SSS Awakening: Creating Primordial Beasts To Be My Summons-Chapter 20: Obbssesive Weirdo
A few minutes to mid night.
’Making in one go what I earn in four months... Dungeons are actually worth the risk.’
Cohen had left Amad’s Bar, passing through the busy and harsh district above the underworld.
This area was the slums of Heavenly Spire, occupied by the people that had been negatively impacted by the system arrival eight years ago.
He passed through isolated streets and dark paths as he silently pondered. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺
’I should invest in getting new daggers first and get stronger armor. Then, I’ll look for ways to strengthen the Baptised.’
Reflecting on his items led him to think of ways he could strengthen himself.
His thoughts drifted to the basics.
’Null Aura...’
Maybe he should revisit how Aura worked–check online resources, refine his foundation.
He followed through and checked.
A forum page popped up, filled with simplified explanations.
- - - - -
Aura functions as the externalized projection of internal mana, manifesting as an energy layer that envelops the form to reinforce physical capabilities, empower offensive strikes, and extend outward.
After thorough study, it has been noted that mastery of Aura depends on its type, but the average Aura user starts with these five paths:
Manifestation Stage – The user first brings aura outside the body, but it is unstable and drains mana quickly.
Stabilization Stage – The aura becomes steady and can be maintained consistently as a protective layer.
Reinforcement Stage – Aura effectively enhances the body’s strength, speed, and durability.
Directional Control Stage – The user can consciously direct aura to specific body parts for offense or defense.
Condensation Stage – Aura is compressed into smaller areas, greatly increasing its power and density.
- - - - -
Cohen smiled with a satisfied look.
’So I’m around the fourth and fifth stage right now. It seems my instincts are actually being shaped well.’
His Null Aura had shown the ability to completely prioritize either offense or defense, although most of the time it balanced both.
’A couple more battles and I would be more of an Advanced Aura user than an Intermediate.’
His legs carried him through the district as he looked at his phone, researching Aura further.
- - - - -
A man, dressed in a normal shirt and trousers, had blended well with a wall.
He used a concealment skill, his gaze focused on Cohen who was absentmindedly walking.
He had noticed Cohen since Cohen was in the underworld. Cohen had a certain energy, familiar yet different, that really called the man’s attention.
There was a problem though. That energy that Cohen was exuding had reduced.
Gone–something the man considered a huge waste.
’I just need to knock him out and absorb the rest of the Red Mana! I can’t miss out on this free opportunity to grow stronger, even the boss will be proud of me!’
The idea of losing the final ounce of rare mana that Cohen had prompted him to break the rules he was given.
His concealed face had an obsessed look as the man’s leg shook slightly, his hand fidgeting at his side.
The desire to obtain that energy to strengthen what he had was overwhelming.
’He’s taking that street? Yes, this is my chance!’
Passing the fairly still busy streets, he chased after Cohen, the surrounding people oblivious to his presence.
- - - - -
Once Cohen turned to the deserted streets, he moved faster.
Although this street was already mostly deserted, he wanted even more hidden corners.
Right after reaching the core of the Underworld, Cohen noticed something strange.
Cohen had originally not noticed his pursuer, but after sensing an immense emotion towards him, he activated Perception of Gray, sharpening his awareness.
The pursuer was hidden like a chameleon, visible yet invisible. Only by sensing the emotions and actively searching for a slight ’error’ in the world did Cohen find him.
To lead this stalker to a suitable location and to bait him out, Cohen had intentionally passed the most deserted streets.
As he was about to turn to the dark alley, he ’saw’ the pursuer aim for his legs.
Cohen, with surprising agility and reaction, threw himself deeper into the alley, away from the incoming strike.
"Why are you chasing me?" he said, moving closer to the alley’s dead end.
The man momentarily appeared unconcealed as he replied, "You can actually sense me? It must have something to do with what is within you."
He vanished again immediately.
Cohen crouched low, his eyes surveying the area.
’Fuck, fuck, fuck. What I’m sensing. Did he seal this place?’
His hands rested on a dagger he had bought to avoid being defenseless as an Awakened.
"Something within me? What?" he asked the man.
’Something related to Primordial?’ the thought sprung in his mind.
An attack came from behind Cohen, aimed at his leg again.
Cohen’s hand reacted instantly, hitting the man’s shortsword and throwing himself towards the opposite direction.
The man hissed as he appeared and said, "You are stronger than your level suggests."
A wide smile appeared on the man’s face. "Give it to me–I want to be stronger too!"
The man disappeared again, darting at Cohen.
Behind the man, a black and yellow Gate opened, spewing out an indigo ram with dark horns.
It charged at the man from behind, but was stopped by his shortsword after his quick pivot.
While the man felt the weight of the attack, colorful clouds began to rise, clouding his perception.
Small Ram engaged the pursuer, leaving Cohen to run out of the dark alley.
But before Cohen could, the man landed a heavy kick to the ram’s side, moving like a blur towards his target.
Just then, Cohen managed to enter the street and yelled as loudly as possible.
"Help!"
At that moment, the man grabbed Cohen by the neck and threw him deeper into the alley, where the cloud of Nebula was.
Appearing, the pursuer said, "Look here, man. I won’t hurt you much. But if you keep resisting... I might change my mind."
He bent closer to Cohen, his face right in front of his target, his soggy tongue sticking out.
"I just want to have a taste of you."
His voice trembled with obsession, like a starving man staring at food.
Cohen wore a disdainful look as he stared at the man.
"Good boy," the pursuer said, seeing Coehn compose.
Just then, a voice Cohen was familiar with sounded.
"Fucking weirdo."
The pursuer, now silent and invisible, stared up, towards where the voice came.
Standing on the stairs of one of the surrounding tall buildings, there were about 7 men.
They were all armed, covering half of their faces with dark blue scarfs.
Out of them, seated on a stair railing not too far from the floor was a tall lean man.
This was an attendant that Cohen engaged with earlier.
At that moment, the small ram had already stood up, vaguely hidden in the perception affecting clouds.
With two drags of his legs against the floor, it charged at the pursuer who was momentarily confused at the developments.
Ramming into the man, Cohen retreated further from the man.
"He’s 2 meters in front of the ram!" he yelled as he ran back.
And then, like falling stars, the attendant and his companions darted toward where Cohen pointed out.
In less than thirty seconds, the man was pinned to the ground, completely restrained.
