Chapter 22 : Chaos Core I

"I have seen the Lord."

Daniel placed his hand on its head, gently stroking it. He didn't know why, but ever since he saw the One-Eyed Winter, he had felt an urge to do so.

"…"

It seemed Vorak didn't mind it either.

"Show me its panel."

[ Confirmed ]

_______________

Name: Vorak

Race: Herald of Death

Rank: Minor Herald

Power Level: Comparable to a B-Rank Awakened

Abilities: Eye of Annihilation, Light of Annihilation, Death Light, High-Level Regeneration

Loyalty to Dormant Chaos: 100%

_______________

"A Minor Herald? On what basis are the Heralds of Death ranked? if this creature, comparable to a B-Rank Awakened, is juast considered just a Minor, than what would be the strongers?"

Daniel felt a twinge of curiosity. If a corruption beast as strong as this was only a Minor Herald, how powerful were the strongest of their kind?

However, it seemed the Mother System had no interest in answering his questions, leaving him to uncover the truth himself.

Not that he cared too much about it.

"So, I really can turn corruption beasts into my own subordinates? Although there are limitations now, it's likely that the number will increase as my rank grows."

Even the thought of it felt like a dream. Wouldn't this allow him to build an army of corruption beasts and use them against others of their kind?

If the world ever found out, humanity and every other race in this world would likely unite with the corruption beasts for the first time just to hunt him down.

"Finally, after fourteen years, I've become an Awakened." Daniel turned his attention away from Vorak and began examining his own body.

He could feel the power coursing through him. All the bonds and restrictions that once defined him as a mortal had vanished.

"Even though I'm only an F-Rank Awakened, my raw power rivals that of a C+ Rank." He smirked.

Unlike xianxia novels, fighting people at higher levels in this world was entirely meaningless. Only the hero could manage such feats.

Yet, by his own estimation, his current raw strength was already comparable to that of a C+ Rank Awakened.

Speaking of Awakened, both in this world and in his previous life, they were divided into six main ranks:

F, C, B, A, S, and Demigod.

Awakened of Rank A and S were known as Authority Holders. To reach A-Rank, one needed to pass an additional trial.

Unlike the initial awakening, this trial didn't unlock another talent; instead, it granted Authority.

Above S-Rank were the Demigods, extremely powerful and rare beings. The leaders of this world were all at this rank, but their numbers were scarce.

His current father, for instance, was one of the most powerful Demigods in the world.

In his previous life, Daniel had reached this rank as well. Yet, compared to true gods, even Demigods were akin to mere insects.

Each rank also had two sub-levels, represented by a plus sign, such as C+ or A++.

"My spiritual sea is black." Daniel glanced at his spiritual sea, frowning. A spiritual sea was supposed to resemble a vast ocean, with a representation of one's talent floating at its center.

His, however, was entirely black.

"Could it be related to the Divinity Of Death ? Or maybe due to my zero compatibility with mana…?" His frown deepened.

The spiritual sea was directly linked to mana and its quantity. The liquid comprising the sea was mana itself; the more mana one had, the fuller their spiritual sea would be.

Its color depended on the person's compatibility with mana—greater compatibility meant purer mana absorption, resulting in a bluer hue.

Yet his spiritual sea was entirely black, like an endless void.

"It's probably because of both." He sighed, feeling a headache coming on. His current body's condition was far too strange.

He had never expected to still possess the Divinity Of Death. More importantly, he had no idea about its abilities.

All he could do was hope it would prove useful and not become a source of trouble.

Unfortunately, he didn't realize that this divinity had already drawn the attention of many divine beings.

"In any case, where are you? Isn't it time to form the Chaos Core?" He seemed to be talking to himself, but he wasn't.

[ Ding… The Template System is in active mode. ]

[ Rescanning host… ]

[ Host has successfully awakened and managed to either kill and enslave a corruption beast. ]

[ Conditions for forming the Chaos Core have been met. Do you wish to absorb its Chaos Energy? ]

[ Note: Absorbing its Chaos Energy will greatly weaken the One-Eyed Winter. ]

Daniel didn't respond immediately. Instead, he pondered for a moment. If Vorak's strength diminished, it would undoubtedly be a significant loss for him.

however, according to the system, Chaos Energy was similar to mana, and mana was crucial. Without it, he couldn't utilize his full potential.

Moreover, even if he had once hoped to improve his mana compatibility, seeing his spiritual sea had dashed all such hopes.

His spiritual sea was completely dry and withered, making it impossible to turn it into a spiritual palace.

"Is it possible for its strength to increase again in the future?" Daniel asked after finishing his thoughts.

[ The Dormant Chaos talent is highly unique. After turning them into a Herald, their existence becomes tied to yours. ]

[ As you grow stronger, so do they. ]

Daniel exhaled in relief, his eyes flashing with excitement. He hadn't expected his talent to be this powerful.

The Mother System never gave detailed explanations about talents, but fortunately, he had a personal system.

If this were true, wasn't this more than heaven-defying? If a creature as powerful as Vorak could reach A or S Rank, it would become an unstoppable monster.

Moreover, among the beasts of corruption, the Vorak is considered only average to below average. There exists creatures far more terrifying and powerful than it.

This led him to wonder if it might be possible for the Heralds to become demigods

"Do it."

[Confirmed]

[The host is advised to sit in a cross-legged position.]

Daniel sat cross-legged on the ground.

[The process of forming the Core of Chaos begins.]

Before he could react in the slightest, his eyes suddenly turned completely black again, shifting from their normal state.