Physical, mental, and soul pain. I was experiencing them all at the same time.
The soul pain was the worst, and as Toread tortured me, I kept myself sane by repeating the same sentence over and over again.
I’m One for all, and All is for Me.
As Toread inserted a metal stick through my mouth and made it exit through my back, I tried to remember why I had put so much worth behind this sentence, making it my motto.
I think… it was my purpose before turning cancerous, and it remained.
To serve the whole, and to be served back by the whole. It was what made me strive to expand, to become a part of a whole again. A whole that would give its life for me, while I did the same.
“Ready to talk?” Toread asked.
I ignored him, but that only made his smile grow wider.
The torture went on and on, until time lost all meaning, and that was when…
I awoke.
Huff huff huff
As I lay in the white room, breathing heavily, I smiled.
I survived, but…
The soul pain hadn’t stopped.
I tried to observe myself through [Manima Senses], but pain exploded through me.
I started kicking the air as I clenched my head.
Ahhh!
After a while, the pain returned to a constant ache.
I can’t use any skills, huh?
The previous soul split had me unable to use my skills for a while, but I still retained the use of my [Manima Senses] and [Soul Manipulation].
Now… I could only use Somani’s body and core.
Could it be getting worse? I reasoned.
The System had previously stated that splitting my soul was an extremely risky endeavour, and I seemed to have not completely succeeded this time.
Or my soul is still injured from the last time, and splitting it again made it worse.
I didn’t know the reason behind this complete inhibition, but I hoped that it wasn’t permanent.
Splitting my soul… maybe this is the last time.
‘I’m sorry,’ Somani suddenly spoke, startling me.
I responded a bit angrily. ‘Sorry?! You almost revealed our abilities!’
‘It’ll never happen again… I promise.’
I shook my head—the kid’s head.
‘You acted in the dream like I was your enemy, and what was this thing about Mana whispering to you on how to keep your thoughts to yourself. If you want us to succeed, you have to tell me everything, just like I did.’
Somani didn’t say anything for a long moment.
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‘…I’m still not certain if it’s Mana. The thoughts, no, the instincts, started when I unlocked [Intermediary Mana Control].’
Mana speaking to you… Giving you instincts… What is Mana?
‘How do you do it?’
‘Do what?’
‘How do you keep your thoughts hidden?’
Somani explained, saying that he hid his private thoughts by talking with me. When we talked, he had to think of whatever he wanted, and only during that short, mind-intensive period could he have privacy.
‘Mana told you how to do this?’
‘Yes, somewhat. Mana doesn’t speak; it… It urges and corrects. If it’s even Mana.’
What may be the reason for this?
I didn’t fully believe Somani, but through experiments, I knew that the truth would reveal itself.
But the real question is… why would Mana not want me hearing his thoughts?
There were many questions without answers, but I knew something for certain—Escape this prison, then worry.
‘Anyways, a promise won’t suffice. I have a plan, but… You might not like it.’
After telling the kid what I wanted him to do before he went to sleep tomorrow, I decided to take my mind off the pain with some fun—Skill evolution!
Would you like to evolve your skill [Soul Manipulation]? (Take into account that the evolution might cause loss of consciousness, body changes, and other symptoms.)
Yes!
Upgrade options:
Advanced Soul Manipulation: The Manima Mooform has shown fine control and affinity in Soul Manipulation, unlocking the basic upgrade. This upgrade will enhance the user’s soul manipulation. (Warning! This is the direct upgrade of Soul Manipulation, so there will be no further upgrades.)
Animacontrola Attack: After imprisoning the cat’s soul, the Manima Monoform managed to turn a piece of his soul into a weapon. This upgrade will allow the user to solidify their souls and use them to do physical and soul attacks. (Few upgrades available.)
Piercing Animacontrola: The Manima Monoform completely changed the shape and contour of their souls so that they could pierce the souls of possible hosts. This upgrade will allow the user to enter souls more easily. (Moderate Upgrades available.)
Wondering Soul: The Manima Monoform, through strong will and excellent soul manipulation, has managed to keep his soul from disintegrating when his film was no more. This skill will further extend the time the user’s soul can last without a shell while enhancing their manipulation. (Abundant upgrades available.)
Anima Cultivation: The Manima Monoform has repeatedly taken enormous damage to their soul to the degree that not a single soul matter from their original remains. They have also shown that their anima can survive without protection for a short while—a rare ability—and be used as a lethal weapon. This skill will allow the user to cultivate their soul, increasing its purity, while enabling better control over it. (Maximum upgrades available.)
Anima Replica: The Manima Monofrom has done the unprecedented, splitting their soul twice while staying sane and alive. They have also recovered from severe soul wounds and come out with a purer soul. This skill will allow the Manima Monoform to split their souls at the cost of unimaginable pain, but without the other side effects. (Has a chance to reach the zenith.)
There’s no need to ponder this.
I chose [Anima Replica], and then the pain followed.
***
Hambara’s POV:
“Hananu, this report… are you certain?”
The office I was standing in was carved directly into the mountain, just like the remainder of Dwarfton, the capital of the High Kingdom.
Everything in here was smaller than usual; they were made for Dwarven use. The furniture—that was not made of rocks—was simple and made to last.
“Yes, Sir. I’m positive the kid’s class is Primus Magus.”
Hohoho
The Legate laughed, his laughter rumbling and loud.
“Excellent, excellent. Finally, the prophecy… It’s happening.”
The prophecy?
“Sir, if I may be so bold as to ask, but what is the next course of action? I really believe Somani is separate from the demon that inhabits him, so if we manage to exorcise it… We could have a first-class talent at our hands.”
The Legate stood up—his height about half mine, but his width double mine—and walked toward a cabinet. Opening it, he took out a bottle of soda—a carbonated drink the dwarves adored; they also were the ones who had created it.
“Take a seat, Hananu. You’ve served the kingdom right, so let me offer you this exquisite soda cup.”
I hesitated, but still sat on the cold stone seat.
Fizzzle
The Legate sat in front of me.
“Do you know of The Darkest?”
“Of course, Sir. She’s the ruler of the Great Jungle Elves. She has great divining capabilities if I’m not mistaken.”
“Yes, The Darkest is a divinator, or more specifically, a Seer. When the Empire started to spread corruption throughout the lands and became too strong, she made a prophecy…”
The Legate took a sip of his soda.
AHHH!
“This Mercin Cola is really the best. Don’t you agree?”
“Yes, Legate.”
The Legate stared intensely at me.
“Then why haven’t you taken a sip yet?”
“O-of course, Sir.”
I took a sip, but the Legate didn’t stop glaring at me.
“You have to do the, Ahhhh!”
I stared at the Legate, trying to figure out if he was serious.
Spending too much time with my fellow humans has made me forget some of the dwarven quirks.
I did the ahhh, and that seemed to please the man.
“Anyways, the prophecy talked about the Empire’s demise at the hands of a Silver armour-wearing human with a hoard of creatures as his army, but that’s what the general public knows. Upon inquiring further throughout our networks, The Darkest revealed that she believes the saviour was the Primus and co.”
And co?
“What’s co, Sir?”
This time, it was the Legate’s turn to look at me as if I were serious before face-palming.
“The rest of the world, duh. To answer your first question, we now have to find him before the Empire kills him.”
***
Wollom’s POV:
Life as a soldier on the southern front wasn’t easy, but… I liked it.
I liked the thrill of battle, the roar of warriors, and the explosion of spells.
The sword slid on the length of my sword before impacting against its guard. I shoved it to the right, opening up the enemy’s guard to a frontal kick.
Oof
The man fell on his ass, and before he could regain his bearing, I pierced his neck, then withdrew my sword quickly to meet the downward slash of another.
I hacked, kicked, and bit. I did everything to win.
“Wollom!”
A friend shouted.
“Get back here!”
Oh, that’s the Sergeant.
It was then that I noticed that the republicans were slowly retreating; some were running.
The Sergeant hit me on the back of my helmet, rattling me a bit.
“You stupid bastard! What were you doing so deep in enemy lines?! If you have a death wish, that’s on you, but don’t throw our defences into jeopardy with your recklessness!”
The way back to the camp was annoying as I had to hear the Sergeant’s thoughts all the way there.
Dropping into my tent, I started taking off my armour before reaching the hardest part… the boots.
Argh!
The smell never failed to impress, but thankfully, the next part of my war routine was the best.
Species: Human.
Species Specific Skills:
-Adaptation Lv. 8
-Learning Lv. 5
Class: Primal Hunter Lv. 24
-Class Titles (1/1):
*Perfect Instincts
-Class Skills (1/4):
*All Seeing Eye Lv. 13
This eternal class… It’s really good.