I Am A Notorious Hidden Boss In The Alternate World

Chapter 169 - Late-stage Innate Realm

Ding! 

[You are attempting to absorb another piece of the Dark Emperor's memory fragment.]

[Do you want to confirm? Y / N?] 

'Yes!'

Once Albion confirmed, one of the myriads of memory fragments floating in his sea of consciousness was perfectly devoured by the soul core at the center. 

The specks of glittering white dust in his sea of consciousness were like the stars in the dark expanse; they floated aimlessly. 

But with the improvement of Albion's soul, the myriads of white glittering memory fragments revolved around his soul core, resembling a starry sky—no, the milky way. 

Ding!

<Knowledge of beast languages has been vastly increased>

<Basic-level Hundred Beast Language has been comprehended>

<Knowledge of alchemy has been vastly increased>

<Basic-level Alchemy ? Intermediate Alchemy> 

… 

Contrary to the previous attempt, Goldfinger's assistance in incorporating the Dark Emperor's memory fragment allowed Albion to absorb them perfectly, gaining several benefits out of it.

At the same time, his soul improved once more.

Ding! 

<Soul strength has reached a milestone. Do you want to permanently lift a portion of the Seal? Y / N>

'Yes!' Albion answered. 

Ding! 

<Your cultivation has increased to Late-stage Innate Realm>

<A portion of the Seal's Divine Energy has been recovered>

<You have received 5 units of Divine Energy>                   

[Balance: 69 units of Divine Energy.]

…

The notification rung. 

'This number… what a coincidence….' Albion raised an eyebrow in surprise. He could feel his inner immature self about to surface. 

Alas, it did not. 

Ding! 

<Soul strength have met the required condition> 

<Would you like to upgrade all soul-related talents by a level? Y / N>

…

'Yes!' Albion answered.

Hearing another piece of notification, he was surprised for a moment before accepting without further thoughts. 

Only an idiot would decline a free upgrade.

Ding! 

<Basic-level Soul Strength ? Intermediate-level Soul Strength>

<Basic-level Soul Defense ? Intermediate-level Soul Defense>

<Basic-level Mental Resistance ? Intermediate-level Mental Resistance>

…

Ding!

<Soul-related skills can now be trained to the Expert level>

<Would you like to exchange 50 units of Divine Energy to upgrade all Soul-related skills to the Expert level? Y / N>

'Ye—Nah. How sly of you, Goldfinger. Nearly got me there.' Albion rolled his eyes. 

If the soul skills could be trained to the Expert level, why would he still want to expend his limited divine energy to upgrade them the easy way?

Although Albion was lazy, training his soul skills and practicing alchemy were some of the few things he did not mind toiling. 

The process is enjoyable, feeling like a hobby rather than a chore. It was not tedious—just like how some people can play games for 12 hours a day and not feel tired of it.

'Still, how nice of you to help me absorb of the Dark Emperor's memory fragment this time around,' Albion commented. 

[Goldfinger has determined that the host's changes brought by the Dark Emperor's influence are beneficial to Goldfinger's growth.]

Goldfinger inputted. 

'Your growth, huh? You haven't mentioned anything about this before. I wonder why you would bring it up now, hm?' Albion grinned with a cynical remark.

As expected, Goldfinger acted out of self-interest.

On another note, it appeared that Goldfinger was starting to get desperate since the initiation of the Second Wave.

[Time is ticking. The Apocalypse will bring an end to all things. But like you, like the others, Goldfinger also wants to survive. Goldfinger proposes a truce and to be more open with each other.]

'Then you can start by not hiding things from me.' 

Albion shrugged nonchalantly.

Goldfinger was not like other systems from the novels he had read from what he had silently observed. It had a character.

In other words, it was another being. 

[Goldfinger is not omnipresent. Goldfinger can only make calculations based on information that is already known or has access to, producing some degree of accurate predictions.]

'Let me ask a different question. Exactly what are you? Considering the systems only appeared after the emergence of Dimensional Rifts, you must have come from another dimension. A higher dimension, perhaps?' 

Albion guessed. 

[The host is correct. Goldfinger comes from the spiritual dimension, a world of consciousness and dream. As such, Goldfinger is without a form and cannot exist without a host in this world. Thus, while Goldfinger may try to take advantage and use the host, Goldfinger will never harm thee.]

Goldfinger explained. 

Albion began to rub his chin with a thoughtful expression. His guesses were not far off, and Goldfinger's explanation confirmed his suspicion. 

'In other words, Goldfinger is a type of symbiote that requires a symbiotic relationship with a human to remain in this three-dimensional world,' Albion assumed. 

[Not necessarily a human, but since Goldfinger has come clean, Goldfinger prefers the term 'Soul Sprite' instead of Symbiote.]

Goldfinger inserted. 

'I see.' 

Albion nodded. 

'And, so? Hiding inside of me is already the best protection you can possibly have. Why do you still need to grow?' Albion asked. 

[With the host's disinterest towards working hard and becoming stronger, Goldfinger seriously doubts whether the host can continue to offer the best protection to Goldfinger.] 

Goldfinger retorted.

Albion's lip curved into a wry smile before he said, 'If the strongest being in this world cannot even protect you, then it would just mean that everyone else is f*cked.'

[Host will not remain the strongest if the host does not strive to improve and surpass the Dark Emperor.] 

Goldfinger stated. 

Albion was about to make a casual remark, but then he suddenly thought of something before his expression turned solemn instead. 

'What's the chances of the Nine Divine Heavens connecting to the mortal plane through a Dimension Rift?' He asked. 

[Goldfinger lacks the information to make a conclusion. However, the possibility exists.]

Goldfinger answered. 

'Sh*t, wouldn't that mean there's a chance of meeting the big mama empress? She wouldn't try to kill me, would she?' Albion thought with concern. 

No, there was definitely a chance that the Ashura Empress would. After all, he was practicing the same Ashura Empyrean Arts. 

Ashura Empress will detect its aura.