20. By the Power of Grayskull

Over breakfast discussion, Rufus, Gary, and Farrah advise Jason on essence choices. They emphasize versatility over pure destruction, noting Farrah’s overwhelming power but limited flexibility. Jason weighs his blood and dark essences and asks about risks.

The group warns Jason to avoid the death essence, explaining that it often creates the undeath confluence, which warps users into monsters like vampires and fuels plagues. They recall fighting a zombie outbreak and note Adventure Society restrictions that bar death and many dangerous combinations.

Jason reveals a second essence: a rare sin essence. After brief talk of gods and Anisa’s faith in Purity, they decide not to involve her. Farrah produces a living document tablet listing known essences and combinations. It shows sin is extremely rare and not restricted on its own, with only exotic bans like a succubus combo.

Checking Jason’s set—dark, blood, and sin—they find it forms the doom essence, described as an affliction specialty. The team explains afflictions: ongoing damage and debuffs that grow stronger over time, intimidating foes and excelling in prolonged battles, though weak in quick fights.

Rufus recommends the path despite early difficulty, offering to train Jason. Grateful all around for recent rescues, they agree the hard fights matter most. To avoid Anisa’s scrutiny, they head onto the lawn for Jason to begin absorption, Jason jokingly striking a dramatic pose before they proceed.