World Keeper-Chapter 1239: One is the Loneliest Number

Chelsea was preoccupied with her own projects, having finally convinced Treisha to assist them in their study of a multiple-domain Origin ascension after the success of Lifre. Granted, both parties were aware how unlikely it would be to reproduce her achievement of perfectly splitting and filtering her internal energies. However, at the very least, there was a precedent to prove that the research was feasible, and they had a direction that they could take it.

Chelsea rapidly typed away at her terminal, working on the new programming for the next experiment. Since the ascension process worked when Lifre split herself, it should be possible to create a filtration mechanism for the energy controller. It would be similar to Lifre’s last failed experiment.

The only real issue that we have to overcome is timing. However, theoretically, it should be possible to create a safety switch. If we have all of the ascension methods pause at the final moment before completion until all are ready, and then activate them simultaneously, we should be able to get a successful result.

Of course, this was easier said than done. There were two methods that they could possibly use to pause the ascension process mid-way. If they had fine enough control over the subject’s energy, they may be able to manually halt the process, forcing it to stop just before the moment of completion.

This method, however, could cause some serious backlash. In the worst situation, it could cause a total failure of the entire process, shattering the target’s very soul under the stress. Unfortunately, the second method, albeit safer, was far more difficult.

The second method required controlling time itself on a very small scale. Each domain would need its own platform, capable of completely halting the flow of time for anyone sitting atop it. This would prevent the ascension process from continuing until all of the subject’s domains were ready to advance.

Sadly, they had not yet created the technology for such control over time. It was entirely possible to alter the flow of time over a large scale, even an entire universe. Such things were typically done through memetic influences on the universe itself, or through time-based domains.

But, we can’t do it through a domain. The divine or fallen energy might interfere with the process. We need a spell to stop time, while preventing the mana of the spell itself from flowing into the containment area. Chelsea bit her lips at that, wishing that Dana were back.

Although Lifre had a similar magical aptitude when it came to runic spells, there was a large difference. Geometric spells were inherently more suitable for things like this, as they were made to contain the mana within the spell circle. Meanwhile, runic magic was more freely flowing, making it less suitable for wards and the like.

We’ll have to do this the hard way. She thought to herself with a sigh, before she felt a distant resonance with the void, her eyes widening slightly. Moments later, a red prompt appeared in the corner of her screen.

They made another Origin of Metal? She asked, dumbfounded. Opening the prompt, she saw that there was a large explosion in another research base. Given that the results were still being investigated, Chelsea closed her eyes, directing her main body to investigate the issue.

Riley stood, dumbfounded at the chaos before him. Behind him were over a dozen researchers, all of whom were just barely clinging onto life as they lay within the charred remains of their facility. “How did this happen?” He asked, before quickly turning and moving towards one of the closest researchers, infusing his ki into the researcher to help stimulate their recovery.

“I-I don’t know…” The researcher responded, black skin flaking off of his body to reveal healthy tissue as Riley’s energy flowed into his. “Everything should have been perfect. All of the calculations were right… all of the tests proved positive.”

Despite their first success with Riley, they did not rush into the ascension of their second Origin. Rather, they ran numerous tests through educational streams, just as they had before. However, this time when the subject was completing the ascension process, he suddenly cried out in pain, his body erupting with energy.

Riley had only just enough time to erect a barrier in front of himself, shielding his own body and those behind him. Despite this, they weren’t able to completely escape damage. Were it not for Riley immediately working to help them recover, it would have only been a matter of time before they died.

As Riley moved on to help the next researcher, he felt his internal universe change through some form of resonance. It was hard to explain, but it felt like it had… expanded? Riley pursed his lips, questioning internally if he had somehow caused this explosion.

However, before he could continue this line of thought, golden radiance poured down from above, healing those that were injured. “No, this wasn’t your fault.” Udona’s voice spoke up, the kitsune goddess appearing in the air behind him. “If anything, you should consider yourself lucky.”

Riley looked up and back at Udona, his eyes wide. “Lucky…?” He questioned, finding that incredibly difficult to believe.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Udona simply nodded her head. “That’s right. When two of the same type of Origin exist, the weaker of the two is destroyed, their internal universe becoming nourishment for the stronger. If you had been the weaker of the two, not only would you have died, but so would all of these others, as that man was in no position to protect them if you were the one whose power erupted.”

Riley and the other researchers gasped upon hearing this, with Riley himself standing up to face the goddess. “Why didn’t the Another World Research Group mention this in their summary of Origins?” He questioned emotionally, as if feeling that this were a malicious attack by that group.

Udona shook her head sadly. “They didn’t release a summary of Origins in the first place. The information about Origins, including what formed the basis for this team’s research, merely came from leaked data that spread as they were looking for recruits for their own research. The AWRG never intended for the method of Origin ascension to be spread until they had worked out all of the details.”

“That said, once the information was leaked, there was nothing that they could do to stop others from attempting it on their own. Thus, they had two choices. First, they could come forward and explain what they knew, putting an incredibly dangerous and uncontrolled system in the hands of those that may use it for evil. Or, they could attempt to push through their own research as much as they could to master it before it became an issue.”

Hearing this, one of the surviving researchers sat up. “Does this mean that the explosion was a flaw of our ascension method… or an inevitable result of two Origins of Metal existing at the same time?” He asked, pulling himself to his feet.

“The latter.” Udona explained in a patient tone. “There is no way to prevent the void resonance from happening upon ascension. That’s why they have kept the list of Origins as small as possible, because even one more Origin is one less chance that they’ll have to perfect the process before releasing it.”

The researcher hesitated, still feeling reluctant about the whole thing. On the one hand, he was a man of science. The refusal to spread knowledge went against his fundamental beliefs. On the other hand, it had been a long time since the advancement of science went hand-in-hand with sacrifice. Such common truths had become a thing of the past after the release of educational streams.

“Couldn’t they have just added that as a small note?” Riley questioned. “At the very least, it could have saved lives here.”

However, Udona simply shook her head. “In fact, if they had done so, there would have probably been more deaths.” She said, confusing both Riley and the scientist. “First, this would cause people to question how they knew that. Who was the one that died to obtain this knowledge?”

Udona’s expression grew serious, a barrier of golden light surrounding herself, Riley, and the leading researcher. “Many people have not yet put this together, because she has been keeping a low profile. Nearly a century ago, Terra created a new incarnation.”

The researcher’s eyes widened, understanding dawning on his face. “She was the Origin that died?”

Udona nodded in confirmation. “That’s right. This knowledge alone would lead to many people who would use the Origin advancement system for evil. They wouldn’t even need to attack someone themselves. If that person was an Origin, they would merely need to create an Origin themselves that had a stronger internal universe, and the other Origin would immediately perish.”

“Such attacks would not presently be viable on many targets, but the research into it would have begun decades ago. By now, thousands of people would have surely died to these experiments, if not more. Especially if they were conducted by those who did not have the authority to launch an educational stream.” She said in a meaningful tone, and the researcher’s eyes widened again.

Ultimately, that was the crux of the problem. You couldn’t force someone to launch a stream, or control their actions once inside of it. Everything that happened needed to be voluntary. In their case, they had registered Riley as an assistant researcher with the right to stream in their facility.

However, if the subject was unwilling, or if they lacked the qualifications to stream, both of which would often be the case for a shady organization, they would have to conduct the experiments in the real world. And he knew just how many times they had failed to have Riley ascend before finally achieving a success. If each failure generated an explosion like what they just witnessed…

Riley wanted to speak up, to ask why couldn’t they just prevent people from doing things like that, but he bit back his words. If they relied on the gods to prevent problems like this, why would they need police, or adventurers, or their own armies? Even if it caused the deaths of innocent people, they couldn’t expect the Greater Pantheon to constantly monitor such groups.

Seeming to understand Riley’s thoughts, Udona nodded her head. “That’s why the AWRG decided to not say anything, and wait until they had perfected the Origin technology. The fact that Origins are unique entities already limits how many of them can exist at a time. They have to be very careful with this technology, as I’m sure you understand at this point. And you, the Origin of Metal, must discover how to use your power. If you need a guide, consult with Blank, the Origin of Games. He will be able to point you in the right direction.”

After saying that, Udona disappeared in a flash of golden light, the barrier around them disappearing. Moments later, they could hear sirens approaching, rescue teams being dispatched to investigate the explosion of the research facility.

Riley looked down at his hands, thinking about what Udona had just said. He hadn’t expected to feel so much pressure after completing what was said to be the ultimate evolution of power. However, now, anyone could come along as an Origin of Metal, and he would simply disappear if they were stronger than him.

Looking around, he let out a low sigh, realizing that there wasn’t much that he could do here anymore. Most of the local servers would have been destroyed beyond salvation by that blast. There was bound to be some useful data, but otherwise, it was up to the researchers to start over from what they had in their own minds. And for that, there was nothing that he could do to help them.

Blank, huh? He questioned inwardly, thinking how he could come into contact with this legendary figure.