Free Web NovelChapter 129: Difference Between A Quasi And True Anima
The realization that unsettled the group’s hearts was not merely the existence of Netherytes. Instead, it was something far more personal...
Almost instinctively, every one of them was reminded of the day they had searched for an Aether Core that Regaleon could use in hopes of understanding the unprecedented evolution of his Soul Essence.
Back then, their options had been painfully limited.
Among all the creatures they had slain, aside from the five monstrosities beneath the ruined temple, only one seemed powerful enough to possess an Aether Core. And that was the twisted drake.
It had been Valmyr who suggested recovering its Core to test their theory regarding Regaleon’s evolution.
But now looking back on that decision, a chilling realization slowly settled over the group.
If they had actually found the drake’s corpse, if they had recovered its Core... And if Regaleon had truly attempted to cultivate with it... Or perhaps if any one of them had merely touched it...
Then none of them dared to even imagine what would have happened next.
A cold shiver ran down everyone’s spine, especially Regaleon’s.
Back then, he had been desperate to understand the changes occurring within his Soul Essence. Had the Core truly been inside that drake, there was little doubt that he would have crushed it without a second thought.
Fortunately, fate had decided otherwise.
Before they ever had the chance to return, another creature had already dragged the drake’s corpse away.
At the time, they had cursed their terrible luck. And they had even went on searching for the creature in hopes of finding it again.
Now looking back, they realized that their misfortune had, in reality, saved Regaleon’s life.
Also ironically, the creature that unknowingly saved them was the very same creature they later hunted down and killed.
Though, in their defense... How could they have known that they were killing their own savior?
In the end, it was their ignorance that had nearly led them into disaster. Yet that same ignorance had been accompanied by an extraordinary stroke of fortune.
People often said ignorance was bliss.
But looking back now, had they succeeded in what they intended that day, then ignorance would not have been bliss. Instead, it would have been torture.
Or worse... Death!
While the group silently digested how narrowly they had escaped such a catastrophic fate, Aelric calmly finished the last piece of meat on his skewer.
Then brushing the crumbs from his hands, he looked toward Sylveris.
"So..." he asked. "Do you understand the difference between a Netheryte and an Anima now?"
Sylveris nodded. "I do."
She thought for a moment before answering. "In simple terms, Animas cultivate Aether, while Netherytes cultivate Nether. And although Aether Cores can be safely used by both Awakeners and Etheryeans... Nether Cores are fatal to them."
A satisfied smile spread across Aelric’s face. "Good. You learn quickly."
His gaze then swept across the rest of the group. "Since that’s out of the way, let’s finally return to Aureleah’s question."
His words pulled everyone from their thoughts and gradually, their attention returned to him.
Aelric slowly looked around the campfire as he spoke.
"The reason I spent so much time explaining all this is because understanding the regions of the Nether Lands also means understanding the dangers and opportunities that exist within them."
He leaned forward slightly, his hands clasped before him.
"As I mentioned earlier, not every region contains the same resources. And the same is true for its inhabitants."
He gestured toward the endless crimson forest surrounding them.
"Take the Crimson Forest, for example. This place is considered one of the outermost regions of the Nether Lands. Therefore, the strongest creatures you’re likely to encounter here are Rank One Animas. A few Quasi Rank Two or even true Rank Two creatures may occasionally appear... But they’re uncommon. The same also applies to Netherytes."
Kaeloris adjusted his spectacles. "Aelric, if this is one of the outermost regions like you described it, then what lies deeper within the Nether Lands?"
Immediately, Aelric’s expression became serious upon hearing Kaeloris’ question.
"The places beyond this forest are places you are not yet prepared to enter."
His voice grew solemn.
"You are all still Awakeners. And there are creatures deeper within the Nether Lands that none of your current strength can hope to contend with."
Valmyr folded his arms and spoke firmly. "Don’t underestimate us..."
He smiled confidently as he continued, his voice carrying a hint of pride.
"We may be weak compared to veterans like you, but we’re hardly helpless. In fact, we’ve fought more Rank One Animas this past week than I can even remember. And every single time... We came out alive."
Aelric gave him an amused look and replied while raising a brow.
"If you’re referring to the creatures you fought in the Breeding Nest..." He chuckled slightly.
"I’m afraid those barely qualify as proper Rank One Animas. You see, they were newly evolved and hadn’t even stabilized their cultivation. So I wouldn’t use them as a measure of your strength."
"Then what about this?" Vaelorin interrupted sharply. He pointed toward the roasted Scarlet Streak Antelope lying beside the fire.
"We defeated that ourselves and it is a fully evolved Anima."
Aelric nodded. "And that is indeed impressive. But it still doesn’t change my point."
He looked at them calmly.
"You see, not every Rank One creature is equal. And besides, the Scarlet Streak Antelope was only a Quasi Rank One Anima based on what I saw. In other words, it hadn’t completely matured when you killed it."
Veyrath frowned. "I don’t think I agree with your judgement. This is because if it was only a Quasi Rank One Anima, then how did it possess an Aether Core? I thought only fully developed Animas formed Cores."
"Not necessarily." Aelric replied while shaking his head.
"Developing an Aether Core and reaching full maturity aren’t exactly the same thing. You see, Quasi Rank Animas can still produce a Cores associated with that Rank. However, there is a qualitative difference between the Core of a True one and a Quasi one. Simply put, the amount of Aether contained within a Quasi Core is significantly lower than that of a fully matured Rank One Anima."
He looked around the campfire.
"Now, I’m not trying to belittle what you’ve accomplished. I’ve watched all of you for nearly a week, so I know your strengths and I also know your limits."
He gave a small smile. "Actually, you’re more capable than most newly awakened exiles. But capability alone isn’t enough. Because you must also know where your limits lie."
He paused momentarily before continuing.
"The Nether Lands contains countless regions. So many, in fact, that even the Sanctuary has yet to chart them all. Some of those areas are ruled entirely by Rank Two creatures while others have Rank Three that roam through them."
His green eyes became unusually grave as he spoke further. "As a matter of fact, there are regions where even I refuse to venture. This is because walking into those places is little different from volunteering for your own funeral."
Silence settled over the group as they think deeply about what he said. It was mind-blowing but also terrifying at the same time.
Regaleon, Veyrath and Vaelorin had witnessed Aelric’s strength and they could tell, based on what they saw, that the green-eyed youth was definitely an Etheryean.
Though they had no idea what Rank he is, Regaleon himself could affirm that he definitely isn’t a Rank One or Two. Therefore, him saying that there are places where he couldn’t walk into casually despite the sort of strength he possessed spoke volumes about the levels of dangers in the Nether Lands.
And truthfully, that just made the whole situation even more grave...
Eventually, Valmyr scratched his head and asked. "If all that’s true, then how have you managed to survive here for six years? I know you’ve talked about the Sanctuary but Is the Sanctuary itself located somewhere relatively safe?"
Aelric smiled faintly. "I wouldn’t call it safe entirely. If anything, it’s located far deeper within the Nether Lands than this forest. In fact... It borders the Sauryean Domain."
The group’s expressions immediately changed when they heard that. But Aelric simply continued.
"Also, reaching it from here would take several weeks on foot. But despite the dangers surrounding it, the Sanctuary has endured. This is because over generations, it has produced warriors powerful enough to defend it. And just as importantly, it has developed systems, traditions, and laws that ensure its continued survival."
Aureleah finally spoke. The silver-haired Assassin’s silver eyes gleamed with a sharp light as she asked.
"You’ve mentioned the Sanctuary now countless times. But you’ve barely told us anything about it. I’m not talking about how it was founded..."
Her silver eyes remained fixed on him.
"I mean, you said your mission was to search for survivors, right? You’ve found us already; so... When do you intend to take us there?"
"Aureleah is correct." Caelestra nodded in agreement. Then she spoke further.
"We already know by now that survivors exist and we know that the Sanctuary is their settlement. But beyond that, we know almost nothing. I mean, if that’s truly where people can live safely... Then we’d like to know how to get there."
Aelric fell silent after her words. Several long moments passed, then finally... He released a slow, heavy sigh. It was so heavy that the group realized whatever he was about to say was definitely serious.
"I’m afraid... I don’t think any of you are ready for that journey yet."
His voice had become unusually grim when he gave this response.
Regaleon’s brows furrowed. "And why is that?"
Aelric met his golden gaze and replied. His answer came quietly, yet every word spoken carried an immense weight.
"This is because for all of you, that journey would be nothing less than a death sentence..."
