[CH598+ Continued] Dungeon Diver: Stealing A Monster's Power

The echoing cracks of Soul Energy attacks, strengthened by countless red threads of divine energy, ring throughout the desert as I approach my teammates training.

None of them have their main weapons out, and no ranked-up buffs are activated; they're all fighting in their base human forms.

Reality bends beneath the desert ground, and even the air between their fists colliding distorts slightly before they make contact. It makes me momentarily question whether we're still inside a construct like the one I just left.

The energy waves from their punches and kicks ripple with even more force than they did when using everything they had against me in our spars just four days ago.

Once I glide down to the ground, they all stop what they're doing.

"What were those trees? I can't sense any energy coming off of them..." Fisher asks.

Abby interjects next. "More importantly, I can't sense any energy coming off of you... Are you still wearing that limiter? Was it a success or not?"

Lydia and Maria both look at me with sharp gazes, trying to figure out what's happened, but neither of them speaks up, as the others have asked the most important questions.

I nod and smile while walking closer.

"It was a success... so much so, that I don't think it's safe to release my full power in your presence. And yes, those trees absorb Divine Energy, so I wouldn't get too close to them. I'm actually not sure how to even dispose of them now."

The second these words leave my mouth, the Lich King chimes in.

"Four days... you awakened a True Core in four days...."

There is no change in expression on the empty black skeletal face, but I feel a ripple of emotions come off of the shadow summon that tells me he's surprised, scared, and full of genuine disbelief.

I smirk, then give them all a rundown on how it was done.

Given the fact that I'm using a purple-cored artifact and that the use of my Soul Energy imbued with my absorption's natural properties triggered this mutation, allowing me to become more and more resistant to the Green Threads; there's a low possibility that anyone else in the world is capable of such a feat.

My teammates are all impressed, but none of them ever doubted I'd be able to pull it off, even though there was no clear method outlined beforehand.

It's just another training session for us, but the Lich King can't seem to grasp this fact.

The fearful and awe-filled emotions stream out of the shadowy figure as he responds after my story is complete.

"I... am starting to understand why a Supreme like the Fallen One chose to soul bond with you. Maybe the events of the past, when this planet was connected to the system, were not so random after all. I never understood why such a weak world so far away from the source was chosen..."

The Lich King keeps murmuring to himself for a few seconds, but I have other things to ask that have been on my mind since the moment I awakened.

"How do I find out what my unique True Core's trait will be? You mentioned everyone's is different, right? I don't see any mention of it in my system text, and usually these things feel intuitive... but I don't feel any different other than the immense jump in pure power."

The Lich King looks up and shakes himself out of his deep thoughts to respond.

"If you don't know yet, it means it isn't a passive ability. You'll need to be in the heart of battle to awaken your True Core's Strength, or possibly it will awaken once the battle is over. Every being is unique; it is similar to a Soul Energy awakening—you will gain a power that reflects your being. It could be a divine weapon, it could be a new form, it... really could be anything. Given the accelerated nature of your awakening, I truly have no guesses as to what your True Core's hidden ability could be..."