Chapter 174: Returns Granted [1]
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Name: Ethea Everly
Status: Exhausted (Recovering / Critical)
[Age: 21]
[Rank: 7th Circle [Crippled / Regressed]]
[Mental Cultivation: Stellar Soul Weaver Sutra — Stage 1: Intent Foundation]
[Current Mana Level: 0 (Sealed)]
[Current Mental Power: 31340 / 50000 (Stabilized)]
[Core condition: 97% destroyed - severe irreparable damage]
[Mana pathways: 7% functional - catastrophic severing]
[Physical Condition:]
- Paralysis
- Chronic Pain (Level 5/10 - Managed / Temporarily Soothed)
- Nerve Damage
- ...
- ...
[Authority Status: Frost Sovereign - Sealed/Dormant]
[Affliction Detected:]
[Curse: ▇▇▇▇▇’s ▇▇▇▇▇ - Grade: Eighth Circle]
[Details: Insufficient Authority - Unable to analyze]
[Effect: ???]
[Origin: ???]
[Estimated Survival Without Treatment: 8-11 months]
[Mental State: Sleeping (Subconscious peace, relieved of nightmares)]
[Investment Value: SUPREME]
[Potential: Immeasurable]
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"..."
Soren’s gaze grew cold as his eyes tracked down the translucent text.
The numbers under her Core Condition and Mana Pathways had changed. They had gotten worse again, all because of that damn curse.
Thankfully, her chronic pain was much better than before, which was likely a direct result of the improved effects of the Soul-Binding Symbiosis. Furthermore, the active effect of the affliction had really disappeared.
’It was really terrible.’
Soren recalled all the pain he went through fighting against it in the car, but seeing Ethea alive made it all worth it.
Checking the rest of the text, he paused briefly at the note about her nightmares.
’...I see.’
Then, he closed the window and opened his own status to check for notifications. As expected, he found one.
═════════
[NOTIFICATION]
You have unread logs.
The processing delay is due to the user’s prolonged unconsciousness.
[INVESTMENT AUTHORITY - FIRST PRIMARY TARGET]
Target: Ethea Everly
Status: Investment Completed.
Would you like to view the final evaluation and claim your returns?
[YES / NO]
═════════
Without hesitation, Soren chose yes, and the notification dissolved into particles of light, only to be replaced by a series of rolling logs cascading down his field of vision.
───────
[Investment detected.]
[Target: Ethea Everly]
[Analyzing Investment...]
[Investment: You intervened during a catastrophic curse manifestation to shield the target from certain death. Utilizing your evolved bond, you took the lethal, active effects of the curse onto your own body and mind, enduring extreme physical and mental agony to neutralize the threat. You also fought off waves of monsters hunting her down, lent your abilities to protect her, and provided specialized medicine to preserve her failing life force at the brink.]
[Analyzing target response...]
[As a result of your actions, the target successfully survived the critical crisis. Upon awakening and learning about the immense toll you paid for her safety, her feelings for you have deepened completely. The profound relief of confirming your survival shattered the nightmares plaguing her mind, allowing her to find subconscious peace. Her heart has aligned further with yours, igniting a fierce resolve to reclaim her sovereign power and fight by your side.]
[Evaluating investment significance...]
[Evaluation complete.]
[Investment Grade: MYTHIC]
[Calculating returns...]
[Calculation complete.]
[Applying Authority Modifier: Amplification (Passive) (Baseline bonus applied. Reward tier scaling upgraded.)]
[Returns granted:]
[1. Ice Emperor’s Legacy (Full)]
[2. Ability Evolution: Pain Resistance (C-Rank) -> Sovereign’s Fortitude (S-Rank)]
[3. Ability Evolution: Unyielding Spirit (B-Rank) -> Indomitable Soul (S-Rank)]
[4. Ability Evolution: Accelerated Regeneration (B-Rank) -> Hyper-Recovery (A-Rank)]
[5. Physique Evolution: Golden Body Constitution (B-Rank) -> Everfrost Tyrant Body (A-Rank)]
[6. Adrenaline Burst (B-Rank -> A-Rank)]
[7. Life Force Resonance (C-Rank -> B-Rank)]
[8. Core Purge (A-Rank)]
[9. Sovereign Vitality Elixir x1]
[10. Seven-Star Soul-Nourishing Concoction x3]
[11. Myriad Pathway Nutrient Fluid x3]
[Integration initiated...]
───────
"..."
Soren closed his eyes, leaning back into the quiet space of his mind as the Authority initiated the massive transfer.
He silently observed the profound structural transformations rippling through his physical frame. The scorched, battered pathways that had been screaming from over-channeling his mana began to cool rapidly, knitting themselves back together under a soothing, pristine energy. His muscles’ and bones’ density shifted, aligning with the dense, cold perfection of the Everfrost Tyrant Body.
Simultaneously, a torrent of foreign data began flooding his consciousness. The complete version of the Ice Emperor’s Legacy poured directly into his mindscape, alongside the advanced tactical frameworks of his newly evolved and upgraded abilities.
His mind, anchored by its recent breakthrough, processed the staggering volume of secrets, formulas, and instincts with mechanical efficiency, carving the new knowledge permanently into his soul.
[Integration Complete!]
When the final message blinked away, Soren opened his eyes.
He lifted his hands slightly, slowly opening and closing his fists as he gauged his physical condition. The earlier stiffness and the fatigue that had locked up his body were completely gone. A clean wave of rejuvenation washed through his system, and he found that he could finally move his limbs with perfect ease.
"Good."
He clenched his fists tightly in satisfaction.
Feeling the steady pulse of energy circulating through his newly stabilized core, he felt a bit better knowing that he had gotten a bit stronger through the ordeal.
Then, he took a deep breath and started analyzing the returns. He focused on the abilities, marveling at the sheer caliber of the upgrades. The jump in power was massive, completely outstripping his previous baseline.
The first major evolution was Pain Resistance, which had leaped straight to S-Rank, transforming into Sovereign’s Fortitude. It was no longer just about suppressing the sensation of trauma. The ability now actively minimized the psychological shock of physical damage, ensuring that even if his body took a severe hit, his mind would remain perfectly clear and functional in the heat of battle.
On top of that foundational shift, the S-Rank evolution had awakened two distinct effects.
The first was Stalwart Conversion, which temporarily transformed a portion of incoming physical impact into a brief defensive shield. The second was Trauma Clarity, a passive trigger that actually heightened his cognitive processing speed the more damage his body sustained, turning agony into pure tactical focus.
Right below it was Unyielding Spirit, which had also reached S-Rank, evolving into Indomitable Soul. This completely overhauled his mental defenses. It formed a powerful barrier around his consciousness, rendering him highly resistant to high-tier psychic attacks, illusions, or residual curse trauma that tried to invade his mindscape.
Moreover, its existing Indomitable Presence effect was significantly strengthened to project a far more potent grounding aura for his allies. Alongside that enhancement, the main ability awakened a brand-new effect called Soul Anvil Counter. Whenever an external mental intrusion or psychic pressure attempted to force its way into his mind, it would automatically catch and compress the hostile energy, crushing it to provide a temporary boost to his own mental output.
