It burned going down. Not painful, but intense as heat spread through his chest, into his center mass. His CE core flared.
496.
497.
498.
499.
500.
[DING!]
[Cosmic Energy threshold reached!]
[Breakthrough to Tier 5, Two-Stars in progress...]
The cargo bay blurred. Owen's vision swam. His core compressed, then expanded, then compressed again. The process repeated. Each cycle denser, tighter, more refined.
Then it stopped.
[Breakthrough complete!]
[Cosmic Rank: Tier 5, Two-Stars]
[Cosmic Energy: 500]
Owen gasped as his lungs burned. His muscles ached. But he felt it. The difference. His CE flowed smoother, faster. His awareness extended further.
Gorvax nodded. "Welcome to two-stars."
Owen stood, steadying himself against the wall. "It feels... different."
"It should. Your core is denser now. More efficient. You'll notice the difference in combat."
Owen flexed his hands. The gauntlets hummed against his skin, responding to the increased CE density.
