Dim and unstable, the flame of his Aura could be extinguished by even the gentlest breeze.
Evan racked his brain. What should he do to strengthen this "flame"?
When he tried to touch it...
Psssh!
"Aargh!"
The fire scorched Evan's soul.
It was only a brief touch, but the effect was staggering.
Without a second thought, Evan tried to mobilize the flame, forcing it to produce Aura.
Quickly, a transparent mist-like Aura spread throughout his body. Unlike mystical or surreal energy, Aura had a relatively simple form, yet carried unimaginable power.
A voice rang once again in Evan's head.
—Aura isn't something you wait to grow. It's something you must force to rise!
Heeding the advice, Evan began to forcibly circulate the Aura. With perfect breath control and internal energy rhythm, Evan entered a state of active meditation.
Extreme focus was required, failure would mean unstable circulation, which he predicted could result in physical disability or severe fatigue.
He realized that the center point of the Aura was the dantian, located below the navel. He also noticed that he lacked a fully formed circulation path. Long-term growth would be difficult at this rate. So, he decided to follow the path where the Aura naturally wanted to flow, hoping to open up all the circulation pathways.
As he opened the dantian path, a name etched itself into his mind—Ignition Point!
Imaginary lines formed from the weaving of Aura, leading straight to Evan's heart. Resonance Point was now unlocked!
Evan felt an overwhelming harmony between his body and soul, something he'd never achieved before due to his existence as a spirit possessing this body. Now, he felt as though the body truly belonged to him.
From the Resonance Point, the Aura flowed into his shoulders and arms, enhancing his control over both aspects. He was now certain he could wield a longsword with one hand.
Flow Point opened!
Next were his thin, worn hands. The Aura flowed into every part, concentrating in his palms. This signaled that Evan could now project his Aura through his hands.
Expansion Point unlocked!
The Aura surged upward through his spine and finally settled at the center of his back. The previously imbalanced flow of Aura was now perfectly aligned in one smooth stream!
Foundation Point opened!
"Krrrgh!"
This was where the real pain struck. The Aura flooded the base of Evan's neck, and he felt like his consciousness was tossed about in a storm at sea. But with sheer willpower, his control over the Aura increased significantly, allowing him to manipulate it with far greater precision.
Ascension Point unlocked!
Suddenly, the Aura flowed into Evan's brain. His forehead tightened in agony, and he felt as though the Aura was trying to split open his brow to reveal a "third eye."
Insight Point opened!
"Aaargh! Aaaa!"
His skull cracked violently. The crown of his head, once sealed during his infancy, was now forcefully torn open by the Aura. Every fracture, every burst of pain, he felt it all without any anesthesia.
He wanted to cry. He regretted seeking power through such agonizing means. And finally...
Crown Point unlocked!
Shwooom!
Swooosh—
Perfect circulation was achieved through a journey of pain and awe.
Now, only one final step remained. All eight Points—Ignition, Resonance, Flow, Expansion, Foundation, Ascension, Insight, and finally Crown, were connected in full. Together, they would form a convergence known as the Stellar Core.
But the process was suddenly interrupted by Evan himself.
Our protagonist was now vomiting.
"Enough! Enough! Blergh—"
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!
It hurts! It hurts so much!
Evan ended his Active Meditation. He collapsed onto the ground, face pressing into the dirt.
His brain was burning. He wanted to lie down just rest, right now.
But something still burning in his heart told him he was just one step away from breaking through to a higher realm.
"..."
Aura, you bastard.
Aura:...
After wiping off his sweat and adjusting his damp clothes from the meditation, Evan resumed his journey toward the Knights' camp.
Only a hundred Ferr away, but he continued with caution, careful not to attract the attention of any scouts or knights with sharp instincts.
While remaining alert, he tested out the Aura he had just gained.
"My strength has increased by nearly 60%!"
Compared to the knight he had previously fought, he now estimated at least a 70% chance of victory.
"Hehehehe, let's see if they can handle the current me!"
With full confidence, Evan boosted his speed from the level of an amateur athlete to that of a professional.
In the distance, a section of land that should've been dense with trees and bushes now lay bare. It looked as though someone had deliberately scorched the area.
Evan emerged from the forest. He observed at least fifteen large tents. Among them, one stood out, much larger and clearly more luxurious than the rest.
"Aphotic. Stay focused on the mission."
"Mm."
Demonic Crow had awakened, his six eyes piercing through the veil of magic surrounding the fifteen tents.
"One empty tent in the center, one for logistics, one belonging to the Knight Captain, one housing five Magisters, six for knights, and the last five for soldiers."
The empty tent at the center of it all left Evan puzzled. Who was it meant for?
"Haha, looks like there's good news. Want to hear it?"
Good news?
"The Knight Captain has taken three Magisters, eight knights, and fifteen elite soldiers to the Labyrinth Castle. That means only two Magisters, four knights, and nine elite soldiers are guarding this place."
Evan tilted his head. Why bring such a large force to a ruin?
"I knew you'd ask that. Master Magnus will deal with them all. So let's hurry and wipe the rest out."
Seeing Evan's confused look, Demonic Crow affirmed his own words with certainty.
Without further hesitation, Evan began formulating a plan in his mind.
But the peck of a beak snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Yes? What is it?"
"Earlier, I told you this mission was a test. Now it's time for an additional one."
"Okay, explain the details."
"Kill them all."
Evan blinked.
"I will."
"While surrounded."
"...?!"