Planet Master

Tatsumi was doing some light exercise to make sure that his body fitness was quantified. He had noticed that his body refining progress had reached an unprecedented height and decided to test it.

The result? He could easily defeat Ninth Heavenstage Core Formation Realm with just his physical force, without even relying on the transcendent energy.

‘This is the result of refining the dragon’s blood.’ Tatsumi looked at his wide hand before clenching it.

Although he needed more nutrition and transcendent energy to strengthen his body and dragon’s blood, it was all worth it.

“Alright, I am done!” After finishing his exercise and making some sweat flow down from his head, Tatsumi took a deep breath before exhaling.

Regulating his physical capability and transcendent energy was paramount. They were the source of his strength.

Then he went to the bench and drank an electrolyte drink while also eating some omelet rice. He was alone so that he could contemplate what he needed to do now and in the future.

“Hmm. It is delicious.” Tatsumi ate and felt that his tongue was spoiled by the food that his wives had made. After being together for so long, they knew each other’s preferences, likes and dislikes.

After spending some time consuming the food, Tatsumi finally stored the bento box back to the spatial ring that was on him, saving him the trouble of bringing it back in physical form. Along with the bento box was the bottle of the electrolyte drink that he used.

He was on the Cerulean Planet side of the Rift, enjoying his recovery progress.

He returned to the temporary residence that his family had ordered.

“Welcome back. How’s your result in the exercise?” Charlene was the first one to appear in his sight.

“Better than ever, I guess.” Tatsumi replied without much thought.

Charlene tilted her head slightly, but then smiled, knowing that the increase in physical strength was quite substantial. She could calculate it through the feeling she had when she sent a mental scan at Tatsumi.

His body felt like an almost erupting volcanic mountain, with a large potential to explode with might and power.

“How about your control over it?” Charlene asked.

“Perfect. But if I exceed the limit, the power of the dragon’s blood will become unstable and, if prolonged, could cause permanent damage to my body.” Tatsumi knew his body best since he was taught by Maito Dai about the anatomy of the human body as well as feeling every minute of change in his body.

Hearing that, Charlene was concerned but could not voice it out since Tatsumi himself did not.

Instead…

“Then you should relax yourself. Reading or taking a bath?” Charlene knew that Tatsumi liked to read manga either from printed books or the digital form. Or he could take a bath since he had done exercising and was a bit sweaty.

“Taking a bath first. I need to think about something.” Tatsumi then went to grab the towel before he went into the bathroom.

Charlene could only see that he went to the bathroom and continued with her activity for that time.

-

After taking a bath, Tatsumi suddenly felt drowsy and his eyelids threatened to close.

‘Why is this happening to me?’ Tatsumi did not know but the feeling of drowsiness became greater. Then he wore his usual clothes at home and went to bed.

As he closed his eyes, he fell into sleep immediately.

When he was conscious again, he was in the Library of Consciousness. He could visit it every time he was sleeping since the mechanism for him to enter this place was when he was sleeping.

Tatsumi did not know the exact mechanism but that was how he could enter this place.

This time, he was in the middle of a city. Tatsumi knew that even in the Afterlife, there were constructs from the deceased that wanted to reminisce about their life. The skyscrapers were overshadowing Tatsumi as he found himself in the middle of the crowd.

“Where should I go?” Tatsumi wondered since he knew this place.

After centuries of experience in the Library of Consciousness, Tatsumi had remembered every part of the place like the back of his own hands.

But to find a specific person was more difficult. That was why he considered going to somewhere that the familiar person usually went to.

“There you are!” A familiar voice could be heard as Tatsumi turned his whole body and met someone familiar.

“Ah, what a coincidence.” Tatsumi thought about the specific person and then that person called him.

“Coincidence is sometimes the inevitability that we have yet to understand, young man.” Kudungga smiled as he waved his hand.

“That’s quite a good thing you said. Is this actually important?” Tatsumi asked.

Because he knew that whenever he suddenly felt drowsy and fell asleep, something important had to be relayed.

“Yes. It was actually from the Father God Himself.” Kudungga replied.

“Then lead the way. I don’t know where He is.” Tatsumi gestured, and Kudungga then led Tatsumi through the crowd to a sparse area in the city.

After they went through an empty alley, they arrived at a three-story building with a steel door in front of them.

Kudungga opened the steel door as easily as the wooden ones and the two soon entered the building.

Inside, Tatsumi was met with numerous people. After being so long in the Library of Consciousness, he managed to get to know most people. Additionally, there were Goto and Chi You at almost the end of the hall.

The door directly led him to the hall which contained dozens of people but at the very end of the hall, Tatsumi saw the very figure that was so important not only to him but also to the civilization as a whole.

“Well met, everyone.” Tatsumi clasped his hand and bowed slightly.

Then he also did it for the figure at the very end after he walked closer.

“Well met, Father God.”

Tatsumi knew that he had been summoned for something important.

“You all know that this meeting is important. The reason for that is that we have done something incredible. Do you know what that is?” Dian who was seated at the end of the hall, spoke.

Everyone thought about the recent event and the only thing remarkable was…

“I think I and everyone else here likely knew,” Goto said while his expression was hard to read, maintaining a neutral expression.

The other then realized something and nodded in agreement. They were standing in two rows and their nodding was almost simultaneous.

“Yeah, it is likely that matter.” Chi You smiled as he knew that something that formidable had to be important even to the figure of the Father God.

‘Ah, it is actually the feat of slaying that Dragon of Ruin, Smagenrog. But this is a bit late for important information.’ Tatsumi thought.

“Do you know that in countless civilizations that you do not know, dragons are a symbol of fear, strength, and auspiciousness? They are a symbol of fear because they mastered a technique that could instill fear in the deepest recesses of one’s existence. They are a symbol of strength because their might surpasses the usual transcendent hierarchy, unrivaled in the same realm and rank. They are also a symbol of auspiciousness since they could, in their magnanimous interest could bestow upon the people and land part of their power.” Dian explained.

This knowledge was the first time even for the deceased so of course the effect was great. Gasps of shock could be heard in the hall, slowly reverberating before disappearing like dew in the morning.

Tatsumi was calmer since he knew such knowledge. He had received the memories from Smagenrog so of course he knew about this aspect.

“Looks like our Star Child knew about it. Can you explain to them what it means to slay such a being?” Dian was offering the explanation to Tatsumi.

Kudungga, Goto and Chi You also got partial knowledge regarding this but the shock was genuine.

“It means that such an existence is equal if not greater than a dragon. As such, they are bestowed the title of Dragon Slayer.” Tatsumi opened his mouth and said what he knew.

“So, what does that mean exactly?” Kudungga asked.

“Well, it means that we have the power over the dragon. Whether we make friends with them or slay them, it is in our hands.” Tatsumi said most directly.

“It means that the civilization that has them is great in potential, even has a chance to surpass the dragon in the three aspects,” Dian added.

Tatsumi nodded his head in agreement. That was in accordance with what the memories Smagenrog had given.

“Furthermore, the dragon’s blood is beneficial to your physical strength. You can feel it, do you?” Dian turned his head to Tatsumi and looked at him expectantly.

“Yes. That’s true. That is why I trained to control the power of the dragon’s blood. I feel like I have surpassed everyone with just it alone.” Tatsumi said.

“You mean…you have surpassed the Rank 1 transcendent?”

“Surpassing the Core Formation Realm transcendent?”

There was commotion due to the information that Tatsumi had given.

“At least in theory. The situation depends on the circumstances and the enemy. But it is not wrong to regard dragons as beings who are unrivaled in the same realm and they could fight across realm.” Tatsumi added.

“Even in theory, that is amazing. What do you think their power came from?” Chi You was interested in the topic and asked Tatsumi.

“The dragons concentrated their power on their dragon’s heart. It is the most important organ for a dragon and functions like our core for the Core Formation Realm transcendent. But the complexity of the dragon’s heart operation is something only I and Charlene understand. We are researching a method to duplicate the dragon’s heart.” Tatsumi said.

“No wonder she is currently busy with the image you give to her.” Goto finally connected the events.

“Yeah, it is necessary since the dragon’s strength will be replicated by us sooner or later, so might as well do it right now,” Tatsumi said.

“True that.”

“It is better to strengthen the transcendents since everyone becomes one.”

The people there murmured but it still could be heard.

“This time, I summoned you here because I have a method to control the dragon’s blood.” Dian said.

“What!? Is that true?” Tatsumi became excited when he heard that.

What he did in his attempt to utilize the dragon’s blood was just circulate it in his body. Even with just that, the enhancement to his body was enormous. Despite the blood being so berserk and like untamed Rex in nature, Tatsumi still managed to let it flow in his body.

Controlling the dragon blood, though, was something that he could not do at the moment. It was because the nature of the dragon’s blood was foreign to his body that the difficulty increased.

If Tatsumi could learn how to control it properly, then he need not fear the backlash to his body or at least the backlash would become minimal.

“Of course. Now, let yourself relax as I give you this.” Dian then pointed with his index finger as he let out a white orb of light which slowly drifted to Tatsumi’s forehead.

Tatsumi’s eyes became blank but after a while his eyes gained light once more and he focused.

“This should solve the problem.” Tatsumi murmured. Then he faced Dian once more and thanked him.

“Thank you for giving me the method for controlling the dragon’s blood.”

“No need for that. I saw you as someone I nurture. In that case, you can be considered my child.” Dian said while grinning.

“But still, thank you.” Tatsumi said while waiting for Dian’s further instruction.

The others did not disturb them due to their respect they had for Dian. Only after they were done speaking could they resume their duty there. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ N0velFire.ɴet

“Alright. Since the important matter is done, let’s do some inspection.” Dian said while rising from his seat. Dian walked to the steel door where Tatsumi and Kudungga had entered previously.

Tatsumi soon followed Dian, along with the three forefathers and the others.

“Why is the punishment for some isolation and quarantine?” Tatsumi asked Dian casually.

“Do you know the most painful thing to mind?” Dian asked back.

“What is it exactly?” Tatsumi tried to confirm.

“Isolation and quarantine. That will cause the mind to be in confusion. The affected mind then affects the physical body. In the state of only Nafs alone, the mind of those who are in isolation and quarantine will become more chaotic.” Dian said as if the punishment was something trivial.

But Tatsumi knew better that the punishment was actually quite severe. Being isolated caused a negative psychological effect on the mind, and further, that could even affect physical health. Rather than punishment, this was more like subtle torture.

“So you want to inflict the greatest effect on those people by using these?” Tatsumi pressed.

“This is the best way for them to be directed in the direction you want. Of course, you can persist in your own conviction but the punishment won’t stop. The only way to stop the punishment is to obediently admit one’s mistake and cease their wrongdoing.” Dian extended his hand as he summoned the system panel and stared at some Nafs in isolation.

Tatsumi seriously nodded. He knew about this but not the exact mechanism. Now that he knew, he realized that Dian wanted his race to be developing in a positive direction.

Then they walked to a certain part of the city where there were fewer people. It was actually a large park where there were numerous varieties of trees separated by calculative distance so that it became an optimal place for the trees to grow well.

“This place should suffice.” Dian said after they were in a clearing in the middle of the park.

Chi You was grinning while Goto indifferently looked at the clearing and Kudungga went to form a perimeter.

“We are going to test the capability of our Dragon Slayer here. Who wants to be first?” Dian suddenly said something that Tatsumi wanted to ask.

“Me!” Chi You’s eyes brightened as he raised his hand high.

“Alright, you two need to enter the perimeter.” Dian stepped in along with Chi You.

Tatsumi then followed since he had no other choice.

Dian became the referee and then the two began fighting.

Tatsumi then used something he had learned from the memories that Smagenrog had given. He focused on himself before letting out an aura of supreme intimidation.

Dian saw it and his lips curled up.

That is the ability of the dragon itself, Primal Fear.

Chi You felt as if a mountain was pressing on his chest as his eyes did not blink and his limbs temporarily trembled but unable to move.

Tatsumi then used his index finger to point at Chi You’s neck and that was enough to end the sparring.

All the people there already knew the rules of sparring and Tatsumi too knew about it.

Best of all, this kind of thing started to be endorsed by various Nafs in the Library of Consciousness.

“Tatsumi wins.” Dian declared.

“What was that? Something terrifying came to me from that youngster.” Chi You was actually confused about how he could not even put up a proper defense.

“That is the Transcendent Heritage from the Dragon of Ruin, Smagenrog. It is called Primal Fear.” Dian explained patiently. Tatsumi nodded at Dian’s explanation.

“The fear that comes from the deepest instinct of any animal…that’s quite good.” Goto commented.

“It’s good until it is directed at you. Only then would you realize that you have hidden your fear so well but it comes to the surface. That’s going to be embarrassing if something extra happened.” Chi You let out a sigh he held.

The people there knew what that ‘something extra’ implied.

Transcendent Heritage was not only limited to resources for advancement or recovery but also the memory and vision of the past or future. That was why Tatsumi was confident that he got a Transcendent Heritage in the form of memories.

“Primal Fear…” Tatsumi murmured and considered the utility of it. From what he perceived, Primal Fear could reduce the fighting capability of a transcendent by 30%. For ordinary people, this would be an almost deadly move since their instinct would kick in and force them to submit.

“Does anyone wish to challenge him?” Dian asked.

But everyone was not in the mood to challenge Tatsumi. They realized that the Primal Fear alone was enough to defeat them all even if they came together.

Rather than humiliating themselves like that, they might as well not participate in the first place.

“No, we have seen enough and are convinced.” Everyone who followed shouted loudly.

“Well, this matter is done.” Dian nodded as he was able to accomplish something he needed to do. He turned to Tatsumi as he knew that the time for Tatsumi to wake up was near.

“You’ll wake up soon. Please practice what I have given you.” Dian said while patting Tatsumi on the head.

The action itself was of no matter to Dian but to Tatsumi, he felt something deeper infused into him.

“Thank you and see you later.” Tatsumi raised his hand and waved it excitedly.

When Tatsumi closed his eyes, he felt that his consciousness was moved to his body. He slowly opened his eyes and saw his own temporary room’s ceiling.

He took a breath before he used the method to circulate his dragon’s blood accordingly, causing the dragon’s blood to temper his internal organs, blood veins as well as muscles and bones.

He lay on the bed since he could always do the circulation in the most relaxing position. After feeling the improvement in his physical body, Tatsumi was finally able to control fully the dragon’s blood.