"Master Dax is undoubtedly a grandmaster enchanter... no, wait—he must be a grandmaster magic smith, to be precise," Mel declared to Dalia, her voice laced with reverence.
Dalia's eyes widened in astonishment as she summoned the annihilation robe, forming a gauntlet around her hand. The metallic scales glimmered, rearranging themselves with a fluid grace.
"Mel, lend me your sight. I need to uncover the complete stat of this gear."
Taking Dalia's hand, Mel's eyes shimmered a brilliant azure blue. As her appraisal activated, her pupils dilated in disbelief. "This is... inconceivable. Master, who is this human? With abilities such as these, we should have known of him long before now!"
Dalia's curiosity ignited further at Mel's astonished reaction. "Reveal the stats. Immediately."
Breaking free from her stunned silence, Mel's voice quivered as she recounted, "Master, this gear possesses five skills: Adapt, Poison Form, Annihilation Orb, Annihilation Manipulation, and Blood Bound—with the latter being derived from beastly abilities. But most astonishingly... it provides an 80% enhancement to all user stats."
"An 80% enhancement? This is insane!" Dalia gasped, her breath hitching. Then, recalling Dax's words, she whispered, "Growth type..." Her grip on Mel's hand tightened. "We must draw closer to Dax. This man is cloaked in enigma."
"But Madam, if the Godfalls discover that their grandmaster magic smith is within our grasp, it will spell deep trouble. These people are driven solely by vengeance." Mel warned, concern threading her tone.
The legends of the Godfalls had traversed even to the demonic continent. They were not to be trifled with.
---
Meanwhile, Dax stood before a full-length mirror, his Origin Eyes activated as he observed his own reflection. What he saw left him astounded—a shimmering silver halo adorned his head, with two distinct orbs of energy hovering above it like celestial bodies. "What... is this?" he murmured in disbelief.
Focusing on the halo, visions cascaded through his mind—the fusion of planets, and the merging of consciousness across dimensions. The enormity of this revelation left him breathless. Shifting his gaze to the orbs, he examined the first—an inky black sphere swirling like a miniature galaxy, its dark spirals exuding a menacing gravitational pull.
The second orb glimmered a violent crimson, pulsating with the primal, unrestrained energy of an apex predator. Its aura lashed out like a caged beast, raw and untamed. "I presume these are my Traits manifested?" Dax asked.
*Yes, Master,* Inerous confirmed.
"But why does Synthesis manifest in this advanced form while the others remain... underdeveloped?"
*The answer is simple, Master. Your Synthesis proficiency has reached its peak because of your unique methods, while the other Traits linger in their base stage.*
Dax frowned. "I understand why Predator would be underdeveloped, but the Origin Eater? ."
*Master, I believe you know the answer. To refresh your memory—when a target undergoes Synthesis, the outcome is always a new creation.*
"Ah..." The realization washed over him. "Thus, I must refine my proficiency for them to attain this form." His scientific curiosity momentarily sated. "Are there any methods to increase their development?"
**Searching Plant Sector 91 Archives...**
The pause elongated as the system delved into its depths.
.
.
*No data found.*
*Master, I cannot speak for Predator's development. However, for the Origin Eater... the path is clear. You must Eat.*
"I've eaten my whole life never getting the sweet taste of satisfaction, I ate from dumpsters, ate with beasts, ate the flesh of powerful life forms but yet I never felt satisfied. But it seems this is my fate.
Dax's gaze returned to his reflection, where a crimson flame ignited within his heart. Wisps of energy drifted from this fire, weaving through his being. "What fuels this flame, I wonder?"
His eyes fixated on a thick, luminous strand of energy. Tracing its path led him to a startling discovery—a transparent core housing a miniature black hole, with a red orb orbiting it like a celestial body. "The Origin Core... entirely different from your regular core."
Typically, cores mirrored their user's elemental affinity with color. But this... this was a core capable of containing multiple cores.
"Inerous, this crimson orb—should be some sort of core, is it not?"
**Confirmed, Master. It is indeed a core.**
"A core... containing other cores. Extraordinary." A swell of pride filled Dax's chest. This was his magnum opus, the pinnacle of his creation.
"Do you have a clue on how I can control this strange energy called mana."
*Master, you can control the mana flow through the strings. Simply command it." Inerous replied, her voice resonating in his mind.
Dax extended his hand forward. A solitary crimson string of mana shimmered into existence, coiling from his palm like liquid blood made manifest. *Forward,* he commanded silently. The string unfurled with serpentine elegance, its tip caressing the mirror's surface. When he willed it to retract, ruby droplets stained the glass.
Dax observed, keenly studying the bloodstains. His fingers twitched as he sensed the mana's pulsating current through the connection.
Without warning, nineteen additional strings erupted from his flesh. Suddenly he gained enlightenment.
*Strings of mana, heed my call—Blood Spear!*
The strands intertwined, weaving into a glistening spear that hovered before him. The construct consumed only 20 mana units from his reserves.
**Blood Spear learned.**
"Compress."
Two thicker tendrils surged forth, constricting the spear in crushing coils. With each rotation, the weapon condensed further, its surface darkening to a perilous violet hue. The very air seemed to tremble as the pressure mounted.
Dax strode into the courtyard, the vibrating spear trailing behind him. He raised his hand toward a weathered training boulder. Four control strings linked to the quivering weapon.
*Pierce.*
The projectile struck with a wet *thunk*, penetrating cleanly through the stone. Dax turned away, disappointment flashing across his face. "I anticipated more."
**BOOM!**
The delayed explosion shattered the boulder, sending razor-edged fragments flying across the yard. Dax remained unfazed as debris pattered against his back, a satisfied grin curling his lips.