Fallen Lightbringers' Return

Chapter 71: Divergent Skill — Nova's End

"Ah new skill, are you serious?" Hassan peeked through his hands. He still did not dare look the Inciter in the eye, but the news was too incredible to show no reaction. "That's nuts," he muttered. Though he was unsure of its worth, he had tried innumerable meansshort of murderto try gain even more skills. He could not prove it, but he was sure his brother had done many unspeakable acts just to gain even one more ability. Still, nothing they tried worked.

Everyone understood the importance of a skill. In fact, one had to be an idiot to pass off such an opportunity. That, Hassan, was sure of. Yet, for the life of him, he could not find any way of gaining new abilities. A skill was scarcer than finding a precut diamond in the desert.

Hearing this news, Hassan's blood boiled, and momentarily, he forgot about the pain.

Lee Dojin wasn't as shocked as the prince, though the reward came as a pleasant surprise to him too. He had not expected things to work out this way. The reward he wanted had yet to come, but that did not mean he could not enjoy the unexpected benefits beforehand.

"Good reaction. I like it. I like it." The Inciter nodded his head in appreciation. "This reward is for beating the sentient shadow. It has to be of this magnitude, judging how you all managed to destroy something far out of your league." He spread his arms. "Rejoice, the great thing about being as weak as ants is how easy it is to level up, and the rewards thus hold potential to become even greater."

Ji-ah looked confused. She faced the two guys next to her. As she hadn't been part of The Mirage for a long, she hadn't quite taken in the effort it took to get a skill. She remembered Lee Dojin saying something about learning one through gaining experience and achievements based on their Affinity, but there was still a lot she did not know.

"Why not, I am in a good mood. This info is a freebie." The red-haired man lifted his finger, he began to explain. "The only way for you to gain skills based on your Affinity is by completing a bunch of hidden achievements unique to every person. For example, a person with the Affinity Poison, who is supposed to use it in a sinister way, could gain spells by creating a new toxin, killing a whole town with poison, or swallowing enough toxic waste to become immune. Nothing esle works. There's not much you can do about that. Such is the law of The Mirage." He smiled. "However, as a guide, I can use a loophole to bless you with something called Divergent Skill."

Ji-ah voiced her doubts. "What does that mean?"

This time, it was Lee Dojin to chime in. "A Divergent Skill is not based on your own Affinity."

"Wait, how do you know that?" Te Inciter suddenly eyed Hassan suspiciously. "It's you, the damn prophet again huh? Minus 10 points for you! Spoilers!" He growled at Hassan, who felt wronged by the misunderstanding. "That half-naked boy is correct though. The normal skills you gain are actually known as an 'Affinity Skill', we just shorten it to the word 'Skill' since it rolls on the tongue." He faced Ji-ah. "A Divergent Skill combines your Affinity with another attribute, creating something entirely new. Isn't that exciting?" He laughed. "For you guys, the Divergence I chose is Shadow."

"Shadow?"

He snapped his fingers. "Let's start with that tall and tan man first, so I can send him away since he annoys me."

Immediately, in front of Hassan, a message appeared, much like all the ones by the system. He jumped back, startled, but realizing what it was, started reading its contents. As he continued, his breath quickened, until it almost appeared he'd hyperventilate.

[Skill: Beneath the Living.

Tier B, Level 1.

Through activation of this skill, the user gains the ability to see the recently deceased (48 hours, or until their souls diminished), and may converse with them as if they still resided within the living world. A decent amount of charisma is required, as the deceased may choose not to answer or react.

*Note: This is a Divergent Skill, created from the Unity of 'Shadow' and 'Sight'. Rules may change accordingly.]

"This is incredible.. ." Hassan remained dazed, re-reading his new skill over and over again. He felt like a little kid in a world full of toys. He inadvertently asked himself, when was the last time he had this wondrous feeling? When he first entered The Mirage? No, at that time, the tension and dread had overwhelmed any curiosity he felt. This sensation, to him, it as if he had met his mother again, filling him with peace.

He glanced at Lee Dojin. Within one night, his life had been changed so mucheven though the person responsible may not have realized. Doors, which had remained shut seemed to have opened, creating new paths for him. If anything, he'd definitely have to pay him back for today, he swore that on his royal name.

"Well, see ya' around." The Inciter yawned. "Hope you are still alive the next time we meet." He swiped his hands.

"What do you me hey, wait! Are you serious? I was having a moment." Hassan slowly felt himself phase away. "Hey, after your rewards, meet up at the front door of this bui" He could not finish his sentence as he was teleported back to where he once came from.

"Moving on, this one I am quite excited for." A broad grin appeared on his face as he eyed Ji-ah. Though Lee Dojin found his face repulsive, he had to agree.

Baek Ji-ah bore the Affinity of Light. The Divergency was Shadow. They both anticipated with bated breaths on what skill she'd get. Only Ji-ah was oblivious to her once-in-a-lifetime chance.

An unusually long message appeared. Ji-ah read it out loud with much interest. The Inciter and Lee Dojin pricked their ears.

[Skill: Heaven and Hell.

Tier S, Level 1.

The user wields two diametrically opposing forces, now bearing a gift no God would allow. Through various forms of manipulation, the user binds shadows with light, changing the laws of the universe as they see fit.

Heaven and Hell, First Path: Nullification.

By drawing upon both shadow and light, the user can temporarily create a void where no Affinities or Magic exists. The duration is dictated by the user's stamina.

*Note: This is a Divergent Skill, created from the Unity of 'Shadow' and 'Light'. Rules may change accordingly.]

"Oh dear! That's the highest rank! Incredible!" The Inciter was the first to react, using words he'd normally never say. "Incredible, incredible! Who'd have imagined it to come from this backwater world of Earth? I knew it was a right choice to descend here."

Lee Dojin was shocked speechless. This was similar to Do Jiwoons Purgatory, which allowed him to use several abilities within one skill. However, the level of Ji-ah's skill was incomparably higher than Do Jiwoons. Still, at the same time, he lamented. With Ji-ah's waning body, it was almost ironic to give her a power so massive she could not wield. If she were to overexert herself, would she end up dying before accomplishing anything?

Ji-ah's brows scrunched together. She too knew, this skill, although strong, was like the Excalibur, unable to leave the stone-sheath. In her current state, near-useless.

Still, if she ever came to control it.. .

"Then, let us continue," The Inciter said with glimmering eyes. With a wave of his hand, he sent Ji-ah away. Now, it was only him and Lee Dojin standing atop the tall tower. The man laughed. "You, you are a curious child." His eyes then turned serious. "Quite honestly, I have never seen your Affinity before. Choice. I wonder, is it something specific to you Earthlings? You three are an intriguing lot, I see. Say, you aren't hiding anything, right?" A fiendish smile escaped him. "Relax, I am joking. I've only been to this universe since around 2 weeks earthtime. I am sure there's still lots to learn."

Lee Dojin felt a tremor within his throat, but he hid it deep within his heart. "Before bestowing a skill to me, I want to ask you something." His face turned cold. "That Usurper that you speak of.. . How did he perish?"

"Curious boy, aren't you? Shall I deduct some points off you?" Bloodthirst started to leak from the red-haired man's body. However, to his astonishment, Lee Dojin appeared unbothered. "Well, it would be too complex for you to grasp. But I shall still answer. In essence, he got too greedy with his food and perished within his own playground. I heard some details, but I am unsure of the grand scale. Frankly, I do not know nor care for who killed him, or what got to him. In fact, I'd love to kill him myself, seeing how he left me with double the work to manage." He paused. "Though I suppose, it also helped expand my territory, which I am thankful for. Quite complex, I say. But I am not in a hurry. If that person was strong enough to kill the Usurper, I am sure I'll bump into then one day. Well, it's nothing you have to worry about."

"Is that so." Lee Dojin sighed. But unbeknownst to the man in front of him, it was filled with relief. If even the Inicter, one of the Twelve Heavenly Signs did not recognize him, he may still have some time to stay low before The Mirage realized he had transmigrated. Excellent.

"Well moving on, I came only here to observe the Light Affinity woman. I do not care the slightest for you. So shall we move it forward?"

Lee Dojin laughed carefreely. "Sure, I'd hate to waste the great Inciters time, huh?"

"Flattery will get you nowhere.. . plus 4 points." He moved his hand. The new Skill appeared in front of Lee Dojins eyes:

[Skill: Nova's End.

Tier B, Level 1.

Upon activation, a black ball swirls around the user. Matter, fate, timeit swallows everything, leaving no trace behind. The user freely controls where the ball flies and feeds. But careful, for the more the ball eats the choices of others, the more it develops its own.

*Note: This is a Divergent Skill, created from the Unity of 'Shadow' and 'Choice'. Rules may change accordingly.]