Chapter 20: Creating Techniques (2)

Chapter 20: Creating Techniques (2)

Kalon sat cross-legged in the vast, ethereal expanse of his System Space. This dimension was both alien and familiar, a realm of infinite possibility where time flowed differently—days here passed in mere moments outside the Tower. Here, he was free from the constraints of physicality, his soul and mind in perfect harmony with the shimmering currents of energy that filled the void.

This energy, Shinsu, surrounded him like a living ocean. It pulsed and churned with vibrant light, shifting in hues from serene blues to fiery reds, each ripple singing an ancient and primal song. Yet, unlike in the Tower, where Shinsu seemed to resist his control, here it felt strangely receptive. It was as though the space itself acknowledged him—not as a mere Regular but as something... more.

Kalon's breathing slowed, each exhale releasing the tension he carried from his battles or politics in the Tower. He focused inward, turning his attention to the unique spark within him: his soul.

"I am not like the others," he thought, the words echoing through the void. "My body belongs to this world, but my soul doesn't. It's from the outside... just like the Irregulars."

His soul was the key, he realized—a fragment of something foreign, untouched by the Tower's laws. It pulsed faintly within him, a luminous core that resonated with a rhythm distinct from the Tower's flow. The System had hinted at this before, but now, as he meditated, the truth unfolded before him like a flower blooming in the light.

"System," he murmured, his voice steady, "guide me. Help me use my soul to increase my resonance with Shinsu."

[Affirmative. Initiating Soul Resonance Protocol.]

The space around him began to shift, the Shinsu condensing into dense streams that spiraled and danced around his form. Each thread of energy seemed drawn to the pulse of his soul, amplifying and echoing its rhythm.

"Focus on your soul," the System's voice reverberated in his mind. "Let it synchronize with the flow of Shinsu. You must not control it. You must become one with it."

Kalon closed his eyes and allowed his consciousness to drift deeper. He visualized his soul as a radiant orb, its light flickering as it reached out to the currents of Shinsu. At first, there was resistance. The energy recoiled, unfamiliar with the foreign presence. But Kalon remained patient. He let his soul expand, its light softening, reaching out like a gentle hand seeking connection.

The first connection was subtle, a single thread of Shinsu wrapping around his soul. Kalon felt a spark—warm, electrifying, and profound.

"It's working," he realized, a faint smile curving his lips.

Gradually, more threads followed, weaving into a tapestry of energy around him. The resonance grew stronger, and with it, Kalon felt an extraordinary transformation. The Shinsu no longer felt external; it was as though it was an extension of himself, responding not to commands but to intention.

"Good," the System intoned. "Now amplify the resonance. Push the boundaries of your soul."

Kalon furrowed his brows in concentration. He imagined his soul expanding further, its light growing brighter, enveloping the threads of Shinsu until there was no distinction between the two. It was grueling; his mind felt stretched thin, his very essence strained under the effort. But he persisted, fueled by the knowledge that this was the path to power—true power, beyond what any Regular could achieve.

Time passed unnoticed in the System Space. Hours? Days? It didn't matter. Kalon remained steadfast, his soul and Shinsu intertwining in a symphony of energy. With each passing moment, the resonance deepened, and Kalon began to sense the subtleties of Shinsu in ways he never had before.

He could feel its texture, its weight, its temperature. He could sense its moods—calm and tranquil one moment, fierce and turbulent the next. He learned to harmonize with it, to adapt his soul's rhythm to match its flow.

And then, he pushed further.

"What if I don't just harmonize with Shinsu?" he thought, the idea forming like a spark in his mind. "What if I imprint my soul's rhythm onto it?"

The thought was audacious, bordering on reckless. But Kalon was no stranger to risk. He let his soul pulse stronger, its rhythm assertive yet inviting. The Shinsu reacted, vibrating in tune with his essence. Slowly, it began to mirror his soul's frequency, its wild currents bending to his will—not through force, but through resonance.

The moment was profound. Kalon opened his eyes, and the Shinsu around him shimmered with a golden hue, a reflection of his soul's light.

"I did it," he whispered, awe washing over him. "I've made it mine."

The System's voice broke the silence, its tone imbued with rare approval. "Congratulations, host. You have achieved Soul Resonance with Shinsu. This connection will allow you to wield Shinsu with unparalleled finesse, surpassing even many Rankers."

Kalon stood, his form glowing faintly with the energy that now resonated with him on a fundamental level. His journey was far from over, but this was a breakthrough—a step closer to standing among the Tower's strongest.

"Time to put this to the test," he said, a determined smile on his lips.

With a thought, he willed the System Space to return to its dormant state. The vast cosmos faded, and Kalon found himself back in his room in the Tower. The resonance with Shinsu remained, a quiet hum beneath his skin.

Kalon clenched his fist, feeling the power coursing through him. His soul, once a foreign fragment, was now his greatest weapon. And with it, he would carve his path through the Tower.