[CH200+ Continued] Dungeon Diver: Stealing A Monster's Power

Chapter 384

"It is Qi."

I peer up at my partner in the sky and do a full-body scan, expecting to see a monstrous wave of Qi flowing through Ember as well.

Every time I get a new power-up, he seems to know something about it or straight up already have it himself and keep it a secret from me.

However, there's no such thing in his system. The core where Qi would be is empty. The only thing remotely close is a hint of energy with the same reading as my Red Hydra's buff circling around his eyes.

It's like a miniature pocket of Soul Energy, but just as fast as I see it, it dissipates like it was never even there.

Ember flaps his wings and comes down near me, then I notice his eyes flare up with the same crimson aura momentarily again while he touches the ground and looks me up and down.

"What did you manage to do? Find an Originator's tomb or something? I didn't even know natural sources of Qi were still around in this era."

We both stand on opposite sides of the tallest white marble pillar, raised high above the rest of the gargoyle dungeon. The slowly turning boss room portal lets off a light buzz behind me as I think of a response.

"No... I didn't find a tomb... I just met a friend who gave me this power."

Ember lets out a resounding laugh through our telepathy link.

"What friend? The Demon King? There hasn't been anyone in centuries in control of the Origin Particle other than him. Since that Demon took control of all the tombs, humans have been confusing legends of its power with Demonic Energy and trying to hoard those black stones like gold. Come to think of it, we're not even at level 600 yet... so I know he didn't grant you soul essence as he did me in a past life."

Ember pauses.

"So you really found someone that can wield Qi... I assume that's why we're back in this Labyrinth. We have some leveling work to do, don't we?"

I nod slowly at his last line, but so much of what Ember just said went right over my head.

"Well, yes. I'm in a hurry to get up to the 27th floor, but that can wait... This is more important. Explain everything you just said. In full detail. I've never gotten a clear answer about all of this. Let's back it up to when you first mentioned soul energy, like when I managed to absorb the Red Hydra's Soul Stone. This is Essence granted by some powerful Demon?"

Ember nods his head slowly, walking over very close to me.

"Yes, the most powerful Demon there is. I don't believe you could fathom his strength at your current level. There's a lot to get through, and if you're in a rush, maybe we should climb while I talk."

I take out my sword and air-step onto Ember's back.

"Fine, good idea. Let's go."

We blip through the boss room portal and face the Gargoyle Boss without breaking a sweat. I channel my Qi while Ember summons even more of the Crimson aura around his talons for a split second to attack one of the mutant spawns that tries to attack us.

While both lay on the ground motionless and we wait for them to dissolve, Ember continues his point.

"What you're using is a basic pure form of Qi. If it's in your system, I'd assume you can now sense my soul energy as well even when I don't make it fully visible to your mana senses."

My eyes dart from his eyes to his claws and I nod, giving him more than enough of an answer to continue.

"Well, the two are very similar, but not exactly the same."