Avoiding Loss of Control (7k2)

Seeing the formula, Ron immediately perked up.

A Sequence 7 Potion?

This was exactly what he needed. What Ron lacked right now was a way to quickly advance to Lv.3!

After all, he was still quite a ways from Lv.3.

Although Heavenly Hearing Media's investment could likely let him advance to Lv.3 before enrollment, the cost of that would be astronomical.

After all, every gift from fate came with a price. Ron knew that although Heavenly Hearing Media's contract only stated that he needed to participate in the Knowledge-Seeking Experiment, what they truly wanted could not possibly be limited to that.

For instance—once Ron truly became Prometheus's sector supervisor and stood among Ideal City's elite as an Lv.5, would everyone see Heavenly Hearing Media as his faction?

Heavenly Hearing Media would do everything in its power to tie him to its chariot, and that bond would only deepen with every investment they made. Ron did not reject Heavenly Hearing Media's investment, but if he had a way to improve himself without relying too heavily on them, he would certainly prefer it.

After all, nothing was more reliable than oneself.

Only by demonstrating his own abilities could he hold greater value at the negotiating table.

Ron did not want to be bound to any megacorporation or faction. If there truly was one, it should be an organization led by him.

Besides, advancing by drinking a Potion was far simpler than honing Personal Reality!

As long as he found the ingredients, brewed the Potion, and drank it, he could advance. It was simple, practical, and effective immediately.

If he could directly advance to Lv.3 during this period, then earn enough credit rewards through Patrol Bureau missions—

Wouldn't he be able to apply for Prometheus's computational Authority as soon as he entered Moen University, obtain an Ability Formula, and immediately reach the peak of ordinary ability users?

Perhaps drinking a Sequence 7 Potion was the best way for him to advance again.

With that thought, Ron immediately grew interested and carefully studied the Potion formula in the grimoire.

He had the formula, and half the main ingredients as well. As long as he was willing to search carefully, brewing this Potion clearly would not be difficult.

But the Sequence 7 "War Overseer" of the War sequence?

Ron looked at the Potion formula thoughtfully, somewhat doubtful that he could use it to advance to Sequence 7.

Although he did not know whether drinking Potions across sequences was possible, the Dimensional Update Manual referred to the Death Potion Sequence as the Gift of Death.

It was likely that drinking a War Potion would not do much to strengthen that gift.

Unless he also obtained the Gift of War.

Ron pondered this and figured out his method of advancement.

It now seemed that if he wanted to advance to Sequence 7, he either needed to find a Death Sequence 7 Potion and advance normally, or remove the Death sequence setting and find War Sequence 9 and Sequence 7 Potions.

That way, after drinking the War Sequence 9 Potion, he could directly advance to War Sequence 8 using his Lv.2 player level.

Then he could drink the War Sequence 7 Potion and advance to Sequence 7.

On closer thought, the difficulty of those two options seemed about the same. No, wait.

Ron remembered Miss Idrila, who was waiting for him to rescue her from the prison.

If he remembered correctly, she was a War Sequence 8 "War Chaplain."

If he searched through her, he could probably easily find Potion formulas and extraordinary materials related to the War sequence.

Even if advancing through the War sequence was troublesome, Minotaur's heart could likely be exchanged through Idrila for other valuables, supporting Ron's search for a Death Sequence 7 Potion.

It seemed that killing that Void monster had truly been the right call. He had truly seized a rather useful fortune from it.

Lost in thought, Ron replaced the battery in the Ability Amplifier. After the durability of Fantasy Dissolution and Superpowered had completely recovered, he opened the Dimensional Update Manual.

A temporary Lv.3 ability, enhanced Fantasy Dissolution, and invincible Vector Manipulation—

If he remembered correctly, in the Potion Era, the immediate danger was at most a War Sequence 7. It was merely a Sequence 7; before Ron, who possessed Fantasy Dissolution and Vector Manipulation, it posed no threat whatsoever!

The opportunity to advance was right before him. It was time to return to the Potion Era once more!

With that thought, he wrapped Minotaur's heart again, held it in his hand as he placed it into his pocket, then tucked the grimoire into his clothes.

Once he was fully prepared, he clicked Enter World Save.

[World Save "Potion Era" selected. Joining world—]

In an instant, Ron felt a faint dizziness. His vision went dark for a moment, and he once again caught that fresh scent, like gardenias.

When he slowly opened his eyes, Idrila stood before him, frozen as she stared at him in bewilderment.

Last time, he had taken the Consecrated Dewdrop Idrila offered him, declared boldly that "in the next moment, I will gain the power to fight a Sequence 7," and then left. Upon returning this time, he naturally saw Idrila's stunned and confused gaze.

After all, such words were indeed difficult for a native of the Potion Era to understand.

She was silent for a moment before asking in confusion:

"Gain the power to fight a Sequence 7 Superpowered—in the very next moment?"

"My sincerest apologies, Mr. Ron, but forgive my limited knowledge. I truly cannot imagine such a thing—"

"After all, you are only a Sequence 9 Superpowered."

As she spoke, she suddenly noticed that the Consecrated Dewdrop she had just handed Ron had vanished in an instant.

I had only just placed the Consecrated Dewdrop in his hand. How could it—how could it disappear into thin air?!

She had nearly exhausted all her spirituality to create that extraordinary item!

Under normal circumstances, it was absolutely impossible for it to disappear so silently.

Could it be that the hidden existence behind Mr. Ron had granted him some power beyond her comprehension?

At that thought, Idrila could not help feeling a chill run down her spine, and her respect for that hidden existence deepened further.

If it could make the Consecrated Dewdrop disappear into thin air in an instant, then it could make someone's head disappear in the same instant. In the realm of mysticism, removing a person's head was undoubtedly far easier than taking away an extraordinary item brimming with spirituality.

Seeing Idrila stare blankly at her palm, Ron paused slightly and immediately understood why.

Before leaving the Potion Era, Idrila had just handed the Consecrated Dewdrop to Ron.

After returning to the Superpowered Era, he had immediately consumed it. The small glass vial containing the golden droplet was no longer in his hand.

So the disappearance of the Consecrated Dewdrop had frightened her?

What a mistake.

Ron could not help frowning slightly.

Although this would not cause much trouble, Idrila would probably assume that some power granted by the hidden existence behind Ron had caused it.

But if he failed to pay attention later and displayed such strange behavior in front of others—

Those who did not quite believe he was an agent of a hidden existence would surely do everything they could to investigate his secrets.

He needed to be more careful in the future and avoid drawing too much attention.

Ron made that decision inwardly. Rather than let Idrila continue staring blankly, he softly called her back to her senses.

"Do not worry, Miss Idrila."

He had already prepared his speech, and said calmly:

"That lord had already bestowed a blessing upon me because of this trial.

"With that blessing, I will be unstoppable. Even a Sequence 7 Superpowered must avoid my edge."

As he spoke, he casually switched his profession back to the Potion Sequence, avoiding the wear Mysticism Influence caused to Superpowered so that he would not lack durability in the coming battle.

That lord's blessing?

Idrila was somewhat stunned. Ron, who had almost lost all magical reaction before, suddenly shone like a lit torch within Magic Vision.

Deep green fluorescence rose from his body. That power had already surpassed Sequence 9 and nearly reached the level of Sequence 8.

Based on Idrila's knowledge, although Ron had not yet truly reached the magical reaction of a normal Sequence 8, he was not far off.

It was as though he had just consumed a Sequence 8 Potion. Could this be the blessing that lord had granted Mr. Ron?

An advancement that required no Potion?

As expected of the power of a hidden existence...

Idrila was shaken inwardly, but she could not help harboring a trace of doubt. Although this sudden advancement was indeed beyond reason, he was still only Sequence 8. As for the Sequence 8's power, leaving aside Father Suul, who had yet to arrive, even the Flame-Chasing Knights enhanced by the War Overseer would likely already be difficult to fight.

After all, there were more than a dozen knights strengthened by a Sequence 7 ability, each well-trained and armed with consecrated weapons. Among them were even Superpowered who had earned enough merits to exchange for War Sequence 9 Potions and become Soldiers!

According to Idrila's memory, among those dozen or so Flame-Chasing Knights, at least four were Soldiers. Considering the buffs they had received, even before Suul appeared, they were absolutely not enemies a Sequence 8 Superpowered could resist. Although Idrila did not know just how powerful the blessing of a hidden existence was, her simple understanding of sequences still made her speak anxiously.

"But—you still seem to be only Sequence 8?"

"Among the Flame-Chasing Knights are quite a few Sequence 9 Soldiers, and they also have the War Overseer's enhancement.

"And Father Suul has been a Sequence 7 War Overseer for a long time. It seems he only needs to accumulate enough merits to exchange for a Potion and advance to a higher rank."

As she spoke, seemingly afraid of offending Ron, she hurriedly explained:

"As a War Chaplain, I am not actually skilled in combat. And if I am not mistaken, the true messenger should also be in grave danger and urgently need our rescue, correct?"

"If you bring along the two of us burdens, even Mr. Ron may be distracted and dragged down by us in battle..."

She hesitated for a moment before finally speaking cautiously.

"Why don't we first find somewhere to hide and see if we can avoid them and escape this place?"

I've already activated cheats, and you're telling me this?

Idrila's words were full of obvious concern, but Ron waved a hand grandly and declared:

"Say no more!"

Hiding and dodging would only waste time. Ron did not want to remain trapped in this tower of the Scorched Earth Sanctuary any longer.

He still needed to find a Death Sequence 7 Potion and figure out how to advance to Lv.3!

Ron walked to the window and looked at the Flame-Chasing Knights assembling below, their capes fluttering like flames. He said confidently:

"Even if I carry Miss Idrila on my back and hold that messenger Kurt in one hand, as long as no power beyond Sequence 7 interferes, I, Ron, can still easily take you out of this endless hell!"

As expected of a servant of a hidden existence!

Hearing Ron's confidence, Idrila suddenly felt a surge of boldness rise within her.

"Good! Mr. Ron, then let me lend you a hand—"

As she spoke, she was about to charge openly out of the tower with Ron when her sharp eyes spotted an elderly priest with a long beard emerging from behind the knights.

Clearly, this was Father Suul, whom Idrila knew well. But what was deeply unfamiliar was that both his hands were gripping a luxurious pure-silver gilt mask tightly.

Within Magic Vision, pale magical radiance erupted from it, soaring into the sky and shining as brilliantly as the sun!

Idrila's face turned pale at once.

"Madness! This is madness!"

"How could Suul dare take that thing out? Does he want to die?!"

Seeing her sudden change in expression, Ron followed her gaze in confusion, and his expression immediately turned serious as well.

"What is that?"

"That is... that is the strongest Contained Artifact guarded by our Evening Bell City church."

A Contained Artifact?

A term he had never heard before.

Ron paused slightly and immediately asked:

"What is a Contained Artifact?"

You do not even know what a Contained Artifact is?

Idrila had never imagined Ron would lack even such basic knowledge, but she still quickly explained:

"Contained Artifacts are extremely dangerous mysterious objects that contain extraordinary characteristics—"

"These objects are far more dangerous than ordinary extraordinary items forged through extraordinary abilities and spirituality."

"They consciously resist their holders, and even using their power requires a price beyond comprehension—"

"However, in exchange for that price and danger, these Contained Artifacts possess power far beyond ordinary understanding."

As she spoke, her eyes remained fixed on the mask, her tone grave.

"Although our Evening Bell City is merely a small city and this is only a small church, during a conflict years ago, the bishop killed a Trickery Sequence 4 Superpowered here. I personally witnessed that Catastrophe and became the only survivor. That was why the sanctuary took me in and trained me to become a Superpowered."

"And that mask is the Contained Artifact formed from the extraordinary characteristics left behind after that Trickery Sequence 4 demigod died—"

Upon hearing that, Ron's confident smile immediately vanished.

Sequence 4? A demigod?

Suul's cheat was even more outrageous than his!

Come on, she had said this was a small church. Why would a small church seal something so incomprehensible?!

Shouldn't stronger Superpowered be guarding such a dangerous item? Why was a Sequence 7 considered enough?

This Scorched Earth Sanctuary was far too unreliable!

The bishop of this diocese could not exactly be called outstanding at his job. He was simply utterly useless.

If Ron's previous understanding was correct, then if Sequence 4 corresponded to Ideal City, it was an existence stronger than an Lv.5 ability user!

Although he could not yet prove that guess completely correct, and this Sequence 7 priest clearly could not fully unleash the strength of this Sequence 4 Contained Artifact, Ron did not want to gamble with his life to find out just how powerful it was.

Had things come to this? Did he really have to return in defeat, stopped in his tracks by a Sequence 4 Contained Artifact?

He had not even obtained the Sequence 7 Potion yet.

Ron furrowed his brow, then saw Idrila slump onto the bed in dejection and say regretfully:

"If I had noticed a few minutes earlier and escaped before they gathered, we might have already reached Golden Flower Street!"

"Then President Elvis would protect us. No matter how mad Father Suul became, he would never dare invade the lawful territory of another orthodox god's church."

Hm?

Wait, as long as they escaped into Truth Society territory, they could temporarily shake Father Suul's threat?

Then if he relied on Lv.3 Vector Manipulation—

Perhaps it was far from time to admit defeat.

Ron thought for a moment, then looked at Idrila, who had begun resigning herself to fate, and asked seriously:

"Miss Idrila, do you know what abilities this mask possesses?"

"Abilities?"

Idrila froze, not quite understanding what Ron wished to ask.

"I have heard that it can greatly enhance the wearer's physical qualities, granting extraordinarily powerful bodily reinforcement."

"Although Father Suul is old and only Sequence 7, he certainly cannot unleash all the abilities of this Contained Artifact."

"But at the very least, it can grant him the physical capabilities of a Trickery Sequence 5 Superpowered. It is absolutely not something we can handle right now."

Physical capabilities?

It seemed heaven had not cut off every path.

If it was only physical ability, that meant he could not fly, right?

Even if a Sequence 5's physical abilities were incredibly strong, if he leaped directly from such a tall tower and fled toward Golden Flower Street at top speed, he might have a chance to enter the Truth Society before Suul could react!

Even if Suul really caught up, Ron could simply return to Ideal City and temporarily bid farewell to the Potion Era.

Maybe he really should give it a try.

Ron pondered this, already forming a plan.

Seeing that Ron still seemed to be thinking and had not given up on escaping prison, Idrila could not help but sigh.

"Mr. Ron... hurry and hide while you can, then look for a chance to escape."

As she spoke, she bit her lip. Only after seeming to make a great decision did she continue:

"How about this? I'll leave first. Once they're all pursuing me, find a chance to leave Scorched Earth Sanctuary, enter the city through the outskirts, and go to No. 22 Golden Flower Street. That's where the Society gathers."

"Suul probably won't care about prisoners locked up in the prison. As long as I can draw their attention elsewhere, you'll definitely have a chance to escape!"

"Afterward, help me tell Chairman Elvis that I'm sorry for—"

Before she could finish, Ron loudly cut her off, his voice ringing out:

"No wonder... that being so generously bestowed this power upon me and told me that the trial was far from over."

"So the true trial has only just begun."

There was no fear of a Sequence 4 Contained Artifact in his voice. Instead, he sounded brimming with confidence.

"But trials are meant to be overcome."

"Miss Idrila, have you ever heard a story?"

"A story?" Idrila looked confused. "What story?"

"It is said that a hero once accepted a god's trial. He fought through thorns and brambles to reach the end, only to find a vast poisonous swamp before the finish line, one that had claimed countless lives."

"The hero found that there was nowhere to step in the poisonous swamp and no way to cross it—"

As Ron spoke, he discreetly pressed the button on the Silver-White Collar around his neck and opened the Second Hunt Update Manual.

[Superpowered], [Vector Manipulation], [Ability Overload]—

Activate. Activate. Activate them all!

"Did he reach the finish line in the end?" Idrila could not help asking.

"Of course—because the god favored him."

He pulled Idrila into his arms. Certain that Father Suul was completely unprepared and had not put on that mask, he immediately smashed through the tower window without hesitation. "The god gave him a pair of wings and helped him soar into the sky—and now, that being has blessed me as well!"

Fly? A blessing?

Idrila was still bewildered, but the next moment, she felt an intense sense of weightlessness.

The wildly expanding Personal Reality drew powerful Mysticism Influence. The overloaded ability could last no more than five seconds before completely overloading.

But in exchange for that price, Ron gained speed that broke the sound barrier!

Ron merely stomped hard against the top of the tower, then shot through the air, carrying Idrila away from the tower.

He could actually fly through the air!

How did he do that? What Sequence's Beyonder ability was this?

Was this... also a blessing from that hidden existence?

Just how generous was he, to bestow so many gifts—

Idrila had already grown numb to the blessings Ron had received. She merely instinctively clung tightly to him, terrified that he would loosen his grip and send her plummeting from the sky.

The sound of shattering glass immediately caught Father Suul's attention. He looked into the sky and saw two figures speeding away. In only a few seconds, they had already crossed a vast distance. He instinctively wanted to put on the mask, but seeing them rapidly fly away in the direction of the Truth Society, he hesitated for a moment before lowering it again.

Idrila—

Maybe there would be another opportunity.

He no longer considered pursuing Ron and Idrila. Instead, he silently entered the tower with the Flame-Chasing Knights.

At the same time...

["Setting: Personal Reality" was being worn away by excessive "Mysticism Influence".]

[Property Damage: 97%]

[Warning! When this setting was unloaded due to damage, "Class: Superpowered" would also be damaged and unloaded.]

No, this was as far as he could use it. Ron kept constant watch over the durability of his settings. Before the ability completely lost control, he precisely removed every setting and replaced them with [Potion Sequence], preserving the last sliver of durability.

The two landed in a forest outside the city. Neither dared gamble on whether Suul had pursued them directly, and the instant they touched down, they ran with all their strength.

"This way—come here!"

Idrila grabbed her skirt and ran desperately. Though she looked like a delicate young girl, she ran as fast as a track athlete. She truly deserved to be a Beyonder of the [War] Sequence.

Ron was no slouch either. Relying on the physical strength of a [Corpse Person], he stayed close behind Idrila.

Before long, the two entered the city and sprinted through the streets as though no one else existed.

They drew countless curious glances from passersby, who wondered at the strange pair racing through the streets so early in the morning.

But Ron and Idrila were nowhere near as relaxed as they appeared. After nearly crashing into a public carriage, knocking a gentleman's cane away, and sending a lady's veil flying, they finally reached their destination.

A brass doorbell swayed against the oak doorframe, scattering flecks of light that illuminated the slightly aged books behind the display window.

Moss covered the stone steps, and years of coal ash had solidified in their cracks. The red brick exterior walls were likewise stained dark, marked with mottled traces left behind at some unknown time.

A simple sign hung directly above the doorway—

Elvis Bookstore.

Ron curiously studied the somewhat old-fashioned bookstore before him, unable to see anything special about it at all.

This was the Truth Society's gathering place?

Scorched Earth Sanctuary had been made so solemn and imposing. He had thought the Truth Society would also be some grand church or cathedral.

"We're finally here—"

Idrila let out a long breath, then looked at Ron beside her and hesitated for a moment before saying:

"Mr. Ron, though this may be presumptuous, would you be willing to go inside with me?"

She clenched the hem of her clothes, seeming rather nervous.

"Suul has probably set his sights on you too. Acting alone now is definitely not a good choice—"

Oh? She wanted to pull me into the same camp?

Ron raised an eyebrow, immediately understanding the deeper meaning behind Idrila's words.

It seemed that, in Idrila's eyes, his identity as an Angel's proxy had already been confirmed.

Otherwise, she would not be trying to recruit him so quickly. Still, this was a good thing for Ron as well.

Making contact with a Beyonder organization like the Truth Society would clearly be highly beneficial. He had already been trying to find a Sequence 7 Potion of [Death]; perhaps he could find clues within the Truth Society. Ron nodded and casually made up a devout lie:

"My trial is still continuing. That being has given me another revelation."

"He told me that rescuing you was not the end. Once I join the Truth Society with you, I will have a chance to advance to Sequence 7."

Advance to Sequence 7?

Idrila froze slightly and instinctively asked:

"But you only just advanced to Sequence 8. If you are already considering advancing to Sequence 7, aren't you afraid of losing control due to incomplete digestion?"

Digestion? Loss of control? Incomplete?

Ron immediately picked out the key words in her sentence.

Could it be that the reason his Potion Sequence so easily lost control was because his so-called "digestion" was incomplete?

And because of that, the setting [Beyonder Loss of Control] was also extremely prone to stacking its loss-of-control level to the maximum!

But if incomplete digestion caused loss of control, then complete digestion must be able to prevent it, right?

Ron's gaze at Idrila instantly turned fervent.

In the Potion Era, these Beyonders truly possessed more systematic and effective methods for avoiding loss of control!