Cardinal World.
Night Rose.
"Interesting."
Luminous muttered as her heterochromatic eyes fixed on Laurel.
"Is that part of your ability to manipulate the system?"
Laurel nodded slowly and said nothing more. While part of it was true. Part of it was from another source.
Fourth Calamity (EX).
The nature of that skill is still unknown.
But it seemed like the All-World's system was now connected to his ability as they worked in tandem.
One of the abilities of the Calamity skill is, as such, allowing the user to see their status.
However, the main user of this ability—Laurel—can share this permission, as well as other authorities that come with this.
Such authorities included his game-like immortality, which had now become an [Instant Revival].
And as long as he wasn't attacked conceptually, he'd basically just revive on the spot.
This naturally gave him some hope.
"This includes. Among all I've said, my immortality and other authorities."
Luminous leaned back, finally showing genuine interest.
Sharing skills wasn't anything particularly exciting to her—nor was immortality—but such abilities could definitely benefit others, especially Mei and Lux.
What she was most interested in was how the other system could monitor her strength.
Additionally, all her magic, skills, and abilities were all listed perfectly and could be shared with others, which was surprising.
Now she could understand why he was at the bottom.
Laurel was more reliant on others than on himself.
Some would have said it was a cowardly way of gaining strength; however, good luck trying to grow stronger the normal way when you have those Calamities behind you.
Additionally, now that he had the chance, why shouldn't he?
But Laurel, on the other hand, wouldn't just start taking everything.
This was also based on mastery, except for intrinsic authorities like the game-like immortality.
Additionally, things like unique skills and above couldn't be shared for now.
The only skills they could share are magic abilities, extra skills, and common skills.
Even some certain intrinsic skills couldn't be shared if they didn't possess the necessary trait for it.
Yes. Laurel's authority had limitations to them, which Luminous saw through at a glance.
But as his authority increases, they might even be able to do more absurd things.
For someone like Lux, however, this was borderline overpowered in his world.
Having already possessed [Berserker], adding the shared skills on top of that, at this point, he should change his [Weakest Undefeated] title.
Player: Lux Arcadia.
Title: Weakest Undefeated. Black Hero. Chore Prince.
Affiliation: New Kingdom of Atismata
Stats:
- Strength: 65
- Speed: 80
- Wis: 99+
- Physique: 75
- Spirit: 400
Negentropy [Unlocked]
Note: The above are approximation of the player's strength.
Abilities:
[Unique Skill: Berserker]
- Rage Power: Can increase his power to the point of being able to reach high levels of strength even in base without losing himself.
- Baptised: Due to being a blessed individual, the user can resist almost anything. From ailment, to madness, to mental attacks and such.
[Intrinsic Skills: Singularity]
- Singularity: As a "hero," the owner of this skill is a singularity that exists outside of the fate of the world, making them immune to destiny-based changes.
[Extra Skills: Power Mimicry]
- Can mimic any skill or move after seeing it once, provided it fits his capabilities.
[Extra Skill: Force Core Manipulation - Negentropy Manipulation]
- Negentropy is a disorder source of energy that allows one to manipulate any type of energy. (Linked to "Fourth Calamity.") The user of this skill can manipulate the [Force Core] of a Drag-Machine as they like without any drawbacks.
[Extra Skill: Analytical Appraisal]
[Resistances: Fear Resistance, Paralysis Resistance, Abnormal Condition Resistance]
"Uhm, Laurel?"
Lux tapped him on the shoulder, pulling him from his thoughts to look over.
However, as he did that, Laurel's eyes twitched slightly as he looked over.
"What kind of perverted skill set is this?"
He held the panel as he looked over it; at this point, he shouldn't be surprised, but he was.
No kidding. This was THE BEST skill set you could give Lux; Laurel dared to say that.
"N-no way!"
The ever-humble Lux waved his hands in denial, but Laurel's deadpan expression didn't change.
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
Future Lux, in his world, was strong, no doubt about it.
In comparison to "other worlds" like here and Mei's world, sure, he was still behind.
However, in his world, he might as well be a god-like existence to the point that current Lux far eclipses his future self.
First off. Berserker.
It is a skill that stacks his power-up against his base.
Think of it like when Goku gained super-saiyan God. When it expired, he absorbed the strength of his god form into his base and was able to contend with the destroyer.
In other words, that was Lux's skill.
A skill that wouldn't allow him to reach his limits.
In other words, that was what such a skill was. As long as it was anywhere within this world's dimensional limits, Lux could become that strong.
Additionally, removing the traits of a typical berserker was even all the more dangerous.
"Lux, any thoughts on world domination?"
"H-huh? No way!"
Lux waved his hand, brushing Laurel off, but Laurel simply squinted his eyes at Lux.
"I say we push the agenda of world domination."
"Laurel, seriously, I don't want it….!"
Even if Lux said that, Laurel still stared intently at him.
The other skill that caught his attention in Lux's arsenal was Lux's [Singularity] extra skill.
Lux was no doubt a hero.
Heck, "Wait, Lux, you're enlightened."
Laurel suddenly widened his eyes, accessing his system to look at Lux's status from his administrator system.
Player: Lux.
Race: Enlightened Human.
Preceding Evolution Path: Saint.
Hero egg: Obtained.
"Luminous, you might want to see this."
Laurel winced as he sent the status over to the vampire, who also let out a sound unbecoming of her.
"Hah? My word, he—"
Both then stared at Lux before shifting their gaze over to Mei.
However, Luminous spoke first while casting a like-minded gaze over Laurel.
"Laurel."
"On it."
Player: Raiden Mei.
Title: Fallen Heiress. Thunder Queen.
Race: Enlightened Human.
Preceding Evolution path: Saint.
Hero's egg: Not obtained.
Affiliation: Nagazora, Earth.
Stats:
- Strength: 35
- Speed: 45
- Wis: 50
- Physique: 50
- Spirit: 100
Negentropy [Unlocked]
Note: The above are approximation of the player's strength.
Abilities:
[Unique Skill: Herrscher]
- Ego: A skill with an Ego.
- Authority of Thunder: Can manipulate the flow of electricity and electromagnetism.
- Thought Acceleration.
[Unique Skill: Chef]
- Chef: Can bring her enemies onto her cooking board. Like how a chef handles a dish so does a warrior his enemy.
- Can easily identify the weakness of anything, and all her strikes are a 100% guaranteed to hit.
[Intrinsic Skill: Purple Lightning]
- Can instinctively release powerful and destructive Purple Lightning.
[Resistances: Electricity Resistance, Paralysis Resistance, Abnormal Condition Resistance acquired successfully]
Both Laurel and Luminous fell speechless as he shared the details with Luminous, much to their confusion.
Mei and Lux just sat there looking confused with tilted heads.
Ignorance is bliss.
"They're really enlightened."
"Moreover, Lux has a hero's egg. Haha. How unfair."
He'd also quickly gone over his; however, nope, there was no preceding evolution path for him.
Heck, he wasn't even classified as a human.
What was there was—
Race: [Null]
What does null even mean!?
"Hey, a skill with an ego, this is…"
"Forget it. Let's not dive into another topic that brings them a headache."
Laurel had simply dismissed Luminous's concern.
For Luminous, who had subconsciously dismissed everyone, now saw them in a different light.
Monsters.
Lux in his world was legit hailed as a hero.
It was even in his title. Black Hero.
While he wasn't truly the Black Hero, it was a title that was shared between him and his brother.
Laurel knew of this naturally.
And since he was recognised by a few that he was the Black Hero, it had worked for him this way.
"Goodness... we're all absurd in our own ways, aren't we?" Luminous said, glancing between Mei, Lux, and Laurel.
Even for otherworlders, possessing these kinds of abilities—ones that could bend reality—was beyond ridiculous.
Laurel nodded along to her words while seeming to have been thinking about something.
Lux blinked in surprise but then tapped Laurel and gave a small nod.
"You can do whatever you want, as long as it helps everyone." He smiled warmly.
Luminous's eyes, however, widened as a panel appeared before her.
"That's… what you plan on doing?"
"Our fate has pretty much changed since we got in touch with other worlds. Each and every body's world moves in a predestined line."
Laurel especially directed his gaze at Luminous when he said that.
"Yes, and with a skill like Lux's over there, we'll be unaffected by those changes."
Luminous said, her eyes narrowing at Laurel.
"Exactly," Laurel confirmed, though he added, "Or maybe not…"
Both Mei and Lux seemed a bit lost, though they did their best to keep up.
Luminous, however, was fully in tune, keeping up with Laurel's explanation.
"Explain yourself."
"In a deterministic reality, it may be impossible to change certain events that are destined to happen."
Laurel shrugged his shoulders.
"However, it will help us regardless."
Hearing this. Luminous, who could follow Laurel's words, rested her back against the gazebo chair she sat on.
She seemed to mull it over.
While she had known of certain predestined events from what a certain friend of hers had told her, she was sceptical about accepting a skill that destroys said events.
However, her fate had changed the moment she saw the system.
The system had literally forced her—[there is no reject button], and it wouldn't leave her sight.
"Seems like there's no avoiding it." Luminous sighed, dropping her folded arms.
"Do it."
Nodding his head. Laurel opened his system panel.
[Skill compendium]
- Empty
+ Add new skill
[+ Add new skill]
- Select Player.
+ Lonely Heiress
+ Chore Prince
+ Vampire Ancestor
[Chore Prince]
+ Intrinsic Skill: Singularity.
[Do you want to add the Intrinsic skill: Singularity into Skill Compendium?]
[Yes] | [No]
"Yes."
At the same time, a confirmation panel appeared in front of Lux.
[Do you want to share Intrinsic skill: Singularity into the Skill Compendium?]
[Yes] | [No]
Of course, Laurel wouldn't be as wicked to steal other people's stuff without them knowing.
"Haha…"
Lux wore a wry smile on his face as he looked at Laurel, who didn't turn to him.
"Yes."
Lux accepted, and the moment he did, the subskill appeared on the skill compendium.
[Do you want to share sub-skill: Singularity to other members?]
[Yes] | [No]
"Obviously."
As Laurel did, the rest of them had accepted, and as they did, a strange thing happened.
They all saw a line that connected to them and that line being cut.
Officially, they were now outside the world's rule and its system.
Currently, you could put it like this. They no longer existed in the past or future.
The present would always be their past, and the future will always be their present.
Only they themselves can change their past and future.
It was an absurd skill; however, [Fourth Calamity (EX)] had a hand in everything.
After this—
"Then, Lux-kun, in exchange for your skill, how about I give you the 'All of Creation" skill?"
Laurel didn't want to owe Lux twice, so he had done that, additionally, with a smile on his face.
He still had another thing to ask of him; hence, he had to treat him like this.
"Uhm. Why do I have a feeling that you're plotting something?"
"Certainly not. You're imagining it."
While that was said and done, Laurel finally turned to Mei.
She was the most delicate amongst everybody here.
'Accepting all of this…'
She originally thought there'd have been fewer world domination talks she would have heard today.
But then words like "fate," "hero," "singularity," and "deterministic future" were flying around.
She was confused.
And as if knowing what she was thinking, Laurel fell into thoughts.
Knowing what type of person she was, he wouldn't force her to do anything.
If anything, she didn't have to do any. He, Lux, and Luminous would do everything.
Lux too wasn't pure; he had killed before. Luminous? You need not say anything about that.
What about Laurel?
He'd never killed; however, he has been killed. He wouldn't bat an eye if it came down to that.
But then, what about Mei and her original fate?
It didn't matter.
Out there, there are countless timelines where things didn't happen as originally.
And Laurel, who knew of this, having met a self-proclaimed ROB who indeed told him timelines like those existed, didn't dwell on it.
"Laurel, my advice? Don't dwell on it too much."
Luminous's voice broke through his thoughts, drawing him back.
"Even if there's a problem YOU can't solve—"
She added, reclining in her seat and letting her hand rest lazily on the armrest.
"—Isn't there me?"
She said as she drank on her wine almost seductively.
"Hehe..."
Laurel chuckled softly, acknowledging her words with a nod.
While Luminous might not be Guy, Milim or any True Dragon. She's strong in her own rights.
"I'll be counting on you then."
[Mission completed]
[Overall rating: S+]
"Now that Laurel has confirmed it," Luminous purred, "before any other task are given, how about you come here to train during your free time, hm?"
Luminous had practically stood up from her chair, approaching Mei's.
"Eh?" Mei blinked, clearly surprised by the sudden closeness.
Feeling awkward, she raised her hand in defense, glancing at Laurel for support.
"How about we—"
"—No."
Luminous interrupted sharply, cutting off Laurel before he could finish his sentence…
Laurel slumped back on his chair, tightly sealing his mouth.
"Well. You tried. How about you come to mine and we train together."
Lux turned over to Laurel suggesting with a smile, making Laurel's eyes brighten at his suggestion.
"That's awesome, and Mei—"
Mei, who was still trying to stop Luminous's unexpected approach, froze.
The two of them—Luminous and Mei—turned their attention to Laurel as he stood up alongside Lux.
"There's a certain otherworlder by the name Hinata Sakaguchi."
Laurel said as he gave a soft smile at her.
"She's strong. You'll learn a lot from her, and she's Japanese like you, so you can befriend her. Of course, that's if you want to get stronger."
"In a situation like this, none of us will force you to do anything, you have Luminous over there, and there's the reliable Lux."
"If you'll also be counting on me then, I'll do my best to meet you expectation."
Laurel had said seriously before his expression then turned into a mischievous grin as he added.
"As for us…. Lux and I are going to... well, rob a few people."
"*Cough!* Laurel, I never agreed to robbing anyone. I said training not robbing." Lux retorted, clearly exasperated.
"Relax," Laurel waved him off. "The guy's a bad guy anyway… She uses a Drag-Machine. A Divine one that can cut space. I want that."
"You can't just casually say that…."
Their voices faded as they disappeared, leaving both Luminous and Mei behind.
"Now, where were we?"
Luminous asked, looking around only to find that Mei had vanished as well, leaving behind a private message.
[Fallen Heiress: I'll come tomorrow….]
And that was it.
"Tsk. She escaped, huh? No matter. I'll be waiting for her tomorrow."
Licking her lips, Luminous turned and headed for her chambers, with Gunther silently following behind her.