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Chapter 585: If You Put It That Way
🕑 Added 2025-07-24 23:45:00 +0000 UTCChapter 585: If You Put It That Way
“So…” Derek started. “Would you mind telling us everything you know about the Champions and their current situation?”
“You would want me to betray and turn on my own allies?” Jace looked at Derek with mock shock in his eyes.
Derek snorted. “Says the guy who killed a lizard—which I can only assume was the Champion called Wri—then tried to get my bonded companion to cook his tail…”
“Well… if you put it that way…” Jace shrugged. “What do you want to know?”
“Well…” Derek rolled his eyes. “What do you know about the remaining Champions?”
“Hmm… let me pull up the list…” Jace said. “Let’s see… I don’t know anything in depth about most of them, but I do know some basics that I’ve overheard, I guess.”
“Let’s hear them.”
“Well… Amelia is the strongest, obviously. As far as I know, she can control gravity in a number of different ways. I want to fight her the most, but I’m not sure if I can beat her…” Jace licked his lips. “But I don’t think you would have a problem. If you can survive all the force that her skill uses, then you have a chance. But she can also use it to manipulate her own body and move very quickly… at least, that’s what I hear. And she is the Champion that I know most about because I want to fight her one day.”
“That’s just about what I gathered when I talked to The Queen’s guards,” Derek said. What Jace told him only confirmed his suspicions. “What about the Great Ul’oc?” he asked.
“He’s a bug,” Jace said. “Ul’oc is an insect race. His name is Xephos. I think he’s a summoner.”
“A summoner?”
“Yeah… but that’s all I know,” Jace replied. “I did know a bit about Jakis, but it doesn’t look like any of that matters. Silent Night is a cat-person whose name is Briya. Fast, glass-cannon assassin as far as I know.”
“That checks out,” Derek replied. “A couple of our Guardians had a run-in with her. She didn’t fare well in the exchange.”
“Oh, really?” Jace asked with interest. “Are they strong? The Guardians? Would they be a fun fight?”
“I think they would,” Derek said. “If you don’t cheat and build up that Battlelust before you go in, Avery would definitely be down for a fun spar. Braxton… I have actually never seen him go all out. There’s a chance that he’s as strong as Amelia.”
“Sounds fun!”
“Yeah… but later,” Derek replied. “What about Holcom?”
“He’s a little blue guy like Darvin,” Jace said. “Darvin is like… the overseer of the system and council or something along those lines. Holcom is probably the system’s best psionic. He does all that telekinetic stuff and mind-damaging things. He is the one who’s been fixing the communication and teleporters and things like that for the invaders.”
“I see,” Derek said. “What else?”
“Wri was a pretty balanced lizard, all things considered,” Jace said. “His scales were actually a lot tougher than I thought they were going to be.” He paused for a moment, then continued, “It looks like you already took care of the horse guy.”
“Yeah,” Derek replied. “Pretty tanky. I was not a good match for him.”
“I think that the Shield guy is Cuthos… big, four-armed fellow. Tough and strong, probably on par with the centaur,” Jace said. “Azureblade… not sure. Dumb name. Probably Kelvin. His fire glows blue when he gets really hot. I’m sure you already know that you don’t need to worry about him. Besides, you said you already have a lock on him.”
“Yup,” Derek said.
“Now…” Jace actually got serious for a moment. “Trischa is the one you have to worry about. She is one of the main reasons that I don’t try to fight the council.”
“Why? What’s so special about her?” Derek asked.
“Her power is null,” Jace said. “She is weak as hell, and I could probably beat her as I am now if it were one-on-one. But she’s a support specialist. She can nullify powers. That means that if she’s around and I build up my Bloodlust… she can just strip it and any skills that require it away. Which means that my recovery would be gone, and I’d be dead.”
“That… sounds overpowered,” Derek said.
“Says the guy who wiped the floor with me while I was in my strongest state…” Jace snorted. “But no… she requires someone strong to be with her. Someone has to protect her while she nullifies the area.”
“The area?” Derek asked. “What do you mean?”
“Her power isn’t single target,” Jace said. “I actually did some research on her because… well… I already told you… she makes it hard to have a good fight. But what I found out was that she… targets a power. So… if you use a void skill, then she can make the entire area incapable of supporting the void. She is absolutely a beast on the Planetary Battlefields.”
“Why is that?”
“Because, just like dungeons, most of the battlefield beasts have a particular power set,” Jace explained. “The planets are usually taken over by just a few strong beast species who conquer all the other lowly beasts. Therefore, you’ll run into a den of wind wolves with an alpha wind wolf or a hive of giant stinging lightning bees. Stuff like that. She can just go in, use her powers, then her soldiers can go in and clean up safely.”
“I see…” Derek replied. “How many affinities… err… powers… can she nullify at once?”
“Not sure,” Jace replied. “I wasn’t able to get that info. One is all that I’ve ever heard of, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see that she can completely nullify two. I would really doubt that she could do three at once, though.”
“What about cold hard stats?” Derek asked. “Can she nullify my strength stat? Or my endurance?”
“No, I don’t believe her skills work on natural strength or recovery,” Jace said with a shake of his head. “But if someone is a pure strength build and all his skills use specifically their strength stat, I think she can take away all strength-based skills.”
“I think I understand,” Derek replied. “She could definitely be a problem…” He rubbed his chin in thought. If he attacked the Stronghold by himself, and Trischa was there, she could nullify his void powers. That would limit his firepower immensely. He would lose his ability to channel the void into his attacks, and he would also lose skills like Void Shift, Void Steps, and even Void Travel. I wonder if she can shut the portal created by Void Travel, or if I could leave it open as an escape route.
If she can’t close the tear in space herself, then, if, say… Kelvin made it back to the Stronghold, I could travel in, get a good look at everyone, then leave. That way, I would have the ability to attack any Champion at any time. But if she is able to close it as soon as I step through… Also, that… I don’t think I would want Silvi to come try to help. She would lose most of her abilities other than her dragon fire.
What else could I do? I could bring Marrick, but if Trischa can really target more than just one affinity to nullify… he’d be a sitting duck as soon as his sand is gone. The same is true for most people… But I do still have my massive stat advantage against anyone, and I happen to have a lot of skills that don’t use void. Wait… I think…
“What are you thinking?” Marrick asked.
“I was thinking about the best plan of action… the way to win with the least amount of casualties…” Derek said, then turned to Jace. “How well do you think they would all hold up against my spatial attacks?”
“The box that disappears organs and the big slice that comes from behind? The one that is a bitch to heal even with my full regeneration?”
“Those are the ones,” Derek said.
“I don’t think anyone would want to deal with them,” Jace replied. “Spatial attacks are rare… because those two are the only ones I’ve ever seen.”
“I see…” Derek said. Then… if I keep Greater Meditation on, I shouldn’t have a problem surviving… hopefully. If she takes away my void… then takes away spatial attacks… I still have a lot of brute force. Also, if I can get her to use all her abilities on void and space… then I could bring in some backup.
“You know…” Jace said, catching Derek’s attention. “If you plan to hit them all at once, I’m coming, right? I’ve been itching to get my hands on the council for a long time now. Also, you don’t have to think of the perfect plan right this instant.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I’m sure there’s still time until Holcom has all the Champions gathered. You wouldn’t want to attack before then, would you? I can only imagine the pain in the ass it would be if I had to try to find a single Champion hiding on this planet.”
“That… is true,” Derek replied.
“Then it’s settled,” David clapped his hands and leaned forward. “We will take all the information we have and work out a plan while we wait.”
“But how will we know when they have all gathered?” Marrick asked.
“I could always answer one of the thousand calls and messages to me,” Jace replied, pointing to the bracelet on his wrist that was actually buzzing at that very moment. “We could also have a little fun with it, too,” he said.
“Fun, how?” Derek asked.
“They seem to be very adamant about bringing me in to help them,” Jace said. “I could always feed them some bad information.”
“How would that help?” Derek asked.
“Well…” Jace muttered. “It probably wouldn’t. But it would be fun fucking with Darvin. I think I may tell him all about the Ascending Monarch’s abilities so they can prepare.”
“So they don’t know it’s me?” Derek asked.
“I’m sure they suspect,” Jace said with a shrug. “But…” he turned to David and said, “If your granddaughter and her team took out the scouts before Derek appeared, then I doubt they know for sure. And I have firsthand fought the Ascending Monarch. And I lost.”
“They have assured me that they took in the captive invaders well before the fight,” David said.
“I chased Amelia, though,” Derek said.
“But did you catch her?” Jace asked. “And if you didn’t, did she ever see you?”
“No, but that stupid ‘pull’ or whatever definitely showed her that I could travel through space,” Derek replied. “And Kelvin and Darvin both know that I am able to do that.” Derek scratched his chin again. “Not to mention that multiple invaders from the other continent have already seen me. If they have been able to communicate with them at all, then they will know.”
“That… could be a problem, then,” Jace said. “How many saw you, and were they high up?”
“I don’t know,” Derek answered. “Not too many, but I did stop and talk to a few while looking for Jakis. There were also those that I sent packing after fighting the centaur.”
“Well…” Jace muttered. “We could just tell them that it was you. I could make it seem like you were weaker than you are—that it took all three of you to beat me, but I was still able to escape. I could act like I really need to fight you again.”
“Do you really think they would believe you? Kelvin knows I’m strong.”
“Look at me.” Jace motioned to his ghoulish figure. He still looked like he was going to fall over dead at any moment. “How could they not believe that I’m pissed off and want to fight you? I’m always pissed off and wanting to fight. And Kelvin is a weak idiot. Weak idiots can’t actually gauge the strength of someone strong. They can only compare them to themselves. And Darvin and the others now know that I’m very strong. They have the Stronghold and one less lizard as proof.”
“That… is also true,” Derek said with a snort.
“But,” Jace continued. “Most of all, if I give them information while ‘healing my wounds somewhere far away,’ then they will be more likely to let me know when all the Champions are in the same place. Then we can do whatever plan you guys cook up. It’s a win-win, and I can’t wait to see the look on everyone’s faces when I show up and they realize I’m on the wrong side.”
“Actually…” Derek said. “I may have some ideas about how to help sell it. How would you feel about taking a Spatial Rend to the chest?”
“In my current state?” Jace asked. “It would probably feel pretty damn bad. But if I get to prank call Darvin… it would be totally worth it.”
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A/N: Hey everyone! Just wanted to say thanks for all the awesome and nice comments. Enjoy the chapter. I really wanted to do three until the arc was over, but I just may not be cut out for it. We'll see if I can get some work done over the weekend and get an extra chapter out next week again.
Comments
Havics Child
Jace making prank calls for revenge... Yes
Chloe
Tyftc
Quentin Cozzi
Thanks for the chapter!
Dan
I’m loving this arc. Thanks Sunrise!
Michael Lepak
This is definitely in my top 5 favorite series,, very fun reading,, it's not easy to pull off a series with such an OP MC and still have it be interesting.. thank you for the good reading.. I'm glad I got my membership abd was able to read ahead.
John
I’d like to see a full on champion brawl. Invader champions vs at least most of the guardians. Bring in Vanessa and some of the other strong non-guardians to clear out enemy troops. And then see how well Trisha does blocking a dozen elements at once.
John
My brain and body are weakening. How will I survive without at least 3 chapters a week?!? In fact just to be on the safe side you should just write a whole book every week. But really, take care of yourself first, writing second.
DJ Lamm
Couldn't agree more...
SmokeJam
While I rather enjoy the arc and reading more is always good, mental health and stability comes first. Take care of yourself!
Reno
Please don't set a time limit for yourself. More than us, it's you who has to enjoy the story. It's been great so far.
Onyxfrost
Thanks for the chapter.
Seth
Damn good chapter.
Denalo Zecon
For Derek he worries about the Void damaging his equipment. This is a valid concern. But because of how Void Harbinger, and the Void Armor were created...IMO those two items should be fine while in the Void. They both absorbed 8 to 12 hours of Derek's Void aspected Mana. Okay so while they should both be fine in the Void, they are both not replaceable and extremely expensive; so Derek would NOT be testing if the Void would damage them by choice. OTOH maybe in a future book after Derek has left the Davenresh System, he gets into a fight WHILE he is in the Void? With a Void Beast or with another entity that can travel through the Void. So Derek loses all equipment besides the Star Boots, Void Harbinger and his Void Armor = this is how he finds out they can endure the rigors of the Void just fine, when he has to use them while fighting in the Void. This is very speculative and is a more long term 'what if idea' so I have no idea if something like this will happen in the story. Huh the Void Harbinger is Soul Bound to Derek and he stores its energy template within his Aura or body or soul. The armor being bound to Derek should also be able to be stored in whatever specific way that he can store Void Harbinger; without an inventory ring or inventory bracelet needed. Well for whatever reason the armor was not described as doing that; Derek seems to need the normal storage items for the Armor. So...if Derek creates a void barrier to protect a person or his storage ring/bracelet? then an attack that was distracting enough would disrupt that void barrier. Same for Silvi and her Void Pots; if she got distracted enough the Pot will dissipate. So for my very speculative scenario where Derek finds out the armor can survive in the Void. Derek and Silvi are traveling somewhere via the Void. All his items except for Void Harbinger are stored in the Pot Silvi created. They encounter a Void Beast much stronger than Asher, and fight. Silvi's Void Pot gets destroyed and almost all items inside the Pot are destroyed...but the Armor is unharmed. Silvi is really angry she lost a lot of her prepared meals and ingredients, but Derek is relieved the Armor survived exposure to the Void. Then the fight continues.
Patrick Burns-popieniuck
Damn good chapter You got this take your time rushed work is never good work. & good work is never rushed
JW Saxby
Tftc!
Cody Cahill
The obvious answer here is Derek and sylvi both use void travel and each carry more people with them while protecting them with the void, or sylvi makes a REALLY big pot with void creation and puts 3-4 people in it. Derek can go through first and get them to focus him then have sylvi bring the others after the fight starts. Sylvis dragon fire is absurd since she has Derek’s stats so if they take away his void and spacial abilities sylvi still has absurd agility and she can just rocket into people and burn them. Derek can just tank hits with his mythical armor and be a front liner, Jace can just do Jace things and turn into a psychopathic battle maniac. Bring Avery and braxi and it’s literally a wrap. Avery is a high agility ranged fighter who also excels at hand to hand combat and braxi is the second strongest on the world. They could easily mop up the invasion in one go.
Andrew Pettit
Take your time homie. We appreciate the hard work that you put into this for us.
Raymond Mouton
Thanks for the chapter.
Noname
What if old goblin and braxi attacked forcing Trischa to activate her ability and than Derek and Silvi clean up
SunriseCV
Haha. Well… I also have a deadline I have to hit. I’m honestly still trying to get book 8 finished and the manuscript edited in time to move the Amazon release up a month or two. Fun fact: I was planning around 145k words for this book and to move the release up four months to July/August. But my brain love being crazy and now we’re at 215k words… I may take some time off after this book 8 releases though. Probably not more than two weeks, but that may help me reset a bit.
Noname
Villy, having fun watching Jake get beat up
brandon barr
I really appreciate how after like 600 chapters we like Jace. There were lots of different misdirects and this is my favorite way it could have ended.
joel southard
Thank you for the chapter. Take all the time you need.
Khal Lee
LoL void bunny for the win!!! It would be pretty funny if a bunny wrecked a good chunk if not the entire council. Thanks for the chapter. Get some good R&R; butnif uoubcan push a good chapter great! Dont make self sick again though! Hugs! Inquiring minds needs to know what the Bunny will do!!
Denalo Zecon
The story is something I look forward to reading. Personally I would much prefer that you take two weeks or a full month off than get fully overwhelmed with life...and having long term problems. I had an extreme bad period where I could not work for years + depression. I am on disability now so it is fair to say I never fully recovered from that. Anyway just because you have posted weekly for about five years does not to me mean you have to do the same until whatever is the end of the System Universe series. Taking a week to a month off is better by far than going into a six month slump where you can barely write or do other important tasks. I suggest switching to a 4 chapter per month promise after the end of this arc, but with the option to post an extra chapter per week when you are in the groove. This would reduce your stress while also avoiding your possible worries about the downsides of posting less than once per week. Your stress would be halved if you do not worry about more than one chapter per week...well not certain but maybe.
Jordan
I like Jace he’s a massive troll just there for a good time.
Red45jimster
Tftc
Jordan
Great idea Jace & Silvi trolling the enemy team would be hilarious!!!
Vilastromoz
Take your time, you are definitely the most human writer. A few authors even do a chapter a day, which is crazy. Keep up the good!
Jennifer Leigh
Jace is so hard core
Aviel
thanks for the chapter take your time
MistuhBogan
Bro... You're good man. You were only supposed to give two... Don't act like you suck because you didn't go above and beyond one time. Get the hell over it.. you can be plus ultra next week or something. Next month maybe, we don't really care so long as they keep coming an you are healthy man. Go enjoy your family. Why don't you take a week off in two weeks. Staycation with your family.. on us.. what do you say boys?
Braden Moody
Love Jeffrey's idea. And tftc
Jeffrey Pearson
Please please... let Silvi come out of a void travel proclaiming she is the one that's the Ascending Monarch....lol
