Titan: A LitRPG Adventure (UnderVerse Book 4) Jez Cajiao (top ten books of all time TXT) 📖

asses to train and to stand up straight and so on; he’s there for this, too. He knows us all, he watches how we fight, and how we live our lives, and he advises us on allocating our stats, if we ask.”

“Wow, I’d… well, I never thought about asking anyone…” I stammered in surprise. “I thought it was… well… a private thing…”

“It is, but you know, maybe a Legionnaire is a bit of a dumb fuck. He’d never know it, so the Primus takes him aside and gives some advice. Maybe that Legionnaire feels that they shouldn’t have to listen, that they know best, and does other things with their points, like boosting their Charisma, so they can get laid easier. Then as time goes on, maybe this Legionnaire keeps making the same mistakes, and maybe he listens the next time and does as the Primus suggests, and finds that, yeah, that makes his life easier.” Grizz flicked a pebble across the floor, then grinned at me. “The point is, we have people in the Legion that keep records of their Legionnaire’s builds and work out the optimum choices. Yeah, there’s no guarantee, and from the things you’ve done so far, you’re probably far from the average, so there’s no telling how useful it’d be, but…”

“But at least I’ve got someone I can trust who’d take a good look at my stats and my fighting style and be able to advise me. Thanks, man, I appreciate that.”

“Anytime, boss,” Grizz said smiling. “Also… when you decide, it does you no good to second-guess it, as you can’t change it. While it’s worth considering the future, if a decision for now is the wrong one, with regard to playing ‘the long game,’ as you called it the other day? Well, that only does you good if you live to see the other end. If you pick something that hammers you now for a possible bonus in the future, you might not live long enough to make use of it, so consider that, too.” With that, Grizz got up, patted me on the shoulder, and walked away.

I sat for long minutes thinking, aware that this ability was in flux right now and I had to decide, before nodding to myself. Grizz’s advice was good, I reflected, as planning for the future was necessary, but if I didn’t live long enough to get there, it was all for nothing.

I pulled the screen back up and selected ‘Efficiency.’ I definitely wanted the Power option, but if that last fight had taught me anything, it was that getting mobbed down here was a real possibility, and the thought that everyone might die because I saved my power to land a couple of big hits, instead of a hundred smaller, but still devastatingly powerful, ones? Hell, no.

You have chosen Efficiency for your first evolution of this Ability: Your Ability may be in its infancy, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t strive to master it instinctually, eking out every last millisecond of use out of it while reducing the cost on your body. Choosing this path has enabled you to utilize the Ability for 10% longer with each additional level, running from 11-20, and gaining a corresponding dip in 1 point lost to the debuff for each level you gain. Continue to use this Ability and build upon your understanding of the underpinning physiological and magical details to unlock further evolutions.

I nodded to myself, feeling a shiver start in my chest, then pouring along my mana-channels like icy water flowing through my veins. It took less than a minute, but it left me gasping when it was done, and I felt… different. An almost indefinable ‘hummm’ seemed to flow though my body, even as I sat at rest. I felt that I had changed profoundly, yet I couldn’t put my finger on what it was.

“Congratulations on your Evolution, Champion.” a voice echoed into the cavern, and I saw everyone jump, hunting around. I smiled and looked upwards, then turned to face the fire and spoke as though to it.

“Thank you, Jenae,” I said simply.

“It was a difficult decision, I know, but I wanted to allow you to make it alone, as it will define you in the millennia to come.”

“Thanks… I think?” I said, and I felt her amusement as the fire flared higher.

“I waited until you’d made this decision to speak, as it needed to be your own choice, but now, is there anything you would ask of me? I have a request to make, and it seems only fair, after all,” she offered.

“Tommy,” I said straight away. “Where…”

“That is something I cannot answer, Jax…” Jenae said quickly. “I attempted to find him before coming to you, believing that would be your choice, and being willing to gift you the information regardless, for all you have done for me, especially with the new worshippers, but alas. Nimon has stretched his hand out to encompass Thomas, and while I know he lives, he is blocked from me.”

“Nimon?” I asked, surprised. “Why would… he’s not dead, right? Tell me he’s okay?”

“He is fine, as near as I can tell; he is in fact healthier than ever, and whatever injuries he had before have been healed, but they were healed by an Agent of Nimon, and thus he now bears the Dark Mark. I cannot communicate or reach out to him again without risking drawing Nimon’s attention…”

“Why the hell would…?” I muttered, then shook myself. “That’s fine. He’s alive, and he’s well. That’s a great start, Jenae, thank you. I can find him on my own, if that’s what it takes.”

“So, another request then?” Jenae asked, and I paused, thinking. I cast about for inspiration, before grinning to myself and looking back to the fire.

“There is one thing…” I admitted slowly.

“Go on…” she said, amusement filling her voice as I tried to keep the hunger from my tone.

“Well, as we’re basically the last, best hope for the Gods to return,