In the Mysterious World, low- and mid-Sequence Beyonders had it easier. Unless they encountered something unusual, their condition was fairly stable, and they were unlikely to lose control.
So, for safety's sake, some Beyonders chose not to drink a Potion even when they had the chance to advance to a higher Sequence.
Having extraordinary power was enough for them. They did not need to be especially strong; safety mattered more.
But starting at Sequence 5, a Beyonder's chances of losing control rose sharply.
It was also from Sequence 5 onward that advancement along every Beyonder pathway required a ritual.
The ritual kept the increase in Beyonder Characteristics after drinking a Potion from destabilizing someone, or even causing them to lose control.
A ritual was not strictly necessary. It was possible to force an advancement after drinking a Potion without one.
But the risks rose dramatically: the danger of losing control, the difficulty of digesting the Potion, and more.
Of course, advancing from Sequence 1 to Sequence 0 absolutely required a ritual to have any chance of success.
Strictly speaking, then, King of Angels was only a transitional stage, though the increase in strength at that stage was particularly pronounced.
Even so, such a massive leap in power sent a chill through Audrey.
I'm done for. Even if Mr. Fool has advanced to become the Lord of Mysteries, an Old One at the level of a Pillar, he can't save me when I'm about to lose control.
Mom, Dad, I really have to leave you this time.
How tragic.
Audrey was not alone. The other seven had also grown vastly stronger.
Whether they had been Sequence 2 Angels or Sequence 3 Demigods, they had all become Kings of Angels of their respective pathways.
Regardless of whether their pathways already had other