With the enhanced capabilities of his Divine Core at Level 2, Syd's excitement surged.
His Floating Flight speed now exceeded Mach 26, while Divine Words expanded its influence to an impressive 110 kilometers, enough to envelop a sprawling metropolis and more.
Just recently, during the battle with the Sentinel robots, his Divine Words could only cover a range of 50 kilometers. Now, the difference was staggering.
And this was merely the power of a Level 2 Divine Core.
Similarly, Sunshine now had an extended radius of 8 kilometers, a remarkable improvement from before.
"Let's test this further," Syd thought as he retrieved the Power Stone and the mysterious Black Artifact from his inventory.
The familiar ripples emanated as soon as he touched the artifact.
Allowing himself to be drawn into its pull, Syd's vision blurred momentarily, transitioning into the familiar Death Scene.
There, the spectral version of himself stood unfazed by the whispers of madness.
"You again?"
The voice of the Eldritch Ancient reverberated with shock.
"Why does my influence not affect you?"
But before it could finish, the Syd within the Death Scene attacked decisively.
"Light!"
110 kilometers of brilliance filled the scene, blinding and purifying everything in its path.
Simultaneously, the 8-kilometer radius of Sunshine augmented the onslaught.
In the blink of an eye, one of the Eldritch Ancient's grotesque tendrils evaporated into nothingness.
The Ancient roared in fury, unleashing its full power. Tendrils, pulsating with dark energy, surged toward Syd in a storm of chaotic might.
From his distant vantage point, Syd eagerly observed the outcome.
"Last time, I barely managed to eliminate four and a half levels of its dark energy. Let's see now…"
He watched intently.
The dark energy dissipated rapidly under the combined assault of Divine Words and Sunshine.
10%...40%...70%...
Finally, at 70% purification, the tendrils ensnared the spectral version of Syd, pulling him into the Ancient's control.
Despite his apparent defeat, Syd smiled.
"Just 30% more, and I can truly injure this Ancient," he murmured.
As the scene began to fade, he heard the Ancient's voice once more.
"This mortal wields such formidable power?"
The tone was tinged with surprise before turning mocking.
"Impressive, yet futile. All resistance ends the same—you shall become my puppet…"
Returning to the real world, Syd's good mood had dissipated.
"Let's wait until my Divine Core reaches Level 3," he thought. "With stronger abilities, let's see how smug that Ancient will be then."
Determined, his focus shifted back to his Divine Core and the faith energy it required.
Through his network of believers, Syd sensed distant and faint connections—followers located in far-off realms.
Directing his attention to these links, Syd's perception revealed a barren landscape filled with towering frost-covered structures.
"Jotunheim?"
One of his followers turned out to be a Frost Giant praying fervently in this desolate realm.
The Frost Giant, Snissa, knelt with reverence, his deep voice echoing in prayer.
"Oh, unmatched, almighty presence, grant me strength!"
Syd listened, intrigued.
"A Frost Giant desiring power… why not?"
For Syd, as long as faith energy flowed, the source didn't matter.
Snissa finished his prayer, only to be met with silence.
Disappointment clouded his features.
"Still no response… Perhaps I'm foolish to believe in such a being…"
Suddenly, a mysterious voice resonated around him.
"As you wish."
Snissa froze as his body became enveloped in radiant white light. A peculiar tingling sensation spread through him as the transformation began.
Syd granted Snissa the Light Illusion ability, ensuring its potency by expending additional light energy.
For a Frost Giant, survival demanded more than average strength, and Syd needed Snissa to accomplish specific tasks.
As Snissa adapted to his newfound power, Syd's voice returned.
"I require faith. Spread my name among the Frost Giants, and I shall grant you even greater strength."
Snissa blinked, his disbelief giving way to awe.
"The almighty being has answered my prayers?"
He quickly discovered his new ability.
Manipulating light and creating illusions, he realized, would make him a formidable presence in Jotunheim.
"This is incredible…"
With renewed determination, Snissa vowed to fulfill his divine mission.
"Such a being wouldn't deceive me," he thought. "This is the presence that once enveloped all of Jotunheim in light!"
Observing Snissa's actions from afar, Syd turned his attention to other realms.
He selected individuals from several kingdoms, replicating the process of bestowing blessings.
Each chosen believer received tailored abilities—illusions, stealth, and more—depending on their potential and circumstances.
By the end of his work, Syd felt satisfied.
"Now to sit back and watch as faith energy flows in," he thought with a smile.
(End of Chapter)
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