1680 Samsara
A golden lotus bloomed. The dull region of Nirvana grew beautiful with bursts of brilliant colors.
Varian looked at the fading marks on the back of his palms with a calm gaze.
Winning Nirvana, he had regained the authority of Elysium and Purgatory.
"Come." Varian raised his arm.
The forbidden region shook violently before it merged back into one. Each region maintained its distinctiviness, but was now conneced to the others.
The authority of the three regions integrated into one and the entire forbidden region fell under Varian
As it did, the restrictions holding him in rank 2 dissipated.
Varian's power broke through the bottlenecks he long conquered and reached new heights in a brink.
This was his original strength, the strength which was suppressed by this region. If he had the chance to exert it, he would've easily killed the Spirit King. But if that's the case, then the God Emperor would've come in and easily killed him.
The restrictions were a bitter pill to swallow but they saved his life. "Status."
[…]
"Status."
[…]
"Logos! What the hell are you doing?"
[I…I've been trying to…]
Logos' voice wasn't the simulated mechanical one, it was a soft, feminine voice whish seemed to be struggling with something.
'Speak up, will you?' Varian raised a brow. [J-Just don't listen to whatever she s—eep!]
(Hiiiii~ Are you feeling okay? Do you want a life warming bath? Or do you want to soak your soul in my warmth? Ehehehehe~)
An energetic voice rang, tickling his mind with its giggling ringing.
If Logos' voice and behavior was that of a young woman in her early twenties who was a bit too cold, this one was a much more energetic and cheerful college student.
(Hey, hey, speak up! You were so cool back then! Ahh! Nirvana is conquered, was it? Can you do it again? Pretty please?)
Varian rubbed his forehead. "Slow down a bit, gir—lady. What's your name?" (Hm, let me think. Samsara, yes, I am Samsara! Samsara at your service! It's a bit naughty to ask, I know. But I can't help it since it's you!)
Varian covered his ears, unwilling to engage in such conversations. He even blocked his soul but this damn sliver managed to sneak through.
(Do you want to design new life forms with me?)
"…What?" Varian was both surprised and relieved. Thankfully, it didn't develop in the direction he feared it would. And why would it be naughty to design new life forms with the sliver of life and death?
[Ahem Ahem,] Logos tried to find her sense of existence with a weak cough. [Slivers have a different sense of right and wrong from normal beings. Samsara herself is very…]
(Shut up, old bot! Why are you interrupting our alone time? Var suffered enough under you!)
[B-Bot? Who are you calling a bot? I am a living, breathing self! The sliver of order and cha—]
(You behaved so coldly with him at the start! Not even showing a hint of empathy when he was in so much depression! My poor Varian! My heart hurts! If only I was there, I would've showered you in love and kindness! Bohoo! To think you went through so much!)
Samsara first rebuked Logos in a harsh tone, then sympathized with Varian's plight in a low voie and finally, it started crying.
Varian didn't know if Samsara was being honest. And logically, he knew that Logos' tough methods worked for him when he's in that dark phase.
But when he was facing those hardships, he'd have preferred some kindness too. So, even though she just introduced herself, Samsara gained a favorable point.
[Y-You! Why are you so gullible? She read your memories and is just saying things to get into your good books! This is the textbook definition of a vixen! Stay away, stay away from he—mfff!]
(Logos can't show you any kindness and when I do, she calls me names! But she's right about two things. I saw your memories when your soul fused with me. And I do want to get into your good books. Why wouldn't I? I admire you a lot! I don't have proper cognition of my self before the fusion but I vaguely know things. If it were not for you, I'd have never seen the light of the day!
10:44
And this goodwill is genuine! I wish I could do something similar to you! That's why, if I only had a chance to help you at your lowest, I'd have done so without hesitation!)
[T-That...This…anyway, don't listen to her! She's very stupid! She couldn't see all your memories. No one can. Some parts are always blocked.]
At the extremely candid confession of Samsara, Logos couldn't find any rational point to refute. And even if she did, they'd be too cold blooded to point out.
(Don't listen to such sliver, okay? I will do my best for you! Yeah, when we can, let's send Logos away. Having one sliver is enough. I'm enough. Aren't I?)
"Ummm," Varian made a sad face. Even his second sliver had a few screws loose. If Logos was too distant at the start, Samsara was being too clingy.
"Whatever, it's better than being dead." Varian shook his head. "Status."
[Dra—#@#$#]
(Ahem, ahem. This is an updated system with better resolution, feedback.
Life Master: 150/1000 (+150)
Spirit Lord: 150/1000 (+150)
Death Master: 150/1000 (+150)
PS: Samsara is glad you're able to grow so fast in my avenue. Since you spent years researching about life, death and soul, you have grown tremendously. Of course, if it wasn't for the restrictions, you'd have reached a higher state.
Order: 100/1000 (+100)
Chaos: 100/1000 (+100)
PS: Even though Logos could've helped you go much higher considering the time spent with you, it's only this much. I Space: 125/1000 (+125)
Time: 125/1000 (+125)
PS: The shards are customized to assist learning for weaker beings. Weaker is relative. So, even high rank 2s can benefit from the slivers. What's more, you have so many of them. So, you have achieved great progress.)
Varian wondered if Samsara was deliberating lowering the scores for Order and Chaos. But she wasn't. These paths were really behind.
"Logos, Samsara, I'm counting on you."
[...]
(Of course~)
Varian was ready to leave the place. If he broke the barrier, assuming he even could, he'd probably alert the God Emperor's clone.
So, he decided to use his authority as the forbidden zone's master and link it to Hortus.
Even though this would take a while, it's much safer.
"I…I have to face him sooner or later."
Recalling those eyes, Varian tensed. In comparison to that man, the Spirit King felt harmless.
"Oh, right." Varian scanned the region of Nirvana as well as the entire forbidden zone for any suspicious things.
The Spirit King being a rank 2, living for billions of years and this place being the creation of a Primordial God made this place too important to not be searched.
"Hm?"
When he simultaneously used his senses and authority, one place showed a different reaction.
Varian appeared on the banks of a river with a solemn look. Facing the river was a being in a silver body. He was eerily similar to Spirit King.
The aura was weak but carried grand traces. Traces that reminded Varian of three beings he met once in Hortus.
"You…" Varian stepped forward with a wary look.
"Sinner!"