Leo blinked and then blinked again. The notifications didn't change. He had expected something to come out of his fight against Payne, but this definitely wasn't it. True affinities were supposed to be hard to obtain, and yet, here it was, an official notification from the System that he indeed gained one.

But why Ruination? What's with the name? Is this some sort of lesser form of the Void?

Just as he was about to summon the description of his new trait, another notification appeared. He froze, eyes widening as he read it again and again.

Title Void's Heir gained. Void's Heir has assimilated Nikra's Legacy title. Displaying combined effects due to its importance.

Void's Heir:

You were crowned as the legacy of the first daughter, but now the Void has chosen you as its heir. Now, the time has come to prove if you are worth this title. Stand proud, stand strong. Evolve and thrive.

Stacked Effects:

The Void's true power now flows through your soul and veins. Evolutionary check passed. Most Voidlings of lower rank won't be outright hostile. Night Hunters and related evolution paths are for you to command. Hostile Identify will fail if the enemy hasn't ascended to the Supernatural Tier at least once. All Effectiveness: +15%.

"Holy shit. That's a lot of effects," Leo muttered, his eyes opened wide. "Even the old ones changed a bit..."

True to his words, the new title not only changed but also improved everything. From now on, Night Hunters should always listen to him instead of just refraining from attacking him. To make it even better, Void's Heir made the old rule apply to almost all Voidlings weaker than him. However, considering how many monsters had already avoided him, maybe it wouldn't help that much.

Well, at least now I have it on the paper. He shrugged as his gaze traveled back to the description. The first part I, more or less, understand thanks to my new affinity, but what the hell does 'evolutionary check passed' mean?

Better evolutions once he unlocked the menu again was the obvious answer. Yet, knowing the System, it could be something entirely different. In the end, unless he asked Naz'Tor, he had no other good way of learning the truth.

Might as well try. I just have to be careful not to reveal too much.

With the decision made, Leo dismissed the title's description and summoned his new trait. He had felt the slight shift in his soul, but he wanted a confirmation.

True Minor Affinity: Ruination (Void)

Ruination, the official name of the true power of the Void. This powerful affinity has taken root in your soul, ready to spread corruption, destruction, and death in the Multiverse. Use this primordial power wisely and consume your enemies.

Effects:

Grants the ability to channel the true affinity of the Void into your Essence. Advancement available in the future. Warning: Prolonged use of this affinity at your current power level may lead to adverse side effects.

So, it really is the Void's true power. Ruination... I guess it fits quite well. He commented before glancing at the warning. Why am I not even surprised? A mortal like me shouldn't even have access to power like this.

He shook his head and waved his hand, pushing the description away, only for a new notification to take its place.

Technique Void: Minor Takeover has been renamed to Ruination: Minor Takeover. This technique is now mastered. Congratulations!

Ruination: Minor Takeover (Master)

This technique grants complete control of a Void-born creature. Success is guaranteed unless the target's level or overall strength is higher than the user's. Additionally, special types of Voidlings will resist this technique. Physical contact is required to begin a takeover.

Limit of controlled Void-borns: 15

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Okay," Leo snorted. "Five more slots than yesterday? I will take that." He glanced at Nyx. "It might be the time to get ourselves a little army. Fifteen Koukars at our back could go wild."

The feline rolled her eyes. 'Fifteen of anything above level twenty could make our lives much easier. Especially when you can coordinate them with your mind.'

"True that," he leaned harder against the wall. "By the way, how did your fight go?"

'Better than yours,' she stated as if it wasn't obvious. 'They weren't bad per se, just too slow and weak to be a danger to me. I managed to kill one before they retreated.'

"The one I devoured?"

The feline nodded.

"Huh," Leo blinked. "Did they say anything to you at all? My guy was quite talkative."

'Nothing. Like your sister said, they communicate with their minds. They didn't even try to taunt me. I am a bit disappointed,' she grumbled.

He chuckled. "They probably didn't think you were intelligent enough to understand them. Dumb assholes."

'Idiots,' Nyx growled. 'They will regret it. One of them already paid the ultimate price. The rest will follow soon.'

"Yes, they will," Leo clenched his fists, thinking of his own battle.

Payne was powerful, that much he could admit, but the next time they met, the Winged Messenger would die. He could already imagine Geron's minion at his feet, bleeding out as he tore the man's heart out of his chest. He would make this dream a reality, no matter what.

So much stuff to prepare for. He sighed and raised his hand, summoning a familiar object out of his soul. Time to get to work. We can't stay here for the night.

'Leo? What's going on? Are you calling the merchant?' Nyx asked before he could press the button on the transmitter.

"Yeah," he nodded. "I need some answers and a bit of help," he motioned to his stomach. "I rested enough."

'Just be careful what you reveal.'

With that warning in mind, Leo pressed the button and quickly selected the lone contact from the list. The transmitter rang only once before the call connected.

"Young Akirian," the merchant's voice came from the device. "It's good that you've called. I was planning to contact you later anyway."

"Naz'Tor," he greeted back, even as his curiosity spiked. "I just have a few questions, but they can wait a few minutes."

"Excellent!" The shop owner exclaimed. "You see, after you called me about the Supercluster, I sent a few drones to scout London. It wasn't easy with the limitations placed by the System, but I managed to learn about something you should be aware of."

Oh, for fuck's sake, don't tell me I missed something. Leo frowned at the thought. "What is it?"

"There is a massive group of survivors in what you call Buckingham Palace. Most of them obtained an evolution related to the people of Ger, a planet inside the Void created by the ancient god of Light. I'm not certain how it's even possible or why they are here, but you must be careful, child. Their power is an anathema to Voidlings and Akirians, especially as young as you. Do not seek them out, and if you must, strike only if you have the element of surprise on your side."

Alright, I definitely didn't expect that. He really wants me to say alive, hmm? But planet Ger? Shit. He mused internally before speaking up. "It might be a bit too late for that. I just got out of a fight with their leader a few hours ago."

"You won?" The merchant asked in disbelief. "Just how weak were they to lose with such a natural advantage?"

Leo snorted. "I didn't win. It was more of a draw. He almost killed me, and I, with some luck, seriously wounded him back. That's one of the reasons why I'm calling you. I need something to help me heal."

"What was his level? What did he hit you with and where? Fast!" Naz'Tor ordered, his happy persona disappearing in the blink of an eye.

"Thirty-three, same as me," he answered right away. "He used light affinity compressed into small orbs to rain fire onto the entire battlefield. One of those hit me right in the stomach. It burned through my skin and some muscles below."

"Stomach, stomach..." The merchant repeated. "Definitely could have been worse. Tell me, are there any remnants of his affinity on your skin? Any signs of decay or poisoning?"

Leo took a quick peek at his abdomen. "I had Nyx remove all golden globs from my flesh before I fell unconscious. Aside from that, there are only some light green spots here and there. It looked much worse earlier."

"Good, very good," Naz'Tor murmured. "This means the light poisoning didn't get far, and your body should be able to fight it off given some time. If you can't wait, I have a mixture that will put you back on your feet in a matter of minutes. It's yours for a thousand Ether, much cheaper than its market price."

Of course, the moment he hears my life is not in danger, it's back to business. He held back a laugh.

"I will take it," he said instead.

"As you wish. I'm preparing the offer as we speak. In the meantime, what did you want to ask me about?"

Leo didn't need to even think about what to say next. "The Void Gates. I need a way to close one or delay its activation."