Ackster gnawed on his arm and hand to get rid of the last remaining tentacles as Monster Muncher and Iron Stomach began digesting the Space Jelly he had just tossed down his throat. He also kicked with his legs to propel himself downward. He didn't have much time left now after the Space Jelly's obstruction.
Ackster could already feel the baptism of spatial energy beginning to become too much.
'Wait a moment…'
The energy entering his body through the nectar wasn't as oppressive as it had been a moment ago when the Space Jelly had him wrapped in its tentacles. And it wasn't just because the Space Jelly had stopped supplying him with more energy.
Ackster grinned.
He wasn't sure if he could call it a hidden piece or if it was just how the puzzle pieces that were Monster Muncher, Strong Body, and the traits of Space Jelly fell into place. But thanks to Monster Muncher's ability to digest and use the consumed monster or beast's strength for his sake and Strong Body's adaptability, Ackster felt the pressure of the energy baptism lessen after eating the Space Jelly.
He didn't know the specifics, whether he had gotten some kind of innate affinity for the spatial energy within the nectar or if, by eating the Space Jelly, he had taught his body to break down the spatial energy or what. But there was one thing Ackster felt instinctively.
Whatever it was wasn't limited to just one Space Jelly. The more he ate, the better his body would handle the spatial energy, or at least he wouldn't be forced to give up as soon, at least.
Even if he couldn't make his body perfectly replicate the Space Jellyies' ability to live in the nectar, he could at least increase how deep down he could go.
Ackster looked around with eager eyes before chasing after the closest Space Jellies and eating them like dessert.
He confirmed his theory that eating Space Jellies made it easier to withstand the baptism as soon as he ate a second one. Naturally, he kept eating them until he stopped noticing any difference. Eating all the Space Jellies in the Habitat probably wouldn't put him in the Guild's good books, so he was satisfied with the bare minimum.
Ackster also kept swimming downward while hunting. He hadn't made much vertical progress during the hunt, but as soon as he stopped focusing on the Space Jellies and dove straight down, he quickly noticed the increasing pressure of the spatial energy as well as the fact that he could bear with it.
He sensed the mounting pressure within his body, but even if it surpassed what he had felt before, it felt like there was room for more, much more.
Ackster thanked the hostile Space Jelly in his heart. Without it, he would have never gotten this far.
The nectar grew darker and deeper in its blue, glossy color the further down Ackster reached. It was almost too dark to see anything. Yet, Ackster was still certain that he was far from the bottom of the Habitat. It almost made him wonder why it was so darn deep.
Ackster started getting curious about whether there really even was a bottom of this seemingly bottomless pond.
However, he was soon forced to concentrate and set aside stray thoughts like that.
The pressure of the energy baptism was finally putting a strain on Ackster's body. It wasn't unbearable yet, but it had started affecting his movements.
He gritted his teeth. He had come far, probably further than most. But it didn't feel like he had shattered any records or reached a depth that The Hero couldn't reach. He had to go deeper.
Ackster continued until his lungs felt heavy, and his lone arm struggled to drag him forward through the thick nectar. His legs weren't exhausted, but it was like he was swimming through cotton, and the assistance forward they could provide was limited.
The spatial energy started becoming too much for him, and Ackster could sense that he had reached his limit. It was at this point, in terms of energy baptism, that others would start retreating.
But Ackster wasn't others. Reaching the limit was just the start. This was where the real struggle began.
He swam as far as he could, fighting against the Habitat's attempt at pushing upward. He struggled until he could feel the energy start becoming too much for his body and breaking it down. It was like filling an already full glass with even more water without there being a way for the glass to overflow.
Naturally, the glass would crack and break.
But Ackster wasn't made of glass. His body suffered and started tearing at the seams of his cells. It was like he started cracking.
But he didn't break and shatter. Strong Body kept him in one piece, and Stubborn Well-Being stayed true to its name. Ackster refused to give in. He displayed his stubbornness and let it maintain his well-being as his body struggled to repair itself in real time.
Finally, when Stubborn Well-Being and Strong Body could no longer keep up with the way his body was deteriorating and collapsing under the pressure of the spatial energy, Ackster activated Limit Breaker.
It was like he had gained new life or become a different person as his internal injuries faded, and he swam with newfound speed.
Ackster's body surged with energy and vitality as he pierced downward with all his might.
Of course, the pressure only grew the further down he went. Clear Mind and Iron Will had to protect his mind from it, lest it become too much for both body and psyche. Ackster still felt his head begin to ache from the pressure.
But he could still think clearly.
Ackster also knew that there was no real danger. It was just a matter of pushing himself to his limit and beyond, braving the danger, threat, and pain of forcing his body so far.
If there was anything Ackster was confident in doing, it was pushing himself to and beyond his limit, even if it was something too reckless to boast about. That was why he managed to go all the way until he fainted from the overwhelming energy filling his body thanks to Limit Breaker expanding his vessel.