Diaman's fist grew closer. For a second he hesitated—this can't be that easy. But he continued with his attack, a jab to the rulekeeper. He upped mana into his fist. It flared dark purple, his mana crackled around his fist, then he punched the rulekeeper in a flash.
The rulekeeper sluggishly raised his hand, then snapped his finger. The sound thickened in force, in waves. It formed an invisible barrier around him.
He hit something, but not the rulekeeper.
Then was pushed back immediately. The sound barrier expanded with explosive force that threw him back. Diaman flew and crashed into a wall, forming a deep crack.
What the hell? Diaman gritted his teeth hard, then pushed himself up immediately when he noticed the sandstorm moving towards him. He was back to running until he discovered the wall—the rulekeeper's power was attacking him. It was useless.
His boots drummed on the pavement as Diaman weaved through corners and alleys. Diaman looked around. No one seemed to be in the area.
And this was a lively place.
This still has to be part of the rulekeeper's powers.
To test his theory, Diaman found a window of a building open and slipped in, rolled, and stood for a second to observe the room. It was empty, but the room lights were on. Diaman could hear the tap running.
He wanted to check the bathroom. The wall degraded to particles thrusting through the air. But he didn't run. He was cautious of destroying lives and properties, but now his worries faded completely.
Mana, once channeled to the body, enhances its strength. Diaman had done it out of instinct, so since the more mana channeled into oneself increased strength, Diaman could make himself infinitely strong. But that was just his theory.
His mana flared, this time brighter, painting the room totally purple. The light of his mana bled out the windows, and for a split second Diaman noticed the room glitch.
In one strike, Diaman swatted his hand.
And his force was far greater—the glowing sand flying away. Its motes of sand beamed white as they dropped slowly, catching the moonlight.
Diaman stood, chest heaving. His eyes were widened from his own strength. Did I just do that— Arghhhh. He gripped his arm and dropped to his knees. He felt like his arm was draining his blood.
The effect of channeling infinite mana.
[HOST ISN'T READY FOR ADVANCED TECHNIQUE]
[RECOMMENDED LEVEL TO USE]
[LEVEL 7]
Don't worry, I can handle it. Diaman tried to stand, but his knee buckled. He dropped back to the ground. Seriously, I need to get out of here.
Beneath Diaman's heels, a rumble grew—subtle, then louder and louder—shaking everything in the room. The light began to blink before turning off completely.
Diaman prepared for whatever was coming. He tried to heal himself from the sudden weakness with Plurunite, but it didn't work. His body wasn't damaged. Just tired. So Plurunite producing stem cells couldn't help.
He forced himself on his wobbling feet. At that moment, Diaman knew he had to upgrade a lot of things. Make Carapace mask resistant to ice. And find a way Plurunite can increase stamina and reduce tiredness if he uses infinite.
But that's for later. I need to know his ability. He straightened his stance. System, can you help?
[I WILL ADVISE YOU TO ABORT ATTACK]
Diaman became frustrated at the system's constant advice to flee.
Pathetic! All you've been telling me is run. To where, huh?
I can't go home with this shit chasing me.
Diaman's chest heaved. His fist clenched. There's something I can do and I will find a way. Diaman squared his shoulders, determination steeling his nerves.
Suddenly the rumbling stopped. Diaman was still cautious. He didn't know what the rulekeeper was doing that caused the rumbling. He walked towards the destroyed wall to peer outside.
He reached the edge and looked out. His eyes widened at the sight—they were floating in the clouds. What the— Diaman then looked down. He could see the rooftops of the residential buildings below.
"So he lifted the building into the sky. The rumble was then what? A distraction? I didn't even notice this."
"He's avoiding residents." Diaman came to a conclusion.
"Where is—"
A wave of dread washed over Diaman. He froze in spot as he felt the crimson eyes' gaze piercing his back.
'It's here.'
Diaman tried to face it, but he couldn't move. His legs stuck in place. It wasn't fear—it was something different. The rulekeeper's power. He felt its palm on his back.
He touched me and I can't move. Shit. Diaman tried as hard as he could to move, but nothing happened.
The rulekeeper then spoke.
¡ANOMALY! ¡YOUR DEATH SHALL BE SLOW! Its voice vibrated the very walls of the building.
Shit. Diaman tried to breathe but couldn't. His lungs were frozen mid-inhale. The only part working in his body was his brain.
'It's motion—it can control the movement of anything it touches.'
[OXYGEN DEPRIVATION DETECTED: 60 SECONDS UNTIL UNCONSCIOUSNESS]
'I can't breathe. If I don't look for a way out, I'll die.'
The he remembered the skill he got when he levelup. 'There's one thing I haven't tried. Weakness scanner!'
*Click*
[WEAKNESS: RULEKEEPERS CANNOT HARM THOSE WHO HAVEN'T BROKEN WORLD RULES]
[SOLUTION: PROVE YOUR EXISTENCE IS SANCTIONED]
Diaman read it through.
'How do I even do that? Come on, think, Diaman.'
Slowly, Diaman's body grew colder. The breeze blowing through the broken wall felt ice cold. His body was losing its warmth as blood vessels slowly stopped running.
'No... I'm not dying today.' He tried to gasp for air but couldn't move a muscle. 'It's after me because I leveled up! Maybe if I'm not the system host, I won't be an anomaly. That's it.'
'System... can you do it?'
It didn't respond. Just silence.
Diaman insisted. 'Answer.'
[SYSTEM CAN DEACTIVATE]
'THEN DO IT!
[NO!]
[IF SYSTEM DEACTIVATES, SYSTEM CANNOT FORCE REACTIVATION]
[HOST MUST MANUALLY ACCEPT SYSTEM AGAIN]
[HOST WILL HAVE OPTION TO REJECT]
[HOST COULD BECOME NORMAL HUMAN PERMANENTLY]
What? You're saying I can get rid of you?
[20 SECONDS UNTIL UNCONSCIOUSNESS]
[YES]
[AFTER REBOOT, HOST CAN CHOOSE:]
[ACCEPT: CONTINUE AS PARASITE MAGE]
[REJECT: LOSE ALL POWERS, LIVE NORMAL LIFE]
Diaman's vision blurred. Black spots danced at the edges.
And if I reject you... my mom stays alive? Safe?
[15 SECONDS]
[HOST'S MOTHER WILL REMAIN IN THIS WORLD]
[BUT HOST WILL HAVE NO POWER TO PROTECT HER]
[NO POWER TO PROTECT SELF]
[OTHER THREATS EXIST]
'I... hate you.'
[10 SECONDS]
[SHUTTING DOWN IN 3... 2... 1...]
'Do you... still... want me to infest the heavens?'
[...]
[Yes.]
'Then trust me.'