Chapter 268: Static and Dynamic Cogent Phrenics (2/2)

They either remained in a spot or moved based on their inertia as experience fragments collided with them and were absorbed into them. They passively grew and developed.

Dynamic Cogent Phrenics all possessed a crystal in them, acting as their cores. The source of the crystal was from the beings (Humans, Wisdom Parasites, Frenzy Beasts, and Frenzy Parasites) that had arrived at the Mental Realm and failed to return to reality.

The cause could be many: they were devoured by the Cogent Phrenics; they fully expended their 'Adhesiveness' and could no longer move, their only option to see the fate of their forms dissolving; the battle between the being and the parasite counterpart taking too much time and dealing too much damage to one another that completely broke down their forms, preventing them from ever moving. As time passed, their links to reality dissolved and they were assimilated into the experience fragments that flew around the Mental Realm.

Once the will and ego in the crystals were completely expended, they no longer possessed a sense of self. After that, as they float around in the Mental Realm, they absorb experience fragments and grow in size. As time passes, they would steadily condense.

Eventually, after they come to possess a significant amount of experience fragments, they would birth some actions and meagre sentience. After that, they would actively seek out experience fragments that conformed to the essence that formed their majority.

As time passes, they would birth their own Will, turning into Tier 1 Cogent Phrenics. The strength of their birthed Will correlates to the solidity of their form.

When they move around, their will is expended. So, most Cogent Phrenics tend to stay immobile and wait for the floating experience fragments to collide into them.

If they were suitable, they would absorb it. If not, they would form a cluster beside them. If the quantity in the cluster reaches a certain amount, it would form into a Static Cogent Phrenics. They would use the Static Cogent Phrenics as weapons against fellow Cogent Phrenics to rob them of their experience fragments.

'It would be wonderful if I could get my hands on a Static Cogent Phrenics equivalent to Tier 4. That would be a formidable weapon I could use.' Gerude Eagle thought, watching his knuckles become a bit soft.

He had punched through the bodies of many Cogent Phrenics. Even though his form was superior, the toughness allowing him to come out unscathed, he was expending some of his Will with every move. As the Will in his knuckles reduced, the toughness in the area decreased.

He sighed once, continuing to battle without stopping. He had already resolved himself to death. He didn't have much choice. He had received nightmares for the past week, and mild hallucinations whenever he was tired. It was a sign that his Wisdom Parasite was closing in on him. He was close to losing control.

He planned to consume a Cleansement Fruit after a month had passed, wishing to get as much of the Nurturing effect as possible. Unfortunately for him, his plans couldn't keep up with changes.

His son was graduating from the military academy after six months. He would soon be drafted into dangerous missions. If his son was even the least bit careless, he would lose his life. Normally speaking, the strength of a person was limited.

Artifacts, Relics, and Traits helped elevate a person's strength to higher levels. But everything required contribution points. Artifacts were somewhat cheaper but, Traits and Relics costed a fortune. Moreover, their demand always exceeded the supply. So, even if he were ready to exchange his contribution points, he wasn't guaranteed to chance upon a Relic or Trait that would better his son's survival.

But, none of that meant he had to sacrifice his life in the Cleansement Manoeuvre. There were other ways in which he could support his son. The easiest way was to present his son the Relic he would create upon consuming the Cleansement Fruit. Or, he could use that Relic to exchange for something more suitable. After all, he was a Shifter, an elite in their society that didn't have to worry about money or luxury.

He wasn't out of options, nor was he in dire need to bet his life upon. But the reason he decided to participate in the Cleansement Manoeuvre was due to a single reason. The funds Central Command gave out to the families of the people who sacrificed themselves in the Cleansement Manoeuvre varied.

Not everyone was equal, whether in their era or their city. The life of a Shifter was more valuable to Marble City as compared to a Tier 3 or Tier 2 being. Even a retired Shifter was still a force to reckon with. After all, any Tier 4 being and above were treated as an elite in Marble City.

The case was the same even among the Frenzy Beasts. The majority of any race's strength was the number of Tier 4 beings they possessed. After all, Tier 5 were few and far between. Tier 6 were the pinnacle powers whose every move is closely monitored by enemy forces. Tier 3 and below were too weak, despite their numbers.

But, Tier 4 was the perfect level where they possessed sufficient numbers and had enough strength to achieve a qualitative effect.