Ash's mind was buzzing with excitement and eagerness, his entire being consumed by the prospect of unlocking the remaining three Apex Points. If what the system said was true, then this would be more than a simple power boost…it would mark the shedding of a new existence.
Within the Planet of Verna, no current records existed of anyone successfully unlocking a pivotal Apex Point, much less all four pivotal Apex Points. Such a feat demanded a delicate equilibrium between fate and luck, separating the worthy from the unworthy, the mortal from the divine.
Even with the system's invaluable assistance at their disposal, breaking through the last three Apex Points will prove to be an escalating challenge. The difficulty will increase exponentially with each subsequent pivotal Apex Point.
Having already unlocked the 21st Apex Point, Ash understood the difficult situation that the pivotal Apex Points were nothing to scoff at. It had demanded immense effort, leaving no room for complacency. Ash knew this and he had to mentally and physically prepare for the next Apex Point.
But before breaking through the next Apex Point, Ash needed to replenish his Energy Points.
Assessing his current Energy Points, he noted, "So, right now I'm at 1314 out of 2400 Energy Points."
"…I need around a 1000 or so Energy Points." Contemplating the necessary requirements, he calculated.
Ash put a finger on his chin and muttered, "Three Middle-Grade Spiritual Beryls should give me exactly 1500 Energy Points, which should be more than enough for the 22nd Apex Point."
He rubbed his hand impatiently and quickly picked up three Middle-Grade Spiritual Beryls, wasting no time in devouring them.
*Cough*
A momentary discomfort fluttered in his chest, swiftly replaced by a soothing warmth spread throughout his body.
Ash patted his stomach, satisfied with the energy infusion and commanded, "System, display my current Energy Points."
[Ding]
[Energy Points: 2814/2400]
"Lit!" Ash exclaimed, elation radiating from his voice.
*Inhale*
He internalized the surge of energy, mentally fortifying himself for the arduous path ahead.
'I got this!'
*Exhale*
"I am ready." He whispered.
Ash directed his mind towards harnessing his Natural Energy, causing it to surge within him. The energy manifested as an ethereal aura, shining with a radiant glow that enveloped his entire being. If there were observers, they would be keen enough to perceive the faint wisps of blue trails intertwined with his aura.
Ash, with the help of the system, guided the potent flow of Natural Energy towards its intended destination - the 22nd Apex Point. The pivotal Apex Point lay nestled at the base of his neck, on his right side, like a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.
Within a second, the invisible barrier was in sight, a translucent obstruction shimmering with an otherworldly energy. The gathered Natural Energy hurtled itself forward, surging towards the barrier with a powerful motion.
The collision between his charged Natural Energy and the barrier sent ripples of energy cascading through his body.
The impact was immediate and staggering. It felt as though a lightning bolt had struck the core of his consciousness, reverberating through every fibre of his being. The sheer force of the collision rattled his mind, causing his thoughts to scatter like shards of glass.
His vision blurred, and he found himself in a different realm where reality and illusion interweaved.
Before Ash stood an enigmatic expanse, devoid of any discernible features except for a solitary white line that stretched horizontally across the seemingly infinite ground. Its endpoint remained hidden in the distance, obscured by the vastness of the unknown.
Perplexed by the surreal surroundings, Ash couldn't help but voice out his bewilderment, 'What in the fuck is going on now…'
Above him, where the sky should have been, a mesmerizing spectacle unfolded. Titanic swirling whirlpools of psychedelic colours embellished the vast expanse, creating a spectacle that dwarfed Ash's mere presence. He couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of insignificance as he gazed upon the grandeur of these celestial phenomena.
Looking away from the sky, he redirected his focus to the ground beneath his feet. He saw that the surface was pitch-black, as if seamlessly merging with the mesmerizing spectacle above.
The stark contrast between the dark abyss beneath him and the vibrant whirlpools overhead intensified the surreal nature of his surroundings.
Ash shook off his initial astonishment and composed himself amidst the weird place. He said to himself, "Relax, Ash. This is probably one of those stupid annoying tests."
The distant white line beckoned to him, calling him to approach it.
"The white line is quite a distance away. I should probably go there…"
He walked towards the white line, his eyes unclear about his current situation. However, as he drew closer and closer, an unsettling sight unfolded before him, causing his brows to furrow in confusion.
He saw shadows dancing around him on the ground from his periphery, their irregular ethereal forms casting eerie unshaped silhouettes upon the pitch-black ground.
Ash blinked multiple times in extreme confusion. The ground was pitch-black but somehow, he could see…shadows on it? The contradiction played tricks on his mind, adding to the already disconcerting atmosphere.
It was quite creepy to say the least, as he was alone in this vast space and he was witnessing some weird-ass anomalies. To say that it didn't irk him, was lying to himself as an uneasy feeling settled within him.
As he continued cautiously walking forwards, he saw the shadows becoming more prominent, taking on a shape of a figure closely resembling his own. A spectral counterpart materialized, doing its own thing, which was completely opposite of what a shadow is supposed to do.
"Uh…"
Uttering a perplexed sound, Ash was momentarily at a loss for words. The bizarre spectacle put him on his heels as the unsettling feeling intensified.
"This has gotta be some kind of torturous bullshit! There's no way the mighty me will fall for this shit." Ash said with a strong tone, trying to lighten up his shaky heart.
"Hihi~"
A soft, eerie giggle pierced the air, causing Ash to jolt backwards, his hands instinctively clasping his chest to calm his racing heart.
"W-What…?" He stammered, his voice barely a whisper.
His gaze was fixed on the motionless shadow, that didn't seem to move with him. It stood there, frozen in place, as if being the only obstacle between Ash and the white line.
*Krrrr*
The sound grated against his ears, a terrifying noise that sent shivers down his spine. Ash's wide eyes were transfixed on the small slit that suddenly materialized on the lower half of the shadow's formless face. He watched in horror as the slit twisted into a devious grin, making the shadow look like it came from a horror movie.
Even though Ash couldn't see a pair of eyes on the shadow, he instinctively felt that someone was staring at him. He felt a cold sweat trickle down his brow, his palms moist with clammy perspiration.
As if that wasn't enough to scare him, the shadow lifted its hand and pointed upwards to the 'sky'.
The once titanic and mesmerizing psychedelic whirlpools in the sky transformed into bizarre swirls of darkness, seeping with an ominous energy. The vibrant hues bled away, leaving behind a haunting void that mirrored the turmoil within Ash's mind.
The ground beneath his feet quivered and moaned, as if it were a living entity, tormented by the horrors that danced upon its surface. A sickly fog slithered through from a large distance, ominously making its way to Ash.
The motionless shadow suddenly seemed to come alive, transforming before Ash's eyes. It writhed and twisted in a horrific dance, its movements unnaturally fluid and disjointed.
"Hihi~"
With every contortion, it emitted an eerie, disembodied giggle that echoed through the air, ending shivers down Ash's spine.
Ash could literally feel his heart threatening to jump out of his chest.
"Oh, man…what the fuck have I gotten myself into…"
-In another location-
Similar to Ash, Ray too had unlocked the 21st Apex Point and continued to try and unlock the 22nd Apex Point. Of course, it didn't go well for him, just like what happened to Ash. The first impact jolted his mind in to a blurry perception.
As Ray's consciousness shifted, he found himself abruptly transported to an otherworldly realm. The air crackled with an electric energy, and a kaleidoscope of colours painted the landscape in a mesmerizing display.
The sky above was a swirling canvas of vibrant hues, where emerald greens merged with sapphire blues and fiery reds. Celestial bodies of peculiar shapes and sizes painted the heavens, their ethereal glow casting a soft luminescence that bathed the surroundings with a divine light. Planets with intricate patterns pulsated with mysterious energies, adding a stellar touch to the already beautifying sky.
"It's like I was transported in to a stoner's mind…" Ray muttered with awe and slight bewilderment.
Unlike Ash's experience, the ground beneath Ray's feet seemed to shift and undulate, morphing into fantastical shapes that defied logic. Strange formations rose and fell, resembling twisted sculptures born from the whims of an eccentric artist.
Some structures resembled colossal mushrooms with semi-transparent caps, while others resembled crystalline spirals that reached towards the sky.
Ray rubbed his eyes in confusion as he focused hard to regain his bearings amidst the mind-boggling spectacle before him.
Melodies drifted on invisible currents, their notes rising and falling in soul-capturing harmonies. The very atmosphere seemed to vibrate with an ethereal resonance, enveloping Ray in a cacophony of strange and enchanting sounds.
With each passing moment, Ray's mind was overloaded and assaulted by the chaotic sounds, the swirling colours, the bizarre shapes and the weird phenomena. He willed himself to remain grounded and maintained his grip on reality, to find a thread of sanity to guide him through this disorienting realm.
"Scratch that, this realm is every stoner's dream." Ray wryly chuckled as he closed his eyes, momentarily shutting out the overwhelming sensory overload. The load on his mind lessened significantly after he had closed off one of his senses.
'The 22nd Apex Point deals with your mind huh…'
Ray quickly reasoned that this disorienting experience must be a direct result of the 22nd Apex Point. The understanding brought a sense of clarity amidst the chaos, allowing him to grasp the nature of the challenge that lay before him.
*Scoff*
Ray scoffed with a confident smile plastered on his face, "Maybe things would've been different if I hadn't gone into the ruins, but now…"
"…these parlour tricks can do nothing to stop me!"