Endless Horde: Through the Eyes of a Godking-Chapter 829: A Brief Respite

Chapter 829: A Brief Respite
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"Yeah, they’re totally not on the same level as us anymore. That much is clear," Gibson muttered just loud enough for Urek and Berk to hear.
The two remained silent, but their faces reflected their agreement to his words.
Indeed, Nick and Pat aren’t at the same level anymore. Whether they meant it or not, they exude a faint pressure as they approach, both figuratively and literally.
On the outside, nothing has changed. They still looked the same as they did all those years ago. Only, they look more stressed and exhausted. But in terms of sheer presence? Yeah, there had been an explosive change that cannot be ignored.
If they hadn’t known these two personally and they weren’t in the Human Council HQ, they would’ve thought that they were facing the Bug Empress in disguise.
"Urgh!!!" Patricia groaned. Her face crumpled as she plopped down in the chair next to them.
Her head let out a loud thump as she knocked her forehead on the table. Her long hair cascading down next to her. She looked so dispirited and miserable for some reason, completely in contrast to the solemn appearance and presence she exuded just now.
Nicholas didn’t exaggerate like her, but it’s clear that he too was exhausted. His eyes were bloodshot, and his hair was messy. It also looked like he hadn’t changed clothes or taken a bath for so long.
People of his strength level won’t suffer from body odor anymore; their bodies have been purified beyond that. They won’t smell bad even after they die.
Nicholas doesn’t smell bad, but he looks like he does. He didn’t look like a beggar just yet, but he sure was edging there.
"Gee. And here I thought I was the most stressed." Gibson chuckled after seeing their state; he picked up his cup of tea and took a slow sip.
"You two could use a vacation," Berk suggested while slowly patting one of his pets. A tiny and furry creature that’s slumbering peacefully on his lap.
"Seriously," Urek quipped, "I legit couldn’t remember the last time I saw the both of you looking this miserable."
"I’d love that too, but we can’t." Nicholas shook his head. "We can’t stop now because who knows when we’d get another chance."
"He’s right," Patricia muttered, still face down on the table. "We’re on a hot streak right now. We can’t afford to miss this chance because there might not be a next time. Origin Laws are too elusive."
Neither of them imagined just how difficult this would be. Even with the path ahead of them cleared and visible, walking on it was far from simple.
The good news is that they’re halfway through their progress. Nicholas has comprehended 31 out of 60 minimum law essences needed to possibly gain the recognition of the Origin Laws of Destruction. The same goes for Patricia with her Soul Laws.
Of course, it’s not all bad. The good thing is that, with each law essence they comprehend, they get stronger.
What Gibson, Berk, and Urek thought was, indeed, true. Nicholas and Patricia were no longer on the same level as they were.
Nick and Pat know that too. They still remember how they felt upon comprehending their 2nd law essence. At base, it truly doesn’t differ from the concept they already knew, but the application is what made them different.
The more law essence they comprehended, the wider and more complex their arsenal became.
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that either Nick or Pat could solo the Bug Empress now, and they’d probably force her to flee.
Comprehending law essences allowed them to understand why the Bug Empress was able to fight all five of them alone. They now know that she had most likely comprehended law essences too; that’s why she’s stronger than them even though, technically, they’re on the same level in terms of the life evolution realm.
But now, her domination was no longer a mystery to them. They have an answer for it. The Bug Empress will never scare them again, even if she vomits out more and more of her bugs.
Of course, they’re not going to go straight at her for revenge. As tempting as that idea was, it’s stupid.
They have priorities, and for both Nick and Pat, theirs is to gain the recognition of Origin Laws and make that final step to become a Primal Origin Lifeform.
"While we still have time, let us tell you how to gain the recognition of Origin Laws..." Nicholas started and began explaining the way to them.
Gibson, Berk, and Urek obviously listened very closely and attentively. Although they have failed in their own breakthroughs, it doesn’t mean that they’ve given up just yet. They will try again, but not so soon.
Nick also knows this, so he decides to tell them this ahead of time. It’d be better that way anyway. Pat also chimed in at intervals to clarify, just in case the three didn’t properly understand what Nick was saying to them.
"...for rarer and more elusive concept laws, the minimum law essences needed was 60. Again, that’s the minimum. It won’t be lower than that, but it could be more."
"Only after comprehending all the necessary law essences would it be possible to fuse them together to make a whole."
"That part in itself is also a challenge," Patricia chimed in.
"Indeed," Nick sighed. "It can go wrong, and it might...no, it will, hurt if it goes wrong. Fusing the law essences together requires care, attentiveness, and luck, too."
"It shouldn’t be so bad that it kills you, though. But it will most definitely hurt if you fail. And that’s going to be a long process of trial and error," Patricia added. "Quite possibly a painful and disheartening one, too."
"But the success is very worth it," Nicholas declared. "Once we figure out the proper order of fusion, the recognition of Origin Laws will follow. That in itself was worth it."
"And maybe, after that, we can finally say that we’re ready to become Primal Origin Lifeforms," he concluded.
Gibson, Berk, and Urek were silent upon hearing this.
They didn’t expect that it’d be this complicated. How could they possibly know that the Heavenly Laws they’re so proud of turned out to be just that? A mere fragment of a whole?
It’s not even that huge. It’s just literally a fragment. One out of the many that need to fuse into a single whole.
This made them understand the disparity and just how far they were, in reality, from the mythical final realm of life evolution. As it turns out, they weren’t close at all.
Such is the pain of having no guidance. They’ve long surpassed their predecessors, so nobody was there to illuminate the path. It was up to them to figure out the way forward at this point, and it has caused them more pain than gain.
But thanks to Nick and Pat, who had been blessed by luck and the spark, they now know the way forward.
As much as they felt a bit overwhelmed by the disparity, it also brought them clarity. At least, they now know what they’re dealing with.
"How far have the both of you come, though?" Urek asked.
"Halfway to the minimum for me," Nick replied, "31 law essences, and it’ll only get harder from here."
"Same," Patricia groaned, still face down on the table.
"I see. No wonder you two can’t afford to stop." Gibson sighed, feeling a bit of pity for the both of them.
"It’s understandable, though. If I were in your shoes, I’d do the same," Urek replied.
"But you guys sure do look miserable." Berk pointed.
"Thanks, Berk. Love hearing that from you." Nick rolled his eyes.
Pat just groaned painfully again.
"Sorry, just pointing out the obvious." Berk chuckled. "I’d tell you to rest for a while, but it’s clear that you won’t because you can’t."
"Keep laughing now. I’d laugh at you too once it’s your turn." Patricia almost swore.
"Never mind that. How’s everything lately, by the way? Hope we didn’t miss anything huge," Nick asked.
"No, you didn’t." Urel shook his head, and so did Berk. "It’s business as usual for everybody. Things are slowly heading in the direction we’ve planned."
"We’re still on a peaceful development, for now," Berk added.
"The Space Marines are doing way better now," Gibson added, "All thanks to me, of course. We’ve already fooled the Bug Empress. Though..."
"Hmm?"
"No, nothing to worry about. It’s just her firstborn arriving to the frontlines recently."
Pat shifted her head and peeked at Gibson before asking, "Is he going to be a problem?"
"Nope," Gibson confidently replied. "If the railguns I installed in the past could scare the Bug Empress away, they could kill him. So, no. He’s not a problem."
"At most, he’d be irritating. He might force some of the real Space Marines out, but that’s it. If that thing is as intelligent as the rumors were, he wouldn’t dare push too much. If he does, I don’t mind teaching him a lesson in his mother’s stead."
Gibson wore a cold sneer as he said this. Clearly, he did not take this so-called Bug Prince of War seriously.