Chapter 31: The Gift of the Astral Core

Noah's eyes lingered on the small glowing shard embedded in the groove where the mutant aberration had met its end. He crouched down, brushing away the dirt around it with careful fingers. The fragment pulsed faintly, its energy calling to him like a silent whisper.

"This is what the grindstone mentioned," he said under his breath, his fingers closing around the object.

The Astral Core Fragment felt cool yet alive, as if it were aware of his presence. Unlike regular cores, its energy didn't feel chaotic or predatory. It was steady, purposeful, and almost welcoming.

"Unique item detected: Astral Core Fragment. High-grade energy source. Consuming will unlock new potential. Proceed with caution."

"Unique, huh?" Noah muttered, turning the fragment over in his hand. He wasn't about to ignore a chance for more power, especially after the fight with the mutant aberration. That creature had pushed him to his limits—he couldn't afford to let something like that happen again without being better prepared.

Noah tucked the fragment into his pouch and began making his way back to the cave, his mind racing with anticipation.

Once inside his familiar shelter, he laid the fragment on the ground before him. The flickering firelight reflected off its crystalline surface, making it seem even more otherworldly. Noah sat cross-legged and took a deep breath.

"Alright, let's see what this thing can do."

He focused on the grindstone, his thoughts centered on the fragment.

"Astral Core Fragment detected. Absorbing this item will grant unique abilities and significant stat growth. Warning: High energy density may cause discomfort during integration. Proceed?"

"Discomfort, huh? At this point, I'm used to it. Do it."

The moment he confirmed, the fragment shattered into particles of light that surged into his chest. The energy wasn't like the wild bursts he'd felt from regular cores—it was concentrated and overwhelming. Noah clenched his fists, every muscle in his body tensing as the power coursed through him.

It was as if his very cells were being rewritten, infused with something far beyond what his body was accustomed to. For a few moments, his vision blurred, and his head pounded, but then the sensation shifted to one of clarity.

"Astral Core Fragment absorbed. New skill unlocked: Energy Missile (Active). Intelligence increased by 3. Strength, Stamina, and Agility experience gained."

Noah exhaled slowly, his heart pounding in his chest as the rush of energy faded. He immediately opened his status screen to check the changes.

[Noah Greene – Level 17]

Strength: 64 (+2)

Stamina: 60 (+2)

Agility: 54 (+2)

Intelligence: 11 (+3)

Skills:

Beginner Combat Proficiency (Lv. 6)

Basic Evasion (Lv. 5)

Energy Surge (Active)

Aberration Slayer (Passive)

Energy Missile (Active)

"Energy Missile?" Noah muttered, tapping on the skill to read its description.

Energy Missile (Active): Condense raw energy into a focused projectile. Effective at mid-range. Consumes stamina per use. Power and precision improve with skill level.

For the first time since arriving in this hellish new world, Noah felt a spark of excitement that wasn't tinged with desperation.

"This… this changes everything," he said, standing up.

He turned to the back of the cave, where the wall provided a sturdy target. Raising his hand, he concentrated on the new skill. At first, there was nothing. But as he focused harder, a faint flicker of light appeared in his palm.

The flicker grew, taking the form of a glowing orb of pure energy, humming softly as it stabilized. Noah grinned.

"Alright, let's see what you can do."

He aimed at the wall and released the orb. It shot forward with surprising speed, slamming into the rock with a resounding crack. When the dust settled, a scorch mark remained, spiderwebbed with cracks.

Noah stared at the result, then laughed, the sound echoing through the cave. "I have a ranged attack now. Finally!"

The next hour was spent experimenting with the skill. Noah discovered that he could control the size and speed of the missile by adjusting how much energy he put into it. A quick shot drained little stamina but was weaker, while a fully charged missile packed a punch but left him winded.

By the time he was done, his body was drenched in sweat, and his stamina reserves were nearly empty. But it was worth it.

"Not bad for a first test," he said, leaning against the cave wall. His mind raced with possibilities. A ranged attack opened up so many options for combat. No longer would he have to rely solely on close-quarters fights.

As he rested, Noah couldn't help but reflect on his progress. He was no longer the same desperate survivor who had stumbled onto this planet. Every day brought new challenges, but it also brought growth.

End of Chapter 31.