Chapter 278: My Greatest Weapons (2).

’Such as?’

{Vineheart cannot regenerate tissue that has been completely destroyed or separated from your body. Your arm was severed by Captain Orpheus. Vineheart could not regrow it—only the genetic modification procedures and Divine Elixirs accomplished that restoration. Similarly, if your heart or brain were destroyed entirely, Vineheart would fail to save you}.

That was important to know. Nero had wondered briefly why his arm hadn’t simply regenerated on its own. He had understood that it was a limitation of the skill, but having it spelled out, he was suddenly very grateful for the Oracle.

{The stamina enhancement operates on a different principle. Vineheart improves your body’s efficiency at converting stored energy into usable force. You tire more slowly, recover from exertion more quickly, and can maintain peak performance for extended periods. This is why you can fight for hours while others would collapse from exhaustion}.

’Is there a limit to that as well?’ He asked

{Yes. Vineheart does not create energy from nothing. You still require food, water, and rest. It simply makes more efficient use of what you provide. Prolonged exertion without replenishment will eventually exhaust you, though it will take far longer than it would for a normal human}.

Nero thought about the implications. In a prolonged battle or extended hunt, Vineheart gave him a significant advantage. But it wasn’t unlimited, he figured. It was true that his appetite increased when he was healing his injuries. Perhaps that his body’s way of telling him that he’d need to be mindful of his reserves.

{Additionally, Vineheart has been working hard, slowly purifying the Nordian Worm implanted in your abdomen. The worm’s dark grasp are being changed into something of a much more benevolent nature towards the Heretic. Essentially, Vineheart is consuming the parasite and incorporating its biomass into your own system. This process will eventually complete, at which point you will be free of the worm’s potential mental and physical inhibition effects}.

Nero nodded to himself. That was excellent news. Vineheart was still purifying the thing they had put inside him. And from what he could tell, for some reason, Lyon seemed to not have discovered the existence of Vineheart within him. He could always feel the worm’s presence at some point in the past, but had completely forgotten about its existence.

It was now over two months since it had been implanted into him. He was curious how much longer until it was entirely purified.

’How long until the purification is complete?’

{Approximately four more weeks at current rates.}

Nero filed that timeline away. Four weeks meant he’d still have the worm during the trials, but it would be gone shortly after if he survived.

’What about Shadow Shift?’

{Shadow Shift is more complex. It derives from the Shadow Stalker whose Seals you absorbed. The ability allows you to associate with the shadows for a brief moment, letting you assume their aspect of “swift”, according to the runic interpretation. The main nexus of the skill is anchored around that}.

Nero had experienced the speed aspect. The sensation of becoming shadow, of reality sliding past him in a blur, was disorienting but effective.

{However, you have only scratched the surface of what Shadow Shift can accomplish. The ability is not simply about speed. It’s true nature is about combining with the immaterial. The linking of “swift” and “shadow”. To exist in a state between the physical and metaphysical}.

’What does that mean in practical terms?’

{Ideally, in shadow form, you become partially intangible. Physical barriers would have reduced effectiveness against you. A wall that would normally block your passage becomes permeable. A blade that would cut your flesh passes through with minimal damage}.

Nero’s mind raced as he almost became slacked jawed. He had become much more familiar with runic theory, so he could understand what the Oracle meant.

The rune for shift was “epr” rune, which meant something along the lines of a swift displacement.

The rune for shadow was far more nuanced as it could mean a bunch of things. However, the most common interpretation was “Oaeis”, which meant intangible. If he could become partially intangible, that meant he had delved into the shadow aspect of the skill much more effectively.

That opened up entirely new tactical possibilities. Ones he couldn’t even begin to wrap his head around.

The Oracle continued;

{As the Heretic should already know, the greatest limitation of the skill is duration and cost. Each use of Shadow Shift consumes Ein Sof proportional to the distance traveled and the shadow state efficacy once it has been mastered. At the Heretic’s current proficiency, the shadow state can be maintained for approximately two seconds before the Ein Sof cost becomes prohibitive. Attempting to exceed this limit risks complete Ein Sof depletion, which would force you into Yang form}.

’Two seconds,’ Nero murmured.

{Practice and increased Ein Sof capacity will help increase this limit. As you absorb more Seals and your reserves expand, you will be able to maintain the shadow form for longer periods. Additionally, understanding the mechanics will allow you to use the ability more efficiently, entering and exiting shadow state at optimal moments rather than maintaining it continuously}.

That made sense…

Like any skill, Shadow Shift would improve with practice and understanding.

{There is one more aspect of Shadow Shift you have not yet discovered}.

Nero’s attention sharpened. ’What is it?’

{In shadow form, you can perceive things that are normally hidden. It can grant sight to the immaterial, some of which can even be glossed over when looked at only with the Eyes of the Heretic}.

Nero’s eyes widened,

’That is…’

The Oracle continued,

{Spiritual entities can become visible, corruption flows can be observed directly, and the boundaries between physical and non-physical reality become apparent. This is because shadow exists in the space between—neither fully material nor fully immaterial}.

’Why didn’t this happen when I used Shadow Shift before?’ He thought to himself.

Nero shook his head and committed it all to memory.

’Is there anything else I should know about these abilities?’

{Skills are not strictly weapons of warfare. They are tools, and depending on the hands of the user, they can be shaped into anything}.

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