Genetic Ascension novel Chapter 1195

Chapter 1195: Paths

Chi.

The blade ricocheted against Sylas’ chest, a flash of violet taking shape. It deflected, and Alex’s dagger almost shattered on impact, his wrist suffering an even worse fate as spikes of pain ran up his body.

Sylas caught Alex’s wrist out of the air, and the sound of the latter’s heavy breathing filled the air as Sylas looked at him silently.

This was the second time Alex had caught him off guard. If not for their gap in strength, it would have certainly caused problems.

First, he had been forced to use [Chaotic Menace], and this time, he used his Scorpion Warlord Armor even though he hadn’t initially intended to.

If not for the gap between their Wills, Sylas would have certainly been stun-locked for long enough for Alex’s strike to hit. But between his Enlightened Will and his True Pride Seed, an attack on his Will simply had too little chance of succeeding.

But it was the fact he had still felt it that was so shocking.

To be fair, Sylas didn’t have any mind-protecting Skills or Treasures. The fact that he could withstand a Will attack with brute force—especially one so sophisticated—went to show just how strong his Will was in the first place.

But that didn’t change just how impressive Alex’s Will attack was in the first place. Two things could certainly be true, and there was no need to be obsessed with one or the other.

"That’s twenty," Sylas said calmly.

Alex didn’t stop his heavy breathing, nor did he pull his hand away from Sylas’ control. Instead, he just waited until Sylas released him before putting his hands on his knees.

"Damn, I thought I had you. You’re one crazy dude, Psycho Syl."

All at once, Alex’s chilling demeanor vanished into the wind.

Sylas looked at him. From his words, he didn’t seem to acknowledge that he had been very close to dying either.

"A weapon manipulation Skill. A devouring Skill that can be used to strengthen your weapons, your Skills, your body, or your Will. A Will attack to mitigate the downsides of said devouring Skill. An Aether that had a crumbling and devouring effect on the world around you. Is that everything in their lineage?" Sylas asked.

Alex’s lip twitched.

It shouldn’t have been obvious that he was using individual Skills at all. His combat style so seamlessly blended into one that it would look as though he was just manipulating Aether to an expert degree.

But he should have probably known better than to try and hide things from Sylas by now.

"[Void Armament], [Umbravore Eclipse], [Abyssal Wrought]. They call the Aether Nullvein."

"Mm," Sylas nodded. "Let me see this Nullvein Aether without all the stealth technique."

"Goddammit, Psycho Syl. Fine, fine, whatever. The stealth technique is known as [Nightbane Fog]. It’s probably the most important core of all of this, otherwise there’d be bastards on my tail every moment. It’s a Gene Talent, and it uses my Will to mask the root of what I do. It should be difficult to see through it."

’Curious. I didn’t know that there was such a limit to Rune Mastery as well... but I guess there is a difference between controlling attributeless Runes and ones used to build up very specific sorts of Runes...’