Chapter 20: Confrontation at the Heart of Mana
Kaelen paused at the edge of the deep chasm, his eyes fixed on the "Evolved Seed" below. The sense of connection he had just felt still resonated in his chest, an echo of a mysterious power within him responding to this colossal entity. He had no time to ponder it now. The danger was imminent, and the solution had to be immediate.
"Level 15 (Dormant)... Catastrophic upon completion..." Kaelen muttered, recalling the System's message. This meant he still had a chance. The Seed was not yet complete.
He looked at the creatures surrounding the Seed. They were a mix of First Wave and Second Wave monsters, moving like loyal guardians, feeding on the mana flowing from the Seed. Their numbers were significant, but they were merely an obstacle. The true target was the "Seed" itself.
"How do I destroy something made of raw mana?" Kaelen wondered. He had no offensive mana skills, only "Mana Control," which allowed him limited manipulation.
At that moment, he felt a stronger prick in his chest. His "Mana Sense" not only detected mana flows but began to perceive weak points in the mana flow around the "Evolved Seed." They were like small cracks in a massive dam, points that could be exploited.
[Hint: Exposed Mana Weak Points. Concentrated Mana usage may be effective.]
"Concentrated mana..." Kaelen offered a cold smile. He didn't have powerful mana attacks, but he possessed "Mana Control." Perhaps he could use this skill differently.
Without hesitation, Kaelen leaped into the chasm. He landed lightly among the monsters, which immediately turned towards him, their red eyes glowing with aggression. He gave them no chance to attack. He moved with lightning speed, using his two knives to cut a path through the ranks of First Wave creatures, while dodging the invisible attacks of Second Wave ghosts attempting to pierce him.
The battle was chaotic, but Kaelen was in his element. His movements were precise, striking vital points, and absorbing the Essence Crystals that dropped from the monsters to replenish his depleted energy. Each time he killed a monster, he felt a faint flow of mana merging with his dormant power, increasing the sense of connection with the "Seed."
As he fought, he focused on the "Evolved Seed." It was pulsating faster now, as if sensing his presence. The purple light emanating from it began to intensify, sending out waves of mana that pushed the monsters towards him with greater force.
"This is it!" Kaelen thought.
After creating a small space for himself, Kaelen concentrated all the mana he possessed into his right hand. He wasn't aiming to cast a spell, but to focus mana into a single point, just as he had done with the glowing crystals before. He felt his hand glow with a faint purple light, and mana flowed with unprecedented power.
Then, targeting one of the weak points revealed by his "Mana Sense," Kaelen thrust his hand towards the "Evolved Seed." It wasn't a physical strike, but a concentrated mana thrust, like an invisible projectile.
The concentrated mana struck the Seed, emitting a muffled scream-like sound. The massive fleshy mass violently shuddered, and the surrounding monsters shrieked. A stronger purple light emanated from it, but this time it was accompanied by cracks beginning to appear on its surface.
[Significant damage inflicted upon 'Evolved Seed'.][Seed Status: Unstable. Risk of imminent collapse.]
"It's working!" Kaelen thought, a sense of triumph washing over him. But this victory was short-lived.
Suddenly, the "Evolved Seed" began to pulse madly, sending shockwaves of mana through the cavern. The surrounding monsters started acting frantically, attacking Kaelen with greater ferocity, as if trying to protect their progenitor.
[Warning! 'Evolved Seed' is releasing raw mana energy. Risk of imminent explosion!]
There was no time to inflict more damage. He had to finish it now, or escape. Kaelen looked at the Seed, then at his glowing hand, and felt his dormant power respond, demanding more from him.