Genetic Ascension

Chapter 1545 A Sin

The Earth itself trembled. Storm clouds rolled overhead, the seas overturning in violent, tsunami-like waves.

Mountains shook as though they might collapse, and the walls of valleys squeezed in on themselves as though intent on closing.

Casstle Main and the City Lord Mansion they stayed in couldn't have been calmer. Yet, to the rest of the world, it was like their time was coming to an end.

And then it all came to a stop, Sylas' hair falling to a resting position on his chest.

[Congratulations, you have completed the journey of Madness]

[Would you like to activate the Madness System?]

[Yes] [No]

Sylas' eyes narrowed. The notification was particularly annoying. Usually, he could ignore it, but this one had appeared right in front of his mother's face as though it wouldn't allow him even the chance to look at her unless he made a choice first.

The Madness System? Didn't he already have a Madness System? What was this supposed to be?

And what was Arcane Madness Will? His Will Title itself hadn't changed, but this Will seemed to have the title of a new Will. Was it related? Something completely different?

The system's inability to properly assess and understand Will had led him down many confusing paths in the past. The fact he had Demonic Will on top of normal Will only made it all the more complex.

Sylas was about to ask the little girl when he hesitated.

His Luck actually flickered.

'Odd...'

Sylas' gaze suddenly flashed as he recalled something.

A long while ago, he had gotten his hands on a technique known as [Arcane Telekinesis]. Much like everything else he had gotten, there was just so much potential in so many things to unearth that it was ultimately neglected.

That said, it wasn't as though the existence of [Arcane Telekinesis] was make or break for Sylas. Because of its existence, he had learned how to apply his telekinesis in many ways, and it was a large part of the reason he was able to bridge the weakness of his Physical stats by using his telekinesis to compensate.

Now, he had suddenly received his Arcane Madness Will. Were they related?

Sylas looked at the notification hovering before him. Why did his Luck not want him to ask the little girl?

In the Milky Way Galaxy, Sylas' Luck had Effectiveness that was off the charts. It might as well be thousands of times larger here. On Earth specifically? It was even more exaggerated than that. His Luck might read four digits right now, but the numbers were effectively empty. It might as well have been in the millions.

His Luck would never be sharper than it was here.

Earth itself was practically taking the reins and telling him not to tell her.

The problem was that the little girl was so attached to him that she could basically read his mind. Just the surface thoughts, but she could still do it. It was something that he had just been forced to get used to.

Even if he didn't tell her, wouldn't the end result be the same?

Sylas' intent hovered over [Yes], but he didn't feel the same warning.

'Interesting...'

That said, when he hovered over [No], he also didn't feel anything.

Was it beyond his Luck even here to understand? Or did the answer not matter?

But if the answer didn't matter, why did it tell him not to ask the little girl?

'Alright. Show me.'

Sylas returned to [Yes] and pushed it.

A rush of Aether formed around him, solidifying into something sparkling that hovered in the air- something all too familiar... -

[Madness Key (Treasure)]

[A key leading to a fortune of Madness. Detects other Madness Disciples and enlightens your path. Contains small spatial world within. Can answer one question in exchange for <1 Fragmented> Gene] [Virtue Status: Prideful Beacon. Suppress one <Common> Challenge a day to maintain Happiness. Requirements grow by the day. <7 days> remaining until Hunger increases] —

A second Madness Key took shape, gliding itself into place. However, while Sylas' Gluttony Madness Key had a worn rope attached to it, this new Madness Key was a thick golden chain, beaming and resplendent. It looked as though it had just been polished and was so gaudy that it was something Sylas would simply never wear of his own accord.

And yet, those thoughts only seemed to make the Pride Madness Key more pleased.

However, the moment it completely combined with Sylas, it shook. The Scorned Wraps on Sylas' body wrapped tighter around his wrists and ankles as though afraid of being completely expelled.

Sylas' gaze flickered.

'I can take them off.'

The realization hit him like a speeding truck.

The more he learned about the universe, the more he understood just how shocking of a treasure these Scorned Wraps were. And yet, his Pride Madness Key was actually capable of expelling it with a thought?

Sylas suppressed the intent.

If Earth warned him about letting the little girl know about this new Madness Key, the one way to mess that up without saying it explicitly was suddenly being free of the Scorned Wraps.

The Pride Madness Key didn't seem happy about this, but it was surprisingly far more obedient. So... Sylas asked it a question.

'Why can I not tell her about you?'

[The Path of the Sin is corrupted and torn, filled and worn by jealousy. The Path of Virtue it originates from is superior in every way.] —

Sylas inwardly shook his head. It seemed he was back to vague answers. But the good news seemed to be that... There were no Taboos.

He was effectively a perfect Tier 10 Madness Disciple the moment he got this Pride Madness Key.

However, he had a feeling that he understood nonetheless.

Why would the Madness Paths lose two of their representative creatures, only to have them replaced by inferior beasts? Something wasn't adding up here.

Then there was something else that bothered him.

'... Pride is a Virtue?'

[Pride is the greatest Virtue of all. A Sin is only a Sin in abundance, without control, without moderation. Everyone must eat. If you have no desire for anything, what is the purpose of your life? If you cannot feel fury, how can you feel happiness? If you cannot rest, how can you grow? If you do not procreate, where will the next generation come from? If you do not compare yourself to others, how can you adjust?

[If you feel no Pride, then why exist?]