Psychokinetic Eyeball Pulling

Chapter 29: Mission: Complete

Chapter 29: Mission: Complete

Due to emotional overload, your damage is reduced by 50% for 1 hour.

50% for one hour. That’s… intense. Astrid rubbed her temples in an attempt to soothe her splitting sore head. She fumbled around at her waist and grabbed hold of one of her mana potions. Quickly drinking it, the pain was relieved somewhat. Only the sense of powerlessness remained.

The acrid scent of the metallic tang pooling within the room assaulted her senses.She placed her hand underneath her armoured chest piece. Astrid counted the rapid beat of her heart. Too fast to count. It was in harmony with her thoughts. Confused. Sick. Bile lurched up her throat, but she snatched it back down into her stomach. The corner of her eyes dripped, unknown if it was because of the acrid taste of bile.

The thought of excitedly ripping the monster to pieces while its horror-filled eyes gazed back at her tugged at her mind.

Eyes resting upon her own hands. Caked in dust, but otherwise clean of any evidence of her kill. It felt like an illusion. System, power… This is the truth of it all. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself. She knew the gore of it did not affect her; she was used to it by now. No, it was something else. It was the feeling of her mind being controlled. Overpowered by something not within her control. She tried to fight it, but it refused to let go until she had spent all the mana.

Clenching her knuckles, her vision shifted to her friends trembling in the corner.

“Is everyone okay?” Astrid said. She wanted to go over and check, but with a single step, they recoiled back.

“We-we just need a moment to recover ourselves, Astrid. Th-that’s all.” Froderick said, his head dipped.

Miller got to work. Downing multiple mana potions, he scampered around the room, healing everyone to the point his eyes turned bloodshot. He seemed to have a keen eye as he focused on those who were injured the most.

“Astrid... good work.” Price said, his eyes looked at her with a faint semblance of fear. “That was one hell of an ability.” He groaned, his hand lightly brushed up against his ribs. He recoiled at the touch as his mouth seethed.

“Damn creature’s broken every rib in my body.” He said.

Astrid’s heart calmed down, the adrenaline within crashing down. Sliding against the wall, she gave the perimeter a quick scan with Psych Domain. The goblins seemed to be wary of entering, no doubt thanks to the threat of the hulking orcs within.

Froderick and Mina fidgeted with their fingers, glancing around the room now and then. Nick and Josh’s eyes were absentminded, a sign that they were inspecting their system. Gloria silently peered out of the window, her bottom perched on the windowsill and back on the wall.

So Overload heightens my emotions to a new level and takes control of it entirely.Or is that truly who I am? Astrid gnawed on her lip. The addicting power of her new ability was fresh in her mind. But it came at a steep cost. If she hadn’t expelled all of that psychic mana, Astrid could tell that it would rip her body and mind asunder.

You defeated - Totemic Orc - level 55!

Extra experience is awarded for defeating a high levelled enemy!

Experience is reduced for finishing off an injured enemy!

You have levelled up!

Psychokinetic level 29 -> Psychokinetic level 32

Illusionist level 26 -> Illusionist level 30

Gained 35 stat points.

You now have 100 wisdom.

You now have 34 strength.

Milestone reached: 100 wisdom!

Conditions met, Perception evolving to Stage 2.

Tier 2 upgrades:

Slow Senses: If an undetected projectile approaches you, time will slow for two seconds.

Enhanced Vision: Able to see further, and see with far greater detail.

Trap Detection: Highlights dangerous traps with a red hue.

Magic Read: Grants you the ability to read magical words.

Astrid thought long and hard about the skill she wanted. The description of Slow Senses was great. Instead of relying on her body, she could use her lightning fast mind to erect a shield, or stop the projectile entirely with Psychokinesis.

I wonder if Enhanced Vision would work with the matter? It was a question she didn’t know, and with the rarity of her class–she doubted anyone else knew either.

Hmm, Trap Detection and Magic Read are kinda useless. Considering I can probably detect traps with sensing the matter, and magical words are more like a Science Wizard.

Astrid ended up going with Enhanced Vision.She was hoping it would enhance her sight of the matter. It was a gamble, but she was thinking of the future.

Skill learned - Enhanced Vision [ Stage 2 ]

Psych Domain level 9 -> Psych Domain level 10 [ Max ]

Crash [ Stage 2 ] level 2 -> Crash [ Stage 2 ] level 3

Overload level 1 -> Overload level 2

Conditions met, Psych Domain is evolving to Stage 2.

Passive Skill - Psych Domain: With your training, your senses of matter have increased tremendously. You are able to make out movements of anything around you.

| [ Stage 2 ]: You can sense the finer details within the matter. Hearts are highlighted red. Mana containers are highlighted blue.

Peeling her eyes away from the System, she looked at the other examinees and activated Psych Domain. Blue mana containers of all sizes met her vision. It was also in far greater detail than before, and the amount she could see had increased. Looks like my guess was correct.

Gloria’s was the largest, followed by Froderick. The rest were all around the same size, miniscule. The differences between them were negligible. Then, just above that, was their hearts. Little red strands formed a ball of string.

I can essentially detect life now, nice.

Astrid started tapping her foot on the ground. She was getting bored. The palm of her hands itched. The feeling of disgust from before was washed away. An intense desire to level took its place.

Your Obsession has reached 15/100.

Oh, no. Astrid quickly tried to quell her emotions. How? She did not know.

“Guys,” Josh said. “We can’t stay like this. Moping around, twiddling with our fingers. Astrid saved us this time.” His hand clenched. “But there may not be another. We need to get stronger and faster.”

Mina glanced up at Josh, before moving her sight to Astrid and nodding.

“You’re right.” Nick slapped himself. “We’ve got to wake up. We’re Wayfarers after all.”

“I agree.” Astrid raised her head and shot to her feet. “Let’s get to it then. Are we all good to move?”

“Look at the fervour.” Anya cradled her hastily fixed arm. “I get your desire to get stronger, but we have to wait until we’re fully healed and fresh.”

“Anya’s right, take your time. It isn’t a race. That’s how you end up making mistakes.” Price said.

“Easy for you to say. Instead of hunting on the outskirts, you brought us into the centre." Josh said, a frown marring his face. "With new recruits, no less.”

“Yes, well, we have food to buy–mouths to feed. How hard have your parents struggled to pay for your food? The clothes you wear, the education you received. The roof over your head. It’s all money.” Frank continued. “We were struggling as it is, then we received notice we had to look after you, in a town we already scavenged.”

Josh gnawed on his lips. Mina and Nick were no different.

“We don’t have free rein like everyone thinks. We only go where and when the higher ups tell us. Wayfarer or not.” Frank finished.

“Some things never change,” Price said. “But, you’re right Josh. We shouldn’t have risked it, not with your lives. I’m sorry.”

“If we can’t handle a town, we have no right to become Wayfarers.” Gloria said. “We all knew the dangers before we signed up. Anything could have pushed us further in. We need to be ready for anything.”

“Price, you said you cleaned the area?” Astrid said.

“We did,” Price continued, “honestly, I don’t know where they came from.”

“They might have hidden somewhere?” Nick said.

“Possibly.” Price shook his head.

“Well, what about you Astrid? Are you experiencing any issues?” Nick said. “You kinda went psycho for a bit.”

“It’s a skill.” Astrid continued. “Apart from the pain of needles digging into my brain. I’m fine.”

Price wandered into the middle of the room as he picked up the beads from the orc. He approached Astrid and handed them over.

“I read your file. You have the Identify skill, right?”

“Here I was thinking my information was a secret.” Astrid sighed.

“Only harmful information is hidden, like your advanced classes and level. I also advise you to grab hold of a blocking stone.” Price said, jangling his bracelet.

Nodding, she identified the item.

You gained a Uncommon piece of equipment!

Level 45 - Totemic Beads: Granted to the warriors of the totemic orc tribe. The beads imbue their body with magic, enhancing their strength.

| 30 added strength.

| 25 added constitution.

| 20 added dexterity.

| 15% extra fist damage.

Aw, the mention of magic got me all excited. Astrid handed them back to the captain.

Price asked. “Anything good?”

“Equipment for a brawler, way out of our level range.” Astrid said.

“Alright, I’ll sell it then and distribute the money later.” Price said. “We’ll wait here for a little longer, rest up, then we’ll start helping you guys level up a bit more before we head home.”

The group split off, and twenty minutes later; they looted the entire bank of any valuables. Not that there was much, having already been plundered by Price and his group before. However, they found the odd piece of silver and books. The loot that they had missed from before. They fetched an acceptable price, hidden relics of information the book readers liked to call them.

Price took them to the side of the building. He made the call to leave Anya behind to make some noise, and then have her quickly catch up. Astrid nodded. It was a good decision. They left the bank with little resistance as they flitted into the surrounding buildings' alleyways.

Astrid pulled out the eyeballs of a lower levelled goblin, while her mind crashed into another. Sending it hurtling to the ground with a muffled groan of pain leaving its throat. More goblins appeared from around the street corner. Levitating a bunch of rubble from the nearby broken walls, she sent it hurtling toward the little green men. The damage decrease was displayed.

The sound of screeching and solid objects striking bone and soft tissue was all she could hear. Astrid connected to their weapons as they slashed and pierced into each other. Her mind could currently connect to eight separate objects. That was the limit until her mind struggled and the projectiles slowed.

Soon, the sound of fighting vanished. Thankfully, no other orcs appeared, as the new Wayfarer group had fought the entire day. Only resting for ten minutes to catch their breath. Much to Astrid’s dismay, she didn’t receive a single level from all the fighting.

Mina fired another flare high into the sky, renewing their sight from the darkness.

Price and the others provided support for them, but it was mostly Astrid and the other examinees that were fighting.

“Okay, time to leave.” Price said, looking up at the lowering sun far above their heads.

Everyone agreed. Astrid had run out of mana potions, even with her increased mana pool from her stage 2 Psychic Power. It was the downside to a magic class. Fighters could fight all they wanted as long as they didn’t become injured. It was also far quicker for them to regain their stamina. But everyone was exhausted. In body and mind.

With backpacks jammed full of equipment, they entered the grassy plains with a thorough check of the surroundings. With serious faces, they disappeared into the forest. This time, Astrid took full control. Leading them through the walls of goblins, the relieving sight of ocean meeting air graced the group. Half rapidly changed into their swimwear while the others guarded.

“Never thought I’d be so happy to see the ocean again.” Froderick said.

“Forget the ocean. My king-size bath is calling for me.” Gloria said.

“I’m not surprised that’s the first thing you think about.” Nick glanced at Gloria.

“What did you say?” Gloria said with a stern look. Nick avoided her eyes.

“Alright guys, get serious. We’re not done yet.” Price tightened the straps of his backpack. He looked deep into the dark ocean as everyone nodded.

Price was the first to place his hand through the air bubble. Everyone followed closely behind. With it being late in the day, the frigid water of the deep ocean tingled at her head. But with the increase of her stats, it was manageable. With her being in the middle of the group, and no sea monsters or spawn in sight. Astrid wanted to try something.

Her mind barrier surrounded her and pushed the water out of the bubble. However, her momentum stopped. She was no longer kicking the water. She urged her mind to pull the bag strapped to her back upwards. Astrid began levitating. As her speed increased, she stayed behind the others. Price noticed and kicked his legs with more strength. The weaker members grabbed hold of the strength users as they were rapidly pulled.

The moment they resurfaced, a bright, blinding light assaulted their eyes. Astrid's hand moved in front of her face like a visor. Her heart tightened at the sudden arrival.

“Wayfarer recruits, glad to see you all back in one piece.” A voice said from behind the light.

The light moved to the side, letting Astrid see the Wayfarer badge on his uniform. Astrid sighed in relief.

“Good to be back.” Froderick said.

The voice said. “Alright, quickly get on board before a Spawn picks up your scent.”

Levitating herself out of the water. Astrid stepped foot into the boat.

With the rumbling of the dingy’s engine, they set off just as the sun was disappearing. Astrid gazed at the orange haze of the horizon. Her thoughts wandered.

I guess after today I’m officially a Wayfarer. Astrid’s eyelids become heavy. Every time she nodded off, their boat would strike a wave, startling her eyes open.