I took a deep breath, pulling my scattered thoughts into line, and activated [Psynapse Boost].
My senses expanded outward. I reached for the Essence in the air.
But something was wrong.
Most of the Essence around me was rigid. Not neutral, not free.
Almost all of it was tainted, its flow weighed down by darkness, warped into dense, locked formations. The kind of interference that resisted both movement and control.
I extended my will, trying to draw in the Essence, but it pushed back hard.
Each thread I pulled felt sluggish, like dragging chains through wet cement.
Then—
A flicker.
A shift in the air behind me.
I spun, but not fast enough.
A beam of light slammed into my lower back, sending a sharp jolt through my spine.
Pain radiated outward, but I didn't stop. I triggered my Generator Core. A low hum spread through my body as it kicked in, producing Essence, slowly filling my inner storage.
No time to waste.
