NOVEL WEB Chapter 287: Chapter 288 - A Forgotten Spark
"I understand, Master." Liu Wei fought to steady himself, stumbling as he tried to sit down while grasping his chest. After several attempts, he finally managed to take a seat and began to focus on the technique his master had imparted. He aimed to harmonize with the surrounding energy, working to serve as a conduit.
'What is he doing?' Ryuk was merely three steps from Liu Wei, who sat cross-legged in a lotus position, completely oblivious to the presence of another. He focused on harmonizing his body in an effort to connect the external energy with his own inner strength.
[Host, it appears he is trying to kill himself (＾∇＾)ﾉ ]
'How exactly?' Ryuk inquired as he observed the surrounding energies concentrating near Liu Wei's body. Though Ryuk wasn't proficient in internal energy, he could feel that, thanks to his ability to nullify surrounding energy, whenever they touched his outer skin, he could guess their type and amount.
Right now, he could feel that the density of internal energy was increasing within a two or three-meter radius as energy particles collided with his outer body while getting nullified. This enabled him to detect the type of energies while also making him invisible to the senses of anyone nearby.
Standing beside him was Esme, who had used an illusion on the outer part of her body, rendering her invisible as well.
However, the fundamental principles underlying their abilities were entirely distinct. In simple terms, Ryuk's power functioned as if he were eliminating energies, rendering them incapable of generating vibrations or transmitting signals to other particles. This process enabled other senses to perceive the absence.
Conversely, Esme's ability involved sending a false signal that conveyed her non-existence in the vicinity.
In straightforward terms, you can think of a group of people entering a specific area to gather information; however, all of them end up being killed, resulting in no information being shared—in Ryuk's case.
On the other hand, the same group is persuaded by another to disseminate false information—in Esme's case.
In both scenarios, the first one is more advantageous, given that in the second scenario, a few individuals among them could betray the deal with the initial group and reveal the information.
Yet in the initial scenario, if everyone were killed, there would be no survivors, making betrayal impossible.
And this is how Ryuk's ability managed to keep him invisible from outside presence, as there was no energy left to provide visuals or surveillance information, which were being nullified or, in a sense, eliminated.
[He is trying to establish a connection between external energy and his own body. In simple terms, he is attempting to use the entire world as his own energy vessel to create an infinite energy supply.]
'....hmm,' Ryuk, looking towards Liu Wei, remembered his past life when at the age of 8 or 9 he also thought of this method, thinking how he should be able to use outside energy and act as a medium so that he can access a vast amount of energy and never have his mana exhausted.
But even before trying it, he compared it to his scientific knowledge from the past world, where he considered himself like lungs that would receive outside energy, just as air carries all types of gases (oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, methane, butane, etc.) and impurities (dust, metals, polluted particles, germs, viruses, etc.).
Similarly, the outside energy would carry several things such as mana, corrupted energy, and various forms of energy like ether, divine energy, and elemental energy.
Once all those energies started to concentrate in a single small medium, they would begin to react vigorously, and the pressure would start to slowly crumble that medium, instantly destroying it.
So the method of using outside energy was clearly impractical, making him drop the idea, but now seeing Liu Wei trying it, it appeared as though the extinguished flame inside Ryuk was once again burning.
'Is it possible to accomplish?', Ryuk inquired while understanding that in the Ardoros, when he had absorbed ether from the ether crystal inside Devereaux territory, he had used the system's help to synthesize it. But even that was not practical in the long term, given it took too much time and energy losses.
[No, it's impossible to accomplish it without killing oneself. I am 100% sure ⟵(๑¯◡¯๑) ]
The system, in a monotone voice, clearly stated it had calculated all the things.
'Run a hypothetical simulation,' Ryuk commanded while not disturbing Liu Wei, who was busy focusing on his energy. Esme remained quiet, waiting for Ryuk's action. He calmly stood there with an impassive look.
[Initiating the simulation for feasibility...]
'What if one can nullify all the other kinds of energy and only let a particular one enter?'
[Running the simulation...]
[Feasibility increases by 30%.]
'Now how about nullifying the extra amount of that particular energy before entering the body?'
[Feasibility increases by 60%.]
'Leave it,' Ryuk instructed, feeling that it wasn't worth considering. All this depended on his control over his ability, which was far lacking. He commanded to shut down the simulation before again questioning, 'Where did he learn the way to establish a doorway?'
Ryuk inquired, doubting that, given favor from heaven, it was unlikely for Liu Wei to even consider learning this technique on his own, since it was dangerous and could lead to problems instead of profit. This prompted him to issue the command, 'Search for anything on him.'
His doubts arose from the fact that it was possible for Liu Wei to possess some book, technique, or something similar.
[Searching...]
[Host, a half-manifested soul is detected on him. It appears dying. Should I absorb it? ]
'....do it,' Ryuk nodded, hearing something that was not particularly unexpected. Given how the system treated every kill as a killing point and absorbed its soul, the system had the strength to absorb a soul and turn it into a killing point.
[Absorbing the Soul of Demonic Ancestor from Heavenly Dragon Domain.]
'Isn't this,' Ryuk, hearing the name of Heavenly Dragon Dominion, realized that it was the name of another part of the Jade Dominion, which was opposite to the Celestial Phoenix Order. Even though both served the matriarchs of this continent, they had completely opposite standings against each other.
[Yes, on analysis it was found that the soul belongs to the other side of the Jade Dominion.]
'Absorb it,' Ryuk directly commanded. While leaving behind the master of this particularly hardworking student to the system, Ryuk slowly started to lean down on his knees as he stretched one hand towards the back of Liu Wei to provide him some help.
Considering how hard Liu Wei was working to repair his body, a small spark of sympathy ignited in Ryuk's heart, prompting him to decide to help this individual by aiding him in gathering the particular energies he wanted.
[Initiating Absorption.]
// Arrghhh.....WH-HAT—Hel—kugh!? //
'M-master?!' Liu Wei's eyes snapped open as he heard his master's cry, causing him to break out of his concentration. But it appeared as if the density of internal energy around his body was decreasing steadily. The amount was lessened, but it was enough and perfect for his body, as if it was coming up from his dantian without putting pressure on his veins.
'Finally!' Even though he wanted to know the reason for his master's scream, he instantly closed his eyes, feeling that his body was slowly filling with internal energy from the outside without him using his dantian.
It was a feeling he missed after coming into this crippled body, but slowly it appeared as if everything was going to be fine, causing a smile to form on his face.
Only one thought went through Liu wei's mind as he uttered, "It seems the heavens want me to rise once again!"
[Host, are you from heaven? (╹▽╹) ]
'Highly doubt it', Ryuk replied as his Hand was resting on Liu Wei's back, Due to Ryuk's strength, even though he was touching his back, Liu wei wasn't able to detect it. While his mind was filled with finally getting the hope as the internal energy was flowing rapidly through his veins.
[Then, how about sending this guy to heaven? (づ￣ ³￣)づ ]
'Let's see', Ryuk's hearing system suggested nodding before decreasing the extra amount of energy he was nullifying and increasing the amount entering directly into Liu Wei's body.
"Arghh...i-it's burn..ing" Liu wei muttered taking the intense amount of energy coursing through his body.
[ How about increasing it slighty more? (~￣³￣)~ ]
'....indeed' Ryuk began to control his ability, allowing less energy to be nullified. Due to the property of Jade Dominion, the energy available in the surroundings was mostly internal energy, making it easier for him to focus on filtering other energies and to have some control over it.
"Khuckh!?—ArrrGggHhhh!—Ughk?!" Liu Wei coughed up a mouthful of blood as he felt his heart crash from the sudden surge of energy. His vines seemed to expand due to rush. It was as if his body was filled with enormous internal energy, but due to his insufficient strength, his vines were heating up as if they were melting.
[ Increase it more (≧▽≦) ]
'don't let him die' Ryuk accepted the system's suggestion for the first time, even though he knew it simply wanted to see Liu wei suffer. However, Ryuk wanted to test his control over his ability, so he let it loose for a moment.
After all, having a live human for experiments was a rare opportunity.
"Cough! AaaRrrGghhhhhh—Thud." Liu Wei's vines inside his body burst at once. The outer layer of his skin bulged with green nerves as they popped, causing his skin to tear from the internal energy pressure. With his eyes rolling back, he fell to the floor, losing consciousness.
[Tch, completely wasted (￣ヘ￣;)]