William's face turned slightly ashen upon hearing the response from the System. If it was a Greater Fire Vein, it was even better than the Lesser Life Vein and the Earth Vein from before, but that also meant there would be severe consequences for absorbing the natural treasure.
Just the absence of five Lesser Life Veins had left the Livingwood Forest in shambles and destroyed a series of villages in its general vicinity. Absorbing a single Earth Vein had forced the entire Blue Moon City to take severe action, seeking the assistance of outsiders to deal with their calamity.
If a Greater Elemental Vein was absorbed, wouldn't that spell the end for the Southern Plains Region?
System, why do you do this to me?
-Just absorb the Vein, why are you worried about the consequences now? Why do you care, after everything that you've done so far?
William could tell the System was joking, but its words stung a bit. He couldn't say that the System was wrong about what it said, he truly hadn't cared about the consequences before. But now that he had become attached to this World, things were different.
If I did absorb it, how long would I have before the Beast Tides?
-Request requires 65 Potential Points. Yes/No?
Confirm. The price didn't matter. William needed to know.
-Eight to ten weeks.
Can you be more specific? Why that specific time-frame?
-Request requires 800 Potential Points. Yes/No?
Uh, that's too much.
-The cost is already halved; you have enough Points. Don't you want to know?
Ugh...fine. William gritted his teeth as the System subtracted almost three days' worth of Potential Farm earnings from his balance.
-The World needs more time to produce Magical Beasts with greater Cultivation. Additionally, the number of Magical Beasts produced would not be small, and the World's past behavior suggests it won't send the Beasts out until they have all been generated.
You're basing this off the past? Doesn't that mean you're just guessing? William asked.
-Yes...
William nodded. I think this is the first time you haven't been confident in your answer, System.
The System didn't respond, seemingly contemplating William's words.
Okay, next question. Is it worth it to absorb this Vein? Can I reverse the effects later, or replace the Vein myself?
-Only the Host can decide if it's worth it. The System will not answer your second question.
Heat Resistance: (A --> S)
Effects: Resistance to all forms of heat and their residual effects +550% >> +1200%
S-Rank Bonus Effect: Flames are your companion. When your body is entirely covered in flames, increase the power of your Fire Magic by 100%.
Next rank up: 2500PP
———
That ability is insane! William ogled at the S-Rank bonus effect of the Heat Resistance Talent.
Before, he had only put some attention on the resistance Talents because they didn't do much, but now he was beginning to have second thoughts. If he could raise the other resistances to S-Rank, wouldn't they have similar effects?
He didn't upgrade them just yet, but instead approached the crack bursting with flames again. Carl saw this and didn't stop William, but he still felt a little bit nervous.
As expected, William's arm was engulfed in flames once again when he reached into the crack, but this time he didn't feel the intense pain like before. Instead, he felt uncomfortably warm, as if he was washing dishes with the heat up just a little bit too high.
If he spent too much time in the fire, it would probably damage him, but it was bearable enough. William removed all his clothing and Artifacts, storing them inside his Space Ring, then he went further into the flames, his naked body sliding into the crack while Carl averted his gaze.
The temperature became hotter and hotter as William almost swam through the lava-like flames, the Mana of all Elements completely useless in this situation, even Fire. It was as if he was trapped inside someone else's Domain, countless times stronger than his own.
He swam forward a few more seconds, but he still hadn't reached the center. The flames became unbearable once again, and William was forced to retreat outside the crack. He almost lost his way on the return trip, but the Navigation Talent helped him escape the risky situation.
Carl heaved a sigh of relief when William stepped out of the crack, though his body was a bright red and the white flames were concealing the sensitive parts of William's body. He wanted to approach, but he was afraid of being consumed by the flames, so he kept his distance.
After dousing the flames on his body, William chose to spend 2500 Potential Points and upgrade the Heat Resistance Talent again. He wasn't going to give up on the Greater Fire Vein just yet.
———
TALENT UPGRADED
Heat Resistance: (S --> SS)
Effects: Resistance to all forms of heat and their residual effects +1200% >> +2400%
S-Rank Bonus Effect replaced.
SS-Rank Bonus Effect: Flames are your companion; Lava is your lover. When your body is partially covered in flames, increase the power of your Fire Magic by 100%. When your body is partially covered in lava, increase the power of your Earth and Fire Magic by 100%. When affected by both, both effects apply.
Next rank up: 10000PP
———