The future is unknowable.
Zane had no idea what lay ahead for Mars District. This place gave him a feeling unlike any other.
Whoosh—whoosh—
A light breeze passed through, scattering the lingering mist and gently stirring the strands of hair near Zane's ears. The soft golden strands fluttered with the wind.
The ancient clock remained completely still.
Ding—
A Dennies coin flicked into the air from Zane's fingers, thin arcs of electricity gathering around it with a faint sizzle.
Suspended in midair, the Dennies hovered as Zane stared at it calmly. In his human form, he could still manipulate Ether energy and divide it into properties, but his efficiency had dropped drastically—less than one percent.
"I'm still not proficient or fast enough in manipulating Ether energy. If I could quickly generate large amounts of electrical energy..."
"Then maybe... I could truly wield a super electromagnetic cannon of my own."
His eyes lit up. Electricity, when advanced, became thunder. Maybe one day, he could alter the weather and call down lightning.
As the energy dissipated, the silver-glowing Dennies fell back into his palm.
Zane studied the coin, a flicker of curiosity surfacing.
The concept behind an electromagnetic cannon was simple—using a Dennies as a medium, channeling and compressing electrical energy, then releasing it. Amplify the amount and compression, and you get a super electromagnetic cannon.
One with terrifying destructive power.
This also showed that Dennies weren't made from ordinary materials. To circulate as currency and avoid counterfeiting—no easy feat.
Maybe Dennies could serve as carriers for other types of energy too.
Having a medium versus not having one made a huge difference when using Ether energy.
With a thought, a black orb the size of a fist slowly emerged in front of him, its edges shimmering with multicolored light.
This was the Cretan Hollow.
It was his trump card—his ability to freely shift into an Ethereal body and harness Ether energy came from this.
It was, essentially, a colossal power bank.
The orb floated in the air, moving according to his will and circling his body. Wherever it passed, the space warped briefly under the immense energy it held.
If the orb were to slip from Zane's control, it would trigger a catastrophic disaster from its current location.
Though the same size as the original Cretan Hollow, it expanded far more violently and rapidly. Its destructive and corrosive capabilities were amplified, and it spawned Ethereals at an alarming rate.
Zane wasn't worried. His control over it was absolute—as if it were a part of his body. No outside force could affect it unless he willingly released it.
With another thought, the orb vanished into the void.
But it never truly left his side.
Even after it disappeared, traces of Ether energy lingered in the air, drifting like colored light.
"Ether energy is an endless treasure trove. Even now, my understanding of it barely scratches the surface."
Zane sighed. Chaotic elemental properties—fire, electricity, ice—could all be explored and developed.
But Ether wasn't limited to just that.
Ice, for example, could be broken down into water properties. After all, without controlling water, there could be no ice.
Ether crystals—condensed forms of Ether energy—embodied the strength of stone and earth. Zane had used this method many times and understood it well.
The spatial distortions inside Hollows and their separation from the outside world were due to the spatial aspect of Ether energy. Ethereals that could teleport relied on it.
That said, his grasp of spatial energy wasn't very advanced yet. Using it was still far less convenient than physical combat.
The abnormal gravity inside Hollows reflected the power of the sky—another Ether attribute. Flying Ethereals weren't exactly rare.
Zane's mind began to wander.
Lightning… compression… explosion… electromagnetic cannon?
Crystals… gravity… meteors… Sky Shaker?
Flames… eruption… destruction… Fire Fist Ace?
Ice… impact… iceberg… Esdeath?
Space… micro-control… wait, this category's getting out of hand...
"The potential of Ether energy is enormous. What I can accomplish depends entirely on my imagination."
He shook his head with a sigh. This was different from everything else. Only as an Ethereal could he tap into Ether like this.
This was his own personal "Ether tech tree."
Pulling himself from his thoughts, he noticed the golden sun peeking over the horizon. It was getting late.
Time to head back.
After leaving the tower, his figure gradually faded into the streets of Mars District.
...
"Damn it... I'm going to get revenge…"
A voice filled with frustration came from a bed in one of the Defense Force's rooms.
Nearby, Trigger was adjusting a new communication device. She glanced at Soldier 11, shook his head helplessly, and sighed.
She used to be all seriousness and discipline.
To be reduced to this state… that guy really was something.
"You should focus on recovering first. And who knows if we'll even find him again."
Trigger set down the comms device and casually pulled out a lollipop, unwrapped it, and popped it into her mouth.
With Soldier 11 temporarily immobilized and needing rest, their plans had been delayed. They'd have to stay here another day or two.
They had no idea how the rest of the team was doing.
"We'll find him."
Lying in bed, Soldier 11's short white hair had come loose, fanning out on both sides of her head. Gone was the confident, imposing figure from the Defense Force—she now had the eerie elegance of a "sickly beauty."
She remembered the face she'd seen at the restaurant—and bit her lip in frustration again.
"You're right."
"Don't try what you can't do."
"Putting yourself in danger is shameful."
Those three lines… infuriating.
She may have been unconscious at the time, but Trigger's recap let her vividly imagine the tone and attitude that bastard used when he said them.
And he took her goggles!
They weren't her only pair—but that wasn't the point.
"'Spoils of war,' my ass… How infuriating!"
"Have you considered that, even if we find him, we might not stand a chance against him?"
Trigger could tell—this had become an obsession for Soldier 11. Just like her craving for spicy ramen, she wouldn't stop until she found him.