19. I Want a Lava Cannon

On a calm morning at the manor, Jason, Rufus, Farrah, and Gary gather on a terrace to oversee Jason using another essence. Jason expresses discomfort about an audience, but wants companions nearby in case he passes out. Gary awkwardly finds seating, and Anisa remains inside compiling evidence from the cultists’ records.

They discuss food and Jason’s loot ability that preserves monster materials, which Farrah and Rufus note fits common outworlder survival-focused powers. Talk shifts to progression: using a third essence triggers a confluence essence for a full set to reach iron rank. Farrah cites her own volcano confluence from fire, earth, and potent essences.

Rufus and Farrah outline magic manifestations: most frequently monsters that dissolve over time and become aggressive near breakdown; rarer, stable items include essences, quintessence used in crafting and rituals, and awakening stones used to unlock abilities. They review monster ranks, suppression effects, and temporary attribute boosts via coins.

Jason produces four awakening stones of the feast from the cult ritual and learns their abilities vary widely, with rarity narrowing outcomes rather than improving them. He also presents a blood essence, prompting speculation that feast stones paired with blood could grant self-healing—useful since reliable healers are scarce and Anisa is only a temporary ally.

They temper expectations about offense: blood essence favors subtle, insidious effects like bleeding or poison rather than raw power. Jason jokes about wanting a lava cannon, and the group sets practical expectations for his imminent essence use and advancement.