As expected — it required Corruption Divine Power. Hel had already suspected something like this.
Desire energy was, after all, a fusion of soul and lust. The trait [Desire Extraction α], which could generate desire energy without consuming the soul, was clearly aligned with the Corruption God System. Meanwhile, [Desire Extraction γ], which didn't produce energy but instead conditioned the target's soul, was aligned with the Death God System. As for [Desire Extraction β], the most brutal of the three, it likely required both Death and Corruption energies.
Now, the only question was — should she really use the only divine-level trait she possessed to synthesize a new one...especially when it didn't seem all that useful to her personally?
"Desire Extraction, huh? Even a demi-god–level version of α wouldn't help me much. I already have more desire energy stored in the City of Biotech than I can ever use. Do I really need another extractor?"
Still, despite her muttering, Hel's hands betrayed her thoughts — she reached out and opened her trait storage interface. With a flick of her wrist, she dragged out [Corruption Erosion].
[One unit of Corruption Divine Power has been infused. Current progress: 1/1][Synthesizing trait…]
Instantly, a brilliance far more dazzling than any synthesis before burst from the panel — a radiant, rainbow-like light flooding the room. It lasted only a few moments before fading, leaving behind a tricolor-bordered trait floating before her eyes.
[Desire Extraction α (Tricolor)] Effect: Induces the target into a state of Desire Corruption, duration dependent on target's power. While in this state, the target continuously generates Desire Energy; the quantity and quality scale with target's strength and condition. Effective even against divine entities. Can also refine and store Desire Energy, producing higher-grade variants.
Hel stared at the description. Even though she'd already anticipated something of this sort, disappointment still showed in her eyes.
The quality had indeed improved — but the function remained nearly identical: extracting desire energy. For her, right now, it had limited practical value.
"If only this could be equipped on living beings instead of items… it would be a perfect control-type trait. But alas, it's restricted to equipment."
She sighed and was about to close the panel — when something caught her eye.
Wait.
Didn't it mention refining Desire Energy?
That sparked a thought. Maybe… she could use it to refine the enormous reservoir of raw Desire Energy stored beneath the City of Biotech — and save Niv a great deal of work.
With that in mind, Hel projected her consciousness through Morrigan, the body she'd left stationed in the city, and moved to the entrance of the underground storage basin.
What greeted her eyes was a vast expanse of crimson.
The entire pool was made of semi-transparent Desire Crystals, filled to the brim with glowing, red liquid —the condensed Desire Energy accumulated over 120,000 years.
Hel took a soft breath of the sweet, metallic air. Even though she was currently inhabiting an undead vessel, she still felt heat rising within her.
"This is… insane. Just the ambient Desire Energy in the air is affecting me. If I fell into that pool, I'd be done for."
The Desire Energy here was far purer than even the ones stored in the brain vats at the Data Center — a hundred times more concentrated.
"It's practically a hyper-potent aphrodisiac… I could probably make a fortune selling this stuff."
Then she shook her head sharply.
Ridiculous.
Selling Desire Energy as an aphrodisiac was like selling gold as gravel.
"Maybe I should study how to weaponize Desire Energy instead. The goblins use it for power and heating — I could make weapons out of it."
Resolved, she released her mental energy, spreading it across the entire storage basin until it was fully enveloped. She could now see the basin's sole embedded trait — a simple, basic one.
She didn't plan to remove it; she just wanted to ensure her mental control covered the whole structure before applying her new tricolor trait — otherwise she might lose it. Fortunately, the pool's range was well within her psychic reach.
Satisfied, Hel placed the tricolor [Desire Extraction α] onto it.
Instantly, the blood-red lake began to churn violently. The liquid bubbled like boiling water, and the surface level began to drop.The air grew thicker with Desire Energy — so thick it almost shimmered.
"Not good. The leakage is too dense. I can't stay here."
Hel retreated to the surface immediately.
Just then, Niv's main body approached her.
"Master, most of the equipment has been relocated. Only a few of the large Bio-Editing Units remain. They're fused into the structures — dismantling them will take time."
"Bio-Editing Units? How many exactly?"
"At the Bio-Weapon Research Facility, there are one hundred CB2 models and ten CB3 models. Here in the City of Biotech, there are ten CB3s and two CB4s."
"Take me there."
Hel followed Niv's lead. She knew that the CB3 unit in Laboratory B5 was of legendary gold quality, with golden traits —but she hadn't inspected the others yet.
Now, with the success of the Desire Extraction trait — a thought struck her: If such a trait could affect even massive structures like the storage basin…perhaps she could shrink these enormous Bio-Editing Units.
Using the Mini Mage's perspective, she navigated to the Bio-Weapon Research Facility. There, she first located several CB2 units and harvested their traits.
They were only orange-quality — not exceptional, but plentiful.
"In theory, I could turn a simple coffin into a Bio-Editing Unit…But to be safe, I should start with something similar."
"Master," Niv replied, "you could try a Bio-Recovery Pod. The systems are somewhat alike."
"You've got a point. Let's start with that then. Do we have any on hand?"
"All pods in this city have already been relocated —but I still have a few in my spatial ring."
With that, Niv waved her hand — and a metallic coffin-like pod materialized before them.