Chapter 218: Sharing Is Caring, Insane Levelling
The familiar string of notifications followed almost instantly.
Spectral Claws Level 3 → Level 5
Life Drain Level 2 → Level 5
Phantom Step Level 2 → Level 6
Phantom Ward Level 3 → Level 4
Demonic Eyes Level 4 → Level 6
Phantom Parade Level 4 → Level 6
"...What the..." Isaac muttered, blinking at the list.
’When did her skills reach such a high level?’
He knew she’d been working hard, but this was beyond what he expected.
While she often smiled and acted cute, behind that, she was clearly putting herself through intense training and battles.
’Her becoming a High-rank species and awakening the Hollow Crown Physique must’ve contributed to the increased leveling speed.’
He let out a faint smile before giving the next mental order.
’ Share her affinities!’
Spirit Affinity Level 1 → Level 3
Curse Affinity Level 1 → Level 2
Ice Affinity Level 1 → Level 2
The familiar rush came almost immediately.
Isaac could feel the stronger affinities flowing through him.
The Spirit Affinity had a cool, steady presence. The Curse Affinity was darker, almost heavy. The Ice Affinity was crisp and biting at the edges of his awareness.
He tried flexing them, letting the energy flow through his body. It worked.
"Not bad," he murmured under his breath.
Then, without pause, he gave the next command.
’Share her summons!’
Two glowing orbs appeared in his mind.
One contained a creature he didn’t recognize.
It was the monster Emily had mentioned fighting during the test that allowed her into the wilderness.
The other was a sleek, leopard-like beast with sharp eyes and a faint shimmer over its fur.
Both radiated strength. He didn’t even need to check their details to know they were Champion-rank monsters.
’Now I have six beast bonds. Seven if I count Tyr.’
He mentally tallied them. Five Champion-rank beasts, plus Tirra and Tyr. Neither Tirra nor Tyr were Champion rank, but their usefulness was unquestionable.
Today was proof of that.
Tirra’s scouting had been invaluable.
Without the ghost bird relaying real-time updates, the fight against the N’theris serpent could have gone very differently.
And Tyr...
Tyr’s ability to create Hell-Iron Myre had been a game changer.
The spear Isaac had used on the serpent was only a prototype, but it had been strong enough to endure the burden of his strength.
Had he use any other weapon, it might’ve broken before it even reached the N’theris serpent.
’I should thank Tyr.’
Isaac was about to enter the Soulbind Pendant, ready to visit Tyr where he was resting, but he stopped midway.
’I almost forget this.’
He smirked a little and gave another order.
’System, share Alice’s skills!’
Solar Dominion Level 2 → Level 4
Daybreak Incarnate Level 2 → Level 4
Heart of the Eternal Sun Level 3 → Level 5
Voice of the Seraphim Level 1 → Level 4
Miracle of Grace Level 3 → Level 5
"Woah," Isaac let out a low whistle.
The improvements weren’t small.
These were big jumps, especially considering how demanding higher levels became.
And her healing skill— Miracle of Grace —was sitting at level 5, matching Heart of the Eternal Sun . That said a lot about how she’d been spending her time.
’She’s been fighting, sure, but she’s also been looking after everyone. That’s the only reason her healing skill has reached the same level as a skill that works passively all the time, and is thus easier to level up.’
A faint chuckle escaped him.
’She acts cold, but she’s cares about everyone quite a lot.’
It was the kind of thing Alice would never admit outright.
She didn’t wear her care on her sleeve, but it showed in how she fought, how she healed, and the quiet way she made sure no one was left behind.
Isaac continued,
’Share Alice’s affinities!’
Solar Affinity Level 1 → Level 4
Fire Affinity Level 1 → Level 2
Light Affinity Level 1 → Level 2
’My skill levels went up so much it’s making me itch,’ he thought.
He exhaled slowly, letting the rush settle. Even though he had fought the serpent, it had mostly been a one-hit kill. There hadn’t been a proper back-and-forth.
’Then again, if I ever have to fight with every skill I have, it means things have gotten bad enough that I can’t hide anything anymore.’
It was a strange contradiction.
On one hand, not having the chance to go all out left him wondering about his true limits. On the other, it meant he hadn’t been forced into a corner yet.
’If I think of it that way, I guess I should be glad.’
Shaking his head, he adjusted Emily’s weight in his arms and reached for the Soulbind Pendant hanging against her chest. He willed it to activate.
The familiar pull of the artifact surrounded them. The world outside blurred away, and in the next moment, he and Emily were sitting on the bed in the bedroom inside the pendant’s inner space.
He laid her gently on the bed and pulled the blanket over her. As he stepped back, her hand twitched, fingers brushing against her sleeve.
Her voice was soft, thick with drowsiness.
"Are... you... going somewhere?"
"I’m just going to meet Tyr. I’ll be back in a bit."
"Mhm."
She nodded faintly, eyes half-lidded.
"...Kiss..."
She stretched her arms toward him.
He chuckled, and leaned down to press his lips to hers.
She held him for a moment longer than he expected, but when she let go, her head sank back into the pillow and her breathing slowed again.
He stayed there for a second, watching her face, before quietly leaving the room and the house.
The moment he stepped outside, his eyes went to the massive form coiled near the edges of the space.
The serpent’s body was so large it nearly touched the invisible barrier that defined the boundary.
The house sat right in the center, making the serpent’s position look almost like a protective—or constricting—ring.
If it moved too much, it could easily crash into the walls or even the house itself.
Isaac frowned.
’We’re going to need a bigger space for it eventually.’
For now, though, there was no choice but to keep it here. Letting it out wasn’t an option, not with how many Awakeners it had killed.