The Gamer's POV-Chapter 255: Kleshas and Kushalas of Karma [3]
"Dang, what the hell?" Cedric blurted.
"Does that mean it can simply say, ’I am stronger than you,’ and it would actually get stronger?"
At that moment, the tablet scribbled new words.
[The Duumvir-Exalt can rewrite its reality. However, it does so at the cost of its mana. The greater the rewrite, the more mana it consumes to bridge the gap between truth and the declaration.]
’Oh, that makes sense...’
The implication was that if a being a level above it were to challenge it, the Exalt could easily say I am stronger than you, and it would actually get stronger. But if it were a being several levels above it, the mana required to manifest that lie into a reality would be so immense that the Duumvir-Exalt would likely be drained dry in an instant.
Still, that was an insane ability!
"Imagine the things I could do with a power like that. If I were tired in a battle, I could simply tell myself, ’I am tireless!’ Or... or... I could say something like, ’I am immune to your magic.’" Cedric’s eyes widened as he realized the potential of that ability. "Holy shit!"
More ideas popped into his head: ’I am an immovable shield! I am the blade that severs all!’
Goddamn, there was so much more.
It was at that moment that Cedric immediately decided that he would definitely not be giving life to this creature any time soon. At least, not until he was many times stronger than it.
The insight to the creature stated that it was a very proud being and that it cared about no one but itself.
Cedric could already tell that it would not be easy to get this being to submit to him. Hell, if the creature were to decide to fight him, it would definitely kill him!
As someone who had just become a Grade Three, there was no chance that he would survive a creature who was also a grade three and could say something as utterly baffling as: "I am not under your authority."
’No, no. I can’t have you alive any time soon, buddy,’ Cedric thought as he tapped the statue twice, then quickly looked away from it.
The man was genuinely scared.
’How do you even beat such a thing?’
He clicked his tongue twice and shook his head.
After a few steps, he stopped in front of a different statue. When he studied it, he couldn’t help but feel that this statue looked...
’Ugly.’
It was a bulky man wrapped in tattered clothes, the heavy fabric of its hood pulled forward to shadow its features. Yet even that could not hide its appearance. Its skin appeared bulbous and uneven, as if it were melting or covered in coarse, diseased growths. One gnarled, misshapen hand clutched a small knife that looked more like a rusted shard of metal than a noble weapon.
’Is it even reasonable for something to be this ugly?’ Cedric thought, his face twisting into a wry grimace.
Yet, for some reason, deep down, it still felt strangely beautiful to him. Which was really weird.
Turning to the tablet, he studied the creature’s details.
Name: —
Species: [Ascetic Vagrant]
Nature: [Kushala]
Grade: [3]
Insight: [A being that desires nothing, and is detached from everything. It feels no pain, hunger, or other worldly sensations. It is not interested in anything and prefers to be left alone.]
Attributes: [Vairagya]
Powers: [Mask of Indifference], [Severance], [Detachment]
[Mask of Indifference - The Ascetic Vagrant is impervious to all forms of mental attack.]
[Severance - The Ascetic Vagrant can sever the effects of a mental attack on its master.]
[Detachment - The Ascetic Vagrant’s blade can detach a being from anything belonging to them.]
’Ah, it’s great to know that at least I’ve got this guy here to save me if I’m ever stuck under a hex or something.’
Cedric nodded in satisfaction at its powers.
He walked over to the next statue, then arched a brow in confusion.
Sculpted before him was the most beautiful male... female?
He turned to the tablet. ’Is this a male or female?’
The tablet scribbled in reply:
[Male]
Cedric turned back to the statue, still arching a brow.
’It’s a male?’
The statue was of a humanoid creature that was so intoxicatingly beautiful. According to the tablet, it was a male, but if one were to look at it, it would be hard to tell its gender at a glance.
It was about the same height as Cedric and was dressed in flowing robes. On its beautiful face was a smile so serene and intoxicating that it made the air around the statue feel warmer. And it had two beautiful horns that swept back from its temples like crown-like ivory slivers.
Name: —
Species: [Aman]
Nature: [Klesha]
Grade: [3]
Insight: [The Aman is a beautiful thief. As the embodiment of desire, it hungers for love, affection, and most especially power. Because of its greedy nature, it goes out of its way to get everything it sets its heart on.]
Attributes: [Raga], [Lobha]
Powers: [Irresistible Attraction], [Greed], [Aura of Entrallment]
[Irresistible Attraction - The Aman can manipulate the force of attraction between objects.]
[Greed - The Aman can devour the abilities of the beings it kills, by consuming their essence.]
[Aura of Entrallment - The Aman passively radiates an aura that subverts hostility and induces intoxicating longing, priming beings with the desire to protect it rather than harm it. The effect grows stronger the longer one stays within its reach.]
’This looks like another creature that would be a pain to me if I do not completely subdue it.’
Cedric rubbed his smooth chin.
He needed to be careful, especially with regard the Kleshas. Unlike the Kushalas, who were virtuous and would naturally be loyal to him, the Kleshas looked like they were all a pain in their own way.
They might begin to display the tendencies of their embodiments.
Take this Aman for instance. Not considering the fact that it might lust after Cedric’s authority, it might also lust after the powers of its fellow Kleshas and Kushalas.
Hell, it might even try to kill them when Cedric was not in the inner sanctuary.
’I need to make sure I properly subdue all of them. I need to make sure that I bring all of them to completely fear me.’
Thankfully, Cedric did have his insignia of authority to aid him if the beings proved more challenging than he thought.
He glanced at the ring on his finger, then fidgeted with it by rolling it around his knuckle, before finally turning away to the next statue.
When he got to it, a deep, confused frown crossed his face. For some reason that he did not understand, this particular being felt really familiar to him.
Actually, dear would be the proper word.
Cedric raised his hand and touched his heart, which had begun to beat faster.
’Why does it feel like I’ve known this species before now?’
The statue in front of Cedric was of a beautiful, yet terrifying angel with six large wings.
