Resonating with items is just another way of consuming them. Of course, there's a difference between consuming an item that's edible and an item that's a soul. Still, resonating is mostly reserved for soul items. No one is really sure if these items are actually the Exile's souls, but they always give some sort of property that the Exile had. In any case, this minotaur's passive is great for me! I was honestly hoping I would get it out of the Fissure.
Unlike [Enraged], an effect that sounds similar, [Rage] is fairly common in fighter and tank classes. It's not considered too good, however, because although the stat bonuses the status gives are amazing, it requires you to get low in health, so it can activate in the first place. All top-ranked Venators have skills and strategies that allow them to either dodge, reduce, or not take any damage at all. Adding to that, there are a lot of negative status effects that Exiles can inflict if you're at low health, too. Finally, to top it all off, no one really wants to take a risk and get close to death's door in the first place. Except me.
The one large upside of [Rage] is that it lasts until the entire battle. That is what makes it amazing. Although other classes don't have many ways to self-heal, I do. And while things like healing potions exist, those are more used after fights and as last resorts. Meanwhile, I don't have to worry about things like that. Most of my kit depends on losing health and regaining it to get stronger, so getting low to activate [Rage] is barely a problem for me.
"No offense, Goldie, but you seem way too excited for a minotaur soul." Kia tilts her head as she eyes the red glowing orb hovering above my open hand.
"Well, that's because I am." A smirk crawls on my face as I stare down at the item.
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Would you like to resonate with the item, Minotaur Soul?
[Yes] [No]
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Without a second thought, I nod at the system window, causing the orb to crack open with dark red strands of energy leaking out. The crimson strings wrap around my fingers and up my arms, disappearing into my skin as quickly as they emerged.
"Trust me." I stretch out my fingers and clasp both of my hands. "This'll be really good for me!"
Assumedly not thinking much of it, my childhood friend shrugs. "If you say so! I'm gonna be heading back home, though. I already spent way too much time waiting for you to wake up." She leans forward and ruffles my hair with a smile to which I respond with a sigh. Ever since she saw my mom do that with me, she's imitated that behavior ever since.
"Best I get outta here too. Gotta post about that Fissure we cleared though! The fans are gonna love this." Micaiah follows up with a bright attitude. It really is admirable to see someone take advantage of being a Venator like this. Some people try marketing the fact that their a Venator but it either comes off as snarky or it just doesn't go anywhere. The difference between Micaiah and them is that you can tell he's an entertainer. A genuine one at that.
I wave the two of them goodbye, leaving just me and Elena in the infirmary room together.
She stares at me, her lashes resting lightly as if she was meditating. That's just how she always looks though. Eyes closed but can see just fine as if they were open. Maybe they are open, but just barely? Who knows, really? The closed-eyes thing does add to her appearance though. I've never felt quite as calm with anyone else other than Elena.
"Iason." She mutters suddenly.
"Hm? Yeah, what's up?" I ask, waiting for her to speak again after a short pause.
"Well, Micaiah offered to show Kia and I the footage of your run-in with the Fissure." Elena crosses her legs and places her arms over her right knee. "He has a skill which allows him to record certain areas much like drones. That aside, I obviously accepted his offer to make sure he was telling the truth and looked at the footage. You fought well."
I blink quickly. "Oh! Well, thanks. I definitely could've done a bit better, but that means a lot, really." My eyes avert from her. Just a nervous habit of mine, I guess.
"However..." Elena mumbles, causing me to look back up at her. "I noticed something in the recording, and it's still somewhat noticeable now." She stands up slowly, her hands crossed behind her back as she steps towards the window.
"Micaiah seemed to have felt energized during a certain point in your repelling of the Fissure. Even now, it feels like there's an incredible amount of mana in this room." My mentor looks out at the view past the glass. The lights in the deep darkness glowing against her face.
I raise an eyebrow, but quickly readjust myself as I realize what she's talking about. My mind starts to think back to that mysterious skill the Goddess of Alleviation gave me.
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Skill Name: Passage 1
Skill Rank: Null
Skill Type: Passive
Skill Description: "The Goddess's light refuses to be contained, even when it endangers its bearer."
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After I got that, I felt like my mana was regenerating at a way quicker rate. In fact, even though I should be at max capacity and the regeneration should have stopped by now, I can still feel the energy flowing from my body. That has to be what she's talking about, but... what is she getting at here? I look up from my trance after she talks again.
"There's something I also found interesting at the time. While you were on the ground after overcharging a skill with mana..." She brings up her left hand from her back and raises it. Closing up all fingers but one, her pointer finger, she taps on the glass a singular time.
A sudden wave of shock pulsed through my body.
The status window. She saw me reach out to touch it.
"There's not much known about the system all Venators were given, but there are minute unwritten rules embedded within it. Of all of them that I know by heart, there is one that I find particularly interesting for this situation..."
I know what she's going to say.
"The system never gives you options during a Fissure event."
My heart throbs and a bead of sweat rolls down my cheek. She turns her head to look over her shoulder, her eyes slightly opened, revealing the sapphire blue irises that hid beneath her eyelids. Unlike her calming demeanor and appearance, there was something unnerving crawling deep inside my skin when she opened her eyes, almost as if her friendly aura took a complete 180 turn. Despite this, that one singular, iconic, calm smile remained on her face.
"Iason... You're not hiding anything from me, are you?"