Tauros Constellation, The Emperor’s Ascent - 2:39 PM

  I climbed up the stairs of the mountain, stretching as I once again took in how magnificent it really was. In other circumstances that didn’t put people’s lives on the line, this would have been a great place to build a home. As it was, the mountain of the Emperor’s Ascent reeked of spoiled beauty.

  At least the spiced lamb leg I was finishing off was absolutely delicious. I had more than enough time to stop by Mama Callie’s after the woman had opened it up and ordered food for the raid on the boss room. Free of charge as it was our first time, too.

  When I finished it, a text box popped up and gave me a few options to choose from. The Monster Gourmand’s food would provide a static buff as well as a selected one. I went down the list and picked the last option.

  <<<>>>

  [[Notice]]

  You are now under the effects of Mama Callie’s Supportive Leg of Lamb.

  Your maximum hit points have increased by 25% for 5 hours.

  You have selected Willpower. Your Willpower stat has been increased by 10% for 1 hour.

  <<<>>>

  “Damn if these things aren’t delicious,” Jamie said as she finished her own meal. She looked ahead and touched the air in front of her. “And these buffs are glorious. I can see why you wanted that girl in the kitchen.”

  “They sure are game changers, aren’t they?” I replied with a smile.

  “They are, but are you sure you want to come?” Kayla asked. She had finished the meal already on the way up the stairs to the next room. “Your soul’s still sheared, right?”

  I waved her off. “Yeah, but I’m fine. Just going to stick with the same old song and dance as last time. Although, I may wander off depending on where the fight is.”

  “Oh? You may?” the Double Agent challenged, arching an eyebrow at me.

  “Don’t worry about me,” I said with a smile before tilting my head towards Jeff. “Be more worried about this guy over here.”

  The man had a silly grin on his face as he ate and stared at the space in front of him. He noticed us looking and glanced between me and Kayla before shrugging. “What can I say? Coyote’s a riot. He’s a really funny guy.”

  “I agree. But you better finish up, we’re going in as soon as I’m done upgrading my stuff,” I told him. He snapped me a small salute and started eating faster. Mercury did the same, though he grumbled about the taste of lamb between mouthfuls.

  Sara had reminded me before that I had an item to upgrade, but I hadn’t done it then. I had decided that it was time to do so. It really should have been done before entering the Devil Ram’s lair, although there was no way I was admitting that out loud. Snapping open my menu, I went to my equipment and upgraded the first of two.

  <<<>>>

  [[Equipped]]

  Breeches of the Warmongering Mystic +3

  (Set Item 3/6; Growth Item, kill 18 bosses to upgrade; +180 Mental Points, +25 Wisdom, +25 Willpower, Weight Increase ability augment acquired, Distance Increase ability augment acquired)

  [[Ability Augment]]

  Protection Increase

  When using Shield or Force Field, increase the amount of damage they can take by 25%.

  [[Ability Augment]]

  Recharge Increase

  When using Shield or Force Field, increase the recharge rate by 25%.

  <<<>>>

  I felt a rush go through my head as my Willpower went over 200 with the food buff in my system. It disappeared quickly, giving me a clarity that was hard to come by naturally without such high stats. Releasing a breath, I upgraded the second item that was capable of it.

  <<<>>>

  [[Equipped]]

  Cowl of the Warmongering Mystic +1

  (Set Item 3/6; Growth Item, kill 5 bosses to upgrade; +80 Mental Points, +15 Wisdom, +15 Willpower, Extra Focus ability augment acquired, Strengthened Mental Link ability augment acquired)

  [[Ability Augment]]

  Extra Focus

  Treat Split as one level higher, allowing you more focus.

  [[Ability Augment]]

  Strengthened Mental Link

  When using Mental Link, you may connect with two additional allies. In addition, treat your Willpower as 30% higher when determining the distance this ability can be sustained.

  <<<>>>

  The Cowl was already halfway there when it came to boss kills required to upgrade. I had been sitting on it for a while, but the next upgrade was going to be the big one where Extra Focus upgraded to treat Split as two levels higher. Being able to use telekinesis on more things was always going to bring me joy.

  Closing the menu, I clapped my hands. “Alright. I’m fully upgraded, making this the hardest I’ve been to kill for a while now. Seeing as I don’t plan on getting into any frontline fighting—”

  “That means he’s going to get into some frontline fighting,” Mercury interrupted.

  I gave him a look before rolling my eyes. “Seeing as I’m going to stay behind Jamie and Jeff—”

  “Unless you wander off,” Kayla interrupted.

  This time, I gave her a look. “Seeing as I’m staying away from the fight, that should put my babysitter, Kayla, at ease.”

  The Double Agent snorted. “Maybe I wouldn't have to be a babysitter if you actually learned to listen. Then I'd just be a worried friend with no responsibilities for your safety.”

  "You're not responsible for my safety though."

  "Yeah, sure," Kayla replied, rolling her eyes. "Don't forget that Sara was my Patron for a little while there. If something happens to you, something more than what's already happened, I certainly won't hear the end of it."

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  I patted her on the shoulder with a smile as I passed by, heading to the door. “Yeah, that would be my bad. Thanks for looking out for me,” I replied, to which she nodded. “Everyone ready?”

  The four of them nodded and I threw open the door. We were met with a flash of light before we were hit by an arid desert heat. The world around us was full of brown rocks, sand, and cacti spread out here and there. A different mountain, covered in dry shrubs, towered over us.

  <<<>>>

  [[Emperor’s Ascent: Tauros Boss Room]]

  Sol Ligatus Players: 5

  Belief can be a powerful thing. Once worshiped, the inanimate comes to life demanding sacrifices, and now its blasphemous existence needs to be ended.

  Objective: Defeat the boss of the Tauros Constellation.

  Reward: 2,000 points, Tauros Emblem, Team MVP (First Clear Only).

  <<<>>>

  “Worshiped and blasphemy?” Kayla asked aloud. “Is this the story of the Ten Commandments? With the Golden Calf?”

  I sensed the creature around the corner and pointed towards my second in command. “Got it in one,” I said as a bull moved into view.

  The animal was made of solid gold, its hooves stomping loudly on the stone ground. It turned to face us and blinked, its eyes the same color as its flesh, but I don’t think that was the first thing my comrades noticed. No, that was likely the blood of its worshipers dripping from its horns and staining its hard shell.

  <<<>>>

  [[Patron Quest: Destroy This Blasphemous Creature!]]

  Okay. I’m fine. It’s going to be destroyed. I’m only a little bit completely enraged by the sight before me.

  Tauros had warned me that this might not be taken well by you, as someone with Angelic heritage, but I didn’t realize this was what he would be talking about. Why did you never tell me about this, Ant?

  … I think I realized why, but that doesn’t make it any better!

  Kill it with extreme prejudice.

  Objective: Destroy the Golden Bull.

  Reward: 30,000 points, Holy Rotary Saw.

  <<<>>>

  I sucked in a breath as I saw Sara’s reaction to the Golden Bull, and offered the sky a small smile. We had talked about the Emperor’s Ascent at length during the few times I had come here, but I had always neglected to mention this. Her anger really was the only reason why I had never talked to her about it before. Now it looked like that might come back to bite me.

  But that was for Future Ant to deal with. I raised my hand towards the Golden Bull. “Attack!”

  Jamie and Jeff ran ahead, hammer and rapier in hand as they moved to flank the enemy. It watched them warily, snorting and scratching the ground. Before it could charge, Mercury appeared behind it and took the first attack. The Princess, still dormant, sent sparks flying as the attack connected, but I could tell that very little damage had been done.

  The two frontline fighters converged with Jeff attempting to stab it in the eye and Jamie slamming into the beast’s side with her hammer. Both connected, but neither did much good. Despite gold being a rather soft metal, it proved very resilient here.

  "So, is now a good time for me to go to the top of the mountain, or?" I let my question trail off as I looked at Kayla.

  “Fine,” Kayla huffed as she planted her feet in the ground and gave up her hit points a safe distance away. Jamie and Jeff both glowed and started moving faster. “Go up the mountain. There’s something up there, isn’t there?”

  With a grin, I gave her a thumbs up. “It’s so nice having you around, Kayla,” I said honestly before activating my newest fully upgraded Warmind ability, Flight.

  <<<>>>

  [[Ability]]

  Flight

  Level 6

  Use the power of your mind to fly, glide, or levitate. You may move in any direction at 60% of your top ground speed.

  <<<>>>

  The compact version of the ability description didn’t give much away, but it did well enough to get the point across. Even if it didn’t add a Mental Point cost, but that was something I only passively complained about these days. While 60% didn’t seem like it would change the way I fought, the actual number was much higher thanks to Winged Messenger+.

  <<<>>>

  [[Skill]]

  Winged Messenger+

  When flying or traveling on the Heelies of the Twice Blessed’s wheels, gain a boost up to four times your speed in accordance with how full your inventory is. You may also use the wheels indefinitely as long as you are on level ground or a downwards slope.

  <<<>>>

  My top speed was already boosted by the skill, and flight was the same. So when I wrapped my body in a cocoon of psychic energy, I took off like a shot towards the top of the mountain. The trail Moses took to ascend was a rickety path that was already starting to shake as the Golden Bull created powerful tremors with each pounding stomp. That was supposed to be the way up and I was thankful I didn’t have to stick with it.

  The mountain loomed and seemed to stretch as I ascended. While it was possible to escape from the Golden Bull, it was programmed to continue slamming into the rock walls and causing earthquakes. In fact, based on the way the entire formation shuddered, it looked like it was defaulting to that due to my climb. Fences fell, paths broke as stone fell, and an avalanche started. Not in the direction of the fight, but it was still a danger worth considering.

  Even though the mountain didn’t seem to want to be climbed this way, I was fast, and I made it to the top in just over five minutes. A deep breath brought very little of the thin air into my lungs. It wasn’t something I’d have to worry about with my high Constitution. I landed on the flat top, taking in the scene in front of me.

  A bush burned in the middle of a rocky outcropping. Its fire was white and beautiful, though it didn’t feel hot as I neared. Instead, it was comfortable, interacting kindly with my Angelic side.

  Behind it, on the rocks, were two stone tablets. They both radiated a powerful holy energy that completely eclipsed the Apple of Life still sitting in my inventory. I started walking around the bush before slowing to a stop. From the corner of my eye, I watched it.

  The last time I had been here, the bush had been burnt and that was it. I took it with me, but there was no way to interact with it further. There was such little left that woodworkers couldn’t use its remains.

  But here it was, burning, and only one thing had changed.

  So I went out on a limb.

  Retrieving the Staff of Raphael from my inventory, I gently prodded the bush.

  “You have been deemed… worthy,” a deep, resounding voice thundered immediately.

  The fire whorled around the bush and I threw a hand over my eyes as the light intensified. It wasn’t enough to simply close them, I had to block them completely. My aura caught everything, however. The flaming aura swirled and slammed into the Staff of Raphael, scorching the wooden weapon before coating it evenly. My gloves were uninjured and it didn't hurt to hold, and the item’s fire slowly disappeared.

  Cautiously, I opened my eyes to see that the blinding light had disappeared completely, replaced by a text box.

  <<<>>>

  [[Notice]]

  Your Staff of Raphael has consumed the energies of the Holy Burning Bush. It has gained one use of the skill Miracle.

  [[Skill]]

  Miracle

  Call upon your sponsor to create a miracle. What you ask must be something that your Patron is capable of doing according to lore and myths.

  <<<>>>

  “Holy shit,” I said, staring at the text box.

  My mind absolutely raced to pick this apart. People had used Miracles before, but they varied wildly in power. It could be as simple as the avatar of a war god breaking down walls to end a siege, or an ocean deity stopping or creating a storm on a whim. I had seen an avatar of Asclepius raise a man back to life despite them having been dead since the first day of the system. Those were always late in the run, too; this was the earliest I had seen it manifest.

  And my Patron was a World Boss inherently connected to the system.

  “Did… I just pick up a one time use of your power?” I asked in a hushed tone.

  <<<>>>

  [[Patron Message]]

  Yes, you did. Anything you know or think me capable of, you can do once. However, miracles have rules. You can push it, but don’t ask for too much. If it’s something I can’t do for whatever reason, then you’re going to be hit with a backlash of equal strength and you’re not going to like it.

  That’s a very dangerous skill you’ve just picked up, Anthony, so treat it with the respect it needs.

  <<<>>>

  “Oh, you don’t have to tell me twice,” I said with a grin. My mind was flooded with ideas, but I only indulged them for a few moments.

  Taking a breath to center myself, I returned the Staff of Raphael to my inventory and grabbed the two tablets from the rocks. They didn’t have any description attributed to them, but I knew what must be done. With them in hand, I started flying back down the mountain.

  My friends were still fighting a stupidly sturdy Golden Bull, after all.