**"Human life is like clouds..."**
Without realizing it, Kalm repeated the phrase in his head until it felt carved into his soul.
If he had to describe that sentence in one word, it would be: *perfect*.
His lips curled into a smile, a mix of sorrow and understanding... and his eyes stayed on the beautiful woman…
who now appeared even wiser and more magnificent than before in his eyes.
In the quiet stillness between them, Kalm sat in place, staring into the flickering orange fire in contemplation.
He didn't actually need to think about anything. There was no need, especially on topics that surpassed his emotional intelligence or understanding of life...
What he needed to do was summed up in three main steps:
**First**: He had to learn as much as possible about the Queen's power, to gain a general understanding of it. She had already shown him what she could do and even told him one of her weaknesses. She had held back the rest for later… and judging by the course of events, she would likely reveal it soon… which would mark the end of what she planned to share.
**Second**: Kalm had to stay alive.
Perhaps someone else would think that should be his first concern, but with Queen Kalyistra by his side, Kalm's mind couldn't imagine a monster capable of overcoming her.
So, his life didn't really feel in danger—as long as she still held that admiration for him, and chose to protect him rather than leave him to die because of his lack of talent or ability…
Which, it seemed, wouldn't happen. Probably.
But again, if she really wanted to let him die, killing a weakling like Kalm wouldn't take her more than a second—it would be over with one blow.
He already realized that his life in this test wasn't even in his hands.
It made sense, maybe… but that didn't stop it from tasting bitter.
**Third and finally**:
Kalm had to figure out what exactly that voice of the world whispering in his mind truly was.
It had already announced his kill of the black grasshopper beast.
It had said something about him acquiring an *element*...
Kalm's problem now was: how to harness that power for his benefit.
That terrifying thing didn't come with a manual.
How was he supposed to manifest that element in reality?
What were *elements* even?
How did he get it...?
And how could he get more...?
What were they even useful for?
Those questions clashed inside his head like raging waves, causing him a bit of a headache.
Kalyistra seemed to know about the *voice of the world*.
Like it was a small invention by the *Lost One* himself.
She seemed to know its purpose and why it was created—and that's why she worked to prevent its spread in her world.
But it was likely that the answer was considered a *taboo*, forbidden for ordinary humans—and maybe even Awakened—to hear before the right time… or without sufficient preparation.
So, for now, he kept all his questions to himself.
He sighed in mild frustration and decided to try starting a normal conversation with Kalyistra to ease the noise in his head...
She was wise and had a deep, different perspective on life.
She seemed to have lived a long, complex life to reach the level she was at now\...
But for Kalm, that wisdom wasn't something he could understand—or even care about at the moment...
Wisdom didn't feed children in the slums, after all...
Kalm smiled to himself.
*"She feels like a main character from one of the stories my mother used to tell me…"*
Kalyistra raised her gaze toward him with half-closed eyes, reacting to his smile.
"What is it…? Are you thinking something perverted while looking at me? I mean, even if I look at myself objectively, without bias, I'm considered one of the most beautiful women in the world. Are those kinds of thoughts starting to cross your mind…?"
He coughed violently, thankful his mouth was empty or he might've choked. He quickly tried to explain himself.
"No, of course not! I'm not even in a position to think like that..."
Kalyistra raised an eyebrow.
"So, in a *normal* situation, you would...? That's a bit suspicious now…"
Kalm's expression froze at the strange shift in conversation.
How could the same gentle, wise woman who was just giving him deep life lessons suddenly steer the talk toward… perverted things?
And she did it so *smoothly*...
Was she teasing him...?
That had to be it… definitely!
Kalm took a moment to gather his thoughts.
"Kalyistra… I *am* a man…"
He paused and looked down at himself with a blank expression.
"Well, a teenager... but I wasn't thinking about *those* things.
There are red lines that shouldn't be crossed, and I know those lines very well.
I would *never* cross them."
Kalyistra stared at him for a long moment… then let out a stunning laugh.
Kalm was certain her beautiful laugh could bring down entire kingdoms.
"Looks like you've recovered from my harsh words about a crazy world and those strange human philosophies.
Don't overthink it. It's not something that needs deep thought.
Just live your life the way you want to—on your own terms.
Fight, work, fall in love, start a family… or even set a goal like the stars and chase it.
Life is really simple, despite how complicated it seems..."
She paused and let out a long sigh.
"If there's anything I'm afraid of for you, it's your title as the Heir of the Lost One.
That being had a *very* dangerous name..."
His eyes widened in shock.
He opened his mouth to ask a question…
But the Queen stood up, and her shadowy chair vanished into smoke.
She gave him a short glance.
"Sorry, Kalm, but we can't stay any longer.
It seems my soldiers have found the correct path.
Let's grab our weapons and go.
You don't need deep talks about life.
You just need to *stay alive*."
Kalm's expression grew serious as he stood beside her.
"You're right, Kalyistra. There's nothing on my mind except finishing this weird test… and getting out of this creepy cave."
She smiled at his determination.
At that moment, instead of returning to him, the little snake slipped into her shadow\...
Leaving Kalm confused—
*Why did it abandon him...?*
*Was it a trust issue…? Or maybe it was just shy...?*
The two of them walked steadily, passing through the grotesque pile of dead grasshopper beasts.
They continued forward, cautious but determined...
The cave was strangely eerie.
And worse—
the red, crimson stones were becoming more vivid…
almost as if they had been *stained with blood*.
And on another note, there were other problems—
**the heat** and **humidity**.
It had been slightly humid during their walk, and even small drops of water were dripping from the ceiling, forming little puddles.
Their sound was rhythmic and pleasant, as they trickled down stone fangs above… falling to the ground and scattering into the air...
Kalm raised his open palm, and a droplet fell right into its center.
The scent of the water was strange—unlike anything he had ever encountered before. Even the consistency of the droplet felt off. It was slightly viscous, like it had been mixed with something... something resembling saliva.
He rubbed it gently between his fingers for a moment, but felt nothing different from normal water, which left him quietly confused.
The queen glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
**"It's polluted water,"** she said softly. **"There's a massive water basin directly above us—an underground lake that branches out into several rivers below. It seems some vile creature has made it its territory..."**
Almost involuntarily, Kalm flung the water from his palm in alarm and wiped his hand on his clothes.
The queen looked around carefully, then up at the ceiling with intense focus, and said with a small smile:
**"It seems... it's arrived."**
Before Kalm could ask what she meant, Kalyistra turned toward him, her eyes locked on his.
**"Kalm, there's a creature directly above us. It will take control of your mind—your emotions, your senses, and most importantly, your pain and your joy. It will make you feel a beautiful peace… and push away all suffering, torment, and agony from your mind..."**
His eyes widened in fear, and his limbs trembled at her words.
But before he could speak, the queen gently placed her hand on his head, caressing it with a soft tenderness.
**"Don't worry,"** she said, **"I'm the one who brought it here—for the pain inside your body. It will make you doubt me… maybe even imagine me betraying you, killing you..."**
She smiled and raised her finger toward the ceiling.
**"You'll forget this conversation too. But in the end, I will kill the creature and free you. So there's no need to fear… when it's me, there's nothing to fear."**
Kalm tried to form a smile, but it never fully came. His heart pounded too wildly from her eerie warning. In response, he only nodded in silence.
Kalyistra turned and began walking ahead—unworried, unshaken, her expression unchanged.
In contrast, Kalm walked behind her with caution, anxious that something might seize control of his mind.
Water droplets continued falling from the ceiling above.
They trickled down through cracks and ridges, scattering into various spots around them.
Step by step, with each pace he took, the sound of the droplets became more resonant... more beautiful—
as if a brilliant musician were playing them with exquisite precision.
**'That sound is truly beautiful... almost like a flawless symphony…'**
Kalm thought, his focus increasingly drawn to the sound.
He kept part of his attention on the graceful queen beside him and the path ahead, while the rest of him surrendered to the enchanting music of the falling drops around him.
The sound was delicate… soothing… as if it were pressing against a fragile string within his soul and body.
*You can rest... You deserve it... Listen to the calming rhythm... Let yourself sleep...*
Kalm raised his palm and covered his face.
He felt like he had forgotten something—something important.
Something he was supposed to stay alert for, something he must *not* listen to...
But what was it again?
Was it something here, in this cavern?
His mind tried to pull together the pieces, a vague sense of danger rising…
Yet all his doubts faded like a mirage—vanishing without a trace—
the moment his eyes fell on the stunning woman walking ahead of him.
She was the strongest being in her world, in the sixth stage.
Her title: *The Queen of Death and Eternal Rest.*
Her presence alone made any sense of threat seem absurd.
With her by his side, no monster could ever reach him.
Kalm soothed his overwhelmed thoughts with that reasoning, calming his nerves.
His attention returned to the beautiful sound—this time it felt comforting, like a balm of serenity.
He felt the pain that had been festering within his frail body begin to fade…
and in its place came a gentle, peaceful relief—
as if the sound were washing his body and soul clean from all sin.