Infinite Mana In The Apocalypse

Chapter 4019: Farmers of Existence! I

In the time when existence still questioned its own validity, when the boundaries between possible and impossible remained undrawn, there lived a Fold Dweller who possessed nothing of what would later be considered power.

No Living Existential Authority flowed through his veins. No Glyphs adorned his form. He was, by every measure that would come to matter, insignificant.

Yet he possessed eyes that saw.

Not metaphorically, not spiritually, but literally...eyes that perceived what should have been imperceptible, that noticed what preferred to remain unnoticed.

It was these eyes that allowed him to witness something that should have been impossible... THE Living Spirit, moving through the Earliest Folds like thought given purpose.

THE Living Spirit paused in its journey, its form...if form it could be called, rippling with surprise that transcended simple emotion. To be observed by a Fold Dweller, a being without even the smallest spark of authority...

”Due to your unique eyes that allow you to see,” THE Living Spirit said, its voice carrying the weight of consciousness acknowledging consciousness, ”I will answer any questions you have about existence.”

The Fold Dweller gazed upon this manifestation of spiritual authority with reverence that bordered on worship. When he spoke, his question carried the desperate hope of every being that had ever felt inadequate in the face of infinity.

”In existence, how can one become more complex the easiest way?” His words tumbled forth with barely contained urgency. ”If Fold Dwellers are not Living Existences and do not become one, any step towards complexity is arduous and long. How can they advance? How can they compare?”

THE Living Spirit regarded him with attention that seemed to pierce through to fundamental truths. When it responded, each word carried philosophical weight that would echo through epochs.

”Existence never decided that Living Existences or Early Creatures would be the fastest to progress in complexity or purity.” The statement hung in the air like a revelation.

”Lifeforms themselves can decide that. If things feel hard, if progress feels slow... then one simply is not following the right path for their specific lifeform.”

The Fold Dweller’s expression showed he remained unconvinced, his mortal mind struggling to grasp concepts that transcended mortality. ”Then which methods can I use to become stronger faster?”

THE Living Spirit’s form shifted, as if considering how to translate infinite understanding into finite words. ”You could be a farmer of existence itself...nurture wonders to grow, then consume those wonders for their accumulated complexity. You could devour the Everything of all others, taking their potential into yourself. Or...” it paused, the silence buzzing with possibility, ”you can simply learn a Principle.”

Confusion bloomed across the Fold Dweller’s features. ”What is...a Principle?”

THE Living Spirit’s attention seemed to intensify, as if this question was both expected and profound. ”If you knew that answer, you would never again worry about power. To truly understand a Principle, one must learn it from one of THE Living Existences. One must learn it from the Folds as they are right now.” Its form rippled with something that might have been warning. ”If ever the Principles are to be Lost or Forgotten... gaining any grasp on them will be an impossibility.”

The weight of this revelation drove the Fold Dweller to his knees. His voice cracked with desperate hope as he pleaded, ”Please, teach me. Show me the way to Principles, to power, to significance!”

THE Living Spirit observed his prostrated form with something that transcended sympathy yet fell short of mercy. ”It is never so easy. Existence... is never so easy, nor so giving.”

HUUM!

And with that pronouncement, THE Living Spirit vanished, leaving behind not even a whisper of its presence.

The Fold Dweller remained on his knees in the vast emptiness of the Earliest Folds, feeling an abandonment so complete it threatened to unmake him at the conceptual level.

But in that desolation, something crystallized. Defiance. Purpose. Decision.

He thought of all the methods THE Living Spirit had mentioned. Devouring others’ Everything seemed monstrous. Learning Principles appeared impossible without a teacher. But farming... farming was something even a Fold Dweller could attempt.

Farming was a basic anything and everyone could do.

He rose from his knees with newfound determination burning in those unique eyes.

He would farm. But not just anything...he would farm the very Principles that THE Living Spirit had mentioned. If Existence would not give, he would take. He would cultivate. He would harvest!

And in his defiance, he would become!

---

In the Early Veiled Shore, where impossible things grew with casual certainty, the Queen of Matter’s exuberant presence had become a force of nature unto itself.

Her clone...one of several she had manifested to explore every corner of this miraculous space, stood near the cultivation plots with eyes that sparkled like captured starlight.

She watched Heidrun with the kind of intense fascination typically reserved for witnessing the birth of existence itself.

The majestic goat was overseeing the growth of vibrant green-gold grasses, each blade containing enough concentrated essence to elevate a common being to transcendent heights. Her bearing suggested infinite patience barely containing infinite pride, a combination that should have been paradoxical but somehow achieved perfect balance.

Meanwhile, the Queen of Matter’s primary body worked alongside Noah and the others, enthusiastically hefting stones and blocks that weighed more than mountains. But she couldn’t resist dividing herself to explore, to witness, to experience everything this Shore had to offer.

Inspiration struck like lightning. The clone pulled out a canvas from nowhere...a habit she’d developed across countless years, and began to paint with every ounce of authority she possessed. Her brushes moved with speed that made time itself jealous, capturing not just Heidrun’s image but her essence!

The painting was complete in seconds.

What she presented made Heidrun’s dismissive glance transform into focused attention.

The artwork showed the goat not as she was, but as she knew herself to be...unfathomably proud, infinitely arrogant, gloriously superior to all who might dare compare themselves to her magnificence!

The painting shimmered with captured starlight on Heidrun’s white fur coat, each brushstroke a testament to ego elevated to art form.

Heidrun’s eyes blazed with approval.

|The Eminent Early Living Land Lifeform, Heidrun, approves of the majestic display of her brilliance|

|You have earned the favor of the most brilliant Land Lifeform of the Early Veiled Shore(Self proclaimed)|

|Heidrun’s disposition toward you: Tolerant Appreciation|

The Queen of Matter pumped her fist with victory that could have powered small Wheels of Existence. ”Ma’am, is there anything I can help you with? I am very enthusiastic about any work! See, I even made multiple bodies to be more helpful!”

Heidrun’s gaze swept over the vibrating figure with the kind of assessment typically reserved for evaluating tools.

Her eyes shifted briefly to Noah’s distant form, where he worked on constructing his Abode with focused intensity. Then, with deliberate precision, she tapped one golden hoof against the sand.

A golden bucket materialized beneath her udders, its surface inscribed with patterns. A stool appeared to her left, positioned with mathematical perfection for the task ahead.

|Unprecedented Privilege Granted|

|Apart from the Early Creature who owns this Shore, you have been given the absolute honor of milking Heidrun for her Sacred Mead of Existence|

|Task: Extract Sacred Mead with appropriate reverence. Upon completion, deliver to the Owner of the Early Veiled Shore for reward. Warning: This privilege may be revoked at any moment of displeasure|

...!

The Queen of Matter trembled with excitement that threatened to split her into even more bodies. She rolled up her sleeves with the determination of someone about to perform the most important task of their existence.

”Yes ma’am! I will not disappoint! This is the greatest honor of my current existence!”

In the distance, Noah paused in his construction work to witness this unprecedented scene.

Never before had Heidrun allowed anyone but him to perform this task...and she had told him she would soon be ready to produce more Mead as if he would finally have replenishments.

So he watched.

The sight of the Queen of Matter approaching the golden bucket with reverence typically reserved for religious ceremonies was... something else entirely.

Near him, another body of the Queen carried a massive gray-gold stone that could have served as a mountain’s foundation, her enthusiasm undimmed despite the split attention. She noticed his observation and beamed.

”Sir! Your goat appreciates art! I’m being allowed to help with important farming duties! This...is the best day!”

Noah shook his head with fond exasperation at her ability to accomplish things others couldn’t even imagine.

Nobody had began interacting with the Early Veiled Shore with as much enthusiasm as the Queen of Matter had as she was receiving boons others didn’t.

The Queen of Matter had a talent for making the impossible seem not just possible, but inevitable through sheer enthusiasm.

At that moment.

His contemplation was interrupted by a sensation that transcended physical space...a message threading through one of his closer existential entanglements. The weavings of existence carried words across impossible distances.

|Hey, would you perhaps want a Seed? I have to pay you back somehow and I may have something you like...|

The Great Usurper’s voice rang through his consciousness with casual certainty, accompanied by visions and complete knowledge of a particular treasure!

[Seed of the Primordial Spirit Tree]

The information flooded through the connection...its properties, its requirements, its potential!

Noah’s eyes brightened with interest that had nothing to do with power and everything to do with purpose. A seed that required farming, that needed cultivation, that demanded patience and care.

”A seed,” Noah murmured, his various bodies across existence all pausing in their tasks as he contemplated. ”Yes, I would very much like a seed.”

...!

He tugged on the entanglement with the Great Usurper!