Chapter 22: Life Goes On, Evolution Never Stops.
Over the following period, Megumi Kato gradually mastered the art of compressing energy and transformed the compressed energy into various wind-based attack techniques to test their power.
A tightly compressed energy sphere generated a massive gravitational pull, with a rapidly spinning storm creating a massive tornado several kilometers in diameter above the island. It left a huge vortex-shaped pit of similar size in the ground below.
By compressing energy into a powerful wave and slapping it towards the sea, Megumi caused a wave nearly a kilometer high to surge forward, creating a massive tsunami.
By focusing energy into a wide blue wind blade several meters across, she sliced the island beneath her in half.
Forming the energy into a long blue spear several meters long, she annihilated the remnants of the island, sending it into the depths of the sea.
...
After completing the tests, Eriri and Megumi floated in mid-air, with the island beneath them now vanished, leaving an expanse of endless blue sea.
"Megumi, it looks like your power is almost at the third level. That's impressive!" Eriri said happily to Megumi.
Based on the previous tests, Megumi's full-force strike could easily destroy a large city.
Eriri continued, "As long as you keep using the energy within you to strengthen your body and increase your capacity to harness cosmic energy, it won't be long before you become a genuine third-level powerhouse."
"Can I evolve people too?" Megumi asked, a bit puzzled.
Hearing Eriri's assessment of her power made Megumi very happy. She understood that her current abilities were gained through evolution facilitated by Eriri.
Initially, Megumi thought further power advancement could only happen with Eriri's help. However, realizing she could evolve by herself through controlling energy was a surprise.
"You can only evolve yourself, and the process will be relatively slow. Your body has fully adapted to the cosmic energy I infused into you, so using this energy to strengthen your body won't cause any rejection," Eriri explained.
Megumi understood and joked, "I see. But... no matter how strong we become, it doesn't seem to matter unless aliens invade Earth someday."
"Hehe, don't worry; there will definitely be places where it comes in handy. Just keep enhancing your power," Eriri replied mysteriously. While Megumi's strength might seem formidable to ordinary people, in the vast multiverse, it was just the beginning.
"Could aliens really invade?" Megumi asked with interest. She had been curious ever since Eriri mentioned the myriad worlds. Since countless universes and dimensions exist, surely Earth isn't the only place with life.
"I can only say it's something very interesting. I won't tell you exactly what it is right now, but you'll find out eventually," Eriri said, keeping her secretive tone.
The more Eriri acted this way, the more curious Megumi became. It was as if a cat's paw was tickling her heart.
"Can't you tell me now, Eriri?" Megumi flew behind Eriri, wrapped her arms around her shoulders, and held her close, her ample chest pressing against the back of Eriri's head. She looked down and spoke softly.
"Oh, wow! Is this what they call a head cushion?" Eriri shouted excitedly, feeling overwhelmed by the softness behind her.
After a few minutes, Eriri shook her head, enjoying the soft sensation, and raised her hands to grab Megumi's hands on her chest, speaking with difficulty: "Even if you do this..."
"What about this?" Megumi slowly tightened her arms, pressing her upper body forward.
This was serious; Eriri's head felt the ultimate softness and embrace.
"Okay, okay! It's just a little thing; I can tell you right away. But... Megumi, I have a condition. If you agree, I'll tell you now," Eriri said, gripping Megumi's soft hands tightly, tilting her head backward.
"Okay, what is it?" Megumi smiled and prompted gently.
"You must promise to let me sleep like this in the future!" Eriri boldly stated her demand without hesitation.
"Is that all?"
"Huh?" Eriri stopped her playful movements, confused by the tone of Megumi's voice. "What's wrong?"
"Did you think I wouldn't agree if you wanted this in the future?" Megumi shook her head with a sigh.
"Uh..." Eriri froze, realizing her moment of bliss had made her forget to consider this.
"Alright, I agree to your condition. Now, you can tell me," Megumi said, gently shaking Eriri's body to bring her back to the present.
"Fine..."
...
Eriri did not hide the existence of the chat group from Megumi and briefly introduced its main features, especially mentioning the cross-world travel function.
Upon learning about a chat group that connects the myriad worlds, Megumi was amazed. Though she couldn't perceive the chat group herself, she trusted Eriri completely.
After understanding the secret Eriri had kept, Megumi showed great anticipation.
According to Eriri, all the chat group members came from different worlds, and Eriri planned to take Megumi on a journey through these worlds for exploration and adventure.
Cross-world travel—a high-level and enticing term. In their world, most ordinary people haven't even traveled internationally, let alone between universes and dimensions. It was something unheard of.
Seeing different worlds' landscapes and embarking on adventures there sounded incredibly exciting.
...
"With your current strength, you're above average in the chat group. Only two or three members surpass you," Eriri casually remarked, squeezing Megumi's hand.
Pausing, she continued: "But they can enhance their strength using chat group points, so you'll need to work hard to keep up."
"I understand." Megumi nodded deeply, speaking earnestly, embracing the idea of endless evolution.