Encounter (5)

The Ancient Dragons of Upper Draconium were indeed excellent experiments.

Examining them one by one, Genovia identified questions.

‘First, what would happen when I kill someone with a time difference?’

The results

In some cases, the energy wasn’t absorbed even if the opponent died in a day, and in some cases, the energy was absorbed even if the opponent died after more than ten days.

“I’m sure that at least time is not the norm.”

‘Second, what if I kill an opponent at a certain distance?’

In their Dragon form, the target’s energy was absorbed once killed, regardless of distance.

On the other hand, it was a bit different in human form.

In some cases, energy was absorbed even when far away, and in some cases, energy absorption effects were not activated at close distances.

However, that alone could not conclude that energy absorption ignored distance.

Regardless of form, the effective range of attack was limited.

So, for a more foolproof experiment, she tried to cast an addiction spell on the target and made it run away to the brink of death.

At the moment of death, energy was absorbed even though it fled nearly dozens of kilometers.

“This means that conditions trigger absorption no matter the distance.”

‘Third, what is the standard for killing an enemy last?’

After making the Dungeon monster moribund, several Dragons attacked it sequentially.

Of course, the one that landed the killing blow got the energy.

Hence, she tried to let them attack as simultaneously as possible instead.

An unexpected result came out.

No one could take the energy. It just scattered all over the place.

“That’s a surprise.”

The result seemed unprecedented even for the Ancient Dragons of Upper Draconium.

It was called ‘simultaneous,’ but there were few cases in which they could kill the target simultaneously.

Even if there were a second difference, the one who delivered the last blow would be considered the killer.

Additional experiments were conducted with different time intervals to complete verification.

The act of killing at the same time was valid at least within a second.

“In other words, there is an unknown factor inherent in the power of the Dragon race that accurately identifies the moment when the target’s death occurs.”

‘Fourth, what is the standard of tools?’

It was a question that could be easily experimented on.

It was easy for them to hold each other’s tails and let them swing at the monster using their own kind as a weapon.

Data piled up in exchange for countless Dragons’ headaches.

Little by little, the question was resolved.

“In the first place, ‘kill the enemy’ is the result of the rule, not the fundamental rule.”

There was a common factor in all deaths.

“Four major powers, specifically, are the criteria for death in situations where regularity is involved.”

In their Dragon form, weapons weren’t usually used.

Dragons had never been seen wielding a sword and wearing armor.

Naturally, they harmed the enemy by using their bodies or their Breath, and regular intervention naturally occurred in the process.

On the other hand, they used weapons in human form. That was why different results came out.

If they shot an arrow simply with the bow’s tension and killed an enemy, they didn’t get experience. However, when they shot their arrows with Aura or Force, they did.

The same was true of swords and spears.

If they injected one of the four major forces into a weapon, they absorbed the opponent’s energy. Otherwise, it just ended in death.

“Magic spells or spiritual arts cannot be used without the involvement of Mana or Prana in the first place.”

She could guess why the Dragons didn’t know about that until now.

“There’s no way they can get to a high level in human form without the four major powers, so they’ve never had any experience.”

To confirm, she conducted an experiment in which Dragons held weapons in their original form and beat the monsters without energy injection, but there certainly was no energy absorption.

“So what’s the difference between experience and energy?”

The remaining Aura on the scar couldn’t show such effects.

It was clear there was something special about it.

Continuing the research, she found the answer.

“This is it.”

The Dragons’ energy contained a marking ability.

It was similar to wild animals marking territory.

Using energy to build up one’s courage and using the four major forces derived from it, one could imprint one’s energy on the opponent.

When the person with said imprint died, part of the object flew into the Dragon.

She checked up to that point, and all the questions were solved.

‘Why is the energy absorbed or stopped regardless of time?’

“It’s a matter of how long the imprint will last.”

Even if it was just a day, the energy wasn’t absorbed if the imprint was erased.

Even after more than ten days, if it was maintained, it could absorb energy.

“From the beginning, distance didn’t matter.”

Even if it was hundreds of kilometers away, the energy was absorbed when the target died for as long as the imprint was active.

“More precisely, ‘Kybriel’s nursing world’ is the effective distance.”

The criteria for tools had also been addressed.

Whatever they wielded and how they killed, it was treated as a tool if it contained the target’s energy.

What if someone wielded their men, and the men used a sword to kill the enemy?

If the sword were imprinted, the energy would be absorbed. Otherwise, it was just a normal death.

She found why she could get experience using the self-destruction magic to her subordinates and why she couldn’t get it when using the auxiliary spiritual magic.

Self-destruction magic was the art of blowing up enemies and allies at once. Enemies, as well as subordinates, were subject to imprinting.

On the other hand, auxiliary spiritual art was a skill that strengthened their troops.

Only when she naturally matched the subject imbued with spiritual arts would it be effective, so there would be no imprinting effect.

“Then what’s left is the final standard of killing the enemy…”

Wild animals marked their territory by removing the odor of other animals and replacing it with their own.

Likewise, the Dragons’ marking ability had a similar effect.

“Afterwards, the marked energy erases the marked energy first.”

It had nothing to do with the strength of the four powers.

Even if the opponent’s remaining four forces were so powerful that they remain in the wound throughout, the ‘imprint’ itself would be erased.

As soon as the target lost their life, whom would the imprint marked on the target go to?

If they killed an object at the same time, no one could absorb energy.

The imprint would erase each other so that there would be nothing left.

“Yes, this was the identity of Kybriel’s blessing to the Dragon race.”

Genovia, who had solved her long-standing question, looked relieved.

* * *

After solving the biggest problem, the research speed got faster.

Genovia had constantly interpreted the Devil’s Guidelines with the help of Hollien and Garhan.

In the meantime, she had gained a lot of information.

She found a new way to deal with Akhtarun’s Aliens and found a way to seize eternity. She had also developed a method to realize miracles in the present world through unique items of the Devil.

Eventually, the Guideline’s Latna version, the Near-Completion Omphalos’s Blessing, was completed.

Although it wasn’t perfect, it was a unique item that faithfully implemented the functions that she had wanted.

She had also succeeded in capturing Kybriel’s divinity.

Unfortunately, she missed the incarnation, which meant she couldn’t become a goddess, but it was only a matter of time anyway.

Believing in Hollien, she stayed in the sanctuary of the darkness and waited for the result.

Until then, Genovia hadn’t been very interested in the Guideline’s experience absorption system itself.

She was already superb, invincible.

The only being stronger than Genovia was Baotolt, but he died in battle with the divine beast Kruse Murg. Hollien and Garhan were superpowers on the same level as her.

The enemy didn’t even exist because they were colleagues sharing intention.

There was no need to be stronger.

What she needed was immortality, not strength.

But things changed from the moment Hollien was beaten.

* * *

If it was a matter of life and death, human nature dictated to increase the odds to survive as much as possible.

Didn’t they even try to make a fortune out of that precious ‘life’?

A more powerful ability was needed to deal with unknown enemies.

But in reality, neither Garhan nor Genovia were likely to be stronger.

After reaching their peak and reaching the limits of mortals, Genovia turned to a system that absorbed experience from Guidelines.

“It’s a useless function.”

Her level was too high.

She was level 150 and had 300 billion experience requirements.

Would it be possible to raise her level by one if they kept catching high-ranking monsters in the Four Prohibited Areas for the rest of their lives?

Hollien or Garhan didn’t just ignore the ability to absorb experience points.

Rather, it was highly likely that they gained a new realization.

“But what else can we do?”

The Guidelines of Aliens were derived from the Dragons’ ability to absorb energy.

But there was also a stark difference.

“Aliens can get experience from level one.”

There was nothing strange about Magic Swordsmen, Mages, and Spiritists killing an opponent from level 1 to gain experience.

Right from the get-go, they used Force, Mana, and Prana.

But what about the warriors?

Alien warriors could only unlock Aura at level 50.

“That means they can kill an enemy without using the four major forces until then.”

Of course, even before awakening, they used inherent energy. Not awakening Aura didn’t mean Aura didn’t exist.

“But in this case, it doesn’t make sense to use weapons to kill enemies and gain experience.”

In the same way as Dragons, a warrior before level 50 should gain experience only when he beat an enemy to death with his bare fist, yet that was not the case…

“Individual energy and marking to absorb experience are one thing.”

The Guidelines themselves must’ve had an imprinting effect on Aliens.

There was also evidence.

It was the Party Play Mode.

It was a function that unified imprinting information for each other and recognized each other as the same object.

In that way, the mark of all team members was recognized as one, so experience values were also divided. The Alien Spiritists could gain the same experience just by assisting and healing from behind.

It was a function that Aliens, who were familiar with online games, used without much thought, but they came to this conclusion once they opened it well.

“The Guidelines mark the opponent’s imprint, absorb the energy at the time of death, and deliver it to the Aliens.”

Genovia had already completed a method of tearing down Guidelines and transplanting them separately.

If so, how could it be impossible to separate the marking ability from there?

What if the imprinting marks were removed and implanted in their men?

And what if they cut down an enemy with Genovia’s “imprint”?

What about the experience gained from killing the enemies with her men?

Genovia had a smile of remorse.

“Even if we don’t fight ourselves, there’s a way to raise our level by absorbing a lot of energy.”

* * *

Garhan spoke up.

“I guess the battle is over.”

No more experience acquisition messages popped up.

“I’m sure this isn’t enough to build up my experience with this system.”

Genovia squinted.

“The experience requirement has increased so much. But you’ve leveled up this high so far, right?”

“That’s true.”

Garhan nodded seriously.

“Honestly, I was suspicious when I heard the plan. I didn’t know it would turn out this well…”

“There wasn’t much to be said about it. There’s an inherent function from the beginning. That’s why Omphalos sent this man to Latna, right? Parasite.”

Garhan clicked his tongue as he removed the screen of light from view.

“Parasite? I have a real feeling I’m dealing with evil powers.”

Sometimes he had to ask himself.

No matter how afraid he was of death, could only one individual judge the world so freely to avoid death?

“Of course.”

The answer was always the same.

“The only ones who say there is a more noble death than life are the humble ones who have nothing to lose.”