socalfunplaces Chapter 44 Grab it in one go, refine it in an instant!
Chapter 44 Grab it in one go, refine it in an instant!
Through seemingly morbid "repeated power on and off" operations.
Luo Lan secretly confirmed one thing: he seemed to have encountered a bug in the [Death Seal Protocol]:
Having inherited Roland's body and brought him back to life, Roland was now able to control this unknown entity called "Victor".
Since the judgment mechanism of this [Death Seal Protocol] allows Luo Lan to have the highest authority, things will be much easier.
Luo Lan's previously tense muscles relaxed slightly, and her tone became more casual:
"Alright, Victor, since 'your knowledge is at my disposal,' what exactly do you know?"
The silence lasted for about ten seconds.
The neutral, synthesized voice of Victor, which had been echoing in Luo Lan's mind, didn't reply immediately this time, as if it was weighing something:
"Warning: Unknown soul. Although the agreement stipulates that I must respond to your commands, your current soul rank..."
The neutral synthesized tone paused for a beat.
"Too weak."
These four words are not sarcastic at all; they are simply stating an objective observation.
"Knowing knowledge beyond the 'starry sky' will only lead to your...death of both body and soul."
After listening, in the depths of Luo Lan's memory, which had been edited and modified by "Stars," something was thrashing about, trying to break free of its restraints—
He completely forgot that the first time he stepped out of the underground palace and looked up at the night sky in the wasteland, he almost collapsed into a pile of bloody flesh and mud because he saw something he shouldn't have looked at.
Not receiving the reply he wanted, Luo Lan remained silent for a moment.
Before Luo Lan could figure out how to ask further, Victor's voice came through on his own:
"Note: Due to the damage to the hibernation pod, the spiritual shield has failed, and the [Sin Judgment Mark] has been rekindled in the spirit world. Although it has lost its location ability due to wear and tear from a period of 'hibernation,' there is still a risk of being hunted down."
Victor paused, seemingly giving Luo Lan time to think:
"Suggestion: Take me with you and leave the Holy Kingdom."
[The Mark of Crime] Luo Lan has seen it with her own eyes; it does exist.
This rift is currently located within the Holy Kingdom. Staying in the territory of a wanted person with a wanted body is hardly a wise move.
Therefore, Luo Lan did not object to the suggestion of leaving the Holy Kingdom:
"Yes, I'll leave here even without you saying so. But... should I take you with me?"
Victor's reply resumed its previous rapid pace:
"Definitely. Now that you've confirmed the existence of the [Sin Mark], the logic is clear: you need to use my knowledge to erase it after your soul matures; and I need to use this body to execute the plan after 'Awakening' ahead of time. It's a win-win contractual relationship."
Luo Lan pondered these words.
If this had happened ten minutes ago, Luo Lan wouldn't have believed this story at all.
A voice suddenly pops into your head wanting to discuss cooperation? It's probably up to no good. Luo Lan walked away without looking back.
But now the situation has changed.
The [Death Seal Protocol], which Luo Lan had inadvertently exploited by exploiting a bug, became his most crucial bargaining chip.
Since he could control Victor to "turn on and off" at will, Luo Lan decided to give it a chance:
"Alright, but where is your real body? How am I supposed to get you out of here?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding environment began to change.
The wall, which had no "coffin" container and was constantly undergoing complex geometric changes, gradually dimmed.
The flowing, deep blue symbols faded away layer by layer, like ripples on the water's surface contracting and flowing backward.
A few seconds later, the wall went completely dark, turning into a deathly gray metal panel like the other walls.
Victor's voice sounded somewhat ethereal at this moment:
"Wait. Your arrival has created an unknown variable, the final calculation has been terminated, and computing power is being recovered and restarted..."
The tomb was quiet for a moment.
"Sizzle—"
With a dull thud of air pressure release, the last "coffin" container, which had been tightly closed, opened its hatch in front of Luo Lan.
Just as Luo Lan had suspected when he tentatively tapped inside, the cabin was completely empty. The walls were smooth and devoid of any material.
Just as Luo Lan was feeling a bit confused, Victor's voice rang out again.
This time, the cold, neutral synthesized tone was less flat and rigid, and more ceremonial and solemn:
"The Fourth Age, the Celins Dynasty, Chief Think Tank—Victor Necronomicon greets you. Strange soul, may I have the honor of knowing your name?"
Luo Lan was a little taken aback by the sudden solemn atmosphere, and after a pause, she replied:
"...Just call me Luo Lan."
Luo Lan's answer seemed to have surprised Victor as well, causing him to pause for a few seconds before responding:
"Interesting, similar real names... Confirmed. Luo Lan, entered into the database."
As soon as he finished speaking, a faint blue laser beam lit up deep inside the empty "coffin" cabin in front of Luo Lan.
Dozens of extremely fine laser beams shot out from the inner wall of the cabin, constantly intertwining, overlapping, and solidifying in the air, with the light so dense that the naked eye could hardly follow their trajectory.
In just a brief moment, the light faded, weaving a physical form from nothingness.
A pale blue icosahedral "stone" floated in the center of the cabin. Each triangular facet emitted a uniform, cold light, and its surface was covered with fine, data-like patterns. It was about the size of Luo Lan's fist.
Victor's neutral synthesized voice then followed:
"Just take this with you, my true form—the [Life Box Soul Stone]."
Looking at the stone that gleamed with a cold light, Luo Lan stepped forward without hesitation.
It extended its left hand, a bony claw devoid of any flesh or blood, and reached out to grab it.
Seeing this, Victor quickly spoke up to remind Luo Lan:
"Be careful! The Soul Stone must not be touched directly! I have prepared a method for you, you only need to—"
"There's no need for that."
Luo Lan remained calm as he grabbed the Soul Stone.
Refined in an instant!
[Casting - Assembly]
[Consumed Chaos Essence: 170]
[Current Chaotic Essence: 3]
The last bit of accumulated chaotic essence was squeezed out, and [Condensation] was initiated.
Purple-black particles surged out from the bone hand and enveloped the dark blue stone.
The icosahedron gradually softens and is shaped in the particle light flow, as if it is being kneaded and reassembled by a pair of invisible hands.
The purple-black and dark blue intertwined for a moment before the soul stone finally transformed into the shape of a thumb bone joint, fitting perfectly into the thumb position of the left hand's bone claw, replacing the original piece of bone.
[Assembled: Starbone Undead's Life Box Soul Stone]
Rank: ?
[Status: Necromancer Symbiosis]
[Necromantic Symbiosis: You have entered into a symbiotic relationship with a [Starborne Necromancer], whose consciousness now resides in your left hand.]
Victor's neutral synthesized voice rang in Luo Lan's mind again:
"Incredible. You also possess a [Crystal Dust of Order], and a remarkably complete fragment at that."
Because the Soul Stone had been assembled into his hand, the sound was several times clearer than before.
Luo Lan ignored Victor's comment and raised her left hand in front of her eyes.
This is not a hand that a normal human being should have:
Among a group of finger bones with a grayish-white metallic sheen, the new thumb, resembling a dark blue crystal, stands out. Its surface is covered with fine data patterns, and its edges emit wisps of dark blue death energy.
Upon closer inspection, the soul stone had completely integrated into the skeletal structure, and even the movement of the joints was smooth and natural.
"Clang clang."
After a few forceful taps, a crisp, dull metallic clang rang out. Its hardness was even several levels greater than that of the recently forged [Steel Bones].
Luo Lan raised her head and took one last look at the "coffin" container in front of her, which was now completely empty after the soul stone was removed.
Then he looked at the "coffin" equipment box on the left, which had been emptied of the broadsword and heavy armor, and the damaged "coffin" hibernation pod on the right.
It is certain that all the precious items in this tomb have been packed away.
Luo Lan greeted Victor in the air:
"Ready? Let's go."