Chapter 217: Compensation

Kaelen’s expression changed drastically. Every puzzle piece clicked perfectly into place.

The lore behind humanity’s history with the Akkadians and Evolution Online. The reason why Stronghold 2 was massacred over a decade ago. The place where all the evolution points in the central bank went from the capital. The truth behind the Global Descent.

Everything said made perfect sense... except that some parts contradicted his mother’s story. But that wasn’t the most important thing at that moment.

Why was she revealing all these things to him? Was she trying to convince him that she could be useful to him in the future?

"Oh, please. I never asked to join your cause. You have the potential and possibility, but it’s still too early to make such a decision at all. But thanks to our little conversation, Kaelen, I think I’ve solved a puzzle that has been bugging my mind for a while now. And I must say, your bloodline is quite interesting. The first feud in our realm began with them, and as far as I can look into the future, it will keep revolving around them.

"Now, don’t get me wrong, Kaelen. I didn’t tell you all this because I had any intentions of helping you in any way. I only thought it fair to let you know the history and what you’re getting into. In the end, it’ll end up with either one of you dying, like it always has. If you ask me, I prefer a world where there are no ’gods’ or immortals of any kind. I’ve lived long enough that everything is starting to feel bland and... I dunno, boring. So I have no interest in whoever is trying to incite war or fight the system with the intention of replacing it. That’s my stance.

"It was fascinating to get to know more about you, Kaelen Cross. And though I’m very much curious about that multiplication ability of yours and the Atreus bloodline running through your veins, I’m hoping I’ll get to learn more before my promised retirement after the Grand Tournament," Kelsey said with a faint smile.

Kaelen was silent for a moment as he deliberated over all she’d said.

"Can you tell me what this realm was like before Atreus?" he asked deliberately.

Kelsey paused to think for a moment. "My grandmother wasn’t born by then, but I still know a little based on my personal research. If you still want to hear that, then I’d say... like old Earth."

"Old Earth? You mean advanced civilisation and technology?"

"No. Further than that."

"The medieval times?"

"The primeval times. The strong became the predators, while the weak became their prey. But each was isolated in their own worlds, and only the supreme beings back then could traverse worlds. Even then, every life only needed enough evolution to hunt and protect themselves, their loved ones, and their villages. And they were happy leading that peaceful life and dying of old age." Kelsey sighed heavily.

"Old age?" Kaelen asked curiously.

"Yeah. The evolution spores in the realm were incredibly sparse, and it took a lifetime of cultivation to extend one’s lifespan. That changed when Atreus came into the picture. Now, I can’t even die of old age because that would take forever to happen."

"I see..."

That made sense with what Emir’s butler had explained about evolution spores radiating around powerful figures and transforming wherever they stayed into perfect cultivation spots.

If that was the case, that could only mean Atreus had come from another realm. Another realm with its own laws, civilisations, and hierarchy. That also explained where he might’ve disappeared to if that was truly the case.

"..."

A bell suddenly rang in Kaelen’s head. His eyes narrowed slightly.

Evolution spores radiated off powerful beings, just like the entire universe had been changed by Atreus’s presence. There was no telling how powerful he was to make such a drastic change. But then, after he disappeared and left the realm... why were there still enough Evolution Points, even after so many years, to cater to the entire universe?

Now, of course, he had given birth to nine children who were powerful in their own rights, but at birth, they were no stronger than Tier 1 and would require absorbing Evolution Points to advance. After all, they were all players who abided by the evolution system and couldn’t do without Evolution Points.

Was there a possibility... that Atreus was still in that realm somewhere, keeping the evolution cycle in the whole realm alive?

Kaelen shifted his attention to Kelsey, who silently stared at him with an unreadable expression.

"I know you can hear my thoughts loud and clear. Why don’t you answer this one for me as well? Is Goddess Zemira powerful enough that she radiates evolution spores across the entire universe?"

She didn’t reply and simply stared at Kaelen for a long moment before she exhaled softly.

"Short answer... no. I never got to meet Atreus, but I know, based on everything out there, that neither of his children, alive or dead, comes close to being nearly as omniscient as him.

"We have so much in common, Kaelen. I had the same question as you back then and came up with a few possibilities. Atreus couldn’t have left the realm. He’s either taking a really long nap, imprisoned, or dead."

"Imprisoned? Dead? Who could possibly do that to him?"

"His children, of course. I have a reason to believe his wives and children are aware of what happened to him, but after some disagreement over his authority, they turned against each other and sparked the great war. This is only my speculation, but it makes sense however you look at it.

"Then again, I’ve come to learn that survival means not questioning anything that contradicts the lie told, even if it’s painfully obvious. That’s how I’ve lived this long in the enemy’s territory. But if you’re that curious..." She pointed a finger upwards. "Zemira is waiting for you if you make it to the last floor. But I must warn you... she can be very misleading.

"One last thing before I go: now that you’ve discovered you can advance much faster than you imagined, what are you gonna do about it? Do you plan on going all out?"

Kaelen thought about it for a moment. "I’ve always had enough Evolution Points to advance at least ten times. But I always save them for the best moments. Nothing’s changed. I’d like to see the look on the Goddess’s face when I stand before her and advance ten thousand times on the spot."

Kelsey’s lips slowly curled up.

"Alright, then. Good luck with that. I was also busy with your Herald while we were talking, and I have your compensation balance with me. Use it wisely, because I doubt you’d be seeing this amount for a long~ while."

[You have received 200,000,000,000,000,000 Evolution Points]

[10,000× Reward Multiplier Triggered...]