Chapter 212: Chapter 201: Me And My Egos

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After what happened yesterday, we came completely exhausted back home, and we decided to quickly go to sleep after eating dinner with my brother. With my friends, we decided to tell our family members about it, but only partially. We just told them we explored a B-Rank Dungeon about a world named Murim, with restrictions that only allowed the usage of Martial Arts and Ki.

It was a good strategy to not reveal everything while at the same time telling them about what was to come. This was only the first ever Murim Dungeon, and many more were soon going to continue appearing all the way to the Second and then Third Awakening.

It'll become as common as in the other conventional dungeons, where there are only mindless beasts roaming around. And unlike such dungeons, these are also usually managed by Constellations directly related to the Dungeon’s origins! It will be at this same time that Special Dungeons will begin appearing.

Special Dungeons are of stranger worlds than just your average monster-infested worlds, where the initial dungeons came from. Such Dungeons could be about the Heaven Worlds, where Celestial Energy is very rich and we must fight Angelic Beasts or even Fallen Angels; there’s Demonic Dungeons where Demonic Energy and Miasma corrupt everything and make the environment very toxic, full of demons and often controlled by Death Apostles or Archdemons; and then there are other Special Dungeons.

Among them, the Demonic Dungeons are the most dangerous too, due to their toxic and poisonous environment. If handled without care, dying from Demonic Energy exposure is actually the best outcome. Like it happened when Beelzebub started expanding Demonite and Demonic Miasma everywhere, people who touched these dungeons without proper planning and holy protections might undergo horrendous mutations and then come out of the dungeons as monstrous Demonic Creatures instead, only worsening everything.

Celestial Dungeons are much easier in this regard, I suppose, though they’re very hard nonetheless, and some of them even seal most elements that aren’t of the Light Alignment as well, so not every hunter will be able to get inside. My brother, for example, would be heavily nerfed without being able to use his Shadows.

And well, aside from these two types of deadly Dungeons, there’s a third Category that combines every other odd dungeon. Amongst them are the Dream/Nightmare Dungeons, where you experience Fragments of a World’s Memories, often times seeing scenes or meeting people from such worlds. They’re very dangerous and can easily devour a person’s soul if they fail their trials.

These Dungeons, at the end of the day, are just the “background diversion” anyway, because the big attraction of the Second Awakening will be the Tombs and other Mythical and Legendary Areas of the world suddenly appearing everywhere, managed directly by ancient constellations or historical constellations.

I’ve already visited Anubis Tomb, but there’ll be many more of these everywhere. We need to prepare even more. S-Rank Hunters are not going to be enough; they’re just what people think is the highest Rank, but there’ll be higher and higher power creep with each Awakening. And the Third Awakening will be so hard that S-Rank Hunters will die in masse if not properly prepared.

“Oh well, a new day is a new day.”

I stretched my arms as I yawned, and the morning of the next day greeted me with bright sunlight. I praised the sun as usual as I looked through the window. Overthinking these things is not too good either, I might get too obsessed with them and not make any progress in the present.

“You’re finally awake, Anna. You sure slept a lot. Like over twelve hours.” Sepa complained, appearing by my side as a small centipede made of stars and blue cosmic energy. “Your cosmic Energy recovered a lot, though; while sleeping, you recovered it faster. Though it isn’t at its maximum yet, you overspent it too much in that lame Murim Dungeon!”

“Hahaha, my bad~” I giggled, trying to act innocently. “It should recover quickly once I evolve my Physique.”

[“You collected all the materials now, I suppose. That damned dungeon… I am still quite traumatized about being turned into a damned guitar for no reason!”]

“Oh well, it’s not like I could do something else; that’s how the Privilege worked, Gram.” I answered while getting ready to take a bath. “I wonder though; the Golden Sun Venerable was definitely watching, yet there was not a single message from him back then…”

“Hmm, that old man is probably fuming with rage after you took down his precious dungeon.” Laughed Sepa. “However, I can tell, if he’s an old man from a world as Murim, then he’s most likely lying low and preparing for something. He doesn’t want to reveal to you that he’s planning something. You’ve made yet another enemy, though; how many is it this time?”

“A big list to go! I’ll be killing most of them eventually.” I said with rather terrifying confidence. “Uroboros is the proof that mortals can slay Constellations in the right conditions. I’ll lure them, giving them a false sense of security, and then, once they’ve lowered their guard and defenses…”

[“I wonder how long such a strategy will work."]

“I’m sure it won’t go as I want most of the time; this is why I need to grow stronger as well, Gram.” I said. “And you too; I think I’ve secured enough materials for an upgrade for you.”

“Oh? More Dragon Materials?” He asked eagerly.

“I can use Astaroth’s Materials yeah.” I nodded. “But aside from that, we’ll also add Martial Beast Materials, especially those of the Kirin, which is a horse-like lesser dragon, did you know? I also got some blood, scales, and whiskers from the Yellow Dragon Constellation. You’re getting one hell of an upgrade.”

[“Oooh! Master, you’re finally taking care of me, you damned brat! Hahaha! Good! Make me strong!”]

“I don’t know if I can do it with my own forge, though; we’ll need to ask for Hilda’s help. Luckily, I just got a message from her; she said she’s free tomorrow, I believe.” I smiled happily. “It’s so nice to make good connections with useful people, hehe~!”

“Spoken like a true manipulator.” Sepa commented.

[“Hah, is this the girl that will save the world?”]

“Shut it!” I said. “Anyways, it looks like something was finally completed here…”

[The Copied Skill from Annabelle: [Divided Ego (S)] has been successfully modified to fit with your current abilities and multitude of Egos.]

[The [Divided Ego (S)] Skill has transformed into the [Myriad Egos (S)]!]

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[Myriad Egos (S): Lv1]

[Skill EXP]: [0/10.000]

A Unique Skill inherited from Annabelle that has been modified to better fit with you.

You don’t possess a divided ego, but a multitude of them spread across your body and your soul. This Skill will grant you the ability to manage, summon, and combine these Egos to call upon their unique strengths while trying to leave behind their weaknesses.

Each Ego you possess will be displayed in the {Ego List}, and you can modify, summon, transform, and combine them as you progress with your abilities and the powers linked to them.

As you grow, your Egos will also grow, and you can activate special Ego Abilities that you will learn as the Skill Level progresses. The percentage shown with each Ego represents their rate of assimilation. Once an Ego Assimilation Rate reaches 100%, you can completely control them without letting them affect you. The Power, Energy Reserves, and Innate Ability Effects of each Ego will be enhanced based on the Assimilation rate as well, with 1% = +5%.

Once an Ego is Manifested, they will be summoned for a maximum of 30 Minutes. Their Stats, appearance, and skills will be based on the respective powers they embody, and so will be the energy spent to summon them. However, as a minimum, they will have 30% of your Total Stats. You can only Summon 1 Ego Manifestation per Skill Level, their Stat Bonuses and Skill Power will increase by +25% with each Skill Level as well.

Available Egos: [Beast Ego: Bastet: 77%] [Demonic Ego: Cambion: 21%] [Angelic Ego: Nephilim: 32%] [Cosmic Ego: Sepa: 84%] [Cosmic Ego: Transcendent: 22%] [Demonic Cosmic Ego: Uroboros: 16%] [Demonic Ego: Gluttony: 17%] [???] [???]

Available Ego Manipulation Arts:

Level 1: [Summon Ego Manifestation] [Ego Fusion]

Level 2: [???]

Level Bonus (1): Increases the Power of Summoned Egos and the Effects and Power of Ego Manipulation Arts by +30%. Enhances your ability to control your mind and emotions with each Ego you possess by +50%. Increases Ego Assimilation Rate Speed by +100%.

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“Wow, this is… This is quite something, yeah.” I nodded. “I had no idea Egos were cataloged with such detail! And Sepa is an Ego too? And she’s the one with the highest assimilation Rate! Does this mean that every form I take is an Ego? Then we’re still missing my Demon King Transformations and maybe my Holy Herculean Necromancer ones, but they’re most likely the ones with the question marks.” I analyzed the Skill. Gram and Sepa looked at it too.

“Interesting… I don’t even notice it either. Maybe that’s because of our high assimilation rate. But even then, it’s not a hundred percent. That means I somehow am changing your personality and affecting it?” Wondered Sepa. “Hahaha! That’s hilarious.”

“Ugh… This also means every Ego is influencing my mind without my even having noticed it properly yet! The only time I realized this was when I was becoming overly cold and bloodthirsty—that was my Demonic Ego of Cambion activating itself! What a pricky little brat!” I sighed. “Well, with this, the Assimilation Rate should increase faster. Also, the more I assimilate, the stronger their respective abilities become. Is this why I was able to use your powers so well against Uroboros, Sepa?”

“Most likely!” She nodded. “Our assimilation rate increased a lot once you used the Cosmic Jewel where I was sealed as a replacement for your heart.”

“Yeah… I guess you’re not wrong there.” I nodded. “But the Cosmic Ego: Transcendent is an Ego of its own too? I thought it would be just you.”

“You kind of become different when you transform using that Skill.” Gram said. “You become almost not human, like… Cold, even colder than before. It feels like you have become an overwhelming, all-seeing constellation. So I suppose it counts as its own Ego too.”

“This… It feels like I actually have multiple split personalities, really annoying stuff.” I sighed. “But with this, we can deal with this problem I didn’t even know I had more easily. And I can even benefit from these bozos. Alright, let’s try the first one, [Summon Ego Manifestation]!”

[Please choose an Ego to Manifest.]

[Beast Ego: Bastet: 77%]

[Demonic Ego: Cambion: 21%]

[Angelic Ego: Nephilim: 32%]

[Cosmic Ego: Sepa: 84%]

[Cosmic Ego: Transcendent: 22%]

[Demonic Cosmic Ego: Uroboros: 16%]

[Demonic Ego: Gluttony: 17%]

“So I can even Manifest Sepa even though you’re already here?” I wondered. “Maybe it’ll summon you as a giant centipede now.”

“I don’t want to experience that, so summon something else…” She groaned.

“Okay~ Then… hmm, I am curious about the Bastet one? I completely changed my Demonic Beast Transformation Skill yet that remains. How odd. But for now, I am even more curious about another one, Uroboros!”

[You have chosen to Manifest the [Demonic Cosmic Ego: Uroboros: 16%]!]

[Demonic Energy and Cosmic Energy have been spent to summon the Manifestation. Summon Duration: 30 Minutes. Cooldown: 3 Hours.]

POOF!

Suddenly, the spent Demonic Energy and Cosmic Energy materialized in front of us, taking the form of a huge, three-meter-tall, crimson-scaled snake with sharp, emerald eyes. Its body was covered in sharp black horns. And it held a sharp, devious glance. Upon being summoned, it looked around with suspiciousness.

“What… Where am I? Huh? Didn’t I- Ugh…” He groaned in pain. “Why are my memories all fumbled- Ah! YOU!”

“Wait a second, he keeps his memories and sense of self?!” I complained. “Well, hello, Uroboros. I… err, I killed you. Yeah. How’s death treating you lately?”

“AARRGH! Why?! And why am I a Familiar now?! What’s happening!” He screamed. “No, that doesn’t matter! I’ll kill you now that I'm here! DIE- Ugh!” Before he could even bite me with his sharp fangs, an invisible force paralyzed his body.

“It looks like Ego Manifestations can’t hurt their owner…” I analyzed him. “Now, this is really interesting. I was wondering if I would ever talk to you again! This is really nice, Uroboros. Let’s become good friends from now on, alright?”

“N-No! I don’t want to become your friend!” He hissed back at me. “Let me go, you filthy mortal! I have to go back to primordial hell! I’ve been gone for too long; the Layer of Gluttony will be stolen away by another Archdemon, or worse, a weakling like a Death Apostle! I need to go back to my throne! My throne! I worked so hard to get there, you know?!” He was going insane.

“You’re dead, so that doesn’t matter anymore, and I can’t go to the Primordial Hell, Uroboros.” I sighed. “Accept your current situation; fighting, crying, and complaining about it will not help. I’ve devoured half of your Cosmic Soul and gotten half of your Traits too. So your Ego must have been formed out of all of that. It’s very interesting, but technically, you’re only a piece of yourself. Like the Golden Sun Venerable’s Will in a sense.”

“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about, and I don’t care! Let me go!” He hissed angrily, without even trying to listen to me.

“He’s really annoying, I think he needs some correction, Anna.” Sepa whispered to me. “How about the same thing you once did to me?”

“Oh~” I smiled deviously.

Uroboros started sweating rapidly as he began stepping back.

“W-Why are you looking at me with that face?! What are you planning!”

“Come here, little snake~ I just want to talk.”

“No! Let go of me! Uuuaaggghh!”

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