The Absolute: Humanity's Second Chance

Chapter 171 Encounter II

<Will of Penumbra>

A powerful Class Ability that allows the user to gain the senses of any source of darkness or shadows around them, as eyes, nose, and even as their body.

As long as there were shadows or darkness around the user, they could see it all, hear it all, or possibly arise from death through those shadows, or darkness.

"..."

And Ninth, who had a Hidden Class, used said ability just moments ago.

She used it under the reservation of her Grandmaster presence, and only used the "darkness" property of effect.

Through the fear that instantly rose when everyone felt her presence, she used this ability to pull at the darkness hidden within those fears. Fears, that immediately rendered those weak unconscious.

While the strong, still fought back a bit.

Had she used its full effect, considering her Realm and Hidden Class Ability effect, nobody would have remained standing.

Nobody... but another Grandmaster Professionist, who like Loptr, was chosen by their Class.

Classes that weren't within the selection of The Primordial Source, as they already chose their owners. They had only waited for a platform that will allow them to reveal themselves.

[ Epitome of Wisdom (HIDDEN) ]

[ Introduction: The Providence of one who will become the very vaults of wisdom and knowledge of Existence. An entity that knows it all, that can teach anything within the limits of existence. One whose wisdom gives birth to evolution and progress. To become the very Embodiment of Existence's Future ]

[ Potential: Unrivaled Potential that stretches to cover the whole of Existence, and possibly transcend all Restrictions, Rules and Mandates of Existence and shine over all that are below. To become the Sage that knows the whole of Existence, and teacher of numerous Supremes ]

[ Class Bonuses: +1 SP to STR, AGI, END, and +2 INT, WIS and AFF every level up, +8 Free SP every level up, +8 AP every level up, +700% Life Essence required to Level up, +120% to Mana every level up ]

[ Class Skills: "Wisdom of Sages", "All-Purpose Instructor", "Blank Page", "Trial of Knowledge", "The Akashic Records" ]

[ Comment: A Class that ultimately reigns Supreme above Existence, and knows it all. The Aspect of Wisdom. Yet where there is Knowledge, there is Ignorance. Where there is Wisdom, there is... Lunacy ]

<Wisdom of Sages>

<Will of Penumbra>

Two almost complimentary Class Abilities, that complimented each other, yet also restricted one another pretty well.

One allowed the user to gain the knowledge of beings that she had come into contact with. This including herself.

She can be aware of most of their secrets, their past, their present, and a hint of their future. The weaker the targets, the higher the effects. Included but not limited to, weakness detection, personality deciphering, goal awareness etc.

She can have all said knowledge.

This was what the <Wisdom of Sages> bestowed. Meanwhile, the <Will of Penumbra> was a bit different.

It could access the deepest secrets within the target, including but not limited to secrets hidden in the dark, past traumas, deepest fears, highest insecurities etc.

Just by tapping into any of these discoveries, the user could manipulate them to their liking, to affect the targets.

Exposing their deepest secrets. Awakening their past traumas. Inducing their deepest fears. Enhancing their insecurities. And many more.

As long as you had any inkling of darkness or negativity within your heart, the Class Ability could easily affect you. More so if you had no control over said weaknesses.

"..."

Yet as the activator of <Wisdom of Sages>, the dark purple-eyed lady, Cecilia Windsor, had targeted herself.

She gained insights into her future. And seeing the darkness that unfurled, she chose to obtain all the knowledge about her inner darkness.

Her fears, her insecurities, her traumas, her dark secrets. She accessed them, deciphered them, rationalized them, concluded them, and came to terms with herself.

Right now... she had no fears. Those were illusory feelings of danger, discomfort or impending signs of harm coming for her.

Yet she knew she was absolutely safe.

She had no insecurities. Problems caused by anxiety or low confidence within herself. She had none.

She was confident in herself, and her path.

She had no traumas.

No dark secrets.

She was a completely blank page in front Ninth. More so, as she activated yet another Class Ability, <Blank Page>.

An ability that erased anything about her. Her mysteries, her past, her present, her future, her identity, everything. Right now, she was just an empty page personified.

Thus Ninth couldn't target her. But she was also free from Cecelia's grasp. Everything about her, every tiny detail, was hidden within a sea of bottomless darkness.

Not even Cecilia could gaze through it.

"Our apologies for keeping you waiting, miss representative." Cecilia apologized with a light bow, not filtering the unconscious maids littered around the room, in her eyes.

"...No, my apologies, for coming unannounced." Ninth fixed her posture and responded instead. Her nerves perturbed.

As a child who has yet to come of age, she disliked dealing with adults. Especially those like this one. It proved quite bothersome.

And even if she was smarter than her peers, as she could pretend to be 18 to 21 years old. Yet Cecilia before her, was a woman within her mid thirties. An experienced one at that.

"No. It is alright. We all made it in the end." Cecelia said with a smile, taking the spot right before Ninth. The couch facing hers.

"Indeed." Ninth nodded, still focusing intently on Cecilia, who in turn, also had her eyes on Ninth.

"..."

"..."

The two ladies... knew each other.

Codename, Shadow of Gray.

Codename, The Abyss Gazer.

Two influential underground individuals. One famous for her 100% assassination ratings, and the other famous for her knowledge of almost all underground figures.

"So, what do we owe the city lord such blessings?" Cecilia continued, not inquiring why such a monster was working for the city lord.

"Yes, about that. Here is the thing..." Not being emotional, Ninth began briefing Cecilia up on what Adonis told her. Her mission of visiting all noble households.

Searching for citizens with Time related Classes, or Abilities.

Searching for citizens with Space related Classes, or Abilities.

Cecilia listened intently, as Ninth continued, mentioning the rewards as well. 'Space? Time? I wonder what the new city lord is up to...' She wondered, her curiosity piqued.

Hidden Classes had almost no limits. Almost. But that was applicable once you've become powerful enough.

Currently, as a mere Grandmaster, Cecilia had many conditions layered onto her Class Abilities. All mortals with high grade Classes faced such limitations.

One of them, for her, was to come into contact with her targets to gain knowledge about them. Thus why she was clueless about a lot of things.

Despite her Class' nature.

"I see." She ultimately nodded, wondering how her brother's meeting with the new city lord went, "In that case, we agree to his highness' words. We are more than willing to lend a help."

She added, her dark purple eyes staring deeply into Ninth, making her feel uncomfortable. "In that case, I thank you on the city lord's behalf."

She said, standing up to leave.

She still had tens of households to visit. So she did not have any time to spare. Cecelia also understood this.

"Mhm. Safe travels." She said, not bothering to show Ninth out.

"..."

Ninth slightly bowed in farewell, and left the mansion. On her way out, she stepped into the shadows of a pillar, and disappeared out of view.

And not even a few seconds after she was gone, did Cecilia open her mouth, "Are you wondering why I easily let her go?" She thoughtlessly inquired.

Slumping down onto the couch she sat on, she sprawled all over it without a care for her manners. And Owen... had nothing to say to that.

"..."

Not minding his silence, Cecilia continued, "Strength aside, it should be child's play for me to win a battle of wits with her. But I didn't."

She spoke to herself, her gaze moving up to the empty white ceiling again. "...If I do, and she reports me to her seniors, that sis-con will obviously come for my head."

"But that aside, it's useless to stop her. I'm sure you, yourself know why. Right, Alfred?" She threw an inquiry at him, and once more, silence was her only response.

"..."

For Owen, did not know whom she was talking to. He knew no Alfred.

But he did understand what she meant.

Ninth's endeavor... was for naught. Cecilia realized it, Ninth obviously knew about it, and even the young city lord probably knew about it.

Nobles were highly opportunistic beings. The moment you showed them that you desperately needed something, they'll do their very best to obtain it first... so they benefit greatly from giving it to you.

What Ninth was doing, would probably rile up these nobles into searching for these people the city lords needs. And then... use them as chips to benefit out of the city lord. Even a plebian like himself knew this.

Let alone a royal like Adonis.

"Something... is telling me that this young city lord, is about to play a bunch of old experienced fools. How? I don't know, but it's not impossible." Cecilia thoughtlessly added, a smile on her lips.

One so out of place, it brought out an eldritch charm out of her. Yet her beauty still remained.

The beauty of the Abyss Gazer.