Skill Forge: Broken Extra Character

[Truth-Seeking Potion]

[Those who drink it cannot lie or give false information about whatever they are asked. The effects work better if the target has a fear status or a wavering heart. Effectiveness reduced by 50% for targets above Level 100.]

[Duration: 2 Hours.]

*****

The commander's eyes flicked to the bottle in Asher's hand, curiosity got the best of him. With a dry chuckle, he sneered, "What's that in your hand? Trying to poison me? I guess the hatred runs deep. Get on with it then."

He shut his eyes firmly, bracing himself for what he thought would be his final moment. Seconds passed, the silence stretching agonizingly long. The absence of any action gnawed at his patience until finally, his frustration boiled over.

"You can't even do…"

Before he could finish his sentence, a sharp, heavy impact collided with his face. His head snapped to the side as a groan of pain escaped his lips. The metallic clang of his chains echoed as he shifted from the force.

Asher stood over him, shaking his hand nonchalantly as if dusting off the annoyance. "I'll admit, I really want to end your miserable life right here and now for what you did to Lina. But killing you?" He took a deliberate step closer, his voice lowering to a dangerous tone. "That would take me back to square one. And I'm not about to waste all this effort on you."

The commander opened one eye, glaring up at him through the pain, but remained silent as Asher lifted the bottle into view.

"Now, this isn't poison," Asher explained, turning the small glass container in his hand as if admiring it. "It's something far more useful. Sodium thiopental. Or, as you might call it here…"

He crouched down to meet the commander's line of sight, his grin widening. "Truth-Seeking Potion."

The commander's breath hitched, his gaze locking onto the glowing liquid. Slowly, realization dawned on his face, turning his disdain into something closer to alarm.

"W-What is that supposed to do?" the commander growled, feigning ignorance even as his chains rattled faintly from his involuntary flinch.

"Oh, you'll find out soon enough." Asher's voice was almost teasing. Without hesitation, he uncorked the bottle, its distinct herbal aroma wafting through the air.

The commander jerked his head away, his body struggling against the restraints as Asher grabbed his jaw with an iron grip. "Stop resisting," Asher ordered. Since the restraints where made to make the prisoners weaker, Asher was able to force the bottle against the commander's lips, tipping it to pour the shimmering liquid down his throat.

The commander thrashed weakly, trying to spit the potion out, but Asher kept his grip steady. "Come on now," Asher said mockingly. "Drink up. Don't be shy."

Finally, the bottle emptied, and Asher released his hold, stepping back to observe. The commander coughed violently, the potion's effects taking hold as he struggled to catch his breath.

"You'll thank me later for not poisoning you," Asher said with a smirk, spinning the empty bottle between his fingers before stashing it back into his ring. "Now, let's have a little chat, shall we?"

The commander shot him a venomous glare, his breath still uneven. Though the effects of the potion were beginning to settle in, the fight in his eyes hadn't yet dimmed. But Asher knew it was only a matter of time.

"In your dreams," the commander hissed defiantly, spitting onto the damp floor.

"Well, it's a good thing I wasn't asking." Asher's calm retort came just as a set of notifications flashed before his eyes.

[Truth-Seeking Potion has taken effect]

[Target is over Level 100]

[Effect will be reduced by 50%]

[Target's Willpower is strong]

[Effect will be reduced by 10%]

[Duration will be permanently reduced to 1 hour]

Asher's smirk faded briefly as he read the notifications.

'Sank down to 40% in an instant? How annoying. He sighed inwardly, crossing his arms. I guess I'll have to pull out all the stops.'

Returning his attention to the commander, his smirk returned, sharper than before. "So," he began, pacing slightly. "What scares you the most? Can you even feel fear, Commander? Or have you buried it so deep you forgot it exists? Why don't you tell me what I want to know?"

The commander's silence was a clear act of defiance, his glare unwavering as he clung to his resolve.

[Target is resisting the question.]

[Target is resisting the question.]

[Target is resisting the question.]

"Tsk, stubborn," Asher muttered. His gaze darkened as a new idea sparked in his mind. "Ralph," he called.

A faint distortion in the air above Asher's shoulder shifted before a shadowy form materialized, gliding silently down.

The Wraith Bat emerged from its hiding place, its dark wings spreading wide as it floated above the commander. With a menacing grace, Ralph landed directly on the commander's shoulder, his sharp fangs sinking into the commander's flesh.

Before the commander could react, Ralph bit into his neck, injecting an intense wave of pain that spread like wildfire. The commander gasped, his chains rattling violently as his body convulsed from the excruciating sensation.

[Target is experiencing fear.]

[Effect will be reduced by 20%.]

Asher watched intently as the commander's expression shifted, his defiance cracking just slightly under the pressure. But Asher wasn't done yet.

"Let's take this up a notch, shall we?" he whispered, his voice dripping with malice.

[Dark Illusion]

*****

The commander's world spiraled into chaos. In his mind's eye, his stomach began to churn violently, and he watched in mounting horror as grotesque, oversized spiders began ripping their way out of his abdomen. Their needle-like legs tore through his flesh, each movement sending searing pain through his body.

The floor of the cell disappeared, replaced by a writhing mass of arachnids that surged upward, swallowing him whole. As he thrashed in terror, he heard a chorus of laughter. Dozens of Asher's clones surrounded him, their forms flickering in the dim light as their cackles grew louder, drowning out even his own screams.

[Target is experiencing fear.]

[Effect will be reduced by 25%.]

[Target is experiencing fear.]

[Effect will be reduced by 15%.]

[Duration will not be increased.]

Asher canceled the illusion, his expression composed as he watched the commander gasp for air, trembling visibly. Ralph fluttered back to Asher's side, vanishing once more into the shadows.

"That's better," Asher mused. '

Wouldn't want him spilling out his whole truth when someone else walks in here.'

He crouched slightly to meet the commander's dazed, fearful eyes. "Now, are you ready to talk? Or do we need to get more... creative?"

"I'll talk, I'll talk, just please stop." The commander begged.

"I have no idea what you saw but it's got to be hellish to make you beg like this." Asher grinned, finally ready to question him thoroughly.

*

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What secrets does he have to share?

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