Chapter 282: The Painting (1/2)

After getting through the energy shield, Aiden and Roas could finally see the true ending of this second to the last floor in this strange tower-like Sacred Sanctum. The scene changed, it no longer showed an endless path forward but they saw the very end of the hallway, while on their left, where they only saw the endless wall, the very familiar-looking staircase appeared.

There was however a similar, maroon carpet draped over the stairs, while the usual wooden railing was replaced by bronze this time. Midway through there was a small kite winder, giving it a U-shape, instead of the previous straight ones. The mellow, amber-colored wall had a single, peculiar painting. From the distance, neither Aiden nor Roas could make out anything it seemed to be a completely black canvas. However, when Aiden looked at it, suddenly a system notification popped up, giving a surprising note.

[Dark Essence Source Found! Please approach the source for the absorption process to begin.]

Not expecting something like this, the update surprised Aiden, causing him to squint and scrutinize the painting once again, this time also exerting a sliver of his own [Soul Power] to scan it with his [Dark Sense] ability.

He felt a strange, unfamiliar sensation as his energy tapped on the canvas, he felt a buzzing, uncomfortable feeling in his mind. Frowning, he pulled his senses back, heaving a soft sigh, he stepped on the first step.

”[Orc] Come Roas. I'm sure you also felt something from that painting, let's check it out.” He voiced his thoughts to his servant, as he ascended the stairs in a careful, slow manner. He wasn't sure what this was, and the strange sensation he felt in his mind only raised his awareness more.

Behind him, Roas was following, Drake's still resting body draped over his right shoulder. His left hand was clenched into a fist, feeling the familiar source of Dark Magic from the painting, he was ready to jump into action at the first sign of trouble.

Reaching the painting, both of them looked at the peculiar picture hanged on the wall. Even from this close, they couldn't see anything but a completely dark canvas. To be completely honest, looking at it, it would be a bit of a stretch to call the painting art.

Aiden felt as if the image was inviting him, whispering to him to get closer, to touch it… Pulling him closer and closer. He wasn't in any sort of trance, the pull, the whispers he felt from the dark painting, did not cloud his mind. However, seeing as how the system did not seem to alert him and did not block anything, Aiden was certain, that whatever this 'thing' was, would be beneficial to him. Otherwise, he would have surely seen messages stating that his resistances have blocked something.

His right hand slowly reached closer to the painting, stopping at a bit over halfway, as Roas suddenly cried out, grabbing his wrist.

”[Orc] Young Master, no! Don't do it, there could be a trap set up! Let me try it first and see if it's safe!”

This time, however, Aiden wasn't gonna let his servant take the lead, he shook his head, freeing his wrist from Roas' hold.

”[Orc] No, Roas. This time I need to do it. I am fairly certain, that there are no traps in here. There's a lingering source of this Dark Magic, Dark Essence. Not sure what purpose does this painting actually serve, but I'm sure I can take this source for myself. Let me do it.”

Before Roas could react and try to pull him back once again, Aiden quickly touched the black canvas. As soon as he did, he felt the surface of the painting reacting to him. The surface of the painting emitted a low-toned buzzing sound, the same he felt inside his head.

The familiar sound of the system's notification rang out in his mind, popping up in front of his vision.

[Dark Essence Source Found! Absorbing… 1%]

The progress meter, however, didn't stay at 1%, it rapidly rose, reaching 100% in a manner of seconds. At the same time, Aiden could feel the air whirl around his connecting palm, he felt an unfamiliar cold breeze as the newfound source was rapidly sucked up, seeping into his body.

At the same time, the completely dark paint in the canvas began to fade, turning translucent as the percentage rose.

Once the process reached completion, the sucking, the cold feeling vanished, and with it, the color of the painting also changed, returning to an empty white board. It was as if the paint itself was the energy.

In his system, the text changed, while, at the same time, another message popped up below.

[Dark Essence Source Found! Absorbing… 100%...Completed!]

[Merging with existing seed...Done!]

[Note: Dark Essence found! Progress...  98% … Gathering Complete!... Analyzing… Complete!