Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 460: Probability

"Where did that Emovira disappear t—" Finch opened his mouth to speak, but before he could finish his sentence, a massive surge of Astra energy pulsed violently through his Astra veins.

The next moment, he felt it. A change. A familiar and unmistakable change.

His Astra veins began to tighten and strengthen at a ridiculous speed, energy roaring through his body like a raging current that refused to slow down.

’A breakthrough,’ Finch realized instantly, his eyes widening in shock. ’I’m now at the Pulse Kindlestar Life Rank.’

Excitement flooded his mind as he processed the sudden transformation coursing through his body. His Astra felt denser, more responsive, as though it had been refined and sharpened all at once. However, whatever was happening was far from over. The breakthrough did not stop, it continued relentlessly.

Within seconds, Finch stepped into the Radiant sub–Life Rank, pushing straight to the peak of the Kindlestar Life Rank without resistance. His body trembled briefly as another wave of power surged through him, far heavier than the last.

Bones hardened. Muscles tightened. Skin, flesh, and organs reinforced themselves as if they were being reforged from the inside out.

Another boundary shattered.

Finch crossed into the Brightstar Life Rank. His entire body shook as the ascension completed itself, the power settling deep within his existence. A few moments later, the overwhelming sensation vanished just as abruptly as it had begun, leaving Finch standing there as his Life Rank stabilized at the Spark Brightstar Life Rank.

Silence returned.

Finch stood utterly stunned. He slowly raised his hands, staring at them as though they no longer belonged to him. He clenched his fingers, feeling strength surge effortlessly through every motion. Nothing felt wrong, yet everything felt different.

He couldn’t make sense of what had just happened.

’Is this because of the bonding?’ he wondered, his eyes shining with pure excitement. Who wouldn’t be ecstatic about crossing into an entirely new major Life Rank without training, struggle, or effort?

"It seems your luck truly is out of this world." A familiar voice came from the side.

Finch turned his head sharply, and there stood the Emovira, gazing at him with a look that made him feel less like a person and more like a rare specimen worthy of careful study.

"What do you mean?" Finch asked immediately, firing off questions without pause. "Do you know what just happened?"

The Emovira remained silent for a moment, as though organizing its thoughts, before speaking. "What makes bonding different from normal taming is the probability of outcomes like what just occurred," it explained calmly. "During bonding, the weaker of the two parties has a chance, albeit an extremely small one, of breaking through sub–Life Ranks or even a major Life Rank, depending on the difference in existence between both beings." Its gaze never left Finch as it spoke.

"What are the chances of that happening?" Finch asked. If this were truly possible, then bonding would be a revolutionary method for breaking through talent limitations. No one would hesitate to entrust their life to another if the rewards were this significant.

’Meaning I crossed four sub–Life Ranks and a major Life Rank because the Emovira was Rank 5, while I was merely Rank 2,’ Finch concluded internally. ’The sheer difference between our existences allowed me to leap into the third rank.’

"The probability is less than one percent," the Emovira replied without any change in expression. "People don’t talk about it because it essentially never happens, even when bonding with a Rank 10 Emovira." It paused briefly before continuing. "So congratulations. You are either the first in the world of Crymora to achieve this... or one of the very few, if others as fortunate as you exist, either now or in the distant past."

As Finch absorbed the Emovira’s words, every thought he had about people using bonding to overcome talent limitations vanished instantly. He didn’t need anyone to explain it further. He had gained something from this bond solely because of his absurd luck. Without it, he would have gained nothing at all.

"But that isn’t all," the Emovira continued, a faint smile forming as it studied Finch’s reaction.

"There’s more?" Finch asked, confusion and excitement blending together in his voice.

"Yes," the Emovira replied. "Though this one carries an even lower probability." Its tone slowed deliberately. "Through bonding, we can permanently share each other’s abilities and talents."

Finch’s eyes widened in shock. He didn’t care about the probability, didn’t even want to know it. Even if the odds were negative, he trusted his Good Luck ability to twist them into his favor. Asking for numbers felt pointless when they meant nothing to him.

"So let’s explain our abilities to each other," the Emovira said calmly. "Then we’ll see if we can use them."

Finch nodded repeatedly, like a chicken pecking at rice. He took a deep breath, steadying himself as his thoughts shifted toward his Good Luck ability. He hesitated for a moment. He had never told anyone about it, not his parents, not his closest friends.

But the Emovira was different. They were bonded forever. The bond could not be broken by any means.

"I have two abilities," Finch began. "One is a soul-bound weapon, the chain you’re currently seeing." He gestured behind him, where the chain floated beside his back like a living serpent. Finch proceeded to explain everything his soul-bound chain could do, its versatility, and the way it responded directly to his will.

"I also have a second ability," he continued after a brief pause. "Good Luck." He explained the ability in detail, how it subtly influenced outcomes, twisted probability, and guided him through danger and opportunity alike.

"Nobody knows about this ability," Finch said calmly. "Not even my parents or my best friends. You’re the first... since we’re bonded now."

Yet somewhere deep within him, something stirred.

An emotional response. For the first time, he had shared his greatest secret.

"No wonder you succeeded where others failed," the Emovira said, unable to hide its admiration. "Truly an overpowered ability."

Although it couldn’t be actively controlled, to the Emovira, that made it even more terrifying. A passive ability that bent fate itself was far more dangerous than any direct power.

Without another word, the Emovira raised its hand, attempting to summon its own soul-bound weapon. With Finch’s ridiculous Good Luck ability influencing the bond, there was little doubt in its mind that the probability of permanent sharing had succeeded.

And indeed, the next instant, a flash of black light erupted and a katana materialized in its palm. Both Finch and the Emovira raised an eyebrow at the sight. They had expected a chain, but it seemed they were wrong.

Upon reflection, however, it made perfect sense. Soul-bound weapons manifested based on resonance, and the katana clearly aligned with the Emovira’s nature and combat style.

"Your turn," Finch said, his voice brimming with anticipation.

"My ability is..." the Emovira began.