"Vetilim and Corcera. Those are the two most aterials that e from the Void. In appearahe only differeween them is the color of their 'Bludveins'. One crimson, the other violet... Now when it es to their purpose, things start to go in separate dires.

  Vetilim always es first. It is the primary way for the Void to spread over erritories. This living matter go anywhere, and if developed correctly, it will evolve into advaructures.

  Now Corcera... This one is more plicated. While it cim areas for the Void, it is also capable of so much more. Thankfully, those capabilities are rarely realized. Thank the Void for that, or some ps would have been in way more trouble..."

  ~ Study of the Void by Unknown

  Leo kept his gaze locked on the group of Voidlings food few minutes. Like any other time, the monsters were relentless, not once even thinking of giving up on their assault on the ruined house.

  The entranight have had something to do with that, as just when the beasts mao push it by even an inch, the door would sm back right into their faces. Those Voidlings would then screed growl before attag again, jumpstarting the unending cycle.

  Why won't you just escape through the back? Leo frowned, sing each monster. If he really wao do this, then a plete package of info could save his life.

  Two normals, a Runner, a Cursed Crawler, and three Hounds... A grimace found its way to Leo's face. Those numbers weren't bad per se. It was the variety of those beasts that stopped Leo from running towards the group straight away. Well, that and the almost dozen of other Voidlings that poputed this street.

  At least there are almost no advanced variants among them. I deal with normals just fine... Now how to go about it?

  Leo had already made up his mind that rushing in blindly wasn't an option. In the past, among the warehouses, he could always run away if things became too intense. However, the possibility of other humans being present in this situation made it much more plicated. After all, Leo's iion was to verse with them, not to flee and fet.

  Running a hand through his head, Leo let out a long sigh. If I take most of them out stealthily, then maybe I have a ce... His gaze wao the Blood Vein grass and Void's living matter, an idea slowly f in his mind.

  With the high density of buildings and plenty of trees on the sidewalks, Vetilim and Corcera had plenty of space to weave their web high above the air. If Leo used his affinity correctly, then he just might be able to clear some of the streets without ever toug the ground.

  And well, ohe high ground ran out of usefulness, Leo just hoped that his stealth and the tall grass would shield him for long enough...

  Gulping, Leo o himself. It was as good a pn as any. He didn't have aer resources, support, or time to figure out somethier. Although a soft weight in one of his pockets told Leo that he just might be wrong about the former.

  Only if things go to shit. Leo promised, patting the said pocket. o let the ey know where I am.

  With his cws and knife ready, Leo leaned on the windowsill, ign the pieces of gss grinding against his skin. Then, in a moment of distra, his eyes strayed, and Leo flinched as he found himself fronted by hundreds of crimson eyes suddenly fixed on him.

  Right, avoid freaky eyes no matter the cost. Even a single gnce made my head hurt... Taking a deep breath, Leo climbed through the broken windoushed his cws into Vetilim, which grew along the outside wall.

  Military knife followed soon after, and Leo grinned when he gave the on a tug. Should be enough. Now just please don't attack me. Rolling his shoulders, Leo nodded and jumped, swinging his body to face the wall.

  Shit. The curse almost left Leo's lips when his cws almost slipped out of the living matter. In a fsh, he pushed deeper, g his hand a bit to get a better hold.

  Okay, and now, up we go.

  Leo alternated between his cws and knife, using each to propel himself higher up the wall. With each stab and grip, he closed the distance separating him from the roof. The smooth Vetilim proved treacherous under his feet, causing him to slip a few times, but his cws always held, ensuring his steady ast.

  Leo mao grasp the edge of the roof after exerting one final effort. Then, with a final push, he reached the peak and rolled over the dusty, Void-eaten rooftop.

  That was harder than I expected. Guess I'm not past the human peak in strength yet... Leo thought with a groan. Gono put a few more points in Might iure.

  Pulling up into a crouch, Leo approached the roof's edge. His eyes danced across the street, burning the position of each Voidling into his memory. Once he had pleted his reaissahe muscles in his legs tensed, and after a deep breath, he leaped from the roof in a single fluid motion.

  The unsupported flight didn't st long, and soon, Leo's extended arms tightly grabbed the hick branch. He pulled himself up aed against the tree's dead trunk, sing his surroundings to ensure he had not been spotted.

  Leo closed his eyes for a brief moment before opening them again. Alright, the first part is done. Now I have access to most of the street. Even as a kid, I wouldn't have a problem bang on those…

  And that was the truth. Vetilim's and Corcera's thick webs stretched almost everywhere from Leo's current position. Occasionally, the webs intersected with others, f small ptforms suspended high in the air. This provided ample space for Leo to work with.

  But first things first. Leo thought as his gaze nded on a Cursed Human standing close to the tree.

  Essend shadows stirring, Leo once more directed everything into his palms. As the energy whirled across his skin, a smoky substance began to take shape, gradually f into two identical, strongly curved bdes. Each on had its own rope ected to the handle, giving them a unique and deadly appearance.

  Leo smirked lightly. Yeah, those will do well.

  Grabbing the haightly, Leo pulled his arms back, taking aim.

  Propelled by his still impressive strength, Leo released the bdes from his hold. They whistled through the air, the shadow ropes growing longer and longer, drinking his Essence reserves.

  Leo twisted his wrists, causing the ons to ge their trajectory and arc toward the monster's neck. The bdes flew true, slig through the beast's flesh and severing its head from its body.

  With a firm tug on the ropes, Leo watched as the monster crumpled to the ground, lifeless. Soon, the ons nded ba his palms, and Leo's smile widened. Only a few days ago, such a feat would have been impossible for him. But now?

  Now, Leo possessed the skill aerity of characters from works of fi. A, it was only the beginning…

  Time to get to work.

  From oree to another. From bang on the broad Vetilim webs to jumpiween the few ptforms. Leo became a blur of a, his shadows spinning through the air, striking dowarget in their path. Nothing was safe from Leo's deadly prowess... well, except for the mixed group of Voidlings waiting at the end of the street.

  Those Leo didn't even dare to touch as long as they were other monsters wandering the road. The thought of slig one or two of them crossed his mind, but it quickly dissipated. He didn't want to risk his already fwed pn even more, especially when there were still Cursed Humans roaming around.

  But now, only you are left. Leo sighed as he observed the group from above. He retty close, lying on one of the few ptform-like interses. Most of my Essence is back, and I 't see any more Voidlings approag... It's now or never. Fuck.

  Leo had a few ideas of how to go about this. Yet, none of them seemed promising. Even though only two of them were level six, their diverse set of abilities could quickly turables against him. He really couldn't think of a way to take down the Voidlings without sustaining some injuries, again…

  I have to separate them, lure a few away from the house. Leo bit his lip, almost drawing blood. The Cursed Crawler won't go away. It is too close to the door, but the Hounds? Or maybe the ruhat's an idea…

  Leo tsked, shaking his head. But how? If they spot me, then it's game over. Shit... I really o experiment more with my affinity. I bet I e up with more useful abilities given some time.

  Sighing, Leo averted his gaze from the group. He could spend the few hours pnning without ing up with the perfe. Not that sus had ever worked. 'No pn survives first tact with the enemy', and all of that.

  Besides, I have a basic idea. I e up with the rest ter. That's how it always goes, anyway...

  Shrugging in resignation, Leo pulled himself. And just like he did ihe Rift Passage, he csped his hands together, leaving a small gap between them. Pure Essence quickly followed, and Leo held it tightly, guiding the energy.

  Slowly, he lifted his cursed hand, gazing at the small sphere of light resting in his healthy palm. The crimslowed with crimson fme, yet swirling ihis fire was a very familiar smoky substa mingled with the pure Essence, hiding as best as it could.

  A grin spread across Leo's face. Better, a lot better. I love the ease of trolling an affinity.

  Spinning around, Leo scrambled towards the ree. He hugged the trunk where strings of Corcera hung in hundreds, giving him a perfect cover from the Voidlings. Then, with a surgeon's precision, Leo cut away the True Stealth around his lips and took a deep breath.

  Let the madness begin.

  A sharp whistle escaped Leo's lips in an instant. The sphere of Essence quickly followed, sailing through the air before it hit the building. Its bounces echoed through the street, and Leo held his breath when screeches and howls joihe sound.

  His ears rang as the chorus of monsters grew louder and louder. Despite the temptation to take a peek, Leo dared not risk his position. Even though they heard his whistle, the Voidlings had no way of spotting him. Leo had made sure of that with his carefully chosen hiding spot.

  e on, e on…

  Just then, the sliver of shadow Essenside the thrown sphere answered Leo's prayers. It screamed at him as fn energy assaulted the orb, and Leo only gave one and iurn.

  e aroy.

  Instantly a howl, pitiful and loud, pierced the air, cutting through any other sound. It slowly shifted into a soft whine before dying out, just like its creator.

  Leo paid no attention to the notification that popped up on the edge of his vision. After a while, he took a peek, eyebrows raising as he shifted aside the cascade of Corcera vio get a better view.

  The fuck?

  Not too far from Leo's location, almost at the ter of the street, a group of Voidlings gathered. Two Hounds stood in front of a Runner, growling menagly at the humanoid creature. It screeched back, its ruby eyes flig toward the area behind the es.

  There is no way, right?

  A when Leo's gaze followed, the answer became obvious.

  Resting behind the two Hounds was the final member of their pack. Its body y lifeless, with myriad minuscule wounds ad its head, from which blood seeped out in a macabre dispy. The crimson fluid staihe earth and surroundiation, spreading like an ominous omen.

  Leo's satisfa with his handiwork, powered by over a quarter of his reserves, was short-lived. The two remaining Hounds finally got tired of waiting and pou their foe.

  Bloody hell. This definitely wasn't on my bingo card for today...