Chapter 69: Storm*
Roseus remained stunned as he drifted through the waters atop Thunderpoint Peak.
The offer that he had been given... Wasn’t it too much?
To be given the powers to significantly control the storms of Rai’zac and only have to lose his Sailor skill, Storm Divination, hardly felt like a fair trade. After all, having control would make that skill slightly useless anyway.
He wanted to ruminate over this offer longer, but had to rush due to the fact that he was running out of breath.
His thought process was simple: Did he have faith in his ability to help Rai’zac enter the third ocean, and if not, was he prepared to face the god’s wrath?
No... I’m thinking of it from the wrong angle. If I cannot bring Rai’zac to the third ocean, then would I not already be a failure that deserves death? After all, if I fail to bring him there, that means that I had failed to reach the third ocean. Such an outcome would be worse than death anyway, as I’ve already dedicated my life to reaching the eighth ocean.
This is under the assumption that by simply arriving in the third ocean, I’ll also have successfully brought Rai’zac to the third ocean through my body.
The better question is, why has no one else been able to complete this mission for Rai’zac?
Could it be that he hadn’t given anybody this task yet, and was instead waiting for me? If this is the case, then why was I chosen?
His oxygen was slowly running out.
I originally drew the attention of Rai’zac through my usage of the Greycloud Longsword. This is a weapon that I found on the body of that undead pirate from Blodwen’s island. What attracted this pirate to me?
Roseus began piecing things together and came to a sudden realisation.
This sword was found as a result of me wearing my father’s hat and attracting the dangers of the dead to my body! In other words, is it possible that the only way that this sword could be found was through this method? If so, then what exactly is this power that exists within my father’s set of treasures, that has led me down this path? Is there a deeper behind my father giving me this set?
Bubbles of air escaped from Roseus as he finally couldn’t remain underwater for much longer. His vision became blurry, and his thoughts disjointed.
That was when he came to his decision. Like all others, it held risks. However, he believed that he had sufficiently weighed the pros and cons and would choose what was best for him.
I can’t let sea gods such as Susanoo stop me from forming pacts with other gods. Besides, once this temporary pact ends, if my luck continues, Rai’zac’s powers won’t be taken from me, just like how I was able to keep the powers of the Treasure Eater.
[I accept your offer.]
After giving his response, Roseus felt a great change take place in his body. It felt like euphoria, which momentarily made him forget that he was running out of breath.
After coming back to his senses, he swam back to the surface and took in deep breaths of air.
He climbed out of the water and lay on his back for a few moments, staring up at the grey cloudy skies. Beside him were his clothes and treasures, which he had discarded, but he didn’t pay attention to them now.
Instead, he examined his system.
As he had expected, his Storm Divination skill of the Weather Sense domain was no longer there.
In its place, he had a new power in his supreme system.
—SUPREME SYSTEM—
Patron God: Rai’zac [Temporary]
Pact Rank: Follower
Progress: 75/100
[Conditions]
[You receive: An extra positive effect on the Greycloud Longsword]
[You Receive: Significant control over the storms of the second ocean, as long as they are within this sea god’s domain]
[You must: Help Rai’zac breach into the Third Ocean. Contact shatters once this goal is completed.]
[You Lose: Storm Divination]
[You lose: the Greycloud Longsword after five uses of the new positive effect]
—Powers—
[Storm Sovereignty] ~ Grants significant control over the storms of the Second Ocean, allowing the user to summon, shape, intensify, calm, or redirect weather phenomena within the sea god’s domain.
[Greedy Effects] ~ Every treasure that you equip comes with an extra unique positive effect, accessible only to you. (From Nammon)
...
There it is... Roseus continued controlling his breathing as he examined himself. My supreme system is progressing. I’ve even reached 75/100 through my pact rank.
Roseus rose to his feet once his breaths were steadied. He still didn’t wear any of his clothes as he walked to the edge of Thunderpoint Peak and stared out at Highstorm Island.
It was as though the land was being swallowed by storms. Lightning viciously struck from the clouds with no order, crashing down with force onto the streets of the dockyard town, as well as the surrounding forests, seas, and mountain ranges.
He looked up at those grey clouds that blanketed the skies, and then he focused...
At first, nothing happened. Then he outstretched his arms as though he was attempting to embrace the entire storm.
All of a sudden, he felt a connection forming between himself and the clouds above. He could sense things that he was unable to sense before.
He could feel raindrops in the air.
The pressure building in the clouds.
The current of the wind.
The bolts of lightning forming before being struck.
All of these connections formed with Roseus, as though he was now attached to them by an invisible string.
It all felt overwhelming and required his full focus not to fall to his knees right there and collapse unconscious.
But he was determined to see what he was capable of.
Captain Roseus reached out with his will and focused on his connection to the clouds above.
A lightning bolt struck from one of these clouds, but rather than travelling to its intended location, Roseus pulled.
The bolt curved, changing its direction and crashing into a nearby mountain instead!
