Souls Online: Mythic Ascension
Chapter 115: Unstrung, Remade

Chapter 115: Unstrung, Remade

"Who did you hear about Puppeteering from? Or where did you find information about it?"

Barry had an intimidating aura as he stared down Horo who was beginning to look more and more uncomfortable with the impromptu interrogation.

’What should I do?’

"Umm...It came to me in a dream of sorts?"

Barry looked skeptical at best as he slowly pulled out a knife that he kept at his waist. The blade alongside Barry’s menacing aura made Horo more and more nervous with each passing second.

"Is that so?"

"Uhh. Yes sir..? Why do you hate me so much? What have I done to deserve this treatment?"

Horo couldn’t take it anymore and said what was immediately on his mind which caused Barry to chuckle.

"I don’t like handsome men. I love to see them squirm!"

He slammed his knife into the wooden table, the bladed edge sinking in a few inches before it came to a stop.

"If you truly wish to become a Puppeteer, you will not be able to change your Lifestyle Profession ever. Additionally, if you are discovered by whatever force tried to erase the Puppeteers from the world, you will be hunted down. Are you ready to accept this?"

Horo nodded his head immediately. He knew that taking risks was necessary and he refused to shy away from any opportunity that would make him stronger.

"Hahaha! Bold! Decisive! I may dislike pretty boys but I can’t hate men who don’t hesitate in the face of practically certain death!"

Horo blinked as his mind tried to process what Barry just said.

’Practically certain death?!’

"...What?!"

"While I cannot teach you the ways of Puppeteering myself, I can give you one thing I have been holding onto. You should be able to make use of it if your dexterity is high enough.

Before Horo could question it, Barry walked over to a small bookshelf that was discreetly tucked into the corner of the residence. From one shelf, he pulled out an old leather bound book covered in dust.

Unceremoniously, Barry tossed the book over to Horo who caught it with unmistakable confusion in his gaze.

That was until a system notification rang out.

You have Discovered the Forgotten Diary of the Last Puppeteer

Single Use Skillbook

Requirements: 30+ DEX

Level: ≤10

Description: These are the fragmented notes of the Last known Puppeteer. There are no records of these people in any history book, nor are they recognized. This Diary is proof that they once existed and that someone or something has tried to erase them. Reading this book will allow you to accept the Legacy Profession: Puppeteer

The book felt heavy in his hand as he was stunned in place.

’How did you know this was here?’

He had no idea how Arachne could possibly have known that this book was here.

’How could I not know? It is the final memory left behind by one of my Children. The Puppeteers were a branch of my Disciples... It is fitting that you take up their mantle..’

Horo’s gaze shook as he noticed the melancholy in Arachne’s words. As if she was recalling a tragic memory.

’So I offer this to you with a price attached...’

’And what is that?’

’While you set out to complete your revenge. You help me fulfill mine.’

A heavy silence filled the air as Barry turned away from Horo. He could tell the young man had something going on but couldn’t be bothered to ask him what was the issue. After all, to Barry, being handsome was a shortcut to being his enemy!

"If you want the book. You can take it. It just collects dust on my shelf. I am going back out. Read it or leave it. I don’t care either way. I just hope I don’t see your face here by the time I get back"

"Haah...Thank you Sir.."

Horo couldn’t quite get a solid grasp on Barry’s personality as the gruff man left the cabin without another word. Turning his attention back to the book, he held it with both hands, afrad of damaging it.

Taking a deep breath, he slowly began to speak aloud.

"Arachne..I may have only known you for a short time but the way I see it, we are probably going to be stuck together for a long time. You have helped me so it is only fair that I help you. I also want you to know that I am agreeing to help you fulfill your revenge cause I owe you that much, not for any sort of reward."

’.....Thank you ....m..’

’Huh? Did you just call me Adam? Not Little Snake?’

’You are hallucinating. Just shut up and read the Book!’

Horo chuckled as Arachne being so defensive was just proof that she was embarrassed. Choosing to ignore the ways he could tease her, he instead opened his status page.

Character Status

Name: Ouroboros

Race: Myriad Hydra

Title: Benefactor of the Beastkin Village (Beginner)

Class: Rogue

Lifestyle Profession:

Age: 19

Level: 9 (10,264 / 12,800 EXP)

Status: Healthy

Health: 525/525

Mana: 175/175

-Attack: 260

-Defence: 70

-Dodge: 110

-Strength: 14

-Endurance: 19

-Agility: 28

-Dexterity: 30

-Intelligence: 12

-Wisdom: 14

-Charisma: 19

-Luck: 4

-Free Points: 20

-Skills: Regeneration (Innate Racial), Appraisal (Innate), Poison Blood (Innate Racial), Poison Resistance (B), Serpents Eye (Innate), Snake Poison, Dagger Arts (F), Fire Resistance (F)

-Equipment: Arachne (Unique)

Luckily for Horo, his Dexterity was just enough to reach the prerequisites for using the skill. Confirming this, Horo opened up the book only to find himself on his knees a moment later. Fragmented memories not his own ricocheted inside his mind.

After the initial nausea swept through him, he felt extreme pain in his hands. Looking down, he was horrified to see his skin literally crawling on the back of his hands as if he was growing something. All he could do was bite his arm in order to prevent himself from screaming.

Minutes ticked by and the pain only intensified as it spread from his hands to the rest of his body. Yet despite the pain, Arachne did not offer any words of wisdom or offer to help him. Just when he felt his will was about to collapse a new notification screen appeared before his eyes.

You have Successfully changed your Class and Profession to Puppeteering.

New Skill(s): Thread Connect, Thread Manipulation (C) , Woodcrafting, Magic Crafting, Puppet Creation.

Horo had a sinking feeling that his body had become an even bigger source of Body Horror as he noticed a sticky substance akin to a spider’s web dripping from his fingertips. Horo was on his way to becoming a true chimera. That thought resulted in Horo only having 1 word for this situation:

"Shit..."