"Anyone who tries it without these requirements will just turn into a squashed tomato." said Haidem.
"Still, this is insane. If I am not wrong, it is possible to multiply a thousand times." said Angus.
"Yet, I could only use it five times at max, leaving me half dead for a year. Kakakahaha… I thought I would turn into a squashed tomato at that time." laughed Haidem.
"However, there is one more thing I don't understand. Why me? Other monster-minded people could also use this skill, right?" asked Angus, who really couldn't find the real reason Haidem taught him Phantasm Arms.
"Tell me, kid. Has your life been boring so far?" asked Haidem with a smirk.
"Boring? Of course, not. With Anna and Jayna, there is no way it will be boring." said Angus.
"Then… What if you are not as strong as you are now? Will you keep having this 'Fun'?" asked Haidem.
"Err… I think you are thinking it wrong. I have the power to protect my loved one and not just have fun like you think. Also, what does this have to do with your reason?" said Angus.
Haidem tilted his head and looked at Angus like he was an idiot.
"Kid, you are joking, right?" asked Haidem.
"Nope. I just want to have a peaceful life with Jayna and Anna." said Angus.
"And did it work?" asked Haidem solemnly.
"Well, it's hard. But, I am sure it will work someday." said Angus.
"*Sigh* Alright… calm down… Calm down… You are talking to an impaired idiot. He is still young. He is just taking his own baby step. No need to burst out, Haidem." muttered Haidem while trying to calm himself.
"Excuse me?" asked Angus.
"Are you fucking stupid?!! Kid, if you don't want trouble, you should never get this strong. Being strong in this world is basically like magnet trouble. This is just how this world has worked since ancient times." said Haidem.
"As for whatever peace you are talking about, it is just a fucking illusion. Believe me, kid. I already saw many kingdoms destroyed under the pretext of this illusion." added Haidem solemnly.
"I can't refute it. But, it is not wrong to long for peace than trouble, isn't it?" said Angus with a warm smile.
"We all do, kid. We all do. It just never works. You should go back now." said Haidem while turning around and backing Angus.
Seeing Haidem no longer in the mood to talk, Angus leaves him alone. He knows monster-minded people have their own darkness inside their hearts. It is best to leave them alone when they are dealing with it.
Angus also gives up trying to understand Haidem's reason. Although he has some guesses, it will also not harm him in any way. Returning to his room, he only finds Jayna waiting for him on the bed.
"Did I make you wait for a long time?" asked Angus.
"Nope. If you don't return in five minutes, I will make you sleep on the floor." said Jayna.
"Sorry.. Sorry… Phantasm Arms turn out to be a good skill that matches my condition. Since I could keep enhancing my body, I should develop and use this better than anyone else." said Angus while embracing Jayna.
"Good for you. But, I also will not lose to you." said Jayna, enjoying Angus' touch.
"Jayna, are you okay?" asked Angus worriedly.
"Is it about Anna?" asked Jayna.
"Yeah. Although Haidem didn't specify, it is still clear Anna may be attracted to you because of something else." said Angus.
"I have a few guesses. But it only makes me love Anna more. I also believe that she will never harm me in any way." said Jayna.
"If you say so." said Angus.
"How about you? You don't seem too shocked about you being monster-minded." said Jayna.
"I was shocked and surprised. You should also know about it. But it didn't matter too much. Do you still remember about [Analyze] I used some time ago?" asked Angus.
"Of course. You said there are some similarities between us, right?" asked Jayna.
"Yeah. I have this theory where everyone actually has the possibility of turning monster-minded or something stronger. It is in our genes but just not developed enough." said Angus.
"Anna and I have more similar genes. Though mine is less than five percent of my total genes. As for you not even reaching one percent in these genes. On the other hand, Anna has more than ten percent of her total genes."
"I believe you need at least five percent or more of your total genes to become monster minded." added Angus.
"I have a few other theories about this. But, nothing concrete yet. Besides, knowing it also will not change anything. It just makes it possible for me to wield and use miasma." said Angus.
"Will you try to use it?" asked Jayna.
"Nahh… I already have Chi. Nothing is wrong with learning it in case something unexpected happens." replied Angus casually.
"Yeah, about that. Can I start…" said Jayna.
Before Jayna could finish his sentence, "Alright, it seems no more sleep for you tonight. Good thing Anna is sleeping with Mira in the other room." said Angus with a smirk.
"Ehh.. Eh.. No, I didn't practice. Please… Angus!!" cried Jayna before Angus started to touch her intensely.
In the end, Jayna's plea turned into nothing but an intense moan under Angus's relentless assault. When their [Allegiance] reaches the first threshold, Jayna also learns how to cultivate and wield chi from Angus' experience.
However, Angus warns her to only practice it once he deems her ready. She also knows the danger of cultivating chi. Unlike Angus, she didn't have a mysterious misty ball inside her ball that provided an endless amount of chi.
She needs to cultivate chi in the normal way, which is using her own lifeforce as fuel. Therefore, cultivating chi is more dangerous for her. She also knew chi cultivation couldn't be done hastily or it would only ruin her body.
Therefore, she promised Angus to never practice until Angus deemed her ready. Still, as someone obsessed with getting stronger, she often asks and is curious about this mystical power.
It is clear chi is many times more destructive and powerful than mana. However, it is also limited and can't be used carelessly. As the phoenix, she should have an immense amount of lifeforce. But, her phoenix side has not developed to that point.
As a result, cultivating chi poses too much risk for her despite already having the necessary knowledge.
After having a sleeplessly passionate night, they wake up early in the morning and clean themself before picking up the sleeping Anna. Entering the room, they find it littered with many empty plates and trays.
"Err… This is??" said Angus as he had a bad feeling.
"Oh.. Good morning, Young Baron Angus and Princess Jayna. I hope you enjoy your night." said Darren from the side with a smile.
Hearing this, Jayna couldn't help but blush embarrassingly.
"Ehem… Master Darren, why are there a lot of empty plates and trays here?" asked Angus.
"Ahh… That's because of that brute. Late at night, he suddenly intruded into this room and played with Lady Anna and Master. He also ordered a bunch of food through room service. Really… such a brute." said Darren while shaking his head.
"Urghh… At least he paid for these on his own." said Angus as he massaged his head from the headache he would get when Anna started to use room service next time.
"About that…. He told the inn's employee to leave the bill to you." said Darren.
"What the… Where is that mongrel!!" roared Angus as he finally lost his calm.
"He immediately leaves when Lady Anna falls asleep to who knows where. Such a rude person."
"Wait a minute… Master Darren. Did you say he told the inn's employee? Did he blow his disguise?" asked Jayna from the side.
"He uses this black thing from the shadow and turns his entire body into someone else." said Darren.
"Tch… What a sly old fox. Otherwise, I will drag him to the nearby dwarf elder." said Angus coldly.
Judging by the mountainous plate and tray in the room, he knows he at least needs to pay a hundred thousand gold coins and possibly reach a million just. This amount of money is too ridiculous just for a night snack.
"Huft… Alright, what's done is done. Let's wake up the sleepyhead. We still need to hunt for some material today. I think we should get a better price today." said Angus.
Although Angus is still angry at Haidem for cheating him of a lot of money, he also doesn't mind it too much since he is super rich and gets Phantasm Arms from him. For Angus, a million gold coins is a low price to exchange for this skill.
After waking up the sleepy Anna and doing their daily routine, they again explore the area in search of rare and precious materials. Just as they walk into the street, they notice the whole area is less crowded than yesterday. Some of the buildings were even completely vacated.