Nexus Awakened (An Isekai LitRPG Gender Bender Story)

629. Level 250 – The Echelons of the Beholders

Frost’s visit to Paradise had finally come to a triumphant end. Never in her wildest dreams did she expect to take down a Paradise Lost Corrupted, especially not in the way she did.

She could just collapse onto her knees in relief. But she stood there, basking in the sunshine.

“Nav.”

“Frost!? You’re finally answering me!”

Her panicked expression didn’t fit her monotone voice at all. It made Frost grin to herself, happy to hear that voice again.

“I think luck really is my best trait.”

“Are you all there!? Do you have any idea how worried we are!?”

Ah. It’s not just Nav. It’s everyone else.

Frost threw herself onto a broken bench, listening to the voices of concern delivered through Nav.

“You went silent for minutes! Minutes!” This manner of speech undoubtedly belonged to Cer. “At least say something or we’ll misunderstand, you idiot!”

“I’m sorry. I got into some trouble. Tell Cer I might take a nibble from her if she lets me off the hook.”

“Nav said you suddenly stopped talking. She couldn’t get to you. Mn. You’re terrible Frost. Did you fall asleep?” Ignis murmured.

“I promise I’ll make it up to you Ignis. I’m about to head back now.”

“You better. Frost, you really should say something you know!” Ber scolded. “The fact that it happened in Paradise doesn’t make it any better.”

“You’re right. But this was completely out of my hands. I’ll explain as soon as I can.”

“Please, apologize to us.” Res sighed. “At least to Jury. Enough is on her plate as is. She’s been watching over the Nexus in your stead.”

Frost froze at the mention of her lover’s name.

“… Yeah. I’m sorry. Jury, it must’ve been a scare for you. Are you ok?”

“Isn’t that my line?” Jury asserted breathlessly. “What happened to you? Nav sent out a warning as soon as she lost contact with you! My ring didn’t break. You weren’t in mortal danger, so what happened?”

Nav even simulated Jury’s breathlessness with terrifying accuracy. She must’ve run from something important when the news reached her. Guilt ate at Frost, but she was oddly happy to hear that they were all so worried about her.

“It’s a long story. Well, not long. I just stumbled into something bigger than anticipated.” Frost spoke truthfully, not wanting to worry Jury any more than she needed to. “… It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve heard your voice.”

“Are you really ok?” Jury managed to sense the thoughts weighing on Frost’s mind, lending her an ear and an invisible shoulder to rest on.

“I’m fine. Really. I wouldn’t lie to you, Jury. I’m just a bit tired. Hey, does this ring transmit my emotions?”

Frost laughed, inspecting the ring further. Jury remained silent on the other end. She was still concerned for her.

“I just know. Frost. Tell me what happened. It must’ve been big if Nav couldn’t get to you. The Nexus shook, you know? Another floor opened at the same time. You can see why it became such a big thing.”

The only times the Nexus shook was when it reacted to Frost’s emotional state, or when a Floor opened. It must have been mistaken for the former, which led to widespread panic. The Nexus operated on a hair trigger now Frost noticed it.

Frost heaved herself from the bench and took a stroll around Paradise, cradling The Piece of Paradise like a bouquet. She began from the beginning, right where she lost contact with Nav.

From Dark Memoria to the Icon of Judgement, the Princess, the Sins, the Angels, and that she managed to bring back a piece of the Princess from the past into the present.

What she didn’t mention was everything between, like the fact that Iscario and the Princess were the children of Michaela. That was something she wanted to tell Jury in person. Frost made it clear that she had more to tell her when she returned.

“We’ll speak soon.”

Though for some reason, Jury spoke like they’d be talking much sooner in person.

“On the bright side, I can confirm that the triplets can mobilize a sizable force. The Seci Response Arm and the Black Wings were assembled in my Workshop.”

“Don’t tell me… They were about to send an army of Moons into Grandis?” Frost murmured.

“No. They were going to find you themselves. The Moons were mobilized in case something happened to the Nexus while they were gone.”

“… good thing I came back just in time. Haaaaah. Hey. Jury. Do you remember when we first met them? They came to Grandis looking for me. We almost had another cycle on our hands.”

Frost jokingly said, reminiscing.

“Cycle? What are you talking about? Frost. It’s because they love you very much.”

It made Frost feel warm inside. Hearing the love from her friends gave her renewed energy to survey the remainder of Paradise in search of the Price of Paradise. Though she knew that it was unlikely that it was still here, she did it anyway, speaking to her loved ones like they were right next to her.

“Frost. Can you hold onto our ring?”

“I’m already wearing it.”

“Hold it with your free hand. Press your thumb and index finger on it.”

“Ok. Done. What happens next?”

“Hold it there for a few minutes. As I said, we’ll be talking in person very soon.”

Frost’s Nex was drawn into the ring, empowering it. A faint, pale glow appeared within the dark onyx. She peered deeply into the ring, finally catching a glimpse of her reflection.

Her jaw dropped, and her eyes sparked with fascination.

“… Woah…”

< Did something come up again? Your heart rate has increased unexpectedly >

 

< This rhythm is consistent with the times you have leered at your own reflection >

 

“Is leering the same as admiring now?” Frost laughed. “I can’t help it. These eyes were always my type. That’s probably why I fell for Jury so quickly. Stern eyes are just irresistible.”

< Your inner Cer is strong >

 

< Welcome back, Frost >

“Mhm. Thank you. I’m back.”

She stopped by the garden in the center of Paradise and tugged on strands of her Coat of Prejudice. Black and golden feathers burst from the torn holes like giant icicles. They smothered her visage, covering her appropriately as she donned her illustrious version of the Coat of Prejudice.

“Hey, Nav. What do you think about gold on black?”

< It is a stellar combination because it reminds me of our stary nights >

 

< Most of all, it reminds me of you >

 

Frost brushed her fingers through her hair as she stared into the eyes of her reflection. The muted, dull colors became brighter as though she was staring at another version of herself.

Finally, was able to behold her newfound appearance in all its golden glory.

“Then you’ll love how I look now.”

* * *

 

< I see there have been some changes since I was last with you >

 

< For starters, you have gained several levels and stats >

 

< All in the span of minutes >

 

< The Fifth Milestone Level Has Been Reached >

 

< Welcome to the echelons of the Beholders >

 

< I am happy to report that the level 250 limit of the Beholders does not apply to you >

 

< HP and MP have tremendously increased >

< New Unique Category has been granted >

< Additional Active and Passive Skills have been granted >

 

Beholder Skills

< A glimpse of the Stars >

 

< You are unable to fully inherit Gifts from Stars like mankind >

< They cannot devour you >

 

< But you may use them like they are your own under the correct circumstances >

 

< All Aspects of Technology and Gifts from Stars may be used as Beholder Skills >

< All Skills and Passives will utilize Nex >

 

< Beholder Skills do not contribute to Overall Levels >

< They can only be levelled through the resonance between you and the Beholder carrying the Gift of a Star >

 

< Resonate with Beholders to fully unlock Beholder Skills >

 

< The meaning of resonate is unclear >

 

< Beholders Skills you unlock will be vastly different from the Aspect of Technology Abilities you possess >

 

< But they are also similar for they all come from one place >

 

< Title has been revoked >

< The title you earned was Glimpse of Elsewhere >

 

< The Amalgam >

< It happily consumes all >

< What a gluttonous title >

 

< Conflagrator Has Reach its Second Milestone Level >

 

< Bonuses to HP and MP regeneration have been granted >

< Additional Active and Passive Skills have been granted >

< Efficacy and efficiency of Skills derived from Conflagrator has been granted >

 

< (O) ACTIVE: Cinder’s Light >

< EFFECT: Instantly consume all Cinder Stacks on target. One half damages HP and the other will damage MP. When MP is depleted and Cinder’s Light is used, damage the mental Stability of target by 1/10th of applied Cinder Stack on MP. When it exceeds target’s RESIST stat, force the Prophecy of Flames Condition >

 

Prophecy of Flames

< EFFECT: Invoke Instability on targets who possess Corrupted Personas, Corrupted Skills or Impuritas Skills. If Target is a Sin then increase Cinder Stack damage from 200 per Stack to 1,000 >

 

< (O) PASSIVE: Plaugeflame >

< EFFECT: 1/10th of Sinder Stacks spread by proximity to those deemed as enemies >

 

< Unique Ability Gained >

< All Unique Abilities of the Icon of Judgement Have Been Condensed >

 

< ABILITY: The Heart of Judgement >

< One Thousand Good Deeds to Absolve One Sin >

< EFFECT: Enables the discovery of the Salvation Criteria >

 

< The immense stats of the Icon of Judgement could not be fully devoured >

 

< Additionally, the complete stats of a Corrupted within a Reminiscence or Rewound has reduced the stats you have gained >

 

< But what you have gained is monstrous regardless >

 

< PROFESSIONS >

 

OFFENSIVE

ULTRA VIOLENCE: 111

CONFLAGRATOR: 63

 

DEFENSIVE

COUNTER OFFENSIVE: 37

 

SUPPORT

THE OTHERWORLDLY HEALER: 257

LEADERSHIP: 15

 

EXPLORATION

APPRAISER: 40

COOK: 40

COMPREHENSION: 8

 

< ACTIVE SKILLS >

 

OFFENSIVE

(O) Punch V

(O) Double Punch II [5/10]

(O) Goodnight [1/10]

(O) Armor Piercing I [6/10]

(O) Magnitude I [7/10]

(O) Obliterate [2/10]

(O) Inferno II [3/10]

(O) Liquid Fire II [2/10]

(O) Thermal Propagation I [8/10]

(O) Cinder’s Light [0/10]

 

DEFENSIVE

(D) Solemn Counter III [7/10]

 

SUPPORT

(S) Grand Healing V

(S) Cure Disease III [6/10]

(S) Prolonged Stasis V

(S) Area heal III [3/10]

(S) Cleanse IV [9/10]

(S) Corporeal Restoration III [9/10]

(S) Inspiration! I [5/10]

 

EXPLORATION

(E) Home Cook IV [0/10]

(E) Appraise Object III [4/10]

(E) Non-Euclidian Interpretation [8/10]

 

< PASSIVE SKILLS >

 

OFFENSIVE

(O) Tooth and Nail

(O) Severe Combo

(O) Fight, Never Flight!

(O) Origin of Flames

(O) Finely Tuned Violence

(O) Remnants of an Ancient Ember

(O) Plagueflame

 

DEFENSIVE

(D) Fine Line

(D) Instinctive Drive

 

SUPPORT

(S) Hyper Saturated Blood

(S) Medical Attention Please!

(S) Ultra Coordinated

(S) Mana Profusion

(S) Painkiller

(S) Heart of Hearts

 

EXPLORATION

(E) Dimensional Storage III (27kg/60kg)

(E) Comprehension I

 

< MASTERY EFFECTS >

(O) Punch V: Omnipresent Maw

(S) Grand Healing V: Black Dove’s Commitment

(S) Prolonged Stasis V: Black Dove’s Roost

< BEHOLDER SKILLS >

Locked

 

< ABILITIES >

Archetype of Amalgamation

Blessing of the Amalgam

Eyes of Judgement

Language of Judgement

Unwavering Wick

String Theory (Aspect of Technology)

Touch of the Black Dove

Strike of the Black Dove

The Language of Greed

Leader of Hearts

Nex Accumulation (Aspect of Technology)

Reach for the Stars!

Spatial Distortion IV (Aspect of Technology)

Oblivion Lock (Aspect of Technology)

Nascent Fluids (Aspect of Technology)

Soul Anchor (Aspect of Technology)

Raw Fragment of the Warped Stone (Aspect of a Star)

The Universal Language

Technological Convergence

Dreaming Sheep

Glimmers Be Silenced

The Heart of Judgement