Chương 357: Interlude - Pablo’s Virtual Diary (III)

Entry Record - 137 The results surpassed my expectations. Splitting my mind into two parallel cognitive processors did halve the EM output of each partition, but it didn't seem to weaken the summons themselves. Their enhancements held steady. That makes this technique perfectly aligned with my path. I've been practising by controlling two three-tails at once. The process felt impossible at first, but I've adapted faster than I thought I would. The synergy between them grows with every session.

I've started experimenting with cross-pattern tactics, using one's instincts to cover the other's delay, and it's working. At my current Stage Progress, each three-tail is boosted by roughly 55%. Together, I reckon they can stall a Commander-level Xok'al for a while—which, at this point, is incredible. I've sent the data and observations to Leonie and am awaiting her reply before resuming active deployment. Entry Record - 138 Received my orders. Unexpected ones.

Leonie wants me to join Leonhard's expedition into the Southern Wilds. The purpose wasn't fully explained, but the request for my assistance came directly from Leonhard himself. Stephen will accompany us, and we're to wait for a cohort of beastmen who will pick us up and serve as our escort. I can't deny I'm curious. The southern region was cleared over a month ago—its fauna too weak to grant Stage Progress at our level. So what's his target? Until departure, I'll keep refining my new technique.

Repetition may be tedious, but repetition brings perfection. Entry Record - 139 My first contact with the beastmen. Their culture feels raw—tribal, almost primitive compared to its neighbouring empires. Villages built from wood and hide, open fires burning at every corner, the scent of roasted meat and bone tools heavy in the air. They live by strength alone. Disputes are settled with fists or claws. Seeing an entire village of them is something else.

Massive frames covered in fur or scales, tails swaying lazily behind them, golden or crimson eyes glowing faintly under low light. Some resemble wolves or tigers, others serpents or reptiles. There's a wild beauty to them—savage, but not mindless. They watch us with wary curiosity. I can't tell if they respect us… or if they're measuring how easily they could tear us apart. Among them, I noticed more than a dozen humans—all part of Leonhard's group—and the beastmen seemed to treat them with quiet reverence.

Eventually, I was led to the main hut where the man himself resided. Leonhard's presence was imposing. His wild hair, sculpted physique, and towering height—nearly two metres—made him impossible to overlook. Dressed in tribal leathers with a massive bone sabre across his back, he looked every bit the feral warlord. When his gaze met mine, it was like staring into the eyes of an apex predator. Beside him stood his right-hand man, Robert—a sharp contrast. Slim, quiet, almost unnoticeable.

Yet I knew not to dismiss this fellow or treat him casually. His mutation allows him to drastically accelerate another's reaction time, and in combination with Leonhard's own strength, the pair are lethal. I'd seen Leonhard fight once before, back when he sparred with Vane in the waiting chambers—and won. After two months living among the beastmen, I can only imagine how much stronger he's become. Even so, I still believe Leonie is stronger than him… if Robert didn't intervene.

Despite the tension, they treated me well. I was offered a seat by the fire and served a thick, potent drink called Brulac. One sip burned all the way down. I could hardly believe something strong enough to affect our enhanced bodies even existed. Later that night, in an unexpected gesture of hospitality, a pair of young beastwomen—beautiful, soft-featured, tails brushing lightly against the ground—were sent to my tent. I didn't refuse. Maybe I should have.

But after months surrounded by death and silence, I just wanted to remember I was still alive. Entry Record - 140 I learned more about the Beastmen during our trip to the South. Despite their distinct culture and raw traditions, their power structure isn't too different from that of the Azcoyatl or Ajnal. They have one supreme leader—Warchief Huto—and beneath him stand three Warlords, each commanding dozens of tribes.

Leonhard's current goal is to claim one of those Warlord positions, but to do so, he must first defeat one of the three in fair combat, for which he needs to reach the Third Body State. He also mentioned a sacred ruin located within the main village's ancestral site. It's said to grant outsiders the ability to become beastmen and to contain records of a technique surpassing even their Fury—a skill said to instil overwhelming fear in those nearby, strong enough to make the weak collapse where they stand.

They call it Predator's Dominion. Sounds pretty badass. But it makes me wonder—if the Beastmen have two major skills, then surely the Azcoyatl and Ajnal do too, right? I'll have to look into that. What really caught my attention, though, was the transformation part. Turning humans into beastmen implies a genetic rewrite far deeper than any SP-induced change we've seen so far. If anyone still doubted that we've moved beyond human—at least biologically—this would settle it. It made me question Leonhard's motives.

Was he planning to take that step himself? Would he truly be fine growing fur and tails for the sake of power? And if he did… what would happen if he returned to Earth? Would he stay that way? Could such a being even reproduce with an unaltered human? Then again, reproduction isn't possible within The Tower anyway. The environment suppresses fertility. Yet, records from ASCENT mention that Gen-1 returnees eventually regained it—though those cases involved people who never left the white rooms.

I wonder if individuals like us, with SP above 14%, still belong in the same category. Along the way, I made some small talk with Robert. Despite his shady appearance, we had a few good conversations—mostly about history and the Roman Empire. Finally, someone who actually knows what Greek fire was! It's amusing how such a quiet, introverted man ended up among the brutal beastmen—and as the right hand of the imposing Leonhard Krüger at that. Well… I did end up as one of the main officers of The Shadows, didn't I?

Life sure works in mysterious ways. Entry Record - 141 I finally got briefed on the operation. We're targeting a rare breed of winged creatures that reside on the frozen peaks to the southwest of the Great Plains, just below the Ajnal region. Leonhard apparently learned of their existence through tales passed down by the beastmen elders, later confirming it through scouts. Though few in number, their prowess is unmatched—apex predators of the Wilds that spend most of their lives in slumber atop the frozen summits.

Their strength is said to surpass even that of a Commander-level Xok'al. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. The beastmen call them Thraig'venns. In English, we just call them Winter Wyverns. Leonhard intends to hunt them for their orbs to accelerate his progression toward the Third Body State, while using their scales, bones, and fangs to forge weapons and armour.

While a full assault against one or two might seem feasible with all our forces combined, the situation is far more dangerous than it appears. Scouts report that there are dozens of them—and among them, a colossal winged giant, believed to be their leader. An existence far beyond anything we can currently face. Leonhard's plan is to lure the wyverns out gradually, picking them off one by one, while avoiding any action that could awaken their leader. And apparently, the bait for that… were my summons.

Well, no complaints there. Summons can be replaced — our lives can't. So I agreed. We move at dawn. A scouting group of beastmen will locate their nests, while others will keep eyes on the leader at all times. Leonhard is ready to sacrifice beastmen lives if it comes to the worst, though he hopes it won't. I was promised one or two wyvern orbs, depending on the harvest, for my contribution in the operation.

The conductive parts of the wyverns will be sent to Leonie, since the beastmen avoid metals in their war against the Xok'al — a wise move, now that I think about it. No wonder they're the faction with the fewest losses so far. I slept well tonight. Leonhard's put real thought into this operation. Let's hope tomorrow proves him right. Entry Record - 142 It was a success—not without danger, but a success nonetheless. It proved that Leonhard and his men were far more capable than I had first thought.

Using the beastmen technique Fury, and its perfect synergy with his physical mutation — combined with Robert's enhancement — turned the two-metre-tall German into a monster on the field. His muscles expanded, eyes burning gold, and each swing of that massive bone sabre tore through scale and hide like nothing. The heavy blade shook the earth itself when it cut, leaving trails of frost and blood behind. Watching him fight, I understood why the beastmen respect him. I'm just glad he's on our side.

We brought down 23 Winter Wyverns, and though their leader awoke at the end, we managed to avert disaster — thanks to the sacrifice of my summons, Stephen's Mecas, and the beastmen scouts, who served as unfortunate decoys. We barely escaped their domain in one piece. That winged giant, however… was something else. It stood on an entirely different level from anything we've encountered so far.

Leonhard believes it would take at least three or four Third State powerhouses to bring it down — and he's determined to try. And I understand why. The Tower always rewards risk, and the bounty for slaying such a creature would no doubt grant immense strength. We also have a major advantage. Unlike the Xok'al, who hide and excel at guerrilla tactics, the wyverns are out in the open. That means we can prepare properly — and perhaps take the giant down in a single, powerful all-out strike.

Leonhard said he'll reach out to Leonie to plan a joint operation once they both advance — General for her, Warlord for him. As for me, I received two orbs for my efforts. My Stage Progress jumped nearly 2% from them, and for the first time, the road to the Third Pillar State feels within reach. Still, it'll take another week or two of work. I'll probably hunt a few more Commanders with Stephen to boost that up… and maybe call in that bitch to help.

Annoying as she is, she complements us well — and safety comes first. Entry Record - 144 My Stage Progress has finally passed the 18% mark. Commanders aren't giving me much anymore. But I've made progress elsewhere. While controlling my summons the other day, I noticed something new — a shift. The synergy between them improved when I linked the perception of my two parallel minds to each summon, letting them react almost as one. That flicker of understanding triggered a prompt from The Tower itself.

Chorus of Thoughts — 7. 102% It seems my self-made technique has been recognized as an official skill, much like Fury or Sun Pulse. That's no small thing. It means we can create our own skills outside what the stage offers. I shared the finding with Leonie, Stephen, and even sent a courier to Leonhard. If it helps the others, it's worth it. If there's one thing I've learned here, it's that selfishness will destroy us faster than anything else in The Tower. This isn't about individuals anymore.

It's about us — humans — standing together against a common enemy. And we can't afford to lose. Unity is our greatest strength. Entry Record - 147 They've appeared. The legendary five-tails — beings capable of wiping out an advanced outpost on their own. Stronger than the Winter Wyverns, and far more cunning. Creatures spoken of in the old records from the last Great War. The Wardens. The first showed up on the Ajnal front, and an entire fort was lost to it.

I heard Leonie plans to strike back and is coordinating with one of the Ajnal Generals, Noh. She's asked for Madelaine to join her. It seems she intends to use her mutation to weaken the creature and take it down through a coordinated assault. As for me, I've received no orders — and honestly, I'm not sure I could help much even if I did. I'm close to the Third State, but not close enough. Still, the thought won't leave me. I can't focus until I hear back from them.

Even if I trust her ability, I know what the records say — the Wardens are monsters only Generals, and the strongest existences in this world can face. I am not a believer, yet I find myself praying for their success. Entry Record - 148 They won. She did it. They managed to work with Noh and took down not one, but two Wardens. Absolutely incredible.

It turns out Leonie had been using the Ajnal forces under her command, along with the spoils from the wyverns' highly conductive filaments, to develop long-range heavy weaponry — EM-based guns designed by true military engineers from The Shadows, translating their modern Earth tech into Tower-compatible systems. With a full manufacturing line set up, powered by hundreds of Ajnal smiths, they armed entire squads.

During the battle, Noh stalled one Warden while Leonie and Madelaine handled the other — Madelaine's mutation weakening it just enough for Leonie to hold on and her forces to finish the job. I was stunned when I received the long-range transmission—clear visuals of the battle itself. However, it did not come without cost. Many Ajnal Sun Bearers fell in the process. A full squad of shooters was torn apart where they stood, their weapons still glowing from overheat.

The ground was littered with shattered rifles and severed limbs, half-buried in the red snow. But worst of all, two members of the Shadows were gone—both torn to shreds by the Warden's bladed protrusions. Even so, it was a victory. A heavy one—but a victory nonetheless, given who they were up against. Leonie had taken the lesson from the nest to heart. Yet her answer was a cruel one—to bear the front line herself, again and again, to shield the rest.

Even strength like hers had a limit, and if she fell, so would we. The Shadows—and perhaps all of humankind—rested upon the fragile thread of her life. Still, I'm sure she understands that too. … With the boost from those orbs, it's highly likely she'll be promoted to General soon. A major victory, truly. We've finally struck back against the Xok'al, even if we had to pay a price for it. Entry Record - 149 I received some disturbing news today.

It seems Leonie uncovered an ancient Ajnal script — one that prophesied the coming of the Xok'al. It read:" When five tails rise, blood will flood the stone. The sixth shall feast on kings and crush the sky. But should the seventh stir from bone— Then all shall burn. Then all shall die." I couldn't believe it. It sounded like a cruel joke. Just… how? How could there be creatures stronger than the Wardens? They're already on par with some of the most powerful beings in this world. Then what would a six-tail be?

Stronger than the Emperors and the Warchief? And a seven-tail… just thinking about it made my blood run cold. If such an existence is real, then nothing — no one in this world — could stand against it. Is that the goal, then? To stop it from being born? Are we racing against time? A chill ran through me as those final lines echoed again in my head. They had to hurry. If not… then all will be over.