Chereads / THE TRUTH SEEKER / Chapter 20 - 20 Dead 1

Chapter 20 - 20 Dead 1

Yun's cries of agony continued, "But Argh! What?" he exclaimed, his voice laced with desperation.

The System's response was calm and collected. [ ...But you can? ]

Yun's pleas grew more urgent, "What should I do? Tell me quickly!"

The System's instructions were straightforward. [ Simple, use Recovery Voucher and you will be fine. ]

Yun's actions were swift, " System use Recovery Voucher. Hurry!"

The System acknowledged. [ Using Recovery Voucher. Time Left: 1m 59s. ]

Yun's anxiety spiked, "I will die in that time!"

The System offered additional guidance. [ Drink soul purifying water too. ]

Yun's gulps were audible, "Glug! Glug! Glug!" but his condition remained unchanged. "System, still no effect, and how much time is left?"

The System's update was dire.

[ Time Left: 1m 30s. ]

Yun's frustration boiled over, "Aargh! System, use ability regeneration from Hydra!"

The System attempted to comply.

[ Using ability Regeneration... ]

[ Failed! 10 seconds have already passed. Ability cannot be used. ]

[ Time Left: 59s. ]

Yun's despair deepened, his options dwindling as the clock ticked away.

Yun's anguished cry echoed through the air, "Aaaaargh!"

The System's silence was brief, followed by a suggestion. [ ...Try using the Dragon King's healing and regeneration abilities. ]

Yun's response was labored, "Use dra...gn...k...ng...abi...ties..."

The System sprang into action. [ Dragon King's abilities Regeneration and Healing being used... ]

A warm, golden light enveloped Yun, and his body began to glow. The System announced. [ Healing and Regeneration Complete. Host returning to normal condition. ]

As the light faded, Yun's relief was palpable, "Th-This... I am completely fine. It feels like I am bathing in Soul Purifying Water."

He marveled at the Dragon King's abilities, "System, this ability is very good. All my pain has disappeared."

But his wonder was soon replaced by curiosity, "But why was I suddenly feeling so much pain?"

The System's explanation was straightforward. [ Because you absorbed 3 abilities at once, that's why you were feeling so much pain. ]

Yun's confusion was evident in his tone, "What are you saying? This is not the first time I have done this, in fact, I have copied even more abilities at once."

The System's response was calm and explanatory. [ Yes, but the ones from whom you copied abilities were not that powerful. ]

Yun's protest was swift, "But..."

The System continued to enlighten him.

[ Let me explain to you. When I was linked to you, there were changes in your body, and you also absorbed Soul Purifying Water and continued doing so for 100 years. Due to which you could keep more energy in your body than an ordinary person. ]

Yun listened intently as the System elaborated.

[ But this limit gradually decreased, and when you copied the Dragon King's abilities a few days ago, your body had reached the limit. Now you have copied three more powerful abilities together, so your body could not bear so much energy, and you started feeling pain all over your body. ]

The System's analysis was precise. [ The energy level of these three is Green, Grade Silver, and your energy level was only Yellow, Grade Gold before copying these abilities. ]

Yun's eyes widened as the truth dawned on him, "Ah, I understand now. I overestimated my limits."

[ I give you a chart of energy level of all creatures:

Humans: Modern humans have no energy level. But if you go back in time, you will find that human level has reached Purple, Grade Platinum. But with time their energy level kept decreasing.

Beasts: Energy level of beasts of modern world has reached only White.

In Jurassic period their energy level could be Brown, Grade Platinum and

In ancient time this energy level could be up to Black, Grade Gold. From ancient time till now, energy level of any creature of earth has not reached Black, Grade Platinum. ]

The System's counsel was wise and cautionary. [ So I will advise you that if you want to copy the ability of any ancient or Jurassic period creatures, then first check its energy level. If you come into contact with the remains of another ancient creature, you cannot copy its abilities unless you have copied all the abilities of creatures from the Jurassic period or you have reached the level of that ancient relic. ]

Yun's inquiry was laced with a hint of disappointment, "So can't I copy the abilities of more powerful creatures?"

The System's response was forthright. [ You can, but beware. If you do, then use the Dragon King's ability promptly. However, I must warn you that if your body breaks apart from energy overload before you can use the ability, you will die. ]

Yun's eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and trepidation as he contemplated the risks and benefits. He knew that the pursuit of power came with perils, but his determination and ambition drove him forward. With a deep breath, he steeled himself for the challenges ahead, ready to face whatever lay in store.

Yun's inquiry was laced with concern, "So what should I do?"

The System's response was reassuring. [ Don't worry, you can copy the abilities of creatures up to Energy Level Green, Grade Silver. Because... ]

Suddenly, a notification flashed, [ Congratulation! Host, your energy level has increased due to energy overload and successfully suppressing it. ]

Yun's eyes widened as he saw his energy level soar.

[ Xiao Yun's Energy Level: Yellow, Grade Gold > Green, Grade Silver. ]

His relief was short-lived, as he asked with a hint of anxiety, "Do I have to risk my life like this every time to increase my energy level?"

The System's reply was calming. [ Nope, you just copy the abilities of deads now. As your energy level increases and reaches the limit, your energy level will breakthrough to the next grade and then the next level. ]

Yun's expression changed from worry to understanding, "Ohh! So that's it. But why didn't you tell me all this earlier in ch 9?"

The System's response was matter-of-fact. [ Because you never asked. ]

Yun's playful scolding was met with silence, "Y- You! System!"

The System's announcement was triumphant. [ Congratulations! Due to copying the abilities Flight from Aeropex, Endurance from Skypaw, and Defense from Stegosaurus, the time limit of all flight, endurance and defense-related abilities of the host has been increased by 30 minutes. ]

Yun's inquiry was practical, "System, can't you automatically use Skill: Energy Sense and Skill: Ability Extraction+ Dead?"

The System's response was cryptic. [ ...I can do this. I already have such a function. ]

Yun's frustration was evident, "Why don't you ever tell me the whole thing?"

The System's reply was concise. [ Because you... ]

Yun's interruption was swift, "Because I didn't ask. Right?"

The System's affirmation was brief. [ Right. ]

Yun's command was assertive, "Anyway, activate this function of yours and activate every single function that's beneficial to the host, i.e., me, Yun...Xiao Yun."

The System's response was comprehensive. [ Ok. On the command of the host, all such features of the system which are beneficial for the host and help the host on time are being activated. During this activation, the system is going into sleep mode for 50 years. The host will not be able to use the system for 50 years. ]

Yun's shock was palpable, "What? What did you say? ... Answer me. System, system. "

[ Sorry! ] [ Can't connect to system. System is in sleeping mode. ]

Yun's dismay was absolute, "Ugh!"

Yun lay in bed, but his mind raced with questions, making sleep elusive. He worried that if his connection to the system was severed for 50 years, would he still be able to access his abilities? Determined to test this, Yun got out of bed and focused on using his flight ability. To his relief, he soared into the air with ease.

Lost in the thrill of flight, Yun failed to notice the passage of time and began to plummet towards the ground. Instinctively, he activated the Dragon King's Shield ability, and a protective barrier enveloped him just in time. He landed safely in a dense forest, unscathed.

As he caught his breath, Yun requested, "Give me 5ml Soul Purifying Water."

He pondered the system's update and realized that during this time, he couldn't access the system's storage or retrieve treasures. However, he was relieved to know that his abilities would remain intact. "Now I am sure that these abilities cannot be taken away from me. Because these abilities have now become a part of my body."

With this reassurance, Yun's confidence grew, and he felt a sense of liberation. His abilities were now an integral part of him, and he could rely on them even without the system's direct support.

50 Years Later

The System's voice echoed. [ Host, host wake up, waakee uppp. ]

Yun slumbered on, oblivious to the System's urgent calls. Suddenly, a familiar white light appeared before him, and he was jolted awake. "DEJAVU!" he exclaimed, only to promptly fall back asleep.

The System tried again. [ Now who is this dejavu? Host, wake up and see it's me. ]

Yun murmured in his sleep, "Let me sleep a little longer."

The System realized that gentle nudges wouldn't work and decided to take drastic measures. [ Looks like Yun is not going to wake up like this, I have to do something. ] With a burst of energy, the System delivered a series of electric shocks.

Yun jolted awake, rubbing his eyes. "He he he, who is tickling me so early in the morning?" He snored again, only to be interrupted by another round of electric shocks.

Bzzzzzzt! Bzzzzzt!

"Aaarghhh! Who is it? Who is giving me electric shocks? Hm? System, is it really you?"

The System's response was warm and familiar. [ Yes, host, I'm back. ]

Yun exclaimed, "Oh! Wait, I'll freshen up first." He quickly showered and had breakfast, then grasped the System and led it to his basement.

"See, System, when you were away, I didn't idle away my time. I gathered information on the remains of extinct creatures that can't be bought with money. Aren't I smart?" Yun said with a hint of pride.

He continued, "First, I need to copy the ability of a Jurassic-era creature. Once I do, I'll have no problem copying other abilities. The remains are stored in museums worldwide, but I can easily enter and access them using my abilities. However, as a peace-loving person, I don't want to cause a commotion. I've planned everything carefully."

Yun sought the System's approval, "How was my preparation?"

[ ... ]

Yun asked, "System, why are you not saying anything?"

The System responded. [ What should I say? You've been talking nonstop. You didn't ask about my well-being or where I was all this time. You're only concerned with your work. ]

Yun's expression turned sentimental, "I used to miss you."

The System seemed surprised. [ ..? ]

Yun's voice cracked as he revealed, "Ever since you've been gone, not a single day has passed where I haven't missed you. You know how I spent these 50 years. I had no one to talk to." His voice trembled, and he fought back tears. "sob..sob!"

The System's tone softened. [ Friend, don't cry. I didn't mean to hurt you. ]

Yun quickly masked his emotions, "I'm not crying. Something just got into my eyes." He tried to hide his tears, but his voice betrayed his distress.

The System observed. [ Friend, you don't see any change in me. ]

Yun's curiosity was piqued, "Hm? Yes, if you look carefully, a golden light is visible on the edges of your screen. Have you customized yourself?"

The System clarified. [ No, friend, not that, something else. ]

Yun's scrutiny continued, "Hmmm... Yes, why does your tone sound different, and why are you calling me friend instead of host? Have you become rusty in these 50 years, causing you to malfunction?"

The System assured. [ Nothing like that. You gave the command to activate all my features 50 years ago, which required me to sleep for an extended period. ]

Yun's realization dawned, "Ah, I see. So, that's why you've been gone for so long. I had forgotten about that command."

The System's explanation shed light on its prolonged absence, and Yun's curiosity was satiated.