1145 Powers Unlocked (1)
Erik soared through the smoky night sky, riding one of his Chimaeric Demons.
The massive wings beat steadily as they approached the ruins of the blackguards' headquarters. Below them, the aftermath of battle stretched out—bodies strewn across scorched earth, the remnants of Monica's undead army now truly lifeless.
"Ah... right... I unlocked the last two system's powers..." Erik had to check them out.
—STATUS—
[Host Information]
Name: Erik Romano
Age: 18
Power Level: 1,462
System Level: 352
Experience: 340,013,778 / 378,468,305
DNA Points: 105,469,671
Health: 47,860 / 47,860
Mana: 47,790 / 47,790
{Attributes}
Strength: 542
Intelligence: 474
Dexterity: 522
Energy: 1,592
Available attribute points: 105
{Powers}
[Biological Super Computer Powers]
Brain Crystal Manipulation
Brain Crystal Power Extraction
Brain Crystal Power Merging
Brain Crystal Power Analysis
Brain Crystal Power Editing
Brain Crystal Power Strengthening
Brain Crystal Power Sharing
DNA Manipulation
DNA Extraction
DNA Merging
DNA Analysis
DNA Editing
DNA Strengthening
DNA Sharing
That was weird. <But why? Why would the Silverline Corporation create something like this? It makes little sense!>
[Based on the available data and observed patterns, the logical conclusion is the creation of power hierarchies,] the AI said. [By giving an individual the ability to share powers, they create a godlike figure—one who can elevate or deny others at will. This is a way to create gods among mortals.]
The AI paused. This strategy is likely intended to instill dependence. The biological supercomputer's host would force those seeking power, and even those who do not, to rely on him. They would serve and even worship the biological supercomputer's host. This way, the user would also be able to make others do what he or she wants. From analyzing blackguard operations, since they are the remnants of what the corporation was, this appears to align with their methods and goals.]
<That... actually makes sense,> Erik said, thinking of the blackguards' rigid hierarchy and their obsession with power accumulation. <It's about control, then. However, they would never stop being at the top of the hierarchy. Even in the event of their death, a new host would appear, then two, then four, and so on. Besides, the user might give others just powers he or she discarded.>
[Yeah. Exactly what I had in mind.]
There was a problem, though.
<How exactly does the power work?> Erik asked, leaning forward as the clone banked around a column of rising smoke.
[The process takes place in two steps,] the AI said. [First, you must possess the power yourself. Then, through DNA sharing and Brain Crystal Power Sharing, you can permanently transfer it to another individual who possesses a brain crystal. However, once the transfer is complete, you lose the power in the process.]
Erik nodded. <That's not necessarily a negative thing. Having too many powers can be counterproductive if you don't have time to make neural links for all of them.>
The clone began its descent toward the ruined headquarters. <We will talk about this later.>
[All right,] the system said. There was something else he needed to do. Erik reached into his pocket, pulling out Monica's brain crystal and blood vial. The crystal still held traces of gore, while the vial gleamed darkly in the morning light.
"Time to see what kind of power you had, Third Division Commander Monica Velasquez." He swallowed both the crystal and the blood.
[Will of the Puppet Master's and Healing Touch's DNA Brain Crystal gained. Starting analysis.]
<Will of the puppet master? Not necromancy or something like that?>
[Analysis complete.]
[10,000 DNA points are required to extract the DNAs and Brain Crystal Powers. 25,000 required for painless extraction. 35,000 required for instant absorption.]
"Instant absorption," Erik said. He didn't want to wait to absorb them, nor did he want to feel pain like he did four years earlier.
[105,469,671 DNA points detected.]
[Blood absorbed. DNA-storing procedure initiated.]
[Procedure complete.]
[Brain Crystal Power absorption process initiated.]
[Processing... Processing... Complete.]
Instinctive knowledge flooded Erik's mind—the way Monica's brain crystal power worked unfolded before him. He understood now how she had raised and controlled her undead army, how she had maintained the wyvern's power while commanding countless other corpses.
—PARTIAL STATUS—
[Host's Powers]
Healing Touch: Aσ1A-RANKED
(Powerful healing ability. It allows to regrow limbs.)
Will of the Puppet Master: Aσ1X-RANKED
(Imbue the Will of the user into something non-living. They might be corpses or items. These can be controlled by the user. The more mana is used, the more powerful the puppet is. If enough mana is used, the brain crystal can be restarted, if any are present, and the puppet can use its brain crystal power. The amount of mana needed to unlock the brain crystal depends on the puppet.)
—END—
<This is not a power related to necromancy. Well, the name said it itself.>
The power allowed the user to connect his will to items and non-living things, making him or her able to control whatever it was.
"That also explains why the Wyvern had its brain crystal power while the other undead didn't. Monica didn't have enough mana, because she used it all on the wyvern."
But then he started thinking.
<System, what were Monica's energy points at?> Erik got a lot of experience from her, so she was bound to have had a lot of them.