The World's Ego (Book 2)

Sentience & Mephisto

Rimuru POV

<Master. I'm sensing a familiar disturbance.>

Familiar disturbance?

<To be specific, it would be more accurate to call it a phenomenon.>

Go on.

<Remember how Feiyun managed to copy <<Sloth King, Belphegor>> from simply being in its vicinity during activation?>

I remember you told me that it's because of its compatibility with Feiyun's Herrscher powers. Did something happen to her again?

<Not quite, but... This time, I'm sensing the same thing with <<Illusion King, Mephisto>>.>

Zegion's Ultimate Skill? How is that possible? And if it's not Feiyun, then...

"Is something wrong?" Kiana asks me when she notices my sudden unease, "Do you need to do something urgently?"

"... I have to get an opinion from you, Kiana-chan." I started, trying to hide some of the unease away, even though it was already obvious, "When it comes to the Herrscher of Sentience, other than the power to mess with the consciousness, what else do you think about her powers?"

Kiana hummed, thinking deeply, "Illusions? But her power is more prominent in the mindscape when she feels like using it. Just like that time when she broke the mental chains that bound my Herrscher powers back on the Moon."

"Illusions... Feiyun has that power too." I muttered under my breath, "That should be natural but..."

<The <<Illusion King, Mephisto>> also has a similar ability to mess with minds. What if...>

That can't be possible... But if what happened to Feiyun happens to the Herrscher of Sentience, what will...

<There will be problems in the future. If it is a similar case of unconscious copying, then we have to snip it at the bud immediately. Shall I contact Iris and have her and the Voice of the World at the ready?>

... Please do. I didn't want to trouble her but this will become a bigger problem, like you said.

<Understood.>

"Rimuru?" Kiana called me, "Is something happening to Senti-chan?"

"How should I say this...?" I hummed in mild worry, "There was a past case where Feiyun accidentally copied someone's Ultimate Skill and grew stronger as a result. I'm sensing something similar happening inside the labyrinth, particularly on the next Floor Boss and his Ultimate Skill."

"Are you saying that Senti-chan is also...?!"

"I'm not leaving it to chance, so I'm going to come up with countermeasures." I assured her, "This world's system cannot enter your world or it might complicate things, so please let me handle this."

"Okay." Kiana nodded in understanding, "Don't worry, I trust you but I hope Senti-chan doesn't get hurt from this."

"I hope so too."

...

Third Person POV

Fu Hua's eyes narrowed when she noticed Senti's fighting stance wavering while she fought some wasps that flew their way. They were fast and it would have been deadly if they weren't vigilant.

"Senti, withdraw from the frontline!" Fu Hua called out, "Let Mei-san take over!"

Senti gritted her teeth as she stubbornly continued to fight for a few minutes longer but eventually gave in and withdrew to the back.