Psychic Parasite

Chapter 268: Static and Dynamic Cogent Phrenics

Cogent Phrenics, the denizens of the Mental Realm; their forms were shaped based on the majority of the experience fragments that composed them. If the content related to the experience fragments were those of slashing motions, attacks, actions, of blades, rods, paper, etc. they would end up producing a Cogent Phrenics that looked like a flat sword with a wide body frame, lacking a hilt.

If the dominant portion within them consisted of swords and their hacking experiences, then the resultant Cogent Phrenics would have the texture of a sword, same for its shape, size, its mode of travel, and even its attacks.

So, when it attacks, it would make hacking motions. Generally, due to the experience fragments in them, the resultant Cogent Phrenics would only possess a set of actions. Their actions would become increasingly complex at higher Tiers, but for Tier 1 and Tier 2 equivalent Cogent Phrenics, they at most possessed three or four forms.

Tier 1 and Tier 2 Cogent Phrenics were also loosely composed, making them seem unstable in front of solid forms like Gerude Eagle. Gerude Eagle watched the humanoid figure arrive before one of the ten Shifters.

The Shifter nodded solemnly, watching the humanoid figure begin to break off his arms. The moment they were separated from his body, they broke down into experience fragments, forming a cluster.

As time passed, they would slowly form into a shape based on the contents within them.

Before that happened, the Shifter passed his arm through the cluster, absorbing everything. The experience fragments passed through his hand and flowed into his form like a stream, spiralling his body.

As they spiralled his body, many fragments seeped into his form, settling in their respective spots. They were arranged based on what their contents were and where it should be arranged to complement the overall effect his form exhibited.

Unlike the forms of other people, this Shifter's form readily absorbed all experience fragments and even allocated them complementary positions, ensuring his form retained its solidity while growing in size.

The moment he finished absorbing the cluster, the humanoid figure before him broke off another arm, presenting it to be absorbed. As the Shifter absorbed it, he noticed some imbalance in his form. After a moment of comprehension, he looked at the surrounding Cogent Phrenics, pointing at the ones shaped like grass and leaves.

The humanoid figure nodded and flew out, relaying his message to the ones fighting through a motion of hands. All instructions were conveyed in detail before the operation, so everything proceeded without confusion.

All the humanoid figures surrounded the Limitless Tower, forming a spherical formation. They created a loose defensive structure, keeping part of the force as a reserve. The Cogent Phrenics collided with them like a wave, overwhelming them. But they fought using their superior forms, giving out more damage than they received.

They also ensured the direction of their punches, kicks, slashing, and stabbing motions were directed towards their defensive layer, ensuring most of the experience fragments that splashed out from impacts were received by their own.

Otherwise, the Cogent Phrenics would keep forming as they absorb the experience fragments, causing a continuous loop of attacks. If that happened, then it was only a matter of time before they lost.

After all, their forms couldn't exist permanently in the Mental Realm. The adhesive that retained the solidity of their forms was their ego, will, emotions, and desires. It was a finite amount, the source being their bodies in reality.

Their bodies, in reality, were currently in a state of unconsciousness; therefore, the 'adhesiveness' they could draw upon was limited. Moreover, to move around and enact their formations, most of them had decisively severed their links to reality. So, it was a do or die situation for them.

Gerude Eagle severed his connection with reality the moment he glanced at Psychic Ancestor Marble and had experienced a solidification of his form. It was because he intuitively sensed that he had absorbed all 'adhesiveness' from his body in reality, using the emotional weight Psychic Ancestor Marble had in his mind as a catalyst.

'Goodbye my son, Garuk.' He waved his hand, cutting the thin cord that extended from the crystal in him and connected to his heart in reality. Confirming that the link had been severed, he turned around and lunged at the Cogent Phrenics that arrived before him.

It was shaped into a human's stomach organ. Condensed within were experiences of hunger experienced by many humans. Gerude slammed his fist into it, piercing its form without trouble. His hand emerged from the other size, holding a crystal similar to the one in him.

There were two variations of Cogent Phrenics: Static, and Dynamic. Static Cogent Phrenics were those that had formed as a result of the condensation of the experience fragments in the Mental Realm. But they were not sentient or were capable of moving.

They either remained in a spot or moved based on their inertia as experience fragments collided with them and were absorbed into them. They passively grew and developed.

Dynamic Cogent Phrenics all possessed a crystal in them, acting as their cores. The source of the crystal was from the beings (Humans, Wisdom Parasites, Frenzy Beasts, and Frenzy Parasites) that had arrived at the Mental Realm and failed to return to reality.

The cause could be many: they were devoured by the Cogent Phrenics; they fully expended their 'Adhesiveness' and could no longer move, their only option to see the fate of their forms dissolving; the battle between the being and the parasite counterpart taking too much time and dealing too much damage to one another that completely broke down their forms, preventing them from ever moving. As time passed, their links to reality dissolved and they were assimilated into the experience fragments that flew around the Mental Realm.

Once the will and ego in the crystals were completely expended, they no longer possessed a sense of self. After that, as they float around in the Mental Realm, they absorb experience fragments and grow in size. As time passes, they would steadily condense.

Eventually, after they come to possess a significant amount of experience fragments, they would birth some actions and meagre sentience. After that, they would actively seek out experience fragments that conformed to the essence that formed their majority.

As time passes, they would birth their own Will, turning into Tier 1 Cogent Phrenics. The strength of their birthed Will correlates to the solidity of their form.

When they move around, their will is expended. So, most Cogent Phrenics tend to stay immobile and wait for the floating experience fragments to collide into them.

If they were suitable, they would absorb it. If not, they would form a cluster beside them. If the quantity in the cluster reaches a certain amount, it would form into a Static Cogent Phrenics. They would use the Static Cogent Phrenics as weapons against fellow Cogent Phrenics to rob them of their experience fragments.

'It would be wonderful if I could get my hands on a Static Cogent Phrenics equivalent to Tier 4. That would be a formidable weapon I could use.' Gerude Eagle thought, watching his knuckles become a bit soft.

He had punched through the bodies of many Cogent Phrenics. Even though his form was superior, the toughness allowing him to come out unscathed, he was expending some of his Will with every move. As the Will in his knuckles reduced, the toughness in the area decreased.

He sighed once, continuing to battle without stopping. He had already resolved himself to death. He didn't have much choice. He had received nightmares for the past week, and mild hallucinations whenever he was tired. It was a sign that his Wisdom Parasite was closing in on him. He was close to losing control.

He planned to consume a Cleansement Fruit after a month had passed, wishing to get as much of the Nurturing effect as possible. Unfortunately for him, his plans couldn't keep up with changes.

His son was graduating from the military academy after six months. He would soon be drafted into dangerous missions. If his son was even the least bit careless, he would lose his life. Normally speaking, the strength of a person was limited.

Artifacts, Relics, and Traits helped elevate a person's strength to higher levels. But everything required contribution points. Artifacts were somewhat cheaper but, Traits and Relics costed a fortune. Moreover, their demand always exceeded the supply. So, even if he were ready to exchange his contribution points, he wasn't guaranteed to chance upon a Relic or Trait that would better his son's survival.

But, none of that meant he had to sacrifice his life in the Cleansement Manoeuvre. There were other ways in which he could support his son. The easiest way was to present his son the Relic he would create upon consuming the Cleansement Fruit. Or, he could use that Relic to exchange for something more suitable. After all, he was a Shifter, an elite in their society that didn't have to worry about money or luxury.

He wasn't out of options, nor was he in dire need to bet his life upon. But the reason he decided to participate in the Cleansement Manoeuvre was due to a single reason. The funds Central Command gave out to the families of the people who sacrificed themselves in the Cleansement Manoeuvre varied.

Not everyone was equal, whether in their era or their city. The life of a Shifter was more valuable to Marble City as compared to a Tier 3 or Tier 2 being. Even a retired Shifter was still a force to reckon with. After all, any Tier 4 being and above were treated as an elite in Marble City.

The case was the same even among the Frenzy Beasts. The majority of any race's strength was the number of Tier 4 beings they possessed. After all, Tier 5 were few and far between. Tier 6 were the pinnacle powers whose every move is closely monitored by enemy forces. Tier 3 and below were too weak, despite their numbers.

But, Tier 4 was the perfect level where they possessed sufficient numbers and had enough strength to achieve a qualitative effect.