Chapter 444: Crystal Refining Tower

{Huh? Huuuh? What?}

'It's a shame…'

While the mental imprint was still questioning reality, I couldn't help but sigh deep inside as I observed the densely concentrated Darkness elements that filled the atmosphere of this space. If not for their rooted trouble, this space could have possibly been a great opportunity to max out my Elemental stat.

Having already tried to use 'Elemental Interfusion' to convert my newly obtained Darkness elements to other elements in an attempt to see if such a method could get rid of the Corruption within them only to find that it wasn't possible to do so to begin with, I could only give up on exploiting this space's elemental resources…

It was still possible for me to just absorb the flawed Darkness elements to fill up my elemental storage, but that could only act as an external resource that could only be used with caution. 

Of course, in the case that the mental imprint's tool is as effective and easy to use as it sounded to be, then perhaps realizing my target wouldn't be impossible.

'Let's wait for now.'

Naturally, I didn't plan to absorb any more Corrupted Darkness elements other than the limited amount I already did as well as my Darkness Cell until I confirmed its functionality.

{I get it! You must have that, right? The Omni-Elemental Physique that is said to appear once in a generation! That's the only possible explanation!}

'Hah…'

"Well, I'm not sure myself, I experienced the same situation before when I used a special Lightning and Thunder Dual Elemental Art, but I don't know the reason behind this ability of mine to this point…"

Though neither did I know what was this 'Omni-Elemental Physique' supposed to be nor did I have it on my 'Body' ability list, I merely feigned ignorance as I revealed part of my ability to make the situation more understandable.

{It's said that those who have this physique only need to spend effort reaching the end of one element's strength, after which they would be able to use all elements on the same level as long as they acquire the respective Elemental Arts, if it already worked once before, then perhaps you have a weakened version of it since you can only produce the ability of the 2nd stage.}

"Maybe…"

'This seems like a great explanation!'

It was said that it was really easy to fool those who want to be fooled, and although the situation wasn't exactly like this, the mental imprint seemed like it wanted to believe in that possibility so it didn't require more than a vague hint from me to make up this explanation.

{Hey! Even if it's just a weakened version of the 'Omni-Elemental Physique' it's already a major 'accomplishment' to be born with something like that, leaving a mental imprint here was one of my best decisions! Meeting an oddity like you is really an eye-opener!}

Misinterpreting my expression of being lost in thought which I showed to appear ignorant of what was the actual cause of my ability, the mental imprint seemed to be cheering me up, thinking that I was sad about having a different physique to the one it had in mind…

'I guess tsunderes are still the most kind-hearted deep inside…'

Obviously, I had no need for such cheering up at all. After all, even though I didn't have either physiques, the synergy of the side ability of 'Omni-Mastery', 'Omni-Element', and the special 'Lightning Cell' already gave me the same ability they had if not better.

'Didn't he say that his decision to leave an imprint here was originally an advice…?'

What I was more interested in was what the mental imprint implied before about the advice that made its original owner leave it here, regardless of how it shamelessly denied it now.

'Is this supposed to be the plot of the route I'm currently on?'

A 'special' someone's advice seemed like a good excuse to explain the various special encounters that I went through in the 'Lost Realm'...

"I'm already satisfied to have confirmed that the ability wasn't restricted to just one element, I was just thinking about the next step. You said that the tool you have can allow me to purify the corruption within the Darkness elements in my body?"

{I see, you must have already checked the new elements within your body, and yes, that's indeed the case. I'm sure you are eager to try it out, but let me first explain its usage since I would naturally disappear once I relinquish my binding to it so that you can use it…}

Naturally, I wasn't in a hurry to proceed at all as I preferred to hear more details about such a special tool, especially since it was one that I would personally use, but it wasn't like I couldn't understand where the mental imprint was coming from…

Merely having the Corrupted Darkness elements within gave one an uneasy feeling, when I concentrated my senses on it, it could even feel as annoying as having an ant walk on your body, so it wouldn't be a misconception that anyone would want to get rid of it quickly.

"Go ahead, I can wait."

{Good. While this special tool is in the shape of the card, its actual form is that of a tower, which is why it's called the 'Crystal Refining Tower' as you already know. The tower has a fragment 'Law' ability that allows it to personify certain 'things', if you use it on your Darkness Elemental Seed and elements, you can turn the Corruption particles within into beatable 'persons'.}

"Really…?"

Though Long had already assured me that this tool would do the job, it was still a bit unrealistic for a simple card to have such an ability...

{Naturally, it isn't as simple as that, just like it has such a logic-defying ability, it has similar restrictions. If you use the 'Crystal Refining Tower' to 'refine' your Darkness elements of the 'impurities' in the form of Corruption particles, you would only be able to 'beat' them using the Darkness elements as well!}