Chapter 12 - Passing Out Without Passing Away

...In all his excitement, Veil passed out. 

----~~~~----

(Kubble, 3 hours ago...)

"That young whippersnapper... If he's capable of this, it ruins half of my plans. Why must he continue to ruin my plans? What's wrong with becoming powerful? Why can't he just slow down and not start out with so many powerful assets?

I'll have to teach him 10 things earlier than I thought and revise all of the cultivation plans I so painstakingly set... 

This woman better get out of his mind, too. Nothing comes from seeking out women too early. He better beat the current ruler of the universe before he goes that far.

Stick it. I'd better get started on all the new plans..."

Kubble continued mumbling to himself. Meanwhile, his pet Bone-Eating Treasure Seeking Goldfish was slobbering all over the treasure it just 'found.' The golden bone was turned nearly pale green by the amount of slobber slipping from its jowls.

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Harry Dickens was walking around, enjoying the views. He didn't have much else to do. He was currently in Crossover City for the purpose of recruiting. Why? The Golden Alliance College cost too much. Why not steal the prodigies with low income? It made sense for everyone involved. Or so he thought. Bring them to the University of Crossover!

As he walked, he twirled the keyring on his finger. Whistling the world's most obnoxious tune, he strutted along the side paths of the mall. He went past several shops, and stopped at one with good fashion sense. His wasn't the best, but in sales one was required to have a neat appearance. So he dressed like your average businessman. The tie selection looked nice.

After purchasing a few neckties, he visited a couple stores. There were blacksmithing, alchemy, game, food, clothing, virtual reality, and several beast shops all around. He'd be asking the kids if they'd like to sign a college contract, but no- he was on his time. When not on work- you shouldn't work. That simple.

He finally made his way over to the food court Standing in line for hotdogs, he got bored. Thus the whistling began yet again. After a short time, he was able to get his hotdog. Unfortunately, all the tables were full. he decided to take it with him and eat it outside. Turning, he prepared to leave.

Walking his way, a fat man with ketchup stains approached him from the food court. He had just left his five kids at the family table. Getting within earshot. he started to berate Harry. "Hey you! Cut it out! Stop whistling that over-the-top, never-ending tune! Did you see the sign at the entrance of the mall? It clearly states that if you enter the mall and somebody asks you to quiet your disturbing nonsense, you must do so! This is a place for everyone, not just you, you lousy wannabe!"

The man continued for approximately five minutes. Harry let him vent. When he was finally done, Harry replied, "My apologies, good sir. I didn't mean to cause an ongoing disturbance. I was in the process of quieting down the whistling just as you were coming up to me. In fact, in about 30 seconds it should have been completely gone. Check it out."

Harry turned his back to the man and walked five steps. Having done so, he began to whistle. As he walked away from the man, the whistling became softer and softer. By this time, security had already arrived. What Harry didn't know was that the only reason he hadn't been tackled was because security had tackled the man (who had been an inch from tackling Harry). But of course.

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Mall Security was interrogating a man. His children were sitting right outside the door.

"Sir, you should know that we don't tolerate violence here, in language or in physical action both."

"I understand sir. That being said, I was not the one to continuously provoke."

"...What's your name?" The officer asked.

"Miguel Karenovich."

'...Go wonder.' The security guard thought to himself.

----~~~~----

(Current time)

Veil woke up in a world of mist.

"Yello!" He shouted into the veiled surroundings.

"Boo!" Kubble shouted from behind him as the mist disappeared.

"Sheet your own rock, old wartface!" Veil yelled from the air.

"Manners, young pushnugget ye!" Kubble shouted back as the air whipped Veil back onto the ground. The air covered Veil's mouth- he could no longer speak. He continued to struggle while Kubble smirked.

Five minutes later, Veil was staring him down. The killing intent was real. Who would break first?

In the end, Kubble began speaking while Veil continued his stare-down. "So, there are some things you should know. Also, some things I feel you should make note of. I'll be transmitting this conversation directly to your long-term memory, so I don't even care if you pay attention. It's pointless.

First, you are lucky you cultivated inside of the room you're in. Otherwise, you would randomly have gotten hit by heavenly lightning. Sucks to be you, ha! You'll get struck every single minor and major realm. Get ready to be whipped, young whippersnapper! You just piled up nine of them. Prepare to get shredded...

Second, you should try to acquire a small world as fast as you possibly can. While this one counts, it belongs to me. Find your own. There are two ways. Either buy an item with the space, or enter into a space, remove the owner's mark, and add your own. As long as you can find the space, I can help you subdue it. You're too much of a wimp as it is now.

Thirdly, you have the ability to link with all spirit allies, right? So link with the doggone viruses already. They're sitting there for the taking, and they have low soul power. They aren't thinking beings. They're mere cells. Go ahead and link all the tier 1's and you should even be fine linking a tier 2 per every half day. 

Fourth, I'd highly recommend visiting a small world to advance to tier 2. It's okay if you advance in a small world, but it must have denizens reaching the level you're promoting into. Basically, you'll be avoiding those trying to kidnap your powers.

Fifthly, and more importantly, I'm changing up my cultivation plan I created for you. Just hurry up and stabilize so I can cement it and have a day off. 

Sixth and final, I hope you find what you're looking for. You're already living in interesting times, and by the looks of it, you've been noticed by powerful people.

So, Veil, is there anything you'd like to say to me?" Kubble asked, with a face of sincerity pushing against Veil's stare of evil desires.

"F-" Veil spit out as he was spat out of the mist world and back to his own place of inner thoughts- his body.

Knowing that Kubble was gone, he instantly reorganized his facial composition. Time for his plans. Nail that Kubble.

"Nano, would it be possible for me to link with you as part of my shapeshifting abilities?"

"I can link with Bioactive matter as long as the bioactive matter includes a series of nanocells. I have some nanocell blueprints in my database. If you would like me to create them, it requires a linkable Nanocell Factory chip. While my creator did include this feature in the origin model, he left it out of my system so that his would be fully unique."

"Who was your creator, Nano? If someone of your capabilities is this strong, what human was possibly responsible?"

"My creator is known as Settz. He named himself after the setting sun. A renowned cybercriminal, he was ultimately coerced by the government. He made several Bamphone series, ending in the Bamphone 9000 series. He then created the Bamphone 9000.1 and the Bamphone 9000.2. The 9000.1 model was for himself, and the Bamphone 9000.2 was commissioned by your parents.

Settz' whereabouts are currently unknown. He has restarted several of his cyber crimes. Currently he is at large, and is being hunted by the government.

To complete this model, I recommend you buy the Nanocell factory outright. While the part itself is extremely hard to find, I do have blueprints and with the right parts can assemble it myself with my chip creator. Total cost is approximately 24,700 FAD."

"Buy it." 

"Bought. I can send the parts to the mall's central office. Would you like me to send them there or right outside the door?"

"...Update the security protocols on the door, and let me know when someone arrives."

"Done."

Veil thought to himself for a moment. 'Although I had Nano modify her voice, it still seems a bit monotone. It must be due to the word structure. I wonder...' 

Veil remembered an old game he had once played. It was called Star Lord: Knights of the Old Democracy. There was a character that always added the way it was feeling to the beginning of the sentence. Maybe he could do something similar?

"Nano."

"Yes, Sender?"

"From now on, I'd like you to add a word describing what you are saying to the beginning of your statements, queries, and other lines of speech."

"Statement: Surely it will be done, Sender."

"Noice!" Veil shouted to no one in particular as he moved on to his next project.

"Nano, how many Spirit Viruses are there?"

"Reporting: There are 30 tier 1 Spirit Viruses, 8 tier 2 spirit viruses, 3 tier 3 spirit viruses, and one tier 4. The viruses above tier 1 have been organized into the glass containers in the three columns on the far right."

"Thanks, Nano." Veil sat down and crossed his legs. Combing through his thoughts, he began to circulate the Druid Assimilation Linking Sutra. As the ki circulation came to an end, it disappeared and appeared above the first tier 1 spirit virus. The link was complete! 

'One down, twenty nine to go.' Veil thought. He began to circulate over and over, and over yet again.

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"But Sia, isn't this crazy?" Miya asked, despondent. "How can he possibly get that much money?"

"Like I've told you before, I have full trust in him. Whether it be his looks, intelligence, or abilities, he's surely able to get it within the time given by my father. Besides, don't you know my special trait?"

Sia had a special genetic trait. Normally, spirit mutations didn't pass to progeny, but for the powerful, they sometimes did. Her mother was an orphan, but she was able to rise high enough to catch Xander's eye via one such special trait.

Heaven Earth Fortune Seeking Eyes.

They showed the bearer the karma of heaven and earth. The way between wills. For Sia, it changed not only her capabilities and, more importantly, her choices, but also her innate affinity. 

Of course, Miya had long known all this. "Of course he'll be strong. But this fast? 8 billion is way too much for most men. But assuming that, do you think he can possibly get the full 83 billion? Even with the full ten years...."

Sia sighed. "He won't need to get the full 83 billion. That's unlikely even for him. But if the doesn't need to get it, who cares? All I need is him, and all he needs is me. For us.... It will work out."

Miya smirked inwardly. "You promised we'd be sisters in everything when we were kids... I have a proposal for you."

Sia stared her down. "I'm listening." She said plainly.

"If he manages to get the full 83.7 billion, and retain all of your father's assets... If we are sisters, and as such we are both assets of your father.... Then I propose that I be made your sister-wife, and am married off alongside you, with you as the main wife."

...The room stood still.