SEC Chapter 326 Reshaping the Entry Upgrade: Its Fatal Flaw.
Chapter 326 Reshaping the Entry Upgrade: Its Fatal Flaw.
Soon, Lin Yeming completed his physical examination and slowly walked back to the rest room that TPC had prepared for him, where he settled down to rest for the time being.
In fact, given his amazing recovery ability, this kind of overexertion was nothing; he could recover quickly with a little rest.
However, Yumi Kenmura was adamant that he must follow the proper procedures for rest and recuperation.
Lin Yeming shook his head slightly, a helpless bitter smile flashing across his lips, but in the end he did as he was told.
In the quiet lounge, the light was soft and even. He sat down on the soft chair against the wall, reached out and printed out the intelligence files, then carefully reviewed them again. The paper rustled softly as his gaze was calm and focused, scanning the text line by line.
"Emperor Natan... has once again lowered the average among emperors."
The thought involuntarily surfaced in his mind, and his brows furrowed slightly. It was like mentioning the Xuantong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, which inexplicably made him feel unlucky and disgusted.
After a brief moment of distraction, he turned his gaze slightly, and a system interface that only he could see appeared before his eyes.
[Ding! Your mission: Friend or Foe? Completed.]
Your proficiency with the term "The Brilliance of Humanity" has increased.
Your proficiency with the term "remodeling" has improved.
Your entry "Remodeling" has been upgraded from Grade C to Grade B. Please check the upgraded entry's abilities yourself.
You can now choose to upgrade using random terms.
【Should we use it immediately?】
Lin Yeming did not make a choice immediately.
He lowered his eyelashes, remained silent for a moment, then, with a thought, gently closed the system interface and refocused his attention on the information provided by Karen.
The intelligence was divided into two parts: one concerning the movements of the so-called "Cosmic Emperor," and the other recording the whereabouts of a group of aliens who had smuggled themselves to Earth. These aliens seemed to have been secretly gathering intelligence on the GUTS team, and much of the data from Karen's numerous simulation tests was obtained from their activities.
According to monitoring data, two extraterrestrials have arrived on Earth so far. They are collectively referred to as the "Manonians." Their interactions confirm that they originate from the distant Rescuet Nebula. Their home planet is suffering from severe desertification and environmental degradation, prompting them to send an advance team to Earth to find a possible place to migrate. As for how the Manonians obtained Earth's coordinates, Karen's analysis suggests they likely obtained the information through some kind of cosmic intelligence network—meaning that in other star systems, a complete system for maintaining cosmic order and information flow may already exist.
Lin Yeming knew something about the Manonians. These two individuals weren't particularly outstanding individually; while slightly stronger than Emperor Natan, their strength was limited. The real problem was that they were merely advance party members. If they were allowed to leave, Earth's intelligence could be continuously gathered; if they were dealt with here, it might attract follow-up forces, or even trigger an interstellar conflict. Of course, there was another possibility: once the Manonians discovered that Earth was not an easy opponent, they might shift their focus to other planets.
Therefore, if we are to take action against the Manonians, the most crucial thing is not to eliminate or expel them, but to find out exactly what kind of detection methods they have left on Earth.
Thinking of this, Lin Yeming's gaze gradually sharpened. He gently placed the intelligence in his hand back on the coffee table, raised his eyes, and looked as if he were looking through a wall at a certain place in the distance.
He already had a direction in mind, and every step from now on needed to be taken with extreme caution.
As for the later cosmic emperor, there is still time to deal with him; perhaps Hilbargon can ask his sister to help him go to the moon to take a look.
Look, what's the deal with this so-called emperor of the universe?
Lin Yeming's fingertips gently rubbed the edge of the intelligence report, making a soft rustling sound.
He closed his eyes, briefly adjusted his breathing, allowing the inexhaustible power within his body to circulate once, and the fatigue receded like a tide.
This breathing method, which I figured out on my own, is indeed incredibly useful.
After finishing his tasks, Lin Yeming turned his attention to the keywords.
The proficiency of the "Humanity's Brilliance" and "Reshaping" entries has increased, but the level of the "Humanity's Brilliance" entry is too high and cannot be broken through for the time being.
Fortunately, the entry for "Reshaping" has been upgraded—he hasn't personally witnessed the ability of a B-level Reshaping.
He clearly remembers that the C-level reshaping was about releasing life energy to awaken the target, allowing them to regain their former strength while retaining their original mindset.
This was the case with Ida Iryu before, and it was also the case with Kallen later. However, under the combined effect of the brilliance of humanity, the reshaping produced a certain transcendence. Kallen was not only awakened, but even gained the ability to transform, and her physical attributes remained at their peak.
Remodeling (Level B): Releases life energy to awaken the target, granting them their previous power and allowing them to retain their original mindset, thus restoring their potential.
The B-level effect indeed brought about a qualitative leap.
It not only strengthens the basic recovery and awakening mechanisms, but also adds the dimension of "repair potential".
Lin Yeming's gaze remained fixed on the words "restoring its potential" for a long time.
Repair potential, what does that mean?
He recalled certain fringe theories he had previously pored over in the Victory Team's database. Whether biological or mechanical, after damage, decline, or prolonged wear and tear, in addition to the loss of superficial functions, there is often a lowering of some kind of "internal ceiling." That is, even if the exterior is restored to its original state, it is difficult to reach the previously insurmountable limit.
"Repair potential," however, sounds like it's referring to that kind of unseen depletion.
It not only fixes the current situation, but also "the upper limit of possibilities".
Potential may not be a fixed stock, but a dynamic, sometimes even dormant, "possible state." It may dissipate in severe injury, rust with time, and be forgotten in repeated failures. What B-level reshaping touches may be precisely this "growth potential" hidden deep within the foundation of existence.
But what followed was a chilling feeling.
Does restoring potential also mean confronting the bottlenecks that the object being restored could not overcome in the past, or even the root causes that led to its downfall?
If a person is held back by a mental block, should restoring their potential involve untying that block, or awakening the darkness within it?
Even worse, if it is applied to non-living entities.
A machine, a building, and a piece of incomplete data.
How will their "potential" be defined? Will it be restoring factory performance, or will it give rise to an almost awakening evolution that transcends design?
Lin Yeming took a deep breath, his eyes reflecting the faint blue light of the system interface.
Behind the concise description of the entry lies a deep and turbulent unknown sea.
Potential is no longer just "untapped capabilities," but has become a dangerous and highly dynamic concept.
It is about restoration, and also about awakening; about rebirth, and also about repeating the same mistakes.
Although everything was going well, he soon discovered the fatal flaw in this entry.
Just as Lin Yeming was pondering the vast possibilities of this B-level term, an extremely subtle sense of depletion, like an undercurrent beneath the ice, quietly crept into his consciousness. This feeling was completely different from the depletion of physical strength or energy; it was more like a dilution of his "sense of existence," a slight wavering of his self-definition.
His eyes suddenly narrowed, and he quickly focused his mind into his body, carefully sensing the surroundings.
Sure enough, the problem lay in the newly upgraded "Reshaping" entry. Releasing life energy to awaken and repair the target would naturally consume his life energy, but given his recovery speed, this would be negligible. However, the newly added "Repair its potential" option consumes not only life energy, but also something more fundamental and harder to replenish.
That seems to be related to his own "origin" or "existential potential".
Each time a B-level reshaping is initiated, while repairing the target's potential, it irreversibly and minutely "wears away" a portion of the caster's own potential's "potential ceiling." This wear is extremely subtle, almost imperceptible after only one or two uses, but it truly exists and gradually accumulates with each use. It's like using the most precise carving knife to quietly scrape invisible fragments from the "future" of a beautiful piece of jade.
This isn't a trap deliberately set by the system; it's more like an "equivalent exchange" at the level of universal laws. Touching the realm of "potential," which involves fundamental possibilities, inevitably comes at a price. The system simply faithfully presents the capabilities, and the user must bear the cost.
“So that’s how it is… Restoring someone else’s potential comes at the cost of mortgaging a portion of one’s own future possibilities?” Lin Yeming murmured, his voice exceptionally clear in the quiet lounge. There was no panic in his eyes, only a deep understanding. “Indeed, there is no power without a price, especially one that touches the very core.”
This flaw means that B-level character remodeling cannot be used frequently as a regular method. It will become a trump card that needs to be used with extreme caution, reserved for the most critical characters or occasions.
Of course, the reason Lin Yeming was so optimistic about this ability to reshape was because, in terms of development, he might have the ability to create Ultraman in the future.
This is also one of the shortcomings that can be seen in the current redesign.
It's even more terrifying than the defect that shortens one's lifespan.
Lin Yeming temporarily suppressed his thoughts about the cost of the entry.
He realized that relying solely on himself and a few "non-human" allies might not be the optimal solution when facing an alien advance team that might involve interstellar civilizations and complex technologies.
TPC, an organization that brings together the highest level of technology and elites in human history, has conventional power and information networks that can play an irreplaceable role in certain aspects.
He picked up the communicator in the lounge, connected to the Victory Team's command room, and subconsciously called out Nori's name.
"Ye Rui team member, this is Lin Yeming."
"Ye Ming? Are you alright?" a concerned voice rang out.
"I'm fine. Lucia, is it your shift today?"
Hearing Lucia's slightly anxious voice through the communicator, Lin Yeming unconsciously smiled, a smile he himself didn't realize carried a hint of warmth from being cared for. He had been immersed in complex thoughts about the system and intelligence, and this familiar voice was like a ray of sunshine piercing through the somewhat heavy atmosphere.
“I’m fine, Lucia. Are you on duty today?” he replied cheerfully.
“Yes, it’s my turn to assist the captain in monitoring satellite signals and abnormal data today.” Lucia’s voice had calmed down a bit, but concern was still evident. “Dr. Yumi sternly notified the command center that you’ve overexerted yourself and need to rest. Are you… really alright? I feel your aura seems a little lower than usual.” As someone who had gone through life and death with Lin Yeming and had been “awakened” and given new life by him in a special way, Lucia possessed an extraordinary intuition about Lin Yeming’s condition. This intuition stemmed not only from her race’s innate ability to perceive life energy but also from an indescribable, deeper bond.
Lin Yeming felt a warmth in his heart, and his tone softened: "I'm just a little tired, I'll be fine after a short rest. You know my recovery ability." He paused, then steered the conversation towards the main topic, "However, there is indeed something we need the GUTS team's assistance in investigating. Regarding the unusual signals near the Kurajima mining area..."
He briefly explained the situation to Lucia, omitting specific information about the Manonians, only emphasizing the danger and stealth of the abnormal signal, and his arrangement that Daigo and Rena should go and conduct a preliminary investigation, while he would provide covert support.
Lucia listened attentively and quickly jotted down the information. "Understood. I'll inform Team Leader Nori and the Captain immediately. Team Leader Daigo and Team Leader Rena have just returned to base and can depart immediately." She responded businesslike, but soon lowered her voice, carrying an undeniable insistence, "However, Yoru, you must promise me you won't push yourself. If you sense anything amiss, retreat immediately, or... call us. You're not alone in facing this."
She spoke her last sentence with exceptional clarity and seriousness.
Lin Yeming was slightly taken aback, then a warm feeling spread through his heart. He understood what Lucia meant. The man who once wandered the margins alone, accustomed to bearing everything by himself, now truly had companions he could rely on. "I know," he replied solemnly. "Don't worry, I'll be careful. You all stay vigilant at the base, and contact us immediately if you discover anything unusual."
"Okay." Lucia responded, seemingly wanting to say something more, but then she heard Nori's voice asking over the communication channel, so she quickly said, "Then... you should rest well first, even if it's just for a while. I'll contact you again after I've finished handling the scheduling here."
"it is good."
The communication ended, and the lounge returned to silence, though a lingering warmth seemed to remain in the air. Lin Yeming put down the communicator, walked to the window, and gazed at the orderly scene of the base outside. Lucia's concern acted like a small ballast, calming his rapidly racing thoughts and making him more clearly aware that he bore not only the responsibility of confronting unknown threats, but also the trust and concern of those around him.
He closed his eyes again and circulated his breathing more deeply for several cycles, completely dispelling the last trace of fatigue and bringing his energy and spirit to their best state.