BXBX NOVEL Chapter 54: Ugh, my aim sucks.
Despite making the wish way earlier no new {Kismet} manifested. Only when I acquired the {Store} family of {fates} did I get my wish. It seemed {Kismet}, while they were basically genies in a sense, were still bound by the {fates} on hand.
As I had multiple families of abilities the chances for my wishes to be fulfilled was definitely higher than the average reaper.
I saw numerous posts on the forums about people trying to increase the {fates} they could carry. It was perhaps the most discussed topic next to soulgear creation.
There were plenty of theories, {fate} compatibility, the size of the reapers 'cup' to accept {fates} and the {fate} cost were the most credible ones.
I always wondered why I could accept {fates} no problem. But then as I scrolled through the topics this morning, something struck me odd.
The forum posts were all made by manifested, I knew as most announced their {fates}. There was literally no discussion started by the Formless.
Then I had a thought that sent shudders down my spine.
'What if being manifested or Formless affected the cost?'
If a reapers cup or capacity is preset, then his or her {fate} would already occupy a part of that just from being awoken. For normal reaper who had a capacity of 4 available, If 2 points are needed for a manifested {fate} then it would make sense why they could only have two {fates}.
Then what if a Formless {fate} only cost 1 point? Wouldn't it make sense for a Formless reaper to ingest 4 {fates}? How many would the Formless be able to ingest if he had a higher capacity?
'What if the only difference between a human and demon was their capacity?'
All these answers were given to me by my new {Kismet}. So to backtrack, before this day started, I had 4 {kismet}.
They were {Identify} which allowed me to see the invisible.
{Loot} which allowed me to see Soulgems.
{Expose} which showed weaknesses and {Sight} that granted me the ability to increase my brain speed when aiming.
After my talk with {Store} I gained {Draw} and {Sheath} for a total of six. My last request needed three load outs. One for tanking, assassination and speed. My {Kismet} couldn't fulfill my request because of my limit. Thus, the {fates} then took the liberty of restructuring my {kismets}.
The reason why I almost died a while ago was because of their work. My {fates} molded themselves to fit my purposes leading to the screen I now saw.
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Name: John Smith
Rank: Wraith
Soul Capacity: {Fate} 8/8 | {Kismet} 6/7
Souls Available: 3,517 | To evolve: 5,000
{Fates}
1. {Rewind} | Lvl 3 | Cost: 1 | Owner: Self | Sup: {Save}, {Auto} | Sub: {Reload}, {Regen}
2. {Code} | Lvl 3 | Cost: 1| Loaned: Bella - 14 D |Sub: {Connect} , {Shutdown}
3. {Perceive} | Lvl 3 |Cost: 1| Loaned: Jas - 29 D |Sub: {Aim}, {Snipe}
4. {Listen} | Lvl 3 | Cost: 1| Loaned: Jo - 29 D | Sub: {Interpret}, {Dampen}
5. {Withstand} | Lvl 3 | Cost: 1| Loaned: Liv - 14 D | Sub: {Endure}, {Counter} Sup:{Suffer}
6. {Carry} | Lvl 3 | Cost: 1| Loaned: Robyn - 29 D | Sub: {Pack}, {Hike}
7. {Eat} | Lvl 3 | Cost: 1| Loaned: Aki - 29 D | Sub: {Gather}, {Digest}
8. {Store} | Lvl 4 | Cost: 1| Loaned: Lilly - 14 D | Sub: {Retrieve}, {Stock}, {Withdraw}
{Kindred} : N/A
{Kismet} : {Reveal} | {Draw} | {Sheathe} | {Fighter} | {Thief} | {Mage}
Soulgear:
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I apparently could only have seven {Kismet}. To make room, my {fates} merged {Identify}, {Expose}, {Loot} and {Sight}. A brand new {kismet} called {Reveal} got created from their work. {Reveal} was similar to the skills it came from just better.
The {fates} used it on myself which is why I saw my soul capacity and the cost for each {fate}. {Reveal} proved the theories in the reaper forum and explained why I could ingest more than 2 {fates}.
It was because I had a capacity of 8 and because I only ingested Formless {fates} which all cost only 1 capacity.
{Reveal} would be useful when I dealt with other reapers in the future as it not only shows me their {fates}, {Kismet} but even their soulgears. As happy as I am about {Reveal} the smile on my face was because of {Fighter}, {Thief} and {Mage}.
The most iconic archetypes of classic tabletop and video RPGs the {fates} probably used the terms due to my fondness of them.
True to my wishes {Fighter} became my defense configuration, while {Thief} was for speed and {Mage} for offense.
{Fighter} combined my tanking, stamina and observation {fates} plus the programming {fate} {Code} and {Store}. The output was a {Kismet} that specialized in defensive battles that had insane stamina regeneration. The best part? {Code} toggled {Withstand} and {Endure} based on my will.
Supplemental functions of {Fighter} were to store damage from {Suffer} in my subspace, removing the need to immediately use the kinetic energy. Lastly its total soul cost was reduced to 300 souls by {Store}, making it extremely cheap.
{Thief} on the other hand joined agility and sensory {fates} along with {Code} and {Store}. It allowed my body to move like a descendant on top of having senses and reflexes of a superhuman all for 300 souls.
Supplemental functions were {Code} automatically cast {Pack} on anything I touch without cost as well as giving me insane detection abilities.
Finally, {Mage} joins {Snipe}, sensory {fates} and {Counter}. Designed to be used after {Fighter}, {Mage} draws the damage absorbed by {Fighter} and infuses my shots with them. None would be able to hide once I hunt them with {Mage}. All for the same 300 souls.
The pain I experienced a while ago couldn't compare to the boons I received. The only problem that arose when I used my "modes" was I could not use any other {fate} outside of the {Rewind} family and my {Kismet}.
Excited, I took half an hour to set up my targets. The blood pumping feeling and hope from my {fates} drove out any doubts from my mind. My partners already gave me the best hand they could, it was now all me.
I cracked my neck as I prepared for the drills I wanted to do.
"{Draw} Armory."
The Smith armory quickly attached themselves to my body in under a second.
"{Save}, {Sheathe} Armory. {Draw} AR15."
After I created my starting point, I began test firing the AR15 in single fire, semi auto and full auto.
"Ugh, my aim sucks. {Thief}. {Draw} AR Mag."
Without any vision augmentations from {Perceive}, my shots hit some steel targets, but it wasn't the usually mythical shooting I grew accustomed to. I changed mags and then pulled the charging handle for another go. I slowly moved while firing, "flowers" of paint decorated the splatter targets I took out.
"Good enough. {Draw} Ebony, Ivory."
I threw the AR15 to the ground after I emptied its ammunition. In the same moment both of my hands grabbed the punisher 1911s that just materialized. Using {Thief's} exceptional senses, I dual wielded and shot sixteen different steel targets in under four seconds.
The rapid gong's sounded like music to my ears. Instead of reloading I dropped the guns and did a combat roll before summoning my next set of weapons.
"{Draw} P30L, 629."
A black pistol appeared on my right while a silver revolver appeared on my left. I shot both and managed to hit everything with the P30L. However, being a .44 magnum, the 629 threw my arm back due to recoil after each shot.
"Shit! Thief does not have Withstand. {Fighter} {Draw} 1887."
I threw the P30L and dual wielded the Winchester 1887 and the S&W 629 Competitor. Being both high powered rounds I needed to know how my body would react to rapid fire with both.
Unlike with {Thief} I no longer felt any recoil with the 629, hell even the 10-gauge 1887 handled like a toy.
"Unfortunately, {Fighter} cannot hit anything at this distance."
I dropped the 629 and ran forward while firing the 1887. The 10-gauge slugs were so powerful that they ripped apart the 3D mannequins I targeted.
The exploding plastic and foam sent adrenaline through my body, not stopping I moved to my next destination in haste.
"Next, {Draw} M60." Again discarding my weapon I aimed the newly summoned machine gun at a row of foam targets half a mile away. As the rounds fired away the foam boards got ripped by the 7.62mm NATO bullets as they passed.
I continued firing nonstop until I ran out and noticed barrel turning orange.
"Is this a worn-out barrel? {Draw} M60 belt and barrel."
Using deft movements, I then opened the top cover, grasped the barrel handle rotated the handle upward and pulled the overheated barrel before throwing it away.
With my left hand I placed the new barrel into the receiver using the gas cylinder as a guide before rotating the handle downward locking it in place.
I then pulled the bolt back, closed the charging handle, placed a fresh the ammo belt then slammed the top cover down.
"Reloading this thing is just a pain in the ass," I complained in annoyance.
I did a couple more drills with it before I discarded it and drew my next weapon.
"{Draw} MP5SD."
Using both hands I aimed at targets around 300 yards and fired. Naturally none of the bullets hit because 9mm rounds cannot travel that far.
"{Mage}."
Using {Mage} I continued firing at the steel targets hoping the {Kismet} would lead to better results. But still none of the rounds hit the target.
I guess I needed to try again when I had kinetic energy for {Counter}. I dropped the MP5SD and pulled another weapon.
"{Draw} M24."
I got on one knee and sniped the 300 yard targets without mercy. I then moved on to 500 then 800 yards scoring excellent shots on both.
While I am quite pleased with the {Kismet} and the guns. I still had a number of issues I needed to figure out. Luckily I had the entire day to do so.