THE LIGHT WITHIN

Chapter 4: The Light Within

"Light manipulation, huh?" Muscle said, crossing his arms and squinting at the glowing aura around Dagda. "That's your element."

Dagda blinked. "Light? Really? Ugh, I was hoping for thunder. It's so flashy and cool."

"Shut up," Muscle grunted. "I don't know why, but your light… it's weird. Brighter than normal—golden, even."

"Golden?" Dagda repeated, glancing at his hand as the aura pulsed in soft radiance. "Maybe I'm a god."

"Shut up," Muscle said again, already tired of the conversation. Then he added, "Anyway, it means you've finally awakened your Essentia."

"My… what?"

"Essentia. Everyone has one. It's the energy force inside us—our core. And there are types. Yours might be one of the rare ones."

"Wait, there are types?" Dagda asked, intrigued.

Muscle nodded. "There's Mythic Essentia, which is supposedly connected directly to the powers of ancient gods."

"Gods?" Dagda said, his voice rising. "So, gods are real?"

Muscle shrugged. "The old carvings say so. It means people with Mythic Essentia can harness divine powers. Then there's Primordial Essentia—those guys are monsters in terms of strength, speed, or agility. But they usually specialize in just one."

Dagda leaned in, fascinated. "And?"

"There's Corrupt Essentia too… dark stuff. Those users are said to be linked to devils or forbidden forces."

"Devils also exist?" Dagda said, his eyes wide.

"We don't know for sure," Muscle said, scratching his chin. "The carvings say they did, a long time ago. Then there's Void Essentia—mind-based. Time, illusions, void space. Sounds powerful, but there are heavy drawbacks."

Dagda whistled. "So many types… So which one do I have?"

"No idea yet. But the glow… that golden hue might mean Mythic," Muscle said, observing. "Oh—and there might be two more unknown Essentia types. Even I don't know what they are."

"So let's go find out!" Dagda grinned. "Let's explore everything—the ruins, islands, carvings—maybe we'll discover something no one else has."

"Slow down," Muscle said. "We haven't even become Predators yet."

"Predators? How do we become one?"

"There's an exam. Tests your strength, Essentia control, and potential. If we pass, we'll join a guild. Get real crewmates."

Dagda's eyes lit up. "Adventures with allies? Let's gooo!"

Suddenly, a radiant pulse shot from his body—his golden light flaring outward like a sunburst. His eyes glowed crimson, the light reflecting in them like fire.

"Whoa," Muscle muttered. "He's syncing with it already?"

"How do I attack with this light?" Dagda asked, barely able to contain his excitement.

"Calm down. First, training," Muscle said. "Dagda, close your eyes."

"More meditation?" Dagda groaned.

"No. Just… close them."

Dagda sighed, then shut his eyes. "What now?"

"Empty your mind."

Dagda tried. He really did. But for some reason, all he could imagine were girls in bikinis. He clenched his jaw.

"...Damn it," he muttered.

"What?" Muscle asked.

"Nothing! Never mind!"

He inhaled sharply, pushing the thoughts away. Slowly, silence filled his head. A crow cawed in the distance. The setting sun cast a warm glow over the training ground. Then—boom—it happened.

Light surged from Dagda's core. His whole body lit up, his aura blazing gold. Even Muscle took a step back.

"This fast?" he whispered.

Then he looked up at the sun.

"...Ah. I see."