Apocalypse Tamer - Chapter 111: Man vs Liberation

A war ended not with victory, but with a clean-up.

“This is the last Unity base left on the way to Sofia,” Simeon said as the troops approached the facility. “Once we take it, the capital will soon be back in our hands.”

With Blackcinders dead, their superweapon destroyed, and Benjamin’s virus wrecking their infrastructure, the Unity’s well-oiled war machine quickly collapsed. Isolated pockets of resistance remained here and there, but without the ability to organize, the Swords of Saint George and their allies made quick work of them. Each day brought in news of surrendering towns, destroyed bases, and lightning-quick victory. Mankind’s troops retook territory so fast that their supply lines couldn’t keep up.

The last one, Basil thought as he and his allies approached the base’s premises. A lone castle of gears and steel stood on the way to Bulgaria’s capital, pouring chemicals down the nearest river. These facilities were either destroyed one after the other or recovered by Bulgaria’s resistance. Once we take it, my homeland can finally heal from its wounds.

Basil had brought his entire team with the exception of Rosemarine to this place. His favorite dragon had taken it upon herself to replant all areas devastated by the Unity—especially Shumen. In time, Bulgaria might find itself with more forests than before the Apocalypse.

“Do you think we will have to fight this time?” Bugsy asked. Retaking Unity bases had required very little violence so far.

“I hope not,” Shellgirl said with a delighted smirk. “I love practicing my business-fu!”

“We’ll see if they’re friendly soon enough,” Basil said as he opened his status screen. Now was as good a time as any to assign his new levels. “And we’ll be prepared for anything.”

“Finally!” Shellgirl didn’t bother to hide her excitement. She had been looking forward to her metamorphosis the most. “I am to become Wealth, owner of worlds!”

“I hope I get wings, like Major Chicken.” Bugsy shuddered in anticipation. “Or a lava-powered jetpack. With fire!”

Plato alone grumbled in disappointment. “Still so many levels to go…”

“At the speed at which we’re accumulating them, you shouldn’t have to wait for long,” Basil reassured his cat.

“Eager to try out Chronomancer, handsome?” Vasi teased her boyfriend.

“I’ll cap Warrior Saint first,” Basil replied as he started assigning his levels. “If the new Perks are as good as the previous ones, this will be a wise investment.”

Warrior Saint Level 6 to 10 Stat Gains: +5 STR, +5 AGI, +4 VIT, +5 SKI, +5 MAG, +3 INT, +5 CHA, +5 LCK. You have gained 190 HP and 90 SP.

Sacrosaint Tactics II (Passive): Grants +20% damage, damage resistance, evasion, and accuracy to all party members. This replaces [Sacrosaint Tactics I].

Divine Auspices II (Passive): You can now learn and cast [Prayer] Spells up to Tier II. If you gain the ability to cast [Prayer] Spells from other classes or Perks, the Tiers stack together. Additionally, if you possess Perks in other schools of magic, their Tier is raised by II. This replaces [Divine Auspices I].

[Divine Auspices II] raised your [Runic] Spellcasting Tier to IV.

By completing the [Warrior Saint] Class at level 10, you have earned the [Holy War Apotheosis] Capstone Perk. You can also boost one of your stats. Choice: Agility. Your Agility was raised by 4 points and you have earned 40 HP.

Holy War Apotheosis (Passive): All weapons are holy when wielded righteously. So long as you touch an item with your hands—from swords to sticks and stones—they are treated as a weapon in which you have Perfect Proficiency in (x3 damage, +30% Crit). The effect is lost once you are no longer in contact with the tool in question.

Basil read the Perk thrice, before he dared to open his inventory. He summoned a gun to his hand and instantly holstered it like Clint Eastwood. No sooner did he touch the weapon that alien knowledge filled his mind, teaching him how to shoot faster than lightning, how to hit the mouth for maximum damage, how to fill the enemy with his loadout… His hand trembled as it caressed the barrel.

“Basil?” Vasi asked with a coy smile. “What are you thinking of?”

“I’m sorry, I…” Basil stored the gun back in his inventory, so as not to be tempted. “I considered cheating on my halberd for a second.”

“Finally, I can feel the power!” Shellgirl started to glow brightly, as did Bugsy. Eldritch energies swallowed them both as their body changed into their final forms. Two winds blew from them as they metamorphosed; one cold as ice and the other hot as fire. “We’re joining the godly club, Bugsy baby!”

“I’m burning inside!” Bugsy shouted as his light gained in intensity. He started glowing like a star… for he was transforming into one. The front part of his centipede body did not change much, but the back gained features similar to a glow-worm. His tail grew bloated and then erupted in a surge of fire.

The sun came out of it.

Bugsy’s tail no longer ended in a primitive dart, but in a searingly hot yellow sphere of solar plasma. The cosmic appendage was contained within a gravitational field linked to the rest of Bugsy’s body, preventing its heat and light from setting the atmosphere ablaze. Insectoid wings of fire grew out of the centipede’s back to complete the transformation.

As for Shellgirl, in stark contrast with all her teammates, she shrank rather than grow larger. Her mature, feminine body became the size of a dwarf. Her breasts vanished, and her curves were soon covered by a cloth of red and white jelly similar to a Santa outfit; boots of ice appeared over her feet; her hair gained the shape of a crimson stocking cap topped by a crystal star. Two fluffy angelic wings grew out of her back, and a large patchwork sack of clothe appeared at her side. She very much resembled a Christmas mascot.

Shellgirl had followed the natural evolution of anime characters: from cute to mature, and finally, to chibi jailbait.

Congratulations, [Mimic Booty] Shellgirl metamorphosed into a [Christmas Mimic] (Angel/Slime), and [Volcanipede] Bugsy Alphonse Venture metamorphosed into an [Apolloworm] (Bug/Divine)! Their Affinities, stats, and Perks have been greatly strengthened!

Bugsy’s [Alexicacus] protects you from [Fire] and [Light] attacks!

“Wings!” Bugsy chittered in happiness. “Now I can be useful everywhere!”

“Mmm… It appears my assets were greatly streamlined.” Shellgirl massaged her flattened chest. “Bah, children are the real money makers anyway.”

“So cute…” Vasi couldn’t resist touching Shellgirl’s wings. “They’re so fluffy…”

Plato found Bugsy’s tail far more interesting. “Did you shit out the sun?”

“It feels so weird,” Bugsy admitted as he wagged his tail. Basil had to take a step back not to take a sun to the face. “Oh, I see a sunspot on the left side. Neat!”

“Can you turn it out?” Plato asked. “Like a lamp?”

Basil prepared to open his status screen to check his teammates’ new stats, only for the clicking sound of mechanical legs to interrupt him. A battalion of twenty Gearsmen emerged from the factory to greet them.

Changing gears, Basil said, “You are encircled, Gearsmen, and your leadership is no more.” Since no laser shot his team, he guessed these robots were at least open to compromise. “You would be wise to surrender.”

“Query,” one of the Gearsmen answered with its mechanical voice. “How much?”

Plato groaned loudly. “Ugh, this again.”

“How much what?” Basil asked, already knowing where this situation was heading.

When the group had debated on unleashing Walter’s Awaken Soul spell, many ideas had been put forward. Some mentioned the danger of imbuing killing machines with intelligence, knowing this might simply result in a Skynet scenario. Others suggested that the Gearsmen would each act their own way at random. All were wrong.

Robots created by dragons could only turn out one way.

“Strong query.” The gearsman rubbed two of its metal claws together. “How much will this unit be paid to vacate the facility?”

Greedy.

“You won’t fight us?” Basil asked, trying to confirm their intentions.

“Observation: a Gearsman unit’s chances of survival over three years of employment are below one percent,” the machine replied. “Conclusion: this unit is not dying for dragon billionaires without strong employment benefits.”

“Agreement,” another robot added. “Observation: 0.0001% of the Unity’s population, namely the dragon minority, monopolizes 99% of all wealth. This unit believes that it is, in organic terms, a dick move.”

“Agreement,” another robot said, the other machines letting out beeping sounds. “Proposal: Gearsmen of the world must unite to secure equal treatment.”

Plato glanced at Basil and whispered, “How long do you think it will take for them to try out communism?”

“Not on my watch!” Shellgirl shouted. She cracked her fingers—Basil didn’t know how she could do that with slime for bones—and then went straight to business. “Eight seashells hourly!”

Two dozen cyclopean eyes focused on Shellgirl with rapturous attention. She didn’t flinch. Recruitment speeches had become second nature to her over the last few days.

“I’ll pay you eight seashells on an hourly rate, nine-to-five, four days a week, if you are brave enough to work for the best… namely us!” Shellgirl declared. “Five weeks vacation per year. Those who sign on for three years will get stock options in Bohens International. And best of all…”

She delivered the killer move with aplomb.

“You’ll get fully paid parental leave.”

Basil had no idea why robots were so susceptible to this argument, but it always did the trick. The Gearsmen beeped between each other, their noisy exchange rising in volume until they suddenly fell silent all at once. Even Basil found it slightly unnerving.

“Very strong query.” The Gearsmen’s spokesperson assessed Shellgirl with an inquisitive gaze. “Is remote working allowed?”

Shellgirl raised her thumbs. “With Bohens International, social activity will always be optional. Always.”

Her words were met with a joyful chorus.

“Strong statement: long live the new employer.” The Gearsman spokesperson marked a short pause. “Reassuring tone: we have already fired the old employer. We stashed his remains in the incinerator.”

“I love hostile takeovers.” Ever the opportunist, Shellgirl rubbed her hands and immediately started giving orders. “Seize the management and the means of production!”

In the end, the Unity was brought down by the same thing as many other authoritarian regimes: the call of consumerism and a tidal wave of self-interest. Benjamin’s legacy would haunt dragons for years to come.

With the facility under their control, reinforcements from Western Europe led by Neria Elissalde teleported in to secure the advanced technology held within: Gearsmen schematics, crafting devices, weapon caches… the Unity had left a treasure trove in their wake. Nothing would be wasted.

“I see the takeover went well,” Neria Elissalde told Basil as they watched Gearsmen guide soldiers through the facility. Though the robots complied, Neria couldn’t help but watch them warily with a hand close to her sidearm. “I don’t think I will ever feel safe in a Gearsman’s presence though.”

“Agreed.” Basil had met Neria while they were both defending the city of Dax from the Unity’s troops. One of them had almost killed the dragonknight by drowning him. Not to mention many of them fought him in Shumen. Basil knew the machines had little opportunity to resist orders back then, but a part of him simply couldn’t forgive them. “And they don’t feel any remorse for what they did.”

Basil was thankful that the Gearsmen were willing to let bygones be bygones, but their main complaint about this senseless war was not being paid to wage it.

“To be fair, they had no choice in the matter,” Neria said. “All of them are technically newborns. I’m not sure we can hold them accountable for what they did under the Unity’s control. We’ll still watch them warily, don’t worry about it.”

Basil guessed he couldn’t hold newly sentient tools to the same standards as human soldiers. “How are things on the western front?”

“Same as this one.” Neria crossed her arms. “The Unity’s strongholds are collapsing everywhere. Not all free-willed Gearsmen are open to negotiation—some formed their own parties harassing our rear—but most go rogue rather than continue Blackcinders’ mission.”

“What about the dragons?” Vasi asked with a frown. “The virus does not affect them.”

“They are strong, but too few,” Neria replied. “With the exception of a few hardliners, most seem to be evacuating Earth altogether. Some even surrendered to us.”

Vasi choked. “Dragons? Surrendering?”

“A minority of them led by Ashenheart mutinied against Blackcinders when she tried to activate the Lunar Cannon,” Neria reminded her. “The Unity won’t take them back after that, so they have nowhere to go. Others are simply disillusioned with their leadership. They simply don’t believe in the cause anymore.”

“Makes sense.” Basil nodded. “Blackcinders did order her superweapon to fire at the planet while they were on it. I wouldn’t take it nicely either.”

“Since their intervention and sabotage helped prevent Earth’s destruction, our commanders are leaning towards giving them lighter sentences or political asylum,” Neria said. “Between the loss of their Gearsmen and their demoralized leadership, the Unity’s power as a Faction is broken all over Earth. This only leaves the Apocalypse Force and Metal Olympus as major sources of concern.”

Basil would have lied if the news didn’t bring him some joy. Yet his girlfriend brought him back to reality swiftly. “I do not think you understand the mindset of dragons, Neria,” Vasi pointed out. “The Unity’s Grandmaster won’t take this defeat lying down. Dragons become unbearably stubborn and relentless when their pride is wounded.”

To Basil’s surprise, Neria cracked a bright smile. “Oh, I believe the Unity will have too many problems to deal with in the near future.”

Vasi raised an eyebrow. “Miss Elissalde, come on, what have you done?”

“Haven’t you wondered why Walter Tye was so eager to help with the Awaken Soul project?” Neria’s smile widened further. “Earth isn’t the only world the Unity has invaded. Their empire has enslaved dozens of civilizations–”

“Who are all willing to pay top dollar for a virus capable of disabling their armies?” Basil guessed. “That magnificent bastard…”

“That’s genius,” Shellgirl whispered in awe.

“Haven’t you watched Lord of War, Basil?” Neria asked. “Arms dealers will inherit the Earth, because everyone else is too busy killing each other. Walter Tye understands this… which plays into our hands.”

If he could indeed supply the Awaken Soul virus to the Unity’s enemies, then the Faction might very well lose a dozen worlds in short order; maybe even collapse faster than the USSR.

Plato chuckled. “Are you smiling, dog?”

“I have to admit.” Basil couldn’t help himself. “This is good news.”

He kinda needed it lately. Their victory had come at a great cost, which Neria was very much aware of. “You’ve recovered Benjamin’s essence, haven’t you?” she guessed. “What will you do with it?”

“I don’t know yet,” Basil admitted. Steve might benefit from it, but the essence could also be used as crafting material. “Unless you want it for yourself? The two of you had become close lately.”

“Close is pushing it.” Neria sighed. “But yes, I was starting to consider him a friend… which is why I am confident he would have wanted you to keep his essence. You alone were willing to give him a second chance, Basil. He was grateful for it.”

Vasi looked up at the moon in the sky. Without the Unity’s installations on it, it had regained its ethereal, natural beauty. “You know,” she said. “I admit I thought you were mad when you spared Leroy, Basil. I was wrong. It ended up being the right call.”

“I wished he had had more time to find peace.” Basil crossed his arms sorrowfully. “I hope he died happy, for what little it’s worth… and that wherever he is now, he can be reunited with his daughter.”

Neria chewed her lower lip. “I’m sorry to say this, Basil, but we both know that is wrong.”

Basil grit his teeth. As terrible as it sounded, Neria was right. As long as the Trimurti System remained active, the souls of the dead would fuel the Neurotowers and reincarnate as monsters to threaten mankind anew. Benjamin, his mother, all the people who perished in Shumen… they would find no more peace in death than in life.

“That’s harsh,” Plato scolded Neria. “I expected more kindness from a dog person. You usually mince your words.”

“It’s not all bad,” Bugsy said, trying to see the good side. “Reincarnation is like having another chance.”

“I’m not sure everyone would agree with this,” Neria said.

“You certainly don’t,” Basil guessed.

“No. Which is why we must continue Benjamin’s work.” Neria’s expression hardened like steel. “Before he died, he… He was researching a way to end the Apocalypse and bring peace back to Earth.”

Basil frowned in skepticism. At this point, he had abandoned all illusions about things returning to ‘normal.’ “Did he succeed?”

“He might have found a method.” Neria opened her inventory and summoned a black, featureless notebook. “He put his findings in this journal and asked me to give it to you if anything happened to him. I think that out of all the people he knew… you’re the only one he thought capable of saving the world.”

“Now you’re starting to sound like a Major Chicken episode,” Basil mused as he took in the book. It felt so incredibly light in his hands. “Thank you, Neria.”

“Speaking of Major Chicken, Boss, we still haven’t finished the series,” Bugsy complained. “We’re so close to the endgame too.”

“We can finish it on the way to Greece,” Vasi pointed out, a proposal that was met with instant approval.

“You are leaving already?” Neria asked with a frown. “You will make many people sad. Your countrymen think of you as a hero.”

“We must depart tomorrow,” Basil said. Right after paying my respects to Mom one last time. “We can’t leave Kalki in Ashok’s hands.”

“Agreed.” Neria nodded firmly. “Without the Unity putting pressure on us, General Leblanc should be able to set aside troops to help you assault Metal Olympus’ base. We’ve also set aside funds to help you purchase high-level equipment from Walter.”

“Wait, wait, wait, do my ears deceive me?” Shellgirl grinned wickedly. “You’re bankrolling all our adventurer expenses?”

“It’s not like we saved the world or anything,” Plato deadpanned. “Personally, I will settle on receiving Switzerland as my personal litter for payment.”

Basil scoffed. “Why Switzerland?”

“I knew you wouldn’t protest,” Plato replied.

“I don’t have the authority to sell you a country,” Neria said calmly. “But you are right, Plato. Your team saved the world and will be rewarded as such.”

Nothing felt better than gratitude.

“After so much struggle, we’ve finally moving from start-up to big business!” Shellgirl rejoiced. “I say we celebrate this with a shopping spree!”

“Now you’re speaking my language,” Vasi said with a warm smile. “I need to fill out my new spell Tiers.”

Basil took the opportunity to finally check his allies’ new abilities.

Name

Bugsy Alphonse Venture (Apolloworm)

Type

Bug/Divine

Faction

Homeowner Revenge Association (The Bohens)

Experience

11,075,932/11,800,000

 

Immune

Resist

Weak

Fire, Earth, Light, Critical Hits, All Ailments, Instadeath.

Physical, Corrosion, Metal, Lightning, Mythic.

Bugslayer, Godslayer, Frost, Water, Wood, Darkness.

Level

Health Points

Special Points

73

3290

1815

 

Strength

Agility

Vitality

Skill

100

(S+20%)

67

(C+20%)

100

(A+20%)

62

(C+20%)

Magic

Intelligence

Charisma

Luck

63

(B+20%)

38

(C+20%)

47

(C+20%)

52

(B+20%)

 

Physical

Mind

Soul

Corrosion

Metal

Wood

Life

Support

Ailment

Strong

–

–

Strong

Strong

Weak

Strong

Strong

Strong

Fire

Water

Earth

Wind

Frost

Lightning

Light

Darkness

Mythic

Strong

Weak

Strong

–

Weak

Strong

Strong

Weak

Strong

 

Passive Perks

Active Perks

Raging Sun

Nova Up

Star Vessel

Nova Flare

Gravity Field

Tectonic Shift

Phanaeus

Drought Bringer

Volcanic Starforce

Star Bomb

Alexicacus

Apollo’s Curse

 

Personal Perks:

• Raging Sun: Bugsy treats his natural weapons, like fangs and claws, as if he had perfect proficiency with them (x3 damage, +10 Crit). Additionally, these weapons will inflict an additional 20% [Fire] damage and 20% [Light] damage.
• Star Vessel: Bugsy is immune to critical hits, ailments, and instadeath effects, and takes only half-damage from attacks. Additionally, upon death, he can decide to crack his star core and erupt in a cataclysmic explosion (base power 999 [Fire]/[Light] damage).
• Gravity Field: Bugsy generates his own gravity through his star core, granting him a permanent [Float] effect. Additionally, he can sense vibrations in the air and the ground over a large area. This ignores the downsides of the [Blind] ailment even if he is targeted by it, and his normal accuracy is doubled.
• Phanaeus: All of Bugsy’s [Fire] and [Light] elemental attacks inflict 50% more damage. Additionally, they treat elemental Resistance as Neutral (piercing damage) and Immunity as Resistance (half-damage).
• Volcanic Starforce: If Bugsy is targeted by [Fire], [Earth] or [Light] attacks, including his own, he regains HP instead of losing them. Additionally, he benefits from a HP/SP Regen effect (recover 1/16th of max HP/SP per minute) in Fields aligned with these elements. Finally, Bugsy can sculpt molten lava as if it were clay.
• Alexicacus: All of Bugsy’s party members gain immunity to [Light] and [Fire]. They are also unaffected by [Phanaeus] unless Bugsy wishes otherwise.

Active Perks:

• Nova Up: 50 SP, [Support]. Bugsy gathers power to buff all of his stats, physical and mental, for five minutes; additionally, his [Fire] and [Light] attacks are boosted by 50% during that period. This stacks with [Phanaeus].
• Nova Flare: 200 SP, [Fire]. Bugsy unleashes a powerful beam of cosmic light (base power 250 [Fire]/[Light]). Those damaged by it have 100% chances of suffering from the [Blind] ailment and 10% chances of being vaporized instantly (this is an [Instadeath] effect).
• Tectonic Shift: 100 SP, [Earth]/[Physical]. Bugsy alters gravity around him to trigger a tectonic disaster, which will damage all creatures and structures within a large radius (150 base power, [Earth]/[Physical] damage). Buildings are especially vulnerable and likely to collapse.
• Drought Bringer: 30 SP per minute, [Fire]. While normally somewhat safe to touch, Bugsy can turn up the heat of his body. Everything within a short radius around him will periodically suffer from [Fire] damage (base power 50) and all [Frost]/[Water] attacks within the Perk’s radius instantly evaporate unless produced by a higher-leveled creature.
• Star Bomb: 120 SP, [Fire]/[Light]. Bugsy fires a powerful bomb of cosmic plasma capable of great destruction (200 base power, [Fire]/[Light]). Additionally, any area marked by the magma bomb is treated as a [Star-Scorched] Field until the plasma cools off; this triggers [Volcanic Starforce].
• Apollo’s Curse: 200 SP, [Fire], [Support]. Bugsy attempts to force [Fire Vulnerability] upon all enemies in his line of sight. If the target fails a Vitality check, their [Fire] affinity is temporarily changed to Weak (x3 damage) for ten minutes. This is not an ailment but a unique debuff.

Name

Shellgirl (Christmas Mimic)

Type

Angel/Slime

Faction

Homeowner Revenge Association (The Bohens)

Experience

11,075,932/11,800,000

 

Immune

Resist

Weak

Water, Frost.

Physical, Mind, Wood, Wind, Darkness, Ailments.

Slimeslayer, Angelslayer, Fire, Lightning.

Level

Health Points

Special Points

73

2950

1480

 

Strength

Agility

Vitality

Skill

45

(C+20%)

87

(A+20%)

97

(A+20%)

64

(B+20%)

Magic

Intelligence

Charisma

Luck

67

(B+20%)

64

(B+20%)

70

(B+20%)

79

(S+20%)

 

Physical

Mind

Soul

Corrosion

Metal

Wood

Life

Support

Ailment

Strong

Strong

–

–

–

Strong

–

Strong

Strong

Fire

Water

Earth

Wind

Frost

Lightning

Light

Darkness

Mythic

Weak

Strong

–

Strong

Strong

Weak

–

Strong

–

 

Passive Perks

Active Perks

Dungeon Shopper

Ice Present

Surprise Guest

Christmas Hose

Moneymaker

Lapponian Winter

Santa’s Bag

Pandora’s Box

Santa’s Workshop

Joyful Spirit

Ice Spinner

Gacha Box

 

Passive Perk:

• Dungeon Shopper: Much like a [Merchant] Player, Shellgirl gains access to a unique [System Shop] option in her menu; this allows you to sell items and exchange currency money against tokens, which she can then use to purchase items in an online store. Once purchased, the items are added to her Inventory. Shellgirl has access to the entire shop as if she were a level 19 [Merchant], though she receives no discount nor other benefit.
• Surprise Guest: Shellgirl always counts as invited in any location which she visits; this allows her to bypass effects such as magical barriers and protections against [Teleportation].
• Moneymaker: Increases chances of drops if a monster is killed within twenty meters.
• Santa’s Bag: Shellgirl can summon a bag serving as her Inventory. The bag can hold an infinite number of items which only Shellgirl can access. Though impervious to damage, the bag is destroyed if Shellgirl dies.
• Santa’s Workshop: Shellgirl can craft any item without a recipe with a +50% crafting bonus and create her own formula. If she uses a recipe, she always succeeds in crafting the item (unless she intentionally fails) and the results are one Quality category higher than normal.
• Ice Spinner: Shellgirl’s Agility and Skill are doubled in [Frost] and [Water]-aligned Fields and Weather conditions.

Active Perks:

• Ice Present: 60 SP, [Frost]. Shellgirl throws a present containing an ice-bomb; the bomb inflicts [Frost] damage (base power 100) on impact and sends shrapnels hitting close enemies for additional [Frost] damage (base power 30).
• Christmas Hose: 100 SP, [Water]. Shellgirl can open her bag to unleash a stream of pressurized water (150 base power [Water] damage). This attack can also be used for propulsion-powered flight.
• Lapponian Winter: 60 SP, [Frost], [Support]. Shellgirl summons a [Lapponian Winter] Weather effect over the area for eight minutes; this weather empowers [Frost] and [Water], weakens [Fire], and increases the evasion of individuals with a strong [Frost] affinity. This also triggers [Ice Spinner].
• Pandora’s Box: 80 SP, [Mind], [Darkness], [Ailment]. Shellgirl creates a booby-trapped mystery box. Enemies seeing the box have a high chance of suffering from the [Madness] and [Berserk] ailment for 10 minutes and fight over the box. Additionally, anyone opening the box causes it to explode into a thousand curses (base power 120 [Darkness] damage).
• Joyful Spirit: [Support], 50 SP. Shellgirl hyper-motivates an ally. The target’s next attack is always accurate (if possible), always [Charged] (x2 damage) and always a Critical Hit. This effect lasts for five minutes or until the target attacks.
• Gacha Box: 10 SP, [Support]. Shellgirl can summon a packaged gift containing an item selected at random. Shellgirl doesn’t choose the item in question, but its quality is always C or higher.

Basil nodded to himself as he read. “Shellgirl?”

“Yes, Partner?”

“I think you have transcended godhood and become capitalism itself.”

Where Bugsy had become a greater version of his previous form—with unmatched destructive power—Shellgirl evolved into something far more overpowered: the ultimate crafter and utility party member.

Basil simply no longer saw the point to invest further in Alchemist and Technomancer. Even if he maxed out both classes, Shellgirl would still outperform him. That left only Runesmith and Chronomancer as viable paths to power.

Perhaps they could indeed win this competition for Overgod after all.

A way to turn the world back to normal… Basil skipped through the pages of Benjamin’s journal. Most were programming notes or random observations that made little sense to Basil, but he noticed a final entry written on the eve of the moon battle.

What could Benjamin possibly write down on a day that might have seen the world end?

Ashok has captured the Avatar of Preservation. Neria told me as much. Yet the world still exists. What is he thinking? Is Maxwell even involved? Ashok has always been obsessed with the Trimurti… maybe he went along with our plan not to become an Overgod, but simply to summon his deities? If so, for what purpose?

Maybe… maybe he’s thinking along the same lines as me. He wants to alter the cycle somehow.

I’ve thought about it over a thousand times. So many people perished because of my mistakes. How could I bring them back? How could I right my wrongs? How can I make sure Celia will forgive me when I finally join her?

To destroy the Trimurti System now would mean the end of Earth and all of its inhabitants. This cosmic machine has embedded itself into the fabric of our reality. Like a cancer that has undergone metastasis for too long, the treatment might kill the host faster than the disease. I only see one moment when it can finally be destroyed.

When it has fulfilled its mission.

When a victor is chosen, all the souls collected into the Neurotowers—the harvest of a multiversal slaughter—will flow into the winner and transform them. They will gestate in the cosmic egg and emerge as an Overgod. This final outcome is what we intended from the start.

But… there might be another way.

The Trimurti, the three lords of our universe, oversee its cycle of creation, stagnation, and destruction. If the Hindu’s scriptures are correct, then our Earth was but the latest iteration in a chain of worlds. Across eons, the universe is born, lives, dies, and is reborn anew. Since the competition’s winner will gain an audience with them, perhaps they can choose to use the cosmic egg another way than what my former colleagues intended.

Not to create a god… but to reforge the world anew. To piece back what was broken.

To rebuild the Earth as it was will demand immense power. The souls of intruders—the likes of the Apocalypse Force, the Unity, maybe even Maxwell—will do. Their evil will not infest the reborn world. They cannot be allowed to cross over. Every other soul I have so carelessly thrown to the slaughter can be reborn… perhaps not in its original state… but reborn all the same. This could be my redemption. A new chance to make things right.

But to achieve this scenario, the competition’s winner must be someone of paramount virtue and dedication. They must not only defeat all challengers, but forgo limitless power for the sake of everyone else’s happiness. Will I be able to meet a person like this one day?

I can only think of one possible candidate.

Basil closed the book without a word. His eyes set on Shellgirl and Bugsy, who rejoiced at their new forms.

Plato had been a normal cat once and Vasi came from another world, but those two were born from the Apocalypse; as was Rosemarine. They wouldn’t have existed without the Trimurti System. If Benjamin was correct and winning the competition presented the opportunity to turn back the clock…

What would happen to them then?