then took it out, a measure of water within. He readied for a throw.
The stone used [Energy Shift], measuring an amount of energy it considered appropriate, thrusting it down like the tiniest dip into ice.
Energy Shift activated!
Converting [Thermal Energy] to [Kic Energy]
1k -> 44.7 m/s
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 44.7m/s
It sted out of the stove, scattering other hot stones around the room, aiming right at its trapped brethren. The [Ranger] had no time to dodge.
Titles Activated!
Line-Ender Activated!
Patient Ambusher Activated!
Calctingbined bonus...
50%!
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 11.3 * 44.7 / 4 * 1.5 = 189 dmg to [Ranger Tom]
CRITICAL HIT! WEAK SPOT TARGETED!
DAMAGE DOUBLED!
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 0m/s
The man crumpled down with a whimper, hisher regions reduced to nothing, and the rock realized it had crushed the captive pebbles too. A kinyer! But no title came of it, so the rock figured it was alright.
Then the experience came. Or tried tobut the rock held off, just for a moment.
It wanted to enjoy the outdoors.
So, it heaped over a generous helping of temperature for the skill, deciding to test out how fast it could really go. Because it really was quite hot, a bit too hot even.
Energy Shift activated!
Converting [Thermal Energy] to [Kic Energy]
500k -> 1000 m/s
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 1000 m/s
AND THE ROCK STARTED MOVING VERY VERY VERY FAST INDEED AND
It stopped suddenly, before it even moved one meter, held in ce by an ever-present force, which finally detected that something was very very wrong indeed here.
ERROR_ABILITY_ABUSE_DETECTED: SAFEGUARDS ACTIVATED
Skill: [Energy Shift] has gone over safety limit for
Searching for solution...
A cooling presence enveloped the rock.
The rock sat still, waiting in ce patiently for the system to resolve the problem. It just sat there... waiting.
And the grew nervous. Because it had already searched for three days, but the rock didn''t tire of watching it. Usually, people gave up after a few minutes, letting it sneakily adjust things behind their backs.
But this rock... watched.
And the panicked, quickly adjusting matters in the fastest way it could.
ERROR: SOLUTION FOUND
Adjusting for entity ...
Complete!
Applying limitations...
Complete!
Obfuscating logic...
Complete!
The rock felt some immaterial force around it change and shift about, like getting into new clothes for the first time.
Patch Applied!
Please continue on with your
Curious, the rock decided to test out its newly modified skill. How would it work now? It still had [Energy Shift], it could feel it. Carefully, it reached out for the skill.
Energy Shift activated!
Converting [Thermal Energy] to [Kic Energy]!
Using Maximum allowed T! (Dependant on level)
User is not allowed to use T for below 273.15K
1K = 1 m/s
New velocity for [Unnamed]: 20 m/s
The rock jaunted forward a hint, elerating. But this new solution... it almost feltzy. A lot less broken in some ways. But it might just work well enough for what it had in mind...
So it didn''t bother calling for customer support. Nobody would have answered, probably.
The rock waited patiently in ce, as the heat in the room gradually warmed it back upnot as hot as it had been before, just a fraction. But enough.
Energy Shift activated!
Converting [Thermal Energy] to [Kic Energy]
2K = 2 m/s
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 2 m/s
Itunched itself towards the exposed firece, and fell within the burning embers. Heat enveloped it, but this timethe rock weed it all, for heat was energy. It waited, heating up more and more, gaining a higher level of energy than it had ever felt within itself before.
So it waited, heating up until it glowed orange, then, finally satisfied with its bounty, it released it a proper, more restrained amount. It aimed up, at the rooms one tiny windowjust wide enough to fit it through.
Energy Shift activated!
Converting [Thermal Energy] to [Kic Energy]
12K = 12 m/s
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 12 m/s
It flew through the sauna, then smashed into the window, easily sting it apart.
And once more, got to the great outdoors, and started rolling down the mountain.
Level up!
100 / 70 xp
Discarding overflow xp
You have reached level 4!
Stats up!
Mass (m): 11.3kg -> 38.2kg
Diameter (d): 0.20m -> 0.30m
HP: 3 -> 5
And it grew once more, swelling in size and mass more than it ever had before, and once more rolled through the great outdoors.
But things were different.
As its pace elerated, greater and greater, the rock felt the cooler air around it, already making its gathered heat fade, and it made a realization. If it could shift energy from heat to motion...
Could it not also do it the other way around?
Curious, the rock took a look at its current velocity, as it bounded down the mountain at a growing speed.
Current Velocity (V): 22.7m/s
What if it just... changed all of it to heat.
Energy Shift activated!
Converting [Kic Energy] to [Thermal Energy]!
12 m/s = 12 K
New Temperature for [Unnamed]: 816.7K
The rocks pace halted to a stop, the skill acting as a brake, naturally heating it up in the process. Then it began elerating downwards again, inevitably dragged down by gravity. But the rock was ted.
It now had a steer, and a brake. Energy was the key.
The rock saw it had everything it really needed to navigate now, but it had also learned the heights of Mt. Tai. In these mountains, there were great enemies. Ones that could ughter goblin hordes with ease. It would not always have the opportunity of ambush. If it wanted to make its way down safely
It needed more power.
And as it had learned levels were power. And the rock could level by hitting things in the head really hard. Or the balls lower down from the headwhichever was easier really.
As it plotted and nned it spotted a sh of green ducking to cover. Not grass, not this high up. A goblinperhaps several.
The rock remembered how thest time it met goblins it had been just a projectile, an unwilling participant in a war. No more. It [Steered].
It was time for a warpath of its own choosing.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 6 511m
Full Status:
[Unnamed]
Title(s): Line-Ender, Patient Ambusher, Bane of Demons
HP: 5/5
Mana: 0/0
Level: 4
Experience: 0/100
ss: Rolling Stone
Sub-ss: None
Race: Gneiss Stone
Gold: 0
STATS
Diameter (d): 0.30m
Mass (m): 38.2kg
ABILITIES
Collide
Steer
Energy Shift
Chapter 5: Stone Cold Killer
Chapter 5: Stone Cold Killer
This was no silent ambush. The rock rushed down the mountain, almost 40 kilograms at an ever faster pace, right at a goblin. A goblin who saw the rock, ducked down behind a ledge to cover and thought he was safe.
Wrong.
The rock almost flew right over the goblins head, that was how fast it was moving. But then, right after it jumped the cliff and hovered over the goblin
It braked, midair.
Movement turned to heat, but only horizontal movement. The rock kept all the rest of the movement, and shifted direction straight downwards, only heating up a tiny bit.
The goblin only saw the approaching shadow.
St.
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 20.3 * 38.2 / 4 = 193 dmg to [Goblin Buddy Bubba]
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 2m/s
And the rock continued forward, rolling over the fresh goblin corpse. Once more elerating. It made a realization.
If it continually braked, then continued rolling, then braked again, it would gradually heat up. And energy would be stored.
Energy which could be converted back to motion, if used fast enough. The skill had a cooldown, and the heat did tend to dissipate, especially if there was a lot of it.
The rock slowed its pace significantly and started heating up. But still kept creeping forward, ever on the prowl for more prey.
It saw a scouting party of 5 goblins marching up the mountain, and finally stoppedpletely, turning all remaining movement into heat. It heated up, still only a hundred-or-so degrees above 0C.
And the scouting party, they just saw a curiously hot-seeming rock, just standing still right there, on the mountainside.
They had seen it stop.
And, well A rock standing still on the mountainside was an amusing thing for a goblin. They could kick it down, and watch how it bounced down, hopefully crushing some unlucky humans skull. They walked closer. The rock took aim.
And released.
Energy Shift activated!
Converting [Thermal Energy] to [Kic Energy]!
Using Maximum allowed T! (Dependant on level)
20K = 20 m/s
New velocity for [Unnamed]: 20 m/s
Remaining stored Temperature: 98K
Like a viper, it pounced at the first goblin, their leadera high-level [Druid] carrying a sagely staff. It aimed straight for the head.
Title Activated!
Patient Ambusher Activated!
Calcting bonus...
10%!
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 17.5 * 38.2 / 4 * 1.1 = 184 dmg to [Goblin Druid Dudda]
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 2m/s
The other goblins stood stunned, in shock at the sudden horror of a head bursting like a ripe melon. They just stared, stared at the rock that was again just standing still right there.
It had not used all its heat. Not nearly. It was waiting for the cooldown to tick... slowly...
Now!
Again it pounced forward, a viper in rock-form and crushed a head, but this time, the 3 remaining goblins ran, scattering in every direction. The rock chased.
The first goblin ran to the right and the rock chased, bounding down the rocky mountainsides craggy edge. In his terror, the goblin tripped on small rock and fell down. Therger rock saluted itsrade for the assist, then moved on for the finisher.
The other two goblinsone of them was headed up.
That really made the rock pause, it had only ever really gone down. Could it even go up on its own?
Half-heartedly, it used some energy tounch itself up the slope. The maximum its level allowed.
It went up a good distance, but not nearly enough to reach the goblin, then started tumbling back down. It fell below itsunch point before the cooldown on the skill came back. And the rock made a realization: There were limitations in this method: energy was being lost constantly. It could only adjust how it floated along the stream of gravity, not truly swim against it.
Reluctantly, it let the smarter goblin escape, and turned its attention back down. Down, down down, it was always down, wasnt it?
Could it ever go up?
Once it reached the bottom of the mountain, the end of gravitys tidewhat could it even do then? Be trapped down there forever?
As it was nowit would never be able to reach the mountaintop again. Was that a worthy fate for it? No.
But stillthere were few options currently. It saw the goblin running downward in a mad panic, and almost sighing, went on the obligatory chase. But its heart was no longer in itit didnt hurry.
Why should it hurry on its quest down the mountain, when that quest might just signal its final doom?
And so, the rock made a halfhearted effort at the chase. If the goblin started slowing, the rock would let itself quicken the pace a bit, and then it would again loiter about, circle around a bit, search for anything interesting.
Searching for an answer. Energythe key was energy. Right now, its only source of new energy was gravity itself, a rather harsh and unbending mistress, one that would only let it go down. But it remembered the coals, the fire, the heat.
Could it light such a boiling heat inside itself too? And where did all these queer creatures find the energy to tumble against gravity, madly dashing up the mountain?
The rock almost started respecting the goblins, who so bravely spat in the face of gravity, and braved its highest reaches. Where was that little goblin going anyway?
The rock made a realizationthe goblin was not running in a mad panic anymore. It knew where it was going. Would it lead to a ce with more goblins?
It grew excited. Who knew that prolonging the chase out of existential despair could have such benefits? Where was the goblin going? What would the rock find?
All philosophical troubles faded from the rocks mind, as that first spark of adventure was lit anew. Like a tiny pebble discovering the world again, it shone with heat from excessive braking and headed down.
And finally the goblin reached its destination. A hole opening down, inside the mountain. Not natural stonesomething built up carefully. It crept close, and felt a shift in the air. Something different, something new.
Something it recognized with its new senses.
Energy.
It could sense these things now, so it could feel something. Something absolutely brimming with energy, which leaked out and emanated in the air all around. Coming from down that little hole? What was making all that energy?
For a moment, it peered away from the hole, looking at the endless slope without eyes. It could continue downwards and pursue its main quest. Even a futile one. Or
It could take on a side quest.
And so, the rock made its decision. How long would a sidequest take, anyways? It would not get distracted.
Down, deeper in the hole, at the bottom of the pit, a goblin was breathing a sigh of relief, finally having shaken off the terrifying rock. He had not spotted it for five minutes, but still he felt jitters.
Suddenlyhe sensed a shadow from up above and
St.
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 25.2 * 38.2 / 4 = 241 dmg to [Goblin Dungeon Mobster Mab]
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 0m/s
Level up!
113 / 100 xp
Discarding overflow xp
You have reached level 5!
Stats up!
Mass (m): 38.2kg -> 128.8kg
Diameter (d): 0.30m -> 0.46m
HP: 5 -> 8
New Ability Gained!
Pivot Point
Set a pivot point within 2m (adjusts with size) and pivot around it, conserving energy in the movement.
And so.. the rock dropped down into the dungeon. Things were about to get rocky.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 5 421m
Full Status:
[Unnamed]
Title(s): Line-Ender, Patient Ambusher, Bane of Demons
HP: 5/5
Mana: 0/0
Level: 5
Experience: 0/150
ss: Rolling Stone
Sub-ss: None
Race: Gneiss Stone
Gold: 0
STATS
Diameter (d): 0.46m
Mass (m): 128.8kg
ABILITIES
Collide
Steer
Energy Shift
Pivot Point
Chapter 6: One Stone Breaks Bone
Chapter 6: One Stone Breaks Bone
The rock which was starting to slowly be a bouldernded into the dungeon with a st, a dead goblin below it. And it had gotten a new level, and a new skill.
Very handy things for leveling, these green thingies, the rock thought. Wasnt there that saying killing how-many goblins with one stone?
It was probably a good count by now.
But the dungeon had an invader now. And the dungeon reacted.
The rock perceived footsteps approaching, feet like stone hitting the brick floor. Or to be more precise, feet of bone.
A mass of skeletons,ing up a long-downward sloping corridor as one big horde. The rock saw them and didnt feel much fear. It was a rock after all.
But it did feel hot. It had braked once during the fall down here, and converted a nice bit of thermal energy for itself in the process.
Remaining stored Temperature: 150K
Enough energy to conquer a dungeon? Perhaps. But the rock had noticed another curious thing. The corridor that army of skeletons were shambling up on
It was a downward sloping corridor.
Energy Shift activated!
Converting [Thermal Energy] to [Kic Energy]!
5K = 5 m/s
New velocity for [Unnamed]: 5 m/s
Remaining stored Temperature: 145K
The rock prodded itself forward gently, onto to slope, and began doing its job. Being a [Rolling Stone]. The floor was smooth, decently steep, and very easy to roll in. Much more pleasant than the rough mountainside. And in front of the rock
The skeletons had stopped, hesitating in the face of the approaching projectile. The rock though saw only experience to be harvested, and rolled forth to the grindstone. The skeletons turned around, shuffling back towards whence they came, but they couldn''t elerate like a rolling stone.
It got near the skeletons, then used just a hint of its new skill, attaching an ethereal thread of sorts to the ceiling. And it swung up.
Pivot Point activated!
Direction: Up
Rotation: 112
The rock flew up, carefully using [Steer], and smashed into the first skeletons ribs, which were ground down to bits. It barely slowed down, only changing velocity by 5m/s as it bowled through.
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 5 * 128.8 / 4 = 161 dmg to [Generic Skeleton Todd]
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 14m/s
It continued forward, hitting the next skeleton in the hips as its speed barely slowed against the rather light boned warriors.
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 4 * 128.8 / 4 = 129 dmg to [Generic Skeleton Tadd]
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 7 m/s
Then it started to slow, getting too close to the ground, and skeletons were on all sides. Time for a shift. It used a hint of energy, aiming the new velocity towards the right.
Energy Shift activated!
Converting [Thermal Energy] to [Kic Energy]!
10K = 10 m/s
New velocity for [Unnamed]: 15 m/s
Remaining stored Temperature: 125K
It veered to the right, a [Steer] and the new burst of energy driving it, and two more skeletons were grouped together and smashed against a wall.
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 6 * 128.8 / 4 = 193 dmg to [Generic Skeleton Couple Tudd & Tidd]
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 8.3 m/s
Then the rock finally paused for a moment, surveying the results. Four destroyed skeletons in a matter of moments, with the rest fleeing down the slope as fast as they could. The rock braked in ce, gathered a hint of heat, and did not hurry to the chase.
Because it had noticed something.
The slope was rather wide at the top, allowing the skeletons to gather side-by-side. But ahead there was a doorway and a narrow corridor. Just narrow enough for skeletons to move in single-file.
If it knew of such things, the rock would have received enlightenment on the joys of bowling.
So it waited, slowly rolling forward, gradually letting its pace increase. It waited as the skeletons nked forward in a mad dash. And thenwhen thest skeleton had entered the narrow bitthe stone started rolling.
And elerating.
And braking, and heating up.
And elerating more.
Current Velocity: 25 m/s
It rolled forward, with the inevitability of stone, ready to grind all foes to dust. And got to the hallway. The skeletons were right ahead, shambling in a mad panic, moving faster as they heard the approaching rumble.
The rock lined up a shot, then attached a pivot point up to the ceiling, for just the briefest moment.
It flew up into the air just a bit, to about the skeletons hip height. Like a golfer lining the perfect shot, the driver finally hit home.
Energy Shift activated!
Converting [Thermal Energy] to [Kic Energy]!
25K = 25 m/s
New velocity for [Unnamed]: 50 m/s
Remaining stored Temperature: 90 K
It sted forward, with just a slight upward angle, using the maximum amount of heat it could at its current level. A giant cannonball that needed no gunpowder, just movement of its own.
And it crashed into the first skeleton. And the next. And the next. And them all.
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 8.9 * 128.8 / 4 = 286 dmg to [Generic Skeleton Mob] * 3
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 39.2 m/s
It sted forward, crumpled bones falling behind it into piles as the magic holding them together broke in the face of stone. Its speed barely slowed, as each impact was like braking through another thin wall of barrier magic.
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 10.1 * 128.8 / 4 = 286 dmg to [Generic Skeleton Mob] * 4
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 26.7 m/s
It was starting to fall nearer to the ground, so the stone made just the slightest pivot up, getting up into the next skeletons ribs.
Pivot Point activated!
Direction: Up
Rotation: 15
Bone was smashed, and thest skeleton fell onto the ground in a motionless heap. No more skeletons aheadjust stairs. The rock fell down, bumped on a stair, bumped on the next, then realized it did not really like stairs.
Because... for the first time ever...
It took damage.
Collision Damage received!
HP 8/8 -> 5/8
The rock decided that it really did not like stairs. Rocks weren''t supposed to take damage! They were supposed to just st right through!
Slopes had been invented for a reason!
So it steered, braked and pivoted up, keeping itself airborne, just a hint away from bumping against all the stairs.
It neared the ceiling, but suddenly a panel in the roof opened, and wooden spikes were pushed out, right at the flying stone.
They broke against it, but still managed to smack it downhard. The stone smacked into the stairs once more.
Collision Damage received!
HP 5/8 -> 3/8
This was not right at all! A dungeon could deal damage to a rock? Now that was just unfair. The stone started to get annoyed. It got to the bottom of the stairs, keeping up a good pace.
And then a pit trap opened under.
It threw a [Pivot Point] to the ceiling, then gracefully hopped over the 4-meter long pit. Itnded on the other side, then kept going forward, rapidly getting deeper and deeper into the dungeon.
Suddenly, vents opened up all over the corridor, and a hissing sound started as gas began flooding the tunnel. The stone just got confused at the poison gas trap, and did not slow for it.
Maybe the dungeon had stopped being able to damage it? As long as there were no more stairs... What was that green mist thing anyway? It had never seen the like of it.
It remembered seeing clouds and mist before, but they really didnt belong underground, did they? Something was wrong.
Then there was a spark, and the hallway sted up in me.
The rock braked, and sat down in ce, marveling at the burning-gas traps. Was this a ce where it could collect energy for free?
The mes faded after a moment, engulfing the stone for but an instant, but still ckening its surface. The hissing started again, and soon there was more fire. And the rock let itself heat up.
But it wasnt that effective, the mes were so brief, it was barely staying positive in the energy department for the time it had to wait around.
It decided to move on. Another energy shift, and back forward, at a nice and calm 15m/s.
It got further in, having to pivot around a corner, then abrubly stopped as it came stone-to-stone with a wall blocking it. Vents opened above. A familiar hissing sound.
Then two methrowers opened fire on the rock.
The stone decided to sit back for a momentsatisfied. Finally it was getting proper treatment. These fires didnt stop, so it got to patiently sit around and wait for its energy level to increase.
Remaining stored Temperature: 200K
ALERT: MAXIMUM ALLOWED TEMPERATURE REACHED! APPLYING PUNITIVE MEASURES!
Punitive Damage received!
HP 3/8 -> 2/8
What was this? Was the angry at the rock for how it was behaving? Punitive measures.
The rock gave the air around it a mean re, or you could at least imagine it doing so, then it began to move on. But... there was a wall in front Perhaps it should just go through? It converted 10K into energy for itself, andunched at the wall.
It sted through the magical illusion, reaching the other side. A hulking monstrosity of flesh stood up in a vast room, looming over the stone. A goblin dressed in dark robes sat atop its head, barkingmands, but it paused when it saw the invader.
The rock paused too.
The goblin [Necromancer] narrowed his eyes. Had somebody just thrown a rock inside hisir, through all that? Who would carry a rock so deep into a dungeon? Where was the invader it had been warned about?
It instructed the flesh golem to walk in closer, to examine things. The lumbering giant took two steps forward.
Then the goblin realized the stone was hot. A bit under 200 degrees warmer than it should have been.
It realized something was wrong.
Toote, it was close already. The rock pounced, using up as much energy as it was allowed.
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 9.5 * 128.8 / 4 = 305 dmg to [Flesh Monstrosity of Dra''ith]
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 14.5 m/s
It sted right through the flesh golem, which was far too soft to provide any issue for the red-hot stone, destroying it in an instant. Then it attached a pivot point to one of the room''s support pirs, one just a bit to the right and started rotating.
All the way.
Pivot Point activated!
Direction: Right
Rotation: 360
It circled the full loop back as the golem fell down, slowly crumpling, with a panicking goblin on its back. The golem fell down just a perfect amount, bringing the goblin to the perfect spot.
The rock mmed right into the goblin, sending itself and it flying into the outer wall.
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 6.2 * 128.8 / 4 = 200 dmg to [Great Necromancer Grogg]
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 5.5 m/s
The goblin was squished in between a rock and a hard ce, and the golem dissolvedpletely.
Level up!
259 / 150 xp
Discarding overflow xp
You have reached level 6!
Stats up!
Mass (m): 128.8kg -> 434.6kg
Diameter (d): 0.46m -> 0.68m
HP: 8 -> 13
And the rock fell down, still holding quite a bit of heat inside itready to continue challenging the dungeon. The levelup made it grow a lot more than before, which satisfied it immensely.
These things were just so handy! It had only rolled forward a small bit, and already it had been provided with energy charging and experience, free of charge.
It rather liked these dungeon things.
A door opened on the other side, and the [Rolling Stone] kept moving forward without hesitating more.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 5 257m
Full Status:
[Unnamed]
Title(s): Line-Ender, Patient Ambusher, Bane of Demons
HP: 7/13
Mana: 0/0
Level: 6
Experience: 0/250
ss: Rolling Stone
Sub-ss: None
Race: Gneiss Stone
Gold: 0
STATS
Diameter (d): 0.68m
Mass (m): 434.6kg
ABILITIES
Collide
Steer
Energy Shift
Pivot Point
Chapter 7: Yes Hard Feelings
Chapter 7: Yes Hard Feelings
Deep down, inside a mountain, a [Dungeon Core] was panicking. A [Bone Core] to be precise. For some reason, the intruder to his [Bone Zone]
Was just not stopping.
Why? Why does he not stop? What manner of invader is this?
A gleaming blue gem floated in the dungeons deepest room, with only his goblin [Necromancer] lieutenants as listeners.
He could sense the intruder delving ever deeper, at elerating speed
And nothing was stopping him.
Ive tried the methrowers, but he just stood in them! Same with the poison gas! Throgg and his flesh horror were defeated in a matter of seconds! The weing skeletons even faster!
If he had had fingers, he would have bit them bloody. But s, all the core could do was shift color, red to blue to red, and vibrate.
And shout.
Go! The rest of you, go! Prepare the bone abomination! And the mega-death pit! Get ready to activate it! Hes almost there! How is he so fast? Go! Move!
His goblins finally sprang to motion, running to manipte theplex lever and pulley system which controlled the dungeons many traps. The core spun in ce, ring at each subordinate in turn, panic growing as he felt the intruder getting nearer and nearer.
But most of allthe status just did not make sense.
// DUNGEON INVASION IN PROGRESS:
// INVADERS: 1
// INVADER AVERAGE LEVEL: 6
It was just one level 6 invader.
He himself was a level 19 [Bone Core], and the flesh horror had been at least 15. What kind of ridiculously broken ss can this be? A [Hero]? Please tell me its not a [Hero].
S-sir, one of the goblins hesitantly said, lifting up a hand.
The core spun, aiming a bright red light at his face. What is it?
The goblin gulped. The [Hero] left this realm 6 months agothere shouldnt be another one.
The core focused the bright light into a burning redzer, and scorched a hole through the goblins head. It fell down to the ground, dead.
You fool, do you not think I know that already?
The core almost began another rant then and there, but then he stoppedthe intruder was right on the spot. He spun, red light rapidly blinking. Now! Activate the mega-death-pit-of-doom now! Hes right there!
A goblin pulled a lever, and the core felt a shift in the dungeon as a corridors floor fell down, revealing a 40-meter drop, straight into the mega-bone-golemsir.
He sensed the intruder drop down, and finally felt some relief. At least with this
Then the intruder suddenly paused in ce, midair, 30 meters above the bottom, movement slowing down considerably.
The core shrieked. Levitation magic too?
No. The intruder had started falling again.
What is going onat that speedsurely they will
The intruder approached the ground like a stone, and the core held the light in ce, red with no blinks, awaiting the impact. The bone horror is right next, ready, this cant go
Then the intruder suddenly shifted, all speed transferring from vertical to horizontal in one smooth rotation, and sted right into the bone horror, smashing it into pieces in an instant.
N-no What? What was that? A [Double Jump], into a forward sh? Noits all wrong
He paused. The enemy was still movingright here. There was only a short corridor between the pits bottom and this room.
He looked over his shaking minions, thoughts dark. So itse to this
The core took hold of the various lifestrands emanating from it, then ripped them all apart. The goblins vanished with terrified screams, dissolving into pits of blood. Light rapidly blinking, the core shoved all the remaining life energy into the ground, in a truest ditch effort.
To summon a defender.
Arise! Greater Rock Golem!
A lumbering, circr figure of stone rose up from the floor like a giant tortoise, then legs spouted out from it, and it shakily got up. It loomed into ce, a veritable mountain ripping itself free from the ground.
Go! Kill the intruder now!
The golem took a step forward, but at that same moment, the vault doors sted open as the intruder entered.
The cores shing light stopped on the figure that had arrived into the middle of the room, stopping in ce there.
A stone?
Go! Kill it! he said, using all his authority to force the golem on the move as fast as possible.
But the golem It stepped forward and made a gesture to the stone.
The core started losing his mind. What are you Dont try to duel it!
A duel.
The rock sensed the golems intentions right away, a bond of kinship between those ofmon birth. The beings of stone.
An honorable duel with all the hard feelings.
Because was not honor a rock-solid feeling?
The rock was making many new realizations about the world. But it epted the duel, shuffling forward and dipping forward in a small courtesy bow.
A queer blinking thing was shing furiously in the background, but the rock did not care for it. This was a duel of stone.
And for a duel of stone there was only one contest that mattered.
Energy Shift activated!
Converting [Thermal Energy] to [Kic Energy]!
20K = 20 m/s
New velocity for [Unnamed]: 20 m/s
Remaining stored Temperature: 60 K
They bothunched at each other, fast as they could.
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 14.3 * 434.6 / 4 = 1554 dmg to [Greater Earth Golem]
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 3 m/s
Collision Damage received!
HP 7/13 -> 5/13
The earth golem... Was not destroyed. The stone watched in disbelief as only the segment it had flown through sloughed off, the rest of the golem moving in to fill the nk spot. This enemy did not operate on the same principles as all the previous ones. It was...
A true foe.
Both duelists back from the first joust, feeling at new injuries that would be scars of honour. Arge crack now went through the rock, and the golem had lost a lot of mass, a great mass slowly dripping off it.
That was the difference between them.
The rock would either be whole or destroyedpletely. Its nature did not allow for losing a bit of mass. The golem meanwhile did not gather any cracks, but lost bits and pieces as a tradeoff.
A solid core, versus a movingndslide.
Which would win?
They both ignored the light that was blinking annoyingly in the background. It did not matter. This was a matter between a brotherhood of stoneno gem of carbon could interfere.
Time for the second joustthe contestantsunched each other again.
Energy Shift activated!
Converting [Thermal Energy] to [Kic Energy]!
30K = 30 m/s
New velocity for [Unnamed]: 30 m/s
Remaining stored Temperature: 30 K
Faster than the first time, that had been just a test. The true duel started now.
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 25.1 * 434.6 / 4 = 2727 dmg to [Greater Earth Golem]
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 3 m/s
Collision Damage received!
HP 5/13 -> 3/13
Grievous woundsthe rock felt a crack almost connect through it, splitting it in two. But it held on.
It did not lose mass. The golem it was worse for wear. Devastated. Half its mass gone, but stillit rose up resolutely, determination solidifying its outer shell.
With a small exertion of energy, the rock gave a salute of honor. It was the finest battle it had ever been in.
The two prepared for the third and final joust, when suddenly
The annoying shing light thing red out, finally done with just waiting around, and a melting-hot beam emanated from its center, straight at the rock. It was not ready to dodge, and low on health, could it
Suddenly the golem moved, with the strength of andslide, blocking off the beam with its own body.
The rock staredstunned like a statue, or a rockat the heroic sacrifice. A true warrior, who would not hesitate to put death before dishonor.
The shing thing screeched in rage as the golem fell, dissolving into muck and rocks onto the ground.
A ming fire lit within the rocks soul. It aimed at the hateful interrupter of a sacred battle, releasing all the energy within its body.
An absolute killing blow, with no mercy to it. It flew at the dungeon core and
It did not stand a chance.
The damage was irrelevant, as soon as it met the relentless forces of physics, the core cracked, and fell apart, shattering into shards of glittering light. A new notification came.
Dungeon: The Bone Zone Cleared!
Congrattions!
Bonus Experience awarded!
Level up!
400 / 250 xp
Discarding overflow xp
You have reached level 7!
Stats up!
Mass (m): 343.6kg -> 1466.7kg
Diameter (d): 0.68m -> 1.03m
HP: 13 -> 21
New Ability Gained!
Like a Rock
Activate to disguise yourself, making others think you are just a rock.
The rock saluted its fallen adversary, and celebrated its new level. Life and death, both at once.
A beautiful thing.
It appreciated the poetry in the moment for a single moment, then turned to leave.
Then looked up.
At the many-many stairs that stood between it and the corridor up above. The room was sealed otherwise, a simple box with levels and ropes all along the walls. But the rock
Suddenly realized how cold it was.
Remaining stored Temperature: 0 K
Current Velocity: 0 m/s
It had no energy, nothing to move with.
Not even to roll around the room for a bit, to explore, to attempt something with the ropes.
There was no mountain to roll down. There was no slope. No domain of gravity.
Just a t ne.
Stuck.
And sothe rock reflected on the honorable duel it had ended its adventuring career on
And felt satisfied.
Maybe this was not so bad. It would remain here, honoring the fallen golem.
A fine end.
Or was it?
Quest:
Current Altitude: 5 192m
Full Status:
[Unnamed]
Title(s): Line-Ender, Patient Ambusher, Bane of Demons
HP: 11/21
Mana: 0/0
Level: 7
Experience: 0/500
ss: Rolling Stone
Sub-ss: None
Race: Gneiss Stone
Gold: 0
STATS
Diameter (d): 1.03m
Mass (m): 1466.7kg
ABILITIES
Collide
Steer
Energy Shift
Pivot Point
Like a Rock
Chapter 8: Literally Nothing Happens for 500 Years
Chapter 8: Literally Nothing Happens for 500 Years
And so, the stone sat still for a while, and absolutely nothing of note happened.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 5 192m
Full Status:
[Unnamed]
Title(s): Line-Ender, Patient Ambusher, Bane of Demons
HP: 11/21
Mana: 0/0
Level: 7
Experience: 0/500
ss: Rolling Stone
Sub-ss: None
Race: Gneiss Stone
Gold: 0
STATS
Diameter (d): 1.03m
Mass (m): 1466.7kg
ABILITIES
Collide
Steer
Energy Shift
Pivot Point
Like a Rock
Chapter 8.5 – Ok, Maybe Something Did Actually Happen in Those 500 Years
Chapter 8.5 ¨C Ok, Maybe Something Did Actually Happen in Those 500 Years
Fine, fine, FINE.
Lets admit it, that was a bit of an exaggeration. Yes, it was 500 years of mostly sitting still, but that did not necessarily mean that absolutely nothing happened. To an outside observer, of course it would look like the stone was doing absolutely nothing, just sitting still in a closed off room, tranquil and at peace.
But to something that listened, such activities had another title. And as the rock sat there, patiently waiting, doing absolutely nothing, something became eligible to it.
You are eligible for the sub-ss: Cultivator
ept the ss? Y/N
The rock jolted awake, though it had never really been sleeping in the first ce. It had just been letting time pass, in the way rocks tended to. Unmoving in the stream of time. And perhaps that was the keythe ingredient that made it suitable for this new option.
And the rockit did not hesitate. After all, cultivation sounded like a fine thing to do. Its main goal in the world was cultivating mass, so surely this new sub-ss would help it in its goals? Perhaps it might even escape this room?
Nothing more to it, the rock enthusiastically epted the prompt.
Congrattions!
You are now a level 1 Cultivator!
You are now in the [Energy Gathering] realm.
New Ability Gained!
Meditate
Slowly gathertent energies around you, growing out your Qi Vessels.
Cultivator stats unlocked!
Energy Level (E) = 1W
Qi to Next Realm = 0/10
A new ability? And new energy?
Curiously the rock used some of its new energy with Energy shift, turning it into kic energy. It wobbled just a hint in ce.
s, a level 1 cultivator was not yet mighty enough to shift the heavens. But a rock was patient. And it found that by focusing on its new skill time seemed to pass even faster. So, the rock leaned backfortably into its resting ce, focused on the ambient sounds of nothing at all, and began to [Meditate].
It sensed a subtle field of energy passing through the room, and the ability seemed totch onto it somehow, slowly absorbing a trickle of energy into the rock, converting something into a strand of Qi. Slowly, oh so slowly, it began to expand.
200 years passed. And this time, nothing really did happen.
Except at the very end.
You have gained the title: Grandmaster of Closed Door Cultivation!
Effects: Cultivation speed gradually increases the longer one stays in closed door cultivation, not moving an inch.
Level up!
10 / 10 Qi
You have reached Cultivator Level 2!
You are now in the [Energy Refining] Realm.
Stats up!
Energy Level (E) = 10 W
Qi to Next Realm = 0 / 50
Progress! And what progress it was, the energy at the rocks fingertips had increased ten-fold! Truly, it felt lucky to have received such a convenient ss. All it had to do was sit in one ce for a few hundred years, and it would gain a level-up and advance a realm!
How convenient!
The rock knew not of spirit pills, young masters, or even jade beautiesthough it might have appreciated thest of those.
The fate of a rock cultivator, was it to find a jade beauty, or to be a jade beauty? Few know the answer, but perhaps this rock would be able to find the key.
Advancing a realm, it felt the Qi vessels in its body expanding, thickening, and strengthening. Still a bit pathetic, so perhaps it was not the greatest of achievements, but
All it had to do was sit still, and wait around. Who would say no to such convenient gains?
Especially with the new title at its fingertips
Closed-Door cultivation. The rock rather liked the idea. Perhaps rocks and trees are truly the ones most suited to a life of cultivation? We shall find out.
Because the rock was still stuck. It dared not even try move, lest it lose the benefit of its title, hard-fought to gain.
So, once more, the rock sat back to wait, and to [Meditate].
200 years passed in a sh. Absolutely nothing happened in the cavern. Every once in a while there was a slight tremor or rumble in the mountain, and the rock would worry about whether the whole ce would copse, trapping it inside, but the magically reinforced dungeon walls held.
asionally, animals. Beasts and people found their way inside the cavern, but finding nothing except a gloomy room and a stone in the middle, they soon departed. Some creatures moved in to live at the very mouth of theplex, but the deepest pit was left alone, too far out to be bothered with.
Who wanted to go down several 50-meter pits to find some part of their base?
So, the years passed, and once more the rock received a notification at the end of its long task.
Level up!
50 / 50 Qi
You have reached Cultivator Level 3!
You are now in the [Core Formation] Realm.
Stats up!
Energy Level (E) = 100 W
Next Realm = Breakthrough needed.
New Ability Gained!
Stone Skin
Use your Qi to harden your skin to be
ERROR_INVALID SKILL
SKIN IS ALREADY STONE
Finding solution, please wait...
Please wait? That suited the rock fine. It patiently waited one year for the prompt to resolve. If the wanted to y the waiting game, that was absolutely fine.
Solution found!
Creating new skill....
New Ability Gained!
Diamond Skin
Use your Qi to harden your skin to be tough as diamonds!
It was a rather simple solution for something the system had taken a year to calcte, but bncing such things was precise. There was no way the system could afford to be careless, for example by forgetting to assign a new creature appropriate STR and INT stats, leaving the old metric system and such in their ce.
Luckily nobody would be careless enough to do that, right?
The rock whistled innocently under the systems gaze. And then got back to waiting and cultivating. Butit found a problem.
Its new stage of cultivation required something called a Breakthrough. Simply sitting back and using [Meditate] didnt quite qualify anymore. And was the rock ready to be a great philosopher, and ponder the meaning of its own existence?
Not quite yet. In order to gain breakthroughs of the mind, one must go out, and seek out new experiences. Adventure,rades, love.
A rock of course couldnt know anything of such things, so breakthroughs would probably be rather difficult. The best it could do would be to go out and touch some grass.
But did it have the energy to escape?
Time to test out this cultivation thing. The rock threw the full might of its cultivation base into an [Energy Shift], pointing its eleration vector right at the stairwell which led into the room.
ERROR_PLEASE_STOP
Resolving Math....
Simplifying...
Obfuscating...
Nerfing...
Finished!
Energy Shift activated!
Converting [Qi Energy] to [Kic Energy]!
10W * 1s = 10 J
Converting to Velocity... 0.001 m/s
New velocity for [Unnamed]: 0.001 m(s
It was not enough. The rock nudged itself forward just a bit, then started rolling backwards, ending up right where it began. For just an instant, the rock felt despair, and depression.
But it was a rock. It forgot them soon, and got back to waiting, all rock-like, without any more strange cultivation business.
This too was nice.
But fate had not forgotten our hero yet. Just as the rock began to fade back into its familiar state of resting, a tremor went through the mountain.
And finally, after 500 years of not much really
Something happened.
Because suddenly, a dragon crawled down into the cavern, looked at the mana-reinforced walls at the bottommost chamber, and patted the rather nice-looking rock in the cavern gently. It nodded, great red head of scales and horns approving the area.
This would serve it well. A newir.
And so, the rock received a roommate.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 5 192m
Full Status:
[Unnamed]
Title(s): Line-Ender, Patient Ambusher, Bane of Demons, Grandmaster of Closed Door Cultivation
HP: 11/21
Mana: 0/0
Level: 7
Experience: 0/250
ss: Rolling Stone
Sub-ss: Cultivator
Race: Gneiss Stone
Gold: 0
STATS
Diameter (d): 1.03m
Mass (m): 1466.7kg
Energy Level (E): 10W
Qi: ???/???
ABILITIES
Collide
Steer
Energy Shift
Pivot Point
Like a Rock
Meditate
Diamond Skin
Chapter 9: Core Strength
Chapter 9: Core Strength
The rock carefully focused on being just [Like a Rock], making sure the dragon would not notice anything strange about it. After all, it was just your average rock. What could be strange about such a thing?
So the dragon did not notice anything strange, and just nodded approvingly at the Gneiss decoration it would have for its brand-newir. A proper centerpiece for its disy. And so, it began decorating.
And how would a dragon decorate air?
Although their intellects were great, their sort actually had rather simple desires, which naturally reflected on the dcor of their living environment.
First, the gigantic green-scaled monster reached into its [Astral Pocket], and began taking out its favorite arcane lighting. Great gleaming orbs which emanated light in a dazzling array of colors were spread out all around the cavern, where they floated in midair, like suspended droplets of water.
Next, the dragon looked to the corners of the room, and inhaledthen breathed out. Fire. A great cone of Dragonfire was sent at the corners of the room, and the dragon spunnguidly around in a circle, dragging the ray of fire with it, covering each and every corner.
Dust was burned off, and eternally burning Dragonfire was left behind in flickering patches, giving the room a distinctive background tapestry.
So, the walls and ceiling were handled, and all that remained was the floor space. Giant red eyes focused on the stone, calcting its optimum cement rtive to the other things. Once more, the dragon reached into its [Astral Pocket], this time opening it wide, facing the room.
And an avnche of gold spilled out.
Coins, golden coins of all shapes and sizes, with the stamps of a hundred kingdoms on them spread out to cover every inch of the floor. The dragon reached out with its great muscled tail, and lifted up the stone, setting it up at the very top of the golden mountain.
And then it looked over its small kingdom, satisfied.
For it was time to engage in the favorite pastime of dragons. In a way, it was kin to stone. For they both had a shared patience born of immortality.
The dragon curled in ce, around the mountain of gold, and fell asleep.
And the rock looked out at its new sleeping roommate, on its new perch atop a mountain of gold. The rock was beginning to understand the cycles of the world. Even if it proceeded steadily down a mountain, it might eventually end up on top of a brand new one. Such is the way of the world, where those who reach for immortality and power will always find a new peak of Mt. Tai beyond thest one.
But the stone was not dismayed. So what of peaks? As long as it could level and grow stronger, the world was its oyster. Or quarry. Maybe it would like something like that more. And regarding its next leveling n The dragon fire at the edges of the room was steadily heating it up. It could feasibly move just a bit.
It ran some calctions in its mind. Could itunch itself out at the dragon, aimed precisely at the head, and then crush it?
Just imagine the experience gains from that
But a faint sense of danger held the stone in ce. It was learning, and though the dragon seemed to be sleeping, there was a trace of awareness there, in the tail that swished about as it slept.
Attacking it would be risky.
Picking up the rock had been so easy for the muscled tail, the rock did not doubt it could be crushed in an instant. Or be put inside that terrifying [Astral Pocket].
However, the rock also noticed something else. The material all around itthis so-called gold It had heard the term before. Where was it? The rock looked over at its stat sheet.
Gold: 0
Ah, that was indeed a stat, wasn''t it! Another number that had stayed at the lowest of lows, not raising one bit, no matter how hard the stone had leveled. Could this be an opportunity?
A cunning n formed in its mind, as the [Rolling Stone] embarked on the most traditional of activities to be done inside a dragonsir: Thieving.
Carefully, it converted a hint of heat into movement, and aimed it all downward.
Energy Shift activated!
Converting [Thermal Energy] to [Kic Energy]!
1K = 1 m/s
New velocity for [Unnamed]: 1 m/s
Remaining stored Temperature: 20 K
A slight tremble went through the mountain of gold coins as the stone was lodged down into its core, just a bit. A few coins lodged themselves into the stone''s skinexactly as nned.
The stone felt at the golden coins prating its exterior and carefully reached out with its new Qi vessels, extending tendrils of energy toward them. Its stone flesh shifted and parted, and slowly, so so slowly, the coins started to be absorbed inside the rock. Until finally
Gold: 1%
The number had gone up!
But wait something was odd. The stone felt around at its body, and realized that the gold percentage numbers were off. It had absorbed three entire gold coins, but only a small bit of that gold had actually remained in its body, right at the center. The rest had disappeared somewhere.
But where? What was going on? The current gold content was nowhere near 1% of the stones mass.
Brimming with curiosity, it focused on its task again, waiting for its body to heat up from the energies around it until it could use [Energy Shift] again, and then it again lodged itself down, greedily slurping up more golden coins.
And slowly, over the days, months and years, as the dragon slept along peacefully the number went up.
Gold: 10%
The first milestone, when the stone had only just begun excavating out its new mountaintop. Once it crossed the decimal barrier, it felt a shift in energy, as something began to form at its very center. It was growing heavier, despite not gaining levels.
Greedily, it went on.
Gold: 50%
At the halfway point, it felt the energies roiling inside it focus more, and a heat began growing at its very center. It was a strange sort of heatone it could not utilize for [Energy Shift]. But it was iplete, not ready for use. Something was missing.
The mountain of gold was already half gone, devoured by a greedy stone, and still the dragon had not noticed. Because the change was so gradual. Slow. In its sleep, it could not notice the mountain slowly getting lower and lower week-by-week.
Gold: 90%
The mountain of gold was almost gone, and the stone had to begin harvesting the gold on the floor of the room. But it was close. So, so close. The energies were almostplete, almost in their final form, and just that final stretch was missing. A final burst of energy, which would give the Karp enough energy to leap over the waterfall.
And still, the dragon slept, unaware of the treachery.
Gold: 99%
The rock was vibrating, eyeing thest mounds of gold in the room. There was little left, for the number grew greedier the more the stone ate. Thest 10% had taken almost as much as the first 50% had. But it was close, so one more time, it focused towards a pile of gold.
Energy Shift activated!
Converting [Thermal Energy] to [Kic Energy]!
2K = 2 m/s
New velocity for [Unnamed]: 2 m/s
Remaining stored Temperature: 20 K
It rolled over the coin pile, making sure the surface the stones hit was suitably heated. It had optimized the process. By now, its Qi was an expert at gathering up all the lodged-in gold, then harvesting them towards the center, towards the growing core.
Like a hero finally spotting the inn beyond the next hill, it ran forth, pursuing that perfection.
Gold: 100%
And it was done. The stone rumbled. What would happen now? A one hundred percent golden...
[Core]
Level up!
Bottleneck broken!
100 / 100 Gold
You have reached Cultivator Level 4!
You are now in the [Golden Core] Realm.
Stats up!
Energy Level (E) = 10 000W
New Stat Unlocked!
Core Heat: 400 K
Progress to next realm = 0 / 100
A roiling core of golden energy formed at the stones center, the reward of ceaseless patience, and naturally, patience was rewarded. Because the stone had utilized a nonstandard technique, one that was rather... demonic.
New Ability Gained!
Stolen Cultivation
Cultivate further by absorbing the energies of magical treasures.
But as that invisible hand descended on the rock, granting new abilities for feats done and experience gained, it noticed something. Things were wrong.
The rock had grown in mass>. Even though it was not supposed to. Its was tied intrinsically to its , in a form that could not be broken. And its was supposed to grow directly depending on its level. But it had not leveled.
ERROR_LEVELING_FORMULA_BROKEN
MASS TOO BIG
Finding solution, please wait...
That invisible hand noticed the marks of many previous patches, all done in despair to fix an initial error that could no longer be corrected. It was toote to convert the values to Values.
So it gave up, and threw out the fastest possible fix. Just... nudge the numbers forward so things would be right.
Solution found!
Applying patch
Fixing numbers...
Level up!
ADMIN_PASSWORD / 500xp
You have reached level 8!
Stats up!
Mass (m): 1466.7 kg -> 4950.1kg
Diameter (d): 1.03m -> 1.54m
HP: 21 -> 34
WARNING!
Gaining from absorption disabled.
Please behave.
The rock watched it all calmly, a bit disappointed at thatst addition. Leveling up could have been so much easier
But just as it was about to get back to its abilities, to testing out its new , something else happened. The roiling energies in the room were finally noticed. And...
The dragon woke up.
Even it could not sleep through a cultivation breakthrough happening right by its head.
But as it groggily rose up, it looked around its room and saw [Just a Rock], an ordinary rock. No cultivation there.
And no gold in its cavern.
Its nostrils red out, fire roiling out of them, and the dragon made a mad roar to the heavens.
THIEVES!
Like a viper, its tailshed out, grabbing the stone. Because it had need for a weapon, and it had been years since the dragon hadst thrown stones at pesky [Adventurers], who sneaked into itsir to covet the golden hoard.
Boiling from anger, the dragon spread out its great wings, and began lumbering out of its cavern, then crawling up the long pit up, and then flying.
Up.
And the rock, which was clutched firmly in the dragons tail as it flew higher and higher into the clouds, noticed a detail most rming.
Its quest number was going up.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 8 292m
Full Status:
[Unnamed]
Title(s): Line-Ender, Patient Ambusher, Bane of Demons, Grandmaster of Closed Door Cultivation
HP: 34/34
Mana: 0/0
Level: 8
Experience: 0/1000
ss: Rolling Stone
Sub-ss: Cultivator 4
Race: Gneiss Stone
Gold: 100%
STATS
Diameter (d): 1.54m
Mass (m): 4950.1kg
Energy Level (E): 10000W
Core Temp (T): 400K
ABILITIES
Collide
Steer
Energy Shift
Pivot Point
Just a Rock
Meditate
Diamond Skin
Stolen Cultivation
Chapter 10: A Quarry to Settle
Chapter 10: A Quarry to Settle
On a certain mountaintop, high above the clouds, a hero and a viin were having a grand battle.
Take this[Divine Darkness Sword of Banishing Pesky Heroes]!
Hah, that is nothing against my [Aegis of Beaming Holy Light for Repelling the Nasty Darkness]!
Indeed, while a rock had been busy sitting around, a few hundred years or so had passedand the time of great battle hade once again.
Grand spells and abilities were flying every which way, tearing apart thendscape and slicing up the clouds below. It was a very grand battle indeedone that would decide the fate of the world.
And then a dragon flew by.
The roaring hulk with scales of green and red inteced in a blinding pattern flew by the dueling pair, sending gales of storm wind at the mountaintop.
Bothbatants were distracted for just a second, but unluckily, the [Hero] happened to be on the side nearer the dragon, and was sent tumbling to the ground by the gusts. The Demon Lord took hold of the advantage, and thrust his demonic weapon right into the humans chest in a final killing blow.
Hah, now that you are finished, my reign willst for 666 years, dooming humanity to an eternity of servitude!
Nofoolish demon. There will always be another noble [Hero], ready and wiling to
Alright, let us ignore those two for now, irrelevant sideshow that they are.
Back to our real hero. No brackets around this one, for he was just a [Rolling Stone]or rathera flying one.
The stone observed its quest counter, feeling quite a bit of rm.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 10 222m
What a catastrophe! The number was higher than it had been at the very start of the journey! Were all the trials it had faced for naught?
For a brief momentthe rock felt a hint of despair in its soul. But then it calmed down, mostly because it was a rock. A rock really shouldnt be panicking at every little thing. Especially as
STATS
Diameter (d): 1.54m
Mass (m): 4950.1kg
Energy Level (E): 10000W
Core Temp (T): 400K
Yeah,e what mayit had already met great sess in this journey. Maybe the destination didnt matter, and the real treasure was the gains one made along the way.
The rock felt at peacefreed from its monumental quest, learning valuable lessons of life.
And then the dragon started diving down again, for it had surveyed the peaks, and realized that neither hero or demon were possible culprits for the sneaky thievery. It had onlye to check up on the mountaintop because it was a methodical giant lizardwho approached pest control like a [Maid] approached cleaning a dusty library.
Start from the top, then work your way down.
And so the dragon flew downwings held close to its body, transforming it into a veritable missile of aerodynamic potential. And the rock was still in its grasp. Celebrating.
Because the quest number was going down againso fast!
The rock forgot all the lessons and tranquility it had learned from glimpsing the peak of Mt. Tai, and fell back to its old ways. Numbers above all! A quest started would have to bepleted!
Sodeeply contentthe rock settled itself back inside thefortable tail it resided in, and decided to wait and see what would happen. Who knewmaybe the dragon would even carry it all the way to the bottom of the mountain? Now that would be fortunate.
So, we return to the dragon, who was circling the mountain in a descending loop, examining every inch for pesky [Adventurers] who might have made off with its treasure.
It circled and circled, swooping high and low, peering into caverns and cavesfinding only goblins and rabbits. But it was not in a hurry. It approached the matter with a dragons patience, one only rivaled by those of stone birth.
Eventually, satisfied with its search of the bare mountaintop regionsthe dragon finally decided to enter the second stage of its search, and it swooped lower. Below the cloudsand a brand new panorama expanded before the stone.
Trees, grass, bright flowing rivers, peaceful and picturesque valleys, and the delicate fauna making a living. It was a sight brand new to the rock, a realm full of life which stood in stark contrast to the deste zones above, and the rock almost gasped with admiration and wonder.
Not at the scenery, mind you. Noas always, the rock was focused on the really important things, namely, the little screen in front of it.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 4 782m
The number was past the halfway point! Its quest was nearingpletion!
What great joyperhaps the dragon would even be generous enough to carry it along the rest of the way? Like a marathon racer finally reaching the final stretch, the rock felt its anticipation grow to never-before-seen heights.
What would it get frompleting the quest? Could it really be done?
And what would it do after it?
Thatst question it bothered the rock. For it had norger purpose, just that of its stone brotherhood. Follow the whims of mistress gravity, and roll to where it was supposed to go, guided by fate.
Could it really be satisfied with such a life?
Well, yes. Probably. It was a stone, it didnt really haveplex desires.
Finding a nice, cozy moss bed to sit around in would suit it just fineat least once it had grownrger than any of its kin it had seen on this grand voyage. It still had a ways to go for that.
And so, future ns clear and resolve sharpened, the rock prepared for thest leg of its journey.
Which was, naturally, when theplications arose. For the dragon finally found its quarry. Inside a quarry.
An adventuring party of four members, a [Knight], a [Cleric], a [Mage], and a [Thief]male human, female dwarf, female human, and female elf respectively. A rather generic arrangement. The dragon snorted at theirposition, muttering something about Pathetic harems with only one man for three women, then swooped down closer.
For who else could be the culprit? The [Thief] was even carrying a big bag with a money symbol at its side.
The party was shambling out of a mountainside quarry, loaded with gains from a long day of adventure. Exhausted, battered, and ready to drink themselves dull at a tavern, they were gathering the strength needed for the long voyage down the mountain.
Which was naturally when the dragon announced itself.
Wretches!
It shouted, sending a great shockwave through thendscape, which made trees swing around wildly and birds fall from the skydead on the spot from burst blood vessels. The dragon red maliciously at the adventurers who were stunned from surprise, staring up at it nkly, and slowly coiled its tail back.
Its great wings paused their pping, and the dragon began dropping down from the air, every muscle in its tail readying itself simultaneously.
The dragon gathered speed, falling towards the adventurers like a doomsday meteor, then swung its great tail out, suddenly shifting its flight up.
The sole male member of the party recognized the maneuver from the world he had been summoned from, screamed something about damned dive bombers, and then readied his sword to oppose the payload dropped at him.
Not a bombbut a stone.
Our hero found itself flying faster than it had ever before, right at the [Knights] glowing magical sword.
Current Velocity: 51.2 m/s
Now, with its brand new [Diamond Skin], the rock may have been able to oppose the great sword of Damocles preparing to y its stony hide, but it had a better n.
It observed the [Knights]panions, arrayed around him in a triangle formation, some distance away. It threw a mental three-sided dice,nded on the human mage, and prepared itself.
It neared the knight, getting razor-close to him, and then
Pivot Point activated!
Direction: Left
Rotation: 90
It pivoted to the side, dodging the swordpletely, and crushed the unsuspecting [Mage] against the cragged mountainside.
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 38.2 * 4950.1 / 4 = 47273 dmg to [Magus lena]
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 8.9 m/s
Collision Damage received!
HP 21/21 -> 19/21
The [Mage''s] fleshy body was reduced to bloody pulp, and so great was the impact, that even the stone received damage from it.
The remaining momentum bounced it up the mountainside, and it gained a half-dozen meters on the surprised adventurers, who were staring at their inpanion with open horror.
The rock bounced up up the mountainside, then slowlyinevitablyaided by a side of sly braking with [Energy Shift] it slowed. Stopped.
Then started rolling back.
Having gained a measure of heat from the braking, the stone had a small reserve it could use to boost itself forward further, which it did with eager pleasurewanting to reach the thrill of speed the dragon had helped it to.
Current Velocity: 51.2 m/s
s, it could not quite reach it, even powered up by its bursts of speed, but nevertheless, it once more rammed into the party. It was [Steering] carefully, once more aiming at the [Knight], who was ring with hate at the murderous boulder, ready to slice it open with his sword, his two remaining allies standing on either side of him. Once more, he readied for a challenge.
But this time Just before reaching himthe rock used one more [Energy Shift], using the rest of its stored energy, putting all the kic energy gained to the left. Right at the Squishy looking [Thief].
However, the [Thief] was no fool, and dashed behind the [Knight] for cover right when the rock shifted towards her, in a fast [Backward Leap].
But the rock too was ready. It prepared its [Pivot Point]then attached it to the [Knight]
And began swinging around him in a wide arc.
Pivot Point activated!
Direction: Left
Rotation: 270
First, it hit the surprised [Thief], who was squished against the rocky exterior, and then continued forth, promptly adding the [Cleric] to the pileup.
Two more of the party were struck by the rock, then carried back to the mountainside, and crushed against it. This time the rock used [Diamond Skin] with all the might in its cultavion base, not eager to face any more self-damage.
Diamond Skin Activated!
Power: 10 000W
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 25.7 * 4950.1 / 4 = 31804 dmg to [Cleric Kati] & [Unlucky Thief Aino]
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 0 m/s
Two more bodies were broken, crushed together into a vaguely humanoid paste, which slowly started dripping back down the mountainside.
The rock lost its momentum.
And then once more started falling back down.
But the [Knight]... he was just staring forward nkly, no longer even holding his sword up. The light of his life was gone, three times over, and the emptiness was simply too crushing for him to handle.
He stumbled onto his knees, covering his face with shaking arms as wailing sobs left his mouth.
And then a rock rolled over him.
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 10.2 * 4950.1 / 4 = 12622 dmg to [Knight Lord Mathias]
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 0 m/s
And then there were none.
And the dragon, who had watched all thise about as a result of throwing one ordinary stone numbly blinked its eyesdisbelieving. What was the worlding to? Adventurers couldnt even handle one simple thrown stonewhy, back in the day there had been whole proverbs about how those who cast the first stone would eventuallye to regretit!
But with one simple tossall its foes had been vanquished!
Sighing, the dragon began to swoop back down, ready to search for the magical tools left behind the adventures, but the bodies it found were empty. Crushed, yesbut also empty of all magical tools.
Were adventurers really this weak these days? That would exin some things
For a moment, the dragon felt a hint of suspicion and gazed forward into the forest where the stone was happily rolling onward. Where had its hoard of treasures gone?
But the rock it was [Just a Rock]. Nothing special to it. Not really worth fetching any more than the myriad other boulders scattered about the mountains. And so the dragon began flying up, soul weary, once more reminded of how weak the world of today waspared to the days of old, ready to once more curl up into a slumber of aeons.
And a rock celebrated.
Level up!
1000 / 1000xp
You have reached level 9!
Stats up!
Mass (m): 4950.1kg -> 16706.7kg
Diameter (d): 1.54m -> 2.31m
HP: 34 -> 55
New Ability Gained!
Avnche
Gather the other rocks and stones around you, and bring them along for your journey.
It celebrated not just the levels, growth, and skills gained, but also the magical treasures it had absorbed within itself, which it was busy converting into cultivation energy. Four adventurers, all absolutely loaded with rare magical equipment!
What a fortunate find!
Stolen Cultivation Activated!
Converting Artifacts to power...
Complete!
Level up!
100 / 100 Magic
You have reached Cultivator Level 5!
You are now in the [Magma Core] Realm.
Stats up!
Energy Level (E) = 100 000W
Core Heat: 700 K
Progress to next realm = 0 / 1000
The burning core at its center shone even hotter than before, filling the stone with an unparalleled amount of energy, but even that was not the true source of its joyfor down below looking down the mountainside, it saw the bottom.
A great city at the bottom of the mountain, with a tall tower at its very center. The goal, it now knew, had to be there. Because the number was just so low. The end was in sight.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 1872 m
Full Status:
[Unnamed]
Title(s): Line-Ender, Patient Ambusher, Bane of Demons, Grandmaster of Closed Door Cultivation
HP: 55/55
Mana: 0/0
Level: 9
Experience: 0/2000
ss: Rolling Stone
Sub-ss: Cultivator 5
Race: Gneiss Stone
Gold: 100%
STATS
Diameter (d): 2.31m
Mass (m): 16706.7kg
Energy Level (E): 100000W
Core Temp (T): 700K
ABILITIES
Collide
Steer
Energy Shift
Pivot Point
Just a Rock
Meditate
Diamond Skin
Stolen Cultivation
Avnche
Chapter 11: [Avalanche]
Chapter 11: [Avnche]
Time.
It was finally time.
A long journeyseveral hundred years in lengthwas finallying to an end.
The rock saw the destination of its fate.
A gleaming city, nestled under the great mountains shadow. Hundreds of little buildings all arrayed, behind circr walls, like a waiting crowd, anticipating the rocks arrival.
It shouldnt disappoint them right?
If one were to arrive to a party long awaitedone should do it with style. It was one of the most important qualities of a true hero. No half measureswhen the questspletion was in sight, it should bepleted right.
So that nobody would argue about the aftermath. Nobody would doubt that yesit had indeed been a hero that had done that.
Sobefore embarking on its final journeythe rock first looked over its quest counter.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 1823 m
It had some space to work with. A bit under two thousand meters of altitude to gather a worthy party to advance with it. Because... this rock would not be arriving alone. It looked over its new skill again.
New Ability Gained!
Avnche
Gather the other rocks and stones around you, and bring them along for your journey.
A skill to bring other rocks with it a novel concept. But the rock liked it. If it was to be thergest and greatest of all rocks, of course it should have an appropriate amount of followers tagging along!
It had seen how the party of [Adventurers] had operated, a group of fourunited in purpose. But their fault hadin in their poor coordination. Rocks were much better at teamworkjust push them all down a cliff, and they would gather up more and more support as they went along.
Sothe rock finally stopped braking along its pathstarted speeding upand started looking about.
It was in a forest now. Trees, grass, bushes, animalsall manner of new things to observe, but also a ce where it had to constantly [Steer] this way and that, bobbing and weaving between the trees.
Butit was not a forest of solely green. The rock felt at its cultivation, and it had a sense of its burgeoning next stageof what woulde after core formation. It was a shift in focus, away from the rock itself, and toward its environment.
So, it reached out for the simmering embers of that slowly forming sense and threw out a presencesearching for its kin. Other rocks.
And it found them. All over the forestunder moss and under brush, forgotten by time or newly arrivedthere were rocks. Big ones, small ones, medium ones. Different shapes and sizes, different materials.
The rock got a vague sense of their locations, and set out towards thergest collections, activating its new skill at the same timeslowly beginning to form a true [Avnche].
Quest:
Current Altitude: 1425 m
First, it passed by a field of gravel, and the bits started billowing around it, in a growing storm. The rock gained followers, and moved on, searching for its next target.
It carefully used [Steer], [Pivot Point] and [Energy Shift] to skillfully weave through the woods, and the cloud of gravel followedthinning slightly against the brush.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 1215 m
Next, the rock passed by a trio ofrge standing rocks, and collided against them, activating [Diamond Skin]. The first cracked into smaller pieces at the hit, and the rock pivoted around to the other two, smashing them to bits too.
Smaller stones, about head or torso-sized ones were left behind in the aftermath, and they all joined the rock in its pilgrimage. A congregation of gravel and stone, steadily advancing, gaining on the town below. Already sensitive animals could feel a growing rumble in the ground, and the wise ones were fleeing to the sides, well in advance of the advancing tide.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 1128 m
The forest cleared for a bit, as the rock entered a clearing of exposed bedrock, where [Miners] would pass long days prying off bits of stone to be worked. Now it was a weekend, and the quarryid abandoned, resting, a batch of freshly crushed stones ready for the taking.
The rock rolled past, its growing herd around it, and the siren call of [Avnche] rang out. The new rocks shifted position slowlyalmost hesitantly, but then the congregation reached them, and the sheer momentum of it all swept them along.
The horde grew.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 1000 m
It was another batch of denser forest, and the avnche of rocks crashed and stumbled against trees and brush, but still moving forward with the iron will of gravity. It was not justrger or more notable rocks that joined alongbut lone travelers, lost ones too. The odd rock here or there, that had ended up in a lonely spot in the woods, surrounded by naught but greenery.
Gradually, all these sleeping warriors were swept up by a heros momentum, leaving their resting ces behind, swords sharp. Like an army of the dead, rising up from their graves to challenge the world above once more.
Many of them had rolled oncefelt that intoxication of motion. Such a brieffragile thing. An instant of blinding speed and strength, all to end up in an unlucky instant of ending on the wrong side of gravitys well.
But a level 9 [Rolling Stone] would not stop. It would lead its people ontoward their final destination.
That gleaming city that was not so far below anymore. The golden city of dreams so many rocks had dreamed of reaching once before.
So closeso far.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 811 m
The avnche broke through the treeline, ending up at the cliffside right before the City. Like the condemned walking off a gangnkthey bravely advanced past the cliffside, daring the unknown deeps below.
For there were dangers ahead. Even the rock leading the charge knew it.
This was where the [Heroes] came from. Even if a demons banner would soon rise above the city, this was still the city below a great mountain. A city used to dealing with dragons flying above it.
There were defenses.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 650m
The rock met the first of themsensed it a hundred meters before hitting it.
The rock had a growing sense of how mana and the energies of the world worked, so it could make out an outline. There was a small brick wallid out, to protect against the dangers of the mountain.
Deceptively small.
The rock could sense the shield of mana emanating from it and knew special measures would be needed here. It alone could maybe break throughbut its followers were different. The other stones did not have the power of [Collision] and [Diamond Skin].
So the rock focused on its mana sense, searching for the source of energy for the shield. It felt almost like the dungeon core hadand the rock had had ample time to analyze the aftereffects of that aura afterward.
It found the source. A single brick shack behind the barrierno windows to it.
The rock took aim, and increased its speed just a bit more for good measure.
Current Velocity: 35.7 m/s
Pivot Point activated!
Direction: Up
Rotation: 20
Diamond Skin Activated!
Power: 100 000W
It crashed into the barrier of manaand felt resistance in the air against it. Butthe rock had and on its side.
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 13.2 * 16706.7 / 4 = 55132 dmg to [Greater Mana Shield]
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 21.3 m/s
The shield broke, useless against the stones , and the rock pierced right through, towards the shack.
It hit the wall, still keeping up its [Diamond Skin], and the shack stood no chance. It blew into pieces, and the rock hit the rich mana crystals sheltered within, absorbing them inside it.
They would be processedterbut cultivation could wait for now. The rock had things to do.
The [Avnche] followed.
The wall and shack broke down under the torrent of rock, and the broken and battered bricks were scattered into bits, which started following along with the rockslide, growing its mass even further.
And the rock saw the outskirts of town. The walls were not wide enough to hold everyone who needed housing within, so shacks and loose housing had been hastily scrounged together outside, rising high up the cliff.
The citizens of the slums saw the rock break through the barrier, and thendslide that followed. Mass panic erupted, people fleeing desperately towards the walls, abandoning their meager houses.
The rock sensed victory.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 405 m
The rock did not bother to aim for the panicked people running aboutit only focused on moving forward, to that eternal goal. It had a more precise estimate now. The citys wallsjust on the other side of it. That was where altitude 0its goay.
And the rock advanced, an [Avnche] following it.
The rock had no need to killfor its congregation was a willing enough gang of raiders. The old rocks, finally moving after years of rest, ran eagerly towards the ughter, facing sses andbat abilities, creating a carnival of blood worthy of a heros arrival.
Assist Experience received:
23 x [Civilian] & 89 x OTHERS
Adding...
Quest:
Current Altitude: 200m
Shacks were battered down, people were crushed into bits, bones were split in twobut the [Rolling Stone] only saw forward. It abandoned its congregation, leaving them to their bloody task
Assist Experience received:
89 x [Civilian] & 231 x OTHERS
Adding...
The rockunched itself over a moat, now seeing the terrified citizens arrayed on top of the citys walls. Its sudden advance had taken only a scarce two minutes, but already the city was reacting, and people were rushing atop the wall, led by a withered old man in a huge billowing wizards cloak.
His veins thrummed with energy, and he stared disdainfully at the rock.
But the rock did not see him. Only the number. Almost there.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 78m
[Supreme Grand Magus Oldivar] pointed a finger at the [Rolling Stone], beginning to cast a spell, and the stoneunched itself up, using all its held energy, pivoting for a great leap over the wall.
Pivot Point activated!
Direction: Up
Rotation: 60
Quest:
Current Altitude: 62m
The rock could see the other side of the wall, and it was like an ethereal hand was guiding itit knew the exact ce tond. A small za with a fountain and a jade statue of a beautiful woman. But the rock saw not the womans beauty, only the shine of the jade.
The level 5 [Cultivator] finally beheld a true jade beauty, and it hungered for thatndingfor that reward.
[Supreme Grand Magus Oldivar] finished gathering energyand began casting the spell.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 35m
The end was in sight.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 25m
[Supreme Grand Magus Oldivar] began speaking.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 20 m
[Greater Reverse Gravity].
The stone felt a great jolt go through itall its gathered momentum suddenly flinging it up.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 60m
It saw the ground shrinking below itand desperately threw out every ability it could, using every bit of energy within to reach that promisednd. But the spell was stronger, even [Pivot] did not work.
Was this finally the vengeance of the system?
Quest:
Current Altitude: 200m
But it only elerated even more upward. Every action led the rock further and further up, and it felt the energy leaving it.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 600m
So fastit was elerating too fast. It was all ruined.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 1200m
The rock cried out in despair, reaching forward with hands it did not have, at thatnd that was growing more and more distance below it.
But still, it kept elerating.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 2400m
It finally gave up, growing dulljust nkly watching the number go up and up.
And oh how up it went
Quest:
Current Altitude: 15000m
Far above the mountains now, and the rock finally saw that the peak it had started on was merely one among many, just one speck along the great spine of the continent. It finally beheld how tiny it truly was, and fell still.
It waitedfor something to happen. Surely there would be another chance?
Quest:
Current Altitude: 200 000m
It was so far away now But as long as it was patientsurely patience would be rewarded? Surely it would get another chance at that promisednd?
It could see the curvature of the surface now and understood that so much of what it knew was just an illusion. A brief spark of adventure started to light up inside the desperate soul. If it kept going up what could it find?
Could it find a way to be stronger, to face that horrible man once more andugh?
And thenas if hearing a pleasomething answered.
ss Advancement unlocked!
Conditions fulfilled!
You are now eligible for the ss: [Meteorite]
Upgrade ss [Rolling Stone] to [Meteorite]? Y/N
The rock saw something new. A chance.
A new branch in this journey.
Full Status:
[Unnamed]
Title(s): Line-Ender, Patient Ambusher, Bane of Demons, Grandmaster of Closed Door Cultivation
HP: 55/55
Mana: 0/0
Level: 9
Experience: 0/2000
ss: Rolling Stone
Sub-ss: Cultivator 5
Race: Gneiss Stone
Gold: 100%
STATS
Diameter (d): 2.31m
Mass (m): 16706.7kg
Energy Level (E): 100000W
Core Temp (T): 700K
ABILITIES
Collide
Steer
Energy Shift
Pivot Point
Just a Rock
Meditate
Diamond Skin
Stolen Cultivation
Avnche
Chapter 12: Astral Ascension
Chapter 12: Astral Ascension
The rock calmly pondered over its ss option. It did not hurry to choose it, nor did it dy in choosing it. It was a simple being, and after briefly considering the implication, but not too deeply, it picked it, no further hesitation.
Because it was in space now. Away from the mountain, away from the ground. It was no longer rolling. Now it was more like... spinning, really. Could it really consider itself a [Rolling Stone], if it no longer rolled?
One had to be true to themselves.
Congrattions!
You are now a level 10 Meteorite!
Size scaling factor increased from 1.5 to 2!
Stats up!
Mass (m): 16706.7kg -> 133653.3kg
Diameter (d): 2.31m -> 4.61m
HP: 55 -> 89
New Subability Gained!
Pivot Point: Orbital Slingshot
Lock into orbit around an astral body, gradually gathering speed, thenunch yourself forward!
Skill Shift!
Avnche -> Meteor Shower
Gather other rocks around you, and take them along for your astral voyage!
The rock looked over its changes, satisfied. Two skills had changed, not in ways that significant, but changed nheless. Additionally the stone had grown quite a bitrger.
It rather liked that.
Then, like the prompt thinker it was, the stone moved to the next issue on its list: The gemstone of rich mana lodged within it, that it had yet to begin absorbing.
It reached out with tendrils of mana, poking and prodding at the crystal, slowly but surely absorbing it inside it, drinking deeply of the magic and growing its cultivation base.
Stolen Cultivation Activated!
Converting Artifacts to power...
Complete!
Level up!
1000 / 1000 Magic
You have reached Cultivator Level 6!
You are now in the [Molten Core] Realm.
The gemstone was rich in energy, having powered a whole citys entire mana shield, so the rock wasnt too surprised that it was enough for the breakthrough. Butwell, few things could surprise a rock. It had a stoic countenance, reacting to whatever came with the same stony calm.
And thus, once more it grew.
Stats up!
Energy Level (E) = 1 000 000W
Core Heat: 1000 K
Progress to next realm =Breakthrough needed.
Then, having finally solved the first two issues on its list, the stone finally turned to the third: Its circumstances. Perhaps it had subconsciously put itst, out of a vague sense of avoidance. Because the stone did feel annoyed.
Very annoyed.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 363 300 000m
So far. Further than it could have ever imagined going. It had been so close. So close! Almost reaching that desired goal, seeing it before its eyes. The numbers had been only two digits before!
And now, as the rock used [Orbital Slingshot] to remain in ce as it thought, there were nine. Nine digits, when it had been almost one.
It could still remember the visage of that jade statue at its journey''s end, the form of a graceful woman d in a toga, reaching up to the sky, as if to wee the rock home from its long voyage. The rock had leaped out, grasping for those arms, but fallen short.
Because of that man. Not that damned manthe rock didnt feel hate or anything of the sort. It just wished the man hadnt been there. But, like so often before, the rock had been powerless to oppose others taking hold of it, and carrying it wherever they pleased.
First, it had been the goblins, then the hunter, and then the dragon. All picking the rock up, and doing what they liked with it. And the rock had been fine with it, as long as they helped it go along to its destination, making the numbers get smaller.
It had been better than being stuck in ce. At least until the final case, the [Supreme Grand Magus].
But now the rock realized something. If it truly wanted to roll this path to its end, it would have to do it with its own power, not that borrowed from others. Because otherwise, those others would drag the rock alongusing it for their own agendas.
Never again. So the rock promised itself.
And thenonly thendid the rock cast its senses out, and really look at its surroundings.
It saw the below. A blue jewel, scattered with green continents all over it, coated with a fluffy covering of clouds. The world it had spent all this time in, without realizing its true shape. Because now the rock realized it. The world it had been living in
It was just a very big rock.
One with people and towns and dragons and dungeons in it, mind you. But the base material was still stone. And the rock remembered its original goal.
It had wanted to be the biggest rock of all.
And now it felt humbled, finally realizing the monumentality of its task. But it did not despair. It did not jump for joy. It just calmly opened up its stats screen and checked the number listed there.
Diameter (d): 4.61m
Then it closed the screen, and once more observed the in front of it. If it was estimating things right... and it probably was...
The rock had quite a bit of leveling up to do.
But then it saw the shadow being traced along the worlds canvas and witnessed the moon rising up from behind the, like a brilliant pearl emerging from the ocean of blue.
Another big rock.
Then it finally noticed the smaller rocks around itselffallen members of its rocky congregation, which had made it through the slums, and beenunched outside thes well of gravity along with our hero. Small stones, and smaller bits of gravel. Sandor just very small rocks.
Big rocks and small rocks.
Then it turned its senses outward, towards that brilliantly glowing orange orb, so small in the starry sky. Or just... so far?
Just another rocka glowing one of courseperhaps the biggest one of all.
And so the rock realized a critical truth of the world. At its coreeverything was rocks. All the way down. Some were just a bit bigger than others. For now at least. Fundamentally, the rock was no different than the below it, or the grains of sand floating beside it.
It was only a difference of scale, and power.
Level up!
1/1 Philosophical breakthrough!
You have reached Cultivator Level 7!
You are now in the oid Domain] Realm.
Stats up!
Energy Level (E) = 100 MW
Core Heat (T): 2000K
New Stat Unlocked!
Domain size (d): 1.0KM
Progress to next realm =Breakthrough needed
New Ability Gained!
Kin of Stone
Having realized the truth of all stone, you can now sense the others of your kin within the sr system
The rock felt a new sensation spreading out from it, a domain or field of some sort, then realized it was the same field it had felt once in that dungeonwhen it had first begun cultivating. If the had a field like that, and the was just a big rock, why should it not have one too?
It was all starting to make sense.
And the new ability, as the rock focused on it, it felt a map of sorts opening up in its mind. Stones, rocks, pebbles, so many of them, all orbiting the great giant in the center of it all in an borate astral dance. Smaller ones orbitedrger ones, which orbited yetrger ones. Many were the size of the below, and some were evenrger than that.
Others were a bitrger than our hero, part of a vast field of rock orbiting in the midpoint of the sr system.
The rock had much to do. It used [Meteor Shower], and began gathering the disparate and battered pieces of its legion back together, a reforged heros band. It cast out its senses and felt many, many more rocks, spread out all over the starry sky, ready for it to collect into its following. Its new congregation slotted in naturally within its new domain, orbiters of its own.
Our hero once more looked down at the below and made a decision.
As it wasit was too weak. It could still remember the iron grip of the gravity spell upon its stone flesh, forcing it up and up. It... did not want to feel that again.
Soit would not hurry. It would travel the starry sky, and collect a greater following of rocks. It would grow evenrger. And then once the time was right
It would return. And not be turned back again.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 370 200 123m
With a final nce at its distance number, the rock gave a silent goodbye to its home world, released itself from the [Orbital Slingshot], then used [Energy Shift]changing Qi to momentumand began elerating more and more, away from its home, towards the other gatherings of rocks it could feel. Towards that great field of stone in the distance.
It would be back soon. In the timescale of rocks of course.
A rock had all the time in the world, and the patience of stone. And it noticed onest detail, after continually using [Energy Shift] to elerate forward.
Current Velocity: 751.7 m/s
It was no longer slowing down.
Full Status:
[Unnamed]
Title(s): Line-Ender, Patient Ambusher, Bane of Demons, Grandmaster of Closed Door Cultivation
HP: 89/89
Mana: 0/0
Level: 10
Experience: 0/5000
ss: Meteorite
Sub-ss: Cultivator 7
Race: Gneiss Stone
Gold: 100%
STATS
Diameter (d): 4.61m
Mass (m): 133653.3kg
Energy Level (E): 100 MW
Core Temp (T): 2000K
Domain size (d) = 1.0km
ABILITIES
Collide
Steer
Energy Shift
Pivot Point
Pivot Point: Orbital Slingshot
Just a Rock
Meditate
Diamond Skin
Stolen Cultivation
Meteor Shower
Kin of Stone
Chapter 13: Lonely Voyage.
Chapter 13: Lonely Voyage.
Far, far from homea lonely traveler sped on through the infinite expanse of the universe.
It traveled amidst glittering stars, under the steady shine of the sun, and inside the infinite expanse of emptiness.
It also traveled alone.
Only now did the rock truly understand what that meant.
It was a solitary thing, used to spending eons calmly resting in ce, letting the world pass on. But. There had always been something.
In the narrow crevice between two boulders, the rock had watched the rabbits frolic, evading hunters and foraging for the scarce offerings of autumn.
In the deeps of the dungeon, it had watched as little spiders crawled about, spinning their webs in a myriad of infinite patterns, a fragile tapestry upon the dark ceiling.
Even before it had truly known consciousness, when it had just been a normal rock, it had in some way watched the clouds roll by above, and the eagles dance among the winds.
Always, there had been something. Life.
But now, it only had a silent congregation of gravel and stone following it, mindlessly attracted along by a skill, a [Meteor Shower]. But it was not life.
However, the rock did not despair, nor did it get depressed. Because it had never truly understood life. Why did the spiders spin those webs, when they were always reduced to dust in a matter of months? Why did the rabbit frolick and produce offspring, when they too would all pass in a short few years?
They did not truly grow. A short burst of life, before inevitably sumbing to the tyranny of time.
The rock did not care for time, so it knew itself to be superior. It had traveled a long time by now. Was the wizard who had cast it out here already dead, reduced to dust?
That was why it carried no hostility, no ill will. Why worry about revenge or such when one could just wait their enemies out?
A lesson many other immortal [Cultivators] could have learned much from.
But the rock did not know that, so it focused on its one true travelingpanion. Because were you ever really alone in this world?
Quest:
Current Altitude: 179 500 123 222m
The rock never closed the screen anymore, it just let it stay there, steadily ticking up and up, a reminder of home, a constantpanion.
And a promise of return.
Why worry about loneliness or time, when you could instead focus on numbers?
Then, the numbers finally crossed a threshold, and the rock focused, instantly shedding off all semnces of hibernation.
Because it would soon arrive at its next destination.
Seeing the map of the sr system with [Kin of Stone], the rock had plotted a simple course: Go where there were the most appropriately sized rocks, so that it could collect an army worthy of its return.
It had plotted out a course towards the great belt of rocks it had seen outline, somewhere in the midpoint of the sr system.
But it had run into a problem.
Current Velocity: 5 511.7 m/s
The rocky field which had seemed so grand on its mental map was actually really sparse.
The distances between each rock were vast, and most annoyingly of all, the stone could not just speed through them all, dragging them along into its wake.
No, it had to slow down, slow enough to pause for a moment at each stone, where it could then grab them along to its [Meteor Shower].
And the kicker? There was no more eternal grip of gravity pulling the rock down here, so slowing down actually took time. The same amount of time speeding up took, really.
No longer was it a rock-et. No the stones racing flight had turned into a crawl.
But still, this newest spot it might just prove more fortuitous than the others.
Becauseas the rock gradually slowed down and looked over thergeoid it had arrived at, it noticed something. Theoid, just a fancy term for a big stone really, was not aloneit had orbiters.
The stone wasrge, muchrger than the rock itselfbut that no longer bothered the stone like it had used to. As a level 7 [Cultivator] it could sense the rtive powers of beings much better, and it knew the barren stone in front of it carried no spark.
But it was a bit toorge for the rock to take along as it was. So, without any further hesitation, the rock promptly put its [Energy Shift] thrusters on, activated its [Diamond Skin], and crashed into therger rock as fast as it could.
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 332.1 * 133653.3 / 4 = 11 096 565.2 dmg to
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 4723.1 m/s
Theoid shattered into bits, crumbling into smaller chunks, and that was normal. But what confused the rock was
The orbiters. They did not instantly start orbiting the rock, it would have to use [Meteor Shower] for that.
But why was that?
Why did the bigger rock attract orbiters around it, and the smaller stone did not?
As our hero pondered this new quandary, it felt itself being on the verge of a new breakthrough. Something resonated in its domain, a concept it could almost grasp for. It was closeso close to understanding.
It had made the correct deduction before, that fundamentally, the difference between it and a was just a matter of scale, but it had not yet realized the full implications of that.
But now it was close, peering over yet another cliff, stuck between boulders, but wishing to tumble down. What awaited below?
The rock focused on its [Cultivator] domain. What was this new domain anyway? It had acquired the thing, some sort of boundary or sense that extended to a far distance from it, but it had not yet gotten much use out of the thing.
Butif the domain did one thingit made the rocks senses sharper. Or no, sharp was the wrong word. Let us go with... harder. Our rock was more of the round type, not exactly sharp.
Anyways, moving on.
As it focused on the minute movements of the rocks around it, deactivating its [Meteor Shower] skill, the stone finally realized something fundamental. It had been wrong. It had been thought that only the bigger rock had attracted orbiters, but that had been a misconception.
Againit was all just a matter of scale.
Because as it looked at the swarm of rocks around it, really looked, with the uracy of its Qi tendrils, gradually spreading into the domain, the rock found gravity everywhere.
Every little floating rock had some influence, affecting those around it. They all pulled at each other, rocks, gravel, orbiters all, in a dizzying dance that traced impossiblyplex patterns over the canvas of stars.
Yesgravity was everywhere, and in everything.
As the rock focused on its Qi, and reached out with it, filling its domain with energy, it could almost sense an impossibly vast canvas stretching out below itthe invisible power of gravity.
Even now, here in the emptiest of space, the rock still stood on a hill.
But the rock was also the hill itself, influencing every other thing around it. Still in a small way due to its yet meager size.
But if it reached out with its Qi, tapping into that canvas
Level up!
1/1 Philosophical breakthrough!
You have reached Cultivator Level 8!
You are now in the [Astral Domain] Realm.
Stats up!
Energy Level (E) = 10 000 MW
Core Heat (T): 4000K
Domain size (d): 100.0 km
Progress to next realm =Breakthrough needed
New Ability Gained!
Gravity Launcher
Manipte gravity with your Qi,unching an object towards a desired location.
The stone did not even look at the new screens or try its new abilityit needed none of it. It was focused only on its extending tendrils of Qi, and the canvas of gravity below it.
And it began painting.
Long, powerful streaks, forming three concentric rings around it, slightly offset from each other by small angle.
And graduallyinevitablythe swarm of meteors, rocks and gravel around it, the [Meteor Shower] itself, started gathering into those three rings. Organizing, spinning.
At first slowly, like a nervous dancer attempting their first ballet. But the confidence grew, and so did the speed, and the momentum. Onward and onward the rocks spun, forming a dizzying dance around our hero who sat at their very center, focused in serene meditation.
Current Velocity: 0 m/s
The rock itself had no speed at all, but that didnt bother it anymore. Because all around itself, it could look and see speed. Velocity. Flight.
A dance.
And thenfinallyit reached for the new skill it had received. [Gravity Launcher].
It selected one of therger rocks in its outermost ring, and activated the skill.
Gravity Launcher activated!
Launched at speed 70 m/s
And feeling at the ever-present canvas of gravity, it could sense the rumbles of strength in that shot, as the selected meteor careened off into the distance at great speed. The rock felt satisfied at its new skill, a potent weapon indeed.
It rather liked that.
Who was more fit to cast the first stone than another rock? Rocks knew not of sin.
And sothe rock was just about ready to head off towards the next point on its voyagewhen it sensed something strange.
It was part of its [Kin of Stone] skill, and even its domain, now with an increased range to it. It sensed... a thing. Something of metal was approaching it, and not just flying at the whims of gravitybut by its own power.
The rock instantly grew focused, elerating towards the object, all three rings of weapons increasing in rotation speed. It got closer to the thing, and eventually sensed it at the very edge of its domain. A being of metal, shaped like a sphere, with a jet of fireing out of the back and little shing lights at its front.
Butthere was something very wrong with it. It was instinctive to the rock, it knew.
The thing had no levels. It was more like the meteor it had just destroyedbut despite not having any levels there was a spark within it. Something guiding it along. Intelligence.
Science. The power of physics and reasoning, applied to create a vessel capable of braving outer space, and capable of sensing oddities there. Oddities like a rock that yed with the very canvas of gravity.
But the rock knew the thing was wrong. It did not belong herein this sr system of levels.
Instinctively, a ssification applied to the thing inside the rocks mind.
Gravity Launcher activated!
Launched at speed 92 m/s
The thing tried to evade the projectile, but the rock focused on its domain, painting a valley of gravity for its projectile to travel along, inevitably following the thing.
It could not escape. There was an impact, but... no experience. Still, the thing was destroyed, crushed by a projectile as soon as the rock had decided to destroy it. Instinctive.
But the rock knewif there was onea little scouting drone like this
There would be more.
So the rock cast out its senses, looking for any oddities, and felt some vague feeling, almost like excitement, but not quite. The rock wasnt quite there yet. It did not truly feel.
But stillwhen it sensed therger vessels of metal entering the sr systemit began elerating towards them.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 182 300 122 111m
Full Status:
[Unnamed]
Title(s): Line-Ender, Patient Ambusher, Bane of Demons, Grandmaster of Closed Door Cultivation
HP: 89/89
Mana: 0/0
Level: 10
Experience: 0/5000
ss: Meteorite
Sub-ss: Cultivator 8
Race: Gneiss Stone
Gold: 100%
STATS
Diameter (d): 4.61m
Mass (m): 133653.3kg
Energy Level (E): 10 000 MW
Core Temp (T): 4000K
Domain size (d) = 10.0km
ABILITIES
Collide
Steer
Energy Shift
Pivot Point
Pivot Point: Orbital Slingshot
Just a Rock
Meditate
Diamond Skin
Stolen Cultivation
Meteor Shower
Kin of Stone
Gravity Launcher
Chapter 14: Heavy Metal VS Rock
Chapter 14: Heavy Metal VS Rock
In the vastness of space, near the edge of our heros sr system, a pair of mobile suits were advancing, pushed forward by mighty jets.
They were the vanguard of their peoples advance, the brave champions who explored the unknown deep and defeated dangers before they could threaten their push forward.
The two giant mechs were rather different in construction. One was a scrappier unit, small and worn, repurposed out of a mining suit. Its grey exterior bore the scrapes of many a brawl, but despite its humble make, it still braved on, driven by a veteran mechanic.
The other was quite the contrast. Gleaming, metallic chrome, arger frame, and high-tech construction formed from the best of their scientists efforts. The driver was the young hotshot of the space force, a fresh facepared to the grizzled veteran piloting the other. A mismatched pair they may have been, but their bond was unbreakable.
// HMS-112, please report in. Over.
Roger that, red base, this is HMS-112. Nothing strange detected so far. Over.
// Roger. Any sign of the destroyed scouting unit? Over.
Roger. Nope, no sign of it yet. Over.
// Roger. Be on the lookout, our sensors are still detecting the gravity anomaly in the system. Over.
The message cut off with the buzz of static, and the veteran pilot sighed. He leaned towards his microphone, broadcasting his voice to the other mech. Buddy, you seeing anything yet? Your eyes are sharper than mine.
Nonothing yet. Stay focused, came the answer.
The veteran snorted, rxing in his seat. It was an important task, but he did not think anyone could stay one hundred percent focused all the time. Even if their task was the most important one in the world.
Their homey a broken heap, shattered by war, and now only three great colony ships remained of their people. And defending one of the three was up to the two of them. Still, he needed to calm his partner. Nerves would be the death of them.
Heyrx for a moment there. There havent been any nuclear-ss energy signatures in this sr system yet. Well be fine.
There was a moment of silence, and then themunicator crackled again. Im justworried. The main ship is trailing too close to us. It should have stayed further back. Something isn''t right about this ce. Like an itch.
Internally, the veteran agreed, but calming his partner was priority number one, so he spoke in a rxed tone. Dont worry, they have sensors to detect any possible hostile ships. And think of the probabilities. What are the chances that something would really be out here, in the middle of this sr system? Life is rare enough.
Suddenly, a sensor started ring, and a red light filled the cockpit.
// SENSOR ALERT. OBJECT APPROACHING AT RAPID SPEED.
The veteran instantly kicked his legs into pedals, activating the thrusters, and pulled his joystick back, rotating the suit around 90 degrees, then thrusting upjust as an asteroid streaked below it.
Kic bombardment! he shouted, pressing every single button in his cockpit because the people who designed their control scheme had no mercy.
More asteroids wereing now, and he saw that his partner had activated the [High Tech Convenient Lazer Sword] of his suit, and was slicing the meteorites into bits and pieces, dancing a rhythm of destruction among them all.
The veterans worn fingers finally prevailed, and he managed to type in theunch sequence. Activating [100 Homing Photon Missiles]!
Streaks of light started to spread out from his photon-volt pack, homing in on the countless meteors streaking around him. Then things went wrong.
// GRAVITY ANOMALY DETECTED
The veterans eyes widened as the missiles suddenly began veering off course, crashing into each other, almost as if they had all suddenly fallen into a deep bit together.
Heyare you seeing this? Im not getting any energy signatures! he shouted, putting his thrusters at 100% capacity to escape the field. We need a visual!
I have one, came the curt reply, cracking with static. A marker appeared on the veterans HUD, right between the fuel level indicator and the idle-clicker game he always kept at the edge of the screen.
Thats no enemy ship the veteran said, eyes widening. Because what he saw was not an enemy ship, looming above them, ready for battle. Nowhat he saw were rings. Three rings of rocks, all rotating around one central figure. thats a rock.
It was stationary, flinging rocks at them, almost as if it was observing. Testing.
Ill take care of it! The veteran said, opening a hatch under his desk, revealing even more buttons, and starting to press all of them sequentially. Activating [Homing Lazer]!
Ill cover you, came his partners calm reply.
Reassured, the veteran pilot kept pressing the buttons with his left hand, while using his right to reach out for the USB-mouse stowed under his chair, which he then attached to his main control panel. It took him three tries to get it in the slot, but once he did soa targeting reticle appeared right above his eyes.
Carefully, he moved the mouse, hands shaking from nerves, and right clicked on the rocks position. A menu opened.
// Lock insers? Y/N
His partner had realized that just cutting the meteors into smaller pieces of shrapnel wasnt actually helping much, and moved up to shield him with the [Indestructible Particle Shield].
The veterans hand stopped shaking, reassured by his partners presence, and he clicked the left mouse button.
// Launching [Homing Lazers]
A single beam of light shot forward from his reactor core, moving much slower than the speed of light but still pretty fast, and split apart into hundreds of beams, which all began bouncing towards the central rock.
Ive got it!
The rock moved its rings to block off the beams, but the beams dodged behind it, striking at its rear. The veteran cheered.
Ive got a hit!
// ANOMALY DETECTED. TARGET IS VIOLATING THE RULES OF THERMODYNAMICS.
The veterans eyes widened as he tried to read the message which had appeared way too close to his face, and they widened even more when he parsed the meaning.
What? How can it
He clicked the little x at the top-left of the message with his USB-mouse, making it disappear, then looked at the scene. The rock was still thereabsolutely fine. And moving.
// TARGET HEATED UP BY 150K
He clicked the new pop up away too, cursing. This doesnt make any sense! How can it do that? That''s not how any of this works!
Doesnt matter. Just need to deal. Im going in, came the younger pilot''s reply.
The veteran pushed his thrusters further, reaching 200% power utilization, and rushed to back up his buddy who was rushing into battle. Because the rock had also started rushing at them.
Its elerating! The veteran shouted, pushing his thrusters to 300% power utilization.
His partner bobbed and weaved, then drew out a second [Lazer Sword], and reached the rock. Ive got it! The giant robot shed down, red and blue swords lights reflecting against its chrome finish, just about to hit the rock.
And then the rock pivoted.
Right around the mech, revealing a barrage of meteors behind it.
// ANOMALY DETECTED. TARGET IS VIOLATING THE LAWS OF PHYSICS
With horror, the veteran watched as two trailing rocks clipped his partners mobile suit, smashing its left arm off.
Taking critical damage!
Ive got you! Activate the thing!
Roger!
The veteran pushed his thrusters to 500%, then took his hands off the controls, pping them twice.
Activate motion controls!
// Synchronising
He stood up from his chair, crossing his arms beneath his chest, looking down the hatch at his partners mech, and his suit mirrored his every movement.
Its time to show this rock that the Heavy Metal Systems mark 1 and 2 are no ordinary machines!
His partners mech also went into gesture control mode, and the remnants of the destroyed arm were cast off, revealing a USB slot.
One matched the USB connector that had just appeared on the veterans own scrappier suit.
Together, they shouted out the key phrase. Activate [Combination Sequence]!
The two mechs slotted together, one bing the arm of the other, and all the lights in the cockpit turned red.
// INCREASING POWER AVAILABILITY TO 1000%
// SYNCHRONISING..
// COMBINING...
A single tear dropped from the veteran pilots eye. Using the power of our bond, we cannot
Brother! Its not letting us do the transformation sequence!
Wait, wha
THUNK
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 202 * 133653.3 / 4 = 6749492 dmg to
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 211.3 m/s
The rock passed right through both mobile suits at once, wondering why they had clumped together like that for it. They had be much easier targets, staying in ce for so long as they had.
But the mystery soon passed from its mind, as the rock looked over the results of its hunt.
Tworge battered husks of metal, controlled by two smaller fleshy things inside them.
It was an interesting idea. Something about it lodged into the rocks mind, to be parsedter. But then it moved ontowards the bigger target.
The rock used [Energy Shift], and began using its Qi base to elerate towards the muchrger piece of metal, which had begun reversing course in the distance. They were trying to escape from the rock!
Of course, our valiant hero could not allow such a thing, and followed them patiently, gradually gaining speed.
And gaining speed.
And gaining speed.
And gaining speed.
It finally reached the giant colony ship, a huge mass of pipes and wires, and like a golf yer on the green, began lining up a shot. If it got this one just right
It [Steered], then [Pivoted], managing to find that perfect spot.
Where it could pass through the whole body of the ship, along its length axis.
It elerated more, and activated [Diamond Skin] with the full power of its Qi, and hit the ship.
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 900.1 * 133653.3 / 4 = 30 075 334 dmg to
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 323.1 m/s
A copsing metal husk was left in the rocks trail, exploding further and further in a chain reaction until only bits of scrap were left floating in the emptiness of space. And the fleshy bits that had been inside, controlling therger metallic hulk.
And so the war between worlds came to an end, fought withser sticks and stones, as was once prophesied. But rock always won.
Rock, paper,ser. It was written in the rules.
But seeing the results of its work, the rock was curious. For it was new to most things, and only knew some. But the way a smaller thing could control a bigger thing
It fascinated the rock. Because the system had stopped it from doing a certain thing before, and that had set the rocks progress back significantly.
It began collecting the bits of metal, new additions to its growing [Meteor Shower], when a notification finally appeared in front of it.
Outsider Incursion Cleared!
Congrattions!
Bonus Experience awarded!
Level up!
20 000 / 5000 xp
Discarding overflow xp
You have reached level 11!
Stats up!
Mass (m): 133 653.3kg -> 1 069 226.4kg
Diameter (d): 4.61m -> 9.23m
HP: 89 -> 144
New Title Granted!
Gctic Defender
Receive information about tier threats to your home, and gain bonus experience for defending the world from them!
Gctic Defender Alert!
ss 10 [Doomsday meteor] will hit Dirt] in 230 years!
Stop it to gain bonus experience!
And so, the rock finally learned its home''s name, but what was this? The rock focused on its [Kin of Stone], sensing a new presence being added to the map, much further away than any of the others.
Muchrger than our rock.
But the rock it felt offended. Some other rock was going to go to its home before it?
Uneptable.
It began elerating towards the new signal.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 187 300 122 111m
Full Status:
[Unnamed]
Title(s): Line-Ender, Patient Ambusher, Bane of Demons, Grandmaster of Closed Door Cultivation, Gctic Defender
HP: 144/144
Mana: 0/0
Level: 11
Experience: 0/20000
ss: Meteorite
Sub-ss: Cultivator 8
Race: Gneiss Stone
Gold: 100%
STATS
Diameter (d): 9.23m
Mass (m): 1 069 226kg
Energy Level (E): 10 000 MW
Core Temp (T): 4000K
Domain size (d) = 10.0km
ABILITIES
Collide
Steer
Energy Shift
Pivot Point
Pivot Point: Orbital Slingshot
Just a Rock
Meditate
Diamond Skin
Stolen Cultivation
Meteor Shower
Kin of Stone
Gravity Launcher
Chapter 15: [Doomsday Meteor]
Chapter 15: [Doomsday Meteor]
A rock is neverte, nor is it ever early.
Because rocks do not count the years. They do not take note of the time. But there were numbers that the rock cared about. Mass. Diameter. Velocity.
From those three, most other things followed. The rock had a simple philosophy: If it encountered a problem, it would strive to increase those three numbers, and usually, the problem would be solved.
It had worked this far.
And so, as the rock finally arrived at the [Doomsday Meteor], after a long age spent in travel, it took note of the numbers.
It knew how fast it was approaching the other. It knew how fast the other was growing in its sight. It could estimate things. Running a patient calction in its mind, the rock estimated the [Doomsday Meteor].
It was about... 10 000 meters wide, and assuming it was as dense as our hero, it would probably weigh around 1 361 356 816 555 580 kilograms. A simple calction for our rock. And a clear result.
It was... quite a bit bigger than the rock.
Butthe bigger rock had no spark. As it cast out with its [Cultivator] senses, our hero saw that there was no will guiding the [Doomsday Meteor] forward, just the iron grip of gravity.
Did it feel disappointed? Maybe. Perhaps the rock had hoped to encounter someone of its kin finally. What would that meeting be like?
The closest it had ever gotten was the earth elemental, but that had been a construct of magic controlling rock, not a true rock itself.
A cousin at best.
So, when it saw that the giant meteor had no spark, the rock did not exactly feel saddened, because it did not know what it had lost. But any potential hope was extinguished, and a journey of anticipation was turned to normalcy.
Things remained the same.
But still, the rock did not rush to battle itsrger kin, it did not rush to destroy it. Nor did it try to absorb it into its asteroid swarm, or to turn it off course using its gravity abilities.
Nofor a while, the rock just watched. And thought. It remembered the people of flesh, who piloted the metal shells from within. A smaller thing, controlling a bigger thing.
And the rock had an idea.
The system had forbidden it from absorbing new mass directly, forcing it to grow through levels alone. But our hero was not one to follow convention and regtion when a more straightforward path was presented.
Firstit experimented.
The rock stopped the three concentric rings of asteroids around it, pausing that eternal dance for a brief moment. Then it painted a deep well of gravity on its own position, a deep hole, and sat down at the very bottom.
And the other rocks started falling in. Gathering. Collecting.
Until the rock was covered by a vastyer of stone, extending its size hundredfold. And it felt right. Like something that made sense.
But as it moved, the shell shifted too, following along like a loose nket of pebbles.
Not an iron shield.
The rock realized thatposed of single bits like that, it was too fragile of a thing, not like the ironforged suits of the fleshy things. But
Once more it observed the giant meteor ahead. That one would do very well indeed.
And so the rock finally elerated forward, flying towards that craggy exterior. But it did not speed too much, it moved slowly.
Current Velocity: 18.2 m/s
Because the rock did not want to smash the meteor to bits. It had to stay together, all in one piece for the rocks n to work. A simple n, the same one it had always had. Increase mass, increase diameter.
And itnded on the surface. On a hard, rock-solid surface. One much like its own, although the preciseposition was a bit off.
How could it get inside?
It again remembered the two suits of metal, and especially the other one. For although it had not seen use in the battle, it did have a very distinctive shape attached to its right arm. A tool of a former mining suit.
A drill.
The rock focused on its [Diamond Skin], this time trying to make something different. Not a covering all over, just one spot. It gathered up all its Qi, sending them not to the surface, but just beyond. Forming an arrowhead of diamond, extending out of the rock like a unicorns mighty horn.
It aimed the drill head towards the [Doomsday Meteor], and again did something different, something new. It used [Energy Shift], but did not do the same kic energy conversion as always.
Noit created rotation.
The rock started spinning, drill head against the giant, and began burrowing inside. Rock was forever, but so were diamonds, and so the drill pushed through.
Not in a hurry. Not in a rush.
Calmly. Methodically.
The drill crushed bits of rock to dust, which the rock then had to move away, using [Meteor Shower] and little channels of gravity. asionally it had to pull out, letting the crushed pulp dribble out, and then it would head back inside.
And soon, very soon, the rock reached the center of the meteor.
It stopped the drill, letting the diamond bits formed from Qi fade away, and focused its senses. Focused its domain.
Because what really was the difference between the rock it was inside of now, and itself? Why did the rock have a spark, and the [Doomsday Meteor] did not?
It gathered up its domain, the great boundary extending out, and began Because it fit just over the meteor, like a well-sized glove. Closer and closer.Onto the very surface of the giant meteor, until it was almost bursting through at the seams.
And then it began infusing the whole region with Qi, taking control.
The rock felt Qi vessels sprout and spread out through the meteor, like little cables of electricity, spreading out to cover it wholesale. And gradually, its consciousness expanded.
It could feel therger body of rock. Not as its own, but like an attachment. And it was fixed firmly inside.
Next, the rock painted a deep well of gravity on the hole it had dug through, and let rock and dust fall back inside, blocking off the ending. And then it tried to activate [Diamond Skin]. A brilliantly gleaming shell spread out.
And it covered the whole asteroid, giant thing as it was. Even the hole the rock had burrowed inside through.
The rock felt at its grown masrger than any it had seen on the mountaintop.
Thenwith an exertion of gravityit gave the whole mass the tiniest nudge. Sent it off course.
And a was saved.
Gctic Defender Quest Cleared!
Congrattions!
Bonus Experience awarded!
Experience gained!
5 000 / 20000 xp
The rock was not too pleased by theck of a levelup, but on the other hand, it did not need the system''s help to grow. Nor to learn new skills.
It had grown a lotrger by attaching itself to therger rock and taking control of it. It had learned to do that all by itself, solely by practicing its Qi maniption.
It felt at its new form, more connected than before, and gave it another nudge. Just the tiniest one.
Gctic Defender Alert!
ss 10 [Doomsday meteor] () will hit Dirt] in 220 years!
ERROR_THIS_IS_YOU
INFINITE XP GLITCHES ARE CURRENTLY DISABLED FOR [unnamed]
NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A QUEST REWARD
Yes, the rock nudged the course right back where it had beennot because it had tried to fool the system into granting it infinite experience, although that would have been nice, but because this form was worthy. This form wasrge. With this formit had grown enough to challenge its foes, to reach the end of its quest.
But, it had only grown the first two of its three key numbers. A true solution still needed that final bit, and our hero was no mere lifeless [Doomsday Meteor].
It used [Energy Shift], and began elerating. Not just mass and diameter, but velocity too.
And a number began shrinking.
The old one, the one it had been following for so long, but a new one too. The new one moved slowlyvery slowly. Because it was not easy to elerate so much new mass. But it too began shrinking.
Quest:
: 220 years
And eventually ticked over, after a long time of elerating.
Quest:
: 219 years
Yes, this number too was shrinking now, faster than it should have. And the rock rumbled inside its new shell, anticipating a grand homing.
Anticipating the end of its quest. That jade statue, reaching out towards it.
Now, it was really time.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 14 959 787 069 100m
Full Status:
[Unnamed]
Title(s): Line-Ender, Patient Ambusher, Bane of Demons, Grandmaster of Closed Door Cultivation, Gctic Defender
HP: 144/144
Mana: 0/0
Level: 11
Experience: 5000/20000
ss: Meteorite
Sub-ss: Cultivator 8
Race: Gneiss Stone
Gold: 100%
STATS
Diameter (d): 9.23m (10km)
Mass (m): 1 069 226kg rger)
Energy Level (E): 10 000 MW
Core Temp (T): 4000K
Domain size (d) = 10.0km
ABILITIES
Collide
Steer
Energy Shift
Pivot Point
Pivot Point: Orbital Slingshot
Just a Rock
Meditate
Diamond Skin
Stolen Cultivation
Meteor Shower
Kin of Stone
Gravity Launcher
Chapter 16: The World Ends With Rock
Chapter 16: The World Ends With Rock
On a certain mountaintop, high above the clouds, a hero and a viin were having a grand battle.
Take this[Final Super Attack that Is Not Even My Final Attack]!
You cannot defeat my [Mega Casting: Fire Inferno: re Ember Mode: Astral Activation]!
Grand spells and abilities were flying every which way, tearing apart thendscape and slicing up the clouds below. It was a very grand battle indeedone that would decide the fate of the world.
And then it was decided.
EMERGENCY BROADCAST
The world will end in 60 minutes!
Please beware meteor showers.
The two paused, letting their attacks fade, then looked to the sky. They did not see it yet, but they could almost sense an oppressive presence. Growing.
The hero and viin shared an uneasy gaze and nodded at each other. They turned to face the meteor. They would meet it in a battle and see which one would win.
And so, the world finally came to peace.
Even as the citizens all over the world panicked and screamed, shouted and cried, ran and hidthe rock did only one thing. It kept elerating. But it was soso slow. The body around it wasrgeand heavy. It did not elerate easily. It had not been moving that fast in the beginning. But it had gotten faster, gradually increasing its speed.
It would not be stopped again.
Current Velocity: 108304.0 m/s
Quest:
Current Altitude: 389 894 400m
Time remaining: 60 Minutes
The timer was actually shrinking a bit faster than the 60 minutes indicated within, because the rock was still elerating. The system did not seem to ount for such things.
But it saw the worldits homeworld down below. And the prepared.
Time remaining: 60 Minutes
The [Mages] of the world gathered in a hasty remote conference, arguing over who would get the glory of saving their world. But practicality won out, and the newly elected [Supreme Grand Magus] of a certain city with a jade statue won outbecause they had foretold.
That was thending zone. And there was no time.
All the mana of the world was sent to the man, channeled through remote connections and ancient treasures, and he held the power of the world at his fingertips. For a brief moment.
And he cast a spell, high atop his tower, gazing at the meteor through magnification spells. His skin crackled with mana, and he was barely holding himself together, but he raised his arms and cast the spell. The grand one they had all prepared together, fit to make a rock go away.
[Supreme Greater Anti Gravity Grand Magic].
The rock sensed the st of magic approaching itself. But it had learned. It saw gravity better than any other on thisfor who was more its child than a stone, not rolling, but falling?
It felt at the canvas of space below it, tilting it just to the side
And the st missed it, careening off to the side, all the mana spent. Wasted.
The rock calmly kept elerating, and the [Supreme Grand Magus] retreated down from his tower, escaping to his wine cer, awaiting the end.
Time remaining: 40 Minutes
An ancient dragon lumbered out of its cave, weary of the world, for it saw its own mark of fate on this doomsday. That was why it had retreated here, for whenever a dragon interfereddisaster soon followed.
And now it looked up at the greatest disaster of allthe end of everything. It did not know how, but somehow the dragon had yed a part in this. The thought was a crushing dread, and the dragon...
Felt tired. Weary.
Still, the great dragon, one of thest of its species and certainly mightiest of them all, gathered the roiling heat in his lungs, staring up at the rock, which it could just make out with its supreme eyes.
It breathed out, and a bright beam of magma was shot at the meteor, onest attempt to do something.
But it too failed, because the rock did not care for thews of temperature. The mighty st hit the rock in a st that shattered the sky, but only heated it up more.
And the rock continued converting that heat to movement.
The dragon saw that it had once more only hastened the end, and retreated back to its cave, weary of this world. It would sleep through the end.
Time remaining: 2 Minutes
A hero and a viin stood side-by-side, atop a mountain, having formed their n. They hadbined their two techniques, and the hero was holding a grand sword in his hands, shaking with power.
He could now see the stone, invisible as it still was, because he was a [Hero] and could always see the enemy. He raised his sword high, and its tip cut the clouds. He sliced it down, using every technique avable to him, and a great st of energy was sent at the rock.
The rock activated [Diamond Skin], fueled by a roiling core of Qi, and the sword of a [Hero] scratched through 1000 meters of rock. But there were 9000 more, and the rock quickly began repairing the damage with its Qi.
The hero fell to his knees atop the mountain, ovee with despair. The viin did not speak, only stared up at the sky, waiting.
Sothe mightiest of the world failed to stop the rock, because of course they did. Even had they sted it to pieces, those pieces would still have been falling down. Even had the [Mages] managed to send it back up, a ceaseless meteor shower would have followed in its wake.
And the rock would have returnedeven bigger than before.
Eventually.
Because the rock was inevitable. And soit descended down on the, satisfied that it had grown past all its former foes. None of the mighty could sway it.
But when has this ever been a story of the mighty?
Even the rock had humble origins.
Winding the clock back a bit, to before a notification told the of its doom, let us follow a different young hero. A human one, not a [Hero]but a [Bard].
A young woman, 21 years of age, with auburn hair. She was dressed humbly, but well enough to serve at a court. She had a lyre in hand, a treasure she had toiled on endlessly for many a year.
But her me was dying out. She sat in the city that was her own, walking around aimlessly, eyes listless.
Because the world had ended.
Not literally, of course, but to her, it certainly felt that way.
AahI cant believe I failed at the big performance Its all ruined now she said with the sureness of youth, because her goals and future were ash.
She had worked hard for years, and the opportunity had finallye. A chance to perform at the governors annual ball, where all the important people of the city could hear her. The chance of a lifetime, the reward at the end of the path she had walked so long.
And she had failed.
Simple reasons, just nerves and being requested unfamiliar songs, but she had failed spectacrly, stuttering on stage, barely able to y.
Embarrassing herself in the eyes of everyone. Reputation in tatters.
She would never get hired again.
And she could feel those eyes, as she walked the city, looking for an excuse to not go home. Rumours spread, especially juicy ones like these. She thought she heard every shopkeeper snickering at her turned back, and every window seemed to peer into her soul,ughing.
But it was better than facing what awaited at home, so on she walked.
Why did I have to fail now of all times Its always the critical moments, isnt it?
She finally stopped, at a za she was used to frequenting. A za with a Jade statue that seemed to grasp for the heavens, depicting a beautiful woman.
It was an old statuenobody really remembered where it hade from. But it had always been there, and the [Bard] liked to stare at it now and then, and to speak. She could almost imagine it listening.
Hey, odd statue. Tell me, do you really have magic powers like rumours say? Because I could really use a wish.
She looked at the statue, feeling that ever-present, oppressive weight upon her chest. Anxiety and terror, always warring within.
Can you just give me a little excuse? Anything will do. Just so I dont have to go back home yet.
The [Bard] asked for an excuse, looking up at the statue with pleading eyes and she received one.
EMERGENCY BROADCAST
The world will end in 60 minutes!
Please beware of meteor showers.
Her brown eyes widened as she saw the notification appear, and she hesitantly turned her head up, searching. She did not see anything yet up therebut she could almost imagine it there. Destruction, imminent.
Almost here.
And she felt all her worries, all her anxieties, all the weight upon her chest
It all faded away in an instant, brushed off with the warm spring wind.
She smiled.
There were shrieks of terror and despair from the few others in the za at this hour, panic growing among the other people, but she alone smiled. She spread her hands out, breathed the fresh air in deep, and felt better than she had in years.
Yesss! she shouted, jumping up with joy.
Then she really felt the looks. Sheepishly, she peered around, seeing gazes of disbeliefing her way. Ah, sorry about that.
The other people continued screaming and running about. Running away from the za.
But the [Bard] just sat down, looking up at the statue, finally feeling free. Calm.There was nothing to look forward to anymore, so there was nothing to dread either.
She only wished this moment wouldst forever, but
Time remaining: 55 Minutes
It would be only a short while. She wondered what she should do? In this short moment, with the peace she felt.
It was oddbut although she did not want to die, to say goodbye to this lightness blooming in her chestshe had epted the end strangely easily. She felt no dread.
Thenshe had an idea. The [Bard] looked up at the statue, picked up her lyre, took it out of its case
"Hey statue, do you want to hear a song?"
And she began to y.
It felt easier than in years, the notes flying off her fingers effortlessly. She felt a faded fire begin to burn brighter in her soul, and looked up to the skyalmost thinking she saw that approaching doom.
Then she sang.
Not any song she had known before, but a song ofplete freedomfree from the expectations of others, free from consequence.
She did not have to worry about how other people would like her song. She did not have to think about whether her song could earn money. She did not have to worry about how the song would be remembered.
It would all end soon, so why not just y what she really wanted?
And her soul sang. The za was clear by now, most people having retreated to friends and family, cers and bunkers. Her only audience was the statue, which did not look at her. The statue looked to the sky.
But oh how she yed! How she sang! It was a song ignoring all conventions, something freer than anything that hade before. She was drumming at the ground with her feet, ying the lyre with a frantic energy she had never felt before.
Time remaining: 4 Minutes
And eventually, for such a short moment, she began to see the meteor, growingrger in the sky, a bright figure burning against the atmosphere.
She did not want the world to endshe wanted to live on. But it would happen. She would not be able to affect this inevitability no matter what she did.
If the world was going to end why face it with fear and dread?
Why not instead throw the most glorious of concertsa symphony for the end?
At the most glorious of stages.
And so, the clearer she saw the blinding light in the sky, the louder she sang. No longer words with any direct meaningjust sounds that felt grand and energetic enough for this moment. Almost screams. Her ying grew faster. But the statue was not her only audience.
Something above listened. And something elsesomething that always was there in this world.
Level up!
You have be a level 9 [Novice Bard]!
New music genre invented: [Rock and Roll]!
Time remaining: 1 Minute
The rock could make out the city below, and could see the za of its dreams. It was almost there. The end was in sight.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 6 498 240m
But thenit heard something. Sound. A song.
It had never heard things before.
Before itsunch into space, it had only been able to perceive the rumbles and vibrations of the earth, for it had no ears to hear with. But in spaceit had grown. Developed. Be a master of a domain.
And as its domain focused downward, away from its body, that whole mass of energy searching for that jade figure which reached up for it, the rock heard a song. And it was strange. Soft, gentle, sorrowful. But still energetic.
Something new.
The rock had never felt a soft touch or a caring hand beforeits stone skin was too tough for that.
The rock had never seen colorits vision only showed shades of grey.
The rock had never tasted before eitherfor that least of all was a thing of rocks.
But now it heard music. It had finally been given the senses to perceive such things. It did not see the [Bard] because the rock did not understand humans. It only saw that jade statue, the symbol of its dreams reaching up for it, and heard the songing from it.
The jade statue was singing for the rockweing it.
And in that moment, as the [Bard] looked up at the imminent destruction with glowing eyesthe rock finally felt it in its soul. It understood beauty. It wanted to hear more of the song.
The music resonated through its domain for a brief moment, and everyone heard it.
The hero raised his head, sorrow draining out of him, and he stood up, side by side with the viin. They held hands, looking the end right in the eyes.
The [Magus] rose up from his cer, abandoning the sks of wine, and stepped outside. He felt the spring breeze against his skin, and theing of summer in the air. He smiled.
The dragon looked out of its cave once more, and for a moment, remembered the glories it had achieved in life. It closed its eyes, hearing the roars of old friends in the chorus of the song.
For a brief moment, everyone listened, and the rock wanted to hear more.
Butit was toote.
Gravity, the cruel mistress that it was, once moreughed at the rock. For it had made a mistake. It had worked so hard to make sure none could stop it. It had brought along a greater mass that its [Pivot] could not shiftand now... it could not stop itself.
In an instant, brave though it was against the storm, the brief ember of beauty was snuffed out.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 0
Resolving...
Please wait.
CRACK
Title Activated!
Line Ender Activated!
Gained 20% damage bonus!
Collide activated!
[Unnamed] Dealt 14959787069100 * 108304.2 * 1.2 / 4 = 486062331206766100 dmg to [Novice Bard Rihito] & Dirt]
New Velocity for [Unnamed]: 6000 m/s
Dealing ssh damage to ERROR_OVERLOAD entities
Resolving...
Please wait.
Please wait.
Please wait.
The music had stopped, and so the rock also understood loss. It had never lost anything before. Not really. But the music wasn''ting back, no matter how hard it listened. There was only the brutal symphony of destruction, and then... silence.
But numbers went up.
Chapter 17: Numbers Go Up
Chapter 17: Numbers Go Up
The rock had understood something new. Silence sounded different now, because it had not known the contrast before.
Silence and song. Beauty and... destruction.
The rock had been flung through''s crust, out of its temporary shell, still hard as diamond..
It sank deeper and deeper, trying to escape the silence and the destruction. Up on the surface was destruction, but down below was silence. It did not want to hear either.
There was no escape.
Level up!
1/1 Philosophical breakthrough!
You have reached Cultivator Level 9!
You are now in the ary Domain] Realm.
Stats up!
Energy Level (E) = 1 000 000 MW
Core Heat (T): 5000K
Domain size (d): 10 000.0 km
Progress to next realm = ???
Its domain grew, expanding out and out, and once more the rock heard the destruction above. Shattering earth and sundered mountains.
Not the music.
It wanted the music.
It escaped deeper, sinking further toward the center of the, away from it all. But it found more silence.
The shockwave finished travelling around the.
Ssh damage calcted:
201 021 321 x [Civilian] & 51 223 001 123 x [Bird] and ERROR_INTEGER_OVERFLOW
Resolving...
Level up!
ERROR_INTEGER_OVERFLOW / 20000 xp
Discarding overflow xp
You have reached level 12!
Stats up!
Mass (m): 1 069 226.4kg -> 8 553 811.5kg
Diameter (d): 9.23m -> 18.45m
HP: 144 -> 233
New Title Granted!
Kill 51223001123 birds with one stone
Deal 20% more damage to birds
Numbers, numbers, so many numbersall going up.
But now it was silent. The rock was deep down and did not hear the music. It did not feel the me of beauty. And it really did want to. It was not depressed. It was not sad. It was not in shock.
But it did feel a sense of loss. Frustration. More loss than it had ever felt before, because the rock had never truly lost anything of note.
There was no beauty or music up above. It had sensed itonly destruction. Firestorms, magma, a shattered surface. Not even sunlight, for an endless plume of dust and ash was coating the sky, blocking off the day, leaving thend underneath in eternal darkness.
And the loss struck it deep, and so the rock tried to burn the noise out of its mind, for it did not want to remember what it had lost.
But a rock did not, could not forget. It was all seared into its mind.
It. Could. Not. Forget.
Thatst moment of music yed in its mind over and over again, teasing a continuation to the melody, a continuation the rock could never hear.
Loss it had lost something.
The rock did not even properly process the numbers it was getting as it sank ever deeper into the earth, deep into the mantle of the. It did not shift when the cast a final shuddering dying breath, nor did it stir when it felt a presence fade away around it, heralding that mightiest of prompts.
New Title Granted!
Kinyer
Deal 20% more damage to your parents and other family
Transferring
Please wait...
ss Merge Unlocked!
Merge sses [Meteroid] and [Cultivator] into ]?
Y/N
Congrattions!
You are now a level 12 [!
Beginningary fusion process...
It epted the prompt, just to make it go away faster. But it did not look at the results. It did not look at the new numbers. It did not observe itself growing and growing, merging together with what was around to be the biggest of all.
Right now, it did not care.
Nothe rock clung to one thing only. It had lost something, so it would need to gain something. There was bnce in this world, right? A certain amount of energy bes a certain amount of momentum. That it understood. The world worked with bnce.
It had spent all this effort struggling for its quest. And the quest was still processing. Waiting to be fulfilled. The distance indicator was bottomed out, but the quest was taking a lot of time to unlock.
Sosurely the reward would be fitting.
The rock clung to hope. Could the quest bring back the music?
It did not shed tears. It did not despair. Because it was a rock, and those things were not in its nature. The rock had always had a simple solution to most issues.
So it waited.
And waited.
And waited.
But the music did note back. It kept hearing it, at the back of its mind.
And so the rock finally understood the true essence of loss. Because waiting had never before felt difficult. Now it could not wait. That was wrong.
It was supposed to be easy.
Natural.
So it struggled as it waited, and the rumbled above, merging closer and closer with the rock.
But then, finally
Tutorial Quest
Roll out
Reach the bottom of the mountain.
Current Altitude: 0
Difficulty: Legendary
Rewards: ??? (Legendary)
Resolving...
The wait was over.
Chapter 18: Genesis
Chapter 18: Genesis
The rock sat at the center of the, deep beneath the earth, watching the prompt. Waiting. Because it had just appeared, and the message was finally filling in. What would the quest give it?
It had worked so hard for it.
Processing quest...
Distance to Bottom of mountain = 0
00000000000000000000000
ERROR!
Location not found!
Resolving
ERROR!
Location of not found!>
Resolving
ERROR!
Location in not found!
Resolving
ERROR!
Location on not found!
ERROR
ERROR! not found!
ERROR_TOO_MANY_ERRORS
Resolving
Obfuscating
Finished
Tutorial Quest
Roll out
Reach the bottom of the mountain.
Current Altitude: ????
Difficulty: Legendary
Rewards: ??? (Legendary)
STATUS: UNRESOLVED
The rock watched the final error, trembling, and the newly forged shook
No.
It could not ept it. This was not meant to be.
It had worked so hard and this was the result? At the darkest hour, the hero finally despaired, for it had now lost two things.
Two of the few things it had.
And so the raged. With strength, it did not yet know, and abilities it had not yet tried to discover, it began shattering itself further. The rock activated [Gravity Cannon], and flung the moon far away, for its gaze felt like a judgmental re, and the oceans shifted.
It raged, and the earth shook, shattering all the mountain ranges, for they reminded the rock too much of its quest.
The shattered mountain ranges reminded it of itself, so it flung the chunks of rock into outer space.
It raged on, and the oceans boiled.
And then the rock was done ragingbecause it did not feel any better. It had never felt emotions like these beforeand it did not like it.
Would waiting make it go away?
It tried to wait, but again it felt too restless. Some annoying thing buzzed at it for a moment, but it went away soon enough. The rock was full of energy, but had no goals to put it toward. Everything was gone. Except
It still had its levels. It had grownit was bigger now. Could it perhaps solve this issue? It had been clever before.
The rock decided to try, taking a look at some of its new skills. It had many. Could they solve the problem?
It began using [Create Mountain] and [Sculpt Earth], shaping a new mountain from the shattered ground, a copy of the one it still remembered.
It had flown over the mountain before, and it had rolled down its slopes. It had waited hundreds of years on the mountain, and it had rolled down it in a brief moment. It knew the mountain well.
And using its new authority, the rock assigned the mountain the name , connecting it to the quest. It waited, waited for the system toe in and resolve things.
And it did.
Tutorial Quest
Roll out
Current Altitude: 0
ERROR
You are Mt Tartus, distance invalid.
STATUS: UNRESOLVED
And it failed again, the destination falling just outside the rocks reach. It finally felt despair, for a brief moment, as that golden goal it had struggled towards was finally plunged out of reach.
Was the system perhaps vengeful against the rock? Being petty because the rock had caused it trouble before?
Perhaps, but the rock did not care anymore.
After trying and failing againit felt easier to ept the quest was unresolved. Waiting there, like a permanent itch.
Waiting was easier when you had no hope.
But a rock could not wallow around in self-pity forever. The quest was only one of the two things the rock had lost. It still had levels. It still had stats.
It had grown. Be the biggest rock of all.
For the rock had travelled the sr system and seen that many of what it thought kin were just imitators, giants of gas masquerading as rock. No true kin of stone. And they did not have the spark.
And even if there were bigger ones out there... what did it matter? Had its size really brought it any gain?
It had found no sess with size. At the beginning of its quest, the humble pebble had wanted to be the greatest rock of all, and all it had thought of was size. But now the ] knew better. Size was one thing, easy to measure, a number it could grow as long as it rolled forward, crushing everything in its path.
But what of beauty?
The rock looked at its surface, and saw a shattered, with no signs of life on it. No music. That was the only beauty it knew.
The rock could see it nowimagine it now.
When it had sat upon that mountaintop for a millenia, had the birds always been singing there, a song that the rock had not been able to hear? Had the wind yed a soft melody as it blew through cavernous holes, like giant organs yed by the air itself? It remembered its old mountain, and thought that perhaps... there had been beauty there.
The rock had created no beauty itself. It had only rolled forward and destroyed, seeking the quest and growth. What had it intended to do afterpleting its quest?
So focused on the numbers it had been, that the rock had forgotten everything else. Perhaps because the numbers had been its onlypanion. Perhaps because it had truly been alone, clinging to the screens of numbers that followed it through thick and thin, just as eternal and patient as the stone.
But was there beauty in the numbers?
Diameter: 12 747 201 m
It looked at the number, grasping for that satisfaction it had once felt seeing it grow. But it felt none now. It had reached the peak, and the satisfaction was so fleeting. That melody still yed in its mind, never to be forgotten. But the numbers... they all began to blend together eventually. Perhaps there was a brief satisfaction, but now, seeing the peak, they lost all meaning.
The rock closed the screen, its one faithfulpanion, and again thought of that jade statue, that song it had sung for it, and looked over the destroyed surface.
The rock realized... it was an ugly rock. No music would spring from this barren surface. Even it knew that much.
And then, resigned, it sat back to wait, wallow out eternity like it had back on that mountaintop. It had seen no beauty then, and it saw no beauty now. Except it now knew it, and that made all the difference.
For a long time, it watched the vast field of crushed rock circle thenguidly, and slowly, the surface calmed. No more hellfire. Just silence.
It watched those rocks in its orbit spin and spin, around in endless patterns of gravity...
And it remembered something.
Experimentally, almost on a whim, it reached for that familiar feelingthe tapestry of gravityand began to paint patterns in the sky. Gradually, the field of rocks began to gather together, into three familiar shapes.
Rings.
And they spun and danced, and the rock realized it felt the faintest spark of beauty from the dance. It was almost rhythmic now, as if they were following a song. A song that still yed in its mind.
And as it continued the dance of rock on and on... the song in the rock''s mind changed. Bing something new. A song it had not heard before.
The ] stirred. Perhaps... the rock could create beauty too?
It looked over the mountain it had carved and recognized a clumsy sort of artistry there too. A beginner''s work. But perhaps it held the beginning of beauty in it too?
It had many new skills. Many new paths to explore. And lots of time.
Could it make the stones sing?
Then and there, the rock decided on a new goal for its life. It had be the biggest of rocks and seen what stood at the peak, and found mere strength meaningless. What was the point of being the strongest if you only left destruction in your wake? No, strength for its own sake had no meaning. It had no quest to strive for, so it needed a new goal. No more blindly rushing forward, destroying.
The rock was done with that path. Now it wanted to be beautiful.
It was a ] now. A grand being with equally grand abilities. To truly be the best rock of all
It would have to be the most beautiful ] of all.
And so the rock began creating.
Slowly, so so slowly, over eons and millennia, it experimented and learned. And leveled. New abilities, but most importantly, new skill.
Its first efforts at nt life had been clumsy, misshapen things that resembled melted candlesticks. But eventually... it sculpted trees from gemstones, and their emerald leaves rang in the wind like chimes.
It raised and sculpted mountains for those trees to rest on, and shaped them so the wind would blow through theirbyrinthine peaks just right, thenhit the trees...
And then the trees began to y a song. The three rings remained above it all, dancing to the new melody in patterns that grew ever moreplex, ever more beautiful.
But the music was still missing something. It needed singing.
So the rock, the newly reforged ], thought of people. It had created a world that yed melodies in the windbut to sing with you needed people.
What sorts of people should it create? The rock looked over its [Natural Selection] and [Origin of Species] skills, and remembered that jade beauty. That form it wanted to capture it. Bring it back. That golden dream, capturing even a fringe of its image.
The rock reached deep into itself, dragging out veins of jade, and started sculpting them into people, then imbuing them with life.
Clumps of Jade slowly rose up, small cragged figures, far from the sculpted figures in the ''s] mind. It began guiding them along, shifting things just right, and slowly, the people evolved, and began to sculpt themselves. Into shapes the rock had never even dreamed of.
But all still beautiful, a rocks sort of people. They crafted hair from the finest gemstones, and polished their jade skin so it gleamed in the sun. A united people, for the rock knew not of men and women or their differences.
And the rock did not need to teach them, for the people saw the world around them, and began to sing on their own.
And slowly, so so slowly, the rock watched as a ] filled with life. More and more life. People, animals, nts. Mountains,kes, forests.
Songs, so many songs, and the ] listened to them all, spinning the rings around to each tune.
It felt content.
This beauty did not feel as fresh as that first me of beauty had, because what could surpass the me of first love? But the rock was pleased with what it had created. A world of jade, gem and stone that sang. There were conflicts and war, but the rock cared not, for the warriors sang as they charged to battle and bloodshed. It was a fine world. Fit for the greatest rock of all.
However.
One thing still bothered it.
The quest. The damned quest.
It was still there, waiting, unfulfilled. And the rock wanted it solved. It wanted to know! It needed to know!
The years had not made it easier. At first, it had tried to ignore it, but the more content it became with beauty, the more restless the rock grew. Once the hook was in, could it ever truly be fished out?
What was the reward for the quest?
What would happen when the numbers reached the end?
Could it really just ignore it, and leave it unanswered? Of course not!
But the rock was big now, and significant. A ] full of life. It could not evade the gaze of the system anymore. It was being watched too closely for thatit would not be able to sneak the quest through any simple measures.
The rock hatched a n. For it was a cunning rock, and had fooled the system many a time before. You just had to know where to look, how to distract, and then a small piece could be snuck away and snipped
And so, the rock enacted its n.
Epilogue 1 – ?
Epilogue 1 ¨C ?
First, we go back, to the day when the world ended. That day was a busy day at the Isekai office.
It would only get busier.
Sra, the minor goddess of heroes, had been at her shift for barely two hours, and she already craved a second cup of divine ambrosia, also known as coffee. She stared at the bright-eyed youth sitting in front of her desk and felt her pulse quickening.
Excuse me, can you repeat yourself? She asked, staring calmly at the boy.
Wellits just Cant you provide me with some super nice cheat skill for my new life? Im supposed to defeat three demon lords ording to this contract of yours, and I think that is a pretty unreasonable ask of me, when I am to have no additional boons to help me along!
Sra sighed deeply, closed her eyes, and counted to ten. Then she opened them and carefully reached into the cab under her desk, taking out a paper slip.
AlrightJeromelet me remind you of your circumstances a bit, she said, ring at the freshly-trucked in 18-year old over the slip. She began reading it.
Jerome Smith, age 18, no notable achievements in life.
Well, I was quite young you know, I didn''t have the time!
Dont interrupt meIm getting there. Sra channeled some divine energy into her re, and the arrogant boy finally shrunk down a bit. She continued reading the paper, voice a cier. Cause of death: Attempted to read all 2000 chapters of the webnovel ''Begone Jade Beauties, This Lord Only Wishes to Defy the Heavens'', in one sitting. Died of malnutrition, dehydration, and exhaustion.
She looked over the paper at the suddenly very-silent youth. What exactly in this gives reason to hand you boons? Those are not given for free you know.
The boy hesitantly raised a finger. WellI can
Suddenly, Sra felt an rm bell hit her senses, as something suddenly felt very wrong. She stood up, and silenced the kid with a gesture. Please wait a minute there, it appears something hase up, and I must resolve an issue.
With no further hesitation, she left the kid there, activated her [Divine Grand Teleportation That Goes A Really Big Distance], targeting it to Dirt in the Munira realm.
A portal opened, and she stepped through the universe.
And arrived in a hellscape.
She looked at the burning and crushedndscape below herwhat had used to be Dirt. Her headache grew.
No no no This cant be happening. I was here only two days ago, and now the whole has been destroyed!
She cast out her senses, searching for even one living being that would be able to give her an exnation, and found none.
Until her senses found their way to the very center of the, where she finally found a response. Something was there. Something powerful, big, and something which seemed to stretch over the whole burning hellscape. It was sitting there, dull and silent, slowly expanding and assimting the shell of a around it.
A new ]? She looked curiously at the ground, wondering what had transpired here.
She cast out her divine sense further down and formed a mental connection with the being.
Hello, excuse me, can you exin what has happened here?
Sra could sense the being listening to her, but it did not respond. The only reply she got back was silence.
Hey, youre in charge here right?
Again, no response. Sra really began wishing she had her cup of coffee right about now.
Look, I know you might be new to this, but things have to be arranged! A [Hero] is scheduled to be sent here you know, and I need at least three demon lords for him to go up against! You cant just leave it like this!
She gestured at the burning and shattered hellscape around her, a world too far gone from even the worst of a [Demon Lord''s] plots.
But she got no response.
She red at the ground, then kicked the moltenva and roiling earth she was standing on with her foot, cursing. Fine then. Ill just leave you here then, Im sure I can arrange a time eleration field of some sort. You better have some demon lords here within a few hundred thousand years!
Sra shook her head at theck of a response, then began rechanneling her teleportation spell, already dreading the meetings and paperwork she would have to go through to exin this.
Just as she was about to be done with the spell, she remembered an irritating detail, and looked down one more time.
Hey, can I at least get your name? I need it for the paperwork. Cant exactly have a ] with no name can we? Ignore me, and I''ll pick it myself. I won''t be kind.
Finally, she sensed some sort of response. Not words exactly, but she could parse the meaning well enough. Her brows furrowed. What do you mean you dont have a name? You have to have something I can call you by!
Again she received a response, and her headache got twice as bad. She finished the teleportation spell, and appeared back inside her office, right at her desk.
At least the annoying boy was gone, probably off to check the other counters. Sra slumped down on her table, trying to think of how she could spin this.
"Um, excuse me miss, they told me toe here and"
Sra lifted her head and saw that a mouse of a girl had wandered over to her desk, and now stood in front, ncing around nervously.
The goddess instantly gathered herself into some vague resemnce of a professional, godly bearing, and nodded at her. "Right, a new arrival then. Name?"
"Rihito."
"Alright, give me just a second and I''ll look over your file" Sra said, opening a cupboard and drawing a freshly [Created] slip of paper from there. She began looking it over. "Hmm, [Novice Bard], alright for your age, cause of death: received how much damage?!"
She shouted out thest bit, looking between the paper and the girl who had frozen stiff. Then she looked at the achievements listed. She instantly straightened her back and fixed her face to her best customer service smile. "Ah, sorry I didn''t know you were one of our Premium Reincarnation Package beneficiaries, apologies for any rudeness."
The girl just looked more nervous, shrinking back. "Reincarnation... So it really is a thing? The others were talking... do I have to do that? Go fight and stuff?"
Sra used a hint of her divine essence to cast [Calming Presence] and the girl''s frightened bearing faded. "Don''t worry, the earthlings tend to get like that. They don''t really understand like people from your world." Sra said, voice calming and reassuring, like a nket by a firece. "With the boons you are eligible for... you will have a lot of choices. You won''t be forced into anything"
The girl gave a nervous smile "Ah, good. I just want to y some more music, really. I think I figured out something just before I... well, you know."
Sra thought for a moment, then gestured to the side. "Why don''t you head right over to our Cozy Isekai counter and look over the options there? I think you''ll find something quite fitting."
The young bard bowed. "Thank you miss, really."
Sra nodded. "Good luck."
Rihito rose up, beginning to leave, then hesitated for a moment. She turned her head back. "By the way, miss Goddess... are you alright? You seem troubled."
Sra activated her [Divine Eyes of Seeing Almost But Not Quite Everything] and looked herself over. Her eyes were those of a dead fish.
The minor goddess slumped down to the table, sighing long.
Well, it''s just some name trouble, for a new." She looked up at the girl, thinking. Bard-types were good at names and sounds, right?
"Girl, do you have any idea how Im supposed to pronounce ?
Epilogue 2 – Sisyphus
Epilogue 2 ¨C Sisyphus
On a certain mountaintop, high above the clouds, a hero and a viin were having a grand battle.
Or about toit hadnt started quite yet. First, one had to have time for monologues and such. Cant really be a proper final battle without those.
And so it was, that Jerome the level 60 [Hero] stared a viin in the eyes, and shivered.
What did you just say? He asked, still reeling from disbelief at what he had just heard.
The viin, a red-skinned demon of orange jade with a red ruby mustacheughed, glintstone eyes glittering at his panic. Do I really need to repeat myself? The demon gestured at himself boisterously. I used the same teabag to make 666 cups of tea, and gained the power of [Infinite Tea], bing the [Infini-tea Demon]!
Jerome blinked his eyes and gripped his sword harder. You cant be serious.
The viin looked at him coldly, all the humor gone out of him in an instant. OhI am deadly serious. He reached into his breast pouch, taking out a small bag that smelled of crystalline herbs. Using my [Infinite Tea Technique], I will drop this bag of tea into the ocean, and convert all of the worlds water into tea!
Jerome remained calm and readied his sword. I wont let that happen, because I am a [Hero]! Taste this! [Overwhelming Sword Attack of a Reasonable Amount of Destruction]!
The demon sneered andunched his own torrent of mana at him. I think not! [Abyss of Infinite Tea]!
Jerome smirked, having fooled another demon with his fake sword. It was a handy trick, because most enemies always expected a [Hero] to fight with a de in hand, but Jerome was different.
Jerome was special.
He wasnt like any of the other [Heroes]. He hade to this world without any special boons or cheat abilities and had been forced to fight his way forward with nothing but grit and his own irond will. And he had seeded, bing the greatest [Hero] in thend.
Because he actually did have a little advantage. Just a dash of cleverness and improvisation in the right skill set, and you could make all the difference in the world.
See, Jerome actually remembered some things from his high school physics and chemistry sses. He sort-of knew that water was made of something like molecules, and had like little bonds in there. Or something like that.
Using that knowledge, he had naturally been able to surpass all of the expert [Gemstone Mages] of this world and created an overpowered water magic technique.
A technique that he now unleashed on the unsuspecting demon.
Fool, you fell for my trap! [Water Beam That is Actually Made of Like Molecules and Stuff]!
A gigantic beam of water roared out of his hands, and struck the demons beam of tea, creating a thunderous sh in the center, where tea fought against water.
Jets and sprays of liquid were sent all over thendscape, carving through the clouds below, and shattering the rocky mountaintop.
To Jeromes dismay, the demon justughed at his beam. Hah, you think this technique can defeat me? The power of the atom is finite, while the power of tea is infinite.
The beam of tea started encroaching forward, slowly but surely winning against Jeromes beam. More sprays were sent all over thendscape, and rocks were sent flying into the air.
Jerome panicked, trying to visualize the atoms and bonds and stuff in the water, because for some reason that made his magic stronger.
Thensuddenly, out of nowherea small rock fell from the sky and hit the demon in the face.
BONK
Jerome blinked.
The demons beam of tea winked out, just for a second.
And Jeromes beam of water struck the viin at his core, vaporizing him at the spot, and sending the small pebble that had given the assist careening off to the side.
Jerome stared at the corpse, the only remnants of the viin being the stylish leather boots he had left behind. Even now, after spending over two years in this world, the sight of death still sent him just a bit off-bnce.
Contract Progressed!
2/3 [Demon Lords] defeated!
Level up!
500 100 / 500 000 xp
Discarding overflow xp
You have reached level 61!
Stats up!
Strength (STR): 261 -> 263
Dexterity (DEX): 261 -> 263
Intelligence (INT): 560 -> 564
HP: 100 -> 104
Seeing the numbers go up instantly calmed his psyche, even if he grimaced a bit at the wasted 100 xp. That one time he had wasted a whole 2000 experience still haunted him and made him shudder at night.
But then he grinned. Thank the goddess, now the world is saved again.
And then he looked over the world, from high up on the mountaintop, truly loving it from the bottom of his heart. It was why he fought so hard to defend it.
Because this world was beautiful.
In the sky, he could make out the three brilliant rings that circled the, dancing their eternal waltz to the song. Because in this world, there was always a song. The gemstone trees sang in the wind, their bell-like leaves creating a soft melody as the gale went through them.
And of course the people. His friends andpanions back at the vige, saved now from the demon threat.
At first, Jerome had felt wary of their strange ways. A beautiful people, like living Jade statues, even if they had their quirks. He had been rather shocked to find out that none of them had anything between their legs. And that they seemed to be permanently stuck in the stone age. But he had adjusted.
Maybe with this demon defeat, he would even find the bravery to finally ask one of those jade beauties out on a date...
So Jerome began walking down the mountain, humming along with the song of trees, satisfied that he had done a good job today.
Overlooking the true hero.
s, see how easily the [Hero] forgets! Forgets the true key to his victory and takes all the glory as his own!
For the small were often easily forgotten. Especially those who provide ast-minute assist in the final battle! Especially those as small as a pebble.
But even if the [Hero] did, the world did not forget.
The world did not watch the champion from another walk down the mountain, but rather followed the real hero, the humble stone, which was rolling down the mountainside, making good speed by now.
It was a nice stone. A gneiss stone in fact. elerating. A level 1 [Rolling Stone].
A brand-new hero, setting out on a grand quest.
Yes, the old ] had retired from adventure and stored their old tools in the basement.
But was there not a twinkle in their eye, as the veteran stowed their sword in a chest, letting the hilt peek outside just a bit?
It knew the youngster upstairs would eventually find it, grasp at the offered chance, and set out for adventure. Because the old one no longer could do it just by itself.
Perhaps the young hero thought it was master of its own fate, but who had really given that first push forward?
Because the old one really wanted to see it. What that young hero would do, and most importantly, what would happen at the end of the quest, which it had sessfully transferred forward. Fulfilling all the requirements for transferring it had been difficult, but it had finally managed to replicate the conditions closely enough. And now it waited. What would the reward be? What would happen once the numbers finally reached their promised goal?
It might even asionally ce itself on the scales, helping the young hero along if it ever got stuck. Not too much of course, for no one could truly control a heros fate, and it did not want to rouse the system''s ire further.
But it watched. Because watching those numbers go up, watching the rock grow bigger and more powerful, watching it grasp for that final goal as it struggled it was just so satisfying. Addicting. It had trod the path too long, it could not stop now. It had to pursuethat reward that was always staying beyond the next cliff, just out of reach.
It almost made the old one wish that the search would never end, that the adventure could continue forever. An eternity grasping for the finish line, but never quite getting there.
But that would be dragging things out, and every story has its end. Even if the tale also begins anew.
Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust.
Rock to
Pebble.
Quest:
Current Altitude: 9 662m
[Unnamed]
Title(s): Enemy of Demons
HP: 1/1
Mana: 0/0
Level: 1
Experience: 0/20
ss: Rolling Stone
Sub-ss: None
Race: Gneiss Stone
Gold: 0
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