Ability Wielders - Chapter 138 Void Sealing

World Realms were permanent Dimensional Realms that can solely be described as humongous. The smallest World Realm was as big as China and is occupied by a faction called Nine Worlds Alliance in northern Europe, specifically, the Scandinavian region.

The largest one was at Antarctica, its entrance contained inside an iceberg. Unfortunately, this particular World Realm was too dangerous such that not even Starakt would enter it without putting up his guard.

Its size? By estimate of the ancestors of the Overseers, it was as big as the Earth itself. If not, bigger.

“Every country has at least one World Realm.” Starakt stated. “Philippines has a staggering four World Realms, two in Luzon, one in Visayas, and another in Mindanao. Again, each is at least as big as China. That’s why it’s called a World Realm.”

As for what it contains? Besides from the wondrous and copious amounts of treasures, as well as thousands of cognizants, World Realms has one importance to wielders.

“The Dominion Sigil.” Starakt gravely spoke. “This Dominion Sigil, once you acquire it and integrate with it, you will be acknowledged as the master of that World Realm. Inside of your own World Realm, even if you’re a measly Level 3 wielder, it is a cinch to defeat countless Level 5 wielders, and defeat a Level 6 wielder in a head-on fight.”

“Dimensional Realms, huh…” Hayden muttered. “Let me guess, that Dominion Sigil is sentient? Choosing only those who are ‘worthy.’”

“That is correct.” Starakt didn’t crack any jokes about Hayden guessing that. “Their sentience is human-like as well. This is because they’re independent from Gaia. They are, after all, in a space outside of the territory of Earth.”

Strangely enough, these World Realms are tied to Gaia’s Source Heart and is actually a part of her in spite of this. It was conflicting. That is why, once a Dominion Sigil fuses with a wielder and said wielder dies, the Dominion Sigil will collapse, and a new one will be born under the pretense of a global calamity.

“And as I’ve mentioned, in Turkey, those health potions are produced from the Crimson Life Flame cognizant tree’s fruit is in a World Realm.” Starakt indicatively talked. “Many things are as valuable as that Crimson Life Flame in other World Realms.”

“Such as?” Hayden asked for more information.

“Damn, this world of wielders just keeps on getting more intriguing.” Hayden licked his lips in his excitement. He was a cautious man, not a man who disliked having fun.

He was literally living out a fantasy. Why not have fun in the process, right? In the first place, what’s the purpose of life if you don’t have fun with it? ‘Ah, yes, hedonism.’

This action of Hayden was noticed by Starakt. He was surprised to see a new side of this cold and analytical killer. ‘A thrill-seeker as well? What a unique person.’

As a person at the age of 2,058 years old, Starakt has met people of all walks of life. Simpletons. Fickle-minded. Femme fatales. Homme fatales. Clownish and mischievous people. He has never encountered a person of Hayden’s mindset.

‘I wonder how he’ll change the course of predicted history.’ For some reason, Starakt was invigorated by Hayden’s sudden appearance. ‘A thousand years, nobody has given me this much to look forward to for a war.’

Imagining the kind of ridiculous maneuvers that Hayden will be able to do in the war in 30 years, Starakt’s flame for a spar was reignited.

“Hey, now that we’re here…” Starakt started to take off his robe, his aura skyrocketing. “Do you want to spar for a bit?”

“As much as I’d like to beat you up again…” Hayden jokingly said. “I have my duties as a boyfriend. I will take my leave here.”

“Tsk, 16 years old, and have two girlfriends. I envy you.” Starakt begrudgingly put his coat back on. “I wish I can find a man soon as well.”

“You will soon.” Hayden reassured thoughtlessly. “Maybe there’s another old fossil out there that will match your tastes.”

Starakt chortled before wryly sighing. “If you weren’t chosen by Gaia, I would’ve killed you by now.”

“I am lucky, huh?” Hayden walked out of the exit in an easygoing manner. Hayden waved his right hand without looking back. “See you later, Le-Starakt.”

“That kid’s bold.” Starakt smacked his lips. “He knows how powerful I am and he has the guts to poke around my relationship status. Tsk, if only you were five hundred years older. Such a pity.”

…..

Walking out of the Tizik, Hayden was met by two women. It was Likoria and Eyima. Likoria made the hand gesture of a greeting in Roshist. “Ro-Hayden.”

“Ro-Likoria.” Hayden courteously greeted Likoria. “I am sorry, however, I do not have time right now. Perhaps we can continue this conversation later?”

“No need, I will accompany you on your way out.” Likoria didn’t read Hayden’s implied message of ‘leave me alone.’ “We can continue our conversation while walking.”

Hayden wanted to be blunt, but he couldn’t. He’s seen how powerful that Void’s Edge is for himself. He didn’t want to step on the bad side of this Likoria. Plus, she had the vibes of a spoiled scion, someone you wouldn’t want to offend in the first place.

On top of that, his Danger Sense implored him to not offend Likoria as long as it was possible. Hayden saw no benefit in hurrying anyway. It was only 6:06 PM. As such, he let Likoria tag along with him to the exit.

“So, Ro-Hayden, you must be close to Level 3.” Likoria queried with a hint eagerness. It was clear to Hayden that she wanted to challenge him. “How close exactly are you?”

“By the end of the Annual Youth Pride, I will have long reached Level 3.” Hayden gave an earnest answer. “May I ask why you have asked?”

“I want to challenge you.” Hayden was floored of Likoria’s frankness. Unexpectedly, her voice turned sentimental. “It’s hard being a ‘young maiden’ of one of the Toritius. Not only are my options for friends limited, nobody dares to get close to me. Everybody walks on eggshells around me. It’s…”

“Lonely.” Hayden bridged as he was brought back to the time he was always forlorn, alone in his bedroom. ‘I’ve come a long way, huh?’

Now, Hayden looked back at the times he was in the embrace of Eun-ha and Sayuri. It felt dreamlike once again. And with that, now, more than anything, Hayden wanted to jump to their embrace.

Likoria rotated her head towards Hayden and sensed the heavy melancholic air that he was emitting. A bit of feeling rose up within her heart. It wasn’t attraction. It was… a connection. It was as if she subconsciously knew that Hayden knows what it was like to be in her position.

‘This guy…’ Likoria muttered. ‘He’s an outsider. Does he come from a rich family or something? Mhm…’

“Anyhow, I got to run.” Hayden activated his essence energy manipulation and Indestructible Devil. “I have something to do.”

With that, Hayden accelerated to supersonic speeds. He was relieved he got out of that situation. That’s when a voice rang out beside him. “Where are you going off to in a rush?”

“It’s personal matter that I have to attend.” Hayden replied. “I’m sorry, but I really have to rush now.”

With that, he activated the 50% augment of Empyrean Power and hastened further. Likoria was surprised by this. Hayden was faster than most Level 3 wielders can ever hope to achieve! As a Level 2! And his acceleration was no joke.

‘Interesting. Truly interesting.’ Likoria ceased her movement at the exit of Foriast. She couldn’t even have a glimpse of Hayden’s departing back. “I may have to reveal my dual wielder status if I ever were to challenge him.”

…..

Without any obstructions, Hayden exited the Presidential Complex with ease. He has already been registered as a member of the Overseers, hence, he can come and go the Presidential Complex as he pleased.

You may wonder, where are Hayden’s parents currently? They have been returned to their hotel room.

Hayden walked towards the Inner Area. During of which he changed clothes into the black hoodie with his insignia on the middle, which he just thought of a name: Wolf of Freedom. As well as regular jeans, and a facemask.

It was undemanding for Hayden to enter the Inner Area and blend in to the crowd with his outfit thanks to the numerous people here who were of his stature.

Within minutes, Hayden arrived at their hotel, walked inside, and ride the elevator. As luck would have it, Akwasi and Kokou, who had his hands wrapped around Adwozi.

Kokou and Adwozi were flirting with each other. Hayden didn’t care. It couldn’t be said to be the same for Akwasi, who had a look containing playful disgust.

Looking away from the two lovebirds, Akwasi eyed Hayden discreetly. Akwasi recognized Hayden within mere seconds. He talked in English, “Why are you in disguise, Hayden?”

Hayden took off his mask and put down the hood of his jacket. “I went to my parents’ hotel room and my social battery is drained. I didn’t want to be recognized.”

Kokou and Adwozi were both shocked when they saw Hayden. They couldn’t discern who Hayden was with his hood down. How the hell did Akwasi cognize his identity?

“Akwasi.” Hayden extended his right hand for a shake. Akwasi shook it. “It’s nice to meet a fellow basketball player.”

“What’s your relationship with Kim Eun-ha-ssi?” Akwasi asked in Korean. “Are you two in a relationship?”

“We are friends.” Hayden lied without any of the telltale signs. “That’s all there is to us.”

Hayden could perceive that Akwasi was the type to fantasize about idols as their girlfriends. Hayden couldn’t blame him. To dream to be with someone that perfect is normal. Being a fanatic was not. Which Akwasi seemed to be.

“So I can make a move?” Akwasi probed. “If you’re just friends, that wouldn’t affect Mr. Hayden, right?”

“I’m not one you should get permission to.” Hayden was internally irritated of Akwasi’s probing. He stared at Akwasi dead straight in the eyes and smiled. This smile clearly contained hostility. “That’s why, you are welcome to try.”

An oppressive air diffused in every corner of the elevator. Akwasi, Kokou, and Adwozi all felt like they were being choked. This lasted for a second, being disrupted when the elevator dinged on Hayden’s floor.

“Oh, this is my stop. I’ll excuse myself.” Hayden exited the elevator without looking back.

“That guy, he’s strong.” Kokou muttered in astonishment. “He may just match your combat power, Akwasi.”

“Heh, I don’t know about that.” Akwasi clenched his teeth and formed a fist with his hands. His fist wavered. His eyes were that of a madman’s. ‘Hayden… I’ll show you.’

…..

Two hours have passed. 8:14 PM.

“Wow… Just… Wow.” Eun-ha, lying on the broad chest of Hayden and was panting, exclaimed. “What in the world came to you? That was some fervent thrusting. And that thing you did with your hands…”

“I had to release my residual frustrations one way or another.” Hayden was similarly breathing heavily. He tightened his hug on Eun-ha and pecked her on the forehead.

“Did I serve as a good stress reliever?” Eun-ha rubbed her head on Hayden’s collarbone then kissed his neck.

“Even if we did not have sex, you are still the best stress reliever.” Hayden closed his eyes in ecstasy of Eun-ha’s smooches. “With your presence alone, I can feel every bit of pent-up stress melt away.”

“What a glib tongue.” Eun-ha moved her lips to Hayden’s, passionately kissing him. Hayden’s hands wandered below the blanket they were covered on. Unknowingly, the two was carried away again and had sex for the second time tonight.

10:00 PM. Hayden stood up and put on his clothes. “You going away again?”

“Yeah, I have to.” Hayden nodded. Putting on his last article of clothing, the board shorts, he sat on the bed. He gently stroked Eun-ha’s head. “I’ll be back at four in the morning.”

“You’re becoming stronger.” Eun-ha rubbed her eyes and puckered her lips, wanting to kiss Hayden. Hayden chuckled and went in for the kiss. “Should I call Sayuri to accompany you here till morning?”

“That will be welcome, thanks.” Eun-ha groggily smiled at Hayden. It was adorable. She hugged Hayden and softly whispered, “Be careful, okay? I love you.”

“I love you too, Gonjunim.” Hayden enfolded Eun-ha with his arms. “Don’t worry, I will be careful. I have many weapons at my disposal.”

Hayden let go of Eun-ha took out his phone, and texted Sayuri to come to his room for Eun-ha. Subsequently, he opened the window. He lovingly gazed at Eun-ha. “I’ll be back, Gonjunim.”

“I know.” The scene of Eun-ha naked, draped in a blanket, and basked in moonlight was picturesque. Hayden held his urge on jumping on the bed again to do her.

…..

“What does Void Sealing do again?” A deep man’s extremely dumbstruck voice resounded all throughout the space where the Source Heart was in.

Hayden was standing in front of Gaia’s corporeal form and was gaping at her. “What the hell did you say? You’re not jesting, are you?”

“Why would I jest about something like this?” Gaia was likewise taken aback of what Void Sealing does. “This Innate Gift is one of a kind. There’s no one in the world that possesses it. Including the most powerful ones I’ve encountered. This Innate Gift is nothing short of… godly.”

“Holy shit.” Hayden whistled. This Innate Gift was no joke. It was way too overpowered in spite of its drawbacks.

Void Sealing is an Innate Gift that has the power to seal the usage of Origin Crystals and Abilities, crippling them and reducing them back into a regular human.

There were five prerequisites to activate Void Sealing. First, the center of one of Hayden’s hands should be in contact with the glabella of the target. Second, Hayden should be in direct eye contact with the target. Third, both of the target’s knees are supposed to be contiguous to the floor. Lastly, there should be no other wielder or cognizant that is in contact with the target.

Once these five requirements are met, Hayden has to shout out ‘the void seals the power within.’ How this Innate Gift worked? Even Gaia had no idea.

If one has awakened and became a wielder, they would live to become a strong person. Somebody that is capable of dominating over other humans. Having a taste of this power and then it being taken away is a fate worse than death.

To exacerbate, a Level 4 wielder, who has a life span of a millennia will remain to live their days without being able to activate their Ability. Once a war starts, watching one’s beloved people die without being able to do anything is a painful torture method.

What’s more, the feeling of powerlessness is something unavoidable and tastes unbearably bad. To worsen this, even if Hayden dies, this seal will remain. Of course, Hayden can lift the seal with the same motions, except that he has to say ‘the void frees its grasp on you.’

This is the singular power of Void Sealing, but it was satisfactory. No, it was beyond satisfactory for Hayden. The feeling of elation he was experiencing was like the time he awakened seven months ago.

“Contain your shock for the moment.” Gaia recovered first. “Let’s fix that flawed Friend of Nature first.”

“You can fix it?”

“To some extent.”

“Okay.” Hayden sat back in a lotus position. For the remainder of the time till 4:00 AM, Gaia repaired his Friend of Nature and he cultivated.

For his Friend of Nature, although it cannot be completely restored as it was inherently flawed, at least birds wouldn’t hate Hayden at first sight and chastise him for no reason.

For his improvements, he shot way past the halfway mark and has started absorbing the essence energy from Origin Crystals.

He was informed by Gaia that one must at least absorb three Origin Crystals to become Level 3. This was because, when consuming Origin Crystals, you’re not only consuming essence energy, but source energy as well.

“I cannot tell you what this source energy is, but it is vital.” Gaia expounded. “Source energy is omnipresent, to molecules of objects, and to living organisms. That’s the extent of what I can tell you.”

“Source energy is omnipresent, huh?” Hayden pensively reiterated. “I see, every matter consists of energy, which is why there is that e=mc^2. How is this applicable to real world physics and quantum physics…? That is the question…”

Hayden shook his head and bade goodbye to Gaia. At the Seven Pathways Room, Likoria was waiting for him. She summoned her Void’s Edge, unsheathed it, and pointed the edge towards Hayden. “Fight me.”

“No.” Hayden rejected without thinking about it at all. “That’s too much of a waste of time. I’m clearly inferior to Ro-Likoria.”

“You’re no fun.” Likoria rolled her eyes, appearing in front of Hayden and slashing her sword downwards. With a sidestep, Hayden twisted his body to face where Likoria was facing, leaned forward, grasped Likoria in the stomach, and threw her downwards. It was Obi Otoshi in Judo.

He then agilely moved to another position and did a Kimura Side Mount from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. With this arm lock, Likoria couldn’t move at all, losing grip of her Void’s Edge. “Give up, now.”

“No, I wou-” She halted in the middle of her words when an appalling sense of death crept into her heart. She made eye contact with Hayden and saw a nightmarish pair of red dots clad in pitch-black darkness.

Likoria gulped, a view of her inferiority bloomed inside her. Nevertheless, this didn’t get her down. Conversely, it fueled her determination and thirst to fight Hayden.

At least her determination to fight Hayden in the future. Hayden was too terrifying for her in the present. “Okay, I give up.”

“Thank you.” Hayden was certain that Likoria wouldn’t seek a fight with him as he did let her have a taste of his intermingled Supreme King. “Jeez, so competitive.”

Hayden exited the Presidential Complex in peace. Wait, peace would’ve been an overstatement as he did perceive a pair of eyes on him with his Danger Sense.