Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Only I am reliable
The grand cosmic entity had built up this epic universal ceremony just to literally bestow upon him the exact same power he was already using to survive ten minutes ago, and it felt like an absolute scam orchestrated by a lazy universe.
Then he felt a profound physical shift as if a heavy invisible wall blocking his internal pathways had finally been lifted away.
He felt something new and vibrant flow through his small veins as the Nightmare Domain within his soul felt significantly more connected to his physical body.
He could faintly sense the swirling dark fog even while he wasn’t meditating which was a massive upgrade.
The blue screen flashed again to proudly display his updated sheet.
Status
Name: Night (Nightmare)
Race: Homunculus (Artificial Human)
Class: Unlocks at Lvl.10
Level: 1 (exp 0/100)
Energy Value (EV): 1.1 (+10%)
Aspect: [Nightmare]
Skills: None
Unique Skill: [Nightmare Domain]
Summons: [Eve], [Lilith], [Death]
Title: [Awakened]
[Awakened: A title owned by the first generation awakeners. Grants 10%+ Stats]
"Sweet title," Night murmured happily as he analyzed the bonus and decided to forgive the System for the lazy Aspect reveal.
The 0.1 EV must clearly be from the new title multiplier.
A ten percent boost sounds incredibly overpowered and while it doesn’t seem like much now, in the future it will prove its worth, he thought.
[Awakening complete]
[Initiating return]
Before he even knew it he was back in reality standing in the exact same spot in the middle of the ruined crater with the dust still settling around his shoes.
He opened his eyes and saw all three of them standing around him looking down at him with an aura of protective pride over his progress.
But that wholesome feeling was immediately interrupted when he suddenly felt a strange uncomfortable drain on his reserves.
[Energy Value (EV): 1.0]
The EV had just reduced by a flat 0.1 points in a matter of seconds.
He instantly realized with a jolt of panic that keeping his friends out in the real world must cost a continuous supply of energy to anchor their physical forms in reality.
I didn’t feel the drain before probably because the random lab experiments had loaded my body with energy acting like a temporary battery but I seem to have been drained empty since I just woke up and officially integrated, he realized.
Even just living and standing here must drain his energy slowly.
I need to find a way to replenish and increase it right now before I pass out from exhaustion, he reasoned.
He didn’t even know what would happen in case the worst happened, so he made a tough decision to ensure everyone’s survival.
He really didn’t like keeping his friends cooped up inside his soul because it felt incredibly rude to stuff his only companions into a dark mental closet just to save his own energy, but he had absolutely no other choice with a pathetic EV pool of 1.0.
So he regretfully called them back into his domain and started running forward by picking a completely random direction through the apocalyptic wasteland.
Soon his frantic pace slowed to a halt as he reached a horrifying conclusion that made his blood run cold.
He was feeling very tired and his body felt remarkably weak, especially since he didn’t even know what direction the nearest town or village was.
He called for Death and she quickly stepped out of a swirling black portal.
He decided to bet on his luck. It was risky but desperate times called for desperate measures.
"Please carry me and run in that direction," he asked as Death effortlessly scooped him up into a princess carry and began to run.
Night could distinctly feel her happiness as she did so, though he couldn’t help but notice her grip getting suspiciously tighter. -_-
× - × - ×
After running for an hour by some stroke of sheer luck they could finally see a forest about a kilometer ahead. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
[Energy Value (EV): 0.5]
I don’t know what will happen if I hit zero but I don’t want to find out, he thought.
"Hurry," he muttered while feeling a wave of dizziness wash over him.
Death picked up the pace and within ten minutes they safely reached the edge of the trees and entered the forest.
After walking for some time into the woods Death let him down near a tree.
Night had a solid guess about how he could replenish his Energy.
Now that he was a safe distance away he decided to try it.
He needed to meditate.
"Please guard me for some time," he asked.
Death simply nodded in response. He sat down cross-legged and tried remembering how he used to meditate in his past life. In no time at all he got the knack of it.
× - × - ×
Death’s POV
Stupid Master, she thought. Only I am enough.
As soon as she woke up and saw her Master’s glorious image something had awakened inside her. She swore upon her authority over death that none shall harm the Master.
But seeing those metallic bimbos she knew they were trouble.
They were just taking advantage of her Master’s kindness.
Only I am reliable, she noted proudly.
When it truly mattered even Master recognized her worth as he chose her for help while locking those bimbos away inside his soul.
If only he realized what useless leeches they were and discarded them entirely.
That would be great.
I know because of his kindness he might not do it
but if I give a little push then maybe...
She was startled awake from her daydream as she felt a sudden disturbance in the mana and looked down at her Master.
The mana in the surrounding was slowly being pulled into his being as if that’s where they belonged all along.
She could see it.
This is what she meant
There it was.
The glorious image.
The absolute peak of beauty.
She could see energy flowing into him as he slowly turned from a weak human into something much more.
.
something divine.
.
.
.
A Domain