Shenanigans
"Screw off Game Master"
「The Game Master frowns at your swearing.」
"That's for trying to trick me." Eduard nonchalantly replied.
「The Game Master doesn't know what you are talking about.」
Eduard clicked the "Limited World Edit."
The world turned grey around him. White lines escaped Eduard's body. From where he was standing, they each ran a different cardinal position. As they got a few dozen kilometres away, the lines split up into four again. Each time they intersect each other, a grid forms.
As the lines disappeared into the distance, the grid Eduard was standing on, and the eight surround grid's ground lit up.
However, as Eduard focused on the ground, it turned was not light but tiny floating green embers. These embers surrounded the area. Eduard looked around and found there were other medium-size green embers too. Yet, they were sparse unliked the closely packed tiny embers.
The largest green ember that caught his eyes was the one in front of him. Its ember was extremely large yet noticeably dimmed. It was his colossal tree.
Eduard walked closer and clicked it.
The menu immediately popped up, showing him a screen he had never seen before, [Entity Customisation].
Information regarding the colossal tree and its various customisation options flooded Eduard.
Available point: 10,000 [3]
[Name]: ????? Sakura [+]
[Age]: 7000+
[Background]: ????? was born in Japan {Otherworlder}. It somehow ended up in the Outer Rim. Due to prolonged exposure to being of faith and consuming that being's blood {Sanguine Blood}, it awakened Minor Absorption and Minor Cognitive traits [+]
[Species] : ????? Sakura [+]
[Traits]: Everlasting, Survivor, Cold Resistance, Chaotic Resistance, Minor Absorption, Minor Cognitive [+]
[Affinity]: Wood, Faith [+]
[Energy]: pseudo-first-tier tree [+]
[Health]: {Branch: incinerated, chaotic corrosion}, {Bark: incinerated, chaotic corrosion}, {Sapwood: incinerated, chaotic corrosion},… [+]
[Attainment]: **Energy manipulation 4, *Mining 8, Intellectual .5 [+]
[Technique]: [+]
"What the hell! It can absorb my blood to get stronger?" Eduard said out loud in surprise.
Eduard started checking its [Traits] and [Background]. Some are extremely strong.
{Everlasting} allowed it to escape death by taking over one of its seedlings.
{Survivor} reduced incoming damage taken and increased resistance gain.
{Minor Absorption} allowed it to absorb any liquid to strengthen itself.
{Sanguine Blood} increased its energy manipulation and resistance against diseases.
However, {Otherworlder} was unusually vague as it reduced fate's influence on the holder.
Looking at its [Health] worried Eduard. Various affliction plagued it. Eduard clicked [+]
For [Health], removing an affliction cost 500.; to Eduard, that was daylight robbery.
Looking for an alternative solution, he asked, "Hey, how does this point system work?"
「The Game Master says that you can edit up to 3 entities with a maximum point of 10,000 each. Of course, the
Eduard scanned through the list and started clicking everything one by one.
[Name] only allowed him to edit its name. Eduard, notorious for terrible naming sense, didn't even bother to name it.
[Background] allowed Eduard to edit its history. However, changing this required a lot of points. He also doesn't know if changing will erase its history with him. Hence, he left it alone.
[Species] was the most interesting. It allowed Eduard to change the tree species to a different one. Many fascinating races caught his eyes.
{Treant} - Lumbering giant trees with the intelligence of sage - 8,000.
{Forest dragon} - Descendants of the life dragon that settled in the forest for most of their lives - 5,000,000.
{Forest Guardian} - Eternal guardian and ever-watcher of the frost. As long as the forest remains, it is everlasting - 80,000.
{Realm Tree} - Descendant of Yggdrasil the Astral Way, it can connect to adjacent realms - 7,000,000.
These are way too expensive for Eduard's taste. He liked the tree the way it is; changing its species might take away its unique characteristics. Maybe if the dragon option is cheaper, he would consider it.
[Traits] was as fascinating as [Species]. Eduard can use points to either edit an existing trait or add a new one. After scrolling for a while, many [Traits] excited him.
{Faith bearer} - Through the worship of lesser beings, it can use their collective faith to strengthen itself- 1,000.
{History keeper} - By mentally linking itself to a creature, it can exchange memories - 1,000.
{Energy Conduit} - Increase energy sensitivity, manipulation and storage - 5,000.
{realm gate} - By anchoring itself to this realm, it can absorb the energy of nearby realms - 100,000.
{Adaptive} - It can quickly adapt to any situation - 5,000.
Everything was so expensive, Eduard wanted to cry out.
Eduard quickly skimmed through [Affinity] and [Energy], as they could naturally increase.
[Health] was ignored.
Eduard was surprised at the colossal tree's high level of [Attainment]. The stars represented its talent in that field.
'It seemed quite talented in mining and energy manipulation. However, as a tree, it could barely think.' However, he could always increase its talent. Hence, increasing the overall intelligence gain.
Last but not least was [Technique]. However, Eduard didn't expect much from this section, as he doubted the tree was intelligent enough to perform and learn techniques. Some did catch his eyes.
{Yin wood tendril} - Element: death, wood - Users can create tendrils of yin wood to attack and defence. High attainment in this technique can also produce independent yin wood creatures - 500.
{Touch of Nature} - Element: wood, life - Users can absorb energy from the world to heal. Users can also transfer that healing to others. Places with an abundance of life are more effective. High attainment in this technique can create sacred zones that provide AOE healing - 600.
{Fruit of Heritage} - Element: life, death, soul - Users can extract a creature's life force, memories, emotions and souls to condense a Fruit of Heritage. Consuming it will grant a percentage of the stored content. Warning! Unless the user has a high soul and mental power, it is recommended not to devour the fruit. High attainment can use targeted selection when condensing the fruit - 1,000.
Eduard found these are the most appropriate for the tree. However, before he closed the section, Eduard scrolled to the bottom to see how good these techniques were.
{Man of a twisted soul} - Element: Nirvana - A lifetime worth of Primordial -redacted- research and accumulation. Primordial -redacted- left it for those worthy enough to inherit this technique. Of course, this is only a small extract from the actual {Man of a twisted soul}. This technique allows the user to undergo metamorphosis to unionise with foreign materials. High attainment users can unionise with fiercer substances - 2,500?
'Damn! That technique is good! However, Is this not for creating chimaera? But it says unionise, though. So is it a hybrid?' Eduard was confused about the vague description.
He decided to reread it. This time he found something more interesting; The cost of this technique. It was 2,500 with a question mark.
He decided to ask The Game Master.
「The Game Master smiles and hints that the technique is cursed.」
"Why?"
「The Game Master thinks for a moment. The Game Master can't tell you much. However, The Game Master hints that you should read through the description again.」
Eduard decided to follow his advice and read through the description again. Twice. "Is it because it is only a small extract? Hence, incomplete."
「The Game Master says bingo.」
After looking through everything, Eduard had figured out a game plan. Firstly, he must increase the tree's intelligence; to be able to understand techniques. Secondly, upgrade its traits. Thirdly, buy some relevant techniques.
However, the only thing holding him back from going ham; was, of course, the points. 'Everything cost points,' Eduard sighed.
Eduard returned to [Traits]. He hovered over {Cold resistance} and {Chaotic resistance}. {Cold resistance} can be exchanged for 2,500 as it was a high level. {Chaotic resistance} can be exchanged for 5,000. However, he highly doubted the tree could survive without {Chaotic resistance}.
Hence, Eduard could potentially scrounge up an extra 2,500 points. With a potential 12,500 in hand, Eduard must first decide how to increase the tree's intelligence.
Upgrading {Minor Cognitive} to {Extreme Cognitive} required 12,500.
Manually increasing the colossal tree's talent in intelligence required 1,000. Further, boosting its attainment to level 8 only cost 1,800. It totalled 2,800.
However, the cap for boosting talent was two stars; to breakthrough, traits were needed. {Extreme Cognitive} gives 3 stars.
Hence, the best long term plan was manually upgrading its talents and giving it {Extreme Cognitive}. However, that would cost him 13,500. It was way over Eduard's cap.
Eduard stopped to think for a moment. However, something caught this thought. The Game Master was silent. Usually, it would bug him with trade deals. Yet, it was surprisingly quiet now. 'Changing game plan, I see!'
After brainstorming for a while longer, Eduard decided to try a technique to see if he could earn more points. He promptly moved to [Attainment]. Eduard then hovered his hands over two empty attainments, artistic and medicine. In synchronous, Eduard boost both of them at the same time.
His overall points only decreased by 50. Eduard laughed out loud, "Ha! I did it."
The technique was simple. By clicking either extremely fast; clicking multiple places simultaneously, the program will only register it as one click. Another way to ensure that the technique will work is to lag or slow down the machine enough to increase its computation time.
Eduard went ballistic on it until his points hit 0. He then decreased the attainment, reclaiming his points. It now totalled 20,000. However, all good things must come to an end. The game immediately detected Eduard's extra points and responded.
「Resolving error:….」
「Resolving error: Completed」
「Achievement Unlocked」
「Double Tap - Desc: Make sure it's dead, alright - Req: Earned extra points through synchronous clicking」
「Reward: Phantom Slash - Type: Martial Technique - Rank: Third-tier initiate - Location: Cultivation search bench - Desc: It allows the users to hit twice using his phantom. High attainment can hit multiple times.」
The near-instant removal of his trick saddened Eduard. However, he was glad that the game didn't take away his points. With a surplus of 10,000 points, Eduard started counting the cost of everything he wanted.
Excluding {Realm gate}, all the [Trait] cost 12,000.
Including {Man of a twisted soul}, all the [Technique] cost 4,600.
Even if he sells {Cold resistance}, purchasing the best intelligence combo and everything above will still cost him 7,600. Undeterred by this inconvenience, Eduard brainstormed. After a while, an idea came to him. He immediately asked The Game Master, "Hey! if I leave, will my points remain?"
「The Game Master answers yes.」
Still doubting The Game Master, Eduard exited the "Limited World Edit" via his menu and quickly reentered it. Luckily his points were still there.
***
Eduard looked at the scenery around him. Nature had reclaimed most of its lost land whilst his desecrated tree still bore the scar of the onslaught. He walked forward. Energy slowly gathered to his sigil. Soon, purplish-grey light wrapped around Eduard's right hand.
His destination was his favourite spot. As he walked, he saw trances of his explosion amongst the torn bark and roots. Most of it had already disappeared due to the tide of Chaotic energy, yet faint traces of blood remained. Ignoring the dirty environment, Eduard sat down.
With his right hand wrapped in energy, Eduard punctured his chest. Blood immediately scattered the ground.
Eduard was glad the maximum pain settings were 20%. Hence, he could do stupid stuff like this.
As more blood oozed out, healing energy from the barrier redirected towards Eduard. As the barrier energy and his regeneration kicked to overdrive, Eduard created more holes the moment the previous one closed up.
The root that he was sitting on dripped with crimson blood. However, to Eduard, it was not fast enough.
His mouth started to mumble. Archaic symbols floated out once more. They returned to their previous places on Eduard's body, searing themselves onto him again.
However, unlike before, he only summoned a limited number of Archaic symbols. He then moved immediately to the second part. They rapidly released their content. Purple energy surged towards his heart once more.
The heart expanded to the rhythm of the purple energy. With increased heartbeats, blood escaped Eduard's body twice more.
Eduard smiled and focused on controlling the purple energy, ensuring his heart won't explode. If his heart explodes, it will also blow up all the blood inside, hence inefficient.
***
By a desecrated colossal tree sat a daemon surrounded by ponds of blood. Its form was a mirage of crimson ichor. Its madness was so prevalent that soft laughter and grunts could often be heard. The crazy being sometimes even attacked itself to release more crimson liquor. Like its creator, the crimson ambrosia corroded away any greeneries it touched, blanketing everything in an aura of madness.
The daemon insanity slowly warped the area around it. By the ponds, crimson lilies spout, its purity defied by maddening bloodlust. At the centre, blood lotus floated with a mix of madness and tranquillity.
***
Of course, this was what Eduard looked like to an outsider. However, this was all achieved due to his dedication and commitment. And 20% pain settings.
After noticing the roots had changed colour, Eduard stood up to admire his results.
Red pond of ichor flowed. Despicable crimson vegetation flourished. At the centre of it, blood-red roots strived.
'Did I overdid it?' Eduard thought.
However, that thought quickly left his mind as he returned to what he had been waiting for, "Limited World Edit."
Available point: 20,000 [3]
[Name]: ????? Sakura [+]
[Age]: 7000+
[Background]: ????? was born in Japan {Otherworlder}. It somehow ended up in the Outer Rim. Due to prolonged exposure to being of faith and consuming a large amount that being's blood {Ambrosia Blood}, it awakened Medium Absorption and Minor Cognitive traits [+]
[Species] : ????? Sakura [+]
[Traits]: Everlasting, Survivor, Cold Resistance, Chaotic Resistance, Medium Absorption, Minor Cognitive [+]
[Affinity]: Wood, Faith, Blood [+]
[Energy]: pseudo-first-tier tree [+]
[Health]: {Branch: incinerated, chaotic corrosion}, {Bark: incinerated, chaotic corrosion, blood corrosion}, {Sapwood: incinerated, chaotic corrosion, blood corrosion},… [+]
[Attainment]: **Energy manipulation 4.1, *Mining 8, Intellectual .5 [+]
[Technique]: [+]
'Hahaha! As expected, it worked. It got Greater Absorption,' Eduard laughed as his plan had come to fruition.
{Sanguine Blood} was upgraded to {Ambrosia Blood} doubled its previous effects.
It also gained a bit of blood affinity.
However, not everything went smoothly; parts of the tree had blood corrosion. 'Oops! But it was a price well paid for long term advantage.'
Eduard navigated towards [Traits] and selected {Medium Absorption}. If he devolves that trait back to {Minor Absorption} it will give him 8,000 points.
After going through so much, he finally managed to purchase everything.
[Name]: ????? Sakura [+]
[Age]: 7000+
[Background]: ????? was born in Japan {Otherworlder}. It somehow ended up in the Outer Rim. Due to prolonged exposure to being of faith and consuming a large amount that being's blood {Ambrosia Blood}, it awakened Medium Absorption and Minor Cognitive traits [+]
[Species] : ????? Sakura [+]
[Traits]: Everlasting, Survivor, Cold Resistance, Chaotic Resistance, Minor Absorption, Extreme Cognitive, Faith Bearer, History Keeper, Energy Conduit, Adaptive [+]
[Affinity]: Wood, Faith, Blood [+]
[Energy]: pseudo-first-tier tree [+]
[Health]: {Branch: incinerated, chaotic corrosion}, {Bark: incinerated, chaotic corrosion, blood corrosion}, {Sapwood: incinerated, chaotic corrosion, blood corrosion},… [+]
[Attainment]: **Energy manipulation 4.1, *Mining 7, *****Intellectual 3 [+]
[Technique]: Yin wood tendril, Touch of Nature, Fruit of Heritage, Man of a twisted soul [+]
He even got some extra points. Hence, he boosted the tree's intellectual attainment.
Eduard hit confirm.