My attributes are increasing infinitely Chapter 440: Going to the land of the ancients

"My lord, the Apocalypse Race makes its home amid the sharp ridges of the Western Mountain Range. We could cover that path in the blink of an eye, yet a problem arises: you stand as an outsider in this realm. Your presence hasn't been noted by the Neutral Plane’s ruling principles," Erebus clarified, his tone resounding like moving darkness.

He halted, his gaze shining with cautious fervor. "The moment you pass beyond this woodland and enter the light of the settled lands, your essence will ignite a soul beacon. All mighty figures, ancient entities, and holy guardians will get alerted to the arrival of an intruder. Are you really set on heading to the peaks while drawing such attention?"

Ethan reclined against a twisted trunk, his face showing no emotion. "So, I’m essentially a beacon drawing foes? No way. I’m far from prepared to confront a group of those ’powerhouses.’ I require additional moments to steady myself. Besides, let’s change the topic. What about Zara? Any news on how she’s faring?"

"She remains among the living, my lord. That’s all I can confirm. Their domain is barred by a space barrier that blocks even my shadow travel. I’ve yet to spot a weakness in their barriers," Erebus confessed, a unusual trace of annoyance in his words.

Ethan grew quiet, his hand sketching shapes through the atmosphere. With a simple flick, he gathered the dampness from the steamy forest breeze, forming a glowing, gentle orb of liquid that floated inches from the earth. He eased into it, the water’s tautness supporting him like the softest padded seat.

"Yumiko," Ethan summoned his inner interface, "you stated earlier that I match the God Race. But seeing the vast difference, it seems absurd. My power doesn’t reach even a sliver of theirs. What causes this huge gap?"

[Master, the math is straightforward but overwhelming,] Yumiko’s response echoed within his thoughts. [Offspring of the God Race don’t start like ordinary beings. They emerge into being with Absolute Continuum Grade 1 power right away. In elite bloodlines, infants appear at Grade 2 or Grade 3 from the start, based on the essence richness of their native domain.]

[On top of that, their growth speeds up through two elements: the pure Divine Energy from the Upper Realm and the straight genetic legacy from their forebears. They don’t ’cultivate’ like others. Instead, they draw on their parents’ inherent godhood and absorb family heirlooms until ready to form their personal Source. You, though, are forging your endless potential from scratch.]

Ethan let out a breath, the burden of his path pressing down more. "Innate deities. Sounds luxurious. So, what’s our plan? I want a tactic that avoids me being crushed by some Grade 3 child."

[Master, the route ahead is evident: now’s the moment to establish your Empire. Rally the human race to your cause. With a base of devotees secured, you can start weaving your Law of Infinity into their core beings.]

[Since it’s the Law of Infinity, they won’t have to abandon their existing ways. They stay on their courses, yet their lives link to yours. Their progress feeds back to you in equal measure. After uniting the humans, consume the remaining primal races. Next, rise to the Divine Realm and engulf their societies entirely. That forms your advancement.]

Ethan inclined his head gradually, even as a scowl crossed his features. "Must I gather every last one under my flag? All of them?"

[You’ll serve as their Living God, Master. Have them revere you. Devotion acts as the link where their core blends with your Law. You can’t impose this bond; it demands a soul harmony. Or, you might leave them behind and craft a fresh race purely from your essence, which proves much swifter.]

Ethan gazed upward at the thick foliage overhead. Memories of humankind’s hardships, their weakness, and their defiance filled his mind. "No. I entered this life as human, and I refuse to cast that aside. I’ll journey across various human realms, foster their belief, and claim them as my own. Think of it as a productive getaway."

Rising from his liquid seat, he turned to Erebus. "Discover a method to slip into the Apocalypse Race. If necessary, pretend to yield. Pose as a wandering spirit seeking a lord. Guard Zara from the darkness. Those fools won’t turn you into a thrall regardless; your spirit is bound to me."

"Your command is my purpose, my lord. I’ll act as your sight amid the heights," Erebus inclined in respect and dissolved into the woodland’s undergrowth.

The weariness from recent weeks at last overtook Ethan. The Neutral Plane offered a haven of flowing energy, with the atmosphere itself like a soothing soak. He gestured, and from waves of his personal force, four ghostly attendants appeared, manifestations of his might crafted for ease.

"Give me a massage," he ordered, shutting his eyes. "I’m resting now."

Yet as relaxation started to pull him under, an idea flickered. "Yumiko, one thing before I rest... Rose and the rest. Someone’s messing with their recollections. Who’s behind it?"

[The Architect of the Fate Race,] Yumiko answered without delay. [He’s developed a prying fascination with your path. He’s tugging at the connections of those near you to observe your response.]

"Is he aware of my true identity?"

[Not at all. He views you as an intriguing oddity, a ’wild card’ disrupting his vast scheme. That intrigue alone keeps him from attempting to wipe you out so far.]

Ethan clenched his jaw. "I’ll show that scum what’s what eventually. He believes it’s all a game? I’ll shatter his setup."

Holding onto that last vengeful notion, Ethan gave in to slumber.

Four days passed before he stirred to gentle patters and trills. Blinking awake, he saw tiny, pale, bunny-esque beings bounding across his limbs. Vibrant insects with panes of colored glass for wings danced near his face, while the breeze carried melodies from gem-like avians.

He sensed renewal surging through him. Each part of his form thrummed with restored vigor. "How much time passed while I slept?"

[Precisely four days, Master.]

"Fine. Back to the effort now." He extended a hand to stroke the ear of one fuzzy creature. It hummed, pulsing with faint spiritual force.

The notion of softness reminded him of Puffin, the snowy puff he’d entrusted to Rose. That being was peculiar, even for him. "Yumiko, what’s Puffin’s true nature? You said he’s not from the ’Cage.’"

[Master, this lower realm stretches wide. The ’Cage,’ your familiar world, is merely a tiny, managed trial. Beyond lie ’Rogue Species.’ These are peoples unbound to any deity and ignoring the set rules of the Divine Realms. Divine Races frequently base their designs on these independents due to their innate toughness. Puffin hails from an advanced rogue line dwelling in the profound emptiness.]

"One more item for the list," Ethan pondered. "I’ll fold the rogue species into the Law of Infinity as well. The multiverse is immense; why not claim it all?"

He rose and scanned his surroundings. "Who forged the God Race, Yumiko? Their might suggests an origin."

[Such insight lies outside my reach for now, Master. They might stem from the initial exhale of creation itself. Or an Supreme Maker could oversee even the High Gods. At present, it’s an enigma beyond your current power to unravel.]

Ethan let it drop. He got to his feet, and with a mental shift, his awareness linked back to his primary form. He stationed an advanced duplicate in the Neutral Plane with firm directives: breach the regional network and aid Erebus should issues arise.

Ethan’s eyes flew open in his core self. He’d returned to his tower. Beyond, the terrain had shifted. Envoys from more than a thousand "Original Races" assembled at his tower’s foot. The atmosphere hung heavy with varied mana aromas and whispers from formidable presences.

"Deposit the tribute along with one drop of your bloodline core," Ethan’s words rang across the area, icy and thunderous. "Return after forty-eight hours for your enhanced methods. I won’t entertain guests today."

None of the chiefs ventured a protest. They deposited mounds of origin coins and flasks of radiant blood before withdrawing. Ethan ignored the hoard; he summoned yet another duplicate to handle the dull task of examining the lineages and streamlining the method improvements.

Greater matters awaited him. He headed to Rose’s chambers.

"Rose," he announced upon entering. She sat near the pane, Puffin nestled in her hold. "Gather your things. Care to join me on a trip to the Land of the Ancients?"

Rose glanced up, taken aback. "The Land of the Ancients? I can’t....."

She prepared to refuse outright when Elizabeth emerged from the corridor’s gloom.

"You ought to join her, Rose," Elizabeth stated resolutely. "You’ve driven yourself ragged ever since arriving. A respite is due, and crucially, you must witness the realms beyond these confines."