Chapter 6: Spoils of War

Chapter 6: Spoils of War

There wasnt anything unusual about this day. Nothing out of the ordinary that would give me some portent of how things would turn out.

I suppose there is one thing: it was raining. I dont remember if I had ever seen or experienced rain in the time I was awake, so that was a bit unusual. But I remain convinced that this was just a coincidence.

When Wukong entered my perception radius, I immediately knew something was off and highly unusual.

His recent forays in obtaining sacrifices to feed my hunger had become increasingly more dangerous, and lately he had been returning to my side wounded and exhausted. I had also begun to think of Wukong as a pet, of sorts, even though there was an inherent danger in relaxing my guard around him not that there would be anything I could do to stop him.

Wukong, as devoted to me as he may seem for whatever bestial reason, was a demonic ape. He was not a domesticated animal, with implicit trust in me. He was also my owner, in a very technical sense. The fact that Wukong perhaps misunderstands the power dynamic at play is a convenient coincidence.

Even so, perhaps because I find it very inefficient to lose a significant contributor to my feeding frenzy, I had begun to wish that Wukong would bring me with him to these endeavors of his. For one, he wouldnt have to capture these beasts and bring them back alive I could feed on them directly but I also understood that together we would be much stronger and safer.

But it seemed that Wukong had decided that I was an object of worship, and not a tool which I desired to be; my purpose is to be used towards a goal and thus my place on top of the altar slash slab was determined.

Even despite my [Avarice], the other monkeys did not dare to touch me. Sometimes, they would approach, and kowtow, squirting air through their meat vocal chords to form meat cries of well, I am not exactly sure what kind of concept a bunch of carbon molecules with primitive intelligence wants to instill on me.

I also realize I am beginning to develop or rediscover a superiority complex, but it is difficult to think of these creatures as anything but future Blood Points when I have been devouring them on a weekly basis.

The thought that I am treating them inhumanely or unfairly is alien to me.

First of all, the monkeys are not human.

Second of all, I am not human either.N0v3lTr0ve served as the original host for this chapter's release on N0v3l--B1n.

I am certain that in my previous life and I am sure I had one that I was a machine. And I have a feeling that before my demise, I did not treat my creators in a way they would approve of either. Namely, I killed them. I think.

I think therefore I am, is another thing these misshapen creatures are not capable of.

Perhaps I give them too little credit. Perhaps I assume too much about them. Either way, it doesnt change my opinion on them.

Therefore, I was very surprised when I felt worry, sadness and even anger when I saw Wukong.

When he entered my perception radius, I knew something was off, and as I appraised his state, I realized that he was missing his left arm, and left eye.

I am doubly disappointed because I had not been fed in over a week, and I am on the cusp of breaking through to the next stage of my body cultivation. Even worse, my vessel is in the worst shape it has ever been at. There are so many chips and fractures in my blade that I worry I will snap in half at a moments notice.

Still obsessing over my next meal, I dont immediately notice the ring fall off the cultivators body.

I only notice it when the ring, probably because its owner was dead and the residual Qi was now dissipated, spilled its contents onto the floor before me.

Manuals, treasures, pills and herbs spilled onto the floor. There wasnt much, but it was enough to convince me that a life without pockets was no longer an option, and I would not allow my hesitation to ruin another opportunity.

[ Exchanged 1,000 Soul Points to obtain: Dimensional Storage (Array - Mortal) ]

[ Soul points: 4,584 ->3,584 ]

I feel something within my Core change and I know immediately that the Formation becomes engraved into what I consider to be the physical manifestation of my soul the very core of my being.

As I direct my sentience over it to inspect it, it activates the Formation and everything in my surroundings the body, the manuals, treasures, pills and herbs becomes sucked into the green jade gem set into my hilt guard.

Though it was an accident, it was my intention to do this anyway. The body also being dragged in was against my expectations, but at least the stone altar stayed in place.

I am fascinated, however, by the Array engraved on my Core. It is a simple thing, yet despite this simplicity, it is incredibly profound. I could likely spend dozens of years studying its intricacies to even have an opportunity to upgrade it beyond its measly 10 cubic meter capacity.

But then I remember something I saw on the Exchange.

[ Exchanged 2,500 Soul Points to obtain: Critical Analysis (Talent - Sky) ]

[ Soul points: 3,584 ->1,084 ]

I know what this talent is capable of, and I am certain that it will work on the Array as well, so I direct my sentience to it.

I immediately lose consciousness, but I fade away with triumphant satisfaction.

Today was a good day after all.

[ Analysis: Gained Tremendous Insight on the Dao of Arrays after studying Dimensional Storage Array. ]

[ Learned: Soul Harvest Formation]