The spell [Existence Embrace] was in its sheer obscurity, a masterpiece devised by Reece in the shadowed depths of his past life for one purpose: absolute concealment, absolute protection. More than a typical ward or barrier, [Existence Embrace] was an evolved version of the elite [Dimensional Shroud], a spell crafted for gods to shield themselves from prying eyes and enemies with clairvoyant skills. But Reece's version transcended even the highest divine limitations.
His design went into manipulating primal mana and laws, drawing on raw, elemental forces beyond the reach of even the most powerful deities.
This spell—[Existence Embrace]—was a barrier taken to the farthest limits of protection. It cloaked any within it not only from sight or sound but from the very perception of existence. It offered unparalleled safety, hiding one from every tracking skill, trait, insight or gift available, even the most potent gifts like foresight.
With the forces of existence itself joining the spell, those within its shelter would remain forever hidden, untouched, and free from danger. Yet, as flawless as it seemed, the spell harbored a devastating weakness: the incredible amount of primal energy required to sustain it. Drawing from the primal mana and laws, [Existence Embrace] had left Reece vulnerable in critical moments before, simply because he could not meet its enormous power needs.
But for his current purposes, he had developed a workaround. As he was heading further toward the core of the Gloomgrove Canopies, the Canopy Mountain Range, his ever-active [Soul Sense] pulsed with the recognition of a unique energy source nearby.
The faint glimmer of mana crystals glowed beneath the surface, buried deep in a nearby cave. Veins of mana-rich crystal connected in a network that likely extended far under the entire mountain range. This was a rare find, even for him—mana crystals formed only in mana-saturated zones, typically much higher in the Tower. Finding such a potent resource here was a stroke of luck he could hardly believe.
Adjusting his direction to follow the faint glimmer of mana, Reece continued his trek through the mountains, making his way toward the source. The idea formed quickly in his mind: if he could modify [Existence Embrace] to use regular mana instead of primal mana, he could use the abundant crystal vein to fuel it.
The spell could be cast without primal energy, although with limited range and potency. As the creator of [Existence Embrace], he was the only one capable of restructuring it, and with Prima's assistance in past lives as well as now, he had refined it to near perfection. Now, he made the necessary modifications, adjusting its structure to fit the constraints of the crystal's mana source.
Minutes passed as he worked. In place of primal mana, the spell would draw directly from the crystal source, allowing him to generate a near-infinite well of regular mana. It would lose some protective power in the process, but he had no choice. Finally, after encoding the spell to draw its energy directly from the crystal vein, he gave one final push of his own mana to activate [Existence Embrace].
Exhaustion weighed heavily on him the moment the spell took hold, draining nearly all his energy. He sank to his knees, his vision hazy, feeling the power slip from him. Now, the barrier would last as long as the crystal supply endured, a safeguard giving him time to rest, recover, and convert some of the crystal's energy into something more usable. There would be much to do once he awoke, including assisting Liz's evolution, but first, he had to let the spell sustain itself and fall into the healing trance he desparately needed.
***********
[Mountain range entrance, Gloomgrove Canopies, 5th Floor]
The creature, soon to be named and known as Elizabeth, lay sprawled over its prize, its form bruised and scarred, yet victorious. It had earned this moment—a reprieve hard-won in a savage fight for survival. Dragging the serpent's lifeless body toward the inner recess of the cave that the serpent had called home, the Void Beast took shelter within, the scent of its prey's potent energy filling the air. Its powerful jaws closed over the snake's scales, slicing through them and tearing into the beast's core.
Elizabeth licked at its wounds, its rough tongue sweeping away the bitter residue of the serpent's poison. Slowly, it began regenerating, the pain ebbing as its natural defenses worked to mend torn flesh. Each sweep of its tongue removed more of the poison, speeding up its healing process.
As the poison's sting faded, Elizabeth turned its attention to the corpse sprawled before it. The serpent's scales, hard as they were, could not prevent Elizabeth's jaws from slicing through flesh and bone. It reached the dense mana center, a pulsing core of energy that radiated with unusual intensity. Embedded within the beast was a half-mutated adept mana core—a reservoir of magic the serpent had nearly perfected in its evolution, a step it hadn't survived long enough to complete. Now, that power belonged to Elizabeth.
Its mouth stretched open, sharp teeth sinking into the core as it took a slow, calculated bite. The first taste was electrifying, and the Void Beast knew the core's consumption would unlock something new within. Bite after bite, it devoured the essence of the serpent until, at last, it lay satiated, feeling the powerful magic course through its body. The mana core sent waves of dormant potential surging through Elizabeth, triggering a transformation, a sharpening of its faculties. No longer was it merely an instinctual creature; a new awareness stirred in its mind, pushing it toward evolution. Its eyes dulled as the transformation took hold, sending it into a deep, hibernative sleep.
***********
[Outside the Gloomgrove Canopies Mountain Range]
Outside the mountain range, chaos was stirring. News of the upheaval within the Canopies had spread quickly, sending ripples of tension across the climbers' ranks. Jonah, one of the association scouts that were tracking down the variant mysterious beast, had been tasked with rallying reinforcements from the Adventurer's Association branch and had only expected minor support.
Veteran climbers tended to avoid lower floors, viewing such levels as unworthy of their skills. However, hearing that a variant creature and a mini-boss were engaged in combat changed everything. The mission went from routine to critical, and the reinforcements arrived in greater numbers than he'd anticipated.
For those high-ranking climbers above the 10th floor, there was a considerable restriction imposed by the Tower itself when they descended to lower floors. The Tower's laws suppressed their power, curbing any attempts to overwhelm lower-level creatures with sheer might. Those responding to the threat today were from the 15th, 20th, and even some from the 25th floors, each of them prepared for a battle they'd thought they left behind. Yet they answered, knowing that the consequences of such creatures fully evolving could not be ignored.
As the group of climbers approached the edge of the Gloomgrove Canopies, drawing closer to the mountain range, however, they were confronted by an ominous surprise. Stretched over the entire mountain range, a barrier of immense size shimmered faintly, its surface etched with an array of complex runes and patterns beyond comprehension. The barrier extended for miles, its vast form indicating a scale and strength that was almost unfathomable for the fifth floor. It pulsed gently, an eerie, otherworldly glow casting an ominous shadow over the mountainside.
Panicked whispers and shouts arose among the climbers. Some speculated that one of the creatures within had somehow gained enough power to evolve into a major boss—a catastrophe that would destabilize the Tower's delicate balance. Even the most seasoned climbers, hardened by years of facing powerful enemies, faltered as they considered the magnitude of the barrier before them.
"This… this isn't normal," one of the climbers muttered, staring wide-eyed at the glowing expanse.
"If a creature inside has evolved to this level…" another added, his voice trembling, "there's no way we can contain it alone."
Others tried to identify the runes, but the symbols were unknown to even the most skilled among them. The sigils and formations woven into the barrier did not resemble any magic common to the Tower's spellcraft; it was like nothing they'd ever seen. The energy radiating from it was formidable, heavy with a strange resonance that defied analysis. Many believed it was a boss-level monster's doing, yet the power emanating from the barrier felt foreign, artificial, as though it were crafted by something more intelligent than brute monsters.
Jonah, sensing the mounting fear among his team, forced himself to speak with conviction. "All right, everyone, stay calm! We're calling for more reinforcements and high-level support from the Association's main branch. Our mission remains unchanged: we need to contain this threat before it spreads. We'll set up surveillance and look for any weaknesses in the barrier. Keep alert!"
The crowd quieted but remained uneasy. Jonah knew they faced a problem of unknown proportions. The entire mountain range was sealed, preventing anyone from entering or leaving. Whatever lay inside was beyond their current strength to confront. It would take more than brute force or sheer numbers to dismantle such a barrier, and with no signs of an exit, they were left with only one option: wait, watch, and prepare.