Chapter 46: Green Horizon

Joshua trailed behind his master, watching as she methodically inspected one corpse after another.

"What are you doing, Master?" he finally asked.

Maydee glanced back at him, her expression unreadable. "Searching for cores to sell."

"Understood, Master. May I rest and meditate for a while?"

She nodded. "Go ahead. The surroundings are safe—for now."

"Thank you, Master."

Joshua exhaled slowly, settling into a comfortable position before shutting his eyes. The blinking exclamation mark in the corner of his vision pulsed insistently, demanding his attention.

YOU HAVE A MESSAGE!

With a thought, he willed it open.

WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUCK?!

His breath hitched as he read the words before him.

Congratulations, Joshua!

You are one step closer to a greener horizon.

REMEMBER:

Through battle, you gain experience.

Through hardship, you gain determination.

Through perseverance, you gain power.

Are you ready to take more risks?

Joshua's heart pounded in his chest. What the hell is this?! he screamed internally.

"Having trouble gathering energy, Joshua?"

His Master's voice jolted him from his thoughts. He turned to her, masking his shock.

"No, Master. I haven't started yet—I'm just resting my body."

Maydee studied him for a moment before nodding. "Alright. But don't take too long. We have a lot of ground to cover, and danger lurks everywhere."

"Yes, Master. Just give me a moment."

Closing his eyes once more, Joshua pushed the message to the back of his mind and focused on his breathing. He reached inward, channeling energy through his energy lines.

The change was immediate.

The energy flowed faster, smoother—stronger. His core refined it at an accelerated rate, each cycle more efficient than the last. The difference was undeniable.

Wow… His lips parted slightly in awe.

So it's true—combat really does make people stronger. I have passed my previous limit. I wonder what is my core capacity now? Joshua smiled.

Nearby, Maydee remained silent, but her sharp instincts prickled with awareness. Something had changed. She felt the subtle thickening of energy around him—the unmistakable weight of power growing denser.

Her hand stilled over the remains of a felled beast. Slowly, she focused her energy, channeling it into her sight.

The moment her gaze settled on him, her breath caught. She saw her disciple smiling like an idiot with his eyes closed.

His energy lines… brighter. More defined, surging with newfound strength. And his core—it was larger. He was advancing again. Faster than before.

A flicker of something—concern? Curiosity?—crossed her face before she masked it behind her usual stoicism.

Maydee's gaze lingered on Joshua. Stronger. Again.

She exhaled softly, masking her unease. He was progressing too fast. It was almost unnatural. Is this the real power of a Blank?

But there were more pressing concerns.

Her senses tingled—a whisper of unease crawling down her spine. Their encounter with such a large pack this close to the village was no mere coincidence. Something was wrong.

Maydee wasn't about to take any chances.

She lifted a hand, fingers gliding through the air as ancient words spilled from her lips in a hushed, commanding tone.

"Veylnar esh'kiel, arum vey sevarin." (Spirits of the unseen, reveal what lies hidden.)

The moment the chant left her lips, the world shifted.

A ripple of spirit energy expanded outward, threading through the trees like ghostly tendrils. The forest shuddered in response. Shadows writhed at the edges of her vision. Then—there it was. Thousands of paces away,

Movement.

Not from the usual predators. Not from the wind.

Something—or someone—was stirring the beasts into a frenzy. The surrounding spirits are agitated. A Gifted! His spirit energy more advanced than mine. I hope he did not detect my probing.

Maydee's expression hardened. I must report this to my father. Now.

Without turning, she spoke, her voice edged with authority.

"Bran. I know you're there. REVEAL YOURSELF!"

A breath of silence. Then—a figure melted from the shadows.

"Yes, my lady."

Her tone was sharp. "Joshua and I are returning to the village. You—scout the surroundings. Find out what's happening and report back to my father posthaste!"

Bran gave a silent nod. In the next heartbeat, he was gone—swallowed by the forest like he had never been there at all.

Maydee glanced at Joshua one last time before clenching her fists.

Something was coming. Something was stirring the spirits angering the creatures outside.

And they were running out of time.

"Joshua!"

Maydee's sharp voice cut through the still air like a blade.

"Yes, Master?!"

In an instant, Joshua's body moved on instinct. His eyes flared to life, pulsing with energy as his vision sharpened. His shield thrummed as he layered three protective barriers in rapid succession, the translucent defenses locking into place. In his right hand, tiny spheres of condensed energy crackled—ready to be unleashed at a moment's notice.

"Calm yourself."

Joshua's breath was steady, but his senses remained razor-sharp. He scanned the surroundings, muscles coiled, waiting for a threat.

Nothing.

Slowly, he powered down, letting the energy dissipate—but he kept his sight-enhancing ability active. And that's when he noticed it.

The energy within him—it flowed differently now. Faster. Smoother. His movements were effortless, his reaction time instantaneous. His shield and needle shots, techniques that had once required focus, now came as naturally as breathing.

Is this… because of my core upgrade?

A wave of realization crashed over him. He had mastered them. Not through training. Not through effort. But through something else—something deeper, more instinctual.

His thoughts were abruptly cut off by Maydee's firm command.

"We're going back."

Joshua blinked, startled. "But we just left the village! The sun isn't even up yet—"

He stopped mid-sentence.

A flicker of something dangerous passed through Maydee's eyes. Anger? No… something else.

Joshua clenched his jaw and wisely fell silent.

At least he knew when to hold his tongue.

Maydee exhaled, her tone edged with urgency. "I'll explain later. Right now, we return to report to my father. Something's coming."

A chill ran down Joshua's spine.

He swallowed hard and hurried after her, his unease growing with every step.

Maydee suddenly raised a hand, her voice steady yet urgent as she wove the air with her will.

"Velarion su'vayris, enshara vel'quinn!" (Winds of the unseen, grant us your swiftness!)

A rush of wind surged around them, wrapping Joshua in its invisible embrace. His body felt weightless—his movements sharper, faster, more precise.

He barely had time to process the sensation before Maydee's voice cut through the air.

"No time to waste. Run!"

Without hesitation, she sprinted toward the village, a moment later, Joshua followed his Master and ran, like the devil himself was breathing down his neck.