Ch 36: Escape

Emrys sat there for a long time, trying to calm his heart. The strange energy from the golden crystal still lingered in his body. It felt powerful but also unfamiliar.

His hands trembled as he tried to stand up. He felt stronger, yet his body was weak from everything that had happened.

"I need to leave this place!"

The memory of the massive insectoid in the first chamber flashed in his mind, making his chest tighten. He didn't know if it was still asleep or if it had sensed what happened.

If it had sensed what happened just now, it would not want to let Emrys leave. After all, that golden crystal seemed to be something far too valuable.

Emrys looked at the path he had come from. It was dark and silent, but the heavy, oppressive feeling in the cavern had not gone away.

He clenched his fists.

"I can’t stay here. I need to find Elysia."

Taking a deep breath, Emrys decided to test the new ability in his mind. The knowledge of "Void Steps" told him he could move through space, but it was his first time trying it. He didn’t know if it would work or if it would bring more danger.

"Here goes nothing," he muttered.

He focused, letting the strange energy in his body flow. It felt like threads of power weaving through him, connecting to something invisible.

Then, with a single step forward, everything around him changed.

For a moment, it felt like he was walking through an endless, dark tunnel. There was no sound, no light—just emptiness.

But before fear could take over, he appeared outside the chamber.

Emrys stumbled, almost falling to his knees. He was exhausted after only taking the first step, but it worked.

Truth be told, he was feeling excited. That one step was enough to let him get out of the first chamber. When he stepped forward, he felt like walking through the void itself. No wonder this ability was called the Void Steps.

Now, there was still the first chamber where that huge insectoid was located. All he has to do is use the Void Steps to walk out of the first chamber as well and leave this cave.

Emrys took deep breaths to calm himself. The thought of the massive insectoid in the first chamber was enough to send chills down his spine. However, if he wants to leave this cavern, he has to enter the first chamber and exit.

"I have to keep going," Emrys clenching his fists and muttered.

After a few moments of rest, he decided to try Void Steps again. He focused his energy, letting the strange threads of power flow through his body.

With determination, he took another step, aiming to leave the cave completely in one go.

But something went wrong.

Not long after he stepped forward, the space around him became chaotic. The air twisted and churned, and it felt like invisible hands grabbed him, pulling him in another direction.

Emrys gasped as the strange force threw him forward. When the distortion cleared, he found himself standing in the middle of the first chamber, right in front of the massive insectoid.

His heart sank instantly.

It is obvious this creature interfered and easily stopped him from escaping.

The giant insectoid’s eyes were still closed, but its presence was overwhelming. Because Emrys had "Echo Sense" he could feel its fury that were like waves of heat pressing down on him. Even though it didn't move, the air around it seemed alive with anger.

"It knows! It knows I took the crystal."

Emrys's face turned pale as he thought.

The insectoid’s exoskeleton gleamed in the faint light. Its claws were twitching slightly. It didn't need to open its eyes for Emrys to understand its emotions. The creature wanted to tear him apart, to crush him for what he had done.

But the invisible force was still restraining this insectoid. It couldn't move no matter how much it wanted to. Its body twitched and trembled as if struggling against powerful chains, but it remained in place.

Even so, its presence was terrifying.

Just its presence caused Emrys to be unable to move. His legs felt like they were rooted to the ground. The suffocating pressure made it hard for him to breathe.

"This thing is too powerful," Emrys muttered while sweat dripped down his face.

The insectoid's rage filled the entire chamber. Emrys could feel its desperation and frustration. It was clear the golden crystal he absorbed was incredibly important to the creature, and now it was out of its reach.

But despite its strength, the invisible power binding the insectoid was absolute. It couldn’t even open its eyes, let alone do something harmful to Emrys.

Why can’t it move?

What’s stopping it?

Emrys's mind moved, but there was no answer to this question. Furthermore, the answer didn’t matter at that moment. All Emrys knew was that he had to get out of there before the situation changed.

Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to focus. He tried to use the Void Steps again, but the surrounding space churned and stopped him from going anywhere.

"It seems both the strength and weakness of my Void Steps is space itself."

Emrys understood something very important about his newly awakened ability at that moment. Then he looked at the giant insectoid that can actually control the power of space just like Voidfrost Weevils and espers with space-attributed abilities.

"If I can’t use Void Steps here, I’ll have to run!"

Emrys decided on the spot to walk out of this cave. But deep in his heart, he wasn’t sure if he could escape this nightmare.

After all, he couldn't even move currently due to the giant insectoid's terrifying presence.

Although this insectoid was restricted, it was still powerful enough to imprison Emrys in this cave for who knows how long.

Emrys used his entire strength trying to move, but he was only a Third Star Esper, unable to even lift his finger in the giant insectoid's presence.

And then, at this very moment, when Emrys was feeling despair, a miracle happened.