My Infinite Mana System

The mountain range loomed ahead, a jagged expanse shrouded in thick mist that seemed to cling to their skin. The Resonance Key pulsed faintly in Allen's hand, its glow a beacon guiding them forward.

Emma walked in silence, keeping her distance from Allen. Her earlier anger had cooled, replaced by a quiet sadness that lingered in her eyes. Kael, as usual, kept his thoughts to himself, though the tension between his companions was obvious.

Allen felt the void coursing through him more strongly than ever. The System's updates rang in his mind, a constant reminder of the power he'd gained and the cost.

[System Alert: New ability available – Void Rift.]

[Void Rift: Tear open a dimensional rift to teleport short distances or displace enemies. Requires control to avoid corruption surges.]

The description was tempting, but the warning at the end was clear: the void's influence was growing.

The group reached the base of the mountain, where a narrow, winding path snaked upward into the mist. The air here felt heavier, and the faint sounds of whispers carried on the wind.

Emma broke the silence. "This place feels wrong. Like the void is everywhere."

Kael nodded, gripping his blade. "It's not just the void. Something else is watching us."

Allen tightened his grip on Stormfang. "Whatever it is, Stay alert."

They climbed the pass, the mist growing thicker with each step. Visibility was almost nonexistent, and the whispers grew louder, merging into a cacophony of dissonant voices.

Suddenly, the path beneath them trembled, and a massive figure emerged from the mist. Its form was humanoid but grotesquely twisted, its body covered in jagged void crystals.

[System Alert: Boss Encounter – Void Revenant (Level 22).]

"Another one of these things?" Kael muttered, raising his blade.

Emma immediately activated her healing aura. "Stay close! We'll get through this."

The Void Revenant let out a guttural roar, slamming its massive fists into the ground and sending shockwaves rippling through the pass.

Allen leapt forward, activating Arc Surge and striking at the Revenant's legs. His blade crackled with lightning, cutting deep into the corrupted flesh.

The Revenant retaliated, swinging its massive arm toward him. Allen barely managed to dodge, using his new ability for the first time.

[Void Rift Activated.]

A tear in reality opened, and Allen stepped through it, reappearing behind the Revenant. He plunged Stormfang into its back, the void energy surging through him.

But as the energy flowed, the System chimed ominously:

[Warning: Void Corruption increased by 5%. Control stability at risk.]

Emma noticed the dark aura surrounding Allen and shouted, "Stop using that ability! It's making it worse!"

"I don't have a choice!" Allen shouted back, dodging another attack.

Kael joined the fray, his rune-covered blade striking the Revenant's exposed core. "We've got to end this quickly. It's getting stronger!"

The Revenant roared again, its body glowing with void energy. It slammed its fists into the ground, summoning a swarm of smaller void creatures.

Emma raised her staff, casting a protective barrier around the group. "We're getting overwhelmed!"

Allen felt the void whispering in his mind, urging him to unleash its full power. Against his better judgment, he activated Void Storm, the black lightning erupting around him in a destructive vortex.

The Revenant and its minions were consumed by the storm, their forms dissolving into ash.

[Boss Defeated: 6,000 EXP Gained.]

[Void Corruption increased by 10%.]

As the storm dissipated, Allen fell to his knees, his breathing ragged. The void energy inside him felt like a living thing, clawing at his mind.

Emma rushed to his side, her voice trembling. "Allen, stop this. You're pushing yourself too far."

Kael approached, his expression grim. "She's right. Every time you use the void, it takes more of you. You've got to find another way."

Allen looked up at them, his eyes glowing faintly with void energy. "I don't have another way. The void is the only thing keeping us alive right now. If I stop using it, we won't make it."

Emma shook her head, tears in her eyes. "You're wrong. You're stronger than this ... stronger than the void. But if you keep going down this path, you're going to lose yourself, and I can't-" She stopped, her voice breaking.

Allen's gaze softened, but he couldn't bring himself to respond. He stood.

"Let's keep moving," he said quietly, the glow in his eyes fading.

The Resonance Key guided them to the peak of the mountain, where an ancient temple stood, its entrance marked by massive stone pillars carved with intricate runes.

The System chimed:

[Objective Update: Enter the Forgotten Temple and retrieve the Heart of Balance.]

Emma frowned, studying the runes. "The Heart of Balance… It might be what you need, Allen. Something to counteract the void."

Kael inspected the entrance. "Then let's get it. But be ready this place is bound to be crawling with traps and guardians."

Allen nodded, stepping toward the temple.