• Chapter #47: [FURTHER INVESTIGATION(1)] Well, this was harder than I thought… It seems that those black rocks actually came from beings of similar caliber to Ancient Gods, which means that it’ll be more troublesome as I continue my investigation. Furthermore, many questions still lie. Although I had discovered what appears to be the source block of those [Tear of the Corrupted], it’s purpose still is unknown to me, nor is the one who created the things specifically. Sigh Even [Plotter’s Discernment] was incapable of explaining everything to me. As soon as I tried to gain more info on the rock, I was wracked with an intense headache and my mana would falter, with my [Plotter’s Discernment] automatically turning itself off. But still, I’m a little relieved that I was able to gain tidbits of information from the rock, rather than having none at all. If I try to piece things together, the item that’s created using this crystal as it’s main ingredient, is a weapon that could be used against beings of similar power to Ancient Gods, possibly even higher. “I need to gain more information, one that wouldn’t fight back. Tch, looks like what Plotter said was true. You cannot directly gaze at Ancient Gods.”, Even the ones that contain their essence, like this black crystal, could still pose danger to others. Luckily though, it required magical sight to activate it’s effects, a fact that I had learned harshly earlier. The true danger of gazing at Ancient Gods, or items that possess their pure essence, is that they directly affect one’s soul. The Ancient Gods symbolize the highest Divinity. Although it could be argued that the Primordial is the highest, it’s rather classed as an Celestial, which is a whole other level than being Divine. As Ancient Gods symbolize the highest form of being divine, it also means that their essence is the purest of all divinities. Mortals aren’t meant to touch divinities, or they require immense, immense, and immense power and experience to even be placed on the lowest stage of divine ranks. If one gazes long enough, it would be the same as the quote: “Stare at the abyss long enough, and it’ll stare back at you.” Although, instead of an endless darkness, your soul would be bathed in extreme power that it would burn. In physical and mental interpretation of yourself, as your soul burns, you would either become extremely insane or your brain would be reduced to black cinders. Sigh Anyway, it seems that I’ll need to have more power to discern this thing further. I’ve only gotten it’s basic information at hand. Even though I’m an Enlightened with the power to remove the gap when fighting Ascended ranks, it looks like I still need to rank up to analyze this thing. I gazed at the ones working at the mines below me. If I’ll need more information about this thing, then they’ll be the most effective ones that’ll give me so. [Plotters Discernment: Active] Hmm… It appears that none of them is capable of giving me any sort of troubles. Even their acting leader, although stronger than others, I would still be capable of crushing him easily. Sigh I’ve been sighing a lot. Hmph, if only those stupid gods stopped messing around. Opening [Inventory], I pulled out a black sphere. This thing, is a magical video recorder. And if you guessed it, then you are right. It’s time to livestream. Still… Won’t this cause controversy back on Earth…? I shook my head. Welp, that’s not my problem. I’m only following what those gods had assigned anyway. “Haa…”, With a deep breath, I let Miyanase’s aura combine with my own. Immediately, the stench of death and decay filled the already eerie cave. I peered open my now crimson and purple eyes, gazing at the individuals within the area. Even I was able to feel it, on how time seems to slow down and the embrace of death was attempting to corrupt everything. The ordinary workers were lying unconscious, their skin palette extremely pale. Ignoring them and the others who were having difficulties in moving, I set a malevolent gaze on the cloaked man, who was the one directing the operation. I could give him a little respect. Although I could feel his heartbeat go haywire and his breathing difficult, he maintains only a frown. I would commend him further if it wasn’t for the fact that his face also became extremely pale and his body buckled. “…who are you…?”, The man asked, fear and caution obvious in his voice. I grinned evilly, then spread my arms open. “I am… Death.” He gazed on my image then realized he was in danger, quickly he panicked and said in a hoarse voice. “Shit! Protect me!”, He cried out to his struggling subordinates, as he turned tail and ran away. Although they were shivering, I let them take their time to cast their own magic. I raised an eyebrow, as I used [Plotters Discernment] to observe this world’s magic. It really was different than those back at Earth. While Earth’s magic and abilities heavily relied on aura and mana, this world’s magic seemed to rely on formulas that manipulated and altered the surroundings to create the magic’s desired effect. It’s what I observed based on the magic circles floating in front of them. The magic circles produced a vortex, then glowed orange. Not long after, several fireballs headed my way. If their fireball magic was performed on Earth, it would absorb a person’s mana or aura, then convert it into their desired effect. On this world however, things worked differently. Instead of solely relying on mana, the magic circles are created from several formulas that would create it’s casters desired effect. The magic circle sucked in oxygen and hydrogen from the surroundings, igniting the two materials together and stabilizing them so they won’t disappear upon release. Eventually, the fireballs heading my way was now it’s resulting effect. I hypothesize that this is also why their magic spells are much more efficient, though I also digress that high leveled spells required more preparations to perform. Still, this wasn’t enough to falter me. [Barrier: Active] A golden force field made of small, octagonal barriers appeared in front of me. As the fireballs hit my defensive ability, it didn’t even falter and distributed the damage and impact of the magic spells. Heh, it’s as expected from a power gained from an Ancient God. [Particle Shot] I immediately retaliated with my own magic. Beams of light shot out from the magic circle on the tip of my finger, hitting my targets with laser accuracy. Immediately, as the beams pierced through their bodies, they fell down with a thud. ..-..-..-..-..-..-..-.. “Time to finish this…”, Kaide muttered, before walking to where the cloaked man had run off to. Meanwhile, as he did so, the camera automatically followed him. The Livestreaming that he was doing had been quite the spectacle back on Earth. It spurred curiosity and excitement on the viewers. The mysterious persona that he put into as the star and the realism of the scenario, despite being fantasy to others, really captured viewers and many more people. Needless to say, the [Path of Livestream] quest was going quite well. [Damn, this is pretty good for an RPG, or for a fantasy movie…] [Hey, what happened? The Livestream Hero’s on a new location?] [The last part was on a girl’s room right? Then it probably means that it’s connected to whatever he’s chasing here.] [Yeah, but it’s a bit confusing…] [The guy’s real strong though. I mean, he just raised his fingers and pew! Everyone's down!] [Man… I’m kinda jealous of his video cam. My job would be much easier if I had one of those…] The viewers expressed their comments on the current stream, all while eating foods or doing idle things. Like the previous ones, they’re very impressed on the visuals, environment, and the shots & angles. It’s also noticeable on how the camera was capable of evading almost everything and passing through everything. It seemed that other than it’s auto-pilot, it was also being controlled manually. Kaide let out a huff at that thought. Most likely, it was the Plotter that’s controlling the thing. ..-..-..-..-..-..-..-.. [Shade Walker: Active] The shadows devoured my entire body, alongside the camera. Clenching my fist, I prepared to capture the cloaked man for interrogation. I watched in the shadows, and as he was about to make a turn, I finally struck. [Thunder Clap: Active] Fist of crackling electricity greeted the man’s face, as I exited out of the shadow. Though he was unable to react, his face did set into a horrified look after he saw me and my attack. Bam! Rumble! The hit connected straight to his nose, immediately breaking it. The force of my fist imbued with electricity was too much for him, as he immediately flew backwards with a bright glowing light and a loud thunder. As his body hit the cave wall, the impact area cratered and shattered, dust and shards of rock flying. [Gale Palm] A heavy blow of wind came forth from my palm and hit the area on where the man had landed. His body was bloody and burnt, with his face being the most damaged part. Occasionally, lightning would course and crackle through his body. Still, the man maintained consciousness. He stared at me with fear on his eyes. I gazed at his own with my crimson slits, a promise of more pain clearly written on it. Then, I grinned. “Let us begin…” Then, an orchestra played from the camera. I blinked, before looking at it a bit dumbfoundedly. The music was at first slow, then occasionally going into a fast and intense pace before going back to calm. “Symphony of Fate…”, I scoffed. Hmph, those gods certainly wants their humor. But still, I don’t know what path fate has for me in store on this world. It can either be rather easy, then immediately turn chaotic, like the tune I’m hearing. [•END•] Revised by BaNaeNae.