The two Skulliuses walked around each other. Rather one walked while the other floated, gazing closely at the other with continuous nods that spoke to his satisfaction at the authenticity.
This copy looked legit!
Casting aside the fact that there was a disparity in stats, it was hard to tell apart the difference between it and his original form.
The skill description didn't lie.
Skullius was willing to bet it would be difficult for anyone in this world to tell them apart unless they understood the intricacies of his power.
That aside...
"You have all my memories, right?"
"Of course bro. I'm you and you're me," the copy with its four sockets ablaze in excitement said, its bony hand extended towards the projected Penetrator.
The original extended his hand also and the two shook over no particular reason.
As they did so, small sparks tingled around their hands.
Clearly, any form of contact between them had an effect.
"I don't suppose you suddenly got some information about everything to do with the skill I just used?"
"Actually, I did," the copy said with a hiss coming from its sockets.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Oh? Tell me!"
"Well, I can't use [Brisk Storm Avatar] to create another copy. That's the only skill I don't have access to from the Null Life side. Saw that coming right?"
"Of course I did. That would be too easy and too convenient wouldn't it? Besides, the Flaw we have limits us to only 5 copies regardless of how [Brisk Storm Avar] levels and evolves. That in itself means we won't be getting a chance for another copy easily."
"Sounds about right, bro. But that's not too important. If we're going to have our strength increase dramatically, we need to use my special trait to its fullest," the copy said.
With a wiggle of its bony fingers, it conjured up a chair for itself to sit on.
"You mean that weird thing that happens when we fuse or touch?" the original Skullius asked, sitting back on his chair.
"Let's just call it contact. As we were thinking before, once I go my way, I'll have to grow my strength in a different way to how you will be handling your own. The more differences there are the next time we make contact, like in skills, stats and all, the bigger the effect. It's like a sudden multiplier after a humble addition. Hmmm, I like that phrase," the copy said.
The original Skullius scratched his bright chin.
"A multiplier, huh?"
On the other side, Yuyui couldn't get used to this at all.
There were two Skulliuses!
Two Masters.
The fact that they didn't even take much time to dwell on their separate existences, cutting the simple chatter off to go straight to business made it even more strange. Sure they were one individual but... it was still weird.
They were having a small meeting for crying out loud!
Ferex decided not to interfere. He kept his awe and amazement stashed away in his chest while listening to the two discuss. Still, even he was a bit bewildered.
"Alright. I get it. Since we are going to be moving and acting separately, let's clearly divide duties. We hadn't finalised everything after all," the original Skullius said as with his finger, he pulled up two clouds and shaped them into two humanoid figures.
"That's right. I'm supposed to meet up with Kenno and his group as we instructed him. I'll use him as my first connection into this... Severed Union and figure out more from there," the copy said.
With his finger producing wisps of Levin, he wrote next to one of the floating clouds images short notes on this particular duty of his, the words made of thin, erect Levin sticking to the image.
"Ah! It's also better if I'm the one to work on getting those high level concepts, right?" he added.
"Hmmm. I guess so. I'll have to split the stout mountain from Fortune though, won't I? If the Galemonger could do it, so can I," the original Skullius said, prompting the copy to scribble some more. "On the other hand, I should take care of our close quarters combat, swordsmanship and basic applications of mana with the new adaptable core. This could be something the both of us handle though."
"I don't have a problem with that. Right, since I don't have anything complex with the Insurgent Magnus powers, I can also take up increasing our affinity with them and getting in touch with the true essence of what they can do. When we fuse back, we should be able to forge at least one of the PHANTASMIC RETAINERS detailed on those plaques.
The PHANTASMIC RETAINERS.
These were the blueprints with prescribed proportions of [Evil Darkness] and [Just Light] that were forged some pretty destructive relics which Fulgardt had used millenia ago. They exact details were on the plaques that Skullius had been able to read after merging with the WILL of UNDERSTANDING from Fulgardt.
They required greater affinity with the two elements and the copy saw it fit for him to be the one to focus on raising the ranks of the elemengs.
"As for the last and possibly most important mission, that falls to me as well, right?"
"No need to ask what you know, bro," the original Skullius said with a chuckle.
The 'living' solutions Skullius had mentioned back then.
These could only be found back in the Labyrinth of the Yoke.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmWhatever the result of the Premium Age Royale was going to be, Skullius was sure it would be problematic at the very least.
However, there were powerhouses locked up in that Labyrinth, forced to live and celebrate the death of Fulgardt for all eternity!
With better control of [Evil Darkness] and [Just Light], Skullius could free them and have them do his bidding.
Though it was a more endgame type of mission as it required extraordinarily high affinities with [Evil Darkness] and [Just Light].
"<Sigh>.I still wish you could produce just one other copy. We'd have an easier time with this," the copy said, a bit exasperated.
"I do too. However, Special skills are not at all easy to level up. Look at [Basic Evil Sanction]! It barely budged! The latest Task made me realise how tough these skills are to evolve," the original said, his voice also infected with agitation. "Speaking of Tasks, I trust you won't bother with them much, right? Travelling as the Penetrator is more convenient at this point. We might as well rush to Tier 4 while we're at it."
"Yep. Just leave that to me," the copy said proudly before turning to Yuyui and Ferex. "Now the split?"
"Yep. Now, the split."
Yuyui and the Apostle confusedly looked at the two with worry.
What did these two mean by split?
What were they splitting?
"Should I tell them or should you?" the copy asked with a 'respectful' bow.
"Be my guest."
The four sockets on the copy lit bright in twisted expectation. He then gazed at Yuyui specifically.
"You and Ferex will be coming with me. From tonight, you'll never see Genhuis City again."