Chapter 35: Third Ability: Void Steps

Emrys walked deeper into the cavern with slow but steady steps. As he walked deeper, the glowing crystals produced brighter illumination. The heavy feeling in his chest stayed with him, but so did the strange pull.

"Just what is it?"

The deeper he went, the stronger the attraction became. Whatever it was deep inside the cave, it was definitely important to him... or maybe it was important to the bloodline of true Royal Voidfrost Weevils.

After walking to an unknown depth, the path in front of him opened into another chamber. It was smaller than the first, but something in the middle caught his eye.

He could see a strange object floating in the air. It looked like a glowing crystal, but it wasn’t like the others on the walls. This one was brighter, with a soft golden light that seemed alive.

The instant his sight fell on this crystal, the blood within his body started boiling. At the same time, the instinct to own it overwhelmed him completely.

Emrys stopped and stared. His fear was still there, but the pull in his heart grew even stronger.

"What... is that?" he whispered.

The golden crystal seemed to pulse, as if it was calling to him. He didn't understand why this crystal was attracting him so much, to the point where he felt like he would go crazy if he didn't get his hands on it.

But even as he looked at the crystal, the presence of the massive insectoid behind him lingered in his mind.

But very soon, he shook off that insectoid's image and focused solely on the crystal. He didn't even know that his eyes were glowing golden at that very moment. Mystical patterns unknowingly appeared in those beautiful golden eyes.

His legs subconsciously moved forward toward the glowing crystal step by step.

As Emrys stood in front of the glowing crystal, his heart raced. The light seemed to grow brighter, wrapping around him like a warm cocoon. He raised his hand slowly, almost as if he was reaching out to touch it.

But before his fingers could make contact, the crystal suddenly began to change.

It shimmered, then started melting into a golden liquid. The liquid moved on its own, shooting straight at Emrys's face. He didn’t have time to react.

The golden liquid splashed onto him and sank into his skin. It felt warm, almost burning, as it flowed into his body. Emrys's eyes widened in shock, and before he could understand what was happening, a wave of intense energy surged through him.

"Aahhh!"

He cried out, clutching his head.

The pain was overwhelming like his body was being torn apart and rebuilt at the same time. This was an almost similar situation before his arm and leg regrew.

His vision blurred, and his legs gave out. He fell to the ground and fainted on the spot.

When Emrys woke up again, the cavern was quiet. The golden glow was gone, and only the faint light from the crystals on the walls remained.

He sat up slowly. His body was still tingling from whatever had happened. His breathing was ragged, and his head felt heavy.

"What... was that?" he muttered, rubbing his temples.

As he tried to clear his mind, a strange feeling washed over him. It was like a door had opened in his thoughts, revealing new knowledge that wasn’t there before.

The words "Void Steps" echoed in his mind.

He frowned, trying to understand. It was as if the knowledge had been planted directly into his brain. He somehow knew that "Void Steps" was a new ability he had just awakened. It is an ability that can allow him to move through space itself, stepping into the void to travel faster or escape danger. At its peak, he can even step into fake dimensions using Void Steps to hide his own presence.

What is a fake dimension?

A fake dimension is a temporary, unstable space created through the manipulation of energy. It is not a true, fully-formed dimension like the physical or spiritual worlds but a pocket-like area that exists briefly, often between layers of space.

Of course, to reach the stage where he can create a fake dimension using Void Steps, he needs a very high level of strength. He was currently far too weak to be able to achieve that kind of feat.

"This... this is my new ability," Emrys muttered in shock. His eyes opened wide with realization.

Doesn't this mean he now has two abilities—Echo Sense and Void Steps?

But...

How did he awaken this marvelous ability?

Could it be because of that golden crystal?

But his blood was reacting to the golden crystal.

Suddenly, Emrys realized something and a bold guess appeared in his mind.

Could it be that the golden crystal was just a catalyst? This ability already existed within his blood.

Then again, if this ability existed within him already, why did he awaken Echo Sense instead of Void Steps?

True Royal Voidfrost Weevil!

Emrys frowned and raised his eyes.

There was no doubt about it.

Only Voidfrost Weevils are closely connected to space, and the blood essence of a true Royal Voidfrost Weevil had already fused with his blood and body. It granted him its regeneration ability earlier, and now, he had awakened another ability that belonged to the Voidfrost Weevils.

His fear and confusion began to fade. They were replaced by a sense of awe.

Whatever had happened to him, it had awakened something incredible within him.

But he also knew one thing for certain: this ability didn’t come without risk.

Although he is not sure, his guts were telling him that the golden crystal and the terrifying insectoid behind him were connected to something much bigger.

And now, he was a part of it.

As for the golden crystal being related to the Voidfrost Weevil, though the probability is there, it is not high.

The Golden Crystal is most likely a treasure that can awaken an additional talent or an ability by fusing with a creature's body. It is more like a catalyst, a very high level of catalyst.

Of course, there also exist chances of this crystal being something extraordinary, something that Emrys could not imagine with his current level of knowledge and strength.