110 Back Into The Game.

[Ren Hilton's POV]

Year: 1738

Date: 31

Month: Equinoxia

Time: 1:00 PM

[Hidden Chamber - Nightshade Sanctum]

[Ren Hilton's POV]

"Don't tell me that was the limit of how long you can hold that form," I sighed in defeat, my disappointment evident in my voice. Blaze, now in his black cat form, sat before me, his expressive eyes reflecting a mixture of exhaustion and frustration.

'It's not something I can control! It takes a tremendous amount of mana from my core to maintain that form, and even more if I use magic. Ugh, I hate to admit it, but yeah, it'll take time for me to level up,' Blaze's voice carried a tinge of frustration as it echoed in my mind.

I gazed at his small figure and inquired, "So you can level up your core, huh? Well, how do you charge it then?"

Blaze replied, 'Same as you.'

In humans and other races, we have the ability to gather mana from the atmosphere to fill our mana cores, or we can rest for it to naturally refill. While resting, the gathered mana is more concentrated and efficient. On the other hand, forcefully channeling mana from the atmosphere into the core may fill it up quickly, but it will also deplete rapidly, rendering it unsustainable in the long run. However, in dire situations, it can serve as a temporary solution.

"Now what?" Blaze asked as he looked around us.

There's nothing left to do inside this hidden Chamber at all. I got my Bloodline Changed, was able to harness a new power of controlling the pure form of mana, and I have a way to make it even better, but it's not possible with my current strength since... I am back to being a three-star mage.

Despite possessing a mana pool and elemental grasp of a six-star level, I find myself trapped at a mere three-star power level. It's as if I have all the necessary components to level up in a game, except for the crucial experience points needed to progress.

I'll have to temper this new body.

I don't know what that is actually in terms of the percentage of my Bloodline potential since I can access the system inside this specific space.

"I think we should go now," I said as I turned to leave into the darkness until I found that specific spiral engraving again.

I don't regret coming to this island because of this single floor.

This dungeon had nothing to offer that I can't get outside of here. It'll be difficult but still manageable apart from meeting a Demi God for obvious reasons.

The first benefit was meeting with..... Jasmine and Ren for a lot of reasons, and it was good for me to get my mind back into the game again.

The second was the New Phoenix Bloodline, and a God one at that.

The third was the discovery of the control over raw mana and the new technique too.

'But ain't you forgetting that the Gorthan is still there?' Blaze said as he... this damn guy just jumped onto my shoulder.

'Well, we'll use the same method as before coming in here,' I suggested as I picked up my nearly empty bag. No food for me.

'Same method?' Blaze tilted his head in a very dumb manner.

"Looks like your brain is also shrinking by being in this form," I threw in, "Don't you remember the Eldertree Pillar? The one that bound Gorthan last time?" I completed as I began walking.

Lighting a brilliant fireball above my palm, I don't know why, but it's like I can't get enough of this new type of flame which feels more... like myself. But I also miss the chaotic flames I used to have. It's like the fire is... nah, let's not think about it.

'So you're saying that you'll activate the Eldertree Pillar in the presence of Gorthan once again and still be able to leave that chamber before Gorthan can break out of the restraint? Don't you remember the time that beast got free from the Eldertree Pillar's bind in a few seconds!' Blaze was right; it's a ridiculous but-

"-But You know what's more ridiculous?" I stated.

"Not going out there and dying in this dark chamber because of no food like a coward," I said calmly.

After a small pause, Blaze said, "That's true too..."

"Now go inside the bag and rest. I'll need your help when I'm there." I pushed him inside the bag. I can't use that technique on him right now.

...

When we get outside, I'll be the one to distract Gorthan, while Blaze will be the one to activate the bind.

And... I'll try to reach the door of the next floor if I can. I'm more interested in what's on the next floor before I leave this place because... I don't know why, but I've been getting a strong and rich mana signature... no mana signatures from somewhere close. It's so close, or it's because of my heightened mana senses.

As Blaze rested inside the bag, I made my way through the dark and eerie corridors of the chamber, my heightened senses allowed me to pick up faint traces of mana lingering in the air.

After half an hour or so of navigating through the labyrinthine paths, I finally spotted it. There, on the wall, was a small swirling engraving. It was the same one I had used to enter this place, as I could still see the faint traces of blood on the ground just below it.

"Hey Blaze, get ready!" I called out as I pulled the cat out of the bag.

'Hey!!! Don't treat me so roughly!' Blaze grumbled.

"We don't have time for that. Change now," I commanded, urgency in my voice.

Blaze took a step back, and a small diamond pattern formed above his forehead. He began the transformation, his form growing larger as his head, tail, and wings extended. Soon, he was back in his majestic Winged Pardus form.

Taking a deep breath, I calmed myself and pressed my hand against the engravings. I channeled my mana into the spell inscribed within them, activating the incantation.

As my mana flowed from my core to the spell, the swirl on the wall started moving, creating a vortex portal. It began to suck me inside, transporting me to the other side of the chamber.

"Let's go," I said, moments before being pulled into the portal. In an instant, we left the hidden chamber and Ignisara's graveyard behind, disappearing into the silence.

.......

Ren exited the chamber, leaving behind the darkness and the chilling winds that now hovered within. The vast chamber became even more eerie, and the hollow whispers of the air echoed through its depths.

In the midst of the silence, an ethereal voice murmured to itself, "He left... I'll catch up. Time is slumbering........we'll meet soon human boy."

.....

[At the Other Side]

The mist-filled chamber surrounded us, obscuring our vision and casting an eerie atmosphere upon the surroundings. My head spun in spirals as I tried to find my footing on the uncertain ground, conjuring a lightning bolt in my hand as a defensive measure.

'He'll attack at once,' I thought, bracing myself for an imminent assault.

As I glanced around, my eyes caught sight of the Eldertree Pillar, located in the left direction, deeper into the mist.

"Go now!" I shouted as soon as I could, but before I could react, something completely unexpected happened.

*Swoosh*

"Grrr"

"What the!?" I gasped in disbelief as I witnessed a sight that took me by surprise.

Blaze, covered in black thunder tendrils, soared through the air with incredible speed, his silhouette blurring and leaving behind a trail of black hazy smoke. His eyes glistened with a hint of predatory instinct, as if he had been eagerly anticipating this moment.

It took me a moment to compose myself. I channeled mana throughout my entire body, relishing the sensation of these new muscles that felt strong and capable. I hurled the lightning bolt in a random direction, causing it to explode upon impact with the ground. The resulting blast cleared the mist slightly, revealing something beyond my expectations.

'Hey, don't touch the Eldertree Pillar,' I contacted Blaze through our mind connection, 'it's not the time to worry about the restraints because...'

.... Silence....

The Gorthan was already ensnared in a massive range of large metal chains. Several large mana stones were strategically placed around it, and various mana inscriptions floated in the sky, circling the beast.

In the midst of this elaborate binding, the Gorthan slept soundly, not even flinching at the sound of the explosion caused by my feeble lightning bolt. Its lack of ferocity and the serene stillness gave the impression that...

"It's dead?" I muttered, my confusion deepening with each passing second. The situation was growing at the moment.

Just at the moment I heard a very familiar sound.

Ding*

[System Notification]

Welcome, Host!

*New Owner Connected To Host.*

*Relocating the battery core.*

*Tracker On.*

*Store Available!*

[...Store Access denied!]

[New Bloodline Detected!]

System Alteration Required!