Free Web NovelChapter 196: Chapter 115: Unable to Face Them...
Wei’en discreetly observed the finger-thick Rune Patterns. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
The unique silvery-white luster of the Sal Metal glistened under the light of the central rune, making it difficult to see the inscribed patterns clearly from a distance.
But when he used his body to block the rune’s glow, he could see reddish-brown spots on the patterns, like rust marks from corrosion.
Wei’en carefully touched the indented patterns, and his body suddenly went rigid.
[You have touched the Power of the Origin of Desire. Because your Origin exceeds 30, you have not been corrupted by the Power of the Origin of Desire. Evaluation: You only have ten seconds... Special Reward: Survival Points +10, Resilience Level +2, Spirit Level +2.]
Wei’en quickly snatched his hand back. His heart was pounding violently, and an unnatural flush crept across his face, like a rush of blood to the head.
’Power of the Origin of Desire?’
The moment he touched the inscription, images of Clelia, Lisi, Kali... even Shawa had flashed through his mind, all of them engaged in all sorts of intense acts.
Not only that, but he had also seen the Liaison Officer and Melbel. Amid a hail of gunfire, the two were corrupted by the aspect of death and died tragically.
In that instant, the desires in his heart had been infinitely amplified...
Wei’en stared at the traces of corrosion, his expression growing grim.
’If even I, with my profound Origin Power, was nearly corrupted, the scholars who work here year-round would have a hard time resisting the corruption of the Desire Origin.’
’So, the problem with the City-State Array is the work of the Desire Sect?’
’Or to be precise, is it that Favored One of the Lord of Desire, Mitra?’
After a moment of thought, Wei’en began examining the wall before him, wanting to see just how many patterns had been corrupted by the Desire Origin.
One, two, three...
In the short time he stood there, notifications would occasionally pop up on his panel.
[Because your Origin exceeds 30, you have successfully resisted the Power of the Origin of Desire... Special Reward: Survival Points +5, Spirit Level +1, Resilience Level +1.]
[...]
[...Reward: Survival Points +3.]
’A total of 113 Rune Patterns have been corrupted!’
Although that number was insignificant compared to all the patterns in the room, its effect on the Rune Array definitely could not be ignored.
’I wonder which part of the array these patterns belong to...’
Wei’en stared thoughtfully at the inscribed patterns. ’Should I tell Yegor and the others about this discovery?’
[You have been scanned by Shadi Otacilio’s Spirit perception. Evaluation: I’d advise you to act like you’ve discovered nothing... Reward: Survival Points +5.]
The thought had barely formed when a purple-black notification flashed in his mind.
’Someone is watching this place?’
’Five points?’
’A Spirit perception scan gives a five-point Survival Point reward?’
’What level of Extraordinary must that be?’
Wei’en’s heart sank. It seemed the person behind the Array’s malfunction was far more terrifying than he had imagined.
’To have an expert of this caliber specifically monitoring the City-State Array, their ambitions must be enormous!’
Now, even if he wanted to say something, he couldn’t. Otherwise, who knew what the consequences might be...
At this thought, Wei’en prepared to pretend to go and inspect another area.
’Hm?’
It was only then that he noticed the messages on his panel, a new notification popping up every two or three minutes.
Apart from the first four, which were special rewards, all the subsequent messages only gave Survival Points.
’Rewards...’
Wei’en glanced back. Everyone else was gathered around the high platform, focused on Alicia’s inspection. No one was paying any attention to him.
’The panel only said not to talk. It didn’t say I couldn’t do a little something on the sly, right?’
’It’s a rare and safe opportunity to get some rewards. If I don’t farm them now, when will I?’
With that in mind, he stopped trying to leave. He moved closer to the wall, pretending to observe the Rune Patterns while occasionally touching the sources of Desire Origin.
[You have touched the Power of the Origin of Desi... Special Reward: Survival Points +9, Resilience Level +2, Spirit Level +2.]
[...Survival Points +8, Resilience Level +1, Spirit Level +1.]
[...]
[You have touched the Power of the Origin of Desire. Because your Origin exceeds 30, you have not been corrupted by the Power of the Origin of Desire. Evaluation: Are you sure you want to continue? Reward: Survival Points +5.]
After receiving special rewards a dozen or so times in a row, Wei’en finally stopped when only the ordinary Survival Point rewards remained.
Not that he could have continued anyway.
Every time he touched it, those illusions of desire would appear in his mind, the scenes growing clearer with each repetition.
Toward the end, he could even clearly feel a real sense of touch, along with the thrill and satisfaction that followed the intensity...
If he kept touching the Desire Origin so directly, he was genuinely worried he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from turning into a beast on the spot.
"Wei’en, have you found anything?"
"Not yet."
Hearing Lisi’s voice, Wei’en only half-turned to glance at her before quickly looking away. "I’ll go check somewhere else."
"...Let me know if you find anything."
Lisi watched him go, a flicker of confusion in her eyes. ’Why is he walking so strangely?’
"No problem."
Wei’en replied, feigning casualness, and with bloodshot eyes, he shuffled sideways along the wall, circling around behind the scholars.
’Shit,’
Just seeing Lisi’s figure had made the earlier scenes explode in his mind.
Wei’en turned his gaze to the bustling scholars. Graying hair, old and wrinkled faces, gaunt figures...
The more he looked, the calmer he felt.
Only when his body finally stopped reacting did Wei’en wipe the sweat from his forehead and let out a long sigh of relief.
