Vaelith's Core trembled faintly.
The density of mana in the surroundings dropped. noticeably.
Bruce felt the shift instantly.
Ash was consuming everything.
Greedily.
Endlessly.
And still. it continued.
The sixth ring formed.
Then the seventh.
The eighth.
For the first time, there was resistance.
A flicker.
A brief moment where the violent surge of mana faltered, where the condensing energy seemed to hesitate. Bruce's eyes sharpened.
but it didn't last. The resistance was crushed.
Overwhelmed. Devoured. The eighth ring stabilized.
Bruce exhaled slowly, though his gaze did not soften.
"This speed…"
He was out of words...
The ninth ring formed.
And then. the tenth.
The moment it locked into place. the world broke.
BOOM!!!
A pulse of overwhelming mana erupted outward from Ash's body like a collapsing star unleashing its final, dying scream.
The Labyrinth Core shook violently.
