My Talent's Name Is Generator Chapter 855 Unexpected Encounter

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Previously on My Talent's Name Is Generator...
After completing an intricate runic teleportation circle, the group sets out to travel between worlds. The journey initially goes well as they traverse a stable spatial tunnel, but they soon find themselves under attack by defensive energy beams. It is revealed that the traveler accidentally attempted to bypass the planetary shields he previously installed, which now view their arrival as a threat. Upon communicating with the world core, he manages to stabilize the path, allowing everyone to safely reach their home world.

"This location is truly breathtaking. Moreover," Lyrate remarked as she walked toward the lakeshore, "there is a staggering density of life force teeming within these waters."

Abruptly, the lake's surface began to ripple.

Initially, the motion was subtle, akin to a minor disturbance spreading across the expanse. The undulations grew wider until the lake's heart radiated a faint violet luminescence.

I furrowed my brow, moving to stand beside Lyrate.

"You are correct regarding the life force," I murmured. "But there is more to it than just that."

The brilliance intensified.

A slender pillar of violet essence ascended from the depths, curling upward like wisps of smoke. As the light shifted, a distinct form began to take shape.

Suddenly, the essence erupted.

A miniature bird emerged from the depths.

With its wings unfurling, it took flight into the air, violet essence cascading over its feathers like a living, cool fire. No larger than a human palm, the entity left shimmering trails of light in its wake with every motion.

The avian creature hovered above the surface momentarily before gliding toward us.

Its plumage consisted entirely of flowing violet essence, burning softly like silent flames devoid of heat. Upon turning its head, two large, exquisite eyes sparkled with a profound, gentle sentience.

Ragnar blinked in disbelief.

"…That is a phoenix."

Lyrate peered at it, her head tilted in astonishment.

"An incredibly minuscule phoenix."

The small creature circled us once before halting right before me, its wings beating rhythmically to maintain its hover.

Then it spoke.

Its voice resonated soft and clear, reminiscent of a young girl.

"You finally returned."

Steve could barely suppress a laugh.

"It possesses the power of speech as well."

The phoenix paid him no mind, its glowing gaze locked onto me.

"I wondered when you would make your return."

I simply observed the tiny bird fluttering before me. The violet essence coursing through its wings felt deeply, inexplicably familiar.

"Were you the entity manipulating the planetary shields?" I questioned.

The phoenix tilted its head with a haughty air.

"Naturally."

Aurora crossed her arms, unimpressed.

"So you are the one who nearly annihilated the portal."

The little phoenix puffed out its chest.

"I was merely safeguarding the planet."

Knight surveyed the creature with intense scrutiny.

"And what, exactly, are you?"

The being beat its wings once before settling onto my shoulder.

"I am the voice of this world; or, more accurately, I am Vaythos."

Ragnar scratched his scalp.

"So the entire planet just transformed into a tiny bird?"

The phoenix shot him a look of mild irritation.

"I chose this manifestation."

Its eyes locked back onto mine.

"And I have been waiting for your arrival."

My focus remained tethered to the small phoenix standing before me. The violet essence forming its anatomy was undeniably familiar. Through the Sovereign Link, I perceived it sharply—the identical essence I utilized upon claiming the world core of Vaythos. The bond between us was undeniable, a subtle thread intertwining our energies.

Yet, the reality of it defied logic. The world core was a colossal, ancient reservoir of planetary essence. While it possessed a nascent awareness, it had never manifested a physical form before.

Certainly, it had never appeared as a sentient creature.

"How did you…" I started, then hesitated, struggling to articulate the sight before me.

The tiny phoenix tilted its head inquisitively.

"How was I birthed?" it suggested.

I gave a slow nod.

A light, childlike laugh escaped the creature, amused by the simplicity of the query.

"I cannot say," it replied. "I simply did not exist… until suddenly, I did."

It fluttered its wings and drifted forward, perching lightly upon my shoulder.

"I retain no memories prior to that moment," it continued pensively. "But upon opening my eyes, knowledge was already embedded within me."

"What nature of knowledge?" Aurora asked from nearby.

The phoenix turned, its luminous eyes reflecting the violet essence drifting through the woods.

"I possess memories," it claimed. "Though they are not entirely my own."

My brow knit tight.

"Whose memories are they?"

"Yours."

I remained frozen, staring at it.

"My memories?"

"Indeed. A portion of them."

Though soft, the avian’s tone carried a strange weight of certainty.

"I recall your family," it stated calmly. "I know the moment your powers awakened. I remember your first encounter with essence and the struggle you faced in comprehending it."

Steve blinked, startled.

"That is… highly unsettling."

Ignoring him, the phoenix persisted.

"I remember your discovery of the world core," it said. "And the moment you claimed it as yours. I bear witness to the changes thereafter… and the day you abandoned this world."

This revelation left me feeling deeply unsettled. I wondered if every world core I had taken control of was undergoing similar metamorphoses. It was a matter that required thorough investigation.

"Those are not the only ones," the phoenix added quietly.

"There are other memories as well."

"From where?" Lyrate inquired.

"From Vaythos itself."

The phoenix extended its wings, violet essence drifting like soft embers around its frame.

"I remember the infancy of this world," it said slowly. "The expansion of its forests, the rising of its seas, and the countless souls that have traversed its surface."

Its voice hummed with a mix of wonder and ancient familiarity.

"And then… the encroachment of the System."

A trace of dissatisfaction tinged its tone as it uttered the word.

Aurora sensed it immediately.

"You harbor resentment for the System?" she probed.

The phoenix gave a slight shrug with its wings.

"It introduced unwanted changes."

Before further inquiries could be made, Steve stepped forward.

"Do you possess memories of everyone inhabiting Vaythos?" he asked with curiosity.

The phoenix shook its head.

"Negative."

It turned its glowing gaze toward me.

"Only him."

Steve looked at us both in confusion.

"That is… strangely specific."

"Why were you awaiting me?" I asked.

The phoenix did not respond immediately.

Silence stretched for several seconds as it seemed to deliberate.

Finally, it replied.

"Uhhh…"

Its wings fluttered with a touch of awkwardness.

"I required sustenance."

I blinked.

"Sustenance?"

"Correct."

The phoenix appeared momentarily abashed.

"Your essence."

It lifted a small wing to inspect it critically.

"I require it for growth," it elaborated. "This current form is quite small and lacks practicality."

Its voice carried a hint of disappointment.

For a heartbeat, I only stared at the tiny entity nestled on my shoulder.

Then, a laugh threatened to escape me.

"And here I was convinced it was something of grave importance."

The phoenix puffed out its chest defensively.

"It is of grave importance to me."

I found I could sympathize with that.

I closed my eyes and projected my perception once more, scouring the pocket space where the world core had always resided. My senses swept through the familiar pathways of essence, anticipating the immense concentration of planetary energy I was accustomed to finding.

But the void was absolute.

The pocket space stood empty. Instead, the link connecting me to the core curved erratically, looping back… straight to the small bird perched upon my shoulder.

I opened my eyes slowly. The phoenix regarded me with mild bafflement.

"Why must you search for me?" it questioned, tilting its head. "I am standing right here."

I blinked.

Then, I gave my forehead a slight rub.

"So you truly are the world core," I muttered, failing to conceal my astonishment.

The tiny phoenix puffed up instantly.

"Of course," it replied with pride. "I gave you fair warning."

It paused momentarily before adding in a contemplative tone,

"Based on your memories, you appeared quite intelligent. Did something go awry while you were beyond our borders?"

For a flickering moment, there was silence.

Then, Steve erupted into boisterous laughter behind me.

"Oh, something definitely went wrong," he chortled. "There was a skirmish, and someone sustained a rather heavy blow to the head."

"Ohh."

The phoenix took flight from my shoulder, hovering directly before my face to examine me. Its glowing violet eyes squinted as it encroached closer.

"Would you like me to mend you?" it asked earnestly. "I possess healing capabilities, you know."

I let out a chuckle.

"It is unnecessary. I am quite fine."

The bird hovered stubbornly in my personal space.

"Are you certain?" it insisted. "I am exceptionally proficient at mending."

"I am certain."

Around me, the others were desperately attempting to suppress their amusement.

Ragnar looked particularly entertained.

"Allow her to attempt it," he remarked. "Just to be safe."

I waved a hand to dismiss him.

"I stated that I am fine."

The phoenix scrutinized me a moment longer before relenting. With a flutter of its incandescent wings, it returned to its perch on my shoulder.

Everyone remained grinning. Then, Lyrate suddenly stepped toward us.

"Hey," she said, gazing at the small bird with genuine intrigue. "Do you happen to have a name?"

"