Solitarity

Gritting his teeth, he face pained from frustration.

But, with a sudden realisation, his face turned stoic and poker abruptly.

I can't let my emotions run rampant again.

Taking a wide breath, as he exhales, tranquility spreads across his face as he continues to relax himself.

Standing up again, he cautiously looks around from the aura oozing from the old building for any signs of hidden mechanisms.

The ancient building made of a unique material, each hinting signs of light and thorough forging, had carved images of the Hollow and their process of transformation.

At the top, there was a circle of joined pillars, at the epicentre, there lies an altar, ominous, collecting the Reishi from beneath the building.

Using his scanning ability, he could see multiple structural mechanisms and features in place.

There are signatures of high amounts of Reishi underground.

Even Muro De Regla can't block my scanning abilities, how intriguing.

This revelation made him think again about the usage behind the eyes he had obtained through transformation to Adjucha.

Focusing on the wall itself, Darwin looked at Muro De Regla at its essence.

He saw what looked like a maze format of how the Reishi is being manipulated, intricately moved in different directions, patterns.

Looking deeper, at a microscopic level, he saw something unbelievable.

The Reishi manipulation goes as small as atoms.

Sitting down, cross legged, he begins meditating all the new and profound information garnered from looking at Muro De Regla.

If I could control my Reishi to the point of the molecular accuracy, I can maybe use Muro De Regla and other ancient techniques for myself.

Using a similar formula to how Muro De Regla is created, Darwin manipulates his Reiatsu into molecular strings, forming a pathway around his body.

It's efficient!

The Reishi flowing throughout his entire body was circling around, similar to Gorr's engine.

But what this does, is, the creation of purple miasma and other techniques have increased in speed. Thus, usage of Reiatsu goes as far as to not leaking unnecessary amounts.

However, his control of Reiatsu is still at the beginning stage, he cannot intricately touch upon atom. But, he can control larger molecules of Reishi in his body.

Listening to his body, faintly, he can hear a flowing current moving throughout his body similar to how blood flows.

Maintaining this precise Reishi manipulation would take a lot of practice from Darwin's perspective.

I must thank you Gorr for helping me innovate Reishi manipulation.

Looking at Figgs' Reishi signature moving, he said to himself.

Once you come out of there, you better prepare yourself.

With a solemn expression, he strides away knowing that he had gained a lot from this one battle alone.

—

As Darwin continued his steady walk towards the Second Stratos, his focused stride was interrupted when Harribel, moving with a burst of urgency, caught up to him. Her expression was a mixture of concern and confusion as she called out, "Darwin, what have you been doing all this time? Where were you?"

Without pausing, Darwin replied with a quiet and monotone voice, "I was hunting down a traitor."

His response was curt, his back still turned to her as he waved dismissively. "I don't have time for this," he added, gesturing for her to stay out of his lane.

Harribel's brow furrowed in confusion. She could see the seriousness etched into Darwin's face, an unyielding determination that spoke volumes. She wanted to press him further, to understand the full scope of what he had experienced, but the intensity of his demeanor made her hesitate.

Yet, her concern for him and the urgency of the situation outweighed her reservations. Taking a deep breath, she reached out and grasped his left hand, her grip firm but filled with a sorrowful resolve. "Darwin, please. Tell me."

Cold air permeates the area, sadness clouded her eyes as she looked at him, her voice trembling slightly, she said, "Whatever it is, whatever you're planning, you need to tell me. I can't stand by and let you walk into danger without knowing what's happening."

Darwin's eyes softened for a brief moment as he met her gaze. The weight of his actions and decisions seemed to press heavily upon him. He could see the genuine worry in Harribel's expression and felt a pang of regret for pushing her away.

For a fleeting instant, the unyielding facade cracked, revealing the burden he carried. But the resolve to continue his path was stronger, and he gently but firmly withdrew his hand from her grasp, he said lightly, "Sorry, but we must part ways. Thank you for what you have done for me."

I'm sorry but, I rather be alone than be with people. Sadden, he looks into the sky above wondering if this was right.

With that, he turned his gaze forward once more, his steps unwavering as he continued towards the Second Stratos, leaving Harribel standing behind him, her heart heavy with both sadness and concern.

—

Jumping into the void of darkness, releasing his substantially powerful Reiatsu, Gillian's and Red eyed Hollows, instinctively moved away from Darwin in attempt to hide or flee.

Sensing an approaching Low class Adjucha, its tall and sleek body, he said, "Kekeke… I a-" He was pushed away and sent hurtling far away from Darwin as he said, "I don't have time for your antics."

Quickly, focusing to his goal of learning the Stratos, he moves with goals in mind.

—

Walking through the cavern and into the Third Stratos, The Bloodied Battlefield, stepping foot into it once more.

He jumps in when Muro De Regla turns its ability off briefly.

As the golden lights turn to the ill fated and scarlet red. Darwin new profound Reishi Flow disrupted the molecular red particles from entering his skull.

Noticing that there were fewer Hollows than usual, he was planning on committing genocide in order to progress to the next Stratos.

With immediate channeling of his Reishi, he created molecular balls, with condensed acid and paralysis poison.

Cold and unforgiving like steel, he said monotonely, "Disappear."