Even though she complained, Hel obediently placed the two bloodline traits onto the interface.
A burst of dazzling effects flashed across the screen — and she succeeded in obtaining what was probably… well, her third pink-tier trait ever.
Of course, this one was completely different from that ridiculous "Seductive Vixen" trait she'd gotten before.
This time, it was something Hel had paid a huge price for — the ultimate brain trait.
[The Strongest Brain of the Fourth-Generation Destiny Race Across Two Eras (Pink)]
Just look at that name.
So long. So dramatic.
If a trait's power correlated with how flashy its title was, this one had to be insane.
Alright, truth be told, Hel had no idea what the thing actually did. The base description didn't list any stats.
But judging from experience—
The "Goblin Cognitive Aggregate" was like a computer's software, while the brain trait itself was the hardware.
And for software to perform at full capacity, it needed compatible hardware.
With that logic, Hel carefully replaced the final remaining brain with this pink-tier trait, then gently placed it on the mechanical tentacle extending from the editing apparatus.
"The neural network will take some time to fully connect," she murmured. "I'll go install the elemental core in the reactor first."
Hel rummaged through a hidden compartment beneath the Ascension Brain Chamber, retrieving the elemental crystal that belonged to her.
She slotted it into the reactor, and as the core closed, faint vibrations echoed from within.
Pure energy began to flow through the connected conduits, spreading through every mechanical component.
[Beep~]
[Core components: connected properly~]
[Bionic muscle fibers: connected properly~]
[Mana circuits: connected properly~]
...
[Neural network: successfully linked~]
[System check complete. Please insert soul according to user instructions.]
Finally — the moment had come.
Hel quickly grabbed the small glass bottle containing Niv's soul, plucked it out gently, and carefully placed it into the new body.
But it wasn't over yet.
Because Niv had switched to a new body, some of her original traits remained in the old one.
Hel would need to manually reinstall them.
It had been a while since she last opened Niv's trait panel — but when she did, she froze.
"Wait… why is there one more trait here?"
[Hel's Devoted Loyalist] ???
"When… did I become this charming?"
Hel muttered under her breath, pretending to be indifferent — but she couldn't hide the little smile tugging at her lips.
After all, this was the first loyalty trait anyone had ever developed toward her without magical interference.
And it wasn't loyalty toward the Haim family or some vague organization — it was directed specifically at her.
At Hel.
She couldn't help but feel a small warmth in her chest.
"Hah… Niv, looks like all the resources I poured into you weren't wasted after all."
Humming to herself in a good mood, Hel cheerfully pulled up Niv's old trait data to reinstall.
The elemental affinity traits went on without issue.
But when she tried to reinstall Goblin Cognitive Aggregate, something strange happened.
The name changed — though the stats and rarity didn't.
It was now called: [Supercomputing Core].
At the same time, the moment she tried to reapply a bloodline trait, an alert window popped up.
[Detected: Subject already possesses a higher-tier bloodline trait. Installation failed.]
"…Failed?"
"She already has a bloodline trait?"
Hel frowned and checked the panel again.
Nothing.
Then, one of the empty slots flickered faintly — as if something was about to appear — but after a single flash, it went still again, like nothing had happened.
"What was that? Traits don't just… spawn out of nowhere."
"Maybe the bloodline hasn't awakened yet?"
Hel had no clue.
Before she could puzzle it out, something else drew her attention — Niv's three black loyalty traits.
They were… flickering.
At first, Hel thought her eyes were playing tricks on her. But no — they flashed again.
Then again.
Faster and faster — until the entire set of traits glitched like a broken interface, the letters twisting and warping wildly.
"…Is it because she changed bodies? The loyalty traits can't synchronize?"
"Or… is it because her new brain is too strong, and she's breaking free of the soul-binding magic?"
If the loyalty traits vanished — what then?
Would Niv, once her rival, turn against her?
Try to enslave her soul in return?
Hel's mind spun with possibilities.
As a transmigrator, she always assumed the worst, and prepared accordingly.
Even as she thought all this, her hands moved on instinct.
She kept one eye locked on Niv's panel — and with the other, she rapidly swapped out all her research-related traits for her combat set.
Then she gripped the Philosopher's Stone tightly and began chanting a deadly incantation at lightning speed.
[High-tier Death Magic: Soul Annihilation]
If she unleashed this spell with the Philosopher's Stone as a catalyst, Niv — in her current fragile state — wouldn't stand a chance.
Yes, Hel genuinely liked Niv. She saw her as a companion, even a confidant.
But if her own life were in danger?
Hel swore — she would not hesitate.
Call her ruthless, call her cowardly, call her cautious — she called it being realistic.
But just before the spell could activate, she stopped herself — and switched to a different one.
[High-tier Death Magic: Soul Extraction]
If Soul Annihilation was like a nuclear bomb, then Soul Extraction was a precision strike — it would simply pull the enemy's soul out of their body.
Gentler, cleaner, but just as effective.
Hel steadied her breathing, waiting for the final flicker—
And then it happened.
The three black loyalty traits vanished completely.
Her eyes went cold.
Without hesitation, she thrust her hand forward, ready to cast—
—but before the spell could land, a new trait suddenly appeared, stopping her mid-chant.
[Hel's Mona Lisa]
Loyalty +520. In your world, there may be countless people. But in her world, there is only you.
You are her everything — and she would do anything for you, even if she receives nothing in return.
Hel froze.
Her raised hand trembled slightly, magic dissipating into the air.
"…What the hell," she whispered softly.
But deep down, she couldn't help smiling.