As night fell on schedule, Phaethon's figure, like a specter from a rules-based horror tale, once again "latched onto" Cyrene.
"Cyrene~, Cyrene~" Phaethon's eager call had barely left his lips.
Yet, before the words even finished, Cyrene, as if having already divined his purpose, let out a light laugh tinged with both exasperation and fondness.
She didn't even turn around, merely waving a hand dismissively.
"I just knew Little Phaethon, with his utterly impatient nature, would come find me tonight. ♪" Her voice carried a hint of weariness. "I already prepared them for you! The Demigod of Earth—Terravox, and the Demigod of Law—Cerydra. Don't bother me for the rest of the night, Little Phaethon. ♪"
Phaethon deftly caught the two Memory Fragments, his face instantly blooming with a smile brighter than sunlight:
"Cyrene really does understand me best!" Phaethon held them as if they were priceless treasures.
His eyes grew even more fervent, filled with hope as he gazed at Cyrene. "It's just... are there any more? The Demigod of Ocean—Hysilens? And..." He probed, craving more.
Cyrene couldn't help but let out a massive yawn, waving a weary hand:
"What are you thinking? How could I possibly finish them all at once? Haah— Condensing just these two already took a great deal of my energy... Tomorrow, tomorrow I still have to go to Aglaea's to receive the remaining memories..." She rubbed her aching temples, explaining:
"Cerydra's case... has far too many mysteries. The threads of causality are tangled like an unsortable ball of yarn."
Cyrene's gaze grew profound. "But fortunately, the core conclusion in the historical records is correct—she ultimately, indeed, perished at the hands of that Demigod of Ocean, Hysilens. That point is indisputable."
Her tone took on a note of gravity and confusion:
"But... regarding that Demigod of Ocean, Hysilens... her past is shrouded in an extremely bizarre, deep fog. The interference is ridiculously strong."
She shook her head helplessly, radiating deep exhaustion. "Today... I really can't give her to you. Let me... rest for a bit..."
"Thank you, Cyrene!" Although Phaethon's heart itched with curiosity about Hysilens's abilities, holding two Demigod Fragments was already a tremendous harvest.
Clutching the two crystals with utmost care, he shot back to his room like an arrow from a bow and swiftly locked the door.
Inside the room, Phaethon sat cross-legged and randomly activated one of them.
Phaethon: Let's see!
A cold, mechanical system prompt sounded:
[Detected an individual's life signs have completely vanished from the observation range.]
[Core Protocol Activated.]
[The individual's 'Life Characteristics,' 'Core Abilities,' and 'Mental Imprint Fragments' have been collected.]
[New 'Folder' established. Abilities may be freely invoked.]
[Please name this folder ______.]
But what struck his soul even before the prompt was a deep, compassionate, soulful murmur that seemed to resonate with the very pulse of the earth:
"You wish to know the purpose of my journey? The homeland embraced by mountains...
On the cliff faces, simple yet hopeful flowers are carved. The gentle earth-beasts bow down to rest, listening to the carefree laughter of children as they drift into dreams.
These giant beast companions from all corners of Amphoreus...
We once huddled and wept amidst the cold depths of ruins, assailed by endless chilly rain, until... discovered by the simple, kind-hearted mountain folk, who offered us warm shelter.
But now, the earth has perished. We have lost our sheltering deity, lost our rooted homeland... lost everything.
Yet I, Terravox, am still willing to press my hands together in prayer, offering my most devout wish to the Earth Titan, Georios—may the flame of life reignite upon this scarred land, and thrive once more.
Because... nurturing life, guarding all vitality in this world... is the final duty imprinted within our bloodline by the Titan of Georios, left for the people of the world... and the final path... I can still walk..."
That will filled with sacrifice and resolve slowly dissipated, leaving behind a desolation as heavy as mountains.
A solemn respect arose in Phaethon's heart as he immersed himself in this demigod's tragic wish.
So that's how it was... He took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart.
The Demigod of Earth, Terravox, did not fall in defeat. Instead, he chose to sacrifice himself, using his own body to mend the shattered earth, buying a thread of hope for countless living beings!
However, this weightiness and reverence did not last long.
For the very moment the system prompt confirmed the folder's establishment!
An unprecedented, vast, boundless torrent of power, like a dormant leyline from eons past suddenly awakening, madly surged into every limb and bone of Phaethon's body!
His bones emitted a series of dense, crackling "pop" sounds like bursting beans! Muscle fibers bulged, restructured, and strengthened as if infused with molten rock!
Golden, vein-like patterns seemed to flash briefly beneath his skin! His blood roared like rivers, his heart pounded like a war drum of the earth! An indescribable, monumental sense of power filled every single cell!
This power?! Phaethon's eyes snapped open, shooting out brilliant light!
He instinctively clenched his fist—the air was compressed with a sound... *hmm, better not actually make any sound? Cyrene is sleeping next door.* But the hard floor beneath his feet still silently spread with spider-web cracks!
As the longest-lived earth-beast—the Demigod of Earth, Terravox—was truly worthy of the name!
A storm of astonishment raged in Phaethon's heart. His physical constitution had been elevated to a terrifying level he wouldn't have dared dream of before! He could even control the earth to a certain degree! And manipulate gravity!
Phainon? Mydei? Could they shatter mountains with a stomp? A feeling of looking down upon the world surged within him.
*Hmm... if they ever ascend to demigodhood in the future, perhaps they could. Maybe even be stronger. But... what does that have to do with me now?!*
Phaethon: I lack nothing now!
Stat mOnSter!
MeChaniC mOnSter!
FUSiOn Upgrade!
OverpOWered mOnSter!!!
The absolute confidence born of power nearly made him laugh aloud to the heavens!
But he quickly reined in his excitement, his burning gaze shifting to the other deep-purple Memory Fragment.
Then... next!
Let me see the truth of how Cerydra met her end in this life...
The cold system prompt sounded again, followed by the influx of a memory fragment filled with power struggles and icy resolution:
Deep within a magnificent yet suffocatingly oppressive palace. A blue-haired young woman with a cold, frost-like aura stood with her back to the scene. Her voice was calm, without a ripple of emotion, yet carried an indisputable authority:
"Dux Gladiorum... proceed."
A woman's voice responded:
"But Imperator..."
The young woman whirled around abruptly! The "candle" atop her head traced a cold arc in the dim light!