Chapter 5
...…
After another hour flew by inside the Singularity Biome, Astaroth finally achieved his goal of 10,000 (G2) Energy. In other words, he could now start his next Energy Overflow!
And just as he expected…
BLING!
[Ding! You have passed over the 10,000 (G2) Energy mark and started a round of Energy Overflow. Would you like to go through with the evolution process?]
"Hmm…"
While looking around himself, Astaroth realized that he had already become the largest prokaryote around. Therefore, it was with little hesitation that he nodded his head and confirmed by saying, "Sure, sure, sounds good to me."
[Ding! Energy Overflow will now commence! It is recommended that the host prepare himself for the sudden transition in size that is about to occur!]
"Ai… Well, I believe that I should be able to handle it just fine, but if that's what the boss lady suggests, I guess I have no reason to refuse."
Quickly, Astaroth closed his eyes shut and waited for the evolution process to start. During this time, he felt a weird sensation course throughout his body; it felt something like water suddenly gaining the ability to travel beneath the veins of a human.
After overthinking this matter for a moment, Astaroth opened his eyes, only to see that yet another world had been opened up before him. And once again, he was the smallest shrimp in the pond.
"Well, with age, I guess we all eventually shrivel up and shrink… But hmm, I think I wanna be the biggest again."
A flash of resolve passed through his slimy form for half an instant, then with a voracious expression, he activated his abilities and-
"Oh…"
Suddenly stopping in his tracks, Astaroth completely forgot to check out his new system interface. Working to rectify this blunder right away, he called out 'Infinite Energy System' inside his mind, prompting the appearance of a blue illusory screen.
BLING!
—-------
{[Infinite Energy System]}
[Host: Astaroth]
[Evolution Stage: Cyanobacteria] - [0/100,000 (G3)]
[Evolution Area: Singularity Biome]
[Energy Level: 5] - [0/100,000 (G3)]
[Energy Storage: 0/10,000 (G3)] (Rapidly restoring)
{[Current Energy Abilities:]}
[Level 0 Ability: (Minor Spatial Movement), (Minor Energy Absorption)]
[Level 1 Ability: (Minor Spatial Displacement), (Minor Energy Flow)]
[Level 2 Ability: (Omni-Directional Movement), (Greater Energy Flow)]
[Level 3 Ability: (Magnetic Levitation), (Multi-Target Energy Absorption), (Super Energy Flow)]
[Level 4 Ability: (Fully directional Levitation), (Mega Energy Flow), (Full-Body Absorption)]
[Level 5 Ability: (Oxygen Traverse), (Giga Energy Flow), (Rapid Split Body Absorption), (Mass Control)]
—-------
"Umu? Oxygen Traverse must have something to do with Cyanobacteria being capable of producing oxygen, and then Giga Energy Flow is just the improved version of Mega Energy Flow."
Quickly putting this to the test just to be sure, Astaroth teleported over to a large purple Cyanobacteria and sucked on its energy. Though he wasn't yet big enough to gulp it up in one bite, he could still drain it dry like a vampire.
His body size rapidly increased by three times what it just was!
[Ding! You have absorbed 0.001 (G3) Energy from a Cyanobacteria!]
"The speed should mean that the Mega Giga Flow multiplied my energy absorption rate by 108, which should be right... But my size increase isn't exactly accurate..."
Out of nowhere, another bright blue light flashed.
BLING!
[Ding! The |Mass Control| Ability helps with the host not only relying purely on the quantity of his energy but also his quality. Specifically, it pertains to when the host begins to cast spells! The host's physical form is restricted in size, which makes this possible. It both speeds up the quality improvement rates and helps with control!]
"Huh? You're saying I can start casting spells soon? But swords sound cooler… A magic swordsman perhaps? I also feel like these slimy appendages of mine could make for some neat attacking weapons… Ai, so many choices…"
Although he got off topic for a few seconds, Astaroth quickly came back to the main matter at hand. "What would happen if I were to release my size restrictions right now," he asked. "Would I just speedily grow in size and automically devour everything in sight?"
[Ding! That would be the case! But with |Mass Control|, you can also slightly choose what you don't want your massive body to devour. You will need to unlock the higher versions of this ability to control absolutely everything that you do and don't want to absorb.]
[Ding! Oh, and this overexaggerated size manipulation only applies to the Microverse. After all, with humans and beasts, they can contain within themselves massive amounts of energy, even though they are the same size as one another. This is done for many reasons, but when the host reaches this point in his journey, it is recommended that he do the same.]
"Oh? And why is that?" Asked Astaroth.
[Ding! There are forces out there, far beyond what you can fathom. And they seek to erase the system and your kind from the face of existence. These forces stand above existence itself, and if they ever catch wind of your birth… It is impossible to predict what will happen next.]
The system spoke in a way that foretold a harrowing outcome if its host did not heed its words…
Luckily, Astaroth wasn't so stupid as to f*ck around and find out when the time did eventually come around.
"So no gobbling up higher worlds and stuff… Gotcha."
[Ding! The host can absorb entire planes of existence if he so wishes!]
"But you just said-"
[Ding! It is only not recommended that the host not devour absolutely everything right away. As long as the host reaches a point where his strength exceeds that of the Evolution Area he resides in, he can then absorb the plane of existence without worry.
But so as to not alert higher existences, the host will need to replicate the plane of existence inside his body within a certain time frame.
If this is done in an effective and speedy manner, the host will have both absorbed the energy of a plane of existence and made a mirror copy of the one that was just absorbed. The copy will forever stay within the body of the host.
Sometimes, ascension is only possible through certain conditions. And if the host is unable to meet those conditions, he will need to absorb the plane of existence restricting him to bypass the original restrictions.
However, it will need to be done discreetly and only after the host has full confidence in his overwhelming strength. Find outside sources and then absorb their energy to discover loopholes that allow the host to become strong enough to devour his plane of existence.
Oftentimes, there is not enough energy in a plane of existence to allow one of your kind to devour enough to be able to consume the plane of existence itself. This is why absorbing outside sources is recommended.]
"My kind…? What exactly is my kind??"
[Error! Error! The system cannot process this question!]
"Seriously…?"
[Error! Error! The system cannot process this question!]
"I see…"
After giving up on getting his questions answered, Astaroth kept everything the system said to the back of his mind. He then left his position and chased down a few Cyanobacteria to absorb.
With |Rapid Split Body Absorption|, he could now send out ten slimy parts of himself, all of which were capable of absorbing energy at the same speed as his main self.
"The grind… I think I like the grind… Don't know why…"
While mumbling these words, Astaroth unknowingly acted like an absolute menace. Hunting and assimilating hundreds of innocent Cyanobacteria, he did so without mercy.
It was unknown what sort of monster he would become in the future, but for now, he wished to know more of the feeling he felt when devouring larger energy sources…
...….