[Caltrop Seed Pouch]
[Master Craft] - [Capacity Essence x 3(33%)]
This item has been modified by a Master Craftsman utilising Essence from multiple riftspawn equipment.
This pouch may only contain seeds, once a type of seed has been merged with the pouch it cannot be changed. (This pouch has been merged with the ‘Caltrop Seed’)
- Caltrop seed - This seed has an extremely hard exterior, it is a tiny orb with hooked spikes. When pressure is applied to the seed it secretes a potent adhesive sap.
This pouch is able to store one hundred of the merged seed. By channeling mana into the pouch the seeds will be replenished.
[Enhancements]
- [Infusion] - [Masterwork] : This pouch has been enhanced to allow the users to infuse a singular ability into every seed. The ability remains dormant until the seed is removed from the pouch. (Specified Ability - Growth)
- [Trigger] - [Masterwork]: This item has been enhanced, to allow the user to specify a simple condition to trigger the infused ability. (Specified Trigger - Pressure)
- [Specificity] - [Masterwork] : This item has been restricted. All customisable enhancements are locked in place once specified and may not be changed. This restriction provides a massive[54%] boost to the efficiency of any infused ability.
Processing the pouch's info helped him calm down by occupying his mind. This one was very different; he had been starting to piece together a bit more of what was possible after seeing so many high-end pieces. This seemed very basic, however.
Basic could be good if done right. One of Jack's favourite foods was a plain piece of toast with melted butter; nothing was better than that soft, buttery crunch.
This was a little like that. The pouch itself seemed like very plain toast; it just replicated seeds. While super cool, in a world with magic where Jack could probably grow an entire apple tree in a minute, it was… underwhelming.
The combination of the enhancements and type of seed, however, that was the melted butter. It wasn't a fireball, a floating ice spear, or a giant metal rod. But the thought of spreading a hundred tiny seeds across the ground like some sort of sticky land minefield? That was terrifying. Jack didn't know if they would expand into a giant version of themselves or just suddenly sprout roots and grow into a tree. Either one happening under your foot was probably not a great experience.
He was already starting to wonder about what sort of modifications he could have made to his boots so they could become even more useful. The mist part of the boots seemed to be purely visual at the moment. What if he could change that somehow, utilise it? His mind raced with thoughts of afterimages and poison clouds.
While he didn't hear a tap, he did catch a movement out of the corner of his eye.
He looked back over the table at the last remaining piece of equipment. So far, Jack could see how all of these would be classified as weapons. The pouch had thrown him before he looked at it, but it was definitely a weapon. The armour intrigued him; it seemed very plain, but he was starting to realise that with Magitech, looks could be deceiving.
He leaned in towards the armour and paused before reaching out. He could sense something from it. It wasn't just in his head; it was as if something was brushing against his mana sense, but it didn't match with anything he had sensed before. It was off-putting. Jack kept a straight face; he couldn't look scared of a piece of armour.
He reached out, and as he approached the armour, he swore he saw a ripple on the mesh as his hand got closer. He hesitated for a second but pressed his hand onto it.
[Symbiotic Distribution Suit]
[Master Craft] - [Reinforcement Essence (10%)][Flow Essence x2(26%)]
This item has been modified by a Master Craftsman and was merged with [Flesh Symbiote] it was further enhanced utilising Essence from riftspawn equipment.
This suit appears as a skin-tight, translucent crimson mesh that must be worn directly against the skin. It does not possess a mana requirement to function. Instead, it extends microscopic barbs into the wearer's pores, siphoning blood and vitality to feed the Symbiote that inhabits the suit.
Upon impact, the suit is able to absorb a significant [80%] portion of the incoming kinetic force and redistribute it to the opposing point on the suit. The redistributed force is expelled outwards as a raw physical shockwave.
[Enhancements]
- [Circulation] - [Masterwork] : This suit has been enhanced to allow the absorbed force to be circulated through its mesh for a moderate[10 seconds] period of time before being released.
- [Control] - [Masterwork]: This suit has been enhanced, to allow the user the ability to control the flow of any absorbed kinetic force. This allows the user to specific a location that the force will be expelled from.
- [Symbiotic Efficiency] - [Masterwork] : This item has been enhanced to reduce the drain on symbiote that inhabits the suit by a massive[83%] amount.
Jack snatched his hand back as he felt something move under his palm. Combined with the name of the item and the description, he took a step backwards as he contemplated. The base item description was very different from any other he had read so far. No mana requirement? A symbiote? Jack had no idea. It was something he would have to add to his growing list of unknowns to research.
If he ignored that, he quickly saw how this was considered a weapon; it was a brawler's dream armour. Other than the fact that it sounded like it ate you alive while you used it. Considering Monty could heal himself, he probably just took that to mean the armour did actually have a mana cost: the cost of healing himself.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
It was simple enough that even Jack could get an idea of the fighting style for someone who wore this: dodge or block a blow and then punch back twice as hard. It sounded exactly like how people had referred to Monty currently, so it clicked into place.
All of this together gave Jack a picture of what Monty might have been like before he got his body enhancement. It looked like he favoured close range over distance, someone that liked to get in close and keep their enemies there. Locking down movement with chains or caltrops and trading blows. Someone who was prepared for everything.
That was the exact opposite of what Jack wanted. Jack would be happy if he never had to get into a fight again, but if he had to, he would prefer it be over before he could smell the baddie's breath. In a perfect world, he would like to not even see them.
Jack looked around the room and assumed there was more he hadn't inspected. He got the feeling equipment this customised was probably expensive. Monty having a vessel this big but being poor made more sense now. This was like a walk-in closet filled with shoes; Monty needed something for every situation.
He stole one more glance at the scythe behind Thalen. It had to be important to be on display like that. He really wanted to know. He sighed as he locked eyes with the impatient man and gave him finger guns.
“Okay, all done. That was pretty interesting; I am sure when I have time to actually process what it was I saw, I might be able to take something from it,” Jack said, putting on a smile.
“Perfect. Come then, let me lock up.” He motioned to the door as they both exited the room.
“You have access to the armoury now. Your compartment will be available to you at all times, so make use of it whenever you want. There is a special training facility for Magitech just outside the armoury. Your ship map should show you the way if you have trouble finding it. Right now, however, it is powered down while we prepare for the expedition.” Thalen gave Jack one more look-over before he left.
“Two things before I go. First, I would advise you to keep anything you have seen here to yourself, even if it might not seem important to you. This was shared in trust by Lord Montarg; do not break his trust.” His eyes drifted down to Jack's boots.
“Second, I would suggest in the future that you store your boots in your compartment when you are going about your daily life. As I am sure you can appreciate now, Magitech can often put some people on edge. Your boots are very… visibly enhanced, and well, no one here knows that much about you, Jack. I am sure you wouldn't walk around with something that looked like a deadly weapon in your daily life before you came here, would you? Just a thought,” Thalen said as he straightened his back and smoothed his clothes out.
Jack stared at the man as he walked away. Thalen said nothing else and Jack didn't respond. That was a fair point. It probably could have been delivered a little nicer, and he was a bit annoyed that Monty or Turrel didn't mention that earlier. Still, he had a better appreciation for what these things could do. While it looked cool, maybe leaving strange ominous misty footsteps everywhere he went was giving people a certain impression of him.
He scanned into his compartment and stared at his new equipment. This was his. That was cool. Jack really, really wanted to test out the focus, but that would have to wait; the expedition was starting in less than a day. He would have to wait until then, he guessed. He was torn at the minute as to what he should be doing.
He had no plans and everyone was very busy. Thalen had said he probably shouldn't openly wear Magitech around, so he didn't know if he should take his gear with him now or not. He had limited time and he wanted to be of some use; the coat needed fire gems to function and he still had the converter in his room. He couldn't really contribute in any other meaningful way, so Jack the Battery it was again.
He took the focus and coat with him, though he didn't put any of it on. He got lost so often here that he was worried he wouldn't be able to find the armoury again if he needed to come back to get it. Knowing there was a map was probably something he should have checked on his tablet earlier… people should really start giving him more information. Maybe Monty and Turrel weren't the best teachers out there for the day-to-day stuff.
Guessing his way through the halls, he followed the metal labyrinth in the general direction back to his room, ready to settle in until someone asked him to be somewhere else.
Turrel Karg - 24 Hours Earlier
“No, he can't make an informed decision about this, Montarg. You know that. He doesn't understand how dangerous it is. It is not fair to ask him to make that decision,” Turrel said as he slumped onto the uncomfortable couch.
He was missing his small, secure, and comfortable rooms; his lazy days of research and learning were being replaced by stress and anxiety. He wasn’t sure if Montarg or Jack was the bigger concern at this point.
“Turrel. He is not a child. He may seem aloof, but he is very perceptive. He understands more than you think; he wants to do this as well. Having him on the expedition will mean it will be safer for everyone,” Montarg replied as he paced around the small conference room.
They had been going over the reports that Overseer Brandt had provided them, brainstorming strategies and formations to deal with the dangers that would be presented inside the rift. That was something he had no issue helping with; it was something he actually enjoyed. Convincing Jack to come on the expedition, however, was not something he was happy about.
This was a very dangerous rift. A Tier 3 rift was dangerous in general, but the reports they had so far put this at the pinnacle for that level. Something seemed off about this; the timeframe for the rift break was too soon.
Alone, that wouldn't have worried him much. But mixed with Montarg's report from the Death Rift and his own reports? It looked like a pattern was emerging to him. Things were happening quicker than they should.
“It will not be safer for him. I understand your… need to provide assistance here. I am happy to help plan and strategise with you, but do not forget that I am not here as a member of your crew. I am here for Jack. The Envoy made his wishes very clear and I don’t think joining this expedition is what he had in mind,” Turrel said as he watched Montarg pace.
“Montarg, when was the last time you stopped?” Turrel asked when he had no response back.
Lord Montarg turned and looked at him; he shook his head and smiled as he sat down opposite him. He tried to look casual, but Turrel could see his fist clenching.
“Sorry Turrel, I have so much to do I… get lost in my thoughts. You have my full attention now,” Montarg replied as he looked over.
So much had changed since the last time they had been together. He had traveled with Montarg for a number of years after his tragedy. For all his power and prestige, he was still just a man looking to fill a void in his heart. Others chose women, money, or excess. Montarg chose tragedy and danger and revenge.
“I didn’t mean now, Montarg. I meant this, all of this.” He waved his hands around in a large circle.
“When was the last time you just stopped? When you didn't have another destination or target to save? When was the last time you just appreciated all that you have achieved? All of the good you have done?” Turrel asked.
Montarg stared, his hand stopped clenching. Many emotions flashed across his face, but as he spoke his eyes were sad, even if his gaze was firm.
“I can’t, Turrel. Stopping has never been an option. I will either force change upon this unyielding structure or I will die trying. I won't debate you on ethics or philosophy; we will never see the world the same way. I can’t accept that letting an entire world, an entire culture full of people just perish is acceptable. Not when it doesn't have to be. When you have the power to stop something like that from happening, the suffering and the pain.” Montarg stared down as his hands gripped his knees.
“Speaking as one of the ‘Survivors’ that has risen above… it is not worth it. None of it is, Turrel.” Looking up directly into Turrel's eyes, he continued.
“I am determined. My intention has not and will not change. I will not stop, and I will not let other people suffer when I can help. I will use every tool at my disposal to achieve those goals. The Envoy told you to protect Jack. He told me to help him grow. This is how he grows.”
Montarg held up a hand to interrupt Turrel as he was about to speak.
“I like Jack. He is a good person and I want to help him. I also want to keep him around to find out why the Envoy cares so much. More so now after we knew they were involved with Overseer Brandt personally. That doesn't mean I don't want to keep Jack safe,” Montarg sighed.
“He wants to come; we both know that. I will ask him again, I will stress the danger, but instead of arguing about this and rehashing conversations we have had a hundred times over, we need to find a way to keep him safe on the expedition.” Montarg paused and Turrel sighed as well.
“Fine, I will come with you. But I am only there for Jack. I will not be fighting or exploring or in any other way assisting if it does not directly involve protecting Jack. You come up with a way to explain his involvement to the crew that doesn't endanger him long-term. I suggest an amendment to their contract to enforce it. Tell them I am there to continue his training or something along those lines,” Turrel said, setting conditions while giving Montarg exactly what he had been hoping for from the start.
They spoke for another hour, coming up with plans and combat strategies, then Turrel left to rest before the briefing the next morning. As he lay down in his bed, a worry crept over him and he had a strange premonition of danger. Luckily, he wasn’t superstitious.