《A Pyromaniac's Ascent [LitRPG/Progression]》


 Chapter 1 - Pyrokinesis

    Wild embers roared around Finn, their fiery tongues licking the air with an almost feral rage. He sat hunched on the splintered wooden floorboard¡ªthe last patch that still felt stable beneath him, though it, too, seemed ready to surrender to the flames. The searing heat bit at his skin, a slow, cruel reminder of his helplessness.


    This wasn¡¯t the first time he¡¯d been trapped in a burning house. He¡¯d survived one before¡ªbarely. Back then, he¡¯d been just a child, living with his parents. It was his father that had saved him.


    But this time, there was no escape. No voice cutting through the chaos. No arms pulling him to safety. Only the crackle of flames and the suffocating certainty that his greatest fear had come true: he would die alone.


    Had deciding to live alone been a mistake after all?


    Every few seconds, a loud thud, followed by a faint tremor, made his blood run cold. Though the quakes were small¡ªbarely noticeable compared to the overwhelming heat¡ªthey still shook him to his core.


    Was it the house collapsing? Perhaps another pipe bursting? Or maybe it was the universe reminding him of his impending doom? Each thud hammering nails into his coffin, carrying him closer to suffocating or burning to death. He hoped for the former.


    He knew what fire felt like on skin. The memory didn¡¯t offer much comfort. Why did it have to come back now?


    The suffocating heat while he ran, the smoke drowning his lungs. Tripping over a stupid toy he¡¯d forgotten to put away. His face falling straight into the burning wood. The searing pain¡ªlike thousands of needles stabbing into his skin all at once.


    His hand involuntarily traced the scar the fire had left on his cheek. It felt as rough as it always had. The wound had healed long ago, but now it tingled slightly, as if it had been torn open again. Strange. Was he hallucinating? Had the smoke already reached his brain?


    <hr>


    Pyrokinesis.


    That was the word the parapsychology wiki had used¡ªthe supposed ability to create fire out of nothing and control it with the mind.


    Utter nonsense. A fabrication born of wishful thinking, lacking any real evidence. If there was proof, it was either cleverly doctored or the result of overactive imaginations twisting reality into something fantastical.


    It sat comfortably alongside telekinesis, remote viewing, telepathy, and other pseudoscientific buzzwords¡ªdreamed-up abilities from the pages of comic books and science fiction novels.


    At least, that¡¯s what Finn had always believed.


    He had discovered it by accident when he was a child. He¡¯d been sitting at his desk, glaring at his math homework. Numbers and symbols stared back at him, mocking his frustration. Math wasn¡¯t his strong suit¡ªhonestly, no subject was.


    But as he focused on the paper, his irritation building, something shifted in his mind. A spark. The next moment, the homework caught fire¡ªjust a small flicker at first, but it quickly consumed the entire page, leaving only ashes.


    The ordeal didn¡¯t end there. His teacher didn¡¯t buy the excuse of a mysterious fire, and of course, no one believed him when he tried to explain. A kid with no homework claiming it had spontaneously combusted? It sounded absurd. His parents weren¡¯t spared the consequences either, dragged into school to answer for his supposed lies.


    But that incident was only the beginning of their problems.


    Over the following months, Finn relentlessly tested his fire abilities. Papers, leaves, pieces of wood¡ªnothing was spared from the burnings. Even the occasional small, scurrying insect that irritated him met the same fiery fate.


    But these experiments weren¡¯t just for amusement. They yielded valuable insights. For instance, Finn discovered that by focusing intently on an object¡ªor even an empty space¡ªhe could summon a small flame. With enough concentration, he could manipulate it, though his control rarely lasted long. He also learned that he could extinguish the flame he had created, but only the original one. Any fire that spread from it remained beyond his reach, burning unchecked.


    But each time he used his so-called power, it left him utterly drained, both mentally and physically. It was more exhausting than an entire day at school. Often, he would fall asleep mere minutes afterward, unable to stay awake.


    At first, the exhaustion worried him, but over time, he got used to it¡ªperhaps too used to it. Complacency crept in, and he let his guard down.


    A normal person might have feared fire, but not Finn. Fire captivated him. Some might even call him a pyromaniac. Perhaps the tendency had always been there, lurking beneath the surface¡ªhe couldn¡¯t say for sure. What he did know, however, was that his newfound pyrokinesis had only deepened his fascination, turning a simple interest into something far more consuming.


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    Unfortunately, being a young boy with no knowledge of fire safety, coupled with pyrokinesis and an obsession with flames, was a dangerous combination. He learned that the hard way.


    It happened on the day of the sports festival. Finn hadn¡¯t planned to participate in any activities¡ªhe never did¡ªbut his teachers had other ideas, forcing every student to join at least one sport. Begrudgingly, Finn chose volleyball, thinking it wouldn¡¯t tire him out too much. After all, how hard could it be to stand around and hit a ball?


    He was wrong.


    By the time he arrived home that afternoon, he was utterly exhausted. His limbs felt heavy, and his mind was foggy. Still, he couldn¡¯t resist the urge to "let off some steam" by using his pyrokinesis. Perhaps it was the fatigue clouding his judgment, or perhaps it was his teeming fascination with fire. Either way, he summoned a flame.


    Predictably, he passed out soon after.


    Worse, was that when he woke up, his room was already ablaze. Flames roared around him, their heat unbearable. He could hear his father¡¯s voice, calling for him, desperate and terrified.


    The good news was that his father had managed to find him in time and carry him out of the burning house. The bad news was that it wasn¡¯t fast enough to prevent the damage. Finn had fallen face-first onto a burning plank, leaving a rough scar etched on his right cheek¡ªa permanent reminder of his recklessness.


    After that incident, he swore off his powers entirely. He vowed never to use them again.


    And yet, even in the wake of the trauma, the temptation lingered¡ªa faint itch in the back of his mind, whispering to him, urging him to play with fire once more.


    Maybe it was the conflicting thoughts, the incident itself, or the combination of both. Either way, something had fractured inside him, leaving his mind unsteady. It was as if his control over his power had been shaken, transforming what once felt natural into something unpredictable and dangerous.


    Rarely, and without warning, small fires would manifest around him¡ªtiny but dangerous if left unchecked. Thankfully, Finn always seemed to sense them just in time, snuffing them out before they could cause real damage. Still, the fear lingered.


    That fear drove him to isolate himself. He decided to live alone, taking a job that allowed him to work from home. The fewer people around him, the safer they would be. If the fires returned, at least he would be the only one who suffered.


    <hr>


    And now, as flames danced and crackled around him, that fear had come to life once again.


    Turns out pulling three all-nighters in a row to fix a buggy game wasn¡¯t a great idea. It had been years since a random fire incident, and Finn had let his guard down again.


    Just like before, he woke up surrounded by flames and darkness. But this time, his father wasn¡¯t there calling for him.


    Panicked, Finn immediately called the fire department, then began searching for a way out. He stumbled through the thick smoke, his lungs burning with every breath, but the searing heat pushed him back each time he tried.


    A few minutes earlier, the fire had been a faint warmth, like sitting near a hearth on a cold winter night. Now, it was a relentless force. It felt as though his skin was being scorched by a branding iron.


    Desperately, he tried to run, even crawl, toward different directions, only to find his path blocked by fallen beams or walls of fire. No matter where he turned, the flames kept him trapped.


    Hopelessness clawed at him. Finn was ready to give in, to let the fire take him.


    But then, a thought struck. It was reckless, but it was all he had left.


    With a trembling breath, he focused every ounce of his willpower on the nearest wall. If he could break through it, maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªhe could find fresh air on the other side.


    He hesitated, his heart pounding. It had been so long since he¡¯d voluntarily used his power that he wasn¡¯t even sure if it would work. Worse, he knew it could make things worse. But there was no other option.


    Gathering what little strength he had, Finn summoned a flame. A small fire, barely the size of his fist, flickered to life before him and crept toward the cracked wall he¡¯d chosen.


    If the flame could by some miracle, muster enough force, it might shatter the cracked wall. The irony wasn¡¯t lost on him: the very power that had twice nearly killed him might now be his only hope of salvation.


    His chest tightened as he watched the flame move, painfully slow.


    When the flame finally reached the wall, it barely made a difference. The flame fizzled out, consumed by the raging inferno around it.


    It was useless. Finn slumped to the floor, his hope snuffed out along with the flame. He had nothing left.


    Beads of sweat rolled down his temples, only to evaporate before they could reach his jaw. The air was getting thicker, heavy with the acrid stench of smoke and burning wood. Each breath was like inhaling molten tar, sticking to his lungs and making every gasp a battle.


    Maybe this was for the best. At least this way, he couldn¡¯t hurt anyone else¡ªnot like before. Perhaps isolating himself had been the right choice after all.


    A loud thud snapped him out of his spiraling thoughts. The sound was followed by a blast of scorching smoke, searing his lungs like a dragon¡¯s fiery exhale. Something heavy crashed to the floor just inches in front of him, the impact rattling his very bones.


    No. He clenched his fists, trembling. I don¡¯t want to die alone.


    He closed his eyes and prayed, just as he always did when he found himself in trouble.


    "Please, I don¡¯t want to die alone. I don¡¯t want to die."


    The heat had become so overwhelming, so all-encompassing, that it felt almost unreal. His vision blurred, and the flickering light seemed to stretch and distort into impossible shapes. The air shimmered, like the surface of a boiling pot, and he wondered if the fire had already consumed him.


    He closed his eyes.


    Then, out of nowhere, the icy breath of wind sliced through the inferno, shocking him back to his senses.


    He stumbled backwards, the back of his head hitting something hard and metallic with a sharp clang, forcing his eyes open.


    The sudden shift from the darkness behind his eyelids to the blinding brightness above him momentarily disoriented him. After a few seconds of blinking and squinting, his vision adjusted, and he saw the source of the lights.


    Above him, multiple circles of light bore down, their intense glare almost blinding. At first, he thought they were focused solely on him¡ªbut no, there were others. He wasn¡¯t alone.

 Chapter 2 - The Threshold

    The lights reminded him of the floodlights in a football stadium, but this wasn¡¯t an ordinary field. The ground beneath him resembled grass, further adding to the stadium-like atmosphere. Only this arena was enormous¡ªten times the size of any stadium he¡¯d ever seen, maybe more. Its edges stretched so far into the distance that he couldn¡¯t make out where it ended.


    He turned to look behind him, toward the spot where he¡¯d hit his head. Standing there was a man¡ªat least, he thought it was a man. The blinding lights obscured the figure¡¯s face, leaving only the outline of his towering frame visible. His presence was imposing, made even more so by the bulky pieces of metal encasing his body. A knight? A cosplayer?


    Glancing around, Finn noticed others dressed in a similar manner, their armor clinking faintly as they shifted. Some carried shields and swords, while others held spears or longbows. A few were robed in what looked like clerical garments, their hands resting on staffs adorned with strange symbols. It looked like they were all preparing for a battlefield.


    A role-playing convention? That made no sense. What would he be doing in a place like that, when just a few moments ago he''d almost burned to death?


    His mind raced, sorting through possibilities. Desperate for answers, he turned his attention back to the crowd.


    And then it clicked.


    The heavy armor, the shields, the swords and spears. The clerics and their staffs. The quivers filled with arrows strapped to backs.


    There was only one place that could host a gathering like this.


    Purgatory.


    Yes. That had to be it. He must have died¡­ and this was purgatory.


    This wasn¡¯t hell. Hell was supposed to be a sea of fire, crawling with demons reveling in endless torture¡ªor so he¡¯d read and heard. But there was no fire in sight. In fact, he felt far better here than he had in the burning inferno he¡¯d escaped. No sulfurous stench, no grotesque creatures twisted by malice. Hell didn¡¯t fit.


    But this wasn¡¯t heaven either. He didn¡¯t feel any sense of peace or bliss, only a haze of confusion and unease. There were no robed figures with halos, no angelic beings with radiant white wings gliding overhead. Heaven would have been unmistakable, and this wasn¡¯t it.


    That left purgatory¡ªthe in-between. He¡¯d read once that souls could linger here for centuries, even millennia. It made sense. These people¡ªknights, archers, soldiers¡ªcould have been warriors from medieval times, trapped here after death. Priests had often accompanied armies into battle, hadn¡¯t they?


    But then he noticed the robed figures carrying staffs and what appeared to be books clasped tightly in their hands. They didn¡¯t fit the historical image of priests or monks. Something about them was¡­ off.


    No, it couldn¡¯t be. Mages didn¡¯t exist in real life. They were probably just members of a religious order he wasn¡¯t familiar with, nothing more.


    A sudden voice shattered his thoughts. It came from behind him, from the man¡ªor what he thought was a man¡ªhe¡¯d bumped into. The voice was deep and commanding, each word resonating with an authority that made it feel hard to disobey. If only Finn could understand what he said.


    The words sounded garbled, alien. Was it Greek? Latin? Some other ancient language he couldn¡¯t place? Whatever it was, it didn¡¯t belong to any language he knew.


    The figure shifted, stepping into the light. For the first time, Finn could see him clearly. Dark, oily hair tied back in a tight ponytail. Eyes that pierced through him, sharp yet strangely calm. A square, stubbled jaw that gave the man an air of rugged dignity.


    And skin as pale as the moon.


    But it wasn¡¯t the pallor that sent Finn¡¯s heart plummeting into his stomach.


    It was the tusks¡ªtwo sharp, ivory tusks protruding from the corners of its mouth.


    Finn¡¯s breath hitched. He clamped both hands over his mouth, choking back the scream clawing its way up his throat. His body moved on instinct, arms scrambling against the floor as he dragged himself backward, trying to put as much distance as possible between him and whatever it was.


    A demon?


    Am I actually in hell?


    Looking around again, Finn finally noticed the strange figures scattered across the field. At first glance, they looked human¡ªbut the more he focused, the more he realized something was¡­ off.


    Some had vaguely human features, but with unsettling additions¡ªlong, pointed ears, thick fur that covered parts of their bodies, or tails swaying behind them as if they belonged to wolves. Others had twisted faces, elongated limbs, or sharp claws where hands should have been.


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    How had he not noticed them before?


    Then, his gaze drifted further, and his stomach tightened. Two smaller shapes stood apart from the others, their silhouettes unmistakably childlike.


    Are those¡­ children?


    But one of the creatures, the pale man with tusks, caught his reaction and spoke again, its deep voice reverberating like a low growl.


    Finn couldn¡¯t respond. His mind was too overwhelmed by the sheer impossibility of what he was seeing. He froze, his breath caught in his throat as the pale creature began walking toward him, slow and deliberate.


    Panic kicked in, and he prepared to push himself backward again, but his back hit something solid. Another figure loomed behind him, blocking his retreat.


    He turned his head, and his heart nearly stopped.


    This creature was even more menacing. Its face was a patchwork of scars, jagged and uneven, like a cracked stone that had been worn down by years of harsh weather. Its glare held no patience, no compassion¡ªonly violence. In its left hand, it gripped a massive slab of metal that could only be described as a greatsword, the jagged edge glinting under the harsh lights.


    ¡°S-sorry!¡± Finn stammered, scrambling to move away.


    But his attempt to escape only made things worse.


    Now, he was face-to-face with the tusked creature that had been walking toward him. Its piercing gaze locked onto him, leaving him frozen in place.


    He briefly considered rolling sideways¡ªanything to avoid their looming presences¡ªbut his body refused to move. Every nerve in his body screamed at him to run, but there was nowhere to go.


    Finn stared at the creature, his mind racing with dark possibilities. What kind of tortures awaited him?


    But the creature didn¡¯t move to harm him. It simply stood there, staring back with an intensity that made Finn¡¯s skin crawl, as though it were studying him.


    Seconds dragged into what felt like a lifetime before the creature made a slow, deliberate movement. It extended its arm toward him.


    Finn flinched instinctively, his heart pounding. Was this it? Was it going to grab him, crush him, or worse?


    An idea sparked in his mind¡ªhis pyrokinesis. If he could somehow use it to harm the creature in front of him, maybe it would leave him alone. But would his powers even work here? And did he have enough energy left to summon fire again?


    Finn clenched his teeth and shifted his right arm behind him, fingers trembling as he prepared. He waited, every muscle in his body tensed, his mind locked onto the creature''s movements. If he could catch it off guard, just once, maybe his plan would work.


    He stood ready, focused¡ªwaiting for the creature to make its move.


    But no attack came. Instead, the outstretched arm seemed¡­ patient. Almost inviting.


    Hesitant, and unsure why he was even entertaining the idea, Finn found himself reaching out in return. His hand trembled as it made contact with the creature''s. The grip was firm but not painful, and before he could think too much about it, he was being pulled to his feet.


    Standing now, Finn searched the creature¡¯s face for any sign of malice. He still couldn¡¯t make sense of its expression¡ªwas it neutral? Curious? Annoyed?


    Still, he felt compelled to say something. Anything.


    "Uh¡­ thanks?" he said cautiously, his voice wavering.


    The creature tilted its head slightly, squinting at him as if trying to decipher the strange noise Finn had made.


    ¡°Can you¡­ uh, understand English?¡± Finn tried again, his words slow and deliberate, as though he were talking to a foreigner.


    The only response he received was a puzzled expression.


    Before Finn could make another awkward attempt at communication, a booming voice shattered the silence, forcing his attention away.


    The sound came from everywhere and nowhere all at once, reverberating in his skull like it was speaking directly into his mind. The language was completely foreign to him, every word unfamiliar, yet its power was enough to make his knees feel unsteady.


    And just as abruptly as it began, the voice fell silent, leaving an eerie stillness in its wake.


    After a few seconds of heavy silence, a sudden flash of light engulfed the area, disappearing just as quickly. Finn blinked rapidly, unsure if it was real or just a trick of his imagination.


    "Can you understand me now?" The booming voice returned, resonating from all directions.


    "Ah, my apologies," it continued. "I forgot you all come from different races."


    Different races?


    Before Finn could process what was happening, the voice added, "Anyway, I''ve already bestowed upon you the Blessing of Language, so now we can all understand each other."


    "I''m Halgon, this century''s organizer for the Ascension Ceremony," the voice announced.


    "For now, all you need to know is that you''re in a place called The Threshold. Think of it as a waiting ground before you are all sent to the Tower of Ascension, where the real ascent begins. I''ll explain more later. For now, while I prepare, feel free to get to know each other. That''s all for now. I''ll see you all soon."


    The Threshold? Finn¡¯s thoughts swirled. So this isn¡¯t purgatory? And what was that about ascending a tower?


    "Your face," a deep, gravelly voice cut through his confusion. "Have you crossed paths with a phoenix? Fought it, perhaps?"


    Finn turned toward the voice and froze. The speaker was the same orc who had helped him up earlier. Now that he looked closer, the creature¡¯s face was marked with age, its wrinkles showing the passage of time.


    The orc stood patiently, tusked and massive, but his steady expression held no malice¡ªonly what seemed to be curiosity, perhaps even wisdom?


    Despite the orc¡¯s imposing size and strength, something about his presence felt... steady, almost reassuring. Finn¡¯s unease lessened. Understanding the orc¡¯s words now made him seem far less intimidating.


    Was this the Blessing of Language Halgon had mentioned? That flash of light¡ªit hadn¡¯t been his imagination.


    "Phoenix? What?" Finn responded, confused.


    "Your face," the creature continued. "Did it get burnt by a phoenix?"


    Finn¡¯s hand instinctively moved to his scarred cheek. "Oh... no, it''s a long story."


    He glanced downward, a sense of insecurity creeping in. His scar was hard to ignore. Who wouldn''t feel self-conscious with something that obvious? It drew attention¡ªand not in a good way.


    "But what was that about a phoenix?" Finn asked, trying to shift the conversation.


    "You don''t know what a phoenix is?" the creature asked, clearly puzzled.


    "I know what a phoenix is," Finn replied. "It''s that flaming bird, right? But those don¡¯t actually exist, do they?"


    Is this some kind of joke from another culture I¡¯m not getting?


    The creature paused, narrowing its eyes with a hint of suspicion.


    "Where are you from?" The creature asked.


    "Milwaukee," Finn said, offering a shrug.


    "Mil-wau-kee?" The creature blinked, clearly confused.


    "Milwaukee," Finn repeated. "In the state of Wisconsin? In the USA?"


    When the orc didn¡¯t respond, Finn added, "You don¡¯t know where that is? What planet are you from?"


    He said it half-jokingly, assuming the person wasn¡¯t familiar with the USA or any other countries. His outfit, his tusks¡ªthey looked like part of some tribal jewelry or decoration, not something real. He seemed like a warrior from an isolated, distant tribe.


    But the man''s answer surprised him.


    "Vanov. The only habitable planet in the Torrina System."

 Chapter 3 - The Truth About The Universe

    Finn had to admit, he wasn¡¯t exactly a model student back in school. But he was pretty sure he could still name all the planets in the Solar System, and Vanov wasn¡¯t one of them. And the Torrina System? What even was that?


    Was this some kind of joke? Phoenix? Vanov? Torrina System? Was he being pranked?


    But the creature didn¡¯t look like it was joking, or lying, for that matter.


    Maybe this was just some misunderstanding on his part¡ªlike how the Mayans misinterpreted the stars?


    When Finn didn''t respond, the creature spoke again.


    "It¡¯s the planet where orcs live. That¡¯s what I am. My Name is Yukha, by the way, I apologize for not introducing myself earlier," the orc said, extending a rough, calloused hand.


    An orc?


    "I''m Finn... a human," Finn responded absently, reaching out for a handshake.


    "So, those tusks? Are they real?" he asked.


    "As real as the armor I wear," Yukha replied with a grunt, tapping the thick metal plating on his body, producing a heavy clang.


    "Want a feel?" he asked, his voice laced with dry humor.


    "No, I¡¯ll pass," Finn quickly answered.


    He started to doubt everything he knew. Maybe he¡¯d been rejecting reality all along. Still, he decided to go along with it for now and focused his attention back on Yukha.


    "But you said you''re a human? This is the first time I¡¯ve ever seen one," Yukha said. "So this is how humans look. I''ve only ever heard about you from legends."


    "I mean, I haven¡¯t seen an orc before either," Finn said awkwardly. "And humans don¡¯t usually have this," he added, pointing to his scar.


    "Yes, I can tell," Yukha chuckled lowly. "So, a human... that means you¡¯re from Earth?"


    "Uh¡­ yes? You know, from the Solar System? Which, until just a minute ago, I thought was the only habitable place in the whole universe."


    At Finn¡¯s confirmation, Yukha raised an eyebrow, his expression hardening.


    "So, it¡¯s true then... How creatures from Earth are sheltered," Yukha said. "Not many know of your kind. Rumors say your planet is favored by something ancient."


    "Earth is favored? What do you mean? I¡¯ve been living there for over 20 years and wouldn¡¯t exactly call it favored," Finn replied, his confusion growing.


    Yukha snorted, shaking his head slowly. "Ah, boy, you wouldn''t understand. Such things are passed down through generations. They say Earth is under the protection of something mighty¡ªstronger than any of the Great Gods. It keeps your world safe from corrupted elementals."


    Great Gods? I thought there was only one?


    "Corrupted elementals?" Finn asked, still confused.


    Yukha''s sharp eyes softened with a hint of pity. "You truly do not know, do you? Did not know about the phoenixes either, calling them just a flaming bird. What a shame. I assume there''s no elementals either... not on your Earth."


    "Sorry, I¡¯m lost. Elementals? Corrupted elementals? Gods?" Finn asked, genuinely baffled.


    "You really don''t know, do you?" Yukha said, his voice tinged with a mix of disbelief and amusement. "Even though you''re a candidate? I was under the impression an invitation was required to even reach this place."


    He sat down with a grunt, crossing his legs and gesturing for Finn to follow.


    "Well, we have some time. I might as well explain things to you. Being clueless now is one thing, but it will not serve you once the ascent begins. Without understanding what lies ahead, you will not last long."


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    Finn hesitated, but seeing Yukha¡¯s seriousness, he sat down too, ready to listen.


    Besides, judging by Yukha''s responses, he was starting to realize something. Maybe he was the one who was out of his element here. Perhaps it was him who had misunderstood the universe all along.


    "First, the universe. I assume you at least have some idea of how vast it is?" Yukha began. "In fact, it¡¯s so immense that there are countless planetary systems¡ªlike your solar system and our Torrina system¡ªthat can¡¯t even begin to be fully counted. And with every passing millennia, more systems are born. Among these systems lie habitable planets, like ours."


    "And how do you know this?" Finn asked, narrowing his eyes.


    "I know because some members of orckind travel to these other planets¡ªeither for trade or to provide aid during against wars, much like I do," Yukha replied with a hint of pride.


    Planetary travel? What the hell?


    Yukha noticed Finn¡¯s stunned expression and smirked. "Judging by your face¡ªlike a merchant lost in a battlefield¡ªI''m guessing you humans don¡¯t yet have the means to visit other planets?"


    "Well," Finn began defensively, "we¡¯ve been to our moon once."


    At this, Yukha let out a hearty laugh. "Adorable," he said, shaking his head.


    Finn¡¯s cheeks burned, but he bit his tongue, choosing instead to focus on what Yukha was saying.


    "Now, let¡¯s move on to the Four Great Gods," Yukha continued, his tone shifting to something more reverent.


    Four? So, he wasn¡¯t talking about the Trinity?


    "First, the Stone God, Terron¡ªthe eldest among them," Yukha explained. "Then Maris, the Water God, the second oldest. Isha, the Fire God, the second youngest. And finally, Lirael, the Wind God¡ªthe youngest of the four."


    Gods based on the four basic elements? A fire god?


    "Those elements sound familiar, but I¡¯ve never heard those names before," Finn said, frowning.


    "I did not think you would," Yukha replied. "Your kind likely does not know much about the gods. In any case, all living beings in this world borrow their power. Humans, though... can your kind even do that? I have never been sure."


    "Well, I can kind of summon fire. Does that count?" Finn said.


    "Summon fire? You mean make it appear out of thin air?" Yukha asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.


    "Yeah, out of nothing," Finn confirmed.


    "And this... was it before or after you got the system?" Yukha asked, leaning forward a little.


    "What system?" Finn asked, genuinely confused.


    Yukha blinked, then let out a deep chuckle. "Well, consider me shocked. You might actually be a natural. That would explain a thing or two, wouldn¡¯t it?"


    "A natural? What¡¯s that supposed to mean?" Finn said, frowning.


    Yukha exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "I told you earlier how we borrow the Great Gods¡¯ power, didn¡¯t I? Most of us use the elements already around us¡ªWind, Stone, Water, even Fire that¡¯s already burning. But naturals don¡¯t need to borrow. They can make the elements themselves, out of thin air."


    "I see. And what about this ¡®system¡¯ you mentioned?" Finn asked.


    "The system is how we see our stats, skills, and elemental affinities," Yukha explained. I got mine at the same time as the invitation to the Ascension Ceremony. Same as everyone else here, I¡¯d wager. What, you seriously don¡¯t have one?"


    Stats? Skills? Affinities? Finn definitely recognized the terms but couldn¡¯t connect them to anything in this place, if it really wasn''t Earth.


    "No idea," he admitted.


    Yukha chuckled again, shaking his head. "You¡¯ve got a lot to learn, Finn. Best bring it up with the organizer when he shows up."


    "And what''s the Ascension Ceremony? The organizer mentioned something about a Tower of Ascension¡ªwhat¡¯s that about?" Finn asked, still trying to piece things together.


    Yukha leaned back, folding his arms across his chest. "Like I said, worlds are born every millennium. When those worlds evolve enough to have sentient beings, they need someone to lead and protect them. That¡¯s where the tower comes in. The invitation says if you make it to the top and conquer the tower, you are granted the power of a demigod and get a planet to rule over."


    "Becoming a demigod? Ruling a planet?" Finn said with a dry laugh. "Just a moment ago, all I wanted was to survive. Now this?"


    Yukha snorted. "If you make it to the top, that is. Everyone here¡¯s gotten the invitation, and we¡¯ve all been given a system, ten years ago. A decade to train, get stronger, and level up."


    Level up? Another familiar phrase. But from someone who wasn¡¯t even supposed to be from Earth? That was unexpected. Did other races have RPG games too? Or even know what they were? Whoever had handed out these systems clearly knew something about them, though.


    "Okay, but if I was brought here and haven¡¯t gotten the system yet. And if everyone had been training and leveling up with the system for a decade... Does that mean I¡¯m way behind? Am I not in a position to even try for the tower?" Finn¡¯s voice dropped as the realization began to seep in.


    Yukha met his eyes steadily. "That¡¯s for you to figure out. But if you want the truth, everyone here is one of the strongest beings in the universe. No one is getting through the tower without power. And that¡¯s what the system is for."


    Before Finn could speak out his worries again, the blaring sound of hundreds of trumpets blasted through the air, an overwhelming, deafening cacophony. Finn winced, immediately covering his ears to shield them from the assault.


    A single beam of light pierced through the air, brighter and more brilliant than any of the floodlight-like lights around them. It illuminated the space like a spotlight, drawing every eye to its source.


    Finn squinted and looked upward, expecting to find some sort of ceiling. But there was none. Above him was an endless expanse of blue, dotted with puffs of white, like the clear skies of a perfect afternoon.


    "The sky?" Finn murmured to himself, his heart racing. His mind struggled to make sense of it. "Don¡¯t tell me¡­ this place¡ªThe Threshold, is still somewhere on Earth?"


    But then, something even more bizarre happened, forcing him to reconsider.


    The sky above them didn¡¯t just open; it ripped apart, violently, like a great whirlpool tearing through the heavens.


    In that moment, for the third time in what felt like mere minutes¡ªif it had even been that long¡ªFinn thought he was about to die... Again.


    As the swirling vortex above him seemed to threaten to swallow them whole, starting with him, it did the unexpected. Instead of pulling them in, it spat something out. No¡ªsomeone.


    Even from a distance, Finn could make out their form. The figure wore a milky white robe that shimmered with an ethereal glow. At the hem, a line of gold traced the edges, as if they were draped in the very fabric of the sun itself.


    An angel? Am I in heaven now? Where really even is The Threshold?


    When the glowing figure reached a height where Finn could clearly see him, the whirlpool snapped shut. The blaring sound of trumpets ceased abruptly, replaced by an eerie silence. Not a single murmur, no rustle, no sign of movement filled the air.


    "Greetings, candidates. Let me introduce myself again," the still-floating man said, his voice slicing through the quiet like a sharp blade.


    His words were crisp and clear, resonating off the unseen walls of the vast space.


    Amid the whirlwind of questions tumbling in Finn''s mind, one stood out more than the rest.


    "My name is Halgon, a demigod. You can think of me as one of the messengers of the Four Great Gods. "

 Chapter 4 - The Four Great Gods

    As Halgon steadily descended, a question stood out in Finn''s mind.


    "As I mentioned earlier, I¡¯m also this century¡¯s organizer for the Ascension Ceremony. I know you¡¯ve got plenty of questions, but let me start by answering the one I know is on everyone¡¯s mind," Halgon said.


    "How can I hover so steadily like this? And for such a long time?"


    Did he just read my mind?


    And what did he mean by the second question? Isn¡¯t it obvious that people can¡¯t fly at all?


    "Such an impressive display of power," Yukha interjected. "Even the most skilled wind specialists could not manage a feat like this."


    "Wind specialist? Is that guy using the wind to fly?" Finn said.


    "I assume so. It is the only element possible to do something like this," Yukha replied.


    Finn glanced back at the levitating man, and for a brief moment, he could¡¯ve sworn Halgon was looking directly at him.


    "No, I¡¯m not a wind specialist," Halgon said, his tone calm but firm. "In fact, what you''re seeing right now isn¡¯t even the result of my own power. Perhaps you¡¯ve already figured it out?" He paused briefly.


    "Yes. I¡¯m doing this with the help of the Wind God, Lirael," he finished.


    A gust of cold wind whipped through the air, as though affirming Halgon¡¯s words.


    "Even the fact that you can hear my voice so clearly, despite the distance, is only possible thanks to her," Halgon said.


    Finn¡¯s speechlessness deepened as Halgon¡¯s next words struck him hard.


    "If a mere demigod like me has left you this silent, what will you do when you lay eyes on the actual Four Great Gods? No¡ªat your current state, your bodies will likely melt at the sight. And I mean that quite literally."


    Gasps rippled through the crowd at his chilling statement, but Finn remained still, his mind spinning in fascinated disbelief.


    "That¡¯s why, for now, and for as long as you¡¯ve known, you¡¯ll have to settle for their images," Halgon continued.


    An array of swirling, multi-colored smoke materialized out of thin air, dancing in the air like ghostly tendrils, darkening the space above Halgon and replacing the bright blue sky with an ominous haze.


    "For now, let us begin the opening of this century¡¯s Ceremony of Ascension, and give our thanks," Halgon paused, his voice heavy with significance.


    "Behold, and bow your heads to the Four Great Gods," he declared.


    The swirling smoke began to shift and intertwine, taking shape, first blurry and indistinct, but slowly becoming clearer with every moment. The air seemed to hum with energy as the images solidified.


    "First, the Earth God, Terron," Halgon announced.


    To the left, where Halgon gestured, an image began to emerge. A tall man appeared, his skin tanned and rugged, his bare arms displaying powerful muscles honed probably through years of use. His dark hair framed a face that was kind yet exuded an unmistakable readiness for battle.


    "Second, the Water God, Maris," Halgon continued.


    Beside the man, the next image took shape. A woman, her silver hair cascading like a waterfall, glimmering in the mist. Her blue gown seemed to flow with the grace of the ocean, and though her face was serene, her eyes held an intensity that hinted at the mysterious depth of the sea itself.


    "Third, the Fire God, Isha," Halgon said.


    At the mention of the Fire God, Finn¡¯s heart skipped a beat. A strange excitement welled up within him, a pull he couldn¡¯t quite explain. Perhaps it was because of his own fire powers, as if they forged some unspoken connection between him and the deity. Or maybe it was simply fascination¡ªan innate draw to flames and the one who embodied them.


    As the next image began to form, Finn¡¯s anticipation swelled, his heart hammering louder with every detail revealed.


    It was a woman, her figure turned slightly to the side. Bright auburn hair cascaded down her back like molten lava, glowing as if it might sear anything it touched. She wore a pale white dress, flowing and seamless, its fabric wrapping around her form like smoke clinging to embers. Even her hands were encased in delicate gloves, hiding her skin entirely.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Finn¡¯s gaze drifted upward, his excitement only growing stronger¡ªuntil his eyes fell upon her face.


    Disappointment and captivation struck him simultaneously. Her face was almost entirely concealed by a veil, leaving only her lips exposed. But those lips... They glowed like embers in the dark, their crimson hue framed by pale, porcelain skin.


    Even with so little revealed, Finn found himself mesmerized. The way she stood, cloaked yet radiant, reminded him of a precious gem encased in fire¡ªburning, yet untouched. She seemed untouchable, distant, as if the very act of reaching for her would be both a privilege and a curse.


    Then, something began to stir within him. His face flushed; his heart raced. It was an unfamiliar sensation, fluttering in his chest and tightening in his stomach. Was this what people called butterflies? He didn¡¯t know, but it was a feeling he¡¯d never experienced before¡ªa mix of awe, wonder, and something far deeper that he couldn¡¯t yet name.


    As the next image began to form, Finn''s gaze remained fixed on the Fire God, Isha. It was as if he were drawn to her, his eyes magnetized by her presence. But Halgon''s voice pulled him from his trance, forcing him to tear his attention away and focus on the next image materializing.


    "Last, but certainly not least, the Wind God, Lirael," Halgon announced.


    The figure that appeared next was strikingly different from the others. It was a young girl¡ªmuch shorter and more delicate than the towering forms of the other Gods. Her blonde hair cascaded down her back, framing a face that radiated innocence. She wore a simple green sundress and a small hat perched on her head, with a smile so pure it could easily be mistaken for the playful grin of a child running through the streets.


    Finn couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the contrast. Despite the immense power these beings wielded, they resembled humans more than anything else, a fact that both bewildered and intrigued him. He had imagined the Four Gods, and even Halgon, to be alien-like or monstrous¡ªperhaps something more akin to the monstrous forms of Godzilla or Cthulhu. Instead, they were all too human, in a way he hadn''t expected.


    "Once again, I present to you, the Four Great Gods," Halgon declared.


    The images of the Gods seemed to come to life before their eyes. The swirling, multi-colored smoke had transformed, no longer wisps of vapor but solid, three-dimensional figures. They shimmered with a brilliance that made them appear almost tangible, moving in a way that felt entirely real¡ªlike living beings rendered in vibrant, flawless CGI.


    The awe-inspiring spectacle left the crowd speechless. As the last of Halgon¡¯s introduction faded, a deep sense of reverence filled the air. Without a word, everyone present bowed their heads in respect, and Finn, not wanting to stand out, followed suit. He didn¡¯t want to draw attention to himself, especially when he had so little understanding of what was happening. He hadn¡¯t even started climbing the tower yet, and still knew nothing about the system Yukha had mentioned. Hell, he wasn¡¯t even sure if he had the system¡ªor if he could even receive it. The uncertainty gnawed at him, but for now, all he could do was blend in and keep his questions to himself.


    After a while, Finn¡¯s gaze returned to the images, still in awe. Was this some form of advanced technology? Or was it purely the result of the Four Gods'' elemental power? Given that they were masters of their respective elements, perhaps such feats were within their reach.


    Finn¡¯s thoughts drifted back to his own pyrokinesis, which he now understood to be power borrowed from the Gods¡ªthanks to Yukha¡¯s explanations.


    Yukha had mentioned something earlier about leveling up. Could that be related to strengthening one''s control over their elemental abilities? If Finn could enhance his own power, would he be able to perform feats like the ones he had just witnessed¡ªor even surpass them?


    His heart quickened at the thought. An itch of excitement spread through him, replacing his earlier confusion and fear. He thought back to his childhood, to the countless hours he spent experimenting with his pyrokinesis, desperate to understand it. If he had access to the system Yukha spoke of, perhaps he could finally push his abilities further, try experiments that he had never dreamed possible before.


    It dawned on him: Yukha had made it sound like mastering elemental powers wasn¡¯t just a luxury, but a necessity for survival. Could that be why people with the system leveled up? Was it all to prepare for their fights against the so-called corrupted elementals?


    Back on Earth, he had viewed his ability, and his strange fascination with fire, as a defect¡ªsomething uncontrollable, dangerous. But here, in this new world, could it become a tool for survival? For something more?


    A new thought struck him, causing his pulse to race: Does that mean that, at the Tower, I can burn the so-called corrupted elementals with everything I¡¯ve got?


    "Now that we''ve given our gratitude to the gods, I will give my final instructions," Halgon said, interrupting Finn''s thoughts. "I know you''re all eager to begin, but it will only be a few more minutes before you can finally start your ascent¡ªand your chance at demigodhood and ruling your own planet."


    Finn wanted to tell Halgon to take his time with his words. Given how much he still didn¡¯t understand, he didn¡¯t feel ready to begin climbing the tower. But he remained silent, choosing to wait.


    "You''ve been given a full decade to train, to get accustomed to the system. To level up, improve your affinities, stats, and skills. I trust all of you made the most of that time."


    Leveling up, affinities, stats, skills. These were words Finn was all too familiar with. Not just from his job, but from his gaming sessions as well.


    Despite being clueless about the dangers that awaited him in the tower¡ªabout the system, the elemental powers, and the corrupted elementals¡ªhe began to feel a flicker of confidence. Those terms sounded strikingly like elements from RPGs, and Finn had a lot of experience with those. The more he thought about it, the more the idea of climbing the tower seemed almost like a game.


    "If you check your inventories, you''ll find two teleportation stones," Halgon continued. "The red one will allow you to teleport directly to the first realm of the Tower of Ascension. Just break it when you''re ready, and you''ll be instantly transported."


    Inventories? Teleportation?


    Finn had always wondered how convenient such things would be in real life. He¡¯d often envied the characters in games, never worrying about transportation, and being able to carry heavy, cumbersome items with ease. To have that implemented in the system... it was amazing.


    "The blue one, on the other hand, will let you teleport back home¡ªexactly to the spot you were before you were transported here. You can use it anytime, even if your life is in danger. Just break the stone, and you''ll return. But remember this: if you use the blue stone, you¡¯ll forget everything you learned in the tower, and lose all the power you gained from the system. That¡¯s why most challengers choose to die in the tower rather than escape. Running away is seen as a mark of shame, while dying during the challenge is viewed as heroic. So, think carefully before using it," Halgon continued.


    So, I¡¯ll be teleported back exactly where I was?


    Finn''s thoughts flickered to the place he¡¯d been before. He didn¡¯t want to remember it. On the brink of suffocation and burning alive¡ªwould he be sent back to that exact moment, or would time move on while he was gone? He wasn¡¯t willing to risk finding out.


    If he really had been summoned here, he had no choice but to advance. Even if he did want to go back home, there was a strong chance he''d return to find himself burned alive. Besides, things here were becoming more and more appealing.


    He¡¯d already made a potential friend in Yukha¡ªif the orc even considered him a friend. But still, it counted. Back in his previous life, he¡¯d isolated himself because of the dangers his pyrokinesis posed. His only friends were online. They¡¯d sometimes invite him to meet up, but he never did. He didn¡¯t want to risk causing trouble for anyone. But Yukha... Yukha seemed strong. Not just from his physical build, but also from what he¡¯d said about the system. If Yukha really had it, then Finn¡¯s fire powers probably wouldn¡¯t be a problem for him.


    And there was the matter of his pyrokinesis. The possibility of using it here, and actually strengthening it was incredibly appealing. Plus, after seeing the Fire God, Isha, Finn found himself wanting to learn more about her.


    That¡¯s right. I have no choice but to advance. It¡¯s the best move for me.

 Chapter 5 - The White Room

    "Now, regarding the red stone: every time you reach a new realm, you¡¯ll receive another red stone. Breaking that stone will instantly transport you to the realm above. However, after using one, there¡¯s a 72-hour cooldown before you can use another. Once that initial cooldown passes, you can use the stones freely, but you can never descend back to a lower realm. My advice is to make sure you¡¯re strong enough to ascend, or you¡¯ll find yourself facing enemies much stronger than you," Halgon explained.


    "The tower is filled with corrupted elementals from across the universe. Remember, the realm above you always harbors stronger foes."


    "Never underestimate corrupted elementals. Think back to the ones you¡¯ve encountered on your home planet or elsewhere. Now, imagine them a hundred times stronger. That¡¯s the kind of threat you¡¯ll face in the tower."


    Finn¡¯s mind raced. He¡¯d never encountered a corrupted elemental before. He had no idea what they looked like, let alone how strong they were. The worst thing he¡¯d ever encountered was a stray dog, and that hadn¡¯t even taken him a week to befriend.


    "The first realm is filled with low-level corrupted elementals. It¡¯s the easiest one to conquer. At your current level, you could probably wipe out large groups of them without breaking a sweat. We''ve even made it so your first red stone has no cooldown, so if you want to skip the first realm and dive straight into a greater challenge, you¡¯re free to do so. Think of the first realm as a warm-up before the real danger begins," Halgon continued.


    "The tower has seven realms in total, as you saw in your invitations. The seventh realm is the peak. If you make it that far and survive, you''ll be bestowed the title of a demigod, gain immense power,  and rule your own planet. You can ascend the tower however you choose¡ªwork together with others, go solo, use the system to your advantage, avoid danger by stealth, or fight every enemy you encounter. It doesn¡¯t matter. Reach the seventh realm, survive, and you win."


    "And remember," Halgon¡¯s tone grew more serious, "in the Tower of Ascension, always expect the unexpected. Burn that into your minds."


    "And with that, I¡¯ll leave you to your fate. Good luck, candidates."


    With that, the whirlpool in the sky appeared once again, swallowing Halgon and vanishing without a trace.


    Before Finn could voice his concerns about the trouble he was likely in, a voice cut through his thoughts.


    "Finn. Come with me, I need to speak with you."


    It was Halgon¡¯s voice, but hadn¡¯t he already disappeared?


    Confused, Finn scanned his surroundings, trying to pinpoint where the voice had come from.


    "You will not be able to see me there, but I can see you," Halgon¡¯s voice echoed again.


    "Where are you?" Finn asked, still searching for the source.


    "Do you see the white stone in your right hand?" Halgon replied.


    "Stone? What st¡ª"


    Finn''s question died in his throat as he suddenly felt something cold in his right hand. He glanced down, and sure enough, there was a white stone, about the size of a fist. How had it gotten there? When had it appeared? He hadn¡¯t even noticed it.


    "That¡¯s the one. Break it. It¡¯s soft enough for you to shatter with one hand. Just squeeze it tight, and you''ll be teleported straight to me," Halgon instructed.


    "What''s wrong, Finn?" Yukha¡¯s voice came from behind.


    "I... I¡¯m hearing Halgon¡¯s voice, even though I can¡¯t see him. He told me to break this stone and talk to him," Finn explained, still holding the stone in his hand.


    "You should do as he says," Yukha grunted.


    "It¡¯s your chance to ask about why you were summoned here, without an invitation, and without the system."


    "Yeah, you''re right," Finn agreed, though his voice was uncertain.


    "But it¡¯s still pretty scary. Will this even work? Is just breaking this stone really going to transport me to where he is?" Finn hesitated.


    "Let me see," Yukha said.


    Finn raised his hand, showing Yukha the stone he was clutching.


    "That¡¯s a teleportation stone alright." Yukha confirmed. "It¡¯s the same kind we use to move between locations. Look around, it¡¯s how it works."


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Finn followed Yukha¡¯s gaze, scanning the area. He saw individuals vanishing one by one into thin air. Seeing people disappearing just like that was surreal. He turned just in time to see the intimidating orc he had bumped into earlier crush a red stone in his hand, vanishing instantly.


    "Are they being teleported to the tower¡¯s first realm?" Finn asked.


    "Indeed. These young ones are brimming with determination," Yukha said, his voice steady and measured, yet carrying a trace of admiration. "If it were me, I would take a moment to center myself¡ªclear the mind, prepare thoroughly. It is wise to approach such challenges with composure rather than haste."


    He paused, his weathered eyes seeming to look beyond Finn for a moment.


    "Halgon wanted you to speak with him, didn¡¯t he?" Yukha asked.


    "Yeah," Finn answered.


    "Why don¡¯t you go speak with him then?" Yukha suggested. "I¡¯ll wait here and get myself ready. Only if you¡¯re still wanting to go with me to the tower, of course."


    "Seriously?" Finn asked, his surprise evident.


    "You don''t want to?" Yukha asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "Of course I want to! You seem strong, and you know a lot. I¡¯d feel better going with someone like you. But are you sure? I don¡¯t even know if I have the system, or if I even understand it. I might just be dead weight," Finn admitted, feeling unsure of himself.


    Yukha grunted, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "A strong tree doesn¡¯t stand for itself," he said. "Its shade is for others. My wife... she used to say that. She¡¯s already gone now. Stronger than I ever was, but she always helped the weak. I do the same now, in her honor. As for the tower, I have no grand ambition to reach the top. I am not driven like the others. If I can help someone along the way, I will. That¡¯s enough for me."


    Finn fell silent, taken aback by the weight of Yukha¡¯s words. He felt a wave of gratitude. To be saved from the fire, to be summoned here, and to have found an orc like Yukha¡ªit was more than luck.


    "Thank you, Yukha," Finn said earnestly.


    "You¡¯re welcome, Finn," Yukha replied with a nod. "Now go. Who knows? Maybe you will be the one helping me survive instead."


    "I hope so," Finn said quietly.


    With that, Finn crushed the white stone in his right hand. The stone crumbled, pieces fluttering in the air, and in an instant, Finn was transported to another place once again.


    <hr>


    "Welcome, Finn," a deep voice said.


    It took Finn a moment to reorient himself. Teleportation was a disorienting experience¡ªone second, you were in a familiar space, feeling soft grass under your feet, wind brushing your skin, the hum of life all around you. Then, in a blink, you were somewhere else entirely, surrounded by sensations that felt foreign, unnatural.


    Here, there was no grass, no wind, no sound beyond his own breathing. Just an endless expanse of pure white stretching out in all directions. There were no walls, no sky, no floor he could discern, yet he stood solidly on something. The temperature was unplaceable¡ªneither warm nor cold but hovering in an odd, neutral void. And amidst this emptiness stood one figure: Halgon.


    "Halgon¡­ this place," Finn said, his voice trailing off as he tried to grasp the strangeness of it all. "What is it?"


    "It''s a temporary realm I created," Halgon replied casually, his tone almost lighthearted. "You can just call it The White Room."


    Finn gave a hesitant nod, still unsure what to make of his surroundings.


    "Anyway, please, sit down," Halgon said, gesturing. "This is only your second time teleporting, right? I imagine you''re still not used to it."


    Finn glanced behind him, and to his surprise, a brown chair materialized from the floor as though it had grown out of the white void itself. The texture was rough and hard, like solid rock, yet when he sat down, it was unexpectedly comfortable.


    Before he could comment, something else caught his eye. A table¡ªcrafted from the same stone-like material as the chair¡ªhad appeared in front of him. Resting on top was something utterly unexpected: a Hawaiian pizza, fresh and steaming, and a mug filled with dark liquid that unmistakably smelled like coffee.


    Finn blinked, dumbfounded. It wasn¡¯t just any pizza¡ªit was his favorite combination. Hawaiian pizza and coffee. How could Halgon have known? Where had it even come from?


    His stomach growled loudly, bringing a flush of embarrassment to his cheeks. The stress of everything¡ªescaping a burning building, being whisked into another dimension, encountering Gods and towers¡ªhad made him forget basic needs like hunger. But now, with his favorite food in front of him, the familiar smell tugging at his senses, hunger struck him like a hammer.


    Without a second thought, Finn reached for the pizza, ready to devour it. Manners could wait.


    But just as his hand hovered over the first slice, Halgon''s voice interrupted him.


    "You look terrible, Finn. Let me fix that first."


    Finn paused, realizing what he meant. He didn¡¯t need a mirror to know how bad he must have looked¡ªdirty, disheveled, and covered in grime from crawling through a burning house. His clothes clung to him with sweat and soot.


    "Hold your breath for a moment," Halgon instructed.


    Before Finn could ask why, Halgon snapped his fingers. Instantly, a torrent of water wrapped around him, swirling like a living current. It wasn¡¯t painful, but the sensation was overwhelming, like being dunked into a washing machine. The water rushed over every inch of his body, scrubbing away the filth and grime with an efficiency no bath could match.


    After a few seconds, the water vanished as abruptly as it had appeared, leaving him soaked and shivering.


    Halgon snapped his fingers again, and the lingering wetness evaporated, the droplets hovering in the air before disappearing entirely. Finn blinked as his clothes dried, leaving him feeling oddly refreshed.


    "There," Halgon said with a satisfied nod. "Gotta be careful with that technique, though. Don¡¯t want to drain all your bodily fluids and turn you into a raisin."


    Finn stared blankly. "What?"


    Halgon chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. "I''m just messing with you. Cleaning someone up like that is nothing to me. I''ve done it a hundred times before."


    Finn exhaled, shaking his head. The man¡ªor whatever he was¡ªhad a strange sense of humor.


    "Now," Halgon said, gesturing to the table. "Go ahead and eat. Fill up your stomach."


    With everything else seemingly taken care of, Finn didn¡¯t hesitate any longer. He grabbed the first slice of pizza and sank his teeth into it. For the first time in what felt like ages, a sense of comfort began to settle over him.


    Finn devoured the delicacies in front of him with ravenous intensity, as if it were his last meal. Slice after slice, he polished off the family-sized pizza, barely pausing to breathe, and then gulped down the coffee in long, satisfying swallows. In less than ten minutes, there was nothing left but an empty plate and a drained cup.


    ¡°Thank you for the food¡ªand for cleaning me up,¡± he said, leaning back in the stone chair with a sigh of contentment.


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± Halgon replied, a small grin on his face. ¡°I¡¯ll admit, I had a taste of those foods myself, and I have to say, they¡¯re surprisingly good. Also, unexpectedly cheap.¡±


    ¡°You bought them? Wait, can you get stuff like that even if you¡¯re not on Earth?¡± Finn asked, curiosity piqued.


    ¡°We¡¯ll get to that later,¡± Halgon said, waving the question away. ¡°For now, I know you have a lot on your mind. Go ahead¡ªask. I owe you at least that much.¡±

 Chapter 6 - Fire Mage

    Finn nodded, sitting up straighter. ¡°Alright. First¡­ is all that Yukha said true?¡±


    ¡°More or less,¡± Halgon replied casually.


    ¡°So, you really were listening to our conversation?¡± Finn pressed.


    ¡°Of course. Any conversation that happens in The Threshold, I can hear it,¡± Halgon said. ¡°It¡¯s like the wind whispers it to me. Processing all that information at once is easy too¡ªone of the perks of being a demigod.¡±


    Finn frowned slightly but pressed on. ¡°Yukha mentioned the invitation and the system. Was all of that true? And if it was, then why haven¡¯t I received them? The other candidates got theirs ten years ago¡ªshouldn¡¯t I have gotten mine too? Did I somehow miss it?¡±


    ¡°Slow down, Finn,¡± Halgon said, raising a hand to calm him. ¡°I¡¯ll answer everything¡ªone step at a time.¡±


    ¡°Right. Sorry,¡± Finn said, leaning back and taking a deep breath.


    ¡°About the invitation and the system,¡± Halgon began. ¡°You didn¡¯t miss anything ten years ago. You being summoned here¡­ it wasn¡¯t planned at all. It was a sudden decision. Remember the fire? You were about to die, and someone heard your prayers. That¡¯s why you¡¯re here now, instead of burning to death.¡±


    Finn¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°The Fire God?¡± he asked quickly.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Halgon said with a nod. ¡°I¡¯m surprised you figured that out so quickly.¡±


    ¡°I kind of had a feeling,¡± Finn admitted.


    ¡°She¡¯s known about you for a long time,¡± Halgon continued. ¡°In fact, she wanted to give you the invitation and the system ten years ago, like the others. But as Yukha mentioned earlier, we can¡¯t interfere with Earth. Even if we gave them to you, you wouldn¡¯t have been able to receive them. That much is clear, given how clueless you are right now.¡±


    Finn frowned. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with Earth?¡±


    Halgon¡¯s expression turned grim. ¡°Unfortunately, we know very little about your world. What we do know is that some kind of barrier surrounds it. A powerful force has dominion over Earth¡ªsomething ancient. Perhaps¡­ even older and stronger than the Four Great Gods.¡±


    Finn caught the hesitation in his voice. ¡°So if you can¡¯t interfere with Earth,¡± he asked, ¡°how was I summoned here? And how could I even use the fire element back there?¡±


    Halgon sighed. ¡°That, I don¡¯t fully know,¡± he admitted. ¡°But it¡¯s not unheard of. Even though we can¡¯t interfere with Earth, we can observe it. In the past, there were humans like you¡ªones who could use elemental powers linked to the Four Gods. But as they aged, their powers gradually faded until they could no longer use them at all."


    ¡°As for how you were summoned here¡­ my theory is that the being guarding Earth allowed it. Maybe it also heard your prayer and wanted you to live. But that¡¯s just my guess¡ªI have no way to confirm it.¡±


    Finn¡¯s mind swirled with questions. ¡°So I¡¯m an outlier,¡± he said slowly. ¡°Has anything like this ever happened before?¡±


    Halgon paused, his gaze distant, before finally responding.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he said. ¡°This isn¡¯t the first time. It happened once before¡ªone hundred years ago, during the last Ascension Ceremony.¡±


    "You mean someone from Earth had climbed the tower before?" Finn asked.


    "Yes. And he brought a huge change to the Ascension Ceremony. For the good too," Halgon replied.


    "Changed it? How?" Finn asked.


    "Stats, skills, affinities, leveling up. Doesn''t those words sound familiar to you?" Halgon asked.


    "Yes, they sound like they got ripped off straight from an RPG," Finn said, raising an eyebrow.


    "That¡¯s because they were," Halgon replied with a grin.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Finn asked, intrigued.


    ¡°In the Ascension Ceremonies of the past, things were a lot more¡­ chaotic,¡± Halgon began. ¡°There was no structure, no guidance. Candidates were thrown into their trials with little understanding of what was expected of them. That all changed last millennium, when that challenger from Earth arrived. He not only succeeded in conquering the tower, but he also proposed something revolutionary.¡±


    Finn leaned forward, curious.


    ¡°He suggested turning the Ascension Ceremony into something more structured,¡± Halgon continued. ¡°He introduced us to concepts like stats, skills, leveling up, and the system. Like an RPG game as you said. His knowledge of these ideas was so extensive that we delayed his ruling on a planet just so he could help us develop it. For ten years, he worked with us to construct what you now know as the Ascension System. Thankfully, we completed it well before we sent out the first invitations for this millennium¡¯s ceremony, which gave us time to test and refine it. It worked better than we expected¡ªit brought order to the chaos. Everything ran smoothly once we implemented it.¡±


    Finn¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°You mean someone from Earth actually made it to the top? Did he have the same circumstances as me?¡±


    If someone like him had managed to conquer the tower, maybe I had a chance too.


    ¡°Not quite,¡± Halgon replied. ¡°You see, when we sent him the invitation, he wasn¡¯t on Earth. He was an astronaut, and that time he was away, floating outside Earth¡¯s barrier. Because of that, we were able to integrate him into another planet, where he trained and prepared for ten years before entering the tower.¡±


    Finn couldn¡¯t believe it. If the creature guarding Earth really was as powerful as Halgon described, he wouldn''t have allowed that to happen even when one of his subjects was away from Earth.


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    ¡°An astronaut getting integrated into another planet? His story sounds like something out of an isekai novel. And he didn¡¯t even need convincing? You didn''t kidnap him did you?¡±


    ¡°Not at all,¡± Halgon said, chuckling. ¡°He was enthusiastic, almost unnervingly so. He had no strong attachments to Earth and was eager for the challenge.¡±


    Finn smirked. That guy¡¯s the protagonist of a light novel, for sure.


    ¡°And where is he now?¡± Finn asked, genuinely interested in the astronaut¡¯s fate.


    ¡°He¡¯s ruling his own planet,¡± Halgon said. ¡°He¡¯s been its leader ever since we finished the Ascension System.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± Finn let the information sink in before asking the question burning in his mind. ¡°So what about me? Will I still get the system?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Halgon said with a smile. ¡°In fact, do you want to receive it now?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Finn said, jumping to his feet.


    Halgon laughed heartily. ¡°Are humans always this eager, or are you two just the exceptions?¡±


    Finn grinned. ¡°So, how do I get it?¡±


    Before Halgon could respond, a transparent screen materialized in front of Finn:


    ACCEPT INVITATION TO TOWER OF ASCENSION?


    ¡°Do I just say yes?¡± Finn asked, glancing at Halgon.


    ¡°You can say it out loud or just think it,¡± Halgon replied.


    Without hesitation, Finn mentally said, Yes.


    Another screen immediately replaced the first:


    ACCEPT THE ASCENSION SYSTEM?


    Again, Finn responded with a silent, Yes.


    This time, a familiar-looking loading screen appeared:


    LOADING . . .


    It even had the classic dotted animation, though Finn couldn¡¯t help but think it needed a tip at the bottom to feel like a proper game. His heart raced as the anticipation built.


    Finally, the screen shifted:


    IMPLEMENTATION SUCCESSFUL.


    Finn felt a surge of excitement as his status screen appeared:


    <hr>


    Name: Finn Hayes


    Health: 50/50


    Mana: 45/50


    Age: 21


    Level: 1


    Race: Human


    Planet: Earth


    Class: None


    Elemental Affinities:


    Stone: 5


    Water: 5


    Fire: 15


    Wind: 5


    Free Points: 0


    Specialty:


    Fire


    Attributes:


    Constitution: 5


    Strength: 5


    Perception: 5


    Wisdom: 5


    Free Points: 10


    Skills:


    None


    Blessings:


    [Universal Language]


    Vows:


    []


    Valor Points: 100


    <hr>


    The first thing Finn noticed was his level: 1.


    So, I¡¯m really starting at level 1, huh


    ¡°Well?¡± Halgon asked, watching Finn¡¯s expression.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ surreal,¡± Finn said.


    He glanced upward, noticing the health and mana displayed prominently at the top of the screen. Next to the numbers were colored bars¡ªred for health and blue for mana.


    It really is just like a game interface, Finn thought, his brow furrowing slightly. But something bothered him. Why isn¡¯t my mana full? I haven¡¯t even done anything yet.


    Before he could dig deeper into that mystery, something else caught his attention.


    Class: None


    He tilted his head. So I need to choose a class for myself, he assumed, feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension.


    ¡°How do I choose my class? Am I allowed to?¡± Finn asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Halgon replied. ¡°Just mentally click on it, and the options will appear.¡±


    Finn did as instructed. A list of classes appeared before him, filled with familiar names like Warrior, Knight, Archer, Mage, and Cleric, along with many others.


    He immediately dismissed the melee classes. He had no training in hand-to-hand combat, and physical fitness wasn¡¯t exactly his strong suit. Sure, melee classes might offer buffs to increase his proficiency, but he didn¡¯t feel confident that even that could make up for his lack of experience.


    Archers, and anything in the ranged weapon category, didn¡¯t appeal to him either. He¡¯d never touched a bow and arrow in his life. Even in FPS games, his accuracy was laughable. The thought of relying on precision made him cringe. Those were off the table as well.


    That left magic. He figured Mage would probably suit him best, but before deciding, he went through the other classes just to be thorough.


    <hr>


    After what felt like an eternity of reading lengthy descriptions and growing increasingly disinterested, Finn gave up and turned to Halgon for advice.


    ¡°So, I¡¯m not really proficient in melee combat or ranged combat, to be honest,¡± Finn admitted.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯m suited to fighting in general. So, I¡¯m thinking of just picking the class I¡¯d enjoy the most instead. Which class would be best if I wanted to focus on controlling and amplifying the fire element? Burning stuff up is probably what I¡¯d be best at, and honestly, it¡¯s what I¡¯d enjoy the most. Plus, I¡¯d like to learn fire-based skills too.¡±


    ¡°In that case, Mage would be the most suitable for you,¡± Halgon replied.


    ¡°The Mage class gives bonus stat points in Wisdom every time you level up. Wisdom increases your mana, which is essential for controlling the elements. The more mana you have, the better you¡¯ll be at handling fire.¡±


    Finn had already suspected as much, but a small part of him had hoped there might be some kind of hidden fire-specific class that would give him a unique edge.


    Guess I¡¯ll have to settle for Mage


    He mentally selected the Mage class, and its description appeared:


    Mage: A class focused on honing one¡¯s mastery over the elements. Mages rely on elemental magic during combat, prioritizing it over physical strength or weaponry.


    Class Bonus: +2 Wisdom per level


    CHOOSE THIS CLASS?


    After a few moments of hesitation, Finn thought, Yes.


    CLASS SUCCESSFULLY CHOSEN.


    With that, his status screen updated. His class now read Fire Mage instead of None.


    ¡°Why does it say Fire Mage instead of just Mage?¡± Finn asked.


    ¡°That happens automatically,¡± Halgon explained.


    ¡°Your specialty¡ªthe element with the highest affinity in your status¡ªis added to your class name. For example, Water Warrior, Wind Archer, or Fire Mage, as in your case.¡±


    ¡°Is there any benefit to that?¡± Finn asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Halgon replied. ¡°If you maintain your class name¡ªFire Mage, in your case¡ªbeyond level 25, you¡¯ll start earning additional bonuses to your specialty. Each time you level up after 25, you¡¯ll gain an extra +2 to your Fire affinity. But that¡¯s only if you continue investing your points into Fire and keep the Fire Mage designation.¡±


    Finn nodded. The system seemed to encourage specialization, and fire was definitely where he excelled.


    ¡°Got it,¡± Finn said. He couldn¡¯t help but feel a spark of excitement. ¡°Fire Mage, huh? I like how that sounds.¡±

 Chapter 7 - Fireball

    "Keep in mind, it¡¯s a good idea to allocate points to the other elemental affinities as well, not just fire," Halgon said. "You can prioritize fire, but focusing solely on one element might cause problems in the long run."


    "What do you mean?" Finn asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "It¡¯s useful to have the power of other elements in your arsenal," Halgon explained. "For instance, when facing a corrupted being that¡¯s weak to a certain element, having proficiency in that element can give you a significant advantage. Additionally, some skills require points from multiple elements to unlock. And as a mage, you¡¯ll likely want to combine fire with other elements to create stronger attacks."


    "So there¡¯s a weakness-based system too? And elemental combinations?" Finn¡¯s eyes lit up. "That sounds pretty cool."


    But it''s not really that appealing to me.


    He opened his status screen again and glanced at his affinities. The 15 points in fire immediately caught his attention, though he also noted the 5 points in stone, water, and wind.


    "Fifteen points in fire, huh. Is that because I¡¯ve used it multiple times before?" Finn asked.


    "Exactly," Halgon replied with a nod. "But more importantly, you¡¯re what we call a natural. You can summon fire out of thin air, right? Naturals always have higher affinities in the element they can summon."


    Finn frowned slightly. "Then why do I have points in the other elements too? I don¡¯t recall ever being able to control them before. I mean, I definitely tried when I first discovered I could use fire."


    "Everyone has some affinity in every element when they first receive the system," Halgon explained. "All creatures are connected to the elements in some way. They¡¯re not locked to just one. It¡¯s just that most are naturally more proficient in one element over the others. Some rare individuals even excel in multiple elements."


    "How much affinity do most people start with?" Finn asked.


    "Usually, a challenger begins with at least 30 points in their weaker elements and 50 or more in their strongest affinity," Halgon said, studying Finn¡¯s status. "Your starting points are much lower than average."


    "Is it because I haven¡¯t used anything besides fire before? Or maybe because I¡¯ve been on Earth all this time?" Finn speculated.


    "That¡¯s probably it," Halgon agreed. "Being cut off from elemental energy on Earth would have stunted your growth. Honestly, I¡¯m surprised you retained your fire abilities after 21 years. Most humans lose them much earlier."


    Before Finn could respond, Halgon suddenly raised his hand, looking upward as if focusing on something Finn couldn¡¯t see. He remained silent for a few moments, his expression serious, before speaking again.


    "You¡¯re in luck, Finn," Halgon said, a small smile forming on his lips.


    "Why¡¯s that?" Finn asked.


    "The Gods," Halgon began, his voice tinged with awe. "They¡¯ve decided to help you. They¡¯ll increase your elemental affinities."


    "Seriously?" Finn¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. "That¡¯s amazing! But¡­ why would they do that?"


    "They pity you," Halgon said bluntly. "And honestly, I do too. Being summoned here with almost no preparation, starting from scratch¡­ it¡¯s a massive disadvantage. You wouldn¡¯t survive a single day in the Tower at this rate."


    Finn chuckled dryly. "I guess I should be glad I¡¯m still alive after everything. I mean, I almost burned to death in that house back on Earth."


    "Still," he continued, "it¡¯s not all bad. Having the system is already a huge advantage. It might actually help me survive. And the chance to rule a planet¡­ even if I don¡¯t particularly desire it, that¡¯s got to be an incredible privilege."


    Halgon smiled warmly. "You¡¯ve got the right mindset, Finn. That attitude will help you go far. Maybe even farther than you think."


    With a snap of his fingers, Halgon triggered a sudden glow around Finn¡¯s body. The light enveloped him for a brief second before fading, leaving Finn feeling a subtle surge of energy.


    He opened his status screen again, and sure enough, the changes were there:


    <hr>


    Elemental Affinities:


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    Stone - 30


    Water - 30


    Fire - 55


    Wind - 30


    <hr>


    "They really did increase," Finn said, staring at his updated stats in amazement.


    "You have contact with them, right? Can you thank them for me? This is definitely something," he added, glancing at Halgon.


    "That I will do," Halgon replied with a nod.


    Finn turned his attention to his attributes next, noting that each one was equally at 5 points. Curious about their functions, he mentally selected the first stat, Constitution, and a small description appeared:


    Constitution - Refers to how much damage one can take before dying. Also contributes to the speed and effectiveness of one''s regeneration rate.


    This looks like something someone with a tank-related class would focus on¡­ but not for me.


    He moved to the next one.


    Strength - Refers to how much raw strength one is capable of.


    Short, but understandable. Again, not for me.


    The third stat, Perception, piqued his interest more:


    Perception - Refers to one''s awareness of their surroundings and improving their senses.


    This sounds like something assassin or archer classes could use¡­ but I wonder if it could improve my control of the elements too? Might be worth taking note of.


    "Is the stat Perception a good stat to focus on as a Mage?" Finn asked, looking to Halgon for insight.


    "Not as important as Wisdom, but it¡¯s still quite useful," Halgon replied. "It could improve your accuracy if you want to fight at long range. It could also help with overall control. For example, if you want to focus on fire, Perception could help since fire is just as flexible as water, and arguably more versatile than the other elements."


    "Then it¡¯s definitely a secondary stat I could focus on," Finn noted, filing the information away.


    Finally, he clicked the last stat, Wisdom, and felt a small thrill as its description popped up:


    Wisdom: Refers to how much mana one is capable of.


    Now this is definitely the one I¡¯ll put my primary focus on. Halgon said mana is the most important thing for using the elements, right? Choosing the Mage class really was the right call.


    Looking below his stats, he noticed a section labeled Free Points and saw he had 10 available.


    "Where did these free points come from?" Finn asked.


    "Those are provided whenever the system is granted to someone," Halgon explained. "You can add them to whichever stat you like."


    Finn considered this carefully before allocating 7 points to Wisdom and 3 points to Perception, reasoning that mana was his priority but control could still prove useful.


    <hr>


    Attributes:


    Constitution - 5


    Strength - 5


    Perception - 8


    Wisdom - 12


    Free Points - 0


    <hr>


    "Sorry for asking, but I¡¯m terrible at math," Finn said sheepishly. "How many free points do I get each time I level up?"


    "You¡¯ll receive 2 free attribute points, 2 free elemental affinity points, and an additional 2 points to Wisdom because you picked the Mage class," Halgon explained. "That¡¯s a total of 6 per level. And if you stick with the Fire Mage subclass after level 25, you¡¯ll gain an additional 2 points to Fire every time you level up."


    "That¡¯s good to know," Finn said, nodding.


    "Anyway," Halgon added, "you¡¯ll get the hang of it soon enough. Just focus on where to allocate those points based on your priorities."


    Finn¡¯s eyes drifted down to the next section of his stats: Skills. He eagerly clicked it, only to be disappointed when the screen revealed an empty list.


    "How do I get skills?" he asked, frowning.


    "Look at the top-right corner of your screen," Halgon instructed. "You¡¯ll see a small rectangle labeled Shop. That¡¯s where you¡¯ll find skills."


    "And if you check the bottom of your interface, you¡¯ll see your Valor Points listed there. That¡¯s the currency you use in the Shop. You can earn more by killing corrupted elementals in the Tower. The stronger the enemy, the more Valor Points they give."


    Finn¡¯s gaze shifted to where Halgon directed, spotting the box labeled Shop. Below it, another box labeled Inventory caught his eye, but he decided to focus on the Shop for now.


    Excitedly, he mentally clicked on it, and a new interface appeared, displaying rows and columns of items. At the top were categories to filter items by type, and on the right, a search bar.


    Good job, devs¡ªor should I say, demigods?


    Without hesitation, he typed in the name of the skill he wanted most: Fireball. A classic choice, the old reliable.


    Finn leaned back slightly, thinking back to the first time he heard the word skills during Halgon''s presentation. At first, he thought it seemed redundant¡ªafter all, he could summon fire out of thin air on his own. But now, he saw the appeal. Having a quantifiable, stable skill like Fireball could prove invaluable, especially given the current limits of his pyrokinesis.


    He didn¡¯t have much control yet. He had no idea how strong his fire was, how much he could summon, or the degree of precision he could achieve. A skill like Fireball, with its built-in consistency and precision, would eliminate much of the guesswork and serve as a reliable tool for combat.


    He began typing "Fire" into the search bar in his mind, but before he could finish the word, results had already started populating beneath it.


    Several recognizable skills appeared: Fire Pillar, Fire Slash, Fire Blast, and a host of other options with "Fire" in the name.


    So they''ve implemented autocomplete in the search bar too? How convenient. That Earth guy really knows his stuff if he had a hand in this.


    He ignored the other options, his attention drawn to the first item that appeared: Fireball. Beside it was a small icon showing an image of a flaming sphere, which brought a smile to his face.


    When he mentally clicked on it, more details popped up:


    <hr>


    Fireball


    Description: Summons a ball of fire that can be infused with mana. Intensity and size increase with additional mana, limited by its current level. Speed and control depend on the user''s Perception.


    Mana Cost: 10


    Mana Cost per second: 1


    Cost to buy: 20 VP


    <hr>


    Manacost per second? So it consumes 10 mana to summon initially, and then 1 mana for every second it''s maintained? Makes sense. That means I¡¯ll have to be quick about how I use it.


    He glanced at the price¡ªjust 20 Valor Points¡ªand was surprised at how cheap it was. Then again, it was a basic skill, likely grouped with others like Waterball, Wind Slash, and Stone Bullet. It made sense for beginners.


    Without hesitation, he purchased it. He then returned to the main stats screen and saw it immediately added to his skills:


    [Fireball] Level 1

 Chapter 8 - Keenweave Coat

    Finn¡¯s fingers twitched, itching to test out the new skill. His mind raced with possibilities¡ªhow the Fireball might look, how much damage it could deal, how it would feel to wield such controlled power. But he quickly pushed the thought aside. The White Room wasn¡¯t the place for experimentation.


    Though he doubted even a fully charged Fireball could leave so much as a scratch in a space as seemingly indestructible as this one¡ªespecially under Halgon¡¯s watchful eye¡ªcaution still felt like the smarter choice. He made a mental note to test it later, somewhere safer.


    Pushing the urge aside, he navigated back to the shop. His next focus: basics like mana and health potions. To his relief, the lowest-tier potions were affordable, priced at just 5 VP per bottle. He quickly added a few to his cart. Yes, there was even an add to cart option, which he found oddly amusing in such a fantastical setting.


    Still, he refrained from purchasing anything else for now. Finn figured he¡¯d ask Yukha for advice before making any major decisions. The Fireball skill was the only thing he felt confident about for the moment.


    He noticed other items in the shop, some with descriptions that hinted at temporary buffs. However, they were far more expensive, and Finn decided they weren¡¯t worth considering yet.


    Done with his immediate shopping, Finn returned to the stats menu and scrolled down to the last sections¡ªones he hadn¡¯t looked at before.


    ¡°The Blessings. How are they different from skills?¡± Finn asked, glancing at Halgon.


    ¡°Blessings are bestowed directly by the Gods,¡± Halgon explained. ¡°You can think of them as higher-tier passive skills. They often enhance your abilities in ways that go beyond the limits of ordinary skills.¡±


    ¡°And how do I get more of them?¡± Finn asked.


    ¡°By earning the favor of the Gods,¡± Halgon said. ¡°That can happen in several ways. Sometimes, a God might take notice of an action you perform and grant you favor directly. Other times, they¡¯ll assign you quests. Completing those quests may earn you rewards¡ªanything from weapons to equipment, items, or, if you¡¯re particularly fortunate, blessings.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± Finn nodded thoughtfully before his gaze dropped further down. ¡°And what about these Vows?¡±


    ¡°That is a much deeper version of the Blessings,¡± Halgon explained. ¡°To put it simply, a Vow is a direct pact with a God. You make a vow, and in return, you receive something of equal worth. What you gain depends on what you¡¯re willing to give up. However, to even be eligible to make a Vow, your relationship with a God must be very strong.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± Finn replied, nodding slowly.


    His brain was beginning to feel overloaded with information, but the concepts were straightforward enough to grasp. His gaming background and experiences certainly helped. Even so, there was a topic gnawing at him, something he was even more curious about: the Corrupted Elementals.


    He¡¯d heard the term repeatedly¡ªfirst from Yukha, then from Halgon. He¡¯d gathered that they were dangerous, hostile, and likely out to kill him, but beyond that, he was in the dark. The name itself hinted at something tainted or corrupted, but the ¡°Elementals¡± part left him clueless.


    If he wanted to survive, he needed more information.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been meaning to ask this earlier, but I got too caught up in the system. What the hell are Corrupted Elementals? And why are they out to get us?¡± Finn asked.


    Halgon opened his mouth to respond but suddenly froze, his gaze shifting upward, just as he had done before. Finn recognized the gesture¡ªit was likely how Halgon communicated with the Gods.


    After a few seconds, Halgon finally spoke. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Finn, but I¡¯m being called back now. I may have stayed here longer than I should have. Something big is happening at the Tower, and as this year¡¯s organizer, I need to return and oversee things.¡±


    Finn¡¯s brow furrowed, but Halgon continued before he could interject. ¡°You asked about the Corrupted Elementals, right? You can ask your orc companion about them. He has plenty of experience dealing with them.¡±


    ¡°Right. I forgot about the tower. I remember a lot of them have already teleported there before I even got here,¡± Finn said.


    Halgon nodded. ¡°Indeed. But before I send you back to The Threshold, I have something for you.¡±


    Finn tilted his head in curiosity as something materialized out of thin air. At first, he couldn¡¯t recognize what it was, but after a few seconds, the shape became clear.


    ¡°A coat?¡± Finn asked, his voice tinged with surprise.


    ¡°This is for you, Finn. A gift,¡± Halgon said with a small smile.


    ¡°From you?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Halgon replied. ¡°Remember the human I told you about earlier? The one who came here before you and became a demigod? When he heard another human had been summoned, he got excited. Said he finally has a comrade. He¡¯s cheering for you to conquer the Tower and can¡¯t wait to meet you and ''talk about Earthly things''. He asked me to give this to you.¡±


    Finn grabbed the brown coat, running his fingers over the fabric. As he examined it, glowing words appeared in front of him, hovering above the item.


    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    Keenweave Coat


    Curious, he mentally clicked the label, and a description popped up:


    Keenweave Coat - A rare jacket woven from enchanted threads. Increases user¡¯s Perception by X2 and gives 20% Elemental and Physical damage resistance.


    Finn¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Isn¡¯t that buff way too strong?¡±


    Halgon chuckled.


    ¡°Is it allowed to give me free stuff like this? I thought only the Gods could do that,¡± Finn asked.


    ¡°Anyone can give candidates gifts, even other candidates,¡± Halgon replied. ¡°As long as they can afford it.¡±


    ¡°That coat is expensive,¡± Halgon added. ¡°It¡¯s something that would take an ordinary challenger about a year of hunting Corrupted Elementals to afford. So you can see how much excited he was by your arrival.¡±


    "Another layer of pressure on me, then," Finn muttered, gripping the coat tightly. "Just surviving seems hard enough, and now I have someone¡¯s expectations on top of that. But still, tell him I¡¯ll do my best not to waste this amazing gift."


    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to let him know,¡± Halgon said with a nod.


    "Anyway, I¡¯ll be taking my leave now, Finn. I¡¯ll teleport you back to The Threshold. You can take as much time as you need to test your system and prepare before heading to the Tower. That¡¯s what I¡¯d do, at least, if I were you.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for the advice. But before you go, I have one final question,¡± Finn said.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Halgon asked.


    ¡°Do you think there¡¯s a chance for me to make it to the top of the Tower?¡± Finn asked, his voice steady but carrying a hint of uncertainty.


    Halgon sighed, pausing for a moment. ¡°I don¡¯t know, Finn. Unfortunately, I don¡¯t have the power of foresight. None do¡ªnot even the Gods.¡±


    His words were firm, yet tinged with empathy. ¡°We can only speculate based on what we see right now. And, to be honest, at this moment, your chances look very small. I think even just surviving will be a struggle for you. My advice? Stick close to your orc companion. Follow his guidance. That alone will raise your survival rate.


    ¡°That being said,¡± Halgon continued, his voice softening, ¡°even a small chance is still a chance. The smallest stream can carve a canyon if it flows with purpose. So struggle, Finn. Struggle even to the end. And I wish you luck.¡±


    With that, Halgon snapped his fingers, and his figure vanished.


    The White Room around Finn began to disintegrate, its brilliant glow breaking apart piece by piece, swallowed by encroaching darkness. He barely had time to brace himself before the familiar sensation of teleportation took hold, for the fourth time now.


    <hr>


    The first thing he felt was the cold wind brushing against his skin, followed by the lush green surrounding him as he opened his eyes. The vibrant greenery was a stark contrast to the sterile brightness of the White Room, and it brought some relief to his vision.


    Looking around, Finn noticed the space was almost deserted. Only a handful of scattered creatures remained, making the vast emptiness eerily quiet. The biting wind gave him a slight chill, especially after the almost unnaturally perfect temperature of the White Room.


    Thankfully, Finn now had the perfect solution.


    He slipped on the coat Halgon had given him¡ªa gift from his mysterious human ¡®friend.¡¯ It fit him surprisingly well, snug and comfortable, as if tailored just for him. Glancing down, Finn noticed how perfectly it complemented his gray polo shirt, denim pants, and white rubber shoes¡ªshoes that were once covered in dark spots but now gleamed spotless, thanks to Halgon¡¯s water magic.


    It was, admittedly, a good outfit. If only he weren¡¯t about to walk into a Tower where it would probably be torn to shreds while he fought for his life against God-knows-what.


    As he considered this grim reality, his hand unconsciously brushed the scar on his face. For a brief moment, he wondered if the shop had something that could cover it¡ªperhaps even an item with attribute boosts. That thought, however, would have to wait until he earned enough Valor Points. If he could even get any.


    ¡°You look good,¡± Yukha said, his voice cutting through Finn¡¯s thoughts.


    Finn grinned, a bit of confidence returning to his stance. ¡°Damn right.¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯d you get that? And why do you look so... clean now?¡± Yukha asked.


    ¡°This coat?¡± Finn tugged on the fabric. ¡°Halgon gave it to me. Said it was a gift from someone¡ªa human like me. It has insane buffs, too. Doubles my Perception and adds some resistance to physical and elemental damage. As for the cleanliness? That was Halgon¡¯s doing.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± Yukha exclaimed. ¡°A buff like that is even possible? Wait... Did you say Perception? Does that mean you finally have the system now?¡±


    ¡°Right again,¡± Finn said, his grin widening.


    ¡°Well? Don¡¯t keep me waiting. Tell me about it!¡± Yukha demanded.


    ¡°All right, all right,¡± Finn said with a chuckle. ¡°But don¡¯t get your hopes too high. You might be a little disappointed.¡±


    ¡°Just tell me already!¡± Yukha said.


    Finn explained everything the system had granted him, from the class he had chosen to his attributes, elemental affinities, and even the first skill he had unlocked¡ªFireball. He also mentioned how the Gods had amplified his affinities for the elements.


    ¡°Choosing Mage as your class was the right decision,¡± Yukha said. ¡°You are already making wise choices.¡±


    ¡°When I first saw you, I thought you looked as fragile as glass. Your body was soft¡ªuntouched by battle or hardship. But the scar on your face, the dirt on your clothes, and that look in your eyes¡­ that told a different story. You¡¯ve experienced something. Still, I could tell you weren¡¯t a fighter¡ªmore like an elemental specialist, perhaps a Mage.¡±


    ¡°Well, you nailed it on the first part,¡± Finn replied.


    ¡°Knowing your current attributes, though¡­¡± Yukha paused, his tone darkening. ¡°They are comparable to what a child¡¯s might be. You have a long road ahead of you if you want to improve them.¡±


    Finn couldn¡¯t help but wonder what he might have been like if he had grown up in a world like Yukha''s, where fighting Corrupted Elementals was a part of daily life. Would he have been stronger? Hardened by the constant battles?


    ¡°But,¡± Yukha continued, stroking his chin thoughtfully, ¡°your meager attributes lend some credibility to a theory I¡¯ve had for a long time.¡±


    ¡°What theory?¡± Finn asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s about the system,¡± Yukha said. ¡°I believe the Gods have some way of hacking into our bodies. When we first receive the system, it evaluates us based on our current physical and elemental strength¡ªour potential at that moment. When I received mine, my attributes and affinities were far greater than yours, likely because I had spent my entire life fighting before that. The system must have analyzed our physical condition and converted it into numbers. Then, whenever we level up and assign points, it ¡®hacks¡¯ us again to improve a specific part of our bodies.¡±


    Finn listened closely, his curiosity piqued.


    ¡°But here¡¯s the thing,¡± Yukha continued. ¡°No matter how much we train, there¡¯s a limit to how strong we can naturally get. Yet the system allows us to push past that limit. When the Gods gave you extra points for your affinities, they essentially forced your body to surpass its natural barriers.¡±


    ¡°That makes sense,¡± Finn said, his mind racing. ¡°When I was a kid experimenting with fire, I remember feeling completely drained afterward. If your theory is right, maybe I ¡®ran out of mana¡¯ back then, even though I didn¡¯t know what mana was or even have the system yet. And that could also explain why my mana wasn¡¯t full when I first received the system¡ªI must¡¯ve already used some before I was summoned here.¡±


    Finn remembered his desparate attempt at breaking the wall from inside his burning house with his own fire.


    ¡°Possibly,¡± Yukha said with a deep chuckle. ¡°An interesting thought, but hardly useful. The system does what it does, whether we understand it or not.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough,¡± Finn said with a shrug.


    Yukha¡¯s tone shifted, becoming more commanding. ¡°Now that you have the system, I assume you¡¯re eager to test your abilities. And do not concern yourself with mana¡ªI will handle that. It¡¯s better for you to grow familiar with your powers before we set foot inside the Tower.¡±

 Chapter 9 - Fires True Power

    ¡°Wait, do you have some kind of mana regeneration skill?¡± Finn asked, his curiosity rekindled.


    ¡°Nope, almost all my skills are combat-oriented,¡± Yukha said.


    ¡°I¡¯m a Water Warrior, and I have focused my attributes on Constitution and Strength. I have been fighting like a warrior my whole life, even before I received the system, so naturally, that¡¯s the class I picked.¡±


    ¡°A Water Warrior?¡± Finn asked, raising an eyebrow.


    Yukha¡¯s massive frame, coupled with the heavy armor he wore, certainly fit the image of a warrior. But water? That seemed off. When Finn thought of warriors, he imagined Stone or Fire affinities¡ªsomething solid, forceful. Water felt more suited for Mages or Clerics, not someone charging into battle.


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s a great class,¡± Yukha replied, nodding confidently.


    ¡°But when I imagine a warrior,¡± Finn said hesitantly, ¡°I think of Stone or Fire¡ªsomething more¡­ offensive. Water just feels different.¡±


    Yukha paused, his expression thoughtful. He rubbed his chin with his large hand, as if trying to piece together Finn¡¯s perspective. ¡°I can¡¯t seem to grasp what you mean, Finn. Water and being a Warrior seem perfectly natural to me.¡±


    Finn blinked, confused by Yukha¡¯s reaction. How could he not understand? And then it hit him¡ªof course.


    He isn¡¯t from Earth. He has no concept of RPG logic.


    ¡°Besides,¡± Yukha said, breaking Finn¡¯s train of thought, ¡°I am also a natural when it comes to water.¡±


    He raised his hand, and as Finn watched, a small sphere of water formed in the air above Yukha¡¯s palm. It grew steadily, pulsing with a faint energy, before Yukha clenched his fist, and the water dissolved into thin air, vanishing as suddenly as it had appeared.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me that earlier?¡± Finn asked.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t ask,¡± Yukha replied.


    ¡°Fair enough,¡± Finn said, shaking his head with a wry smile.


    ¡°Now it¡¯s your turn, Finn,¡± Yukha said, crossing his arms. His tone was firm, almost like a challenge. ¡°You said you were a natural with fire, did you not? Show me what you got.¡±


    "And do not use your Fireball skill. Just summon fire like you did before you got here."


    Finn hesitated. When he had used his power earlier, it was in the heat of the moment¡ªdesperation to escape the burning house. Now, without that surge of adrenaline, he didn¡¯t feel as confident.


    After all, the fire had almost killed him twice. And the times he''d lost control of it haunted him.


    His hand instinctively moved to his scar, as though it could somehow guide him, point him toward the right path. Yet, all he felt beneath his fingers was its rough, uneven surface¡ªa reminder, not a compass.


    "What are you waiting for?" Yukha¡¯s voice snapped him out of his thoughts.


    He was right. There was no time to wait. No time for his mind to heal, no time to let the trauma fade. If he wanted to survive, he needed to control it now.


    Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes. He focused, letting his mind drift back, searching for the memories from his childhood.


    The memory of when he first discovered his power came to him clearly. He remembered the small ember appearing on a sheet of paper, slowly consuming it. Then, the times he experimented¡ªsetting fire to more papers, pieces of wood, and random objects he found. Even small critters hadn¡¯t been spared. He could vividly recall the heat, the acrid smell, and the way the flames moved¡ªred, alive, and constantly shifting.


    As he focused on the memory, something stirred deep inside him. It was hard to describe, but it felt as though a hidden part of him¡ªan unseen mouth¡ªhad opened. When he tapped into it, he felt a burning sensation deep within.


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    He opened his eyes and exhaled from this imagined mouth. A flicker of flame, about the size of a small rock, sparked to life above his hand.


    The sensation was strange yet familiar, as if the fire came from within him, much like how air flowed from his lungs. Back on Earth, it had been different. The flames he summoned felt distant and disconnected, like a tool he was borrowing. But here, the fire felt natural, like a part of him he had always known.


    The small flame hovered above his palm, its steady red glow warming his skin. It wasn¡¯t searing or dangerous; it was comforting, almost soothing.


    ¡°You really are a natural,¡± Yukha said, his wide eyes fixed on the flame. At fire too. That¡¯s something you don¡¯t see often.¡±


    ¡°Is it really that rare?¡± Finn asked, his gaze still on the flame.


    ¡°Very. Even fire specialists are uncommon,¡± Yukha explained. ¡°It¡¯s a difficult element to master. Wind, stone, and water are all around us, easy to draw from. But fire¡­ it has to be ignited first, and it¡¯s easily extinguished. Not to mention, it¡¯s dangerous. An unskilled user can easily hurt themselves.


    "Fire¡¯s not much use defensively, either. It¡¯s not dense enough to block attacks. The only way fire can defend is if it¡¯s hot enough to burn anything it touches instantly. But that level of heat could just as easily harm the user. Few are willing to take that risk.¡±


    Yukha glanced at the flame again. ¡°Fire naturals are even rarer. In my 300 years, I¡¯ve only seen four or five of them. Even in the Tower, I imagine very few people choose fire as their specialty. Other elements are just easier to use.¡±


    ¡°Three hundred years?¡± Finn asked, startled. His surprise made the flame flicker slightly.


    ¡°Yes, orcs live for about five hundred years on average,¡± Yukha said with a small grin. ¡°That makes me an old man. But enough about me¡ªtry infusing more mana into that flame. It¡¯s a rare sight, and I want to see what else you can do.¡±


    Finn wanted to ask Yukha how to infuse mana, but as he turned his focus back to the flame, the answer came to him instinctively. It was as though the flame was connected to him by invisible veins, and his mana was like a liquid flowing through them¡ªfuel for the fire.


    He carefully let the mana flow, and the flame responded, growing steadily until it was the size of a basketball. Satisfied, Finn stopped the flow, and the flame stopped growing.


    ¡°Now, try controlling it. Make it move around,¡± Yukha suggested.


    Finn focused again on the fire, surprised at how deeply he could feel it. It wasn¡¯t just a visual thing¡ªit was as though the flame was an extension of his body, connected to him in a way that he could sense it mentally. When he willed it to move, it obeyed. Up, down, left, right¡ªthe flame followed his commands.


    It was so much easier than back on Earth. Back then, controlling fire had felt like pushing through thick fog or moving underwater, slow and clumsy, like struggling to move in a dream. But here, the connection was clear and smooth, with no obstruction.


    That didn¡¯t mean it was perfect. The fireball sometimes overshot where he wanted it to go or stopped short, but it was still far easier to manipulate than before. Finn moved it around, weaving it through the air, almost mesmerized by the way it danced.


    ¡°It¡¯s like it has a life of its own,¡± he murmured.


    ¡°Impressive,¡± Yukha said, his eyes following the flame. ¡°How long have you been training with it?¡±


    ¡°Not long,¡± Finn admitted. ¡°When I was younger, I experimented a bit¡ªburning paper, wood, random things. But I didn¡¯t try to control it much, not like this. Back then, it felt¡­ sluggish. Like there was something blocking me.¡±


    ¡°Blocking you?¡± Yukha raised a brow.


    Finn nodded, the memory of that desperate night flashing in his mind. ¡°Yeah. When I was trapped in a burning house, I tried to summon fire to break through a wall. But it moved so slowly, like I was dragging it through mud. If I¡¯d had this level of control back then¡­¡± He trailed off, his chest tightening.


    I could¡¯ve escaped. I could¡¯ve made the fire bigger and faster. Maybe things would¡¯ve been different.


    Yukha¡¯s voice snapped him back to reality. ¡°That makes this even more impressive,¡± he said. ¡°For someone with so little experience, your control is remarkable. My theory proves true again: the system must have optimized your body to unlock its potential. Still, even with that, this level of skill for a beginner is rare. I might have underestimated you, Finn.¡± A grin spread across Yukha¡¯s face. ¡°Now I¡¯m even more excited. Training you in the Tower is going to be fun.¡±


    ¡°Training me?¡± Finn looked at him curiously. ¡°You¡¯re not just accompanying me¡ªyou¡¯re going to train me too? Isn¡¯t that a bit much?¡±


    ¡°I told you earlier, did I not?¡± Yukha chuckled. ¡°I have no grand ambitions in the Tower. I¡¯ve lived long enough, and there¡¯s nothing left for me to prove. Helping a friend grow stronger seems like a worthwhile use of my time.¡±


    ¡°Friend?¡± Finn repeated, blinking in surprise.


    ¡°What?¡± Yukha teased, raising a brow. ¡°Do you not wish to be my friend?¡±


    ¡°Of course I do!¡± Finn said quickly.


    ¡°Then it¡¯s settled. I look forward to working with you in the Tower, my friend,¡± Yukha said, extending a hand.


    Finn shook it firmly. ¡°Looking forward to it too¡­ friend.¡±


    The warmth in his chest surprised him. Having an orc as a friend felt surreal. Moments ago, he¡¯d only seen Yukha as a potential ally. Now, with the word confirmed, it made him feel welcome¡ªa part of something bigger. It gave him a burst of motivation to move forward.


    But as Finn opened his mouth to speak again, a sudden wave of exhaustion hit him. His knees buckled, and the flame he was controlling fizzled out. He barely registered Yukha catching him before he collapsed.


    ¡°You must have drained all your mana,¡± Yukha said, chuckling as he steadied Finn.


    Finn glanced at his status. Sure enough, his mana bar was empty: 0/50, the blue color completely gone.


    ¡°Here,¡± Yukha said, handing him a small bottle filled with a shimmering blue liquid.


    Finn took it with trembling hands, surprised by how easy it was to open the cap despite his weakness. He tilted it back and drank, expecting something bitter or medicinal.


    Instead, he was hit with a cold, minty sweetness that reminded him of those sugared bottled waters back on Earth, the ones he drank for dehydration when he had a fever. The potion¡¯s effects were almost immediate¡ªlike a refreshing wind rushing through his veins, washing away his fatigue. Within moments, he felt steady again.


    He glanced at his status: 52/52, the mana bar filled to the brim with glowing blue.


    ¡°This is amazing,¡± Finn breathed, taking deep, steadying breaths.


    ¡°That,¡± Yukha said with a grin, ¡°is the effect of a high-level mana potion.¡±

 Chapter 10 - Love Of Fire

    "High level? Is that why it filled all of my mana instantly?" Finn asked.


    "Exactly. But for someone at my level, one high-level potion wouldn¡¯t even come close to filling my mana pool. Mages have it worse because their Wisdom is their primary attribute," Yukha replied, his tone matter-of-fact. "But higher Wisdom also means faster mana regeneration, just like how Constitution works for health recovery. Plus, there are always items and equipment to help boost mana regeneration."


    "If that was a high-level potion, though, wasn¡¯t it expensive?" Finn asked.


    "Don¡¯t worry about it," Yukha said with a small wave of his hand. "I¡¯ve amassed plenty of Valor Points over the years. A few high-level mana potions are hardly a dent in my reserves."


    Finn frowned, guilt flickering across his face. "Still, I feel bad about using your points. I wouldn¡¯t be able to afford anything close to that right now with the little I have."


    "Then consider it a loan," Yukha said with a knowing smile. "When you¡¯re strong enough to take down multiple corrupted elementals a day, earning Valor Points will be easy for you. Paying me back will be the least of your concerns. Deal?"


    Finn hesitated, then nodded. "Deal."


    A thought struck him, and he added with a wry smile, "But what if I die before I can pay you back?"


    "Impossible," Yukha replied without missing a beat. His gaze was firm, his voice unwavering. "Because I won¡¯t let that happen."


    The sheer conviction in Yukha''s words caught Finn off guard, silencing him for a moment. "That¡¯s¡­ reassuring," he finally said, smiling genuinely.


    Turning his attention back to his status box, Finn noticed something unusual. His Fire Affinity had increased by a point. He scanned the rest of his stats to be sure and found more changes.


    <hr>


    Elemental Affinities:


    Stone - 30


    Water - 30


    Fire - 56


    Wind - 30


    Free Points - 0


    <hr>


    His attributes had shifted as well. Both Perception and Wisdom had gone up by a point.


    <hr>


    Attributes:


    Constitution - 5


    Strength -  5


    Perception -  9


    Wisdom - 13


    Free Points - 0


    <hr>


    Blinking, Finn realized his total mana had risen to 52 from 50, confirming the Wisdom boost. He shared his discovery with Yukha, expecting surprise, but Yukha merely nodded.


    "That makes sense," Yukha said. "Remember what I told you? The system quantifies your physical and elemental growth into numbers so you can track it. When you summoned and manipulated fire until you drained your mana, your body naturally adapted and grew stronger. The system reflects that improvement."


    "So¡­ whenever I get free points to assign at level-ups, those come from the system. But when my stats improve like this, it¡¯s purely my own effort?"


    "Exactly," Yukha said.


    Finn''s mind raced with possibilities. "So if I train my body, like exercising, would that increase my Strength? What about Constitution?"


    Yukha nodded. "Strength, yes. Physical exertion will improve it naturally¡ªI¡¯ve seen it happen firsthand. And you should. Mages or not, a little muscle never hurts." He paused, his gaze flickering over Finn''s thin frame. "Frankly, you could use it."


    Finn winced. "What about Constitution?"


    "That¡¯s harder. Constitution improves through repeated damage and healing. But I wouldn¡¯t recommend it. You¡¯re too fragile right now. A single corrupted elemental could kill you in just a few hits. For now, focus on increasing your Wisdom, Perception, and maybe a bit of Strength."


    "Alright. How do we go about that?"


    "We¡¯ll start once we''re in the Tower," Yukha said. "You need combat experience as much as stat growth. During rest periods, we¡¯ll train your Strength with light exercises¡ªnothing too taxing. During fights, you¡¯ll use your Fire abilities to take down corrupted elementals, which will help build both Wisdom and Perception. That way, we train your stats and your instincts at the same time."


    "Sounds like a plan," Finn said, feeling a spark of determination.


    "So, do we head to the Tower now? Are you done preparing?"


    "Not quite," Yukha replied. "Before we go, I need to know how proficient you are with your other elements. Have you ever used them before?"


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    Finn shook his head. "Nope. Fire is the only one I¡¯ve practiced with."


    "Not ideal," Yukha murmured. "But the Gods did grant you points in the other elements. Maybe that¡¯ll help."


    "Let us see then. Try controlling Stone first," Yukha suggested.


    He crouched down and peeled away the grass beneath them, revealing a patch of brown soil.


    "Try lifting this soil¡ªmove it around like you did with the fire earlier."


    So soil counts as Stone? Calling it Earth would¡¯ve been way easier, but I guess that''s only called that from my planet, I just need to get used to it.


    Finn focused on the patch of soil, expecting to feel the same connection he had when controlling fire. A second passed. Nothing happened.


    Weird.


    He stepped closer, narrowing his focus and trying harder. Finally, he felt something¡ªa faint, murky connection, as if an invisible fog was blocking his way. It reminded him of the disconnection he¡¯d felt with fire back on Earth, before the connection had "clicked."


    After a moment, small, scattered bits of soil lifted from the ground, not clumped but loose and unsteady. He tried to control them, but they scattered in random directions, ignoring his intent like a character disobeying a broken controller.


    Finn sighed and gave up, letting the bits of soil fall. They were carried away by the breeze moments later.


    When he glanced at his mana, his jaw dropped. Nearly half of it was gone¡ªfar more than he¡¯d spent controlling fire.


    An effect of lower affinity, maybe?


    "Well, that was pathetic," Finn said, half-laughing. "It felt like the soil didn''t  like me."


    Yukha raised an eyebrow. "Harsh, but... I¡¯ll lean toward agreeing."


    "Even with just 30 Affinity for Stone, you should¡¯ve been able to form a fist-sized clump and move it. Something¡¯s not right."


    "Maybe it¡¯s because it¡¯s my first time?" Finn offered weakly.


    "Perhaps. But even for a first attempt, that was... underwhelming." Yukha didn¡¯t sugarcoat his words.


    He raised his hand, palm open. "Let¡¯s move on. Try controlling Wind this time. Focus on the air around you, then pick a single spot. Gather the wind there and condense it. Once you¡¯ve grasped it, send it to my palm. If done right, you should be able to give me a small cut at this distance."


    "Alright, I¡¯ll try." Finn stretched his arm out, hoping for better results this time.


    He focused on the space above his palm. The wind brushed against his skin, cool and damp from the sweat pooling there. He concentrated, and this time the connection came faster¡ªperhaps because he could physically feel the element.


    Small thread-like strands of air danced across his palm. He tried to condense them, drawing them closer together to form something solid, something sharp. But once again, that invisible fog crept in, muddying the connection.


    Gritting his teeth, he forced his way through it. Slowly, the strands drew closer. He had no idea what shape they¡¯d taken, but he hoped it was enough.


    He launched the gathered wind toward Yukha, mimicking a throwing motion for good measure.


    A few awkward seconds passed. Yukha tilted his head. "Was that strange motion you trying to control the wind toward me?"


    Finn groaned. "You don¡¯t have to embarrass me even more than I¡¯ve already done myself."


    "My apologies. I didn¡¯t mean to," Yukha said earnestly. "But... I felt nothing. Not even a tickle. Perhaps the skin on my palm has grown too thick?"


    There was no sarcasm in his tone, but Finn still winced. He doesn¡¯t mean it badly, but it still hurts.


    Why was this so difficult? With fire, everything had felt so smooth, so natural. He didn¡¯t even have to move; his hands had stayed in his pockets as he controlled that basketball-sized flame with ease. But Stone and Wind... they felt distant.


    Yukha, sensing his frustration, smiled faintly. "Let us try one more element¡ªWater," he said, his voice tinged with expectation.


    Water. Yukha¡¯s element. I really hope I don¡¯t disappoint him this time.


    Yukha raised his arm, and a flask appeared out of thin air, materializing in his massive hand. Was the flask small, or were his hands just that big?


    "Did that come from your Inventory?" Finn asked.


    "Yes. I¡¯m surprised you already know. Have you used yours yet?" Yukha replied.


    "Not yet¡ªjust a lucky guess," Finn said, shrugging.


    Another item materialized in Yukha¡¯s other hand. This time, it was a battered bowl, its surface marred with scratches. Yukha crouched, set the bowl on the ground, and poured water into it from the flask until it was half-full. Finn could guess where this was going, but one question still nagged him.


    "Why bother with water from another source? Can¡¯t you just summon it for me since you''re a natural?"


    Yukha shook his head. "It doesn¡¯t work that way. You cannot control elements summoned by someone else. Elemental manipulation only works with your own power or with natural elements already present around you."


    Finn nodded slowly, the explanation sinking in.


    "Now," Yukha said, gesturing to the bowl, "try scooping up the water with your mind. Form it into any shape you want¡ªa sphere is easiest. Water is softer than stone and more visible than wind. It¡¯s not as light as fire, but you may find it easier to control than the others."


    "Alright," Finn said, exhaling deeply.


    "Take this first," Yukha added.


    "Take what?" Finn asked, frowning.


    Before Yukha answered, a box popped up in Finn¡¯s vision:


    ACCEPT ITEM FROM YUKHA?


    Mana Potion [High] x1


    You can even do that? Finn thought, amazed. He mentally agreed, and the box vanished, replaced by another:


    ITEM RECEIVED.


    As the notification closed, Finn glanced at his inventory. The small square labeled Inventory now had a small red ¡®1¡¯ in the corner. Curious, he opened it.


    Rows of empty slots appeared, except for three at the top left. The first contained a red stone¡ªthe teleportation stone Halgon had given them for the first realm of the tower. The second held a blue stone, the failsafe that would send them home at the cost of losing everything. The third was the mana potion Yukha had just handed over.


    "You don¡¯t need to take the potion out to use it," Yukha explained, interrupting Finn¡¯s inspection. "Just think about consuming it, and it will activate. That¡¯s especially useful in battle. The only downside is you miss out on the refreshing taste."


    "That¡¯s definitely a drawback," Finn said.


    Following Yukha¡¯s instructions, he mentally consumed the potion. Warmth surged through him as his depleted mana reserves filled to the brim. He felt reinvigorated, but his nerves still tingled with anticipation.


    Alright, third time¡¯s the charm. Let¡¯s do this.


    Turning his focus to the bowl, Finn honed in on the still surface of the water. Almost immediately, the liquid began to ripple, then bubble as if boiling. Droplets started to rise, hovering in midair, but he couldn¡¯t get them to clump together. Instead, they scattered in all directions, ignoring his attempts to guide them.


    Finn¡¯s frustration mounted as he tried again and again to control the water, but the droplets refused to obey, zigzagging away from his mental commands.


    "Well, it seems like water hates me too," Finn muttered, releasing his focus. The water dropped back into the bowl with a soft plop, settling once more.


    "Don''t say that, Finn," Yukha said. "The elements do not hate, especially not water. It has aided me countless times in the past. Perhaps you simply need more practice than most."


    Yukha¡¯s optimism was infectious, and it eased some of Finn¡¯s tension. Still, despite his repeated failures, he didn¡¯t feel defeated.


    So what if I¡¯m bad at water, wind, and stone?


    Sure, his connection to the other elements might be weak, but fire? Fire was his strength. Fire didn¡¯t need coaxing or convincing¡ªit roared to life with just a thought.


    That¡¯s right. Fire and I get along just fine.


    Finn¡¯s lips curled into a determined smile. I love fire, and fire loves me back.

 Chapter 11 - What Have You Done?

    "I¡¯ll be honest, Finn. Things aren¡¯t looking too bright for you as a mage," Yukha said.


    "Yeah, I figured," Finn replied with a weak smile.


    "But don''t despair¡ªit¡¯s not the end of the world. At least we¡¯ve established that you have a strong affinity for fire. For now, that will be our focus. Fire will be your greatest weapon in the tower," Yukha continued.


    "As for the other elements, we can work on improving them little by little. It will take time, but, fortunately, time is something we¡¯ve got plenty of."


    Finn¡¯s lips curled into a smirk. "Actually, I¡¯ve got a better idea."


    Yukha raised a curious brow. "Oh? Do tell, Finn. I am eager to hear it."


    "Before I do, I need to check something first¡ªjust to confirm a theory," Finn replied, his attention shifting inward.


    With a mental command, he opened the system¡¯s shop. If his hunch was correct and the system operated similarly to a game, he might just find the solution he needed here.


    Rows upon rows of items filled the shop interface, but Finn ignored them, focusing instead on the search bar. After a moment of thought, he mentally typed his first keyword: "Reset."


    Autocomplete suggestions populated the dropdown, but none matched what he was looking for. Most were related to skills or miscellaneous items. Undeterred, he scrolled through all the results, even going as far as the third and final page. Still, nothing.


    Frowning, he returned to the search bar and tried again. This time, he entered: "Transfer."


    Again, he scanned through the suggestions, combing through the results page by page. By the time he reached the sixth and final page, frustration had set in. He was about to abandon his search altogether when, at the very bottom of the page, he spotted it¡ªa glimmer of hope amidst the sea of items.


    His eyes widened as he read the description twice, just to be sure:


    Transfer Scroll (Elemental Affinity)


    Category: Misc. Items


    Description: A scroll used to transfer elemental affinities.


    Cost: 1 VP upon initial purchase. Consumes 100 VP per 1 point transferred upon use.


    Finn wasted no time buying it. Once it appeared in his inventory, he retrieved it. The scroll looked just as he¡¯d imagined¡ªthick, rough parchment bound with a blue silk ribbon. It smelled faintly of aged paper, evoking memories of his father¡¯s library¡ªone of the places he had accidentally set aflame in his childhood.


    Shaking the memory aside, Finn approached Yukha. He hesitated, clutching the scroll tightly. Borrowing from a friend, even one as easygoing as Yukha, was foreign to him. He had never relied on loans, not even from his parents. His frugal lifestyle had always been enough to cover his needs.


    But now, standing before the towering orc, Finn swallowed his pride. He repeated a silent promise to himself: I¡¯ll pay him back¡ªsomehow.


    "Yukha," Finn finally said, his voice steadier than he felt.


    "What is it, Finn?" Yukha asked, tilting his head. "You¡¯ve been giving me strange looks for a while now. Weren¡¯t you going to share your plan?"


    "If items can be transferred, then Valor Points can be too, right?" Finn asked.


    "Correct," Yukha replied with a slow nod.


    Finn hesitated for a moment, then dove in. "Well¡­ how would you feel about lending me 9000 VP?"


    Yukha squinted at Finn, his gaze steady but thoughtful. "That amount could buy a decent set of armor, items, and a weapon for a level 20 Water Warrior," he said. "And I doubt gear for a level 1 Fire Mage would cost anywhere near that. So, what exactly are you planning to buy that¡¯s usable for you right now?"


    "Wait, you''re actually considering lending me that much?" Finn asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. "I thought you¡¯d laugh me off and call me crazy."


    "When you looked at me, I saw your determination. Whatever you''re planning, you believe in it. And I know the look of a liar¡ªyou¡¯re not one," Yukha replied. "So, tell me your plan, and I¡¯ll lend it to you. Though, looking at that scroll in your hand, I think I already have an idea."


    We¡¯ve only just met, and he already trusts me this much?


    "You know what this scroll is?" Finn asked.


    "Yes, I¡¯ve seen and used it before. That¡¯s a Transfer Scroll, right? For elemental affinities?"


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    "So it works, then? When you used it, it actually worked?"


    "It did," Yukha confirmed. "I used one to transfer a small number of points to another element for a skill requirement. Some skills need a minimum threshold before they can be unlocked, you see."


    "But 9000 VP? Just how many points are you planning to transfer?" Yukha asked, his brow furrowing.


    "Enough to see how much an element''s strength increases with a significant boost in points," Finn replied.


    "Ah, I see," Yukha said, nodding thoughtfully. "An ambitious experiment. Expensive, but it could yield valuable results." He paused for a moment before adding, "Wait here. I¡¯ll transfer the 9000 VP to you as you asked."


    Finn blinked, stunned. "Just like that? You¡¯re not even going to think about it? That¡¯s a lot of VP!"


    "It is," Yukha admitted with a shrug. "But I can afford it. Besides, I¡¯m curious too. I¡¯d like to see the outcome of what you''re planning."


    Finn sighed in relief, a small smile forming on his lips. "If you say so. Thanks, Yukha. I promise I¡¯ll pay you back someday."


    "No worries," Yukha replied with a smile.


    A glowing notification popped up in front of Finn:


    ACCEPT 9000 VP FROM YUKHA?


    Finn mentally selected "Accept," and his VP balance shot up from a measly 80 to a staggering 9080.


    "Alright," he muttered, his heart pounding in anticipation. "Let¡¯s see how this goes."


    Finn carefully unloosed the blue silk ribbon around the scroll. The moment it fell away, it dissolved into nothingness. The scroll hovered in mid-air, unrolling itself. Black ink danced across the parchment, displaying his name and current elemental affinities:


    <hr>


    Name: Finn Hayes


    Elemental Affinities:


    Stone - 30


    Water - 30


    Fire - 56


    Wind - 30


    <hr>


    The numbers blinked, inviting him to edit them.


    Finn took a deep breath. No turning back now.


    One by one, he mentally transferred the points. The process was slow and tedious¡ªeach point had to be shifted individually. Minutes passed as he painstakingly moved them, but finally, it was done.


    He mentally selected the "Done" button at the bottom right corner of the scroll. The ink shifted, forming new text:


    TRANSFER COST: 9000 VP


    CONFIRM POINT TRANSFER?


    Without hesitation, Finn confirmed. The scroll dissolved into nothingness, just as the ribbon had.


    Finn opened his status box, his eyes scanning the updated numbers:


    <hr>


    Elemental Affinities:


    Stone - 0


    Water - 0


    Fire - 146


    Wind - 0


    <hr>


    He exhaled slowly, a grin spreading across his face. "Let¡¯s see what this can do."


    But before Finn could close his stats to prepare for another round of experimentation, a box appeared before him in the shape of an envelope. He frowned. A message?


    "Did you just send me a message?" Finn asked, turning to Yukha.


    "Why would I do that when I¡¯m standing right in front of you?" Yukha replied.


    "Good point... So who sent it?" Finn muttered.


    Before he could open the envelope, another appeared. Then another, and another, stacking rapidly. Finn¡¯s unease grew with each passing second. Finally, he opened the first message, his pulse quickening as he read its contents:


    From Halgon:


    WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?


    Finn''s blood ran cold.


    Before he could open the next message, the ground shook violently. The sky darkened, thunder roared, and torrential rain began pouring down.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Yukha yelled, barely audible over the storm. ¡°Is this some kind of penalty for staying too long in the Threshold?¡± His voice rose to a shout as the chaos intensified.


    ¡°I think this might be my fault!¡± Finn shouted back.


    ¡°What do you mea¡ª¡±


    Yukha¡¯s question was cut short as the storm abruptly silenced. The rain stopped, and the thunder dissipated, but the sky remained cloaked in ominous dark clouds.


    A voice boomed through the stillness, loud enough to shake the air itself.


    ¡°Have you no shame, mortal?¡±


    It was a woman''s voice, echoing with such authority that it seemed to come from everywhere at once.


    ¡°After all we have given you, this is how you repay us?¡±


    Finn¡¯s heart pounded as a wave of realization crashed over him. He didn¡¯t need to ask whom the voice was addressing. The weight of his actions pressed down on him like lead.


    ¡°How dare you disrespect us like this?¡±


    His thoughts spiraled into chaos. I might die before even reaching the tower.


    ¡°But I am not without mercy,¡± the voice continued, its tone sharp and unyielding. ¡°Speak your final words before I smite you.¡±


    Finn closed his eyes, taking a shaky breath.


    Calm down. Think. Think. I only have one chance to fix this.


    He forced his frantic thoughts into order, sorting through the mess for any clue that could save him.


    The voice¡­ It¡¯s a God. But which one? One misstep and I¡¯m dead.


    He analyzed everything he knew:


    Female voice¡ªStone God is out. It''s tone and sound doesn¡¯t match the childlike appearance of the Wind God''s either. Could it be Fire? No, she brought me here; it wouldn¡¯t make sense for her to react this way if I strengthened her affinity. The tone is commanding, authoritative¡ªlikely the older of them too.


    His conclusion solidified. Water God, Maris.


    There was no time to think further. Every second of silence could cost him his life.


    Finn glanced back at Yukha, desperate for guidance. To his surprise, Yukha was kneeling, one knee on the ground, head bowed in deference.


    Without hesitation, Finn mimicked him, slamming his knee into the water pooling beneath him and bowing his head low. His mind raced for any respectful phrases he could recall from games, books, or movies.


    Taking another deep breath, he spoke, his voice trembling.


    ¡°Most revered and gracious Water God, does this unworthy mortal have your permission to speak your name?¡±


    The silence stretched, tension clawing at him as he waited. Sweat dripped down his brow despite the absence of heat.


    Finally, the voice responded.


    ¡°You may.¡±


    Finn exhaled, realizing only then that he¡¯d been holding his breath.

 Chapter 12 - Unusual Messages

    "You have my sincere thanks," Finn replied, bowing his head slightly.


    His thoughts churned. The only thing I¡¯ve done that might have offended them¡­ Could they really be reacting like this because I transferred all my points to the Fire element?


    He took a deep breath. First, he had to apologize.


    "Most revered Water God, Maris," Finn began, his voice steady despite the tension. "First, I would like to ask for your forgiveness for what I have done."


    "You should know, mortal, that apologies will not save your life," Maris replied coldly.


    I thought as much, Finn grimaced internally.


    "Even so," he continued, "I must apologize for my actions. After the generosity you have shown me, to think I would dare do something so disrespectful¡­"


    Maris said nothing, her silence heavy with judgment.


    "But most revered Water God," Finn pressed on, "I was desperate¡ªdesperate and afraid. Just as you said, I am only a mortal, fragile and fleeting. I would probably perish the moment I stepped into the tower. I have none of the strength you possess, none of the power of the elements. In my fear, I made a rash decision."


    He hesitated, searching for the right words.


    "When I tried to use the other elements, they resisted me. It felt as if they deemed me unworthy, as though I didn¡¯t deserve to wield them. That only deepened my fear."


    Finn nearly gagged on the lie. The idea of labeling himself unworthy felt like a betrayal to the Fire element, the only one he had managed to wield. But he had no choice. Every word he spoke was calculated, a gamble for his life.


    "Please understand," Finn pleaded. "Humans often act irrationally when desperation grips them. I did what I thought would give me the best chance to survive. I strengthened the element that resonated most with me, thinking it would help me endure."


    He paused, his heart pounding as he awaited Maris¡¯s response.


    "Hmmm," her voice rumbled like the deep sea. "Is that all you have to say?"


    Finn swallowed hard. He wasn¡¯t done yet.


    "Most revered Water God," he said, his voice softening, "when I saw your image earlier, I was captivated¡ªespecially by your eyes. They are as deep and mysterious as the ocean itself. And within that depth, I glimpsed your kindness."


    He pressed his forehead to the ground, forcing his words out. "If you can find it within you to show me mercy, I would be eternally grateful."


    The words tasted like ash. His own voice gave him goosebumps. Finn knew they weren¡¯t entirely true. Sure, Maris was captivating, but it was the Fire God, Isha, whose image had lingered in his mind. He clung to that thought to sell the lie, hoping it would make his words sound genuine.


    Silence hung between them, thick and suffocating. Then, a voice broke it¡ªthis time, not Maris''.


    "Water God, Maris, am I permitted to speak as well?" Yukha''s voice came from behind Finn.


    "Speak," Maris allowed.


    "I also apologize," Yukha said. "I failed to teach him properly. If you find favor in me, one of your humble subjects, I ask you to forgive my friend as well."


    "Yukha¡­" Finn whispered, his voice barely audible.


    "He is from Earth, you see," Yukha continued. "This is his first encounter with you, most respected Gods. I promise to teach him the proper respect so that he will never repeat this mistake. I beg you to show him mercy."


    The space grew quiet as Maris¡¯s voice, deep and resonant, cut through once more.


    "From Earth, you say?"


    Her words echoed ominously, reverberating like ripples on a vast, still ocean. She paused, as if weighing something. The tension in the air grew unbearable.


    "Alright, mortal. I am willing to let you live, but only because I pity you," Maris said, her voice cold and resolute. "I do not see you surviving for long anyway. You will die, whether I intervene or not."


    Finn swallowed hard, but before he could respond, Maris continued.


    "Be thankful that one of my subjects has pleaded for you, and be thankful to the other Gods who convinced me to spare your life. But do not forget this day. No¡ªI will make sure you remember it."


    Before Finn could exhale in relief, a sudden searing pain shot through his palm. He gasped, clutching it instinctively. Looking down, he saw a glowing blue gash etched into his skin, like a tattoo of a single, jagged dash.


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    "I will take my leave now. You should feel honored that I even graced you with my voice," Maris declared.


    "I am most honored, Water God," Finn replied, bowing his head despite the pain. "I will be forever grateful to you and will never forget what you have done for me this day."


    "Yukha," Maris said, turning her attention to him, "make sure to teach him well so that this does not happen again."


    Yukha bowed deeply. "Yes, O Great One."


    As Maris''s presence faded, the stormy skies cleared. The dark clouds dissolved, replaced by the warm light of day. It was as if the confrontation had never occurred.


    But Finn knew better. His knees trembled, his stomach churned, and his palm throbbed with pain. He collapsed onto his back, staring blankly at the sky above.


    I really almost died. Again.


    He exhaled shakily. That¡¯s three times now. I wonder how many more close calls I can handle before I actually die for real.


    "Finn," a voice broke his daze.


    Turning his head, Finn saw Yukha standing nearby. He expected anger in Yukha¡¯s eyes, but instead, there was only relief.


    "You should be thankful that you were spared," Yukha said softly.


    "I am," Finn replied, sitting up with some effort. "Thanks for sticking up for me, Yukha."


    "You''re welcome. But tell me¡ªwhat in the world did you do to make her that angry?"


    Finn sighed, rubbing his neck. He explained everything. How he had transferred all his points from the other elements into Fire, thinking it was the smartest move. He admitted he didn¡¯t expect the Gods to take offense, assuming he could distribute points however he pleased, like in a game.


    Yukha¡¯s eyes widened as the story unfolded. "Goodness! When you asked to borrow that many Valor Points, I thought you planned to balance your affinities, especially in the elements you were weak in¡ªnot completely empty them into Fire!"


    "I thought it was the best option," Finn said defensively. "Strengthening the element I had the most affinity for seemed logical."


    "You might have a point," Yukha admitted, "but completely abandoning the others? That¡¯s reckless!"


    "I''m handicapped, Yukha. I don''t have the time to strengthen every element or learn to control them all. I need strength now¡ªimmediately. Or I won¡¯t even survive a single day on that damned tower!"


    Yukha sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Alright, fine. But promise me this: before you do anything else as reckless, you¡¯ll consult me first."


    "Fine. I promise," Finn muttered.


    "Good. Now, give me a moment to reorganize myself. That ordeal was¡­ exhausting."


    "Fair enough. I think I need a break, too," Finn said.


    Yukha sat down, summoning a flask and drinking deeply. He offered some to Finn, but he refused, worried about upsetting his still-churning stomach. Instead, he opened his status menu, letting his gaze fall on the glaring evidence of his actions.


    <hr>


    Elemental Affinities:


    Stone - 0


    Water - X


    Fire - 146


    Wind - 0


    <hr>


    The "X" next to Water stood out like a scar.


    Does this mean I can no longer add to my Water affinity? Will I be unable to control water or unlock water-related skills now?


    It wasn¡¯t an immediate disadvantage, but what about later? The thought was like a slap to the face. Still, Finn reminded himself, it was better than being smote by an angry God.


    Is this her way of punishing me?


    A pang of guilt stabbed at his chest, but he shook it off. The Gods had made their decision, and there was no way to change the past. He would accept the consequences and move forward.


    Even after all that, Finn realized, he didn¡¯t regret his choice. There was still a sense of pride in what he¡¯d done.


    And now, he thought, a flicker of excitement cutting through his exhaustion, I can¡¯t wait to try out my new firepower.


    But something else caught his eye: the small envelope icon at the top-right corner of his screen. Above it was a small red badge displaying a two-digit number¡ªunread messages.


    He hadn¡¯t noticed the icon before Halgon''s message. Was it always that small, or did it only appear when he had a message? Either way, curiosity got the better of him, and he mentally clicked on it.


    An inbox panel popped up, revealing a flood of messages. Most of them were from Halgon, flipping out and demanding to know what he¡¯d done. Finn didn¡¯t even want to open them.


    However, as he scrolled further down, three messages stood out. Unlike the transparent backgrounds of Halgon¡¯s frantic texts, these had distinct colors: brown, green, and red. They exuded a sense of importance, like system announcements in a game.


    With a deep breath and fingers crossed, Finn opened the first one¡ªthe brown one.


    <hr>


    From Terron:


    I admire your loyalty.


    Attachments: [Earth God''s Blessing #425] (Category: Blessings)


    <hr>


    A blessing? They can send those through messages? And what¡¯s with his reaction? He¡¯s not offended like the Water God? Was Terron the one who convinced her to spare me?


    Finn was baffled but moved on to the next message, the green one.


    <hr>


    From Lirael:


    >:(


    Attachments: [Wind God''s Curse #2] (Category: Blessings)


    <hr>


    Is that¡­ an angry emoji?


    It made sense for a God who looked like a child to act like one, but still, an emoji? Did she get offended too? But she also sent me a blessing¡ªor is it really a curse?


    Still confused, Finn clicked the final message, the red one.


    <hr>


    From Isha:


    <hr>


    Finn''s heart skipped a beat just seeing her name. Nervously, he glanced at the message itself, as if it were a text message from a admired one. He was sure he was even blushing.


    <hr>


    ...


    Attachments: [Fire God''s Blessing #1] (Category: Blessings)


    <hr>


    But the message itself? Just three dots.


    Dot dot dot? What does that mean? Is she happy? Angry? And yet she still gave me a blessing?


    Finn couldn¡¯t tell, but the fact that Isha had acknowledged him at all¡ªand directly, no less¡ªfilled him with a strange giddiness. He almost forgot he¡¯d nearly died a few minutes ago.


    Eagerly, he opened the Blessings section to check his new acquisitions.


    <hr>


    Blessings:


    [Universal Language]


    [Stone God''s Blessing #425]


    [Wind God''s Curse #2]


    [Fire God''s Blessing #1]


    <hr>

 Chapter 13 - An Unexpected Place

    Without further wait, he began examining the blessings one by one.


    <hr>


    [Stone God''s Blessing #425]: Allows communication with uncorrupted Stone Elementals when partied with a Stone Specialist.


    <hr>


    So Terron really wasn¡¯t upset. He¡¯s probably the kind and forgiving type. Or maybe he just understood where I was coming from.


    The blessing seemed useful, but not immediately relevant since Yukha was a Water Specialist. Would communicating with Stone Elementals be a boon or a danger? Finn decided to save that thought for later and moved on.


    <hr>


    [Wind God''s Curse #2]: Makes one disliked by uncorrupted Wind Elementals.


    <hr>


    What does disliked mean? Will they ignore me or try to kill me on sight? But this pretty much confirms that Lirael was also offended.


    Finn sighed but reminded himself it was better than being outright smote.


    Next, he turned his attention to the one he¡¯d been most eager to check: the Fire God¡¯s Blessing.


    <hr>


    [Fire God''s Blessing #1] ¨C Gain +1 Fire Affinity with every level up.


    <hr>


    Finally, something that was immediately useful.


    The blessing was perfect. Not a cursed blessing or some convoluted condition to activate it. It aligned exactly with his goal¡ªstrengthening his connection to fire, the element he felt most attuned to.


    A smile spread across Finn¡¯s face. As expected of the Fire God. She really understands me.


    He tilted his head back, gazing up at the bright sky. The clouds drifted lazily, unbothered by his thoughts. Even so, he clapped his hands together, whispering a soft, ¡°Thank you.¡±


    The faint clinking of armor and rustling grass caught his attention. Turning, he saw Yukha stretching, his massive orc frame looming over the field, its shadow stretching far across the ground.


    "Hey, Yukha," Finn called out. "Do you think I¡¯ll ever get to see the faces of the Gods?"


    Yukha raised an eyebrow. "You just saw their images earlier and even heard one of their voices. Isn¡¯t that enough for you?"


    "I mean really see them¡ªface to face," Finn clarified. "Besides, one of their faces was hidden behind a veil. I couldn¡¯t make her out at all."


    "You mean the Fire God?" Yukha asked.


    Finn nodded.


    "Interesting," Yukha mused, stroking his chin. "Now that you mention it, I¡¯ve never seen her face either. It''s always covered with a veil in her images. She¡¯s a bit of a mystery¡ªprobably the one we know the least about."


    "Really?" Finn¡¯s curiosity grew.


    Yukha smirked. "Why? Is she the one you¡¯d want to see?"


    "Yes," Finn answered without hesitation. "I¡¯d like to thank her in person."


    A smirk played on Yukha¡¯s lips. "That spark in your eyes... That¡¯s not just gratitude, is it?" He chuckled. "Finn, you¡¯d better aim for someone more attainable. An elf, a beastkin... maybe even an orc. But a God? Come on."


    "I''m serious, I really just want to thank her. Stop laughing," Finn mumbled, his face flushing.


    "My apologies," Yukha said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "But really, why her?"


    "She¡¯s given me a lot," Finn admitted. "She saved my life before I got here, granted me a blessing, and might¡¯ve even convinced the Water God to spare me earlier."


    Yukha crossed his arms, his expression turning thoughtful. "Huh. Maybe you do have a chance," he said, half-joking.


    "Careful," Finn warned. "She might hear you, and then we¡¯d both be in trouble again."


    Changing the subject, he asked, "So are we heading to the tower now?"


    "That depends," Yukha said. "Are you ready?"


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    "I think so," Finn replied. "This greenery is starting to get on my nerves. It¡¯s too... static."


    Yukha laughed. "Not going to test your upgraded fire first?"


    "I¡¯ll save it for the tower. No point in wasting any more energy and mana here," Finn replied.


    "Fair enough. Just don¡¯t do anything reckless without checking with me first."


    "I won¡¯t," Finn assured him.


    "Here, take these." Yukha handed over a few health and mana potions, which Finn gratefully accepted as a system prompt appeared.


    It hadn¡¯t even been a full day, and Yukha had already done so much for him¡ªsaving his life, guiding him, and now preparing him for the journey ahead. Finn couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, recalling their rocky first meeting when he¡¯d tried to run away in fear.


    "What¡¯s funny?" Yukha asked.


    "Just remembering something," Finn replied, shaking his head.


    Repaying Yukha for all he¡¯d done seemed like a distant dream. For now, Finn just hoped he wouldn¡¯t slow him down in the tower.


    If I die, I¡¯ll make sure I don¡¯t take him down with me.


    But then another thought crossed his mind: What if we actually make it to the top together? The idea was both exhilarating and daunting. He sighed, trying to temper his hope.


    "Thanks for everything, Yukha," Finn said, extending his hand. "Here¡¯s to working together¡ªor, more accurately, to you babysitting me."


    Yukha clasped Finn¡¯s hand firmly, a wide grin on his face. "I¡¯m looking forward to it, Finn. And to seeing how strong you¡¯ll become."


    "That makes two of us," Finn replied.


    Opening his status screen, he retrieved the red teleportation stone from his inventory. It materialized in his hand, glowing faintly. But before he could crush it, a new system prompt appeared:


    ACCEPT PARTY INVITATION FROM YUKHA?


    Finn accepted, and a party panel popped up, displaying both their names, along with their health and mana bars. Yukha¡¯s name was bolded, marking him as the leader.


    Yukha already held his own red stone, its glow reflecting in his eyes. "On the count of three," he said.


    Finn nodded, gripping his stone tightly.


    "Three."


    "Two."


    "One."


    They crushed their stones simultaneously, red dust swirling in the air as their bodies began to fade.


    Finn closed his eyes, bracing himself. Even after his fourth teleportation, the sensation still disoriented him. He¡¯d discovered that closing his eyes made the process slightly more bearable.


    As the strange pulling sensation subsided, Finn¡¯s mind raced with possibilities. What will the first realm be like? A desert? A forest? A city?


    But when he finally opened his eyes, he realized he had been completely wrong.


    The first thing Finn noticed was the darkness. Not a complete, suffocating blackness, but a dim, veiled twilight. It was like standing in an endless field under a night sky, where light barely reached past a short distance.


    He tilted his head upward to search for the source of illumination, and what he saw stole his breath away.


    Above him, a celestial expanse stretched endlessly. Galaxies, stars, and planets gleamed in hues he''d never seen before¡ªbrilliant, multicolored lights painted across the void. The vibrant tapestry seemed alive, as though it were in constant motion, expanding and shifting with each passing second. Or was it an illusion? He couldn¡¯t tell. The dizzying array of colors made it difficult to trust his senses.


    Finn had always admired images of space, though he''d never been to a planetarium. There was a peace in those distant vistas he''d seen online, but this¡­ this was different. Instead of calm, he felt overwhelmed, as if standing before something far too grand for mortal comprehension.


    If he could see his face, Finn was certain he¡¯d look utterly foolish¡ªmouth agape, eyes wide, like a child marveling at the world for the first time.


    The sky wasn¡¯t the only thing alive. Below him, the radiant starlight reflected on a glasslike surface that rippled with every step he took. Yet, the ground was soft, almost fluid, like walking on water. Each step disrupted the perfect mirror for a moment before it stilled again.


    For a brief moment, he forgot his purpose. This ethereal beauty captivated him entirely.


    Then, in the distance, he spotted a figure.


    "Yukha," he murmured, relief washing over him. He began walking toward the figure, his eyes still drawn to the mesmerizing surroundings.


    But something felt off.


    As he drew closer, Finn¡¯s pace slowed. The figure was sitting calmly, legs crossed in meditation, its back turned. Yet something about it wasn¡¯t right.


    Finn glanced at the figure''s hair. It was short and brushed just past the ears¡ªa stark contrast to Yukha¡¯s long ponytail. Worse still, it shimmered a bright blond, completely unlike Yukha¡¯s dark strands.


    Finn¡¯s chest tightened. His heart pounded.


    That¡¯s not Yukha.


    He stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing as he took in more details. The figure was humanoid, but its presence felt¡­ unnatural.


    Is this what a corrupted elemental looks like?


    It didn¡¯t seem hostile¡ªyet. Finn¡¯s first instinct was to summon his fire and prepare for battle. But he hesitated. He had no idea what this being was capable of, and provoking it without cause could be a fatal mistake.


    Instead, he took a cautious step back, then another. Summoning his system, he intended to message Yukha and warn him.


    Nothing happened.


    He tried again, mentally focusing on the familiar interface. Still, nothing appeared.


    "What the hell is going on?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.


    The moment the words left his lips, the figure stirred.


    It started to rise from its seated position, its movements eerily graceful.


    Panic surged through Finn. His instincts screamed at him to retreat, and he obeyed, stepping back even faster, his breath quickening.


    Finn didn¡¯t turn to run. Instead, he continued walking backward, his eyes never leaving the figure in front of him. Instinct told him that turning his back would be a terrible mistake.


    He braced himself, expecting the figure to whirl around and attack. But it didn¡¯t.


    It stood slowly, almost leisurely, as if savoring the moment.


    When it finally rose to its full height, it didn¡¯t turn to face him. Instead, it stretched¡ªarms reaching high, legs shifting, even its hips swinging side to side like someone waking from a long nap.


    The hell?


    The unexpected, almost humanlike motion froze Finn in place. His legs stopped moving, betraying his resolve. Realizing his mistake, he forced himself to resume backing away, but before he could take another step, the figure vanished in a blur.


    ¡°Hi, Finn. I¡¯ve been waiting for you,¡± a voice whispered, almost directly into his ear.


    Every hair on Finn¡¯s body stood on end.


    He spun around, heart pounding, scanning the area behind him. Nothing. No one was there.


    ¡°Sit down for now, Finn,¡± the voice came again, but this time from the front.


    His head snapped forward, and finally, he saw him.


    The figure was no longer a faceless presence. A man sat cross-legged on the reflective surface, his blond hair neatly cropped and gleaming under the starlight. His piercing blue eyes held an unsettling calm, and a soft smile curled his lips, as if greeting an old friend.


    Finn hesitated. The man exuded a casual confidence, but there was something beneath it¡ªa sense of authority and power he couldn¡¯t quite place. Unsure of what to do, he mirrored the gesture, sitting cross-legged across from him.

 Chapter 14 - A Knight In Shining Armor

    The man looked to be in his mid-twenties, clean-shaven, with an almost regal air. His light silver armor glimmered faintly, the polished plates catching the celestial glow above them. At his hip rested a scabbard, completing a knightly visage.


    Finn stared for a moment, his thoughts betraying him. This person... he''s the very definition of a knight in shining armor.


    ¡°Beautiful place, isn¡¯t it?¡± the knight said, his voice smooth and conversational.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Finn replied absently, still trying to process the situation.


    ¡°Anyway,¡± the man continued, ¡°how are you feeling, Finn? Did you like the gift I gave you? I¡¯ve been looking forward to meeting you. It¡¯s been so long since I¡¯ve seen a fellow human face to face.¡±


    ¡°What gift? And how do you know me?¡± Finn asked.


    The knight tilted his head thoughtfully. ¡°Wait, didn¡¯t that guy¡ªwhat was his name? Halgor? Halgrin?¡±


    ¡°Halgon,¡± Finn corrected, the name slipping out before he could stop himself.


    ¡°Ah, yes, Halgon. I thought he introduced me to you already.¡±


    Finn frowned. ¡°I don¡¯t remember him saying¡ªwait. Are you the one from Earth he was talking about? The one who gave me this coat?¡±


    ¡°Exactly!¡± The knight¡¯s smile widened, pleased. ¡°But he didn¡¯t even tell you my name? That guy¡­ I ought to teach him a lesson.¡±


    There was an edge to his tone, a casual dismissal of Halgon¡¯s importance that caught Finn off guard. Isn¡¯t Halgon supposed to be a demigod like him? And shouldn¡¯t he outrank this guy since he''s a messenger of the Gods?


    The knight sighed theatrically before continuing, ¡°I¡¯m Julian. Nice to finally meet you, Finn.¡±


    Before Finn could respond, Julian was suddenly in front of him, his hand extended. The movement was so swift and seamless it left Finn blinking in disbelief.


    ¡°I¡¯m Finn,¡± he said cautiously, shaking Julian¡¯s hand.


    The moment their hands parted, Julian was back where he¡¯d started, seated cross-legged as if he¡¯d never moved.


    How is he doing that? Teleportation?


    ¡°You look good, Finn. The color I chose suits you perfectly,¡± Julian said.


    ¡°Uh, thanks?¡± Finn muttered, caught off guard. Then, without thinking, he added, ¡°But hearing that from someone who looks as good as you feels like an insult. Especially with this huge scar on my face.¡±


    He wasn¡¯t exaggerating¡ªthis guy looked good. The kind of good that made any compliment about someone else feel like a backhanded insult in comparison. He had the polished, effortlessly perfect appearance of a model, the type who dominated social media feeds and racked up followers by the thousands with nothing more than a casual photo.


    When Halgon first mentioned him, Finn had thought his story sounded like something straight out of an isekai light novel. Now, seeing him in person, he looked the part too¡ªlike a textbook fantasy protagonist, a walking, talking self-insert come to life.


    Julian laughed, a warm, genuine sound that somehow annoyed Finn even more.


    ¡°Thank you, Finn. But I meant what I said. Even the scar¡ªit suits you. Makes you look cooler.¡±


    Finn didn¡¯t know how to respond to that, so he stayed silent.


    Julian leaned forward slightly, his expression turning curious. ¡°What do you think of the system? You like it? I¡¯m the one who came up with the idea to apply RPG mechanics to the Ascension Ceremony.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, I guess. Easy to understand, at least,¡± Finn replied with a shrug.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got it easy now,¡± Julian said, leaning back with a wistful smile. ¡°Back in my day, it was complete chaos. I still don¡¯t know how I managed to survive it.¡±


    ¡°That was 100 years ago, right?¡± Finn asked, raising a brow. ¡°And yet you look like you¡¯re in your mid-twenties. Are you immortal? Are demigods immortal?¡±


    Julian¡¯s smile faltered for a moment, his expression growing distant. ¡°Demigod, huh,¡± he muttered, almost to himself.


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    ¡°Yes, it was exactly 100 years ago¡ª1991,¡± he finally said. ¡°How¡¯s Earth now? I haven¡¯t seen it in so long.¡±


    Finn hesitated, unsure how to answer. ¡°I mean, I don¡¯t really know how it was before I was born. But probably the same as in your time¡ªjust with way better technology. Games have changed a lot, too.¡±


    ¡°Games, huh?¡± Julian¡¯s eyes lit up with a flicker of nostalgia, though he didn¡¯t comment further.


    ¡°By the way,¡± Finn started cautiously, ¡°is this really the first realm? Are you even allowed to be here?¡±


    Julian¡¯s expression shifted, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. ¡°This isn¡¯t the first realm,¡± he said.


    ¡°What? Then where is this? And what happened to Yukha?¡± Finn asked, alarmed.


    ¡°This place is called the Eternal Realm,¡± Julian explained. ¡°It¡¯s a domain the Ancient One created¡ªa place that predates even the universe itself.¡±


    ¡°The Ancient One? Who¡¯s that?¡± Finn¡¯s voice rose, his confusion mounting.


    ¡°Calm down,¡± Julian said, raising a hand. ¡°As for your orc friend, don¡¯t worry. As far as everyone is concerned, you and he are still mid-teleportation. Time passes differently here¡ªslower. By the time you return, it¡¯ll seem like you just arrived in the first realm.¡±


    Finn frowned, trying to wrap his head around it. ¡°A realm that predates the universe? What does that even mean?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not important for you to know right now,¡± Julian said, his tone firm but not unkind. ¡°Just focus on surviving the tower.¡±


    ¡°Then why am I here? What¡¯s the point?¡± Finn pressed.


    ¡°Consider this a welcome,¡± Julian replied. ¡°If you manage to grow stronger and survive, you¡¯ll definitely come back here¡ªand see me again. All the questions you have now? You¡¯ll get your answers eventually. But for now, you need to prove yourself. You¡¯re not worthy to know more at this point.¡±


    Finn¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°Worthy? And what about this Ancient One? Is he going to help me ascend the tower?¡±


    Julian let out a chuckle. ¡°Nope. You¡¯re on your own.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Finn¡¯s frustration spilled over. ¡°Then isn¡¯t this whole meeting meaningless? Shouldn¡¯t you guys have called me when I was stronger¡ªwhen you were ready to actually tell me something useful?¡±


    ¡°Now, now, don¡¯t be like that,¡± Julian said with an easy grin. ¡°The Ancient One might be a bit¡­ selective, but I¡¯m willing to help you. I gave you that coat, didn¡¯t I?¡±


    Finn crossed his arms, unimpressed.


    Julian¡¯s smile widened as an idea seemed to strike him. ¡°How about this? You¡¯re able to receive quests through the system, right? How about I give you a personal quest? If you manage to complete it, I¡¯ll teach you something that will greatly help the next time we meet.¡±


    Finn¡¯s curiosity piqued despite himself. ¡°What do I have to do?¡±


    Julian paused, tapping a finger to his chin as he considered.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got it. My quest is for you to kill every corrupted elemental in the first realm,¡± Julian declared without hesitation.


    ¡°What? Are you joking?¡± Finn asked, incredulous.


    ¡°Not at all,¡± Julian replied, his face calm.


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible! Have you even seen my stats? I¡¯m level one!¡± Finn protested.


    ¡°It¡¯s not impossible, Finn. Trust me,¡± Julian said with a slight grin. ¡°Let me tell you a little secret: humans are far more capable than you think.¡±


    Finn hesitated, still skeptical.


    ¡°But it¡¯s your choice,¡± Julian continued. ¡°I¡¯m not forcing you to do it. Still, it¡¯ll be much better for you if you give it a try.¡±


    Finn sighed, defeated. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll at least try to kill as many as I can.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a good start,¡± Julian said, nodding. ¡°But keep in mind, my quest won¡¯t appear in your system¡ªit¡¯s not official. This is just a promise between the two of us.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of the system, why can¡¯t I summon it here?¡± Finn asked, suddenly remembering its absence.


    ¡°You¡¯re cut off from the universe here,¡± Julian explained. ¡°Blessings, skills¡ªyou can¡¯t use any of them here. That¡¯s all I¡¯m allowed to say.¡±


    Finn frowned, unsettled by the answer.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I have to say, I really liked the stunt you pulled earlier with Maris and the others,¡± Julian said, his grin returning. ¡°That was wild¡ªI can¡¯t believe you actually did that. It was worth it just to see her reaction. I kind of don¡¯t like her, so it was especially satisfying.¡±


    ¡°Hey, are you trying to get us killed?¡± Finn asked, bewildered.


    I just barely got out of that situation, and this guy¡¯s trying to fan the flames again!


    Julian let out a hearty laugh, shaking his head. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Finn. Nobody can hear us here¡ªnot even the Gods. I told you this place is cut off from the universe didn''t I?¡±


    Finn¡¯s expression softened, but Julian wasn¡¯t finished.


    ¡°Besides,¡± Julian added with a sly grin, ¡°even if she did hear me, there¡¯s nothing she could do about it.¡±


    ¡°You mean she¡¯s not allowed to harm you?¡± Finn asked.


    ¡°No,¡± Julian said, his tone dropping into seriousness. ¡°I mean she couldn¡¯t beat me even if she tried.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± was all Finn could manage to say.


    ¡°Anyway,¡± Julian said, standing up, ¡°that¡¯s all you need to know for now. It¡¯s time to send you to the first realm for real.¡±


    Finn¡¯s mind swirled with unanswered questions, but he held back. It was clear Julian wasn¡¯t going to answer much until he proved himself worthy. Still, there was one question he couldn¡¯t resist.


    ¡°You know about the Gods, right?¡± Finn asked. ¡°What do you know about the Fire God?¡±


    ¡°Not a thing,¡± Julian answered immediately.


    ¡°Seriously?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s a recluse. Doesn¡¯t even talk much to the other Gods. How would I know? You curious about her?¡± Julian asked.


    ¡°Just a bit,¡± Finn replied.


    ¡°Then if you really want to know more about her, you know what to do,¡± Julian said. ¡°Just keep climbing the tower.¡± He paused, his voice turning somber. ¡°Just¡­ don¡¯t get too attached, Finn¡ªnot to anyone. It¡¯ll be better for you.¡±


    Finn¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Why?¡±


    But before he could press further, Julian spoke again.


    ¡°So, are you ready to finally step into the tower?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Finn replied. ¡°But you¡¯ll send me anyway, right? So just do it.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the right attitude,¡± Julian said, smiling.


    ¡°But killing every corrupted elemental in the first realm? Really? That¡¯s crazy. But¡­¡± Finn trailed off as his body began to disintegrate, halfway through the teleportation.


    ¡°I know you can do it, Finn. I believe in you,¡± Julian said softly, his voice carrying a rare sincerity. ¡°Just¡­ don¡¯t die, alright? I like you, Finn. I''d like to see you again.¡±


    The last of Julian¡¯s words echoed faintly as Finn fully teleported away.

 Chapter 15 - The First Realm

    The warmth prickling Finn''s skin was a stark contrast to the cool, otherworldly sensation of the space-like Eternal Realm he''d just left. Here, the air was humid, thick, and clinging, also far different from the ethereal calm of The Threshold.


    The moment Finn opened his eyes, he was nearly blinded by the intense light. Compared to the Eternal Realm''s engulfing darkness, this place was dazzling. A glaring ray of sunlight pierced straight into his eyes, forcing him to take a step back and shield his face.


    Once his vision adjusted, the scene came into focus. What lay before him was a world of greenery, but unlike the expansive fields of grass at The Threshold, this place brimmed with trees, plants, and moss¡ªa sprawling forest.


    Now this feels like a First Realm.


    Rays of golden light filtered through the canopy, painting the forest floor in dappled patterns. At first glance, it seemed like an ordinary forest, but something about it was subtly wrong. The leaves of the trees were unfamiliar, their shapes strange and alien. The plants and vines looked almost familiar yet distorted, as if someone had reimagined Earth¡¯s flora with a surreal twist. Even the chirping of the wildlife was off¡ªmelodic yet dissonant, like a symphony of creatures he¡¯d never encountered.


    Is this place artificial? Or are these just alien species of plants and animals?


    A sudden hand on his shoulder made him flinch.


    ¡°You look distressed, Finn. Just relax,¡± Yukha said. ¡°Since you¡¯re from Earth, you¡¯re probably not used to being in such a different environment. Take it in slowly. You¡¯ll adjust.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ good idea,¡± Finn replied, though his voice wavered slightly.


    Before he could fully relax, a searing pain exploded in his right palm, sending him to his knees.


    ¡°Ahhh!¡± Finn cried out, clutching his hand. The blue dash that the Water God had marked on his palm was glowing intensely, the pain almost unbearable.


    ¡°Finn! What¡¯s wrong?¡± Yukha shouted, rushing to his side.


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know,¡± Finn gasped through gritted teeth.


    Then, the system message appeared before him in glowing text:


    NEW BLESSING GAINED


    WATER GOD''S BLESSING #2


    And just like that, the pain subsided, leaving Finn panting and clutching his still-glowing palm.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Yukha asked, his tone urgent.


    ¡°There was a sudden pain¡­ and then a system message,¡± Finn explained, shakily rising to his feet.


    Before either of them could process further, a loud rustling in the nearby bushes made them both freeze.


    Finn''s mind raced. Please let it be something harmless, like a rabbit or a frog¡­ But he knew better. This wasn¡¯t Earth, and this wasn¡¯t a movie.


    ¡°Prepare for battle, Finn!¡± Yukha warned.


    The bushes parted, revealing a strange creature. Finn barely had time to register its form before a massive metallic slab¡ªYukha¡¯s weapon¡ªcrashed down, reducing the creature to a sizzling puddle of water.


    ¡°I expected this, but not so soon,¡± Yukha said, shaking his head. ¡°The moment we step into the tower, we¡¯re already under attack.¡±


    ¡°What was that thing?¡± Finn asked, still wide-eyed.


    ¡°A blob,¡± Yukha replied, his voice calm but serious. ¡°Weak enemies, but dangerous if left alive. They spit toxic water. If it hits you, it¡¯ll start dissolving your skin.¡±


    Finn shuddered. ¡°That sounds horrifying. Is that a corrupted elemental?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Yukha confirmed. ¡°A corrupted water elemental, specifically. Are you alright now?¡±


    Finn nodded hesitantly, but more rustling cut their conversation short. This time, five more creatures emerged from the underbrush.


    Now Finn could see them more clearly. They were amorphous blobs of bluish-green water, faintly translucent, with two tiny horns protruding from what might¡¯ve been their heads. Above each one floated a glowing name:


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    [Blob lvl. 5]


    The names were green. Does the color mean something? Finn wondered, but his thoughts were interrupted as one of the creatures aimed a small, cannon-like tube at him and spewed a jet of green liquid.


    ¡°Dodge it, Finn!¡± Yukha shouted.


    Finn sidestepped just in time, the liquid sizzling as it hit the grass where he¡¯d been standing.


    ¡°Summon your flame!¡± Yukha called out. ¡°These are low-level enemies. You can take them out easily if you¡¯re efficient with your mana!¡±


    Finn took a deep breath, visualizing his flame. This time, it came to life effortlessly¡ªa glowing sphere of fire hovering before him.


    I need to conserve mana, Finn thought, keeping the flame small. He adjusted its size until it was about half the size of the blob, hoping it would be just enough to take them down without overexerting himself.


    "Alright," he muttered, steadying himself as the blobs began their attack.


    In front of Finn, Yukha skillfully parried the streams of green fluid the creatures spat at them. Each impact on his greatsword sizzled menacingly, but the weapon remained unscathed, defying Finn¡¯s expectation that the corrosive liquid would eat through it.


    Yet, Yukha wasn¡¯t attacking¡ªhe was merely defending.


    Is he giving me a chance to handle them myself?


    Steeling his focus, Finn directed the ball of fire hovering before him. It swept forward with a sharp whoosh, circling toward the nearest blob. The instant the flame touched the creature, it hissed violently. The blob''s watery form quivered as the flame carved through it, sluggishly melting its body like heated metal slicing through gelatin. When the slug evaporated into nothingness, the flame extinguished with it.


    ¡°Congratulations on your first kill, Finn! But don¡¯t relax¡ªtry it again!¡± Yukha shouted.


    For a brief moment, a flash of light coursed through Finn¡¯s body, vanishing almost as quickly as it appeared. He recognized it as a signal of progress¡ªa level-up, perhaps¡ªbut there was no time to dwell on it. The threat of being melted alive demanded his full attention.


    Summoning another flame, Finn steadied his breathing. The fireball hovered, awaiting his command, but doubt gnawed at the edges of his mind. The last flame had vanished along with its target¡ªwas he too weak, or had his flames lacked the necessary intensity?


    What am I missing?


    An idea sparked. ¡°Do these things have a core? Something I can target directly to kill them faster?¡± he called out.


    ¡°Yes!¡± Yukha yelled back, fending off another barrage of toxic fluid. ¡°It¡¯s in their center¡ªlook for the most condensed, greenish part of their bodies!¡±


    Finn squinted, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the remaining blobs. After a few seconds, he spotted it¡ªa faint, denser green orb suspended in the center of their translucent forms.


    Got it.


    He concentrated on the flame before him, shrinking it to the size of a marble. Smaller and more focused now, he channeled additional mana into it, feeling its heat intensify. The once-red flame deepened into a fierce orange, its heat almost palpable even at a distance.


    Let¡¯s if this this works.


    With a flick of his fingers, the flame shot forward like a bullet. It pierced the first blob¡¯s core with surgical precision, reducing the creature to a sizzling puddle. The flame didn¡¯t stop; it zipped to the next target, repeating the process with ruthless efficiency.


    Two down.


    As the flame reached the third blob, its power faltered, vanishing just outside the creature¡¯s core. Finn¡¯s heart sank, but Yukha dashed forward, his greatsword crashing down on the remaining blob with a resounding impact. Water sprayed across the grass, sizzling where it touched the ground.


    ¡°I thought you were letting me handle them?¡± Finn asked.


    ¡°I was, but we¡¯ve got bigger problems,¡± Yukha replied grimly, gesturing toward the bushes. ¡°More are coming.¡±


    Finn turned, spotting a fresh wave of creatures emerging from the undergrowth. His count tallied ten¡ªtwice as many as before.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t normal,¡± Yukha muttered. ¡°Why are so many of them targeting us? It¡¯s like we¡¯re being hunted.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t they always hostile?¡± Finn asked, summoning another flame.


    ¡°Yes, but not in these numbers. Even in their territory, there shouldn¡¯t be this many going after us. Something¡¯s wrong,¡± Yukha said, his tone dark. ¡°I¡¯ll handle half; you take care of the rest. If you get hit, use a health potion immediately!¡±


    With that, Yukha charged, his greatsword cutting through the first blob in a single, devastating blow. The impact sent tremors through the ground, leaving a scar in the dirt beneath.


    Finn didn¡¯t hesitate. This time, he started small, forming a flame the size of an ant. He steadily fed it mana, expanding it until it matched the size of the blobs¡¯ cores. The flame¡¯s color deepened to an intense orange, radiating blistering heat.


    Time to end this.


    The flame zipped through the air, striking the nearest blob¡¯s core and disintegrating it instantly. Without pausing, it streaked to the next, then the next, evaporating four blobs in rapid succession. Each one dissolved into harmless puddles, the ground beneath them hissing and steaming.


    It was like watching a bullet shred through fragile water balloons, each impact precise and devastating. Finn exhaled, his chest tight from the exertion.


    Four down. One to go.


    Finn¡¯s flame held strong against four blobs this time before flickering out¡ªa noticeable improvement from his earlier attempts.


    He glanced at Yukha, who was already done, his handiwork evident in the scorched grass and charred remnants where the creatures once stood.


    With one blob remaining, Finn decided to try something new.


    He waited as the lone creature began adjusting its cannon-like mouth, aiming directly at him. Moments later, a glob of green fluid shot out, streaking toward his head.


    "Let me handle this!" Finn shouted.


    Yukha nodded, stepping back and gripping his greatsword, ready to intervene but holding off.


    Halfway through the attack, Finn summoned his flame, this time molding it into the shape of a shield wall. He wanted to see if the fire could act as a barrier¡ªperhaps evaporate the acidic fluid before it could reach him.


    The green glob punched straight through the flame like it wasn¡¯t there, forcing Finn to sidestep at the last moment. The fluid sizzled ominously as it splattered onto the ground.


    "Guess I wasn¡¯t fast enough to heat the flame," Finn muttered, frustrated.


    I need more speed.


    He glanced at his mana bar, relieved to see he still had a little under half left.


    "That¡¯s seriously impressive, Finn," Yukha said, stepping closer. "To have that much control of fire at your level¡­ Maybe focusing on your fire attribute was the right call after all."


    "Thanks. I plan to make it even stronger," Finn replied, his frustration tempered by Yukha¡¯s praise.


    A sudden whooshing sound cut through the air, narrowly missing Finn¡¯s head. Yukha grabbed him by the shoulder, yanking him into a crouch just in time.


    Looking up, Finn spotted the source.


    Hovering ominously ahead were three creatures with mushroom-shaped heads. Beneath them dangled countless writhing tentacles. Their glowing names floated above in a foreboding red:


    [Tentacles Lvl. 25]

 Chapter 16 - Territory

    Does the red color mean they¡¯re too strong for me to fight?


    Behind the Tentacles, an army of Blobs was amassing. Their names and levels hovered in a chaotic mess, a sea of letters and numbers that made Finn¡¯s head spin.


    "They¡¯re still coming after us?" Yukha groaned.


    "We need to run!" he said, turning to Finn. "Out of the trees! We can¡¯t see them properly here, and I can¡¯t protect you against those numbers! Follow me!"


    Before Finn could argue, a translucent barrier shimmered into existence in front of them, deflecting a barrage of tentacle strikes and acidic globs.


    "Is this your doing?" Finn asked, marveling at the barrier¡¯s smooth, watery surface.


    "Yes, it¡¯s made of water. It¡¯ll block their attacks for now. Now run!" Yukha shouted.


    And run they did. Yukha led the way, clutching a scroll in one hand.


    "Is that a map?" Finn yelled over the sound of their pounding footsteps.


    "Yes!" Yukha replied without looking back.


    Finn risked a glance behind them. The Blobs were falling behind, their sluggish movements making them easy to outpace.


    But the Tentacles were another story. No longer lazily floating, they had morphed their mushroom heads into spinning, drill-like shapes, their tentacles propelling them through the air with terrifying speed.


    Finn faced forward again, dodging rocks, roots, and anything else that might trip him up. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his legs burned with exhaustion.


    Glancing back a second time, his heart sank. More Tentacles had joined the chase, their red names glowing like ominous warnings.


    Where the hell are they all coming from?


    "We¡¯re almost out of the trees!" Yukha yelled, his voice carrying a faint note of relief.


    Finn forced himself to keep going, but his stamina was nearing its limit. Mana wasn¡¯t the issue¡ªyet¡ªbut his body was screaming for him to stop.


    "Are you okay, Finn?" Yukha asked, noticing his slowing pace.


    Finn nodded, too breathless to speak. No use wasting energy on words.


    Finally, sunlight broke through the trees, and the dense forest gave way to open space. Finn stumbled into the clearing, gulping down the fresh air like it was a lifeline.


    He turned back, relieved to see the monsters lagging in the distance. Without the trees, Yukha would have a better chance of fending them off.


    But his relief was short-lived.


    Instead of an open field ahead, a vast lake stretched out before them, its surface shimmering under the sunlight. It was beautiful, serene even, but utterly inconvenient given the circumstances.


    Finn groaned, his throat dry and his body drenched in sweat. A part of him longed to dive into the cool water, but the army of monsters behind them made that fantasy impossible.


    "Are... you... kidding... me?" Finn whispered hoarsely, every word a struggle.


    "So, what¡¯s the plan now?" he asked, glancing at Yukha. "Do we fight them here?"


    "No," Yukha said firmly. "We keep running."


    "Across the lake?" Finn sputtered. "I¡¯m already running on fumes. The moment I hit the water, I¡¯ll sink like a rock!"


    "Unless you¡¯ve got some kind of flying skill to carry us both over, I don¡¯t see how¡ª"


    "I don''t have a flying skill. Remember, I am not a wind specialist," Yukha said. "But I have another plan."


    "Well, hurry it up before they catch up to us!" Finn urged, glancing nervously at the approaching horde.


    Yukha strode to the edge of the lake, his gaze fixed on the far shore.


    "We will run across this lake," he said.


    "What?" Finn blurted, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten.


    Yukha tossed a flask in Finn''s direction. "Drink this first."


    Finn caught it mid-air, uncapping it. "What''s this?"


    "It''s water infused with one of my skills. Drink it¡ªit will help you recover your stamina," Yukha explained.


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    Without hesitation, Finn took a swig. The liquid was cold, almost unnaturally so, and carried a faint sweetness that spread through his body like a refreshing breeze. Within seconds, the ache in his legs vanished, his lungs no longer burned, and the fatigue weighing him down melted away.


    "This is... incredible," Finn said, staring at the flask in awe.


    "It''s useful, though I rarely need it anymore," Yukha admitted. "Now let''s go before they reach us!"


    Yukha darted toward the lake. To any bystander, it might¡¯ve looked insane, but Finn had learned to trust his friend.


    When Yukha¡¯s feet reached the lake¡¯s edge, the water before him froze instantly, forming a wide, solid path of ice.


    "Follow me!" Yukha shouted.


    Finn didn¡¯t hesitate. Sprinting after Yukha, he marveled at the ice path. It was slightly slippery beneath his sneakers, forcing him to adopt an awkward running stance, but he adjusted quickly.


    Would¡¯ve been easier with ice skates¡­ not that I¡¯ve ever used any.


    Ahead of him, Yukha seemed unaffected by the icy surface, running effortlessly.


    Does he have spikes built into his boots or something?


    A glance behind them wiped away his amusement. The monsters were still pursuing, undeterred by the lake. Worse, some of them were beginning to launch attacks¡ªspheres of water and sharp, spear-like shapes hurtling toward them.


    A chilling realization hit Finn. "We''re on water¡­ their territory!" he shouted." Something¡¯s coming at us!"


    Yukha skidded to a sudden halt, spinning around to face Finn.


    Finn tried to stop as well but lost his footing on the slick ice. Arms flailing, he nearly crashed to the water before Yukha caught him just in time.


    "Why did you lead us here? Aren¡¯t they corrupted water elementals? Isn¡¯t this their territory? We¡¯re surrounded by water!" Finn exclaimed, panic lacing his voice.


    Yukha chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound. Though his expression remained calm, his eyes carried a sharp seriousness.


    "It seems you¡¯ve forgotten something, Finn," Yukha said. "Water is also my territory."


    With a swift movement of his arms, the water around them froze into jagged patches.


    In an instant, the frozen sections rose, twisting into spinning shards like drills. They launched forward, intercepting the incoming balls of water mid-air. The projectiles collided in bursts of icy mist, shattering into tiny fragments that scattered into the wind.


    Yukha¡¯s arms moved with calculated precision, each gesture summoning another wave of ice to meet the monsters¡¯ relentless attacks. Every strike was clean, efficient, and unyielding.


    But he wasn¡¯t finished.


    Thick, razor-sharp ice shards surged upward from the lake, their sheer numbers overwhelming the enemies¡¯ onslaught. The remaining shards sliced through the air, hurtling toward the corrupted elementals. Shards struck with devastating accuracy, disintegrating the creatures into wisps of mist.


    "Finn! Your turn!" Yukha shouted. "Launch your fire ahead! There are too many of them to miss, even if you can¡¯t see clearly!"


    Finn hesitated for only a moment before summoning a massive flame. He focused his mana, injecting it into the fireball as it swelled larger and larger above him.


    Sweat dripped down his face, a mixture of exertion and the intense heat radiating from his creation. His mana ticked down steadily, but he pushed himself further.


    More¡­ just a little more.


    The fireball grew to an even larger size, its searing glow lighting up the ice below. When his mana dwindled to just ten, Finn hurled the blazing sphere toward the barrage of monsters ahead, guided by the flashes of Yukha¡¯s icy explosions.


    The fireball moved slowly, like dragging a boulder through water. Each second felt like an eternity as Finn strained to propel it forward.


    Does it get harder to control the larger it is?


    Finally, the fireball collided with its targets, triggering a massive explosion. Fire, ice, and water merged into a chaotic flurry, shaking the ice path beneath them. The sheer force sent shockwaves rippling through the lake.


    "That should do it," Yukha said, his tone unbothered. "Now, let¡¯s move. We need to reach the other side of the lake."


    They sprinted across the ice once more, Finn glancing back every so often. But the thick mist of ice and steam obscured his view, making it impossible to tell if any enemies remained.


    "They¡¯ll probably retreat after that," Yukha said.


    "They retreat when they¡¯re in danger?" Finn asked, breathless.


    "Yes," Yukha replied with a small shrug. "Surprisingly."


    As soon as they reached solid ground, Finn collapsed, his body completely drained. Both his mana and stamina had almost hit their limits.


    Gasping for air, he stared upward at the sky¡ªor what looked like the sky. The expanse above was a brilliant blue, speckled with drifting white patches resembling clouds. Yet, there was no sun in sight.


    Where¡¯s the light coming from? he wondered, squinting as he tried to pinpoint its source.


    Sitting up, Finn grabbed the flask still hanging from his neck and drained its contents. He scooped more water from the lake, drinking deeply to quench his thirst. Though it wasn¡¯t as refreshing as Yukha¡¯s infused water, it was enough.


    "That was insane," Finn said, still catching his breath. "I didn¡¯t think you could do that."


    "Stand up, Finn," Yukha said, walking over and offering a hand to help him up. "We need to move. This lake is giving me a bad feeling. We¡¯ll find another place to rest along the way."


    Finn, though still exhausted, nodded and forced himself to his feet. He trusted Yukha¡¯s instincts.


    The water from the lake and the infused flask had helped alleviate some of his fatigue, but it wasn¡¯t enough for a full recovery. His body ached, and his mana reserves were nearly depleted.


    Ahead of them, a dense forest loomed, its thick trunks and undergrowth blocking any view of what lay beyond.


    "We¡¯re not going into another forest, are we?" Finn asked, his voice tinged with concern.


    "No, not until we understand what¡¯s going on," Yukha replied.


    A scroll materialized in Yukha¡¯s hand, and he began studying it.


    "Is that the map you used earlier?" Finn asked.


    "Yes," Yukha said without looking up. "You should get one too. If we get separated, you¡¯ll need it."


    Taking Yukha¡¯s advice, Finn opened the shop interface. To his surprise, the "Maps" category was prominently displayed on the front page.


    Curious, he tapped on it, and a list of scroll-like icons appeared. However, most of them were darkened, their names and descriptions hidden. Only one option at the top left was available:


    Map [First Realm]


    Description: A map of the Tower of Ascension''s First Realm.


    Cost: 20 VP


    The price was cheap, as expected. Maps were essential starter items, often free in the games Finn had played. If this world were more traditional, like a fantasy town from a novel, merchants might have charged exorbitant prices to scam beginners.


    Finn noted his current balance of Valor Points:


    VP: 512


    The battle earlier had been more rewarding than he¡¯d realized. Without hesitation, he purchased the map. A moment later, it appeared in his inventory, and he clicked on it to materialize it in his hands.


    The scroll looked like aged parchment, similar to the Transfer Scroll he¡¯d used before. But instead of ink, the surface displayed a vibrant, colored image that seemed oddly digital. It was jarring¡ªan ancient-looking scroll with what felt like a smartphone app embedded into it.


    Icons moved across the map, animated as if alive.


    One icon, a large white circle with a triangle at its edge, blinked. Finn turned to test its accuracy, and the triangle shifted, indicating his direction. Another smaller white circle ahead of him represented Yukha.


    The map was surprisingly interactive. Finn discovered he could pinch to zoom in and out or drag to explore other areas. However, most of the map was obscured by fog, revealing only the places they¡¯d been: the other side of the lake, the water behind them, and a small portion of the area ahead.


    Yukha, represented by the smaller white dot, began moving. He followed the outskirts of the forest, avoiding its depths while staying parallel to its curved edge. The path led them away from the lake without venturing into the dense trees.


    Finn tucked the map back into his inventory, finding it easier to follow the real Yukha. Staying alert to his surroundings, he scanned for any movement in his peripheral vision.

 Chapter 17 - Water Gods Mark

    "Should I take a mana potion now?" Finn asked as they walked.


    "Not yet," Yukha replied. "Save it for when we¡¯re forced to fight. Allowing your mana to regenerate naturally will gradually enhance your Wisdom attribute, which in turn expands your mana pool."


    "That makes sense," Finn said, nodding in agreement.


    "I¡¯ll teach you a technique for health and mana regeneration later," Yukha said as they walked.


    "Oh, that reminds me," he continued. "I forgot to mention something earlier. Fighting those monsters distracted me."


    Yukha stopped and turned to face Finn. "You still have some mana left, right?"


    "Yeah," Finn said. "I had a little left after the fight ended, and it¡¯s been regenerating slowly."


    "The more relaxed you are, the faster it will regenerate. It¡¯s still a slow process, but it¡¯s better than nothing," Yukha explained. "Now, summon a small flame. About the size of a pebble. Keep the heat low¡ªjust enough to burn, but not too intense."


    Finn nodded and summoned a tiny flame in front of him, feeding it just enough mana to keep it red without flaring into orange like the stronger flames he¡¯d used against the blobs¡¯ cores.


    "Good. Now make it hover around your body," Yukha instructed.


    Finn focused, guiding the flame in a slow, rotating path around himself. He was surprised by how much easier it was to control compared to before. The connection felt stronger, more natural, even though the flame¡¯s size was minimal.


    His thoughts briefly drifted back to the larger flame he¡¯d summoned earlier. While it had been easier to control, it was harder to move. In contrast, the smaller flame moved fluidly but demanded more focus to keep stable.


    "Now, constantly change its speed," Yukha said. "Make it faster, then slower. Keep it moving. Be aware of its presence at all times, whether you¡¯re relaxing or in battle. Never let it extinguish. This exercise will strengthen your control and connection to the element."


    "So, I should keep it burning indefinitely?" Finn asked.


    "Yes," Yukha confirmed. "At that size and intensity, it¡¯ll barely consume any mana. As your mana pool grows, you can increase the heat, expand the flame, or even summon multiple flames."


    Finn concentrated on the small flame orbiting him like a wisp, adjusting its speed as they walked. It felt oddly satisfying, like a calming yet purposeful exercise.


    "I like this. It¡¯s simple and kind of fun," Finn said.


    "It¡¯s a great exercise," Yukha agreed. "I learned it from someone in my old village¡ªa master water specialist. It¡¯s easy now, but once your attention is divided in combat, it¡¯ll be much harder to maintain."


    Finn chuckled. "By the way, I didn¡¯t know you could do all that¡ªfreezing such a large body of water and controlling multiple ice shards at once. That was incredible."


    Yukha smirked. "Freezing water is a basic skill for a water specialist. Just like you control your flame¡¯s temperature, I can control water''s. What? Did you underestimate me?"


    "No, not at all. It was just shocking to see," Finn replied.


    "At my level, feats like that are expected," Yukha said. "It takes a lot of training and leveling up. Focus on the exercise I taught you, and soon you¡¯ll be capable of similar feats¡ªor even surpassing me someday."


    Yukha¡¯s words filled Finn with encouragement. When he¡¯d first received the system, his weak stats had been a blow to his confidence. But after witnessing the potential of his flames in battle and seeing Yukha¡¯s mastery, a spark of hope ignited within him. His heart raced with excitement for what the future might hold.


    "That shed," Yukha said suddenly, pointing ahead. "It looks familiar. Its spot on the map has a unique label and color."


    Finn glanced where Yukha was looking and saw it¡ªa plain wooden shed with a small bench inside. Checking his map, he noticed a blue square with the letter "T" inside it, marked by a small lock icon.


    "What¡¯s that?" Finn asked.


    "It¡¯s a teleport point," Yukha explained. "We had similar ones outside the Tower. You can teleport there as long as you¡¯re not in combat and there are no enemies nearby."


    "Let¡¯s rest there," Yukha continued. "Corrupted elementals are unlikely to approach."


    They headed to the shed and sat on the bench. Finn felt a wave of relief wash over him as he finally allowed himself to relax, the tiny flame still circling him like a loyal pet.


    Having a proper place to sit down was a welcome relief after all the walking and running.


    A prompt appeared in front of him:


    REGISTER TELEPORT POINT [DREADMERE THICKET]?


    Finn mentally confirmed, and the icon on his map unlocked, with the lock icon vanishing.


    Not only that, but a large area of fog around them dissipated instantly.


    So, registering at these teleport points also clears the surrounding area?


    QUEST UNLOCKED


    Quest #1: Unlock all teleport points in the first realm.


    Teleport points unlocked: 1/4


    Rewards: 20000 VP


    A quest? So there are four teleport points in the first realm. This doesn¡¯t seem too difficult, and the reward is nothing to scoff at. I guess that¡¯s the goal for now.


    ¡°You got the same quest?¡± Finn asked, turning to Yukha.


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ¡°The one about unlocking the teleport points?¡± Yukha replied. ¡°Judging by the size of the map, it shouldn¡¯t be too hard. Besides, activating all of them would make traveling a lot easier for us.¡±


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Finn said.


    As he examined the map again, something alarming caught his eye. From the blue circular area¡ªthe lake they had just passed¡ªa large red dot had appeared in the middle.


    ¡°There¡¯s something new on the map,¡± he said.


    Yukha opened his own map, scanning it before his eyes widened slightly.


    ¡°So that¡¯s what that strange feeling was when we ran across the lake,¡± he muttered. ¡°It seems like something was lurking beneath it.¡±


    This feels like a boss fight location in a game.


    ¡°I have a theory,¡± Finn said. ¡°It¡¯s probably a corrupted elemental¡ªone far stronger than any we¡¯ve encountered so far.¡±


    ¡°That makes sense,¡± Yukha replied. ¡°Considering the eerie sensation I got back there, the fact that it¡¯s near corrupted water elemental territory, and its position right in the center of the lake¡­ there¡¯s a high chance it¡¯s a high-level corrupted water elemental.¡±


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Finn said.


    ¡°And since its element is your natural weakness, we should probably avoid it for now,¡± Yukha added. ¡°It¡¯s best to leave it for last¡ªat least until you¡¯ve gotten stronger.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t argue with that,¡± Finn said. ¡°Fire is weak to water, but if the fire is strong enough, it can evaporate water completely. That said¡­ if this thing is way stronger than me, it¡¯ll probably evaporate me first. So yeah, I¡¯m fine with leaving it alone for now. Let¡¯s explore the other areas first."


    "Anyway, we should rest here for a bit," Yukha said, settling onto the bench. "Think about the problems we faced earlier and discuss what to do next."


    "But first¡ªfood."


    Yukha summoned water, shaping it into a thick, rectangular slab. With a flick of his hand, it froze into a solid block of ice, forming a makeshift table. The icy surface radiated a refreshing chill, soothing their tired bodies.


    Water is really convenient. If I tried to make something like that with fire, it¡¯d probably burn anything we put on top of it.


    Yukha pulled out a thick cloth and spread it over the ice. "Can''t have it cooling down our food unnecessarily."


    "Wait, food? Do you have some stored in your inventory?" Finn asked.


    "No, but we can buy it from the shop," Yukha replied, sitting back with a grin. "It¡¯s cheap, hot, and delicious. Way better than carrying stale rations."


    Curious, Finn opened the shop. He vaguely recalled Halgon mentioning something about food earlier but hadn¡¯t had time to explore it. It was easy enough to locate.


    Scrolling through the food category, he picked his favorite: Hawaiian pizza and a steaming cup of coffee. The smell made his mouth water as soon as the items materialized. The total came to 47 VP¡ªnot too bad, though he wasn¡¯t sure how that compared to real-world prices.


    "That¡¯s... unique-looking food," Yukha said, leaning closer. "What is it called?"


    "It¡¯s pizza. Specifically, Hawaiian," Finn replied. "Want to try a slice?"


    "If you don¡¯t mind."


    Yukha grabbed a slice, which looked hilariously small in his large hand, and devoured it in a single bite. He chewed thoughtfully, his expression serious as if analyzing the flavor was a critical mission. After swallowing, he finally spoke:


    "It has a... unique taste. Sweet and salty, with a chewy texture. Is that dough underneath?" He shook his head. "It¡¯s not to my taste."


    "Suit yourself," Finn said with a shrug. "What about this?" He slid over his cup of coffee.


    Yukha gulped it down in one go. His eyes widened, practically sparkling.


    "This... this is delicious!" he exclaimed. "What is it called?"


    "Coffee," Finn replied, amused. "At least you have good taste in drinks."


    "Cof-fee," Yukha repeated, savoring the word.


    Without hesitation, he bought ten more cups from the shop, laying them out on the table like a feast.


    I hope orc stomachs are built different. I can¡¯t have him getting the runs during a fight.


    Finn grabbed another slice of pizza, but his eyes drifted to the faint blue mark on his palm. It was barely glowing now¡ªso dim he couldn¡¯t tell if it was active or not. Curious but too hungry to dwell on it, he brushed the thought aside and focused on eating.


    Following Yukha¡¯s earlier advice, Finn directed the pebble-sized flame to hover above his head. He adjusted its height to avoid singing his hair, letting it rotate steadily as he devoured two family-sized pizzas and finished his coffee. His appetite seemed larger than usual.


    Maybe leveling up increases hunger?


    When he finally felt full, Finn opened his system menu, excitement bubbling within him. He¡¯d killed so many monsters earlier¡ªsurely his levels had increased.


    His heart raced as he glanced at his stats:


    <hr>


    Name: Finn Hayes


    Level: 1 ¡ú 7


    <hr>


    Six levels! Those blobs must¡¯ve done the job. He likely got some experience from the tentacles too, though the mist had obscured the aftermath of his fireball. Leveling would probably slow down later, but for now, he was thrilled.


    Next, he checked his elemental affinities:


    <hr>


    Elemental Affinities:


    Stone - 0


    Water -  X


    Fire -  146 ¡ú 157


    Wind -  0


    Free Points - 12


    <hr>


    His Fire affinity had increased by 11 points instead of the expected 6 from the Fire God''s blessing. Could it be from pushing his fire and mana to the limit during the battle?


    Without hesitation, Finn allocated all his free points to the Fire affinity, raising it to 169. He hoped the increase would make a noticeable difference the next time he used it in battle.


    Fire had proven to be incredibly effective so far, even against water-based monsters¡ªsomething he hadn¡¯t expected. Most of the creatures he¡¯d faced, like the blobs, were largely composed of water. The tentacles were similar; their translucent heads were almost certainly water-based, with their cores likely hidden inside rather than dangling in the tentacles.


    If his flames were hot enough to evaporate water, then the solution was simple: make them hotter. Stronger.


    He hadn¡¯t yet encountered corrupted elementals of other elements, but he¡¯d deal with them when the time came.


    Stone, Wind¡ªI''ll find a way to burn them.


    Shifting focus, Finn opened his Attributes tab:


    <hr>


    Attributes:


    Constitution - 5


    Strength - 5 ¡ú 7


    Perception - 9 ¡ú 13


    Wisdom - 13 ¡ú 25


    Free Points - 12


    <hr>


    He blinked at the numbers. Even his Strength had increased¡ªonly by two points, but still. Probably from all the running he¡¯d done.


    His Perception and Wisdom increases were less surprising. The former was likely due to the precision he¡¯d needed to maneuver the flames during the fight, while the latter...


    That must¡¯ve been from nearly draining my mana again and letting it regenerate naturally.


    Yukha had insisted it was crucial to do. Not to mention, his Mage class provided a +1 bonus to Wisdom with every level-up.


    Without hesitation, he allocated his newly gained free points¡ª8 to Wisdom and 4 to Perception.


    Next, his eyes landed on his skill.


    Fireball: still level 1.


    Wait. Did I forget to use it during the fight?


    He groaned internally. He¡¯d been so absorbed in controlling his natural flames that he¡¯d completely forgotten to test the skill he¡¯d spent valor points on.


    Looking at its stats now, though, he felt conflicted. The mana cost was absurdly high compared to summoning flames naturally¡ªon top of that, it drained 1 mana per second while active.


    It would¡¯ve been a liability. If he¡¯d used it, his mana would¡¯ve drained faster, and he¡¯d have had to burn through a mana potion unnecessarily.


    Finn glanced at the pebble-sized flame hovering over his hand.


    If this were the Fireball skill, it¡¯d be eating my mana every second.


    Speaking of liabilities, his gaze shifted to the dim blue mark on his palm.


    Wait a second.


    When it had glowed earlier, hadn¡¯t there been... something else?


    That¡¯s right. Something popped up alongside the pain.


    His heart raced as the memory returned. How could he have forgotten? The adrenaline from the fight must have clouded his thoughts. Quickly, he scrolled through his system, stopping at his Blessings:


    <hr>


    Blessings:


    [Universal Language]


    [Stone God''s Blessing #425]


    [Wind God''s Curse #2]


    [Fire God''s Blessing #1]


    [Water God''s Blessing #2]


    <hr>


    There it was at the bottom. The blessing that had appeared before the swarm of monsters descended on them. Finn selected it, bringing up the description:


    <hr>


    [Water God''s Blessing #2]


    The bearer of the Water God''s Mark will inexplicably draw the attention of corrupted water elementals, compelling these creatures to relentlessly seek out and target the marked individual. In addition, this bearer will no longer be able to use the power of water.

 Chapter 18 - Planning

    Mark? Is it talking about this blue mark?


    His mind pieced it together. After the mark had glowed, the onslaught of corrupted water elementals began. And that X mark on the water affinity had also appeared when he first received the mark back at The Threshold.


    So it really meant I can no longer add points to it.


    "Hey, Yukha," Finn called, voice steady despite the revelation. "I think I know why we were swarmed by those monsters."


    Yukha, in the middle of drinking from a pail-sized cup of water, paused. He set the cup down and turned to Finn, his expression sharpening.


    "Really? Tell me about it."


    "It''s because of this," Finn said, opening his palm to reveal the mark branded into his skin.


    Yukha leaned closer, his eyes narrowing. "Isn''t that the mark the Water God gave you back in The Threshold?"


    "Yeah," Finn said. "And now it¡¯s confirmed¡ªthis mark means I can¡¯t add points to my water affinity anymore. I can¡¯t control water. But there¡¯s more to it. Something activated after we entered the first realm."


    He hesitated, then continued, "It¡¯s not just a mark. It¡¯s a curse."


    Yukha''s brows furrowed. "A curse?"


    Finn nodded and read the description out loud: ¡®The bearer of the Water God¡¯s Mark will inexplicably draw the attention of corrupted water elementals, compelling these creatures to relentlessly seek out and target the marked individual. Additionally, this bearer will no longer be able to use the power of water.¡¯


    Yukha exhaled sharply. "So that¡¯s why they kept swarming us. I thought it was strange how they seemed to single us out. And losing your water affinity..." He frowned. "That¡¯s a serious handicap. Water-based skills are some of the most versatile, especially for healing and rejuvenation."


    He paused, thinking deeply, until a realization lit his expression. "Wait. The fact that we were teleported into what seemed like their territory... maybe it wasn¡¯t a coincidence."


    Finn clenched his fist. "You think the Water God did this on purpose?"


    "It¡¯s possible. You offended her, Finn. Maybe this is her way of punishing you."


    Finn¡¯s eyes darkened as he remembered the Water God''s parting words. "You¡¯ll die soon enough anyway." A chill ran down his spine. "If you weren¡¯t here, I really would¡¯ve died."


    Yukha smiled faintly, though his tone remained serious. "I promised her I¡¯d take care of you. And I will. So you don¡¯t make the same mistake of offending a God again."


    Being sent to the first realm at level one already seemed like a death sentence, but adding this mark too... it feels like overkill. Yet I was still teleported with Yukha. It doesn¡¯t add up. Does she want me alive or dead?


    Finn glanced at the mark again, now still dim. "When the blessing activated earlier, I felt pain. And it glowed. Right after that, the monsters started swarming us."


    Yukha leaned forward. "Glowed, huh? Is it still glowing now?"


    Finn inspected his palm. "No. It¡¯s dim, like a regular drawing."


    Yukha nodded, a thoughtful glint in his eyes. "Then there''s at least one bright side to all of this."


    Finn raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"


    "If the mark only glows when corrupted water elementals are nearby, it¡¯s a warning system," Yukha explained. "We¡¯ll know when they¡¯re coming, giving us time to prepare¡ªor escape."


    Finn¡¯s eyes widened as realization dawned. "So the glow acts as an early alert system?"


    "Exactly," Yukha said. "The downside is we won¡¯t know their strength or levels, but it¡¯s better than being caught off guard."


    Finn nodded slowly. "Good point. Still, the fact that the Gods can influence these monsters and send them after an individual... did you know that was possible?"


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    Yukha shook his head, his hand resting on his chin. "It¡¯s news to me. But let¡¯s not dwell on it. Talking about the gods too much might anger them further."


    He clapped Finn on the shoulder. "What¡¯s done is done. You have the mark now, and there¡¯s no changing that. We face the dangers it brings and make the most of its perks."


    Finn exhaled, relaxing slightly. "You¡¯re right."


    He straightened, determination sparking in his eyes. Mark or no mark, his goal remained the same¡ªget stronger. If anything, this mark would push him further. He¡¯d defeat every corrupted water elemental that dared come for him.


    This isn¡¯t a curse. It¡¯s a stepping stone. A way to grow faster.


    Yukha broke the silence. "You remember the monsters we¡¯ve faced so far, don¡¯t you?"


    Finn nodded. "The blobs and the tentacles."


    "And their attacks?"


    "The blobs spat toxic water that could melt skin. The tentacles..." Finn frowned, recalling the battle. "I didn¡¯t see much, but they used those creepy tentacles to attack."


    Yukha smirked. "Good. Then let¡¯s figure out how to fight them better next time. The mark might attract them, but it doesn¡¯t mean we¡¯ll lose."


    Finn nodded, his resolve hardening. "Right. Let¡¯s turn this curse into an advantage."


    "That''s the right mindset. Now, let''s turn our focus back to the monsters," Yukha said. "Those blobs are the easiest corrupted water elementals out there. Their spit attack is slow and easy to dodge, and they barely move at all. But the tentacles¡ªthose are the ones you need to watch out for."


    Finn nodded, recalling the near miss earlier.


    "Their tentacles are deceptively fast. You almost got hit by one, didn¡¯t you? If I wasn''t paying attention, it would have landed. And trust me, you do not want that. Not only do their tentacles sting like a whip, but they are also laced with microscopic barbs coated in poison. You can¡¯t see them, but the moment they scratch your skin, the poison paralyzes you instantly. Once you¡¯re immobilized, they release toxic water from their heads to melt you alive."


    Finn grimaced. "That¡¯s... horrifying."


    "It is," Yukha agreed. "But they have a weakness. Their tentacles have limited range, no matter how many they lash out with. Your best bet is to take them out from a distance. Aim for their heads¡ªthat¡¯s where their cores are. Destroy the core, and the fight¡¯s over. If you are forced into close combat, you will need a barrier to shield yourself, but that¡¯s a riskier strategy."


    He paused and glanced at Finn. "For you, keeping your distance is ideal. Most mages do that anyway. As for me, I fight in close quarters. My level and Constitution are high enough that their poison barely affects me, even if they slip through my barrier."


    "Long-range fighting works for me," Finn replied. "I don¡¯t have much experience with close combat, and honestly, my body isn¡¯t built for it."


    Yukha gave a nod of approval. "Good. For now, I will protect you until you reach level 15. After that, you¡¯re on your own. I will only step in if your life is in danger. Until then, focus on mastering your flames. Find ways to either defend or dodge attacks with them."


    Finn listened intently as Yukha continued. "It would¡¯ve been easier if you could use Stone skills for defense or Wind skills for agility. But since you have invested all your points into Fire, you will have to adapt. It¡¯s too late to split your focus now, and we have already seen that you¡¯re not naturally adept with the other elements. That said, if you ever hit a wall where Fire can¡¯t carry you any further, you might have to reconsider and force yourself to invest in another element."


    "That won¡¯t happen," Finn said firmly. "I¡¯ll find a way to make Fire work. I just need to strengthen it and improve my control."


    Yukha chuckled. "Determined as ever. Stubborn, too. But considering how well you handled those monsters earlier, I would not say it¡¯s impossible."


    He gestured toward the map. "Now, let us talk about our next move. I suggest we avoid the lake and the surrounding forest for now. It¡¯s crawling with corrupted water elementals¡ªa bad match for your fire, and even worse with that mark on you. There¡¯s another teleport point nearby. What do you think? Where should we head next?"


    Finn frowned. "Why are you asking me? You¡¯re the one with all the knowledge here."


    "You should not rely on me too much," Yukha said, his tone serious. "You need to learn to make decisions, even when you feel clueless. It¡¯s part of growing stronger."


    He gave Finn a reassuring look. "Besides, no matter where you choose, I can handle any monsters we encounter. You¡¯ve seen the color indicators on their names, haven¡¯t you? What colors have you noticed so far?"


    "Green for the blobs and red for the tentacles," Finn answered.


    "Seems right for your level," Yukha said. "Green means you¡¯re evenly matched. Red means the enemy is much stronger than you. I¡¯ve only seen gray so far, which indicates monsters far weaker than me. But there¡¯s one color you need to fear above all others."


    Yukha¡¯s expression darkened. "If you see a name outlined in pure black, don''t hesitate. Don¡¯t think. Just run. Because if you don¡¯t, you will be dead before you can even blink."


    "Because they¡¯re way, way stronger than me?" Finn asked.


    "Not just stronger," Yukha corrected, his tone firm. "They are impossible to defeat at your current level. No amount of strategy will save you."


    "Alright, I¡¯ll keep that in mind," Finn said.


    "Now, about where to go next," he continued, shifting gears. "I agree with your suggestion to head to the next nearest teleport location. But I have an additional idea."


    "And what¡¯s that?" Yukha asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "That we eliminate all the corrupted elementals around that location," Finn replied.


    He hesitated briefly, then added, "Not just there¡ªeverywhere. We clear out every corrupted elemental near all four teleport locations. We leave this area for last since the monsters here are the hardest for me to handle, as you said. Does that sound reasonable, or is it completely insane?"


    Yukha mulled it over for a few moments before responding. "It is insane," he admitted, then smirked. "But not impossible."


    He crossed his arms. "This realm isn¡¯t overly large. It is big enough to keep us busy, but we could probably explore and clear it in a month¡ªmaybe longer if things don¡¯t go smoothly."


    Finn grinned. "Time isn¡¯t an issue for me. If anything, the more time we spend, the more experience I¡¯ll gain and the better I¡¯ll get at handling my flames."


    "That¡¯s a valid point," Yukha agreed. "Clearing out the corrupted elementals will net you a significant number of levels. The second realm is bound to be tougher, so the stronger you are, the better your chances. Ideally, this should ensure the monsters there don¡¯t have black-colored names for you anymore."


    Finn¡¯s expression twisted. "Wait, are you saying the best-case scenario is that the monsters in the next realm have red names? So they¡¯ll still be much stronger than me, but at least beatable?"


    "More or less," Yukha said with a shrug. "I can¡¯t be certain, but based on what Halgon told us, the second realm will present a greater challenge. Back then, you had not received the system, so he was not speaking about you specifically. Still, if his words hold true, the monsters there are likely at my level or stronger. And my level is far higher than yours, so yes¡ªred is the best you can expect."


    "Then leveling up as much as possible here is the only logical choice," Finn said decisively. "Wiping out everything that¡¯s killable it is, then."


    Maybe Julian had a purpose for giving me such a crazy quest after all.

 Chapter 19 - Corrupted Wind

    Yukha chuckled. "When you put it like that, your plan does not sound crazy at all¡ªit¡¯s actually quite logical. Alright, we¡¯ll go with it."


    Finn hesitated, concern creeping into his voice. "But that means you¡¯ll be stuck here for who knows how long. The monsters here are too weak to help you level up much. I¡¯ll just be holding you back."


    He paused, then added, "How about this? Once I reach a level where most monsters¡¯ names appear green to me, you move on to the next realm. That way, you can still catch up with the other challengers."


    Yukha¡¯s response was immediate. "No. We will move to the second realm together."


    His tone softened. "I have told you before¡ªI don¡¯t have the same ambitions as the other challengers. I¡¯m here to help others, and I have decided to help you. Nothing will change my mind."


    Finn smiled, relief evident in his expression. "That means a lot to me. Thanks, Yukha."


    "You¡¯re welcome," Yukha said, returning the smile. "But don¡¯t rely on me too much. In the upper realms, I might not be able to protect you anymore. You will need to learn to survive on your own."


    "Yeah, yeah, I get it," Finn said, waving him off. "But could you stop saying stuff like that? You¡¯re making me nervous."


    Yukha laughed. "My apologies."


    After resting and finalizing their plan, Finn and Yukha began their journey to the next teleport location.


    The distance wasn¡¯t far by Yukha¡¯s standards, but to Finn, it felt like a trek. The longest he¡¯d ever walked was a few blocks when he¡¯d forgotten bus fare after buying groceries. He¡¯d sworn off going outside that day, opting for deliveries instead.


    "I wonder if there¡¯s a day and night cycle here," Finn mused as they walked.


    "I suspect so," Yukha replied, glancing up at the sky. "I¡¯m not certain what kind of place this is¡ªwhether it¡¯s a planet or something else entirely. There¡¯s no sign of a star like our Torrina to anchor it. If I had to guess, this is likely a created realm. But even so, the light levels seem to be changing. I don¡¯t know how they manage it with a sky that is completely empty."


    "Now that you mention it, the brightness really has changed," Finn said, his gaze narrowing as he studied their surroundings.


    The shift was subtle, barely noticeable, but undeniable. What had earlier been a brightness akin to midday now resembled the softer glow of late afternoon.


    "You asked a good question, Finn," Yukha said, nodding thoughtfully. "If there really is a day-night cycle here, we¡¯ll need to find a safe spot to rest when night falls."


    "Thankfully, corrupted elementals are less active at night."


    "Why¡¯s that? Do they need to rest or something?" Finn asked.


    "That¡¯s anyone¡¯s guess," Yukha replied. "Maybe they need rest. Maybe they can¡¯t see well in the dark. Whatever the reason, it¡¯s fortunate for us. Without it, we would never get any rest ourselves."


    The road to the next teleport point was easy enough to follow. A barren, brown path stretched ahead of them, devoid of grass or any signs of life. It looked as though countless feet had worn it down over time, though Finn suspected it was intentionally created by whoever built this realm.


    "We¡¯ve been walking for a while now, but we haven¡¯t seen anyone. Do you think they¡¯re already dead?" Finn asked, his tone edged with concern.


    "No," Yukha replied. "I suspect the others encountered only gray-colored monsters weaker than themselves. After exploring and finding little of interest, they likely decided this realm wasn¡¯t worth their time and effort and teleported to the next one."


    "That makes sense," Finn said, nodding. "But do they really need to rush like that?"


    "Many see this as a competition," Yukha said with a faint smile. "I understand that mindset¡ªI used to be like them. But that drive is for the young. I¡¯ve learned to value patience over haste."


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    Yukha suddenly stopped walking, his sharp eyes scanning their surroundings.


    "This spot should work as a resting place for the night," he announced. "We don¡¯t need to worry about finding water¡ªI can handle that¡ªand we can buy food from the shop, so any flat, open area will do. The only real threat is corrupted elementals, and even though they are less active at night, we should still take precautions. The creatures in this realm are probably not strong enough to break through a simple barrier."


    He stepped off the road and onto a patch of grass, pausing to focus on something Finn couldn¡¯t see. Moments later, a tent materialized before them.


    "This shop feature really is convenient," Finn remarked, tracing the the outside of the tent.


    "It is," Yukha agreed.


    He gestured toward the tent. "We¡¯ll leave this here as our base. Before night falls, let¡¯s begin your plan."


    "You mean corrupted elemental genocide?" Finn asked with a smirk.


    "Yes," Yukha replied. "A crude way to phrase it, but accurate. We¡¯ll start by clearing the area around this spot. We will circle outward, killing every corrupted elemental we encounter, and return here before it gets dark."


    "Mark this location on your map," Yukha added. "If we get separated, you will need to find your way back."


    Finn did as instructed, then followed Yukha¡¯s lead as they began moving south. To Finn¡¯s dismay, Yukha insisted they run.


    "You need to improve your stamina," Yukha said bluntly, though he added, "Right now, it¡¯s comparable to a child¡¯s."


    Finn rolled his eyes but didn¡¯t argue, knowing full well even children probably had better stamina than he did. So, he ran.


    Their plan was simple: move south, then circle clockwise in a spiral until they returned to their base. It would give them enough time to cover a significant area before nightfall.


    <hr>


    It took a while before they encountered their first prey.


    The journey up to that point was uneventful, consisting mostly of Finn checking his palm for signs of corrupted water elementals¡ªthough the mark didn¡¯t glow, indicating they were far from any such monsters. Yukha used the time to teach Finn basic combat strategies while Finn focused on maintaining the pebble-sized flame hovering near him since the first time he¡¯d summoned it.


    His mana had nearly replenished after being drained earlier. As Yukha had said, the small flame consumed only a negligible amount of mana, making it perfect for practicing control.


    For now, Finn knew he needed every edge he could get.


    Yukha came to an abrupt halt, forcing Finn to stop as well. His sharp gaze fixed on the distance, eyes narrowing as if trying to discern something elusive.


    "What is it? What are you looking at?" Finn asked, panting slightly from the run.


    "I sense movement," Yukha replied, pointing toward the horizon. "That direction."


    Finn squinted but saw nothing out of the ordinary. "I don''t see anything."


    "It''s difficult to spot. Focus your eyes and approach slowly," Yukha instructed, his voice low and steady.


    Finn nodded, shielding his peripheral vision with his hands to concentrate on the specific direction. Step by cautious step, he advanced, his breaths steady but his heart pounding. It took a moment, but finally, the outline of something faint came into view.


    The creature was semi-translucent, almost blending with the air around it. Its oblong body was covered in tiny, undulating bumps that seemed to wiggle beneath it like minuscule legs. Hovering lazily, it drifted up and down like a gentle breeze carrying a cloud. At first glance, it appeared harmless¡ªeven oddly adorable. But Finn knew better. The corrupted elementals always had a way of revealing their malice, often in horrifying fashion.


    "A floater," Yukha whispered from behind him.


    As Yukha named the creature, Finn saw the green-colored text above it:


    [Floater] Lvl. 10


    "Attack it the same way you dealt with the blobs earlier," Yukha instructed. "Their core is at the center of their body. It¡¯s an easy target, even from this distance. And don¡¯t forget the flame you¡¯re maintaining¡ªkeep it steady."


    The two crouched low behind a boulder, its height just enough to obscure them from view. Finn took a deep breath, steadying himself.


    He extended his hand and summoned another flame. It flickered into existence, starting small and gradually growing until it was the size of a marble. With practiced focus, he continued feeding it mana, enlarging it until it doubled in size. The process was smoother now than when he first tried it.


    Managing two flames felt oddly natural¡ªlike holding one object in each hand. He briefly wondered how difficult it would be to control more, but he pushed the thought aside to concentrate on the task at hand.


    He decided to increase both the size and intensity of the new flame simultaneously, a more efficient approach than tackling each aspect separately. Though challenging, it was manageable. The flame shifted from a bright red to an intense orange, its heat palpable even from a distance.


    Finn glanced at the creature, still drifting aimlessly, unaware of its impending attack.


    This should be enough, he thought, feeling the flame reach its current limit of heat. He suspected his fire affinity restricted its potential, but for now, it would have to do. While he could sense there was still room to expand the flame further, its current size seemed sufficient for the target.


    Taking a deep breath, Finn honed his focus on speed and precision. He visualized the flame piercing through the creature¡¯s core, just as Yukha had advised.


    Faster than before. I can do this.


    With a sharp exhale, he launched the fiery orb. It streaked through the air, straight toward the wind drifter¡¯s center.


    But the moment the flame made contact with the creature¡¯s body, it sputtered. The fire flickered violently, struggling against an unseen force, before extinguishing entirely.


    Finn froze, eyes widening in disbelief.


    "What¡ª?"


    Before he could finish, the wind drifter turned, its translucent form now facing them. Its body pulsed faintly, and the air around it seemed to ripple.


    Behind the creature, invisible gusts began to gather, their presence betrayed by the frantic rustling of grass. The calm, cloudlike figure had transformed into a looming threat, and Finn felt a chill run down his spine.


    "Brace yourself!" Yukha warned, his voice sharp.


    The wind drifter let out a low, resonant hum, the gusts intensifying as it prepared to strike.

 Chapter 20 - Refining The Flames

    After a few seconds, the floater charged at them in a blur, moving with jet-like speed. Finn barely had time to react.


    But Yukha was faster.


    With a practiced motion, Yukha drove the tip of his greatsword into the ground, the blade sinking with a heavy thud as chunks of soil and grass scattered. He angled the sharp edge outward, positioning it directly in the creature¡¯s path.


    The floater collided with the greatsword, and its translucent body burst apart in an explosion of air. A powerful gust slammed into them, rustling their hair and clothes. Finn felt the wind sting his face like a thousand tiny needles, mixed with a fleeting warmth.


    It was as though Yukha had predicted the creature''s every move, planting his weapon in the precise spot where it would hit.


    ¡°It¡¯s fast,¡± Yukha said, brushing dirt off his blade, ¡°but its movements are incredibly predictable. Once it locks onto you and charges, it can¡¯t change direction.¡±


    Finn frowned, still replaying the earlier exchange. ¡°I don¡¯t get it. Its body looked fragile, like the blobs. My flame should¡¯ve pierced through it easily, especially after I leveled up. But it didn¡¯t even scratch its surface.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a reason for that,¡± Yukha replied. ¡°The blobs'' bodies were mostly water¡ªsoft and pliable, like jelly. The wind drifter is different. Its body is made of compressed wind. The outer layer consists of countless tiny gusts spinning at high speeds, like miniature blades. Anything that touches it is ground down instantly.¡±


    ¡°So when my flame hit it, those wind currents shredded it until it was snuffed out?¡± Finn asked.


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Yukha said with a nod. ¡°Your attack did hurt it, but the flame didn¡¯t last long enough to finish it off. If your fire had been more durable, it could have overwhelmed the winds protecting its body and destroyed it.¡±


    ¡°Or,¡± Yukha continued, ¡°if your flame had been fast enough, it could¡¯ve pierced through the currents before they extinguished it and hit the core directly.¡±


    Finn sighed, his gaze lowering in thought. ¡°So basically, my firepower wasn¡¯t enough.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s one way to look at it. But the way I killed it with the greatsword should give you some ideas. Let¡¯s keep moving¡ªif we encounter another one, we can try something different.¡±


    Finn¡¯s eyes lit up at the suggestion. ¡°Agreed. I think I¡¯ve got an idea.¡±


    The pair resumed their spiraling path, and it wasn¡¯t long before they spotted another floater drifting lazily ahead.


    ¡°I need you to keep it distracted,¡± Finn said. ¡°Don¡¯t kill it yet¡ªI need time to set something up.¡±


    Yukha nodded and strode forward. Standing like an immovable tree, he baited the creature into attacking. Each time it charged, he shifted just enough to avoid the impact, never breaking his stance or taking a step.


    Amazing.


    Finn turned his focus inward, summoning another flame. It started as a small flicker in his hands but quickly grew, swelling into a massive sphere. He concentrated, feeding the flame more energy until it reached the size of a boulder, its fiery surface swirling like molten lava.


    Once he felt it reach its size limit, Finn began to flatten it. Slowly and carefully, he compressed the sphere downward, shaping it into a wide, flat circle hovering in the air. It resembled a molten disc, radiating waves of heat that distorted the air around it.


    But he wasn¡¯t done. Gritting his teeth, he compressed the circle further, condensing it into a thinner and thinner form. The edges shrank inward, the heat intensifying with every second, until the once-massive disc was reduced to a single, impossibly thin line of fire. It hovered before him, glowing with a searing orange intensity.


    From a distance, the flame resembled a gash in reality¡ªa jagged wound of heat cutting through the air.


    ¡°Yukha! Can you see it? Lead it here!¡± Finn shouted.


    Yukha glanced back and saw the glowing thread. ¡°I see it!¡±


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    Finn smirked, steadying his focus. ¡°Good. Bring it closer!¡±


    With a sharp turn, Yukha redirected the creature toward Finn¡¯s trap. The floater hurtled forward, unaware of the fiery thread lying in wait.


    As the creature closed in, Yukha positioned himself directly in front of the trap, standing firm. ¡°How much fire did you compress into that single line?¡± he asked. ¡°It¡¯s blisteringly hot even from here.¡±


    Finn grinned, sweat beading on his brow. ¡°Enough to make sure it cuts right through.¡±


    When the creature charged at full speed, Yukha dodged, letting it hit the fire thread dead-on.


    The impact was immediate¡ªa small explosion as fire and wind collided, creating a fiery whirlwind. Flames danced in chaotic spirals, consuming the wind drifter''s form.


    "That stung!" Yukha exclaimed, flinching as stray embers grazed his arm.


    Without hesitation, he summoned water from his palm, quickly soothing and healing the burn. "Fire and wind¡ªa dangerous combination," he muttered, shaking his head.


    The fiery tornado raged for a few seconds before dissipating, leaving behind faint scorch marks on the ground.


    "That was an impressive trap," Yukha said, inspecting the aftermath. "I didn¡¯t know you could generate flames with such intense heat at your level."


    Finn nodded. "There¡¯s a trick to it. Even when I hit the limit of how much mana I can channel into the flame, compressing it further makes it denser¡ªand hotter. It¡¯s like bypassing the natural cap."


    "Powerful, yes," Yukha admitted, "but it¡¯s slow to set up and only works in specific situations."


    Finn frowned, unsatisfied. Using the wind drifter¡¯s speed against it had been satisfying, but the method was too complicated and time-consuming. If only he could create those threads faster¡­ or even make multiple traps at once. Or better yet, control them like a fiery web, slicing through enemies.


    "But if you refine it," Yukha said, "it could become an extraordinary weapon."


    "That¡¯s the plan," Finn replied, determination gleaming in his eyes. "I¡¯ll work on my speed and control. For now, I want to focus on my mini fireballs. There¡¯s got to be a way to make them faster and strong enough to pierce through those windy bodies, even with my current limitations."


    Yukha stroked his chin thoughtfully. "You know what your greatest strength is, Finn? Your imagination. Fire is adaptable¡ªit can take on any form you think of. Add your quick thinking, and it¡¯s a deadly combination."


    "Really?" Finn asked.


    "Yes. It''s like you see possibilities in any situation. That¡¯s what makes you strong," Yukha said. "With that mindset, you¡¯ll push your flames beyond their limits¡ªand maybe even imitate what other elements can do."


    Finn clenched his fist. "No. Imitating them is not enough. I''ll surpass them. I¡¯ll prove it. No matter what, I¡¯ll push my fire to its peak."


    "And your belief in your element..." Yukha chuckled. "It¡¯s refreshing. You remind me of my late wife. She had the same fiery determination. She would have loved helping you. Since she¡¯s not here, I¡¯ll take her place and do what I can to help you grow stronger."


    Finn smiled at the compliment, noticing how Yukha¡¯s face lit up when he mentioned his wife. It was clear she had been someone he deeply admired. Being compared to her... perhaps that¡¯s why Yukha was helping him.


    Respecting that, Finn silently vowed not to waste this chance. He¡¯d use it to grow even stronger.


    "Come on," Yukha said, turning toward the path. "Let¡¯s finish this route before it gets dark."


    As they continued, Finn kept the small flame hovering above his head, shifting its speed and focusing on it now that he was no longer in the middle of fighting. While walking, he also practiced recreating the thread-shaped flame on a smaller scale, expanding and compressing it repeatedly above his hand like a fiery rubber band.


    Their approach to wind drifters evolved with each encounter. Yukha would drench the creatures with water, their windy bodies dispersing it evenly, creating a layer Yukha could freeze with ease.


    Finn followed up by launching his small fireball, their impact piercing the now-vulnerable creatures.


    He also tried throwing larger flames on the creatures, with it spreading across their gusty forms, igniting small infernos that consumed them entirely, until their health reached zero. From a safe distance, the fiery spectacle was not a problem.


    But the routine was becoming monotonous, almost mind-numbing. Repeating the same steps over and over felt too easy. Finn knew he wouldn¡¯t grow by just coasting through battles or simply leveling up. He craved a challenge¡ªsomething that would push him to his limits.


    "Can we rest here for a bit? I want to try something," Finn asked, glancing at Yukha.


    "Alright," Yukha replied, settling down. "I could use a snack anyway."


    From thin air, Yukha summoned a piece of something that looked hard and crispy. It smelled faintly like jerky, but Finn couldn¡¯t quite place what it was. Yukha bit into it with a satisfying crunch, munching away.


    In his other hand, a massive cup appeared, five times the size of a normal one in Yukha¡¯s grasp. Finn instantly recognized the rich aroma of coffee wafting from it, and his mouth watered. Yukha had grown quite fond of the drink, it seemed.


    "Want some?" Yukha offered, catching Finn¡¯s longing stare.


    "Nah, I¡¯ll have some later back at camp," Finn replied, shaking his head.


    Refocusing, Finn checked his mana. It was almost full, thanks to a low-tier mana potion he¡¯d taken earlier. They weren¡¯t near their destination yet, and the road ahead was still teeming with monsters.


    He summoned a small flame¡ªthe one he¡¯d been refining as a projectile. This time, he enlarged it to its limit, then compressed it back to its original size. The flame burned brighter, its orange hue more intense, radiating palpable heat against his skin.


    The next challenge was speed. How can he make it faster?


    An idea struck him: instead of a spherical shape, he could add a tail¡ªa flame propeller to propel it forward. Then, shape the flame into a cone and make it rotate, like Yukha¡¯s icicles or the spinning motions of the tentacles. On top of that, he could extend its launch distance to maximize acceleration.


    With enough speed and force, it should pierce through the wind drifters¡¯ gusty bodies and destroy their cores.


    "Man, I should¡¯ve studied pyrotechnics back on Earth. Or at least taken a physics class," he muttered. Despite his love for fire, his understanding of its mechanics was purely instinctual. He loved how it burned, how it glowed, how it consumed and left behind nothing but ashes. His current experiments were driven by intuition alone.


    "Well, I¡¯ve got all the time in the world to figure it out. Maybe going by feel is enough for mastery¡ªespecially with the system backing me up."

 Chapter 21 - Exhaustion and Relaxation

    Taking a deep breath, Finn pushed the thoughts aside and focused on refining his control.


    He could¡¯ve easily allocated points to his fire affinity and to his attributes from the monsters he¡¯d defeated, but that felt like cheating. He had promised himself to push his limits, so he held off on upgrades until they returned to camp. Yukha had even complimented him on the decision, saying, "You¡¯re starting to think like a warrior." Finn took it as high praise from someone like him.


    <hr>


    Six tries later¡ªand a good chunk of wasted mana¡ªhe finally landed a clean hit.


    It turned out controlling the flame¡¯s speed, spin, and extended range was far harder than he had anticipated, especially while maintaining the pebble-sized flame hovering above him.


    His first attempts failed spectacularly. The flame either spun out of control, veered off course, or lost momentum mid-flight. But on the sixth try, everything clicked.


    The flame shot forward with a sharp whip, piercing clean through the floater before it even realized what was happening. The creature exploded instantly, leaving a fiery burst in its wake.


    To Finn¡¯s amazement, the flame continued on, cutting through the air like a missile, a laser, and a shooting star combined. It left an orange afterimage as it streaked forward, finally dispersing when he lost control of it.


    Beautiful, he thought, watching the last traces of light fade. He had succeeded. Now, he just needed to replicate it consistently.


    "I¡¯m not even surprised anymore," Yukha said, sipping his coffee.


    Finn smirked. Yukha had begrudgingly rushed to find a floater for Finn¡¯s test, ensuring the mana wasn¡¯t wasted.


    "Have you noticed something, though?" Yukha asked, his tone shifting. "The farther north we go, the more of those things we¡¯re running into."


    "Yeah," Finn agreed, his brow furrowing. "They were way more spread out earlier."


    "The wind¡¯s getting stronger¡ªand colder," Yukha said, exhaling a warm breath into his cupped hands, then briskly rubbing them together to chase away the chill.


    Finn felt it too. While Julian¡¯s coat shielded his body from most of the chill, his face and hair were fully exposed. The biting wind tugged at his hair, whipping it in every direction.


    "We need to be careful," Yukha continued, his voice steady but tense. "I think we¡¯re approaching a strong corrupted wind elemental¡¯s territory."


    He materialized his own form of protection¡ªa long cloth that didn¡¯t resemble a coat but served the purpose. Wrapping it tightly around his body, he braced himself against the growing gale.


    As they pressed on, the wind intensified. The gusts grew more forceful, and with them came an unsettling increase in the number of floaters. Where before they had to walk some distance to spot one, now they appeared in clusters. The creatures drifted together like a pack, lazily hovering but exuding a quiet menace.


    The clusters had their advantages, though. Finn¡¯s newly improved mini fireballs weren¡¯t easy to control at long distances, but the grouping of enemies allowed him to pierce multiple targets without adjusting his trajectory too much.


    Soon, the wind escalated to near-typhoon levels, snapping at their clothes and howling like a living beast. Finn¡¯s coat fluttered wildly, threatening to tear away.


    "Want to turn back?" Yukha asked, his voice raised to be heard over the roar of the wind.


    "Not yet," Finn replied. "I want to see where this is coming from."


    The gale grew fiercer as they advanced, stinging their eyes and forcing them to shield their faces. But then, almost as abruptly as it had started, the wind began to ease.


    The wild gusts softened, giving way to a strange, rhythmic pattern¡ªa gentle pushing and pulling, like the ebb and flow of ocean waves. The change was jarring, the calm almost eerie after the chaos. It was like they''ve reached the eye of a typhoon.


    "This pattern..." Yukha murmured, slowing his pace. "I¡¯ve felt this before. Let¡¯s move carefully."


    The tranquil atmosphere felt wrong. As they continued, the sight ahead made Finn''s skin crawl.


    In the distance, floaters¡ªdozens, maybe hundreds¡ªspread out across the air.


    "Hide," Yukha hissed, pulling Finn down behind a jagged rock.


    The two crouched low as the floaters floated lazily in different directions, their movements dictated by the gentle, wave-like breeze. When Finn had first seen one of these creatures, they seemed deceptively harmless, almost cute. But seeing so many together now evoked an entirely different feeling.


    "Disgusting," he muttered under his breath. It was like the unnerving sight of insects clumped together¡ªsomething primal and unsettling.


    Yukha¡¯s eyes narrowed, studying the strange, hypnotic way the floaters were being pushed and pulled by the rhythmic gusts. "I was right," he said grimly. "This is the work of a Shredder."


    "A what?" Finn asked, confused.


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    "Look past the wind drifters," Yukha said. "Focus your eyes. There¡¯s something jutting out of the ground."


    Squinting, Finn scanned the area. At first, his view was obscured by the floating creatures, but as the rhythmic wind pushed them aside, he finally saw it.


    At the center of the drifting monsters, something strange protruded from the earth. From a distance, its shape resembled a small well, but it expanded and contracted in perfect sync with the wind¡¯s pattern, almost as if it were breathing.


    On top of the construct, glowing red letters floated ominously in the air:


    [Shredder] lvl. 30


    "Let¡¯s head back for now, Finn," Yukha said. "We need to regroup. It¡¯s getting darker by the minute, and soon it¡¯ll be too hard to see. We¡¯ll return tomorrow. Besides, you need rest¡ªyou¡¯ve been pushing yourself nonstop since we got here."


    The moment Yukha mentioned it, Finn¡¯s body seemed to agree. The adrenaline that had kept him going began to fade, leaving behind the ache of exhaustion. His legs felt heavier, his shoulders tense from the constant strain of running, fighting, and experimenting.


    "You¡¯re right," Finn admitted with a sigh. "It¡¯s probably time to allocate my points from all the levels I¡¯ve gained anyway. I don¡¯t think I can handle this many monsters with my current stats¡ªnot to mention that shredder."


    The memory of the strange construct elicited a creeping sense of unease. It wasn¡¯t the red name or even its size that unsettled him¡ªit was the unknown. It didn¡¯t look as grotesque as the Tentacles, just an unassuming well-like structure that seemed to breathe. But that simplicity made it all the more terrifying. What could it do? How dangerous was it?


    "Let¡¯s walk back for now," Yukha suggested. "You¡¯ve had enough running for today."


    Finn frowned, an odd sense of defiance bubbling up. "No, we¡¯ll run."


    He couldn''t miss the irony¡ªhe¡¯d despised all the running earlier, but now that Yukha offered him a reprieve, he felt the urge to push through. Was it stubbornness? Pride? Reverse psychology? He couldn¡¯t tell.


    "If you insist," Yukha said with a shrug.


    Before setting off, Yukha handed him the flask of invigorating water he¡¯d filled earlier. Finn drank deeply, feeling a refreshing burst of energy course through him, just enough to fuel the run back to camp.


    The cold night air brushed against his skin as they ran, its crispness invigorating rather than biting. Above them, the sky stretched wide, dotted with countless stars. There was no moon at all, absent like the earlier sun, but the stars were radiant enough to make up for it. Finn glanced upward, marveling at the sight. Whoever had designed this world¡ªwhatever higher force governed it¡ªclearly had an eye for beauty.


    "This is nice," Finn said, breaking the silence as he jogged alongside Yukha.


    Yukha slowed his pace slightly, matching Finn¡¯s speed¡ªa subtle but appreciated gesture. "What is?"


    "Running," Finn replied. "I didn¡¯t like it earlier, but there¡¯s something about the night that makes it peaceful."


    "I agree," Yukha said, his gaze flickering toward the starry sky. "The night has a way of calming things down, doesn¡¯t it?"


    By the time they reached camp, Finn felt surprisingly at ease. The run had been almost meditative, the night air and starlit sky soothing his mind.


    The camp was just as they had left it¡ªquiet and untouched. The tent stood firm, and the area showed no signs of intrusion. Finn collapsed onto the grass, gazing up at the stars as he caught his breath. Beside him, two small wooden chairs had appeared, facing each other with a neat stack of unlit firewood between them.


    He raised an eyebrow. "You bought chairs? And firewood?"


    "From the shop," Yukha confirmed nonchalantly. "Ice chairs wouldn¡¯t be very comfortable, would they?"


    Finn chuckled at the practicality. For a realm designed to test their survival, it sometimes felt oddly mundane¡ªalmost like a camping trip.


    "Want me to light the fire?" Finn offered, gesturing toward the firewood.


    "Please do," Yukha said.


    Finn directed the pebble-sized flame hovering above him toward the pile. The firewood caught quickly, crackles breaking the quiet as warmth began to radiate from the growing flames. Finn instinctively pulled the little flame back toward himself, as though afraid it might be lost to the fire. The gesture made him smile¡ªhe was getting attached to the tiny thing. Maybe he should give it a name.


    Yukha, however, didn¡¯t sit by the fire as Finn expected. Instead, he disappeared behind the tent.


    "Where are you going?" Finn called out.


    "You¡¯ll see," came Yukha¡¯s reply.


    Moments later, a low rumble echoed through the camp, accompanied by tremors that made the ground quiver. Finn shot up, alarmed, and hurried around the tent.


    To his surprise, Yukha stood beside a wide, shallow hole in the ground, a satisfied grin on his face.


    "Did you do this?" Finn asked, incredulous.


    "I did," Yukha said with a smile. "But I¡¯m not done yet."


    Yukha extended his arm over the hole and clenched his fist, his brow furrowing in concentration. For a few moments, he stood still, then exhaled deeply, the tension in his body dissipating.


    "What was that?" Finn asked, watching intently.


    A satisfied smile played on Yukha''s face, though from Finn¡¯s perspective, nothing seemed to have changed in the hole.


    "I compressed the soil as much as I could to prevent water from seeping away," Yukha explained. "Luckily, the soil here has a clay-like texture, so it¡¯s not too porous. Whoever designed this realm really knew what they were doing."


    Finn still had no idea what Yukha was trying to accomplish, but he watched with growing curiosity.


    Yukha swept his arm to the side, gathering dust and loose soil into a compact clump, which he then tossed effortlessly out of the hole. With another motion, a strong gust of wind blew across the pit, clearing out any remaining debris.


    Unfortunately, some of the dust blew into Finn''s face, sending him into a fit of coughing.


    "Ah, my apologies," Yukha said with a sheepish grin.


    Finn waved it off, though the display of elemental manipulation reminded him that Yukha could wield more than just water. He¡¯d almost forgotten, since that was the element Yukha used most often.


    Next, Yukha conjured a large sphere of water, hovering it above the hole. He poured it in, swirling it around like someone rinsing out a glass. After a few moments, he expelled the water, sending it splashing far from the site.


    "That should do it. Nice and clean," Yukha declared, stepping back.


    Finally, it dawned on Finn what Yukha was doing. A makeshift spring.


    Another pool of water materialized in Yukha¡¯s hands, which he carefully poured into the now-clean hole. He stopped when the water reached near the brim, the surface already beginning to steam in the chilly air.


    As Yukha¡¯s armor began disappearing piece by piece into his inventory, Finn raised an eyebrow.


    "Why not just set them aside instead of putting them into your inventory? Wouldn¡¯t that be easier?"


    Yukha chuckled. "Not really. By putting them in my inventory, I can re-equip them instantly. Otherwise, I¡¯d have to put each piece back on manually."


    "Fair point," Finn admitted. Why didn¡¯t I think of that earlier?


    When Yukha was down to just a cloth around his waist, he crouched beside the spring and dipped a hand into the water.


    After a moment, steam began to rise more visibly, curling lazily into the night air.


    "Perfect," Yukha murmured, standing up with a satisfied nod.


    He then summoned a torrent of water around his body, letting it cleanse him before dispersing. Without hesitation, he dashed toward the hot spring, shivering from the cold night breeze, and submerged himself with a contented sigh.


    "Ahh, that¡¯s so much better," he said, his head barely peeking above the water.


    "You should join me, Finn. This will feel amazing after the day we¡¯ve had."


    Finn hesitated. He¡¯d never had an outdoor bath before, but the steaming water, Yukha¡¯s euphoric expression, and the sticky sensation of dried sweat on his skin were persuasive enough.


    Without further delay, he began removing his clothes, following Yukha¡¯s advice to store them in his inventory for convenience. When he was down to just his boxers, he shivered violently in the cold night air.


    "Do that water-cleaning thing to me too!" Finn yelled, clutching his arms around himself. His teeth chattered from the biting breeze.


    "On it!" Yukha replied with a grin, summoning water to rinse Finn clean.


    The moment it was done, Finn bolted for the hot spring, nearly slipping in his haste. He landed face-first into the water with a loud splash.


    "Holy crap!" he exclaimed, lifting his head. "This feels insanely good!"


    "Doesn¡¯t it?" Yukha replied smugly. "I¡¯m also maintaining the temperature, so no worries about it cooling down."


    Finn leaned back in the warm, soothing water, feeling his muscles relax for the first time all day. The crackling campfire nearby and the starry night above only added to the surreal tranquility of the moment.

 Chapter 22 - Past and Present

    "I think this might be the best perk of having you as a companion," Finn said, sinking deeper into the hot spring. "Hot springs on demand wherever we go? Can¡¯t beat that."


    Yukha chuckled, his tone light. "I appreciate it, but I¡¯d rather you praise my fighting skills or training methods. Nice job keeping your fire alive when you fell earlier, by the way."


    Finn glanced up at the small flame hovering above him, its flickering light reflecting in his eyes. The flame darted back and forth as if excited, seemingly celebrating its survival. He smiled. "Yeah, thanks. No way I was letting my little buddy here go out after it¡¯s been with me all day."


    "You¡¯ve got quite the attachment to it," Yukha said with an amused smile.


    "Of course I do," Finn replied, leaning his head back. "By the way, this is actually my first time in a hot spring. I¡¯ve never even been to a public bath back on Earth."


    "So Earth has hot springs too? Fascinating," Yukha said, leaning forward with interest. "But why haven¡¯t you tried one before, if you don¡¯t mind me asking?"


    Finn hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I kind of had my reasons. Remember how I was hesitant the first time you asked me to use my fire? I wasn¡¯t sure if it would even work back then, despite already having the system."


    "Why not?" Yukha asked.


    "I almost died because of it once," Finn began, his tone subdued. "Back when I was a kid, I fell asleep while using my power. On Earth, fire wasn¡¯t as easy to control as it is here¡ªit drained me completely. One day, I made the stupid mistake of using it when I was already exhausted." He paused, tracing his hand on the scar on his cheek. "I ended up burning down our house. If it wasn¡¯t for my father, I wouldn¡¯t be here. He saved me, but... I didn¡¯t come out unscathed. This scar is a reminder of that day." He gave a small, self-deprecating smile. "Sorry to disappoint¡ªit wasn¡¯t from some epic fight with a phoenix or anything cool like that."


    Yukha chuckled softly. "A phoenix or a blazing inferno, it doesn¡¯t matter. Surviving a brush with death is nothing to be disappointed about. Still, I can see how an experience like that would make you hesitate to use your power again."


    "Yeah," Finn said, exhaling. "After that, it got worse. The fire would appear randomly, even when I wasn¡¯t trying to summon it. It was like... something inside me broke."


    "You lost trust in your fire," Yukha said, nodding thoughtfully. "That makes sense. For naturals like us, control over the elements is deeply tied to our emotions. Confidence is everything. Without it¡ªand without the system to stabilize things¡ªyour element can turn against you."


    Finn tilted his head. "So it was about trust... I started seeing fire as something dangerous, something I couldn¡¯t control. That explains a lot."


    "And I assume you isolated yourself because of it?" Yukha asked.


    "Yeah," Finn admitted. "I was scared of hurting people. And it seemed like the right decision too. When you first found me, remember how dirty I was? That¡¯s because I¡¯d just come from another burning house. I¡¯d given up, Yukha. I was ready to die. But then I got lucky¡ªtransported to The Threshold before the flames consumed me."


    Yukha¡¯s gaze softened. "So that¡¯s why. I remember the look in your eyes when I first saw you. You looked like you were on the verge of breaking."


    Finn blinked at him, startled by the observation.


    "Geez, is that really how I looked? Well, thanks for approaching me back then¡ªand for sticking around. If it weren¡¯t for you, I¡¯d probably have died a few times over by now," Finn said with a wry smile.


    Yukha nodded, his expression soft. "And thank you for sharing that with me. It couldn¡¯t have been easy."


    "Actually, it wasn¡¯t so bad. Getting it off my chest felt... liberating. And, honestly, looking back on the bad times when things are better now? It¡¯s strangely satisfying," Finn admitted.


    "That¡¯s true," Yukha said with a thoughtful smile.


    "Still, it¡¯s hard to believe, considering how freely you were using it earlier, like you had full confidence on it," Yukha said. "But after hearing your story, it all clicks. It¡¯s like you¡¯ve been released from a cage¡ªlike a prisoner savoring their newfound freedom. For you, that freedom is wielding your fire without limits."


    Finn chuckled lightly. "You¡¯re not wrong. Back on Earth, there¡¯s a word for people like me: pyromaniac. It¡¯s considered dangerous there¡ªand I¡¯m guessing it¡¯s the same on your planet. Fire, when uncontrolled, leaves nothing but destruction in its wake. But here, learning I could not only control it but use it to survive? It really was like you said¡ªfreedom."


    "Pyromaniac," Yukha repeated, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "Interesting."


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    Finn stretched, letting the warmth of the water relax his muscles. "You know, this hot spring is amazing, but it feels like it¡¯s missing something."


    Yukha raised a brow. "And what would that be?"


    "Wait a second," Finn said, opening his system interface. He navigated to the shop, typing a few words into the search bar. He didn¡¯t expect to find what he was looking for, but considering even firewood was an option, he figured it was worth a shot.


    "Got it," he said with a grin. "I can¡¯t believe they actually sell these here."


    Finn purchased the item and pulled it from his inventory, tossing it to Yukha. "Here, catch."


    Yukha caught the strange object and turned it over in his hands, inspecting it. "What is this?"


    "It¡¯s a flotation device," Finn explained. "Find the small, harder part¡ªlike a nub or a cap¡ªthen open it. Once it¡¯s open, use your wind powers to blow air into it until it fully expands and feels firm. After that, just seal it back up."


    Yukha looked skeptical but did as instructed, fiddling with the object until he located the cap. With a practiced motion, he summoned a controlled gust of wind, inflating the device.


    Finn¡¯s eyebrows shot up. "Huh, first try. Color me impressed."


    "You underestimate me, Finn," Yukha said with a smug grin, holding the now fully expanded device.


    "Alright, now place it on the water," Finn instructed.


    Yukha set the flotation device on the surface, watching as it bobbed gently. "This is fascinating. Is it something from Earth?"


    "Yeah," Finn said, leaning back. "It¡¯s usually used to help people float, but this one¡¯s designed to hold food and drinks while you¡¯re relaxing in the water."


    Without hesitation, Yukha summoned a wooden tray onto the device, followed by a bowl containing a reddish, oblong fruit. With a wave of his hand, the fruit hovered and split neatly into slices, dropping back into the bowl.


    Finn blinked. Using wind to slice fruit? That¡¯s clever. I wonder if I could do that with fire... If I use minimal heat and go fast enough, it might work.


    A second later, a mug materialized on Yukha¡¯s tray, the rich scent of booze wafting through the air. Yukha took a long sip, letting out a contented sigh. "This taste never gets old," he said, grabbing a slice of fruit and crunching into it with relish.


    "Don¡¯t forget about me," Finn said, summoning another flotation device. He tossed it to Yukha, who inflated it with ease and returned it. Finn added his own tray, filling it with a mix of apples, grapes, pears, and other fruits. He skipped the booze, opting for warm milk instead¡ªalcohol was never his thing.


    As the two of them lounged, the scene felt surreal, almost royal. Finn glanced at his spread and chuckled. "I feel like a medieval king in a five-star resort."


    "Let¡¯s do a toast," Yukha said, raising his mug. "To you getting stronger!"


    Finn raised his own mug. "It¡¯s just milk, but sure. To both of us getting stronger!"


    Their mugs clinked together, and they drank, savoring the moment.


    "Now this is the life," Yukha said with a satisfied sigh. "You¡¯ve got to enjoy it like it¡¯s your last¡ªbecause it just might be."


    They spent nearly two hours soaking in the makeshift hot spring, talking, laughing, and relishing the view. When they were  finally satisfied, they warmed themselves by the bonfire Finn had lit earlier, letting the last remnants of the day fade into a tranquil night.


    <hr>


    "My clothes don¡¯t stink at all," Finn said, slipping them back on. "Pretty sure they were drenched in sweat earlier."


    Yukha smiled. "Our clothes are enchanted with self-cleaning and self-repair functions. Just stash them in your inventory for a while, and they¡¯ll be good as new when you take them out."


    "Huh. Another convenient feature," Finn muttered, inspecting the fabric.


    "Speaking of convenience, I¡¯ll teach the technique I told you about earlier for faster mana recovery," Yukha said, sitting on a wooden chair by the fire, its warm glow reflecting in his eyes.


    "Hold on. I need to allocate my free points first," Finn replied. "They¡¯ve been sitting there unused since earlier."


    "Fair enough. Let me know when you¡¯re ready," Yukha said, settling into a more relaxed posture.


    Finn opened his stats menu, glancing over his progress. The glowing sensation he¡¯d felt earlier confirmed he¡¯d leveled up, but the specifics still made him pause. Those floaters had been strong¡ªlevels 10 and up¡ªso the experience gain was substantial.


    <hr>


    Name: Finn Hayes


    Level: 7 ¡ú 12


    <hr>


    "Not bad," he murmured, a faint grin tugging at his lips.


    Next, he checked his elemental affinities:


    <hr>


    Elemental Affinities:


    Stone: 0


    Water: X


    Fire: 169 ¡ú 184


    Wind: 0


    Free Points: 10


    <hr>


    His fire affinity had surged more than expected¡ªlikely from the sheer amount of fire manipulation during the last fight. Modifying the mini fireballs and experimenting with the fire thread must¡¯ve pushed it further.


    Without hesitation, he dumped all ten free points into fire, boosting it to 194.


    Finally, he moved to his attributes:


    <hr>


    Attributes:


    Constitution: 5


    Strength: 7 ¡ú 10


    Perception: 17 ¡ú 23 (x2)


    Wisdom: 33 ¡ú 52


    Free Points: 10


    <hr>


    He hesitated here. Constitution was painfully low, and while his Mage class naturally boosted Wisdom, survivability felt more pressing. The Keenweave Coat was already doubling his Perception, so he distributed carefully: +5 to Constitution (10), +3 to Perception (26), and +2 to Wisdom (54).


    I definitely don''t want to get one shotted by monsters.


    The change in Perception hit immediately. His senses sharpened, detecting faint rustles in the distance. The spatial awareness was almost dizzying, but what struck him most was the newfound precision over his fire. The connection felt... deeper, more instinctive, as though the little flame was an extension of his mind.


    "All set," Finn said, excitement tingling through his veins.


    "Good. Ready for the mana recovery technique?" Yukha asked.


    "Yeah, but my mana¡¯s already full. That bath earlier was too relaxing." Finn paused, a spark of curiosity lighting in his eyes. "I¡¯ll drain some mana first¡ªbetter to test the technique and my upgrades at the same time."


    "Logical," Yukha said, nodding. "Go ahead."


    "That won¡¯t attract corrupted elementals, will it?"


    "Not at night," Yukha reassured him. "They¡¯re less active now. Besides, I¡¯m not sensing any in the area." He closed his eyes briefly, his breathing slowing. When he opened them, his tone was steady. "No mana signatures nearby."


    "You did that with your Perception?"


    "Yes. It becomes second nature as you grow stronger. Soon, you¡¯ll detect presences without even trying."


    "That¡¯s something to look forward to," Finn said, stepping away from the camp.

 Chapter 23 - Meditation

    After he felt comfortable enough to use his power without burning anything, he summoned a fire.


    Immediately, he noticed a significant shift in the fire''s potential. The capacity to inject mana had grown, allowing him to amplify both its intensity and size beyond its previous limits. It was as if the flame''s very essence had expanded, its once-restricted boundaries now stretching wider. There was no doubt¡ªthis was the result of the substantial boost to his Fire Affinity.


    He channeled mana into the flame, pushing it to its limit as its size swelled. The flickering fire rose higher, safely above the grass to prevent an accidental blaze, and far enough to avoid scorching himself. It expanded steadily, growing to the size of a partially inflated hot air balloon, before he sensed it could hold no more.


    With a focused breath, he began compressing the flame, shrinking it down to a compact orb roughly the size of a basketball. Its density increased as he poured more mana into it, driving its heat and intensity to their peak.


    The fire orb now burned with a brighter, more vivid orange than before, its glow intensified by the surrounding darkness, making it appear even more radiant against the night.


    The heat was now undeniable, pricking Finn''s skin with an intensity he hadn''t felt earlier, even at the same distance. It was clear that as his fire grew in strength, so did its temperature¡ªa problem he would have to solve sooner or later. But for now, he pushed the thought aside, focusing on testing his improved control.


    Reaching both the size and heat limits of the flame, Finn began compressing it again. He commanded it to zigzag, curve, and spin, sending it in erratic directions while constantly changing its speed. The progress was obvious. It was as if he could feel the space surrounding the fire through his senses, the connection becoming stronger the closer the flame was to him, and fading as it moved farther away.


    Satisfied with his control, he launched the flame upward like a firework to avoid any accidental damage or attracting monsters. It soared higher than ever before, maintaining its form and speed until it eventually dissipated. The improvement was undeniable; not only had the distance increased, but the flame also endured longer.


    When the fire finally dispersed, he summoned another. This time, he tested how quickly he could amplify its heat, expand its size, compress it, and alter its shape. Each test revealed the same result: everything was faster, smoother, and more responsive than before. If he could refine these techniques further, his arsenal would expand significantly.


    Sweat now coated his body, the cold night breeze doing little to counteract the fire''s searing heat. As Finn paused to catch his breath, an idea¡ªan intrusive curiosity¡ªsurfaced in his mind.


    He glanced at the small flame floating before him. Slowly, he brought it closer to his hand, intending to test its effects on his own skin.


    Just to see how much damage it would do.


    Finn was cautious, ready to withdraw the flame at the first sign of real harm. To his surprise, the fire didn¡¯t hurt immediately. For the first five seconds, it felt like a faint warmth. Then, the pricking sensation returned, growing sharper. After ten seconds, the pain deepened, and by twenty seconds, it became unbearable. He pulled the flame back, revealing a red mark on his skin.


    Despite the discomfort, Finn was shocked to find the burn shallow¡ªbarely more than a surface wound.


    Looks like I¡¯ve got some fire resistance, he thought, inspecting his hand. Is this because I¡¯m naturally attuned to fire, or is it just some system quirk?


    Glancing at his mana reserves, he noticed it was already halfway depleted. He decided to drain the rest in a final flourish, launching a barrage of fireballs into the night sky. They exploded in rapid succession, painting the darkness with bursts of orange and gold, like a New Year¡¯s celebration.


    With his mana nearly spent and his curiosity sated, Finn made his way back to the camp. Yukha was still seated by the bonfire, watching him with amusement.


    ¡°That was quite the show, Finn,¡± Yukha said, clapping his hands.


    Finn bowed theatrically, responding to his sole audience.


    ¡°Ready to try the new technique now?¡± Yukha asked, a sly smile on his face.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do it,¡± Finn replied, his eyes alight with determination. He could feel the anticipation building, as if he were about to learn some ancient, forbidden art.


    Yukha leaned forward, his tone suddenly serious. ¡°Alright. This technique is called¡­¡± He paused dramatically. ¡°¡­Meditation.¡±


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    Finn almost fell off his seat.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me! I was expecting some secret, ancient technique, and it¡¯s just meditation?¡± he exclaimed, disbelief coloring his voice.


    Yukha threw his head back, laughing. ¡°Now, now, don¡¯t be so disappointed.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± Finn grumbled, crossing his arms.


    ¡°First, what do you know about meditation?¡±


    "Getting your body into a comfortable position, closing your eyes, and focusing on your breathing?" Finn replied.


    "Exactly," Yukha said with a nod. "And have you ever tried it before?"


    "I have," Finn admitted. "It felt peaceful, sure, but it wasn¡¯t really for me. Honestly, I found it kind of boring."


    Back on Earth, isolated and searching for ways to pass the time, Finn had tried meditation, hoping it might help him control his fire. It had been a disappointing experience, failing to deliver the results he''d hoped for.


    "Why don¡¯t you give it another shot right now?" Yukha suggested. "It might seem dull, but it¡¯s incredibly useful for mana recovery. Once you master it¡ªso much so that it becomes second nature¡ªyou can even reduce the mana you expend in the middle of battle."


    "Really?" Finn raised an eyebrow, intrigued.


    "Yes, really. I¡¯ve told you before, haven¡¯t I? Emotions are tied deeply to your elemental control. Breathing helps regulate your emotions, which in turn sharpens your control," Yukha explained. "Besides, meditation is the third-best way to recover mana. The first is drinking a high-tier mana potion for an instant refill, and the second is sleeping, which accelerates mana regeneration."


    "Sleeping?" Finn asked, leaning forward.


    "Exactly. Even a short nap can restore most creatures¡¯ mana reserves," Yukha replied. "But you can¡¯t just nap anytime, anywhere, especially in the heat of battle. That¡¯s where meditation comes in. It¡¯s slower than sleeping, but still quite effective."


    "Alright, you¡¯ve convinced me," Finn said with a resigned sigh. "How do you suggest I go about it?"


    "Since you¡¯ve done it before, it should be easier this time. Just like before, focus on your breathing, but now include the flow of mana within your body," Yukha instructed. "And here¡¯s a tip: concentrate on someone or something important to you. It¡¯ll help keep distractions at bay."


    "Got it. I¡¯ll start now," Finn replied, his determination renewed.


    "Oh, and one more thing¡ªstop moving that little flame hovering above you. Don¡¯t extinguish it, though. Just let it float there, still and steady, it will help you focus more," Yukha added.


    Finn nodded, adjusting his posture and straightening his back. The wooden chair was far from comfortable, but it would do. He closed his eyes and stilled the flame above him. Slowly, he began focusing on his breath, syncing his thoughts with the rhythm.


    As he settled into the flow, he turned his attention inward, focusing on the mana coursing through his body. It was a strange, new sensation. It felt like blood pulsing through his veins, only cooler, lighter¡ªdefinitely mana.


    Distractions came in waves. The warmth of the bonfire, the sudden chill of the breeze, and the stiffness of the wooden seat all threatened to break his focus. Frustrated, he remembered Yukha¡¯s advice and searched for something meaningful to anchor his thoughts.


    But what was important to him? His parents? He hadn¡¯t seen them in ages. His friends? They were more like online acquaintances. Games? Fun, but not life-defining.


    Fire.


    That was it. Fire. Its heat, its crackling sound, the way it responded to his commands¡ªall of it fascinated him. He fixated on it, letting its essence fill his mind.


    Suddenly, he felt a strange pull, like his consciousness was being tugged away. He opened his eyes¡ªor so he thought. His vision was strange, blurry, and tinted orange as if he were looking through a sheet of orange plastic.


    Below him, he saw his own body, seated upright in the chair, breathing deeply. In front of it was the bonfire, and beyond that, Yukha.


    Wait¡­ am I seeing through the flame¡¯s perspective?


    Panic set in. Finn closed his eyes again, willing himself to return to his body. The next thing he felt was a burning sensation in his stomach, like a flame had ignited inside him. The heat grew unbearable, spreading through his body¡ªfrom his core to his limbs, then to his head.


    Excruciating pain followed, shooting through every nerve. For a terrifying moment, he thought he might die.


    What¡¯s happening to me? Where am I? Who am I?


    "Wake up!" a booming voice roared in his mind, sharp and urgent.


    Splash!


    The icy shock of cold water crashing over him snapped him back to reality. His body jerked instinctively, his chest heaving as he gasped for air. For a moment, his mind was a haze of emptiness, the world around him spinning in disarray.


    But then, piece by piece, fragments of memory began to resurface, creeping into his consciousness like the faint light of dawn breaking through a heavy fog.


    I¡¯m Finn Hayes. I¡¯m in the Tower of Ascension. Right, I was meditating.


    But something still felt off¡ªhe couldn¡¯t open his eyes. Darkness enveloped him.


    Splash!


    Another wave of icy water hit him, this time sharp enough to snap him out of his daze. His eyes flew open, revealing Yukha in front of him.


    "What¡­ huh?" Finn stammered, blinking in confusion.


    Yukha stood there, a massive orb of water floating between his hands, poised to be thrown again.


    "Wait! Wait! Wait!" Finn exclaimed, panic thick in his voice.


    But his protest came too late. The orb of freezing water slammed into him with full force, dousing him from head to toe, starting with his face.


    "What are you doing?!" Finn sputtered, his teeth chattering as he shook violently.


    The water wasn¡¯t just cold¡ªit was like freshly melted ice, piercing through his skin like shards of frost. Adding insult to injury, Finn was gasping for air as though he¡¯d surfaced from a deep dive, his chest heaving with each breath.


    "What¡¯s... the... big... deal?" he asked between shivers, struggling to form words through the freezing assault and his breathlessness.


    "Are you okay, Finn?" Yukha asked, his face shadowed with concern. He looked like someone who had just witnessed someone''s near-death experience.


    Finn blinked, incredulous. "What? Shouldn¡¯t I be the one asking that question? Why the hell did you attack me with freezing water?"


    Yukha let out a sigh of relief. "It seems you¡¯re fine now. You really had me worried there for a while."


    "What are you even talking about?" Finn asked, still bewildered.


    "Look below you," Yukha said, his tone grim.


    Finn glanced down and froze.


    The wooden chair he¡¯d been sitting on moments ago? Gone. The grass beneath it? Scorched to ash. All that remained was a charred patch of soil, blackened and lifeless.

 Chapter 24 - Self-Immolation

    He turned his head and saw the tent behind him, half-burned with its edges marked by jagged black scorch marks. The bonfire, once warm and glowing, had been reduced to nothing but an ashen heap.


    Surrounding him was a dark circle of scorched earth, stark and ominous, like a crater left behind by an explosion.


    "What the hell?" was all Finn could manage, his voice barely a whisper. "What happened here?"


    "I don¡¯t know," Yukha admitted. "But for now, let¡¯s move to another spot. This area¡¯s a mess, and you¡¯re still freezing. We need to get a new fire going."


    Still dazed, Finn nodded. The two relocated a few meters away from the charred remains, setting up a fresh camp. Yukha summoned a new tent and erected it with practiced ease, while Finn bought firewood and used his small flame to light it.


    Surprisingly, the same flame hovered above him, still burning steadily even after everything that had just transpired.


    They sat around the newly lit bonfire in silence, the warmth slowly creeping back into Finn¡¯s body. He had dried out his drenched clothes, placing them in his inventory before re-equipping them, but the chill still lingered.


    "So, what exactly happened?" Finn finally asked.


    Yukha took a long sip of water, steadying himself before speaking. "It all started a few seconds after you closed your eyes. At first, your body was twitching slightly, like you were struggling to focus. I figured it was normal for someone unaccustomed to meditation and thought you just needed a few more minutes. Then, you seemed to settle¡ªlike you¡¯d finally found your center."


    "That must¡¯ve been when I started getting into the flow," Finn muttered, half to himself.


    "But then," Yukha continued, "things got... strange. The flame hovering above you suddenly shifted. It turned from red to a blinding orange, its heat intensifying. At first, I thought it was intentional, maybe part of your process, so I ignored it."


    That must¡¯ve been when I got pulled into the flame¡¯s perspective.


    "After a moment, the flame returned to red, and I assumed you¡¯d found balance. But then you stopped breathing. Completely."


    Finn¡¯s eyes widened. "Stopped breathing?"


    "Yes," Yukha confirmed. "And your body froze, like a statue. That¡¯s when I started to worry. I moved closer to check on you, but before I could say anything, your entire body burst into flames."


    Finn¡¯s jaw dropped. "I¡ªwhat?!"


    Yukha raised up his arm, revealing a patch of red, blistered skin. "I managed to react quickly and shield myself, but not before I got hit."


    Finn stared at the burn marks, guilt flooding him. "I¡¯m so sorry... I can¡¯t believe I did that."


    Yukha waved it off, summoning water to surround his arm. In seconds, the burns faded, leaving his skin unblemished. "Don¡¯t worry about it. It¡¯s already healed."


    What the hell just happened? Meditating led to all that chaos¡ªand now I¡¯ve even hurt Yukha? How did things spiral so out of control?


    "Anyway," Yukha continued, his tone serious. "After your body burst into flames, it didn¡¯t stop there. The fire kept spreading, slowly but steadily. That¡¯s when I started throwing water at you. It took me seven tries to fully extinguish the flames. And another three just to wake you up."


    "Ten times?!" Finn exclaimed, his eyes wide. "I only remember three of those. Wait, did you yell at me to wake up before throwing water? I thought I heard someone shouting."


    "No," Yukha replied, shaking his head. "I didn¡¯t have time to shout. I was panicking¡ªI thought you¡¯d burn yourself to death. What happened while you were meditating?"


    So it wasn¡¯t Yukha¡¯s voice. Then whose was it? It had sounded... feminine.


    "I don¡¯t remember much," Finn admitted, still trying to piece everything together. "I was focusing on the flame, and suddenly it felt like I was pulled out of my body. I was seeing everything¡ªmyself, the surroundings¡ªfrom the flame¡¯s perspective."


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    "Wait, do you mean you merged with the flame? Like your consciousness was in it?" Yukha asked, leaning forward in disbelief. "I have never heard of that happening before. I¡¯m confident in my connection with water, but transferring consciousness into an element? That¡¯s... unheard of."


    "Do you think I could use it as a weapon?" Finn asked, a spark of curiosity lighting his tired eyes. "Like, transferring my mind into a flame during battle?"


    Yukha sighed, rubbing his temple. "That¡¯s what you¡¯re focusing on? Not the fact that you almost turned yourself into a bonfire? You need to be more cautious. What if this happens again?"


    "Sorry, I was just curious," Finn said sheepishly.


    "You¡¯re definitely planning to try it again," Yukha muttered, exasperated. "Fine, but promise me one thing¡ªif you do, only when I¡¯m around. At least that way, I can put out the fire before you roast yourself alive."


    "Alright, I promise," Finn said with a small grin. Then, after a pause, he added, "But when you said my body burst into flames. Maybe it happened the same time as when my body and soul felt like they were being torn apart. The pain... it was excruciating. I think if you hadn¡¯t stepped in, I wouldn¡¯t be here right now."


    Yukha frowned, his expression thoughtful. "I¡¯ve meditated thousands of times, and I¡¯ve never experienced anything remotely like that. It must have something to do with your connection to fire. Maybe as you ascend the tower and grow stronger, you¡¯ll uncover more answers."


    "Yeah, you¡¯re right," Finn said, though his mind was elsewhere. Maybe this is something Julian would know about. If I survive long enough to ask him, that is.


    "You should sleep," Yukha suggested. "You¡¯ve been pushing yourself since we arrived here. Rest will do you good."


    Finn stifled a yawn. "Yeah, I¡¯m starting to feel it too. My eyes have been drooping since the hot springs. What about you? Aren¡¯t you going to sleep?"


    Yukha shook his head, his expression distant. "You go ahead. It¡¯s been harder for me to fall asleep lately. Probably just age catching up to me." He offered a faint smile, but there was a sadness behind it. "Besides, if you burst into flames again, someone has to be awake to stop it."


    "Alright, I¡¯ll leave it to you then," Finn said. "Oh, what about this little flame? Should I put it out before I sleep?"


    "Yes," Yukha replied. "At your level, you won¡¯t be able to keep it going while unconscious. But one day, with enough control, you will."


    "Another something to look forward to," Finn said, extinguishing the small flame with a soft farewell. He felt a strange pang of sadness, as though saying goodbye to an old friend.


    Inside the tent, Finn purchased a sleeping bag from the shop, barely fazed anymore by the endless inventory it offered. Lying down, he checked his mana reserves¡ªeven less than before he started meditating.


    That whole ''setting myself on fire'' thing must¡¯ve used up everything I had.


    Through the slightly open flap of the tent, Finn could see Yukha sitting alone by the bonfire, his gaze fixed on the stars. Smoke curled from his lips¡ªtobacco, maybe.


    Finn¡¯s thoughts drifted back to Yukha¡¯s earlier words about struggling to sleep. That look on his face when he¡¯d said it¡ªhaunted, tired. The same look he¡¯d worn when talking about his wife. A look of longing.


    For some reason, it scared Finn. That expression made Yukha seem fragile, as though he might vanish at any moment, leaving him behind.


    He didn¡¯t have time to linger on the thought; his eyes grew heavier with each passing second until he could no longer fight back. Darkness claimed him.


    <hr>


    Finn woke to the warmth of sunlight peeking through the small opening in the tent. The bright light reminded him it was already well into the morning. He instinctively reached out to where Yukha might have been sleeping, but there was no one there¡ªno warmth, no trace that the spot had been used.


    A sudden pang of panic hit him. He scrambled out of the tent and scanned the area, only to find Yukha practicing with his greatsword. He swung the massive weapon through the air with fluid precision, his movements controlled and purposeful, as if battling an unseen opponent.


    Did he even sleep?


    "I see you''re awake," Yukha said without stopping, his voice calm and steady. "We should eat before starting the day."


    Finn¡¯s attention shifted to the small table set up in front of the tent. It was made of ice¡ªYukha¡¯s signature craftsmanship¡ªand covered with a thick cloth. However, it was bare, lacking the food he¡¯d expected.


    "I was waiting for you to wake up so we could eat together," Yukha continued, still practicing his swings. "You were taking a while, so I decided to get some exercise in while waiting."


    "You didn¡¯t have to wait for me," Finn said, still feeling a little sheepish.


    "Nonsense," Yukha replied, lowering his sword. "Eating together is a staple among comrades. Back on my home planet, no one would eat until the whole crew was gathered."


    Finn blinked, momentarily thrown by Yukha¡¯s words. He couldn¡¯t remember the last time he¡¯d shared a meal with someone. Growing up, eating together had been a family ritual, but those days were so distant they felt like a faded dream.


    "If you say so," he muttered, taking a seat.


    "I¡¯ve noticed I¡¯m eating more lately whenever I''m eating with you," Finn remarked, leaning back after finishing his meal: three family-sized pizzas and a strong cup of coffee.


    Yukha chuckled as he polished off yet another plate piled high with meat. "I¡¯m not influencing you, Finn. Your appetite is growing because your body is getting stronger. Soon enough, you¡¯ll eat as much as me."


    "Not a chance," Finn muttered, eyeing the empty plates stacked on the table. He summoned the small flame as he spoke, letting it hover lazily above his head.


    "So," he said, changing the subject, "are we heading to that corrupted elemental¡¯s territory after this?"


    "Not yet," Yukha replied. "We need a proper plan before attacking."


    "I know you said you won¡¯t protect me after I hit level 15," Finn began, his tone eager, "but I¡¯m already at level 12. That¡¯s close enough, right? Let me try fighting it on my own."


    Yukha considered his words before finally nodding. "Alright. Stand over there." He pointed to an open patch of ground a short distance away.


    "Why?" Finn asked as he moved to the spot Yukha indicated.


    The moment he turned to look back, a blade of water came rushing toward him. Finn¡¯s instincts kicked in just in time; he twisted his body and narrowly avoided the attack.


    "Hey! My body¡¯s not even on fire! What gives?" he shouted, glaring at Yukha.


    But Yukha didn¡¯t answer. Instead, another water blade hurtled toward him, forcing Finn to dodge again.


    "Relax, Finn," Yukha said finally, launching yet another blade. "These aren¡¯t sharp enough to cut you. I¡¯m mimicking the Shredder¡¯s ranged attacks. When it¡¯s at a distance, it releases razor-sharp wind blades that can slice deep or even sever limbs. My water blades are the closest substitute I can create."


    "That sounds... horrifying," Finn said, ducking just in time to avoid another blade.


    "It is," Yukha confirmed. "But the creature has a short delay between each attack. If you time it right, you can dodge while closing the distance. Consider this training. If you manage to reach me without getting hit, I¡¯ll let you face the Shredder on your own."


    "Challenge accepted," Finn said, determination flaring in his voice.

 Chapter 25 - The Ambush Begins

    He began weaving and dodging the water blades, his senses heightened. The attacks weren¡¯t difficult to evade at first, but Yukha¡¯s relentless pace wore him down. Each step closer to Yukha felt heavier, his energy steadily draining.


    I need conserve stamina, Finn thought. An idea flashed in his mind.


    Summoning a fire beside him, he poured his focus into it, expanding its size and intensity as fast as he could.


    He intended to create a burst of flame strong enough to generate a shockwave, launching him sideways to avoid the incoming water blade. The idea was simple: if his body was too tired or slow to react, the flame would force him to dodge. He planned to extinguish it quickly to avoid harming himself.


    But the result fell short. Instead of propelling him sideways, the force only managed to knock him off balance, sending him to the ground.


    Not strong enough yet, huh.


    Even so, it worked well enough. The unexpected fall allowed him to narrowly dodge the water blade, and he used the brief reprieve to scramble to his feet and close the distance to Yukha.


    "I win," Finn said between heavy breaths.


    Yukha lowered his greatsword, a mix of disbelief and irritation on his face. "What was that? Are you insane? You could¡¯ve burned yourself alive!"


    "Relax. No burns, see?" Finn held out his arm, showing the untouched skin where the flames had brushed against him. "I discovered last night while draining my mana that I have some kind of resistance to fire. It doesn¡¯t burn me unless it stays on my skin for too long."


    Yukha examined him closely, frowning. "You¡¯re right. There¡¯s no damage at all. That must explain why you came out unscathed after accidentally igniting your entire body during meditation last night."


    Finn grinned. "See? Pretty good use of fire, right? Using its force to dodge attacks."


    Yukha sighed, his tone begrudgingly impressed. "It¡¯s clever, I¡¯ll admit. But it¡¯s still reckless. In a real fight, you could get yourself killed. Besides, all it did was knock you down. That¡¯s hardly an effective dodge."


    "True for now," Finn admitted. "But if I can make the fire stronger and expand faster, I could use it to completely avoid attacks. My body might not be as fast as a close-combat fighter¡¯s, but I¡¯ll make my fire react fast enough to compensate."


    "Alright, but you¡¯ll agree it¡¯s not ready yet, right?" Yukha said. "I only stopped attacking because I was surprised by what you did. If I¡¯d kept going, you¡¯d have been too exhausted to keep up."


    "Fine," Finn sighed. "I accept my loss. You can help me fight the Shredder."


    Yukha nodded but didn¡¯t let up. "Keep in mind, dodging its wind blades is only the beginning. The Shredder has another, more dangerous attack once you get close."


    Finn raised an eyebrow. "More dangerous than getting sliced by wind blades? How?"


    "You saw how it looks like a well, right?" Yukha began. "When you¡¯re close enough, it starts pulling you in with a powerful suction. If you don¡¯t have the strength to resist¡ªand you don¡¯t¡ªit¡¯ll drag you inside. The closer you get, the stronger the pull. And once you¡¯re in, it¡¯s over. Its insides are filled with countless small wind blades slicing in every direction. You can imagine what happens next."


    Finn shuddered. "That sounds even worse than the wind blades from a distance. Wouldn¡¯t it be safer to attack it from range then?"


    "In theory, yes," Yukha said. "But its wind blades can intercept ranged attacks. You¡¯d run out of mana long before you deal enough damage to kill it. My strength allows me to resist the pull long enough to strike it directly with my weapon. That¡¯s how I handle it."


    "So what¡¯s the plan for me? If I can¡¯t fight it from range or up close, what do I do?" Finn asked, frustration creeping into his voice.


    "First, we deal with the floaters around it," Yukha said. "That¡¯ll be your responsibility. Use the attacks you practiced yesterday to take them out. I¡¯ll help with my ice attacks to ensure we finish them off quickly before they get too close."


    "But won¡¯t the Shredder notice us and start attacking?" Finn asked, skeptical.


    "Not if we stay outside its detection range," Yukha explained. "It¡¯s stationary¡ªonce it attaches itself to the ground, it can¡¯t move. As long as we don¡¯t attack it directly, it won¡¯t react until we¡¯re ready."


    "So the plan is for me to dodge its wind blades while getting close enough to trigger its suction attack?" Finn asked, his voice tinged with skepticism.


    "Exactly," Yukha replied. "Once you''ve triggered that, it will stop launching its wind blades at you or your attacks. That¡¯s when you unleash everything you''ve got until it¡¯s completely dead."


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    Finn frowned. "And what if I don¡¯t kill it in time? Getting shredded inside doesn¡¯t sound appealing."


    Yukha raised an eyebrow. "Weren¡¯t you just eager to face it alone? Now you¡¯re second-guessing your abilities?"


    Finn sighed, catching on. "Ah, I see where this is going. You want me to kill it before it can swallow me up. That¡¯s the real challenge, isn¡¯t it?"


    "Exactly," Yukha said with a grin. "You need to learn to fight under pressure. The stakes will only get higher in future battles." He smirked. "But if you don¡¯t manage, you can always scream my name at the top of your lungs¡ªpreferably while crying¡ªand I¡¯ll come save you."


    Finn chuckled despite himself. "Alright, that actually ticked me off a little. Good job with the provocation."


    "Just trying to light a fire under you," Yukha said with a smirk. Then, in a more serious tone, he added, "If you get hurt, don¡¯t hesitate to use one of the health potions I gave you."


    "Got it," Finn replied.


    "Now, are you ready?"


    "Ready to prove I don¡¯t need a babysitter? Absolutely," Finn said, grinning.


    Yukha laughed heartily. "Alright then. Let¡¯s see what you¡¯re made of. Let¡¯s go."


    Before heading out, they cleaned up their campsite. Supplies and belongings were stored in their inventories, and Yukha refilled the hole they¡¯d used as a makeshift bath with soil. As for the scorched patch of earth caused by Finn¡¯s earlier fire, there wasn¡¯t much they could do. Finn winced at the sight, silently hoping the realm''s creator wouldn''t hold a grudge.


    Their journey to the target location began at a brisk pace. Finn noticed that his stamina had noticeably improved¡ªlikely due to both his rising Strength attribute and his body adjusting to the demands of constant exertion. He wasn¡¯t nearly as winded as he had been yesterday.


    The route was straightforward, pinned on the map they had marked the previous day. The increasingly strong gusts of wind also served as a natural guide. Along the way, they encountered scattered floaters, which Finn found easier to defeat now that his Fire affinity had grown stronger. Their bodies, which once seemed resistant, now crumbled quickly under the force of his flames.


    Finally, they reached their destination. The swirling barrier of wind loomed ahead, a violent curtain of gusts encasing their targets. They entered it until they reached the calm center, taking cover behind the same rock they had used for reconnaissance the day before.


    "There are nearly a hundred floaters surrounding it," Yukha observed, scanning the scene with his sharp Perception.


    Finn peered out cautiously, trying to count but losing track after fifteen. He trusted Yukha''s assessment; it didn¡¯t matter how many there were¡ªthey had to eliminate them all anyway.


    "I¡¯ll take care of the ones closest to the Shredder," Yukha instructed. "You handle the ones on the outer edge. We can¡¯t afford to alert it before we¡¯re ready. Stay at this distance and don¡¯t move any closer until I say so."


    "Got it," Finn replied, his voice steady.


    "Alright, let¡¯s begin," Yukha said.


    "Hold on," Finn interrupted, raising a hand. "I need to grab something from the shop first."


    Without waiting for a reply, he quickly navigated the system, selecting an item he had carefully scouted earlier. Once purchased, it disappeared into his inventory¡ªa piece of equipment he knew would be crucial later.


    "Alright, I¡¯m ready now," Finn said.


    Yukha nodded, his expression focused. The both of them emerged from behind the rock like predators ready to ambush their prey, Yukha moving to the left and Finn to the right.


    Finn wasted no time. He summoned a small flame, feeding it with mana to quickly increase its size and intensity. Once it reached its peak, he compressed it into a dense, bullet-like form. Adding a fiery tail to boost its speed, he spun the projectile in tight rotations to generate even more force. With a sharp flick of his wrist, he sent it flying.


    The fiery missile streaked through the air, targeting the floaters on the farthest edges of the Shredder''s perimeter. It arced in a wide rotation, systematically eliminating the scattered monsters without drawing attention to the main target. One after another in quick succession.


    It was like a single shot popping multiple balloons at a carnival. Each floater it struck left behind a brief, flickering flame before their bodies fully dispersed into the air.


    There was something new this time, a sensation Finn hadn''t experienced before. It was as if he could feel the flame itself¡ªits path, its resistance, even the moment it connected with its targets. It felt like part of his senses had transferred into the flame, giving him a vivid awareness of its movements.


    He also sensed the space around the flame as it traveled: the air currents pushing against it, the swirling wind fighting to extinguish it. This heightened connection made controlling the flame significantly easier, almost instinctive.


    Finn couldn¡¯t keep an exact count, but he estimated that about twenty floaters had been taken down before the flame finally lost its firepower. But even before it faded completely, he was already preparing another.


    The moment he sensed the first flame''s effectiveness diminishing, he extinguished it himself and sent the second flame he had been forming to take over seamlessly. The transition was smooth, almost like passing a baton in a race.


    If he could summon two of these fire bullets simultaneously, the process would have been even faster. But maintaining control over one while preparing the next¡ªand managing the small flame hovering above him¡ªwas already pushing his limits. For now, sequential attacks would have to do.


    Yukha, on the other hand, employed a very different approach. He summoned small orbs of water, shaped them into sharp, pointed shards, froze them midair, and launched them toward the creatures.


    Unlike Finn¡¯s single, concentrated assault, Yukha¡¯s method was a barrage. Dozens of ice shards rained down on multiple targets at once. Each shard exploded upon impact, sending bursts of mist into the air. The swirling mist threatened to obscure their vision, but Yukha quickly dissipated it by extinguishing the remaining ice shards before it could become a problem.


    At the center of the chaos, the Shredder remained eerily calm. Its well-like body opened and closed in a steady rhythm, oblivious to the destruction happening around it. The grass around it swayed gently, drawn inward and pushed outward by the creature¡¯s suction and release.


    The contrast between its tranquility and the chaotic battle around it made Finn chuckle softly. He didn¡¯t know why, but there was something oddly amusing about the scene. He quickly stifled the laugh, hoping Yukha wouldn¡¯t notice and think he¡¯d lost his mind.


    After a few minutes of relentless fire, ice, and wind swirling together like a natural disaster, the field finally fell silent.


    "I think that¡¯s all of them," Finn said, scanning the area.


    "You can tell now?" Yukha asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "Yeah. I can¡­ feel it. It¡¯s like there are no small presences left¡ªjust the big one in the center," Finn replied.


    "Looks like your Perception¡¯s improved again," Yukha said with an approving nod.


    "So, do we take on the Shredder now?"

 Chapter 26 - Mistake

    "Drink a mana potion first," Yukha instructed.


    Finn glanced at his mana reserves¡ªalready halfway depleted. While he felt he might have enough to finish the job, it was better to play it safe. He retrieved a mana potion and drank it, feeling the familiar surge of energy as his mana bar filled to capacity.


    "You ready?" Yukha asked.


    Finn took a deep breath, his gaze locking onto the creature. Alone now, the Shredder somehow felt even more imposing than when it had been surrounded by the floaters. Its massive, calm form exuded an air of quiet menace.


    Its body maintained the same rhythmic pattern¡ªopening and closing like a breathing maw. The grass around it swayed gently in time with its motions, creating an almost hypnotic effect. But Finn knew better than to let his guard down. The moment he stepped into its detection range, the calm would end.


    "I''m going in," Finn said firmly.


    "Alright. I¡¯ll support you from behind. I¡¯ll wrap you in a water shield to reduce damage in case you get hit by its wind blades," Yukha offered.


    "No," Finn replied. "It¡¯ll dull my senses. I need to stay as connected to fire as possible. Just cover me with your ice if I¡¯m about to miss a dodge."


    "Alright," Yukha said. "But remember, wind is almost invisible. It¡¯s not like the water blades I used to train you. Pay attention to the grass movements, the sound of the wind, and your Perception. Trust your instincts¡ªyou¡¯ll know when it¡¯s coming."


    "Got it," Finn said, nodding.


    He crouched, lowering his center of gravity as if preparing for a sprint. His right leg stretched behind him, muscles tensing like a coiled spring. He closed his eyes briefly, syncing his breathing with the creature¡¯s rhythm.


    Inward. Outward. Inward. Outward.


    "Now!" he shouted, kicking off the ground with explosive force.


    As he sprinted toward the Shredder, the grass surrounding the creature suddenly stopped moving, frozen in eerie stillness. The unnatural sight almost made Finn falter, but he pressed on.


    Then, without warning, the grass split apart in front of the creature, along with chunks of soil, as if something invisible had just carved through them.


    The first wind blade had been unleashed.


    Finn honed in on the subtle movements of the grass, syncing them with his heightened Perception. The first blade was faster than he anticipated, slicing through the air with a deafening whoosh as it narrowly missed him. The sound was sharp and piercing, like a jet screaming past at close range.


    The urge to glance back tugged at him, but he resisted. There was no time to lose focus. Another attack could come at any moment.


    He slowed his pace to a jog, balancing between conserving his stamina and staying alert. Every step was measured, his senses sharpened, his focus absolute.


    In his mind, he began counting the seconds.


    One.


    Two.


    Three.


    The grass in front of the creature split apart again, signaling the launch of another invisible blade. Finn caught the motion out of the corner of his eye and sidestepped just in time, the blade slicing through the air where he¡¯d been an instant earlier.


    Three seconds. The delay is longer than I thought.


    Before Finn could start counting again, a new wind blade was already hurtling toward him.


    Crap, I can''t dodge this one¡ª


    An ice shard collided with the blade, shattering it mid-air. Another shard followed, then another, forming a defensive barrage.


    "Move, Finn!" Yukha¡¯s voice cut through the chaos behind him.


    Snapping out of his daze, Finn slapped his cheeks with both hands to refocus. The rhythm of the wind blades had changed, their speed now relentless¡ªone every second instead of every three. He pushed forward, dodging the spot where ice and wind clashed, his mind racing.


    I can¡¯t keep relying on Yukha. But what can I do if I can¡¯t keep up with its attacks?


    He recalled Yukha¡¯s earlier warning: Its wind blades can intercept ranged attacks.


    Without hesitation, Finn conjured a small flame and launched it toward the creature. Unlike his previous attacks, it wasn¡¯t designed for power¡ªno tail, no rotation¡ªjust a simple orb meant to provoke.


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    As expected, the creature intercepted the flame before it even reached halfway. A wind blade cut through it, dispersing it instantly. Another blade followed, this one aimed at Finn, but he dodged with ease.


    It worked.


    Quickly, Finn began summoning small fire orbs in rapid succession, each one weaker than the last to conserve mana. Their sole purpose was to distract, not destroy. The wind blades intercepted every flame he sent, allowing Finn to run forward freely without fear of a direct attack.


    But just as he released another orb, the creature stopped responding. The flame continued unchallenged, flickering harmlessly in the distance.


    What¡¯s it doing now?


    The air grew unnervingly still. Then, the creature¡¯s maw widened, its gaping hole expanding as a soft suction began to pull at everything around it. The grass bent toward the creature, soil and debris shifting, and even the flame hovering above Finn flickered, struggling to resist the pull.


    The suction grew stronger, tugging at him like an invisible rope.


    This must be its second attack.


    Finn summoned the item he¡¯d purchased earlier from the shop¡ªa sleek, unblemished sword. He didn¡¯t have a clue how to wield it properly, but that didn¡¯t matter right now. Gripping the hilt tightly in his left hand, he drove the blade deep into the ground, the metal biting into the soil.


    Crouching low, he braced himself against the relentless pull, his knuckles whitening as he clung to his makeshift anchor. Gritting his teeth, he extended his free hand, summoning a flame that flickered to life.


    The wind made it nearly impossible to control¡ªthe fire flickered wildly, fighting to escape his grasp.


    "If you want it that badly, then eat this!" Finn shouted, releasing the flame.


    The fire shot straight into the creature¡¯s maw, disappearing into its depths. For a moment, the suction stopped, only to resume again, stronger than before.


    "Didn¡¯t think one shot would do it," Finn muttered, summoning another flame.


    This time, he abandoned precision and restraint, conjuring fireballs one after another and letting the creature¡¯s own pull consume them. Each flame was swallowed whole, and with every hit, the suction weakened.


    "It''s working," he said under his breath, feeling the resistance ease.


    As the pull diminished, Finn released the sword, standing upright for one final attack. He summoned a larger, more intense flame, pushing it to its limit. When it was ready, he hurled it toward the creature with all his might.


    The flame vanished into the maw, detonating in a fiery burst. The suction ceased entirely, the air returning to an unnatural calm.


    "Finally," Finn whispered, collapsing onto the grass. He wiped the sweat from his brow, breathing heavily as the adrenaline drained from his body.


    Suddenly, a sinking feeling gripped his stomach. Beyond the haze of smoke, something shifted, slicing through the air with deadly precision.


    A wind blade? It was still alive?


    Finn''s body refused to respond in time. As the blade raced toward his face, everything seemed to slow down. He could vaguely hear someone shouting his name, their voice muffled and distant, drowned by the pounding of his own heartbeat.


    I let my guard down. This is it. I¡¯m dead.


    Just as the thought crossed his mind, the small flame hovering above him suddenly shot to his side, as though it had a will of its own. It expanded in an instant, bright and searing, detonating into a fiery explosion that hurled him sideways.


    But the explosion wasn¡¯t enough.


    Finn barely registered the warmth spreading across his left arm. When he glanced down, his mind froze. His brain struggled to process what he was seeing¡ªblood dripping steadily from a jagged gash.


    A high-pitched ringing filled his ears, drowning out all other sounds. His head throbbed as blood rushed to it, leaving him light-headed. The edges of his vision blurred, the world tilting unnaturally.


    Confusion settled in, thick and suffocating. His breaths came in shallow gasps, and he felt himself teetering on the edge of consciousness.


    <hr>


    [Yukha]


    "Stand up, Finn! It''s not dead yet!" Yukha shouted, his voice urgent as he sprinted toward Finn.


    He poured every ounce of strength into his legs, the force of his steps shaking the earth beneath him. Soil and grass tore away with each stride, but he barely noticed¡ªthe only thing that mattered was getting to Finn.


    He should have launched another ice shard to intercept the incoming attacks, but he knew that running at full speed would get him to Finn faster.


    Faster.


    I made a costly mistake. I should have stayed closer, not hung back.


    Faster.


    The world around him blurred, his surroundings lost to the rush of his movement. His heart pounded in his chest, but it wasn¡¯t fast enough.


    I¡¯m not going to make it.


    "Finn! Stand up! Get out of there! Finn!" Yukha¡¯s voice cracked with desperation.


    Boom!


    A deafening explosion rocked the air, and Finn¡¯s body was violently thrown sideways.


    Did he do that? Did he manage to strengthen his attempt at dodging using the explosion of his fire?


    But why isn¡¯t he moving?


    "Finn! Stand up! It¡¯s not dead yet!" Yukha shouted, his voice shaking.


    Something¡¯s wrong.


    As he closed the distance, Yukha¡¯s eyes widened in horror. Blood. There was blood dripping from Finn¡¯s arm¡ªhe¡¯d still been hit by a wind blade.


    "Finn! Consume a health potion! Quick!"


    <hr>


    [Finn]


    What just happened?


    I got hit?


    He blinked, his gaze dropping to his arm.


    A deep crimson gash stared back at him.


    Blood?


    My own blood?


    It felt warm, trickling down his skin in thick streams. The vibrant red was all he could focus on.


    Then the pain hit.


    Blinding. Searing.


    It hurts.


    It hurts so much.


    "IT HURTS!" he screamed, his voice raw with agony.


    Rage surged through him like a tidal wave, drowning the pain. "I''LL KILL YOU!"


    The small flame hovering above him seemed to hear his fury. It swelled, growing larger and larger until it was a raging inferno.


    Then, it erupted.


    A torrent of flame bullets burst forth, each one like a fiery missile, raining destruction down on the Shredder.


    The fire lit up the battlefield, each strike exploding on impact. Smoke and embers filled the air, a chaotic symphony of fire and fury.


    A burning sensation ignited deep within Finn¡¯s stomach, the pain shooting through his entire body like jagged lightning. His limbs screamed for mercy, but his mind wouldn¡¯t listen.


    He didn¡¯t care. He couldn¡¯t care.


    "DIE!" he roared, his voice breaking with rage. "DIE! DIE!"


    The inferno above him obeyed, unleashing an unrelenting barrage of fire. The flames consumed everything in their path, turning the air around him into a boiling furnace.


    Finn¡¯s vision blurred, his strength waning, but the fury kept him standing.


    Nothing else mattered. Only the fire¡ªand the creature¡¯s destruction.

 Chapter 27 - Aftermath

    [Yukha]


    Before Yukha could step in front of Finn to protect him, something stopped him in his tracks.


    "IT HURTS!" Finn¡¯s scream tore through the air, raw and visceral.


    Yukha froze. The sheer emotion in the voice¡ªthe pain, the rage¡ªit sent a chill down his spine.


    "I''LL KILL YOU!" Another scream, even more guttural, more unhinged.


    Then it happened.


    The small flame hovering above Finn flared violently, expanding in an instant. What came next was a storm of fire¡ªtiny, blazing missiles erupting one after another in rapid succession. Each flame was like the ones Finn had used before to kill the wind drifters, but this time they fired with relentless speed, far faster than before.


    The ground shook as explosion after explosion rocked the battlefield, flames consuming the area where the Shredder had stood.


    It¡¯s dead, Yukha realized. I can¡¯t sense its presence anymore.


    And yet, the barrage didn¡¯t stop. Fire rained down like a vengeful storm, relentless and unchecked.


    "DIE! DIE! DIE!" Finn screamed, his voice breaking with fury.


    Yukha¡¯s eyes widened as he noticed something else¡ªsomething even more alarming. Small flames were starting to flicker and crawl across Finn¡¯s body, feeding off him like living things.


    It¡¯s just like last night.


    He clenched his fists, guilt tightening in his chest. Finn was losing control again.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Finn," Yukha whispered, his voice heavy with regret.


    With a wave of his hand, he summoned a sphere of water, cooling it until a faint mist formed around its surface. The air grew colder as the water shimmered, its chill intended not to harm but to jolt Finn back to his senses.


    <hr>


    [Finn]


    A sudden splash of icy cold water crashed against Finn''s back, jolting him from his frenzy. The shock made the fire above him falter, its relentless barrage coming to an abrupt stop.


    Before he could fully process what was happening, a soothing warmth enveloped his injured arm. He blinked, his mind still foggy, and glanced down to see the deep gash on his arm beginning to knit itself back together. The sight was surreal¡ªskin pulling together, blood ceasing to flow¡ªaccompanied by a faint tickling sensation that made him shiver.


    The once-raging fire above him began to shrink, its fierce glow dimming as it steadily reduced in size. Smaller and smaller it grew until, at last, it vanished completely, leaving only a faint wisp of heat in the air.


    Finn''s strength ebbed away with the fire. His legs buckled, and his vision blurred. The last thing he saw was Yukha rushing forward, arms outstretched to catch him as he collapsed. Darkness claimed him before he could utter a word.


    <hr>


    Finn opened his eyes, the world slowly coming into focus. Above him, the sky¡ªor what he assumed to be the sky¡ªwas a vivid blue, yet the sun was nowhere to be seen.


    As his senses returned, so did fragments of memory.


    The first realm. That¡¯s right. He was in the first realm of the Tower of Ascension.


    A soft sensation pressed against the back of his head.


    A pillow?


    Confused, he pushed himself up, feeling as though he¡¯d just woken from a long, disorienting nap.


    ¡°You¡¯re awake,¡± a voice said.


    Turning toward the sound, Finn saw Yukha standing nearby, his back to him, staring at something in the distance.


    Finn followed Yukha¡¯s gaze, and his breath hitched.


    Before him lay a massive crater, a gaping wound in the earth, charred black as if a meteor had slammed into it. The surrounding greenery was scorched beyond recognition, a stark contrast to the serene landscape beyond.


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    Slowly, the pieces started falling into place.


    ¡°Did I... do that?¡± Finn asked, his voice tentative.


    ¡°Yes. You don¡¯t remember?¡± Yukha replied, turning toward him.


    Without warning, Yukha tossed a flask of water in Finn¡¯s direction. He caught it instinctively.


    The flask drew his attention to his throat, which felt parched, dry, and raw. A prickling sensation accompanied the discomfort, as if his voice had been pushed to its limits.


    Screaming? I was screaming earlier¡­ but why?


    Without hesitation, he uncapped the flask and drank deeply, emptying its contents in one long gulp. He let out a satisfied sigh as the coarse sensation in his throat eased.


    His gaze shifted to his left arm. Something about it tugged at his memory.


    And then it hit him.


    A deep gash, crimson blood spilling from his pale skin. His own blood. He had never seen so much before, let alone coming from himself. The memory rushed back like a flood, and he felt the water he had just swallowed churn uneasily in his stomach. But he forced it down.


    ¡°I remember being injured,¡± Finn said, his voice steadying. ¡°Did you heal me?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Yukha replied. ¡°It wasn¡¯t a life-threatening injury. Your arm wasn¡¯t close to being severed. But your reaction... I¡¯ve seen it before. Mostly from those experiencing their first battle. That kind of injury is a harsh reminder of how fragile we really are. You reacted the same way.¡±


    ¡°How did I react?¡± Finn asked hesitantly.


    ¡°You screamed, Finn. And then¡­¡± Yukha¡¯s gaze shifted back to the crater. ¡°You did that to the monster that caused it.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Finn¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Yukha said, his tone softening. ¡°But it was my mistake. I thought you could handle it on your own. I¡¯ve seen you effortlessly take down corrupted elementals before, and you always seemed so confident. I forgot you were from Earth¡ªthat you¡¯ve never truly been in a life-threatening battle like this before.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault,¡± Finn replied. ¡°I just¡­ let my guard down.¡±


    Yukha¡¯s words rang true. Perhaps Finn had been avoiding the reality of it, pushing it to the back of his mind. He had thought about the possibility of dying before, even faced life-threatening situations. But the sight of his own blood, the searing pain¡ªit had overwhelmed him. His mind had short-circuited.


    The memory grew clearer. Yes, he had screamed. First from the pain, and then¡­ from rage. Rage directed at the Shredder.


    ¡°But there¡¯s something I¡¯m curious about,¡± Yukha said, interrupting Finn¡¯s thoughts. ¡°Before its attack hit you, there was an explosion that sent you sideways. That explosion saved your life. If not for it, the wind blade would¡¯ve struck you point-blank. Do you remember doing that?¡±


    Finn furrowed his brows. ¡°No¡­ but now that you mention it, I remember the little flame I was controlling above me. It moved to my side and caused the explosion. It was like¡­¡± He hesitated. ¡°Like it had a mind of its own. Are you saying it saved my life?¡±


    Yukha shook his head. ¡°It didn¡¯t save your life, Finn. You did. Elements don¡¯t act on their own. What I think happened is the same thing that occurred when you meditated before¡ªyour consciousness was transferred to that flame.¡±


    Finn listened, stunned.


    ¡°And not just that,¡± Yukha continued. ¡°After that explosion, you weren¡¯t moving. Then, all of a sudden, you started screaming. It was as if the flame responded to your emotions. That crater¡­¡± He gestured toward the scorched earth. ¡°That¡¯s what it did to the Shredder.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re saying I did that¡­ subconsciously?¡± Finn asked, his voice barely a whisper.


    "Maybe," Yukha replied thoughtfully. "Just like last night, your body started catching fire again. So I did the same thing¡ªI doused you with icy cold water. After what you subconsciously did, it looks like you drained your mana completely and blacked out."


    "So that''s what happened," Finn said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry about all this¡­ the destruction I caused."


    "Your reaction was understandable," Yukha reassured him. "You were in shock, and then it turned into anger. You lashed out at the source of your pain. Though, I have to admit, you¡¯re scary when you lose control. Remind me to stay on your good side next time I decide to annoy you." He offered a faint smile, attempting to lighten the mood.


    Finn chuckled weakly. "At least now I know how it feels to get slashed that deeply in my arm. Next time it happens¡ªif it happens¡ªI hope I don¡¯t get as shaken up and go all scorched earth again."


    "Or better yet," Yukha said, raising an eyebrow, "try not to get hit at all. You should develop that explosion move you did earlier. It could be a way to dodge attacks while creating some space between you and your opponent."


    "Good point," Finn agreed.


    "But what¡¯s concerning," Yukha added, his expression turning serious, "is how close you came to setting your own body on fire again. It¡¯s almost the exact same thing that happened last night while you were meditating." He paused, as if piecing together a puzzle in his mind. "At least we¡¯ve learned something from this situation. We now know two key things that seem to trigger it."


    Finn narrowed his eyes. "I hope you¡¯re not about to tell me I should avoid fighting altogether."


    "Not at all," Yukha said quickly. "The first trigger seems to be deep meditation. So, for now, avoid that. There are other ways to regenerate mana. Maybe just focus on your breathing instead of falling into that deep trance."


    Finn nodded, listening intently.


    "The second trigger," Yukha continued, "is extreme emotional stimulation. Like what just happened¡ªyou went into shock, lashed out in anger, and that triggered it. I¡¯m not saying you should avoid fights entirely, but you need to learn how to control your emotions better."


    "I see," Finn murmured.


    "The next time you feel like you¡¯re losing control," Yukha advised, "anchor yourself. Slow your breathing. Take in the situation fully and approach it logically. That awareness will keep you grounded."


    "I¡¯ll keep that in mind," Finn said, determination flickering in his voice.


    He glanced around. Not a single monster was left¡ªjust the massive crater and the charred remnants of burned grass from the floaters he¡¯d taken down earlier.


    "Anyway," Finn said, breaking the silence, "now that we¡¯ve cleared the Shredder¡¯s territory, we should keep moving toward the next teleport point."


    "Are you sure?" Yukha asked, concerned. "You should rest a little longer."


    "Nah, I¡¯ve already delayed us enough. Besides, I feel fine now. My mana¡¯s back to full thanks to that blackout," Finn replied.


    Yukha hesitated before nodding. "Alright, if you¡¯re sure."


    They resumed their journey toward the teleport location. Yukha suggested they walk for a bit, but Finn insisted on running.


    The wind brushing against his face as they ran helped calm his lingering nerves. Above him, the small flame he had summoned hovered, flickering softly. This time, he increased the mana he channeled into it, making it slightly larger. He also directed more of his awareness toward controlling it.


    The flame had saved his life¡ªwell, he had saved his own life, technically. But even so, Finn couldn¡¯t help but feel a strange sense of gratitude toward it, as if it had acted on its own to protect him.

 Chapter 28 - Betelgeuse

    As they traveled, Finn noticed scattered monsters along the way. When he glanced at their names, most were already gray, a clear sign they were much weaker than him now. His recent level gains had widened the gap.


    Even though they posed no threat, Finn didn¡¯t let them go. He hadn¡¯t forgotten Julian¡¯s quest, and clearing them out barely required any effort now. The monsters fell easily to his attacks, speeding up their journey considerably.


    While they ran, Finn opened his stats:


    <hr>


    Name: Finn Hayes


    Level: 12 ¡ú 20


    <hr>


    Eight levels gained. He¡¯d expected more, considering he¡¯d fought through nearly a hundred floaters and the higher-leveled Shredder. But somewhere during the battle, his level must have increased enough to diminish the experience he earned. Still, an eight-level jump was significant.


    Next, he checked his Elemental Affinities:


    <hr>


    Elemental Affinities:


    Stone: 0


    Water: X


    Fire: 194 ¡ú 212


    Wind: 0


    Free Points: 16


    <hr>


    He quickly allocated all 16 free points to Fire, pushing it to 228.


    Then he moved to his Attributes:


    <hr>


    Attributes


    Constitution: 10 ¡ú 15


    Strength: 10 ¡ú 20


    Perception: 26 ¡ú 36 (x2)


    Wisdom: 54 ¡ú 80


    Free Points: 16


    <hr>


    To his surprise, Constitution had increased alongside his other stats. It must have been due to the injury he¡¯d sustained and Yukha¡¯s healing afterward. The memory of that wound sent a faint shiver through him, prompting him to invest 10 points into Constitution, raising it to 25. The remaining 6 points were split between Perception and Wisdom, bringing them to 39 (x2) and 83, respectively.


    Finn distributed his points as they ran, conserving time. By now, he¡¯d grown used to the process and no longer needed full concentration. He even managed to snipe a few stray monsters with projectile attacks while allocating points. His heightened Perception allowed him to detect their movements clearly, and he struck them without needing to look directly. Still, he stayed vigilant. Even if the monsters were weaker now, the itching memory of his injured arm kept him cautious. He wouldn¡¯t let the same mistake happen again.


    Before long, they reached their destination¡ªthe second teleport point.


    From the outside, it looked just like the first one: an ordinary shed. But unlike before, Finn now noticed something his increased Perception allowed him to feel¡ªa subtle barrier surrounding the structure. It was likely there to prevent enemies from entering the teleport radius.


    As they stepped inside, a familiar pop-up appeared:


    REGISTER TELEPORT POINT [GALEGRAVE EXPANSE]?


    Finn mentally confirmed, and the lock icon vanished.


    He quickly opened the first quest to check its progress:


    <hr>


    Quest #1: Unlock all teleport points in the first realm.


    Teleport points unlocked: 2/4


    Rewards: 20000 VP


    <hr>


    Two down, two to go.


    The fog surrounding the teleport location began to lift, revealing the terrain around them. Finn¡¯s eyes shifted to his map, where a new red dot appeared to the north. Just like the first one, it loomed near the teleport point, ominous and foreboding, as if waiting for their arrival.


    But something about this red dot was different. The map showed lines surrounding it, giving the impression of elevation. Finn frowned, lowering the map as realization struck.


    He looked ahead, toward the direction of the red dot. That¡¯s when he saw it¡ªa massive green landform towering in the distance.


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    "A mountain," Finn murmured, understanding now why the terrain on the map looked jagged near the dot. Though it appeared small from where they stood, it would undoubtedly grow larger as they approached.


    ¡°So that¡¯s where the second one is located,¡± Yukha said, his eyes fixed on the same distant peak.


    Finn¡¯s heart raced at Yukha¡¯s words, a surge of exhilaration coursing through him. It reminded him of the thrill he felt before fighting his first boss in the games he used to play.


    Like the first red dot, Finn deduced this one was tied to a strong corrupted elemental, likely the strongest in this area.


    From what Yukha had said back at the first teleport point, the first was most likely a corrupted water elemental. That meant this one had to be associated with a different element.


    "A second one appearing after we unlocked the second teleport point," Yukha noted, his tone thoughtful. "It¡¯s likely there¡¯s a correlation between the strongest corrupted elementals and the teleport points. If that¡¯s the case, there are probably two more of them, corresponding to the two teleport locations we have yet to unlock."


    "Four teleport locations, and one red dot near each," Finn echoed. "You said the first was the strongest water elemental in that area, right? If we follow that logic, maybe these red dots represent corrupted elementals tied to the four elements. Which means this one could be wind, stone, or fire."


    "Good deduction," Yukha said with a nod. "And judging by its location¡ªa mountain¡ªit¡¯s probably wind. If I¡¯m right, it¡¯s likely sitting at the peak of that mountain."


    Finn furrowed his brow. Yukha was probably right. After all, this world operated like a game, and placing a boss at the top of a mountain made perfect sense. But that also meant they¡¯d have to climb it.


    "Mountain climbing, huh?" Finn sighed. "Sounds like a pain. I wish we could just fly straight to the peak. Though, I¡¯ve started enjoying running lately, so maybe this will grow on me too."


    "That¡¯s the spirit," Yukha said, a faint grin on his lips. "Besides, didn¡¯t you say you wanted to eliminate every corrupted elemental? Isn¡¯t a mountain the perfect path for that? We¡¯ll clear them out as we climb, you¡¯ll gain levels along the way, and when we reach the summit, you¡¯ll be ready to face the strongest one."


    "That¡¯s a good way of looking at it," Finn admitted.


    The idea reminded him of dungeon raids from the games he played, but instead of an enclosed dungeon, the mountain was the battleground. The comparison gave him an unexpected jolt of excitement.


    "If I manage to beat it, I¡¯ll probably gain a ton of levels," Finn said.


    "You will," Yukha replied confidently. "But we should not start climbing today. Judging by the size of that mountain, it will take a while to reach the top. And it¡¯s already afternoon. Climbing unfamiliar terrain at night is a terrible idea."


    "Fair point," Finn agreed. "But it¡¯d feel like a waste to just sit around until tomorrow. What if we clear all the monsters on the way to the mountain today? That way, we won¡¯t have to deal with them tomorrow."


    "Good thinking," Yukha said, then smirked. "But not before we eat. After all that ruckus earlier, I¡¯m starving."


    "But we just ate before we left," Finn pointed out.


    "That was hours ago," Yukha shot back. "And you can¡¯t fight properly on an empty stomach."


    "Fine," Finn relented. "But you eat alone. I don¡¯t have much of an appetite after everything that happened."


    "Suit yourself," Yukha said, already digging into his first plate.


    <hr>


    Once Yukha finished eating, they set off toward the mountain, ready to execute their plan of clearing the path before their climb the next day.


    As they walked, Finn¡¯s mind kept returning to what Yukha had told him earlier¡ªhow his small flame had acted on its own during his breakdown, saving his life.


    Now, that same flame hovered in front of him, flickering steadily.


    "Expand," Finn commanded.


    To his surprise, the flame obeyed, swelling slightly as a faint trickle of mana left his body.


    "It actually worked," Finn muttered, his eyes narrowing. "I didn¡¯t even consciously inject mana into it."


    The flame danced in response, as if acknowledging his words.


    "Now shrink back," Finn said.


    Just like before, the flame obeyed, returning to its original size.


    "This is amazing," he muttered.


    "You know you''re just talking to yourself, right?" Yukha said, raising an eyebrow.


    "Maybe," Finn admitted, "but it''s kind of like having a magical pet."


    "Treating your subconscious as a pet? That doesn¡¯t sound normal," Yukha replied.


    Finn had to agree, but he wasn¡¯t about to let normalcy get in the way of turning his own subconscious into a weapon. The flame responded to his commands far quicker than his regular summons, whether spoken aloud or just thought.


    "You know what? I¡¯m giving you a name," Finn decided.


    He paused, mulling it over. "You''re red, round, bright, and always hovering above me¡­ That¡¯s it¡ªI¡¯ve got the perfect name for you. Betelgeuse, just like the red star."


    The tiny flame flickered and spun in place, sending a faint, tickling sensation through Finn¡¯s mind.


    Was that my subconscious responding? He hesitated, suddenly wondering if naming it was a bad idea. Hopefully, I don¡¯t end up giving myself some kind of cognitive issue.


    A sharp, piercing sound suddenly interrupted his thoughts. It came from up ahead, in the direction they were heading. They had sensed a corrupted elemental nearby, and now it was making itself known.


    Finn could feel the creature¡¯s presence, but it remained out of sight. However, the sheer volume of its screech made him freeze. A noise that loud could only come from something big.


    So far, none of the corrupted creatures he¡¯d encountered had been particularly large¡ªmost were about the size of small animals. That made them much less intimidating.


    The biggest one, the Shredder, had been stationary, which probably made it seem less threatening than it actually was. Maybe that was why he had let his guard down.


    A second screech ripped through the air, even louder than before, sending a painful, grating sensation through his skull. It was like nails on a chalkboard¡ªmultiplied by a thousand. Finn clenched his teeth, hands flying up to cover his ears.


    Beside him, he saw Yukha¡¯s mouth moving, but the pain ringing in his head drowned out whatever he was saying.


    "What?" Finn shouted, lowering his hands.


    "It''s a Screamer," Yukha said. "Easy to kill, but a nightmare for warriors and anyone fighting in close combat."


    "Screamer?" Finn repeated.


    "They use wind to manipulate their voices, focusing and amplifying their shrieks to disorient their targets," Yukha explained. "Once you''re stunned, they spin their bodies¡ªhard as metal¡ªand slam into your head to cave it in."


    Finn winced. "How big are these things?"


    "About the size of a floater," Yukha said.


    The fear that had been creeping into Finn¡¯s gut evaporated almost instantly. He had been picturing some massive monster, but now all he could imagine was an overgrown floater screaming at the top of its nonexistent lungs.


    So, they just had loud voices, not big bodies.


    "Fortunately, there¡¯s an easy countermeasure," Yukha said.


    He opened his palm, revealing two tiny, bean-sized objects.


    Finn smirked. "Earplugs, of course."


    He took them and fitted them snugly into his ears.


    A third scream rang out, but this time, Finn felt nothing¡ªjust a faint vibration on his skin.


    Yukha gave him a nod. Finn understood the signal. Move in.


    He nodded back and sprinted forward, Yukha following close behind.


    A notification appeared in front of him.


    Yukha: They have hard bodies. Wait for them to open their mouths, then strike inside.


    Finn mentally responded.


    Finn: Got it.


    Just like before, he could reply without speaking¡ªanother useful system feature.


    Another vibration ran through his body, stronger than before. They were getting close.

 Chapter 29 - Fire Vortex

    Until finally, in the distance, Finn caught a glimpse of movement.


    Something was rolling across the green grass¡ªnot walking, but rolling, like an object rather than a living creature.


    As it came into clearer view, he took in its bizarre form: a small, sphere-shaped head with two tiny black eyes, connected to a long, tube-like body. At the other end of the tube was another identical sphere, giving it an almost dumbbell-like appearance. Its entire body was milky white, gleaming under the skylight.


    Above it, hovering in a green glow, was its name: [Screamer Lvl. 20]


    The moment it spotted them, it halted its rolling motion and balanced itself upright on its lower sphere. Though its blank eyes lacked irises, it was unmistakably staring in their direction.


    Then, something shifted.


    Just below its eyes, a hole began to form¡ªwidening and stretching until it nearly consumed the upper sphere. At the same time, the lower sphere expanded, as did the connecting tube, its entire body swelling unnaturally like rubber.


    Is this its attack stance?


    Yukha had said its body was as hard as metal, yet it stretched effortlessly, defying logic. Finn barely had time to ponder this before a powerful vibration surged through his body.


    A silent scream.


    Even with the earplugs blocking the sound, the force rattled his bones, a gale of pressure slamming into him. He could only imagine how devastating it would be at close range¡ªdisorienting, if not outright rupturing someone''s eardrums.


    Without hesitation, Yukha acted.


    He hurled his greatsword in a spinning arc, striking the Screamer directly inside its gaping mouth. The blade split it in half.


    The creature dispersed like mist in the wind, vanishing in a burst of air that sent grass whipping in all directions.


    A system message flashed in Finn¡¯s vision.


    Yukha: That''s how you kill them.


    With the threat gone, they resumed their journey. The realm''s sky was still bright, showing no signs of evening approaching.


    As they neared the mountain, Finn noticed something¡­ off. Its appearance had changed somehow. He couldn¡¯t quite place what was different, but the closer they got, the more unsettling it felt.


    The earplugs made for an odd sensation. Finn had worn them back on Earth before, but here, the effect was amplified. Perhaps due to his heightened Perception, it felt as if part of his surroundings had been erased¡ªthrowing off his sense of space.


    Eventually, he decided to remove them, figuring he could put them back in at the first sign of another Screamer.


    That moment came within minutes.


    A piercing shriek echoed through the air. Without hesitation, Finn replaced the earplugs and rushed toward the sound.


    Finn: Let me handle this one.


    Yukha: Alright.


    As the Screamer opened its gaping maw, Finn focused on Betelgeuse.


    The small red flame responded instantly, feeding on his mana. Its heat surged, radiating not just against his skin, but through the space around it¡ªas if he himself were the flame.


    This was different from before. When he summoned flames as projectiles, he had always felt a connection to them, but with Betelgeuse, that connection was tenfold.


    Then, without his command, Betelgeuse summoned four more copies of itself. Five flames in total, with it at the center¡ªlike a soldier surrounded by his troops.


    Finn gave the order.


    In perfect sync, the four flames shot forward, diving into the Screamer¡¯s open mouth.


    The moment they entered, they detonated.


    A fiery explosion erupted from within, consuming the creature instantly. The blast scorched the grass, mixing with the wind and leaving behind only drifting embers.


    Finn pulled out his earplugs, turning his attention back to his small flame.


    "Nice job, Betelgeuse," he said.


    The little red flame flickered excitedly, bouncing up and down in response.


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    "You named yourself?" Yukha asked, raising an eyebrow. "I do not even know what to say to that."


    "Technically, it¡¯s not me¡ªjust a part of my subconscious," Finn replied. "Besides, it¡¯s much easier to give commands with a name. Isn''t that right, Betelgeuse?"


    The red flame bounced in the air as if nodding in agreement.


    Yukha sighed, shaking his head. "It¡¯s going to take me some time to get used to this. But if that is how you want to do things, I guess there is no harm in it."


    "You''ll get used to it. And this is just one flame¡ªfor now. It''ll get even weirder once I add and name more of them," Finn said with a smirk.


    "You plan to add more?" Yukha asked, eyes widening.


    "Absolutely. Betelgeuse can''t handle everything on his own, can he? I need to assign roles to each of them so they¡¯re easier to command. Since Betelgeuse is the only one right now, let¡¯s see¡­" Finn paused, then nodded to himself. "You¡¯ll handle attacks I¡¯ve already done before. Since you''re part of my subconscious, they should be stored in your memory too, right?"


    Betelgeuse bounced excitedly, confirming his words.


    "Good boy," Finn said, grinning.


    "This is the strangest thing I have ever seen in my life," Yukha muttered, eyeing the two of them. "Just don¡¯t overdo it, alright?"


    "You got it."


    "When I taught you that training regimen, I only meant to improve your fire control little by little," Yukha added. "I had no idea it would escalate to this."


    "Well, thanks for teaching me anyway," Finn said, grinning.


    They continued their journey, encountering more corrupted wind elementals along the way¡ªFloaters and Screamers.


    The Floaters¡ªwhose names had turned gray instead of green¡ªwere no longer a challenge. Finn didn¡¯t even need to form drill-like flames to pierce their bodies like he had the day before. Now, a simple burst of fire was enough to take them down.


    The task didn¡¯t even require much focus anymore, so he let Betelgeuse handle them instead.


    Just like before, Betelgeuse effortlessly created multiple copies of itself, intensifying their heat before launching them at the targets. It required no verbal command, as if it instinctively knew what Finn wanted.


    That¡¯s my subconscious for you.


    The Screamers, on the other hand, were a different story. Their scream attacks were dangerous, but a simple pair of earplugs rendered them harmless. This gave Finn the perfect opportunity to test out another technique¡ªone more suited for larger enemies.


    It was a classic fire spell, simple yet effective.


    A vortex of flames erupting from the ground, engulfing the target in an intense blaze.


    A fire pillar.


    His fire projectiles were powerful, controlled like missiles, but they were better suited for small targets. And according to the big red dots on the map, there were definitely larger enemies ahead.


    Bigger projectiles could work, but the larger they were, the easier they¡¯d be to spot¡ªmaking them easier to dodge or repel.


    Surprise was crucial in battle. That¡¯s where the fire pillar came in.


    A sudden burst of flames from beneath the target? That had an element of unpredictability.


    Luckily, Screamers always stopped rolling before they attacked, making them easy prey. But Finn knew that relying on unmoving targets wouldn¡¯t help him improve. Higher-level enemies wouldn¡¯t wait around for him to land an attack.


    That¡¯s where their next opponent came in.


    A new monster, one he hadn¡¯t seen before.


    [Zipper Lvl. 22]


    Its name hovered in bright green¡ªjust the right level for Finn to test his new technique.


    The Zippers were small, white, floating spheres surrounded by a constantly rotating ring of wind. They looked almost like miniature planets with orbiting rings.


    Like the Floaters, they hovered in the air, but that was where the similarities ended. While Floaters drifted lazily until they spotted a target, the Zippers were fast. They zipped through the air unpredictably, moving like insects in erratic patterns.


    But that made them the perfect challenge.


    To make the fire pillar work, Finn needed to predict their movement¡ªplacing the attack in just the right spot, so when the flames erupted, they would hit the target point blank.


    He had to stay on constant alert, dodging the Zippers'' relentless assaults. Unlike the Floaters, which needed to pause after a charge, the Zippers had no such limitation. The moment they missed, they came to an abrupt stop¡ªalready preparing to attack again. It was as if they had no concept of momentum.


    The first time he encountered one, it nearly struck him square in the head.


    Thankfully, Betelgeuse was there. The moment the spinning creature closed in, the flame suddenly expanded, zipping around Finn¡¯s back to build momentum before intercepting the Zipper¡¯s direct attack. The impact threw the monster off course, buying Finn just enough time to step sideways and avoid the next strike.


    As the Zipper recovered and began its mad dash toward him again, Finn took the opportunity to focus on his new attack.


    Knowing Betelgeuse had his back gave him confidence. He could focus entirely on constructing the fire pillar.


    He turned his attention inward, envisioning the mana coursing through his veins. As before, he felt it stir within him, a heat source waiting to be unleashed.


    Just like back at The Threshold, he imagined a mouth inside him opening, releasing waves of fire.


    Then, shifting his focus to the space ahead, he pictured his mana spinning violently, spiraling into a vortex. A tornado of fire.


    Tiny flames flickered on the ground where he envisioned the pillar emerging.


    A circular trail of fire began to burn, twisting in place. More flames flickered to life, following the spiraling motion. Once the structure was set, he poured more of his mana into it, fueling its intensity. The flames roared higher and higher, until finally¡ª


    A blazing pillar erupted.


    An orange inferno, spinning like a tornado. Flames licked outward, flickering and vanishing in an instant. Even from a distance, Finn could feel its scorching heat.


    He had done it.


    But by the time he completed it, Betelgeuse had already repelled the Zipper multiple times¡ªenough that it had actually killed the creature before Finn had even finished casting.


    That took way too long.


    Still, now that he knew the motions required, all he had to do was replicate them until they became second nature.


    And that¡¯s exactly what he did.


    Spotting another Zipper, he flicked a small flame in its direction. The creature immediately went on high alert, zipping toward him at breakneck speed.


    This time, Finn began constructing his fire pillar the moment it moved.


    But he was still too slow.


    By the time the flames fully emerged, the Zipper had already zipped past the spot where the fire should have engulfed it.


    Still not fast enough.


    Ducking sideways, he added a small burst of fire beneath his feet to propel himself further.


    But unlike before¡ªwhen he¡¯d used this technique to dodge Yukha¡¯s attacks¡ªthis time the shockwave was stronger than he expected. Instead of a quick push, the force launched him, sending him tumbling across the grass. He rolled over small rocks and patches of dirt, finally skidding to a stop.


    "Are you alright, Finn?" Yukha called.


    Finn felt a few scratches from the rough landing, but they were nothing serious. He ignored them, quickly nodding to acknowledge Yukha before turning his attention back to the Zipper¡ª


    Which was already barreling toward him again.