[Your Spiritual Score has increased.]

Slurping up another one of the swarms souls, Seth couldn't help but wonder what these would taste like. I mean sure, he considered this absorption to be 'eating' the souls, but what was the point in eating something if he couldn't properly taste it?

Would it taste sweet? Sour? or even minty perhaps? Could different souls have different flavours depending on the nature of those that they belonged to? Would something that was highly attuned to the fire element have a soul that was spicy?

Would a fish's soul be refreshing like a glass of ice cold water on a hot summers day, or would it taste salty as if he was drinking straight from the ocean?

And what about beings like Bob or Titus, not that he would ever consume their souls. But he couldn't help but wonder if the souls of a previously inanimate being that was gifted life would taste different from a naturally born being. Like the difference between processed food and fresh fruit.

He had no idea, but it was these thoughts that danced within his mind as he carried out the monotonous task of gathering meat and secretly stuffing his Abyss with as much soul energy as possible. He had consumed so many of this swarms souls that, if it was true food he was gobbling down, that his stomach would be bulging and on the verge of bursting.

But since it was souls he was hungrily drinking up, Seth didn't feel bloated but instead brimming with unbridled energy, as if his previous fatigue never existed in the first place. It reminded him of the time when he had pulled a weeks worth of all-nighters, surviving off of nothing but a dozen cases of energy drinks and delivered fast-food.

God that week had been truly horrendous for his health, but man was it worth it to celebrate the release of a game he had been waiting for for so long.

Pulling his mind out of the well of fond memories, Seth asked Angel to show him the blessed number. A few moments later, the familiar display appeared before his eyes, etherael letters floating in the air and detailing his existence in an easily understood format.

Seth's eyes quickly darted through the stats, ignoring everything but the most important stat.

[Spiritual Score: 2000]

His eye's sparkled with delight at the number. He had thought that it would be the case, with how much his soul was absolutely brimming with power, but seeing it displayed before him in the most absolutely certain terms cemented it in his mind.

When he received his ability, he had thought that these threads were absolutely useless. But who would have thought that they would give him access to a most wonderful cheat, bestowing him with a ravenous hunger for souls and the perfect tools to harvest them.

He really had to thank the Cat-Sìth if he ever encountered it again. It had shown him the true path to power. Shameless Gluttony.

Whilst he was still revelling in his giddiness of reaching that blessed number and fully empowering his shattered soul, Angel blessed him with even more good news.

[Determining evolutionary path... Complete.

Calculating required catalytic components for continued evolution based on planetary availability... ... ... Complete.]

[Would you like to see the conditions for your continued evolution?]

He wanted to jump for joy, but he contained himself. Not just because that would simply be embarassing to do, but because as far as the others were aware he had no reason to be so jovial.

Hiding his ability to devour souls was unfortunately part of his disguise as the weak squire that thrived by clinging to the legs of others more powerful than himself. Perhaps if he were under the guise of the Lord he could discuss it with them, but as Seth he had to keep it hush for the time being.

Although... he had considered why he was hiding his true identity from this team. Two of it's members, Astra and Cynthia, already knew the truth of his identity, even if they had discovered it in different ways and didn't know that the other knew. But the rest were being intentionally kept in the dark.

He had started it as a method of self defence, first hiding behind Coal and then hiding behind Corvus. He knew the main weakness of his type of ability, the summoner/necromancer type.

Anyone who had played any kind of game knew it. If he had the ability to control other things like puppets, then the best strategy was to just gun it directly for him and ignore the mindless minions. Or better yet, assassinate him and not even bother with having to face the army he had at his control.

So assuming a secret identity was simple protection. No one would bother assassinating the meagre servant, no one would think twice about the squire at the side of the battle whilst the imposing Lord of Death was looming above them with his army.

But... did that mean he didn't trust these people with his life? They trusted theirs with him and with each other. So shouldn't he extend the same courtesy. At this point, was keeping his identity hidden from them anything more than simple paranoia?

Perhaps, but unpacking that dilemma would have to wait for the current moment. For now, it was time to see what he needed to evolve and become even more powerful. He was already dreaming of what new powers he would get.

Although... there was an important question he had to ask before he saw these conditions.

'Will these change if I max out my bio score too? Or would viewing them stop me from doing that?'

[No. Catalytic conditions are determined based on an analysis on your genes and the direction they seem to be altering due to the mutagen. Viewing them does not mean you are unable to change your scores, nor would they change as you progress.

These catalysts are determined for your progress to the Celestial realm.]

'Celestial realm huh? So that's what the next stage is called... Definitely more grandiose than transcendent. Alright Angel, show me what I need to do to become a Celestial. Hopefully it won't be too hard...'

However as soon as those words entered his mind, Seth was already regretting it. A regret that burrowed itself deep into his soul and latched onto it so tight it would probably be years before it would ever let go.

The display appeared before him and as Seth slowly read down the lines, his expression twisted. First into horror, then into dread and finally resulting in nothing but a pit of depression and despair.

[Evolution Catalyst Requirements:-

- Lightning in a Bottle

- Untainted Tear

- Fruit from the Heavenly Tree

- Heart of a Dragon

- Soul of a God]

'Wha-What.... What the hell is this?!'