Werther had around 120,000 Life Force, but he had no plans to use it.
He had accumulated most of it little by little. One Vitality Crystal a day—crunchy, with a hint of sweetness.
He had originally had 90,000, but he had absorbed some more during his fight with Charlotte Linlin and the others.
The Life Force he had absorbed was secondary. More importantly, Intent Blood had absorbed a small portion of Charlotte Linlin's soul.
Werther drew Intent Blood and held it before his eyes, studying the changes in the blade.
Its blade had grown smoother and seemed a little sharper, too.
Werther had long wondered: since the Black Ring could turn his physical abilities into data, could it do the same to Intent Blood?
That might not work with anything else, but Intent Blood was different. The sword was practically part of Werther's body.
An extension of his arm. An extension of his sense of touch.
Werther pressed the Black Ring on his little finger against Intent Blood's hilt.
Perhaps sensing that something was different about the Black Ring, Intent Blood resisted. Blood-Red Tendrils spread from its hilt.
Werther glared at it. Intent Blood immediately settled down, and the tendrils vanished.
The Black Ring seemed to be examining something. For a long while, it made no response, as though determining whether the sword was part of Werther's body.
At last, a ripple spread from the Black Ring and enveloped Intent Blood.
Werther waited patiently. About three hours later, the clouds on the horizon turned crimson, and a warm evening breeze brushed his face.
What did the New World have more of than anything else? Uninhabited islands.
According to Marine records, the New World had 545 islands. Fewer than a tenth were large islands inhabited by humans.
Violent shifts in climate,