'How embarrassing…'

Ater's thoughts were a sharp contrast from his outward appearance. His majestic, but utterly devious appearance betrayed the lines of reasoning that flowed in his mind.

'To think I actually lost to this child. Whether or not it was my vestige or not, it makes no difference.' The mere fact that he couldn't resort to any other option but his hidden Primeval Skill was beyond shameful on his part.

'When did I become so incompetent?' Now that he was back to his senses, he could see a few ways that he could have exploited the situation and won without going as far as using [Alter]. He understood that his vestige only had a portion of his memories, but he still expected some measure of proficiency.

'In any case, I can't really dwell on all of that now.' He sighed internally, his gaze resting on the trembling body of the Fairy he stepped on.

Fae was so confused, so lost. She definitely didn't understand what was happening, or why.

It was a tragedy that Ater nearly chuckled at.

'Her current Status Window is…'

[STATUS WINDOW]

- Name: Fae

- Race: Fairy (Royal)

- Class: War Harbinger (S-Tier)

- Level: 500 (99.99% EXP)

- Life Force: +++ (230,000/500,000)

- Mana Level: 79,000/500,000 [50,000]

- Combat Ability: 500,000 [50,000]

- Stat Points: 0

- Skills (Exclusive): [Art Of War]. [Fairy Land]. [FairyTale]

- Skills (Non-Exclusive): [Breaking Point]. [Royal Authority]

- Alignment: Chaotic Good

[Additional Information]

The most powerful Fairy in the Fairy Kingdom, and the masterpiece of the Fairy King. She excels in battle and shines the best during war.

Do not make her an enemy.

[End Of Information]

'... As expected.' He smiled subtly.

Her last Skill, [Breaking Point], was a Buff ability that elevated her Stats to the five hundred thousands. She couldn't maintain it forever, but even if it was only temporary… that power made her nearly invincible.

'Even Rey would have some trouble dealing with her.' Ater added in his thoughts. 'I understand where her confidence comes from.'

She wasn't even wrong about the situation.

Normally, there would be no dispute regarding the victor of their match. She far outclassed him in nearly every facet, and most of his Skills were not going to be of any good when it came to fighting her.

'I suppose that's why my vestige gave up so quickly, especially when he realized the conditions were perfect for my re-awakening.' Glancing at his surroundings, he nodded slowly and clicked his tongue.

'This space is separate from the main world of H'Trae, which means I could use [Alter] without any repercussions.'

If he had used the Skill outside of FairyLand, it was certain that the System would instantly pick it up and report the discrepancy to the higher-ups. Once that happened, it was all over.

'Worst case scenario, I would have to destroy this world and escape to another reality. Ahh… but even then, I wouldn't be guaranteed that they won't follow me.' He sighed slowly. 'So far, I haven't been caught. I've never been caught. But… they're gaining on me.'

He couldn't keep doing this forever, which was why he was so determined to get things right this time. The fight with Fae nearly jeopardized that, but he managed to handle the situation right before it devolved even further.

'It's all thanks to [Alter]...'

His Primeval Skill [Alter] had the power to change the properties of anything that he chose as the target. From mundane things, such as the weight, height, materials, and structure… to more compress things like its components and mass.

He had used [Alter] to completely disarm the bolt of energy that Fae threw at him, just as he used it to inflict damage on her with that punch of his.

However, more than all of that… he could use this Skill on himself.

'... I was able to increase my Stats.'

[STATUS WINDOW] - Name: Ater (LQ#i&3r)

- Race: Bakeneko (Unknown)

- Class: Absolute Summon (S-Tier)

- Level: 101 (09.12% EXP) - Life Force: 700,000 [insert]

- Mana Level: 900,000 [insert]

- Combat Ability: 600,000 [insert]

- Stat Points: Nil

- Skills (Exclusive): [Primeval Collection]. [Shapeshift]

- Skills (Non-Exclusive): [Dark Magic]. [Magic Supremacy]. [Possession]. [Compulsion]. [Illusion]. [Undead Summon] [A$!!?¥\>.€£\K].

- Alignment: Chaotic Evil

[Additional Information]

Nil.

[End Of Information]

At its core, [Alter] was a Skill that could change any objective property about an object by simply interfering with its Status Window.

'All things under the System have Status Windows… some available for appraisal, and some restricted.' By changing the details in their Status Information, Ater could completely change anything he wanted.

He could make his target weaker… and he could make himself stronger.

'It's a convenient Skill.' Despite thinking this, he couldn't help but sigh. 'Though, it's unfortunate that I can't use this within H'Trae.'

Altering the Status Information of anything would be a direct infringement on the System, and since Ater did not have the registered authority to use [Alter], his actions would be instantly flagged.

'That means I'll get caught… or ejected in the worst case scenario.'

If that happened, then all of his planning thus far would go to waste. It was a very frustrating thing, having power that couldn't be used, but Ater already understood the situation and had adjusted his plans so there would be no problems.

'As such, my [Primeval Collection] is not needed.'

"W-what… what do you want?" His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Fae, whose whole body was as large as an entire Nation at this point.

Despite that, she still shook in the presence of someone whose size was less than an ant when compared to her.

"I believe I already made myself clear." He responded, stomping on her head as soon as the last word left his lips.

This caused a surge of pain to spread throughout her entire body. She was forced to scream, and then fall silent as Ater kept a cold gaze on her.

"I'm the one who asks the questions here."

Fae nodded instantly, causing the steady platform that Ater stood on to wobble and wobble. It annoyed him to no end, so with the snap of his fingers, the Fairy—whose size far exceeded his—suddenly shrank to the size of a normal human.

"W-what just—!" Her eyes widened in shock as she found everything around her magnify, losing all the power and command she once possessed.

"Now this is much better." As Ater said this, his heel was still planted on her face. He looked down on her with a smile, slowly removing his foot from the side of her face where a footprint stain remained.

"Stand." He commanded.

She obeyed him, slowly rising to her feet and flapping her wings so she remained afloat. The two of them were now in a misty, blank world due to Fae's absence of control over the FairyLand that they were in. Without her presence as the colorful lands that granted the world color, only bright smoke and dust were in sight for miles.

"With the pleasantries out of the way, let's get down to business." Ater rubbed his hands together and neared the Fairy before him.

She timidly watched, not daring to make a move for fear of what would happen.

"You'll tell me all you know about Rey Skylar, and afterwards… take me to your king."

*