Is it Wrong to Copy Abilities in Apocalypse?

'Please, come inside. I do not mean any harm... yet.'

The moment that broken, deep, and slow voice reached Alex's head, his body froze in shock. He did move in a moment, but in those seconds that passed, many things went through Alex's head.

'He can enter my mind?'

'How is he doing that? Mind control?'

'Is this creature that strong? Should I just move out of here? And what does that 'yet' in the end mean? Is that thing not sure, or is it just making up excuses?'

Alex could tell that those words were true, and he knew who was speaking them. He could feel it—it was like a string connecting him to the creature. The string was just hanging to his body, and it seemed to be waiting for Alex to hold it.

'Or is that 'yet' at the end there just so that I wouldn't be able to judge it a truth or lie.'

This was the thing that made Alex's vigilance, which was already high, reach its peak, and he was already preparing for retreat.

The biggest problem right now was that Alex still couldn't see the status window of that being, maybe because he wasn't able to make out the features of that creature.

<He's not controlling you, Alex. He's using telepathy, or more like using mana to convey the message in a voice so low that others can't hear it, making it seem like the message was sent directly to your head.>

It was only when the AI replied to some of his doubts that Alex calmed down a bit, his brows frowning, as this was the moment he broke free of his shock. His eyes locked on the creature, squinting his eyes as he tried to get a clearer view of the monster just so that he could get a look at his status window.

'What is this string then? Why does it seem to be asking for me to hold it?'
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Alex's doubt about his mind being invaded by the creature sprouted all because of the string made of mana that he could somehow perceive. So, what was it?

<That... well, it took me a while to decipher it, but that string you're able to perceive is not exactly something you can just hold on to like it wants you to. That string is a partial mana control string—something that lets you keep a check on the mana activities in a person's body.

That creature is sending his mana control string to you in a way that shows that it means no harm and that you can have partial control of its mana if that's what it takes for you to trust him. That creature is clearly not aware that you are incapable of doing such a thing—you are not that powerful yet.

That creature is probably not aware of how human's power system is and how strong one needs to be to be able to do it.>

It was a long explanation, and although it looked like it must've taken a lot of time, those details were directly being transferred to Alex's brain, so it wasn't even taking a millisecond's worth of time, but as Alex absorbed the information, his face turned grim.

'... doesn't that mean this creature is very strong?' Alex couldn't help but come to that conclusion as the AI's words made it look that way.

<Yes, that creature is very strong—way stronger than what you could face for a long time...>

The AI's reply just made the solemnity of the situation rise for Alex, his cautious gaze fixed on the monster.

<... but that is what that creature's power is at its peak; right now, his powers seem to be lowered by a lot, and when I say a lot, I mean a lot. The huge power difference is probably the reason why that creature couldn't tell when humans are supposed to be able to use mana control strings.>

'Huh?'

The next series of AI's words, however, left Alex confused, rendering him unable to understand it perfectly.

'That creature's power is suppressed?'

Alex questioned back in a hurry, but before the AI could answer...

["Ahem... sorry for the delay; I was just a bit surprised by the way you talked. I never expected you to do it, after all."]

The Certain God's words echoed in Alex's head as a string of silver texts floated in front of him. The Certain God was finally able to calm down her strange feelings. Embarrassment, however, was clear in her voice—squirmy about how easily she found her emotions reeling due to a mortal.

"I need an answer."

Alex, however, wasn't in the mood for jokes right now. He was stuck in a very serious situation where, even though he had the opportunity right in front of him, he couldn't take it.

This thought about all of this being a trick by the creature in front of him also came into his mind. Maybe that beast was intentionally making himself seem trustworthy because he knew that Alex couldn't take hold of the mana control string, or it was simply trying to make fun of Alex by showing how weak humans were to not even have reached that level.

There were some other scenarios Alex could think of—scenarios where the beast was a great schemer—and that was why he needed the opinion of the Certain God, who seemed to somehow know this creature.

["Oh yes, my bad~, I didn't notice your tension!"]

The Certain God, on the other hand, had her tone of voice return to how it used to be, giggling in between her words as if laughing at how serious he seemed, making Alex frown, but before he could speak again, she spoke the words he wanted to hear.

["That creature you see is a descendent of a divine being, and when I say a divine being, they are strong enough to be compared to the gods, me excluded, of course. No god can stand against me."]

The Certain God, in the middle of the explanation, started talking about her greatness, making Alex clench his fists in annoyance, as this was the exact reason why he didn't like talking to the gods.

The Certain God, however, was able to perceive it as well—the frustration that Alex felt—so, before her actions and jokes had an effect she never wanted them to, she turned serious, giving him the answer he wanted.

She had failed to realize that, for a while, she had been looking out for Alex a lot. Her apologies were the most important thing, as she was the strongest god, or so she called herself—a being who wouldn't bat an eye even if she whipped a whole race off the universe—yet she was apologizing to a mortal.

Even as a joke, that was not something other gods would even be able to believe, but it was happening.

["Alright, I won't play around anymore. So, as I said, that creature is one of the very few descendants of a divine being who, in a certain field, is stronger than me. For what reason he came to you, I don't know, but I can assure you of one thing, and that is that these beings—be it his mother or his siblings—are one of the most honest beings you would ever find among all of the races in creation.

There has never been an instant where I have heard or seen any of them lying. A personal opinion of mine: they are not the bad guys; you can trust them.

I am saying this because I know his mother on a personal level."]

That was all the Certain God said before she went silent, leaving everything else for Alex to decide. And Alex, after hearing her words, was now in deep contemplation...

<We should try it out...>

That was until the AI started to speak the words that he wanted to accept but was too scared to.