Far from the explosion site.
"Fuck."
I fell into the void—a place where absolutely nothing existed.
"…"
Aside from that, my body was completely destroyed. There wasn't a single piece of flesh left, only a drop of blood I had saved and thrown into the void through a portal.
So, what remained of me?
Just my consciousness, extended by the Devil Change, and all my Traits.
Even Amir's Cloak was obliterated.
I had only recently discovered that Amir's Cloak was ineffective against monsters possessing intelligence.
During the battle, I relied on Amir's Cloak to make their attacks pass through me, but instead of passing through, their blows hit even harder.
I also didn't expect Volt Eclipse to be that powerful.
Epic Tier 1 realm.
Is this the strength of the Divine Court?
They could destroy worlds if they wanted to.
Moreover, the fact that the world I destroyed was larger than Earth's solar system only added to my fear of beings who have reached the Divine Court.
"If that's the case, does their power rival a solar system itself?"
I must keep a low profile in their presence, seriously.
"Focus, Arov. What you need to do now is recover!"
"Regrowth."
The blood I had preserved, frozen in the cold of space, slowly regained its vitality.
"This… What is this!?"
An intense pain surged through my soul.
This feeling was strange—unfamiliar. I could feel the pain, but I couldn't pinpoint where it was happening.
"I… I'm losing my lifespan!?"
Shit!
I didn't expect this to happen.
Because of my weakened body and soul due to Everlasting Elemental Sovereign, every energy expenditure drained my soul's lifespan as a substitute.
"But the only energy I can use is mental energy. I'll just rely on Voidforge Eternia to teleport."
I scanned my surroundings until I found a mountain fragment from the world I destroyed.
I immediately opened a portal to the blood I had thrown on top of the mountain.
"Thankfully, this mountain still retains some mana."
I was lucky that this world was abundant with high-quality mana.
A thought struck me. Since the healing process would take a long time, how about creating a new skill?
Regrowth alone wouldn't be enough.
[Plant + Water]
"Aqua Bloom."
The elements of water and plants erupted in place, their energy enveloping the entire mountain.
Gradually, mystical plants and vegetation sprouted across the mountain's surface, revitalizing it from the outside in.
Bit by bit, the barren mountain transformed into a magnificent flower garden.
[A new skill has been created: Aqua Bloom (Grandmaster Innate—Stage)]
"The basic preparation is done. Since Everlasting Elemental Sovereign is still active, I can recover here."
My soul floated through the field of mystical flowers, heading toward the mountain's peak, where a colossal tree had taken root.
"This tree… I didn't create it."
Could it be a seedling left behind here?
It's possible.
"Alright then. Looks like I need to get serious."
"Skill Creation."
[Earth + Plant]
"Verdant Citadel."
RUMBLE—
Massive rocks emerged from the ground, encircling the mountain.
Minutes later, a fortress took shape, enclosing the entire mountain.
But it didn't stop there—the mountain's plants and vegetation extended their roots into the fortress walls.
Now, the fortress was covered in thick roots and various plants.
What's its purpose?
This fortress was made of living stone and roots. It could regenerate continuously during battles, making it nearly indestructible.
By absorbing mana and converting it into pure plant energy, it was akin to giving wings to a turtle with insanely high defense.
"Now, the only thing left is to recreate my body…"
But how?
I didn't know.
Perhaps using the ten elements I possessed might work.
"But I don't even know where to begin."
I scratched the back of my head.
The blood I had preserved could be used as the foundation for my rebirth.
Poke—
Poke—
A sensation of something prodding my back caught my attention.
I turned around.
It was the colossal tree that had grown unexpectedly from Aqua Bloom.
"Yes? Can I help you with something?"
Surprisingly, the tree had its own consciousness.
Did this just manifest recently?
A large branch descended, supporting my soul's form. Now, I was face-to-face with the tree.
I could sense its benevolence. There was no trace of malice emanating from it.
I quickly understood its intent.
"You… want me to see something?"
It seemed like this tree could assist me.
It didn't respond, and all I could do was wait for it to show me.
At that moment, a warm sensation enveloped my soul.
"Soul energy!?"
I would be a fool not to recognize it.
Wasn't it just moments ago that I recklessly used Regrowth, draining my soul energy?
"No, this is…"
Something purer, as if it was the essence behind everything.
A golden radiance slowly unveiled itself.
In my vision, everything was painted with a golden hue.
Even the void itself shone brightly with this beautiful energy.
It was as if I was witnessing something I was never meant to see—something attainable only by those who had mastered the universe.
The true essence of power itself.
"Willpower… The Power of Will."
My form slowly floated in the air.
This revelation guided my mind into the void.
There, countless essences flowed freely, following the current of a powerful golden river.
Various creatures resembling animals treaded softly within it.
The rivers formed steps leading upward to the skies.
Its end was unknown.
But I saw thousands, even millions of beings ascending the steps, all striving to reach the heavens themselves.
Be they the departed, the fallen, or the living, all would ultimately meet the same end.
Eternal and everlasting, or lost in eternal silence.
Is this what the Divine Court feels like?
[Congratulations, Host has successfully interacted with the Power of Will. Divinity has increased by 100 points.]
[New status columns (Power of Will) and (Divinity) have been added.]
[You cannot access the status yet.]
[Power of Will]
Type: Archetype
The extraordinary archetype of a new world. The essence of all creation lies in will and intent. Creation stems from desire and purpose. Everything revolves around whether or not you wish to act.
***
My soul floated, ascending the massive staircase toward a peak no one could ever reach.
Then, my consciousness snapped back.
"Huh? Why am I floating upwards?"
My soul hummed faintly. It was as if, by following this flow, I would never be able to return to my original universe.
"Hey! Get off!"
Thousands of chains wrapped around my soul.
Thankfully, I managed to escape before vanishing forever.
"Damn it! You think I'm already dead!?"
I flipped my middle finger at the golden chains. Somehow, they seemed to understand the gesture.
But it didn't matter. I had already left the Ascension Gate (a name I realized upon entering it).
"Hahaha! I struck gold this time!"
Now I knew how to rebuild my body.
The Power of Will is essentially the intent and determination to act.
If I willed something, it would manifest as if commanded.
Could this be the pinnacle of magic?
Yes, you could craft magic purely through desire.
Unlike before, when I had to meticulously design everything—how it worked, its effects, the energy flow during activation, energy consumption, and so on.
All of that was exhausting. Luckily, I'm a genius.
Now, I just needed to use the Power of Will to command mana to achieve the effects of magic.
Those who mastered the Power of Will had grasped the essence of reality, perceived what exists and what doesn't, and ultimately merged into the superstructure of the universe.
By spreading the Power of Will, I could also glimpse the true essence of things. Although I couldn't yet perceive it at the molecular level, I knew this ability would improve over time.
Still, mastering the essence of something seemed incredibly difficult.
I formed a sword from my will.
I tried to sense it—the essence behind the creation of this sword.
The essence of a sword is to cut, slice, and pierce.
It was created to harm and protect.
Its existence is rooted in pure destruction without balance, making its power destructive enough to rival the highest tiers of the Divine Court.
"But it feels like my Power of Will is different from others."
It's as if I'm not truly a part of this world.
"Well… I'll think about it later."
I descended back to the giant tree.
|Welcome back. How was your enlightenment?|
"It was incredible. Thank you."
I bowed slightly.
After understanding the Power of Will, I could now communicate through extended intent.
I also realized that the tree before me was a senior figure guiding my path.
|There's no need to thank me. I merely guided you. In time, you would have realized the Power of Will yourself. I just triggered it earlier.|
"No, no. You are my benefactor. If you ever need anything, I will help you."
I couldn't accept such generosity without repaying it.
Let me return the favor.
|Very well, do you truly wish to help me?|
"Of course. Name it, and I'll repay my debt."
The giant tree's will trembled for a moment. After some time, it transmitted its intent back to me.
|Please… free me from the shackles of the Evil Dragon.|
"...!"
---
(9/10)