章 17: Towards Sanctuary of Radiance

Derek stood in the midst of the Chaos Training Grounds, his mind focused on his next move.

Meanwhile, his body double had already left the Armageddon Mountain range.

As Derek looked at his current state, he knew that he had no strength left in his body.

However, he was determined to take a gamble that could potentially reward him with a massive boost in author points.

He knew that if he succeeded, the benefits would be worth it.

Taking a deep breath, Derek summoned all of his willpower and made the decision to invest his author points in upgrading his rank from F- to D+. He knew that this was a huge leap, but he was willing to take the risk.

Derek began by upgrading his rank from F- to F, a move that required 1000 author points.

He then continued to upgrade his rank nine more times, investing more and more author points with each step.

The cost of upgrading increased with each rank, and he spent a total of 36,000 author points to reach his desired rank of D+.

The cost of each rank upgrade was as follows:

F to F+: 2000 points

F+ to E-: 3000 points

E- to E: 4000 points

E to E+: 5000 points

E+ to D-: 6000 points

D- to D: 7000 points

D to D+: 8000 points

Once he had achieved his desired rank, Derek decided to use an additional 14,000 author points to stabilize his body and powers at the D+ rank.

He knew that he needed to be careful not to let the continuous rank up affect his future progress, so he made this strategic move to ensure that his power would remain stable going forward.

Derek's body was in a battered and sorry state after the continuous rank up. He had pushed himself to the limit, and it showed. His muscles were sore, and he could feel the strain on his body.

However, he knew that he had to do something to heal and stabilize his powers. He decided to use 14,000 author points to heal himself to peak condition.

With each use of the author's points, Derek could feel himself getting stronger. His wounds began to heal, and he could feel his energy returning.

The process was slow, but he knew that he needed to be patient and take the time to fully recover.

After using a total of 50,000 author points, Derek felt his body stabilize at the D+ rank. He knew that he had made the right decision in investing his author's points in this way.

He was now stronger than ever before, and his powers were more stable than they had ever been.

However, he also knew that they were now left with less than 150,000 author points.

They had consumed a significant amount of their author points, and they needed to be careful with how they used them going forward.

Derek left the Armageddon Mountain Range and set out on his journey towards a secret site for the next phase of his plan.

His body was now stronger than ever before, and he moved with incredible speed, arriving at the site in less than a day.

As he observed his surroundings, he could see that the area was shrouded in darkness.

The sun's rays were unable to penetrate the veil of darkness, making it difficult for him to see.

However, Derek's body was created with an unparalleled talent for the light element, which came with an understanding of how to manipulate it.

Using his knowledge of the light element, Derek's body double created a new skill called Radiant Veil.

...

Skill Name: Radiant Veil

Description: This captivating light-based concealment skill enveloped the user in a brilliant aura of blinding radiance, making it impossible for adversaries to analyze or scrutinize them.

Upon activation, the user would be cloaked in an enigmatic glow, effectively preventing others from inspecting or discerning their true identity or abilities.

Furthermore, the skill came with a passive effect of purification.

If the person coming into contact with the skill was weaker than the user and possessed darkness and negative energies, they would be forcefully removed, even if it was their innate element.

...

Derek's body double activated the skill and entered the dark forest.

As he moved through the forest, he could feel the darkness and negative energies around him being purged by the radiant aura.

He felt invincible, knowing that he was protected by the skill.

The forest was filled with dangers, but Derek's body double was prepared for anything.

He had increased his rank from F- to D+, and his body was now stronger than ever before. He moved with incredible speed, dodging trees and leaping over obstacles.

As he moved deeper into the forest, Derek's body double noticed something strange. The trees and plants around him were withering away, as if they were being consumed by some kind of darkness.

He knew that he had to be careful, as this darkness could be dangerous.

Suddenly, he heard a rustling in the bushes. Copy Derek activated Radiant Veil, and the area around him was bathed in bright light.

A dark figure emerged from the bushes, but it was unable to see Derek's body double due to the radiant aura.

The figure was shrouded in darkness, and its eyes glowed with an otherworldly light. It lunged at Derek's body double but was repelled by the radiant aura.

The figure let out a howl and disappeared into the darkness.

As he moved deeper into the forest, the darkness around him grew thicker. He could feel an oppressive weight pressing down on him as if the darkness was trying to consume him.

But he refused to give up. He was determined to reach his destination, no matter what.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, Derek's body double emerged from the darkness.

He had arrived at the secret site, and he could feel the power emanating from it.

He observed his surroundings and saw that there was a large stone structure in the centre of the clearing.

The structure was covered in ancient symbols, and it seemed to be pulsating with energy.