The System paused for a moment before replying:
[The growth potential of Eidolons is not universal.]
[Emanator of Destruction (Purple) can be upgraded further.]
[To upgrade to Gold quality: requires 20000 Villain Points.]
[To upgrade to Red quality: requires 40000 Villain Points.]
[Note: Upgrading quality usually costs more Villain Points than directly exchanging for an Eidolon of the same quality.]
As expected! Orion's heart beat a little faster in his chest. The upgrade description attached to the Foresight Eidolon earlier had already made him suspect this. Now that the System had personally confirmed it, the Emanator of Destruction Eidolon could actually be upgraded!
Two hundred thousand to go from Purple to Gold, four hundred thousand to go from Gold to Red… This price, although almost like robbery, was ridiculously expensive. But this also indirectly proved that the potential of this Eidolon was far from simple. Even without upgrading, the "specific effect unknown" must hide a mystery.
He even thought of a possibility. With Emanator of Destruction, perhaps the Gold Eidolon, Star Core Spirit… might not require Villain Points to exchange for, and he could obtain it on his own? After all, wasn't there still a Stellaron in Belobog? Hmm, a good idea, but… That would at least have to be after the Astral Express arrived… To ensure they would come.
Thinking of this, Orion's lips curved up uncontrollably. Just as he was about to exchange, he suddenly remembered a question.
"System, if I choose this Eidolon and enter the Path of Destruction, will it affect my ability to obtain Eidolons from other Paths, or enter other Paths in the future?"
[No. It is precisely because the Host's physique is special that countless Paths can be simulated. The Host can freely enter and switch between Paths,] the System immediately replied.
Alright, so I have the same physique as Stelle? Good, then let's gamble directly!
"Exchange for Emanator of Destruction!"
[Confirm exchange for Purple Eidolon Emanator of Destruction, consuming 6000 Villain Points.]
[Emanator of Destruction (Purple) has been permanently loaded onto the Host's template.]
An indescribably subtle sensation permeated deep into Orion's consciousness. It was as if an invisible brand was etched onto his soul. He suddenly felt as if he had established a slight connection with a distant and terrifying will.
Orion continued, "Exchange for Stealth!"
[Confirm exchange for Blue Eidolon Stealth, consuming 2000 Villain Points.]
[Stealth (Blue) has been permanently loaded onto the Host's template.]
Very good, Emanator of Destruction, combined with the ability of Stealth, is simply a match made in heaven. Even if that identity could bring certain changes, at least he could be 100% hidden and wouldn't attract unnecessary trouble by being too ostentatious.
Host Attribute Panel:
Name: Orion
Physique: 10
Strength: 12+50 (Emanator of Destruction Eidolon effect, strength increases with age)
Agility: 12
Charm: 16
Permanently Loaded Eidolons: Eidolon (Gold), Golden Threads of Fate (Gold), Emanator of Destruction (Purple), Stealth (Blue), Eloquent Speech (Blue), Rampage (Blue)
Remaining Villain Points: 460
Orion's gaze swept across the attribute panel, and when he saw the "Strength" column, his pupils suddenly constricted. He was stunned. Strength: 12+50? This wasn't an empty identity? That Eidolon actually gave such a huge strength boost?! Moreover, it increased with age? This meant that as long as he lived long enough, this power would continuously accumulate, and eventually, it might truly reach the terrifying level of destroying stars with a flick of a finger, as in the simulation! This was true power!
Orion impatiently clenched his fist. He could feel a surge of power in his body. He looked at the thick, sturdy wooden board of the simple bed beside him. Taking a deep breath, he didn't exert any force, just casually threw a punch. Logically, his hand should hurt… But, it didn't hurt?!
[Bang!]
That thick wooden board, under his seemingly effortless punch, instantly shattered into splinters, scattering in all directions! Orion's hand remained suspended in mid-air as he looked at his fist, then at the splintered wood. This was the power of destruction… even the initial boost was terrifying! This gamble paid off handsomely!
And the gains from this simulation far exceeded expectations. That Golden Threads of Fate could sense every rustle within range, weaving an invisible intelligence network… This ability, whether in the Underworld or later in the universe, would be his greatest reliance. The only drawback was the pitiful amount of remaining Villain Points. He was back to square one again.
Orion looked again at the deep red One-Slash Termination and the Swarm, still unable to afford them. However, he was not discouraged. You eat one bite at a time, and you walk one step at a time. The next simulation would be at 15 years old. The one after that would be at 18, when he reached adulthood. Based on the time the Astral Express first arrived at Jarilo-VI, he, at eighteen, had a high probability of encountering the Trailblazers. At that time, whether it was finding a way to board the Astral Express or using them as a springboard to leave this cold planet, it would be simple. His future should not be in Belobog's Underworld, but… the Sea of Stars!
…
And just outside Jarilo-VI, at the other end of the distant universe.
In the dining car.
A gray-haired, golden-eyed girl was sitting at the dining table, eating. The girl picked up a piece of meat, preparing to put it into her mouth. Suddenly, the scene before her eyes wavered. Before her appeared a black-haired young man she had never seen before. The young man had neat short hair, deep and calm black eyes, and an exceptionally handsome face.
The spoon in the girl's hand stopped in mid-air. Her gaze was firmly locked on the young man, unable to move an inch. A sense of inexplicable familiarity surged in her heart, so strong that it made her feel a little dazed. Flashes of blurry fragments, warm scenes, cruel scenes, and some feelings she didn't understand, passed through her mind.
"Orion…?" This unfamiliar address, surprisingly, carried a sense of deep-seated memory, slipping uncontrollably from her lips. The girl herself was stunned. Orion? Who was this name? Do I know him? She was falling into confusion.
The "young man" opposite moved. "Stelle, what's wrong?" A familiar voice sounded. A hand waved in front of Stelle's eyes.
Stelle suddenly snapped back to reality, her pupils abruptly constricting. Where was any black-haired young man before her? It was clearly the silver-haired girl she was all too familiar with. The adorable girl was looking at her with concern. Stelle instantly realized her earlier lapse.
"No, nothing," she replied perfunctorily. She stuffed the meat in her hand into her mouth, forcing herself to calm down. "Just a little tired lately," she made an excuse, "Let's continue eating, Firefly."
Firefly's brow did not relax. "Are you really okay?"
"Your eyes looked lifeless just now, you scared me."
"If you're feeling unwell, I'll talk to Kafka about the next mission and tell her to let you skip it," she said seriously.
A warm current surged in Stelle's heart, but her mind was still filled with that unfamiliar young man. She shook her head: "It's fine!"
"That's my first mission, how can I not go?"
"Hurry and eat, the food will get cold."
She lowered her head and began to eat her meal. Stelle no longer spoke, and unlike her usual carefree and clumsy self, she carried a hint of melancholy at this moment. She didn't know what had just happened. Who was that young man? Why did that name make her heart clench? Why did she feel happy when she first saw him, but then inexplicably angry? Why?
Stelle quietly ate her meal, her thoughts drifting far away.