My Talent's Name Is Generator Chapter 855 Unexpected Encounter

"This location is truly breathtaking. And furthermore," Lyrate noted while moving toward the water's edge, "the concentration of life force contained within this lake is absolutely immense."

Abruptly, waves disturbed the glassy surface of the lake.

It began as a slight agitation, with ripples spreading outward in a subtle pattern. These rings steadily expanded before the entire heart of the water began to emit a soft, violet luminescence.

I furrowed my brow, shifting my position to remain beside Lyrate.

"Your assessment of the life force is correct," I murmured. "However, there is more happening here."

The brightness intensified.

A slender pillar of violet essence ascended from the depths, spiraling upward like thin wisps of smoke. A distinct shape began to manifest within the swirling light.

Then, the essence erupted outward.

A tiny bird materialized from within the water.

It ascended into the air as its wings unfolded slowly, violet essence cascading across its plumage akin to living flames. Despite being no larger than a child's palm, every movement the creature made left behind vibrant trails of shimmering light.

After hovering over the lake for a few moments, the bird drifted in our direction.

Its feathers were comprised entirely of flowing violet essence, burning with a gentle, flameless heat. When it turned its head, a pair of large, exquisite eyes flickered with a quiet, sentient intelligence.

Ragnar blinked in disbelief.

"…That is a phoenix."

Lyrate peered at it, her head tilted in curiosity.

"A remarkably small phoenix."

After circling our group once, the minuscule creature came to a halt right in front of me. Its wings beat with a rhythmic, slow cadence, keeping its body suspended in the air.

Then, it spoke.

Its voice was melodious and clear, sounding much like that of a young girl.

"You finally returned."

Steve barely suppressed a chuckle.

"It possesses the power of speech as well."

The phoenix paid him no mind, its radiant eyes remaining locked onto my face.

"I have been wondering when you would make your way back."

I remained silent, observing the small avian for a few beats. The violet essence permeating its wings felt profoundly familiar.

"Were you the entity manipulating the planetary shields?" I questioned.

The phoenix tilted its head with an air of pride.

"Undoubtedly."

Aurora folded her arms across her chest.

"So you are the one responsible for nearly destroying the portal."

The tiny phoenix puffed out its chest, looking offended.

"I was merely safeguarding the planet."

Knight observed the creature with a scrutinizing gaze.

"What kind of creature are you, exactly?"

The bird flapped its wings once, closing the distance to perch on my shoulder.

"I am the voice of this world, or to be more precise, I am Vaythos."

Ragnar scratched his scalp, clearly perplexed.

"So the entire planet has transformed into a miniature bird?"

The phoenix cast an annoyed glance in his direction.

"I selected this particular form."

Its gaze drifted back to me.

"And I have been waiting for your arrival."

My focus never left the small phoenix perched before me. The violet essence forming its physical shape felt undeniably acquainted. Through the Sovereign Link, I could perceive it distinctly—it was the exact same essence I utilized when first assuming control of the Vaythos world core. Our connection manifested like an invisible, delicate thread binding our energies.

Still, aspects of this defied logic. The world core was a vast, primeval accumulation of planetary essence. While it possessed its own deep awareness, it had never previously manifested a physical form.

Certainly, it had never taken the shape of a sentient entity.

"How is it that you…" I started, before trailing off, unable to articulate the sight before me.

The tiny phoenix cocked its head slightly.

"Do you mean, how was I birthed?" it finished for me.

I gave a slow nod.

A soft sound escaped the bird, as clear and innocent as a child finding amusement in an easy inquiry.

"I cannot say," it replied. "I did not exist… and then, suddenly, I was here."

It fluttered its wings before settling gently onto my shoulder.

"I have no recollection of anything prior to that moment," it added pensively. "However, the second I opened my eyes, I possessed knowledge."

"What kind of knowledge?" Aurora inquired from nearby.

Turning its head, the phoenix allowed its glowing eyes to reflect the violet essence drifting throughout the surrounding forest.

"I hold memories," it stated. "Though they are not exclusively mine."

My brows pulled together in confusion.

"Whose memories are they?"

"Yours."

For a brief moment, I could only stare at it in surprise.

"My memories?"

"Indeed. A selection of them."

The phoenix’s voice remained gentle, yet it carried an strange sense of conviction.

"I am privy to information about your family," it continued calmly. "I am aware of the exact moment you unlocked your powers. I recall the first time you touched essence and your initial struggle to comprehend it."

Steve blinked, visibly taken aback.

"That is… quite unsettling."

Ignoring him, the phoenix persisted.

"I remember exactly how you discovered the world core," it said. "And the precise instant you laid claim to it. I recall the transformations that ensued… and the day you departed from this realm."

I felt profoundly strange regarding that revelation. I found myself wondering if every world core I brought under my control underwent similar transformations. This was a mystery I would need to investigate.

"And those represent only a fraction of the memories," the phoenix mentioned softly.

"Are there others?" Lyrate asked.

"Memories belonging to Vaythos itself."

The phoenix extended its wings, violet essence shimmering like ethereal flames around its petite frame.

"I recall the primal days of this world," it explained slowly. "The expansion of the woods. The surging of the oceans. The countless lives that have walked across this land."

Its tone carried a blend of genuine wonder and deep-seated intimacy.

"And then… there was the arrival of the System."

When it mentioned that word, an unmistakable note of irritation colored its voice.

Aurora immediately picked up on the shift.

"Do you harbor disdain for the System?" she prompted.

The phoenix gave a dismissive shrug with its wings.

"It brought about unnecessary changes."

Before further questions could be posed, Steve stepped forward.

"Do you possess the memories of everyone residing on Vaythos?" he asked with genuine curiosity.

The phoenix offered a shake of its head.

"Negative."

It adjusted its glowing eyes back to me.

"Only his."

Steve glanced back and forth between us.

"That is… strangely specific."

"Why was it that you waited for me?" I asked.

The phoenix did not offer an immediate response.

It remained silent for several seconds, seemingly mulling over the inquiry.

Ultimately, it chose to reply.

"Uhhh…"

Its wings flapped in a somewhat awkward manner.

"I had a desire for sustenance."

I blinked, confused.

"Sustenance?"

"Indeed."

The phoenix looked slightly abashed.

"Your essence."

It raised a small wing to inspect it critically.

"I require it to facilitate my growth," it clarified. "In my current state, I am quite small. This form is rather inefficient."

A hint of dissatisfaction resonated in its voice.

For a moment, I simply stared at the diminutive creature perched upon my shoulder.

Then, a laugh nearly broke from me.

"And here I was, assuming this was a matter of dire importance."

The phoenix puffed out its chest as if to defend its pride.

"It is of the utmost importance to me."

That I could certainly understand.

Closing my eyes, I reached out with my internal perception, scanning for the world core within the pocket space where it had traditionally existed. For a fleeting second, my senses traversed the familiar conduits of essence, anticipating finding that massive accumulation of planetary energy waiting for me, just as it always had.

However, nothing was to be found.

The pocket space sat vacant. Instead, the connection that should have anchored to the world core bent in an peculiar manner and tracked back… right to the tiny bird sitting on my shoulder.

My eyelids lifted slowly. The phoenix was gazing at me with a look of mild bewilderment.

"Why searching for me?" it questioned, tilting its head sideways. "I am right here."

I blinked.

Then, I rubbed my temples gingerly.

"So you truly are the world core," I mumbled under my breath, unable to mask the astonishment in my voice.

The tiny phoenix swelled up immediately.

"Of course," it replied with an air of superiority. "I informed you as much."

It paused for a heartbeat, then added thoughtfully:

"Based on your memories, I can tell you were a rather intelligent person. Did something proceed incorrectly while you were beyond the world?"

A brief silence fell over the group.

Suddenly, Steve burst into uncontrollable laughter behind me.

"Oh, there was most certainly something that went wrong," he declared. "There was a skirmish, and he ended up bumping his head quite forcefully."

"Ohh."

The phoenix took flight from my shoulder, hovering directly before my face to examine me closely. Its glowing violet eyes narrowed as it leaned in.

"Do you desire for me to heal you?" it asked sincerely. "I possess healing capabilities, you know."

I let out a soft chuckle.

"It is unnecessary. I am quite fine."

The bird hovered with stubborn persistence in my field of vision.

"Are you entirely certain?" it pressed. "I am quite proficient at healing."

"I am certain."

Around me, the others were already struggling to contain their laughter.

Ragnar looked particularly entertained.

"Allow her to attempt it," he suggested. "Just as a precaution."

I waved him off with a gesture.

"I stated that I am fine."

The phoenix studied me for one final moment before conceding. With a gentle flutter of its radiant wings, it returned to my shoulder and settled back into place.

Even as the others continued to smile, Lyrate stepped forward.

"Hey," she said, peering at the tiny bird with interest. "Do you happen to have a name?"