SWNOVELXO Chapter 8: Whispers of War
[You have completed the Main Quest 'Path to Power']
[You have received: Unique-Rank Dungeon Key – 'Sanctuary of the Primordial Sea']
[You have received: Unique-Rank Item – 'Cloak of the Wise One']
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[Dungeon Key – Sanctuary of the Primordial Sea]Type: Dungeon Key
Rank: Unique
Effect: Grants one-time access to a hidden, water-aligned Dungeon: [Sanctuary of the Primordial Sea].
Restriction:
Usable only by individuals with Divine Lineage linked to Oceanic Primordials or possessing extremely high Water Affinity.
Level Requirement: 100
Description:
A key carved from mother-of-pearl and deep-sea obsidian. It glimmers like sunlight rippling through water, and when held, the sound of distant waves echoes faintly in the mind. Said to unlock a realm untouched by time—where ancient sea gods first whispered life into the oceans. Only those who have grown strong enough to withstand the pressure of the deep may enter.
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[Cloak of the Wise One]Type: Equipment – Cloak
Rank: Unique
Class-Restricted: Caster
Origin: Woven from forgotten mist and starlight, this cloak was once worn by Merlin, the Grand Caster. Its enchantments disrupt perception itself—veiling its wearer from the all-seeing eyes of divine beings.
Description:
"The wise walk in twilight, not to run from destiny—but to choose when and how they're seen."
Effects:
Passive – Shroud of Avalon:
The wearer is completely concealed from all forms of divine clairvoyance, scrying, or remote observation, including attempts from gods and primordial beings.
Exception: Can be bypassed only if the Player is within the observers domain (e.g., Poseidon in the sea, Hades in the Underworld, Zeus on Olympus).
Note: This effect does not block prophecies or fate-sensing abilities. Percy's destiny and prophecy-related interactions still function normally.
Dreamer's Veil:
While within Territory Creation, concealment-based effects become twice as potent, and any active tracking or observation spells return false readings or illusions instead of accurate data.
Percy blinked at the system messages glowing softly in front of him. His fingers hovered over the new items in his inventory. The Dungeon Key felt heavy with promise—like it was holding a secret he wasn't quite ready to unlock yet.
Then there was the cloak. He pulled it out and held it up, admiring the fabric that shimmered with faint starlight.
"Okay… fancy," Percy muttered, draping it over his shoulders. It felt light and smooth, almost like it wasn't really there.
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[Perseus 'Percy' Jackson]
[Level – 14]
[EXP: 748 / 5764]
[HP: 980 / 980]
[SP: 980 / 980]
[MP: 1280 / 1280]
Stats:
• STR: 36 (Base 33 + 3)
• AGI: 51 (Base 47 + 4)
• VIT: 49 (Base 47 + 2)
• INT: 64 (Base 61 + 3)
• CHA: 33
• LUC: 25
(Note: The reason the stats are so high is because he got all the stat points he would've gotten if he if he had the castor class from level one)
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Percy adjusted the Cloak of the Wise One, tugging it a little tighter around his shoulders. The fabric shimmered faintly, whisper-light yet warm against his skin. A system ping echoed softly in his ears.
[Equipment Equipped: Cloak of the Wise One]
[Effect Activated: Shroud of Avalon – Concealed from divine clairvoyance except within observers domains]
He squinted at the status screen floating in front of him and then tapped over to his new Class Skills.
Class Skills – [Caster]:
• Territory Creation (Active, Rank E)
Mana Cost: 30 MP
Effect: Creates a magical zone granting a 5% mana cost reduction and 5% boost to magical damage inside the area for 60 seconds.
Description: "Manifest a controlled zone where your magic flows easier and strikes harder."
• Mana Burst (Active, Rank E)
Mana Cost: 20 MP
Effect: Temporarily boosts all physical stats by 10% for 1 seconds. No cooldown. Does not stack.
Description: "Channel a surge of magical energy through your body, enhancing your physical abilities."
• Item Construction (Active, Rank E)
Mana Cost: 15 MP
Effect: Create common items from available materials within range.
Description: "Manifest simple objects using materials at hand."
• Magic Resistance (Passive, Rank E)
Effect: Automatically reduces magic damage by 10%. Nullifies effects from Rank E magic.
Description: "Your body naturally resists weaker magical attacks."
"Alright," Percy muttered, straightening up. "Time for the test run."
He raised his hand and concentrated.
"Create Territory."
[Skill Activated: Territory Creation]
[Mana Cost: 30 → 24 (20% reduction from Chanting)]
[Effect: Magical territory created. Duration: 60 seconds. Mana cost reduction inside territory: 5%. Magical damage boost inside territory: 5%.]
A faint shimmer spread outward from his feet, forming a circular dome of blue light with softly glowing edges. The air within seemed denser somehow—charged with energy, yet easier to breathe.
"Cool," Percy whispered. "Now we go full wizard mode."
He pumped his fist and whispered:
"Mana Burst."
[Skill Activated: Mana Burst]
[Mana Cost: 20 → 15 (20% Chanting + 5% Territory reduction applied)]
[Effect: Physical stats boosted by 10% for 5 seconds.]
A warm pulse surged through his limbs, making his body feel lighter, stronger—like he could sprint through a brick wall and then dance on top of it. The thrill faded after a few seconds, but the grin didn't.
"Okay, that's going to be fun in a fight."
Next, Percy scanned the room, eyes landing on a snapped pencil and a few paper scraps near the corner. He held out his hand.
"Item Construction."
[Skill Activated: Item Construction]
[Mana Cost: 15 → 11 (20% Chanting + 5% Territory reduction applied)]
[Effect: Created a sharpened wooden spear from pencil and wood scraps.]
With a glow and a quiet pop, the paper twisted into rope-like threads and the pencil sharpened itself. A tiny, primitive spear complete with a crude pointed tip formed in his hand.
He eyed it with a skeptical look. "I mean, I wouldn't slay a dragon with this, but it'd get someone's attention."
Finally, Percy raised his hand once more. The air above him shimmered.
"Summon Storm."
[Skill Activated: Summon Storm]
[Mana Cost: 50 → 38 (20% Chanting + 5% Territory reduction applied)]
[Effect: A small localized storm forms above Percy.]
A swirling mini-cloud sparked to life overhead. Lightning danced around it with a mischievous crackle. Percy reached up and let a bolt strike his arm—testing his resistance.
The lightning fizzled harmlessly against an invisible barrier.
[Passive Effect: Magic Resistance has Nullified the Attack ]
Percy whistled. "Well, that's gonna make thunder buddies a lot less scary."
The test complete, he let the storm dissipate and stepped outside his fading territory. The magic had left him a little tired, but energized in a weird way—like he'd finally found his rhythm.
He flopped onto his bedroll, pulling the cloak tighter. "Not bad for a six-year-old," he muttered, smirking proudly.
His eyes drifted closed.
[Entering Sleep Mode…]
The world dissolved into darkness…
[The Curse of Apollo has Activated]
…only to reignite in golden fire.
He stood unseen at the edge of a grand, cloud-wreathed hall. Marble columns stretched impossibly high. Stars burned in the sky above, and twelve thrones loomed at the center, each occupied by a god.
They were arguing.
"…you're being cowards!" Ares roared, pounding a fist on his throne. "We strike now—wipe them out before they spread!"
"We don't even know how many they are,"
Athena snapped, arms crossed and eyes sharp. "The Khaos Brigade isn't some cult of amateurs. They're organized, funded, and they've recruited Longinus users. That's not a battle, that's a massacre waiting to happen."
"Better a massacre than a war in our backyard," Hermes shot back. "Intelligence is thin, but we know enough. Multiple Longinus awakened in Europe, Japan, and Southeast Asia. The Grigori confirmed as much."
Hera's lips twisted. "And where exactly is our Oracle, hmm? We receive whispers of future calamities, and yet silence from the Seer of Delphi."
Zeus frowned, lightning flickering faintly across his knuckles. "Patience does not come easily to me… but rashness will cost more. The Khaos Brigade is preparing something large. The reduction in monster activity proves that they're consolidating."
"Oh, please," Poseidon cut in, voice like crashing waves. "If they want to play with fire, let them burn. We've crushed rebellions before. Let's not pretend these traitors are anything special."
"You always think with your trident," Hades growled. "This is bigger than weapons and storms. Someone is moving pieces across pantheons."
Apollo's gaze narrowed, golden eyes glowing faintly.
"We don't have much time," he said quietly. "Something's changing the weave of fate. It's not just mortals awakening power. The threads are tangled. Interference."
He paused.
Then… his head snapped slightly to the left. Eyes flicked—
Directly toward where Percy stood in the dream.
Their gazes didn't meet—at least, not truly—but Apollo's brow furrowed in surprise.
Then he blinked, and the dream shimmered violently—like a window slammed shut.
[System Notice: Dreamscape forcibly terminated.]
Percy sat up, gasping, heart pounding.
"…what the Hades was that?"
His hands trembled slightly, not from fear—but the cold realization that whatever path he was on… the gods were already watching.
Even if they didn't know it yet.
[Warning: You are being observed.]
[An unknown force attempts to pierce your veil.]
[Source Identified: ??? – The One Who Watches the Crossroads]
[Cloak of the Wise One – Effect Activated: Shroud of Avalon]
[Divine Observation Severed: 95% blocked.]
[Due to your Class: Caster, partial observation remains.]
[The One Who Watches the Crossroads is now aware of your existence.]
Percy stared blankly at the glowing blue text, his lips parting in disbelief.
"…Never mind. I spoke too soon."
He blinked once. Twice. Then let out a tiny, exhausted laugh.
"Merlin, I'm shoving a water spear so far up your ass."