5. The calm before the storm

Daniel carefully drove the van over the rough ground, using as little fuel as possible to ensure he had enough for any unexpected situations. Ahead, he spotted a small forest, a welcome break from the empty landscape he had been traveling through. As he got closer, the thick trees offered some shelter from the harsh openness of the Void.

When he reached a secluded clearing, he parked the van and took a moment to check his surroundings. The dense trees and uneven ground provided some cover, but Daniel knew better than to let his guard down. He locked the van securely, making sure all the windows were shut tight. After a thorough inspection, he felt reasonably confident that the van was as safe as it could be in this strange place.

Leaning against the van, he glanced at the shadowy edges of the clearing. He couldn't help but think about his amazing ability, which had become both his greatest strength and a mystery. While a normal person would feel exhausted and mentally drained by the endless pressure and fear, Daniel remained at his best. His unique gift allowed him to absorb energy from his surroundings, restoring both his physical strength and mental clarity.

This constant rejuvenation enabled him to navigate the Void with a resilience that felt almost supernatural.

Now that he was at his strongest, Daniel decided to stop wasting time and begin experimenting with his ability.

He found a comfortable spot on the small bed and sat down, preparing to focus on the task ahead. He took a deep breath and concentrated on his unique power: the Eternal Catalyst.

Daniel began by experimenting with absorbing energy from the atmosphere. The Void, while empty, had some ambient energy that seemed to linger in the air. He focused on drawing in this energy, trying to turn it into raw strength. At first, he felt a gentle tingle as the energy entered his body, but he remained cautious. He didn't want to push too hard and risk overloading himself.

As the energy flowed into him, he sensed a slight increase in his strength and vitality. It was a subtle improvement, but it was there. The process was slower compared to what he had read in cultivation stories, but it was effective. He noted that the quality of this energy in the Void was relatively weak, which meant the enhancement was modest. Still, every bit helped.

Next, Daniel experimented with other types of energy present in the Void. He focused on a small, shimmering particle of energy he had noticed earlier—a seemingly harmless, ethereal wisp floating gently in the air. It wasn't dangerous or volatile, so he decided to absorb it and see what effect it had.

As he absorbed the energy, Daniel felt a gentle warmth spreading through his body. This sensation was the same as the previous ambient energy he had observed; just that it was more purer and more refined.

With this understanding, Daniel decided to refine his control over energy absorption. He practiced absorbing energy from his surroundings until he reached a stable, enhanced state. Then, with deliberate intent, he released the absorbed energy, directing it outward in controlled bursts.

He discovered that by manipulating the energy within him, he could influence his immediate environment. This exercise proved beneficial, not only in refining his control but also in helping him understand the various energy types he encountered.

Daniel started to imagine a situation where he could absorb the energy from an attacker's strike. He could then send that absorbed energy back toward the attacker. However, executing this move wouldn't be easy. It would require a lot of practice and careful control to get it right.

Daniel knew that managing and releasing the absorbed energy effectively needed both skill and a strong grasp of his own powers. The real challenge was not just absorbing the energy, but also releasing it smoothly and accurately to ensure it hit its target just as intended.

Hours passed as Daniel continued experimenting with his ability. He didn't forget to rest, eat, and drink in between his training to achieve better results through a combination of effectiveness and efficiency.

Each experiment brought new discoveries, but also new challenges. With every cycle of absorbing energy and testing its limits, Daniel felt himself becoming more in tune with the details of the Eternal Catalyst.

His first discovery came after several rounds of energy absorption. Daniel noticed that using his ability frequently made him mentally tired. This fatigue wasn't physical; it felt deeper, tied directly to his consciousness. He tried absorbing more energy to fight the weariness, but it didn't work. The strange sensation persisted, leaving him confused. The fact that his mind didn't recover through energy absorption was unexpected.

'This is strange. My body can recover easily, but my mind... it's like it's hitting a wall,' he thought. 'I can't keep pushing my power without breaks. I need to rest.'

Moreover, even if Daniel could absorb energy to relieve physical and mental exhaustion, he still needed food and water to function properly. The energy he absorbed could boost his condition, but it didn't fully replace his need for basic nourishment.

The second discovery was related to his physique. Though he could absorb energy from his surroundings and enhance himself, there seemed to be a limit to how much he could benefit from the same ambient energy in the Void. Eventually, the strength and vitality he gained plateaued. His muscles stopped responding, and no matter how much more energy he took in, his body didn't grow stronger. It was clear that the quality of energy in the Void was low—too diluted to offer any significant, long-term improvements.

'So that's the limit,' Daniel thought, feeling frustrated. 'Unless I find a more concentrated source of energy, I won't be able to keep improving. This ambient stuff... it's like trying to fill a barrel with a trickle of water.'

But he didn't have to worry, as there were various types of energies in the Void that he could take advantage of, and he wouldn't mind exploring further for more concentrated energies after getting stronger.

Additionally, Daniel noticed another strange phenomenon: his body seemed to develop resistance to the energies the more he absorbed them. The ambient energy that had initially boosted his strength now felt weaker, as if his body was getting used to it. This conclusion came after hours of focused observation and careful tests, each of which required more and more concentration to track the decreasing effects.

Lastly, the most profound discovery was how the Eternal Catalyst affected him as a whole. Unlike techniques that simply enhanced one aspect of a person—strength, speed, or stamina—the Eternal Catalyst worked on everything. His physical body grew stronger, yes, but so did his mind and senses. His mental clarity sharpened, his awareness of his surroundings heightened, and his reflexes became quicker. Even his sense of time seemed to slow slightly as his perception expanded.

By the end of his experiments, Daniel was utterly exhausted. His mind begged for rest, and while his body felt stronger, it also bore the strain of continuous practice. He stretched out on the small bed, reflecting on the discoveries he had made.

'I've learned a lot today,' he thought, staring up at the ceiling of the van. 'But I still have a long way to go. This power... it's not as simple as I first thought. I need rest, a real source of energy, and more control if I'm going to master this.'

With that final thought, Daniel let himself drift off into a well-deserved sleep, knowing that his journey was only just beginning.

Not long after Daniel fell asleep, a faint rumble jolted him awake. He blinked, disoriented at first, but quickly realized what had disturbed him—a distant bike engine. The sound, soft but unmistakable, echoed through the quiet of the forest. His heightened senses immediately picked up on the source: multiple bikes, moving closer outside the forest. His heart raced.

'Shit. What should I do?' Daniel thought, slightly panicking. He scrambled to his feet as adrenaline surged through his veins. He moved swiftly but quietly toward the van's window, peering out into the dim forest. The thick trees obscured his view, but the engines were getting louder, their rumble steady and unrelenting.

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