Genome sequence. This was what gave the Alterers and spirit beasts the power to control nature.
The ancient humans did not really understand genome crystals. They called them spirit stones because they thought that the spirit of the beasts was inside these stones. They used them to make potions but they did not know how they really worked. All their discoveries were based on repeated trials like blind people trying to make sense of their surroundings.
But after the United Human Council was formed, they started a shared study of the mythical crystals gathered by humanity during their exploration.
The Scholars of Babel, an organization founded by the oldest myth level human, released the genome sequence study after years of studying the mythical crystals.
Spirit particles were everywhere and had different characteristics. When they reacted to each other, they would produce spirit genes. These spirit genes had different properties, attributes, affinities, and information that combined to produce an effect on organisms.
The genome sequence was the systematic configuration of spirit genes that made up a spirit beast. It included the forms, appearance, attributes, affinities, and abilities of a spirit beast.
The scholars learned that genome sequences came from mythical beasts. The mythical beasts had a complete and detailed sequence. It was the key to how mythical beasts could control the natural laws of the world.
Through breeding with savage beasts, mythical beasts passed simplified versions of their genome sequences to their off-springs called spirit beasts. After thousands of years of procreation, an ecosystem of spirit beasts was developed.
Afterward, the scholars developed a systematic progression of power level that became a guide for Alterers.
Humans did not have genome crystals but when they consumed a genome potion, the genome sequence in the potion would assimilate to the body and form a genome crystal inside the heart. This genome crystal was a special organ that contained the genome sequence.
During the consumption of a genome potion, the natural laws would inject spirit particles into the body according to the genome sequence. The spirit particles would turn into spirit genes and assimilate to every cell. By activating the genome sequence, the spirit genes in the cells would transform the body of an Alterer to their Alter Beast form.
Alterers upgraded their genome sequence and increased their level by further consuming higher grade genome potions that were compatible with their Alter Beasts.
In this way, humans were able to forcefully evolve themselves to become powerful and someday become mythical level humans.
…
All this information was what Joshua could get from the memories of Yeshua and from the books he found in the house of Wendel Cornus.
"This is really a dangerous world. Why am I sent to this place? Isn't better if I become a young master in Heaven Realm or something?" Joshua mumbled with some humor.
After Joshua found the books, the AI recorded the information inside them. Surprisingly, just by touching the books, he could let the AI scan them to get the information. He tasked the AI in analyzing the mysterious shard using the information they got from the books. In this dangerous world, he at least wanted to understand what was happening to his body.
As he waited for the AI, Joshua was browsing the contents of the books himself despite his recovering body. He discovered things about genome sequence study and genome scholars.
Genome scholars were like scientists in Joshua's original world. Before, genome scholars were called spirit scholars because they concocted spirit potions. But after the release of the genome sequence study, they started to study genome sequences in different ways.
Genome scholars specialized in the modification of genome sequence so they liked to experiment to further their understanding and knowledge of genome sequence.
Genome scholars identified the different characteristics of spirit genes. Based on their characteristics, spirit genes were given codes. When a group of spirit genes combined, they would form a segment. These segments contained specific information for attributes, affinities, abilities, and species of spirit beasts.
By modifying the segments of a genome sequence, genome scholars could enhance the strength of an Alter Beast and even turn them from ordinary rank to elite rank Alter Beast!
Anyone could become genome scholars but it required intensive knowledge and time to practice their expertise. That was the reason why most genome scholars were not adept at battles. Wendel Cornus died because of his lack of experience in battle. That was why he let himself be ambushed by Joshua.
Joshua also found some logs of Wendel. In these logs, he was able to learn that the man was named Wendel Cornus.
Wendel was once a member of a big organization but he did not mention the name of this organization. Joshua learned the reason why Wendel was in the city and why he had the shard. The logs were full of him venting his feelings and his results in studying the shard.
…
All this information about the genome sequence study was collected and analyzed by the AI. After a while, the AI reported the result of its analysis to Joshua.
[Analysis completed.]
[Using the data gathered, the AI is able to understand the unidentified shard. The AI also discovered changes in User Joshua's body. Compiling the results…]
[The unidentified shard is a genome crystal of unknown grade from an unknown species. Inside the unidentified shard is a chaotic genome sequence. Usually, the genome sequence is arranged systematically but the genome sequence inside the unidentified shard is swirling around without pattern. Although it is chaotic, the spirit genes are still interconnected to one another.]
[The AI can control a portion of these spirit genes and reconstruct genome sequences. Further data is required in reconstructing genome sequence.]
[The unidentified shard is also connected to nine microorganisms in User Joshua's cells. The microorganisms function like a container of spirit genes and any changes will affect the cells. Usually, Alterers can only contain a set of spirit genes inside their cells but User Joshua's can contain more sets using these microorganisms. They are also the reason why the body previously exhibited chaotic transformation since they can fuse together using the unidentified shard.]
Hearing the AI's report, Joshua understood the changes that happened to his body.
"So, the shard can be considered my genome crystal but also different from normal genome crystals. Normally, I can transform now to my Alter Beast but the shard has a high level genome sequence, and using it will turn me into a monster.
"The AI used the remnant energy in my soul to deactivate the genome sequence and after that attack, the energy is already gone. Using the genome sequence in the shard is a blatant suicide.
"But the AI also said that it can control a portion of the chaotic genome sequence and use them to reconstruct new genome sequences. These things still need further information to see the results.
"And these microorganisms, I don't know if they are good or bad but according to my understanding, a set of spirit genes is only for one Alter Beast. Does that mean I can have more Alter Beasts?"
Usually, Alterers only had one Alter Beast that they would evolve but according to the AI and his understanding of the information, Joshua could have more. To check if it was really the case, Joshua asked the AI.
"AI, is it possible for me to have multiple Alter Beasts?"
[Task received. Analyzing…]
After some time, the AI finished its analysis.
[Analysis completed.]
[The AI can control the shard so that only one microorganism inside the cells will be activated. Using a genome sequence as the main controller, the microorganism in the cells will separately activate and transform the body. There are nine microorganisms in each of User Joshua's cells, so nine different genome sequences can act as main controllers. Right now, only two genome sequences can be controlled by the AI.]
Joshua was elated after hearing this. Though he still did not know if it was really an advantage for him, still being different made him feel that he had a lot of options in becoming strong.
"After learning the nature of this world, I really feel that being powerful will help me in living in this world!"
After the entire ordeal that he went through, Joshua felt that at least he got something in return for all his sufferings and frustrations. Since he already got what he wanted in Wendel's house, it was time for Joshua to leave the place and go home.
"After looking around, I only got around 700 gold coins. For a genome scholar, Wendel is quite poor or maybe his purse is also melted together with him? Still, this money will be useful. Yeshua labored for years but could not afford a genome potion even until now. With this amount, I can buy seven genome potions but money is important for Alterers. Resources are the foundation of an Alterer's strength!"
Remembering how expensive being an Alterer, Joshua lamented being poor. For those with clans and organization, buying genome potion would be easy. They were also provided with resources for their soul cultivation. But for those like Yeshua, they needed to labor for years just to buy a genome potion.
A normal person needed to save 3 silver coins a day for ten years to afford a genome potion. Ordinary families needed 1 silver coin a day to at least live properly. Realizing the value of the money he found, Joshua was already satisfied.
Joshua could not get anything from the house aside from the books and Wendel's items were also gone with him. He only covered himself with a cloak he found in the house and went out of the door. Looking at the night sky with six moons, he confirmed that he was really in a different world.
"It is already the 10th day of the 6 Moons, Year 1386 of the United Human Calendar," muttered Joshua with a sigh.
Joshua walked into the dark streets illuminated by moonlight. Using his newfound memory, he went back home.