Souls Online: Mythic Ascension
Chapter 121: A Taste of Hope

Chapter 121: A Taste of Hope

Cusinewright Feast (Beginner)

Food Buff

Effects: Low chance of increasing a random stat by 1 while partaking in the feast. Various Buffs based on food Consumed

Satiety: +100%

Note: As Lifestyle Professions have now been unlocked, the Hunger System is now being implemented. Once Satiety drops below 50%, Stats will be reduced. Satiety Below 10% will result in the Starvation Debuff- Stat Reduction of 80%.

The party members saw this screen as soon as Luna gave the go ahead. However Leo and Lily did not seem to care as they immediately started tearing into the food as if someone was going to take it from them.

Lily had grabbed a large chunk of the Duck she had been eyeing while Leo grabbed a stuffed chicken. Seeing these two act like ravenous beasts, Horo had a conflicted expression on his face.

’Can it really be that good? I can see Lily doing this but Leo too?’

With some reservation, he reached out for a Chicken skewer. He could have sworn he saw Leo give him a murderous glare for a second but he decided to chalk it up as it being just his imagination. He took one bite and his eyes widened in shock.

The chicken was rich, flavorful and tender. He had no idea how but the chicken felt like it was going to melt on his tongue.

’Oh Shit! This is really good! No wonder why these two were acting like savages! They knew the truth!’

Feeling he had no time to lose, Horo started reaching out, grabbing as many portions of the variety of dishes that he could get his hands on. He was even willing to throw hands with anyone who tried to block him or get in his way.

Nyx too joined the fray and grabbed whatever dish she found interesting like the Unagi Fried Rice, Brisket Tacos and Grilled squid. However she had an advantage over the others, she was using her prehensile tail as an extra hand to grab even more food than the others.;

"Hahahaha! Evolution wins~!"

She cackled like a madman before she took a swig of the drink in her mug.

Sonata on the other hand was far gentler, instead choosing to help load up Grandma Skys plate with food before grabbing something for herself. Sonata found her own plate filled with fried vegetables alongside Beef tataki.

’So good~!’

She quietly cried in her heart as she relished every bite, tears threatening to spill over from just how good it was.

Player Sonata’s AGI +1

A sudden notification caused Sonata’s gaze to falter. She had just gained a permanent stat from the food. She had expected simple buffs but never something like this. Especially since the System Notice earlier said it was a low chance!

Player Nyx’s STR +1

"Huh? I got a Strength Stat Bonus? That is not the most useful stat for a mage huh...? What’s that look for, Old Man?"

Nyx stopped laughing and made a flippant remark which caused Roland’s eyes to widen in surprise.

"You’re a mage? You act like a warrior."

"Of course I am...a mage! Why would I not be?!"

She asked as she took a bite of some grilled lamb that she had snagged with her tail..

Roland averted his gaze, somewhat ashamed that he had taken in such a shameless girl as the inheritor to his legacy.

’Is this an act or was the cold methodological assassin just a part of her that she hides’

Luna was relatively the calmest of the lot as she ate with some reservation. The mentors with the exception of Ramone who was her teacher and Barry who knew the truth about Luna looked at her as if she was some sort of benevolent saint. Humble and calm even in the face of delicious food.

Grandma Sky relished her food as she sat back and quietly observed the festivities taking place around her.

This is certainly an interesting last meal. Can’t say that this was not entertaining. Not bad...Not bad at all’.

Sonata noticed the forlorn look in Grandma Sky’s eyes and immediately turned to her party members who were pigging out.

"Guys I need your help with something!"

She asked in the sternest and earnest tone she could muster.

Everyone immediately turned their attention to her, albeit continuing to shovel food into their faces.

"Luna immediately glared at Lily and Leo who had continued to eat without reservation before turning to Sonata and asked

"How can we help?"

Leo and Lily flinched but stopped eating under the glare of Luna, finally giving Sonata their full attention.

"Well as you can see, Grandma Sky is not in the best of shape. I was wondering if there was any way that we could help alleviate her pain?"

She knew it was most likely a No but she had to hold out hope.

Horo was the first to speak

"So what sort of injuries are we working with here? I don’t know how much I can help but I will do what I can."

Nyx leaned forward to scrutinize Grandma Sky’s condition with a serious expression on her face.

"From what I can tell, there is the obvious wing missing, blinded in one eye, judging by the muscular difference in her legs, I am going to assume one of her legs are lame. Scarring around her back and arms tells me this was no accident. A fight? No...Torture.."

Her words slowly became a hushed whisper as she came to a dark and terrifying conclusion.

Grandma Sky nodded her head in affirmation, acknowledging Nyx’s deduction as the truth.

"That is correct. I was once known as the Saintess of the Sky..But the High Bishop of the Wind Temple did not want me encroaching on his authority so he declared that I was a heretic. I was but a simple dancer but for one man’s greed, I was banished from the sky, made to limp across the ground and my beauty erased into oblivion beneath my scars..."

Barry’s eyes widened into one of shock as he exclaimed

"Silvia? Is that you? I was worried sick after you suddenly disappeared one day! I’m so sorry I didn’t recognize you!"

Grandma Sky winced and remarked

"I thought that was you Little Barry. It’s been so long that I thought you might have forgotten me."

"Never."

The response was immediate and steadfast, Grandma Sky, no Silvia couldn’t look at him directly.

Lily let out an unladylike burp and rubbed her bloated stomach as she remarked

"So let’s say for argument’s sake...if I could make some sort of highly advanced prosthesis, essentially a living organism with the sole purpose of replacing lost organs or limbs, how would we go about implementing it?

"Well if given enough time, I could probably turn it into a puppet that is controlled strictly through a mental connection. I would need to get some practice in before I can say for sure that I will have any success."

Horo frowned as he seriously contemplated Lily’s question. Though he did have some reservations at the idea of the supposed prosthesis being ’alive’.

"I think the main issue though will be the actual transplant process itself. I can’t say for sure but this will probably hurt like hell and put a massive strain on the body in the process. I don’t have any ability to lessen that."

"You can leave that to me."

Luna and Nyx said almost simultaneously. The two girls looked at each other before Nyx opened her mouth to continue speaking.

"With some practice, I could probably create a decent Anesthesia to remove a majority if not all the pain"

Luna quickly followed up

"Of course I will provide a variety of food to help the body prep to get through it."

Sonata gripped her mentors hand, a gentle smile on her face as Silvia was at a loss for words. These young kids did not know her at all but for their friend, they did not hesitate to offer their assistance.

"See that Grandma Sky...We can do something. We can help. So please don’t give up. Please don’t leave me alone. Promise me"

Sonata’s hand was squeezed tightly as the former Saintess who had finally resolved herself to end her miserable life now had a spark of hope. Tears streamed down her face as the will to live started to burn once more in her heart.

"Of course..."

She murmured as she stared at the young girl who had, despite knowing her for only a short time, had already changed her life for good.

Party Quest Unlocked: Wings of Hope

Description: You have instilled Hope into the life of the former Wind Temple Saintess: Silvia Sky. Gather the materials required in order to heal their injuries. The faster and more complete the healing, the better the rewards.

Reward: TBD

Quest Deadline: N/A

In a small voice that only Sonata could hear, Silvia whispered

"I promise you child. For as long as you live, I will not go anywhere."