The massive surge of energy, from the Awakenings eventually faded away. It left an uneasy silence as the final aspirants moved into the strange wilderness.
Daniel's crew, though, wasn't freaking out.
They moved away, from the shouting and noises of combat. Their boots produced thumps on the luminous silver grass that moved in a silent rhythm.
Ragnar walked at the front, his massive build a moving wall of confidence. His recently acquired Stoneskin Talent made him nearly eager for a battle.
Sophie lingered slightly to the side, her pace fluid and effortless. She wasn't overlooking anything, her gaze continuously scanning, observing every plant and stone they came across.
Bran, clutching his aching arm stayed near Ragnar. His anxiety was clear a shadow that Daniel believed anyone could have noticed.
Daniel followed at the back, his thoughts in turmoil, hidden behind a calm expression.
The huge lie he'd told his teammates felt like a stone, cold and heavy, in his stomach.
He was not comfortable with the lie he told his teammates. He feared how hurt they'd feel if they found out he told a lie. Nevertheless, it was a necessary evil.
"Look, over there " Sophie's voice cut through his thoughts, sharp and clear. She indicated a row of trees far off.
The trees grow thicker in that area. We can seek shelter there. Also, the land inclines downward. Perhaps, we can get some water.
Ragnar grunted in agreement. "That works, Eyes. The earlier we discover a place to rest the better."
As they continued their journey, Daniel intentionally reduced his pace allowing some distance to form between himself and the group.
"Wait a moment " he shouted, his tone calm.
Ragnar stopped and turned, an impatient frown creasing his brow. "What is it this time Daniel? Did you trip over a stone?"
Daniel ignored the jab acting as if he was concentrating hard while scanning the area.
"Just orienting myself. This spot… something's not right. I need a moment to settle in."
It was the perfect excuse. Sophie gave him a thoughtful glance but then simply nodded, understanding he might require some time to adjust.
Ragnar merely walked off, allowing Daniel the room he needed.
He closed his eyes, shutting out the world beyond to concentrate on the dreadful force that had recently awakened within him.
He reached inward, beyond the fear and the lies and explored the vast dormant strength of his true Talent: Soul Assimilation.
It wasn't like reading a file on his Databand. It was far more than that.
The description he had seen earlier was only a brief summary of the talent, hinting at the immense depth hidden below.
He felt the information flood into him, not in words, but as instinctual knowledge. The core functions became instantly as clear and essential as breathing.
He could assimilate the very essence of his enemies , their souls and convert their strength into his own. He could consume the energy within items, enhancing them, reforging them with the remnants of the fallen.
He could assimilate the powers of other Awakened, not just mimicking them, but genuinely claim them as his own.
His mind raced, outlining the constraints of this terrifying power.
Another term called Assimilation Charges became clear to him.
Assimilation charges served as a restriction, a boundary preventing him from devouring the world quickly.
He focused, and the guidelines of his power imprinted themselves deeply in his memory.
Assimilation Charges: 10 charges available from Level 0 to 2. A seriously limited resource.
The charges would rise as he advanced in level: 15 for Levels 3–7, 20 for Levels 8… and so on.
The crucial point that made his heart pound was this: the charges would completely refil to their maximum every time he leveled up.
It was a cycle of consumption and reward. Next, the route to power itself: Experience.
Experience Progression:
Level 0 → Level 1: 50 EXP
Level 1 → Level 2: 250 EXP
Level 2 → Level 3: 600 EXP
Level 3 → Level 4: 1100 EXP and so on…
The figures were so straightforward it felt taunting. His entire existence had become a game of numbers and the one keeping count was death.
Experience from Kills:
Level 1 Creature: 12 EXP
Level 2 Creature: 20 EXP
Level 3 Creature: 50 EXP
Level 4 Creature: 100 EXP
Level 5 Creature: 180 EXP and so on…
He made a quick assessment. He required five Level 1 kills to advance to the next stage of his existence. Five lives to take, simply to restore his strength and become more powerful.
Then he saw the modifiers. Eliminating creatures at his level was the standard.
However there was a reward for courage: defeating an enemy two or three levels above him would grant a fifty percent bonus.
This realm didn't merely value power, it honored bravery.
Conversely, if he targeted weaker creatures his rewards would be reduced by fifty percent or even more.
The system encouraged a constant, forward momentum into greater danger.
He experienced a surge of emotion, half exhilaration, half intense fear.
The Talents explanation suggested depth, elements beyond his current comprehension accessible, through 'exploration, application and understanding.'
His liberated mind now overflowed with possibilities.
Was it possible to enhance living things, not just inanimate items? Could he direct his energy into Bran, potentially boosting his teammate's evolving talent?
The potential was endless. He stood at the brink, uncertain whether he would glide like a bird or simply fall forever.
"You done sightseeing?" Ragnar's voice rang out, pulling him abruptly back to the present.
He opened his eyes. The world appeared sharper, the colors more distinct. He could sense the fragile life-force of his teammates.
He looked at them. At Ragnar, whose simple trust was a weapon that could be turned against him. At Bran, whose anxiety made him unpredictable. At Sophie, whose keen intellect was already searching for flaws in his narrative.
He took a deep breath. "Yeah " he replied, his tone perfectly composed. "I'm fine. Lets go."
He got up and joined the rest of the crew. The god within him now fully awake, silently reviewing the rules of its reality.
For the moment he would serve as their strength, their strategist, their companion. He would allow them to believe he was the frailest. Yet as they ventured into the darkness of the imposing woods Daniel understood the reality.
Reuniting his family was still everything, but another, far more dangerous quest had just begun: the quest to figure out the limits of the monster sleeping inside his soul.
And to keep it going, he was going to need blood!