Bloodbound Codex: I Grow Stronger in Secret

[ Physical Strength Output: 9080 Units]

[ Output Exceeds Guildmaster’s Output by 1080 Units]

For several seconds, the researcher didn’t say anything.

His eyes remained fixed on the numbers as his fingers slowly tightened around the device. He checked the result again, then looked toward the Black Pillar before returning his gaze to the screen, as if he was trying to find some kind of error in the measurement.

"This..."

His voice came out low, almost as if he had forgotten that Atlas was standing right beside him. He stared at the result for another moment, his dark-circled eyes widening further before he finally muttered,

"...this can’t be right."

Just as he spoke that his attention shifted to the presence beside him and when he turned he saw Atlas looking at the device he was holding.

Suddenly seeing Atlas beside him, the man arched an eyebrow in surprise and thought, ’H-His speed is Incredible too!’ while on the other hand seeing the result Atlas didn’t get a surprise or shock, instead he simply smiled as he wondered one thing ’So his strength output was 8000 units, He is a special SSS-rank and it was 8000, that means I can compare my strength to him easily through this kind device but...’

The researcher didn’t seem convinced by the result yet as he looked at the device again and checked the measurement a second time, but the same number appeared on the screen without any change. He then turned toward the massive Black Pillar and walked closer to it, placing his hand against its surface while inspecting the intricate markings running across it. The markings responded normally, and after checking the pillar for several moments he returned to the device again, confirming that neither the pillar nor the measuring device had malfunctioned.

’The surprising part is - 100 in all my Attributes is comparable to this much in Eliomor, that means that Codex’s ceiling is much higher and...this also proves that there are higher rank in Cultivation than SSS-rank.’ Atlas narrowed his eyes at this as he thought back to the day that Black Monster appeared above Solara and the Queen as well.

’Those two...I had misjudged them as SSS-ranks, they are on a completely different level.’ Atlas concluded as he didn’t quite feel that he was at that level yet, even now he couldn’t quite get a grasp how that speed the Queen showcased was possible if she were only SSS-rank.

The researcher adjusted his glasses before looking toward Atlas again. "The measurement is correct. The Guildmaster’s recorded physical output is 8000 units, and he is a Special SSS-rank. You surpassed that without using any spirit energy at all." He paused for a moment as he looked at the result again, seemingly still trying to understand it, before continuing, "Fine, I will just record this, but let’s see your Spirit Energy measurement before that..."

His attention then shifted back toward the researcher as the man began preparing the next measurement. Atlas didn’t wait for him to explain anything and simply blurred from his position, appearing directly in front of the floating crystal above the pedestal. The researcher arched an eyebrow again at his movement, but Atlas didn’t pay attention to it as he looked at the crystal and spoke, "I think you already know what to do so I won’t be wasting my time explaining."

Atlas placed his palm against the crystal and released a controlled amount of Spirit Energy into it. He didn’t release everything he possessed because he already knew from his previous evaluation that the device didn’t need the entire quantity of Spirit Energy inside his body. It needed a sample of the Spirit Energy itself, specifically its quality, and from that quality the device seemed capable of calculating the total amount of Spirit Energy that person possessed.

The moment Atlas released his Spirit Energy, the crystal began responding as faint light spread across its surface. Several markings appeared inside it and started moving around the energy he had released, slowly analyzing it while the researcher watched the device in his hand. The markings didn’t simply measure how much energy Atlas was releasing, instead they seemed to examine the characteristics of the energy itself before comparing those characteristics with the amount of Spirit Energy a person’s body could normally contain.

Atlas remained still as he waited for the measurement to finish, his expression calm as he already knew that this test would only give him another reference point for understanding how far his current strength had reached.

After a few moments the light swirling inside the crystal faded away, making Atlas take his hand away as he wondered if the measurement was finished. His head turned toward the man again and when he looked, he only saw a speechless face staring back at him, "..."

Seeing that Atlas frowned as he thought ’Hmm, Seems I have to check myself...’ The next moment he blurred and reappeared beside the man and stared at the screen of the device, this time a different type of interface could be seen appearing in it:

[ Spirit Output ]

[ Output: 11000 ]

[ Output has exceeded previous highest record set by Guildmaster by 1000 units ]

Atlas stared at the result for several seconds before his eyes moved toward the researcher.

The researcher, however, didn’t immediately speak. His gaze remained fixed on the screen while his thumb moved across the device again, checking the result just as he had done with the physical measurement. This time he didn’t immediately look toward the crystal because he already knew that the measurement process had completed correctly, but he still seemed to be having difficulty accepting the result.

"11000..." he muttered.

Atlas didn’t say anything.

"The Guildmaster’s highest recorded Spirit Energy output is 10000 units." The researcher finally looked toward him. "This device measures the quality of the Spirit Energy you release and calculates the output based on it. The amount you released just now was nowhere near your entire reserve, but the quality was enough for the device to calculate an output of 11000."

Atlas looked back at the crystal.

’So, my Spirit Energy output is also higher than his.’

There was no particular excitement in his expression because the result only confirmed what he had already begun to understand from the physical measurement. His body had changed after reaching 100 in every Attribute, and the increase wasn’t limited to his physical strength.

He looked down at his palm for a moment, ’Both physical strength and Spirit Energy have surpassed a Special SSS-rank’s recorded output, that means...I have come a long way but still not there yet, after all his Unqiue ability is ridiculous, and there might be people like him in Human continent as well.’

The man continued looking at the device before asking, "You started as a Special S-rank after you came in Solara, correct?"

"Yes." Atlas answered calmly as he turned toward the man.

"And you reached this level of strength in only a week or so? From the Information i was given you appeared in Solara just a week ago...so, you really reached this level only in a week?"

Atlas glanced at him.

"I suppose so, it could also be that I was already stronger before coming here? I mean after appearing I didn’t do a re-evaluation right?"

The answer made the researcher-like man remain silent for another moment. He looked as if he wanted to ask several questions at once, but Atlas could already tell that none of them were questions he would answer. The researcher eventually lowered the device and took a breath. "I’ll record the results. Physical output 9080 Units, Spirit output 11000 Units. Both are above the Guildmaster’s current records."

Atlas nodded and turned his attention toward the crystal again. He didn’t need to test his body any further to understand the difference. The punch had already proven it, and the Spirit Energy measurement had confirmed that the change wasn’t limited to one aspect of his body.

His thoughts returned to the Codex, ’The limit definitely isn’t SSS-rank.’

"You can go now; the receptionist will provide you with the new Guild card which will have your new rank in it, although it may be delayed because we have to report this record to the Guildmaster, I still think you will be getting it by tonight." The researcher said as he noted down something on that board-shaped rectangular device.

Atlas nodded and turned toward the exit as he thought ’Now it’s time to pay Seraphiel a visit, about the Ruins of Eclipse and about all the Information I need.’ With that Atlas quietly exited through where he came, leaving the man to only wonder what kind of Human even was he.

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