Chapter 84: Cost of Absorption
"First, I would suggest thinking about that S-rank ability Core. if you use it you would no doubt get a powerful ability, however also keep in mind that when using it there is a time it takes to absorb the ability, in that time, anything, or rather anyone can come and take the Core away from you. Also note that when absorption is happening it will have a similar but stronger effect to when you were evolving for the first time, so think of a beacon on a clear night.
"However, from what I've gathered from your culture through your eyes and memory, you could most likely get at least a couple billion dollars from that singular core. Just know that if you choose to absorb the core you will have to wait sometime before you can, seeing as absorbing a core of that power would kill you as you are. I would suggest waiting till your body is mid-B-rank. That's when I can guarantee that you would safely absorb the ability."
Draco processed that. "Why was I able to get an ability of the C-rank already, but I can't get an S-rank one yet?" "Great question, the answer is that you got that from devouring a corpse. You see when you devour or absorb something, we three take that something and use its whole being to fuse them with you, so the cost is we use that something's own body and mana. That's why you get their ability and traits because they became a part of you. However, there is a chance you don't get anything.
"Now Ability Cores are different. When you use a Core it doesn't have the body or the mana for us to absorb with it to cushion the cost. So instead it will take from your own body, taking your mana, then health. Now a body is able to regenerate mana and health as you are aware. However there is a limit, do you remember when you ran out of mana when casting that large-scale devour? When that happens your health is taken in substitute, and once all your health is gone you die.
"Now, the way to get an Ability from a Core, there are a couple of different methods for various creatures. Creatures big enough will swallow the core when they are ready to absorb it. Once inside their body, it will start circulating their mana through it until it's absorbed. Smaller creatures like yourself will hold onto it or simply touch it and start circulating your mana through the core. Know that once the process is started for both parties it cannot be stopped without negative feedback on the creature.
"The last process is only available for humans with Titles. Their Title acts like a floodgate, so instead of the full cost being pushed on them, they are able to pay until they reach their limit, then their Title will hold the Ability Core until they want to do it again. However, you should know that once they start the process, the core is useless to everyone else."
Draco nodded along as he explained. "But if they can't move, it's like a beacon when they absorb it. Then wouldn't any creature that absorbs an ability core just get tracked down and killed?" "I never said they can't move, simply they wouldn't be able to use mana, and if they were reckless then they would also be in immense pain. Also, there are ways to block the beacon from escaping. Some build dens far underground and use mana to seal them off so no energy can leave.
"Some just run the entire time it's happening, given the time it takes to absorb an ability core is rather fast. They just try to escape any threat as they absorb them." Draco thought before speaking. "Hmm, I think I will save it. Although I could most definitely use the money right now, I doubt there will be many opportunities to get an S-ranked ability even at the B-rank."
"Smart choice. Now the next thing I would recommend doing is getting more diverse abilities. Your current abilities are good, however, you're going to slowly get more and more stuck in the melee side of fighting. You should be able to effortlessly switch between all types. That's what a Chimera is." Draco took this into consideration "I can't just go killing anyone for their abilities. For one that's ethically unsound, and for two there are cameras everywhere nowadays. Someone would see that I was near. Not to mention we have Bambi following us everywhere."
"Can you go invisible?" Draco thought for a moment. "I might be able to, however, I would have to look into whether they can detect invisible people." Draco was about to leave when Sophos quickly said something to him. "Also, crafting Titles and abilities might help with your gear situation." Draco had obviously thought about this before, however, there was a hitch in that plan. "Will we pick up their abilities though? They get their power through the books."
"they get their rank's worth of knowledge and technique's from the books. However, their Titles allow them to absorb the technique from that book instantly, after that they have to put in a bunch of work studying others' crafts if they want to learn anything new. A tip for you, that goes for builders and enchanters too." "So that means I'll be taking the knowledge to gain the knowledge, interesting, good to know." "also see if you can get your hands on a muscle mutt, then absorb it, don't devour it."
He was confused but agreed. Draco canceled the cast, waking back up in his room, and finding Brutis laying on the bed, which was dangerously dipping in the center. "We're gonna have to get you a bigger bed buddy." Brutis's tail started swishing back and forth as soon as he had woken up. "Unfortunately we won't be able to go hunting for a bit, my knife and such are getting fixed, however, we can go run a couple more errands, how does that sound?" Brutis jumped from the bed in a high arch before doing a nose dive into a Gate he opened on the floor. "I take that as a yes then."
— New chapter is coming soon — Write a review
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone