Chapter 1606 On The Search

Chapter 1606 On The Search

Author's Note: Unedited Chapter

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In the heart of a chaotic and gravity-warped region of space, Gustav hovered just above the rocky surface of a barren world. It bore no inhabitants.

He had finally reached his destination, and beneath him, buried deep within the fractured ground, lay the second vestige of his original power.

He could feel it humming like a heartbeat, resonating with the fragments he had already absorbed. This energy was familiar yet ancient, a part of himself he had long forgotten.

Taking a deep breath, Gustav reached out and placed his hand against the surface. As soon as his skin made contact, the vestige reacted, sending a surge of power through him.

The ground trembled beneath him, cracks snaking across the terrain as the energy rose up like a pulse, fusing into his very being.

He closed his eyes, feeling the humanoid shaped energy wrap around him, absorbing into his core.

Every cell in his body seemed to awaken, and the sensation was almost overwhelming.

His muscles tensed as a newfound strength coursed through him.

It was only a mere extra 1% of his original strength—a fraction of his former glory—but even that small amount felt monumental.

The Outworldly, in his full power, was beyond what any ordinary being could comprehend, and now, he could feel a sliver of that unimaginable force returning to him. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Opening his eyes, Gustav felt the familiar rush of knowledge as another ability from his Outworldly repertoire unlocked. He flexed his fingers, the power settling into his veins like a second skin.

"Let's see what you've given me this time,**" he murmured to himself as he took a few steps back from the now-dormant vestige.

With a single thought, he extended his arm, and the air around him seemed to ripple. A faint, almost invisible sphere of energy enveloped him, flickering with a gentle, silver glow.

Gustav clenched his fist, and the sphere expanded, stretching out over the entire landscape. Trees, rocks, and even the distant peaks began to bend under the force of his energy.

With a flick of his wrist, he pulled it all back, compressing the sphere around him in a rush that sent a shockwave outward, creating a crater beneath him.

"Not bad," he voiced with a satisfied tone.

After a few more tests, Gustav leaped into the air, flying back toward his waiting spacecraft.

The gravitational density continued to press against him but it was barely noticeable. He reached the spacecraft and climbed aboard, setting his sights on the next vestige.

"One more step closer," he murmured as he fired up the engines.

---

Meanwhile, somewhere else in the universe, a small but robust spacecraft cut through the vast emptiness of space.

Inside, Endric, Ria, and Sersi were discussing the next steps in their journey. Sersi had insisted on joining them, and after much debate, Endric had finally agreed, unable to resist her determined gaze.

"Alright, team, here's where we're at," Endric said, leaning over the ship's navigation console. "The database came through and cross-referenced the two distinct features that Gustav glimpsed— a hazy teal planet and an unnatural void-like light. Unfortunately, it returned not one, but four locations."

Ria, seated across from him with a frown, crossed his arms. "Four locations? That means three of them are not correct?"

"Sorry uncle..."

"You're older than me."

"I don't think so, uncle..."

"Shut up!"

"Sorry uncle..."

"You little...."

It almost seemed like Sersi was trying to get Endric mad on purpose and yet her eyes remained clueless.

"You know what... forget it. Maybe we could crash into a sun and die so I can finally be rid of that godforsaken title," Endric grumbled as he programmed the coordinates for the next location.

"You know... you two really suit each other," Ria chipped in from behind.

"Go fuck yourself, Ria," Endric yelled from the pilot seat.

"No really, think about it."

"Shut up!"

"I could become a godfather."

"No!"

"Gustav could become an uncle."

"You're insane!"

Ria kept jabbering away nonstop and Endric felt like death would be a very good relief at this moment.

"Why did I pick these two?" He questioned his choices while shaking his head.

"I hope we don't have to visit all four."

They jumped to hyperspace once more, speeding toward the next destination.

As the stars streaked by outside the window, Endric couldn't help but think about their mission. He knew that finding the sword was crucial, not just for Gustav, but for the fate of the universe itself.

The second location took them to a desolate system on the edge of a black hole. The gravitational pull was intense, warping space around them as they approached.

"Whoever thought hiding a sword next to a black hole was a good idea deserves a punch," Ria grumbled.

Endric carefully navigated the ship around the black hole's edge. "Stay focused. We've dealt with blackholes before and this won't be any different. Sersi, keep an eye on the scanners. If there's anything here, we'll need to be quick."

They circled the black hole, scanning the surrounding debris fields for any signs of the sword.

The environment was dangerous, with massive chunks of rock and ice orbiting perilously close to the event horizon. But despite their careful search, they found nothing.

"Another dead end," Endric voiced with a frustrated sigh.