Chapter 99: Strongest Version and the Merge
"Who are you really?"
Ian looked at another Ian. It was the same Ian who appeared in his dreams.
"Who am I? I am you... Perhaps, it’s right to say I’m the old you..."
Ian raised an eyebrow. "Don’t speak cryptically, just get straight to the point, would you?"
"I see, Impatient as ever." The other Ian chuckled lightly. "Well, you can understand it as you are reincarnation, and I am your strongest version. For some reason, I had to send my core soul to escape a calamity." Then, his gaze rested on Ian. "You are the core soul, I’m merely a remnant soul now. As for your system? That’s my innate ability originally."
Hearing this, a lot of doubts were solved in Ian’s mind. Although he was still rather skeptical. He could still determine the truth. For instance, Ian, in front of him, knows the existence of the system.
"Since I am your reincarnation and I am the core soul... So what now? You’re to merge with me, right?" Ian looked at his other version. "If so, do you think I’ll be foolish to do such a risky thing? What if you’re the one in control after the merge? That simply means I’m dead..."
"You’re smart. As expected of myself." The other Ian had a devilish grin. He folded his hands before saying: "But yes and no... Yes, I came for you to merge with me. But no, you’ll still be the one in control, and I’ll essentially perish after the merge... After all, you are the Core Soul; I’m merely a fragment. I’m not a match for you, even if I try to wrestle control. This fact already dooms me."
Ian smiled freely. Actually, his instinct, his very being, told him that he had to merge with the other Ian in front of him, no matter what. Even without the other party’s assurance. He could feel that he could gain something invaluable if he merged with him and still be in control. It was an instinct that seemed to be ingrained in his DNA. "What’s in it for me after we merge?"