[However, there exists two restrictions. First, any hybridization is not permitted. The entity must have its roots in your world of origin which, in your case, is Earth. Secondly, its initial strength will be limited to the rating of the item. In this instance, the "Novice" prefix denotes that the entity will begin with 20% of its max power, but fret not, as it possesses the potential to grow alongside you.]
Ah, there it was…
The thought of constructing a 'Frankenstein-esque' monstrosity, devoid of any vulnerabilities, had certainly crossed his mind, but it appeared that the system had enough foresight. Nevertheless, it was still unbelievably strong and unique: an entity of his choosing, beginning with a fifth of its strength…
This led to a grin slowly creeping on his face, as he thought that the process could be quite fun. But before going any further, he took a moment to assess the other benefits his newly minted status afforded him.
"System, is the teleportation feature really as it says? Will I be able to go instantly to the location of my choice, anywhere on the continent?"
[That's correct.]
This once again astonished him. Teleportation was still a work of fiction back on Earth, and yet here it was, readily available. This too, he concluded, had to be the handiwork of magic.
"System, will the entity be able to teleport with me?"
[Yes, but only one entity can do so.]
"Fantastic, now how do I create it?"
[Grasp the gem in your hand and envision the entity you wish to summon. Remember, the clearer the memories, the better the result.]
Armed with this knowledge, it was finally time to think of his inaugural companion, as he wouldn't manipulate the gem until he was absolutely certain of his choice. The system, too, fell into a quiet repose, seemingly waiting for this conclusion.
After a few breaths and a couple of steps to clear his mind, the first category he eliminated were intellectuals. It may have been arrogance, but he strongly believed he was more than enough in that department. His expertise was also wide and varied, after all, so his confidence wasn't unwarranted. His next dismissal was animals. Without knowledge of the fauna living here, the compatibility risks were simply too great.
What arose afterwards, however, was a lot of self-doubt. He had just taken the
"Of course… This is the only choice."
His picture was of a man… Actually, was it a man?
No, it was more like a… beast. Yes, a man that resembled a beast.
A beast so oppressive that merely standing near it made it difficult to breathe.
A beast so strong and imposing that its appearance sent shivers through anyone's spine.
A beast so cunning that its preys only caught sight of it when they drew their final, shuddering breath.
A force of nature so devastating that it was capable of single-handedly leading an army of hundreds of thousands.
This was a legend whose military exploits had earned him, in the eyes of many, the title of the greatest General to ever exist. The King of Macedon and architect of one of the largest empires in history: Alexander the Great.
Lloyd was convinced. This was the perfect pick for Arcadia. He was a General that had distinguished himself in combat, had ruled with an iron fist, and possessed an extensive repertoire of strategies that could be adapted to any circumstance. His mastery of pre-modern weaponry like swords and spears was also a significant factor, especially given Christopher's ignorance about this world's technological level.
Armed with unwavering conviction, the engineer then firmly clasped the mysterious gem in his grasp.
[Would you like to use this item?]
"Yes."
The word had barely left his lips when the gemstone transformed into delicate dust, flowing through his fingers and gracefully swirling in the air before him. The mesmerizing phenomenon was strikingly similar to what had transpired during the items' creation, which he was sure promised to be as beautiful. However, an unsettling sensation washed over him – something felt… amiss. Just as he was about to take a few steps back, the daylight began to fade, and a cold wind started to whip around him.
"What the…"
He glanced upwards, only to witness that dark, ominous clouds were converging at an alarming rate, violently swirling over what had now become a purple vortex. It wasn't long before lightning ensued, followed by thunder so deafening he froze on the spot, the spectacle more impressive and more terrifying than anything he had ever seen. The vortex then continued to expand until it was roughly the size of a small tornado, and despite the destructive gale that accompanied it, he remained unscathed, a mere few meters away from the chaotic maelstrom.
Was this also the work of magic!?
But before he could even gather his thoughts, a bolt of lightning, a leviathan in its own right, rent the sky in two as it hammered down with an ungodly fury onto the center of the whirl, completely obliterating it. In its cataclysmic wake, the sonic boom generated by the thunderclap resonated with such power that it jostled the earth beneath him, birthing shockwaves that spiraled outwards with flying plumes of earth, dust, and debris. As a result, his vision was rapidly obscured as the world turned into a hazy, dust-choked twilight.
And then… Nothing.
The chaos had, simply and abruptly, ended. Meanwhile, Christopher couldn't help but cough and frantically wave his arms in an effort to clear the lingering dust, although not without simultaneously berating the system.
"What the fuck was that!? Are you trying to kill me!? You said you couldn't harm me!!!"
[Correct. Your life was not endangered at all during this process.]
His subsequent sigh was heavy, echoing his relief and exasperation alike. A simple warning would have sufficed… However, his introspection was cut short as the world around him was suddenly bathed again in resplendent sunlight, blinding him momentarily. But as his eyesight adjusted, he was met with a paradox in its own right. The storm-ridden skies had simply vanished, their ominous presence instead replaced by the familiar triad of suns, their radiant bodies suspended against the brilliant azure sky. The speed at which the phenomenon had formed and ended was just startling. The dense clouds of dust were also now much thinner, allowing for his vision to extend much farther than before, and as he was about to turn his gaze towards the location of the final lightning strike, a prompt materialized.
[The item has been used successfully.]
[The entity
A sudden chill crawled up his spine, followed by an increase in pressure so strong it nearly brought him to his knees.
"System, what's… what's happening?!"
An irrational fear then washed over him, causing his mental faculties to diminish by the second. Wasn't this his subordinate!? Why the hell was he being negatively affected!?
[User
He really wanted to kill the system this time around. This was vital information that should've been shared upfront!!! Still, there was no time to whine.
While summoning every bit of his strength, he began to turn around, the pressure increasingly threatening to drive him into the ground. His body also protested vehemently, his muscles twitching in anguish against the insurmountable force. At that point, it was a test of willpower, and one he refused to lose. But just as he managed to completely turn around, he instantly recognized the gravity of his situation.
"What a monster…"