A Universe of Bloody Evolution

Now what? Leo mused, rolling his shoulders. Apart from nights, it's been a while since I had nothing to do when the sun is out... Almost forgot the feeling.

Sighing, Leo sank to the floor, leaning against a bent metal shelf. He might have stayed here to protect the tower, but unless some dumb Voidlings decided to check out what happened to the Nest, there wouldn't be much to do.

Well, there is always a chance some survivors might come... Doubt that though. This area was empty a few days ago, and with what I saw in the Graveyard... Yeah, there's no way anybody is coming here.

Nonetheless, Leo reached into his soul and gathered a bit over half of the Essence he had regenerated since the last battle. It boiled beneath his skin as he fed it with intent that focused only on one thing and nothing else.

Hunter's Pulse.

At once, crimson energy exploded from every part of his body, diving beneath the ground and passing through the walls. The pulse went on and on, easily encompassing the streets around the warehouse before snapping back with a bang.

Leo flinched as a wave of feedback flowed into his mind without the usual filter. Shit... Maybe modifying the pulse like this wasn't the best idea. It definitely wasn't invisible like it should... Oh well, something to practice in the future when my reserves aren't as dry as a desert.

Despite the weak ache spreading through his head, Leo smiled after processing all the info from the pulse. Just like he expected, besides a few normies and other Voidlings, nothing even came close to the warehouse.

A few of them might try to get inside here, but overall, I should be good. Just have to repeat the skill every few minutes.

Nodding, Leo slid down, dropping fully to the ground. His tails wriggled underneath him before finally finding a position that didn't make him squirm.

That's... nice. If a bit uncomfortable.

With a shrug, he summoned the System, remembering well that it still had some notifications that required attention. Should be all after this. Finally.

Distributing rewards for conquering the Nest of Shadow Tails. 600 Ether transfered. Survivor reward: +1 Might and Grace. Special item has been added to your Soul Well.

Leo quirked an eyebrow as a sudden surge of energy dived into his soul. The small weight settled right in the corner along with his other items, pulsing with eagerness.

And here I thought a Safe Zone would be all I get from this. Glad to be proved wrong. A small boost to Limit Break is always welcome. Not to mention almost as much Ether as I spent on my mutation. Nests for the win I guess.

Yet, the reward resting inside his soul proved the most interesting. Right away, Leo reached into the storage and ripped the object out.

Huh, I have seen this already. Well, only the color is different. Another honing token?

A tiny blue badge landed in Leo's hand, its surface smooth and cool. He flipped it to the other side, expecting the familiar letter 'H,' yet it was nowhere to be found. Instead, a large 'A' stretched over the badge, the letter's edges glinting with an orange glow.

Okay? Let's see...

Free Advancement Token (Rare):
A simple yet powerful token created by the System. It allows the User to advance any item of Rare or lower quality to a higher tier. The User has no impact on the outcome of this process. Please note that this token will work only for the one who received it. Additionally, this item will self-destroy after twelve hours if not used, and it cannot be replicated. Activates with Essence.

Oh... Leo's eyes widened as his gaze jumped between the token and its description. I thought only honing could upgrade items.

However, he could already see why there might be a different way to make items stronger. A special and unique way, just like the System mentioned. Something that worked outside of what was normally available to Users.

After all, according to the token's description, it couldn't be created by anyone other than the System. Additionally, this tiny thing had an expiration date attached to it.

Though I can't control the outcome, so there is that... It's been a while since I gambled.

Right away, Leo's gaze fell on the soft fabric that covered most of his body. This cloak was his only rare item, and with the timer ticking, he doubted he could find another.

Holden's group probably has something. He shook his head. No... asking them to give up an item would just bring more problems. That is, if they even have anything I could use...

And so, with the decision made, Leo send a single spark of Essence into the token.

Free Advancement Token activated. Please connect it with the item you want to upgrade.

Upon touching the fabric of Leo's cloak, the token ignited in a blinding orange fire. The flames didn't wait around and dived into the item, slowly burning through its dark surface.

For a moment, Leo considered taking the cloak off. Yet when he didn't feel even the slightest of warmth from the fire, he shrugged and waited.

It took a minute, maybe two, before the flames retreated, leaving behind a pristine, undamaged cloak. It still covered his body from head to foot, but even though it didn't look much different, it definitely changed.

This isn't a normal material anymore. Leo marveled, dragging his fingers across the fabric. It almost consumed his digits, slowly covering them in the darkness that now oozed from the cloak. Okay, color me impressed.

Cloak of True Night (Epic):
A cloak created by the System's Advancement Token. Made out of pure darkness, this item will always lend a hand to Users who control said element. This cloak will automatically adjust to the User's size and make them almost invisible in the dark. Additionally, the cowl will obscure the User's face at any distance. As an item made out of pure affinity, it will slowly repair after taking damage.
Notice: This item can only be upgraded with the System's advancement tokens.

Yeah... definitely impressed.

Even if the improved cloak only helped with the darkness affinity, it didn't matter, not when every other aspect was also enhanced. Invisibility in the dark already brought this item to another level. Add complete anonymity when the cowl was on, and Leo couldn't be happier.

And that's without the self-repair function and fitting me better than before... Holy shit, I finally don't have to worry about clothing. At least for the most part...

A soft smile claimed Leo's lips as he laid down again. Shutting his eyes, he let his mind and body relax. A deserved rest after everything that had happened.

However, as time flew by, Leo quickly realized that sitting and doing nothing wouldn't work. Not in this life. Not in this world.

I can rest when I am dead. He snorted, sitting up. Nyx! Can you hear me?

Although he didn't expect an answer, or at least not right away, Nyx's concerned voice came through their link instantly. 'Leo? I hear you loud and clear. Did something happen? Do you need me to come back?'

Eyes widening at the barrage of questions, Leo shook his head. Calm down, I'm fine. Just wanted to check if our link works over larger distances. Good to see that it does.

'Our bond might not be the strongest yet, but a bit of distance won't defeat it. This connection is special after all,' Nyx finished with a huff.

Yeah... don't need to remind me. Leo sighed. So, how is it going on your side? Any problems on the way?

'We barely left, Leo. This human is trying, but she wasted a lot of time to just get on the roof. I almost had to step in too.'

Shit, really? I hoped she was at least a third of the way to the Safe Zone. Suppose not everything can be that easy...

Nyx chuckled, her melodic laughter filling Leo's mind. 'Don't worry. The human is picking up the pace.'

Good to know. Though... I'm kinda curious. How are you following her? Sticking to the shadows, or do you have a stealth ability of your own?

A sudden surge of excitement passed through their link when Nyx spoke. 'Then why not take a look and find on your own?'

Leo furrowed his brow. What do you mean?

'Remember when I showed you Nikra's other shard? With our bond, we should be able to do something similar with our senses. If you let me, I can try to show you how I see the world.'

At this point, Nyx's excitement already encompassed Leo's mind, almost overflowing it. And so, no matter what he wanted, the choice was obvious.

I won't even ask how you know we can do that... But sure, if it won't harm us, then go ahead.

'Excellent! I will take care of everything, you just relax and open your mind. Don't resist, or I might mess up.'

Releasing a long, slow breath, Leo nodded. Got it. Begin.

At once, Nyx's excitement faded away as their link widened. A gentle hand tugged at Leo's consciousness. Instead of fighting it, he helped, pushing his own awareness toward their connection.

A myriad of colors filled his vision despite having his eyes closed. They changed constantly, going from red to blue, from black to white. For a second, Leo thought that something had gone wrong, but then the colors settled, only crimson, violet, and black remaining in sight.

Those hues slowly shifted, crafting an image right in front of his eyes. The dark ground appeared first, followed by familiar buildings and Vetilim scattered all around. The distant sky, red as blood, finished the picture as time restarted, and feelings not Leo's own assaulted his mind.

Bloody hell... Leo muttered, and suddenly, not by his own actions, his gaze moved to a street below him, where Voidlings wandered unaware. Nyx? Am I... am I seeing through your eyes?

'It worked,' Nyx chirped, and Leo felt as the three, bladed tails behind him waggled. 'How do you feel? Is it weird, uncomfortable?"

Even as a pile of different emotions flowed through Leo's thoughts, he didn't really mind. No... Not uncomfortable, but maybe a bit weird. I feel everything you do now. I can barely tell apart what comes from me and what comes from you.

'That's our synchronization working as it should,' Nyx explained as they ran across a rooftop, their eyes following Clara on the other side of the road. 'I think that with time, it will be easier to handle.'

Most likely, Leo agreed, still processing as the world moved without his input. Do you always see the world like this?

'Ever since I woke up. Even the Voidling before me saw things similarly.'

Interesting, he hummed just as a realization struck him. Nyx... Now that I think of it. What are you exactly? You were created from the soul of a Voidling, but that wasn't everything. Does that make you an Akirian?

Nyx's sprint slowed down as her thoughts became a whirlwind. 'I'm unsure... My body is still that of a Voidling. However, my mind and soul are so much more... I would call myself something in-between, but according to the System, I'm still a Voidling. At least until I evolve. After that, we will see.'

That makes sense I guess... Leo muttered in the safety of their melded minds. But hold on. You said the System recognizes you as a Voidling. Do you have access to status and everything else like me?

'Indeed,' Nyx nodded, stopping at the roof's edge. 'Although as a Voidling, I do not possess a class or job. Everything I have comes from my race and what I teach myself. The same goes for all the beasts below me, even if they use the System instinctively until they become sapient.'

Huh... I never really thought much about Voidlings and the System. Still, it's nice to know how everything works.

Nyx didn't speak again. She buckled her hind legs and jumped high. Mid-air, Leo felt her body burst into shadows before the cloud dived towards another roof, right where a pack of Seekers sat.

The shadows splattered over the group, smashing their fragile bodies against the floor. Bones cracked, blood splattered over the roof as Nyx reformed, resuming her walk like nothing had happened.

For Leo though, the situation wasn't as simple.

Seeker (LVL: 7) X4 slain | Experience awarded | 7 Ether gained

Nyx... Did I just receive experience and Ether for your kills?