Psychokinetic Eyeball Pulling

Chapter 44: Survival, Levels, and Skills!

Astrid felt her mind quake. The x within her iris was like a fiery brand that threatened to devour her eyeball. Just as she was about to lose her mind, the energy dissipated. The Eternal Jailer ran out of energy.

Overload Spent.

Rob’s enormous body fell to the ground alongside Leo and Henry. The healers dashed forward as healing spells filled the room with many distinct smells. But the overpowering stench of burning flesh pervaded the air, overtaking any other scents.

Astrid bolted to Rob’s side. Despite the blood leaking from her eyes, she gazed at the savage wounds covering his entire body. Rachelle had tears at the corner of her eyes as her flaming hand brushed up against Rob’s powerful body. Smoke trailed from everywhere she touched, replacing it with blackened, burnt skin. They staunched the bleeding as sweat formed on Rachelle’s forehead.

Astrid glanced at the dust piles around her. Not everyone had made it.

Astrid broke out from her daze and scrambled for a mana potion from her belt and held it to Rachelle's mouth. Tipping it, she swallowed the contents within as she continued healing. Peter quickly approached.

“Now let me.” He said.

Peter placed his hands over the burnt wounds as raw healing power surged from his palms. The once caved in skin grew anew, replacing the burnt flesh with new, baby smooth skin. Blood dripped from his nose. It seemed like his healing used up a lot more mana than Rachelle's. Although it made sense, recreating something from nothing. It was just like Astrid’s matter creation attempts. The mana it drained was astonishing.

From the intensive healing, Rob’s chaotic breathing steadied. Leo was alive. His skin was regenerating at breakneck speed, even without a healer helping him. Henry, on the other hand, was suffering. Groans left his throat despite the healing he was undergoing. His golden shield was nowhere to be seen, and his clothes had vanished under the continuous chaotic energy explosion.

The Jailer had turned to nothing but dust. A small, shimmering chain sparkled within the ashes. The team that was always behind them, the team that they had passed to enter the tunnel, walked toward the ash pile.

He picked up the shining chain and stuffed it into his pockets.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Daniel took a step forward. Lines flashed within his eyes.

“I–we deserve it.” He retreated as his team brandished their weapons. "Many of our team members died before this..."

“We will share the money after we sell it." Daniel took another step. "Don’t forget the unwritten rule of the Wayfarers.”

“I’m not a damned Wayfarer." The man spat. "I don’t need to abide by your unwritten rule.”

“Cai, he’s right. We need to share it.” Cai’s teammate said with hesitation.

“Shit, we need to provide for their families,” Cai spat.

“And if the item is good enough, they will be provided for,” Daniel said. “We all almost died. It’s what we all deserve.”

“Hand it over, or else. I’m not much of a talker.” Leo walked forward, his aura surged. The red mist appeared above his shoulders once more.

“Alright,” Cai gnawed at his lips and threw it over.

Leo caught it in his bear-like palms and threw it over to Daniel.

“You can trust me,” Daniel nodded.

“Trust?” Leo smiled. “I don’t need something like that. I know where you all live, after all.” He motioned towards Astrid.

“Is everyone okay?” Astrid ignored the look and asked the others.

“Mmm.” Rob flashed a thumbs up.

“Good.” Astrid attempted to wrap her arms around Rob’s sizable chest, but she only got halfway. Rob laughed, his enormous forearms clutching her in a death grip.

“Okay Rob, let go. I can’t breathe–” Astrid groaned as Rob released his grip.

He scratched the side of his head as Astrid looked around. Not much was left of the room from the explosion. Most of the furniture had turned into dust. The only objects that remained intact were at the group's flank, protected from their bodies.

Astrid placed her focus on her System. The messages were going haywire as they immediately filled her entire vision with a sturdy wall of text.

You defeated a - Enslaved Illusion - level 67!

You defeated a - Enslaved Illusion - level 72!

You defeated a - Enslaved Illusion - level 81!

You defeated the - Eternal Jailer - level 150!

Extra experience is awarded for defeating an enemy levels above!

Experience is reduced for fighting within a group!

You have levelled up!

…

Psychokinetic level 48 -> Psychokinetic level 62

Illusionist level 48 -> Illusionist level 62

Gained 140 stat points.

Skill level up!

Crash[ Stage 2 ] level 5 -> Crash[ Stage 2 ] level 10

Mind Barrier [ Stage 2 ] level 3 -> Mind Barrier [ Stage 2 ] level 7

Psychic’s Power [ Stage 2] level 4 -> Psychic’s Power [ Stage 2] level 8

Psych Domain [ Stage 2 ] level 4 -> Psych Domain [ Stage 2 ] level 8

Disabling Field level 9 -> Disabling Field level 10 [ Max ]

Illusionary Armour level 3 -> Illusionary Armour level 8

Illusion Detection level 4 -> Illusion Detection level 9

Mental Warfare level 4 -> Mental Warfare level 9

Overload level 2 -> Overload level 5

Experience gained!

Disabling Field has reached the maximum level of stage 1!

Evolving to stage 2...

Epic - Passive Skill - Disabling Field: Your psychic mana has leaked outside of its container. -5% mana container size. The leak creates a three metre ring around you, reducing the effectiveness of incoming stuns, dazes, fears, and taunts for you and your allies.

| [ Stage 2 ]: Ring size increased by 15%. Can be activated to free you, or your ally once from a disabling skill. (On a ten minute cooldown)

Astrid nodded in approval of the stage 2 upgrade. There was no doubt it would be a lifesaver in a tight pinch. She moved onto the next messages.

Title gained - The Power of Friendship!

The Power of Friendship!: It brings a tear to my…eyes. Little Astrid finally has little friends.

| 15% added Mind Barrier strength.

| 20 added intelligence.

| 20 added wisdom.

It’s been a while, System. Astrid pondered over the new Title but decided against it. It would be good later down the line when she had access to more damage, and the extra barrier strength would come in handy. Right now, however, she needed any extra strength she could get.

Your intelligence is now 330

Your strength is now 60

Your dexterity is now 60

Your wisdom is now 154

Conditions met for a new Psychokinetic Skill.

| Battle an enemy 100 levels above you.

| Gain a foundational knowledge of matter creation.

| Reach Psychokinetic level 50.

| Reach 300 intelligence.

Legendary Class Skill Obtained.

Active Skill - Psycho Warping: From your training and experience of creating something out of nothing. You have met the requirements to finally succeed. Concentrate your psychic mana to form objects out of matter. Walls, weapons, buildings. Anything you want to create is up to your imagination, and mana container. Weapon damage and structure integrity scales off intelligence.

Finally! Astrid threw her fist in the air and immediately tried to use it. She recalled the sensation of trying to create the butter knife. This time, however, she focused on a sharper version. Designed specifically for fighting and killing. Opening her palm, the matter condensed until, slowly, a blade made its appearance.

With Psychokinesis, she shot it forward at an insane speed. It tore through the air and the tip bounced against the hard wall and fell down. Well, if even Rob and the others can’t get through the wall, neither can I. Astrid was just happy at the thought of having to carry even less weight on her next time. All the knives ended up weighing her waist down after all. Astrid used the spare time to create more, just in case. She hoped she would get to a point where she could form them instantly.

Conditions met for a new Illusionist Skill.

| Gain a foundational knowledge and experience within the Mind Domain.

| Reach Illusionist level 50.

| Reach 300 intelligence.

| Reach 150 wisdom.

Epic Class Skill Obtained.

Active Skill - Mind Domain: From undergoing mind domain attacks, you have learnt to form your own. Enter your opponent's mind and battle them within the mind domain. Only works on life-forms with intelligence. Those with higher intelligence, Mind Domain will not work and you will receive mental backlash.

| 25% increased Psychic power within a Mind Domain.

| Psychokinesis, and Psycho Warping are 50% stronger within Mind Domain.

Awesome. I’ll need to be careful against monsters with higher intelligence, though. Astrid wondered how harsh the mental backlash was, but it wasn’t something she was excited about finding out.

Then Astrid gazed at her newly appointed stats in awe. One-hundred points into intelligence all at once filled her mind like an overpowering stimulant. Looking down, she could see that her mana core had increased substantially. Blue lines began snaking out from within as they travelled around her body. It was off-putting to say the least, as she pried her eyes away from the worm-like roots.

Next was the newly advanced Disabling Field. In a pinch, it would easily heighten her, and her team's chances at survival. She wondered if there was a strength limit, as it didn’t specify if she couldn’t break free if the monster’s level was too high.

I’ll have to get Rob to freeze me on the spot or something. Although I’m not a fan of the cold. Astrid sighed. I’m just glad we all got out of this in one piece.

Daniel spun around as he looked at his team. Astrid could see a dejected air about him, as if he lost some of his confidence that he usually had in over abundance.

“I’m sorry. I pushed too hard, too far. We only survived from,” Daniel paused, “luck.”

“We survived with our own strength,” Astrid said.

Daniel shook his head. “If that blast lasted for even a second longer, we’d all be dead.”

Astrid and the others nodded. It was close. Far too close. But Astrid couldn’t put the blame on Daniel’s shoulders. She had also wanted to travel into this dungeon, even at the risk of her own life.

“From now on, we’ll be taking easier missions. And not going into these unexplored dungeons without being fully prepared with back-up.” Daniel swore.

Lisa embraced Daniel. “Finally learning from your stubborn ways?”

“Maybe slightly,” Daniel chuckled.

“Don’t beat yourself up too much. We’re alive.” Brett placed his hand on his shoulder. “It’s just another day for us, after all.”

“Mmm!” Rob slapped Daniel on the shoulder as he was sent stumbling forward.

“Thanks, you big oaf.” Daniel laughed.

“Are you okay, Astrid?” Leena asked.

“Yeah.” Astrid embraced Leena’s armoured body. “I am.”

“Let’s have a quick look, then get out of here?” Losef said.

“Sounds good to me.” Astrid sighed. “I need a bath.”

“I need a beer.” Brett slapped his dried tongue against his mouth.

“I need another fight.” Leo slung his axe over his shoulder. “We’ll be leaving first. Don’t lose the loot now.”

He and his team left the newly opened doors. A feeling of relief washed over Astrid as she gazed upon the doors.

Just please don’t close on me ever again. Astrid prayed.

As the other teams left. Astrid and the others wandered around the hall, hoping to find anything. But anything worth selling had been destroyed from the raging energy. They’d have better luck looting the golden plates and cups back in the dining hall. And judging by the clattering through the doors, that’s exactly what the others were doing.

Daniel handed over the chain to Astrid. “I’m guessing it’s the missing piece for Rob?”

You gained an Epic piece of class equipment set!

Warrior Class - Level 150 - Eternal Chains: The Eternal Jailer’s chains. Set 2 out of 2

| 60 added strength.

| 50 added constitution.

| 25 added dexterity.

| Physical stats increased by 10%.

| Stuns have 15% increased effectiveness.

Set 2:

| Grants Epic skill - Eternal Chains: Lock an enemy down with the Eternal Chains. Any damage you receive will be transmitted back to the target two-fold.

“It is,” Astrid nodded. “What should we do? It would be of great use to us.”

“A Wayfarer’s word is their life, Astrid.” Lisa said. “Even if it’s a set item, it needs to be sold, and the gold needs to be distributed properly. Or else it would mean war.”

Astrid nodded. “It sucks.”

“Tell me about it,” Rachelle agreed.

Daniel approached a wall. Using his sleeve, he wiped the dust from the mural. But it was badly damaged, the picture lost forever. With a sigh, he turned around to leave.

“C’mon everyone. Let’s get out of here.”

With no monsters to pounce at them from the darkness, the walk was shorter than she expected.

“So, any thoughts on how this monstrosity was created?” Lisa asked.

“None whatsoever.” Brett said.

“She evidently wasn’t talking to you, Brett.” Rachelle shook her head.

“Well, you never know, I might have had a spark of inspiration.”

“Yeah, let me know when that ever happens.”

“You’re a witch, you know that?” Brett said. “A fire witch.”

“Are all female mages to you witches?”

“Of course they are,” Losef said. “With the mention of witches, don’t you remember what happened back on Mount Hullbeck?”

“Losef, don’t you dare remind me of that.” Brett shivered,

“Something else happened?” Astrid asked.

“Look at you,” Brett said. “Nothing for nosies.”

“He got tangled with the Pyre Mage,” Daniel said.

“The Pyre Mage, Yursa?” Astrid’s eyes widened. “Wait, did he–you know?”

“Brett?” Lisa broke out in laughter. “If there’s one thing Brett hates in this world, Astrid, it’s a woman stronger than him.”

“That’s not true!” Brett stamped his foot. “I was trying to compliment her when she bloody threw a hissy fit!”

“Didn’t you say that her dog looked like a pile of scrap fabric?” Daniel laughed. “You know, she freaks out whenever someone insults her pet dog.”

“Well, it was true. That damned thing looks like a rat dipped in water.” Brett spat.

As they approached the exit, the familiar black wall greeted them. They left as the thick fog was once again in front of them. The other groups had long disappeared into the distance, probably already back up on the surface for all Astrid knew.

It was the ghouls flitting around, sprinting from one area to the next, that commanded Astrid’s attention.

More levels?