He slowly opened his eyes and focused on the Alpha Particle Cannon. He took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitent and anticipation.
This was the mont he had been for – to test the true power of his new creation.
With the help of the crystal controller, Asher began to adjust the energy output of the cannon.
He carefully fine-tuned the, making sure that the power released would be sufficient to test the cannon's capabilities without causing unintended damage.
As he made the final adjustnts, the cannon began to hum with energy.
The energy flowed from the gel, through the emptied dragon cores, and into the barrel of the cannon.
Asher took a deep breath, ntally preparing himself for the blast. He gripped the crystal controller tighter and activated weapon.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!
A brilliant, golden light burst forth from the barrel.
The energy released was so powerful that it distorted the area around it, creating a ripple effect that echoed through the emptiness of space.
Asher watched in awe as the energy beam traveled farther and farther away, its intensity slowly diminishing as it dissipated.
"Spark, what's the analysis?" Asher asked, turning to the AI assistant.
Spark's response was imdiate.
Asher nodded, taking ntal note of Spark's analysis.
"That's acceptable. We can refine the design further to minimize those fluctuations. But overall, I'm pleased with the results."
With the successful test of the Alpha Particle Cannon, Ash felt a sense of confidence in travelling to the void.
More ti passed, and Asher began moving between the Demon World and space to keep working on his Void Slasher.
At the sa ti, he started experinting and inventing new magic weapons. He had spent so much ti focusing on his personal growth that he had forgotten the importance of strong supporting tools.
With the success of the Alpha Particle Cannon, Asher's creative spark was reignited, and he beca even more motivated to push the boundaries of his other magic weapons.
One of the most significant advancents Asher made was in the realm of consciousness.
By tapping into the high-quality dragon cores' deeper state, he was able to imbue his golems with a level sentience that bordered on consciousness.
This allowed the golems to with greater independence, making decisions and adapting to situations without the need for direct input from Asher.
The implications of this breakthrough were staggering. Asher's golems, once re machines, now evolving into sothing more akin to living, breathing entities.
They could assess situations, prioritize targets, and execute complex strategies with ease, all while maintaining a level of autonomy.
As Asher watched his creations take shape, he couldn't help but wonder about the ethics of his craft.
Was he playing God, creating life in his own image?
Or was he simply pushing the boundaries of what was possible, exploring frontiers of science and magic?
Pantheon watched with amazent. The ancient dragon had assud Asher would be like the other powerful races that failed to combine technology and magic at a higher level
So, seeing Asher use SPARK's help to blend science and magic left even the ancient dragon in awe.
Of course, it was still far from what the Truth-seekers could create.
However, if Asher managed to fully master the best of both worlds, he would beco an unstoppable force in the future.
"I'm done, Pantheon. I'm ready to go to the Void." Asher stood up after double-checking everything.
(Brat, are you really sure you want to go through with this?)
"Yeah, it's been my goal from the start."
(Think carefully. Even if you manage to escape the Void, hundreds—maybe tens of thousands—of years could pass in the blink of an eye because of how unpredictable it is. What about your wives? Are you really willing to risk it all?)
"If you don't want to co, that's fine. I can just release you from the contract."
(Brat, you really think I'd be afraid of the Void?)
(Even if I were trapped there for eternity, I'd just sleep it off. But you… You're just starting your life. You're like a fish trying to swim in the deepest waters. Even though you're the best in your area, the pressure down there would crush you.)
Before Asher could respond, Pantheon spoke again.
(I'm also curious about how you ended up there in the first place. Not just any living creatures can enter the Void, so sothing external must have played a part.)
"Enough, I don't want to talk about it anymore," Asher silenced Pantheon.
He was afraid that the more the ancient dragon spoke, the more he would start hesitating.
(Suit yourself, but if you're set on traveling to the Void, it's safer to visit that place first...)
"What place?"
A mont of silence passed between them.
(The center of the universe.)
Asher narrowed his eyebrows. This was the first ti he had heard of this.
"I have her coordinates. I just need to trace them back."
(Brat, we both know that won't work. The Void doesn't have specific coordinates, and even if you embedded them into her body, it'd be useless.
(Right now, the only well-known gate to the Void is at the center of the universe. It's also the safest route to avoid too much ti dilation.)
"Can't I just open a direct path?"
(As I said, how you ended up there is a mystery. And no. Creating a black hole would send you spiraling into the unknown. The Void is infinite—enter blindly, and you might as well be throwing your life into the abyss.)
"Fine, we'll go your way. So, how do we get to this center of the universe?"
(It's too far to travel on our own. What we can do is head to a Truth Seeker galaxy or a galaxy ruled by Ancient Beings and use their gates.)
"Are we really taking that route already? You told before that going near those high-civilization places would be bad for ."
(I did. But you heading to the Void Dinsion, the most dangerous place imaginable, is even crazier.)
Asher wanted to argue, but he could tell Pantheon was only worried about his safety, so he let it go.
"Okay, we'll go with your plan. After I say goodbye to Lucy and Hailey, we'll set out."
(Take your ti. It's not like I'm eager to go to the void anyway.)
Asher ignored the side comnt.
With the plan set, Asher teleported straight into Hailey's bedroom.
The mont she saw him, she rushed forward, throwing her arms around him.
Without wasting a second, she kissed him hard, as if afraid he might disappear again.
"I missed you so much," she whispered between breaths. "You've been gone for so long."
Asher tried to downplay his absence, but Hailey's words struck a chord within him.
He was so focused on his quest for power that he had neglected the people who cared about him the most.
"I'm sorry, Hailey," he tightened his hold around her. "I know I've been gone for a while... but I need to leave again. This ti, it could be years before we see each other."
Hailey's eyes widened in shock, and she pulled back from Asher, her face pale. "Years?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "What do you an? Where are you going?"
Asher took a deep breath, knowing that he had to be honest with her. He couldn't sugarcoat the truth or make promises he couldn't keep.
"I'm going to the Void much earlier than I planned,"
"I'll go with you!" Hailey insisted.
Asher shook his head. "No. I need you to stay here. If sothing bad happens, I want you to take Lucy and everyone I care about to Eryx."
He reached into his storage bag and pulled out a dragon core. It glowed faintly in his hand. It wasn't just any core—it was a one-ti use portal he had developed for ergencies.
"This can only be used by soone with dragon blood," Asher pressed the core into her hand. "Promise ... while I'm gone, you'll protect everyone."
Hailey looked down at the object, her fingers tightening around it.
She might not show her strength often, but there was no doubt—after Pantheon and him, she was the third strongest being here.
He could still see the hesitation in her eyes, so he gently leaned in and kissed her forehead.
"Listen, Hailey,"
"Once I rescue Index, we'll all be together. I'll find a peaceful world for us—a place where we can live out the rest of our lives in peace. We'll spend eternity together. So please, help . You're the only one I can count on with this responsibility."
Hailey's eyes closed for a mont, and a wave of emotion washed over her. When she opened them again, her gaze was filled with determination.
"I'll protect them. I promise," she whispered.
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