KonoSuba 4

As the particles integrated themselves into the depths of my soul realm, a subtle yet profound transformation began to take hold. The once-constrained boundaries of my mind expanded, granting me complete and unhindered control over my mental faculties. As a dormant volcano awakened, my mental skills surged to life, enhancing my cognitive capacities to their utmost potential. It was as if a veil had been lifted from my eyes, revealing a world that transcended mere perception.

[Astral Cognition LVL: MAX]

- Permanently liberates the user's mind from the limitations of their physical body, elevating the user's cognitive abilities to their maximum potential, allowing them to transcend the boundaries of ordinary intelligence, memory, perception, and problem-solving skills.

- Establishes a seamless and harmonious connection between the liberated mind and the physical body, enabling effortless communication and coordination.

- Expands the user's consciousness beyond conventional boundaries, allowing them to explore and comprehend the vast expanse of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.

- Enhances the user's creativity and imagination to unprecedented levels, enabling the manifestation of innovative and groundbreaking ideas.

- Promotes deep introspection and self-awareness, leading to profound personal growth, self-realization, and enlightenment.

Utilizing all of my mental skills effortlessly and simultaneously, the world around me lost its familiar meaning and transformed into a symphony of numbers and calculations. My mind worked at unimaginable speeds, processing information with unparalleled precision. While from the outside, there was no visible strain on me, for my enhanced mental powers operated effortlessly, surpassing any previous limitations I had known.

With this newfound mental prowess, I could effortlessly and instantaneously calculate the position of each electron in even the most complex atomic structures. This heightened perception allowed me to navigate the intricate web of magic and manipulation with unparalleled accuracy. The shackles of my previous mental constraints had been shattered, and I reveled in the boundless possibilities that lay before me.

However, I couldn't disregard the role that my brain still played in my continued existence. It served as the conduit for my consciousness, sending out neural signals that controlled every aspect of my physical being. While my mental capacities had reached unprecedented heights, the intricate connection between mind and body remained intact, serving as a vital link to the realm of the physical.

In this state of enlightenment, I became a vessel of unlimited potential, transcending the boundaries of conventional understanding. The fusion of my newfound mental abilities and the remnants of my physical existence created a harmonious union, empowering me to explore the realms of knowledge and consciousness with unparalleled clarity.

"What were those particles floating around? They carried a hint of divinity and magic, yet they seemed to exist on a completely different scale," I casually inquired, observing the widening of the goddess's eyes. Her reaction indicated that she knew something important, and I was determined to uncover the truth.

"How are you able to see them?! That shouldn't be possible," she exclaimed in shock.

Curiosity piqued, I pressed further, activating an ability within my [Mental Domain]. "Care to elaborate on what I was witnessing?" I asked, eager to unravel the mystery behind those enigmatic particles.

"That was the energy of a Wish," she stated as if it provided a sufficient explanation. Noticing my deadpan expression, she quickly added, "Wishes require a different kind of energy, one that transcends my comprehension. I cannot manipulate it, and I suspect that even within the divine realm, none possess the ability to do so."

Confusion filled my mind as I questioned further, "Then how do you grant wishes?"

"It's not actually us who grants them," she sighed, conjuring a tome with a wave of her hand. "It's all thanks to this artifact." Her expression turned puzzled, and she furrowed her brow. "Hmm, why am I divulging these secrets to you?"

I shrugged nonchalantly, subtly amplifying the effects of [Mental Domain]. "Well, there should be no secrets between best friends, right?" I offered, flashing her a comforting smile.

I refrained from infiltrating her mind, aware that sifting through billions of years of memories could prove cumbersome. Instead, I deftly adjusted her emotions and desires, fostering an increased trust in me.

"You're right," she responded with a nod, a faint smile adorning her face as a blush tinged her cheeks. "So, where was I?"

"You were about to tell me who created the book and how you control it, right?" I prompted, intrigued by the inner struggle she displayed between her reluctance to disclose divine secrets and my persuasive mental manipulation.

Her expression grew slightly perplexed, as the conflicting desires within her mind battled. Ultimately, my skill prevailed, and she slowly nodded, offering an explanation. "Right, so the tome was not created by us." She shook her head. "We are uncertain of its origin or when it came into existence. All we know is that when the gods themselves came into being, the tome was already present. From what we understand, it has the power to grant infinite but only specific wishes. As for the source of its power, we remain uncertain, but it has functioned flawlessly for millennia."

"Hmm, why don't you use it all the time then? Why not simply wish for the death of the Demon King and be done with it?" I asked, genuine confusion evident in my voice.

"We cannot. The tome can only grant three wishes per person every decade, and it bestows specific abilities, not omnipotent control," she explained, shrugging her shoulders.

The limitations of the book's granting power became clear, and I pondered the intricate rules that governed its use. The realization sparked a myriad of thoughts and possibilities within me, as I contemplated the significance and potential of those three precious wishes.

"As your best friends," I pointed to Olivia and myself, "you wouldn't object to us using the book to grant ourselves a few additional abilities, would you?" I maintained a reassuring smile, while Olivia watched our interaction with confusion.

"Of course not!" Eris exclaimed, standing upright. "This is merely a trivial matter among friends, right?" She glanced at me, seeking confirmation.

"You're absolutely right, bestie," I replied, flashing her a supportive smile and nodding enthusiastically. "So, with that in mind, does the book possess..."

After a few minutes of back-and-forth with the goddess, questioning her about available abilities and looking through the book, Olivia and I settled on acquiring the skill [Appraise], granting us the ability to assess the strengths of our adversaries, as well as gain basic information on objects.

[Appraise LVL: MAX]

- Enables the user to assess and evaluate the value, quality, or worth of objects, entities, situations, or ideas with exceptional precision and insight.

- Enables the user to determine the authenticity, rarity, and significance of objects, artifacts, or creations, whether they are physical or conceptual in nature.

- Allows the user to appraise the strengths and weaknesses of individuals, including their skills, capabilities, intentions, and trustworthiness.

- Transforms appraisals into comprehensive numerical and textual descriptions, providing thorough and detailed assessments of the subject at hand.

To my surprise, Eris had refrained from suggesting the analysis skill during our previous encounter. However, she leaned in with a mischievous smile and whispered that she was actually prohibited from granting that particular skill to anyone, except for us—her best friends. Olivia's troubled expression and wry smile only served to amuse me, and I couldn't help but chuckle inwardly at her predicament. Despite her unease, we thanked Eris profusely, creating an illusion of camaraderie.

To my astonishment, as soon as we activated the analysis skill, the Detection, Integration, and Reproduction system responded by generating a visible notification screen. It displayed a comprehensive array of information, presenting all available data before me. Directing my focus towards Eris, I delved deep into the depths of her being. The flood of information overwhelmed my vision, but with a few adjustments to filter out irrelevant details, such as her current fertility rate, sexual orientation, and other truly unnecessary information, I was able to explore the intriguing and intricate aspects of her being that previously I could only estimate.

[Name: Eris]

(Sex: F) / (Age: ???) / (Race: Human) / (Tier: 4)

[Health: 1,410,240] / [Stamina: 992,592] / [Mana: 618,540]

[Domains: {Luck}]

Parameters:

STR: 104

VIT: 1,356

DEX: 732

AGI: 1,080

PER: 927

INT: 793

WIS: 780

CHAR: 396

LUCK: 2,573

P. Res: 411 (4.11%)

M. Res: 396 (3.96%)

Skills: [Divine Authority], [Healing], [Immortality], [Divine Protection], [Divine Communication], [Astral Projection], [Transformation], [Blessing of Fortune], [Misfortune's Ward], [Lucky Strikes]

As I delved deeper into the appraisal results, the revelation that Eris, despite her divine status and formidable abilities, was fundamentally a human being left me astonished. The complexity and depth of her existence were firmly rooted in her humanity, defying conventional expectations and unveiling the intricacies of her being.

Perhaps this was one of the reasons why the granting of this ability was restricted. In a society that held such fervent belief in their gods, allowing the believers to witness the true humanity of their deities could be seen as counterproductive. It had the potential to shatter their belief in the gods, undermining their authority and challenging the very foundation of their faith. The gods, in their wisdom, as well as their greed, had safeguarded this knowledge, keeping it hidden from mortal eyes to preserve the divine illusion.

However, the acquisition of this skill and the ability to see the stats and skills of my targets was not without its consequences. Alongside the fulfillment of my wish, I sensed an inexplicable heaviness descending upon my soul. It was as if the very act of obtaining this ability came with a price, a weight that I would have to bear.

Intrigued by this peculiar sensation, I couldn't resist probing further. Persistently pestering Eris, I attempted to utilize the book once again in hopes of acquiring another skill. To my surprise, the system itself intervened, issuing a warning and preventing me from proceeding any further. It became apparent that there were limitations and consequences to be reckoned with when tampering with the powers of wishes.

[The user's being pulsates with surging Wish Energies, reaching a dangerously elevated threshold.]

[Halting the fruition of desires...]

[Taking into account the user's bodily constraints...]

[Proposing a mandatory cooldown period of 5 years, prior to allowing any further wish fulfillment, irrespective of its nature.]

With a hint of resignation, I motioned for Olivia to make her final skill selection. It came as no surprise when she opted for something incredibly overpowered, causing a flicker of envy to cross my mind. However, I kept my annoyance to myself, knowing that I could ask her to share the skill within a mere three months.

[Sleepless Mind LVL: MAX]

- Renders the user impervious to the need for sleep, eliminating the necessity for restorative slumber.

- Sustains the user's mental and physical energy levels, allowing them to function optimally without experiencing fatigue or drowsiness.

- Provides the ability to maintain focus, concentration, and cognitive clarity for extended periods without the need for sleep-related breaks.

- Boosts mental resilience and endurance, enabling the user to handle mentally demanding tasks and challenges without the performance decline associated with sleep deprivation.

- While sleep is unnecessary, the user may still choose to engage in restful activities or relaxation practices to rejuvenate their mind and body voluntarily.

With the wishes fulfilled and the knowledge of Eris's skills and attributes, I knew she would be defenseless against my mental probing. Calmly, I unleashed the full power of [Mental Domain], erasing significant portions of her memories related to our visit.

I carefully removed any traces of our discussions, our newfound friendship, and the fact that she had allowed us to use the book multiple times. However, for added amusement, I left a lingering memory of catching her in the act, causing her earlier bashful demeanor to resurface.

"Well, Eris, thank you for the delightful performance earlier," I said with a playful wink, causing her cheeks to blush a rosy hue. "Also for staying true to your word. However, it is time for us to take our leave." I glanced over at Olivia and tilted my head. "Or would you like to compare notes with the goddess of submission?"

Olivia gave me a startled look, her eyes widening, as she swiftly retrieved her notebook and pen. However, as she turned around, an expression of determination on her face, she was met with an empty throne. In an instant, her hopeful anticipation transformed into dejection. The sound of a resounding thud and a loud click filled the air as the door on the side of the room slammed shut, signaling Eris's successful escape from our teasing.

Witnessing Olivia's disappointment, in addition to appraising her notebook, a pang of guilt tugged at my heart. I briefly contemplated reversing time and rewiring Eris's mind, allowing Olivia to have the discussion she so eagerly desired with the goddess. But ultimately, I decided against it, realizing that some real-life experiences, even if they don't unfold as expected, can offer valuable insight for her. Additionally, staying here any longer might prove to be a bit troublesome.

I placed a comforting hand on Olivia's shoulder and chuckled softly. "If you're looking for someone to have that kind of discussion with, I have two perfect candidates in mind," I said, playfully winking at her. "Although I must inform you that both of them are likely inexperienced in that regard. However, you're in luck, as one of them resides in this realm."

Olivia's curiosity was piqued, and she looked at me with a mix of anticipation and confusion. "Wait, are you talking about that silly blondie?" she asked, her voice filled with intrigue.

I nodded, a mischievous grin spreading across my face. "Yes, the one and only Dustiness Ford Lalatina, or as she likes to call herself, Darkness," I confirmed. "But remember, never call her by that. Just use her given name, Lalatina. She loves it, even if she says otherwise."

Olivia shrugged nonchalantly. "Sure, Lalatina it is. So, are we leaving? Or are we going to explore the divine realm?" she inquired, scanning her surroundings with curiosity.

I shook my head, a playful glint in my eyes. "Nope," I replied, reaching into my inventory and retrieving a certain tome. I waved it in the air for emphasis. "We have everything we came here for." Olivia's eyes widened in surprise, and before she could utter a word, the book vanished from my hand, reappearing in my inventory. My smile widened at her astonished expression.

"Oh, come on, Andy!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing through the empty throne room. But I paid no heed, enjoying the playful banter.

I extended my hand, stirring up my divinity, and with a flick of my wrist, I poked a microscopic hole into the dimensional barrier, creating a portal between the divine realm and the mortal world. The energies crackled, forming a vibrant blue portal before us. Without wasting a moment, I grabbed Olivia's hand, and together we stepped through, vanishing into the shimmering gateway.

As we reappeared in the same clearing we had entered this world, Olivia turned to me with a clear expression of annoyance etched across her face. "What the hell were you thinking? That has got to be one of the stupidest things you've ever done, and that's saying something. What if the gods notice you stealing the tome?"

I couldn't help but shrug, maintaining my nonchalant demeanor. "Relax, Olivia. They can't do anything in the mortal realm," I reassured her. "And if they try something, I'll simply conjure up a spell to erase their entire dimension. Besides, I wanted the book, so I took it. It'll serve as an interesting research material." Pausing for a moment, I pondered the potential challenges ahead. "Hmm... Hopefully, we'll have enough WP to extract it from the world. Actually, let's gather some resources just to be safe." With a snap of my fingers, I unleashed the full capacity of my mind, instantly recreating the same global reach spell I had used in the FMA world. I delved into the minds of people and nature, connecting to the world around us, and swiftly located the four missing generals we had been searching for.

Four gleaming spears of pure golden light manifested before me, their radiant presence crackling with boundless potential. The sheer intensity of their arrival caused the molecules of air surrounding them to vaporize, creating a distinct and defining sound.

"Andy?" Olivia's worried voice reached my ears, but I chose to disregard it, fully immersed in the moment. With unwavering resolve, I uttered the incantation, "Soulrend," and in an instant, a shimmering barrier materialized around us, serving as a protective shield against the cataclysmic power unleashed by the spell. The devastating force swept across a half-kilometer radius, leaving naught but destruction in its wake.

As the echoes of destruction settled, the very foundation of the world trembled in response. Four blinding lights pierced through the horizon, illuminating the sky with their radiant intensity. They marked the birth of four enormous mushroom clouds, silent testaments to the devastating power that had been unleashed.

Sensing the impending inconvenience, I turned to Olivia, a sense of caution in my voice. "Brace yourself," I warned. It was mere seconds later that a powerful shockwave surged forth, an unstoppable force that swept through the area, uprooting trees and unleashing its unyielding might on the opposite side of the clearing.

[Quest: [Generals] Completed 3,000 WP (1/2) Received]

[Demon (T3) x4 slain (40,000) 30,000 XP Received]

[Demon (T2) x917 slain (9,170) 6,878 XP Received]

[Monsters (T2) x6,217 slain (62,170) 46,628 XP Received]

[Human (T2) x25,112 slain (251,120) 188,340 XP Received]

[Human (T1) x68,434 slain (68,434) 51,326 XP Received]

"Hmm... Less than I anticipated," I muttered, observing Olivia's reaction to the notification triggered by my spell.

"What the hell, Andy?" She stared at me, a mix of disbelief and shock on her face.

I returned her gaze with a perplexed expression. "Yes?"

"Why were so many humans killed?!" she demanded, her voice rising in frustration.

I shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh, one of them happened to be in a city."

"Are you kidding me? Was that truly necessary!? Wasn't that a bit of overkill?" Her voice echoed with exasperation, and I couldn't help but smile.

"There's no kill like overkill," I replied, finding amusement in her dumbfounded expression.

"Do you even realize the pain and devastation you've caused?" she sighed, her voice laden with disappointment as her shoulders slumped and her divine energies surged to new heights.

It was one of the reasons I had chosen such a destructive spell. Could I have eliminated our targets with less collateral damage? Undoubtedly. I possessed the power to focus solely on them without causing widespread destruction. However, I had no intention of admitting that to Olivia. The experience gained from these kills was simply too valuable to disregard. Moreover, the surge of divine energies we both received from this small endeavor made it all the more worthwhile, even if it meant enduring Olivia's temporary disappointment.

"I don't know and I don't care," I replied nonchalantly, shrugging my shoulders. "Most of those generals were technically immortals, and one of them had the ability to possess bodies. While I highly doubt he could have possessed us, given our mental resistance skills, I took precautions to ensure he wouldn't even attempt it, regardless of collateral damage."

"That was like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut!" Olivia protested, her frustration evident as she raised her hands in exasperation.

"They were undoubtedly a tough nut to crack," I countered with a profound nod, a mischievous smile playing on my lips. Olivia sighed in response, clearly exasperated by my perspective. "Look at the bright side!" I continued, unable to resist teasing her further. "Both of us leveled up!" I exclaimed, relishing in her facepalm reaction.