Adrian stared at the cosmic wealth spread across his work table. He knew he was capable of using these Void Crystals to further evolve himself right now.
The Tech Core hungered for them and the path to a Higher Existence was laid out before him. But he hesitated. He knew that a truly distinct, game-changing upgrade required more than just raw power. It required a plan.
He needed to understand the specific resonance of each crystal type to craft a perfect evolution path.
So, he made a different choice. He would use the crystals to upgrade his people.
The power gap between him and his Vassals was already a chasm; after his Void evolution, it had become an ocean. While they were strong for their tier, they were still just half-mortals.
In the high-stakes game of the Galactic Clash, and the even higher stakes of the real universe, he needed companions who could stand beside him, not just behind him.
