Genetic Ascension
chapter-21

'I don't like that…'

Though Sylas thought about this, he didn't dismiss it outright for two reasons.

First, he didn't unlock this Comprehension until he broke free from the Madness. So, there was a chance that losing his mind wasn't a requirement, and it was actually the exact opposite.

Second, what choice did he have?

He had finally found a reasonable method of making it out of here. If he could use the barrier to enter the state of Madness, and then break free continuously, wouldn't he unlock his Comprehension fully?

Maybe this Madness Comprehension could help him to beat the python.

With this thought, Sylas didn't waste time.

The situation was a bit helpless. He had only gotten two Genes out of his Soft Gene State and time was ticking away. Now that he had some hope again, he couldn't waste any more time than he needed to.

[You have survived the Madness]

[Your Comprehension of the Madness has deepened]

[+1 Will]

[You have survived the Madness]

[Your Comprehension of the Madness has deepened]

[+1 Will]

[You have survived the Madness]

[Your Comprehension of the Madness has deepened]

[+1 Will]

[You have survived the Madness]

[Your Comprehension of the Madness has deepened]

[+1 Will]

It was easier than Sylas could have ever imagined. The first time, he almost threw himself toward his death. But now, he didn't even suffer a debuff, and he broke free after just a few seconds.

The worst he experienced was the tensing of his body, that feeling of his blood rushing through him, and then it all went away.

He began to truly study the images. They flashed for just a short time, but for some reason, they began to linger in his mind for longer and longer.

It wasn't just a wild array of snakes any longer, but it became a dance of sorts, a ritual painted in its own sort of beauty… one of an animal bound to the earth, hoping to one day soar once again…

Of a creature marred by its own Madness.

[You have survived the Madness]

[Your Comprehension of the Madness has deepened]

[You have Comprehended the Madness]

[+3 Will]

[+10 Charisma]

Sylas looked at his stat screen.

[Name: Sylas Grimblade]

[Species: Human (F)]

[Affiliation: Grimblade Lineage]

[Level: 0]

[Titles: A Flexible Will; A Patient Stalker]

[Physical: 8]

>[Strength: 5]

>[Constitution: 5]

>[Dexterity: 13]

>[Speed: 8]

[Mental: 9]

>[Intelligence: 5]

>[Wisdom: 10]

>[Charisma: 12]

[Will: 36]

[Luck: 1]

[Skill: —]

[Comprehensions: Madness (F)]

[Gene State: Soft]

[Fragmented Genes: Grimblade Lineage (F); (2) Dexterity (F)]

[Gene Talents: Blade Aura (Mutated - Weakened)(-); Sudden Burst (Dormant)(F)]

With his intention, Sylas focused deeper on Madness.

[Madness (F)]

[The Madness consumes you, but does not control you. Instead, it becomes your tool to both control yourself and others. You, while steeped in Madness, maintain your wits about you. Your enemies, though, are not so lucky]

[+100% Charisma]

[+100% Will]

'Charisma… it seems that this isn't just a boost to myself, but it forms an intention that attacks my enemies.'

Charisma was a stat that decided how much of your own Will you could impose on an opponent. Sylas still wasn't sure exactly what this meant, but in this context, it should mean that he could force his enemies to face the same Madness as himself.

'But is this helpful?'

When Sylas was steeped in the Madness, he just wanted to fight for longer and harder. Sure, he almost threw himself to his death, but if his enemies were much stronger than him, it would just make him die faster.

Sylas didn't let the angst get to him so quickly this time, and he chose to test it out first.

With some intention of his will, he activated Madness by stirring his Comprehension.

He felt an odd forcefield take shape around him, one that he had already begun to vaguely feel after his Charisma reached 12. Now, however, it was more obvious, and the world even turned a slight shade of red.

Veins bulged across Sylas' body, but as expected, he was able to remain calm.

'It doesn't really feel different. It's a lot like my Dexterity. It feels like I can pull out the peak of my strength, but it doesn't necessarily add to my strength, it only increases my control of it.'

Sylas put this feeling to the test by running around a bit.

'My pain feels duller. It's easier to ignore. My body control is a lot greater. Though my Dexterity stat hasn't changed at all, it feels like it's at least doubled. The same can be said for my stamina, even though it's not a shown stat. My body control is on a level where I'm at peak efficiency all the time. I wonder if…'

Sylas activated Blade Aura. He just wanted to see if the added stamina might impact it, too.

His brows shot up.

The formerly silvery light had a tinge of red to it now. It was steadier, and definitely far stronger.

The time ticked by, and as expected, even after a minute, it didn't show signs of fading. Even after two, it was still fine. It was only after three that Sylas began to feel some fatigue, but it wasn't coming from his Blade Aura at all, but rather the usage of Madness.

He exhaled a breath and let the feeling dissipate.

The same wave of fatigue he usually got after using up Blade Aura didn't come. This feeling was much more stable and relaxing, as though he had just spent a little bit too long reading.

He knew he could have pushed himself much further, but likewise he would have risked falling into the Madness well and truly.

Sylas went back to the barrier to see if he could use it to continue increasing his Will. He had a feeling that the higher his Will stat, the longer he'd be able to use Madness for.

Unfortunately, the barrier couldn't even affect him anymore. He had already expected this, but he had to cover all his bases.

'The only thing left to do is to hope that this is enough, then…'

He was about to turn his attention to the python again. According to his plan, he would test the ends of the Madness, and when there was nothing else to learn, he would go and fight.

But then something about these images caught his attention again.