『I've got some good news and some bad news. Which do you want to hear?』 Apollyon asked. It’s always nice to give meaningless choices. At least that way the other party would feel as though they had some sense of agency in a matter otherwise wholly outside their control.

“Let’s hear the bad news first.” Niven responded. Apollyon figured as much; the boy did have a tendency to look at things from a negative perspective. Though that was desirable. He was more likely to survive that way, and survival trumped all else currently.

『Your Rank Up has resonated with my curse, empowering it.』It explained. Their soul-binding proved to be a much more intricate and delicate process than it had expected. While it was no surprise that as Niven grew so did it, it was another thing entirely to not be able to grasp how Niven’s sublimation fed back to it.

The thing Apollyon hated most was a lack of control. Now, in its diminished state, it couldn’t even properly analyze what was happening, to say nothing of suppressing it. Too many things were involved, and too much had happened at once that it had been blindsided.

At least the process was still recorded in full for future reference.

“So my luck will be even worse than before?” Niven asked.

That was the defining question, wasn’t it? Fortunately, Apollyon could give a negative on that one,『That’s where the good news comes in. I’ve already finished a cursory investigation into my condition. After putting into practice a few of my hypotheses, one of them stuck. It happens that they just about cancel out.』

The one that stuck offered a rather interesting direction for it.

There were artifacts within many cultivation worlds that were said to ‘suppress qi/luck’ for a given organization. They were usually in the form of items that were closely bound to the core, to the foundational concept of what made them unique.

Immortal Dynasties had Jade or Golden Seals, Sword Sects had their Blade Mounds, Buddhist Temples their Sariras, etc.

Usually, these holy treasures were only in the hands of well-established sects that survived countless tribulations - their luck converging into a fixed point that had accumulated so much ‘Fate’ that it suppressed the luck of everything else in its vicinity.

The ‘luck’ of people, as a result, could not shake the ‘luck’ of the sect.

Thus, it proved to be a positive feedback loop, as such things essentially guaranteed the sects’ longevity through tumultuous eras. They ensured that their foundations stayed solid despite the peaks and troughs of 'interesting' times.

But… it was because of this that Apollyon had never been able to come into contact with one.

It didn’t help that back when it was human, he avoided worlds with Qi like the plague. Cultivators were like bees that defended their hives to the death at the slightest provocation - real or perceived, it did not matter.

Unreasonable, insular and yet also highly aggressive, they were simply the embodiments of human capriciousness. Despite their so-called individualistic desire to conquer the heavens, they were also surprisingly communal. A foreigner like him killing one was sure to draw the ire of at least five generations of the victim’s seniors, and it could only snowball from there until even the peaks of the world were drawn into the fray.

Poking that proverbial hornet’s nest ensured that he would not be in for a fun time for a good while to come.

There was never a reason to make a concerted effort to get his hands on one, either. While it was nice to study what was essentially an aggregate of the law of ‘Causality’, the gains never outweighed the losses. He never expected to be thrust into the situation it was in right now.

However, while he had never gotten his hand on a real deal, there were times where he ‘chanced upon’ some shoddier copies. Otherwise, it would never have made its current breakthrough. It was powerful, but its strength wasn’t built upon idealism. Its primary path was that of analysis and transmutation of existing laws. As such, it was currently not powerful enough to make something out of nothing.

Genuine cultivation worlds directly under [The Neverending Samsara] proved themselves a no go, but the worlds that once existed in the shadows cast by them that have since drifted outside their spheres of influence were under no such restrictions.

While much of the data compiled about even those had been erased due to its ascension incident, Apollyon was still able to make do with a patchwork whole created from pieces from countless disparate puzzles.

The gist was that Apollyon would style as a sect or world unto itself, and through that it would suppress the misfortune within. It was already the beginnings of a world, what with its foundation being a World Core. The natural transition, therefore, would be cultivating a sort of gravity that locked its misfortune within itself, ensuring that it could not connect with the karmic threads of the outside world.

But because its technique relied too much on guesswork as opposed to actual examples, it was shoddy at best and could not wholly contain the entirety of its misfortune.

But it was enough for what could not even be considered the beginnings of a cultivation method.

It was like asking a person to rein in their gravity. They’d likely be stumped at the first step. Humans had mass, so they had gravity, however slight. Was such a request asking them to become an information-based existence? Maybe if they had contact with the System, they would have a clue, but did they really want to go through with such a thing?

Apollyon was in a similar situation. It was cursed, so it brought misfortune. Without its extensive background, to ask it to completely curb the effects suffused into every facet of its new nature was an exercise in futility.

『That is what I was doing in the background. I had wanted to tell you once everything was more complete, but the circumstances demanded that the timeline be moved forward. You can rest the blame solely on me.』

Apollyon admitted,『I should have been more ready. I knew I’d become stronger with you, but wasn’t sure how it would work.』

“So rather than get stronger through stats like strength or intelligence, you instead decreased your luck?” Apollyon knew Niven was condemning it, but there was nothing that could be done. It wondered if it should offer a few words of comfort. But...

『Your luck,』It corrected,『A rather unfortunate outcome to be sure, but not wholly unexpected. As I said before, my situation is rather special. And my connection with the System is even more special. Thus, all I can say is that I am level 2, and all that has changed is an extra -2 luck.』

Apollyon laid its cards on the table. From the very start, their shared stats had the intermediary that was the System. Thus, Apollyon never really expected to provide much beyond that.

It wouldn’t do so before it fully understood its current situation. Adding extra variables would only make that process exponentially harder. For now, it was best to rely on Niven’s Semi-Data shell to provide a sterile petri dish for continued experiments.

The most it could be counted to do outside of simply existing as a weapon to be used was to heal Niven when he suffered grievous injuries, but even that had to be used sparingly.

“It’s not as much as I had expected. So you’re saying it’s not reflected in the status I saw before because - ” His statement was cut off.

And Apollyon finished,『Because I suppressed it with my new findings. It’s not enough for it to become a skill just yet. Maybe when the System names it one we will have an easier time. At least then it will be simpler to find derivatives.』

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

By making it a skill, it would become defined. Organized. Rather than the tangled mess that it currently was. But to become a skill required the whole thing to go in a charted path towards being less chaotic. It had an inkling of the end point, but Apollyon needed to make the first step before the System could fill up the middle.

Having obtained a satisfactory explanation, Niven changed the topic, “So, did you find any leads when you were scanning the outpost?"

Right, that was its job. To be honest, it could really not care less about Niven’s petty feuds and attachments. But that was one of the things that kept him going, so there was no use complaining. Purpose was what drove mortals, in the end, not the pursuit of eternity. Though once that purpose was fulfilled, perhaps Niven would be more receptive to its outlook. Before that, however, it provided Apollyon with a suitable method to shepherd him.

However, while it was rather disinterested, it still had to do its job. Its integrity, and their continued relationship depended on it.

『Hey, now that you mention it, we were sidetracked by that intruder and I wasn't able to convey something I found earlier. Or rather, that I lacked to find something. There’s nothing there.』

It wasn’t being lazy. It genuinely went over the outpost a few dozen times, but found nothing of note. The fact that the Supplicant didn’t have anything valuable on him when it was disassembled for its repairs laid further credence to that. Though that did not discount the possibility that they found what they needed and then teleported it away. But what could be more important to extract that the supplicant was left behind? Maybe their teleportation process was imperfect and could not handle living beings?

Regardless, such a guess was too abstract, and likely couldn’t give Niven sufficient motivation. Plus, it directed them towards the Soul King Confederacy, which it didn’t want to go to just yet.

Based on what it knew of the world so far, that superpower was much more open to asking questions. Where the Heavenbound Theocracy was in decline, and their societal progress relied more-so upon archeology rather than innovation, the Soul King Confederacy was much more studious.

It was essentially the doctrinal difference between scholars and priests. Granted, gods existed within the latter, but it couldn’t be said that the other side did not have beings or at least formations of a similar caliber.

Otherwise, why would the Heavenbound Theocracy still suffer their existence?

As such, it was much safer to be within the bounds of a Theocracy whose masters turned a blind eye to. It also had plenty of experience dealing with gods and beings of a similar nature, whereas those at the peak of the Soul King Confederacy were still deep in the fog.

“So we’re back to square one?” Niven asked.

It didn’t expect Niven to come up with such a conclusion so readily, but things like this took time and experience, something its partner did not have. However, Niven’s mind moved quickly, so once that experience had been built up, he should prove himself to be quite capable.

『Not quite,』 replied Apollyon patiently. It needed to instill the fact that sometimes the continuous lack of clues provided more information than a vague answer. Taking into account its current objectives, it was best to guide them towards Niven’s home city.

Therefore, it presented him with a suggestion.

『I suggest we investigate the people that were stationed here. Maybe someone had a rather sensitive identity.』Apollyon advised.

It would be best if they poke their nose into places where it didn’t belong, diving headfirst into a web of politicking and intensifying existing contradictions. Plots of assassination were oftentimes delicate and rife with points for failure. To remove a piece from the chess board inevitably left a vacuum that needed to be filled. The whirlpool that emerged from that rift could become magnificent if its assumptions were proven correct.

Maybe there would be an opportune time to detonate that maelstrom through Niven. It knew quite well that long-standing empires that bordered one another accumulated equally long-standing grudges. Even if those on high held a tacit understanding, when things escalated far enough, even they were not immune to being dragged into the water.

Cultivation worlds defined this quite well. Why else were those transcendent beings so obsessed with being hidden and freed from any earthly attachments? Because the general trend was far more unforgiving than even they. Even once great friends could become fierce enemies that fought to the death should the circumstances demand it.

Apollyon’s skillset was perfect for pushing the boat along. After all, its growing misfortune was suppressed, not gone. Suppression was a conscious act, one that could be stopped at any moment.

“What do you think about waiting here? Someone should come sooner or later.” Niven asked naively.

Though it could also be the case. Perhaps it had gone to the wrong conclusion. Apollyon couldn’t guarantee that all of this was a massive conspiracy. Just that it had determined that it was rather unlikely to hold out hope for help or even contact arriving.

『If it’s really as I suspected, and that this was a joint operation from the two sides, then I don’t expect there will be anyone coming. Most likely, this place was already wiped off the map.』It said,『I don’t sense anyone for miles.』

“Then why didn’t you tell me about the sandworm until it was about to attack? We could have avoided it entirely.” Niven condemned.

He was still hung up about that?

『Why should I care for the movement of beasts? It didn’t even pose a substantial threat. It was merely experience sent to the door.』

Perhaps this was a blind spot for it after such a long gap from communicating with people like him. Though the more likely answer was that Niven was simply too young.

Not having received a beating from society, or rather one from adulthood, as his childhood was not necessarily very sheltered, it was understandable for him to be disgruntled in this situation.

“What happened to allowing me to make my choices?” Niven complained.

That there was the disconnect.

They had different understandings of choice. Or rather, Niven expected it to present him with every option available, despite the fact that such a thing was completely impossible. Just the fact that they processed information in different ways made it difficult, to say nothing of the speed they had their respective thoughts. By the time Apollyon relayed everything to Niven, it would likely think about something else, paralyzing them completely. Their levels of existence were simply too far apart to have a truly meaningful dialogue.

Thus, it was forced to make lies of omission. Not that it wouldn’t have done so otherwise, but in this case, it could truly say that it was forced to under the circumstances.

『I’m a tool, not a nanny. What I remind you is up to me. If you were capable of utilizing me to my fullest, you could have detected it yourself.』 Apollyon explained.

Many of its abilities were not defined within the System. And even then, the things that the System had defined were also not completely shown to Niven. While such obfuscations made their relationship inherently one sided, Apollyon never quite considered him its equal to begin with.

Everyone knew how to say honeyed words. It was no exception. The only difference was that it did not bother suppressing its partner. Such an act was beneath it, though mostly it was because doing so ran counter to its motives.

If Niven were to be the centerpiece in the next big conflict, then he needed the skills to see through the turmoil to its zenith.

While Niven could always ask for advice and for what to say, that moment of hesitation will be easily seen through by those with power. Hell, it could even be seen by ordinary people should they be proficient in social skills. And if Apollyon were to take control entirely, what was the point in making that separation in the first place?

It might as well have just represented itself, instead of looking for a puppet. After all, it had no attachments to a human body. Why should it voice itself through Niven's mouth when it could form one itself?

Niven seemed to understand and moved on, “Let’s pack things up then. Since you think there’s no point in sticking around, then I’ll grab all the supplies we need.”

That was rather good. At least Niven didn’t have any undue respect for the outpost and decided against his better judgment to leave everything but the bodies as is. Taking what was necessary would prove useful for the coming journey.

While trekking out of the Divide wouldn’t take too long, as they were close to the boundary, it was still a ways away from any large scale settlements. Food and drink wasn’t a guarantee, after all. Armor was also an issue, albeit a smaller one should Niven ask the right questions. A shame his thoughts weren’t moving in that direction, and Apollyon wasn't keen on giving a hint towards that end just yet.

He still needed to stabilize more before being handed such a large jump in power.

Thus, they walked to the common areas where general goods were kept.

...

While Niven was storing supplies, he seemed to be getting tired of pointing a spear at them. It was rather unwieldy in cramped storerooms.

“Hey, since you can shapeshift, could you become something less conspicuous… like a glove?"

Apollyon was rather glad its lessons were finally being internalized. Granted, it would have been happier had he realized and asked it right after the fight, but it would make do with this. It hasn’t even been half an hour since then, anyways.

Assenting, the spear flowed down from the two endpoints and became a glob hand before slowly smoothing out into a singular glove on Niven’s right hand. Now he could simply point, and the things would be sent to storage.

By the time they finished up, the sun had already set, marking the end of a very eventful day. Given the dangers of the Divide during the night, and Niven’s rather disastrous luck, they stayed for the night.