CHAPTER 180: SPIRIT CORE [1]

[Near Old Court]

[Spirit World]

’Huff....’

Akamir let out a soft breath as he sat on the floor with his legs crossed.

His gaze moved around the place as he looked at the floating herbs and leaves.

’I should start supplying them out soon.’

Akamir thought as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

The herbs were all ready to be sold out now as they were all grown now.

They collided with the sphere dome and rebounded around the place.

Even though Akamir wanted to sell them, he still saw a glaring problem.

’What if the elves die out?’

From what Nayomi had told him, it was more or less confirmed that the elves would go close to extinction.

The thing with Kros, The Greater One and its curse would wipe out most of them from the continent.

’No matter how I see it, elves aren’t the right choice to sell them.’

Akamir frowned as he looked at the fairies floating around the place.

He wasn’t sure when, but they had also started caring and loving the herbs, making them grow even faster.

’I knew they had some strange abilities.’

Akamir had a hard time believing that once elves had full support of the fairy race.

Letting out a sigh, he stopped thinking about the elves.

But the doubt that was in his heart started making him think of alternatives.

’If elves die, then I would have to find new customers for the herbs.’

And Akamir had some in mind who would buy it at the price that he asked.

’The elves on the other side of the world.’

He thought, touching his necklace subconsciously.

With how things were going with Aure kingdom, Akamir now was planning to take over their sea routes.

If things went according to his plan, then he could start a trade with them as well.

’But it’s still risky to go there.’

He thought as he rubbed the back of his neck.

Akamir knew his strength wasn’t sufficient enough to keep things under control.

One mimicker got caught and things would turn to hell real quick.

’If I don’t want that, then I have to get far stronger than I am now.’

Thinking so, Akamir looked up at the sky where Nayomi was floating.

"Hey, you still haven’t told me yet." Akamir said, looking at her. "What comes after White core?"

Nayomi glanced at him. "Do I need to explain the entire power system to you?"

"Yeah."

She looked away. "I don’t want to."

"Why?"

Nayomi crossed her arms as she hovered mid-air, her long hair drifting with the breeze of the spirit world.

"Because it’s boring," she replied flatly, "and you’re going to forget half of it anyway."

Akamir narrowed his eyes. "Then explain the other half."

Nayomi clicked her tongue. "Fine. But don’t ask dumb questions halfway through."

She floated lower until she was sitting cross-legged midair in front of him, mirroring his posture.

"So, White Core... it’s the final stage of basically reaching the peak of Mortal limit. After that, you step into Transcendent Realms."

"Sounds fancy," Akamir muttered.

"It’s not," Nayomi said with a shrug.

"Most people don’t even make it to White Core, but once you do, you unlock a path to Essence Core."

Akamir nodded slowly, trying to keep up. "So, what’s an Essence Core?"

Nayomi stretched out her legs, floating just a bit closer.

"Essence Core is when your soul starts shaping your power directly," she said.

"Instead of your body storing power like it does now, your essence does. It’s like... you become your own artifact."

Akamir blinked. "That sounds—wait, what?"

"You heard me," Nayomi smirked, liking the look on his face.

"You don’t just have strength anymore... you are strength. That’s why most people who reach Essence Core are basically walking disasters."

Akamir frowned, resting his chin on his palm. "How many stages are there after that?"

Nayomi tilted her head, thinking for a moment.

"After Essence Core, there’s the Essence Crown, then Essence Wreath... and then comes something people call Sovereign Path. But by then, you’re not even counted as human or elf or whatever."

Akamir frowned as he looked at her. "Are you saying my race will lose its meaning?"

"Yeah." She nodded her head in response. "You will become something far more than that."

Akamir nodded softly as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

’A Sovereign Path, huh?’

Akamir had a basic idea of how the power system works in this world.

But it was the first time he heard of this term.

’If what Nayomi said is true, most of the true powerhouses are always hiding from the main world.’

Still, Akamir had more questions to ask.

"Is Essence Core also divided further?"

"Yeah." She nodded her head. "Low, middle, high, and peak Core."

"...I see."

Akamir nodded as his eyes narrowed. "How powerful were you—"

"Enough about that." She said, cutting him off. "You still have a long way to go."

Akamir frowned, noticing how she was changing the topic, but he didn’t say anything.

Instead, he looked at her who floated even closer.

"I think it’s time for you to form a spirit core."

Akamir nodded as he sat straight, staring at her face.

’I always do notice it but, she really is one of the most beautiful women I ever saw.’

Nayomi didn’t notice his gaze as she looked past him. "Saia, come here!"

From behind him, the fairy queen zapped as she arrived toward them.

"Place your hand on his body," Nayomi instructed. "Then pour your spirit energy inside of him."

Saia looked confused, but she nodded her head nonetheless. "Okay."

Akamir, though confused, didn’t stop her.

Nayomi also placed her hand over his abdomen, close to his core.

"I will outline the spirit path in your body and guide them." She said, looking into his eyes. "Remember the path and form your own spirit core."

Akamir drew in a deep breath as he nodded. "Alright."

Just as he closed his eyes, Saia poured spirit energy and Nayomi guided it.

"Ugh—!"

In an instant, Akamir felt a sudden pain all over his body.