Chapter 279 - Illusion Realm! The Battle Of The Mind!
Blink!
Sebastian once again simulated the sound of his eyes snapping open just to feel at home as his consciousness was roused. He already experienced this 2 times, but the feeling never got old.
After what seemed like a long time, he was back in the Illusion Realm.
This time, Sebastian did not appear in an isolated region that looked like the outside expanse of water, he appeared in what seemed like a walled building.
Without even having to think, he knew that this was part of the effects of undergoing evolution inside an enclosed environment like this.
Sebastian starting his evolution now was a risk. He didn't know the situation of the outside world; he didn't know if any malicious enemy would take advantage of his temporary weakness after seeing his evolving body.
The risks were huge, but he still unflinchingly jumped at the opportunity to evolve when it presented itself to him.
He already received evidence from multiple sources that the purple tier evolution was a big deal, he did not want to miss this opportunity to evolve just because of a moment of cowardice.
If he died because of his decision, then it meant death was his fate. He had no second thoughts about it, he had no regrets, he just did it.
Even with all these considerations, Sebastian still calmly waited for subsequent developments which he knew would come.
Bzzz!
The illusion realm seemed to buzz a bit which was strange but Sebastian paid no heed to it as the green color of the Green Mist Sea familiarly dominated the gloomy color of the catacombs, then it spiked and everything changed.
Sebastian once again appeared inside the familiar bustling city of Great White Sharks where his father was proposedly the alpha.
For the first time since Sebastian started entering the illusion realm, he faced no obstructions as his vision was as sharp as normal.
This time, he didn't even need to concentrate before the full layout of this enormous city of Great White Sharks presented itself to him in its entirety.
Sebastian was pleasantly surprised, this verified one of his assumptions in his previous visit here, his vision indeed got better through subsequent visits.
Now, his vision was at its possible best, enabling him to see much more.
Sebastian's opinion of the Illusion Realm had turned into a system-exclusive benefit after making some inquiries. During his stay in Old Mak's shark clan, he didn't just remain idle when he had so much identical predators to ask for guidance.
At one of those opportunities after his return to the clan, Sebastian personally asked the clan head if he knew of the illusion realm.
The clan head's answer surprised him.
According to Old Mak, he had no idea if there was something called an illusion realm but after listening to Sebastian's modified explanations, this clan head was able to recall something.
According to Old Mak, if what he described was the illusion realm, then he may have experienced it before but only once.
Old Mak had the privilege of being taken to the illusion realm only during his purple tier breakthrough, and he was the only one of the other purple tier sharks of the clan that had seen this marvelous phenomenon.
From Old Mak's description, Sebastian easily deduced that the clan head suffered from the same sight deficiency problems that he suffered during his first trip through the illusion realm.
Despite this handicap, Old Mak still benefited a lot from the encounter.
So, for him being able to enter the illusion realm directly during his first white tier evolution, Sebastian could only attribute it to his system.
Those were for later, at this moment, Sebastian focused on taking full advantage of his best vision so far since his trip to this realm.
This time, it was like they were no longer any time restraints. Sebastian was allowed to observe for as long as he wanted until he imprinted the layout of the city in his head, this was when the expected change came.
As usual, the scene was fast-forwarded.
Warp!
It finally stopped at a scene. At this moment, Sebastian saw the familiar shark alpha which his body resonated with again as his father together with a group of other Great White Sharks which he identified as female.
If he had them, his mouth would have been twitching furiously at this sight. If he was not wrong, this was his father's harem.
While Sebastian looked closer, thinking of the clues for his evolution that he was supposed to get out of this, he suddenly got the scare of his life.
The enormous Great White Shark who originally looked like a mere projection suddenly felt more lifelike. The alpha shark turned around, then he directed a proud look towards Sebastians, spooking the shit out of him.
"Another worthy descendant!"
"Sebastian, right?"
"…"
Sebastian was spooked, so shocked that this illusion realm to him now suddenly felt like a meticulous work of high-grade voodoo magic.
"What in the name of all anatomists is happening to me?!" If he had hands, Sebastian would have started rubbing his eyes already.
"Is that your anxiety catchphrase or something? I can see you like exclaiming this way a lot when you're under a lot of pressure or you're scared".
"…"
It took a lot of getting used to, but in the end, Sebastian finally reconciled with the fact that he was speaking with his real father after a lot of confirmations.
The powerful shark alpha finally started making declarations.
"Congratulations Sebastian! You have finally been recognized by the will of the ancestors; you can finally call yourself a Carcharodon!"
"With this achievement, the gates of our Carcharodon clan are now open to you!"
"The purple tier evolution is a big deal on every facet imaginable. Overcoming this hurdle will place you at the high rungs of Oceania society".
"It is dangerous, but remember that Great White Sharks are called great for a reason. Even if you die, die with pride knowing that you reached a point that majority of predators never get to in their lives".
"Nobody tests how sharp a Great White Shark's teeth are to verify its species. You are my son, and I am proud of that".
"No matter the outcome, I am proud of you, my son!"
"I wish you success in surviving this ordeal!"
Warp!
The alpha shark finally disappeared, including the enormous city of sharks also as Sebastian was left to his own devices once again.
Unlike what he expected, the world did not crack before shattering like a mirror like in his previous visits here, it seems that his third entry into the illusion realm bent a lot of rules other than time in his favor.
In this silent environment, Sebastian had the perfect opportunity to think extensively about the encounter that he just had.
Sebastian never expected to speak to his dad so early, he thought he had to meet the alpha shark before what just happened would have been able to happen.
He suddenly felt some regret. If he prepared for this beforehand, he was positive that he had some questions that he wanted to ask his alpha dad but clearly the shock of the situation no longer made this possible for him.
In the end, Sebastian could only curb his regret and cherish the encounter. There were a lot of things about his shark dad that he disapproved of, but as a shark, he had to give the fellow some slack.
By this time, Sebastian's mood was already getting better by the second.
While all this happened, a yellow blob of light sneaked towards him. By the time Sebastian noticed it, it was already too late.
[You have been attacked by a skill: Mind Entanglement!]
[You have been attacked by a pinnacle Black tier predator: Carcarot Gorgoneon- The Doppelganger and Invisibility King!]
"!!!"
Sebastian was alarmed but he could not even make a sound, it was like his mind was locked and was now in the opponent's control.
This was when the yellow blob of light grew in size. Sebastian's eyes widened; this was the Sea King's soul which was supposed to have been smashed to smithereens by the overpowering attack of the Sage in his head.
Sebastian despaired, after the draining attack, the Sage was too weak and was not available to him again for the short term.
"You know, I was almost fooled by you". The Sea King finally spoke.
Compared to before, the size of its soul decreased by a lot and its overpowering might was more bearable now, the glow being released by it was much less intense also but this subtracted nothing from its dignity.
At this moment, this Sea King had a proud look on its face, that look of confidence that made Sebastian fall deeper into the abyss of despair.
He tried all that he could, but he could only squirm around and not escape.
"Your meticulous ploy with the Sage was highly convincing, but the thing that you failed to add in was how extensive of a knowledge about mysteries that I had".
"Sages simply aren't capable of descending normally into our world".
"You and your supporting Sage underestimated me, that brought your downfall in the most embarrassing manner possible".
"I don't know much about Sages, but I have heard of their strength. The fact that a Sage of the myth realm secretly supports you affirms my suspicion all the more that you are the perfect vessel that I need".
"I know that you are just roughly 4 months old. This is too much of an anomaly, I have lived centuries and I am pretty sure that there is no way for a predator as young as you would know so much".
"I watched your performance, and all I can say is that you definitely know a lot more about old earth than me which makes me all the more curious about you".
The Sea King's soul vibrated as a show of its excitement. "I can't wait to see what lies at the depths of that secretive mind of yours".
"Wait…, please…"
Sebastian could only plead that before the Sea King struck.
[You have been attacked by a skill: Mind Possession!]
The battle of the mind began!