stonecrandall Chapter 9 Behind the Gods
Chapter 9 Behind the Gods
Despite the author's careful wording and elaborate attempt to disguise the contents, Suren still keenly noticed the similarities between the two.
In particular, the author added an unnecessary footnote at the end: "The 'demon heart' of this type of demon is an excellent sacrifice to the 'god of balance and contract'."
Suren became even more convinced of his guess that the so-called power was not a gift from the gods, but something else entirely.
The most likely purpose of the "Heart of the Demon" is to guide "Source Knowledge" to establish a connection with the correct source of power.
During the ceremony, the Book of Secrets took the place of the source, which caused the change in Suren's abilities. Suren didn't think it was a bad thing; things might get worse after establishing a connection with the "God of Balance and Contracts."
Suddenly, he remembered what the book looked like before it was corrupted—the "General Knowledge Manual".
Suren realized that if the source of his power was related to the Book of Secrets, then was its predecessor, the General Knowledge Codex, also a starting point for power?
Considering the "god of knowledge" worshipped by the "classical wisdom society," it is more likely that there is a more fundamental power behind the so-called sacred objects, but it is certainly not a so-called god.
Assuming the "God of Knowledge" truly exists, then he, who had defiled the sacred object, would surely be punished by the god. Thinking of Alf's horrific transformation into a monster, a bold conjecture surfaced in Suren's mind:
"Is it possible that Alf's original source of power was the power behind the 'General Knowledge Codex,' and that the 'Mirror Demon' he carried corrupted that power, causing them all to become so-called demons?"
Thinking about it more closely, was that tentacle really the power of the "Mirror Demon"? Could there be a deeper power hidden behind it? Suren felt a chill run down his spine. He dared not think any further and took a deep breath.
He felt that he had touched upon knowledge he shouldn't have, which was not a good thing for someone as weak as him.
Composing himself, Suren began to think about the issue of advancement. Since the gods were a lie, he had to find the correct method for the advancement ceremony. Only by becoming stronger could he be qualified to live in this unpredictable world.
Thinking of this, Suren tapped the table and asked Karl, who had looked up, "Do you know where the 'Mist Exchange' is?"
Upon hearing this, Karl cautiously glanced around. After confirming that no one else was paying attention to them, he leaned forward and lowered his voice, saying, "Why are you asking about this? This kind of black market is not a place for us."
Suren looked at Karl strangely. "Didn't you notice the bounty on the notice board for the 'Mist Exchange'?"
Carl scratched his head; clearly, this guy hadn't been paying attention to the sign.
Suren sighed helplessly. Karl was really too naive. He was afraid that one day Karl would be used as cannon fodder by the church.
"I do know the exact location, but wouldn't it be more convenient to be here at the Deathbird?" Karl was still puzzled.
"Have you considered that the black market has a much richer supply of goods, and the resources of the Deathbird are limited and require censorship, making the black market much more convenient?" Suren said with a hint of exasperation, "We are too weak right now and need to arm ourselves more."
"I think they're about the same." Carl blinked.
"..." Suren suddenly had an urge to punch him twice.
At noon, after having lunch in the canteen at the duty station, Suren came to the rear of the duty station.
In front of a row of long, three-story red brick buildings, perhaps because they are official church buildings, house numbers are now distinguished here. It should be noted that the town of Loren doesn't even have official street names.
Suren found Unit 4 of Building 7 using the number on her key. Inside was a shared stairwell, which was clean and tidy. Suren quickly found her room, the one at the very back on the first floor.
The room wasn't big, but it was much better than where Suren had lived before.
The living room is right inside the entrance. Since the area is a public canteen, there is no kitchen. Of course, the canteen still charges a fee.
The living room has a long table and two chairs. To the right is the bedroom, and at the far end is the bathroom. It's not big, but it's enough.
Suren couldn't help but recall the ugly dormitory she had in her previous life when she first joined the Anomaly Management Bureau. Compared to her current dormitory, her previous dormitory was practically a five-star hotel.
"At least there's no stench of public toilets here," Suren could only console herself.
Suren casually tossed the canvas bag onto the table and sat down in the chair. Becoming a superhuman so easily felt like a dream.
The process of recruiting the Deathbird was much more perfunctory than he had imagined, but considering that the church only used the Deathbird as cannon fodder to do dirty work, such perfunctoriness was to be expected.
He then looked at his left hand, which had recovered completely, showing no signs of erosion.
Regarding the reason for the weakening of the "Evil Spirit in the Mirror's" erosion, Suren's most likely speculation is that he accidentally awakened the true power of the "Book of Secrets" through the ritual today. This power belongs to the native power of this world, and it has formed a delicate balance with the chaotic power represented by the "Evil Spirit in the Mirror," thus weakening the erosion.
Furthermore, the "Mirror Demon" also devoured a "Demon Heart," which should also be one of the influencing factors.
Although Suren was reluctant to use "Mirror Demon," it was indeed her biggest trump card, and there were situations where she had no choice but to use it.
Therefore, in order to deal with the erosion, one must constantly advance or find more "Demon Hearts".
However, according to the encyclopedia, the market price of a Grade I "Demon Heart" would not be less than 300 pounds.
"It really costs money everywhere," Suren sighed, and couldn't help but think of offering a reward.
However, as a newcomer, he single-handedly defeated the demon, even the lowest level of demon, which would arouse suspicion.
Perhaps the right way is to secretly go to dangerous areas outside the city to hunt and then sell the materials on the black market?
Regardless, improving one's strength is the most important thing, so Suren focused on studying the nodes in his consciousness.
Besides [Information Shackles], another ability that Suren has used is [Mirror Demon Projection].
It was by using this ability that Suren killed the demonized Alf; this ability is attached to "Deteriorating Secrets".
After officially becoming a "Seeker of Reason", the projections that can be reproduced are more complete, although this is not necessarily a good thing.
The third ability node is called [Revelation]: It makes you more sensitive to events that hide secrets. In a very safe environment, by actively consuming very little "Source Knowledge", you can obtain relevant revelations about this type of event, usually presented as images or text.
Suren had a pretty convenient ability to say it, but considering the existence of the "information barrier," what would happen if [Revelation] encountered an even stronger "information barrier"?
What factors influence the strength of "information barriers"?
Unable to find an answer, Suren had no choice but to research the next ability—[Secret Manifestation].
This ability is very complex. Simply put, it allows you to create entirely new secret techniques by using the "Core Secrets" recorded in the Book of Secrets.
The higher the level of the secret, the stronger the secret technique that can be created. One "core secret knowledge" can only create one secret technique. A new secret technique can be created to overwrite an old one, but this can only be done once a day.
Similarly, the "Core Secrets" can also be replaced, once a day.
Suren immediately noticed the "loophole": perhaps by temporarily replacing different "core secrets," the effect of two secret techniques being cast instantly could be achieved, forming a special combination skill?
However, creating a secret technique is not simple. It requires creating it based on the imagery, truth, symbolism, and other elements behind this "core secret knowledge." The closer it is to the core secret knowledge, the stronger its power.
Suren tapped the table. The highest level of knowledge he had at the moment was the "core secret" that said, "The strange tale 'The Mirror Demon' is parasitizing inside Suren Chern's body."
Suren closed his eyes. He could create based on the superficial concept of parasitism, or he could create based on his understanding of the "mirror demon".
After a while, he opened his eyes, having made up his mind. A secret technique that could devour enemies through a mirror had already taken shape in his mind.
He attempted to communicate with the "Mystic Manifestation" through "Source Knowledge" and incorporate the constructed secret techniques into it.
However, nothing happened, as if his attempt had been nothing more than throwing a tiny pebble into a bottomless abyss, without even a ripple.