Mutagen

Day 376 - 3:02 PM - Port of Gilimanuk, Gilimanuk, Melaya Subdistrict, Jembrana Regency, Bali, Indonesia

Mei continued explaining further, but only the parts related to the current situation. From Mark's abilities and consequences as an [Empath] and his ability to take souls into his body and devour souls that tried to invade it, Mei was quite picky but thorough on the necessary information they needed.

"Is Mark becoming possessed by that guy we saw inside the underground cathedral?"

Farel could not help but ask after he heard Mei's explanation.

It was surprising for some of them who had learned of Mark's absurd abilities. However, it seemed that they thankfully focused on the issue instead. After all, Mark had already shown them all sorts of ridiculous things that the impact of the current revelation felt minimal.

Unexpectedly, the answer to Farel's question came from the most unexpected person.

"That's wrong,"

Kana said while tilting her head and tapping her small chin.

"Possession only occurs when a ghost, a spirit, or a soul tries to control a body not belonging to them. The only ghost here is that girl sitting there, so yeah, that's wrong. What? Why are you all looking at me like that?"

Of course, everyone was a bit weirded out. Usually, Kana would be the person asking questions, showing her childlike lack of knowledge or just because of her disinterest before a reason to ask appeared. Her sudden show of this kind of knowledge sure was bound to surprise her friends.

Then, what Kana had just said sunk into their minds as their gazes moved towards the girl sitting at the chair in the corner of the tent.

Kana said that the girl was a ghost. Was that little girl who looked around four years old and was wearing what seemed to be a gothic mourning dress a ghost?

Sensing the people's stares, the girl felt uncomfortable. Her body flickered out of existence before appearing behind Mei, hiding from those peering eyes.

Goosebumps covered the arms of many of them.

"Humans sure are weird to get riled up on unnecessary stuff."

Melfiss' voice entered everyone's ears as she exasperatedly stared at the humans around her master. It was as if they had not experienced enough weirdness to react like this.

"Let's just get back to the topic, shall we?"

Luna spoke, veering the conversation back on the right track.

"If it isn't possession, then what is the problem?" Read exclusive adventures at m_v-l'e|m,p y r

General Wijaya asked.

"It's the memories that he absorbed. That is the problem."

Edge answered, to which Luna nodded in agreement.

As the two showed understanding of Mark's current condition, everyone turned to the two.

Without needing to be asked, Edge elaborated further.

"All of you already knew what happened to me and Luna. We regained memories of our previous lives and the powers we used to fight that evil Goddess. Since our current personalities barely differ from our regained memories, there are only a few notable changes in our current behavior."

"But the memories Mark absorbed are different,"

Edge looked at Mark.

"It isn't his past or anything. The memories did not have any direct connection to him in any shape or form. Worse, it might even be memories that greatly differed or the complete opposite of his personality. That is very likely why he is showing strange side effects. It's because the memories he absorbed might be clashing with his own."

Now that they vaguely understood what was possibly happening, everyone had a complicated expression. They wanted to help. But how? This situation was definitely outside their capabilities.

But then...

"It would be easier if the memories were truly clashing with each other,"

A familiar voice to most of the people present echoed into their minds.

"Unfortunately, that is not what is happening."

Everyone's eyes moved beside Mei as a woman who had not been there before suddenly appeared out of thin air.

The ones present in the tent, the leaders of the Moon Chasers, Kana of the 3rd Wave, General Wijaya, and the members of Evernight recognized the woman. On the other hand, Kana's two friends, Estia and Kela, were surprised and confused, along with the scientist, Dr. Willis, who was strangely quiet, and Devon, who was observing the situation from the side.

"Goddess!"

Kana immediately vowed in respect. Of course, her behavior warranted some strange stares.

The Goddess, Magwayen, nodded at Kana before ignoring the rest as her gaze fell onto Mark.

"This is why I am not amused by what he did at that time. Taking in souls into his body and absorbing a Deity's memories afterward, it is not something a sane person would do."

Magwayen sighed.

"But it's the only way that time. And it's not like there is a choice about those memories."

A voice answered Magwayen. Everyone turned to the bed and saw Mark was already awake.

Seeing him wake up, Mei did not say anything. Only her grip on his hand tightened, showing her worry.

"You're already awake?"

Luna asked as if it was a strange thing to happen.

"Won't it be stranger if a light sleeper like me would stay asleep, considering how noisy all of you are?"

Mark's snappy remark gave bitter smiles to some of them.

Ignoring them, Mark turned to Magwayen.

"So, is there something I can do about this?"

Mark asked. He knew something was wrong with him. And now, it was getting out of hand for him to ignore and endure.

"Unfortunately, there is nothing much you can do about it,"

Magwayen shook her head.

"You can only wait."

"What do you mean?"

Mark stared at the Goddess of the Underworld.

"The problem is that the memories you took in far outweigh your own memories by several thousand years. It had yet to stabilize, causing it to overshadow your own, altering your personality in the process. Think of it as having another personality that would come out without control after certain events triggered it. And just like how it is triggered to appear, certain triggers can also turn you back to normal."

Then, Magwayen turned to Mei.

"That is why you should never get your husband out of your sight until the memories stabilize, especially when fighting or anything that involves violence. Just like how it happened earlier, you are the strongest trigger to pull him back safely."

"So far, he was able to keep things in check since you kept staying by his side after you noticed something was wrong,"

Magwayen continued talking to Mei.

"But reflecting on what happened today, letting him face a few thousand enemies alone would not be a good idea."

The members of the investigation group felt guilty. After all, the job of luring the [Infected] away for the safe rescue of the trapped survivors could only fall on Mark. But it seemed that letting him do that on his own caused the first instance of Mark's personality to start breaking.

"A person's personality is like clay,"

Magwayen suddenly continued but with a gentler tone.

"The experiences in life create memories which become the mold of that clay. But if you suddenly hammered that mold with a large quantity or stronger memories, belonging to you or not, it would dent or even break. And that broken mold will be fixed by the new memories. It would be fixed, but it would never be the same."

"If you aren't careful, it will happen to you."

Magwayen warned Mark.

Mark wanted to reply that he would not let it happen. But he decided to stay silent. There was no excusing the fact that he fell into a strange trance while fighting the [Infected].

At that time, the urge to create something and use the knowledge in his head was overwhelming.

Mark could not guarantee that he would have absolute control of himself.

"It seems you understand. Good."

Magwayen smiled. Although she would appear like she was enjoying watching Mark's shenanigans, it was clear she also worried for her only blessed one.

At this time, Magwayen suddenly turned to the opposite corner of the tent.

"Are two you done watching?"

Magwayen asked the empty space.

Then, a door out of nowhere opened. Two figures, a girl and a woman, with multiple eyes on their faces appeared through the door.

With the exception of the members of Evernight and the leaders of the Moon Chasers, everyone present in the tent was surprised. Devon's eyes even looked as if they would pop out in shock.

"To call us out abruptly, the Gods of the other realms sure lacked delicacy."

The woman berated the Goddess of the Underworld.

"Says the guardians who can do nothing but watch."

The Goddess of the Underworld snapped back.

Just as per usual, the [Eyes] and the otherworldly Gods did not get along with each other.

"Thirteenth!"

On the other hand, the five girls of the Moon Chase were happy to see the little [Eye] they had not seen for a while.

Thirteenth nodded at them as a greeting.

Well, considering that Thirteenth was not the only one who appeared, Luna and the others did not try to approach carelessly.

Then, there was silence as the [Eyes] and the Goddess of the Underworld had a staredown. The pressure in the surroundings was slowly rising.

"If you three are going to fight, can you get out of the tent? There's someone mentally sick here, alright?"

An irritated voice broke the silence. Mark, not having any regard for the status of the three, scolded the three.

Of course, the three could only give Mark some complicated stares.

As for the other witnesses, they could not help but look at Mark with both fear and reverence. He was the only one who would not hesitate to treat godly beings like they were a nuisance.

The pressure vanished as the three either shrugged or sighed.

"So, why are you here, Nineteenth?"

Mark ignored the others as he turned to the only person who was unlikely to appear in this scenario.

"The only times you appear abruptly is when something big is up."

And without hesitation, Nineteenth, the [Eye of Interest] went straight to the point.

"You are right. I am here to bring news and a warning to the two candidates in his place. The candidates to lead humanity's survival."

Nineteenth said as her multiple eyes eerily looked in two directions. Some at Mark and some at Luna.

"The Candidate of the Philippines, Mark, and the Candidate of Indonesia, Luna. You two, both under the supervision and guidance of the [Eye of Excitement], have now passed candidacy and are now given the saviors of your respective countries, bearing titles to your names."

"Mark, the Savior of the Philippines, entitled by the world as the [Chaosbringer], and Luna, the Savior of Indonesia, entitled by the world as the [Moonlightbearer]. Please continue to protect your people."

As Nineteenth uttered the titles, two orbs of light were released from her hands. One flew and entered Mark's body, while the other came to Luna. And then, a crest appeared on their bodies. Mark's crest, which seemed to be a spiral cog, appeared on his forehead. On the other hand, Luna's crest, a moon that briefly showed different phases, appeared on her left cheek. After the crests flashed several times, they vanished.

Without paying attention to the reactions of everyone present, Nineteenth continued.

"And now that the titles have been conferred, I will now convey a warning. In one month, the division of the territories will soon end, once more joining the world as a whole. Please be prepared as threats imprisoned by the rifts in other territories might appear. Please, do your best to save humanity."

With those last few words, Nineteenth took a step back.

"As I have finished my duty here, I must leave. If you, Saviors, have questions, please ask your guide. Farewell."

As she bid goodbye, Nineteenth reentered the door, and it vanished into thin air, leaving Thirteenth, sighing.

"What is this about?"

Mark asked Thirteenth with a serious tone, not paying attention to the commotion and confusion the other witnesses had.

Luna then approached Thirteenth, clearly having the same concerns.

"I know it's out of my character, but let's take it slow. That's why I'm here. I will explain."

Thirteenth tried to appease the two.