[Host, there is no method to destroy the portals.]
[They can only be absorbed.]
Riser kept his gaze fixed, his body motionless. "Absorb... then the price is always on me."
[Incorrect. You cannot absorb the portals. Even if you could, it would grant the creatures access to your Kamui dimension.]
[Please, host, don't be stupid.]
The flame beneath his skin ignited in immediate response. His eyes narrowed, and the air around him seemed to grow heavier. "Repeat what you said."
The System replied without pause, metallic and cold.
[I am not to blame. I am programmed to respond. Now, returning to your question, there is a solution. I can absorb the dimensional energy from the portals and transfer it to Dimensional Travel.]
Riser lifted his chin, his voice laced with ice. "And the consequences?"
[There are two main ones.]
"Which?"
[The first is bad. The extraction may fail and open a black hole capable of destroying the entire planet.]
His fist clenched tightly. The flame under his skin vibrated with intensity, making the space around him tremble.
"So that's your way of warning me."
[The second is positive. The absorption may unlock Dimensional Travel, a feature that, by the initial rules, should remain sealed for five months.]
The silence stretched heavy. Slowly, a cold smile curved across Riser's lips.
"That second one already pleases me more."
[Host, allow me to present a demonstration.]
Riser remained still, his gaze fixed on the void ahead.
The space before him shimmered in metallic reflections until a hologram took shape, projected in arcs of energy.
The image revealed Zou in ruins, the ground covered in ash and the sky still stained with smoke.
In the projection, Riser appeared as a living reflection, walking toward the crimson portal.
The flames of Amaterasu vanished as if they had never existed. The rift pulsed with a vivid red, throbbing like an open wound.
Currents of energy flowed from the rift, thick and incandescent, resembling burning blood. The projected body of Riser began absorbing each fragment, and his skin glowed with black and red patterns.
The portal resisted, shuddering in spasms of light, but the draining was relentless. The rift shrank until only absolute void remained, a silence so deep the air around the hologram seemed to freeze.
The projection unraveled in a slow spiral, fading into flashes until nothing remained.
[Any questions, host?]
"Does this do anything to my body?"
[Negative. The host will not be directly affected. I will handle the absorption. I am the one who collects the dimensional energy and converts it into a usable resource.]
[The host's role is only to authorize and maintain the anchor active. No energy will enter your flesh or eyes. All risk remains with me.]
Riser narrowed his eyes, but his body gradually relaxed. The flame under his skin dimmed in intensity.
"So the price isn't on me... but on the world."
[Exactly, host.]
"Is there anything you need to do? Any preparation, more luck points?"
[Negative. Only your permission. But know this: once we do it, whoever is on the other side will feel it. I can't predict how he'll react.]
Riser fell silent.
Time passed thickly in the hall. The torches crackled softly, reflecting against his skin like living embers.
He rose slowly, the black mantle spreading across the steps of the throne. His body turned in a slow motion, muscles stretching in controlled readiness.
His breathing was deep, steady, as if every movement were preparation for an inevitable sentence.
"Time to cause a little chaos. You have my permission, System."
[Confirmation accepted, host.]
Riser raised his arm, and the crimson crest beneath his feet blazed.
ZUUUUM
Zou
The air burned with the stench of ashes. The ruins of the city stood still, except for the red portal pulsing like an exposed heart.
Riser walked toward it with firm steps, the flame beneath his skin reacting to the distorted glow. "Well, whatever Merlin did to turn it red seems to have sealed it. I haven't received any more luck points for killing the creatures."
His eyes glowed a deep, intense red.
SHRRRIIIP
The Mangekyō spun in living reflection, and the flames of Amaterasu drew back in black sparks until they vanished completely.
Silence returned, heavy. The crimson portal pulsed, waiting.
Riser leaned forward slightly, eyes half-closed. "Now it's your turn, System."
[Host, beginning extraction.]
WHUUUUM
The portal began to contort, its edges trembling like living flesh. Red energy detached in incandescent rivers, rushing straight toward Riser's body, cloaking him in burning veils.
He slowly raised his hand, watching his intact skin. "I really don't feel anything."
The vortex tightened into a silent scream until it collapsed into emptiness.
FWOOSH
Nothing remained but scorched ruins.
[Extraction complete. Dimensional energy in this area fully neutralized, host.]
"System, check Dimensional Travel."
[Updated count. Value: zero.]
"Zero? Didn't you say the energy would go there?"
[Correction: the energy was stored but is not enough to activate the feature. This process requires multiple successful extractions.]
"Damn... so how many more portals do I need to absorb?"
[Estimate: seven or eight portals at most. After that cycle, Dimensional Travel can be unlocked.]
Riser narrowed his eyes, the flame beneath his skin vibrating slowly. "And there's no other way?"
[Negative. There is nothing I can do beyond indicating the locations of the remaining portals.]
"We'll leave that for later."
He took a deep breath, adjusting the black mantle. The crimson crest beneath his feet expanded in concentric circles.
ZUUUUM
Phoenix Nest Office
The air rippled when Riser appeared behind the marble desk. The torches burned in steady silence, reflecting on the phoenix crest fixed to the wall.
He leaned back in his chair, his gaze cold. 'Seven or eight portals. Each one a risk, but also a coin. This world wants to collapse... I just need to decide how to profit from it.'
[Host, requesting permission to transmit information.]
Riser lifted his chin, a crooked smile forming at the corner of his lips. "This time you're not going to charge me, right? Because if you do, I'll start sending invoices too."
[Negative. After absorbing the dimensional energy, I can track the remaining portals at no additional cost.]
His low laugh echoed through the hall. "Finally something useful without a price tag. I thought you were about to become a banker from Marijoa instead of a support system."
[I do not care about capitalism. I merely fulfill my functions.]
"Not funny."
The flame beneath his skin glowed faintly as he spun the glass on the table, satisfied with his new advantage. "But I'll admit... tracking without cost? That's entertaining. Keep it up, System. You might end up becoming my actual employee."
[Host, I am a system. Employee implies salary, benefits, and coffee breaks. I was not designed for that.]
Riser let out a short, dry laugh, resting his chin on his hand. "Alright, super villain system 2.0. Sorry for trying to humanize you. I don't want you asking for vacations or forming a union."
[Apology registered. Host retains functional sense of humor.]
"Functional and expensive," he muttered with irony, spinning the glass again. "But I'll admit... now that you track portals without charging me, you're starting to sound more like my partner than my collector."
[Operational partner confirmed. Data on the next portals ready for projection upon request.]
Riser lifted his gaze, the faint red gleam crossing his eyes before fading. "Not now. Leave the projection for later. First, I'll think about the board."
[Command accepted, host.]
He slowly leaned back in the chair, the mantle sliding over the arms of the throne. The shadow projected behind him stretched even farther, as if the entire Empire breathed in his rhythm, awaiting his decision.
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