"There are a lot of regulations for stealth items, since some of them could be used for dangerous purposes," Genevieve warned him. "As for damage-negation, it has been in demand ever since monsters first appeared in the world."
"Does that make my choice a good one?" he asked.
"There are no good choices, because all of them come with certain risks," she said. "What are your other options?"
"Crafting healing items, weapons, and training gear."
"Each one corresponds to a certain desire," she said with a sigh. "Which desire do you believe would grant you a sub-desire?"
"Like, a specialization?"
"Yes. You should pick that one, as your ability would evolve according to your sub-desire," she said. "It all boils down to a single question: what do you desire the most?"
Aiden was silent, as the memory he saw at the trial resurfaced in his mind. Nail had said that Aiden craved chaos, but that was just a test set by the trial—or that's what he wanted to believe.
In truth, Aiden knew deep down that he awaited the storm and wished to be at its center. He wanted to see the world change before his eyes and be one of the reasons.
"I want to have the strength to survive anything," Aiden said.
"Then, your choice has been made. Use the shard so that we can begin with your training."
"Can I… do it alone?"
"I understand," she said with a nod. "I will be close enough to prevent any monsters from interrupting you, but my eyes will be shut and my ears will be sealed."
"Thank you, Genny."
She gave him a disgusted look and walked away. Aiden snickered before he found himself a comfortable spot.
He didn't want her to freak out when she realized that the shard was not physical, but something that his system had rewarded him.
Aiden was ready to make the choice now.
Void had been his companion ever since he arrived in this world.
It had almost killed him.
But it had saved his life.
If there was one desire that he could count on, it would be this.
[You have chosen the Starflame of Void.]
A flame appeared in front of Aiden. It absorbed the light in the surroundings, summoning the night. Nothing could be seen except for the purple flame in front of him.
[A flickering darkness that consumes light and sound.]
A window appeared.
Then, the flame rushed toward him, diving into his chest. Aiden felt a searing heat within him, forcing him to scream. Violet veins appeared on his skin as the flame began to recreate his body.
He struggled to stay standing and collapsed on the ground. The ground turned ashen underneath his fingers. Aiden endured the pain with gritted teeth.
Then, it began to fade.
[Starflame of Void]
[Primary Function: Crafting stealth items and damage-negating armor.]
★★★
[Secondary Effects Activated:]
[• Light naturally bends around your form (-5% visibility)]
[• Footsteps absorb 10% more ambient sound]
[• Skin temperature lowered by 1.5°C (reduces thermal detection)]
[• Minor kinetic dispersion (negates 2% of blunt force trauma)]
[• Void-chilled flesh (reduces burn severity by 5%)]
★★★
[Starflame of Void has bonded to your Essence.]
[Current Essence Modifier: +0% (Base efficiency)]
[Flame Strength: Faint ember (Max craft time: 30 mins/day)]
★★★
[Path of Void Unlocked.]
[Can now process void-touched materials.]
[Basic void infusion capacity: 5g per crafting session.]
[Natural stealth items last 50% longer when used by you.]
★★★
[Warning: Prolonged use may cause:]
[• Temporary light sensitivity]
[• Mild spatial disorientation]
[• Auditory hallucinations (threshold: 25 mins/day)]
★★★
[Next Threshold]
[Reach Essence 10 to unlock:]
[• Void Ash Collection (passive material generation)]
[• Basic Armor Reinforcement (+3% damage negation)]
★★★
Aiden collapsed face-first as the violet veins began to fade. He felt the searing heat escaping his body, replaced with a chill.
Then, his stomach churned, and he began to vomit.
Black tar dyed the ground as it left his stomach.
Aiden kept vomiting until he felt he had nothing else left to expel.
"If this is what power feels like," he muttered, "then every damn Seeker is a masochist."
Aiden threw himself away from the pool of black tar and allowed himself to land on the soft grass. He exhaled, tired but somehow invigorated.
He raised a hand.
And then, a finger.
A violet flame appeared atop his finger.
It burned the light beside it, creating a sphere of darkness.
Aiden grinned.
"Welcome to the team, Starflame," he muttered before letting it disappear and trying to rise. He was covered in filth, which made him run toward the lake while discarding his clothes.
Aiden threw himself into the water and began scrubbing himself using the bar of soap he had purchased while grocery shopping. He cleaned himself several times before the stench left him.
After changing his clothes, Aiden saw Genevieve walk toward him with a smile. He stared at her, eyes squinting. "Your timing is a little suspicious."
"I just knew you would run to wash yourself after using the shard," she said with a grin. "I wasn't watching or anything."
"Give a thief enough rope, and he'll hang himself," Aiden said with a look of suspicion. "Wait—you knew what would happen?"
"All abilities are unique, but the process of acquiring them is the same. The body cleanses itself of impurities once it starts the path of cultivation."
"You saw the camp?"
"I wouldn't dare, but I did use my void to eradicate all the filth from a distance. You are welcome."
Aiden sighed as he turned toward his own hand, and a flame appeared atop it. The flame stole the light from the surroundings, making Genevieve stare at him with widened eyes.
"This is no mere crafting flame," she said. "This is… a Starflame."
"You know it?"
"Flames have tiers, and a Starflame is one of the highest flames, used to craft the pinnacle of items," she said with a greedy smile. "You will craft excellent items, Aiden."
"Expensive ones," he reminded her. "You better get a scale, because whatever item I create will cost its weight in gold."