Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 731 - 675: The Flaw of the Phantom
[...What’s the new ability?]
"Mental Analysis. It allows me to internally interpret any material substance within my line of sight and understand detailed information. This is the clan talent of the Phantom lineage; they use it to mimic and learn from those they copy. However, my ability prioritizes understanding the mental aspects of the target. With brief contact, I can only delve into their psychological state, personality, and habits, but longer and deeper interactions reveal much more. It’s quite a practical ability for research."
[The specific time limit.]
"Interpreting personality takes seconds; reading the composition of materials takes minutes; understanding abilities takes hours. This timeframe will increase depending on the target’s level of strength and their personal will."
[Hmm... So that means you can’t copy Mr. Raymond?]
"Hahaha, my brain would die from the shock..."
[What about choosing quantity over quality, replicating and learning a large number of abilities at the same level to make yourself a jack of all trades?]
"Hahaha, I don’t have the brain capacity for that, too many memories and my head would explode."
[...Waste of space.]
"Hahaha, don’t say that. Mental Analysis is quite handy for mood adjustments. I think I could be a qualified psychologist now."
[Oh, that’s your reason for using Mental Analysis on yourself?]
"Exactly! You were in a critical situation back then, right? I had just received a boost from the Phantom and was planning to help you. But I’m not stupid, Ominous. Even though you seem to exist in my shadow, I know you’re a distorted part of my psyche. If you’ve got a problem, it means there’s something wrong with my mind, inside my head! So I had a brainwave and decided to perform Mental Analysis on myself! And sure enough, you pulled through!"
Ominous was crouching in paradise, its long arms like gnarled dead branches hanging low to the ground. Its giant body was entwined with assorted fleshy tendrils, bulking up the straw-like torso into a bloated mass, while chains crackling with silvery electricity wrapped around its limbs, digging into the crowd of tentacles, each shock provoking a retaliatory lash. Ominous bore the shackles instead of Lyle, but it still existed. Ominous raised its claw to its own blurred, hollow face, emitting a soundless sigh.
[What kind of psychologist gives themselves a mental evaluation? You must be a mental patient.]
"Heh, it makes no difference, my conversations with you seem like talking to myself to others anyway."
Ominous shifted its gaze, the emptiness on its face scanning the tranquil paradise.
[The path of the Ascensessor has already been severed; every instance of our growth provokes the world’s hostility.] Ominous pointed to the chains on its body.
[You’ve seen it too. If we continue to tread this thorny path, we’ll meet a terrible end.]
[Maybe you’ve noticed, maybe not. I’ve said before that I am your shadow, willing to submit to you. That was a lie. I had a premonition of the current circumstances and was just humoring you earlier. Ever since I awoke, ever since I was revived from Helena’s mental seal, I was planning to take back my power and, incidentally, kill both you and that accidental by-product, Nia.]
Smiling, Lyle nodded, "I understand the reason, but I am curious why you changed your mind at the end. You kept highlighting how aggrieved you were about that part of you I refused. You should’ve wanted to set things right."
[Shut up, I was emphasizing your ignorance and stupidity.] Ominous raised its hand, pointing its lance-like sharp fingertip at Lyle’s forehead, [If I’d stayed sealed until now, I’d undoubtedly consume you with raging fury. I would’ve done just that but... after spending a long time with you, I came to recognize and accept that human part of myself. As a divine entity of absolute rationality, I think having Lyle lead would be the optimal solution.]
"So you’re leaving the troublesome issues to me, huh?"
[Humanity is more acceptable.]
"Indeed, surrendering and swaying people is the professional way to go."
[You have a stronger adaptability than I do.]
"Ah, my ability to stir things up was honed with Andrey, but I won’t deny my natural talent for it."
[...What’s the matter with you, you idiot? You’ve been grinning like a fool since we started talking. I am a part of you, mocking me is mocking yourself!]
Lyle covered his face, but his body was shaking uncontrollably, he quickly waved his hands to stop Ominous which looked close to a rampage, but his smile remained unabated.
"Wait! Ominous! Hahaha, I’m not trying to mock myself; it’s just an aftereffect of the ability. Before, I assimilated with the spirit of the Phantom lineage; their carefree disposition and sheer joy have infected me. Look at me, I can’t stop laughing. Even after hearing you openly admit to betraying me, all I feel is understanding and tolerance. Actually, I am a bit angry inside, but I can’t show it. Give me a moment to recover."
[...You look like a fool right now.]
"Also a madman talking to himself."
Thirty minutes later, Lyle’s joy had disappeared. He stared at the massive shadow before him, his smile gone, looking at the grave and profound expression of Ominous, momentarily at a loss for words.
"Ominous, you’ve grown a bit stronger."
[...Are you mocking me? My power is sealed by chains, and now I can’t even create illusions to cause panic.]
Lyle didn’t respond but rather pointed towards the feet of the Ominous giant. When he had revealed himself, squatting on the ground, the flowing black mire had already slowly spread, corrupting the flowers and grass. Ominous was now unable to create illusions, but his very existence was causing life to wither.
"You’ve started... corroding reality." It wasn’t just the phantom visible only to Lyle anymore, not just terrifying illusions; the profound fear was stepping onto the banks of reality, revealing the horror of the gods to the world.
The Ominous giant retracted back into Lyle’s shadow, leaving only a patch of dead ground, like a violent ailment of the earth.
[Our abilities have improved, take care of the Phantom’s matter and then leave.]
Lyle nodded, extended his hand to take back the corruption of the Evil God from the sanctuary, and the grassland sprites, frightened out of their wits, heaved a sigh of relief. The sense of kinship with their group made them reunite around Lyle, looking at this strange new member.
Using his experience of taking care of Nia, Lyle gave these little creatures a comforting pat on the head. They contentedly disappeared into the garden, while Lyle, narrowing his eyes, smiled and picked up the Book of Omniscience, which was trying to sneak away.
"Old man, where are you planning to go?"
The Book of Omniscience trembled, forcefully maintaining its composure.
"Ahaha, lad, I’ve had my share of sunbathing, and now it’s time to return to the tower for some peace and quiet."
"Is that so, then let me escort you there, we’re a tribe after all, and it’s only natural to help each other."
"Ahahahaha, you still have things to do, right? I can’t be disrespectful due to my age. I won’t trouble you. Besides, there’s the welcoming party for the Stonemasons; you go on and play with them. This place is a sanctuary, we are the most sincere Phantoms."
A strong feeling of being on a thief’s ship washed over him, and Lyle’s face went completely cold. He sighed and shook the book in his hand.
"Old man, I know Phantoms can’t lie, but aren’t you planning to come clean yet? I’ve already established a connection with the Phantoms. I would have preferred you to be candid instead of letting me detect the imperfections of the Phantoms on my own."
The Book of Omniscience bowed its head.
"Alright, sorry, Lyle, Phantoms do have a great flaw, and I did intend to conceal it. The flaw of Phantoms is that they have no hostility." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞
Lyle corrected him, "It’s not that they have no hostility, but rather that no matter what, they will not generate malice. I should have realized earlier, as an artificially created life form, Phantoms possess a nature that contradicts the evolutionary theory of survival of the fittest. Their psyche is incomplete; they lack the instinct for evil."
"This is also why Phantoms can survive in Posuwa and build a sanctuary. Their psyche has been artificially altered by Nurfa Hesion. Phantoms are truly pure-hearted; their minds will never conceive bad thoughts. Incapable of doing evil, let alone harm, they can’t even deceive or estrange others. Such nature, if placed in the outside world, wouldn’t survive – the good are often taken advantage of. Phantoms could be bullied to death out there."
The Book of Omniscience nodded resignedly.
"The sanctuary is the homeland of Phantoms and our refuge. I’ve copied Nurfa’s psyche, so I understand the anomaly between our tribe and the outside world. Phantoms possess immense potential; the power of the fountain, the Serpent, and the Stonemason could easily cause landslides and tsunamis, but they won’t. They won’t harbor evil thoughts; they instinctively detest and reject any evil action. Even if stepping on an ant is easy, the Phantoms would carefully go around it. Phantoms can’t fight, it goes against their nature."
"Phantoms are a race that sees helping and giving as natural, they would even sacrifice their energy to extend the life of a rabbit. That red deer, did you see it? It’s actually a hundred years old now, our companions are raising it, using the energy or life of Phantoms themselves. When Nurfa Hesion first created Phantoms, he intended to use them as disposable tools. We won’t refuse to help, nor will we protect ourselves. Phantoms exist for the sake of others."
"Size correlates to the amount of power, and using their power causes them to diminish continuously, and in the end?"
"They disappear, turn into nothingness. And the Phantoms consider disappearance as an honor, the sublimation of a completed mission. Our tribe is weakening continuously. That’s why I need an heir to protect us, to find a way out."
"Is there a way out?"
"[Father]Nurfa Hesion created us; he knew the Phantoms’ most noble mission, knew the method of our propagation."
"But he’s dead."
"But I am still here, and within me are his notes; as you become more familiar with the Phantom tribe, you will be able to see his words."
After pondering for a moment, Lyle’s face revealed a sincere, warm-hearted smile.
"I will work hard. I’m already a member of the tribe, and besides, I like the Phantoms’ kindness."
