Vision 3 - Contract (3)
"Wha—?"
A surprised yelp escaped my mouth. But then Soul Contract seemed to have worked, as Persephone spoke, sensing my confusion.
"Relax. You can call it a side benefit of the Soul Contract."
A warm feeling resonated around my chest, and I placed my hand on it, feeling my own heartbeat. This Soul Contract seems to come with a lot of features. I should check the details about Soul Contracts from the file I got from 'Blank_2711.'
"So, this attribute makes you faint and makes you shoot light inside my body?" I blurted out loud, and a foreign, giggling sensation resonated in me this time.
"Hehe, no, silly~"
Silly? My mind focused on Persephone's giggling voice, and I felt like an idiot. Why does this situation make me feel like I'm in some light novel? I thought, and her voice followed.
"The Soul Contract allows a part of my soul to reside in your soul, and the part that was left out is what you're seeing in front of you."
Ah. I see. So, she can be with me and still be out exploring at the same time. My gaze wandered back to whatever remained of Persephone in front of me now—she was faint, like a ghost.
"So, this is your astral projection," I blurted out as a part of the information from my memory surfaced.
"I knew you'd understand it easily," the faint Persephone in front of me—translucent but not passing through anything—spoke. Her white skin was even paler, her shining hair dull now, and her dress looked like paper. "Only you can see this astral projection."
So, this is what she meant when she said I didn't need to "worry" about her being seen by other Higher Existences. Since drones couldn't capture her astral projection, but how long ago had she thought about using the Soul Contract? Was this preplanned?
Questions began to build up inside me, but after quickly sucking in another deep breath, I shook my head at my own thoughts. There's no point in thinking about this now.
I had much more eminent things to think about. I have just a little over two and a half years I assume. I tried to hold on to my determination.
"Okay, then. Let's leave this island," I said, and with that, more slate screens—white and long, with purple designs like veins clutching to them—appeared.
+
[ The Soul Partner 'Persephone' has shared her Active Skill with you. ]
[ The Active Skill 'Flight Lvl.9' has been shared. ]
[ The Skill level has exceeded your limits. ]
[ The effect of Active Skill 'Flight' has been greatly reduced. ]
[ You can use the Active Skill 'Flight Lvl.1'. ]
+
As expected, the skill level got reduced to Level 1. It was easily understandable—all my stats were in single digits. There was no way I'd be able to use a skill from someone like Persephone at full power.
Anyway, let's get out of this island.
+
[ The Active Skill 'Flight Lvl.1' has been activated. ]
+
****
I can now understand why all humans from my old world were always obsessed with fantasies where they could fly in the sky. In any world without the supernatural, it has been mankind's dream to soar through the sky like birds.
The feeling of flying is just magical. I might get addicted to it. The sea surface below me rippled as fish occasionally leaped out of the water, projecting the stars around my reflection, and the cold breeze brushed against me.
"It's so relaxing, flying like this."
"It looks like you're enjoying yourself."
And I wasn't alone. The astral projection of Persephone was flying just beside me.
I turned my head toward her, a big, comical moon behind her, and I could see the horizon where the sea and sky seemed to fade into one another. Persephone lay with her back toward the sea as if it were her bed, her arms folded behind her head. Her gown floated gracefully.
"Yes, I'm enjoying myself. Thank you very much," I spoke, trying to maintain an uninterested expression.
"Weren't you screaming a moment ago when you activated the skill?" She brought her hands near her face, palms open, and moved them aimlessly.
She was teasing me again. That did happen, but how was I supposed to fly perfectly on my first try? The thought of falling and dying miserably had been running through my head.
"Well, I'm sorry, M'lady, for showing you that embarrassing scene. But where I come from, people can't fly like this."
I spoke politely, like the knight I'd pretended to be on the island beach. It didn't affect Persephone this time. Instead, she asked me something else.
"...How was your planet... 'Earth'?" She hesitated at first and then paused again before finishing her sentence.
It was a weird question. I'd never been asked about my planet like that, so I took a moment to think about it.
My eyes wandered toward the dolphin-like creatures leaping in and out of the sea as I considered how to answer her question. Let's think—how was my planet?
It was beautiful and ugly at the same time. Naturally beautiful—forests filled with trees and some rare, normal animals; some cities and towns were stunning. Yet, it was ugly with all the lavish places filled with corrupt people and slums where gentle souls like children had to become vicious.
"It was similar to this planet. Like before dark matter became accessible to people and changed everything," was with all I replied, which was true.
"So, a normal planet," she said while looking toward the actual stars.
"Yes, a normal planet."
"Must have been very peaceful."
I sensed a little melancholy in her words, as if she were remembering something.
Even though it was a normal planet, the people of that world weren't satisfied with how normal it was. Denizens often took their peace for granted and only realized its worth when they lost it.
After our short conversation, there was only silence. Only the sound of the wind and the waves from the sea below us could be heard. I didn't ask what she was thinking about, but if I had to guess, it must have been about the time before she became a higher existence—or it could have been something entirely different.
I tried not to dwell on it. It had nothing to do with me, anyway. Above all, I needed to think about myself.
I am in a world where many strong beings reside. It would be very hard to survive with my current stats. Remembering the one time I saw my updated profile and my stats, disappointment settled over me because even a newborn baby in this world would have higher stats than me.
The dark matter on this planet is so dense that as soon as a baby is born, they have their profile. They wouldn't be able to open their profile window since they didn't have enough consciousness to understand it, but there are doctors and nurses with skills that allow them to see babies' attribute windows.
They acquired those skills because of their knowledge of anatomy and biology, and even these babies had overall stats above 40. Again, the same thought crossed my mind: I need to raise my stats.
There were many ways to raise one's stats. Even though there aren't any main scripts or sub-main scripts, there are still hidden scripts and miscellaneous scripts.
Hidden scripts are just like their name suggests—they are hidden, so even the 'Milky-Way Stream' has no idea how to find them. Miscellaneous scripts are generated on their own, according to existing conditions.
If the "condition" is enjoyable enough that many higher existences watching take an interest, miscellaneous scripts could be generated. But that is rare.
It is good for employers of the 'Milky-Way Stream.' It gave them the opportunity to make themselves popular, and the Bureau itself gained huge TRP, earning many points.
To increase my stats faster, I could create chaos with the knowledge I have. I would gain a large number of points, but it would change the progress of this world as I knew it. Then, even having 'Battle Through Dream World,' sent by blank_2711, would be useless to me.
So, hidden scripts are my best option. There are also other ways to gain stats and points, but I wouldn't use those methods now.
"So, what are you going to do first?"
Persephone's sweet voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
"I need to raise my stats. I'm thinking of finding some hidden scripts."
"Yes, that would be for the best, but they're extremely hard to find. Even if you find them, there are entry conditions."
Right. I remember that hidden scripts had entry conditions—it is like some defense mechanism. It might be a problem for others, but it wouldn't be a big problem for me. First, I'd visit the ones I knew about their entry conditions.
"How will we even find them? Do you have a way to find them?" Persephone's head rolled toward me.
"I have some ideas," I said, ignoring her gaze. I tried to change my posture in the air, like Persephone. I put some strength in my legs, focused on the center of my body, and imagined the ground beneath me.
In a swift movement, I was completely vertical—head up, back straight—as Persephone's enchanting voice followed.
"Okay."
She often agreed with me too easily, as if it were supposed to be normal. It's weird, but since I don't have to explain myself, I prefer to keep it this way. I know so much, even though I am not from this universe.
I tried not to think about it. As she'd already said, We have our own secrets.
"Are you going to find some hidden scripts right away?" she asked.
I was going to say first that, I'd find someplace to stay, but then I realized—I had no place to stay.
"I—" when suddenly, a white tablet with purple text appeared in front of me. It was blurred, faint, or perhaps covered with smoke as if shielding it from existence, but I could still make out what was written on it.
+
[ The feature 'Blessing' is updating. ]
+
Blessing is updating?
From what I remember, the Blessing feature activates when an "Existence" from the lower realm is granted the opportunity to become an Avatar for a higher existence.
Higher realm existences can choose someone as their avatar and share their skills. There can be several reasons why they do this, but most do it when they like someone and want them to excel.
It was pretty common when this world first changed, but now it's not as frequent. Only a few individuals get that much attention from them, but that will change soon.
Focusing back, I didn't know this feature could be updated. I've seen skills and attributes evolve, and I'm fairly certain no one had this feature updated in my dreams.
+
[ The feature 'Blessing' has been updated to 'Pseudo-Blessing'. ]
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[ The Exclusive obligation due to the feature 'Blessing' has been removed. ]
[ The obligation of being an "Avatar" has been neutralized. ]
[ A new Exclusive obligation due to the updated feature 'Pseudo-Blessing' is being placed. ]
[ The obligation of being in a "bond" has been generated. ]
[ The Existence involved in 'Blessing' will generate a close bond. You will be able to choose or target any form of existence as your Blesser. ]
+
[ The 'Affection' feature has been added as an additional attribute. ]
[ Affection will determine the extent of the feature you can use from your Blesser. You will get to accept the Blesser when their affection exceeds 40. ]
+
Multiple screens appeared, all similar to before. As I flew, I tried to focus on what was written on the slate screen in front of me.
Is this an update? It looks like a whole new feature to me. Isn't it too much? And it appeared out of the blue. Why did I even get an update?
I read it multiple times, but I couldn't understand why the feature got updated. I tried to look on the bright side—overall, the update appeared to be better than before.
Go with the flow. Go with the flow.
I tried to calm myself and checked the details of the feature again.
Choosing a Blesser seems similar to the old feature. If some Watcher wants me to be their avatar, I can choose it, which is normal.
Target seems to be a new feature. It doesn't seem extravagant—maybe I can also target lower existences to be my Blesser. A wild thought came to mind, but I held it back.
Also, I won't be an avatar but will have a close bond with the existence. I don't like the term "close bond," but it seems to imply that I can be on equal footing with my Blesser.
There's also a new attribute: Affection. It seems to be exactly what the word implies. So, I need to make them like me, which might be a problem.
There's also the condition that I need to reach 40 points of affection to target them. That really might become a problem. I'm definitely not good with people.
In fact, I'm selfish to the point where I can see others suffer for my gain. I'm also insensitive enough to watch people die without remorse. At least, I think I can.
Anyway, I hate people who are conscious enough to understand their actions. Why? Simple. People are cruel deep down. Just like me. But at the same time, I don't want to be someone who goes out of their way to watch people suffer, and I definitely don't like using affection as a weapon.
That's why I don't like the idea of having Affection as an attribute. But if I had to do it, I could just create a special bond. Then again, I hate the idea of letting someone get close to me even more.
So, that's why this can be a problem. I was going through this internal turmoil, and a frown appeared on my face.
"What is it? I can feel you're extremely uncomfortable."
Suddenly, I heard an angelic voice. If anyone else had heard it, they would have forgotten all their problems, but hearing her voice made me frown even more.
Am I not letting Persephone get close to me? That was the question that struck me. Why didn't I realize that earlier? Why does this feel so natural with her? Was I too focused on being in the world I always dreamed about? Or was it the sudden freedom I felt that led to this?
It might be the latter. Ah, it must be—the sudden freedom in this new world. It was the feeling of getting a fresh start. I looked toward Persephone. She must have somehow brought that out of me. She got lucky. It won't happen again.
It seems like I should try to change a little, I thought, but it will be extremely hard. I'm not exaggerating—I know myself best.
One step at a time, I reminded myself. I'll just go where the future path leads me. I'll do what I must, and I'll adapt accordingly. That's how I'll try to change.
I tried to calm myself and shook my head.I stored these "noble" thoughts away in my mind and replied to Persephone.
"It's nothing. You don't need to worry."
"...If you say so. Have you decided where you want to go?" I couldn't tell if she believed me or not.
"Yes," I said, keeping my face stoic.
"So, which 'Hidden Script' are we going to find?" Again, she spoke in her casual, rhythmic voice, which had almost become natural to me now.
"We're not going to find a Hidden Script. We're going to a school."
Confusion took over her face, but a refreshed smile appeared on mine. Yes, a school. First, I need to get myself a Blesser.