Cursed Immortality-Chapter 801: Scales of Justice
Chapter 801: Scales of Justice
Jacob's happiness instantly vanished the moment he heard the last part. He knew for a fact that Immortika wasn't lying-it never needed to.
"You know the origin of Art of Nature, right? Just what is it? I wasn't sure before, but now I think it's 'that' since only 'that' can have such power. Don't try to deny it. I know better than anyone!" Jacob said sternly, finally revealing his suspicions.
Although Jacob didn't believe it at first, as time passed and he completed one meditation exercise after another from the Art of Nature, he began suspecting that it might be a Universal Godly Scripture.
After all, the biggest clue was that the Art of Nature followed the same magic system as the Zodiac Plains. And now, knowing how vast the Zodiac Plains were an entire universe-he mused that his old planet might have been part of it, too. After all, his planet didn't have the technology to observe the universe in its entirety.
In comparison, his planet was just a speck of dust, and then there was his mysterious reincarnation into this world and his immediate meeting with Immortika.
No matter how much Jacob wanted to deny it, he couldn't shake the feeling that some unseen hand was pulling the strings, and that left him feeling uneasy as if he were merely dancing on someone's palm.
"Hohoho... you're letting your imagination run wild, aren't you? But sadly, I can't comment on anything. Everything will unravel when the right time comes. I'll give you a piece of advice: focus on what you have instead of dwelling on unnecessary things. Sometimes ignorance is a blessing, while wisdom becomes a shackle," Immortika said, profoundly yet subtly.
Jacob frowned profoundly but didn't press the matter further. What Immortika said made sense, and for now, he decided to let it rest-but that didn't mean he'd given up. Far from it!
"What about the Eyes of Judge?" he asked, shifting the topic.
"Now we're talking," Immortika cackled. "Just as you've felt, the Eyes of Judge have evolved and entered the Intermediate Awakening Stage. Your optical vision has become more powerful, and you can analyze anything within the Legendary Rank. Your Judgement Gaze can now see through the lies of Legendary Ranks.
"However, let me warn you: using the Eyes of Judge on someone above the Fable Legendary State will exhaust your soul force much quicker. Especially if you try to analyze or use Judgement Gaze on a Legendary King, you might drain your entire soul force and even suffer backlash, for matters of the Legendary Kings are the matters of Demi-Gods.
"Even though your Judgement Gaze is passive, using it on those stronger than you require soul force. You've never experienced this in the lesser galaxies since you've already awakened your soul force, but the Legendary Rank is vastly different.
"Now, onto the exciting part: when you reached the Intermediate Awakening Stage, the Eyes of Judge awakened an Active Ability known as Scales of Justice.
"The Scales of Justice is a domain-type Law Ability. Once activated, it summons a phantom of unique scales created from your soul force. Depending on the power of your soul force, the Scales of Justice will form a domain around you. Anyone within this area will be judged by the scales.
"With your current soul power, you should be able to create a domain with a radius of 10,000 miles if you use your full strength. However, I wouldn't recommend it, as it will consume a great deal of soul force. Additionally, the more people within your domain, the more soul force it will require.
"You must also be cautious. If someone powerful enters your domain, you'll be in trouble, for once a Law Ability is active, it can't be deactivated without completing its purpose.
"In the case of the Scales of Justice, judgement begins the moment a target is locked. If you fail to pass judgement, the Law Ability will deem you unworthy, and the backlash will depend on the target's power. On top of that, you'll lose this ability forever!
"That's why Law Abilities are rare and highly sought after-but they are also double-edged swords. You must learn to control the domain carefully and avoid becoming a victim of your own ability!
"The Scales of Justice can weigh the moral balance of a target's actions. It will judge their good and evil deeds over their lifetime, but only if you can maintain the ability long enough. If you fail, the backlash will hit you.
"Furthermore, the judgement rendered by the Scales of Justice is based on your moral beliefs and values. If you believe that killing is not evil but good, the scales will reflect that. If you think helping someone is evil, the scales will deem it evil.
"Remember, you are the Judge-so you must be very careful.
"If the scales tip toward malice or evil, the target's power and vitality will be suppressed below your level. On the other hand, those with more virtuous deeds will receive a power boost, potentially surpassing you, and one of your powers/abilities will be suppressed at random!
"The length of the suppression depends on the target's strength. Even Mythical Ranks cannot escape it. Such is the terror of Law Abilities.
"Although it might be a bit of a gamble, it's an entertaining one, hahahahaha!" Immortika burst into eerie laughter as Jacob's expression stiffened toward the end.
'It's better if I never use it. I'm not even sure what I consider evil or good anymore. I believe killing and inflicting harm is right and good for me, though I know it's wrong. I also believe helping others is good, but I'd never help anyone if it didn't benefit me. Who knows how the Scales of Justice will interpret these conflicting beliefs...' Jacob thought.
He weighed the pros and cons of the Scales of Justice and quickly concluded that it was too dangerous for someone with his twisted morals.
Though he wasn't inherently evil, he wasn't inherently good either. He did everything for his own sake and had never gone out of his way to harm anyone. The concepts of good and evil had become distant to him.
Still, the ability was undeniably powerful, and Jacob decided to experiment with weaker targets first. But he had no intention of using it here and now-first, he needed to learn more about Law Abilities.
Jacob's expression changed slightly as he looked toward the desolate canyon at that moment. The flames in his eye sockets flickered coldly.
"Hoho, it seems you have quests!"