Potential

With my heightened abilities, I felt renewed and ready for any threat. Even though the improvement from half step to next level was itself minimal. The real thing of importance was the stat boost possible within the level. I wouldn't be able to increase my stats now, but after leaving the formation I can boost my stats once again.

I may even be able to handle more of the winged serpent's aura and increase my level up speed significantly. As I got stronger my talent increased and right now it seemed there was no end to my improvement. An apex predator is someone who can improve regardless of the circumstances. Finding their weaknesses and making them strengths as they improve until they reach the apex.

I pursue a path of power and a path to true independence. To do so I can't stop improving, I must be one step ahead at all times. My aura changed as it was obscured by a huge amount of spatial energy. I felt a presence watching it was a powerful conscient. It had a prying eye far surpassing any being, I have ever felt and its presence was all around me.

'I seemed to have brought attention to myself by creating this much spatial energy...'

After looking at me for a moment it receded as I lost all traces of its presence. I looked around in suspicion for a moment but calmed my mind. I was about to ask, Drrak but after all, how much could I really trust Drrak?

Unless necessary I won't bother to ask about this situation. Right now it looked like that conscient didn't care about me. I decided to focus on the momentary concerns, not the ethereal, far-reaching future concerns.

"How is the power," I asked my goblin believers

A few threw out punches and kicks, all with generated sharp winds. Some even moved slightly through space, hitting all over the room. The hobgoblins looked in surprise at the goblin's, the power they were generating all together could rival Ulbrag. The goblins faces were ecstatic at their own power.

Their sullen faces were flushed with happiness as they fought amongst themselves. It was playful and not deadly but the power output was stunning. Their magic power would go through me and then become spatial energy. Though they had magic power, they couldn't themselves use magic.

In essence, they shared magic power with me, and I granted them void energy. Which comes with the seed of power. That meant they gain an immense power increase but they are reliant on me. But as they continued their impowered combat, they exhausted not only their magic power but even their endurance.

'5 minutes that's the most they can take without a risk.' I thought solemnly

'Kid, has your heart gotten this dark? That even their plight is just a number to you?' Drrak said to me in an examining tone

'I don't know what kind of hearts that you shadowborn have. But my is red and it is perfectly fine.' I said as I mocked Drrak

'Kid, best reign in your darker desires, they can easily destroy you.' Drrak said in a sage tone

'Drrak, you remember what I told you last time. I don't want a partner or a joker. I want a diligent obeying database, as you don't want a fickle idiot. Neither of us will get what we want, and I will not abide by all your commands. Now you can either deal with it or just piss off.'

Just because Drrak was useful, doesn't mean I wouldn't throw him away without a moment's hesitation. Ultimately my path was destined to be lonely, what's the harm in making it quieter now?

'Fine but you only prove my point, you are restricting yourself far too much with your so-called virtues. I didn't want to tell you this but I hope you can sober up if I say this. When you became a shadowborn, you also embraced our chaotic nature.' Drrak said spitefully

'For most, that means mental instability but for others, they become far more honorable than most. His Majesty was a truly honorable being, I hope you take his example.' Drrak said with a snort as he cut off our telepathy

'Honor? Clearly, that is useless, I am alive and Cenir is dead. One of us has done something wrong, and it definitely wasn't me.' I said in response

For a moment I considered his words, but I was reminded of Remmie, Anna, and Aaron. My hate surged once again as I reaffirmed my heart and vows. The hate wasn't for them, it was for myself. I was disappointed by human nature, and I hate myself for falling for Anna and for being weak.

'I am not as weak as you or Cenir.' I said to Drrak who seemed to not be listening

I refocused on the goblins and hobgoblins in the room as I put the matter of Drrak in the back of my mind.

"I delivered as promised, the only question is would you also like to receive my blessing?" I said to the dazed Pektog

He stood up resolutely and sat in front of me, he lowered his head in respect and waited for my blessing. I cut my other finger as the previous cut finger had already healed. I smeared the spell circle on to his body, as the energies and a seed of power entered him.

But as my energy entered him, it clashed with a thread of black Qi. It had a deathly quality to it, as it tried to fight against my true qi. But the seed was too strong for it, it slowly consumed the death Qi. This amount was far below that of the ghoul, so it was easily overpowered.

'Drrak what just happened, I thought I got rid of the death Qi on Pektog?' I asked in a confused tone

'You did I am sure you did, but I didn't see this thread.' Drrak said in a solemn voice

'It was hidden in his soul, someone implanted that. Now it makes sense why the ghoul would grant him death Qi.' Drrak said in surprise

'Then that strand is hidden in the formation. The formation nodes are the keys to the ancestral treasury.' Drrak said to me moments later

'It makes sense they are planning to take something from the treasury. They planted death Qi on the races here for a plan. Are they doing the same thing I am?' I said uncertain but concerned

'I don't know but it could be possible....' Drrak as his voice became even and cold

'But what are they splintering and do they know what I have done?' I said to Drrak seeking a way out, if they know then I had attracted the attention of the demons too early and that wouldn't end well

'Think about it who would benefit most from Rain's chaos?' Drrak said patronizingly

'Kirin is working with demons then....and Remmie is the focal point.' I said to Drrak

'Should I extradite myself from this situation? It looks like it is just getting dangerous, especially with Remmie.' I thought to myself

But although the danger was high, so was my curiosity. I had to at least fuck over Remmie before I leave. So I calmed myself and focused on the situation at hand. I then went to the other hobgoblins and granted them all my blessing. Their powers soared and they gained a connection with me.

"You told me of orcs in the forest previously correct?" I asked Pektog

"Yes, honored one we haven't had any issues with them though." He said hesitatingly

"Well you may not have issues with them, but I would rather enjoy killing a few," I said as my sadistic streak showed itself, I already had a belly full of anger. It would disturb my mental state if I didn't deal with it. There aren't many ways to alleviate my anger on the outside. But within the formation, I could engage in wanton slaughter without any consequences.

Pektog lowered his head even lower it was as he feared. He didn't want to offend orcs, but he lost his right to resist the moment he agreed to my demands. So he just gritted his teeth and put his faith in me, this was just one of the advantages of the Shadow of Providence.

I could feel the mental state of my followers quite easily. I couldn't control them, but I could make suggestions to their mind and alter the perception to a certain extent. But as I realized the incredible power of the Shadow of Providence. I also grew to fear the gods more, they had this power at a much higher level.

Their believers were far more fanatical and they must receive huge amounts of magic power.

'Maybe the gods created humanity and the various races for more than a guardian job.' I thought suspensefully

I spent some time guiding the goblins and hobgoblins on the use of their newfound powers. I helped teach Pektog and Dazkieht a splattering of my Lightning Sword Code. With my providence, they could access a small amount of my Lightning Sword Intent. It was of a much higher level than spatial and even shadow energy. But with their higher potential, they could access some of it.