Chapter 561: Regrets

Following his exclamation, messages began to swarm and block Aiden's vision. He could feel a surge of energy filling up his insides and converging towards his Core. 

[You have spent 5000 EXP from your available pool of System Points. You have 10200 EXP Points left.]

[Your rank in the skill [Primal Absorb] has increased. The new rank: Level 5.]

[Primal Absorb (Level 5): Absorb the life essence of the defeated enemy. Based on the lifeform, you can acquire its unique skills, and get an increase in one or more of your attributes, or obtain attribute points to spend. You can absorb lifeforms 1 Tier higher than your current skill level. Works in any form. 

The chance of acquiring unique skills and traits related to the absorbed lifeform has increased significantly. Additionally your generic incubation period and forced period have also decreased.

The absorption rate has increased significantly, further increasing the chances of forming a new seed with each subsequent assimilation of Life Essence. The chance of acquiring a unique skill or trait related to the new seedling has further increased.]

[A mysterious, new sensation is tingling at the depths of your core, coming from your Primal Essence…]

[Your Primal Essence is gradually awakening…]

He could feel a slight discomfort, a tightening at Aiden's chest, a numb pain coming from inside.

Before he had a chance to react, the messages continued, giving a clear answer to his predicament.

[Your Primal Core is growing… The host is advised to be ready, slight discomfort may follow the process.]

[The Primal Core is getting closer to its natural evolution. The limit of seeds it can store has increased.]

[Primordial Energy is reinforcing the host's body. Your attributes have been upgraded.]

[You have gained: +5 Might, +4 Agility, +6 Spirit.]

[Your body is reacting to the reinforcement!]

[Your innate skill: Shapeshifter (Level 1) has ranked up! The new rank: Level 2.]

'What?! There was a limit?!' Aiden was shocked as he read through the messages one by one. 

'Did it always had a limit and I was just too slow in acquiring new skills?' He asked in complaint, although he didn't expect any answer.

'[Yes, there was, although it's not a straight-up number, it's more of the amount of space it can contain.]' Enya was quick to provide a response. '[Depending on what type of seeds you manage to form, the number of forms you can safely store would differ. In any case, you were at around 80-85% capacity before this increase.]'

'Still… What would that mean now?' Aiden asked. Though he was kept in the dark previously, he at least wanted to be aware of his hard limits this time around. After all, before this he was always under the impression that he could store an unlimited amount of forms. Although he was ignorant about how his ability truly worked, he was still caught unaware that there was such a restriction.

'[It's hard to say… It depends on the type and quality of seeds you form.]' Enya answered with a pondering tone. '[Keep in mind, however, that with the increase of the skill, the quality of the seed and with that, its size will also increase. The size doesn't only limited to the actual tier of the life form, or even if it was clean, or mutated in any way, but there are several other factors.]' She explained, giving a few seconds of time for the boy to process the information before continuing.

'[The unique traits you form, the base of the seed are also factors that will need to be put into consideration. Was it an evolved species? Did you perhaps form it through fusion, like with your Primal Goblin Dragonlord? There are many factors to consider.]'

Her words, caused Aiden to fall into silence once again and process the information he just received.

'I am still very immature. There's so much I don't understand…' He sighed, turning his gaze towards the dark and empty hallway once again. 'Still… There was no vision this time? Did I do something wrong perhaps?'

'In any case…' Aiden asked, changing the topic. 'Why haven't I seen the vision again? Did we miss something, maybe?' 

He couldn't hide his disappointment. Although he had grown exponentially stronger, whilst also gaining several powerful new or upgraded abilities and effects, he had not achieved what he set out to do. The vision that caused him to faint did not appear this time around. Even though he gained the [Strong Will] effect, which seemed to be the perfect answer for the problem, the system seemed to not surmount his growth substantially or adequately enough to qualify for another attempt.

'[I did not say that the System would surely attempt it again. I cannot influence it, I am merely a guide, Aiden. I'm sorry.]' Enya replied, her tone was faint and apologetic. She took a moment to calm herself before continuing. '[In any case, you should know by now that you shouldn't sit on your points but instead actively use them to increase your power. Don't be complacent just because the world around you seems weak. The real dangers are hiding in the shadows.]'

'I understand…' Aiden sighed. Taking a quick glance at the map in the system and confirming that the little girl, Tolliah was still asleep, he closed his eyes. Heaving a couple of sighs, he gradually calmed his senses, allowing his mind to relax as he entered his meditative state.

He needed clarity to process everything that happened. Not just with the many upgrades he had achieved during his rest,  but also to overcome the pain and regret he felt because of the memories he had seen. 

The revelation that his actions have caused an innocent little girl to lose his last ray of hope, his only remaining family, was way too hard of a wake-up call for the naive youngster. 

Still, the immense regret, the sharp pain that was like a hot sharp knife plunged into his heart did not give him any relief. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't forget the girl, nor could he now escape from the responsibility.

Time passed as Aiden kept trying to reach clarity, without any success this time around. His thoughts were dominated by the cheerful-looking little girl that in a weird way reminded him of his sister when they first met. She was just as innocent, just as naive at the time.

Both of them have lost their parents way too early in their lives, their pillars, natural supports in life. Both of them were forced to face the harshness of reality, the cruelty of life itself. Even worse, this time it was his, Aiden's direct actions that plunged the girl into such a dark fate.

It was at that time that Aiden made up his mind. He clenched his fists, as he muttered.

'I will not leave you alone. I have wronged you, but I will not allow you to suffer any more. I promise you this.'

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