Everything in the world has a price.
Kinich had always firmly believed there was no such thing as a free lunch.
Even if it was the Pyro Archon bestowing a Vision upon him, he still believed there was a great price hidden within it.
"Protect Natlan... until the end of my life."
"Deal."
Kinich took the Vision, and immediately felt a warm current surge into his body.
He spread his hand open, and green flames instantly appeared in his palm.
Holy crap.
Exotic Fire?
After seeing that Kinich's flames were actually green, Rios's first thought was of the divorce flow novel he had read before transmigrating.
Come to think of it, the protagonist of that novel was also male, and his weapon was a greatsword to boot.
"Pyro Archon, is there anything I need to do now?" After sensing the changes in his body, Kinich extinguished the green flames and turned his gaze back to Rios.
"Yo yo yo, just one Vision and you've been bought off; you're already eager to pledge loyalty to your new master?"
"Ow ow ow, so hot hot hot... Kinich, you're actually using the flames you just learned to burn me!"
Ajaw had just mocked Kinich a couple of times when the latter ignited its tail with green flames, causing it to yelp in pain.
Only after Ajaw was in so much pain that it didn't dare make another sound did the conversation between Rios and Kinich continue.
"You can go join Mavuika in battling the Abyss."
After the Pilgrimage of the Returning Flame's Holy Night was suspended, the Night Warden Wars had followed suit.
However, Abyss monsters would occasionally still enter Natlan through cracks in the world, and people were still needed to fight them.
Thus, during this period, Rios had been sending Mavuika to battle the Abyss monsters.
Even though the current Mavuika was merely an ordinary Vision holder, the Abyss monsters' strength was also much weaker than before.
"...Battling Abyss monsters?" Kinich pondered for a moment before asking, "In the current situation, can the Ode of Resurrection still take effect?"
"Of course." Rios said, "You and Mavuika are both inheritors of ancient names; as long as you defeat the Abyss and at least one of you returns, the Ode of Resurrection can be used to revive the deceased."
"Just two people fighting the Abyss monsters?"
"That's really great!"
"Kinich might die in one hit."
"Ah, ow ow ow, stop burning, stop burning; I won't say anything."
Seeing Kinich in danger, Ajaw instinctively spewed a few toxic lines, only to get its tail burned by Kinich again.
"You two don't actually need to worry too much." Rios said, "I'll transfer a portion of my power to you."
"At that time, though you'll be using Visions, your power will far exceed that of other humans."
"When I assigned Mavuika to battle the Abyss monsters, I divided a portion of my power to her."
Rios said.
"The Pyro Archon's power can be used in this way?"
Kinich felt it somewhat strange.
If gods could divide out their power, then why hadn't past Pyro Archons done so?
Seeing Kinich's puzzlement, Rios smiled and said: "This is a little technique I developed myself; no need to feel surprised."
He had seen this function in the system mall earlier and bought it because it seemed useful.
In the future, he would divide even more power to the Natlan people to combat the inevitable tide of Abyss monsters.
Kinich nodded slightly; he had already grown accustomed to Rios being able to accomplish things that past Pyro Archons could not.
"Pyro Archon, I have one last question."
"After dividing these powers to us, will it affect your own strength?"
Kinich was quite concerned about Rios's situation.
If enhancing their strength came at the cost of weakening the Pyro Archon, that would be losing the greater for the sake of the lesser.
"There will be a slight impact."
"But it's worth it."
After Rios divided out his power, it could still recover, though the speed would be a bit slower.
"I understand."
After learning Mavuika's location, Kinich prepared to meet with this fellow tribeswoman and discuss joint operations.
But before leaving the announcer's booth, Kinich turned back and said: "Pyro Archon, Mualani really wants to see you."
"I know." Rios said, "But I'm very busy right now."
Kinich lingered in place for a moment, seeing the Pyro Archon's attitude was firm, so he had no choice but to turn around and push open the door of the announcer's booth.
It just so happened that at this time, a new girl was preparing to enter.
Kinich recognized this girl.
Chuychu, Chasca's younger sister, Natlan's renowned physician.
"What is she here for?"
Kinich wondered in his heart, but soon thought of the answer.
He had been called to the announcer's booth to receive a Vision.
Then Chuychu coming to the announcer's booth was most likely also to receive a Vision.
Not long after Kinich exited the announcer's booth, two girls crowded in front of him.
"What did that guy Rios want with you?" Mualani asked with great concern.
She had been chatting nicely with Kinich and Chuychu when Kinich was suddenly called away.
It made her think that Kinich was in trouble with Rios.
"The Pyro Archon gave me a Vision." Kinich took out the imitation Vision, and under the sunlight, it reflected a red gleam.
"A Vision?!"
Seeing the item Kinich pulled out, Mualani and Chuychu widened their eyes in surprise.
"How could Rios give you a Vision?"
"Even as the Pyro Archon, he can't designate who gets a Vision."
If the Pyro Archon could really decide who receives a Vision, then Natlan would have been full of Vision holders long ago.
But in reality, even the Pyro Archon himself couldn't decide who could obtain a Pyro Vision.
"This Vision was created by the Pyro Archon imitating the structure of the Gnosis, Visions, and Delusions; it's not a true Vision, but it can wield elemental power just like a real one."
To add more persuasiveness, Kinich reignited the green flames in his palm.
"Mualani, the Pyro Archon's recent behavior has indeed been a bit unusual, but he is truly protecting Natlan in his own way."
"I think you can rest assured now."
Kinich comforted her.
"That guy Rios actually even made Visions..."
Even the seemingly silly Mualani knew just how significant mass-producing Visions was.
This could help the Natlan people rapidly increase their combat strength; in the future, when facing Abyss monsters, their chances of victory would greatly increase, and casualties would be much fewer.
Just as Kinich said, although Rios had been a bit unusual lately, he was indeed doing good things for Natlan.
If she disturbed him now, it might even affect his work efficiency.
"Forget it, no more thinking about it."
Mualani gave up on pondering, and her face regained its smile: "I've been delayed at the stadium for so long; it's been ages since I soaked in the hot springs."
"I bet Rios is also eager to return to the People of the Springs for a hot spring soak."
"Once he comes back, watch how I teach him a lesson!"
Seeing Mualani had regained her vitality, Kinich and Chuychu also felt relieved.
Their concern for Rios could be put on hold for now.
And on the other side.
Announcer's Booth.
[New Four-Star Chuychu Born]
[Confirm Chuychu Joins Gacha Pool]
[Please Begin Designing Character]