Although at first Leo wanted to take his time exploring the third layer, that plan had to change after he learned about the Void Gates’ disappearance. Getting back to Earth was a priority, and he couldn’t afford to waste time sightseeing.

That didn’t mean he ignored everything on his way to find the final exit from this Void Rift. He still killed and devoured every monster that dared to step out of the mist. Hunter’s Pulse worked overtime, making sure that he didn’t miss anything valuable.

But he still found nothing—besides the various ghost towns, this place was as empty as before. Either the Nightmare controlling this layer had taken everything, or there was nothing here to begin with. Well, that, or this place had been abandoned for so long that any valuables had long since turned to dust.

Either way, Leo tried to get the most out of the few hours he had spent searching for the exit. The Caged Frostwraith monsters were too weak to give him or Nyx another level, but at least they still provided him with more Ether and the occasional Greater Crystallized Essence.

He still needed a few more for the first Beta-tier mutation, but he was getting there. Even if he didn’t get the required amount here, at worst, he would have to buy only a few from Naz’Tor. Of course, aside from that, he still had to harvest a few more body parts. That could wait, though.

“Hopefully, this is it,” Leo muttered.

After hours of running, they came upon yet another cave entrance at the base of a mountain. Or at least, he thought it was a mountain. He still couldn’t really see too far with the mist surrounding him from each side. Hell, in his opinion, it had grown even thicker since he destroyed the Supercluster core.

“At the very least, it shouldn’t be empty,” Nyx said. “You still feel it, right?”

He nodded, honing in on the powerful energy signature that had touched his enhanced senses. He had first caught the hint of it about an hour ago, and ever since then, they had been following it with the help of Hunter’s Pulse. While the ability couldn’t create a clear trail for him, it at least helped steer him in the right direction.

“If this isn’t it, we might have another problem,” he admitted and stepped into the cave. “This layer is too big for us to search in one day or even two. Honestly, it’s a miracle we even found this place.”

Nyx snorted as she fell in step next to him. “There is nothing miraculous about this. I’m willing to bet something wanted us to come here.”

“Think the Nightmare grew tired of us killing its minions?”

“Maybe.” She shrugged. “We will find out in a moment.”

True to her word, after a few more minutes of walking, they reached the end of the tunnel. It opened into a large chamber, similar to others they had found on this layer, but without any mist. A small Void Gate at the far end of the room bathed the entire place in dim light.

Leo stopped, refusing to step inside just yet. He scanned the mass of energy swirling inside the gate and frowned. It might be active now, but he knew better than to rush in and try to go through it. Its guardian had to be somewhere nearby, and he remembered what had happened during his first trip into the Void.

Let’s back off, he said to Nyx through their link. The feline nodded, and together, they returned deeper into the tunnel.

‘You think the Nightmare is hiding inside?’ she asked when they stopped again.

Most likely. And even if that’s not the case, I’m not risking it. The last rift I visited collapsed after I killed its guardian, and I don’t want it to happen for now.

A look of understanding washed over her face. ‘Mutation?’

He inclined his head. I got all I needed for one of the remaining Gamma tiers back in the first layer. This might be my last chance to mutate while remaining relatively safe. Void knows I won’t have time for stuff like that once we step through that gate.

‘Good point. Go on, then. I will watch over you.’

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Thanks, he said and summoned the System’s interface. He scanned the list of mutations and selected the one he wanted.

Mutation: Enhanced Sharpness (Gamma Tier)

In a world where every second matters, an edge honed to perfection is your best friend. Don’t let anything stop your blade. Cut, slice, and dice your enemies to pieces.

Effects:

Your claws, spikes, blades, and other biological weapons gain a significant increase in sharpness. Efficiency of sharpness-related skills slightly improved.

Requirements: 15000 Ether, 8 limbs of Blade-Type level 35+ beasts, 10 Unattuned Crystallized Essences.

Required components detected within the User’s Soulscape. Do you wish to proceed with this mutation? Estimated time to complete: 30 minutes.

That I do. Begin, System.

Choice Acknowledged. Beginning Mutation. Please don’t try to manipulate your body during this process. Relax.

Easier said than done.

Leo winced as his blades extended on their own, igniting with black flames. One by one, his claws, talons, and the spikes along his back and tail followed suit. The searing heat coursing through his body felt unbearable, as if his flesh were melting.

He didn’t dare look down to confirm if it was.

Thankfully, after a few agonizing minutes since the mutation began, the flames receded. For a moment, he thought that this was it, but the System quickly proved him wrong.

Invisible hammers began pounding against his blades and every other sharp surface on his body. A silent scream tore out of his throat as they hit him again and again, each strike reshaping and reforging him. Pain followed every blow, and if not for Nyx, he would have already collapsed.

After a bit more hammering, the pain suddenly stopped as a wave of cold air washed over him. Leo sighed in relief and slumped in the feline’s grasp.

Mutation completed.

Slowly, Leo opened his eyes and gazed down at his extended blades. They were still serrated and painted in dark crimson. However, the final inch—if even that—of the edge became even darker, bordering on black. The spikes on his back and tail followed the same pattern.

As for his claws and talons? Visually, there was no noticeable difference, but he could feel it—something he couldn’t quite put into words.

As such, he stood up and slid a single claw against the cavern’s wall. The tip ripped through the gray rock, almost like it was weak human flesh. It didn’t go too deep, but the improvement was obvious right away.

‘And?’ Nyx prodded, poking him with her tail. ‘Like the upgrade?’

Leo shrugged. It’s good but nothing that special. I’m more excited for the other one.

‘Nightmare Heart?’

Yeah. A few hearts from two more sub-species of Nightmares and I will be done with Gamma mutations. Maybe if we are lucky… He trailed off, shaking his head. No use in jinxing himself.

Nyx hummed. ‘Are you sure about that? We could try some of the affinities. They wouldn’t be that hard to get.’

No. He denied the idea instantly. I have a plan for my affinities. We just have to get out of this mess first.

‘Well,’—the feline grinned—‘the first step toward freedom is waiting for us.’

Freedom… He chuckled. Don’t know about that. If we really land somewhere deep in the Void…

‘I see... ever the optimist.’ She snickered. ‘Come on. Even if that really happens, you can’t tell me you aren’t at least a bit curious about the survivors who already live there.’

Oh, I’m curious, all right, but there are good odds everyone will want to kill me on sight. I’m an Akirian, Nyx. A Prime one at that. As much as I want to believe people like me are accepted in the Void, we both know the origin of my species.

Nyx grimaced. ‘Point taken, but did you at least ask Naz’Tor how Akirians are seen by other races? It might not be as bad as we think.’

Leo blinked, feeling quite stupid. Without answering the feline, he fished out his transmitter and fired a message to the merchant. It took him only a few seconds to respond.

“It depends,” he read the reply. “There are plenty of places where Akirians are killed on sight, but the opposite is also true. You being a Prime is a bigger issue. Call me once you leave the rift. We will figure out the rest then together.”

‘At least we got him on our side.’

True. He smiled just as they paused at the end of the tunnel. Ready?

‘After you.’

Leo chuckled and extended his blades, activating Spectral Fury. Then he stepped inside the vast chamber, watching as the violet veins upon the Void Gate instantly turned crimson.

I knew it.

Warning! Dimensional Gateway has been sealed. Kill the Guardian of the Rift to release the Gate from its influence. Entering the portal in its current state will result in death.