After he finished learning the ability they awakened, he refocused again to others in front of him and said, "Before an hour, you must gather in front of me again, but these five people should be out of my sight. Bring him to the place they stay. Treat them carefully."
They were taken aback. The momentary pause caused Zoe to frown and shouted, "MOVE!"
They hastily surrounded Gregorio and others as they lifted them up. They had to be careful when handling them either, since the Emperor was watching them closely. They could not help, the Emperor's gaze made them too conscious of him, causing their action to satisfy the Emperor as they could.
Ten minutes later, they left the pink gate behind the Emperor. Zoe and Samantha remained on his side—they would not leave unless he said so.
Eric, meanwhile, said, "Zoe, you can remain beside me. Samantha, you may go now and look for Jasper to finally create the Evolution Crystal-Powered Water Purifier."
In the past three days or more, Eric instructed Samantha to keep gathering water despite it being contaminated. Earlier, she reported that the contaminated water entered the next stage, to which she has to stop gathering more, unless they conclude the effectiveness of the new water purifier.
Samantha nodded and left the pink gate. After Eric instructed Jasper and others to gather the other survivors in front of him, he instructed them to collect the foods and water he left on the house he raided. Furthermore, he told them all the food and water should be gathered in the house next to them, since it was quite numerous to stock them all inside a room in their current residence.
After more than half an hour, it appeared they were already done with the task. Hence, Eric instructed Samantha to begin the creation of the water purifier immediately.
A smile formed on his face as he received information from the system.
{Congratulations! You have completed a mission.
The new survivors under yours are considered, so rest assured that the foods and water you gathered will last a month.
Hence, you are rewarded with another ability. You want to awaken right at the moment?
Yes/No.}
Eric smiled and whispered quietly. "Sure."
Zoe's ear moved, instantly glancing at the Emperor. However, it appeared the Emperor was only mumbling to himself, so she did not say anything. However, she suddenly felt an oppressive aura emanating from the Emperor, causing her to groan lightly.
Eric heard her and was a bit surprised. However, he concentrated on the newly formed energy gathering inside his energy core, seemingly wanting to have its place beside the Pyromancy and the Unyielding March.
His smile widened. The energy has the same level as the other ability, so he was expecting the effects to be unique—at the very least, it should not be an elemental type of energy. The energy was more similar to Laws, which should not be easily accessible unless he reached the Transcendent stage.
He thought. This world really has its own laws compared to the Murim World. Those who awaken such abilities like this have the potential to reach the Transcendent stage. Eric was instantly reminded of the aspiring political scientist earlier and shook his head lightly.
It was not a law related ability, it was more like a psychic one—rarely existed in the Murim World. Unless, another aspiring political scientist indeed awakened an ability that their words are the law, to which he believed a very dangerous existence.
Eric emptied his mind as he waited for the energy to be completely assimilated inside his body and settled down. Finally, it took only a minute for the system's voice to echo again.
{Congratulations! You have awakened another ability.
Ability: Imperial Mandate
"My word is the law, even reality bends towards it."}
Eric's eyes widened. He did not expect that a casual thought on his mind earlier to actually happen to him. The excitement caused him to forget about the system's voice, trying to imitate him just to say the quotes.
{Description: The Imperial Mandate is an ability that allows you to rewrite fate for a short duration. Of course, it's not omnipotent until you will be. Hence, the ability is still in its developing form, allowing you minor manipulations over fate, mainly within personal combat or leadership situations.
Current Effects: You can alter minor events for a few seconds, such as dodging a fatal blow, ensuring a sword swing lands, or preventing a stumble. The command must be verbalized (for example, "I will not be struck.") At its current stage, it can extend up to three allies at once. You can declare that an ally will succeed in a crucial action (for example, "You will strike true."), slightly shifting fate in their favor. Only works within a 50-meter radius.}
Eric was thrilled. He was so excited he suddenly commanded, surprising Zoe.
"Zoe, you will strike me in the face with your full strength."
Zoe, who was taken aback by his command, suddenly lost control of her body and struck Eric's face. Zoe was completely horrified. She instantly lost control of her body when a wave of energy, obviously coming from the Emperor, enveloped her body and manipulated it to strike The Emperor's face.
She was deeply startled that she almost cried.
"W-Wha! I-I'm sorry, Emperor. I didn't mean it!"
In fact, Eric did not flinch at all. Her full strength was completely stopped when her fist collided with Eric's cheeks, as though it was an immovable mountain. Of course, Eric breathed deeply, and tensed his muscle, to which he successfully blocked it without a slight flinch. However, his attention was focused entirely on his ability.
He thought. I can use it three times in a single breath. So, it will be of infinite use, that is, if it will only be used on a single person and it is weaker than me. If it's a first mortal stage, their energy might be able to negate the effects.
However, Eric was not disheartened at all. After all, he awakened three abilities, two of which were unique, thrilling him.