My SSS-Rank Innate skill: Infinite Adaptation core

{ Isn’t it funny? This will be your first evolution where you won’t be transforming into another species or relying on fusion with Adaptation Core... }

{This time, you’ll evolve normally. Though, with your Adaptation Core involved, it won’t exactly be exactly normal. }

Nova heard what Liya said and understood that she was right. This would be the first time he went through an evolution without needing his Fusion Skill, unlike his first and second evolutions.

With that in mind, Nova took out the soul of a Level 4 Emperor and killed him easily.

Ding!

[You have killed a Level 4 Emperor Realm Hybrid!]

[+EXP Earned.]

[You leveled up.]

[You leveled up.]

[....]

With that, he was flooded with leveling-up notifications as his strength rapidly increased, bringing him closer and closer to the breakthrough and his third evolution.

While Nova was raising his strength and recovering inside the System Space, three days had already passed inside, while only a few minutes had passed outside.

....

Far away, in a desolate land, a spatial rift suddenly opened, and Zeon emerged frantically, carrying Zero’s burning soul with him.

His minions followed behind him, though only two Level 8 and Level 9 Emperors had followed him. The rest had remained outside the energy field surrounding the Forbidden Island.

Even as an Emperor, one wouldn’t be able to venture into the area where Zeon was heading.

Zeon opened another rift and ventured even deeper, taking himself and the two Emperors to an unknown place that only he knew about, though he had never actually come here before.

Eventually, they reached a place that looked extremely eerie. It was surrounded by a dark forest filled with twisted trees, while directly ahead stood what appeared to be a cave made entirely out of stone.

Zeon entered the cave, while his two subordinates waited outside. They didn’t dare to enter on Zeon’s orders, as they could also feel that this place was bad news, even with their overwhelming strength.

As Zeon traveled through the cave, It was completely dark, but with his senses, he had no trouble finding his way. However, he felt nauseous for some reason.

He only knew the way here because he had been given the coordinates to this location. And even if someone else managed to find this place, they wouldn’t be able to accomplish what he was about to do here.

Of course, the Desolate Land was quite large, and many unknown things existed here besides the areas known for being extremely dangerous, forbidden, or the locations where Secret Realms opened every ten years.

Many powerful existences had tried to explore this island but had failed to completely uncover its secrets.

The island contained beasts powerful enough to kill Kharos and Caelan with ease, along with many unknown entities they hadn’t even heard of.

That was also why, whenever the Secret Realm opened, every race would bring multiple Sovereigns with them, unwilling to take any unnecessary risks.

Coming back to Zeon, he reached the end of the cave.

It was still completely dark.

Zeon carefully placed Zero’s soul on the ground, making sure not to touch the horrifying flames surrounding it. Zero was still screaming in pain, and at one point, Zeon had even been forced to seal his mouth.

After placing the soul on the ground, Zeon took out a small metallic seal. It had strange patterns drawn across its surface, making it look incredibly ancient and mysterious.

He then slowly bit into his own skin, drawing blood, and allowed a few drops to fall onto the seal.

The seal immediately began to glow with a dark-blue radiance. Soon, a beam of dark-blue light emerged from the seal and shot toward the far wall of the cave directly in front of Zeon.

Zero was in unbearable pain.

The agony of having one’s soul burned was perhaps the worst kind of pain in existence. Yet even through the overwhelming suffering, he could still see what was happening in front of him.

Due to the severe damage to his soul, his strength had already fallen from the Sovereign Realm to the First-Level Emperor Realm.

And after seeing what was happening, Zero’s eyes widened in shock. The beam of light concentrated on the wall, and after a few seconds, the entire cave suddenly began shaking violently.

RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

The ground trembled beneath their feet as the walls shook, causing dust and small rocks to fall from the ceiling.

Outside, the two of Zeon’s subordinates were startled by the sudden disturbance.

”the fuck?! What’s happening?!”

”Is it an earthquake?!”

”Should we go inside and see if the Supreme Commander and Commander are alright?” one of them asked.

”Are you crazy? I’m not moving from here. This hellhole is already scary enough, and this cave is giving me a really bad feeling.”

”But—!”

”You fucking idiot... It must be related to something the Supreme Commander did. Do you think he’s weak or something? Even so, go inside if you want. I won’t stop you.”

The other Emperor fell silent as he understood his companion’s words. He valued his life just as much, so he remained outside and waited for their Supreme Commander to return.

Inside the cave, the shaking continued for several seconds before finally coming to a stop. A swirling, black, shadowy portal appeared in front of Zeon.

Slowly, the swirling darkness became clearer, and a small projection appeared within it. Though it looked less like a projection and more like a gateway.

”This slave greets the Lord.”

Zeon said as he completely bowed his head to the floor like a humble dog. No sound came from the projection.

Several seconds passed.

Then, a figure appeared within it.

The figure itself couldn’t be seen clearly. Only its terrifying and towering outline could be made out, surrounded by an eerie red light.

[Who did you clash with?]

The figure finally spoke. Its voice was deep, monstrous, and eerie enough to send a shiver down Zeon’s spine.

Even though he himself was a Level 9 Sovereign.

”This slave doesn’t know who he was, Lord. He called himself the Slaughter Monarch... He was a strange being. He was a demon at first, but then he transformed into a dragon possessing the strength of an Elder Dragon of an unknown specie.”

[Did he use that flame?]

”Yes, Lord... It was truly terrifying.” The figure ignored his answer and asked another question.

[Did you complete your task?]

The figure asked the question, and Zeon’s spine immediately shivered. He could only imagine what would happen to him if he had failed.

”Yes, Lord. I did.”

Zeon answered in a polite and respectful tone, keeping his head lowered.

[Good.]

The next second, the figure raised its hand.

Zero’s soul suddenly floated into the air and passed through the projection—or, to be more precise, through the portal.

Zeon’s eyes widened when he saw this.

How did it pass through the projection?

Before he could think any further, the figure spoke.

[The soul below only sovergin Realm can pass through this small projection just like it can through a spatial rift. Though it still requires a considerable amount of strength, which is why we are working on the bridge.]

[I hope you complete all your tasks before I give you your next command.]

”O-Of course, Lord...”

Zeon replied respectfully.

He already knew about these things, but he had never known that a soul could actually pass through to that place.

Though Zeon couldn’t help but feel stunned when he heard the Lord say that it required a considerable amount of strength. That strength was, of course, far beyond what he currently possessed.

”Lord... this slave has a... s-small request.”

[Hmm... Go ahead. Speak of your request.]

Zeon swallowed nervously as he hesitated, wondering whether he should tell him or not.

But if he didn’t, Kharos would kill him. He had no choice.

”The Demon Lord Kharos wants an audience with you... He somehow discovered our contact.”

[Is that so... I’ll think about it and let you know.]

”Of course, Lord.”

Zeon bowed his head even lower.

[Anything more? Can you tell me about this person you call the Slaughter Monarch?]

**

Thanks for reading...