The Mana Influx Book 4: Bane World - a LitRPG Adventure

This isn’t the first time I’ve Portaled to an enemy ship to cripple it, but the Igenis ship is by far the least prepared for my arrival. As soon as I emerge the seahorse-like creatures around me turn in my direction and seem confused or shocked as I lay down Guilty as Charged twice for good measure and check my minimap. My Danger Sense is silent and nobody on the ship has escaped my Skill. There are no defensive measures to deal with so I stand on the bridge of the alien ship for a few seconds with the Eyes observing while my Skill does its work and the crew collapses. I Loot the nearby ones and look around in the silence, not even a distant alarm or movement to disturb me.

I fight against feeling overconfident but I can feel it creeping in. Having the Eyes follow me around helps because anyone pissed off with me has what I can only assume is an easy way of figuring out my habits and weaknesses. Things that used to be impossible now seem routine and it’s a bad, potentially fatal, idea to let my guard down. My Stamina is back to full within a couple of seconds despite the low AMLs in the spaceship, courtesy of Gift of Gaia.

I open a Portal to Giza and step through to the Great Sphinx MIS Hub which is, as of yesterday, now the central spaceship port we’ve established for trade and as a hub for travel. I leave the Portal open behind me and a young, energetic Cadet with a square jaw and sharp eyes steps straight up, almost vibrating with energy and enthusiasm.

“Bronwic, how can we help?” he asks.

“Captain for a claimed ship,” I request.

“Immediately sir!” he acknowledges and steps into a nearby room. I roll my eyes at the ‘sir’ but it seems to be catching on in the military-like organizations despite all my other Titles and general disdain for hierarchy. A few seconds later the Cadet is back with the Captain who’s on standby for exactly these situations. I don’t bother pulling her Status other than to determine she’s a low Level Mythic Class which should be sufficient.

We step back through the Portal and she establishes control of the ship quickly with her Skills, then starts piling the former crew’s bodies up in the airlock to be evacuated into space while the automated cleaning functions get to work with the mess that’s leftover.

By the time she’s done I’ve got a lock on my real targets. I wonder briefly if she’ll have any difficulty handling a ship crewed by a bunch of aliens with four arms, but she doesn’t seem concerned or worried, and gives me a quick salute.

“Good luck, Captain. Moving in 5,” I tell her and she nods an acknowledgement to me without pausing in her efforts.

“Good luck, sir,” she says just as I step through the Portal. This one should be interesting based on who I’ve been able to determine is pulling the strings on Earth, and who my attempted assassins have ultimately been sent by.

Ry’aaltivalic Kyc-kychalic Diamondbrood (Level 1 Commander) (Legendary)

[Igenis] [Igenis Royal Family] [Milky Way]

I emerge into a huge, palatial hall which is not unexpected based on who I’m hunting. My minimap populates instantly and my Danger Sense pushes on me lightly from my right, but it’s not insistent enough for me to worry about yet. I engage the Cloaking capability on my armor and dart to my left side at high speed, my insanely enhanced Perception taking in everything and allowing me to process it in a split second.

It looks like I’ve appeared in the middle of some kind of Royal event or ceremony. Crowds of elaborately dressed Igenis are moving around in an orchestrated pattern while others are positioned off to the side eating or speaking. Strange layered, warbling and rhythmic music that includes notes above and below the normal human range of hearing fills the air and alien smells hit me only to be instantly categorized and minimized by my Perception.

No surprise that my Portal attracted some attention and I can see the ripples of action flow through the room in response, but nothing much has happened around me except Ry’aaltivalic’s guards have closed around him and he’s triggered a number of Skills that all look like additional defensive layers. It doesn’t matter if he tries to escape because I’ve tagged him, but in another split second I see he’s tagged me too and I’m surrounded by a bright blue aura that moves with me and I wonder if those fucking Eyes have helped him locate me or if it’s just his Skill. I need to get rid of those things somehow.

I trigger Guilty as Charged twice to give me some room by holding them in stasis for ten seconds, even though I know most of the people in the room will get a mild debuff at most based on their reputation with humanity. My Skill washes over Ry’aaltivalic without effect because of his Legendary Class, but all of his guards and a big chunk of the guests are out of the action.

Ry’aaltivalic looks at me with wild eyes but doesn’t make an aggressive move, despite his Class and Levels. He’s seen what I’ve done to his party in a couple of seconds and probably pulled my Status. Or maybe he’s Royalty and knows there’s a lot more backup coming. I get slammed from behind by plasma beams, instant dry cement grenades, and a charge from new guards that weren’t captured by Guilty as Charged. My Danger Sense isn’t flaring, but I’m feeling a lot less charitable as Elemental Aegis flares like fireworks so I trigger Fury of the Clan three quick times in succession as I dart in close to Ry’aaltivalic. The guards that have entered the room fall, their insides imploded when they’re unable to handle the damage overload.

Gift of Gaia is showing its worth again as my Stamina ratchets quickly back to full while I stare Ry’aaltivalic in his overly large black eyes and neither of us makes a move.

“High Enforcer Cadimus, I’m sure there’s a misunderstanding. What brings you to my homeworld?” he asks while holding up all four of his clawed, webbed hands. Everyone around him is either still in stasis or dead. I trigger a refresh of Elemental Aegis, draining my Mana to halfway.

“I’m here to send a message,” I snarl at him. “Don’t come to Earth, or mess with humans.”

Ten seconds is up and most of his entourage are released with only groans and brief collapses rather than wholesale slaughter. I trigger Guilty as Charged twice again and everyone is back in stasis with more punishment coming. I find it hard to generate any sympathy.

“I assure you,” he says hurriedly and with a degree of panic, “we have no plans to get involved with your world!”

“I just came from Earth where your fucking assassins tried to kill me a few minutes ago!” I thunder. “If you think you’re safe anywhere in the Universe, you’d better think again because I will hunt you, and your entire fucking Royal family, down and execute every last one of you!”

“I’m sure there’s been a misunderstanding,” he says, eyes searching around for an escape or option. “Perhaps we could come to an agreement on restitution?” he asks hopefully, desperately. With his position in life, I’m sure he’s not used to being on the back foot.

Guilty as Charged expires again and some of the Igenis fire at me with weapons and form up a weak charge, still woozy from my Skill. This time I blast Fury of the Clan eight times in a row, obliterating everyone in the room except for Ry’aaltivalic.

“I’m not interested in restitution, I’m interested in you leaving us alone,” I growl. “I want a Contract, at the very least, and it better be coming right now. I’m losing patience.”

My Danger sense flares from my left and pushes on me to move, but it’s not strong enough for me to take my attention from Ry’aaltivalic. I want this over now and although I don’t want to start a full blown war with another race it wouldn’t be the first time.

“Sire!” someone calls out from the far side of the hall where my Danger Sense has been active. A Legendary Igenis Champion enters the room at the same time a scathing set of attacks smashes against my Unbreakable Evolution.

Psychic attack resisted

Mental influence resisted

Enfeeblement resisted

I feel something telekinetic try to grasp me and the anger I feel about this whole thing rises up. I trigger Wraithstrike to escape the telekinesis and flash over to the Champion to materialize just in front of her, Swords pointed at her head and heart. My arms are instantly grasped in a solid telekinetic lock that stops my attack cold, but I’ve done a lot of thinking since the Koldaavi Combat Championship about how to counter what happened to me in the final round and at the speed of thought my Swords both expand unchecked to twice their length to punch a hole in the head and chest of my opponent.

I don’t know enough about Igenis physiology to know if it will definitely kill her, but it’s no doubt distracting. I’m freed from her hold so I spin in place and rip my Swords out then slash them through her body again, slicing her into at least three pieces.

With a thunderous expression on my face I whirl to Ry’aaltivalic.

“Does anyone else have an objection?” I shout at him. Then, smoldering and certain, still hoping for a commitment for this species to leave Earth alone, I decide to give it 30 seconds and then be done with it one way or the other.

“I’ll wait. But not long.”

I stand in the middle of the sea of blood with my Swords out and adrenaline pumping through my body, but my focus is clear. I take a few deep breaths while Ry’aaltivalic flicks through notifications and briefly uses what looks like a communicator. I hope it’s to prepare the Contract I need, but if it’s to get reinforcements then bring it on. I keep a close monitor on my Foresight Skill as a notification I’ve been waiting for blinks at me in the corner of my vision, so I open it quickly.

Level Up!

You have reached Level 15 as a Human Sentinel

+4 Aura, +4 Mana

+65 free Attribute points to assign

You have 65 free Attribute points to assign

Would you like to allocate them now?

(Y/N)

You have 1 unallocated Class Skill point

Would you like to allocate it now?

(Y/N)

I’ve planned my pathway to this point for a long time now and although it will change if I manage to get to Level 16, this time is a repeat of my last few Levels. I drop all 65 Attribute points into Constitution and my Class Skill point into Gift of Gaia, finally reaching its Evolution.

Class Skill Evolved!

Gift of Gaia (Human Sentinel Skill) (Evolved)

The Sentinel’s deep connection with the Earth enables an increased connection to Earth’s Mana wherever they go, bolstering their ability to defend against threats.

Synergy with Dimensional Manipulation Affinity

Enhanced effect: Sentinel may anchor any point on Earth and constantly draw 100% of the AMLs for their own regeneration purposes (stackable) and increase their Mana regeneration by 100% (stackable)

Unique Evolution effect: Sentinel is immune from negative effects on Health, Stamina, and Mana regeneration

I didn’t know what to expect from this Evolution but this is beyond anything I’ve considered! As soon as I open the notification and glance through it I feel the Mana surging through me, even in this low Ambient Mana Level area. At long last my penalty for Mana regeneration is gone, but the real showstopper benefit is being immune to negative effects on my regeneration. I’ve been worried that the longer I adventure, especially with the Eyes following me around, the more my Skills and Class are known and that would lead to someone finding a way to cripple my biggest advantage.

For the first time in a long time, I pull up my Status despite my surroundings. There isn’t time for a good look now, but going forward there are a lot of new choices to make and some pivotal decisions around Skills and Attributes.

Status Overview

Name

Bronwic Cadimus

Class

Human Sentinel

Race

Human (male)

Level

15

Titles

Exterminator, Overachiever, Powerhouse, Explorer, Bane World Delver, Survivor, Bastion, SSA High Enforcer, Mark of Tenebris (Hidden)

Health

9900

Health Regeneration

168538 /min

Stamina

14850

Stamina Regeneration

168538 /min

Mana

1980

Mana Regeneration

280 /min

Status Conditions

None

Attributes

Strength

323

Perception

1550

Constitution

990

Charisma

70

Agility

327

Luck

248

Aura

326

Mana

194

SMI Skills and Affinities

Danger Sense

66

Observe

52

Greater Affinity

Dimensional Manipulation

Survivor Damage Resistance

+20% when under 20% Health

Class Specific SMI Dynamics

Physical regen

Base + Base*AML

Mana regeneration

200%

Personal Weapon

Base damage: 743

Tech functionality

-25%

Mental Resistance

Invulnerable

All Resistances

80%

Damage Reduction

80%

Potion/Buff Penalty

-80% / -90%

Explorer Bonus

+20% XP

Penetration

1050%

Class Skills

Lesser Detection

1*

Power Strike

1*

Charge

1*

Instantaneous Inventory

1*

Clan Shield

1*

Force Projection

3*

Greatest Need

3*

Critical Strike

1*

Regeneration

Max*

Unbound

1*

Accelerate

1

Rise Again

1

Penetration

1

Greater Regeneration

Max

Imbue

1

Environmental Sense

1

Unbreakable

Evolved

Strength of the Clan

1

Wall of the Clan

1

Fury of the Clan

3*

Omnipresent

Evolved

Group Party Chat

1*

Gift of Gaia

Evolved (+30 AML)

Sword of the Sentinel

1

Know Thy Enemy

1

Wraithstrike

1

Elemental Aegis

1

Guilty as Charged

1

Spells

Minor Healing

1

“It is done,” says Ry’aaltivalic, returning my attention to him.

“If the next thing that happens is violence, there will be no mercy,” I inform him with dead calm and then sense the Eyes disappear from above and behind me.

“High Enforcer Cadimus! That won’t be necessary,” another voice says as six Igenis step through a Portal into the hall. Ry’aaltivalic hasn’t moved but his posture shifts to seem less panicked. I pull their basic information as my Danger Sense goes haywire, but Foresight remains silent so I smother my instincts to attack immediately.

L’oolxiva Mag-jiit Novabrood (Level 25 Crown Prince) (Legendary)

[Igenis] [Igenis Royal Family] [Laniakea Supercluster]

Yu’nityyl Hyd-viilkik Diamondbrood (Level 22 General) (Legendary)

[Igenis] [Igenis Royal Guard] [Laniakea Supercluster]

Bo’aaghicty Jyt-bulcdon Argonbrood (Level 26 Warlord) (Legendary)

[Igenis] [Igenis Royal Guard] [Laniakea Supercluster]

Cu’yyck Nu-falstix Greenbrood (Level 27 Harbinger) (Legendary)

[Igenis] [Igenis Universal Services] [Laniakea Supercluster]

Fi’ooltic Wy-coviktic Diamondbrood (Level 20 Guardian) (Legendary)

[Igenis] [Igenis Royal Guard] [Laniakea Supercluster]

Tu’iizoc Zyn-tulocic Goldbrood (Level 27 Archmage) (Legendary)

[Igenis] [Igenis Royal Guard] [Laniakea Supercluster]

Shit.

“High Enforcer Cadimus, let me start with an apology,” says L’oolxiva with an open gesture of his four arms, which is not where I thought we were headed despite Foresight giving me some confidence. I eye them all carefully and then glance over at Ry’aaltivalic, supplicating himself on the floor. The Crown Prince and his bodyguards are powerfully built and obviously equipped with the very best offensive and defensive gear. They literally radiate power. I can only imagine they’ve also got access to the kind of Credits you need to buy the best Skills and spells in the Shop.

But… they’re not making any hostile moves.

“Apology?” I ask, interested but very much ready to react in a split second.

I dismiss my Swords from my hands, which is more a show of intent than anything else since I can call them back at the speed of thought. I don’t drop Acceleration or my Elemental Aegis though. No need to be stupid about it.

“Yes. On behalf of the Igenis Royal Family in the Laniakea Supercluster, I formally apologize for the actions of Our family against you and your planet. You recently managed to push out Oblivion Shroud, did you not? There will be no further hostilities between us initiated by any of the Igenis people under Our command. I also wish to thank you for sparing the life of Broodmate Kyc-kychalic. He is new to his Legendary Class and I fear his enthusiasm to make a name for himself has caused him to significantly overreach.”

This is definitely not what I expected and maybe they’re full of shit, but they’ve got the Levels and Titles to make my life difficult if they want to, and Earth doesn’t need any more enemies when we’re trying to fight off another Influx. This is the outcome I was hoping for.

“I have no quarrel with the Igenis based on your words, Crown Prince. It seems you’ve already received the message I came here to deliver, and you agree. Earth needs friends more than enemies, but I will not accept attacks on humanity or myself.”

“I would expect nothing less,” L’oolxiva replies and waves his upper left hand casually, sending over a notification.

Contract of Peace

L’oolxiva and the Igenis Royal Family offer you a Contract of Peace on behalf of the Igenis Kingdom.

Accept?

(Y/N)

“I’m not familiar with Contracts of Peace,” I tell him.

“Unsurprising, given your planet’s circumstances. You are welcome to review the terms and conditions at your leisure. Our Contract of Peace offer is open for the foreseeable future, canceled only through hostile actions from humanity.”

“Thank you,” I say sincerely. “You will understand what I mean when I say that I hope to never see you again.”

L’oolxiva and his bodyguards all laugh, or at least the Igenis equivalent of laughter, and I trigger Omnipresent to Portal back to Uncle Ant who looks to already be in Mississauga with our new friend Scotty. Looks like we’re going to need a Galactic lawyer on the team.