Chapter 555: The Issue Concerning Bonding and Dominating

[Right. But you once said it was important I bonded with folks so I get to mix and evolve their abilities inside myself.] Benjamin interrupted, his thoughts firm and insistent.

{That is correct. Master does gain partial bond with any lesser individual master spends enough time with. In that frame, I take their measly, unassuming abilities and mix them into something possessing far more value. The abilities inside [Concept Assimilation], [Beast Demi-god], [Magic Nexus], and the other grace and blessings master has obtained, are growing with every small interaction master has with mortals.}

[Eh...? Then you mea—]

{However, those are partial bonds, something almost passive, as a result of evolving into a demi-god, a transformation that changed the very nature of how master interacts with the world and those within it. There is the true Bond ability that gives master dominion over the bonded, a far more complex and deliberate power that allows master to exert control over those who have formed a deeper connection with him, a power that goes far beyond the simple acquisition of abilities through proximity and comfort.}

[Hey, since when did you start interrupting me?! And since when was the "Bond" thing so tyrannical?!] Benjamin’s thoughts were sharp with indignation.

{It simply was allowed more reach, an expansion of capabilities that occurred naturally as master’s power grew and as master’s nature evolved into something beyond the merely mortal. Initially, the bonding allowed master to obtain a lesser copy of an original ability through sexual connection, a limited and specific pathway to acquiring new powers that required intimate physical contact to activate.

{But it eventually became the same but without the exception of sexual connection, making stimulations also recognized as valid triggers for bonding, broadening the scope of what could create a connection between master and others to include any form of positive contact or emotional warmth.

{Currently—except they are master’s equal or superior—feeling safe and warm from the presence of master allows master a level of dominion over their abilities, a passive influence that grows stronger with time and proximity, a subtle shaping of their potential that they may not even be aware of.

{And as for those already bonded, master can control the ability they gain in the future, shaping their growth and development according to his will, guiding their evolution along paths that benefit him. And he can strip them of it or help them evolve it—save for a few exceptions that fall outside even master’s considerable influence, beings or abilities that are beyond our authority to manipulate.}

["Our authority...?" You sound delightful, Sys, truly charming and warm, like a mother hen fussing over her chick. But isn’t this just you trying very hard to game the system and bend the rules in my favor, to reinterpret existing mechanics in ways that make me more powerful? And you’re just making it out to be a logical progression, or natural evolution of power that somehow always works to my advantage without any apparent limitation...]

{...}

Sys was silent, offering no response to Benjamin’s accusation, no defense of its reasoning or explanation of its motives.

[And all this tinkering—are you sure it will not make the big dogs come for me?] Benjamin pressed, his thoughts turning to the larger powers of the world.

{...}

[Wait! You’re not tampering with my girls’ abilities like some science project, right?!]

{Notice: I do not appreciate all these accusation—}

[Geez, you’re so bent on turning me into some villain, into some tyrant who collects and controls people like objects and possessions to be used and discarded!] Benjamin’s thoughts were frustrated, as a note of genuine distress crept into his mental voice. [I think I’m plenty strong as things stand, more than capable of handling whatever challenges come my way without resorting to dominating those who trust me. I don’t need to rush. Getting stronger suddenly even makes the people around me feel smaller everyday. It’s too lonely. We don’t have to rush things, right?]

{...But Master has to be ready for any form of force that stands in master’s way, any danger that could catch master unprepared and vulnerable. Or else, master might take unrepairable damages, tragedies that could have been prevented with proper preparation and adequate strength.}

[Huh? What do you mean by that?] Benjamin’s thoughts were confused, his mind searching for the hidden meaning behind Sys’s words. [It’s not like the world is ending tomorrow. There must be some other reason you’re not telling me, no?]

{...Perhaps... I care too much about master to allow his defenses to be low?}

[What the hell? Is that a joke?] Benjamin wondered, trying to associate the inner voice entity with the human motivation they presented—the unexpected glimpse of something that felt like love.

[We’ll talk about this later, when I have more time to process things. Eric seems to be dying from the few seconds silence I have him... or her, waiting for me to respond, waiting for some explanation that I am not yet ready to give, waiting in awkward silence for me to acknowledge them.]

And Sys’s love sadly remain unrequited.

"So... can you explain yourself?" Benjamin started, paying the elf an understanding glance, his voice gentle but firm.

Eric sighed, a long and heavy exhale, and glanced at the water in which they were partly submerged in, their green eyes fixed on the rippling surface as if seeking answers there.

"My real name is Er—"

SPLASH!!

A force suddenly slammed into the basin, seemingly dropping from the sky, sending waves of water to hit the two individuals already in it, a massive surge that splashed over their faces and bodies, disrupting their conversation completely.

Eric was startled and looked at where their clothes were, a few feet away, their eyes darting toward the pile of fabric that would cover their nakedness, but they could not reach it in time.

However, they needn’t be so wary, for the strange was only;

"...Ah, Heka," Benjamin looked towards the left side of the round basin, more closer to Eric, his expression shifting to recognition, a familiar face that brought relief rather than concern. "I completely forgot about you. Sorry about that."

"It is fine. Sadly, that level of cold doesn’t work on me," Heka replied, her toned arms resting on the stones where her back rested, her posture casual and unconcerned, "so I couldn’t freeze up and die as you commanded. When I sensed your presence leave Siberia location to here, I decided to come myself."