My Talent's Name Is Generator Chapter 646: A New Origin Source

My palm hovered mere inches above the rotating cube. With a subtle pull of my will, a suction force erupted from my hand, specifically targeting the deathmist swirling within the object.

The corrupted world core reacted instantly, trembling violently as if attempting to resist my grasp. However, the pull from my palm intensified, tightening like a relentless whirlpool.

A sharp crack suddenly split across the cube’s surface.

Surprised, I blinked; I hadn't expected the structure to fracture so easily. The process continued unabated as deathmist leaked from the fissure like thick smoke, rushing directly into my palm. Inside me, the mist traveled through the Dawn Core and streamed straight toward the lifeless Star of Origin.

Outside, a louder crack echoed before the cube shattered entirely. The entire object burst into fragments of black stone covered in runes. Even these shards did not fall; the suction pulled them in, devouring everything. Deathmist, runes, and fragments—the entire corrupted core was absorbed into me and merged with the Star of Origin within the Dawn Core.

I stood motionless for a moment, observing my internal state. The Star of Origin remained unchanged and lifeless. On the outside, however, a transformation was taking place.

The asteroid began to vibrate. The ground shook, sending tremors through the air while dust and deathmist spilled from cracks in the walls. Runic patterns across the asteroid’s invisible barrier flickered erratically, failing to find their power source.

The entire base was reacting to the loss of its core. Taking that as my cue, I didn't wait for the final collapse. I flashed instantly, reappearing on the asteroid's outer surface high above the fortress, and hid myself within space, completely masking my presence.

The Phantoms inside the fortress reacted at once, flashing out of the tower one after another. Below them, the abominations began to roar at the trembling ground, restless and confused as the shaking intensified.

"What is going on?" one of the Phantoms demanded, its voice echoing across the floating rock.

Several of them fanned out to scan the area, but before they could deduce anything, a gravelly, rough voice cut through the chaos.

"There is an intruder. I can smell the Essence."

The strongest Phantom emerged from the tower—a towering figure composed of deathmist and shadow. I recognized it immediately as the presence I had sensed on the top floor.

"An intruder?" another Phantom asked sharply. "Number Ten was guarding the exterior. Are you certain, Number One?"

I raised an eyebrow at that. So they used numbers as names. For a brief moment, it felt as though I had encountered some distant, corrupted cousins.

"Do you see Ten anywhere?" the strong one countered. Silence followed; not a single Phantom responded.

"And the core is gone," One continued. "That is why the fortress is reacting this way."

Murmurs broke out among the group.

"Damn it. How did someone slip past all of us?"

"It’s still here," the strongest Phantom growled. "I can feel it. But whoever it is... they are very skilled at hiding."

The others stiffened, summoning their weapons. I remained hidden and silent, watching their preparations with growing anticipation.

However, I had to handle one detail first: my identity. I hadn't even entered the Prime Galaxy yet. Letting these creatures know who I was would be foolish; they might have ways to transmit data to their headquarters.

I activated my Apex Body ability. My body responded instantly as bones shifted with a deep crack and muscles lengthened. My silhouette expanded until I stood ten feet tall with a physique to match.

My skin darkened rapidly, shifting from its natural tone to an obsidian black so deep it swallowed all light. There was no shine or reflection—just a depthless void. Heat pulsed through my scalp as my hair grew to my shoulders, black streaked with violet to match the glow behind my eyes. When I opened them, the world was reflected in two burning violet irises.

Then came the next transformation.

Black smoke began to rise from my form. It wasn't true smoke, but my violet Essence merged with my elemental laws until the color turned pitch black. It flowed around me like a cloak, shifting with my breath.

Next, I activated the wing trait I had taken from Silver. A pulse ran down my spine, and a pair of wings burst forth. Their usual crimson glow vanished as I willed them to turn a muted ashen grey, blending into my shadow-forged appearance.

Nothing about me looked human anymore. I lifted my hand, and Essence solidified into a blade—a completely black sword that looked as though it were carved from the same void as my skin.

I rolled my shoulders to settle into the form. In the distance, the phantoms stiffened, turning their heads toward me. They had sensed something.

Stepping out of hidden space, I let my presence explode. The moment I appeared, a shockwave rippled through the battlefield. Every phantom snapped their gaze toward me. Even the roaring Abominations stopped to stare.

Suddenly, they all went wild, roaring and lashing out. The Executor’s Halo was in full effect.

"I hope you did not have to wait long." My voice rolled through the area, deep and guttural. I had altered that as well; no trace of my real tone remained.

"Who are you?" Number One rumbled.

"No one," I replied. "Just a passerby."

The phantoms shifted uneasily. They could sense my Essence, but it felt entirely unfamiliar.

One phantom whispered, "It feels wrong..."

"That is true," another added.

Even the abominations hesitated, their claws sinking into the shaking ground as they watched me with feral eyes.

Number One floated closer. "You destroyed the core."

A faint smile touched my lips. "Yes. But that was not my intention. It was simply too weak."

"You think you can walk in here and—"

"I already did," I interrupted calmly.

Deathmist churned violently around them. Behind us, the fortress groaned as the runes collapsed, sending ripples of unstable energy across the asteroid. Number One waved its hands, and two massive hammers appeared.

"Very well, intruder. Since you have chosen death..."

"I was thinking the same thing," I said, lowering my stance as the black blade hummed in my grip.

"...let’s begin."