For a change, Aivern was helping instead of worsening the mood. In any case, it made sense. Just like sometimes Luke couldn’t show his true speed without receiving damage, he couldn’t push his strength beyond the limits without having a strong enough body. To make sure that was correct, Luke did two experiments. He tried to use a concentrated strike until he suffered damage. He could withstand the extra power of 240 points of strength, so around one-fourth of his max strength, and when he increased his endurance a bit, that time amount increased a bit. By Luke’s calculations, he probably could duplicate his strength if his endurance was at the same level as his strength. Still, he didn’t have to go that far since he had the regeneration of focus and the effects of Pain Resistance. Even without taking his endurance that far, he was certain that he could achieve the same result... Given time.

"Things could be a lot easier for you if you focused on Weapon Augmentation," Aivern said. "You survived the longest when you relied more on that skill. You can’t live relying on pride alone."

"You can’t be considered to be alive, If you don’t take pride in yourself and your actions, even if a little bit," Luke said.

Aivern couldn’t deny that... he was also operating following the same principles. After seeing the end of countless planets and universes, other versions of him just gave up in the end. If he were to give up now, he would basically be dead for all intentions and purposes, considering he had the knowledge to try to prevent the end and things of not using it.

"Since you are already making yourself useful, can you tell how many enemies we have to fight here to free this world?" Luke asked.

"The group that you are facing is the most troublesome one. If you defeat them, then the other small fries will leave," Airvern replied. "Naturally, the crystal owners will never leave this place, and trying to stop them is like trying to grab clouds."

"I have yet to understand what is the point of using those ordinary Crystals. Isn’t it more efficient to use mana in other ways?" Luke asked.

"Not exactly," Aivern said. "Those Crystals can also work as a two way doors if their owners wish for it. So, their monsters can bring things to them or even living beings. You may think that using those crystals is a waste of time based on your experience. However, considering the dozens of thousands of magic worlds out there, only a small fraction can actually fight back. For every one hundred news magic worlds, only one manages to keep its population alive for a few years by fighting back. Your species is rather violent despite being new as well, so your people managed to do what was necessary to survive. At least a small fraction of them did."

Luke still was convinced... But maybe using the dark elves to do that and fight other monsters in other worlds might be a rather good way to make them get stronger and for him to get more mana and items. If anything, there was no downside in sending at least the skeletons.

"Anything else that I should know?" Luke asked.

"It is impossible to determine if your monsters will attack other monsters or people like you. The chances are pretty small of you attacking people like if you attack old magic worlds," Aivern replied. "I suppose you can check those nearby magic worlds if they still have anything else aside from monsters there."

"I imagined you would know by now which world would have survivors or not," Luke furrowed his eyebrows.

"Our reality is like the surface of a lake, a small pebble can make a small wave, but a big one can make the entire surface tremble," Aivern said. "The overlords are like rocks, and the Legendary ones are like massive boulders. Their interests vary from reality to reality, so I can’t tell which worlds they have influenced yet."

That was a rather annoying explanation. Still, Luke was forced to accept it. That would cost some mana, but Luke decided to check the nearest worlds. After spending half a million, he bought the so-called invasion crystal.

Invasion Crystal

By using this crystal, you can create a connection with another world and transfer yourself or creatures under your command to invade the planet’s target. However, you need to charge it with mana to create a replica on the other side. If the replica is destroyed, you will have to charge it again. You also can drain mana from the crystal to yourself.

Charge: 0/100.000 mana.

Cost per summon 1.000 mana.

It seemed that Luke would have the chance to save a lot of mana from the red crystal, but instead of that, he would have to use his own to charge that one. It will take at least half an hour, and each summon will also consume some more.

"I suppose it can’t be helped..." Luke thought.

Luke couldn’t train his body now that he was using a concentrated strike. While he could move, he needed to keep his focus in order to keep the skill active, and pain doesn’t mix well with focus.

"Are you sure that this is a good time for that?" Rina asked.

"When will be a good time?" Luke asked.

"Well..." Rina said and then frowned.

Since the monsters appeared in his world, Luke had few chances of enjoying freedom and peace. He was always doing something because of something else troublesome... he didn’t have the chance to calm down and do things slowly. Rina realized that, so she couldn’t promptly reply to that question. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Still, some caution was necessary since Luke didn’t want to become like the people that attacked his world... He didn’t want to save all the worlds from monsters, but he decided to target them to reach his goals.