Blood Assimilation

The moment the blue yet transparent marble-like sphere appeared and hovered in front of Randy, the system notification displayed in front of his eyes once again with a line of text.

[[The host should take a hold of the crystallized ability stone and place it on his palm]]

Randy stared at the blue marble-like sphere that had some weird shape inside, but he did not pay attention to that and simply reached out with his hand the next moment after it appeared in front of him.

The moment he held the blue marble-like sphere on his palm, a new system notification popped up with new lines of texts now displayed in front of his eyes.

[[Please select the energy source from the available energy sources: spiritual energy and magical energy, to use with the crystallized ability after absorption]]

[[Reminder: The host could only choose one type of energy from the listed energy type above]] 

After reading through the notifications from the system, Randy was instantly bewildered because the system only gave him two types of energy to pick from and he had more than two types of energy.

So he wondered what the reason behind picking between just these two types of energy, spiritual energy, and magical energy was.

After pondering over this for a brief moment without knowing the reason behind this, he decided to ask the system instead.

'System, why only these energy sources? Don't I have more than two energy sources? Even if I exclude the mystic energy and psionic energy, there should still be one more energy source which was life energy, right?' Randy asked.

[[Responding to the host: That was because these sources of energy were the only sources that could contain or more appropriately utilize the power held within the ability stone. As for the remaining energy sources, they would render the ability useless or transform it into a different type of ability with different principles of functionality]] The system explained to him.

Hearing this explanation, Randy felt like he somewhat understood what the system implied by those words. 

Although he had no idea why that was the case, he could tell that perhaps every ability does not have the same source, meaning only those with certain energy types could have certain types of abilities.

With that out of the way, he firmly nodded after a moment. 

'I see, I think I understand now. But then, what would happen if I picked either of these energy sources for the ability stone? Would it be any different depending on my choice?' Randy asked once again in curiosity.

Right now, he was trying to be careful with his choices because picking the wrong one could lead to his possible death.

Unlike before where it was meaningless to ask such questions normally since as long as he could use the ability, that was all that mattered.

If it was before, why would he concern himself with which energy he would be using?

Besides, if it was before, he would have picked magical energy right away without any reluctance but now the situation was not one where he could be relaxed, especially when it came to choices that could determine his life or death.

Furthermore, it would not hurt just to simply ask further to make sure. And since he had already consulted the system for recommendations on how to defeat his opponent just now, he might as well see it through. 

Sure enough, the system responded right away with lines of text displayed one after another in front of his vision.

[[Responding to the host: Selecting spiritual energy as the source would allow the host to manifest only one weapon or item of the host's choosing. But the host cannot change the form of your selected weapon or item afterward. However, in exchange for such limitation, the attack power of the selected weapon or item and or its efficiency in dealing damage would be enhanced by 25% permanently and could even have the possibility of an increase in the future as the host's cultivation realm increases]]

[[On the other hand, selecting magical energy as the source would allow the host to manifest myriad form weapons and or items that the host has comprehended or imagined beforehand. However, in exchange for no limitation, the rate of successfully manifesting an imagined or comprehended item or weapon would decrease immensely and even if it succeeds, the weapon or item might not contain that much attack power or functionality]]

The system gave him a long explanation regarding his question. 

This time around, Randy was not speechless or dumbfounded by the system's explanation and only proceeded to glance through the lines of texts a few more times before he nodded in understanding.

"So that's how it is…" He muttered to himself a moment later.

'I wonder which choice was better, the instant powerful weapon or item that might or might not grow with me in the future, or the many consumables item or weapons that could be created depending on my imagination and luck?' 

Right now, he took a moment to deeply think about this choice as he held his chin with his right hand. 

According to what he could infer from what the system stated in its explanation, if he picked either magical or spiritual energy source, it could lead to a different outcome or an effect on the ability manifestation.

Furthermore, if the situation is not dire like now and instead is a regular day and time, he would have taken more time to ponder his decision with many considerations before ultimately making up his mind.

While thinking this, he looked up at the struggling chimera monster with scowled expression and then carefully thought to himself.

'It would be better to have a weapon that could deal with this monster right away since it appears that my control over its body is wearing off. But I also have to think about the future as a whole when making this decision, so it was only right and logical that I pick something that would prove to be useful in the long run rather than a decision that could only work at this moment…'

With that thought in mind, he finally made up his mind about what to pick.

Since there was not much time, he did not hesitate and or display any reluctance on his determined expression and quickly spoke in his mind decisively.

'System, I would like to select magical energy as the energy source for the ability stone.'

The next moment, the system's notification popped up in front of his vision once again.

[[Response Acknowledged]]

[[Commencing Ability Stone Absorption]]

[[Reminder: The host should not resist as the absorption commences even if you feel uncomfortable. Otherwise, there was a slight possibility that the host could cause damage to his soul permanently due to resistance. Please keep that in mind before we begin]]

'…Alright, I understand.' Randy calmly replied in his mind a moment later.

'Now is not the time to be acting out just because of the system's reminder' He silently thought to himself.

The next moment, the blue yet transparent marble-like sphere that was in his grasp suddenly disappeared with no trace, or rather it was more appropriate to state that it was absorbed into his palm at that moment. 

And almost right away, Randy could feel something invading his entire body, as a warm current of soothing energy wash all over his very being.. Which then gave him an inexplicable sense of bliss and comfortableness afterward.