In essence, in most cases, asking the Main God for enhancements had the highest priority. Why "most cases"? Because nothing was ever truly absolute—it left at least a one-percent margin of exception.
"So that's it. This inflation in cost is just the normal situation for everyone."
"Correct."
"Then doesn't that make leveling extremely difficult?" Zeroy remained modest. She didn't believe she was the only one earning so many Points.
That said, she also knew that weaker Reincarnators had no way to gather that much. Patchouli was right in front of her as proof. Unless Patchouli wasn't really first-tier and was lying to join her, but Zeroy trusted her friend.
"The higher you go, the harder it becomes." Patchouli paused, her violet eyes watching Zeroy's reaction, guessing her concern. "You think the cost inflates too quickly, don't you?"
"Uh… a little." Zeroy pinched her fingers to show a tiny gap.
"Though in truth, for us, this is normal. So maybe the issue is you… You're just leveling too fast."
"Emmm… fine. If the direction's right, I'll keep enhancing."
Anyhow, looking at the enhancement panel, Zeroy remembered the Breath of Origin. "What ways are there to get Breath of Origin?"
"Evaluation Rewards."
"...Nothing then."
Zeroy's total Points were 750,000. She had spent 298,000, leaving 452,000. Ten enhancements to reach 60 would cost another 200,000, leaving 250,000. Beyond that, each enhancement cost 40,000, and every level past 60 required a Breath of Origin. With none left, she couldn't continue even if she wanted to.
"Patchi—" After finishing her enhancements, Zeroy gave her a slightly pitiful look. "I feel like… not much changed, even though I spent so many Points."
"You didn't feel your life elevate when you used Breath of Origin to enhance yourself?" Patchouli asked curiously.
"No. Though the first time I used it to enhance myself, I did feel something like that."
"...That thing can be used like that?"
"Can't it?"
"...It seems your situation is special. I've never seen that, and I don't understand why. Even though I've been here longer than you, the Main God Space itself hasn't been around long. Everyone's still new, and our knowledge of the Breath of Origin is very fragmentary."
"Alright then."
If she couldn't enhance further, her gains were mostly sorted—except one last matter.
"Patchi, do you know the Ten-Thousand Soul Banner?"
"The Ten-Thousand Soul Banner? What's that?" Patchouli frowned. She had never heard of it; however, the name itself sounded ominous.
"It's an artifact forged from the flesh and souls of millions… a divine tool? Its effect depends on the user, but usually it absorbs and stores souls, refining them to empower the banner or feed back into the user."
"A blood sacrifice of millions? And even their souls? ..." Patchouli fell silent for a long time before speaking again. "I've never heard of something so insane. Even the reapers of hell wouldn't do something like that. Where did you hear of this?"
"So that's how it is… sigh." Zeroy let out a disappointed breath. She had hoped to learn more from Patchouli, both veteran Reincarnator and mage.
"So why ask?"
"I was thinking of making one to collect all the pests' souls. Even though I can already torment them with Hellfire, but—eh? Patchi?" Zeroy trailed off, noticing Patchouli had shrunk back to the edge of the bed, bristling.
"Don't be so nervous, Patchi. I wouldn't use it on people—only on pests." Zeroy hurried to explain.
"You… are too extreme." Patchouli glanced at Zeroy's sunny smile. "...I won't hold back, if it comes to it."
...
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