Chapter 12 Problems

The following morning, Ethan woke up with a blank expression, staring at the ceiling. He muttered, "Was that just another strange dream?"

[Not this time.]

Ethan sat up, frowning. "But I can't recall anything, just that ominous figure."

[I don't have any recollection either.]

"That's even more concerning," Ethan remarked, sighing at her.

For the first time, Nyx stumbled in her speech, [W- well, whatever occurred seems to have been for the better... I hope.]

"What are you trying to say?" Ethan asked, confused. Instead of answering, Nyx displayed the status screen to Ethan.

⠀⠀⠀Status:

⠀⠀⠀⠀[Name: Ethan Chase] | [Title: Heir ] | [Level: 10]

⠀⠀⠀⠀『Health: (87/100)』

⠀⠀⠀⠀『Arcane Points: (46/46)』

⠀⠀⠀⠀『Stress: (0/100)』

⠀⠀⠀⠀『Charm: (67/100)』

⠀⠀⠀⠀『Special Points: 232』

⠀⠀⠀⠀『Fragments of Obsidian used: (68/??)』

⠀⠀⠀⠀[Stats:]

⠀⠀⠀⠀『Strength: 10』|『Agility: 5.2』|『S. Stamina: 5』

⠀⠀⠀⠀『Health RR: 0.7』|『Arcane RR: 26 (x5)』|『IQ: 125 』

Ethan was flabbergasted. "You're telling me that 'x 5' is actually multiplication?"

[Correct, it is.]

Ethan couldn't believe it. "This doesn't make sense. How, why, what in the world is going on?"

[Please give me a moment to trace the source of this boost.]

Ethan complied, waiting for just a moment before asking, "So you can analyze anything then?"

Nyx considered this. [To a certain extent, yes. As long as it's not too complicated and is within your body.]

"That should make things a lot easier then. You can utilize Obsidian fragments," Ethan pointed out.

[Not exactly. I only know how to use the fragments, but I don't understand why or how. It's just instinctual. And don't worry, I won't do anything unless I'm one hundred percent confident in my ability to do so.]

Ethan nodded, "Fair enough."

[Ah! I see. It's the chain necklace you're wearing.]

Ethan looked down at the simple-looking necklace he always wore, one of the only reminders of his parents. "Really?"

[That person has altered the necklace, allowing it to absorb astral energy at a faster rate, at that] Nyx explained.

"This is so suspicious," Ethan thought, deciding to keep the necklace away from him for safety reasons.

However, before he could take action, a sharp pain shot through his head and the cursed screen appeared before him.

[The Remnant Will has resurfaced.]

[Ethan Chase has a strong attachment to the necklace and cannot simply throw it away.]

[Stress level: 100/100]

"Are you kidding me?" Ethan yelled, clutching his head. "I wasn't going to throw it away, I just wanted to keep it in a safe place."

But the Remnant Will wouldn't listen and the headache persisted.

"Okay, okay, I won't take it off. Just stop this!" Ethan surrendered.

The pain slowly subsided and Ethan lay down, panting for air. "If this was a story, I'd say this is pure plot manipulation," he muttered.

[Indeed,] Nyx agreed.

"Indeed? What the fuck, Nyx," Ethan snapped. "Shouldn't you be helping me instead?"

[I apologize. At this point, there's nothing I can do.]

Ethan was incensed. "Why not? You said before that you came into existence to improve me! Can't you see that this Remnant Will is causing problems?"

[…]

Ethan knew that Remnant Will could affect his emotions and stress but he didn't expect it to be so extreme. It could give him a headache... which clearly meant that it could affect his head. Who would like such a thing? Just thinking about it made him feel a sense of fear and anger.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Ethan asked, growing frustrated.

[It seems you have the wrong idea,] Nyx replied in a low voice. [My primary purpose is not to help you, but Ethan Chase.]

Ethan was stunned and his face went white as he heard Nyx's words. He felt his mental state deteriorate. All of this was only for Ethan Chase… not him. His existence was this pitiful.

Noticing this, Nyx spoke softly, trying to ease the situation. [I mean—]

Ethan opened his eyes and said with a heavy heart, "No need to explain. I understand what you mean."

[I apologize,] Nyx expressed her regret in her voice.

He shook his head, a sad smile on his face. "No, don't apologize. I was just getting away from reality. I forgot that I am only here to help Ethan Chase achieve his goals."

He went silent and didn't speak for a while.

[...]

After a few minutes, he asked in a quiet voice, "But do you know what I'm good at?"

[I do not know.]

"Adapting," Ethan replied with a glimmer of determination in his eyes. Setbacks like this wouldn't stop him. They never had, and they never would.

Nyx was taken aback for a moment, but then burst into laughter. [Looks like we're in the same boat,] she said.

Ethan asked her quizzically. "How so?"

[Neither of us can do anything against the remnant will], Nyx explained, and Ethan finally caught on, joining her in laughter.

Nyx's tone became playful and mischievous. [So, let's overthrow it.]

Ethan's expression softened. "You're being a bit hypocritical, but I like it. I wish you had a physical form so I could give you a bro hug."

[No way,] Nyx retorted. [You'd just try to fuck me.]

Ethan shook his head, but he felt a little better after her teasing. He started to plan ahead and asked Nyx for any hidden quests related to late Ethan Chase's wishes.

He could guess the list but just to be sure he asked her. And good that he did, because it had a few things he didn't think of.

[These are in no particular priority order. And there can be more to the list.

- Become a sword master.

- Make Scarlett love him as a man.

- Experience familial sisterly love.

- Revenge

- Kill the King of the Underworld]

Ethan let out a groan. "Scarlett is attractive, but she sees me as a son. Kill the King of the Underworld? Becoming a sword master and experiencing sisterly love? This feels impossible."

[These are just my assumptions,] Nyx replied.

"Bullshit," Ethan shot back. "You wouldn't have mentioned them if you weren't certain. The real issue isn't the tasks themselves, but the negative consequences if I fail them."

Nyx tried to reassure him. [These types of quests don't have a deadline.]

"Great," Ethan said, sarcasm heavy in his voice. "Just the stress building up until it reaches critical mass."

"At worst, the stress will continue to pile up,] Nyx admitted.

"Permanently?" Ethan asked, concern evident in his voice.

"There's a chance," Nyx said, "but you shouldn't think of it as permanent. You'll be rewarded once you complete the task."

Ethan sighed. "Guess we'll just have to go with the flow."

Next he asked her how he could gain abilities. Nyx told him a few ways. First one was to use the fragments of Obsidian but they were unpredictable. Second was to gain them with time, like for example, after punching hundreds or thousands of times, he may gain an ability related to that. This was the most time consuming way.

The third one was even more unpredictable and passive. Nyx gave the example of Astral Self and Psychokinesis. In short, he would be getting psychic abilities as he levels up. As for what and when he would get one, even Nyx didn't know. Such an unreliable helper she was.

Nyx ignored his complaint and told him the last one, which she also recommended. To use special points and create one. The only downside for this would be that the ability created would be of lower quality. But Ethan could just use quantity over quality.

As such, in the end, Ethan used all of his special points and created an ability that could evolve with him—Divine Sense.