The Absolute: Humanity's Second Chance

"Thank you." Flint said just as they landed. Damien did not respond to him for the most part. He just said, "This place is perfect. You can try and breakthrough here."

Then he added, "As for that little encounter, don't mind it. I kill what I kill, to achieve what I desire. There are no values into that. But there is a higher chance of living, if you do not willingly challenge me. A chance." He emphasized.

"I see..." And Flint nodded. He now understood. Life would not always be about standing in each other's path. Sometimes, you have to kill, even if the person did you no wrong.

Just like how they just killed an innocent god moments ago. Or just like war. "And one more thing... regardless of how, or what, no god is innocent in this world. That is my own belief." Damien added.

"..."

Flint stood there speechless. He was alright with everything else, but to doubt gods to that extent? What did they ever do to him? And does he register the fact that I am a god too?

He thought to himself.

Damien saw through his thoughts, yet had no response. Instead, he brought out yet another matter. "There are ten or so days left till we can return home. You should really start on your path to becoming a real god."

He said casually. Flint then came to realization and asked back. "And how should I do that? Normally, I heard that we absorb faith. But it's not that simple right?"

"Yes." Damirn nodded, and elaborated. "First, you meet all requirements to ascend. Enough Mana, a high Affinity and and peak level of a mortal. And lastly, you have Faith and a divine lineage."

"It should be simple for you to ascend." He said. "First, take out the barrel of Faith I had given you back then." And commanded. Flint followed through with the commands.

"Try your very best to try and manipulate the faith within the barrel. Just send your will into it, and try to let it move without using your hands. Will it to move. For the will of a god, can easily command faith." Damien further instructed.

Flint sat down cross legged and did as instructed. He called out the barrel of faith from his storage pouch, and placed it before him.

Then by opening the lid, he revealed a sea of golden glitter resting idly within. It was sparkling and silently chirping like a thousand birds, praising nature and its beauty.

'Woah.' He marveled at the art of beauty he was looking at, and hearing. But moments later, he shook his hand and relaxed both hands on the side of the barrel.

'All I have to do is control these things with my mind. Not much of a problem.' He entertained such thoughts, and began on his task.

Regrettably, those thoughts were proved to be the biggest problem he has come to face in this journey. Minutes flew by, and no matter what he tried, there seemed to be no progress.

'Ha...Hard. This is like looking at a piece of food and thinking it will fly into your mouth. It's improbable.' He internally complained, and looked up at Damien.

"It's possible with just the right effort." And such a response met his sad attempts. 'I did not even say anything...' He sighed, and continued.

Meanwhile, Damien himself called out his Template and entertained the idea to use his Cryz Stones.

These stones were capable of evolving Skills, Abilities, Traits, Talents, Techniques, you can mention it. As long as the right number was obtained, evolution was possible.

And he, desired to use it on his Abilities. Of course, using Ability Points would be better, but unfortunately, his Class was still showing no signs of completion.

And thus, he would rely on this.

[ Name: Damien Gray ]

[ Mana: 13 469 356 356 units ]

[ Epithet(2): First Blood(Grand), Dragon Slayer(Myth-1) ]

[ Class: Lvl 6 Classless (0/90) ]

[ Sub-Class: None ]

[ Excess Life Essence: 18,195,389 ]

[Alignment: Chaotic Neutral ]

[ Stats: STR - 1 700,0 || AGI - 1 600,0 || END - 1 700,0 || INT - 1 700,0 || WIS - 1 700,0 || AFF - 1 600,0 (–) ]

[ Stat Points: 400 || Ability Points: 1 ]

[ ??? Abilities(1): False Enigma(1) ]

[ Ultimate Abilities(1): Deus Ex Machina(1) ]

[ Unique Abilities(4): Wisdom Eye(1), Plot Armor(1), Dragon Heart(1), Runic Encryption(1) ]

[ Extra Abilities(11): Enhance Speed(1), Enhanced Strength(1), Enhanced Endurance(1), Enhanced Magic Defense(1), Dragon Roar(1), Dragon Might(1), Rune Mastery(1), Runic Eye(1), Chosen Extra(1), Blind Luck(1), Dazzling Presence(1)  ]

[ Techniques(3): Mana Incorporation(Unique), Infernal Energy Circulation(Unique), Philosophical Mana-Kinesis(Unique) ]

[ Equipment(7): Mask of Gray(Unique), Wings of Endless Ash(Unique), Undaine Bear Coat(Unique), Null Blade(Unique), Night Walker(Unique), Devil Gown(Unique), Void Keeper(Unique) ]

[ Resources(0): None ]

"..."

He briefed through everything, and the only surprise was his Excess Life Essence. Even his ever increasing Mana did not surprise him at this point, but the Life Essence... it was too much.

'What are those two lovebirds up to, now?' He thought, and carelessly moved on. He was curious, but cared less. 'As long as they are alive.' He added.

He then checked out his Extra Abilities. They would be his first experiment. But there was a downside to using this method when it came to Ability Upgrades.

And that was... it elevated an Ability at the cost of yet another Ability, or more. Combining two Abilities to birth a fused Ability of the two. It was incomparable to just simply using Ability Points.

But he did not care much about that. In fact, he cared less about having many Abilities, no matter how high grade they were. 'After all, it meant nothing when one reaches a newfound stage of power.'

'But then again... having an Ability now, still beats having none.' He thought, while grasping onto two Cryz Stones in one one hand, while choosing two Abilities to fuse.

The two Cryz Stones flashed a brief purple brilliance, and from his Template, he saw two Abilities disappear.

They were "Enhance Strength" and "Enhance Speed". They both each moved to a Cryz Stone, and in each stone, a character respective to the Ability's nature appeared.

"Strength" appearing on one. And "Speed" appearing on the other. Then, the two Cryz Stones vibrated slightly, and flew up above his head.

Damien watch apathetically. The two Cryz Stones then increased their speed of vibration, while moving towards one another. And as immediately as they made contact, a bright golden light flashed out.

It was so bright, it forcefully snatched Flint's attention towards it. Like the sun on an evening sunset. 'Woah...' He marveled for the second time today. And he thus continued to watch in stupor until the light died down.

From its position, there appeared a golden inlaid purple Cryz Stone, with the character reading "Power" on it. Flint's eyes blazed at the Stone and hurriedly asked, "That is–"

"Focus." But Damien's ruthless words slapped him across the face. The young man pouted and scoffed at Damien. But a moment later, he peaked to make sure that Damien was not offended.

And Damien himself just ignored him. He instead viewed the resultant Ability of the fusion.

[ TING!!! ]

[ Enhanced Limbs (EXTRA+) :- A mastered Extra Ability that enhances one's limbs to be able to exert fifty times more power and speed than usual. Drains 500 Mana units per second for Apprentices to keep effective ]

"Not bad. And as expected, the fused Ability would have increased cost." Damien commented, and then fused two other Abilities; "Enhance Magic Defense" and "Enhance Endurance".

The same process repeated, and another golden inlaid purple Cryz Stone appeared in his hands. Flint peaked once again, and was really dying inside, desiring to know.

But Damien once again ignored it. He instead focused on the newly formed Ability, and checked its information.

[ Enhanced Exterior (EXTRA+) :- A mastered Extra Ability that enhances the skin of a person to be able to take fifty times more damage, be it physical, spiritual or magical. Drains 500 Mana units per second for Apprentices to keep effective ]

"Not bad as well." He nodded, and then held both golden inlaid purple Cryz Stones in his hand, willing both of them to fuse together, to finally birth his required Unique Ability.

The two Cryz Stones had the same process as before, and floated up with grandeur. This time around, causing the world around them to respond in nature.

...!!!

Flint flung his eyes open and looked up in shock, at the two fusing Cryz Stones. The reason he was shocked was because around the Cryz Stones, were auspicious auras of various colors, humming a tune of nature.

"What in the..." His focus was complete shattered as he even forgot what he was doing. The sight before him was of pure wonder and utter beauty. 'Amazing...' And he could only think of it.

"..."

Damien also expectantly watched, as the fusion light of the two Abilities was rivaling that of a star. It was too bright, and probably visible from thousands upon thousands of miles away.