Chapter 51: Spirit and Flight

[Variant Essence absorbed.]

[Spirit +24,000]

[Variant Effect Activated.]

[Spirit Eye]

A strange sensation spread through Ethan’s body as he felt a third eye slowly appear in the middle of his forehead.

[Variant Effect: Spirit Eye]

[The third eye can release a powerful spirit beam that directly attacks the target’s spirit.]

[Duration: 10 Minutes]

Ethan touched the new eye.

"So this is the ability of the Three-Eyed Toad."

Ethan’s connection with his legions immediately responded.

[One Mind, One Legion activated.]

[Spirit +24,000 shared with all Shadow Wraith Soldiers.]

[Spirit +24,000 shared with all Solar Elementals.]

[Spirit Eye has adapted to the Shadow Wraith Legion.]

[Spectral Claw can now damage the target’s spirit.]

[Spirit Eye has adapted to the Solar Elemental Legion.]

[Solar Ray can now damage the target’s spirit.]

[Duration: 10 Minutes]

"SKREEEEEEEE!"

Just then, on the other side, the Stormwing Eagle suddenly let out a painful cry.

Its body shook violently as thousands of Shadow Wraiths’ attacks struck its spirit.

"SKREEEEEEEE!"

The eagle’s cry became even louder.

Its remaining wing slammed against the ground as it struggled, but the Shadow Wraiths didn’t stop. They kept attacking from every direction, their Spectral Claws tearing apart its spirit.

The eagle’s movements became weaker.

It could no longer fight back like before.

Ethan’s attention returned to the Stormwing Eagle.

With every Shadow Wraith receiving an additional 24,000 points of Spirit and their Spectral Claws now able to attack the spirit directly, the eagle couldn’t hold out much longer.

Ethan touched the third eye on his forehead.

"Stop."

The Shadow Wraiths immediately stopped attacking and withdrew into the surrounding shadows.

The eagle lay on the ground, barely moving.

Its spirit was already on the verge of collapse, yet the eagle still managed to raise its head.

It stared at Ethan.

Even without moving, Ethan could feel the hatred coming from it making his spine shiver.

"Let me send you on your way."

The third eye slowly opened.

A white, transparent beam shot from the third eye and struck the eagle, making its body go limp as its eyes closed.

[You have killed a Stormwing Eagle.]

[You have gained 2400 Experience.]

Ethan stood there for a moment.

The third eye slowly closed, leaving no trace on his forehead. He reached up and touched the spot where it had appeared.

"So the third eye disappears when it’s not being used. Too bad it only lasts for ten minutes."

The Stormwing Eagle’s body slowly faded into light.

A glowing orb appeared where its body had been.

Inside the translucent orb was a pair of large wings spread wide. Sharp strands of wind swirled around them, forming a small vortex inside the orb.

Ethan picked it up.

"A Variant Agility Essence Orb."

He couldn’t put it into his Inventory, and Essence Orbs would disappear if they weren’t used within 24 hours.

There was no reason to keep it.

Ethan crushed the orb.

The orb shattered into countless particles of light and entered his body.

[Variant Essence absorbed.]

[Agility +24,000]

[Variant Effect Activated.]

[Flight]

[Variant Effect: Flight]

[The user gains a pair of wings and the ability to fly.]

[Duration: 10 Minutes]

[One Mind, One Legion activated.]

[Agility +24,000 shared with all Shadow Wraith Soldiers.]

[Agility +24,000 shared with all Solar Elementals.]

[Flight has adapted to the physiology of the Shadow Wraith Legion.]

[Flight has adapted to the physiology of the Solar Elemental Legion.]

[Duration: 10 Minutes]

A pair of large wings suddenly appeared on Ethan’s back with wind swirling around them.

His feet slowly left the ground as the wings on his back spread wider.

Ethan smiled.

"Flying really is something else."

It had been a long time since he had felt this kind of freedom.

The wind rushed past him as he rose higher. Ethan looked toward the deeper part of the forest.

The Thornheart Flower was somewhere ahead.

"Let’s go."

He flapped his wings and shot into the sky, flying toward the flower’s location.

...

BOOM!

The Ironback Gorilla’s massive body finally fell to the ground.

Garrick stood nearby, breathing heavily. One of his shoulders hung lower than the other, and he could barely move that arm.

The gorilla had broken his shoulder during the fight.

Even though he had managed to kill it, the injury was making it difficult for him to move.

"Uncle Garrick!"

Garrick turned toward the voice.

Kael and Liana came out from between the trees, both looking surprised when they saw the scene in front of them.

"What are you doing here?" Garrick asked.

"It’s been several minutes since you told us to wait," Kael replied. "We couldn’t just keep standing there, so we came to check on you."

His eyes moved to the Ironback Gorilla lying on the ground.

"What happened here?"

The Ironback Gorilla’s body immediately turned into particles and disappeared, leaving behind a glowing Essence Orb.

Garrick sighed.

"Well, it’s like this..."

He briefly recounted what had happened.

"What?" Kael’s eyes widened. "Someone else is here?"

Garrick nodded.

"I’m certain of it."

Kael turned toward Liana, who was just as surprised.

"You don’t know anything about this?"

Liana shook her head.

"No. If someone else entered the Secret Realm, I wasn’t told about it."

Kael nodded. He trusted her answer.

"Then there’s a good chance they’re here for the Thornheart Flower too."

His eyes moved across the surrounding forest.

"And if they were able to take the Essence Orb without you noticing, they’ve probably been hiding nearby this whole time."

Garrick’s expression became serious.

"I didn’t sense anyone."

He looked toward the forest.

"Not even with my spirit at this level."

"I just want to know if they actually dare to go against the Verdant Alchemy Hall." A faint smile appeared on Kael’s face. "Do they really think they can ignore us just because they got here first?"

As the Young Guild Leader of a Middle Faction, Kael was used to people showing him respect because of his status.

Liana gave a small smile.

"With me here from the Verdant Alchemy Hall and the Young Master here as well, they should at least know better than to cause trouble for us."

Kael smiled.

"Exactly."

He walked over and picked up the Strength Variant Essence Orb.

"Let’s find the Thornheart Flower first."

Garrick nodded.

"Let’s go."

The three of them continued deeper into the forest toward the Thornheart Flower.