Modern Cultivation : The Strongest Couple Bonded by Vampire System-Chapter 584: Guilt

In the past, every awakener had one ability, with a few lucky ones getting two to three.

These combined abilities were then graded from F to S to represent their strength when they became a hunter. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

S meant the strongest.

Then, as they conquered dungeons, a new power system was discovered.

The one that got popularized was the mana circle system, which created a mana core to enhance their abilities.

This allowed hunters to become stronger than before.

Alex then modified it further through qi cultivation, making it better while laying a foundation for him to use in the future.

As time passed, Alex grew curious about how power had evolved.

In times of crisis, heroes were born.

Even though they still lost in the end, Alex believed someone should have evolved or unified the known power systems to reach a new level.

Darius could see the expectation in Alex’s eyes.

"Don’t expect too much. I’m just a weakling hunter. That’s why I stay here as a city lord."

"Make your best attack."

Alex stood still, giving him a chance to use his best abilities.

Aira sat on the side, interested in the fight.

She had never seen any of the city lords fight before.

Darius took a deep breath, feeling resigned to his fate.

He closed his eyes as his mana circles started appearing around him.

One, two, three, four, and five.

Mana surged toward the sky.

He opened his eyes and raised his fist.

All that mana then gathered on his palm.

In real time, Alex could see his hand transform into diamond, then stretch into a spear-like shape.

"My ability is turning my body into rock," Darius said.

"Through mana circles, I can transform my body into something stronger, and even change the shape.

This is the most popular way to use our power when we fight against the Mechalyte."

The diamond spear then started to vibrate at high speed.

"I’m coming!"

With those words, Darius burst forward.

To Aira’s eyes, he looked like a blur, but to Alex, his movement was slow.

Alex focused his lifeforce on his eyes, watching the mana flow through Darius’s body.

’They did improve the method.’

Alex could sense the source of Darius’s ability.

Inside his heart was a sphere the size of a bean.

Around that sphere, magic circles were carved.

In Darius’s case, it was only five circles, but Alex believed more could be added.

Alex had learned there was a human organ that became the source of an awakener’s ability.

He still remembered the last time he tried to evolve his own ability.

He poured qi toward that organ, and his head exploded many times, yet he still failed.

’This method is crude but effective.

By moving the organ to a safer spot and transforming it into a mana core, they can carve magic circles to enhance the ability.’

But for Alex, this improvement was not good enough.

It was superficial since it only strengthened what already existed.

It did not truly evolve the ability into a higher level.

’I wonder if they have another way to evolve the mana core.’

At a glance, Alex felt the mana core was not that different from a qi core in a cultivator’s dantian.

Cultivators could evolve it, so there was no reason he could not do the same with a mana core.

Before Darius could get close, Alex took one step and appeared beside him.

He touched Darius’s shoulder.

Pof.

Suddenly, Darius lost all his momentum and power.

It was like all his energy had dispersed.

He just stood there, as if he had not been charging with all his strength moments ago.

"That’s good. You can return now," Alex said.

He turned around and gestured for Aira to follow.

Darius stared at Alex in shock.

Even after Alex walked away, Darius still looked at the spot where he had been touched.

’Just how strong is this man? It seems I still underestimated him.’

Meanwhile, beneath the mountain, Aira looked at Alex with newfound respect.

"Stop looking at me like that. You also need to learn to fight soon.

I cannot let Faerith’s daughter live in danger."

Aira nodded excitedly.

"Can I become as strong as you?"

"Hahaha." Alex chuckled and shook his head.

"No, you cannot. My situation is special."

"But honestly, it’s better to just have enough strength to protect yourself, Aira.

Wanting more will always mean paying more."

He looked toward the vast wasteland.

"And when you achieve it, it also means you carry more responsibility."

"I don’t get it, Uncle Alex.

Don’t having more power mean we are free to live as we want?"

Alex chuckled when he heard her call him uncle, but he didn’t correct her.

"Power gives you more choices, yes.

But it also gives you more moments where you could have changed the outcome."

Aira frowned.

"What outcome?"

"Not everyone cares how other people live," Alex said.

"But everyone has someone dear to them."

He paused.

"Now imagine this. You have the strength to protect them, but you don’t act in time.

When they die, you won’t just feel loss. You will feel guilt.

Because you will know you could have stopped it."

Aira went quiet.

"So, Alex, you’re feeling guilty now?"

Alex nodded. He knew he could have done better.

He could have prepared for invasion from other species, or even from traitors. With his abilities and strength, he would be able to achieve a lot if he just focused.

’I need to do better.’

Alex sighed as he began to reflect. He had made a lot of plans, but so far most of them had gone haywire.

He didn’t know if it was fate, or if it was because he wasn’t strong enough. But whichever it was, his goal was clear now.

Alex became more determined.

’I will gather all Alucard blood and finish my Progenitor transformation. I’ve pushed this long enough.’

All this time, he had only spent one period adventuring to take Alucard blood.

The rest was all done for his personal goals or interests.

Alex sighed again as he kept walking. Aira followed behind.

"Where are we going, Uncle Alex?"

"I’m going home," Alex replied. "My real home."