MMORPG: Rise of the Primordial Godsmith

“Void Core?” Valyr raised his eyebrow at the term. “What’s the difference between that and the Shadowsource?”

“The Shadowsource is something that you’ve already made contact with in the past,” said Florentine in response. “Connecting to it serves as proof that you’re a native of the Shadow Plane.”

“Aside from that, the Shadowsource serves as the beating heart of the Shadow Plane,” Xervei continued where the Serpent Maiden left off. “It also serves as the source where all Shadow Energy originates, allowing those talented enough to gain large amounts of Shadow Energy just from making contact with it.”

“Though, for more talented beings, the Shadowsource is a reference they could always check while attempting to push their Shadow Energy to the next realm.”

“Once those beings transform their Shadow Energy into Void Energy, they gain access to a far stronger and far purer part of the Shadowsource, which is none other than the Void Core.”

“I see,” said Valyr as he spent a bit of time digesting the duo’s explanation. “So, what you’re telling me is that the Void Core is just a purer version of the Shadowsource?”

“Kind of.” Xervei tilted his head with a slight frown, his expression somewhat unsure. “All types of energy related to the Shadow Plane originate from the Shadowsource. That also includes both Void Energy and the tier of energy that comes after that.”

“With that said, making contact with the Void Core does not allow you to gain massive amounts of Void Energy. Making contact with the Void Core also doesn’t improve your connection to the Shadow Plane.”

“If anything, its purpose is twofold,” said the man. “The first one is to convert Shadow Energy into Void Energy.”

“As for the second, it’s to guide others in their attempts of transforming their Void Energy into the next tier of energy that comes after it.”

“…Ah.” At those words, Valyr finally understood what the man wanted him to do with the reward. “So, by giving me access to the Void Core, you want me to…”

“Deepen your understanding of Void Energy, allowing you to solidify your foundations before transforming Void Energy into Abyssal Energy later on.” Xervei nodded as he continued where the young man left off.

Though Valyr nodded in understanding after that, a certain question related to the topic soon came to his mind.

“Say, do you two happen to know someone named Noel Voragine?”

At those words, both Xervei and Florentine looked at each other for a bit as a trace of shock briefly flashed in their eyes.

Though, seeing that the young man in front of them was looking at them with a mix of anticipation and curiosity, the two eventually decided to stop staying silent.

“We do, actually.” Florentine nodded. “You could say that we’ve been keeping an eye on him ever since he first appeared in the Shadow Plane.”

“Yeah.” Xervei nodded in agreement. “Even before entering the Shadow Plane, he’s already gained control over Shadow Energy. With that, it goes without saying that him entering the Shadow Plane was akin to a fish returning to water.”

After that, the two told Valyr how Noel swiftly grew in power, spending only just a few years to refine his Shadow Energy to the point where he could transform into Void Energy.

Then, after achieving success in his transformation, he spent a couple of decades refining his Void Energy in order to reach the barrier that separated it from transforming into Abyssal Energy.

Though, with his innate talent, as well as his surprisingly high affinity with the Shadow Plane, it only took a couple more years before his dreams became a reality, turning his Void Energy into the all-powerful Abyssal Energy.

“Some people in the Shadow Plane think of him as a prodigy beyond compare, while others think of him as an ember that would eventually fizzle out and disappear,” said Xervei to the young man.

“However, no matter which side you ask, there are two things that everyone in the Shadow Plane agrees upon when it comes to him.”

“He’s the closest being to upgrade Abyssal Energy to the next tier…” Xervei raised one finger up. “And he has no other rival within the Shadow Plane.”

“Hiss…” Valyr sucked in a breath of cold air after hearing that.

Who knew that the person that gave him his first subclass was actually a being recognized by the Overseer of the Shadow Plane?

‘When I have the time in the future, I should pay a visit to Elder Noel and tell him that he’s recognized by the Overseer,’ he thought to himself, a faint yet satisfied smile creeping up his lips.

“Anyways, enough talking about him.” While Valyr was still trying to digest the information the two shared with him, Xervei went ahead and steered the conversation back to its original topic. “Are you ready to make contact with the Void Core?”

“Er…” Briefly glancing at the man in response to the question, the young man closed his eyes for a bit before giving him a firm nod. “Alright. I’m ready.”

“Good.”

Nodding in return, Xervei waved both of his hands outward, pushing a great portion of the energy in the surroundings away from the three as he conjured a barrier a few seconds later.

Whoosh!

Commanding the energy he had just pushed away to enter the barrier he’d just made, the man gave Valyr a calm look as he told the latter to sit at the very center.

Doing as he was told, the young man soon found himself sitting cross-legged on the ground, only to then feel that his connection with the Shadow Plane had been magnified at least hundreds of times in an instant.

“Relax your body and get used to this sensation.” Just as he was beginning to wonder what was going on, the young man heard Florentine talk to him. “The Overseer is currently amplifying your connection with the Shadow Plane in order to let you obtain more from making contact with the Void Core.”

Hearing those words, the former nodded in return as he took in a deep breath to compose himself.

Then, after closing his eyes, he felt his connection become even stronger with every passing second.

A thousand times…

Ten thousand times…

A hundred thousand times…

By the time he felt like a single thought from him would be enough to make the Shadow Plane tremble, Xervei’s calm voice echoed from within the barrier.

“Prepare yourself, Valyr,” he said, summoning the same nebulous energy from before. “Though you’ll only be making contact with the Void Core for a couple hours at most, it will feel like years or decades have passed before you finally come back.”

“With that said, I hope you make the most out of this opportunity and bring yourself one step closer to comprehending Abyssal Energy.”

Whoosh!