Kain finally converted the irradiated core into an enhanced orb. When he crushed it, he felt his secondary ability of passive absorption increase by a factor and now he had an extra irradiated core in his psyche. However, the core that appeared seemed illusory compared to the other three. What did having more irradiated cores mean? He also saw that he gained 4x ice power streams and 600x strength! Did the previous owner of the core have ice power and have a similar level of strength?
Kain felt power flooding through him. Just one irradiated core gave so many benefits. The strength gain alone was shocking. Thinking about all the Genji-tier and above enemies that he killed, he wondered why he didn't get any irradiated cores from them. He ate Pestilence, how come he didn't get a huge powerup when he did?
Mexxle appeared in the air in front of Kain.
-Oh, the radiation streaming to me from your passive ability has increased. Congratulations on almost getting another irradiated core. (Mexxle)
-Mexxle, what does it mean to have more irradiated cores? (Kain)
-It is very rare to have more than one irradiated core, let alone being on the verge of having four. Each core represents a life, which means that you can be revived two times before you are down to your last 'life'. If you solidify your fourth core, you will have three chances. Most people have only one core so one death will be enough to end their existence. (Mexxle)
-Wait, then how did Dominius get these irradiated cores? (Kain)
-A quick death will shatter a person's core. However, if one is tortured and the person has a strong will to live, the core will try to escape the body before ultimate death. At that moment, the person may die, but the core will separate and not shatter. (Mexxle)
-Can a person be revived if their irradiated core is still intact? Did I just end the last chance for whoever owned the core that I just converted and used? (Kain)
-No. A core that was separated in such a manner is no different to an empty husk. Even if you gained the life power ability and created a body to house the core, the core did not retain any memories or the soul of the person. On the other hand, if a person had at least two cores and they died, one would shatter and the extra cores would disappear. The extra ones would reappear somewhere in the universe and reform a body and soul. The previous memories will take some time to unlock until the person approached their previous evolutionary attainment in their past life. (Mexxle)
Kain became stunned into silence. Now everything was starting to make sense. He had started out with three cores. That meant he died before and reincarnated on Earth. The parents he had were not his biological parents. When Kain was old enough, they told him that they found him and decided to raise him. They were quite lacking in the details on how or where they found him.
It felt strange to think that he might have been some kind of alien in his past life. He was human now, but it was much more likely that he existed as some other race in the universe. Kain already knew he had family since Mexxle revealed he created remnants of will. What about his previous life's friends, lovers, and enemies? Were they still out there? More importantly, were they looking for him?
-What is the fastest way for me to regain my old memories? (Kain)
-I have bad news for you Kain. You lived thousands of years in your previous life. This means your previous existence had that much time to gain evolutionary milestones. There is very little chance that you regain your memories unless you were given a similar amount of time to evolve. I can fill you in on some details of your previous life, but I am waiting for you to become stronger first. You will understand in the near future when you reach gradient of will level three. (Mexxle)
What the heck? How did a person live so long? He had an urge to ask, but already felt like he had enough on his plate with the fact he had a previous existence.
-Before you reach gradient of will level three, you should focus on increasing the number of irradiated cores you have. Cores don't just represent extra lives. The number of cores you have represent your overall potential. You noticed that your secondary ability of passive absorption increased by a whole factor, right? This was just from the appearance of the illusory form of the 4th core. If the illusory 4th core solidifies and becomes an actual core, you may be quite surprised at how your ability will evolve. (Mexxle)
-These cores are so rare. I have two left, but there is no way I am going to torture others to get more. There has to be another way to form more cores as I feel like even if I convert the two cores I have and use them, I still won't solidify my 4th core. (Kain)
-For others, it is impossible to form more cores without using irradiated cores. However, it is a different story for you. When you reach gradient of will level two, you will gain a secondary ability that will allow you to absorb directly from a person's core instead of just their power and strength. (Mexxle)
-Damn, I really need to go and find another remnant of will to reach gradient of will level two. (Kain)
-It is fine. I have a feeling that you will come across more irradiated cores when you attack the military. That should tide you over for now. (Mexxle)
Kain heard Barton start to wake up. He realized that he got lost in conversation with Mexxle. He left the room and beckoned in Tyrin and Aleria. While they entered the room, he noticed that most people had finally left. Sylvia and the others had come back down to the dining room and were currently conversing with Kara and Lana. They seemed to be getting along. Kain smiled as he closed the door behind him and spoke.
"I wanted to meet the two of you in private because it won't be long before we will be family. As the respective leaders of your factions, I am sure being stronger is not just insurance against assassination attempts, but will also act as a deterrent against such an act occurring in the first place. I don't want to have to worry about those who are close to me. So, I am going to carry the two of you above Genji-tier. Hmm, it is quite annoying not to have a name for the tier. Do the two of you have any suggestions?"
"The Council already had preliminary discussions regarding the naming of the tier above Genji. The vote has already concurred regarding the naming and the tier above is to be called Regent-tier. Just to save time, they also decided that the one after Regent would be King-tier. Of course, no one has officially achieved Regent-tier, but seeing how you, Gerris, and your lovers have broken through…I'm sure others will start coming out of the woodwork. Oh, I guess you boosted your brothers as well. How can you help others break through so easily? I am tempted to study you when you arrive at Taria Academy." said Tyrin.
Kain saw that both of his brothers were now awake. They both got up from bed and moved over to where Kain was conversing with Tyrin and Aleria.
Kain didn't want to waste any time and had Tyrin and Aleria lie down on the bed. He saw that Tyrin was already extremely close and only required one 100x strength orb to break through to Regent-tier. He phased the orb into Tyrin's stomach. Aleria was further away and required three 150x strength orbs, which he promptly phased into her stomach. The two of them passed out on the bed.
Just as he turned to his brothers to talk with them, he frowned as he sensed multiple figures approaching the mansion. They were all cloaked and approaching at a very fast speed. Soon enough, they encircled the mansion and took out weapons. Kain didn't know who they were since they didn't have any identifying features on their clothing, but they were obviously not friendly visitors.
"Brothers, it looks like we have a few unwelcome visitors outside. Do you want to test out your newly upgraded powers? I'm sure they will be no threat as I can sense they are all only upper-rank Genjis." said Kain.
"Let me at them. I'm going to fry their asses with my new fire powers. Then I'm going to transform and break them like twigs." said an excited Barton.
Desmond merely smiled as he was also looking forward to test his power.
Kain left the room with his brothers. He motioned to the girls in the dining room to continue their conversation and walked outside.
Apparently, snipers were waiting and shots rang out. Kain shot out his tentacles to block the bullets. Barton and Desmond both disappeared due to their incredible speed and appeared among the ranks of the enemies.
Kain smiled as the first few assailants were manhandled by Barton and Desmond.