CH46: Gandr’s Abilities
***
CH46: Gandr's Abilities
I had to wait some time to know the advantages Gandr brought me.
This period of time felt strange because the Interface didn't give a definite amount of time before Gandr would complete digesting the energy it absorbed.
I wondered if Incarnates are beyond the scope of its control, as it was suppose to help managed and quantify my abilities, perhaps it couldn't give a definite timeframe because of this.
In the meantime while I waited, due to Navia's urgings, I decided to extend my time in Pryford by a couple more days.
We spent the time doing things together; strolls, haggling in the market, cooking, gardening and the likes. It was actually a quite fun novel experience for me.
It was during this time that I realised one of the uses of the Charm stats.
It wasn't as obvious as the other stats but I realised thanks to the stat, people got a good first impression of me. It made discussing topics with people easier as they let me dictate the tone of the conversation and did their best to please.
More practically, it made negotiating agreements with merchants easier. I could easily get 10% discounts on trade with little effort and up to 30% off if I pushed for it.
The Stats didn't give me any abilities that I could say... actively control people like a Kitsune, however, I was very satisfied with the passive increased favourability it gave me.
Plus, my Charm combined with Navia's superior Charm, we couple ran amok in the Pryford market.
Let's not forget, I was going to be a professional Herbalist, herbs were going to be critical for my career and Pryford happened to be the biggest hub of the Herbs trade closest to Landrose.
With Navia's help, I was able to acquire quite a bit of goods at a cheaper rate that I'd normally would.
She even helped me negotiate some mid-term deals with larger merchant companies and got me good incentives.
Not only was she my broker in my Assassin career, from the looks of it, she also wanted to be the broker for my Herbalist career.
A truly shrewd woman.
If she had her way, I would be bound to her more tightly than I already am.
Well... it's not like I minded nor was it doing me any harm. So, I pretended not to understand what was going on.
Then again, I doubt she was trying to keep it a secret anyways. It was likely all a part of her improved attack plan for my heart.
-
While I needed her help on the business and negotiating part of our day together, the reverse was the case when it came to cooking as I was the better cook.
Cooking our meals turned into teacher-student sessions where I thought some basic techniques and knowledge I gained over the course of my previous life.
In everything, I believe having a good understanding of the basics is the most important thing. Once a person has the basics down, they can come up with whatever they needed.
Of course, the sessions weren't anything strict like that, it even turned into some skinship moments.
All in all, it was a fruitful couple of days for our relationship.
Even I felt that as well.
-
Finally, sundown of our last day in Pryford, I received the notification I had been waiting for from the Interface.
*
[Notice: Gandr has finished digestion of absorbed energy sacrifice.]
[Notice: Host may now view Gandr's information.]
[Notice: Host is required to choose the template of Gandr's inner world.]
*
The window bearing the three notification popped up in front of me as I was enjoying dinner with Navia. I was so happy I wanted to call up the information in that moment but I barely managed to hold myself back.
We set the meal in a romantic home-dinner setting. It would be unfair to Navia, considering she only ask for this simple thing as compensation for her services these two days, to waver my attention from the dinner and her.
However, even without knowing and being able to see the details of Gandr's ability, I was excited that I would soon do so.
This knowledge improved my mood even more, and the food tasted that much sweeter.
"What happened? You're suddenly smiling wider than usual." Navia, who noticed the sudden change in my mood, asked.
"Hmmm... How do I put this? Let's just say... I realise that I gained someone that might just improve the progress of my life." I squeezed her hand across the table.
"It will." She responded.
Her face bloomed into a pink smiling blush.
At that moment, I realised she misunderstood me. She thought I meant her.
Fortunately, I wasn't dense enough to clear the misunderstanding. I left it be.
Thinking about it, the misunderstanding was also true. Meeting her was an important turning point in my life.
-
Fun fact, while Navia and I were connected and could deduce whether we were lying or telling the truth from the traits we knew of one another, we couldn't tell what we were lying or telling the truth about.
After all, we couldn't read each other's minds.
That's why, although she knew I was sincere in my words, she misread what I was being sincere about.
This was something important to note, because according to one of my Taskforce 47 teammates, it wasn't always a good thing for your female partner to know every single thing about you.
Having your own secrets and personal knowledge was important to a relationship as well.
While I don't know if he's right or wrong, it certainly felt good to know that Navia didn't know every facet of my life.
Male ego, perhaps?
*
A couple of hours later, Navia finally retired to the bedroom.
Same as two nights ago, I gave her the excuse that I had something to do in the study and that she should go ahead and sleep.
Now that I think about it, our physical intimacy on this trip was low, we mostly focus on growing our emotional intimacy.
Perhaps this was why I got away with this excuse tonight, after all, sparks were flying at dinner.
*
I enter the study and locked the door behind me.
I opened the interface and some windows opened before my eyes.
***
(Incarnation)
-Destroyer (Unavailable)
-World Serpent (Available) ➡️ Gandr
-Trusty Steed (Unavailable)
***
First thing I notice was that on the Incarnation section of my status page, World Serpent was now available and the name had changed to Gandr.
I clicked on the name of the Supreme-grade incarnate, and a new window opened before me.
***
[Gandr]
Type: Incarnation-type Blessing.
Tier: Tier II (Fledgling World Serpent)
Remark: A Supreme-grade incarnation specially crafted for Host by Lord Jormungandr after Host passed the Patron Spirit's test to the highest degree. It is capable of self-thought. It was created as a companion for Host by his Patron Spirit.
Forms: Animate/Inanimate.
***
To my shocked, Gandr actually came in two forms; an Animate and Inanimate form.
I guessed the animate form was its Serpent/Snake form. I wondered what the inanimate form was.(1)
For the moment though, I opened the window on the animate form of Gandr.
**
(Animate Form: Silvery-Black Serpent)
**
Passive Abilities:
-Invincibility
-Poison Affinity
-Myriad Space Alveoli
-Energy Absorber/Devourer
---
{Invincibility}
Remark: Gandr is the incarnation of a Superior being and not a being of Arun. It is not bound by the laws of Arun.
Effect: Cannot be permanently killed.
Restriction 1: In the event of death, Gandr will resurrect after 24 hours.
Restriction 2: During Gandr's death penalty, Host loses all of Gandr's abilities and benefits
Restriction 3: Depending on cause of death, other penalties might be imposed, including or replacing death penalty period.
Restriction 4: Depending on cause of death, Host may use Mischief Points to waive every form of death penalty.
---
Gandr had a healthy list of four Passive abilities. Three of them were understandable, however, {Invincibility} came as a shock to me.
My heart gladdened at the thought that Gandr would never truly die.
Let's not forget I used an entire Mana Vein to summon it. If it died and disappeared forever, that's a mana vein with a Vein Core that was about to become a Mana Soul gone forever...
The thought made me shiver.
Sure, there were some restrictions involved but they were things I could accept in the place of losing something valued at a Mana Vein forever.
---
{Poison Affinity}
Remark: Gandr, as the incarnation of Lord Jormungandr, is a being of poisons.
Effect 1: Complete immunity to All poisons.
Effect 2: Gains understanding of poisons ingested.
Effect 3: Can transfer understanding to Host.
--
{Poison Affinity} came as no surprise. I mean, why wouldn't a Supreme-grade incarnate of Lord Jormungandr, the progenitor of poisons, have a poison affinity.
The passive meant I had a nigh-perfect assistant for my Herbology studies.
--
{Myriad Space Alveoli}
Remark: Lord Jormungandr has blessed Gandr with a large spatial-type poison gland, Alveoli.
Effect 1: can store different poisons in individual spaces.
Effect 2: poison of choice can be transferred to fangs for use.
Restriction 1: Gandr is incapable of reproducing specially-concocted poisons by Host. Host would have to refill Gandr's store after it is used up.
Restriction 2: Storage capacity of each individual space is limited. Capacity increases with Tier.
--
{Myriad Space Alveoli} almost made me jump in celebration. I already saw Gandr as an Assassin-type snake. With this ability, I could increase and vary the poisons it could use. I could also use it as a convenient poison carrier at the least.
--
{Energy Absorber/Devourer}
Remark: Gandr requires a good supply of energy for sustenance. As such, it is adapted to sourcing out energy.
Effect 1: Gandr is omnivorous and can consume anything containing energy.
Effect 2: attracted to places with large energy stores.
Effect 3: can and constantly absorbs most free energy from surrounding.
Effect 4: excess absorbed energy will be stored in Private Realm.
--
{Energy Devourer} solved a fear I had.
Gandr fed on an entire Mana Vein when it was hungry after I summoned it. Did that mean I had to constantly find Mana Veins to feed to it?
Thank goodness, it seems the answer is a no.
Then, my eyes fell on Effect 2.
Gandr was attracted to energy stores i.e. Mana Veins!
My eyes turned into UCs. There was a possibility I could find other Veins. If they were unowned and I could take possession of them stealthily... I would be rich!
My body shivered with excitement. This one ability could potentially make up for my cost of acquiring Gandr.
My eyes turned to the Active Abilities, wondering what they would give me.
**
Active Abilities:
-Private Realm
-Bite
-Strangle
---
{Private Realm}
Remark: Gandr carries within its stomach a sealed realm for Host private use.
[Notice: The Sealed realm is a mirror of the worlds Lord Jormungandr has swallowed.]
[Notice: Lord Jormungandr has allowed the Host to choose one from a list of worlds for his Seal Space to mirror.]
[Notice: Each world has its own characteristics and inhabitants which affects the advantages Host may gain from the world. Host is advised to choose wisely as decision can only be made once.]
Effect 1: Opens a gate for Host to enter an leave Mirror Dimension.
Effect 2: Opens spatial channel for Host to store his items within the Mirror Dimension
[Notice: Choosing of Mirror world: Chance remaining: 1]
---
{Bite}
Remark: Gandr possesses a set of powerful jaw which is capable of inflicting devastating bites.
Effect 1: inflicts bite capable of shattering bone.
Effect 2: inflicts bite which send fangs deeper into the flesh of target.
Restriction: Attack strength is dependant on Gandr's Tier.
---
{Tough Muscles}
Remark: Gandr is blessed with Lord Jormungandr's powerful muscles and is capable of extraordinary feats of strength.
Effect 1: Capable of strangling and trapping any prey.
Effect 2: increases the strength of Gandr's coil around a body.
Restriction: Attack strength is dependant on Gandr's Tier.
**
Perhaps because of how much of a shocker the Passive abilities were, the Active Abilities seemed quite 'normal' in comparison.
They were what I 'expected'.
The only special active ability which stood out was {Private Realm}, but it was something I expected as well so it didn't give that much impact.
That said, it didn't mean {Bite} and {Tough Muscles} were useless. Quite the contrary, they were quite practical and made Gandr combat-capable.
A combo of my synthesised Poisons + {Myriad Space Alveoli} + {Bite}, meant Gandr could become a terror in its own right.
Since it was Tier II, by my Interface's ranking, {Bite} and {Tough Muscles} worked anything C-grade and below.
This meant Beasts, Destroyer-class and below, and Hunters, Noble-ranked, and below were vulnerable to Gandr's attacks.
That said, actually killing C-grade (i.e. Destroyers and Nobles) might prove slightly difficult. It might take time to actually kill them with either ability.
*
I closed the Animate Form window and opened the window for the Inanimate form.
To my surprise, the Gandr's inanimate form was actually a walking cane.
***
(Inanimate Form: Snakehead cane.)
Passive Ability
-Indestructible
-Energy Absorber/Devourer-
---
-Indestructible-
Remark: Gandr is the incarnation of a Superior being and not a being of Arun. It is not bound by the laws of Arun.
Effect: Cannot be damaged.
---
-Energy Absorber/Devourer-
Remark: Gandr requires a good supply of energy for sustenance. As such, it is adapted to sourcing out energy.
Effect 1: can and constantly absorbs most free energy from surrounding.
Effect 2: excess absorbed energy will be stored in Private Realm.
Effect 3: attracted to places with large energy stores.
---
The cane's two passive abilities were similar to the Snake-form's passive abilities.
{Indestructible} was in essence the same as {Invincible}. The only difference was that snake Gandr could be 'killed' for some time, while Cane Gandr couldn't even be damaged in the first place.
{Energy Devourer} was the same in both forms only that Cane Gandr has one less effect. It couldn't eat to recover its energy stores. This made sense considering Cane Gandr was an inanimate item.
My gaze moved on to the Active abilities.
***
Active Ability
-Concealed Sword.
-Private Realm
**
-Concealed Sword-
Remark: Snakes are masters of hidden attacks. Gandr is no different. This trait remains even in its unassuming inanimate cane form.
Effect: releases a hidden blade within the rod of the cane.
Restriction: Attack strength is dependant on Gandr's Tier.
--
-Private Realm-
Remark: Gandr carries within its stomach a sealed realm for Host private use.
Effect 1: Opens a gate for Host to enter and leave Mirror Dimension.
Effect 2: Opens spatial channel for Host to store his items within the Mirror Dimension
[Notice: Choosing of Template world: Chance remaining: 1]
---
What immediately stood out was the {Concealed Sword} ability. So, it turned out Gandr still had combat potential even in its Cane form.
Considering that Gandr was {Indestructible}, didn't that mean I had an indestructible sword?
And one which strength could improve no less.
As long as I could improve its Tier, the sword's strength would also improve.
The only problem was that I wasn't a Swordsman. Sure, I could wield it, but I wouldn't do diligence to the weapon.
I was more of a gun person. Particularly, older guns like Revolvers.
Call me old-fashion but I had a thing for revolvers... particularly magnum revolvers.
My weapon of choice in my previous life was a Twin .357 Colt Python magnum revolvers. They were a thing of beauty. Handcrafted from a descendant of the original Thomas Colt himself!
They served me well through my service in Taskforce 47.
Anyway, it seems I'd have to add Swordsmanship to my training list. Fortunately, this world's martial arts level wasn't so high. Even the basics I thought Fenton made him a good swordsman in eyes of Arun's natives.
The boy would only be a beginner in my previous life.
-
The details of {Private Realm} was the same as in the Animate form, so my focus was on the ending notice.
I had to choose the world that would serve as the template for my {Private Realm}.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
1 Funny thing, there was a time I thought 'serpents' were a type of 'snake'. I only recently came to know that all snakes were in fact serpents... that calling snakes, 'serpents' was similar to how we call dogs, canine; and cats, feline.🤓🤓
I'll spare you the embarrassing detail of how I found out, let's just say it involved a ten-year old nephew, who looked up to me as an encyclopaedia.🤣🤣