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Ding! ​​

[Enough Soul Density achieved]

[Do you desire to begin [Soul Core] Creation?]

[>YES NO]

"Oh, this…"

Frank was instantly puzzled over one of the System notifications, regarding something that he was rather confused about…

What was even a Soul Core?

Why could he do this now from all times?

And what did it even mean by 'enough soul density'?

"Hades, do you know something about Soul Cores and Soul Density? I am rather puzzled, the System is asking me if I want to form my Soul Core after I got enough Soul Density…" said Frank.

Hades glared at Frank with the same puzzled look… although because he was a Skull, it's not like Frank could get that many emotions out of the former god of the underworld.

"Soul Density… I believe that it might be some kind of measure over the density of your soul, how strong it is, maybe, how dense in mass it is. Even souls have 'mass', you know? Although it is not physical mass but ethereal mass, when enough ethereal mass is achieved, the soul increases its density, becoming more than something small that cannot be weaponized… Although in my world, advancements in soul were very few," said Hades.

"I see… Could this mean that if I gather enough Soul Density, I can generate a Soul Core to refine this density?" asked Frank.

"Oh, I didn't think about that, you're smart, brat. That might be it… I think. I feel rather pathetic, to think that I used to be a God but I don't know such things… Well, my existence was very unique by itself…" said Hades, a being that was born purely out of beliefs and prayers of the ancient Greek from the parallel Earth where he originated from.

"What are you talking about, Master? Do you enjoy talking alone?" asked Orb, concerned about the mental health of her new master.

"Don't worry, that's how Master is," said Nezhit with a proud and gentle smile.

"Err… Okay… So who are you?" asked Orb.

"Oh, my name is Nezhit, I am an Undead. I was born from four former bandits that tried to assault Master and his party. I have been reborn from their souls and corpses, so I am a new man altogether, although their memories remain within my mind," said Nezhit with a very polite tone.

Now that Frank thought about it, Nezhit talked a lot like a butler…

"O-Oh… I didn't know that something like that was even possible! So people can control the dead n this world? So many things I don't know…" said Orb.

"Actually, no, I think I am a bit unique in that regard… Hm, perhaps I should explain to you more about who I am and all…" said Frank, as he explained to Orb in detail who he was, where he came from, and more, leaving her quite in disbelief.

"T-That's a big info dump, Master! So you are from another world?! And you have the fragment of a god with you?! And Abraddon is your dear friend?! And all of that happened in one week?! Eeeeh?!" asked Orb in a completely puzzled expression on her expressionless orb body.

"Master is true quite an impressive person," said Nezhit proudly of his master.

"Grawr!" said Ruby.

"Roar!" said Zhulong.

Both of them seemed to agree, and even the arrogant little dragon was growing fonder of his master.

"Anyways, now that we got out of the way, whenever you see me talking alone, I am actually talking with Hades, who only I can see because he's on my soul. …Yeah, I sound like a schizophrenic…" said Frank.

"O-Okaaay…" said Orb.

"Very well then, Master," said Nezhit.

"Grawr!"

"Roar!"

Ruby and Zhulong roar while nodding as well, everyone is very obedient to Frank, despite his gentle nature, he exudes an air that makes them want to follow him.

"Sigh… Now, I should simply use Inspect into the System Windows instead of trying to figure out everything on my own…" said Frank.

[Soul Density]

The Level of Density of your Soul, by acquiring Soul Energy or Divine Power, you can increase the Density of your Soul, increasing its strength and quality.

However, after reaching a certain point, a Soul Core is needed to be created to furthermore strengthen your soul, as it will take care of absorbing any residual soul density and refine it all over your soul, giving you greater power.

After the Creation of a Soul Core, Soul Cultivation can be started.

[Soul Core]

The first step to begin your Soul Cultivation.

By absorbing enough Soul Energy or Divine Power into your Soul, you can increase your Soul Density above the norm and use such additional density to generate a Soul Core.

A Soul Core has many functions, such as the strengthening of your mind, of your magic power, the production of Mana, and its regeneration, amongst other things.

The Soul Core formed will also be used through your Soul Cultivation, helping you use Soul Energy or Divine Power to nourish your soul and refine the impurities within, increasing the quality of your Soul and therefore its strength.

"I see… So this is all part of- Soul Cultivation?! And from where did this come from? Could this be some kind of power originating from another world that I automatically get through the System's basic functions?" wondered Frank, as he tried to Inspect the Soul Cultivation word in the system window.

[Soul Cultivation]

A Transcendental type of cultivation that exists in every world, you have unlocked its functions by strengthening your soul density.

By using the universal principles of soul strengthening, you can shape Soul Energy absorbed from other souls into yours, making it your own power and soul.

Soul Cultivation has several Realms.

Soul Energy Gathering Realm.

Soul Core Creation Realm.

Soul Core Nourishment Realm.

Soul Energy Refinement Realm.

Soul Core Enlargement Realm.

Spiritual Soul Realm.

Spiritual Soul Core Realm.

Nascent Soul Realm.

Divine Soul Core Creation Realm.

Divine Soul Realm.

….

"So many realms… And it keeps going down? Aside from Divine Soul, there is a ton more of Realms… Is the strengthening of the soul infinite or something? What's a Nebula Soul anyways?" thought Frank, dismissing the System window, as he had tried to Inspect each Realm but no descriptions were offered this time, realizing that he had reached the limit of how much his Inspect could show him.

"So I have technically finished the Soul Energy Gathering Realm and I would be entering the Soul Core Creation Realm whenever I create this Soul Core… So now I will have both a Mana Core and a Soul Core? Can't they fuse and be easier to strengthen? No, perhaps I am asking for too much…" said Frank, deciding to create his Soul Core, as he didn't lose anything through it.

Ding!

[Initializing Soul Core Creation]

Flash!

"Oh?! You're starting already?" asked Hades.

"M-Master, is this Soul Core Creation?!" asked Orb in concern.

"Orb, get a bit away from Master, he always knows what he's doing," said Nezhit.

"O-Okay…" said Orb.

Frank felt as his soul began to flow out of his physical body, a sight to behold that all of his party glanced with awe and surprise.

"This… My soul feels as if it is about to explode…"

Frank literally felt as if his soul were about to explode, it was going out of his own body and expanding, although he did not felt any pain, he couldn't help but feel a bit scared.

"Ungh…! Something is changing!" said Hades in shock.

The fluctuating energies continued, as Frank felt like something within his soul was bothering the process…

And then, he saw it…

A black crystal ball, the same one where Hades came from…

Why was it inside of his Soul to begin with?!

"Why is that… in my soul?! Hades, did you put that in there?!" asked Frank.

"Eh? No, I didn't!" said Hades.

Frank then glanced at the expanded soul, his soul was completely white with several hues of yellow gold, and on its centered, there was a black area slowly rooting itself into his soul, this was most likely Hades Fragment which had now completely fused with his soul.

"Then why…?!" asked Frank.

Ding!

[Soul Treasure] has been detected]

[Incorporating Soul Treasure into [Soul Core] Creation…]

Flash!

The black crystal sphere flew inside of Frank's soul once again, fusing with it and then forming a sphere of yellow gold and black, Frank's Soul Core!

His entire soul materialized into such an object, while the black crystal ball merged with it as if nothing…

"Soul Treasure, what is that even?!" wondered Frank, as the fluctuation energies were calmed by the new Soul Core, which slurped them all and then began to slowly distribute them into Frank's soul as if nourishing his soul.

The commotion stopped, as Frank was left on the floor, exhausted…

He remembered the appearance of his Soul Core, it was completely yellow gold in one half, and completely black in another…

"This is…"

Ding!

[Soul Core] Creation complete!]

[All of your stats have increased!]

[You acquired the [Soul Core (Eclipsing Soul): Level 1], [Enhanced Five Senses: Level 1], and [Soul Materialization: Level 1] Skill!]

[Soul Core (Eclipsing Soul): Level 1/10]

The Representation of your Soul, as its level increases, the strength of your Soul Core and your Soul will do so as well.

An Eclipsing Soul is an incredibly rare type of soul that harbors two opposite powers within, often being that of Life and Death or Light and Darkness.

[Enhanced Five Senses: Level 1/10]

A Skill that anyone who has sharpened their five senses through various means can acquire, it enhances the user's five senses to the point of being able to hear things that not many could, see things in more detail, feel things better, and so on.

[Soul Materialization: Level 1/10]

The ability to materialize your Soul, which costs a large quantity of Mana to maintain materialized.

By materializing your soul, you can employ a new way of fighting or strengthening yourself, surpassing the limits of your body.

The strength of your soul is dependent on your Soul Cultivation Realm and Soul Core Skill level.

"So this is Soul Cultivation… I feel incredible!" said Hades, as he himself felt like he had regained his youth or something.

"The power that the Soul Core has brought to me is yet another insane boost… Just how many powerups does my plot armor want to give me?" wondered Frank, as he inspected what had intrigued him in the middle of the Soul Core formation.

[Soul Treasure]

A Divine Treasure of unknown origin that enhances and gives special powers to the Soul of the wielder.

After having been merged with the wielder's Soul Core, its powers will slowly unlock as the user develops its soul.

"…Eh? That's it?! Tell me more!"

[…]

"Sigh…"

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