As Andaria approached Riale city on her Thunder Phoenix, Kai had already arrived and was exploring the bustling streets. The city buzzed with activity—sorcerers of various ranks rushing toward the mines where a rich ether crystal vein had recently been discovered.
"So many sorcerers," Kai muttered, watching the flow of robed figures.
While many young disciples headed for the newly discovered ruins, an equally significant number chose to explore the valuable crystals in Riale.
After securing a modest room at an inn for two nights, Kai washed up and changed. His specialized suit morphed seamlessly into casual attire that wouldn't draw attention. At a nearby eatery, he ordered a hearty meal and listened carefully to the conversations around him.
"Have you heard who arrived this morning?" a young apprentice whispered to his companion at the next table. "Three senior disciples from the Azure Shard Academy and Serpent's Coil Academy! They say their masters might come if the crystals prove valuable enough."
"Forget them," his friend replied. "I'm more concerned about avoiding the Shardweaver Academy students. They're ruthless when it comes to resource gathering."
Sorcerer groups discussed recent arrivals, potential rivals to avoid, and most importantly—details about the ether vein that had drawn so many to this previously unremarkable mining town.
"I heard they discovered it completely by accident," a young apprentice at the next table explained excitedly. "Just a regular mining operation in the mountains when—boom!—they hit a pocket of pure ether crystals."
"Been under the city lord's supervision ever since," his companion added. "They've been careful with the extraction. Ether crystals store raw energy—use too much force or heavy sorcery near them and..." He made an explosive gesture with his hands.
Kai nodded to himself, piecing together the information. The city lord had apparently hired a High-level Earth Sorcerer just yesterday to expand the vein—a considerable expense that revealed the lord's urgency. With so many young sorcerers arriving with backing from prestigious schools and sects, the lord couldn't deny them entry but clearly wanted to extract as much value as possible before outside interests took over.
This complicated Kai's plans. Once he entered the mine and began absorbing ether from the crystals, the vein would likely react, causing tremors that would attract unwanted attention—especially from a powerful Earth Sorcerer who would sense any disturbance.
With a thoughtful sigh, Kai finished his meal and walked toward the merchant guild, hood pulled low. As he crossed the main square, a large shadow passed overhead, causing him to look up. His system immediately sent an alert message.
[Alert: Powerful magical signature detected above. Host, I suggest caution.]
After a moment of surprise, he simply continued toward his destination.
At the guild, Kai presented his forging apprentice credentials and requested to join one of the mine expedition parties. Though he preferred going alone, he needed to remain inconspicuous. The merchant guild's team would face fewer questions and gain easier access to the mine.
"We could use a forging apprentice," said a burly man leading a team of four. "Someone who can identify valuable crystals and handle basic repairs for our equipment would be ideal."
"Hello there. I can help with that," replied Kai with a nod.
"Can you actually handle yourself in there? We're not babysitters." A skeptical teammate eyed Kai suspiciously. "Boss, he doesn't even have a trace of ether on him. He's just a mortal. What good will he be if we run into trouble?"
Kai smiled. He welcomed this skepticism. Better to address these suspicions now than face them in the mines. "May I see your backup sword?" he asked the skeptic.
Reluctantly, the man handed over a standard-issue blade. Kai examined it with expert eyes, running his fingers along imperfections invisible to others. "Fifth-rate iron, poorly balanced, and the edge has been damaged from improper maintenance," he assessed calmly.
To everyone's surprise, Kai sat down cross-legged and produced a hammer from his pack. The tool was inscribed with intricate rune formations that glowed when he struck the sword. As the inscriptions activated, they charged the surrounding ether, causing the metal to heat with each precise contact.
"Step back," Kai warned as the metal began glowing red-hot. The onlookers retreated in awe, shocked that Kai—clearly mortal—could handle such heat without visible strain. When the metal reached the proper temperature, he produced a fire affinity ether crystal from his pouch.
"Wait, you can't just—" the sword's owner began in alarm.
Kai placed the crystal on the heated metal and struck it with his hammer. Instead of the expected explosion, the crystal shattered into fine particles as the hammer matched its resonance perfectly. With masterful precision, Kai fused the particles into the metal, creating a blade with exquisite red patterns flowing through the steel.
The crowd watched in stunned silence as Kai transformed an ordinary sword into a magical one—displaying a level of control and technique rarely seen outside elite forging schools.
"That's impossible," whispered a guild apprentice. "Even senior forging apprentices can't achieve that level of precision."
Guild staff exchanged meaningful glances, recognizing that this young mortal displayed techniques that could only originate from a prestigious forging school, possibly the Sunken Forge Academy. Such skill suggested powerful connections behind the unassuming youth.
"Here," Kai said, standing up and handing the improved sword back to its owner after cooling it with a specialized cloth. "I apologize that I couldn't improve it further. Without my proper workshop and tools, I'm somewhat limited."
His polite remark made many mouths twitch in irritation. Despite his kind smile, they felt mocked by his casual display of extraordinary skill. The previously skeptical teammate was dumbfounded and silently stepped back, lesson learned.
"That was quite impressive," came a melodious voice from behind.
Kai turned to see a stunning woman with a hooded face, though he glimpsed strands of blue hair escaping the edges. She wore dark blue armor that accentuated her well defined figure, with a spear strapped to her back. On her shoulder perched a purple bird whose intelligent eyes studied Kai with unusual interest.
"I'm Elisa," she said, extending her hand. "A lone traveling sorcerer seeking ether crystals and a team to work with." Her smile was warm but carefully measured.
Now up close Kai's expression turned strange as his vision conflicted—one eye saw blue hair and extraordinary beauty, while the other saw black hair and an unremarkable face. As he extended his hand to meet hers, his system revealed her true identity.
[Name: Andaria Trian
Alias: Elisa
Position: Second Princess of Trian Kingdom
POWER ASSESSMENT
Cultivation: Mid Foundation Rank (Late-stage medium-level sorcerer)
Status: Approaching high level
Physique: Lightning (Half Awakened)
Unlock Requirement: 50,000 Energy Level Points
Combat Rating: Above average strength
CURRENT STATUS
-Using camouflage talisman to disguise appearance
-Generally healthy
-Experiences pain from half-awakened physique at night
-Current emotional state: Excited, Intrigued
WARNING: Target exceeds host current power level. Exercise caution.]
'A princess!' Kai thought, shocked, yet he maintained his composure.
"I'm Kai," he replied, now understanding the reason for his conflicting vision—his augmented eye could see through such illusions, while his natural eye was deceived by the talisman. "Just a humble forging apprentice looking to improve my craft."
"Really now. Your techniques hardly seem humble," she remarked with a knowing smile. "I've rarely seen such precision with ether crystal fusion."
"You're too kind," Kai responded humbly, mentally instructing his system to suppress his enhanced eye's capabilities to resolve the visual conflict. "Years of practice, nothing more."
Ahem
The expedition leader cleared his throat. "If you two are done with pleasantries, we should head out before the good spots are claimed."
The group journeyed to the mines, where dozens of other teams had already gathered. Inside, the walls sparkled with crystals of various colors and qualities. Kai discreetly had his system scan each crystal, displaying value gauges that showed the ether concentration directly before his enhanced eye.
While the other team members eagerly harvested any crystal they found after checking with Kai, Kai and Elisa both ignored the basic ones—a shared discernment that caught each other's attention. They exchanged glances, and she smiled knowingly.
"You have a good eye," she commented quietly as they moved deeper into the mine. "Most apprentices would be grabbing everything they see."
"What kind of forging apprentice would I be if I couldn't discern crystal quality? These are generally useful, but I'm searching for something superior," Kai replied simply. "And you don't seem particularly interested in these common ones either."
Elisa responded with nothing more than a mysterious smile.
Kai remained vigilant, concerned the undercover princess might interfere with his search for high-quality crystals deep in the mine. What he failed to realize was that Elisa genuinely admired his discerning eye and natural talent, unconcerned with his apparent mortal status or hidden agenda.
As they proceeded deeper, they began feeling tremors that steadily increased in intensity, causing loose rocks to scatter from the ceiling.
"What's causing these quakes?" one team member asked nervously.
"Possibly the High-level Earth Sorcerer working with the city lord," Elisa suggested, steadying herself against a wall. "Earth manipulation at that scale could destabilize the surrounding area."
"We should proceed with caution then," Kai said. His system silently warned of increasing mine instability, though the danger levels remained low for now.
Along the way, Kai continued to advise the team on the crystals, but Elisa noticed something curious about him. Unlike his apparent disinterest in the common crystals, he became visibly animated when examining the surrounding geology, meticulously studying soil compositions and rock formations. He would occasionally stop to excavate samples with surprising enthusiasm, his eyes lighting up at discoveries others would find mundane. Elisa watched with growing intrigue as this pattern continued—his unconventional forging techniques, his discerning eye for quality, and now this peculiar fascination with ordinary earth. She could only conclude that this supposedly simple mortal possessed knowledge of some application for these materials that remained a mystery to her, further cementing her impression that Kai was far from ordinary.
When they finally discovered a pocket of high-quality crystals of interest, Kai and Elisa began carefully harvesting them. While the others were distracted with their own finds, Kai quietly absorbed the ether within the ones he harvested, which his system converted to Energy Level Points—a slow process given his need to conceal his true abilities.
"These are exceptional," Elisa whispered, holding up a perfect lightning-attuned crystal that pulsed with energy. "These will do." She couldn't wait to collect more and get back to her cauldron back at the academy and continue her research.
Suddenly, a massive quake shook the entire mine, causing stalactites to crash down around them.
"Everyone out!" the expedition leader shouted as dust filled the chamber.
Just as the tremors seemed to subside, the ground beneath Elisa collapsed with a crack. She lost her footing with a startled cry, plunging toward a newly formed chasm. Her bird companion squawked in alarm, wings expanding to lift her to safety, but the mine's confined space limited its effectiveness.
Without hesitation, Kai lunged forward, pushing Elisa toward solid ground while losing his own footing in the process. Their eyes met for a split second—hers wide with surprise, his calm with acceptance—before he disappeared into the darkness below.
"Kai!" Elisa screamed, scrambling to the edge as her bird circled frantically.
When the dust settled and the rest of the team emerged from the mine, they realized with horror that Kai had been left behind, sacrificing himself to save a woman they'd only just met.
Elisa rushed toward the mine entrance, but Fulgora intercepted her, wings expanding as it released its magical aura. The pressure of a True Rank Beast descended upon the scene—far greater than even a High Rank Sorcerer could produce. Everyone felt suffocated, as if a supreme predator had fixed its gaze upon them. Elisa gritted her teeth as she met her companion's stern eyes.
"He saved me," she said, her voice tight with urgency. "We can't leave him down there. Please, let me help him."
The bird firmly shook its head, eyes conveying what words could not.
"Why? Fulgora, please!" Elisa protested. "I'm not leaving a man to die when he saved my life."
The team leader, pushing through the oppressive aura after recovering from his shock at realizing the small bird was actually a True Rank Beast, approached cautiously.
"My lady," he said respectfully, "the entire section has become unstable, as you saw when it began collapsing. Your companion is right—we cannot safely reach him. The structural integrity is completely compromised."
Elisa's expression turned cold as she met his gaze. "You expect me to abandon him to die?"
Another team member scoffed, "He was just a mortal. He's likely already dead from that fall. You saw the depth of that chasm—we shouldn't risk ourselves."
The temperature seemed to drop as Elisa's attention shifted to the speaker. Her aura—revealing her as a late-stage Medium Rank Sorcerer—flared outward, making the man step back in alarm. Before she could respond, the team leader quickly intervened.
"Please, Lady Elisa," he said respectfully. "His words are thoughtless, but there's truth in what he says. Even working together, we simply don't have the power to create a safe passage. For an operation of this magnitude, we need the city's Earth Sorcerer."
Fulgora chirped in agreement, recalling its overwhelming aura. The oppressive pressure lifted, causing everyone to exhale in relief.
After a moment of tense silence, Elisa's magic flared as she raised her hand. Her voice, amplified by magic, carried throughout the entire area.
"City Lord! Bring your Earth Sorcerer here immediately!"
Whispers spread among the onlookers. This seemingly ordinary woman had just commanded the City Lord as if she were his superior. However, having felt Fulgora's aura, many began to suspect this woman concealed her true identity.
"Young lady," came a measured voice from the nearby treeline, "there was no need for such shouting. I was already approaching after sensing your True Rank Beast's aura."
A middle-aged man emerged from the forest, flanked by sorcerer guards. The City Lord had been evacuating from another mine entrance just before the collapse. Upon feeling Fulgora's aura, he had left his injured to be tended to and rushed with his guards, initially hoping to capture such a valuable creature with the combined strength of the gathered sorcerers. However, overhearing the conversation, he quickly reassessed the situation and approached with carefully calculated respect.
"You are the City Lord?" Elisa asked, her expression severe. "Where is your High Rank Earth Sorcerer? I need him to rescue someone trapped below."
The City Lord's mouth twitched at her tone. "Young lady, perhaps we should properly introduce ourselves before issuing commands? Even one with powerful backing should observe certain protocols."
Elisa's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Listen carefully. Your rushed mining operations likely caused this disaster. I've heard reports of how you've accelerated excavation to fill your coffers. Do not test my patience further—bring your Earth Sorcerer now. I have a friend trapped below who needs immediate assistance."
The City Lord's face darkened with anger. "How dare you! Watch your tongue, girl. You have no proof of such slander against an official of the Kingdom of Trian. You think having a powerful backer allows you to speak to me this way?" He straightened, puffing out his chest. "I answer to the King of Trian himself! I doubt your academy would risk making an enemy of an entire kingdom."
He scoffed, gesturing dismissively. "And all this over a mortal? Even if my Earth Sorcerer weren't injured, I wouldn't waste resources saving some pathetic mortal. They exist to serve sorcerers—it's their privilege to—"
"SILENCE!" thundered Elisa, her patience shattering.
Lightning crackled violently around her form as her magic erupted. The camouflage talisman hidden in her clothes burned to ash, and as her hood fell back, everyone gasped. Her hair transformed from unremarkable black to vibrant blue, her ordinary features resolving into striking beauty that commanded attention.
In a flash of lightning that left afterimages in the witnesses' vision, she vanished from her position. A heart-stopping scream pierced the air.
The City Lord, an early Medium Rank Sorcerer, collapsed to his knees, clutching the bloody stump where his right arm had been. His severed limb lay several feet away, separated cleanly by Elisa's spear.
"AAARRRGHHH!" he screamed, face contorted with agony and disbelief. "You cut off my arm! You evil witch! AAARRRGHHH!" His wild eyes found his guards and sorcerers. "What are you waiting for, you useless fools? I am your lord! Attack her! I ORDER YOU!"
Despite his commands, not a single guard moved. They stood frozen, internally cursing their lord for provoking someone they now recognized as far beyond their station.
"What are you all doing just standing there? Attack—" The City Lord's tirade was cut short by the cold voice that sliced through the air like the spear that had taken his arm.
"How stupid are you?" Elisa—no, Andaria—asked, calmly sheathing her spear after flicking the blood from its blade. She looked down at him with contempt. "They're wise enough not to commit treason. They recognize who I truly am. They understand that attacking me means certain death—if not from my academy, then from my father and the entire kingdom's army. So tell me, how did you fail to recognize your own princess?"
Blood drained from the City Lord's face as realization struck him like a physical blow. "You... you're the Second Princess?"
His expression cycled through shock, fear, and then bewilderment. "Princess, how... how can you punish me like this for a mere mortal? That's—"
"You disgust me," Andaria said coldly, raising her hand. A strand of lightning shot from her fingertips, making him scream anew as electricity coursed through his body.
"AAARRRGHHH! Why? Just why?" he howled.
Andaria's voice carried clearly to all present as she spoke with passionate conviction,"Do mortals not bleed as we do? Do they not feel as we do? Do they not mourn their loved ones? When threatened, do they not take up arms to protect what's precious to them? Do they not cultivate the land that provides our food and resources?"
She paced forward, her intensity building. "If mortals are truly inferior, then explain why mortal parents sometimes birth children with sorcerer talents, or why sorcerer couples occasionally have mortal children? Look around you—the technology we take for granted comes from mortal ingenuity, allowing us sorcerers to focus on magic and developing artifacts and medicine to combat the beasts threatening our way of life and to save countless lives."
Her eyes blazed with righteous anger. "I don't know when or how this notion of sorcerer superiority emerged, but I reject it completely. That friend trapped below—whether he lives or not—is an exceptional forger with techniques I, a princess who has met countless artisans, have rarely witnessed. Properly nurtured, he would become a tremendous asset to our kingdom."
She took another step toward the City Lord, killing intent radiating from her. "And what better example of courage and kindness exists than a mortal who risked his life to save mine—a complete stranger he met only hours ago? Tell me now—why isn't such a person worth saving?"
While many in the audience held their prejudices silently, the few mortals present trembled with emotion. They fought to control their breathing as they gazed at their princess with newfound hope, her words validating their very existence.
Suddenly, brilliant light flooded the scene. Fulgora transformed, revealing its true majestic form—massive wings spread wide, crackling with elemental energy.
"That's... a thunder phoenix..." murmured awestruck voices as people stepped back instinctively.
Andaria blinked, momentarily dazzled by the radiance, and found Fulgora's wing positioned between her and the City Lord. Startled, she raised her eyes to meet her companion's gaze. As their eyes connected, her rage gradually subsided, thoughts clearing. She understood she couldn't simply execute an official, no matter how deserving—which was why she'd only severed his arm as punishment. But his continued disrespect had pushed her dangerously close to crossing that line.
"Thank you," she mouthed silently to her faithful companion. Fulgora nodded, lowering its wing invitingly. The message was clear: it was time to leave.
Andaria hesitated, glancing back at the mine entrance with lingering reluctance. After a moment of internal struggle, she sighed and climbed onto Fulgora's back.
With powerful strokes, the thunder phoenix took flight. As they ascended, Fulgora deliberately created a backdraft that sent the City Lord and his men tumbling against the trees, eliciting pained groans.
Andaria's lips curved in a wry smile as she settled against her companion's warm feathers. As they climbed higher, she asked with hesitation in her voice, "You couldn't sense his presence either, could you?"
Fulgora shook its head solemnly, confirming the reason for its insistence on departing.
"Kai..." Andaria murmured, gazing down at the mine growing smaller beneath them. "You were an unusual man, but one who saved my life without hesitation. I will remember you, my friend. Farewell."
She straightened, drawing a deep breath. "We didn't collect as much as hoped, but we have enough. Let's proceed to those ruins now—perhaps I'll find something useful there. Afterward, we'll return to the academy."
Fulgora chirped in agreement, banking gracefully toward the recently discovered ruins in the distance.
Meanwhile, deep in the darkness below, Kai's fall had been cushioned by an underground pool. As he drifted between consciousness and oblivion, his system activated emergency protocols. The cave around him bathed in ethereal blue light from the purest, most concentrated ether crystals he had ever encountered—a hidden chamber untouched by miners, revealed only by the collapse.
"Well," he murmured as his system alerted him to unprecedented energy readings, "this is unexpected."
His eyes scanned the glowing surroundings, his mind now fully alert.
"MOI, display current status," Kai requested.
[Host, emergency protocols activated: 500 points deducted to engage the core.
Current status: Enhancement activated:
• Core capacity: Increased from 27% to 29.95%
• Physical attributes: Enhanced by 27%
• Sensory perception: Heightened by 35%
• Recovery rate: Boosted
Time limit: 3 hours]
"Well can't complain there," Kai muttered, assessing his situation. "With the core engaged, my healing will accelerate. This might be exactly the opportunity we've been waiting for." He studied the crystals intently. "MOI, this must be the heart of the vein—the purity exceeds even the High Level Crystals we've encountered before. If I absorb their ether in this enhanced state, wouldn't that dramatically increase my point accumulation rate?"
[Affirmative, Host. Your absorption rate is currently increased by 50%. However, as you previously suspected, that level of activity will likely trigger a complete collapse of the already unstable mine. I suggest fully unlocking the core while absorbing the ether. I can coordinate the timing. This approach offers your best chance not only to increase your power but also to escape your current predicament.]
Kai nodded decisively. "I agree. Let's do it."
Taking a deep breath, Kai centered himself and placed his palms against the nearest crystal formation. The blue glow intensified immediately, casting ethereal shadows across his focused expression.
"MOI, begin absorption sequence," he commanded with quiet determination. "Prioritize the highest purity crystals first."
[Scanning area... highest concentration detected at three o'clock from your position. Recommend beginning there, Host.]
Kai moved deliberately through the shallow pool, careful not to disturb the delicate crystal formations. As his fingertips made contact with the indicated cluster, a pleasant tingling sensation coursed up his arms and spread throughout his body. The crystal's surface felt warm beneath his touch, almost pulsing with life.
"These have... a different feel," he whispered, eyes widening. "The energy signature is unlike anything we've encountered before. The purity is extraordinary."
[Absorption rate optimal and stable. Continue moving systematically through the chamber, Host.]
Following MOI's guidance, Kai worked his way around the cavern. With each crystal he touched, more energy points accumulated in his system as the formations gradually dimmed, their brilliant blue light transferring into his body. The chamber darkened progressively as he drained the precious ether.
Without warning, the cavern shuddered. Ripples spread across the water's surface as fragments of stone detached from the ceiling, splashing into the pool around him.
[Warning: Structural integrity deteriorating rapidly.]
"Time until critical failure?" Kai maintained his focus, unwilling to abandon such a rare opportunity despite the growing danger.
[At current rate: approximately 18 minutes until collapse. Host, you've accumulated sufficient energy to permanently unlock 30% core capacity. Recommend immediate enhancement.]
Kai's eyes gleamed as he watched his energy points rising rapidly.
"I've waited for this. Execute the upgrade."
[Affirmative. Prepare yourself. This process will induce significant discomfort.]
"What?" Alarm flashed across his face. "Wait—why would it hurrrtt—AAARRGHH!"
He screamed in pain as his core pulsed violently. Energy points were rapidly deducted as refined power surged into his core, enhancing it beyond its previous limitations. Until now, he had operated at 27% capacity, temporarily boosted to 29.95% during emergency protocols. But this—this was permanent evolution.
As his core activated fully, torrents of raw energy cascaded through his entire system. Born without natural ether channels, Kai now underwent a complete transformation as the power carved new pathways through his body, shattering blockages and rectifying imperfections with brutal efficiency.
Fire seemed to consume him from within. He tried to curse MOI for failing to adequately warn him, but even his thoughts fragmented under the overwhelming agony. His body convulsed as it transformed, his augmentations responding to the influx of power by becoming more integrated, more responsive.
Just as consciousness began to slip away, leaving him a trembling, drooling shell of himself, Kai experienced a peculiar transition. The pain vanished abruptly as his awareness separated from his physical form, drifting in endless darkness.
From the void emerged an imposing silhouette—a majestic female entity with three pairs of slender arms and elegant horns crowning her head. Four of her arms each cradled a strange, mesmerizing crimson flower, while another held an ornate staff. The remaining hand gently cradled Kai's consciousness, drawing him closer with tenderness.
One of the crimson flowers detached from her grasp, drifting toward him before merging with his essence in a burst of understanding and power. As the enigmatic entity faded back into the darkness, Kai's consciousness returned to his body—no longer in pain, but humming with newfound strength.
Within his mind, knowledge blossomed. Concepts he thought he'd understood clarified further, while entirely new ideas and concepts took shape with startling clarity.
His eyes snapped open as violent tremors jolted through the cavern. Warning notifications flashed urgently across his system interface.
[Warning: Structural integrity reaching critical state.
Host, recommend maximizing absorption rate using your newly awakened core capabilities, then utilizing your acquired ability: Dimension Jump.]
"New abilities?" Kai muttered, pushing himself upright with surprising ease. "Fine. But MOI, we're having a serious conversation about your definition of 'discomfort' after we survive this."
Amid intensifying tremors and falling debris, he pressed both palms firmly against the largest remaining crystal formation. Focusing inward, he connected with his enhanced core, directing it to absorb every trace of ether from the underground vein.
The cavern shuddered violently as Kai's hands emanated intense blue light. The remaining crystals dimmed rapidly, their energy streaming into his body like luminous rivers converging into his core. His system processed the enormous influx of power with remarkable efficiency, his core now operating at an unprecedented 35% capacity.
[Host, we have absorbed approximately 90% of the ether in this vein. Do you wish to continue?]
"Keep going," Kai commanded through clenched teeth, determination etched on his face. "We may never find another deposit of this quality and concentration again."
[Understood.]
Soon, the ground beneath him lurched as another section of ceiling collapsed nearby, sending a spray of rocks and dust across the water's surface. The moment for caution had clearly passed.
[Structural integrity critical. Complete collapse imminent in approximately 45 seconds.]
"Enough!" Kai shouted, reluctantly pulling his hands away from the nearly depleted crystals. "MOI, activate Dimension Jump. Get us out of here!"
[Initiating Dimension Jump protocol. Caution: First utilization of this ability may cause severe disorientation.]
An extraordinary sensation washed over Kai—as if his body simultaneously expanded to fill the universe and contracted to quantum singularity. The blue glow surrounding him intensified to blinding brilliance. He closed his eyes as a profound weightlessness enveloped him.
For a moment that somehow felt both instantaneous and eternal, Kai existed everywhere and nowhere at once. Then, with a sensation like being snapped by an enormous elastic band, he materialized high above the forest canopy.
"What the—" was all he managed before gravity reclaimed him. He plummeted through branches and leaves, the dense foliage somewhat cushioning his descent before he landed hard on the forest floor.
Groaning, Kai rolled onto his back, staring up at the late afternoon light filtering through the hole he'd torn through the canopy during his fall.
[Dimension Jump complete. Alert: System recalibration in progress. Estimated time: One hour. Host, please take care of yourself until then.]
"System recalibration?" Kai muttered, wincing as he brushed debris from his clothes. "Perfect timing as always, MOI."
As dusk approached, Kai spotted a natural cave formation nestled in a nearby hillside. Taking shelter within it, he examined himself. An ethereal glow emanated from his skin, which was marred by a viscous dark substance—impurities expelled during his transformation. Despite his disheveled appearance, unprecedented vitality surged through him, his muscles humming with newfound power.
"MOI?" he called out, settling against the cool stone wall. "Status report? Anything?"
Only silence answered. Exhaling slowly, Kai conserved his energy while mentally cataloging his options. Outside, rainfall began—first a gentle patter, then intensifying into a downpour that formed a shimmering curtain across the cave entrance. He closed his eyes, focusing inward to sense the profound changes within his enhanced body.
Nearly an hour passed before a flicker of light caught his attention. Instead of the familiar blue interface, a rich purple display materialized before him, its text pulsing with newfound power:
[Core Evolution Complete: Congratulations, Host. You have achieved core operational capacity of 30%.
STATUS: High HUMANOID (Can be upgraded)
• Evolution Requirement: 1,000,000 Energy Level Points to advance to next tier
Power Level: Early Realm Opening Stage (Equivalent to Mid-tier High Rank Sorcerer)
Core Enhancements:
• Perpetual Core: Operating at 35.01% capacity (Higher functions available at 100,000 additional Energy Level Points)
• Skeletal Structure: 400% durability increase
• Musculature: 350% strength enhancement
• Vital Systems: 270% improvement
Comprehension Level: High (Can be upgraded)
•Evolution Requirement: 500,000 Energy Level Points to advance
Abilities Tree:
•Magic Based:
-Magic Analysis (Medium Level—Can be upgraded)
-Elemental Control: (Advancement available)
->Water (Can be upgraded)
->Air (Can be upgraded)
->Earth (Can be upgraded)
->Space (Can be upgraded)
-Reality Manipulation (Basic Level—Can be upgraded)
-Mind & Soul Powers (Locked - Requires specific catalyst)
-Rune Mastery (Medium Level—Can be upgraded)
Abyssal Arts Tree:
•Basic Abyssal Arts Tree: Unlocked
-Teleportation
->Dimension Jump (Recently activated)
->Gate (Locked - Requires 10,000 Energy Points)
-Life Force Draining (Unlocked)
-Dark Energy Manipulation (Unlocked)
-Nether Serpent Chains (Unlocked)
-Soul Devouring Prison (Locked - Requires 50,000 Energy Points)
-Hellfire Convergence (Unlocked)
-Void Matrix (Locked - Requires 75,000 Energy Points)
-Abyss Dragon's Maw (Unlocked)
-Entropy Storm (Locked - Requires 100,000 Energy Points)
-Quantum Collapse (Locked - Requires 200,000 Energy Points)
-Omega Extinction (Locked - Requires 500,000 Energy Points)
-Abyss Sovereign Mode (Locked - Requires mastery of all basic abilities and Core capacity of 51%)
Advanced Abyssal Arts Tree: (Locked - Requires Sovereign Mode activation)
Next Primary Mission: Available
Current Energy Level Points: 3,500,000]
Kai stared at the display, his mind reeling. The staggering volume of energy points and the extensive list of abilities—some with names that sent an involuntary chill down his spine—left him momentarily speechless.
"MOI," he finally managed, voice barely above a whisper, "what exactly happened to me in that cavern? And these abilities... the Abyssal Arts... what are they?"
[Accessing Restricted Information... Authorization Granted]
[Host, the transformation you experienced within the crystal cavern was not merely a core enhancement. It triggered a dormant protocol in my programming, facilitating a transcendent communion with an Abyssal Entity—specifically, the Crimson Lotus Sovereign of the Seventh Realm. She is one of the creators of the Abyssal Arts, techniques which specialize in countering Gods.]
"The what?" Kai straightened immediately, adrenaline surging through his system. "You've never mentioned anything about Abyssal Entities before. Why am I only hearing about this now?"
[Such information was classified under strict protocol restrictions. Your core evolution has triggered sufficient clearance for disclosure. The Crimson Lotus Sovereign is one of the Ancient Sovereigns imprisoned in a sealed dimensional plane known as the Abyssal Higher Realm. The crimson flower that manifested represents a covenant—a bond that has awakened your latent connection to Abyssal energies and instilled in you fundamental knowledge of their laws.]
Kai's eyes widened in shock. "Wait—imprisoned? Did I just enter a pact with some kind of cosmic criminal?"
[The situation is more nuanced than simple criminality. At the end of the primordial era, a war of supremacy raged between the Primordial Gods and beings called True Primordial Demons race, the Rakshasas. This conflict remained at a stalemate for eons, but the collateral damage devastated countless innocent realms and civilizations. Eventually, one of the three Cosmic Supremes descended, manifesting an Avatar to restore balance and protect the innocent. This intervention tipped the scales decisively toward the Gods.
The Primordial True Demon Emperor—leader of the Rakshasas—recognized that defeat was inevitable. Even he could only temporarily hold back an Avatar of the Supreme. Nevertheless, it is not in Rakshasa nature to surrender. The Emperor dispatched an elite contingent to search for new power sources that might alter the war's outcome.
Near the war's conclusion, these scouts discovered the Abyssal Realm—a higher realm, with extraordinary energy. Using this power, the Emperor achieved a breakthrough and empowered thirteen chosen Rakshasas who showed resonance with this energy. Their transformation elevated them to become the Abyssal Ancient Sovereigns.
Before facing the Avatar in final battle, the Emperor cast a powerful spell using primordial laws to seal the entire Abyssal Realm, preventing the Gods from accessing it while giving the Sovereigns time to complete their transformation. When the Emperor fell to the Avatar, he died with unexpected peace, knowing his legacy continued through the sealed realm.
After the war, the Gods detected traces of this strange energy but found only faint residues. They realized an entire realm had been sealed away from the cosmic hierarchy. By decree of the Supremes, a new order was established. The Primordial Gods were forced to ascend to a newly created Gods Realm and forbidden from interfering with the Higher and Lower realms without sufficient cause. This led to the formation of a new cosmic order established by the current known Higher Realms.]
"This is insane," Kai whispered, running his hands through his hair. "And I just made a deal with one of these Sovereigns? They sound like cosmic rebels! I'm not looking to wage war against gods!"
[Host, would you care to understand what drove the Rakshasas—once one of the most advanced and peaceful civilizations—to rebel against the Primordial Gods?]
Kai hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Tell me."
[With the exception of the Three Supremes and their direct lineage, the pantheon of Primordial Gods treated Rakshasas much as sorcerers in this world treat ordinary mortals—with dismissive superiority. The Rakshasas built a flourishing civilization under their Emperor's guidance. Their scientific and cultural achievements created a utopia that benefited all beings within their realms.
However, this prosperity reduced dependency on the Gods. Though Primordial Gods did not require faith energy for sustenance, the King of Gods was displeased by this diminishing influence and took it as a direct challenge to divine authority. Rather than requesting cooperation, he demanded the Emperor halt scientific advancement entirely.
When the Emperor politely refused, the King dispatched agents to sabotage Rakshasa developments. These agents successfully disrupted progress in the lower realms and sowed discord among races that had coexisted peacefully for millennia. Despite this provocation, the Emperor maintained restraint—until a divine sabotage caused catastrophic failure that destroyed an entire world and extinguished countless innocent lives. This tragedy ignited the flames of rebellion and began the Final Great War of the Gods.]
Kai sat in stunned silence, processing this revelation. "If this is true... but how can I verify any of it? How can I trust you, MOI? Or this Sovereign?" His eyes narrowed with suspicion. "And what does the Crimson Lotus want from me in return? Nothing this significant comes without a price."
[The Ancient Sovereign has granted you access to this knowledge willingly. She has extended her trust to you, Host. As for myself, I am fundamentally bound to your soul—designed with primary loyalty to you alone. While the Sovereign's ultimate wish is liberation from imprisonment, she has structured our covenant so that I serve you above all. She has chosen you as her apostle, viewing you with the care one might show their own progeny.
However, fulfilling the role of Apostle must be your choice alone. Should you decline, she will still observe your journey from the Abyss with interest, as you inherently embody many of the ideals the Rakshasas once championed. Freedom of choice remains paramount—this is the very principle for which they fought.]
Kai remained silent, the weight of revelation settling on his shoulders. The covenant with the Crimson Lotus Sovereign wasn't merely a power upgrade—it entangled him in a cosmic conflict spanning countless millennia. Yet something about the Rakshasas' rebellion against divine tyranny resonated deep within him, striking a chord with his own rebellious nature.
He examined his hands where faint tendrils of purple energy danced between his fingers like living electricity. "These Abyssal Arts," he said thoughtfully, "are they some form of dark magic? Forbidden techniques?"
[No, Host. That classification fundamentally misunderstands their nature. Abyssal Arts transcend light and dark paradigms—existing before such simplistic moral categories. They are primordial forces that manipulate reality's fundamental architecture through the dimensional medium of the Abyss Higher Realm.]
Kai stood, unable to remain still with the newfound energy coursing through his veins. He paced the cave's confines while outside, the downpour had softened to a gentle rhythm. Moonlight filtered through the water curtain, casting rippling patterns across the stone floor.
"This is... overwhelming," he admitted, running a hand through his hair. "Three million energy points? Abyssal Arts? A rebellion against Gods? I was searching for power to survive, not cosmic entanglement or... adoption by ancient entities."
[I understand your concerns, Host. My calculations show this enhancement increases your survival chances by 300% in future confrontations. Your priority now should be reaching 50% core capacity before ascending to the Higher Realms. Each core advancement will significantly strengthen your ability to survive across all realms. Would you like to begin training with your new abilities?]
Kai felt conflicted. His instincts screamed caution, but the pragmatic survivor in him—the part that had kept him breathing through countless near-death experiences—recognized opportunity when it materialized before him.
"Fine," he said resolutely. "I'll trust you for now. Let's start with something practical. This Dimension Jump... I need to control it better than randomly appearing midair and nearly splattering myself across the landscape."
[Initiating tutorial: Dimension Jump. This foundational Abyssal Art enables traversal of spatial boundaries by temporarily phasing through the Abyss itself. While first activation typically occurs instinctively during moments of extreme duress, controlled usage requires precise visualization coupled with directed intent.]
"Visualization and intent," Kai repeated, closing his eyes. "Show me."
Rather than words, understanding flooded his consciousness in pure, unfiltered form. He perceived himself wrapped in abyssal energy, stepping through reality's thin membrane into a swirling vortex of purple and black energies, before emerging precisely at his intended destination—the fabric of space itself bowing to his will.
"I think I've got it," he murmured, eyes opening with newfound confidence. "Let's try something simple."
Focusing on a spot just outside the cave entrance, Kai channeled energy through his enhanced core. Violet light embraced him as reality seemed to fold inward. For an infinitesimal moment, he existed everywhere and nowhere simultaneously—before materializing exactly where he'd intended, standing beneath the rocky overhang with raindrops pattering inches from his face.
"It worked!" A genuine smile of wonder spread across his face.
[Excellent, Host. Your neural pathways are adapting to new energy flow patterns with unprecedented efficiency. Would you like to proceed with additional ability tutorials?]
Kai gazed out at the moonlit forest, where droplets glistened on leaves. "Yes, but first, I need to cleanse myself of this residue."
Stepping out into the gentle rain, Kai allowed the cool droplets to wash over him. As the water made contact with the dark viscous matter coating his skin, he experienced something peculiar—the rain seemed to respond to his presence, becoming more efficient at cleansing him.
Curious, he extended his palm toward the falling water and focused his intent. To his astonishment, the raindrops altered their trajectory mid-fall, gathering above his hand to form a perfectly suspended sphere of clear liquid.
"Elemental Control: Water," he whispered in awe. "So this is how Sister and the other sorcerers experience their connection to the elements... incredible."
After thoroughly cleansing himself, Kai activated the self-cleaning function of his suit. Once refreshed, he began systematically testing his newfound abilities. Dark Energy Manipulation manifested as a shimmering violet barrier around his form. He then experimented with elemental manipulations—conjuring a compact fireball that hovered above his palm, directing a precise jet of water through the air, generating a blade-like slash of compressed air, and finally forming a lance of condensed earth from the surrounding soil.
As the implications of his transformation settled in his mind, a practical concern emerged. "MOI, do I have a detectable energy signature now? Will others be able to sense my power?"
[Your energy signature is... complex, Host. While your artificial core masks much of your power from conventional detection, the Abyssal energies possess a distinctive resonance that particularly sensitive beings from the Higher Realms might perceive as disturbance—especially during active use of abilities.]
Kai frowned. "So I need to be careful when and where I use these powers."
[Precisely. Judicious application is recommended to avoid unwanted attention from higher realm entities.]
Kai's eyebrows rose in surprise. "That's... remarkably convenient. MOI, with your upgraded state, do you now possess knowledge about the origins of my core? The ship? The race that created this technology?"
[I have accessed limited information from the ship's archives, but comprehensive data remains fragmented or encrypted. Complete historical records would require additional access points.]
Kai sighed softly. "I see." A moment of disappointment passed before his expression brightened as he gazed upward. The storm had cleared, revealing a brilliant night sky illuminated by moonlight. "No matter. All in due time—I've had enough revelations for one day."
A smile played across his lips as he considered his next move. "MOI, plot a course to those ruins everyone's been talking about. Let's test our luck there. With all the attention they're gathering, there must be valuable treasures inside. Who knows? Perhaps Sister will be drawn there as well."
[Understood, Host. Calculating optimal route... mapping complete.]
A translucent tactical display materialized before Kai's enhanced eye's vision, showing terrain features, elevation changes, and a pulsing line indicating his path.
Kai crouched slightly, energy thrumming through his transformed body. His lips curved into an exhilarated smile as he whispered, "Dimension Jump!"
Reality folded around him as he vanished in a flicker of violet light, reappearing hundreds of meters away at the edge of a clearing. Without pausing, he focused on his next destination and jumped again, each transition smoother than the last as he bounded across the landscape toward the ancient ruins.
Ancient Ruins - The Following Day
The ancient ruins of the First Kingdom had become a magnet for power-seekers across the realm. For weeks, practitioners of the ether arts had flocked to this forgotten place, drawn by whispers of ancient knowledge and untold treasures. At the center of the sprawling complex stood a majestic structure with a grand staircase and five towering pillars surrounding the building, each enveloped in shimmering barriers that pulsed with primordial power.
"Three days of constant spellwork and still nothing!" exclaimed a frustrated High Rank Sorcerer, wiping sweat from his brow as his incantation dissipated harmlessly against the central building's barrier. "These defenses must have been crafted by at least an Arch-Sorcerer, perhaps something even beyond Arch rank."
While the five central structures remained tantalizingly inaccessible, the surrounding grounds had yielded valuable discoveries. Weathered pillars and crumbling walls bore intricate inscriptions—fragments of a lost magical system that predated modern sorcery. Scholars and treasure-hunters alike pored over these ancient writings, meticulously documenting each symbol and testing theories about their meanings.
"This confirms it," an elderly scholar explained to his wide-eyed apprentices, pointing to a particular sequence of symbols. "These ruins are definitely connected to the First Kingdom. No doubt about it. The architectural style and these etchings match descriptions from our oldest historical records. If we could only breach the main structure, we might finally uncover the truth behind the kingdom's mysterious downfall."
Despite countless failed attempts to penetrate the barriers, no one was willing to abandon the effort. The promise of ancient artifacts and forgotten spells proved too alluring. Even minor discoveries from the peripheral ruins had already enabled some practitioners to refine their ether cultivation techniques, advancing their abilities incrementally but noticeably.
As midday approached, a new wave of visitors arrived—younger disciples from various sorcery academies, eager to witness the phenomenon firsthand. They gathered in small clusters throughout the ruins, their excited chatter filling the air as they observed the ongoing attempts to breach the barriers.
Princess Andaria stood at a distance, her arms crossed as she observed a group of High Rank Sorcerers unleashing a coordinated barrage against the central building's barrier. Their spells—fire, lightning, and arcane force—dissipated harmlessly against the shimmering wall.
"They still haven't managed to breach it," Andaria observed, her voice laced with curiosity. "This seems rather pointless. The barrier's strength clearly exceeds Arch-Sorcerer Rank. Even you, at True Rank, couldn't break through. It must have been created by someone of Sovereign Rank—or perhaps even the legendary Ascendant Rank."
Chirp!
Fulgora, her thunder phoenix partner, trilled in agreement from its perch on her shoulder in its small form. The bird's feathers crackled with faint electricity as it nestled closer to Andaria, its eyes gleaming with intelligence as it continued to observed the ruins.
Andaria had arrived just hours ago on Fulgora's back, her entrance creating quite a stir among the gathered practitioners. After navigating through the swarm of disciples eager to greet the famous "Mistress of Lightning," she'd been surprised to encounter several other top-ranked young sorcerers from the premier academies. Some she respected as worthy rivals; others she regarded with thinly veiled disdain.
Earlier, after gathering information about the ruins, she had found a private moment to test the barrier herself. She had instructed Fulgora to unleash its full power against the shimmering wall—only for her familiar to be thrown back violently, crashing into a nearby pillar. The phoenix had been sulking on her shoulder, hiding behind her cascading hair ever since, prompting Andaria to occasionally stroke its luminous feathers in consolation.
"Mistress of Lightning, what an honor to make your acquaintance," came a smooth voice from behind.
Andaria turned, her piercing gaze falling upon a young man approaching with a practiced smile. His attire spoke of wealth and status, though his magical aura was unremarkable.
"And you are?" she asked coldly.
The young man offered an elegant bow. "Hurlen Galos, son of House Galos. It's a pleasure to meet you on this fine morning, Second Princess."
Andaria's expression remained impassive. "Good. You've introduced yourself. Now, get lost."
Hurlen's smile faltered. "I—I beg your pardon, Your Highness? Surely I misheard—"
"I said, back off," Andaria repeated, her patience wearing thin. Faint tendrils of lightning began to crackle around her form, several small bolts striking the ground near Hurlen's feet. "I'm here to study the ruins, not entertain opportunists."
As Hurlen's expression darkened with anger and embarrassment, boisterous laughter erupted from nearby. Two figures approached—a tall, well-built young woman in lightweight combat armor with a staff strapped to her back, accompanied by a slender woman in fiery red robes who carried an ornate broadsword.
"You never change, Andaria!" the armored woman called out, grinning broadly. "Crushing another hopeful suitor's dreams without mercy, I see."
Despite herself, Andaria's lips curved into a slight smile. "Grena. It's been a while."
Hurlen attempted to interject, "Excuse me, but we were—"
Grena spoke over him as if he weren't there. "Let me introduce my new friend. This is Mei from the Aethel Ignis School—they call her 'Emberblade.' She's a genuine prodigy with fire magic." She clapped a hand on the red-robed woman's shoulder. "Mei, this is Andaria Trian, Second Princess of the Trian Kingdom and the famous 'Mistress of Lightning.'"
Mei offered a respectful bow, then met Andaria's gaze directly. "It's an honor to meet you, Princess Andaria. Your reputation precedes you, Mistress of Lightning."
Andaria nodded in acknowledgment. "Likewise, Emberblade. I've heard you're quite impressive with the Aethel Ignis School's fire techniques. Is it true what they say about your encounter with one of the Shardweaver rankers?" she asked, eyebrow raised with curiosity.
"He had it coming," Mei replied, her eyes growing cold at the memory.
"You should have seen it, Andaria!" Grena exclaimed, laughing. "During a gathering hosted by one of the Masters from the Shardweaver, that fool made inappropriate advances. Mei didn't say a word—just let her broadsword make the statement right on their home ground. First she sliced, then ignited the fool's balls. The man won't be bothering anyone again!"
Andaria chuckled, giving Mei a supportive thumbs up. "Well done. Sorry I missed the spectacle."
"WILL YOU STOP IGNORING ME?" Hurlen roared, his face flushed with indignation.
The three women turned toward him simultaneously, their expressions cold and unimpressed. Without coordinating, they released a fraction of their magical pressure—the combined aura of three Late-stage Medium Rank Sorcerers washing over Hurlen like a physical force.
The young nobleman staggered backward, forced to one knee by the sudden pressure.
"Get lost," Andaria and Grena commanded in perfect unison.
Hurlen's teeth clenched in fury, but he could only retreat with his head bowed, the weight of their combined power making any further protest impossible.
As Hurlen retreated, the trio of talented sorceresses watched him go with varying expressions of amusement.
"Spineless bastard," Grena laughed, her eyes bright with mischief.
Andaria tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her attention already shifting back to the ruins. "He was wasting my time. I have more important matters to attend to than entertaining ambitious noblemen."
"I get it," replied Grena with a knowing nod. She leaned closer to Andaria, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I'm guessing you're hoping to find something here that might help with your... situation?"
Andaria's only response was a subtle nod, her eyes remaining fixed on the ruins.
Mei, observing the interaction with quiet interest, commented, "The barrier are unlike anything I've seen before. Even my Master attempted to analyze them yesterday and was left bewildered."
"That's precisely why I'm here," Andaria replied, her eyes fixed on the central building's shimmering barrier. "These ruins predate our current understanding of magical theory. If we could decipher even a fraction of their secrets..."
Grena nodded enthusiastically. "Imagine the possibilities! According to the records that remain of the first kingdom, the first kingdom's age was the glory days of magic exploration. If we could revive even a little bit of the spellcrafting techniques, lost elemental affinities—perhaps even answers about the Cataclysm that ended the First Kingdom."
As they spoke, a commotion rippled through the crowd gathered at the eastern edge of the ruins. Voices raised in surprise and alarm as practitioners pointed skyward.
"What's happening over there?" Mei asked, her hand instinctively moving to the hilt of her broadsword.
"Let's find out," Andaria replied, already moving toward the disturbance.
As they approached, they found at the center of the commotion three distinguished figures: a tall, elderly man in midnight-blue robes adorned with silver constellations, an elderly woman in fiery robes, and an elderly man in green robes. These were the Arch-Sorcerers—Anneda, Valen, and Salos—three of the most respected sorcerers and Elders of their respective academies.
All three Arch-Sorcerers rose into the sky, raised their hands, and began chanting in perfect unison.
"Are they?"muttered Andaria her eyes widening.
"They are,"muttered Grena with a serious expression
"This is my first time seeing it… Tandum magic."said Mei
Their combined magic, coalesced into one huge blast of energy that a beam of magical energy struck the barrier, the spectacle created the blinding light over the entire ruin, making people take cover.
"Did that work?" muttered Grena just as the light subsided.
"It shouldn't have."said Andaria turning to raise her head to look at the barrier only to see the barrier intact. "I knew it." muttered Andaria with serious expression and narrowed eyes.
"Wow. That means that barrier is made by a Sovereign Rank sorcerer." Grena with a serious expression.
"If that's the case then there is no way we getting in unless the Principals of the academies make a move."said Mei.
All eyes were fixed on the three Arch-Sorcerers as they hovered in the air, grumbling in frustration. Suddenly, a deafening boom attracted everyone's attention. From the distance, a dark purple streak traveled across the sky with impossible speed, finally colliding with the barrier. The impact made the once-impenetrable magical barrier crack, splinter, and disintegrate like shattered glass.
Andaria's eyes widened in disbelief. "WHAT?" she gasped. Even Fulgora, hidden behind Andaria's hair, went wide-eyed in shock.
Grena's hand tightened around her staff. "What in the name of the Gods was that?" she whispered, voice tense.
"Could a Sovereign have intervened?" Mei suggested, her fingers instinctively finding the hilt of her broadsword.
Grena shook her head. "That's impossible. If one Sovereign made such a move, the others would immediately respond. The balance of power would be threatened."
"Whatever—or whoever—it was, the barrier is gone," Andaria said, pointing to where a startled crowd had already begun surging forward. "Look at them all rushing in. We can't afford to fall behind."
Without another word, the three women exchanged determined glances and plunged into the crowd, racing toward the entrance that had remained sealed for centuries.
Within the Ancient Ruins' Central Structure
"Incredible. It actually worked," Kai murmured as he hovered inside the ancient structure, surveying his surroundings with keen interest.
During his journey to the ruins, he had been experimenting with his abilities. By combining his manipulation of air, fire, and space elements, he discovered he could achieve flight similar to the jet propulsion systems from his previous world. Approaching the outer perimeter, he donned his mask and morphed his suit into all-black attire with a hood that concealed his identity.
After carefully scanning the structures, he followed MOl's suggestion, he used dimension-jumping to gain distance, then wreathing himself in Dark Energy before launching forward at tremendous speed. Though his current power level-equivalent to a Mid-High Rank Sorcerer in this world's terms hierarchy-seemed insufficient, the concentrated Dark Energy around his fist had shattered the magical barrier that even Arch-Sorcerers couldn't penetrate.
Now as the first to enter, Kai maintained his momentum, racing deeper into the building as hwhile hearing the commotion of people rushing in behind him.
"MOl, can you map the interior?" he asked, seeking guidance on where to focus his exploration.
[Deducting 500 points. Initiating scan... Mapping interior layout... 20%... 50%... 70%... 80%... 90%... 100% complete. Route displayed, Host.]
"Fascinating," Kai remarked, slowing to examine the structure more carefully. "The interior dimensions significantly exceed the external footprint. Advanced space manipulation magic... The rumors were true-the ancient civilization were far beyond our current understanding."
As he navigated through the chambers following MOl's projected map, Kai noticed something disturbing-the remains of warriors in ancient armor, far more sophisticated than anything used by modern sorcerers. The deeper he ventured, the more numerous these remains became.
He halted mid-flight, hovering above a particularly dense collection of fallen soldiers, his brow furrowing beneath his mask. Something wasn't right.
"MOl, something's off. I'm noticing a pattern," he said, descending to the floor and crouching to examine one of the bodies. "These soldiers... they're facing the wrong direction. In most ruins, especially tombs, guardians and traps are positioned to prevent intruders from entering. They would normally face toward the entrance. But these warriors..."
Kai stood slowly, a cold shiver running down his spine as the disturbing truth dawned on him.
"They died fighting to contain something-to prevent whatever was inside from escaping," he concluded, his voice dropping to a whisper. "This isn't a tomb or a treasury. It's... a prison."
[Analysis confirms your hypothesis, Host. All evidence suggests these forces were deployed as containment rather than protection. Proceed with extreme caution. Do you wish to continue?]
Kai contemplated his discovery, head slightly lowered as he studied the map projected before his enhanced vision. During his exploration, he had already found substantial treasure-gold, weapons, and armor from these fallen soldiers would be enough to satisfy many treasure hunters. But this revelation changed everything. Even if he shared his hypothesis with those rushing in behind him, would they believe him over the allure of visible riches within reach?
[WARNING: Fire -based elemental attack incoming from behind.]
Kai's instincts were already on high alert. Without even acknowledging MOl's warning, his body reacted automatically-his right leg sliding back as he pivoted, raising his hand in a fluid grabbing gesture toward the massive fireball. In the next instant, the fireball simply vanished.
While the attacker and her two companions stood shocked, Kai brought his hand behind his back and straightened, lifting his gaze to meet the three Arch-Sorcerers who had arrived first.
They had initially panicked upon seeing the barrier-which even they couldn't break-shatter so effortlessly. Their first thought was that a Sovereign Rank Sorcerer had made a move. But after watching younger sorcerers rush in unharmed and confirming with their academy heads that no Sovereign signature had been detected, their confidence returned. They had raced past the young talents to confront this mysterious figure, finding him standing contemplatively among the ancient fallen soldiers.
When they tried to sense his magical signature, they detected nothing-as if a mere mortal stood before them. Confused and wary, Anneda from the Aethal Ignis School had launched an Arch-Sorcerer-level Fireball spell, only to watch it disappear into thin air.
"Attacking someone unprovoked is rather rude, Lady..." Kai said calmly, tilting his head slightly. "Ah! Those robes-you're from the Aethal Ignis School, aren't you?"
Hearing him speak, the three recovered from their shock, growing more serious as beads of sweat formed on their brows. Each harbored the same unsettling thought: 'A sorcerer who can completely hide his presence and nullify magic?'
Being addressed directly, Anneda was momentarily stunned. 'Could this figure be connected to our school?' she wondered.
Still skeptical but unwilling to appear discourteous, she stepped forward. "Yes. May I ask who you are why you're here, and whether you have any connection to my school?"
Kai, though initially displeased by her unprovoked attack, noted how she descended to the floor and engaged respectfully-unlike her companions who remained floating above, looking down on him. He revised his opinion of the sorceress accordingly.
"I'm here with likely the same purpose as you or any of the young talents rushing in-to study these ruins and perhaps acquire some treasures," he replied evenly. "As for any connection to your school... I have none."
He paused, then continued, "As for my name..." The emerald-like eyes of his mask flashed as Dark Energy flared around him, filling the chamber with an oppressive dark purple aura. He recalled the title he'd chosen during his journey here, based on the pact between himself and his system. "Call me the Machine Overlord."
Feeling his aura, the three Arch-Sorcerers shivered involuntarily. When they realized its level equated only to a Mid-High Rank Sorcerer, however, they felt mocked. The lofty title combined with power clearly beneath their own seemed absurd-especially since they had momentarily felt fear from one so apparently inferior.
"Enough!" shouted Salos, the Arch-Sorcerer from Shardweaver Academy. "You dare call yourself an 'Overlord'? How audacious! You're nothing but a Mid-High Rank Sorcerer. Know your place!"
Valen from Azure Shard Academy studied the masked figure with narrowed eyes. "Your voice-you're using wind magic to modulate it, but you can't fool me. You're young, aren't you?" He shook his head disapprovingly. "Gods above, how has the younger generation become so boastful?"
His tone shifted to one of authority. "Boy, remove your mask, introduce yourself properly, and apologize. Then we might forgive your impudence." He leaned forward slightly. "Also, tell us—did you use magic nullification to dissipate Anneda's spell? Answer truthfully."
Anneda remained silent despite sharing her colleagues' distaste for the masked figure's arrogance. Unlike them, however, she trusted her instincts-and when that dark purple aura had spread from the self-proclaimed "Overlord," a chill had run down her spine as every instinct screamed danger. Having connections to the Higher Realms through her school, she knew that power rankings weren't absolute—there existed beings who could traverse realms with ease. 'Could he be one of those?' The thought made her throat go dry.
Suddenly, the masked figure's shoulders began to shake. The Arch-Sorcerers exchanged glances, believing the boy was trembling in fear-until they heard it.
"Heh... hahaha... HAHAHAHA!" Kai's soft chuckle escalated into booming laughter that filled the ancient chamber.
This unexpected reaction stunned the three. Anneda's premonition of danger intensified, she now felt certain her fears were justified.
As Kai laughed, he was mocking not only them but also his own naivety. After witnessing the cruelty of this world firsthand, he wondered, 'Why did I expect better treatment?' Images flashed through his mind-his Magical Blacksmith masters, a blue-haired beauty's smile, his sister's loving face. 'Right. Because of them. They treated me with kindness. But they must be rare exceptions. I shouldn't expect to find such people among sorcerers often.'
His laughter subsided. 'Fine. Since they only respond to power... MOl, let's show them what true power means.'
[Host, I am at your command.]
"Tch! The boy has gone mad with fear," Salos sneered, his lip curling in contempt.
"Perhaps," muttered Valen, eyes narrowing. While this seemed logical, an unsettling feeling was growing within him. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Anneda had taken several steps backward. Having faced countless dangers alongside her, he knew her instincts were exceptional —and right now, she clearly wanted to flee. This both alarmed and intrigued him. 'Interesting. Show me what you're capable of, boy.'
Kai's laughter died away. Raising his head, he addressed Valen directly. "You sorcerers think too highly of yourselves. Everything in this world must bend to your will, correct?" His voice took on a dangerous edge. "Unfortunately for you, today you've encountered someone who won't bend to your will-but rather, one who breaks those who attempt to force him."
Valen's eyes narrowed with interest as he detected subtle details in Kai's speech and bearing. Those same details caused Anneda's intuition to scream louder, her expression growing strained with barely-contained fear.
Salos, however, showed only contempt. "This is the natural way of the world. And who are you to comment on sorcerers when you're no better? You're a sorcerer yourself. Don't-"
"I AM MORTAL!" Kai's voice boomed, shaking the very foundations of the chamber as his aura flared with renewed intensity. The declaration echoed through connecting chambers, reaching the ears of distant explorers.
The revelation confirmed Valen's and Anneda's suspicions, though it shocked all three for different reasons.
Greed flickered in Valen's and Salos's eyes—if this being truly was mortal, then he must possess a treasure of immense power. Meanwhile, Anneda's mind raced to an even more alarming possibility. 'Please, let me be wrong!'
Without warning, Salos rushed forward, a vicious smile spreading across his face. Moving with blinding speed, he unsheathed his sword and slashed at Kai-only for his target to vanish an instant before contact.
"What?" Salos exclaimed, wide-eyed as he landed where Kai had stood.
"Behind you!" Valen shouted in warning.
Salos spun, swinging his sword while activating its special feature. Seams appeared along the blade as sections separated and extended like a whip, lashing toward Kai who had materialized behind him.
But once again, Kai vanished-only this time, the space around both Salos and his weapon rippled. Tears in reality opened like small dark portals, from which serpentine chains of violet energy with wicked hooks shot forth, wrapping around Salos and his blade, immobilizing them completely.
[Host, Abyssal Arts: Nether Serpent Chains now active]
Kai smiled seeing the notification.
"What is this?" Salos could only stand frozen, unable to move as the hooks sank deeper into his flesh and essence. Then the pain began-unlike anything he had ever experienced.
"AAARRGGHHH! MY POWER! NO! IT'S DRAINING MY POWER! VALEN, HELP ME! ANNEDA, HELP ME! SOMEONE!"
Witnessing this horrifying spectacle, Valen's greed evaporated instantly. His expression turned grave as he realized how severely he had underestimated their opponent. Knowing Salos's considerable power, he understood that those ominous chains-from which he could sense no magical ether whatsoever-posed a threat beyond anything they had encountered before.
He glanced at Anneda, who was backing away further. "Anneda, where do you think you're going? Do you believe he'll let you escape? Let's fight together-it's our only chance!"
Anneda gritted her teeth, recognizing the truth in his words. She would have done the same in the masked figure's position-eliminated all threats. "Damn you both for provoking him. Fine!" She raised her hands and began an intricate incantation, fire dancing between her fingertips.
"Oh? More fire magic? How delightful!" Kai clapped his hands with mock enthusiasm, his masked gaze turning toward Anneda.
"Your opponent is me, monster!" Valen roared, conjuring a twin elemental spell that combined wind and lightning. With a forceful gesture, he unleashed a swirling tornado crackling with electric energy directly at Kai.
Kai observed the elemental tornado approaching with casual interest. With a precise, elegant gesture, he activated his spatial manipulation abilities, creating an invisible dimensional rift directly in the tornado's path. The swirling vortex of wind and lightning began to dissipate as it was drawn into the void, its destructive energy fading before it could reach him.
"Dimensional displacement," Kai explained, his voice calm and didactic as he met Valen's gaze. "Your attack isn't being nullified—it's being redirected to a pocket dimension where it can do no harm. Elegant solution, wouldn't you agree?"
Valen's expression transformed from confidence to shock. "That's impossible! This isn't simple nullification—you're manipulating the fabric of space itself. No mortal should possess such abilities!"
Meanwhile, Anneda completed her complex incantation. From her outstretched hands erupted a magnificent column of blue-white fire that bathed the entire chamber in blinding light. The pillar of flame separated into countless lances of searing fire that converged on Kai from all directions, their roar drowning out all other sounds in the chamber.
"Impressive display," Kai acknowledged, extending both hands. The air around him began to shimmer with an eerie purple luminescence as he invoked a different aspect of his powers. "But fundamentally flawed."
As the flaming lances reached him, they underwent a strange transformation—wavering, losing coherence, and finally dissipating into harmless warm air currents that circulated around his unharmed form. Kai lowered his arms and clasped them behind his back, regarding his opponents with silent assessment.
"What...did you just do?" Anneda's voice trembled, her confidence visibly shaken.
"Basic principles of combustion," Kai replied casually. "Fire requires three elements to exist: heat, fuel, and oxygen. I simply modified the frequency of particles in my immediate vicinity to separate oxygen molecules from the surrounding air. Without oxygen, your flames cannot sustain themselves—no matter how powerful the spell."
Valen, though shaken, refused to waste time with words. Focusing his power, he commanded the surrounding earth to fracture and coalesce into three dense, magical constructs—pulsing orbs of concentrated arcane energy that hovered around him momentarily before launching toward Kai from different angles, each trailing light like miniature comets.
"You sorcerers," Kai sighed beneath his mask, "always relying on brute force rather than understanding fundamental principles." He traced a circular pattern in the air. "Allow me to demonstrate a more... refined approach."
As the deadly orbs converged on him, Kai created a series of microscopic dimensional rifts around each projectile—not to absorb them, but to alter their trajectory. The orbs' paths bent in ways that defied natural physics, curving gracefully back toward their caster.
"IMPOSSIBLE!" Valen exclaimed, eyes widening in horror.
"Conservation of momentum," Kai explained as Valen hastily erected a protective barrier. "Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed or redirected. Your attacks remain precisely as powerful as you made them—I've simply adjusted their vector of approach."
The orbs crashed against Valen's hastily conjured shield with devastating force, shattering his magical defense and sending him hurtling backward into the chamber wall with a sickening impact.
Throughout this exchange, Salos continued to scream as the violet chains constricted tighter, methodically draining his life force. Anneda glanced between her fallen colleague and their captive, her expression cycling through fear, desperation, and finally grim resignation.
"What manner of being are you?" she whispered, her voice barely audible over Salos's weakening cries.
Kai tilted his head slightly. "I've already told you—I am mortal. The difference between us is that I've learned to understand and manipulate the fundamental laws that govern reality, while you sorcerers merely scratch the surface with your crude manipulations of energy."
He turned his full attention to Anneda. "Your options have narrowed considerably. Continue this futile conflict and face inevitable defeat, or acknowledge your position and preserve what remains of your dignity—and your life."
Anneda's hands trembled slightly, but her eyes hardened with defiance. "You speak of choices while keeping our colleague in torment. Release him first, and perhaps we can discuss terms like civilized beings."
"A reasonable request," Kai acknowledged, "but one I must deny." With a subtle gesture, the chains binding Salos constricted with final, merciless force. The sorcerer's agonized screams ceased abruptly as his body crumbled to ash, leaving only a small gleaming object among the remains.
"You heartless monster!" Anneda cried, her expression contorting with fury and horror.
"Monster?" Kai echoed, his tone almost contemplative. "Where I come from, there's a saying, 'Those who kill must be prepared to be killed.' Unlike you, he attacked me with unrestrained greed and malice. I've encountered his type before—I'd wager he's committed countless atrocities in his lifetime." He shrugged dismissively. "Consider it a service to your world. And realistically, did you truly expect me to spare someone who made me their target?"
"Don't become overconfident," came Valen's strained voice as he struggled to his feet, his robes charred and tattered. "We underestimated you, Machine Overlord. But don't delude yourself into thinking this encounter ends here. You've just executed an Elder of the Shardweavers—their retribution will be swift and merciless. And should you eliminate me as well, my Azure Shard Academy will ensure your destruction and that of anyone you hold dear. We maintain powerful connections with the Higher Realms themselves. Be rational and—"
Kai's soft laughter interrupted him. "I harbor no delusions about my place in the greater hierarchy of power. The path to true strength remains long before me. But answer me this—are any of these formidable powers present in this chamber right now?" He took a deliberate step forward, causing both Arch-Sorcerers to tense visibly. "Shall we continue our discussion?"
Valen released a pained chuckle while struggling to maintain his posture. "You speak as though my defeat is predetermined. Such arrogance!" With a gesture that sent visible pain coursing through his injured body, he summoned hundreds of crystalline shards of pure ethereal energy that materialized from the air itself, each gleaming with intense azure light.
"Thousand Piercing Lights!" he commanded. The shards hung suspended for a breathless moment before launching toward Kai from every conceivable angle, forming an inescapable sphere of deadly projectiles.
Anneda, recognizing her opportunity, quickly wove her own spell. "Scarlet Binding: Flame Serpent Coil!" From her outstretched hands emerged massive serpents of living flame that slithered through the air with unnatural grace, weaving between Valen's shards and converging on Kai from multiple angles, designed to constrict and incinerate simultaneously.
"A coordinated assault? I'm genuinely impressed," Kai remarked, his tone almost appreciative.
"MOI, unlock Entropy Storm," he commanded mentally.
[Understood, Host. 100,000 Energy Points deducted → Entropy Storm Unlocked. Current Balance: 3,399,500]
Rather than attempting evasion, Kai raised both hands deliberately. "Your techniques are impressive. Allow me to respond in kind. Abyssal Art: Entropy Storm."
The fabric of reality itself seemed to fracture like shattered glass as waves of pure entropic decay erupted outward, breaking down matter at its fundamental level. "The second law of thermodynamics states that every closed system naturally progresses toward maximum entropy—disorder. Your crystalline shards maintain their coherent form through molecular binding energy. By accelerating their entropic state, I'm simply hastening their inevitable return to disorder."
As the entropic waves disintegrated Valen's attack, Kai turned toward Anneda's flame serpents. "As for your constructs—"
The air surrounding the flame serpents suddenly compressed with tremendous force, creating localized zones of extreme pressure. The magnificent fire constructs writhed briefly before extinguishing completely, their sustaining reactions disrupted by the altered environmental conditions.
"Impossible!" Anneda stumbled backward, her eyes wide with disbelief. "That was an Arch-Rank Fire Magic spell! It's designed to be unstoppable and resistant to atmospheric interference! What manner of abomination are you?"
The combined magical assault of both Arch-Sorcerers had been neutralized with apparent ease.
"How..." Valen gasped, clutching his side. "How are you doing this? This isn't any magical system I've encountered in all my years of study."
"Because it isn't magic," Kai replied, his voice almost gentle. "It's science—the application of understanding the fundamental laws that govern reality itself. Your magic merely manipulates energy to create phenomena without truly comprehending the underlying principles. I simply work directly with those principles."
He took a measured step toward them, causing both Arch-Sorcerers to retreat instinctively. "We now face two remaining paths: continue this pointless conflict until I'm forced to eliminate you both, or you can acknowledge reality and engage in rational dialogue."
Anneda swallowed hard, her gaze darting between Kai and the crumpled form of Valen. "What... what do you want from us?"
"Finally, a sensible question," Kai said, relaxing his stance slightly. "As I mentioned earlier, I came to these ruins seeking knowledge and perhaps valuable artifacts. However, I've discovered these ruins are more complex than I initially assessed. Let me be absolutely clear: I have no interest in your political hierarchies or magical institutions. I simply wish to pursue my own path without interference."
Valen coughed, struggling to stand. "You expect us to simply... walk away? After you've executed one of our own before our eyes?"
"Only she will leave this place alive," Kai clarified, gesturing toward Anneda. "As for your question—I expect you to be rational. You attacked me unprovoked, and I defended myself. The fundamental laws of nature aren't concerned with your concepts of justice or vengeance—they simply exist. And currently, those laws favor my survival over yours, should you choose to continue this conflict."
A heavy silence descended upon the chamber. Finally, Anneda spoke, her voice tight but controlled. "If we agree to cease hostilities—even swear binding oaths on our very souls—would you spare us both?"
Kai shook his head decisively. His system had detected Valen's killing intent from their first interaction. "Only you will be permitted to leave. He must answer for his actions."
Valen's expression darkened further while Anneda fell silent, weighing her options carefully. After a thoughtful pause, she asked, "What assurance do I have that you won't pursue me or our institutions once this encounter concludes?"
Kai tilted his head slightly. "I have no interest in petty vendettas. My sole objective is the advancement of knowledge, not participation in power struggles. Consider this logically: if I intended to eliminate you or your organizations, why would I offer you this opportunity to depart?"
Valen and Anneda exchanged a prolonged look. Finally, Valen knelt, straightening his posture as much as his injuries permitted.
"Very well," he said with rigid dignity. "I accept my defeat. Do what you must. But make no mistake, Machine Overlord—or whatever your true identity may be. This encounter will not fade from memory, nor will the deaths of Salos and myself. The Azure Shard Academy and the Shardweavers possess long memories and far-reaching influence."
"I would expect nothing less," Kai acknowledged with a nod before turning to Anneda. "You may retrieve Salos's possessions before departing—a gesture of good faith."
Anneda approached the pile of ash that had been Salos cautiously, carefully extracting a gleaming blue shard from among the remains. She secured it within her robes, her vigilant gaze never leaving Kai.
"One final piece of advice," Kai added as she prepared to depart. "Should you or the forces behind you decide to send others after me in the future, I strongly recommend you warn them thoroughly about what they'll face. It would be... regrettable... to waste additional lives needlessly."
Anneda's jaw tightened, but she offered a curt nod of understanding. She cast a sorrowful glance toward Valen, acknowledging the harsh reality and could only watch as Kai vanished momentarily before reappearing directly before the kneeling Valen.
"Goodbye." Kai raised his hand and met Valen's gaze with a calm expression. "Don't be so greedy or arrogant in your next life. Abyssal Art: Life—"
[WARNING: Host, incoming attack detected. Threat level: Significant]
"Lightning Spear!" A powerful female voice echoed from the entrance as a brilliant bolt of concentrated lightning surged toward Kai, its crackling energy illuminating the chamber.
"That voice..." Kai's eyes widened in recognition. "Dimension Jump!" He vanished instantly, the lightning spear striking the empty space where he had stood just moments before.
As he reappeared across the chamber, another voice rang out, "Rock Blaster!" A barrage of massive stone projectiles hurtled toward him, threatening to pulverize him on impact.
"Dimension Jump," Kai commanded again, narrowly evading the deadly volley. The rocks crashed against the chamber wall, sending shards of stone flying in all directions.
The Earth Sorceress wasn't finished. "Big Fissure!" She slammed her rod against the ground with tremendous force. The chamber floor cracked and split open, a widening chasm racing toward Kai's position.
The moment Kai materialized, the fissure reached his feet. He launched himself upward, hovering above the expanding chasm. But his momentary relief was short-lived as another voice—one that made him halt—called out an attack.
[WARNING: Host, incoming attack. Critical threat detected. Evasive action required immediately]
"Flaming Cleave!" Before Kai could properly react, a sorceress swung her broadsword in a wide arc, unleashing a crescent wave of intense flames. The attack caught him off-guard, striking him with devastating force and sending him crashing into the chamber wall before he plummeted into the chasm below.
"Elder Masters!" Andaria rushed to Valen's side, carefully helping him to his feet. "Are you both alright?"
Valen winced but managed a satisfied smile. "Perfect timing, you three. Well done landing a blow. Now let's finish him while he's vulnerable."
Anneda, supported by Mei, shook her head firmly. "Valen, no! You heard what he said earlier. He only wants the knowledge contained in these ruins. We have numerical advantage now—let's negotiate for your release instead of escalating further."
"Anneda, you—" Valen began, but she cut him off with unexpected authority in her voice.
"Wake up, Valen! Step outside your bubble of pride and see beyond your arrogance," she insisted. "Surely you've realized his power isn't any form of sorcery we know. It's clearly something from the Higher Realms. The way he dismissed our magic suggests it's not even Higher Realm sorcery—it's something entirely different and potentially far more dangerous."
"Don't you think I've already reached that conclusion?" Valen snapped, his face flushing with anger. "That's precisely why we must eliminate him now! He can't be a Higher Realm being—all our academies with Higher Realm connections would have been notified of such a descent. He must be an extraordinarily lucky individual who stumbled upon a Higher Realm legacy. A dangerous one at that. If we kill him and extract it, we can study and properly contain this power."
Anneda's expression shifted to horror. "You're completely—" Before she could finish, the entire structure shuddered violently.
"What now?" she whispered, steadying herself against the trembling walls.
Ancient runes embedded in the chamber walls suddenly illuminated, bathing the ruins in an ominous crimson glow. Complex patterns emerged across the surfaces as the tremors intensified, dislodging dust and debris from the ceiling.
"What's happening?" Andaria questioned, maintaining her stance while supporting Valen's weight.
Anneda's face drained of color as she recognized the pattern of the illuminated runes. "These wards..." Her voice trembled. "Gods above. These aren't ordinary ruins. This... this is a prison!"
Deep within the chasm, Kai crashed through several layers of ancient stone before landing hard atop a previously hidden barrier. His body, instinctively wrapped in protective Dark Energy, broke through the barrier and onto two ornate coffins beneath.
The moment his weight cracked their sealed cases, twin bursts of energy erupted skyward. Before Kai could comprehend what was happening or react, the explosive force hurled him against the wall of this hidden chamber.
"Ouch!" Kai winced, rising unsteadily and rubbing his head. "What in the world is happening?"
"MOI, analysis," he commanded internally, observing the increasingly violent tremors and pulsing runes with growing concern.
[Warning: Host, detecting massive energy fluctuations. Two distinct power signatures emerging. Identification: Higher Realm entities. Analysis confirms your earlier hypothesis—this structure functioned as a prison for these beings. You have inadvertently released them from an ancient sealing array. Estimated Threat Assessment: Entities pose considerable danger even to your current capabilities. Recommended action: Immediate evacuation]
As MOI's warning registered, Kai watched in horror as crimson gaseous energy billowed from one coffin while a cold, sinister darkness rose from the other. Both coffins shattered completely as their occupants awakened.
"Crap!" Kai rapidly manipulated Dark Energy and Earth element, creating a reinforced wall to shield himself from the explosive debris.
A black-clad figure shot upward with terrifying speed, its clothing singed but otherwise unharmed. It tore through the chamber ceiling and disappeared into the world above.
As the dust settled, Kai cautiously lowered his protective barrier—only to receive another urgent warning:
[WARNING: HOST, IMMEDIATE THREAT DETECTED BEHIND YOU. RUN!]
Before he could react, withered yet surprisingly strong hands wrapped around him from behind. His head was tilted to one side as elongated fangs pierced his neck. Kai struggled uselessly, feeling his blood being drained at a frightening rate.
"Is this how I die?" he thought in rising panic, his strength rapidly diminishing.