Shimmers of gold and silver, the sparkle of many colors scattered on the floor, pilrs of pure marble and quartz, tiles just as beautiful. The room was filled with peace, the winds blowing and whispering like musi the air. Oh, what a serene se it wasー

  ""Ehh?!!" ［Grey and Yuna］

  Well, it was a serene ptil two voices shook the pce, traces of surprise and disbelief ced all over them. Two faces were torted and baffled, lips trembling ever so slightly, as they looked at the glowing figure in front of them.

  In trast, God remained unfazed. He has no faor visible expressions, but one could easily tell he was unfazed... Or rather, he was fused why the two before him were fused. Logic has flown off to space.

  "W-Wait! Abilities be improved?! Why do I not know of this?! I thought you gave me all the knowledge I needed?!" ［Grey］

  "I did. But your abilities are already of the highest grade. I saw no point in giving you knowledge about this. And... Why would rati if it couldn't be improved any further? e on now, Young Man, that's just on sense." ［God］

  No, it wasn't on se all, or rather, the on seween Gods and mortals are so vast that they might as well be two entirely different things. Grey and Yuna were in a culture shock, on a pletely different level.

  And while God may have a point, he could only remain frozen and speechless at his thoughtlessness. It was once again why he realized why he once called him an "Idiot God". He's the only one who surpasses him and Yuna in the ck of on sense.

  'Haah... This idiotic God, really is...' ［Grey］

  Though it would have beeer if they'd lear earlier, it was still a good thing that they now learnt that there was a way to further strehemselves. Just thinking about the endless possibilities makes their hearts beat iement.

  "Then, does that mean there's a way to acquire abilities as well?" ［Grey］

  "There is, there is. Didn't you just acquire them when you reached Superior Mastery in yid on proficies?" ［God］

  "We did, but other than that, is there another way?" ［Grey］

  "Another way... Hmm... It's harder than improving your current ones, but it does exist. Although, it would depeirely on your soul." ［God］

  Abilities... Special traits that make oronger and improve one's skill in different fields. They are lifelines which could signifitly impae's life no matter when or where. Although they may seem simple at first, they are very plicated.

  As per their nature, abilities are traits that are imprinted into the soul. Ohey are imprihey ever be removed nor repced uhe ws of the universe are broken. This is also the very reason why learning it is very hard.

  The soul is not just a mass of aether, but something much more plex. For ohere are two main pos, the core and the a. The core, simply put, is the very essence of a being, remaining the same even after reination. As for the a, it is all the memories and experien life which would be shed after death.

  "Then Grey, when we did that..." ［Yuna］

  "Yeah, I guess so... The same logic probably applied then." ［Grey］

  This also applies vice versa. If the core is "shed" or destroyed, one would die. A case just like what happened when Grey and Yuna broke the soul's a of one of the Iblis members, shedding away its mana, bat power, and the curse.

  There are also rare instances where the a is not pletely shed, or not shed at all, and so, one remember their past life and gain some ability. Grey's a was also protected by God so he reinate with his memories intact.

  Abilities are etched into the core, and each soul has a certain limit. While those called "extra" abilities are imprinted in the a. These include the enlighte people receive when reag a certain level of skill, and be limitless.

  "I see... So that means we gather an endless amount of abilities if we raise our proficies high enough, right?' ［Grey］

  "That's right, that's right. That is the easier way to acquire abilities." ［God］

  However, the problem lies with true abilities imprinted in the core. They first start as experience, which will then be carried on as "talent" in the life. Ohe talent is honed enough, then they bee "abilities" imprinted in the soul.

  The problem here is that there is a limit to the amount of "true" abilities. That means the soul will select as carefully as it could before imprinting a certain skill, a process that takes multiple lives to plete. Some even live a hundred lives, yet still fail to imprint an ability on their souls.

  These "abilities" also grow, and so, the rating increases time and time again. Just an increase of oar mean several lives of effort. This only shows how much of a cheat Grey was when God basically impri on them.

  'Oher hand, Yuna...' ［Grey］

  And one could only imagine how many lives Yuna's soul has spent to hone her ability all the way to 5☆. Even if she is a genius, she would still need a dozen lives at the very least. She truly eerless prodigy.

  "Haah... And here I thought abilities were hereditary..." ［Grey］

  "Hahaha. You areirely wrong there. After all, souls are ily attracted to those the same as them. That's the reason why people of the same lien possess the same ability. Quite fasating, isn't it?" ［God］

  It truly was fasating, but also fusing at the same time. But thanks to it, things became much clearer and they could finally answer some of the bizarre phehey could only look and po before.

  However, those weren't the only things on Grey and Yuna's minds. It may be hard to acquire "true" abilities, but it wasn't impossible. As long as there is a ce, they could certainly try it out and aim for the pinnacle of power,

  "Then, God... Could you tell us how many true abilities are our limit?" ［Grey］

  "Hmm... For you, Young Man, you have up to 13 of them... For Young Lady, you have up to 10 abilities." ［God］

  "10 abilities... Is that a lot?" ［Yuna］

  "A lot...? Hahaha! People usually have 1 to 3 slots. Even I, as a God, have just as much as you, Young Lady. The highest ever recorded is 16, but the Young Man is still a pletely outndish case." ［God］

  10 and 13... Their souls were just as powerful as a God's. There was an endless sea of possibility before there, the two's hearts bubbling iement as they thought about what they wao learn and what they wao prioritize.

  Of course, as one would expect, Yuna wanted something which could help her in alchemy, while Grey was still pletely undecided. All he knew was that he would fill up his abilities with powerful ones as much as possible.

  "Hahaha. I tell what you two are thinking, but don't do anything reckless. Even with your talent and skill, it would still take you at least a couple hundred years before you develop a rue ability." ［God］

  "Eh? A couple hundred years... Is there any way to make it faster?" ［Grey］

  "I'm ashamed, but I'm afraid that's just how abilities are. Even the record is 271 years without the help of others, and he was amongst the elites of the Gods." ［God］

  "271 years... That's a long time..." ［Yuna］

  Unfortunately, time was not on their side. It was no wonder why it takes so long to imprint an ability. Even with how they are now, they would still take a few hundred years to get a rue ability. It was quite disheartening, actually.

  Even God o use all the powers he had left on Merusia to awakeent talents in Grey, making him lose quite a bit of his Divine power. It cost him about half his power he cultivated for tens of thousands of years.

  Normally, Gods wouldn't even help people gain abilities just because of the sheer amount of Divine Power they use. But ill believed it was worth it. He only hoped Grey would fulfill his role and that everything goes acc to pn.

  'Hmm... I wonder if he'll five me one day...' ［God］

  It n Grey had still yet to know, but there was o reveal it for now. He simply wished the young man would enjoy his current life with Yuna, and worry about the other things ter. A ge subtly guilty smile bloomed on his face.

  "Now, now, don't be so gloomy. Even if you 't learn new abilities in this lifetime, you already are plenty powerful. So let's cheer up, shall we?" ［God］

  "Haah... I guess you're right. I'm still not giving up though." ［Grey］

  "Un! I'm going to have more powerful abilities than Grey!" ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. Your fidence really is something. You really are lucky to have caught such a beauty, Grey. Make sure to treasure her." ［God］

  "You're stating the obvious. That's already a matter of course." ［Grey］

  Though, as it would seem, there was not a o worry. The young man he was so worried about was evidently happy with the young dy by his side. If there were as on his side, it was that he couldn't help him any more.

  Smiles were afloat in the air, and suddenly, God's figure grew more radiant and orbs of light separated from his body and scattered in the air. His light pulsated and his figure slowly melded into the air, his figure burning away.

  "Hahaha. Looks like this is as far as I go for now... It's a shame, but I have to go bay new world now. It was short, but I had a good time, Grey, Yuna." ［God］

  "Would we still meet you again?" ［Yuna］

  "As long as you clear the Labyrinth, we will be able to meet again. And... I hope to see you grow much stronger ime." ［God］

  "Hahaha. We'll do just that. We'll make sure to shock you." ［Grey］

  He doesn't have a face, but he was smiling ever so softly. Satisfa bloomed in his heart, his body slowly dissipating, the final fragments of light riding the air and carried away by the gentle breeze, his body fading away as he waved his hand.

  Soon, even his face was washed away by the wind, light slowly fading away until there was nothi. The room was soon traced with silence, only two figures remaining, standing in pce as they watched the fragments of light drift away.

  "So that was God, huh... He seemed like he was just a friendly Grandpa... Was it really fio act like that around him." ［Yuna］

  "Yeah. Don't worry too much about him. He's more like an old friend or something along those lines." ［Grey］

  "Ehh... You sure are fortable around him. Grey, that was God, you know? The creator of the world? 't you at least be a bit respectful?" ［Yuna］

  Chatting ever so peacefully, Grey and Yuna then headed to the pedestal to do what they o doー or at least, that's what they were pnning, when a realization struck them like lightning, out of the blue.

  They were chatting so friendly, they have pletely fotten about oneー no, they have pletely fotten about a couple of things, Sileruck the room once again as the two looked one araight in the eyes.

  "Umm... Grey... How do we improve our abilities again...?" ［Yuna］

  They now know what abilities truly are, how they form, and what their limits were. However, they have pletely fotten to ask how to improve them, something which was much more important thahers.

  Not only the improvement of abilities, Grey had alsotten to ask about the Divine Blood of Creation, the prophecy ba Ti, the things he didn't include in his knowledge, and many more things. It was a huge and total blunder.

  "Haah... Maybe ime...?" ［Grey］

  Only a wry smile could bloom in Grey's face as he faced his fiancée. Even if he were tret it, it's not like he could turn back time and ask God again. They could only hope to meet him ime and ask the important questions first.

  There was no use thinking too much about it. Grey simply approached the pedestal where the spear previously ced his hands atop it, p his mana and the essence of creation dwelling inside him.

  Ruarted appearing all over the room and glowed with sheen and vigor. All sorts of colors sparkled like a cove of gemstohe room dyed in iridest light and life, mana swirling around like turbule georm.

  RUMMBBBLLLEEEEEEE

  What followed after were tremors running through the room. With the pedestal at the ter, the whole Labyrinth of Stars, pure and unknown waves of energy sweeping throughout the whole world, reag even the farthest nooks and ies.

  Grey's heart pumped with excitement once again, subtle yet noticeable ges unfolding in his body, a warm feeling flowing through all parts of his body and reag even the deeper depths of his soul, pg him greatly.

  He still couldn't identify what it was, but all he knew was that it was a good thing. He felt much better than before, his body feeling as if it was over the cloud. It was like his mind was suddenly cleared of doubts and impurities, mana flowing mently in his veins.

  g g Ting Shing Twing Ting Ring

  The sensation was soon over, and a sweet symphony of chimes and whistles pyed in the air. Fragments of light popped out all over the pce, bobbing up and down as they were carried by the wind, all drawing in to him as if he was a mag.

  They were her than spirits, and pared to before, they were much more opaque, some moving about by themselves. Albeit slightly, some of them have now gained sentieheir presence much more established in the world.

  ??Appraisal?? ［Grey］

  -----------------------------------

  [Spirit]

  [Name]...

  [Age]...

  [Rank]Floating Spirit

  [Mana Capacity]3  [Mana Quality]H

  [bat Power]1  [Threat Level]H

  [Gems]...

  [Attribute]Water

  -----------------------------------

  Surely enough, he was right, a transparent status s floating before him.

  If before, it would only show a single line of "???", now, his appraisal shows detailed parameters and information about his target. It wasn't just a subtle ge. The world has nhe existence of spirits.

  And it may be because of the blood flowing inside of him, but they were strangely attracted to him. But maybe even stranger, he was able to uand their feelings. He felt a little happy, extending his hand out to greet the little fels.

  "Waah～! So cute! Grey, what are these things?!" ［Yuna］

  Funnily enough, Yuna is now also able to see the spirits with them and they were also attracted to her. She was noily giggling to herself, pying with the little spirits with a bright smile on her face, looking like a pyful child.

  Grey doesn't know whether it was because their presence is now more promi or it was because Yuna ecial. It was ahing to ask God ohey meet again. The list just keeps oing longer and longer.

  "They're called spirits." ［Grey］

  "Spirits...?" ［Yuna］

  "Yeah. They're made of aether and are supposed to be the opposite of monsters. God said these are his final creations here in Merusia." ［Grey］

  "I see... They really are pretty..." ［Yuna］

  Yes, they were pretty, but oher hand, they were also insanely weak, their bat powers only lying within the range of 1 and 2. They were just as weak as slimes are, no different from helpless babies.

  Thankfully, they are all spiritual lifeforms, able to pass through physical objects as if they were ghosts. And though magic could damage them, it would take an absurd amount to do so. At least they won't be extermioo quickly.

  Well, he still only activated two pedestals for now. The mrey activates, the more powerful the spirits would surely bee. One could only look forward to how great of a panion they will be iure. It was exhirating.

  "Oh! Grey, look! Look! It's dang!" ［Yuna］

  It has only been a couple minutes sihe spirits appeared in the Labyrinth of Stars, and Yuna was now teag them a few tricks. She waved her hands and the masses of formless mist aher danced iune.

  Grey doesn't know if he could call Yuna talented, or if the spirits were very obedient. All he knew was that he was witnessing quite an absurd se before him, the spirits surrounding his fiancée and dang ever so merrily like little sprites.

  "Grey, you should join us too!" ［Yuna］

  "Well... Maybe ime." ［Grey］

  The young dy tio wave her dance, shaking her hips soon enough and dang with the whistles of the wind, the floating spirits dang with her with glee, their colors and brightness pulsating. A two-in-one dand light show.

  Time passed and the whole treasure room was finally ed out of everything with value. Grey and Yuna soon stepped out of the treasure room and headed back to the 10th floor, quite a spectacle weling them back.

  BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM

  A carpet of explosi out all over the pce, pilrs or smoke and clouds of dust brewing throughout the expansive floor. Monsters were defeated oer another as bolts of mana and turbulent storms rained down upon them.

  The ones who caused such a se were her than the familiars, p it their all and hunting as many monsters as they could before the Labyrinth es to a close. They were all full of vigor, dev all the corruption there is.

  "They sure are quite lively, aren't they... Even Capel and Aar are strangely eager despite their timidness..." ［Yuna］

  "Well, Poris words might have hit them hard." ［Grey］

  "Fufufu! We sure are lucky to have such hardw familiars." ［Yuna］

  They tio watch the se unfold, a Camity-Css monster subjugated oer another. Not even the Disaster-Css ones could escape them, Poris hunting them down and the others following his suit.

  Some monsters were strohan them, but with their impeccable teamwork, they could easily take down mowice or thrice strohahe monsters whittled down by the moment, only a couple remaining unscathed.

  It didn't take long before they finally noticed Grey and Yuna standing there, quickly tidying up the pd heading towards them as soon as they could. Poris was the first oo nd, the others lining up after him, f a formation.

  "Wele back, Master, Mistress. How was your trip?" ［Poris］

  "It was quite fruitful, and... It seems like everyone is w hard. Are you sure you're not pushing yourselves too hard?" ［Grey］

  "There is o worry, Master. We are only doing what we handle. And... I'm sure everyone here would like to be of service as soon as possible." ［Poris］

  Everyone's eyes were filled with seriousness aermination. There was not a o ask. Even if they were to scold them, they would surely act out stubbornly and still push themselves to the limit. Grey and Yuna could only sigh in resignation.

  "On another note, Master, Mistress... What are these floating things?" ［Poris］

  "They suddenly appeared out of nowhere. I don't think they're harmful though." ［opus］

  "Rather, they feel quite gentle..." ［Rigel］

  And as it seems, it wasn't just Yuna, but everyone else could also see the floating spirits bobbing up and down, gathering around the familiars and seeming like they were admiring them up close, looking cheerful and merry.

  Astonishingly, the spirits which gathered around the familiars correspoo their attributes. Water spirits gathered near Rigel, Earth spirits near Capel, Light spirits near Pro, et cetera. They seemed to like them greatly.

  "Well, let's just say they're our little allies iure." ［Grey］

  "Allies... I see..." ［Sirius］

  "Fufufu! They look cute, don't they?" ［Yuna］

  Grey's answer was quite vague, but the familiars didn't ask any more questions. They just simply nodded and aowledged the little sprites floating here and there. They seem to not be bothered too much despite them crowding around them.

  However, there was o pay too much attention towards them. They wao go back to the surface already, but the torchstones were still lit. The Labyrinth of Stars was still active, and there were still people l around at the upper floors.

  Thankfully, it wasn't like Grey and Yuna were in a hurry. There were still a few things to do around the Labyrinth. Especially around the lower floors... There were still tons upon tons of treasure rooms scattered around, waiting to be looted.

  "Then, shall we clear everything out?" ［Grey］

  "U's take all the treasures!" ［Yuna］

  Thunder resounded with their steps, the winds h as they rushed throughout the Labyrinth, destru shing out on their wake. All monsters were obliterated and all treasure rooms were looted without sparing a single one behind.

  They went up floors and cleared them out all the same, hundreds upon hundreds of treasure poured ihe "Iory" and thousands of drops popped out here and there. Treasures piled into mountains and billions of kiels piled up with the passing of time.

  They looted, they subjugated, and they helped out the adventurers who were in need. Every time they brandished their bdes and fists, monsters were cut down ao their creator. Such a sight tinued until the cavern opened up before them.

  "Fuwaah～! We're finally back!" ［Yuna］

  Darkness has swallowed the world, the moon and stars reigning over the sky as the cold, nightly breeze tio blow. There were stars in the Labyrinth, but they couldn't pare to the real ones... They were truly beautiful.

  "Ahh～! I really want to take a hot bathー" ［Yuna］

  GROOLLLLLLLL～

  Though, before they could admire the wonderful and mystical sery, there was something they o remedy first. They haveen a thing since breakfast, and with how vigorous their day has been, it was only natural they were hungryー No, they were famished.

  "Sorry about that... Should we have dinner first?" ［Grey］

  "... Un! I'd also love that!" ［Yuna］

  CHAPTER 341