Chapter 380

  Fist Punches Metal

  You ever have one of those moments, when you realize that the world is trying to force you to change your ways?

  Well, I could almost feel the world turning against me, especially once the rules for the first regional match.

  Seeing that message at the end there, it was clear that this was all meant to start migrating us to one of the seven core worlds. That our competition in these matches was just a way to slowly drain away or perspective fighters, until we are no longer worth watching or following.

  It was diabolical, and yet, we all signed up for it, as a chance to save our lives and existence as we knew it. Also, with this format, I would have to fight likely twice as hard to get the points that someone who was willing to kill their opponents would obtain.

  For a moment, I thought we would be screwed in this, but fortunately the organizers messed up.

  “Uh-oh, this isn’t good,” Raygunnr began speaking in Mana Language, only for him to pause as he saw my expression, “wait, why are you smiling?”

  Then Raygunnr paused, and suddenly shifted. “Wait, don’t tell me you are about to turn into a murder hobo? That’s it, isn’t it? My hands will now and forever be bathed in the blood of your enemies?”

  With that Raygunnr began looking at his otherwise clean hands, as if imagining them covered in blood. I just shook my head.

  “No, but have you heard of the COD effect?” I reply back in Mana Language. Fortunately a quick scan of the people around me shows that none of the competitors in the immediate area are actually awakened Teleiotís, meaning their ability to intercept and interpret our conversation is minimal. Still, I decide to be sparse with my replies.

  “The COD effect? That where I need to wear a cup for this competition?” Raygunnr asks.

  I just glower at him, from inside his cockpit.

  “What? Sorry, I’m nervous here, my default is to crack jokes to break the tension,” Raygunnr continues. Hearing his honest confession, I relent a bit, as I realize this is likely just as nerve wracking for him as it is for me.

  “Fine, I’ll let any and all comments slide for today.”

  “Thank you,” Raygunnr adds, with a slight pause. Then finally I can all but feel his curiosity boiling over.

  “But?” I pose.

  “But what is the COD effect exactly?” Raygunnr asked.

  “Oh, yeah. The COD effect: the effect that proves chance is when opportunity meets duplicity,” I reply.

  “That? That is your COD effect?”

  “What?”

  “I don’t know, I was expecting something bigger, something grand, but you really just butchered the comment about luck being where opportunity and something meet, right?” Raygunnr adds, actually criticizing me.

  “What? I mean, yeah, but its still applicable to this situation,” I protest, though yeah it did sound better in my mind.

  “Have you used this much?”

  “No, this is my first time.”

  “Good, how about you and I bury it right here, like we will our competition,” Raygunnr notes then all but gives me a wink and a point of his finger, that has a stimulus effect on my own body. “Eh, eh? See what I did there?”

  I just shake my head.

  With that, we are all directed to the new match drawing area. Where everyone has a straight view of the presenter, even if they cannot see the names on the balls in the hopper.

  Fortunately for me, I can see the balls, and sending out a Telekinetic thread, I gently push the box, causing all of the balls to roll in a focused direction. Not much, just enough to make it look like the coated ping pong balls are settling down again. But it proved that I could get my long Telekinetic tentacle in there without setting off any magic detecting alarms.

  Thrum.

  Just as I thought I had gotten away scot-free, I felt a thrum and pulse of magical energy that actually coated over and around my magical tentacle. This is the magical equivalent of locking the bank robber inside the bank, when you are shutting down shop and ready to head home. Not very practical for the banking company, but very advantageous for the thieves who now have all night to prepare for their operation. Then as if to confirm my thoughts, the powerful entity near the box speaks.

  “We have just set up our ultimate anti-magic sensors in place to prevent any form of tampering. At this time, we would like to invite Dr. Spiritlight from the crowd forward to conduct a live demonstration of the alarm.” A system moderator claimed. Just looking at him, it was clear that he had been granted one of those max level player accounts. The type that was meant to be able to destroy any player with a single attack.

  I could tell he wasn’t real, as his whole frame seemed to melt and ooze with raw and stolen power. Imagine a plastic figurine stuck inside a melting wax candle, and that is the closest I could get to his appearance. I could see him, the real living, breathing system moderator who was only artificially here. Just seeing him set my teeth on edge, as he was an abomination to this world.

  Still, I couldn’t refuse, especially not after I was given a Quest.

  “Excuse me, coming through,” I call out, as we make our way through the few dozen mechanical war bots. I even see a few that look oddly reminiscent of the goblin cutters that I found when I first got to the Maltese Dungeon. Seeing that same idea fleshed out and given more upgrades, well it goes to show just how much this world has changed, and yet also stayed the same.

  Seeing that goblin inspired mechanoid design, I realize this is why I am here, and what I am fighting for.

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  “Now, as you can see there is one ball for every competitor here. Only once you are defeated, will your balls be removed automatically from the hopper. Since there is one ball per possible opponent, know that you can be called multiple times, even in a row. This is not the system out to get you, but rather fate playing its cruel game with you.” The System Administrator all but cackled with delight. I could tell, as the real user was completely visible to me, smiling maliciously from under his waxy System Administrator avatar that looked like it had no purpose being here.

  Seeing that System Administrator, and realizing he was likely the nicest of the problems we would have to face going forward, I realize that Terra-Ulacrum was right, all along. And suddenly I missed that selfless Simulacrum more than ever.

  “Focus,” Raygunnr chided me back to the present, as he could feel my thoughts drifting thanks to our shared connection that we had developed over the past month.

  “So what should I do?” I ask, trying to appear clueless.

  “Simple, I want you to try any tricks you can magically to move or otherwise manipulate these balls,” the System Administrator stated.

  Now almost immediately, I could see what the alerts were. They were designed to test for an increase of energy fluctuations of any kind. This would theoretically catch uses of Qi, Ephemeral, and maybe Karma. No, not Karma. But the others definitely. I could possibly break through with a combination, wrapping Mana around Qi. Then using Qi to even out the fluctuation of energy while I slip a thread of Mana in, but that was not the task provided. I just had to use Mana, as per the task.

  Thus, I just created a sliver of Mana and slowly let it coat the far side of the box, working on the property of the alerting runes only testing variances. But with this approach, I basically super saturated the alerting area slowly. Like causing a slight drizzle, before an intense rainstorm hits. The idea is that you are soaking wet before you realize that you were even caught in a storm. With this method I manage to get in and wiggle my second thread of a tentacle inside the box.

  Flicker.

  One of the balls moves, which then causes a second and third ball to move. Seeing the movement, the System Administrator suddenly looks surprised as he leans forward trying to understand what I did, as he is no doubt trying to see a readout of the whole case. Realizing I might draw more attention to myself, I decide to purposefully fail the rest of the test.

  WONK-WONK-WONK!

  An alarm blares letting everyone know that I was caught. Seeing the alarm go off, the System Administrator visibly relaxes before letting out a long sigh of relief, knowing that their precious box is safe.

  Still, I did manage to get the system reward.

  The experience wasn’t much to write home about, but then again it was free experience for basically someone waving a $20 bill in my face and saying it was mine if I could grab it. Generally, the way I would win such contests was by kicking the taller person taunting me with money in the shins, waiting until they collapsed and then grabbing the bill. Come to think of it, my methods haven’t changed that much.

  Then the I felt as the system began giving out the rest of the quest completion bonuses.

  For it’s part the Skill seemed useful, particularly if Mana traps and alerts are going to be a big thing. At the very least, it should help me keep my current Telekinetic tentacle hidden for just that much longer.

  The title again just helped me level up the Skill, which was increasing steadily the more I stood here.

  As for the badge, it was nice, but the description was lacking. I was almost ready to call it a day with the quest rewards. Not the best, but not the worst for essentially free money. Or so I thought, until I saw the last reward, the apparent variable that seemed to have struck gold.

  Seeing that last reward, my eyes went wide as I could all but hear the cha-chings going off in my mind, letting me know I had hit the jackpot. Fortunately, before I could drool all over myself with the ramifications of that variable reward. What was quite possibly the best variable reward I had ever earned, the smarmy System Administrator continued.

  “Yes, thank you Dr. Spiritlight, while you did manage to get past our first layer of defenses, you were easily caught by our second layer,” the Administrator began, a false choke to his words as he tried to spin something.

  I had clearly won the contest, my quest reward notification all but proved it, and that whole idea of a second line of defense was a complete joke. There was no second line of defense, but I wasn’t going to let him know that I knew that.

  Instead, I just graciously made my way off the stage, got back to the other mechanoid fighters.

  Scoff.

  “Looks like even the great Dr. Spiritlight won’t be able to cheat her way to victory this time,” A fighter in a mech clearly decorated in Legrand markings shot at me.

  “Yep, what ever will I do, when I have to play fairly,” I reply holding up my hands in a placating gesture. I can get away with this comment, as it is a question and not a statement of fact.

  Hmph.

  The Legrand Officer looks somewhat familiar, but I can’t quite place him.

  “What’s your name?” I ask.

  “Me? Can’t you read?” He snarls, as he points to a nameplate that is clearly marked to the top left of the cockpit.

  Lipowitz.

  Seeing the name, I just nod to myself. My Blind Eidetic Speed Reading Skill already getting put to its full use as I snake my tentacle around two crisp ping pong balls. Then I wait.

  “All right, we are about to begin the live drawing for our first match,” the System Administrator called out.

  Rattle-hum-rattle-clank.

  The balls begin waving around wildly, and I am about to put my plan into effect, when I see that the System Administrator is rigging the game.

  “He’s cheating!” I hiss, not even realizing that I broadcasted my thoughts in Mana Language.

  I watch as the System Administrator pulled a hidden lever that I could only see from my Angel’s Sight, a hidden lever that held two balls that began rolling their way out.

  A fix, they had rigged this first fight to be completely unfair. However, I couldn’t help but laugh at seeing the first name printed.

  Chuckle.

  I was already laughing by the time the System Administrator called out the first name.

  “Our first contestant, Dr. Cassiopeia Spiritlight!” The Administrator’s voice bellowed.

  Then realizing that I didn’t need to hold onto the ball with my name anymore, I let it go, even letting the ball for Lipowitz, rattle around freely. It was clear that the System Administrators wanted to rig this contest somehow, and I would let them.

  To no real surprise, I was elated when I saw my first opponent. It wasn’t Lipowitz, but someone who was close enough in the needing to be punched department.

  “Their opponent, Brijan Lighthammer! Captain of Legrand’s Elite Mechanoid Cavalry Division!” The System Administrator shouted out.

  I noticed that they didn’t give out any titles for me, when they called my name. Clearly biased, but that was okay. I wasn’t here to make friends, I was here to save my planet. Which in a way, I guess this System Administrator was also trying to do, by making the first encounter so extravagant.

  “Hahaha! Now you will lose before you even start!” Lipowitz scoffed.

  “You chose that name right?” I pose, talking to Lipowitz and realizing that it was just his first name. Something told me that this was the moniker he chose for himself. Just as I chose Cassiopeia, he chose to go by Lipowitz. Whether it was a family name, or one that he thought he could back up by having witty comments, I just knew it was a terribly misplaced name for him. That was why, could almost feel the pull of the system letting me give him a last name.

  “Yeah,” Lipowitz confirmed. Hearing his confidence slightly shift, I paused myself, only because I knew there would be a bonus the name I had in mind that might make him tougher to face in the future.

  “Well, keep this up, and your surname will be Dimowitz,” I state defiantly.

  Scoff.

  Out of reflex Lipowitz begins to comment, “you think your threats mean anything to—” was all he got to, before he saw the system message come up.

  Oh, that’s odd, I only had to use half as much golden Karma to make the threat, when I don’t fully enforce it. Basically, I just met him halfway. I use half the Karmic value of the last name in good Karma, then he theoretically meets me the other half of the way with his bad Karma. That is cool.

  Wasteful for Karmic usage, but a good way to deter really annoying people in the future. I could feel a few of my Karmic related Skills like Karma Weaving, and Voodoo Karma Casting increase from such a display of power but it is worth it, for at least knowing some of the ways I can use Voodoo Karma Casting.

  “Good luck,” I say to Lipowitz as I begin following the new path laid out before me. Realizing I might go beyond the logistical range of my Telekinetic tentacle that is still within the lottery box, I decide to do something sort of drastic. I mentally sever the tentacle connection, then seal it shut using a mixture of ephemeral energy, Qi, and Cosmic energy to pressurize the seals, both on myself and on the broken off Telekinetic tentacle. Then dropping it to the ground, I continue on, pretending that nothing had happened.

  Plop.

  The tentacle drops and I move on to the designated fighting arena.

  Once there, I see my opponent. He looks somewhat familiar, but nothing too special.

  Seeing me in Raygunnr, he seems to instantly recognize me though.

  “How’s the hand?” My opponent, Lighthammer by his name marked on his suit, calls out mockingly. With that comment, I finally recognize where I saw him from. He was one of the opponents who I stupidly punched with my bare hands, while registering.

  As I got into position, I could hear people counting down outside. Slowly the rest of the world faded away, as a magical dome came over us and seemed to electrify the walls. Showing that if we tried to escape, we would take damage. This was good, as it meant that the walls could also be used as a weapon.

  “I’ve waited a long time for this—” Lighthammer continues his villainous monologue. Meanwhile I only speak two words.

  “You ready?” I ask in Mana Language.

  “For you to fly around and initiate chaos everywhere? Yeah, I’m ready for a nap. Just wake me up when you want me to walk you somewhere.” Raygunnr said, completely unfazed by anything that was happening around him.

  “Come on, this is serious,” I reply wanting him to get his head in the game.

  “I know, that is why I am putting all my trust in you,” Raygunnr stated, and with that, I could feel his belief, his complete and utter faith that I would win this filling me, and reminding me that faith was a powerful energy that I had not fully mastered.

  “You’re right, I’ve got this,” I reply, feeling stronger and lighter than ever.

  “Good, now go out there, and shut him up, he’s making it so I can’t nap properly,” Raygunnr commands.

  Scoff.

  I don’t know how I got partnered with someone like Raygunnr, but at times like these I’m glad I did.

  “Begin!”

  A voice calls out, as a wave of violent power washes out over the entire arena, setting me free and allowing me freedom of moment, and that’s what I do.

  Clenching my right fist, the same fist that had shattered upon impact last time I met with this person and his team, I feel strengthened that this time things will be different.

  Already, Lighthammer is charging forward, his body almost a blur.

  Poof.

  I Teleport the two of us, fusing Qi, Mana, Cosmic energy, and yes, even Faith into our synchronized bodies as I appear right in front of Lighthammer’s path.

  Our metallic and calcified fist extends as I anchor us into place, while letting his speed and momentum do all the work.

  BOOM!

  Just a heads up, I will be slowing down my chapter rate over the holiday season so I can relax more and spend more time with the family. Something that I hope you all do as well.

  Scheduled* release will be January 15th 2026!