Chapter 81 - 81 - Astonishing Gains

Lucien's full attention was on the floating, transparent screen that only he could see. His earlier action of absorbing High Elder Hawthorne's full body wasn't just merely a fearsome display of his capabilities to show that he wasn't just a pushover to be bullied. 

It was also to satisfy the growing hunger, thirst for power that his other self, Pravitas was craving for. Though it tried to silence itself, but, as time kept growing and was left without a satisfying hunt, a prey, it was growing increasingly restless, causing a constant discomfort for its host and counterpart, Lucien as well.

However, even though he planned for it, Lucien didn't think that his gains would be so incredible, so astonishing. The Elder held a considerable amount of power inside that aged body of his, which was now all Lucien's to assimilate and enjoy!

As the system screen came up, Lucien watched as the blood-dripping letters reorganized themselves, displaying the slew of messages that appeared as he jumped to action.

[…::: Homo Sapiens - Cultivator (Rank 2) (Lvl 2 - Category: Mammal) mass has been found! :::…]

[…::: Absorbing essence… :::…]

[…::: Absorbing Essence… Completed! :::…]

[…::: Creature Library has been unlocked! :::…]

Yet, the messages didn't stop there, although the fact that despite already consuming a human, a new one, related to a subgroup titled 'Cultivators' was unlocked was a surprising revelation.

With even higher interest, Lucien kept on reading the feed, closing his senses and focusing on the system's screen only.

[…::: Through the absorption, the following updates has been granted: 

+ 1.43 Strength,

+ 0.52 Agility,

+ 0.82 Stamina,

+ ???? ฬ๔гɭร ,

+ 6 EP  (Full Consumption Bonus),

+ 10.50% Power Increase :::…]

[…::: Warning: Power reached the current threshold and cannot be assimilated until Rank Up has been achieved. Power will be stored in System Storage Capacity for the time being. :::…]

Unfortunately, though the absorbed power was massive, he couldn't assimilate it, and just like he feared, he would need to somehow figure out how to resolve his current predicament and break through the rank he seems to be stuck at.

Still, besides that slight mishap, the rest of the gains were massive, his attributes all gaining a considerable boost. His bodily strength would gain a tremendous boost once he turned down for the night and processed his gains. Together with the thugs, Lucien's very first day back in civilization netted him great rewards.

Just as he was about to dismiss the screen, another message popped up, carrying the same familiar message he got during his previous encounter.

[…::: Biomass matching Host's data, alternative DNA strands assimilated. New options related to spiritual state are unlocked in the Essence Pool. :::…]

Once again, the system prompted for yet another new option unlocked in the still quite mysterious feature. Like earlier, soon another notification followed explaining exactly what he now had access to.

[…::: The below mutation has been unlocked and thus available for evolution for the Host's Spirit Vessel: 

- Base Meridian Vessel: Cost 30 EP

Mutation includes: Full 8-point Meridian System, with a reinforced circulatory system. Requirement: 10 Strength, 10 Agility

- Acupoints (Enhanced): Cost 20 EP

Mutation includes: With a new set of hundred and twenty brand new pressure points added to the system the body's natural healing can be enhanced by multiple folds. Also improved circulation both the physical and the spiritual. Requirement: 10 Strength, 10 Agility, Base Meridian Vessel mutation.

- Spiritual Root (Basic): Cost 100 EP

Mutation includes: Through this evolution, the host's spirit will undergo a mutation, infusing the accumulated Qi into it, thus forcing the creation of a basic Spiritual Root, allowing the host to completely transform himself into a being capable of manifesting, controlling, and gathering of the Spiritual Energy known as Qi. 

Warning: The mutation carries significant risk with it, and should only be selected if the host's environment is stable, as the process cannot be interrupted once started. Requirements: None  :::…]

Several upgrades, all seemingly more powerful than the one before, appeared before Lucien's vision, causing him to cough and turn amazed at the sight.

His strange behavior, however, also garnered the attention in the room, forcing all eyes to be placed at him once again, and for Sera to lean closer to him and ask with a worried, concerned tone.

"Is something troubling you, Lucien? Let me know, no matter what it is and you can rest assured that I will do my absolute best to help you!" She whispered.

Broken from his thoughts, Aiden quickly dismissed the system's screen, and as the haze cleared from his eyes, gave a reassuring smile to the blonde woman.

"Don't worry, I am fine. I am just tired, the day was long and arduous." He whispered, responding with a white lie. He still wasn't sure if he should and if so, how he should explain the existence of this strange and gory-looking screen that resided in his mind, or perhaps in his soul even.

Turning his head towards the remaining 9 High Elders, he smirked at their troubled, worried frowns. One by one they all seemed to be wary of him. From their glints shining in their scheming eyes, Lucien was assured that they didn't give up entirely, and was already thinking about how could they use the new information to their best.

This obstinate defiance, this unquenchable thirst was completely fine for Lucien. After all, it only meant more substance, more mass for him later on, when the time was right…

—-

Eventually, after an hour that probably felt way more to Lucien the meeting finally came to end. The rest of the High Elders, hurriedly alighted themselves from the room, returning to their front posts as acting Directors of the various subdivisions of the De'Angelis Corp. 

After his fierce and horrific display of power, the elders finally agreed that he will be allowed to attend the upcoming yearly tournament, the event that was once designed to showcase the talent to the Lord once he returns, but due to the strange turns of fate, he himself will now be attending it to prove the claims of not just his guardian, Sera but to stabilize his seat of power as well. Also, his other self was already growling, looking forward to the sumptuous feast he will be most likely be allowed to engorge himself on…

He was also given a Temporary Token, a small trinket that would allow him access to most facilities in the building, including the strange elevator that brought him upstairs to the Management Areas. With that small insignia attached to his body, he would be able to come and go as he wishes, hopefully without any hold-ups like what happened outside.

With the token now in hand, and swiftly placed inside his back pocket Lucien and Sera also left the meeting room, heading back to the elevators. Their destination, however, wasn't to go home immediately, but they still had to handle some paperwork, to finalize all the legalities surrounding the official adoption and his new inclusion into the De'Angelis empire. 

Yet, after another hour of tiring, and to Lucien, extremely boring signings, they were finally done and free for the night. By now, Lucien wanted nothing more than to settle down for the night and be left alone. He had a giant pool of essences to assimilate and increase his physique. At the same time, he also had the newly unlocked, exciting, and probably much-needed mutations to take on. 

From their descriptions, Lucien realized that what he was missing and that thwarted his path in growing stronger by himself wasn't just his lack of understanding of the topic, but also his missing talent, and spiritual features. 

As luck would have it, his sudden decision to set up the bounds that the Elder's game would be played benefited him much, much more than he had hoped for. It actually threw the answer in front of him, giving him an exciting new path to take on. 

This inner power, this spiritual energy, was something he still hadn't fully understood, but at the very least he knew that it would be the path towards shedding his mortal limits and stepping into something above most of the world. 

Such a power would ensure his safety and would ensure that neither those bastards back at the Facility nor his Demonic Tormentor would be able to do anything to him even when they were to find his new residence.

As it wasn't a question of if… it was more than certain that they would not give up on such a marvelous, delectable treasure trove. To them, his DNA was the key to unlocking the mysteries that hunted mankind ever since they came to be… The only other question that could be placed was that, which faction would find and place their greedy, grabby hands on him first, and how they would react once they eventually meet once again. 

Would they act like expected and be enemies, or would they put their differences aside for the benefit of science and their desires?

—

As they entered the elevators for the third time, Lucien didn't even pay attention to the scene as the strange ritualistic carvings lit up, he was deep in his own thoughts, following silently behind Sera. 

His reverie, however, was suddenly broken, when they arrived at the ground floor and the doors opened, revealing the figure standing at the other side…