Chapter 384: Byeol’s Unexpected Actions

It was still much better than knowing nothing at all.

He calculated the amount of Star Fiend he had received as feedback this time. If he invested most of it into the skill [Vitality Theft], would it be possible to raise the skill's quality in a short period of time? Then, could he use that skill as the core of a strategy to deal with the Red Mist Boss?

[Vitality Theft] was a skill created by merging another skill based on life absorption. However, after Star Fate had been incorporated into it, the resulting skill had become so different that it was practically impossible to see any resemblance to the original.

Even its original lifesteal effect had not been fully preserved. Instead, it had transformed into an ability that absorbed the enemy's attributes. If it advanced one step further, it might even become capable of temporarily stealing an opponent's skills and using them for himself.

However, the previous skill fusion had involved a certain degree of coincidence. Even if he burned his own fortune this time, there was no guarantee that he would get a result he was satisfied with. It was far more likely that he would lose everything he invested without gaining anything in return.

Although those who followed the Path of Fate often created many incredible skills through chance encounters and unexpected coincidences, the special nature of Fate lay precisely in its unpredictability.

Desperately seeking something with all one's heart often led nowhere, while unexpectedly gaining something without even trying was the norm.

Therefore, after carefully considering the matter, Joo Joowon ultimately abandoned the idea.

Star Fiend was not easy to obtain. He had even attracted a powerful enemy because of it, so he could not simply gamble it all on a skill that might not even become the key to victory.

While he was still struggling with the decision, Joo Joowon suddenly felt his Star Fiend rapidly draining away, even though he had not used any of it himself.

The energy was flowing toward... Byeol?

Joo Joowon could not help feeling surprised. Had Byeol encountered some kind of danger?

Just as he could use Byeol's Star Fiend, Byeol could also use his in return. However, he could stop it at any time if he wanted to. There was no compulsory connection forcing him to let it happen.

After thinking it over, Joo Joowon decided to wait and see what happened.

Although he had known for a long time that Byeol shared a close connection with him, and that they could draw upon each other's Star Fiend because they originated from the same source, this was the first time he had actually felt it happening.

It was like having a clone that he could not control in any way, yet that could use everything at his disposal. The feeling was rather strange and fascinating.

Since he knew who was using his power, he did not feel particularly resistant to it.

To Joo Joowon, Byeol was someone far closer to him than even his own parents.

He was simply worried because he had no idea what was happening on Byeol's side.

If nothing unexpected had happened, Byeol would never recklessly use his things. Back when they were still living in a rented apartment, Byeol would not even enter his bedroom without his permission.

Yet now it was suddenly using such a large amount of Star Fiend. Had something happened?

Should he go over there right away? Or would his presence only end up getting in Byeol's way?

Byeol was small, and with such a large amount of Star Fiend at its disposal, it should be able to find a way out of danger.

With a thought, Joo Joowon suddenly sent his consciousness into the "Star Sea."

Within this mysterious space, a lone star hung high above. It was neither bright nor dim, and hazy starlight filled the surrounding area. Beneath it lay a black lake that reflected the star above.

This was the place where Joo Joowon, as an Astral Diviner, stored his magical power. For other people, this place might be called a dantian, a sea of consciousness, or something similar.

The more completely the Star Sea developed, the higher his level of cultivation would be.

Faint and bright starlight flickered around Joo Joowon's body. The lone star trembled, as though it had received a signal, before plunging into his body. In an instant, a surging force filled him, even giving him the illusion that he was capable of anything.

He was briefly dazed, but quickly regained his senses. He raised his hand and summoned the Web of Fate.

Relying on the connection between himself, Byeol, and their shared lone star, Joo Joowon crossed mountains and rivers, passing through the boundary between reality and illusion. He descended beside Byeol in a state that was neither physical nor spiritual.

Many people who possessed special fates were often said to be incarnations of the Emperor Star sent down to the mortal world. For Transcendents, however, they could genuinely accomplish something akin to "descending from the heavens."

However, this kind of descent could not be performed freely. They could only descend beside someone who possessed the same Fate.

Usually, when Astral Diviner used this method, it was to eliminate another Astral Diviner who shared the same Fate Star before that person could become a threat.

Simply put, Astral Diviner were unique.

Although there were quite a few people who possessed the same Fate, only one of them could truly embark on the Path of Fate.

If another person appeared, the Astral Diviner would inevitably sense their presence and go to eliminate them before they could grow stronger.

The reason was cruel. The power of a Fate was limited, and it would only favor the Transcendent who shared the closest connection with it.

The other person would become a "dud," possessing a profession but unable to use any skills at all.

No Transcendent could tolerate such a situation.

If there was a significant difference in their levels, the stronger one could even exploit their similar Fates to use the other person as a Substitute or a puppet.