Published at 2nd of August 2026 11:09 am

Chapter 368: Growth

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

Bogeys left, bogeys left, came Serrins voice.

I see them, said Nicolai, focusing on the large curving screen before him. It showed a cloud-strewn sky, in which two distant shapes were outlined by red squares. Taking evasive action, he added.

Roger! yelled Serrin, and the plane began to bump and jostle slightly, like a parked car when someone was rocking it manically. From behind him, in Serrins part of the cockpit, he could hear the Hornet thrashing excitedly around. He knew, if he asked, that the Hornet would simply say he was working to make the simulation more convincing.

Switching to guns, he said. You take over flight.

Got it, said Serrin, and the rocking ceased. Serrins skill in languages had improved sharply since hed gained his implants, and spent more time talking with the Modules.

Nicolai thumbed a few buttons, and his screen displayed targeting information. Loosing missile, he said, and he heard a whooshing noise come from directly behind. He was beginning to wonder if he should have allowed such contact between Serrin and the Modules. Somehow they possessed a large database of stored media, and had decided to prepare Serrin for this moment by having him watch old war movies. Still, the Hornets interjections did actually aid his immersion slightly.

Tracking, tracking, he muttered, lost in imagination. Got him.

Baboom! cried Serrin. The skies are clear.

How are you feeling back there? Nicolai asked as the simulation cleared from the screens, replaced by a view through the planes front window, which displayed his base the room in which the nearly finished plane was being constructed. A construction bot was stomping past, hefting a large curving piece of metal.

It feels good. Everythings in the right place. This seat is actually comfy, now theres a space for my stinger and gaps for my wings. This might actually be one of the best chairs Ive ever sat in.

With a click and a hiss, the roof slid back. Nicolai levered himself to his feet, grasped the side and swung himself out, to slither down the side of the plane to the ground. Serrin followed quickly after him. Nicolai could not help running a loving hand over the smooth metal of the planes outer body, turning his head and losing himself in its perfect lines, the sharp, defined ridges of its wings, the wonderfully menacing shapes of missiles slung underneath them ah, no, he was imagining that. The missiles werent ready yet.

Like what you see? said Serrin, and Nicolai heard the smirk in his tone. The Hornet was becoming increasingly good at reading him.

He cleared his throat, stepping away. Its looking good, he said. Very good indeed. So. Nothing youd change in your compartment?

Not that I can think of, said Serrin. Links up nicely with my implants.

There came a metallic scrabbling noise, and Nicolai saw the Infiltrator pulling itself out of its own compartment.

The plane was nearly complete, the result of quite a bit of work by the growing army of bots under his control these past days. And that was not the only change. Serrins Soul Sense to his side, pressing slightly against his own, was a weighty thing. The Hornet too had reached Tier 2, and just like Nicolai, he had a bright Soul. He had even worked on making a couple of changes to his Soul, meaning that both of them had gone quite a bit further than was typical for those rising to Tier 2not only bright, but with custom Engravings. Serrins White Gift had given him quite an advantage in his ascension, just as Nicolais Modules had given him one, and using the three-dimensional magic circles had also made a difference. The Hornet had been quite uncertain about Nicolais creation, in fact hed called it very weird and unnecessary.

Fortunately, Nicolai, aided by the Modules, had managed to convince him to use it. The idea of Serrin not using everything available to ensure his Ascension went as well as it possible could had birthed in him a horrible itchy feeling, something that he knew would forevermore have bugged him whenever he felt the brush of the Hornets Soul Sense.

As the Infiltrator clattered over the side of the plane, clinging to it with its sticky feet, its Soul Sense brushed him. It, too, was now Tier 2. Alas, it didnt have a bright Soul. Hed found no way to aid it himself, and the only option had been to put the three Modules who were determined to be the best at manipulating Souls into then have them go the Simple Ascension method. There had been a Module battle-royale to determine this, with the top three spots taken by Cyberwarfare, Threat Analysis, and Psychology.

Thanks to using double the number of Symbiotes (hed purchased more at the market, after receiving so many funds), the maximum number of shardache, and the second Toothbearer Blood Symbiote hed gained from Legals abuse of House Morvain, plus the doubled three dimensional circle, theyd managed a slightly modified version of the Simple Ascension which had ultimately allowed the Infiltrator to barely gain enough latent potential to be considered a glowing Soulgiving it a shot at developing a Silver Soul.

Currently, Research and Development plus Movement and Combat were piloting the Infiltrator. Hed determined that Movement and Combat were the best fits for it, day-to-day. The third slot would be taken depending on the situation. Research and Development was currently there because it wanted to get hands-on with the plane.

Nicolai was aware of virtual chatter over local as Research and Development threw out rapid instructions to Sentinel, the base AI. A small army of bots surrounded the plane.

Nicolai left them to it, striding towards the large doorway.

Hows your Soul? he asked Serrin.

Fully recovered, the Hornet replied, following after. Training? he added, eager.

Nicolai nodded. Since rising to Tier 2, they had spent hours every day engaged in spiritual training. Nicolai wanted to learn more about the world of spiritual hacking Serrin had unveiled to him, and he and Cyberwarfare had already learned a surprising amount. Until recently Serrin had been setting up small-scale spiritual defences, as tests for Nicolai and Cyberwarfare, but earlier that day hed declared they were skilled enough that he would need far more funds and time than was worthwhile, if he was to build something that would actually pose a challenge, so theyd pivoted to focused entirely on more combat-focused training.

Simply testing out the strength of their Souls against one another was usefulnot merely for fun or practice, though those were both part of it, but to help strengthen and firm their Souls. Following their rise to Tier 2, both were loaded with latent potential. It would stick around for a couple of months before it started to fade away, and that was how long they had to truly solidify their gains and turn their bright Souls into Golden Souls. By actively exercising their Souls via combat and spiritual exercises, they had already started that process.

As to fully transforming their Souls into Golden Souls, that required something external. They needed to find places especially rich in Aura, such as the places hed come to think of as active areas where the plants and trees were taller and lusher, the creatures stronger and more densely packed. All results of the thickening Aura.

It transpired the proper term for these spots was Gathering Zones. They came in three typical flavours: faint, thick, and rich. There were also said to be an even higher level, classed as overwhelming, but these were legendary places and, if they existed at all, were very difficult to find.

Much of the process during Tier 2 involved using these areas of dense aura to strengthen ones Soul, via active Cultivation. That was something Nicolai had learned of but never personally engaged in, as during Tier 1 the only purpose of actie Cultivation was gathering Oma faster.

The majority of the world had a normal base level of Aura, which when compared to the Gathering Zones was classed as bare. All the Gathering Zones hed thus far stumbled upon were what would be classed as Faint Gathering Zones.

If he and Serrin wanted to attain a Golden Soul, they would need to find at least a Thick Gathering Zone, but a Rich Gathering Zone would be ideal.

I didnt say anything, said Serrin, because, well, I think its cool. And Im enjoying watching it grow, but... I have to ask, whats the point of this plane? You said its for flying, but... He spread his arms. Both of us can fly.

We can, but not particularly fast. I want to get to the end of this jungle, reach the barrier from which I can enter the next area. Its a long way away. Equally, our need to find the right kind of Gathering Zone. From what Ive read it will take us quite some searching for discover one.

Serrin nodded. Rich ones especially are rare. The Hive knows of one, but its in the territory of another Hive further west. Better to stay away from there.

Thats where the plane will help. Using Hornet Flight Symbiotes, our top speed is about fifty miles an hour. This plane will be able to manage eight hundred with little trouble. If pushed, it could go faster still.

Eight hundred! exclaimed Serrin. Thats... He began counting on his fingers. One, two... sixteen times faster?!

Well need that speed. This jungle is vast. Without that, it would take far too long to get where I need to go, let alone find one of these places.

They wound their way through the complex of the base, talking about nothing in particular. It was larger now, and growing more every day, as the vast quantity of materials hed purchased were put to good use. The Assembler now had an entire room to itself. Serrin had remarked that it seemed to be breeding little copies of itself, and indeed all kinds of additional processors and refiners now filled the space around it, augmenting its own capabilities.

He and the Modules had come up with a detailed plan for expansion, which had been handed over to Sentinel. The base AI itself was felt as a constant presence. It lived in the walls, the security systems, the bots, everywhere. Though technically only an AGI, it was in fact much more capable than a typical human and was constantly at work, managing the ever-growing base. Right now, that plan was focused on having the Assembler spit out bot after bot for all kinds of purposes. This world of industry hidden beneath the earth was experiencing a near exponential growth.

Soon, the Assemblers internal fusion reactor would reach its capacity, at which point the growth would drastically slow. This in mind, Nicolais attention had turned to the surrounding area, where already quite extensive defences had been installed. Having discarded his previous goal of hiding all signs of activity, work had been able to move very fast. Each of the past three nights had seen a stream of bots and automated carts emerging from the cave, loaded down with heavy gun turrets and loops of wire, to go and build gun emplacements and lay down power lines. He and Serrin had been accompanying these night time construction crews, driving off jungle creatures that caused trouble and arranging retreat in the event something too dangerous to easily handle showed up. Once the area was properly secure, he was planning to build a few solar panel farms.

Before they could arrive at their dedicated training room, Sentinel pinged him. For a moment he paused, staring at nothing while he communicated with the AI.

What is it? asked Serrin, immediately noticing the change in his demeanor.

Of a sort, he said. We have some uninvited guests.

Hornets? But we still have a day Scoundrels?

Thats right.

Trouble, muttered Serrin, already reaching for the spear he kept always on his back.

Nicolai stopped him with an outraised hand. There is no need for us to intervene at this stage.

Eh? What do you mean? Were just going to sit here?

Of course not. We have training to do. As to the Scoundrels

Consider this a test, he told Sentinel. Show me what you can do.

The AI sent an affirmative.

###

A Tier 2 Cultivator crept through the jungle, her body visible as no more than a blurred smear due to her stealth Symbiotes. Around her spread the rest of the team, a mixed group, some of them cultivators, some of them cyborgs, none of them entirely at ease with one another, but willing to work towards a common aim: taking down the target.

He was out here somewhere, and his bounty was approaching one-and-a-half million. The trackers had not been able to get a good lock on him, but they knew he was roughly in this area, and increasingly they were seeing signs of human habitation. Or at least, the cyborgs with them said the signs were such. She could only take them at their word, having never seen such strange tracks as those crawling over the ground.

It seemed the target was making little effort to conceal his activity. The thought made her, and many of the others smile. Practically all of them were thinking the same thing: amateur. By all accounts he was a capable combatant, but he couldnt stand against all of them. He ought to be taking pains to conceal himself and hope they never found him. As it was, she and the others were sure they were closing in, though the ones from Earth, oddly, were increasingly nervous, muttering about bots.

She pushed a vine out of her way, peered warily about, then advanced along with the others.

And that was when everything went wrong.

A few dozen metres away, she saw something erupt out of the ground, a big, boxy thing made of metal, no Soul Sense to speak of. From its top, something was sliding up and out, something she belatedly recognised as a huge gun, just as it swivelled down and took aim right at her.

The whole world erupted, a chaos of booming and howling, light and fire, screams and shouts. She felt the death ripples of more than half of them in those first instants of the ambush.

But she transformed into mist, using a Symbiote that had become increasingly sought after by those expecting to tangle with the technology of Earth. She flew towards the turret like a vengeful wraith, only, as she drew closer, its gun clicked into a new configuration. A spray of liquid fire erupted, boiling the air and coming quick toward her. She was driven back, but she outdistanced the fire. As she was trying to work out what her next move should be, she realised, with a start of horror, that she was the last one. Everyone was dead, and she did not even know where the enemy was.

She turned to flee.

Some time later, she reappeared, having put almost a mile between herself and the site of the ambush. Taking on that misty form used a lot of Oma, and she couldnt properly recover that Oma while in it. Immediately, she hunkered down behind a tree, grasping for the few precious Tier 2 crystals shed been stocking up, draining them dry.

What a disaster! At least I know the rough location, and a bit about the defences. That would be worth selling to other Scoundrels, but there was no way she would be making an attempt on this guy again herself. She

There was no pain, just a sharp shock. A horrible, brutal wrenching and then her view of the world was changed, strangely blurred like Soul Sense.

Through that blurred vision she saw the tree shed sheltered against collapsing, and what was left in it was strewn with blood and gore.

A moment later she realised she was a Soul, and from there realised she was dead. As the Aura began to grind at her, all she had time to do was scream out her rage and disbelief, reflexively detonating all of the Symbiotes left in the remains of her body. Then the Aura crushed down

A mile away, five separate turrets, all of whch held good, high-up locations that gave them sightlines over a wide area, folded up their heavy rifles and sank back beneath the ground. Sentinel pulled away from them, pleased with the results of this, the first live test of the defence systems. The rounds from all five turrets had hit the enemy at exactly the same moment, the result of perfectly timed shots. One of them had been a little off-target, and it made a note to send a maintainable bot to check the turret over. It must have received some minor damage during its install.

The AI moved quickly through the rest of the defences, taking stock of the rest of the turretsa couple of artillery pieces, then the numerous shorter-range suppressive turrets. It made a note to investigate that, too. Unused clusters of suicide-bomb drones lurked in containers underground, waiting to be released. Mines and other traps were hidden in trees and on the ground, and a whole network of hidden cameras and sonar sensors gave it eyes through the jungle.

At that moment, as the defences hid themselves away, armed droids were emerging. Sentinel was feeding those droids the locations of their fallen enemies and bidding them go and seek out the bodies for recovery. It activated the sonar emitters, which released a high-pitched sound that worked to drive away the majority of Toothbearers. A technology recently developed by Research and Development, one which was proving very useful during the night-time construction and maintenance period. It would keep up the sounds while the collection team recovered the corpses and equipment, to be taken to a safe holding area a good distance from the base, where it could be sorted out and held for Nicolai to review.

That done, Sentinel began assessing what had been used in the ambush, and the Assembler was given a few new orders. One turret had been lost, damaged by return fire a few of the Scoundrels had managed, and it needed to be repaired or replaced. A number of suicide drones had been used, and ammo reserves needed to be returned to full.

At that moment, as Sentinel performed the duties it had been built to perform, the AI really could not have been any happier.

###

The next day, Nicolai and Serrin stood once more before the Queen.

Her typical wrathful state was greatly alleviated when she saw that the pair of them were Tier 2. She was especially happy upon peering closely at Serrin.

You have a bright Soul, she cried, delighted. You are following in my footsteps, I see. Alas, many of your brothers did not possess the necessary talent. With this, she threw a scathing look at Xyrrith and Drekhul, which prompted them to shuffle unhappily then glare at Serrin. I had begun to think only my daughters would ever perform to my standards.

Thryss and Sythera straightened proudly where they stood either side of her. Now Tier 2 himself, Nicolais Soul Sense was more perceptive than before, and he found himself easily able to notice the differences, at least in fellow Tier 2s. Thryss and Sythera both had a Golden Soul. Xyrrith, Drekhul, and the rest of the hands all had Silver.

He did not need that increased perception to notice something else that had changed. This was the attitude of all the surrounding Tier 2s toward him and Serrin. The Queens Hands, her daughters, even Arcritch watching from his web-strewn cornerall their gazes had lost much of their previous dismissiveness, replacing it with wariness. Where before theyd been talented Tier 1s, now they were threatening Tier 2.

All but the Queen and the Ripper, whose attitudes seemed unchanged.

The Ripper he had already briefly visited, leaving with it the Infiltrator, containing Research and Development The two had been getting on worryingly well when he left. He hoped the Module would remember his instructions to make friends and learn all it could, and especially to see if there might be any notes lying around. The Ripper had barely seemed to notice he was Tier 2, much more interested in the Infiltrator and Research and Development.

The Queen certainly noticed, but it was clear she was not at all concerned. Nicolai, gazing at her, was able to understand why. It was increasingly obvious to him that she was much, much stronger than the Ripper. And he could infer that just as there were large differences in the power of individuals at Tier 2, so it was in Tier 3.

He was coming to the disquieting realisation that, just as he and Serrin were unusually strong for their state of Cultivator, so too was the Queen. She would have had a Golden Soul, and now she must have the Tier 3 equivalent. Worse still, he was pretty sure she was at the very peak of Tier 3.

She was a monster.

He and Serrin were at the very bottom of Tier 2, and as they progressed through it they would become significantly stronger. That was when they would truly show their strength, the benefits of their Engravings and the Golden Soul he was determined to gain. This sort of thing was a major reason for the differences in strength he had observed. In fact, Nicolai suspected that the majority of Tier 2s he had faced thus far were on the weaker end, with only a few standouts who he felt might have a Golden Soul or be reaching toward the peak of Tier 2.

He needed to defeat the Queen, that was where all this was going. But he was starting to worry that even with all the scheming and stacking of the deck he could manage

Would it be enough?

He knew that as he was right now, in spite of all his new augments and his wildly successful Ascension he stood absolutely no chance against her. She possessed overwhelming power, and he wanted that power so bad that his mouth was filling with the taste of blood. His hands slowly tightened into fists, lips drawing back beneath his helmet, mind a dark and hungry whirl. Stronger faster

Psychology prodded him, pulled him out of his thoughts. Something was happening.

What? the Queen was saying, her ripples a furious snarl. You refuse?

I refuse! said Serrin.

Oh dear, murmured the Mask, wincing. But he could feel its pride in Serrin, and, pushing at him like a hand on the back, its desire to back up and support the Hornet.

The Queen rose from her seat, and everyone in the room drew back a step. All but Serrin, who stood strong as she advanced on him. Do you know how difficult it was to acquire these two? And I did it for you! If you are to be any use to me in the city, you need a Mark. Nicolai thought she might strike the Hornet, and the Masks firm push grew in strength, but she merely shook her head in disgust. For all your new strength, still you remain so weak, so naive. She cast a scathing glare at Nicolai. I had expected so much more.

Nicolai, rewinding the conversation, quickly learned what was going on. The Queens scouts had found two more humans with the correct city access and, in what he imagined would be the typical hornet fashion, captured them. Now they were ripe and ready to go through the Rippers process, to be turned into a skin for a Hornet. Nicolai knew a little more about that process, now. It was far from pleasant, and needed the willing presence of the Hornet who was to use the skin. Naturally, she wanted Serrin to do so, and naturally the hornet had refused.

And, naturally, the both of them were now looking at him.

The Queen with a glare that spoke volumes, practically a whole book of You will make him do what I want.

Whereas from Serrin, the exact opposite.

A brief consult with the Mask and the Modules told Nicolai that even if he launched a very serious attempt to sway the Hornet, the odds of Serrin agreeing were minimal. On the other hand, the odds of this generating a likely unfixable rift in their relationship, was high. It would be useful if Serrin had a Mark. He remained silent and pretended not to notice the glares.

Soon enough, Serrin was sent away, following which the Queen punished Nicolai in the typical manner. But Niolai could tell her heart wasnt really in it. She was very pleased that Serrin was Tier 2, now. If a few more weeks with Serrin continuing to refuse to take on a human skin and Mark, things might get more dire, but hed cross that bridge when he came to it.

Somewhat more concerningly, the Queen made no mention of his swapping of the Quiet Knife. He had anticipated some kind of reaction and, in fact, found the lack of one more disquieting than if she had raged and frothed about it.

The meeting ultimately ended with a discussion on what he, Xyrrith, and Drekhul would be up to on the next trip to the city.

You will join House Thrynn, the Queen informed him, as they have the other part of the relic. I do not particularly care which role you gain, just make sure it is a useful one. Do not fail me in this.

Nicolai, in contrast, did care, and he already knew exactly what he wanted to gain. The Assassin role would come in very, very useful for his purposes.

There was one last thing he was interested in.

Last time I was here you allowed Serrin a visit to the armoury, to take what he pleased. You told me that you would have allowed me the same, were I Tier 2. He spread his arms. I am now Tier 2.

She scoffed. Serrin needs to take the Mark, he can do little in the City without one. You have brought me a success, but also a failure. They cancel one another out. Gain a useful role in House Thrynn. Do that, and you can have three Tier 2 Symbiotes from the armoury.

Achieving that role, which is so crucial to your plans, would be far more likely if you gave me the Symbiotes now

She gestured dismissively. Rewards are given for achievements. So far you have said much but accomplished little. If you want me to invest further in you, achieve something meaningful.

Those cold eyes in that cold face said plenty more. He was a tool, and he was far from indispensable. If he failed he would be discarded.

Of course, my Queen, he murmured. The road that would end with her severed head in his hands would not be short or easy, but he would get there in the end. One step, then another.

###

Nicolai stepped between two great gates of bone, guarded by a dozen undead ghouls, and on into the Thrynn compound. Before him was a robed member of House Thrynn who led him towards one of the larger buildings, which had its own great set of doors hanging open.

In here, sir, said the attendant, gesturing him into a large, dim space. The nobles of our House will be along shortly to lay out the challenge you and the other trialists shall be facing. Please, make yourself comfortable in the meantime.

Nicolai nodded to him and strode on. The eyes that turned his way, those of the individuals waiting within, comprised most of the assassins, spies, hitmen, and cutthroats currently at large in this sector of the city. They, like him, were all eager to gain the Assassin Role of House Thrynn.

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