Alex forced his breathing to remain even, although the tremor in his fingers betrayed the strain he was under. He kept his gaze fixed forward, refusing to let the pressure of the moment bend his posture.
"Yes," Alex said, his voice steady despite the tension in his body.
A faint ripple passed through the void around him, as if reality itself acknowledged his decision. The system responded instantly.
[Ding! Host's level is too low. Host must reach Level 73 or advance their soul to the Planetary Realm to merge talents of this grade.]
The notification struck him harder than any physical blow. The faint anticipation in his eyes froze, then slowly dimmed. The sense of victory he had felt moments earlier dissolved, replaced by a quiet, heavy understanding.
He had reached too far.
He became frustrated suddenly.
However, the frustration did not last long.
