Chapter 21: Arena Nineteen: Alter Ego II
[Entering {Alter Ego} mode.]
[Your current status is negatively affected by the mythological auras around you]
[Current status (temporary)
Name: Arnold Tilgen
HP: - 1000 (/-10000)/8000 ( - 1000/second)
SP: - 6000(/-20000)/8000 (-???/second)
DEF: 0/8000 [Temporarily disabled]
Damage Reduction: 100%
Synchronisation rate: 1000%]
A dark red aura enveloped me as I stared at the status. Both my HP and SP was in the negatives. Yet, I felt more powerful than ever.
[Caution. Staying in the {Alter Ego} mode for too long will deteriorate the user's mind]
[Time remaining before User's mind is destroyed: 60 seconds]
"That's enough!"
I yelled, and the time around me flowed again.
The beam hit the shield again, but this time neither my HP nor my SP was affected.
"W-what... ?"
Anastasia gasped again from behind. Looking at my own body, I could understand why.
My whole body had become darker than black. My humane features were not recognisable. I was like a shadow, or a glitch. My body was constantly vibrating and changing its outward shape.
But right now, I didn't have the luxury to think about my appearance.
"Phillips!"
I yelled at the bastard in the mech in front of me and tilted my shield.
Almost immediately, the surface of the shield changed into a reflective mirror. The beam changed its way and flew towards the sky.
[Aether: Summoning]
At the same time, I summoned a rocket launcher from the vortex that opened beside me. It felt extremely different from a normal one. Vicious energy was surrounding the weapon, making me slightly concerned. Yet, I decided to use the weapon for saving Anastasia.
Aiming at the chest armour of the mech where the cockpit was, I pulled the trigger.
The rocket hit the giant in the chest. The white knight stumbled backwards from the impact and its sword pointed at the sky as a result.
'Now!'
I fired another missile at the cockpit to prevent the mech from regaining its balance.
"Anastasia! Leave now!"
"W-what? Y-yes."
Anastasia was flustered and confused, but she listened to me without any objections. She hurriedly got down from the cockpit and returned Helios to its sword form.
Instead of retreating with her, I dashed forward towards the fallen mech and got on the chest part.
Then using my skill, I summoned a sword and pushed it into the joints of the tattered, broken armour covering the cockpit front. I broke the joints connecting it to the chest armour with a twist of my sword and opened the cockpit front apart.
There lied a wounded Phillips, looking at me in disbelief.
"Surrender."
I demanded, pointing my sword at his throat.
"Haha... You win."
He held up his hands in surrender, laughing happily like a mad man.
...
"Get out."
Grey growled as he pointed his gun at Phillips.
Phillips smiled wryly before jumping out of the cockpit.
"You'll be charged with going against the Code Of Conduct."
The old spy hissed before gesturing the gun at the villa. Phillips started walking towards the building, but just as he passed by Grey, the old man suddenly pushed his finger on the gear around Phillips's neck.
"I have locked your log-out button. You'll be coming to the commander's office with me."
"Fine..."
Phillips didn't seem too worried about it. He sighed and started walking again.
"Arnold..."
Then Grey looked at me, who was still in the [Alter Ego] form.
[60 seconds have been passed. Eliminating {Alter Ego} mode]
My whole body felt numb and stiff as my previous appearance returned.
[HP, SP and DEF has been restored to 50% by the {Blessing Of The Chaotic Mortal}]
[The God of Death and Afterlife, Anubis has taken an interest in you]
[You do not meet the requirements to obtain his blessings]
[The Goddess Of The War and Fate, Morrighan has taken an extreme interest in you]
[You do not meet the requirements to obtain her blessings]
[The Goddess Of Healing and Soul, Isis congratulates you for protecting the one you share your soul with]
[You have met all the conditions to accept her blessings]
[Passive Skill Unlocked: Eternal Bliss]
[Skill slots remaining: 1/3 {Active}, 2/3 {Passive}, 1/1 {Imperial}]
The messages were confusing, and I didn't know who these gods and goddesses were. Religion had long been lost in the empire, and the only deified figures were the Divine Emperor and the Holy Maiden.
Yet, the blessings themselves weren't bad. Thanks to them, I had saved both my life and Anastasia's.
I was happy... But the next message put me off guard.
[User's body has failed to accept all the blessings together]
[User will suffer a backlash]
[Logging out forcibly, chances of loss of mind: 30%]
An extreme pain took over me as I fell to my knees. I could hear Anastasia screaming, but I could understand what she was saying.
My eyes blackened out. Not long after, my consciousness disappeared completely.
...
"What a troublesome boy."
I heard a voice. I looked up from my position to look at the person in front of me.
The bright light coming from behind them made it impossible to recognize their facial features. And the chains wrapped around my body didn't help either.
"Where am I?"
I could vaguely remember this place... But not any details about it. I felt like this place was important, but didn't know why.
The serene feeling that ran through my heart just by existing here, the peace and tranquillity of this place, all seemed to be stimulating my memories.
But why?
I didn't know that.
"It is... Let's call it the Sanctuary."
"Sanctuary?"
"Yes. A place where your wishes can come true."
"Wishes..."
I muttered, looking down. The white ground was reflecting the bright light around me, making it impossible to see my own shadow.
I thought about my wish. I felt like I wanted something, at the same time, I didn't. Yet, I didn't want to let this chance go.
"I.."
But before I could mutter out those words, a new voice interrupted me.
"What are you doing, you old bastard?"
A feminine voice reached my ears. At the same time, I felt a comforting presence standing behind me.
'The crow.'
These words came to me by themselves. I didn't understand what they meant, but I firmly etched them into my mind.
"It was quite offhanded of you, Old One."
A second voice echoed, but this time I couldn't discern the gender of the speaker.
'The serpent.'
"I appreciate that you saved him from imminent danger, but to try and incite his desires... How low you have fallen."
A dignified voice joined in from my behind. I couldn't see any of them, but I somehow knew that I could trust them.
'The vulture.'
"Yes... This boy must not be bothered right now, Chosen one. Just as sister said."
A beautiful ringing voice reached my ears. The voice was gentle and at the same time, fierce.
'The throne.'
"I might not be related to this, but I would also suggest you curb your enthusiasm."
The final voice felt a bit off. I couldn't feel the familiarity I had felt from the others, but I didn't feel any hostility either.
'The jackal.'
"Haha, you people are too stuck up. You need to loosen your shoulders sometimes."
"... We shall do that when necessary, Old One."
The serpent replied in a cold tone.
"Fine... I will send him back."
I felt my presence getting smaller and smaller. I felt dizzy. The scenery around me blurred out and I could no longer see the silhouettes around me.
"... Who are you people?"
I desperately asked, trying to get at least one answer.
"..."
No one answered my question. Feeling impatient, I asked again.
"Are you perhaps gods?"
No answer came. But just as I was about to leave the 'Sanctuary', the 'Old One' replied.
"I will leave that to your imagination."
And my conscienceless disappeared, once again.
...
I opened my eyes and looked at the familiar ceiling of my room. The AR icons hovering around me stablized and formed a row, letting me the white ceiling clearly.
My body hurt like hell. I felt like dying would be better. Yet, I couldn't move my body at all. It was as if I had been paralyzed.
[Enter The Singularity]
I muttered the command in a hoarse tone, but nothing happened.
Instead, I saw a cooldown at the corner of the AR screen in front of me.
[Remaining time till re-login: 23: 59: 45]
So this was the penalty for those so-called blessings...
A whole day... It would be a long day like this.
[Do you wish to activate the passive skill in this world too?]
Suddenly, a command menu came up to the screen.
'Passive skills... Huh?'
I thought before muttering yes.
[Please select the target skill. Only one passive skill can be activated at one time. You can not activate another while the previous one is still active.]
[Available Skills:
1. Eternal Bliss
2. Empty
3. Empty
Which one would you like to activate?]
'[Eternal Bliss]'
[{Eternal Bliss} has been activated at 50% capability. All your pains have been lessened to a bearable level. All negative status has been removed]
Almost suddenly, I felt my body getting warmer. The pain lessened by a lot, and I could move my arms again.
Then I realized the importance of this skill.
Wouldn't I be able to negate the penalties with it?
If that's the case... Wasn't this too much of a cheat?
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone