Chapter 652 143.2 - Voidborne
I stepped into the hotel, its polished floors and warm lighting a stark contrast to the dark, oppressive atmosphere I'd just left behind. The place was quiet, elegant, and mercifully empty—a welcome change after days spent stalking through shadows and hunting a creature like that. Now, all I wanted was a place to rest. A bed, silence, and maybe a few hours without worrying who or what might be watching.
As I approached the front desk, the receptionist looked up from her screen, a polite smile at the ready. Her gaze met mine, and for a split second, her expression faltered. Her eyes widened, cheeks flushing faintly as she took in my appearance.
'Ah. Another one,' I thought, suppressing a sigh. Ever since I'd consumed that flower in Maya's forest, I'd noticed this reaction everywhere. Strangers staring, women going pink in the face, and even a few men were caught off guard. It was as though my very presence now carried some inexplicable allure, one I hadn't asked for and didn't want.
"Good evening, sir," she greeted, her voice a little too bright, the blush still coloring her cheeks. "Welcome to the Arcadia Hotel. How can I assist you?"
"Just a room for the night," I replied, keeping my tone as neutral as possible. "Something quiet, if you have it."
"Of course," she said, typing away, her gaze flickering back to me every few seconds. "Under what name should I register your stay?"
"Astron Natusalune," I replied, watching as she noted it down, her blush deepening slightly. She handed me the keys, her fingers brushing against mine as she did. Another lingering glance, almost as if she couldn't help herself.
I nodded politely, turning away. 'This charm nonsense is more trouble than it's worth,' I mused, moving toward the elevator. I wasn't interested in people's admiration, nor did I care for the attention that came with it. All it did was remind me of how far I still had to go, and the focus I needed to maintain.
The ride to the room was blissfully silent, and as I reached my floor and slipped the key into the door. I stepped into the room, letting the door click shut behind me, savoring the solitude.
I set down my belongings and surveyed the room. A brief flicker of satisfaction crossed my mind as I took in the polished elegance of the space, the muted lighting, and, most importantly, the oversized tub that awaited in the bathroom. It was why I'd rented a place this fine—might as well have the quiet and comfort while I could. Herbal baths had become a habit, ever since the organization had introduced me to their therapeutic effect. They steadied my mind and soothed the tension that built up after too many missions, letting me reflect without distraction.
'Let's take a bath first,' I thought, moving to prepare it.
The water filled steadily, steam beginning to cloud the air as I added the herbs from a small pouch I'd carried with me. Their scent—calming, slightly bitter—filled the room, a familiar blend that reminded me of the solitary moments I'd taken advantage of back at the organization. I slipped into the tub, letting the warm water rise around me, seeping into my skin, easing the lingering ache from my muscles.
Silence wrapped around me like a second skin, the kind I welcomed. Here, alone and away from any prying eyes, I could think without restraint. I allowed myself to feel the stillness, a state I'd grown accustomed to, free from the needless burdens of excitement or fear. I rarely felt anything at all, in truth. My emotions had long since been subdued, directed toward purpose rather than impulse. It was a kind of clarity I valued.
As I lay there, submerged in warmth, I turned my attention inward, letting my senses flow through the energy within me. The Void energy from the dragon felt different, deeper, darker as if it reached beyond what normal mana could touch. It pulsed, synchronized with my own reserves, but still carried a wildness, a primal force that resisted being fully tamed.
'The [Voidborne] trait is potent,' I observed, watching the way the energy settled and moved. It felt almost alive, weaving through me with an instinctual understanding, as if it knew its place already. Even without opening my status window, I could sense the changes: my mana was denser, my physical strength heightened, and beneath it all, a quiet, consuming power that made each breath feel purposeful.
But well, aside from that, I still needed to check the status window of course. So that, a certain someone could show a better view for the people reading? 'Status Window.'
As I called, the panel appeared before me. ------------------------------------------
▶Name: Astron Natusalune
▶Occupation: Weapon Master (level 4)
▶Talent Limit: 12 ▶Passives: Vengeful Bane
Bloodline Resonance Psychic Cognizance
▶Attributes: Variable Attributes:
• Strength: 6.02 ➔ 6.74
• Dexterity: 6.04 ➔ 6.76
• Agility: 6.12 ➔ 6.85
• Constitution: 6.03 ➔ 6.75
• Intuition: 6.20 ➔ 6.94
• Magical Power: 6.61 ➔ 7.40
• Mana Capacity: 6.70 ➔ 7.50
Invariable Attributes Charisma: 11 Vitality: 10 ▶Traits: Perceptive Insight (Epic)(Unchanging)
Lunar Enigma (????) (Growth Type) (Stage 1)
Shadowborne (Legendary) (Growth Type)(Stage 3)
Voidborne (Legendary) (Growth Type)(Stage 1)
▶Arts:
Lethal Arsenal Ascendancy (????)(%37)
▶Skills:
Eyes of Hourglass
▶Body Imprints:
Everchanging Glyph
▶Bonds: Aurora Raven (Rare)(Growth Type)
Celestalith, The Transcendent Eclipse --------------------------------
The status window shimmered before me, its familiar layout detailing every aspect of my growth. As I scanned the numbers, the changes were immediate and undeniable. Every attribute had surged, the increases lining up perfectly with what I'd expected. A twelve percent boost across the board—precisely what comes from killing a Primordial Demon, even one that wasn't fully realized.
'So, a twelve percent increase. Not bad, even if it was expected,' I mused, noting the way each stat felt more refined, more substantial, as though my very foundation had shifted.
The boost was unmistakable, my strength, dexterity, and agility were now at levels that were leagues beyond what they'd been before. And it wasn't just the physical. My mana capacity had climbed significantly, a steady surge of energy coursing through me, ready to be wielded. My magical power itself was close to breaching an entirely new threshold, a solid 7.40 that marked a milestone in my progress.
'Indeed…..Now, I can command the next level of mana.' I thought to myself. With each integer increase for the Magical Power, the rank of the mana that one would be able to make use of would also increase. It was a satisfying sight, though satisfaction was a fleeting concept. Each boost, each increment, was simply another step. The real work came next, taming this new energy, and fusing it fully into my skillset. I knew well enough that raw power meant nothing if it couldn't be wielded precisely.
My gaze fell on the Voidborne trait, newly acquired and resting at Stage 1. -----------------
Trait: Voidborne
Description: The innate trait bestowed by the Primordial Void Dragon, this ability grants the user mastery over void energy, enabling them to bypass physical and mystical barriers, nullify magical effects, and render themselves undetectable in various environments.
Stage 1:
Void Cloak:
The user cloaks themselves in void energy, allowing them to phase briefly through physical barriers and evade basic detection methods. While cloaked, the user nullifies minor ambient energies in the immediate area, making it difficult for magical or sensory abilities to track them. This energy cloak enhances the user's stealth, creating an elusive, incorporeal presence that slips through obstacles and evades observation.
------------
I took in the description of the [Voidborne] trait, noting each detail with a sense of mild satisfaction. Just like in the game, it had granted me the initial ability, [Void Cloak]. Familiar, yet distinct from the stealth provided by [Shadowborne's] [Shadow Veil].
[Shadow Veil] had served me well enough until now, shrouding me from perception, blurring my presence into the shadows. But [Void Cloak]—this was something else entirely. Not only did it conceal, but it nullified, stripping away the very traces that magic and senses relied on. No mere cloak, it made me incorporeal, an elusive void that slipped through barriers. And if I could understand a structure, and see its design clearly, I could phase through it.
'This isn't just hiding—it's erasure,' I thought, my fingers tapping lightly against the edge of the bath. 'If I need to vanish, I'll do more than disappear. They'll forget I was even there.'
The implications were significant. With [Void Cloak], I could evade even the most sensitive detection. The potential for this power, especially once mastered, was staggering. Each wall or barrier was no longer an obstacle but a faint suggestion, a guideline I could simply pass through. But the true strength would lie in my understanding—knowing where to phase, when to cloak, and making each choice precise. The Void demanded precision, and I would need to wield this trait carefully.
Satisfied, I dismissed the panel, the details now committed to memory. This was a new advantage. 'While it may look like a waste, it is still fine. Since I know the second stage of this trait, it shouldn't be that hard for me to get to that stage.'
That was the main part. With [Shadowborne] I lacked the necessary guiding principles, as the trait was different from the one that was shown in the game.
But this one seemed to be similar to the one in the game, and that gave me a direction to pursue. 'But, the most important thing is the fact that I now got my hands on the void energy.'
With the acquisition of void energy, I finally had the catalyst I needed. The very essence I'd absorbed from the Void Dragon was more than just raw power—it was the cornerstone of a technique I'd been working toward, one that would take advantage of the Void's unique properties to break past typical limits. This was more than an ability; it was a path to mastery.
'Void energy… now this is where it completes.'
Now, with everything finished, it was time for me to meet with a certain someone.
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