Chapter 218: Three Quantillion Evolution Points?!

"The total profit made from the information was 80 quadrillion, and for the additional damages done to your physical, mental, and emotional health, your Herald was charged 120 quadrillion, bringing your total compensation to 200 quadrillion."

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

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

[You have received 2,000,000,000,000,000,000 Evolution Points]

[You have received 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 from the Book of Kaelen]

Kaelen’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief as he stared at the absurd digits floating in his vision.

’T-Two... T-Three Quintillion??’

"Three Quintillion?!" Kelsey blurted in shock and swiftly began counting. "W-Wait... that’s a 15,000× multiplied value!" She ran her eyes all over him in astonishment and moved closer to grab his face.

"You can multiply everything by 15,000?!"

Kaelen immediately shoved her away, sending her tumbling in the air. "I’ve told you to stop reading my mind. And no, it’s not a 15k multiplier."

"Higher or lower?"

"Lower."

"10k?"

"I’m not telling you anything."

"Turns out you weren’t joking when you said you’d like to see the expression on Zemira’s face when you advanced ten thousand times on the spot. That amount is already enough to take you beyond Tier 999. You’re truly a monster..." Kelsey said, still in shock.

"Before you leave, I’d like to ask one last question. It’s about something you mentioned during the introduction."

"Oh, what’s that?"

"You said one of the rewards for reaching the top was a wish granted by the Goddess, am I right?" His expression turned serious.

Kelsey didn’t reply immediately. "I think I know where this is going. You want to know if the Goddess is going to grant wishes when she isn’t omniscient, am I right?"

"Exactly. So, was that a bluff back there?"

Kelsey smiled mischievously. "I won’t tell you anything for free."

"What the hell? You were running your mouth just now when I didn’t even ask for any of it."

"Things have changed now. You’re not the clueless boy I thought you were. You’re quite a loaded, handsome young man."

"I’m not giving you a dime from my Evolution Points."

"Oh, don’t be silly. I’m already at the cap of evolution and have no use for Evolution Points except going on a shopping spree and, of course, GAMBLING. You see, I’m fresh out of prison and have no assets or a dime to my name."

"...It still sounds like you want my Evolution Points."

"Not yours. Ours."

"What?"

"I’m going to answer your question if you agree to go to the casino with me after the tenth floor. You see, I’m really good at that and cheating. With your multiplication ability, we can make a ton of Evolution Points even with a small win. What do you think, huh?"

"I took my chances with Emir, but I don’t think I’m willing to take any chances with you. You just proved yourself to be untrustworthy a few minutes ago."

"What’s there to be scared about, hanging out with an older woman? After all, all it takes is a snap of your finger to ascend the evolution ladder and break through the limits, making you stronger than I am in the blink of an eye. Think about how much we could make together with my skills and your ability. I learnt you’re a Slime. You could make enough to let you devour the Tower of Babel like you did back in your tutorial world. Isn’t that enticing, mhmm?" Kelsey said as she circled him like a predator cornering its prey.

Kaelen felt like he needed bug spray to dispel her like an annoying mosquito.

"Whatever. Just answer my question."

"Good choice. Short answer: it wasn’t a bluff. She can make any of your wishes come true—with a price."

"What does that mean?"

"It’s a trade. She can only make your wish come true if you can sacrifice something of equal worth."

"I doubt many candidates would have any worthy items to make a big wish," Kaelen said thoughtfully.

"Exactly. That keeps it grounded, and no one could wish to rule the universe or marry the Goddess because that would require a substantial sacrifice most candidates wouldn’t possess on the last floor, except... you."

Kaelen didn’t refute Kelsey. Now that she knew about his multiplication and upgrade ability, it was only natural for her to know that Kaelen would have several powerful items with him. But...

"She doesn’t know that."

Kelsey suddenly chuckled at his reply. "And what makes you think that?"

Kaelen frowned.

"Unless you’re going to tell her, there’s no way she’d know about it."

"Oh, I’m not. Whatever we discussed here is between us alone. I plan to tell no one and expect you to do the same," Kelsey said truthfully.

"Then how’s she going to know?"

"Well, that’s why she’s there."

"..."

"If there’s one thing I’ve learned about the Goddess, it’s that she doesn’t do anything that doesn’t benefit her substantially. She doesn’t care enough about the candidates to play the role of a genie. She’s after something, and knowing most candidates have nothing to offer, there’s only one person who comes to mind that could be the target. Mind you, when I said you’d have to sacrifice something in return, I never mentioned items. It could be anything—literally. So, in other words, I think it’s safe to say the Goddess is dying to meet you. And I have reasons to believe that encounter would be a major turning point for us all."

Kaelen fell silent as he thought about it.

"I’ve spent the entire day going back and forth with you. I’ll be taking my leave now. Don’t forget you owe me a fortune from the casino," Kelsey said and, without waiting for a reply, disappeared from the spot.

Kaelen sat there in silence for a long moment, going over all that she’d said.

Not only had he gotten enough information from her to answer questions he’d always had at the back of his mind, but Kaelen now had enough Evolution Points to not just reach the top of the Tower but also become the strongest being, second only to the Atreus siblings.

Even so, with his 10,000× Reward Multiplier System, it was only a matter of time before he surpassed them all and saved his mother.

If Goddess Zemira had the ability to create the Immortality Pill, then Kaelen could do it as well.

He hadn’t understood at first when Emir told him she would take him to a place where he’d get the strength and Immortality Pill he wanted.

She knew very well that the Immortality Pill was cursed, but still told him he’d get it. He didn’t think she’d lied or tricked him because, looking back at that time now, it was almost as if she’d predicted everything that was happening to him now.

Even without those things happening yet, Emir had fulfilled her end of the bargain and had no reason to help him any further.

His lips slowly curled up as he navigated to his system panel, opened her inbox, and sent her a message.

Me: Do you think Heralds can drop out of the Grand Tournament like candidates after the tenth floor?

Her reply came in soon after.

Empress Rime: I’m not sure. It wasn’t explicitly mentioned. Why do you ask?

Me: What about sick leave? Do you think they’d pardon a Herald for that?

Empress Rime: I really don’t know. What’s this even about? Do you know a Herald that’s sick?

Kaelen cackled within himself as he swiftly typed away at his keyboard and sent the risky text.

Me: No. I was just thinking how this environment wouldn’t be safe for a pregnant woman and our baby over the next ten floors.

The message was left on read for a long moment before the typing icon appeared below the chat, disappeared without any messages, appeared once more, and then disappeared again without any messages.

Seeing this, Kaelen laughed within himself, imagining what her face would look like while reading his message, until she finally sent a message.

Empress Rime: Oh...

"..."

"What? Is that all she has to say..." Kaelen trailed off when a second message flashed across his screen.

Empress Rime: Are you serious or joking? Do you still want us to have a baby together?

Huh?

Kaelen licked his lips and quickly began composing another paragraph.

Me: Of course. I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately, and can’t wait till after the tenth floor to show you how much I miss you (wink).

The message was read as soon as it was sent, and for the next few minutes Kaelen sat there staring at the chat in anticipation, waiting for reply.

Tch. Just as he was about to give up in disappointment, a reply flashed across his screen without the typing icon.

Empress Rime: I’ve been thinking about you too. But I don’t think we should jump into parenthood so soon. We should spend some time together and explore since we only have seven days before we’re separated again. What do you think?

WHAAAT?!