Understanding the difference between Magic Skills and abilities, Cipher decided to focus on abilities first. Unlike skills, which could be enhanced by magic proficiency, abilities were tied to him directly—making them permanent assets. There were two abilities at the forefront of his mind, both tied to survival.
[Cipher~DEM, can you pull up a list of abilities that involve immunity?]
{DEM~Sure. Would you like the base level immunities or higher class?}
Cipher thought for a moment. A higher-class immunity sounded useful, but he also wanted to save Dream Credits for new Magic Skills. [Cipher~Let's start with the base-level ones first. Can they be upgraded later?]
{DEM~Yes, they can. Here is the list.}
Cipher scrolled through the options, skimming past a few minor resistances before his eyes locked onto one—(Demonic Power Immunity). The cost? 10,000 DC. He whistled low.
"Expensive."
Then, another ability caught his eye: (Control Immunity). It cost the same.
[Cipher~DEM, why do these cost so much? It doesn't make sense. It'll take forever to gather that many credits.]
DEM's response was immediate. {DEM~They are costly because they provide absolute resistance to their respective effects. That level of protection is invaluable. However, you will earn Dream Credits at a faster rate once you complete assignments given by the Goddess of the Void. The rewards scale with the difficulty.}
Cipher exhaled. That made sense. It was a relief, actually—if he had to hunt down Nightmare nests just to get more Dream Credits, progress would be painfully slow. Still, there was one immunity Cipher knew he needed now.
[Cipher~DEM, can you find Poison Immunity?]
A brief pause, then a new entry appeared.
{DEM~Here it is: (Poison Immunity) - 1,500 DC. Immunity begins at D-Class. Poisons ranked D-Class or lower will have no effect. This ability can be upgraded through the shop or by experiencing different poisons and toxins.}
Cipher didn't hesitate. He purchased it immediately.
Some might consider it a waste. He was immortal, after all—poisons couldn't kill him. But that didn't mean they couldn't paralyze him, weaken him, or drive him insane with pain. Just because his body couldn't die didn't mean he wanted to experience every horror imaginable.
For a split second, an old fear clawed at the back of his mind. Being trapped. Unable to move. Powerless.
He clenched his fist. No. Never again.
Cipher shook off the thought and refocused. One more ability.
[Cipher~DEM, is there an ability related to Light?]
DEM took only a moment to pull it up.
(Photokinesis) - Also known as (Light Manipulation). Users can bend, shift, focus, and generate light. This ability enhances light-based attack spells, allowing greater control and effectiveness.
Cipher grinned. Perfect.
Nightmares thrived in darkness. If he could control light itself, he might find ways to manipulate their weaknesses. He selected the ability, and as soon as he confirmed the purchase—
A warmth spread through his body, like sunlight pressing into his skin from the inside out. His vision flickered for a second, almost as if the world had grown sharper. He flexed his fingers, watching as the air around them shimmered imperceptibly, as though the light bent ever so slightly in his presence.
"Not bad."
Next, Cipher moved on to spells.
[Cipher~DEM, can you bring up a list of spells compatible with the Twin Stars? If possible, I want them to be fire or light-based.]
A few seconds passed before DEM responded.
{DEM~I found two that match your criteria.}
Cipher read them over, excitement bubbling up as he saw exactly what he needed.
(Blade of Flames) - 1,000 DC
Engulfs the user's weapon in flames, allowing attacks that burn and cut simultaneously. Warning: Fire persists after the spell ends, as it is a natural element.(Blade of Light) - 1,000 DC
Channels light energy into a weapon, damaging enemies with both light energy and physical strikes. Users with Photokinesis can also create a blade of pure light for combat.
Cipher didn't even hesitate. He bought both.
The moment Blade of Light activated, he felt it—a pulse, like his weapons recognized something new. The Twin Stars' silver handles rippled, the liquid-metal sheen shifting as they adjusted to their new potential.
Cipher exhaled, feeling his remaining Dream Credits drop to 525. A small price to pay for what he had gained.
He pulled up his updated status.
[System Display]
Name: Cipher Starlight
Age: 17
Role: Knight of Light - Counter (Immortal)
Strength: B-Class (12 → 20%)
Magic: C-Class → B-Class (4%)
Endurance: B-Class (15 → 30%)
Intelligence: A-Class (27 → 32%)
Agility: B-Class (0 → 15%)
Weapons: Twin Stars {Mastery Level 12 → 30%}
Blade Skills:
Extradict Blades - Uses Twin Stars as a medium for the Extradict spell, allowing attacks to simultaneously execute and purify Nightmares.Blade of Flames - Engulfs weapons in flames, cutting and burning simultaneously. Fire persists even after the spell ends.Blade of Light - Channels light energy into a weapon. Users with Photokinesis can manifest a blade of pure light for combat.
Learned Magic:
Amplification {Mastery Level 100%}Sound Manipulation {Mastery Level 60%}Reinforcement Magic {Mastery Level 65 → 75%}Sound Magic {Mastery Level 100%}Dimensional Magic {Mastery Level 3 → 7%}Void Magic ????????Extradict {Mastery Level 100%}
Abilities:
Photokinesis {Mastery Level 0%} - Can manipulate and generate light. Enhances light-based spells.Poison Immunity {Mastery Level 20%} - Immune to D-Class poisons and toxins. Can be upgraded.
Dream Credits: 525
Cipher closed the system menu and exhaled.
This was only the beginning.
He glanced at his hands, flexing his fingers. Photokinesis. Blade of Light. Blade of Flames. The power he had now was leagues beyond what he started with, but it still wasn't enough.
Raze would laugh at him if he saw this—mock him for relying on a system instead of raw instinct. Cipher could already hear the jeering tone in his head.
"Buying power, are we? Where's the fun in that?"
Cipher's grip on the Twin Stars tightened. Next time, when he stood before Raze again, there would be no mockery. No holding back.
He would prove—to himself and to everyone else—that his strength wasn't just something granted.
It was something earned.
And when the time came, he would be ready.