Ethan exhaled slowly.
He took a step back, gripping the Energy Greatsword with both hands as the armor system began reallocating all available output.
"So this…"
"…is the true heart of this world."
The next instant—
Both figures moved at once.
Gold and crimson energy collided midair.
BOOM—!!!
The shockwave tore through the underground chamber, shaking the entire mountain. Rock layers split and crumbled, the earth groaning like the mountain itself was crying out in pain.
If this kept going—
The core of this world might not survive.
Ethan clenched his jaw, teeth grinding audibly.
He could feel it—clearly.
His power was being drained, bit by bit.
Not just consumed.
Devoured.
It was like the enemy's very existence granted him a higher-tier "right of extraction," overriding Ethan's own energy flow.
If not for the Powered Combat Armor continuously siphoning energy from the blood-red lake to patch the losses, Ethan would've already collapsed.
