[Knowledge Processing Complete. Displaying Condensed Summary]
[Entry: Power Hierarchy of Chrome Energy Users]
[Compiled from Library of the Argyros Estate – Tree of Combat Theory & Chrome Manifestation]
[Chrome Energy is governed by two core principles: Potential and Active Chrome Energy.
Potential Chrome Energy–
Guardians are human beings mutated and awakened by chance through several means, i.e. trauma, high chrome exposure, monster parts consumption, etc. Once awakened, they are divided into tiers based on their potential chrome energy (PCE).
Low-Tier Guardians
Potential Chrome Energy (PCE) Cap: 500 En
Force comparison: A physical combatant low-tier Guardian may be able to punch through reinforced wall.
Rarity: Common— 80% of the Awakened.
Mid-Tier Guardians
PCE Cap: 5,000 En
Force Comparison: A physical combatant mid-tier Guardian may be able to trigger localized seismic activity with physical impact.
Rarity: Uncommon— 15% of the Awakened.
High-Tier Guardians
PCE Cap: 20,000 En
Force Comparison: A physical combatant high-tier Guardian may be able to rupture mountain faces with minimal effort.
Rarity: Extremely Rare— 5% of the Awakened.
Active Chrome Energy–
Guardians may raise their active chrome energy (ACE) through the absorption of processed chrome cores from dungeon monsters— but only up to their PCE cap. The potential acts as an impenetrable wall, preventing further advancement.
Unawakened–
Unawakened humans or Regulars may possess up to 5 En naturally due to extended periods of exposure to chrome energy in the Earth's atmosphere. However, any higher accumulation of chrome energy in an unawakened's body will lead to Chrome Poisoning with a 100% mortality rate.
Overlords–
Overlords are born chrome beings, not mutated. While they too follow the ironclad laws of PCE and ACE, they also possess the innate ability to absorb chrome energy from the air within dungeons. Thus, their growth is rapid, constant, and requires little exertion.
Typical PCE Range: 100,000 – 200,000 En
Absorption: Passive, accelerated inside dungeons, processed chrome core consumption
Force Comparison: Entire continents may be erased if an Overlord just wanted to
Blood Inheritance: Only one heir per generation per bloodline
The most powerful Overlord in recorded history possessed 245,500 En. Demien Argyros— an overwhelming powerhouse of a man even feared by three generations of Overlords]
He was Nadia's Great-grandfather.
Nadia skimmed through the summary with a thoughtful nod. Though the information was already embedded in her mind—courtesy of the library's transfer method—seeing it condensed like this was still useful.
"Status Window."
Her crimson eyes lingered on her own potential chrome energy: 349,825 En ~ Infinity
A thrilled chill ran through her spine as Nadia slowly grasped the implication of this abnormal stat.
"What am I?"
The question was quiet, emotionless—until unbeknownst to her, an elusive foreign power responded.
A surge of warm energy touched the soles of her feet and Nadia subconsciously accepted its eager longing for her. In the next second, the air itself shifted.
A thick, crushing pressure radiated from her form, unseen but overwhelming. Her crimson pupils expanded and flickered with intense emotions—appearing as beacons of death.
The system answered after a brief pause.
"Your existence is akin to that of a bottomless sea, and you will never be bound by any limits."
Silence reigned once more, broken only by the steady, rising beat of Nadia's heart. A strange hunger clawed beneath her composure—thrumming with euphoria, rising with madness.
An overwhelming power right at the tip of her fingers… it whispered. It called. It demanded. Nadia's hands trembled slightly. So close. She wanted it, craved it, thirsted for it.
It was such a violent desire to possess, yet so undeniably addictive.
Her mind began to spiral, emotions fraying at the edges in a terrifying manner.
Just a little more.
[+500 En absorbed]
[Current Active Chrome Energy: 2,204 En]
[Level 6 Reached– 496 En to Level 7]
[Level 6 Reward: Mental Barrier (Beginner) Passive Ability unlocked]
[Mental Barrier (Beginner): 50% Immunity to all mental attacks, and 25% mental stability. Can be upgraded through a certain amount of exposure to negative emotional stimulations]
The chime snapped her back. The pressure vanished as her pupils contracted. Nadia suddenly found herself on her knees, gasping for air.
However, unlike her physical conditions, her mind felt calmer. She could finally think straight again.
"What… What happened?" Nadia questioned the system incredulously. She could still feel it, the rush of energy running through her veins.
Her hands trembled with the intense stimulation her weak body had just endured. Something inside her seemed to have been split open and her entire body was filled with a surging power, as if a dam broken free.
The system's voice carried a tone of relief as it explained.
"This library is powered with highly dense chrome cores—likely monsters from red-grade dungeons, perhaps even indigo-grade. There are restrictions in place, preventing both Guardians and Overlords from absorbing any chrome energy from these raw cores.
However, you had subconsciously bypassed those restrictions and started to do exactly that."
Nadia gulped, at a loss for words.
"Chrome cores obtained from dungeon monsters need to be processed before they can be absorbed by other chrome beings. As you were absorbing the energy directly from its raw form, the monster's consciousness left in these cores attacked your mentality simultaneously.
Fortunately, you levelled up just in time and I could unlock the Mental Barrier ability for you as a reward."
Nadia leaned against a nearby crystal tree, slowly regaining control. The system's words reassured her and she knew she was safe for the time being due to her new ability.
But it also proved to her that while the system could and would provide her all the aid within its own limitations, it still could not interfere in her personal battles.
For a moment there, Nadia was standing at the edge of a cliff. Half a step more and she would have lost any and all control on herself. It might have even resulted in one of those monster's consciousness taking over her body.
The realization frightened her—not for her own safety, but rather because her revenge would be incomplete without herself.
Despite being so close to losing it all, the system could only intervene because she had leveled up. She had to be more careful.
She checked her new ability once again, this time with a better reasoning.
"With this ability, is it possible to absorb chrome energy from raw cores without losing my sense of self?"
"Yes. However, I advise against attempting to do it now. Even if you can mentally defend against these cores, your physical body hasn't recovered enough to absorb a large amount of chrome energy at once. It may result in a severe backlash.
It is also preferable to use lower grade cores until your Mental Barrier ability has been upgraded."
"I understand." Nadia was driven, but not reckless. She did not mind waiting a few weeks and completing the system objective first.
As for where she would get lower grade raw chrome cores, she had some idea.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Estate…
A lone Guardian appeared before the main estate's central structure— Caelum Argyros' office.
The residential structures of this post-chrome era were hyper-advanced, able to shift appearances with a single voice command. Yet Caelum had preserved the appearance of ancient European castles for the main building—an homage to his late wife's fascination with painting them.
Thick grey stone walls, turreted towers, and glass-stained windows stood untouched by modernity. The exterior of the office was no exception. Heavy dark mahogany doors—standing three meters tall—loomed like immovable gates.
"My Lord, I appear before you with the whereabouts of Lady Nadia."
The doors that had appeared to be nailed shut, immediately swung open with a smooth, mechanical hum.
The interior of the office was a study that could rival royal archives of the ancient times. Dark mahogany lined the floors, walls, and towering shelves stuffed with leather and velvet-bound tomes.
A massive golden chandelier hung in the center and potted plants were scattered with curated precision—not to add life, but to serve as tasteful decoration.
Deep red velvet sofas and a small tea table sat to one side, while the central path was carpeted and led straight to a broad wooden desk that stood at the far end of the room, with a throne-like chair stationed behind it.
The wall behind the chair was completely constructed out of floor to ceiling glass-stained windows.
The sunlight streaming from the windows mixed and merged with the golden light from the grand chandelier, casting a painting of lights and shadows onto the room and ensuring there was adequate lighting inside the space.
The office undoubtedly radiated wealth, tradition, and power. Yet all of that grandeur felt pale compared to the man behind the desk.
Caelum Argyros was leaning back on his seat, his expression unreadable. Once the very embodiment of magnetism, he had aged like a forgotten blade—still lethal, but worn.
His silver hair, once sleek, was now frayed and unkempt, casting loose shadows over dull red eyes. Even in this state, his face remained striking—handsome in a dangerous way.
But his charm had rusted. The soul that once burned bright within those eyes had long flickered into embers.
These days, the only time his eyes showed life… was when they landed on his daughter.
A glass pen and a glass notebook lay in front of him, indicating that the man had been busy writing something before the appearance of the Guardian, who slowly strode into the office before kneeling again in front of the desk while the doors shut behind him.
"She teleported in front of the library by herself and went in without requesting another Guardian's aid." Caelum frowned.
"The library?" He questioned, his voice deep, gravel-edged and laced with a calm authority.
"Yes, My Lord."
"Hmm…" Caelum tapped a finger onto the wooden desk, lost in deep thought. Something didn't feel right.
How did Nadia come to know the existence of the library? From the reports he had received, she was a quiet child, never communicating with even the maids.
Then where would she get to hear about not just the library, but also how to use it?
Could it be from the people that had imprisoned her?
Caelum's jaws tightened as his thoughts shifted in that direction. Images of the dark and damp underground prison flashed through his mind, with his precious daughter unconscious in a pool of her own blood.
The Argyros Princess who should have grown up amidst luxury and splendor around people who would fuss over her tiniest wounds— was broken and on the verge of death in a rusted iron cell.
The anger and agony of that day yet again washed over Caelum in waves. His chest hurt, his heart as if stabbed tens of thousands of times with needles.
His rage materialized itself in veins of pressure. The office trembled under the weight of his emotions.
The chandelier above groaned against its golden chains, swaying back and forth as though caught in a brewing tempest. Dust drifted from the ceiling, stirred by the sudden fluctuation in air pressure.
All around, the towering shelves of ancient tomes quivered while several of them spilled out onto the wooden floor.
Thud– Thud– Thud–
A single hairline crack ran down one of the glass-stained windows, silent but sharp.
The kneeling Guardian grit his teeth, sweat beading at his temple. His legs trembled beneath him, bones screaming, muscles barely holding him upright under the suffocating weight that pressed down like a mountain.
It wasn't just physical—it was the domination of presence, the natural might of a man whose will could bend the world.
It was terrifying.
Caelum hadn't moved from his seat. He hadn't raised his voice. Yet the very air inside the room had turned thick—stagnant, electric, alive with restrained violence.
And all of it, every ounce of pressure that now threatened to crush the room into splinters, stemmed from a single, merciless truth—
Someone had hurt his daughter.