Noah fixed his gaze on the cube pulsating within his soul. He observed it in silence for a long moment, processing the information the Consciousness of the World had revealed to him. His analytical mind, trained for years in the scientific method, was already identifying potential problems and their respective solutions.
—I don't trust this. Not one bit.
The mission system struck him as particularly irritating. The idea that something external would dictate his actions, that he would have to follow a pre-set path to obtain rewards like some kind of trained dog, clashed head-on with his nature. Noah Astaros hadn't become the scientist he was by following instructions. He had done it by questioning everything, always looking for the shortcut, the non-obvious solution, the path no one else saw.
—But simply getting rid of this would be a waste. It has potential. A thousand worlds... void energy... it's a powerful tool that I'm reluctant to give up.
He began to reflect, letting his mind play with the possibilities. The cube was useful, yes, but it was also a limitation. It depended on a system, on missions, on rules imposed by its original creator. What if he could keep what was useful from the cube —the energy, the portals, the coordinates— but eliminate what he didn't like? Or what if he could integrate that power into something he could completely control himself?
An idea began to take shape.
—First —he said aloud, activating the system interface—, I need to check if the item I have in mind is available.
The system shop unfolded before him, an infinite catalog of possibilities floating in his view. Noah navigated to the Objects section and, with a thought, typed a name into the search bar.
Elder Blood.
The screen flickered and the information unfolded before him.
---
THE ELDER BLOOD (HEN ICHAER)
Type: Genetic Material / Dimensional Legacy
Cost: 5,000 KP
Description:
The Elder Blood, known in ancient tongues as Hen Ichaer, is a genetic material of elven origin that grants its bearer innate capabilities for spatio-temporal manipulation. Unlike magic or technology, which require external tools or learned knowledge, the Elder Blood turns the user into a living source: a conscious anchor point in the fabric of the multiverse.
Whoever possesses this gift needs no coordinates, no devices, no preparation. Their very existence is a portal. They can travel to any universe, any timeline, any conceivable reality through an act of pure will. Navigation is not calculated, but intuitive and emotional.
Main Abilities:
· Interdimensional jump: instantaneous displacement between nearby realities.
· Multiversal jump: random or conscious access to any parallel universe or timeline, without restrictions.
· Personal teleportation: spatial movement within the same reality.
· Creation of bidirectional portals: opening stable wormholes.
· Brief time freeze: stopping the local flow of time.
· Spatial deflection barriers: shields that redirect attacks by warping space.
Vulnerabilities:
· Consumption of vital energy proportional to the distance and complexity of the jump.
· Detectable dimensional signature by entities sensitive to the multiversal flow.
· Efficiency affected by mental and emotional fatigue.
· Extreme exhaustion of vital force can be lethal.
Additional Note:
The Elder Blood attracts attention. Interdimensional predators, factions seeking to control travel between worlds, entities that wish to exploit or eliminate those who possess this gift. The bearer will always live in a precarious balance between their power and the danger it itself generates.
—This is absolute freedom —Noah thought—. This is what I need.
But he also saw the risks. The consumption of vital energy as fuel. The detectable signature. The unwanted attention. The Elder Blood was powerful, yes, but also dangerous. And it cost 5,000 KP, more than half of what he had left.
However, as he mentally compared the cube with the blood, a bolder idea began to germinate.
The cube was valuable. A thousand registered worlds, void energy, a system that guided him towards masters and artifacts. But it depended on external rules, on missions, on a design that wasn't his. The Elder Blood, on the other hand, was chaotic, unpredictable, but also free.
What if he didn't have to choose?
—Consciousness of the World —Noah called out—. Is it possible to fuse an object I already possess with the Elder Blood? For it to absorb the cube's powers and effects, integrating them into itself?
He didn't need to explain further. The Consciousness of the World read his thoughts and instantly understood what he was seeking.
—Possible —the voice responded, impassive—. Cost: 1,000 KP.
Noah was silent for a moment, evaluating. The Elder Blood was already expensive: 5,000 points. Adding the fusion would make it 6,000. He would have 3,000 left for the new world. It was a considerable expense.
But his instinct told him it was worth it.
The Elder Blood gives me absolute freedom. But the cube gives me direction, gives me a map, gives me external energy so I don't have to depend on my vital force. If I manage to fuse them... I'll have the best of both worlds. Unlimited power with a charted path. Freedom with purpose.
He finally made the decision after thinking it over for a moment.
—Go ahead —Noah said calmly—. Buy the Elder Blood and fuse the cube into it.
—Processing...
The cube pulsating in his soul began to tremble. For a moment, Noah felt resistance, as if the object refused to be absorbed, as if it had a will of its own. But then the light from the giant orb that represented the Consciousness of the World enveloped it, and the cube fragmented into pieces.
Thousands of tiny crystals detached from its surface, spiraling around the central core. Then, as if drawn by a magnet, they began to integrate into Noah's very essence.
The process lasted only a few seconds. When it finished, the cube had disappeared.
In its place, Noah's essence shone with a different hue. It was still that bluish light, but now intermingled with violet and gold flashes that danced like tiny miniature universes.
—Fusion complete —announced the Consciousness of the World—. The Elder Blood has absorbed the properties of the Legacy. You will retain the ability to access the thousand registered worlds, as well as the faculty to generate and use void energy. The mission system has been eliminated.
For the first time since he woke up in that void, Noah smiled.
Not an ironic or bitter smile, but a genuine one, the kind he hadn't shown in years.
—Perfect —he murmured.
—The fused Elder Blood will fully integrate into your new body upon reincarnation.
Noah nodded, feeling a strange peace.
He had lost everything in his previous life. His love, his child, his innocence, even his life. But now, before him, an entire multiverse of possibilities stretched out. A thousand worlds and more to explore, powers to master, knowledge to learn, and much more.
The resentment, although present, no longer consumed him. There was something bigger now. Something that went beyond pain and rage.
Curiosity.
The same curiosity that had driven him since childhood to take apart toys to understand how they worked, to ask uncomfortable questions, to always seek knowledge where others only saw easy answers.
Before him lay infinite opportunities to learn, grow, become something more than just a scientist.
With the fused Elder Blood, Noah reviewed his remaining 3,000 KP. He mentally analyzed his options, immediately ruling out spending on offensive skills or protection: in the world he planned to go to, all of that could be learned in due time. His focus now was on maximizing his long-term efficiency and potential.
—Alright —he murmured—, first the world and identity.
He navigated to the worlds section and chose:
World: Naruto (Shinobi World) — 1,000 KP.
His identity also had to be chosen carefully. He needed one with potential but not too much relevance in the main plot.
Identity: Nawaki Senju, Low Tier — 300 KP.
—Free, with enough potential, and without too much direct protagonism —he thought—. Perfect for observing, learning, and disappearing when the time is right.
He still had 1,700 KP left. It was time to invest in abilities.
One, in particular, caught his attention.
Ability: Superior Intelligence
Type: Passive Ability
Price: 500 KP
Noah selected it without hesitation. Despite his achievements in his past life, he was never a genius. Everything he accomplished was thanks to hard work, but now he could enhance his cognitive abilities.
Then he left the abilities section and returned to the objects section. He didn't need brute force or magical skills upfront: the world of Naruto offered him unlimited resources to obtain those capabilities at his own pace. Intelligence was the obvious exception; it enhanced everything else and allowed him to calculate, manipulate, and adapt better than any premature attack.
After a quick search, he found what he was looking for.
Magus Meditation Technique (500 KP)
A technique from the Magus world, designed to train the soul, increase energy absorption, and accelerate spiritual evolution.
It was a soul cultivation method from a novel he had read years ago.
—Perfect.
The next item on his list was the:
Horadric Cube (700 KP) — originating from the Diablo universe.
A magical artifact of ancient creation that allows transmutation and synthesis of objects. Main functions: combine objects to create new ones (runes, potions, equipment), improve item properties, and decompose objects into basic components. Does not consume user energy, but requires specific combination recipes. Capacity limited to items that fit within its three-dimensional internal space.
With all his choices made and his points completely spent, Noah had no more reason to stay in this place.
—I'm ready —Noah said, lifting his gaze toward the violet sphere that awaited him—. Take me home.
The Consciousness of the World did not respond with words.
Instead, the void vanished, and Noah Astaros felt his soul being drawn toward the light, toward a new beginning.
—A new world! Here I come!
With an excited laugh, Noah disappeared from the white space.