Chapter 56: Uncaged |
“Not unlike the basic Cursed variant, Seeker is the favored starting point for the majority of small flying creatures. While the pack mentality may be a new concept for most, it is a choice that offers great potential. Hence, the skies are often teeming with these vexing creatures in the early stages of an Outbreak.
Fortunately, unless encountered in large numbers or subjected to a coordinated attack, a group of three Seekers should pose little challenge for even an inexperienced survivor. However, it is crucial to remain vigilant and watch your surroundings, as these creatures often like to strike their opponents in the back.”
~Creatures of the Void, 42nd Edition
The darkness might have taken him, but not even for a second did he lose consciousness. The transition from the shadowy depths of his Soulscape to the boundless expanse of darkness was seamless. Only now, his sight—and most likely his body—was lost to him.
That’s uncomfortable… Thank the Void Nikra saved me from spending the entire evolution here. I would go mad. Well, that is, if I’m not mad already. I’m talking to myself, after all… Damn. It does make me wonder if this is how it always will be.
Leo hoped it wouldn’t. Only a moment had passed since his arrival in the infinite space, and he already hated it. While there was no pain, there was also nothing familiar about this place. He couldn’t move or see. And to make matters worse, he could constantly feel some weird energies floating here.
It wasn’t Essence, or at least not fully. Even though his limited senses could barely catch onto those surges around him, he could still tell there was more to it—so much more.
Is it Ether? Maybe some energy unique to the System? Damn, I could use some of that limited knowledge of yours right about now, Nikra.
It was rather ironic how, mere moments after parting ways with her, he already found himself seeking her assistance. That said, he really shouldn’t become over-reliant on her presence. She was still a major unknown, and considering all the issues that could arise between them, developing any kind of dependency on Nikra was a disaster in the making.
Given the state of the world—hell, the entire Universe—Leo really shouldn’t have to concern himself with all-powerful beings and the complex history of the Multiverse. Survival, becoming stronger, and finding his family should be his only focus.
And yet here he was.
Man, I am really overcomplicating this, aren’t I? Should just stick to adapt or die and worry about all the other shit later. Or at least when I finally get the full story.
Nodding despite not having a body, he pushed all those raging thoughts into the deepest pits of his mind. There would come a time to unravel them all, but that time was not today.
Okay, so now what?
For quite some time, Leo was left without an answer. He drifted in the boundless darkness, enveloped by unseen energies. Fortunately, even he couldn’t be unlucky enough to remain in the dark forever.
So, when a light suddenly burst all around, he sighed. Or he would have, if only such a physical act were possible in his current state.
In a shower of sparks, particles of light formed into shimmering golden letters. Before long, lines of bright text appeared before him. Waiting for his input.
Oh, wow…
Stage II Evolution completed successfully. Cooling stage initiation in progress. During this time, please take a moment to acquaint yourself with the previously unlisted changes brought about by your evolution. It is important to note that detailed descriptions will only become available once you have emerged from the protective cocoon.
Leo blinked—and it actually worked. Cooling stage? Ah, whatever, let’s see.
The description of your Prime Night Hunter evolution has been updated.
For some reason, I’m not surprised at all, he thought. It was a bit lackluster, especially for you, System.
Due to the Fusion nature of your evolution, your Job has advanced to the next stage. As a result, you can now access Type information when identifying creatures. Your Hunter’s Pulse ability also has been upgraded to Epic quality.
Type information? Job advancement? Leo raised an imaginary eyebrow. Guess I will find out soon.
Congratulations, former human, on joining the esteemed ranks of Akirians, the elite of the Void. As a result of your evolution, you have been bestowed with the Low-end Akirian Physiology trait. May your journey through the Void be fruitful.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Okay, you didn’t have to throw it in my face. I’m well aware that I abandoned my humanity with this choice, Leo grumbled just before a thought struck him. Although, it really makes me wonder why you didn’t mention this trait before. It can’t be anything negative, right?
Natural mutations unlocked. You might now access the Mutation menu at any point in time. Please be careful with your choices.
Well, that I already knew, but thanks for the warning, I guess?
Class skill Dagger Mastery has become a Racial skill and evolved into Night Hunter’s Blade Mastery. Abilities gained from the lesser version of this skill are still available.
Okay, but what is a Night Hunter’s blade?
He reread the notification again and again, hoping it would give him more information. But nothing like that happened. Identify also refused to answer his call.
I have a bad feeling about this…
Title Prime gained. Displaying description now due to its importance. Title will be assimilated into Nikra’s Legacy.
Prime:
You have transcended beyond the limits of your sub-species, reaching heights never claimed before. Never stop in your path; push forward. You are the first and the last of your kind, so make it count.
Effects:
Freshly Born Akirians recognize your power. If they exist, other Night Hunters will refrain from attacking you and may even be open to obeying your commands.
Holy shit. Leo gaped. I knew Apex Voidlings were something special, but man, this is something else. And the first and the last? That’s gotta be wrong…
But the more he thought about it, the more it added up. His evolution was unique. And if he was the only Night Hunter in existence… well, it wouldn’t exactly shock him.
And there goes the dream of commanding more Night Hunters. At least the “Freshly Born Akirians recognize your power” might come in handy one day…
Leo nodded, and the notifications faded, only to be replaced by another, shorter one.
Cooling stage ready.
Please note that Evolution menu will become unavailable until Level 35. From this point, your future path depends only on you, User. Your choices, battles, experiences, and experiences will shape what lies ahead. Until then, good luck, Hunter.
Level 35?! That’s a long way to go. Leo frowned, making sure he read the notification right. Or maybe my block just came up early? Or Tainted Humans follow different rules? Damn, I have to ask Dylan and the others what their race gives per level.
Before he could spiral further, the System reminded him that things were far from over.
Beginning cooling stage. Warning! Detected multiple Void-born in the vicinity. Two survivors close by. Proceed with caution upon awakening.
Survivors? Not good at all. Guests are the last thing I need when I am bleeding out and have just finished evolving. Please, just stay away. For both our sakes…
Three…
Two…
One…
Cocoon cooling in progress. Time to release: 1 minute.
As the words faded, Leo snapped back into his body, accompanied by a scorching pain that he had forgotten about during the evolution. It surged through his limbs, some of which felt outright wrong, unfamiliar. That said, he had no time to dwell on that realization, as every bruise, cut, and broken bone attacked his senses, almost overwhelming him.
And that wasn’t all.
Exhaustion flooded his body, dragging down even his undamaged muscles. His mind felt groggy, sluggish. If not for the pain, he would have fallen asleep. Still, there was also something else that kept him awake.
A hunger, deep within his soul. It begged for Essence to feed on. No, that was wrong. It demanded to be sated, and Leo could do nothing to quell the overwhelming thirst that consumed him.
What is this? He screamed internally. Shit!
The countdown hovered in his vision, but he couldn’t focus. No matter how hard he tried, the numbers always slipped away—lost to the pain, the hunger, the fury boiling inside him.
Then there were the voices, two of them, distant and just barely reaching his ears through the cocoon.
“…moving. Come… Wait! Protection still…”
That was all Leo heard from the first voice. He tried to wiggle his body, hardly noticing that it seemed wrong and unnatural.
“Fuck if… know… Shoot right… We don’t… the time! Bloody scouts… near… Frank will… us… Clayton!”
Snippets. Fragments. But enough to paint a picture.
Even if they aren’t hostile, once they see me, I’m screwed anyway. Heavy physical evolution, my ass. I bet I look like a Voidling or worse now…
Leo tried to think, to form a plan—but his mind refused to cooperate. Pain and hunger twisted his thoughts into knots. Hell, he barely registered the shift as his body jolted forward, slipping through an opening that wasn’t there before.
Shit!
He hit the ground hard, knees first, palms catching his weight. His vision, despite the fog and rage consuming his mind, felt sharper. He saw more details; noticed more movement. However, what truly pulled him back to reality were the words that came next.
“Bloody hell! You’re an ugly fucker, ain’t ya?” a gruff voice spoke with a chuckle. “Mason, you fat fuck, come ’ere. Look at this poor sod. Free experience just—”
Whatever the man was about to say was drowned out by the low, primal growl that ripped from Leo’s throat. His head—which definitely wasn’t the same as before—snapped toward the hostile voice.
His eyes, which just a second ago saw with perfect clarity, locked onto the humanoid blur in the doorway. Then, it was like something snapped within him, igniting a surge of instincts. Before his mind could catch up with what was happening, his body launched forward.
The man tried to raise something—probably a gun—but he was far too slow.
Guided by rage and something far beyond human, he closed the distance in a blink. Midnight-black claws slashed through the man’s neck like paper. He tried to scream, but Leo never gave him a chance and slammed his other hand into his gut.
Then, still acting on instinct and rage, he dragged the corpse into the corridor.
Shots rang out—one, two—but none found Leo. Instead, a sense of clarity washed over him, his vision sharpening. With each passing moment, the rage faded, if only slightly.
Still, his body moved on its own, dragging the corpse as a shield and charging the second man down the corridor.
“Stay the fuck away!” the survivor screamed, unloading his mag into his friend’s body.
But Leo—now fully aware yet still not in control—could only watch as his body closed the remaining distance. Then, somehow, a dark blade extended from the edge of his forearm, stretching way past his pinkie finger.
A single swing was all it took for the man to lose his head.
The massacre was over.
And Leo?
He just stood there, breath ragged, body trembling. Blood dripped from his claws, from the bodies they now impaled. Their Essence flowed into him, rejuvenating his battered frame, while the control of his body finally returned to its rightful owner.
What. The. Hell. Just. Happened?!