Chapter 178: The Price of the Fragment

Chapter 178: Chapter 178: The Price of the Fragment

Ronan didn’t look back.

The energy signatures behind him were growing stronger, and the pressure spreading across the Shattered Expanse made it clear that the newcomers weren’t ordinary King Realm beings.

He accelerated through the rocky terrain, using Burst Acceleration to increase his speed while occasionally altering his trajectory with Gravity Affinity.

He couldn’t afford to run in a straight line.

The northern cliffs were no longer a viable escape route, and returning towards the valley would mean running directly into the two groups fighting over the collection pillar.

His best option was to create some distance before deciding where to go next.

However, he had another problem.

The fragment he had taken from the black structure was reacting to his mark.

He could feel a faint vibration coming from the space where he had stored it.

Ronan slowed down and entered a narrow passage between two enormous rock formations.

After confirming that none of the nearby energy signatures were following him directly, he retrieved the fragment.

It was roughly the size of his palm, with an irregular metallic surface. Several inscriptions covered its exterior, but most were too damaged to understand.

The moment it touched his skin, the mark on his palm glowed.

A faint projection appeared above the fragment.

[Central Anchor Access Fragment]

[Status: Incomplete]

[Bearer Recognition: Confirmed]

[Connection: Severed]

Ronan studied the notifications.

"Incomplete?"

He turned the fragment over.

A thin line of energy travelled across its surface before disappearing.

He tried directing some of his own energy into it.

Nothing happened.

He increased the amount.

The fragment trembled, but the projection remained unchanged.

Ronan stopped.

He didn’t want to damage something he had barely obtained.

Instead, he activated Energy Devouring and carefully examined the energy contained within it.

The result was unexpected.

The fragment didn’t contain a significant amount of energy. Most of its internal channels were completely empty, while a few retained traces of something resembling the energy from the collection pillar.

But there was another layer.

Something was preventing the energy from flowing through the fragment.

Ronan focused on it.

Formation Sense activated.

A complicated network of inscriptions appeared in his perception. Unlike the formations he had encountered before, these channels weren’t designed to attack, defend, or restrain anything.

They were designed to establish a connection.

And several sections had been deliberately severed.

Ronan’s eyes narrowed.

Someone had damaged it.

He examined the broken channels more carefully.

The damage wasn’t recent. It had been there for an extremely long time.

"Someone wanted to prevent this thing from being used."

He returned the fragment to his storage.

He had no way to repair it yet, but at least he understood why it wasn’t functioning.

More importantly, the fragment had recognized him as a bearer.

That alone made it valuable.

Ronan was about to leave when Subterranean Perception detected something beneath the ground.

He immediately stopped.

Something was approaching.

Not from behind.

From below.

He stepped away from the rock wall.

A metallic creature burst out of the ground.

Its body resembled a massive insect, with six legs and a thick armored shell. Several red crystals were embedded along its back, and its mouth opened to reveal rows of sharp metallic teeth.

Ronan recognized its energy signature.

Six-Star King Realm.

The creature lunged.

He avoided its jaws and struck its head with his palm.

BOOM!

The creature was knocked sideways, crashing against the rock formation.

It recovered almost immediately.

Ronan’s eyes narrowed.

Its armor was unusually dense.

He extended his hand.

Metallic Manipulation!

The crystals embedded along the creature’s back trembled.

However, before he could establish control, the creature released a sharp screech.

A powerful vibration spread through the surrounding rocks.

Ronan felt the ground beneath his feet destabilize.

He jumped.

Several metallic spikes emerged from the ground.

The creature used the distraction to charge again.

Ronan’s expression remained calm.

Burst Acceleration!

He moved past its head and landed behind it.

Annihilation Force!

His palm struck the creature’s exposed abdomen.

The impact tore through its outer armor.

The creature screamed and attempted to turn around, but Ronan had already reached for its damaged body.

He grabbed one of the exposed crystals.

Metallic Manipulation!

The crystal detached.

The creature’s movements immediately became sluggish.

Ronan crushed its head with another strike.

Its body collapsed.

[You have killed a Six-Star King Realm Iron Burrower.]

[Potential Trait Detected.]

[Would you like to extract the trait?]

Ronan examined the result.

He had already acquired Subterranean Perception from a stronger creature, so he wasn’t particularly interested in another trait related to underground movement.

Still, there was no reason to waste an opportunity.

[Extracting Trait...]

[Congratulations! You have acquired the trait: Mineral Consumption.]

Ronan raised an eyebrow.

He inspected the information.

[Mineral Consumption: Allows the user to consume certain minerals and metallic materials, converting compatible substances into energy and reinforcing the body.]

Interesting.

He looked at the dead creature.

Its body was covered in metallic materials, and the crystals embedded in its back appeared to be a natural part of its physiology.

Ronan touched one of the crystals.

A faint energy response passed through his fingers.

He activated Mineral Consumption.

The crystal gradually dissolved.

A stream of energy entered his body.

It wasn’t particularly powerful, but the process was smooth.

Unlike his earlier attempts to absorb the gray energy, there was no burning sensation or instability.

Ronan consumed another small fragment.

The energy circulated through his body before settling.

He smiled faintly.

This trait could prove useful.

The Shattered Expanse contained countless metallic creatures and mineral deposits. If he could find compatible materials, he might have another way to replenish his energy.

However, he wouldn’t rely on it until he understood its limitations.

He collected several of the remaining crystals and stored them.

Then he left the passage.

---

Several kilometers away, the valley had become a battlefield.

The black structure had almost completely disappeared beneath the ground, but the energy it released had attracted numerous powerful creatures.

The armored Nine-Star King Realm figure stood opposite the masked Hollow commander.

His damaged arm was already covered in a new layer of metallic armor.

Behind him, the remaining members of his group had regrouped.

Across from them, the masked commander stood beside the mysterious individual whose energy signature had been overwhelming.

Neither side had attacked yet.

The newcomer examined the collection pillar.

Its outer inscriptions were damaged, and the energy circulation had become unstable.

"You allowed the bearer to escape."

The armored figure’s expression darkened.

"He interfered with the collection. The structure awakened unexpectedly."

"That wasn’t what I asked."

The armored figure clenched his fist.

The newcomer’s gaze shifted towards him.

"Did you recover the fragment?"

Silence.

The answer was obvious.

The newcomer slowly turned towards the direction Ronan had escaped.

"Then we have another problem."

The masked commander stepped forward.

"Should I pursue him?"

"No."

The newcomer’s voice remained calm.

"Your presence will only make him run farther."

He looked towards the collection pillar.

"The fragment has recognized him. It will eventually lead him towards the Central Anchor."

The armored figure frowned.

"And if he reaches it?"

The newcomer didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he extended one hand towards the damaged pillar.

A faint gray light emerged from his palm.

The remaining energy within the structure began flowing towards him.

The armored figure watched.

"Are you going to consume the remaining collection?"

"There’s no reason to waste it."

The newcomer closed his fingers.

The pillar trembled.

Its remaining inscriptions gradually went dark.

Then he turned towards the northern cliffs.

"Send word to the Executor. The marked one has acquired an access fragment."

The masked commander bowed.

"And the bearer?"

The newcomer paused.

"Let him grow."

His voice became colder.

"The path requires a bearer. It doesn’t matter how strong he becomes, as long as he eventually opens it."

---

Ronan had travelled for another hour before stopping near a cluster of broken stone formations.

He was beginning to understand the geography of the Shattered Expanse.

The terrain was divided into several regions, each with its own concentration of powerful creatures. The northern cliffs were only one section, and the valley containing the collection pillar appeared to be part of a much larger network.

He examined the fragment again.

The faint inscription had changed.

[Central Anchor Access Fragment]

[Bearer Recognition: Confirmed]

[Connection: Severed]

[Additional Requirement: Three Resonance Points]

Ronan stared at the notification.

Three resonance points.

He didn’t know what they were, but the fragment had provided another clue.

He recalled the projection created by the six regulators.

Eastern Sanctuary.

Western Anchor.

Central Anchor.

The collection pillar had also displayed those locations.

Perhaps the resonance points were connected to the ancient structures.

If that was the case, he might need to visit more anchors before the fragment could function.

He returned it to storage.

There was another issue he needed to consider.

The Hollow now knew he had acquired the fragment.

And judging from their reaction, they didn’t intend to let him reach the Central Anchor independently.

Ronan wasn’t interested in helping them, but he wasn’t going to follow their instructions either.

He wanted to understand what was waiting at the Central Anchor.

If it contained something capable of explaining the mark on his palm, then he would find a way to reach it.

But first, he needed more strength.

The Nine-Star King Realm armored figure had demonstrated that his current abilities weren’t enough to overcome every opponent.

The mysterious individual accompanying the Hollow commander was even more dangerous.

Ronan looked towards the distant mountains.

"King Realm..."

He had spent considerable time gathering traits and improving his abilities, but he was still a Seventh-Star King.

The next breakthrough wouldn’t come easily.

And forcing it without sufficient preparation would be foolish.

He needed stronger prey.

Preferably something with a useful bloodline or an exceptional trait.

As if responding to his thoughts, Subterranean Perception detected several movements beneath the rocky terrain.

Ronan turned his head.

Three energy signatures were approaching.

One was at the Eight-Star King Realm.

The other two were slightly weaker.

His lips curled.

He had barely finished collecting his previous rewards, and another opportunity had already appeared.

He didn’t know what creatures they were.

But if they were strong enough to survive in this region, they might possess something worth acquiring.

Ronan slowly raised his hand.

Metallic Manipulation activated.

Several fragments buried beneath the ground began vibrating.

"Let’s see what you have."

The ground exploded.

Three enormous creatures emerged from beneath the rocks.

And this time, Ronan was ready.