Endless Debt

Now that he has been promoted to Defender and has obtained those crucial pieces of information from the Ethereal Realm, Bologue feels that, although his authority may not match the deputy director Nesanel, the gap shouldn’t be too wide.

The chaotic thoughts scattered in his mind, and Bologue turned to think of the truly important matters.

"Your Ascension Ceremony was successful, but there were some issues following the success."

Furya made a gesture with her hands as she spoke.

"Wow, a huge explosion!"

She must be referring to the collapse of the passage.

"The garden was almost destroyed. Fortunately, Mamo acted in time and saved everything," another Furya said.

"But he is still too old."

"So old he’s barely recognizable."

They continued each other’s thoughts.

"Mamo was injured. After maintaining the situation, he passed out, and so did you. You mumbled something about ’unity’ before collapsing."

"Now, only Aimou, Belli, and others are awake. Fortunately, they made wise decisions in time."

Furya began to explain to Bologue what had happened while he was unconscious.

By this point, even without Furya’s explanation, Bologue understood what happened next.

Bologue is an Undead, so even if he was reduced to a pile of rotting flesh, it wouldn’t be a major issue. Therefore, after Aimou and Belli settled Bologue, they immediately took Mamo to the Border Sanatorium.

Upon understanding all this, Bologue also left the Cultivation Room, took the subway, and dashed towards the Border Sanatorium.

In the silence, only a slight rumbling sound accompanied Bologue. He pondered that since he had successfully advanced to Defender and to some extent mastered the Power of the Extreme Realm, he should be able to reach the Border Sanatorium faster than the subway at full speed by using the speed of the Power of the Extreme Realm.

Just thinking about it, Bologue hadn’t reached the point of recklessly using his power.

"Defender... just one step away from Ascension."

Bologue habitually clenched his fist, observing the changes in his muscles, the vascular and skeletal structures visible on his skin.

The Ether’s glow slightly brightened, and Bologue felt the Secret Energy further strengthened within him. He squinted as light filled his eyes.

Bologue observed the metal carriage opposite him, and he saw it.

As if his eyes had turned into magnifying glasses, he could clearly see the texture and dents on the metal surface, and even more, he could peer beneath the metal to the complex structure of the entire carriage. It was like a design blueprint, clearly spread out before him, every inch of metal and component displayed entirely.

Bologue shifted his gaze from the metal to his fist. His flesh and blood no longer obstructed his vision, as he clearly saw the intricate capillaries, bones, and nerves beneath his skin.

"More precision, Narrow and Sharp control?" Bologue muttered to himself.

After advancing to Defender, Bologue’s Power of Command received further enhancement in precision and sharpness, allowing him to truly manipulate matter on a micro level.

The specific efficacy is still unclear to Bologue, as he has not had the time to familiarize and train his new Secret Energy, but this does not stop him from imagining his future capabilities.

Once he completes the Ascension Ceremony and advances to Seeker of Glory, will he truly be able to completely warp the micro-level of matter?

Just like the metallurgical transformation researched by scholars, which itself is an essential intervention and change on the micro-level of metals.

If Bologue really can achieve such a degree of change, manipulation, and command, then he could accomplish... the alchemical concept of turning base metal into gold.

"How it makes one’s heart race..."

Bologue dispelled the Secret Energy, leaning back.

He was worried about Mamo’s condition while eager to tell him about what he witnessed and learned in the Ethereal Realm, and even more so about this new power he had mastered.

When Condensers are at the Third Stage as Negative Power User, they undergo Etherealization, transforming from mortal life into an extraordinary existence. The same nature shift is observed in those in the Fourth Stage as Defenders, termed as Domain Transformation by scholars.

No matter their school, Condensers in the Fourth Stage will see their Secret Energy exhibiting a degree of Domain Transformation, causing deeper reality warping of the surrounding areas.

This phenomenon is evident in Holt, Red Dog, and others. Although Bologue did not actively use Secret Energy, he could vaguely feel the presence of a domain.

With himself as the origin, the area within several meters felt like an extension of Bologue’s body, twisting the reality within this range as easily as maneuvering a limb wielding a Blade.

The qualitative transformation of power also brings a change in combat style. As Bologue further contemplated how to grow, the subway gradually came to a stop, the doors opened, and Bologue arrived at his destination.

Guided by the doctors, Bologue found Mamo in an ICU. He seemed in bad shape, tubes inserted all over his body, the transparent infusion tubes filled with bright red blood.

The doctors appeared to be conducting a major blood transfusion, removing impurities and injecting expensive Alchemy Solution into his body, replacing his original blood to partake in his bodily circulation.

This complete extracorporeal circulation apparatus is potent enough to sustain anyone’s life, but for Mamo, the benefits are limited. As a Seeker of Glory, his body is already highly Etherealized; the doctors can save his flesh but struggle to heal the extraordinary part.

Mamo looked terrible, yet not that bad. After all, upon noticing Bologue entering the room, he still had the energy to raise his hand and greet Bologue.

"Yo, you woke up pretty fast, Bologue."

Mamo’s voice was hoarse; without his strong protest, the doctors initially intended to insert a breathing tube into his throat.

"Are you about to die?" Bologue bluntly asked.

"Some signs of dying,"

Mamo rationally assessed his own condition, then optimistically added, "But seems like I can hold on a bit longer."

"That’s good."

Bologue stood beside Mamo’s hospital bed, on the other side of the room were Belli and Aimou, who had been silent since Bologue entered.

Both of them are Scholars, having followed Mamo’s lead after his resurgence, for Belli and Aimou, Mamo is like a mentor.

They were well aware of Mamo’s condition, feeling sorrow and sadness inevitably.

"Who else knows about this?" Bologue asked again.

"The Decision Room has been notified. Those who should know, know," Belli replied as calmly as she could.

Everyone understood Mamo’s condition, but when it actually happened, accepting it was still difficult.

"If you’re going to die, wait until I finish talking," Bologue leaned down, speaking with a slightly forceful tone.

In his life, Bologue had witnessed too many deaths. Not that he was cold-hearted; when death befalls those around him, he too felt uneasy.

But compared to the secret he was about to reveal to Mamo, the so-called sorrow seemed insignificant. Mamo might even be glad he didn’t die prematurely.

"What did you discover in the Ethereal Realm?"

Mamo realized what Bologue implied.

"I found out what the Secret Source is exactly. I uncovered its truth," Bologue murmured.

"What is it?" Mamo’s eyes widened.

"The Devil."

Bologue’s pronunciation was clear, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

"A devil that created the Alchemy Matrix, making deals with all mankind and all Condensers."

Bologue showed a sly smile, examining Mamo’s expression, "Through the Alchemy Matrix, Condensers, by consuming Ether, make wishes upon the Secret Source to gain the power to twist reality."

Mamo’s expression gradually turned vacant, like a sculpture frozen in place. Belli and Aimou noticed something off with Mamo, and then Bologue also realized, secretly thinking things were not going well.

Seconds later, the instrument readings let out a series of piercing alarms, and Mamo sat up suddenly, ripping out several infusion tubes.

"Sublimation Furnace Core!"

Mamo held Bologue’s shoulder, yelling, "Take me back to the Sublimation Furnace Core!"

"You just got out!"

Bologue couldn’t help but retort.