Jason stood amid the remnants of the three-eyed creature he had just slaughtered. Black-red essence still lingered in the air where the dark mana sword had consumed it completely. The dangerous ability he had gained in that moment pulsed quietly beneath his skin—an authority over portals that now felt as natural as breathing. He could open paths to any realm he had already stepped into. More importantly, he suspected he could force them shut.
He dropped to one knee and pressed his palm flat against the cracked volcanic ground. The scorching heat that would have melted ordinary flesh registered as nothing more than mild warmth. Immunity had been secured long ago. Jason closed his eyes and released a wide, invisible wave of pure sensing force.
The pulse expanded outward in every direction, racing across rivers of lava, through ash-choked valleys, and over jagged peaks.
The result stunned him.
