“Aaaaaaaaah!” Kai jolted awake, his scream tearing through the silence. Sweat clung to his skin, and his draconic claws shredded the bedsheets as they gripped the mattress.

  He blinked, recognizing his surroundings. Slowly, he exhaled. His claws retracted, fingers reshaping into human form. His heartbeat, once thunderous, began to settle.

  Even in dreams, the pain never leaves me… I need to meditate… release these emotions before they consume me.

  Kai rose from the bed and lowered himself to the floor in front of the window. Sunlight spilled across his skin, warm and grounding. He closed his eyes and began to channel his mana with deliberate focus.

  The dreams had brought the memories back to life again. He saw his divine spark shattered. He saw his children tortured, killed, and experimented on.

  ?He saw himself murdering innocents, using them in twisted experiments.

  These memories haunted him more than those he had absorbed in the jungle.

  ?They were deeper. Stronger. Some belonged to a god, others… to a monster.

  ***

  While Kai meditated, clearing his mind, the village outside buzzed with cheerful energy. Despite winter’s full grip, the villagers ran through the settlement, preparing for tonight’s celebration.

  Suddenly, a page shimmered within his inner world, casting radiant light across the space. Kai’s thoughts sharpened as he found himself standing in a white void.

  Tenebria floated before him, serene as ever. She smiled softly. “Hello, Kai. It’s been a while.”

  Kai blinked, startled. “What the fuck? I didn’t know you could reach me from so far away.” His voice was tense. If she could do this, why didn’t she sooner? He frowned.

  “I can’t do this often,” she replied calmly. “I had to prepare. I’m only an avatar of the Grimoire; my strength is limited.” Her expression turned serious. “But I had to contact you. I felt the origin mana through the page and needed to see what was happening.”

  “For you to encounter such levels of origin mana that could only be found on a true God was worrisome.” She added.

  Kai sighed and began recounting everything that had happened since leaving the jungle. Tenebria listened in silence, her face unreadable, until he mentioned Viridya and her memories. Her body trembled, and she collapsed to the floor.

  “I’ve failed,” she whispered. “The last chance… and I failed.”

  Kai knelt beside her, torn between concern and frustration. “What are you talking about? I survived. It’s okay.”

  “You weren’t supposed to interact with gods yet,” she said, voice shaking. “You needed to grow stronger first. Now that you carry origin mana, they’ll find you. Sooner or later. It’s over.”

  Tears welled in her eyes.

  “GODDAMNIT, TENEBRIA!” Kai snapped. “Wake the hell up and explain yourself!”

  She flinched at his outburst, but it snapped her out of her daze. “Fine,” she said, steadying her breath. “It’s too late anyway. I’ll tell you what I’m allowed to.”

  She paused, gathering her thoughts. “I don’t know how it all began. The goddess who created me locked away much of the knowledge. But I was tasked with finding souls that matched a specific frequency. Over countless years, I found fewer and fewer. You were the last.”

  Kai frowned. “What’s so special about my soul? Or the others?”

  “I don’t know much,” she admitted. “But when I see you, or the ones before you, my very being aches. There’s a deep grief I can’t explain. What I do know is that your souls are neutral. Limitless. All of you were Chosen, but only you awakened that power hidden within.”

  She looked at him with quiet awe. “Your soul is similar to origin mana. It’s like you were made from the source of the universe itself. That’s why you can absorb powers and skills without losing your mind or breaking your body. The others couldn’t, even when they grew stronger than you are now, they never awakened the same ability.”

  Kai clenched his fists. “I didn’t gain these powers easily. I fought for every one of them.”

  “I know,” she said gently. “But why do you think the old spirit let you choose the Uroboros ability? It was meant for one of you. You were the only one who influenced him enough to give it.”

  Kai’s eyes widened. “So that’s how it was…”

  He paused, then asked, “But didn’t you plan for one of us to absorb a god’s soul in the end with such ability?”

  “We did, but the one we had in mind,” Tenebria said, “and not this one and this early. Once you take in origin mana, you begin to perceive the truth of the world. And once you see it… the Enemy will sense you.”

  She shivered. “Not today. Maybe not for a hundred years. But he will.”

  Kai’s voice dropped. “Who is this Enemy?”

  “He’s the conscience of the original universe, before life existed. He stole the body of a Primordial god and tried to erase all life, to return the universe to its void state. We escaped and split him from us. Now, he sends small armies to breach Sacra. He hasn’t succeeded yet. But if he senses origin mana… he might.”

  Kai frowned. “Why doesn’t he track the other gods? They have more origin mana than I.”

  “Why do you think gods live in other realms?” she replied. “To stay hidden. What you have is small, barely noticeable, but it’s still origin.”

  Kai took a deep breath. “Then you’re panicking for no reason. Viridya was buried for ages, and no one found her. And I can’t even use origin mana until I forge my divine spark. Who knows when, or if, that’ll happen. So, calm down.”

  Tenebria hesitated, then nodded slowly. “Maybe. But it’s still too early. I need to protect you.”

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  She stood and placed her hand on Kai’s head. “Here. Attempt the test of the second page. I’ll connect you to the Grimoire. It won’t help you fight, but it will help you survive.”

  Light shimmered around them and then vanished.

  Kai opened his eyes in the world of the Abyss.

  ***

  “Welcome, young one.” An ancient voice crept into Kai’s mind as two pairs of eyes opened in the darkness, pure white, glowing against the void.

  “I am the second test. Make me acknowledge you, and I will grant you the second page.”

  Kai, already used to this kind of surreal nonsense, asked calmly, “How do I do that?”

  “I require power. True, unrestrained power. I will be the shield to your sword. Make me bow to you.”

  Kai chuckled. “Simple enough. Should I attack you?”

  “I don’t care. I am only a fragment of the Grimoire’s will.”

  Kai nodded, inhaled deeply, and released his restraints.

  In his inner world, the Hydragon awoke, roaring as it appeared behind him. His Thunder Tree and Moon Core pulsed, feeding mana into his Noxblade as it flickered into existence. The draconic wolf tattoo on his arm ignited, channeling pure fire into his body.

  “Okay, let’s try this now that I can control my third circle somewhat,” he whispered.

  Three glowing circles spun behind the Hydragon.

  “Circle of Life – Draconic Visage.”

  His draconic heart pulsed in sync with the third circle. Winged tattoos on his back flared, releasing massive wings. His body grew, limbs morphing into draconic form. Crystalline horns sprouted from his forehead, and his eyes turned reptilian.

  “This feels much better than last time. I’m in control now.” He stretched his wings. “Good.”

  Aura enveloped his blade as he cast two of his strongest spells:

  “Thunderfire – Ignis!”

  ? “Moonlit Dance – Triple Thread!”

  His time as Viridya with Seleneth had taught him much. Now, he could summon more threads.

  Fiery dragon’s breath wrapped around the purple blade, while three white threads slithered around it, twisting like serpents.

  “One last thing,” he grinned. This was the first time he could test all his powers together.

  “Thunder Tree – Overflow: Lightning Spear!” A battle form of his Thunder Tree that he managed to unlock as the tree evolved with the help of the life mana.

  The lightning spear merged with the Noxblade, which shimmered and creaked under the overwhelming power. The blade absorbed aura, lightning, fire, and moonlight, its sharpness increasing, its bond with Kai deepening as if asking him for more power.

  It’s hungry. It wants more. It’s merging with my elements.

  ?Okay then, eat more, my baby. Just don’t break. He smiled and released his water mana.

  “Flowing Currents!”

  Water swirled around the already charged blade. It vibrated, pulling in all the spells. Then, the Soul Blade emerged from Kai’s world on its own and merged with the Noxblade.

  The Noxblade exploded from his grip, shimmering in midair before bursting into multicolored light.

  Kai shielded his eyes with his draconic arms. Did I break another sword? I’m so damn stupid. He sighed. How many have I broken now? I loved that one…

  As the light faded, he opened his eyes and gasped.

  The Noxblade floated before him, reborn. Its handle was dark red like blood, and its blade shone with pure white light. Wisps of red, silver, blue, green, and purple danced within it.

  Kai’s jaw dropped. “You look so damn cool! WOW!”

  The nerd in him awakened. He adored the magical look of his blade.

  “You awoke a sword spirit, right? Noxblade, come to me.”

  He sensed the bond, stronger than ever. The blade had absorbed the Soul Blade and every sword he’d ever used. This new Noxblade was truly his.

  It hummed happily and floated into his hand. As he gripped it, possibilities flooded his mind. The blade could now release any skill he used with it, no casting required. In time, it would adapt to new spells after just one use.

  It seemed that the third circle and the Soul Blade had evolved the Noxblade into a Legendary Weapon.

  “I am waiting.” The ancient voice echoed again.

  Kai chuckled and released his aura, merging it with the Noxblade. He floated into the air and rushed one of the glowing eyes, slashing with full force and willing the blade to unleash every spell at once.

  The eye flickered and exploded.

  “Good job. You pass. This attack is adequate… but barely.” The emotionless voice said.

  This was barely? What would be a full mark? Kai was dumbfounded.

  The second eye shimmered, and the second page of the Grimoire appeared. It summoned the first page and merged with it, forming a larger page, part of a magic circle now barely visible on the page.

  The page flickered and flowed into Kai’s mind, flooding him with knowledge.

  I see… the second page can hide my soul and existence. It lets me convert absorbed souls into pure energy to strengthen my own and defend myself from soul attacks. That’s nice.

  With this, I will be able to hide from anyone looking for me. Hopefully it’s strong enough to keep me safe from The Enemy as well…

  As the knowledge settled, Kai returned to Tenebria’s world.

  “Congratulations on acquiring the second page and awakening a Legendary Weapon,” she smiled.

  “As you’ve seen, the most important skill of the second page is hiding your soul and protecting yourself. It will shield you from gods and even the Enemy. But as you grow stronger, they’ll find it easier to break through the cover.”

  “It’s okay. I’ll grow fast… I have to. But thank you, I can see that you care,” Kai said.

  “I truly do.” She caressed his face gently.

  Kai stepped back, chuckling. “That’s a bit weird, no? Still, thank you. I’ll visit when I can.”

  “You can teleport to me twice now,” she reminded him.

  “Bye for now.” He smiled and willed his body to awaken, leaving her behind, smiling after him.

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  Explorer of Edregon

  by Wizardly Dude

  The universe is dying. Thank God there’s a backup plan.

  Randomly selected by some mysterious higher power, Vin went from dirt-poor vagabond to humanity's hope for survival in the blink of an eye. Now a member of the first wave of humans sent to colonize a planet that defies all logic, Vin is expected to leave his wanderlust behind him and focus on the greater good.

  But when that same unknown power gives him the option to choose a class, Vin just can’t help himself from becoming an Explorer.

  In a patchwork world filled with impossible magic, deadly monsters, and powerful artifacts, it’s now Vin’s job to go out and discover the rules of this new world they need to survive on.

  If only the System wasn’t already threatening to kill him.