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nWhenever I use Memory Drain on someone, I place my hands on their heads to connect my nerves to theirs. When I did the same for Jared, I felt a strange sensation that made me realize something was off.

nQuickly, in reflex, I removed my hands from his head. But, before my actions could be completed, my mind got absorbed into this strange mindscape.

nIn Blank Canvas, my body's reflex action continued, even without my mind, so within some time my hands would inevitably be removed from Jared's head. Once that happens, my mind would return to my body.

nThe problem is that with Memory Drain, everything seems to happen within a moment in the physical world, however, a lot of information is processed within the mindscape. This means that a lot of time passes the mindscape before even a fraction of a moment goes by in the physical plane.

nMy hands almost parted with Jared's head before my mind got trapped here, still, I spent so long talking with The Artificial god. However, time is finally up. My hands have become disconnected from Jared's head, so my mind is returning to my body.

n

"I would have loved to further this conversation, but it seems my body is calling for me,

" I said to the Artificial god.

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"....

"

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"What? No last words of farewell?

" I asked.

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"....

"

nIt's silent, I wonder why... Is it sulking? Oh well, there's no point in thinking about that now.

n

"WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN?

"

nAs I heard its loud, void-filling voice, I couldn't help but form a smile. Our time together was short, but no doubt we have both gotten something mutual from this encounter...

n

"Definitely!

"

n.... A longing for another meeting!

nLight filled my line of sight and blinded me. I closed my eyes as a result of the blank shimmer. A strange sensation permeated through me as I felt myself attaching to something, most likely my body. The feeling lasted for a moment, yet seemed like such a long time at the same time, the description of such a sensation is not something capable of being expressed by words.

nI finally opened my eyes in my physical body and found myself in the already crumbling space of Blank Canvas. I smiled, realizing I had escaped the mysterious mindscape my mind was trapped in.

n

"Regrettably, I didn't get to finish my conversation with it, but it's not a total loss… Definitely worth it

" I muttered.

nUsing what I have learned from that god, I'll need to revise my plans. After our encounter, it has become painfully obvious that I seriously need to become even more powerful. A mere fake god had such a hold over me, how low I have fallen… But not for long.

n

"Eeek…

"

nI heard a squeak from in front of me. I already know who it's from.

nI stared at Jared who was the cause of the frightened sound. His eyes looked at me in fright as mucus proceeded from his house and his mouth quivered in fear.

n

"Looks like you're awake now

" I smiled.

n

"…Y-You…W-Wha….

" He stuttered, but couldn't let out an intelligible sentence.

nMy Memory Drain didn't affect him and instead turned against me, so this can't be due to its effects. It must just be the trauma he got from our earlier fight. What a weak will this child possesses. He'll be useless to me, completely unusable. I can't say the same about the god sealed within him though.

nNeedless to say, I can't make my move against him now… For several reasons of course.

n

"So, Book Keeper Jared, do we pass the exam?

" I asked.

nLooking at him with a piercing gaze and a sly smile, I raised a brow at him in query. Surely, he still remembers our deal… Does he not?

n

"W-Wha…?!

" He muttered.

nAh, what a moron. Is he brain dead?

nI used one of my hands to drag him by his shirt and draw him closer to my face while giving him a threatening glare. My nice guy act can only last so long.

n

"Hey, I'm talking about the bet we made before the test… We won, didn't we? Or do you want us to have a rematch?!

" I asked menacingly.

nHis body trembled as I mentioned this and his eyes widened.

n

"Ahhhhh, No. No. No!!!! Please No.

" He screamed instinctively.

n

"No? No as in we didn't win?

" I asked with a tease.

n

"N-No… I mean Yes… No, I mean… Ah!!! You win! You win!!! Y-You…

" He let out desperately, his eyes roll v back and forth as sweat covered his entire face.

nAh, this boy is funny. Obviously, I know what he meant, but toying with him like this relieves me of tension a little. But this could be a problem… His mind is clearly unstable and his psyche has been badly affected. I can't use Hex directly on him due to his status as a 'Vessel'. There's no guarantee it will work, and even if it does, it might come at a risk to me. After all that has happened, I can't take that chance. Plus…

nA sharp pain suddenly coursed through my body, causing me to throb in reaction to it. My hand let go of Jared's cloth as my body went through the foreign sensation.

n

"T-This is…

" I groaned, holding my head with one of my hands.

nThe pain is most concentrated within my head, but the other members of my body felt a fair share of it. For the first time since reviving… I can feel it, the thing every living being tries their best to avoid… Pain!

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"Gah, so this is pain?! It's quite undesirable!

" I said, trying to pull myself together.

nIt looks like I have reached my limits as well.

nThe power which held the crumbling space together, my HEX Authority began to dissipate as the world slowly began to tear apart.

nThe throbbing pain in me slowly began to recede, before it pounded again, then lessened, then increased. This tortuous feeling is unpleasant, but I have to put up with it... The backlash of overexerting myself.

n

"Ah, have I ever felt anything like this before?

" I questioned.

nBecause I faced far weaker beings, it seems for a moment I forgot how delicate this body is. While it's true that the concepts of this world do not apply to me, I am bound by none of them, the same is also true that I am bound by a different concept. This concept is my body's limit.

nI am not omnipotent! After releasing a certain amount of power and pushing this body beyond a certain point I feel the backlash. This is the first time it has happened, so I suppose it's like a reminder for me.

n

"As I thought, it's still too early for me to use my Divine Grade Treasures carelessly...

" I muttered.

nThe cause for the backlash this time is my prolonged use of my 'Cleaver Of Chaos'. I can use HEX infinitely, as long as I have Aspects and Essence available to me. The only reason I am restricted in its use is due to the watchful eye of the gods and Primordials. However, as I displayed in this world, I can use HEX in any way I please in a world not dominated by those prudes.

nBut, when it comes to my Treasures, it's a different ball game altogether. There's no problem in me wielding Sacred Grade Treasures with my current build. Using Divine Grade or higher though, those are risky. From the looks of it, my body can only manage up to two swings of my Ax, any more and the pain would be even more severe than what I'm experiencing.

n

"I still have a long way to go. I'm sure even touching a Primordial Grade in my current level would kill me...

" My thoughts went.

nI pulled myself together and glared at Jared, who seems shocked by my reaction to my internal pain. What a shameful side of myself I have shown him, but it can't be helped. I can't turn off the pain receptors when it comes to overworking myself.

n

"Heh, what are you looking at?

" I asked him.

nHe froze as I said this and stiffly shook his head, indicating that he wasn't staring.

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"Good. It looks like this world is done for already. Cancel your Blank Canvas. I don't want to be in a world when it collapses, especially In my state.

n

" O-Okay!!!

" He exclaimed.

nHe raised one of his trembling hands and released his clenched fist. Quickly snapping his fingers, he closed his eyes tightly, bracing himself for whatever came next.

nWhat a drama queen, overreacting just for this.

nImmediately he snapped, the Blank Canvas shattered, and within a moment we appeared at the vast, nearly empty room. Except for the old books and parchments placed on their shelves, nothing else appears to be present here. It looks just as we left it.

n

"ROOT

"

n

"Release Talia, Shamac, and Ana

" I commanded.

nImmediately, purple light shone, making a rift beside me. They came out of the gate caused by ROOT and appeared in the room.

n

"Ah, what happened?

" They said with surprise, looking around them.

nKeuk... This pain keeps intensifying... I need to leave now.

n

"Jared. I trust you'll give the Guild the 'correct' feedback of our fight...

" I said to him.

nHe looked scared and nodded vehemently.

nGood, now that that has been taken care of... I need to rest.

n

"Talia, Shamac, Ana... Take me to the hotel, now!

" I muttered, feeling dizzy as I walked, controlling myself.

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"O-Okay, but...

" Talia let out.

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"NOW!

" I ordered.

nShe quickly pulled herself together after being jolted by my loud and oppressive voice. I don't have time for her usual hesitation. In fact, I don't have time at all.

nAna took the initiative and rushed to open the door for me. Good girl.

nShamac quickly slid his head under my shoulder and supported my wobbly body. He noticed, eh? As much as it annoys me that I have to receive support like this, he made the right call. Good job, Shamac.

nMy vision has gotten blurry and my eardrums keep pounding due to the loud noise in my head and the unbearable pain permeating through my entire body.

nAs we stepped out, the last thing I heard was Jared's voice. His voice wasn't shaky, and he didn't appear scared when he spoke, though I couldn't see him clearly.

n

"You there... Lauria, am I correct? Aren't you an Apostle?

"

nBefore I could make sense of those words, I passed out.

n