Chapter 649 - Spark

(Hello?) I send back.

(Hello!) The voice in my head repeats.

This time I follow it properly, and for sure identify that it is coming from the mark that was placed on me when I entered the tower.

(Are you the king of this city?) I ask.

(It seems like it!)

I blink a few times and glance around. Then I decide I should sit down, so I move to a nearby bench.

(Seems like it?) I ask.

(It is difficult to say sometimes, with there being so many of me.) The voice sounds like a man in his thirties, maybe, but it has a sort of innocence to it.

(I do not think I can agree or disagree without more context. Also, are you not busy or something to have time to talk to me?)

(Not really. It is very peaceful here, and other parts of me deal with danger if needed, so I have time to watch the attendees and my people.)

(Are you maybe a stalker?)

(I... I am not going to lie, that definition is close to it, but not really. There are a few more of me doing the same thing. I saw you with rude Weslin before. Are you his disciple or a rookie in the Primordial Knights?)

(I am neither. The same way you are close to being a stalker, I am close to being kidnapped. Are you maybe a mind mage?)

(Do not insult me. I only use my mind and mark to track people, and also observe them through the devices placed in the city. I do not listen to what you talk about, as that would ruin the fun of guessing or observing. But some other parts of me might do that. There are some that are very curious.)

(So the ‘parts of you’ that you are referring to are parts of your mind?)

(Hehe, I can guess why you think that. I can sense that you are trying something similar to what you just mentioned. I noticed it when I placed the mark on you. But no, it is not really like that. It is different from what you are doing, but I will not tell you more. Do you want me to save you from Weslin? Kidnapping someone is not nice.)

(Thanks for the offer, but no.)

(Are you not angry at him? For kidnapping you and taking you to the third floor? I know for sure I would be.)

(A bit, but so far it fits with what I want to do. Are you a Champion?)

(Probably? I personally prefer watching people, but there are parts of me I can call on or ask for help. They're super strong. There are two or three that are fully combat-oriented and could kill everyone in the city in mere moments if they wanted.)

I pause my thoughts there. Yes, that totally sounds like a Champion, even though this one is really fascinating. I would have guessed it was someone who can split their mind like me, but messed up somewhere and created some sort of split personality. But he said that is not it. So maybe it is something more like duplication, intent, avatar, or something similar?

Leaning back, I notice myself tapping my finger on the back of my hand as I think. Maybe it really is something entirely different. But what? A Champion with a main mind, and the one I am talking to is something like a logic core that thinks it is the mind or the Champion? An artificial mind? A program?

Maybe he is some different race, something like a seven-headed hydra, with each head having its own mind?

It could also be a fancy trait, a passive ability, or a skill.

(Can you tell me what exactly you are?) I ask.

(Nope.)

Well, that is it.

I try again. (I am curious, so I hope it does not offend you. Do you want something in exchange for the answer to that question?)

(Hehe, people are rarely as curious and brave as you. But I have to refuse. Still, I quite like you. You really do not want me to ask a stronger part of me to stop Weslin and sneak you to the third floor? I can ask the part of me in control of the portal to let you use it.)

(Thank you, but there is no need to. Is it possible for me to see your body? Or talk to the main part of you?)

(Not really! And there is no main part. Each part is equally real. As for the body, we never leave our room at the top of the tower. Only parts of me move around to observe the city, guard it, run experiments, support the city arrays, and things like that. Our body has not left the room in a few hundred years. I am called Spark. And you?)

I see no reason to lie and give my name to likely one of the greatest introverts I have ever met. (Nathaniel.)

My respect for the guy grows by a notch. I cannot imagine doing something similar, but who knows. Maybe after a few hundred years, I will go on a training arc like that.

(Spark, can you tell me about Faora and Luan? Do you know them? I can give you their descriptions.)

(I can’t.)

(I see.)

(Are you angry?)

(I’m not.)

Spark lets out a laugh. (I can see that you’re not lying, hehe.)

(Why would I? I thought I’d try, but I didn’t have any expectations. So, do you need something from me?)

(I don’t! I just want to watch you for a bit and talk. But I can’t annoy the attendees too much or the other me will get angry. So, in exchange, I’ll answer your questions. If you ask for something big, I’ll either refuse or ask for something more as payment!)

(That sounds good to me.) I answer, filtering out the background noise a bit.

While sitting on the bench, watching people move around, I anticipate the next question.

(Wait a moment! Another part of me has joined and wants to take part in the conversation too, so I’m trying to send him away!)

(I don’t mind.)

(You don’t?)

(I don’t,) I repeat.

(Great! This is Marble. He’s a bit rude sometimes, so please forgive him,) Spark says as he introduces another part of this city´s King.

That new voice joins. It sounds the same as Spark’s but lacks the excitement and innocence. Instead, it carries less emotion and is deeper.

(Human, there is something off about your body. Will you allow me to use the mark to observe it?) it asks right away.

(What will I get in exchange?)

(Yes! Don’t be rude, Marble. Offer something. It’s very rude to probe attendees like that. Remember what Sunshine always says!)

(I’m willing to offer equal payment to satisfy my curiosity, Spark. I know attendees are greedy, and such transactions make things easier.)

Spark sounds a bit louder now. (That was rude too! Please forgive him, Nathaniel.)

(It’s okay,) I say. (What interesting or useful information could you give me in exchange for probing my body, Marble?)

For a moment, he falls silent before speaking again. (I have a hard time judging what attendees consider interesting or useful. But there are four pieces of information the other me were interested in as of late, so maybe you’ll find them interesting too. You can pick one.)

(That works for me. What are they?)

(Someone threatening to destroy the 1st and 2nd floors of Beyond. The death of someone important. The number of times attendees have tripped over their own feet while trying to look mysterious or intimidating in the past 500 years - the actual number will surprise you. And finally, a detailed chart tracking how many times attendees have tried to secretly feed the sparrows on the 26th floor of the city, only for the sparrows to completely ignore them. This one is long term, observed over the past 1,000 years.)

I sit on the bench and stare into the space in front of me.

Some of these don’t feel like the others.

Both Spark and Marble wait patiently while I make a difficult decision.

(The first question and the second one. What would you want in exchange for both?)

(Are you sure, Nathaniel? The actual number of tripping attendees would really surprise you!)

Spark probably doesn’t realize how close I am to picking that one.

(Maybe next time I come to the city.)

(He has picked his questions, Spark.) Marble says. (For the first one, I’ll probe your body. For the second one I will...)

(What are you two doing!) A third voice joins the conversation. It sounds the same as the other two, just stricter.

(Veil!) Spark says, and I can hear fear in his voice.

I feel Marble trying to slip away, but something holds him here just like Spark.

(You two aren’t going anywhere! What information are you trying to give to the rookie attendee!)

(But Veil! Nathaniel and I are friends.)

(We’ve made a fair trade, Veil. Please don’t interfere.)

(I’ll just sit here, then. Carry on.)

(I’m sorry, Nathaniel. It’s just Veil being rude. Veil, apologize to Nathaniel!)

(I agree with Spark, Veil,) Marble says. (You barged in rudely, even though I...)

(Argggghh, just be quiet. How could I not barge in when you’re about to talk about this information.)

Marble’s voice softens a little. (I see. I guess it really was too much to offer information about the chart of the number...)

(Not that!)

(Veil, you’re getting riled up,) Spark warns.

I reach towards my bag next to me and pull out one of my last, and according to the calculations, around 100 thousand dollars’ worth bar of chocolate. I take only a few pieces before I carefully package it and put it into the bag while eating the ones in my hand.

After a bit of fighting, the conversation shifts when Marble says, (Veil, you probably would want to probe his body too. I got only a hint, but look at this.)

Then there is a long silence, and in peace I finish the chocolate.

(Mmm, I guess we could come to a trade agreement. But the chart is out of the question. Breeze spent too much time on it just to give it away so freely.)

(I’m fine with that.) I say.

(Thanks for your understanding, Nathaniel!)

(You are welcome, Spark.)

This time Veil addresses me, (Well then, the information about someone threatening to destroy the 1st floor and the death of someone important in exchange for a deep probe of your body. We will not touch your mind and will place an oath to not share it with anyone other than pieces of us, even if it would mean death for us.)

(I agree.)

As I do so, Veil recites the oath, (We swear by our name, by our mark, and by our bond with this city. The knowledge we gain through this probe, or that any part of us gains by any means in relation to this act, will not be shared, shown, spoken of, or otherwise conveyed to any being or force beyond ourselves. This includes all parts of us, present or future, known or unknown. This oath binds us wholly and without condition, and shall hold even if our ruin or death be the cost. This is our word.)

I confirm its reality because of the feeling these oaths have, and observe the entire process. As always, calling the system as a judge is very interesting.

(Go on,) I say.

Then these three presences, through the mark placed on me, start examining my body. It isn’t as creepy as I expected it could be, and it doesn’t feel too intrusive either. They are doing it very carefully and never going deeper. And the mark is great. With their work, it expands through me and allows for a deeper scan.

While they do so, I continue to hear their voices.

(Nathaniel, how are you still alive!)

(Isn’t that Cycling similar to The Absolute’s?)

(There is so much mess. How can all these things fit there?)

(Two hearts. You are so cool, Nathaniel! The demons must love you!)

(Statistically, he shouldn’t be alive right now.)

(When was the last time you saw someone with such stat distribution?)

(Nathaniel, how are you still alive!)

(What is this?)

(Connection? Maybe to bond?)

(It feels scary.)

When it’s finally done, Veil leaves after a brief thanks.

(Thanks for your patience, human. Spark, you're coming with me. Right now.)

(Sorry, Nathaniel, I have to go. They probably want to reprimand me again. I will see you later!)

(See you, Spark.)

Only Marble stays, and from him I get two pieces of information.

About a certain Absolute who escaped the tutorial and threatened to destroy the two Beyond floors. Something Marble and the other parts of the King noticed, and even feared, as it was happening, unable to push back against that incredible power.

The second piece of information connects to this as well. The Ruler of Envy is dead, killed by the imitation of The Ancient Monster that tore through the Beyond. She is now trapped on the 12th floor, where her fate remains uncertain.

And the last piece of information I get is for free. The death of the Ruler of Envy means one of his Masters will sooner or later be crowned as the new Ruler of Envy. Then they will gain privileges and the opportunity to pass the floors the same as the other Rulers before and head deeper into the First Dungeon to prove themselves.

They might stop at the 11th floor like the other Rulers did. Or maybe they will head deeper, to the 12th floor, to kill the monster entrapped there.

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Next Chapter

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Author Note: I might post chapter 650 sometime today. I could be busy tomorrow, but I’ll see!