A message flashed before my eyes.
[Innate Skill Acquired]
[Synapse Boost – Level 1]
I focused on the message, reading the details.
Synapse Boost (Innate Skill): Enhances perception and cognitive processing.
"Ohh, now that's more like it."
I had been wondering why I hadn't received a skill for infusing Essence into my eyes. It clearly worked like an ability, boosting my brain's processing power. Now, I had confirmation.
A grin spread across my face as I took a step forward and swung my fist at a hound leaping toward me. My Essence-infused punch connected with its jaw and...
Boom!
Its head exploded, blood and brain matter spraying in every direction.
I pushed Essence into my legs and lunged at the Level 10. My body slammed into it mid-air, and together, we crashed through a cluster of hounds before slamming into a tree. I sprang up instantly, my eyes tracking the remaining hounds.
The Level 9s needed to go first.
Pivoting sharply, I dashed toward one as it lunged.
I spun, channeled Essence into my heel, and drove my foot into its skull, crushing it straight into the ground.
Without hesitation, I grabbed the corpse by the tail, swung it in a wide arc, and hurled it at an approaching Level 8. The body smashed into the beast with a sickening crunch, sending both of them crashing into the pillar.
I took a moment to glance around. The world moved at a crawl, my enhanced perception feeding me every detail.
My knees bent, and I launched myself at the Level 10 again. Essence surged through my arm, compressing my muscles and hardening my fist. I slammed it into the beast's midsection, sending it flying upward.
I shot after it, twisting in the air before bringing my heel down in a brutal axe kick.
Crack.
Its spine snapped, and the beast plummeted to the ground, lifeless.
[Level Up!]
[Level 9 → Level 10]
[Skill Level Up!]
[Essence Manipulation – Level 1 → Level 2]
I exhaled, deactivating my skills. The world snapped back to normal speed, and a dull ache spread through my muscles.
Despite the carnage around them, the remaining hounds, eight in total, mostly low levels, kept creeping toward me, growling low and steady.
"You never learn, do you?" I smirked.
I checked my Essence store, completely full. Then, my gaze flicked to my [Talent] panel. The requirement to level up Generator was sitting at 94/100.
Six more units of Essence, and I could finally upgrade it.
"Alright, boys," I cracked my knuckles. "Let's get some practice in."
I channeled all my Essence into Constitution, temporarily boosting it to 22.5 and draining my Essence store completely. With my body reinforced, I stepped toward the beasts.
I lowered my stance, relaxed my muscles, and spread my arms wide, inviting them in.
"Come on, give me your best shot."
One of the hounds took the bait. It snarled and lunged, aiming straight for my chest. I didn't move. Instead, I braced myself and let it smash into me, its full momentum slamming against my body. My feet skidded back an inch, but that was it.
Thump.
"Not bad," I muttered, feeling my heart hum with energy.
I grabbed the hounds skull and threw it away.
"Next!"
Two more hounds charged in, one from the left, the other from the right. I twisted slightly, letting both of them crash into my ribs at the same time. My body barely budged, but the impact sent a jolt of force straight into my heart.
"Oh, this is working beautifully," I chuckled.
One of the hounds, apparently tired of my nonsense, leaped straight for my head. I tilted back at the last second, caught it mid-air, and tucked it under my left arm like a misbehaving puppy.
"Gotcha."
Another hound lunged at my waist. I snatched it mid-air with my right arm.
"Two for two," I laughed, now holding a struggling hound under each arm like a pair of oversized, angry watermelons. They wriggled and snarled, trying to claw at me.
"Shhh," I whispered. "This is a bonding experience."
Before they could protest further, I bent my knees and sprinted toward the pillar. The other hounds chased after me, barking in confusion, but I wasn't stopping.
I slammed into the pillar full force, with the two hounds still trapped under my arms.
BOOM.
Lightning arced over my body as the impact rattled through me. My hair stood on end, my vision flashed white for a second, and the two hounds in my grasp made a noise that was somewhere between a yelp and a very dignified "woof."
I stumbled back, dropping them. They swayed on their feet, blinking in dazed confusion before their legs gave out, and they flopped to the ground, unconscious.
Progress: 99/100
The remaining six hounds hesitated. I shook myself off, cracking my neck.
"Oh, don't back out now. I need your help."
I rushed at the hounds, knocking them out one by one. Their bodies thudded against the ground, unmoving but still breathing.
The area fell silent. The only sound was the occasional crackle of lightning from the pillar behind me. The unconscious hounds lay scattered around, and I stood at the center of it all, completely unharmed.
I stretched, rolling my shoulders. My body felt solid, reinforced by the boost I had given it. With a thought, I deactivated Generator, deciding to level it up later when I was back at my resting place. I had no doubt Arkas was watching, and I didn't want to reveal too much.
Turning toward the pillar, I watched the lightning dance along its surface. Sparks flickered in the air, illuminating the battlefield in brief flashes.
"Now, let's see what reward you left for us, old man."
I approached the pillar, eyeing the crackling lightning with caution. It stood tall, an imposing barrier between me and whatever lay inside. I circled it, searching for a switch or some kind of mechanism, but there was nothing.
I frowned, crossing my arms.
"So, no easy way in, huh?"
I could have used Essence to make the jump, taking the pillar's support to reach the top in one leap. But I didn't want to waste any Essence just yet.
There were no trees close enough to use as a springboard.
"Throw it is then."
I went to one of the trees, broke off two branches, and returned to the pillar. Taking aim, I hurled the first branch at the cage. It missed slightly, flying off into the darkness. The second one, however, struck dead on. The cage wobbled for a moment before slipping off the edge and plummeting down.
I sprinted forward and caught it just before it hit the ground.
Excited, I broke open the small cage and picked up the glowing blue glass core along with the map inside.
I turned the core over in my hand, examining it closely.
And that was it. It was glass. It was a sphere. And it glowed blue.
I blinked a few times.
I knocked on it. Nothing.
I shook it. Still nothing.
I even tried random voice commands—"Activate," "Open," "Power on"—but the damn thing just sat there, glowing like a fancy decoration.
"Now what am I supposed to do with this?"
Out of ideas, I tossed it back into the cage and held it in my hand, stuffing the map into my pocket.
Then my gaze drifted to the unconscious hounds, and a grin spread across my face.
"I'll be back."