Chapter 135: I'm Feeling Numb
Desmond marveled at the system's ability to handle the tedious tasks that he once found burdensome. While his suspicion of the system still lingered, he couldn't deny its usefulness in his endeavors. Perhaps, when he reached the pinnacle of his chosen path, he would reconsider his thoughts on the origin of the system.
"Now, let's delve into the heart of the matter," Desmond spoke, his voice filled with determination. He paused briefly, collecting his thoughts before continuing, "Analyze all the spells I've acquired and devise a new incantation that can conceal both my aura and race."
Over the past three years, Desmond had not only honed his magical skills under the tutelage of his parents but had also sought teachings from other experienced wizards and witches, willingly parting with gold coins as payment. Along his journey, he couldn't help but notice the change in people's gaze directed at him.
Those harboring malicious intent would recoil in fear upon laying eyes on him, while those with kind intentions would blush, regardless of their gender. Luckily, this peculiar effect seemed to affect only ordinary individuals.
[
Creating Task ...
Slot Used: 1
Status: In Progress 0%
]
[Analyzing all spells in the Host's repertoire....]
[Attempting to combine multiple spells with the closest possible effects...]
[The system has discovered a suitable spell within the Host's memories...]
[Attempting to merge Basic Spell: Clear Scent with Basic Spell: Absorption of Blessings...]
[Compiling spell components...]
[Process paused!]
[Warning! The ongoing process requires additional energy to proceed...]
[Does the Host consent to provide additional energy? Y/N]
Desmond found himself initially taken aback by the sudden appearance and disappearance of multiple transparent screens in front of him. However, the last notification made him pause and contemplate. "It's unusual for the system to request additional energy, indicating the complexity of the task at hand," he mused, uncertain whether to proceed or not.
The thought of his parents returning home at any moment filled him with anxiety. "Calm down, Desmond. Let's check my status first." He took a deep breath, closing his eyes in an attempt to quiet his mind.
After a few moments, he opened his eyes and commanded, "Status."
[Scanning Host's Physical Body...]
[Scan Complete!]
[
-Status-
Name: Desmond
Gender: Male
Age: 10 years
Race: Half-Human (50%)
Class: 1st Swordsman / 0th Dragonslayer
Occupation: None
Unique Energy: 16.16 / 37.16
Strength: 28.00
Agility: 21
Stamina: 5.43 / 7.43
Dragon Essence: 0
]
"My stamina has recovered slightly, and the energy depletion is minimal, as the system utilized a portion for the ongoing task," Desmond noted, relieved by the outcome.
As the progress bar screen floated beside the status screen, awaiting his response, Desmond inquired with a hint of anxiety, "System, how much energy do you require to continue this process?"
[Analyzing....]
The slowness of the analysis made Desmond's nerves jitter, and he glanced out the window only to find that the sun was already directly overhead. Time seemed to be slipping away rapidly, urging him to quicken the pace.
"Hurry up," Desmond muttered impatiently, widening his eyes in an attempt to discern any signs of progress. He then cautiously extended his finger towards the transparent progress bar, lightly pressing against it, as if testing its tangible nature.
As the system's progress bar came into contact with his finger, Desmond anxiously awaited to see if it would pass through or encounter resistance.
After a few suspenseful seconds, he observed with relief as the progress bar continued its journey beyond his finger. "Ah, good. I thought it had ceased functioning."
[Analyzing.... Process 99%]
Unbeknownst to him, Desmond had been fixated on the transparent screen before him for a solid 15 minutes. His eyelids had grown dry, necessitating a few blinks to alleviate the discomfort.
Reopening his eyes, Desmond discovered that the process remained incomplete. The progress bar seemed stuck, stubbornly refusing to advance further. "Come on! Just a little more!"
He contemplated checking his status but hesitated, fearing that it might disrupt the system's operation.
"Son, we're home!"
"Fuck!" Desmond involuntarily exclaimed, caught off guard by his parents' voices. He even startled backward, akin to a startled rabbit.
*Thump*
In his startled state, Desmond accidentally collided with the wall, generating a loud sound that reverberated through the room.
"Son, are you alright?" Leona's concerned voice echoed from the stairs, her footsteps drawing closer to Desmond's room.
Hearing his mother's voice, Desmond swiftly stashed the ink box into the nearby white pouch. He seized the pouch and swiftly hid under his bed.
*Squeak*
"Son?" Leona pushed open the door and spotted her son sitting on the bed with closed eyes. "Oh, you're meditating. Good luck!" she whispered softly, ensuring to blow him a kiss from afar before gradually closing the door.
Once the sound of the door closing reached his ears, Desmond opened his eyes and immediately shifted his gaze towards the transparent screen.
[The system has finished analyzing...]
[The system requires a minimum of 20.00 - 30.00 energy, as it involves altering the energy formations and subsequent modifications once the spell is activated.]
Desmond recollected having read a book about the intricacies of energy manipulation in this world, speculating that the system derived its information from such sources.
Desmond's heart sank as he saw the daunting amount of energy required. Postponing his project seemed inevitable, as replenishing energy proved to be much more challenging than restoring stamina.
"Wait... I have that spell. Maybe I'll just exhaust myself and fall asleep afterward," he pondered, recalling the existence of a spell that could instantly restore his energy. However, a hint of uncertainty clouded his mind. "But what if we have something important today?" Desmond furrowed his brow, trying to remember the earlier conversation with his family.
"Since training with Father was canceled, only dinner remains..." he recollected, piecing together the fragmented memory. "That means there's nothing crucial happening, so I'll have to take the risk. Besides, I only have two days left to prepare." Firm in his resolve, Desmond made a decisive choice.
He laid down on his bed and began chanting a spell, drawing upon the natural energy that surrounded him. "Basic Spell: Absorption of Blessings," Desmond muttered, seeking to harness its revitalizing power.
[Host is penalized for using 1st-class spells]
[The effect has been reduced. Host can only gain energy by 1.00 -> 0.50, but stamina consumption is doubled from the original -0.10 -> -0.20]
This particular spell allowed casters to instantly replenish their energy, but at a cost—absorbing the caster's stamina as an intermediary. Typically, it was employed in dire situations when a caster was on the brink of exhaustion, as lacking stamina would render a person unconscious.
Upon receiving the notification from the system, Desmond felt his body growing limp. The sensation was reminiscent of when he activated the Custom Spell: Item Modifier, but more potent. Even the simplest movements now felt overwhelming and taxing.
"S...ta...t...us," Desmond struggled to speak the words swiftly, sensing his consciousness slipping away.
[Scanning Host's Physical Body...]
[Scan Complete!]
[
-Status-
Name: Desmond
Gender: Male
Age: 10 years
Race: Half-Human (50%)
Class: 1st Swordsman / 0th Dragonslayer
Occupation: None
Unique Energy: 21.16 / 37.16
Strength: 28.00
Agility: 21
Stamina: 0.43 / 7.43
Dragon Essence: 0
]
"F...ina...ly," Desmond muttered, relief washing over him as he saw his energy reach the desired 20.00 mark. Without wasting a moment, he instructed the system to utilize his energy.
[Taking host energy as a precautionary measure against failure.]
[Continuing spell compilation process...]
[Process successful! The spell has been successfully created.]
[Please provide a name for this new spell...]
"F...u...ck," Desmond unintentionally muttered an expletive as he realized that his energy was merely being used as a safeguard against failure. The frustration boiled up within him, directed at the system.
This situation felt reminiscent of a game, where one could enhance their weapon but still lacked confidence in its success. In such cases, one could use an item purchased with real money to ensure a higher success rate.
[The spell has been given a name...]
[Custom Spell: Fuck has been created.]
[
Custom Spell: Fuck
Description: Conceals the host's scent, aura, and race. Additionally, allows the host to manipulate their own race, which alters the corresponding scent and aura.
Energy Consumption: 10.00 per second
]
"Ha...ha...ha," Desmond chuckled dryly as he read the name of the spell. However, when he saw the spell's effect and the energy required, a sense of relief washed over him. "Now I can rest peacefully..." Desmond's consciousness began to fade into darkness as he drifted into a deep slumber.
In his dream, he found himself transported back to his previous world, when he held the position of the young master in the number one mafia organization. Joyfully, he played with his sister, relishing in the carefree moments. Yet, something felt peculiar in this dream—everyone he encountered had a sensor or a blur obscuring their faces.
Desmond struggled to recall the exact features of his real family members.
...
Inside a dimly lit room, the moon's rays gently illuminated the figure of a young man—or rather, a boy—as he peacefully slept on his bed. His snores reverberated through the room, startling a spider that had intended to spin its web above his head.
Meanwhile, outside the room, a maid hurriedly made her way down the corridor towards Desmond's quarters.
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
"Young master, the lady and lord request your presence at dinner," the maid announced in adherence to the customary procedure, her voice echoing through the silent hallway.
"Young master?" Since there was no response, the maid felt compelled to enter the room. "I apologize for the intrusion." She pushed the door open with care.
"Ah," a soft exclamation escaped her lips as she caught sight of Desmond's serene, handsome face in deep slumber. "May you have pleasant dreams, young master." A warm smile graced her lips as she gently closed the door, leaving him to his rest.
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