The ruins of Thal'Zir lay in eerie silence. Leon stood motionless amidst the remnants of the battle, his fingers tightening around the Soulbound Wraith Core. A deep, pulsating chill radiated from the sphere, sinking into his skin like tendrils of frozen mist.
His breathing was steady, but beneath the calm surface, his mind churned with thoughts. This core—it wasn't just any treasure. It held power beyond anything he had wielded before.
A soft glow surrounded his fingertips as he activated Absorption.
The core trembled before shattering into countless motes of blue light, which surged into his body.
[Soulbound Wraith Core has been absorbed.]
[Your affinity with Dark and Soul Energy has increased.]
[You have learned a new skill: Spectral Dominion.]
A cold shudder coursed through his veins, his connection to his own existence wavering for the briefest moment before solidifying into something… stronger.
Leon exhaled, his fingers clenching and unclenching as he adjusted to the change.
[You have leveled up.]
Level 204 → Level 207
His eyes darkened. Still not enough.
He had a long way to go before he could set foot in the Divine Realm again.
Glancing at the ruins around him, Leon didn't linger. There was no time to celebrate. He needed to keep moving.
---
The Blackwood Wilds stretched endlessly before him. Towering trees loomed like sentinels, their gnarled roots twisting through the undergrowth. Shadows danced beneath the canopy, concealing countless dangers.
Leon moved with purpose, his senses sharpening as he stepped through the dense terrain.
A rustling sound.
His gaze flickered toward a clearing ahead, where moonlight illuminated a lone figure drinking from a crystal-clear stream.
A massive beast stood there, its obsidian-black scales gleaming faintly in the dark. Four crimson eyes scanned the surroundings, its breath coming in slow, steady huffs.
[Obsidian Terrorbeast (Ancient Grade) – Level 280]
Leon's grip on his weapon tightened.
He wasn't leaving without a fight.