Chapter 25: Uno Reverse Card
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Jack's entire life has changed since his sister awoke from her coma, owing to the Elixir he created for her. He used to wake up every day feeling bleak and empty; his eyes never seemed alive, and he seemed to be getting paler by the day. He frequently wondered, "Why am I even doing this?" or "What's the point of this suffering?"
Despite being the protagonist in a novel that was written in another universe, he was a real person here. Those who read the story might have thought he was an unstoppable monster, ravenous for power and more power, and with an inflexible will. It was designed so that he would be a great blank slate for readers to fill, to self-insert themselves into this unstoppable and “badass” person, someone who hyped them every time he did something witty and brutal, emotionlessly.
Yet reality couldn’t be so far from that. The many battles Jack underwent, the many hardships, and the life-or-death situations he had to constantly go through. All of them were piling up on his shoulders like traumas that only increased his daily stress. He didn’t know if he had already gone insane. Not only had he killed so many people he couldn’t remember anymore, but he had also devoured people; he had become a cannibal due to the powers of Fenrir.
Yet he always felt conflicted when he realized he felt nothing. Deep inside, he still wanted to remain with some hint of sanity for the only person he truly cared for, for the one for whom he was doing all of these insanities.
In this world filled with hardships and gods that treat people like their puppets, was there any point in even continuing to live without anything to hold tightly with your hands? Something precious for you that would make you go so far as to do these horrendous things your past self would have never considered, not even in their wildest of nightmares.
Deep down, Jack thought that when his sister woke up, he would have to babysit her and take care of her constantly to always protect her from danger at any moment. And that, due to being a normal person without awakening, she would remain weak and pathetic. Indeed, a side of him, perhaps the side that he only showed to his most hated enemies, thought she was going to be a nuisance. Yet in the end, she ended up becoming someone completely different.
What did change? How did she become like this? His expectations of her were completely shattered. Yet he couldn’t help but secretly root for her as he showed his responsible older brother figure to her. Deep down, he began imagining her becoming the strongest hunter out there. However, that would take a lot of time before it could become a reality.
“Oi brat, are you overthinking things again?”
“Ah, no…”
Jack sipped a bit of coffee while seeing the sun slowly ascend from the horizon.
“It has been a while since I saw you this happy. Look, even your eyes are shining now."
Fenrir, his companion, his savior, and his curse seemed surprised over Jack’s own change. In the original story, Jack would simply descend into even more insanity, becoming even more ruthless, even more monstrous, and even more inhumane. Yet the week he spent with her had healed his heart quite a lot.
Maybe her food, which had a very magical glow to it, was also helping.
“Shut up.” Sighed Jack. “In a few more days, Anna’s going to that dungeon for the first time with those newbies. I hope everything goes well. Will you go with her as a familiar?”
“Hmph, am I your babysitter now or something?" Fenrir angrily said
“Just say yes, you mutt,” Jack said.
“FINE…” Fenrir grumpily said, “More importantly, are you going to eat those eggs?”
"Fenrir, they’re raw eggs."
“I am hungry! Feed me!”
Jack was completely unaware of what sort of insanity his little sister was up to.
.
.
.
(Anna’s POV)
Anubis flinched the moment I showed him the purple jewel in my hands. It was, of course, the [Constellation Sealing Stone], a magic item crafted by the Constellations themselves to seal a Constellation inside. A power made by the constellations to deal with constellations. It was very obvious what I was implying. However, Anubis was a crafty and intelligent god and wouldn’t just fall for a bluff.
“YOUUU…! Hah! Do you truly believe I would fall for such a bluff? You can't seal me inside of that stone; it already harbors Sepa’s soul within.” Anubis said. “I was one of those who voted against Sepa’s punishment, you know? To think you would betray me so shamelessly now!”
“I’m so sorry, Lord Anubis!" Sepa cried, trying to apologize. “But don’t get so angry; it is just a relic! I remember you have like a hundred of those feathers and balances in your Divine Realm’s treasury!”
“SILENCE! EACH ONE IS IMPORTANT!" Anubis gave a tantrum. “Mummies of the Fallen Pharaohs, deal with these women! I am tired of pointlessly talking with them."
FLUOSH!
Suddenly, several coffins appeared around him. Seeing how his army of normal undead was purified by the effects of the amazing potion I drank, he decided to bring the high-level undead, the Ancient Pharaohs, who were all B-Rank and above.
“OOOOHHHH…!”
“Serve the King of Death!”
“Kill that invader of our tombs!”
“Tear her soft skin apart and eat her young eyes!”
The Mummies began conjuring their ancient magic, holding their golden staffs and channeling the power of ancient Egyptian magic, capable of controlling phantoms, swarms of insects, and sands.
However…
“Yeah, it might not be possible to stop your true body, Anubis,” I said with a smirk. “However, it is more than possible to stop your manifestation. I am well aware that you cannot maintain yourself manifested on Earth’s surface because you have yet to choose an incarnation."
I showed Anubis a large arm I had cut off his phantasmal yet solid manifestation. Violet, which has been sneaking around this whole time, brought it to me tightly wrapped in silk. I used the sealing stone’s powers to easily seal the entire arm in place without letting Anubis’ manifestation grab it back.
“Well done, Violet,” I said, quickly combining my Light Aura with Sepa’s temporary divinity and completely covering Anubis arm with it.
“Huh?! What are you going to do with that??"Anubis roared, gritting his teeth. “You damn mummies, STOP HER!"
“GRUOOHH!” The mummies conjured an endless sea of shadows against me. “{Endless Death Night}!"
This was such a powerful spell that it could easily cause instant death to anybody slightly weaker than the Mummies. It was the reason why this Dungeon was so deadly and why the monster that emerged from this place had wiped out the nearby cities in a matter of days.
FLUOSH!
The darkness encompassed my entire body, but the power of my aura and Sepa’s divinity protected me easily against instant death magic. Nonetheless, the deadly power slowly began consuming my powers and pushing us back.
"Anna, I cannot take this much longer!” Sepa cried.
“I am almost done!" I said.
Ding!
[You have combined the [Insect Queen Lolth’s Magic Crystal (S-Rank)] x1, [Anubis Manifestation’s Severed Arm (S-Rank)] x1, and [Anubis’ Divine Weigher of Hearts (??? Rank)] x1 through the powers of Alchemy!]
FLAAASH!
The three items quickly converged into a beautiful golden and purple jewel, overflowing with phantasmal power and holy energy. The light of the crystal alone quickly unleashed a shockwave, destroying the mummies' spells and blasting them away. Their bodies were very frail, so as they fell to the floor, they quickly crumbled apart into ashes.
BOOOMMM…!
“Unngggh?! What the…?!” Anubis was left flabbergasted, glaring at me with the utmost fury.
In my hands, the crystal shone with a divine light.
Ding!
[Due to the effects of the [Jester’s Reverse Fortune (S Rank Privilege)], your LUK stat has been reversed!]
[Due to your incredibly high amount of LUK, the chances of the success of this synthesis have improved from 0.7% to 100%!]
[You have successfully synthesized the [Anubis Divine Magic Crystal (SS Rank)] x1!]
“Absorb.”
FLUOSH!
The power of the Magic Crystal, already belonging to a high-level boss, quickly transformed into pure energy, reaching my body and combining itself with my very soul. The powers of the ingredients used to create it all fused with me.
For a moment, I saw the vision of the Underworld of the Ancient Egyptians and an enormous line of dead souls waiting for their hearts to be weighted by Anubis. Each of their hearts was weighed, and most of them were too heavy to be saved, instead being thrown into hell to be devoured by the demonic gods that lived there.
Only a handful of blessed souls—the Pharaohs themselves, who lived in luxury were forgiven only because they were the ancient Incarnations of the Gods. Such an unjust system. I can tell why so many souls hate Anubis. When I opened my eyes, I felt as if they were glowing with a bright red color. A sudden tattoo appeared in my hand, shining with golden light and resembling a balance.
“No! This can’t be! What have you done?!” Anubis felt shocked. “Is this even possible?!”
Ding!
[You have successfully absorbed the [Anubis Divine Magic Crystal (SS Rank)]!]
[All your stats have increased as a result.]
[Your Physique has improved amazingly.]
[You learned the [Anubis’ Judgement (S): Lv1] Skill!]
[You learned the [Ruler of the Dead (S): Lv1] Skill!]
[You acquired the Special Privilege: [Death’s Little Sister (B Rank Privilege)]!]
“No…! That power could only belong to me or my Incarnation! How come…?!” Anubis felt perplexed.
Of course, I wouldn’t have been able to gamble on it so much if it weren’t for all the things I had acquired before coming here. From Sepa becoming my “friend” to the Jester’s privilege making even the most impossible of synthesis a guaranteed 100%. Everything aligned for me to use this insane strategy, which only happened in the novel when my brother confronted the Incarnation of Anubis much later in the story.
“You’ve been judging many souls unfairly throughout your life, Anubis. Now it is time for you to be Judged.” I said it with a smile. “{Anubis’ Judgement}”
WHOSH!
“Ah! W-What?!”
Anubis was utterly shocked as he saw a gigantic golden balance materialize between the two of us and suddenly grabbed his own, beating heart, and placed it on the balance alongside the Feather of Truth I had just stolen.
“Wait! You damn brat, you can’t just do that…!” Anubis roared, quickly trying to fight, but it was impossible.
Ding!
[Player Anna has begun the [Weighing of Hearts Ceremony]!]
[While the Ceremony is in effect, both members cannot move or use any of their abilities.]
[Player Anna has decided to balance the target’s powers and sins in comparison to her own, which are reflected in the Feather of Truth.]
Anubis began sweating bullets as he saw his heart quickly fall down; it was so heavy that it hit the floor below faster than mine ever did. Well, would you look who’s the sinner now?
BAAAM!
“Oh? It seems like you’re an incredibly sinful man, Anubis!” I laughed.
"No, this is rigged! How come I am sinful?! I AM A GOD!” He roared.
Ding!
[The difference in power between both users is incredibly high.]
[Due to the difference in power exceeding 50%, proper compensation and debuff will be applied to both parties, respectively.]
FLAAASH!
A powerful aura began overflowing from my body, while Anubis only grew weaker. This was the amazing effect of this absolutely broken Skill. Something that made even my brother struggle a lot against the Incarnation Anubis, who was a major villain in the later arcs. And now, this power is mine.
Ding!
[Player Anna's Total Power has increased by +500% for the duration of this battle.]
[The target’s Total Power has been lowered by -50% for the duration of this battle.]
[As compensation, a {Guardian of the Balance} has been summoned.]
RUMBLE!
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*Total Power = The Combination of all Stats and Skill Levels and their abilities, powers, and so on.