Kaito stared at the ornate box, its carvings glowing ominously in the dim light of the hideout. The energy radiating from it felt sinister, a palpable darkness that sent shivers down his spine. He couldn't shake the feeling that it was more than just an artifact; it was a conduit for something far more malevolent.
As he contemplated what to do with the box, a familiar notification from the system flashed in his mind. "Sub-skill Available: Energy Drain. The host can absorb energy from objects or beings, replenishing their own energy reserves."
Kaito's heart raced. He had already unlocked the Energy Drain sub-skill, and now it was time to put it to use. If he could drain the box of its energy, it might weaken whatever dark force was tied to it. He turned to Lila, who was still catching her breath.
"Lila," he said, his voice steadying with resolve. "What if I drain the energy from the box? It might help us dispose of it safely."
Lila's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, what? You want to absorb that thing's energy? Are you sure that's a good idea?" Her voice was laced with concern. "That energy feels… sinister. What if it corrupts you?"
Kaito took a deep breath, trying to reassure her. "I have the Energy Drain skill. I can absorb its energy and convert it into my own. It's the best way to neutralize it."
"But how can you be sure it won't affect you?" Lila pressed, her brow furrowed with worry. "That energy is dark, Kaito. It could have consequences we can't predict."
Kaito met her gaze, determination shining in his eyes. "I understand your concern, but we can't just leave it here. If we don't act, it could fall into the wrong hands, or worse, it could unleash something terrible. I need to do this."
Lila hesitated, her expression torn between fear and trust. Finally, she nodded, albeit reluctantly. "Alright, but be careful. I don't want to lose you to whatever darkness is in that box."
Kaito felt a surge of gratitude for her support. "I'll be careful, I promise."
The Energy Drain
He stepped closer to the box, focusing on the energy emanating from it. He activated the Energy Drain skill, feeling a rush of power as he reached out with his mind. The box responded, its glow intensifying as Kaito began to absorb its energy.
"Energy is being accumulated. Maintenance energy is increasing." The system's voice echoed in his mind, and Kaito felt the energy flowing into him, warm and invigorating.
As he continued to drain the box, he could feel the sinister energy dissipating, replaced by a sense of clarity and strength. "Host has accumulated 250 maintenance energy."
Kaito's eyes widened as the energy continued to flow. "Energy levels rising. Host has reached 500 maintenance energy."
He felt a rush of exhilaration as the energy surged through him, invigorating his body and mind. The box's glow began to dim, and Kaito could sense the dark power within it weakening.
"Host has reached level 42." The system chimed, but Kaito barely registered it. He was too focused on the task at hand.
"Host has reached the minimum level to begin World Maintenance."
Kaito felt a wave of excitement at the prospect of new abilities, but he quickly interrupted the system. "I'll check it later," he said firmly. "First, we have to get out of here and meet with Rylan and Mira."
A Quick Decision
As the last remnants of energy drained from the box, it fell silent, the glow extinguished. Kaito felt a sense of relief wash over him. The sinister presence that had filled the room was gone, leaving only the faint echo of its power.
"Is it done?" Lila asked, her eyes wide with curiosity and lingering concern.
"Yeah," Kaito replied, glancing at the now-dull box. "I think we've neutralized it. But we should still dispose of it properly, just in case."
"Agreed," Lila said, her expression serious. "Let's get out of here and find Rylan and Mira. They'll want to know what happened."
Kaito nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. He had absorbed the energy, but he also felt a weight of responsibility. They needed to regroup and figure out their next steps.
The Escape
They quickly made their way out of the hideout, Kaito leading the way. The streets were quiet, but he could still feel the tension in the air. They had narrowly escaped the cultists, but he knew they weren't out of danger yet.