Three days have already passed since I explained the nature of the new Cursed Energy to Miko.
Although, on the surface, it appears to bring more disadvantages than advantages, in reality, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.
I am currently planning to have someone conduct research into fusing with Honkai Beast genes in order to carry out Operation MANTIS.
While pure Cursed Energy cannot typically be converted into matter, there are exceptions—such as the Cursed Construction Techniques utilized by Maki and Yorozu.
Anything created through their construction techniques is permanent and will never vanish unless it is physically destroyed.
However, only the *form* is destroyed—not the material itself.
In practical terms, I am creating matter by consuming Cursed Energy.
Honkai Energy, on the other hand, is material energy rather than spiritual energy.
Because the Cursed Energy has absorbed the Honkai Energy, if it is condensed to an extreme degree, it can become perceptible or even transform into material energy—much like Honkai Energy itself—though in essence, it remains energy.
Furthermore, the "Honkai Garments" that will be created from the Cursed Energy of slain Cursed Spirits will transform into Honkai Beasts. These will be similar to the creatures found in *Honkai Impact 3rd*, but—having been generated from Cursed Energy—they will possess the exact same characteristics as the Honkai Beasts from that world.
In conclusion, this new Cursed Energy will yield far more benefits than drawbacks, as it will enable the creation of new technologies thanks to the existence of Herrschers and Honkai Beasts.
Although Miko and I share the status of Herrschers—I being the Herrscher of Reason and Miko the Herrscher of the Void—
We are able to utilize each other's powers at any moment, given that we share a single body.
Alaya initially voiced her disagreement when Gaia informed her of the potential consequences regarding Honkai Energy—or, as it is now known, the new Cursed Energy.
After all, her very existence is dedicated to protecting humanity from extinction and ensuring its continued survival.
However, once I explained to her that this process is a necessary catalyst for human evolution—and, by extension, for prolonging our species' survival—Alaya accepted it. And to create the conditions for humanity's evolution, I am seeking out Akihiko Kayaba—the creator and developer of the game *Sword Art Online* and the [NerveGear].
I plan to utilize the data from his game to construct the floating castle, [Aincrad].
I intend to build it using the game's data, the power of the Herrschers of Reason, and one of the Cursed Techniques derived from the souls transfigured by Mahito.
What? It seems I failed to mention that, in addition to my experience manipulating souls to transform ordinary people into Jujutsu Sorcerers, I also possess data on every Cursed Technique belonging to those whose souls were touched by either Mahito or Kenjaku via the Cursed Technique known as [Idle Transfiguration].
Or, to be more precise, I hold all the information regarding every soul that Mahito and Kenjaku ever touched.
Consequently, I possess the data on their respective Cursed Techniques.
And the specific Cursed Technique I intend to employ is called [Data Synchronization].
This technique originated from an ordinary individual who, despite possessing a Cursed Technique, was not a Jujutsu Sorcerer.
This technique allows one to synchronize digital data with physical reality—manifesting digital data as tangible objects—and conversely, to convert real-world objects into electronic data.
To put it simply: if you possess the digital data for Kirito's sword, [Elucidator], you can bring that very sword into physical existence.
It is a Cursed Technique that effectively allows one to "hack" reality, wouldn't you agree?
Well, it does come with a few minor drawbacks.
It consumes a massive amount of Cursed Energy—I'd estimate about 50% more than a standard Construction Technique.
However, that level of consumption only occurs if you wish to replicate the weapon *exactly* as it appears in the digital data.
There are two distinct ways to utilize this Cursed Technique.
First: if you wish to create the object as an exact replica—adhering precisely to the narrative specifications embedded within the game's electronic data—you will be required to expend a vast quantity of Cursed Energy; the exact amount consumed will vary depending on the specific attributes and complexity of the weapon in question. For example, if the back you create through the technique is made of a metal or alloy that does not exist in reality, the Cursed Technique consumes an enormous amount of Cursed Energy to create that special metal.
Essentially, this involves either creating a new metal with molecular components unknown on Earth, or creating that element by combining elements that already exist in reality.
Secondly, if you craft the weapon using metals that already exist in reality, you do not expend as much Cursed Energy. You only consume the amount of Cursed Energy required for the construction technique itself.
The technique allows you to choose your method of fabrication.
It is, however, quite curious that this construction technique can imbue the created weapons with special effects—such as the [Soul-Split Katana].
Even Mai created hers without knowing anything about souls; she crafted it solely through the sheer force of her desire to create it.
By combining this Cursed Technique—converting digital data into information that reality can accept—with the aid of the power of the [Herrscher of Reason] (which can create anything the user truly understands and comprehends), and utilizing the data from *Sword Art Online*, I will bring the floating castle [Aincrad] into reality.
That is why I am currently on my way to find Kayaba Akihiko at the [Argus] corporation.
If memory serves, it took Kayaba Akihiko ten years to develop *Sword Art Online* and the [NerveGear].
And if rumors regarding virtual reality are already circulating in the news, that means it won't be long before the general public learns about virtual reality, the [NerveGear], and the VRMMORPG *Sword Art Online*.
If I can convince Kayaba Akihiko that I am capable of bringing [Aincrad] into reality, I will be able to kill two birds with one stone.
Humanity will be able to evolve, and the problem regarding souls no longer being able to reincarnate will be resolved.
I will utilize the floating castle [Aincrad] as a new waiting room for reincarnation—or as a passage for souls.
Whichever you prefer to call it.
Initially, I intended to use malevolent spirits—along with souls awaiting reincarnation—as the monsters within the floating castle. The idea was that when players killed them, these souls would enter the "Passage of Souls" located in the depths of [Aincrad] to be cleansed of their memories before being reincarnated.
However, I later felt it would be too cruel to subject the souls that hadn't turned into malevolent spirits to such a fate. Consequently, I decided to create a sort of "Pure Land"—much like the one in *Naruto*—within this world; this would serve as a sanctuary where normal souls could wait out the roughly 200 years required before their reincarnation.
Did you think those souls were needed *immediately*—that the cycle of reincarnation would grind to a halt otherwise?
Of course not. The issue is simply that if too many malevolent spirits were allowed to persist, the fabric of the world would become distorted. Ordinary humans would begin to perceive these spirits, and the entire planet would effectively transform into a living hell on Earth.
Otherwise, Gaia would have already repaired the damage herself—though doing so would have consumed an excessive amount of energy.
Thus, I ultimately decided to use *only* the malevolent spirits as the monsters inhabiting the floating castle, [Aincrad].
The actual process by which these malevolent spirits are purified is both lengthy and intricate. Therefore, I will summarize it in just a few words.
Players will slay the malevolent spirits—which have taken on the form of monsters—within the floating castle. Upon death, these spirits undergo purification, leaving behind a small fragment of their soul; this fragment serves as the "Experience Points" that allow players to level up.
Ultimately, only the core of the soul proceeds directly toward reincarnation.
As for *how* those tiny soul fragments are converted into experience points for the players—much like the system seen in *Konosuba*...
Well, it turns out I wasn't aware that planets within the same universe could actually communicate with one another.
And indeed, the planet from *Konosuba*—along with the planet from *Re:Zero* and those from various other *Isekai* anime series—all exist within this very universe. Well, since our planet—Gaia—is relatively young and lacks any system of supernatural power, the planet of Konosuba gifted it the data from its adventurer cards. Included in that data was the mechanism by which, whenever a person kills a living creature, a small fraction of its soul is converted into experience points to raise one's level.
And that is how I have everything planned to kill two birds with one stone.
I fix the passage of souls, and both humans and the planet are able to evolve.
I snap out of my thoughts and step off the bus, which drops me off near the [Argus] corporation.
"Right, so how do I go about meeting Akihiko Kayaba?" I asked.
He's probably in his lab right now, creating [Sword Art Online].
I'm not sure if I should sneak in or just wait for him to get off work.