LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 47 – A Question of Growth
"Well, life is peaceful there. Aside from working and training, we try to create a culture for ourselves and a sense of identity. We try to play games, make art, and create songs and music. Some of us dedicate ourselves more to research and alchemy, and some to making weapons of war. And experts like me constantly experiment with our gifted affinities and try to improve and pioneer a path, making it easier for future generations." - Nix said.
"And how do you govern yourselves? I am interested." - I said.
"As things stand, we use meritocratic socialism to govern ourselves, with the experts being part of the high council, I included. As for laws and rules, we don't need them as of now, as we are all born with laws and common sense ingrained in our minds. However, we also ensure that our position of power is voluntary and we are given minimum wages for our work." - Nix said.
"And what do you do to enforce the law if someone breaks it?" - I asked.
"It usually doesn't happen, as there is little point in stealing or harming others. We primarily use public shaming, damaging their reputation in the community and lowering their resource allocation. But, if someone commits an unforgivable act and is proven guilty, he gets excommunicated." - Nix said.
"What does that mean?" - I asked.
"We would extract his crystal and let him stay at the periphery. Luckily, we never had to use it yet." - Nix shrugged.
"Glad to hear that. And what about family? Do you have a wife or kid?" - I curiously asked.
"We don't work like that. Because of our long lifespans, healthy bodies, abundance of resources, and lack of need to inherit our belongings, marriage, in general, became redundant. Instead, we practice free love." - Nix said neutrally.
"Free love?" - I raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, free love, with how it functions decided by the involved parties to avoid conflict, including exclusive relationships, half-open relationships, open relationships, group relationships, etc. Sip*... A bit too sweet." - Nix sipped the hot chocolate and commented.
"Yeah, kinda had it made with a kid's taste buds in mind. Speaking of kids, what about them?" - I asked.
"They belong to the women, while we men can choose to help or not. Many times they use us as seed donors and raise the kid themselves. You would find our women VERY strong and independent." - Nix gave a meaningful look.
"Hah... Lots of single mothers, eh?" - I made a face any man would know.
"Bingo." - Nix returned the look.
"Then what about you?" - I asked.
"Me? I have an exclusive relationship with one woman and had two kids, with the third on the way." - Nix smiled.
"Ah, nice." - I nodded.
"So, we talked about me, but what about you? Do you have any plans for now?" - Nix asked.
"I want to convert a few Spore Spreaders for now, but I am unsure if the Kin Lords would let me get close." - I said.
"I would advise against attempting that again. The Lords are overprotective of the Spore Spreader under their charge. Your case is special. You intimidated Lord Arnerd by massacring that Recon Team. Even if you try to negotiate or tempt them, they won't budge." - Nix shook his head.
"Bummer. I guess we'll need to wait until you evolve, hah?" - I asked.
"That is the idea. Speaking about it, I don't mean to rush, but can you please infuse me with that strengthening energy soon? I need to go home." - Nix made a slightly sour face.
"Hm? Do you need to make a report?" - I asked.
"That, and Ziahra would kill me if I don't return soon." - Nix made a bitter face.
"Damn, you whipped." - I smirked.
"Like I said, strong and independent women. But I wouldn't have it any other way." - Nix smiled.
"Suit yourself." - I said and pointed at the man.
The next moment, he was wrapped in black flames.
"Oh... I don't feel anything." - Nix said while raising one of his burning arms.
Primrose paused her eating, looked at it, lost interest, and continued consuming another donut.
Soon, the flames got absorbed into him, leaving him unscathed.
"I gave you 8,000 points of Evolution Energy, which should be enough for you to strengthen yourself to the peak. Remember to come back in four days so I can convert you." - I smiled and said.
"Thank you, Iver." - Nix nodded in thanks.
With that, he stood up and took his spear.
"Oh, Nix, before you go, I have a quick question." - I suddenly said.
"Yes?" - Nix patiently waited.
"Does the Shapeshifter allow you to hide from psychic detection?" - I asked.
"Psychic detection? I heard about someone with strong psychic powers in California, and one of his powers is psychic detection. I heard that Shapeshifters can change their mental wavelength, making detection harder without focusing." - Nix said.
"Nice. Thanks for the info, Nix." - I nodded.
"No problem. See you again, Iver. And thank you again, Primrose." - Nix gave a short bow.
"See you soon, Nix." - I waved.
"Bye, Nix!" - Primrose smiled and waved at him.
Silently nodding in acknowledgment, Nix turned around and left.
Now, with him gone, I started harvesting the goods.
Stored Energy: Basic Energy: 39,328-> 0(Stored), Evolution Energy A: 160,000 -> 0(Stored), Enhancement Energy A: 168,000 -> 0(Stored)
Basic Energy: 6,972 -> 46,300
Evolution Energy A: 2,008 -> 162,008
Enhancement Energy A: 128,110 -> 296,110
I wasn't worried about leaving Primrose with no energy because it regenerates 15-16 points a minute.
By tonight, it will rise to around 10,000 points.
"That reminds me. The cooldown is 12 hours now, right? Now that I have so many points, it wouldn't hurt to reduce the cooldown again."
With that decision, I enhanced it.
Decrease Cooldown 6. Stabilizes unreality paths, reducing the time it takes to travel again by 60%. Price: 9,000 Enhancement Energy A
Decrease Cooldown 7. Stabilizes unreality paths, reducing the time it takes to travel again by 70%. Price: 63,000 Enhancement Energy A
Enhancement Energy A: 296,110 -> 224,110
And with that, the cooldown got reduced to only 7.2 hours.
That means I can visit the Ascended World like going to work from now on.
However, right after I did that...
"Why not... enhance some more? Just a bit..." - I thought, my mind itchy to spend more.
With that in mind, I silently viewed the enhancements on Reality Travel...
Reality Travel:
Enhancement options:
- Decrease Cost 6
- Decrease Cooldown 8
- Add Reality Anchor 2
- Improved Selection 2
- Information Gathering 2
- Strategic Insertion 2
- Add Function.
Add Functions:
- (Locked)
Add Reality Anchor 2: Adds a new reality anchor, enabling a new reality connection. Price: 25,000 Enhancement Energy A
Improved Selection 2: The Host can specify the kind of reality he wishes to enter more clearly. Price: 2,500 Enhancement Energy A
Information Gathering 2: The Host will receive relevant details before entering a new Reality with greater accuracy. Price: 2,500 Enhancement Energy A
Strategic Insertion 2: The Host can select his starting location in a 10,000km radius from the original landing location. Price: 2,500 Enhancement Energy A
The price increase was the same as regular enhancements, just a hundred or thousand times more demanding in energy.
Deciding it is affordable, I enhanced them once.
Enhancement Energy A: 224,110 -> 191,610
I then looked at Camouflage.
Camouflage:
Enhancement Options:
- Conceal Presence 8
- Alter Appearance 5
- Alter Touch 1
- Alter Voice 1
- Alter Scent 1
- Alter Taste 1
- Alter Temperature 1
- (Locked)
Alter Appearance 5: The Host can significantly alter his appearance and size, even looking like another similarly sized species. Gains resistance to True Perception. Price: 1,500 Enhancement Energy A
Alter Touch 1: The Host can alter the texture of his body. Price: 10 Enhancement Energy A
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Alter Touch 5: The Host can alter the texture of his body. Gains resistance to True Perception. Price: 1,500 Enhancement Energy A
Alter Sound 1: The Host can alter the sound he makes. Price: 10 Enhancement Energy A
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Alter Sound 5: The Host can alter the sound he makes. Gains resistance to True Perception. Price: 1,500 Enhancement Energy A
Alter Scent 1: The Host can alter his secreted chemical scent and pheromones. Price: 10 Enhancement Energy A
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Alter Scent 5: The Host can alter his secreted chemical scent and pheromones. Gains resistance to True Perception. Price: 1,500 Enhancement Energy A
Alter Taste 1: The Host can alter his chemical taste. Price: 10 Enhancement Energy A
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Alter Taste 5: The Host can alter his chemical taste. Gains resistance to True Perception. Price: 1,500 Enhancement Energy A
Alter Temperature 1: The Host can alter his temperature. Price: 10 Enhancement Energy A
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Alter Temperature 5: The Host can alter his temperature. Gains resistance to True Perception. Price: 1,500 Enhancement Energy A
Enhancement Energy A: 191,610 -> 180,560
Altering my Touch, Scent, Taste, and Tempreture might seem redundant, but they are complementary to Alter Appearance. Without them, people and animals can find loopholes in my disguise, exposing me. For example, if I disguise myself as some dog's owner, the dog can perceive I am not his owner through smell. A snake can taste my scent through its tongue.
But now, those loopholes are covered somewhat.
However, there was one thing I was curious about.
"Trod, what's True Perception?" - I asked.
{A type of sense that sees through fakes and deceit. For example, True Sight can see your appearance through your disguise, and True Olfaction can smell your true scent. Sensory manipulation methods are a pain to deal with, and this is one of the few ways to counter them.}
"But how does that differ from concealing my presence?"
{Concealing your presence is just that, concealing your presence. True senses can't see through what they cannot perceive, but they can see through tricks and deceit. Altering your appearance is one such thing.}
"Hm... Good to know." - I nodded and continued to the next article.
Storage:
Enhancement options:
- Increase Storage size 5
- Time Flow Control 5
- Segmentation 5
- Add function
Add Function:
- Gravity Adjustment 1
- (Locked)
Gravity Adjustment 1: Can adjust the gravity inside the Storage up to g = 1 m/s^2 acceleration. Price: 10 Enhancement Energy A
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Gravity Adjustment 4: Can adjust the gravity inside the Storage up to g = 8 m/s^2 acceleration. Price: 300 Enhancement Energy A
Enhancement Energy A: 180,560 -> 180,150
Although I saw little point in adjusting gravity inside my Storage, I shrugged and enhanced it because it was cheap. As for the rest? I ignored it.
No reason to enhance it for now.
Teleport:
Enhancement options:
- Increase Range 5
- Reduce Cost 5
- Reduce Cooldown 5
- Mass Teleportation 4
- Add function.
Add Function:
- (Locked)
Reduce Cooldown 6. Reduces the cooldown by 60%. Price: 9,000 Enhancement Energy A
Reduce Cooldown 7. Reduces the cooldown by 70%. Price: 63,000 Enhancement Energy A
Mass Teleportation 5: Allows the Host to Teleport with 5 more living creatures, but the cost of carrying them is 6 times that of the Host. Price: 1,500 Enhancement Energy A
Enhancement Energy A: 180,560 -> 106,650
With this, I can teleport every 3 seconds, which is close to teleporting without restriction. As for the mass teleport? It is more of an OCD thing.
And now, for the final piece...
Sanitization:
Add Functions:
- Empowered Sanitization 2
- Sanitize Area 2
Empowered Sanitization 2: Can Empower the effect of Sanitization, removing Energy-Based or Divine taint and harmful organisms. Price: 250 Enhancement Energy A
Sanitize Area 2: The Host can activate Sanitization on a 3-meter radius around himself. Price: 100 Enhancement Energy A
Enhancement Energy A: 106,650 -> 106,300
The price rise reminded me more of a spell than a power like Teleport, which made sense in a way.
With that, the enhancement wave I didn't plan came to a final.
Name: Divine fragment of Ic'thotl'itrod
Powers: Dark Offering(Dark Idol), Camouflage(Alter Appearance 5, Alter Touch 5, Alter Sound 5, Alter Scent 5, Alter Taste 5, Alter Temperature 5, Conceal Presence 7), Storage(Increase Storage size 4, Time Flow Control 4, Segmentation 4, Gravity Adjustment 4, Automatic Ordering), Teleport(Increase Range 5, Reduce Cost 5, Reduce Cooldown 7, Mass Teleportation 5, Waypoint), Reality Travel(Decrease Cost 5, Decrease Cooldown 7, Add Reality Anchor 2, Improved Selection 2, Information Gathering 2, Strategic Insertion 2, Unanchor, Arrival at Waypoint), Evolution(Devolve, Synthesize), Enhancement, Sanitization(Empowered Sanitization 2, Sanitize Area 2, Sanitize Other), Energy Conversion, Increase Compatibility 2, Grant Affinity (Mortal Tier)
Spells: Touch of the True Sun 2, Analytical Eye 2, Empower Words 2, Mark of Zeal 2, Void Shield 2, Displace Object 2, Divine Might 2, Disruptive Void Coating 2, Unreality Barrier 2, True Sun Fireball 2, Space Grip 2
Host Abilities: True Tongue 2, Unreality Affinity 2, Void Affinity 2, Space Affinity 2, True Sun Affinity 2, Immortal Body 2, Immortal Soul 2, Divinity 2
Basic Energy: 46,300
Evolution Energy A: 162,008
Enhancement Energy A: 106,300
Looking at my progress, rather than being emotional, I felt something different.
I somehow felt a sense of loss.
I felt...
"Why... do I feel dissatisfied?" - I asked myself.
"It feels too... easy. If it was before, I might have felt delighted, but now..."
My eyes turned to my hands, clenching and unclenching them.
"... Now, I feel I don't deserve it. At first, I was rewarded for risking my life against the Kin. Although it was dangerous, I felt satisfied with my achievements. I felt myself growing and getting rewarded for it. But ever since I entered this Kin Field, it was like I won the lottery. At first, I felt happy and drunk with my achievement, but now, I just feel... empty. Why?"
It was then that Trod answered my question.
{It is because you sense your growth is slowing down.}
"Growth?" - I asked.
{Yes. The growth of your willpower and ego, the determination, drive, resolve, and resilience to face stress, conflict, and other challenges. To an orthodox god, if anything is more important than energy and power, it is willpower and ego. Without them, you won't be able to manage your power. Instead, it would control you. And for you, a god aspirant who inherited the power of another god, an incalculably powerful one at that, it is even more crucial.}
"Because my ego would otherwise get eroded by Ic'thotl'itrod." - I said with certainty.
{Correct.}
"But why tell me this? Isn't it beneficial for him if my ego gets overwritten?" - I doubtfully asked.
{Where is growth and change if history is doomed to repeat itself? Ic'thotl'itrod views you as the continuation of his existence, a white page of a new life, not some copy. He could have created a clone if he sought something so simple.}
"But isn't my ego being overwritten right now?"
{No. It is only influenced but not overwritten. At most, it affects parts of your mentality and disposition. Through your continuous growth and the subtle changes Ic'thotl'itrod's fragment brings you, you will become a different entity than Ic'thotl'itrod himself, which is what he wants. Like a child who carries the traits of his father, you are you, and he is him.}
"So how do I avoid getting overwritten, then?"
{I use my authority to stop you from increasing your compatibility above your limit. It is part of the reason I am installed, after all.}
"Good to know. And, what is my current limit?"
{Increase Compatibility 3 is your limit.}
"That's... low." - I narrowed my eyes.
{Low? On the contrary, it is abnormally high for someone as untrained and inexperienced as yourself. An ordinary and undisciplined young man can endure Increase Compatibility 1 but fail to bear Increase Compatibility 2. Your willpower was enough for Increase Compatibility 2 when you wore me, which is the level of a middle-aged man who faced and experienced the harshness of life. And after what you went through during these few days, your willpower doubled, reaching the qualifications of Increase Compatibility 3, which is the level of an aged man who experienced the vicissitudes of life.}
"Hah... I never thought it was so high. But how do I increase my willpower, then?"
{Time, Training, Experiences, and Life and Death. These are reliable ways to improve willpower and ego. Time is the slowest but most dependable, as its ebb and flow smoothens even the hardest rocks. Training improves your mentality and dedication, which are essential aspects of willpower. Experiences help shape your resolve and character to face challenges. And life and death teach you the meaning of life in its barest form.}
{For now, let time and training do their thing, helping to forge a better foundation and experience what your world and this world have to offer. And when you feel you are ready, go and seek adventures and experience life.}
"And what about life and death?"
{When you get stronger, you can create clones that will experience life for you in other realities. And when they die, their experiences will feed back to you, giving you enlightenment. But until you become a peak pseudo-god, it has little meaning.}
"So just live to the fullest, hah?"
{In a nutshell, yes.}
"... Works for me." - I mentally shrugged.
When I ended my internal discussion with Trod, I noticed Primrose looking at me quietly.
"What is it, Primrose?" - I asked.
"Iver, I have a selfish request." - Primrose said.
"Sure, go ahead." - I nodded.
"I want subordinates."