Infinity Is My Affinity?!?-Chapter 109: Ummm… Nope

Steam curled lazily off my skin as I stepped out of the tub and pampered my body with a long stretch, feeling it pop in four different places, before pulling out a towel from the inventory as though I’d just finished a spa day in the middle of a dungeon.

All the while, I nodded along to the System’s lecture about Cultivation while drying myself until one particular phrase snagged in my brain.

Evolve... physiologically and psychologically.

"Wait..." I paused running the towel across my chest. "So basically, you’re telling me that Immortal Cultivation will mutate me? Both physiologically and psychologically?"

-Ding!

{Correct. Cultivation is the path of transformation from a mortal to something more. It will change your very being.

Cultivation Techniques are divided into nine Tiers, each containing a technique.

Though the total number of techniques is low, even on high-tier cultivation techniques, they are highly optimized, versatile, and powerful.}

"Example?" I asked, slipping into my tunic while selling the bathtub full of my bathwater back to the System for a grand total of 20 Credits.

-Ding!

{Two examples are as follows...}

-Ding!

{Example 1

Heaven-Devouring Tyrant Scripture (Tier 9)

Description:

A supreme demonic cultivation lineage centered around domination, devouring, and sovereign ascension.

The practitioner evolves into an Apex Devil Tyrant whose body is engineered for relentless warfare and continuous growth through conflict.

Physiological Transformation:

Bone density increases beyond mortal limits. Musculature restructures for explosive force output. Internal organs develop redundant layers. Deep red horns protrude from the skull. Canine teeth elongate... (Expand to read more.)

Psychological Drift:

Aggression amplification. Heightened ambition. Diminished guilt response. Increased tolerance for cruelty. Instinctive prioritization of dominance over cooperation...(Expand to read more.)

Tier Techniques:

Tier 1: Devil Foundation Tempering

Reinforces bones and marrow to withstand extreme mana throughput.

Tier 2: Tyrannical Physique

Explosive strength scaling with emotional intensity.

Tier 3: Devouring Circulation

Absorbs residual mana from defeated enemies.

Tier 4: Ruthless Domain

Suppresses weaker wills within proximity.

Tier 5: Infernal Rebirth

Rapid regenerative bursts fueled by devoured mana or emotional intensity.

Tier 6: Sovereign Suppression

Cripples enemies of lower cultivation through will alone.

Tier 7: World-Eater Core

Converts destruction into permanent cultivation growth.

Tier 8: Tyrant’s Immortal Frame

Negates most physical weaknesses and pain response.

Tier 9: Heaven-Devouring Manifestation

Complete transformation into an Immortal Devil Sovereign. Near-limitless physical endurance and mana conduction capacity.

Price: 823,000,000 Credits

}

-Ding!

{Example 2

Primordial Overlord Ascension Sutra (Tier 9)

Description:

A domineering cultivation lineage focused on absolute authority, battlefield control, and the subjugation of heaven and earth.

The practitioner evolves into a Primordial Overlord whose existence exerts pressure upon reality itself.

Physiological Transformation:

Circulatory pathways expand into high-speed mana channels. An Evolved neural network enhances strategic cognition. Body becomes a stabilized superconductor capable of sustaining multi-layered spellcasting without degradation...(Expand to read more)

Psychological Drift:

Elevated pride. Strategic coldness. Reduced emotional impulsivity. Strong desire for control and order. Intolerance toward disorder and weakness...(Expand to read more)

Tier Techniques:

Tier 1: Sovereign Foundation

Enhances mana efficiency and strength.

Tier 2: Overlord’s Presence

Passive pressure that overwhelms hostile intent.

Tier 3: Overlord’s Domain

Massively increases effective spellcasting territory.

Tier 4: Commanding Pulse

Temporarily overrides the mana circulation of weaker opponents.

Tier 5: Absolute Reinforcement

Multiplies all physical parameters without structural damage.

Tier 6: Heaven’s Mandate

Converts battlefield advantage into exponential mana recovery.

Tier 7: Law Imposition

Forces chosen physical or elemental rules within the domain.

Tier 8: Throne of Supremacy

Limited reality distortion within controlled territory.

Tier 9: Primordial Overlord Ascension

Transforms the practitioner into a being whose presence dominates others’ very souls.

Price: 791,000,000 Credits

}

"Damn... that’s OP," I muttered, tightening the belt.

-Ding!

{Would you like me to list some more for you to mark as Suggested Rewards?}

"Ummm... nope," I said flatly, slipping into the boots. "That isn’t power. That’s basically possession. I’m not sacrificing who I am for a power up like some gothic chuunibyou."

-Ding!

{Are you certain? Normally, a practitioner can only choose between Magecraft and Cultivation.

But with me as a proxy, you may follow both paths simultaneously.

Would you like to skim through the list of suggested Cultivation Techniques?

You may come across one that evolves you into your ideal self.}

"Nope again," I chuckled, grabbing the shotgun off the ground and slinging it over my back. "I will decide who I become. And who I wish to become... may change over time."

Adjusting the strap on my shoulder, I let out a calm breath. "Privilege of the Strong, System. To be able to afford the life you wish to live. To be able to afford the harder path despite there being easier ways out... I’m never letting that go."

-Ding!

{Noted.

That leaves you with Stat Point Allocation, Assimilation, and Tier Progression.}

"Alrighty then..." I muttered, stretching my neck until it popped. "Show me status."

-Ding!

{

[Protocol: Chronos]

Name: Nico

Race: Human

Circuits: 9 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Affinity: Infinity, Time, Ice, Nature, Metal

Level: 11

EXP: 1,943 / 90,664

Status: Normal

Stat Points: 1

Stats:

STR: 1

AGI: 1

END: 1

DEX: 1

MP: 60 / 60

MP Regen: ∞

LCK: ERROR

Magic:

Ice Pebble (Common) [2 MP] (Optimal at 2 Circuits)

Ice Reinforcement (Common) [5 MP minimum] (Optimal at 6 Circuits)

Nature Manifestation (Unquantifiable) [Varied] (Varied)

Dominium Radicis (Epic) [2MP minimum] (Optimal at 3 Circuits)

Metal Manifestation (Unquantifiable) [Varied] (Varied)

Skills:

Precognition (Legendary) [2 MP/sec] (Optimal at 2 Circuits)

Temporal Step - Aevum Trace (Rare) [60 MP] (Optimal at 5 Circuits)

Eyes Of Relevance (Epic) [50MP] (Optimal at 5 Circuits)

Gear: Grade 9 Adamantite Khukri (Rare), The Boomstick (Divine Armament)

Credits: 153

Tabs: [Shop] [Inventory] [Map] [Crafting] [Familiars]

}

I stared at the floating blue screen for a long moment. I rhythmically tapped my fingers against the hilt of the khukri strapped to my waist.

My mind rapidly chewed through the numbers, balancing them against the strict mechanics of my own biological bottleneck.

After a long moment of deep thought, I finally let out a breath.

"Okay..." I said with absolute sincerity. "Allocate the Stat Point into MP."

-Ding!

{Are you serious with me right now?}

Laughing out loud, I immediately lifted my hands in mock surrender, "Look, just lemme cook a sec..."