Money-Making Coins were damn expensive to create. And unless absolutely necessary, he didn't plan on distributing any. He had enough business acumen at the moment to start and maintain an unfailing business.
That was enough for most cases. After all, monetary needs didn't take priority anymore. Though, if Stencil wished to start a business, he didn't mind giving her a couple dozen Money-Making Coins.
Compass Carburettor smiled, snapping his finger to create a Status Screen. Even though a Status Screen didn't exist for the Main Character, he could create one. It was for his viewing pleasure anyway, and also a habit from young to check it after a power-up.
[Name: Compass Carburettor]
[Race: Anthozoa]
[Appearance: Human]
[Status: The Main Character (1/4)]
[Main Character System: 12% (6%)]
[Level: 1]
[Core Skill: Lore]
[Mental Energy: 24,793]
His attention first fell on the percentage of the Main Character System that he had become. The Main Character on a whole contained 12 percent that was now split between all four. And he, as the core, had 6 percent of it.
Following it was his Race as Anthozoa. Basically, only his appearance was human. He himself was just a carbon-based entity resembling a human.
It took him a while before he said in realisation, "It seems it has become impossible for me to have a second child."
"What? Did you become impotent, dad?" Stencil asked in shock, covering her mouth at how offensive that sounded.
"No, you can say that I've become incapable of it." He said in all seriousness.
"Which means…" She iterated, dragging her words.
"I surpassed humanity." Compass Carburettor stated solemnly, "Reproduction has become meaningless for me now."
He then patted her, "It seems I have to rely upon you to become a happy grandpa. Go on, my child, fulfil your old man's wishes."
"Sure, find a handsome man for the same." Stencil snapped back, thinking for a moment before stating, "He must be the most handsome in existence, enough to make women faint. But he must also be pure."
"You have a better chance in growing one such man from scratch." Compass Carburettor retorted, "Don't you have the power to do so? Find someone and refine him into the man of your dreams."
"It's not appearance alone, old man." Stencil snorted derisively, "He must also have character and qualities matching one. Otherwise, it's just a pretty doll."
'What has Gana been teaching her?' He felt a headache, deciding to ignore her for the time being.
He then focused on the Core Skill of Lore. Honestly, this was nothing but complex. It wasn't as if he could casually inscribe a random tale on a piece of rock and make people believe it.
That alone wasn't enough. His actions must also match whatever was happening to a certain extent. The belief must also be solid enough and should have affected reality.
This was why all his Lore worked to date. He followed whatever he had established, faking it till it became reality.
He was indeed the richest man on Earth. In the Darble World, he established control in dungeons. In the Apocalypse World, he created a settlement for a brand-new race. And finally, in the Cultivation World, he strengthened the people of the Gaider Realm, and developed transportation and many other facilities, rapidly elevating the economy and the livelihood of the people as a whole.
Even without his awareness, he had satisfied the conditions to activate the power of Lore.
But now, repeating the same was…truth be told, a major pain in the ass, especially since he had achieved his goal.
Basically, the only difference between before and now was his motivation.
But, that didn't mean that he wouldn't stop using the power of Lore. Truth be told, having as many Main Characters was a good thing. After all, each of them can exist, act, and level up separately.
It was a bit of a selfish notion where Compass Carburettor hoped that even in the future when him being alive was discovered, the Systems would only go after his other-selves.
Him, and in extension, Stencil would remain safe. Now that he had saved Stencil, his goal was only to give her a carefree life.
And to do that, he cared not of the destruction he would cause. It was just that, now wasn't the time to be doing it.
It had been a long 26 years since he had last seen her. So…he just wished to spend some time with his one and only daughter.
The current him was a simple father with simple needs. Though, considering his identity, his simple need was anything but simple to achieve, for there was an entire race of enemies that would spare no manpower or resources to hunt him down and kill him, irrespective of the price they have to pay.
He did have the option to flee with the Gods to wherever they lived. But, living a caged life wasn't good for Stencil's development.
Therefore, he decided to take on the risks. In the worst-case scenario, he would act as the beacon to garner the attention of the Systems while Stencil could hide in the safety of the shadow cast below.
And he damn well was capable of that. Level 1 he might be, but there were four of him. and combined…they were a terrifying force to reckon with.
After all, there was a reason the Main Characters of the past were able to take down opponents way beyond their level. It was just bread and butter in the daily life of the Mian Character.
'There's still time. Let them go on a wild goose chase after the possible new Main Character and divert their attention to find the Apocalypse World that has slipped away from their control.' He sighed, staring at the figure of Stencil that was probing around the caravan with a curious look in her eyes, tinkering with the Magical Tools installed in the place.
Upon seeing her child-like curiosity, Compass Carburettor firmed his decision. This was one of the reasons he helped Rhizen. Tangible benefits or losses aside, the fact that the changed Apocalypse World could escape the control of the Systems would cause all their attention to be focused on finding that.
And that itself was a massive benefit, allowing him to use the precious time to give his daughter the life she deserved.
Of course, when the Tell-Tale System and the Regression System had announced in the Astral Network, Stencil too was there, watching all of their antics. Never in their wildest dream would Systems expect a foreign entity to be a part of the Astral Network.
In this case, Stencil's existence was akin to a virus.
