Infinite Undying [Post-Apocalypse LitRPG]

Zeph was already seated on the floor in the middle of the room when he slowly closed his eyes and tried to focus his mind. For some reason, he could feel the mana in this place much more strongly than usual. It was as if there was something strange about it, something that didn't belong.

He soon began to sense the mana particles drifting all around him, just like what normally happened whenever he meditated. Usually, those mana particles only appeared in their natural form, glowing with a faint bluish-white light.

However, mana particles actually came in many different colors beyond that. Red, blue, yellow, gold, and many others. Those different colors, though, could only be perceived after someone reached the level of a Rank 2 Guardian.

Once an Awakener advanced to Rank 2 Guardian, they would begin to sense fragmented forms within ordinary mana particles known as Elemental Mana. From that point onward, they could also resonate more deeply with the elemental mana that matched them and with which they possessed the highest affinity.

Take Madou as an example. He had awakened an affinity for the Fire Attribute. In other words, he naturally resonated with Fire Elemental Mana more strongly than any other type of elemental mana. Because of that affinity, he could gather and control Fire Elemental Mana more efficiently, allowing him to use fire-based abilities and techniques.

Throughout nature itself, even though every mana particle looked identical to a Rank 1 Apprentice, the truth was that the concentration of elemental mana varied from one location to another.

For example, in volcanic mountain regions filled with flowing lava, Fire Elemental Mana and Earth Elemental Mana naturally existed in much greater concentrations. In some places, even the advanced Magma Elemental Mana could be found.

So... under normal circumstances, a Rank 1 Apprentice like Zeph should only be able to perceive mana particles in their pure form, a faint bluish-white glow.

But why? Why?!

Why, this time, instead of seeing only those bluish-white mana particles, he could also sense something else surrounding him.

With his eyes tightly closed and his awareness completely focused, Zeph could clearly feel countless mana particles drifting around him.

And among them… There were other elemental mana particles glowing in a deep violet color.

A freezing chill ran down his spine.

That wasn't supposed to happen. Those were elemental mana particles.

Dark Attribute Mana.

"Zephion!"

The sudden call of his name, followed by a loud knock on the door, instantly shattered his meditation.

Zeph opened his eyes and realized it was Lena knocking at the door. He quickly got to his feet and opened it for her. The moment he saw her face, he noticed how pale she looked.

"What happened?"

Lena bit her lower lip. Zeph stepped aside and let her in, leading her to the center of the room.

"Zeph... sorry for interrupting you. Were you meditating just now?"

Lena's sensitivity to elemental mana was far greater than that of an ordinary person. That was because of her extraordinary core.

He gave a slow nod. "Yes. I sensed elemental mana.”

Lena shook her head. "You shouldn't be able to sense elemental mana yet. You're still only a Rank 1 Apprentice."

"So... what I sensed really was Dark Elemental Mana?"

She nodded. "Yes. Dark Elemental Mana. The concentration here is incredibly high."

Zeph fell silent as he processed her words.

"I've been feeling something similar ever since we arrived in this city," he said. "My heart keeps pounding, just like when I activated my First Sigil. Do you think it means something?"

Lena slowly shook her head.

"I don't understand this phenomenon either. Maybe we should discuss it with Malon. I think he might be able to give us some answers."

"Can you tell where the highest concentration of Dark Elemental Mana is coming from?" Zeph asked. "What if it's connected to the Night Cavalry?"

"You mean... there are Night Cavalries somewhere outside?" she asked, repeating his conclusion in disbelief.

"I don't know. It's only a guess. But you also said the mana signature here feels similar, didn't you?"

"Yes," Lena replied. "But I still can't pinpoint its exact source."

"Then maybe we should wait until the attack begins. Once they make their move, we'll have a better chance of learning what's really going on."

Lena nodded in agreement.

After a brief silence, Zeph spoke again.

"I'm curious about this Dark Elemental Mana. Do you think it's possible for me to cultivate it into my core?" He looked down at his hand before raising his eyes to Lena once more. "I want to see how my body responds to it."

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Lena fell silent after hearing his question, looking carefully considering her answer.

"Zeph, I felt the Dark Elemental Mana being drawn into your room just now at an incredible speed. That's what worried me. Before that, the elemental mana around this place had been completely stable. I know it's possible for someone to absorb and cultivate elemental mana into their core, but the way it moved just now was far too fast. That's not something a Rank 1 Apprentice should be capable of."

She paused again before continuing.

"I don't know. I'm just worried something might happen to you. Your core could be damaged if it isn't ready to cultivate elemental mana yet. But the fact that you can already sense elemental mana is unusual enough on its own. I honestly don't have an answer for what's happening."

Zeph didn't respond. The truth was, he wasn't sure what would happen either if he continued.

"The only thing I do know," Lena continued, "is that your core is extraordinary. I felt it when I tried to heal you inside the Rift."

Zeph looked into her eyes. He still didn't know exactly what had happened that day, or how Lena had managed to unlock her Second Sigil.

"It was like I was pulled into... somewhere beyond," she said quietly. "I was close to death. Maybe I had already crossed that line."

Zeph tilted his head.

"Crossed that line?"

"Yes. It felt like I had already died when I was healing you. But somehow... something pulled me back."

Her gaze grew distant as she remembered that moment. "I'm convinced it happened because of the interaction between my core and yours. That's why I believe your core is far more powerful than most people's."

Zeph gave a slow nod.

"I can stay with you while you meditate," Lena said with a gentle smile. "If I sense anything that shouldn't be happening, I'll wake you immediately. Whatever happens, I'll heal you and do everything I can if anything feels wrong."

"Okay," Zeph replied. "I know this is dangerous. Maybe even reckless. But my instincts are telling me I have to do it."

"Then... I trust your instincts," Lena said softly. "Just promise you won't push yourself any further than you have to."

Zeph settled back into the center of the room, taking his place on the cushion prepared for meditation. Cultivation through meditation required time. Sometimes two or three hours were enough. Other times, it could take an entire day. After all, meditation was only one of the three methods of cultivation.

He closed his eyes once more, calming his thoughts until the mana particles around him gradually came back into view. Among the familiar bluish-white particles, he could once again see the Dark Elemental Mana drifting between them.

This was the first time he had experienced anything like it, yet he felt strangely connected to those violet particles, as though they were quietly calling to him.

Using nothing but a mental command, Zeph reached out toward the Dark Elemental Mana.

The particles responded immediately.

They slowly drifted toward him.

Slowly.

Painfully slowly.

It took several minutes just for the nearest particles to reach him. Or had it already been half an hour? Zeph had completely lost track of time.

Even so, he continued, patiently drawing them closer, guiding the Dark Elemental Mana until it gradually merged with his body.

Lena said the elemental mana was moving far too quickly...

So why does it feel this slow to me?

The particles barely seemed to move at all.

Zeph remained in that meditative state for what felt like an eternity. Lena never interrupted him, which probably meant nothing unusual had happened outside.

Eventually, he felt the Dark Elemental Mana wrap around his body before flowing through him and being drawn into his mana core.

The sensation was completely different from absorbing ordinary mana particles.

It felt denser.

Purer.

More complete.

Then he felt it.

His body was changing.

His blood surged.

Energy rushed through every part of him.

And then...

[Level Up!]

[Level 18]

"Level eighteen!"

The words had barely left his mouth when an enormous surge of energy erupted from his body. A powerful shockwave exploded outward.

Zeph's eyes snapped open.

Lena was sitting right in front of him, shielding her face with both hands after taking the full force of the blast.

His gaze instinctively dropped for a split second before he immediately turned his head away.

"Sorry," Lena said, quickly straightening her skirt. She let out a small, embarrassed cough before looking back at him with wide eyes.

"This is the first time I've ever seen anyone level up like that, Zeph." A smile slowly spread across her face. "You actually pulled it off. You cultivated Dark Elemental Mana... before even reaching Rank 2 Guardian."

Zeph nodded, unable to hide the grin spreading across his face.

"Yes. I'm Level 18 now." He looked down at his hands before slowly clenching them into fists. "I still don't know what happened to my body or how the Dark Elemental Mana affected my Sigil. But we'll find out tonight... when the battle begins."

The evening arrived faster than any of them had expected.

The hours that followed were spent making preparations. Some organized their equipment for the coming fight, while others entered meditation one last time to make sure they were in peak condition.

Their bodies had fully recovered.

Their mana cores were stable.

Every weapon had been checked, every supply prepared, and everyone was as ready as they could be.

At around ten that night, they stood atop the city's defensive wall. It was built high enough to overlook the vast plains beyond the city, making it the best place to spot an approaching enemy.

Several guards stood watch alongside them.

From this position, they were supposed to have the clearest view of any incoming attack.

Everyone stared across the endless stretch of open land.

Far in the distance, a massive wall of towering trees stood beneath the darkness of the night, as if the ancient forest itself was waiting to unleash whatever horrors were hiding within.

"No one's ever checked what's inside there?" Madou suddenly asked. "If we already know those monsters come from that forest, why don't we just go in during the day? They only attack at night, right? That means they're probably resting during the day. Wouldn't it be easier to kill them then?"

The guards exchanged surprised glances after hearing Madou's question.

Judging from Malon's expression, Zeph was sure he was about to call it a stupid idea.

But... honestly...

It made sense.

"Why not during the day?" Zeph asked, repeating the question.

Am I just as dumb as Madou?

"Actually, I agree," Malon said. "We should have explored the forest during the daytime."

...Oh. Never mind. For once, Madou wasn't being an idiot.

However, just as the conversation was coming to an end, the blaring sound of a warning siren echoed across the city.

Zeph immediately turned toward the horizon.

"They're here," he said quietly. "The monster attack really is happening tonight."

"Enemy movement confirmed!" one of the guards shouted from the wall. "Battle positions! Everyone, prepare for combat!"

"Archers, ready your bows!"

The soldiers moved without hesitation, each rushing toward their assigned positions as the tension on the wall rose in an instant.

Madou, meanwhile, looked more excited than anyone else. He stepped onto the edge of the wall as if he were ready to jump straight into the battlefield.

"Hah! I hope tonight's fight doesn't disappoint me."

"Don't get carried away, Madou," Malon said. "You're the highest-level fighter here, which means you're carrying the biggest responsibility. If you're the first one to die, I don't think anyone will ever restore your reputation."

"Haha! You've got some guts saying that." Madou laughed. "Come on, then! Let me show everyone the power of Undying Madou!"

"Since when did you start calling yourself that?" Zeph muttered.

That title would suit me better.