Reincarnated Hero System

As stated earlier, the reason for this increased energy concentration, was due to the presence of the greatest energy type that was the backbone behind life in the Universe; Cosmic energy.

Like other energy types can be manipulated, the same could be said about Cosmic energy.

However, most beings could not even perceive the existence of Cosmic energy, much less dare to dream of manipulating it.

The majority did not even know it existed in the first place!

This Majority was about 97-98% and until a few moments ago, Evan was part of this Majority that did not know it existed nor what it did.

But now he did, and with the basics down, Arthur could now get to the main point.

“The ones who know of, can completely perceive and manipulate ambient Cosmic energy in their surroundings are those known as Sub-Cosmic beings.

You might wonder why they are called ‘Sub’, and the reason is because of the existence of complete ‘Cosmic Beings’.”

Arthur casually added, manipulating the ambient cosmic energy around them. Suddenly, the blood vessels on his arm burst, and a strange silver liquid spilt out.

“The hell?! Wait—why does it smell like blood? Is your blood actually silver?!”

Evan exclaimed, eyes wide with shock as he watched the metallic fluid drip to the ground and Arthur just nodded, unfazed by the sight.

“Yeah, it is. gods bleed gold, I bleed silver.”

Arthur shrugged nonchalantly, before pointing at his bleeding arm and explaining the reason why it was bleeding in the first place.

“I tried to absorb cosmic energy directly into my body, but my energy circuits couldn’t handle it—they burst.

That’s because I’m what you’d call ‘Sub-Cosmic.’ Sub-Cosmic beings like me can manipulate ambient cosmic energy however we wish, but we can’t absorb it into our bodies like we can with magic power. If we try, our circuits fail.”

Evan processed the explanation, his mind quickly analysing the implications.

“So, if you’re in a place with low cosmic energy, your power would be limited, right? That’s a pretty glaring weakness in Lower Worlds.”

A thought struck then Evan, his brows raising as he voiced his conjecture.

“But if Sub-Cosmic beings can’t absorb it, does that mean full Cosmic beings can?”

Arthur affirmed with a nod.

“Yes. Cosmic Beings can generate Cosmic energy internally with their energy cores, along with magic power and aura, while also being able to manipulate the ambient energy.

The concentration of ambient cosmic energy in the area matters little to them.

In addition to that, they can do one other thing that could be considered a Sub-Cosmic being’s weakness when facing a genuine Cosmic being— dominating the ambient Cosmic energy and putting it under their control.

When they do that, the ‘Sub-Cosmic’ they are facing cannot utilize that energy.”

Evan thought Sub-Cosmic beings were already broken, but the Complete Cosmic Beings were even more so. Just when he thought that was the end, Arthur carried on and explained even further.

“It is impossible to ‘kill’ a Cosmic Being without being one yourself.

Their Souls are covered in Layers of Cosmic energy, and only with cosmic energy can these layers be breached. Sub-Cosmic beings might achieve this, but it is difficult because of our glaring weakness. If we do not have ambient energy to control, then we can’t kill a complete Cosmic.

The difference in power between the two Stages of Cosmic Superiority is…well, cosmic.”

“Damn…”

Evan blinked, absorbing the gravity of what Arthur had just shared. He let out a low whistle, running a hand through his hair and his thoughts drifted to something that had been nagging at him for a while. He hesitated for a moment, then asked,

“Hey, Arthur, does all of this cosmic stuff have anything to do with the infinity sign on your status?”

“Oh? You figured it out?”

Arthur’s expression shifted to one of mild surprise, with a trace of amusement in his gaze.

X2→½♾

That was Arthur’s Health Stat, and Evan had been completely confused as to why there was an Infinity Sign on it. But after hearing about this Cosmic Energy stuff, he guessed that might be the case and Arthur’s reaction now had affirmed it.

“Hey, Evan. Did you notice? My arm isn’t bleeding any more.”

When Arthur said this, Evan’s brain brought the detail it had considered unnecessary to the forefront of his cognition. What’s more, he realised that Arthur’s arm stopped bleeding when he was still explaining the weaknesses of Sub-Cosmic beings.

Not only had it stopped bleeding, it had completely healed.

“Being a Sub-Cosmic being has other benefits besides just manipulating ambient energies.

The first and foremost benefit is the change our physical bodies undergo upon becoming Sub-Cosmic.

Our base parameters increase greatly; Increased physical strength, speed, dexterity, etc. that surpassed that of others in the same realm of existence.

Our souls become stronger, but the most important is our vitality.”

With a grin, Arthur declared.

“As far as there exists cosmic energy in the area, then Sub-Cosmic beings are effectively Half-Immortals.”

“Oy, that’s cracked!”

“Of course, it is! Come on, we control such a powerful energy, the same thing the Universe runs on. We should at least get a healing factor, shouldn’t we?”

When Arthur put it like that, Evan couldn’t help but agree. You couldn’t have such a GRAND designation and not even have a healing factor.

It’s just that this Healing Factor was so good that it made their Physical Bodies nigh-immortal.

No matter how beaten battered and bruised they were, given time, their bodies would eventually heal by absorbing ambient cosmic energy.

This was the only time when ambient cosmic energy could enter their bodies without damaging them since the energy was immediately being consumed to heal them.

Because of this, it was extremely difficult to kill a Sub-Cosmic being. This, however, did not mean they could not be killed.

“Let’s say that the Sub-Cosmic being you encounter is a Grandmaster Realm existence…”

“I can kill them in a single strike, faster than their bodies can absorb the energy to heal.”

Evan spoke, understanding why despite having such a broken ability, Arthur’s status still had the ‘X2’ in his health stat.

That was his maximum vitality—no matter how much cosmic energy he had at his disposal, he couldn’t regenerate more than that value. However, as long as he had access to cosmic energy, he could keep regenerating up to that limit.

For Sub-Cosmic beings who lacked natural regeneration or didn’t know any healing spells or skills, this was an invaluable advantage.

“So, how do I become a Sub-Cosmic?”

Evan asked, curious about the path to such power and Arthur shrugged nonchalantly

“How the hell would I know?”

“…”

Evan was left speechless by the blunt reply. He blinked in disbelief, trying to process the casual way Arthur dismissed such a monumental question. Noticing Evan’s stunned expression, Arthur burst out laughing, wiping a tear from his eye as he tried to explain.

“I’m not joking, Evan. Seriously, I have no idea.”

“But… aren’t you one? How did you become a Sub-Cosmic being?”

Arthur’s laughter died down, replaced by a more thoughtful expression.

“I was born as one. All Progenitors are born as Sub-Cosmic beings.”

“That’s unfair!”

Evan blurted out, unable to contain his frustration and Arthur’s laughter erupted once again, filling the space around them. Still disgruntled, Evan couldn’t help but let out a mutter.

“Dude, your ‘Starter Pack’ in life might as well be a cheat.”

“Life’s never fair, buddy. But yeah, you could say my ‘starter pack’ in life was pretty damn overpowered.

I’m a Progenitor, which means I’ve had the ability to comprehend Universal Laws since I was still in the Master Realm—something no other beings can even begin to fathom until they reach Transcendence.

Then there’s my family—Universal Royalty, and I’m the only non-Deity in the Vaughn family.

Born with a golden spoon? Nah, I got a platinum, maybe even an adamantine one.”

Arthur was well aware that he was very privileged, and he didn’t try to be humble about it. Evidenced from his Level which was at 768 despite being just 17 y/o, he really did put that privilege to use.

As his laughter echoed, Evan could only sigh, staring off into the distance as he contemplated the challenge of attaining cosmic superiority.

“Don’t stress too much about it, Evan. You’ll reach Sub-Cosmic eventually.”

Arthur said confidently and Evan turned to him, puzzled.

“Why are you so sure?”

“Because we’re similar. You’ll find your way to it, just like I was born into mine.

Just live your life, don’t force it. Cosmic Superiority won’t just drop into your lap, and you might have to endure something tough to get there, but I can assure you, it’ll be worth it.”

With that, Arthur gave Evan a reassuring pat on the back before turning to walk away.

“Alright, enough talk. Let’s head to our destination.”

◇　◇　◇

Main City Street

Sloklens Region

April 3rd

531st Divine Year

“To think you can teleport across such a long distance…”

That was all Evan could say when Arthur showed him where on the map they were currently. To the nearest round number, they had traversed 700 kilometres worth of distance in a single teleportation.

“Hmm? Why so surprised? It’s just the ‘Greater Teleportation’ Spell. I don’t have much range with it.”

Arthur responded to Evan’s mutter as they navigated the busy city streets and this reply had the Rogue Hero looking at Arthur with an indescribable look in his eyes.

“I’ve seen a Transcendent use a Spatial Gate and cover less distance.”

“Wait, that?”

Arthur nearly dropped the snack he just bought from a roadside stall when he heard Evan’s words and Evan just laughed at this.

The godslayer clearly couldn’t believe that someone covered less distance than him with a Tier 6 Spell when he used a Tier 4 Spell. And he wasn’t even that good with this Spell!

Evan explained Kolvar’s Spatial Gate maximum range of 50 kilometres and hearing this, Arthur shook his head and gave the best advice he could.

“Whoever that Transcendent is, they should abandon the law of space. Their affinity for it is abysmal.”

“Poor Kolvar…”

Evan muttered the Beast King’s name under his breath, before moving his focus to the cityscape around him.

“This sure as hell doesn’t look like a city in a warring continent…”

“What did you expect? The people living in fear?

They should be used to living under constant threat of war by now, and they know that they have no choice but to carry on like normal.”

Thinking about it, Arthur was right. Evan remembered during the GEE-Wolfen War, the people of Wolfen had gone about their daily lives like normal despite the crisis.

He was in one of such cities that was still operating like usual when he was attacked by the Three Epics who wanted to take his life.

‘Or rather, like Arthur says…they have no choice but to.’