《Cataclysmic Planes》 Chapter 1: Only Way To Survive "All you need to do is stand in front of the mirror. If your reflection appears, congratulations¡ªyou''ve awakened. For those who don''t, don''t despair. It''s not the end of the world. Many have achieved greatness without awakening," said a man with thick white hair, addressing a crowd of teenagers clad in ash-gray uniforms. The teenagers'' faces were solemn, some etched with nervousness, others with quiet determination. The air was thick with tension. The man''s sharp gaze swept over them before he barked, "Remember this: Elites are the pillars of society, the protectors of order, and the guardians of mortals against the monsters that emerge from the planes." "Draven, you''re first," the man called, his tone softer now. A boy with jet-black hair, electric blue eyes, and sickly pale skin stepped forward from the corner of the room. His expression was unreadable, a mask of calm over the storm raging within. The crowd watched in tense silence as Draven approached the towering mirror, its surface free of reflections even under the dim light. He stopped a meter away, and instantly, the mirror erupted in a blinding purple flash that vanished as quickly as it appeared. Draven blinked, his heart pounding, fists clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms. When his vision cleared, the mirror remained unchanged¡ªplain, and utterly devoid of any reflection. The room was silent, the kind of silence that pressed against your ears and made your chest ache. Draven''s lips trembled, but no words came. He unclenched his fists and let out a hollow laugh. "Not awakening isn''t the end, son. There are other paths to greatness," the man beside him said gently, placing a hand on Draven''s shoulder. Draven turned to him, his lips curling into a bitter smile. "I know that," he said, his voice steady but his eyes betraying the storm within. "Thanks, Mr. Andrew." Because he knew the truth. For others, not awakening meant disappointment. For him, it meant death. With that, Draven shoved his hands into his pockets and walked away, the crowd parting silently as he passed. No one spoke. No one dared. They all knew it could just as easily have been them. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Mr. Andrew sighed and called out, "Next!" The tension in the room thickened after the first failure, but Draven was already gone. As he reached the door, a sudden cheer erupted behind him. He glanced back and saw the next person bathed in a radiant purple light, tears of joy streaming down his face. Draven shook his head and stepped outside, leaving the crowd behind. The morning sun greeted him, its soft rays brushing against his skin. He tilted his head back, closed his eyes, and let the warmth wash over him. His mind raced, plans forming and dissolving as he tried to steady himself. Eight months ago, he had started feeling a creeping weakness. The diagnosis from the doctor had been grim: a virus was slowly draining his life. There were two treatments¡ªa hypothetical vial costing five hundred million credit units, or becoming an Elite and breaking through to the second rank to purge the virus during evolution. Now, with only four months left, the first option was impossible. The second had just slipped through his fingers. "I shouldn''t be surprised. I already expected it," he mumbled softly. He exhaled sharply, his eyes snapping open, the cloudiness replaced by steely resolve. "Plan B it is," he whispered. "I always hated it¡ªthe risk, the madness... But what choice do I have? Better to die trying than to die waiting." He hailed a cab and rode to the downtrodden part of the city, where crumbling buildings stood like forgotten relics. Warning signs and heavy machinery dotted the area. Draven stepped out and walked deeper into the area until he reached a dilapidated building. He pushed the creaking door open and stepped inside. The room was bare, save for a flat bed and a bag in the corner. He moved to the bathroom, pried a tile loose from the wall, and pulled out a hidden box. After replacing the tile, he returned to the main room and opened the box. Inside lay a neatly folded map and a dusty diary. When he unfolded the paper, it was covered in chaotic scribbles that might have been mistaken for a child''s doodles¡ªbut he knew better. It was a map. Nodding to himself, he opened the diary, its pages filled with notes, sketches, and desperate plans. ''Let''s hope I survive this,'' he thought. The map led to a place rumored to hold the legacy of a powerful Elite¡ªthe Blue Plane. When Draven had first learned of his impending death, he had begun planning for this very scenario. The Blue Plane was his last hope, but it was also a death trap. Monsters of every rank roamed its depths, and while it only allowed humans of the first rank¡ªthe Transient rank¡ªto enter, even the weakest creature there could kill him in an instant. But what choice did he have? He left the house and took another cab to a store that sold basic necessities. "Good morning," Draven greeted the salesgirl at the counter, placing a long dagger, three bottles of bright red liquid with ''Berserker Z1'' written on it, a crossbody bag, a climbing rope, and a sealed nylon package on the counter. The girl raised an eyebrow but scanned the items. "Fifty thousand credit units," she said. Draven transferred the money, grabbed the bag, and headed home. Later that afternoon, he made one final purchase from the black market, meeting a masked figure in a shadowy alley to collect a small, unmarked bottle. Back at home, he stared at the thick, dark red liquid swirling inside the bottle¡ªBerserker Z2, the hyper-evolved version to Berserker Z1. He had poured his last fifty thousand credits into this gamble, a desperate move born of sheer necessity. Just the thought of what it would do to him made his skin crawl. Berserker Z1 had been bad enough¡ªpushing human strength to its absolute limit for a single hour, followed by a full day of paralyzing aftereffects without taking another one. But Z2 was something else entirely. It grants strength just beyond the peak of human capability, though still shy of Elite-level power, for 24 hours. The cost, however, was unthinkable: a lifetime of madness for most with very few escaping it. No wonder the council had banned it. Yet here he was, staring at the bottle, knowing he might have no other choice. Now, he was ready. ''Let''s pray it goes as planned.'' Chapter 2: Risky Plan The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds, Draven was already on his way to the Blue Plane. The cab driver dropped him off a safe distance away, unwilling to venture closer to the infamous valley teeming with monsters. Draven didn''t blame him¡ªno sane person would risk it, even though the creatures never strayed beyond the Blue Plane''s boundaries. Finding a secluded spot, Draven changed into the black, scaly attire he had purchased. The fabric clung to his frame like a second skin, its texture both smooth and resilient. Once dressed, he approached the edge of the Blue Plane. The valley stretched out before him, a surreal landscape bathed in an otherworldly blue glow. The light emanated from behind a central mountain, spilling over the valley like an ethereal sea. From above, the ground was a chaotic web of ravines, as if a giant had scribbled across the earth with a massive blade. Draven pulled out his map, studying it carefully until he located the ravine he had marked as the path. Satisfied, he tucked the map away and sat at the boundary, waiting. About an hour later, groups of Elites began to arrive, clad in various armors and carrying an assortment of weapons. Draven observed them carefully, assessing their strengths and weaknesses. ''Too experienced. They might see through me.'' ''Looks tough.'' ''Too weak. They might not survive long enough to be useful.'' ¡­ Finally, his eyes landed on a group that seemed just right: a young man, a boy, and a teenage girl. Draven stood and approached them with a confident smile. "Good morning," he greeted. The young man, presumably the leader, nodded. "Morning." "You''re here for the legacy, right?" Draven asked casually. "Everyone here is," the boy chimed in. "It only happened once, and the Earth Warden rose to the peak because of it." Draven''s smile widened. "I have a way to get you safely to the legacy. It''ll cost you five hundred million credit units. I won''t explain how¡ªI''ll lead you there myself. And since I don''t want to die stupidly, trust me, it''s a solid plan." The young man raised an eyebrow. "Why don''t you get it for yourself, then?" "I''m not an Elite," Draven replied, his expression unflinching. There was no record of unawakened getting a Legacy, so it sounded truthful. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Under their skeptical gazes, he pulled out a folded paper from his pocket and handed it to the young man. The man scanned the bottom of the document with his phone, which beeped in confirmation. After reading it, he exchanged a look of disbelief with the others. "You''d rather risk your life than live paralyzed?" the girl asked, her tone laced with suspicion. Draven chuckled but didn''t respond. The paper was a slightly altered version of his diagnosis¡ªinstead of stating he would die in four months, it claimed he would be paralyzed, with only one cure that cost five hundred million credit units. "Show me something concrete before I''ll believe you," the young man demanded, his tone skeptical. Draven hesitated for a moment before reaching into his pocket and handing over the map. "This is a detailed map of the Blue Plane. I''ve researched every ravine, every possible path, and even the monsters that inhabit them. That red line? It''s the safe route to the legacy." The young man unfolded the map, and the three Elites huddled around it, their eyes scanning the intricate markings. When they finally looked up, their expressions were a mix of disbelief and curiosity. Draven wasn''t worried about the plan leaking¡ªthe map only made sense to him. Its chaotic scribbles and cryptic symbols were indecipherable to anyone else. "Psychotic¡­" the boy behind them muttered, his voice low but filled with awe as he stared at Draven, his gaze almost entranced. The young man finally spoke. "You''ll lead the way. I''m Reece, this is Jordan, and she''s Sera." He gestured to the boy and the girl. "But remember, you''ll explain the plan along the way before we execute it." Draven nodded and turned toward the valley. ''He agreed easily?'' Draven thought on his way. He anchored a rope to the edge and lowered himself into the ethereal blue glow. The moment he descended, a bone-chilling cold enveloped him. The ethereal blue glow will stop anybody above the Transient rank. When his feet touched the ground, he noticed the valley floor was hard and dry, as if untouched by moisture for centuries. The blue light painted everything, including his face, in an eerie hue¡ªeverything was blue in the valley. He pulled out a vial of Berserker Z1 and downed its contents in a gulp. Instantly, his body surged with heat, his muscles tightening, his heart pounding like a drum. He felt his body growing stronger. Though the strange cold persisted. Reece was the first to reach the ground. "What''s the plan?" Reece demanded, his voice low but firm. "Let the others catch up first," Draven replied. Reece''s expression darkened. "You should know this place isn''t just filled with lower-rank monsters. There are Primal rank creatures here. Even a First Order Primal monster could wipe us out. So, I hope your plan is foolproof." Draven nodded. "I know this place only allows Transient rank outsiders. The plan accounts for that." Jordan and Sera caught up. Once the group was assembled, Draven began. "As you all know, moving on the surface is suicide. Here''s the plan: this area is inhabited by Mud Serpents¡ªsnake-like monsters that burrow in the ravines. They''re eyeless but highly sensitive to sound and vibrations within a seventy-meter radius. I have tested it. However, that ravine¡­" He pointed to a deep, narrow fissure. "...is about a hundred meters deep and a meter wide. We''ll descend about twenty meters and crawl along the walls, using our hands and feet to brace ourselves on both sides of the ravine. It''s a suspended crawl¡ªquiet and careful, so we don''t alert them." "You''ll lead the way, and I''ll be right behind you," Reece said, his tone leaving no room for argument. Draven met his gaze with a calm smile. "Of course. The ravines branch out, and I know the correct paths, so I will have to lead. Otherwise, you might hit a dead end." The group exchanged uneasy glances but followed Draven as he began the descent. The ravine was more like a deep, narrow pit, its rough walls towering ominously on either side¡ªa giant fissure carved into the earth. Draven positioned his bag in front of him for easy access and started crawling forward, the three Elites close behind, their movements cautious and deliberate. Luckily, it wasn''t dark because of the blue light. From above, they looked like moving ''X''s, inching their way through the labyrinth. Draven focused on the path ahead, moving as quietly as possible. Below, the ravine seemed peaceful, but Draven knew better¡ªMud Serpents lurked in the bottom, ready to strike at the slightest disturbance. When they reached branching paths, Draven confidently chose the correct route, only leading them to a dead end once. The rest of the time, his choices were spot on, earning him cautious trust from the group. With the effects of Berserker Z1 coursing through him, Draven maintained a steady pace. About forty minutes later, they reached a section of the giant ravine where Draven knew the Mud Serpents no longer lurked. ''So far, so good. Nothing''s gone wrong. Sigh¡­ I came with the Elites because I thought something would go wrong, but now that everything''s fine, I''m starting to regret bringing them along. Ditching them won''t be easy¡ªand they might actually be useful at the end,'' he thought, keeping a wary eye on Reece behind him. Just as he turned to face forward, a loud yell erupted from behind, followed by a deafening roar from below. Draven''s head snapped downward to see Jordan and Sera falling, while massive Mud Serpents¡ªeach twice as thick as his body¡ªsurged upward at terrifying speed. Instinctively, Draven vaulted forward, but a vice-like grip clamped around his ankle. ''Shit! Reece!'' Chapter 3: Inheriting The Soul Mystic Legacy A sudden, powerful yank nearly sent Draven falling into the snake, but he dug the sharp tips of his gloves into the hard wall, anchoring himself just in time. ''Damn it! I should''ve jumped without looking. Stupid instincts!'' "Reece!" Draven shouted, his voice strained. "Even if you reach the end of the mountain, there''s nothing behind it but an empty plain! The blue light is an illusion. I know where the real legacy is!" Reece hesitated, his grip tightening around Draven''s ankle. Sweat dripped down Draven''s face as he watched the Mud Serpents below, their scales glinting ominously in the light. "Ree¡ª" Draven started, but his words were cut off as a rope snapped upward, coiling around Reece''s waist and yanking him into the depths. Draven glanced down to see Sera swinging through the air, the rope in her hands as she arced toward safety. Reece, however, plummeted into the writhing mass of serpents below. His screams were drowned out by the hissing and snapping of fangs. Without wasting a second, Draven tightened his grip and crawled forward, his movements silent and deliberate. The serpents converged on Reece, their massive bodies twisting and coiling as they devoured him. After which, they only hissed and played together. After five tense minutes of crawling, Draven finally reached the end of the ravine. He hauled himself onto the surface and stumbled into another shallow fissure, collapsing into it. His chest heaved as his body trembled, the effects of Berserker Z1 fading fast. His strength ebbed away with each labored breath. Lying there, bathed in the ethereal blue light, he stared at the sky, watching the clouds drift lazily overhead. ''This should be the territory of that big guy in the mountain. No other monsters should be around. This ravine should dampen its senses, so it shouldn''t detect me. Now, how do I get it to leave the cave? I''m halfway through my plan, but those idiots already got themselves killed. I wish the legacy was behind the mountain, but it''s just an illusion¡ªa magical mirage. The real deal must be deeper inside, close to that beast.'' Draven rested, his mind racing as he plotted his next move. When he felt steady enough, he walked in the ravine and paused at a safe distance from the surface. Before him loomed the mountain, its surface riddled with countless deep, gaping holes that resembled the lairs of enormous monsters. The pockmarked facade looked like a crumbling sand dune, yet its texture was harder than stone. Suddenly, a deafening roar erupted, shaking the air and rolling across the landscape like a tidal wave. Draven''s heart clenched, and a cold dread slithered down his spine, amplifying the chill already gripping him. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. He instantly crouched, moving deeper into the ravine. ''Shit! I thought it only sensed movement on the surface. That rumor was dead wrong!'' A massive, fur-covered ape burst from one of the holes, landing with a ground-shaking crash. Draven''s skin prickled with goosebumps as the beast pounded its chest and roared again, its voice echoing like thunder. Then it charged toward the far side of the mountain, each step sending tremors through the earth. ''What''s happening¡­? Sera!'' Understanding dawned on him. ''She must''ve miscalculated. She went around the mountain and stayed on the surface for a long time, triggering it. This is my chance!'' Though fear threatened to paralyze him, the memory of his impending death hardened his resolve. He pulled out another vial of Berserker Z1 and swallowed its contents in one gulp. Then he sprinted toward the mountain, his speed far beyond that of any ordinary human. Reaching the base, Draven scaled the rocky surface with practiced ease, the sharp tips of his gloves finding grip on the surface. His movements were fluid, almost spider-like, as he ascended. But another roar from behind the mountain made him realize he might''ve been detected. Draven pushed himself to the limit, climbing faster while fighting to maintain his grip. Soon, he reached the cave and slipped inside. Deeper within, he found a cluster of massive eggs blocking a narrow passage, blue light spilling from the depths beyond. ''I was right. It''s hidden beneath the mountain.'' Draven shoved at one of the eggs, but it didn''t budge. He drew his dagger and drove it into the shell, splitting it open. The contents spilled out, and he slid into the hole, shielding his head with his arm. The descent was rough, the rocky slide scraping against his body. After a minute, he tumbled into a vast chamber, rolling uncontrollably until he collided with the wall. Groaning, Draven sat up, rubbing his head as he scanned the room dazedly. The huge chamber was empty save for a single object: a hovering blue crystal, its glow casting an icy light that seeped into his bones. Draven''s teeth chattered, but his eyes sparkled with triumph. Suddenly, a weary voice echoed through the chamber, seemingly coming from everywhere at once: "At last, a successor." Draven''s gaze darted around, but he saw no one. The voice continued: "I am the Last Soul Mystic in existence, and this is but a fragment of my soul, carrying my final will. I bequeath to you my Legacy, housed within this crystal. Though it may be flawed at first, those imperfections will vanish when you ascend from the Transient rank to the Primal rank. Farewell, the next Soul Mystic. Do not dishonor my legacy." Draven hesitated, then approached the crystal. Ignoring the biting cold, he touched it. The crystal dissolved into his hand, vanishing. ¨C¨C¨C [Inheriting the Soul Mystic''s Legacy!] [Error¡­ Incompatible Legacy¡­] [Error¡­ unawakened¡­] [Synchronization and awakening: 10%...] ¨C¨C¨C A series of panels flashed before Draven''s eyes. His vision was abruptly swallowed in an icy-blue glow that shone in the dark chamber, exuding a pressure that froze even the air. As quickly as it appeared, the light faded, and his sight returned to normal. Draven exhaled, feeling warmth return to his body, but a thunderous roar from above shattered the moment. The ground trembled, and the sound of scraping stone filled the air. ''Damn it! It''s coming!'' Draven scanned the chamber frantically, though he couldn''t fathom how the massive creature would fit through the narrow passage. Spotting a wide tunnel by the side, he bolted toward it. Just as Draven entered the tunnel, a deafening crash echoed behind him. He didn''t look back; he couldn''t afford to hesitate again. He sprinted up the sloping tunnel, the darkness broken only by a faint glimmer of light ahead. The sound of footsteps grew louder behind him, rushing toward him with terrifying speed. He could feel his heart pounding faster. Draven kept running. When he saw sunlight flooding the tunnel''s end, a grin spread across his face. ''The exit!'' Draven rushed forward, but a rope lashed out from the shadows, coiling around his neck like a venomous serpent. Before he could react, a brutal yank lifted him off his feet and slammed him into the tunnel wall. The impact left him gasping for air, his vision swimming. Chapter 4: No Grave For The Damned! Draven staggered to his feet, shaking his head to clear the disorientation assaulting him. Blood ran down the side of his face, trickling into his eyes and painting his vision crimson. If not for Berserker Z1, he would have fainted after that brutal blow. The clicking of heels made him snap his head around. He squinted and saw an indistinct figure sauntering toward him, shrouded in darkness. ''That size doesn''t fit that monster. Don''t tell me it''s her! How did she catch up?'' His hand found the handle of his dagger in his bag. Suddenly, the figure transformed into a blur in Draven''s sight, vanishing into the shadows. That was all he saw before a hand clamped tightly around his neck and slammed him against the wall. Though still disoriented and his vision hazy, Draven pulled out his dagger and thrust it at the figure. But a hand caught his wrist and slammed it into the wall, followed by a stinging slap that cleared his sight. As he raised his head, he saw Sera, bleeding heavily from her wounds, her armor shattered in many places. Her breathing was ragged, and her blood-covered eyes shone with a mad gleam. "The legacy¡­ where is it?" she rasped. Draven instantly replied, having anticipated her question, "I don''t know. When I got to the chamber, it was empty. Maybe it''s in a different location." "I''ll search your corpse then," she said, tightening her grip around his neck. Draven felt a slight stinging sensation on his nape but brushed it off. He pulled out his other hand from the bag behind him, grasping Berserker Z2, but Sera caught his wrist and slammed it against the wall. In a swift move, Draven flicked his wrist, tossing the bottle into the air. He stretched his neck and caught it with his mouth, biting hard to shatter the glass. The bitter liquid mixed with shards of glass filled his mouth, but he ignored the discomfort and lunged at Sera, who stepped back, confusion flashing across her face. Like a rabid beast, he bit into her bleeding arm, spitting the liquid over her wounds before pulling back. The wound began releasing red fumes, drawing Sera''s attention. As she lowered her head to observe, Draven dove at her with blinding speed, his dagger stabbing toward her chest. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Sera tried to sidestep but felt a jolt that froze her muscles. ''No¡­'' Her eyes widened as the blade drew closer. Draven plunged the dagger into her chest, then pulled it out before swiftly slicing her throat, splattering blood into the air. Sera staggered backward, collapsing to the ground as her hands clutched her throat and chest in a futile attempt to stem the torrent of blood. Her wide eyes locked onto Draven, filled with disbelief and unspoken questions. "Berserker Z2 doesn''t affect Elites because your constitution battles and flushes it, but during that moment, a Transient Elite experiences a temporary lapse in muscle control," Draven whispered with a smirk. "We will meet in hell," she mouthed. "And I''m not following you to hell," he replied, turning away and staggering toward the entrance. ''Why am I feeling so tired and dizzy? I must have hit my head against the wall.'' A panel abruptly popped up in his vision: [Synchronization and Awakening Complete!] Draven paused and smiled, but a sharp pain erupted from behind his neck, accompanied by a sudden, overwhelming urge to sleep. Touching his neck with his finger, he brought it to his face and saw the inky blackness of his blood. "Poison?" he mumbled. Sera''s final words suddenly made sense. ''I need to get the cure,'' he thought, beginning to hurry, but his steps were unsteady, and his eyes grew heavy. Draven fought against the encroaching darkness, each step a battle as he made his way toward the entrance, but despite his desperate will to survive, his body finally gave out. After just ten steps, he collapsed sideways onto the floor, the sounds around him fading into a distant echo as darkness swallowed his vision. ''Irony. Nobody received it in the end¡­ but I was so close¡­ I bet nobody would miss me. Well, it''s not like I''ll miss anybody¡­'' Only his fragmented thoughts accompanied him through his final moments in the world. The lifeless bodies lay not too far from each other. *** Hours passed, and then, out of nowhere, swirling crimson gas began to surge toward Draven, spiraling into his body as if drawn by an unseen force. The strange phenomenon persisted for three relentless hours before the gas finally dissipated, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. Moments later, Draven''s eyes shot open with a sharp, gasping breath. He jerked upright, coughing violently, his chest heaving. Unbeknownst to him, his eyes flickered with a sinister red glow, but it faded as quickly as it had appeared. Dazed, Draven wiped the dust from his face and scanned his surroundings, his mind racing to piece together what had happened. ''How did I come back? Was it the Soul Mystic legacy? Or¡­ did I actually die?'' His thoughts were abruptly cut off as a searing pain erupted from his right chest, forcing a sharp cry from his lips. Acting on instinct, Draven tore off his shirt. What he saw left him stunned: intricate, glowing marks were being etched into his skin, as if drawn by invisible hands wielding pens of pure light. The symbols burned with an brightly, each stroke precise, quick, and deliberate. Draven''s eyes remained locked on the spectacle, his jaw clenched, his breath coming in short, pained gasps. He endured the agony, his body trembling as the light grew brighter and brighter. Finally, the glow dimmed, and Draven exhaled sharply, his chest rising and falling as he tried to steady himself. His gaze fell to the newly formed mark: a chaotic cluster of unreadable black symbols up close, but from a distance, they coalesced into a perfectly shaped black star etched into his flesh. Before he could process what he was seeing, a panel flashed before his eyes: ¨C¨C¨C [Curse of Voidhell: You have cheated death by drinking the Wine of Resurrection. The underworld has branded you, marking your soul. You shall know no rest in death¡ªonly eternal damnation. One Final Life. One Final Death. No Grave For The Damned.] ¨C¨C¨C Chapter 5: Awakened Elite Draven stood in front of the old bathroom mirror, grinning like an idiot as he stared at the blurred reflection of his damp figure. To be precise, his eyes were locked on his Elite panel. His hair clung to his face, still wet from the shower he''d just taken. He had returned home immediately after waking up, unwilling to risk anything else going wrong. The gloomy, tense atmosphere that had weighed him down earlier had vanished, now replaced with curiosity and a flicker of happiness. ¨C¨C¨C [Name]: Draven [Class]: None [Race]: Human [Legacy]: Soul Mystic (Sealed) [Rank]: Transient [Order]: First [Soul Vitalis]: 1 [Mana]: 0/10 - Physique: 2 - Constitution: 1 - Will: 10 [Skills]: [Mental Serration], [Soul Eyes], [Stasis], [Ethereal Dominion], [Soul Covenant (Sealed)] [Gear]: [Desolate Might] ¨C¨C¨C [CURSE OF VOIDHELL.] ¨C¨C¨C "From the teaching of the basic academy. there''s nothing like Soul Vitalis, so it must be the legacy," he mumbled. "2 for Physique and 1 for Constitution. Yeah, that makes sense¡ªstandard stats for a normal First Order Transient. But¡­" Draven''s calm voice suddenly rose in shock, his eyes widening. "10 for Will? I thought the highest for Will on Earth was 5? It has to be the legacy, right?" He paused, his expression shifting to one of confusion and curiosity as he muttered, "But where are the imperfections that Soul Mystic spoke about? Is it the seal on the legacy?" "Well, as long as I survive and get rich, that''s all that matters," he shrugged, brushing off his worries. His eyes then gleamed with childlike excitement, like a kid about to unwrap a long-awaited gift. "Now, time to test my Skills. I''ll be heading to the plane for real this time." Draven opened his skills one by one: ¨C¨C¨C [Skill: Mental Serration] [Rank: Transient] If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. [Description: A passive skill that activates upon the user''s intent to kill. All attacks are enhanced with a mental attack, bypassing physical defenses and dealing 10% of the attack power directly to the target''s mind.] ¨C¨C¨C His eyes narrowed as calculations swirled in his head. ''To make this skill truly deadly, my base attack power needs to be extremely high,'' he thought. ¨C¨C¨C [Skill: Soul Eyes] [Rank: Transient] [Description: Gaze through the mold and see the soul.] ¨C¨C¨C Draven activated it immediately, but at first glance, everything looked the same. When he lowered his head to examine his own body, however, he noticed a tiny white flame flickering in his chest, encased in a glowing blue outline. "O¡­kay, that''s new. What''s this for in a practical situation?" Draven muttered, puzzled. "This is why I should''ve spent even a little time in classes instead of obsessing over maps¡ªto broaden my knowledge. But hey, no regrets. At least I got the legacy. Next." ¨C¨C¨C [Skill: Stasis] [Rank: Transient] [Description: After experiencing death and witnessing the gates of an underworld, you returned to the realm of the living with a unique ability. This skill allows you to slow your body''s activity to an almost complete standstill, reducing your presence and hastening your recovery rate during moments of stillness. Condition: Only works during stillness.] ¨C¨C¨C Draven''s face twisted into a scowl. "Hell! I don''t remember witnessing any gates of the underworld." He activated the skill after a huffing. His heartbeat slowed, his body grew cold like a corpse, and his pores constricted. "This is¡ª" The moment he spoke, the skill deactivated. ''Well, this is a useful skill for hiding. If I''m not mistaken, it has a similar effect to those ravines.'' ¨C¨C¨C [Skill: Ethereal Dominion] [Rank: Transient] [Description: Harness the power of your Soul Vitalis to elevate your presence for 5 minutes. - Sacrifice 10 Soul Vitalis to unleash an aura one rank higher than your current rank. - Sacrifice 100 Soul Vitalis to unleash an aura two ranks higher than your current rank. - Sacrifice 1000 Soul Vitalis to unleash an aura three ranks higher than your current rank.] ¨C¨C¨C Draven chuckled. "Elevating your presence? Like the opposite of Stasis? This skill sounds like something a scammer would use. But getting Soul Vitalis¡­ I have a few guesses about how to obtain it." ¨C¨C¨C [Skill: Soul Covenant] [Rank: (Sealed)] [Description: (Sealed)] ¨C¨C¨C ''This skill is sealed. But why?'' Draven thought, his brows furrowed. ''And there''s barely any information about legacies, except for the part where the Earth Warden was struck by one that flew out of a Ruin site, and he rose to the top.'' Draven''s eyes dropped to the Gear column. ''Gears are obtained by killing monsters, and I only killed Sera¡­'' The thought made his expression grow complex. ''If killing humans can also yield Gears, what''s stopping others from hunting new Elites for Gears?'' A shiver ran down his spine at the idea, but he quickly pushed it aside, trying to ease his growing paranoia¡ªeven though he couldn''t quite shake it entirely. "Let''s see." ¨C¨C¨C [Gear: Desolate Might] [Rank: Transient] [Order: Second Order] [Type: Weapon] [Description: Adds +6 Physique to the arm!] ¨C¨C¨C "If I''m understanding this right, this Gear quadruples the strength of my arm, right?" Draven summoned Desolate Might to his right arm. Under his watchful gaze, his arm transformed into a dull silver, pulsating with raw, unbridled strength. He swung a punch through the air, his fist shooting forward in a blur. "Nice," he muttered, nodding in approval. With a thought, he dismissed the Gear, and his arm returned to normal. His eyes drifted back to the panel, settling on the last line: Curse of Voidhell. "I know it''s a curse, but did they have to capitalize it like that?" he grumbled, trying to mask his fear as he opened the description. ¨C¨C¨C [Curse of Voidhell: You have cheated death by drinking the Wine of Resurrection. The underworld has branded you, marking your soul. You shall know no rest in death¡ªonly eternal damnation. One Final Life. One Final Death. No Grave For The Damned.] ¨C¨C¨C Even after reading it again, the words still didn''t make sense to him. "Curse of Voidhell¡­ I don''t remember drinking any wine, let alone some mystical Wine of Resurrection¡­" he muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with confusion and unease. His gaze lingered on the black star etched into his chest before his eyes grew distant, lost in thought. ''I had a hunch something was off about my revival after seeing the curse, and [Stasis] confirms it¡ªI never saw any gate to the underworld. So either my Elite Module is lying, which I doubt, or¡­ something''s wrong with my memory.'' Draven exhaled sharply and ran his fingers through his hair. ''But one thing''s certain: I must avoid death at all costs. I don''t know how real the curse is, and I have no intention of finding out. Besides, the meaning of "eternal damnation" might be worse than my darkest nightmares, given the mysticism surrounding the curse¡ªand I don''t plan to test it. All I need to know is this: I can''t afford to die.'' His eyes suddenly gleamed as a thought struck him. "Maybe¡­ just maybe¡­ Doctor Annie''s tests might reveal something. They even detected the virus, after all. Yeah, I should go for a check-up. And I need to review my status now that I''ve awakened¡ªespecially before entering a plane." Chapter 6: Thirty Days To Live After a good night''s sleep that stretched into the next morning, Draven headed to the Council Association, dressed in a casual blue hoodie. He needed money for the test¡ªmoney he no longer had after spending his savings on the legacy operation. The thought of selling his phone had even crossed his mind. But he remembered something crucial: after awakening, all Elites were required to register at the Council Association, or risk being arrested. As part of the process, the Council Association also provided two hundred thousand credit units to purchase basic gear, a support measure designed to increase their chances of survival in the planes. When Draven arrived at the association, he was drenched in sweat, as if he''d just stepped out of an oven. He wiped his forehead while staring up at the massive building. "Whew! What a short walk. Only two hours and thirty minutes," he muttered sarcastically. Chuckling to himself, he strolled inside with his hands in his pockets. After asking around, he found himself standing before a woman with glasses, seated behind a desk. She wore a professional black suit, her hair pulled into a tight ponytail. "You''re an Elite, and you didn''t register at the Basic Academy?" she asked, arching an eyebrow. Draven lied without hesitation, his face straight. "Something important came up." She nodded and began asking for his personal information: "Full name, age, parents, address." Draven replied: "Draven¡­ still thinking of a cool last name." "Fifteen years, and two months." "Orphan." "No concrete address yet, just floating." The woman glanced up at him subtly before continuing to type. She asked a few more questions, then handed him a badge with a single star. Draven suddenly smirked as he took the badge, his name strangely branded at the top. "Hey, what if everything I said is a lie, huh?" The woman merely chuckled and replied with a smile, "See you, Mr. Draven ''Coollastname.''" Draven shook his head and left, heading straight for the hospital. He had accomplished his objective and received the two hundred thousand credit units. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Another ''short walk'' of an hour brought him to a large white building. Entering, Draven navigated the halls until he reached Dr. Annie''s office. Her office was unusual¡ªno staff around, and she only met with Draven after his blood was taken for testing in their previous encounter. He assumed the virus had piqued her interest. Draven knocked but received no reply. After multiple attempts and five minutes of waiting, he decided to stand by the corner. A young woman with champagne blonde hair walked down the lobby toward him. Draven immediately straightened up. "Hello, Miss Annie." She adjusted her glasses and smiled. "Hello, Draven. How are you doing?" "Great, and you?" Draven replied with a smile. "Tired from all the work," she sighed. "What are you doing outside?" "Oh, I came for a check-up, but no one answered when I knocked, so I decided to wait." "No one opened?" she asked, puzzled. Draven raised an eyebrow, giving her a look that said, ''You were outside¡ªwho was supposed to open?'' "Has she left?" Annie muttered to herself, twisting the doorknob. The door opened immediately. "Come in," she said, stepping inside. Draven quickly followed. "Brenna, why didn''t you answer when he was knocking?" Annie''s voice drew Draven''s attention to a young girl sitting in the corner, her expression cold and impassive. "I knew the person was looking for you, and you weren''t here, so it isn''t my position to interfere with your business. Besides, this isn''t my office," she replied flatly. ''You were inside the whole time and made me knock for five minutes?!'' Draven screamed inwardly. Annie shook her head and mumbled almost inaudibly, "I wonder how you teach at the academy." She turned to Draven. "You became an Elite?" "Yes. I just came for a few tests before I enter the plane," Draven answered. Annie nodded enthusiastically and directed Draven to a patient bed. She drew blood from his arm before leaving the room, her enthusiasm always making Draven shiver. Draven sat down, and the room fell into an awkward silence. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Brenna studying him intently. She had platinum blonde hair that framed her oval face, her gray, slanting eyes adding to her sharp features. Draven tried to ignore her, but after five minutes, her gaze was still fixed on him. Suddenly, he had an idea. ''Miss Annie said she teaches at the academy, so she must know about the planes.'' "Erm¡­" Draven cleared his throat. "Miss Brenna, you teach at the academy, right?" "Yes," she replied curtly, her gaze still locked on him. "Can you tell me about the planes? Key points for survival, you know? I just awakened," Draven said with a polite smile. She stared at him for a moment, her expression impassive. "You came to school just to become a thug and ignore classes," she criticized bluntly. "Excuse¡ª" She cut him off. "That''s not my business, though, and I''m not your private tutor." Draven stared at her, calculating how to make her talk. After a moment, he spoke in a low voice, "I have a virus that will kill me in a few months unless I take a vial worth an astronomical amount of credit units or awaken and break through to the Primal rank. I''ve been preparing for the possibility that I wouldn''t awaken. That''s why I missed classes." Brenna stared at him for a full minute and a half. Just as Draven was about to give up, she spoke. "I won''t repeat myself." Without waiting for his response, she began: "You should already know why Elite enter the planes to hunt. If you don''t know, it is because the rank of the monsters in each plane is capped according to the plane''s level¡ªfor example, a Rank 1 plane only has Transient-rank monsters. This makes it easier for Elites to survive there than on Earth, where monster ranks are random." She paused, then continued, "When you enter the plane, you''ll instinctively sense the location of the Haven, a safe zone built by the Council Association. It''s also your way back here. So, all you need to do is, enter the plane, get to the Haven, and return. Remember, the plane isn''t a vacation resort for new Elites. It''s advised to go with your peers. Now, let me tell you about the forbidden places in the Green House Plane, a Rank 1 plane¡ª" Annie hurried into the room at that moment. Both Draven and Brenna turned to her. "Brenna, out! I need to talk to my patient," Annie said sternly. "She already knows," Draven interjected, seeing no point in hiding the truth. Annie glanced at Brenna before turning back to Draven, her tone grave. "I found several chemicals in your blood that are accelerating the deterioration¡ªlike Berserker Z2." "What?!" Brenna blurted out, standing abruptly. She stared at Draven, her usual apathy replaced by shock. "The strange thing is, it''s still in your blood even after you became an Elite, and¡­ it''s accelerating the virus''s effects," Annie continued. Draven''s face fell, and the room plunged into a deafening silence. The two women stared at him, letting the news sink in. After a moment, Draven looked up and asked softly, "How long do I have?" Annie bit her lip before replying, "Thirty days." Chapter 7: Entering A Rank 1 Plane Annie suddenly grabbed Brenna''s arm, leading her out of the room. "Give us a minute," she said to Draven, closing the door behind her. Draven stared at the door for a moment before climbing out of the third-floor window. Using the building''s protrusions and crevices, he scaled down to the ground with practiced ease. Once outside, he exhaled deeply, the tension in his chest finally easing. "One month to ascend to the next rank?" Draven muttered under his breath, his gaze distant and unfocused. "At this rate, news of death will stop fazing me altogether." He shook his head, dispelling the haze in his mind. "I''d better get to work. No time to waste dawdling." First, he transferred fifty thousand credit units for the tests to the account already in his transaction history. Then, he made his way to the Council Association Store and purchased a First Order Transient-rank armor, which cost a hundred thousand credit units. The money from the Council Association was meant for both an attack and a defense gear, but Draven had already spent part of it. Now, he was left with only fifty thousand credit units. Draven had planned to rest today, but it seemed like the concept of rest was incompatible with the guillotine of death hanging over him. He decided to grab a decent meal before heading to the Council Association. "Hello," Draven greeted the lady behind the desk again. "Coollastname, any problems?" she asked with a professional smile. "No, but I want to enter the Green House Plane. I was directed here since it''s my first time," Draven replied politely. "Why don''t you wait until the Basic Academy enters the Plane in two weeks? It''s safer with a partners," she suggested. "Too late for that." Draven shrugged. "Few people enter the Plane alone because it''s dangerous. Besides, what is it with you newbies being so impatient? But if you''re confident, go change into your gear in the dressing room on the left, summon your weapon and armor, and follow me," she said. Following her instructions, Draven changed into his earth-brown armor, which clung tightly to his body, stopping at his neck. When he returned, the lady raised an eyebrow. "Where''s your weapon?" Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Draven put on his best smile. "You see, I lost fifty thousand credit units from the money. So, if you don''t mind, could you lend me some? I''ll repay you with interest." "Unserious," she clicked her tongue before walking deeper into the building. "I figured," Draven mumbled, staring at her back. "Are you coming?" she called out, and Draven quickly caught up. She led him to a large room filled with people dressed in armors of various types and colors. They stood at the back of the sparse crowd as young men, women, and teenagers walked into a massive mirror that could barely fit six people. The mirror''s surface rippled like liquid silver as each person stepped through. "Wow¡­" Draven''s eyes widened at the sight. "Okay, you saw how it''s done. Don''t touch anything; just walk into it, and it will take you to the Rank 1 Plane¡ªthe Green House," the lady explained. "Then why did you follow me if that''s all I need to do?" Draven arched an eyebrow. She gave him a pointed look. "You can never underestimate the stupidity of newbies, even to obvious answers, and past records have proven me right. Remember, for next time, all you need to do is enter the mirror. Don''t touch or do anything to it, or you could get locked up." Draven nodded. "So, you''re the newbie helper. Any advice for someone like me?" She stared at him for a moment, then spoke calmly. "It''s advisable to ascend to the Second Order of the Transient rank before making your way to the Haven. It''ll give you a better chance of survival. Besides, you need very little mana to ascend the first time." Her tone turned solemn as she locked eyes with him. "And don''t get too greedy. In the Plane, the penalty for greed is death." Draven nodded gravely, the curse flashing in his mind when he heard ''death''. She patted his shoulder with a smile, lightening the mood. "Okay, it''s your turn. Try not to die¡ªyou don''t have a cool last name yet." Draven shook his head and walked toward the mirror. He noticed the odd glances from others but paid them no mind. Summoning the Desolate Might, he felt the sharp increase in the raw strength in his right arm and nodded as he approached the rippling surface. "What an impromptu decision," Draven muttered under his breath before stepping into the mirror. He felt a brief weightlessness and darkness before finding himself in an open field dotted with scattered rock boulders and a few broken hills. His heart pounded as he scanned his surroundings with heightened vigilance. Seeing nothing immediately threatening, he closed his eyes to sense the Haven, as he''d been instructed. Surprisingly, he felt a pull to his left. He didn''t waste time and began moving in that direction. Just as he was about to pass a small boulder on his right, the top of it shifted and lunged at him¡ªno, a monster camouflaged as the boulder leapt at him. Draven spotted the massive creature hurtling toward him with blurry speed. ''Camouflage.'' Gritting his teeth, he dove to the left and swung his right arm upward, smashing it into the air. The creature let out a shriek and tumbled away. Draven instinctively wanted to flee toward the Haven after regaining his footing, but the lady''s words echoed in his mind. ''I don''t know how far the Haven is, so I need to ascend first. I can''t afford to die. It''s only at the Second Order that I''ll truly have a superhuman physique.'' As he regained his bearings, balling his trembling right hand into a fist, the creature was already scuttling toward him. It was a half-meter-long crab, its brown shell blending perfectly with the surroundings. It stopped a few meters away, raising its pincers and snapping them with jarring clicks. ''Intimidation?'' The crab closed in with deliberate steps, and Draven matched each one with a step back, his eyes locked on the creature. ''My right arm is my only weapon¡­ and mental serration skill.'' Draven calculated his chances as the crab advanced. Suddenly, he stopped moving, focusing entirely on the creature. Adrenaline surged through his veins, and the sound of his heartbeat drowned out everything else. The two stood still, locked in a tense standoff. Draven suddenly feinted as if to run, and the crab lunged like a cannonball. He twisted his body to dodge and swung his right arm, landing a solid punch on the crab. BOOM! The crab was sent flying into a rock boulder, its impact cracking the stone and sending tiny shards flying in all directions. The creature let out a piercing shriek. Draven ignored the pain in his arm and pounced on the trembling monster, raining punches with both fists. His left arm felt like it was about to snap, each blow against the crab''s hard shell sending jolts of pain through his body. It was like punching solid rock, but he didn''t stop. After three relentless minutes, a notification appeared: [First Order Transient killed: Earth Crab.] [+1 Soul Vitalis.] Draven finally stopped, panting heavily as he stood over the crab''s cracked carapace leaking with blood. ''My right arm really did all the work,'' he thought, flexing his wrist. Suddenly, he heard loud footsteps from behind the hill. He snapped his head toward the sound. ''Give me a break!'' Chapter 8: Ascending With Imperfection Draven picked up the dead crab and scrambled up the hill, hiding behind it while peeking over the edge. He held his breath, gripping the crab''s pincer tightly, and activated [Stasis]. A chilling cold spread through his body as he went still in place. The footsteps slowed, and Draven exhaled softly¡ªbut then they abruptly bolted in his direction. ''Dammit!'' The moment he saw the blur of movement rushing toward him, he hurled the crab at it. A brown streak sliced through the air, cleaving the crab cleanly in half, followed by another streak shooting straight at his face. Draven ducked, flinging the crab''s remains at the blade, and retreated, readying his stance. That was when he saw the figure emerge from behind the hill. It was a short girl dressed in sleek blue armor that hugged her frame, wielding two brown, single-edged swords. Her short red hair framed her diamond-shaped face, and her sharp eyes locked onto him. "Thug?" she blurted, arching an eyebrow. "Thug?" Draven echoed, confused. ''Even Brenna called me a thug. When did I become so popular?'' "We don''t have time. Let''s go. This place is one of the most dangerous zones in the Green House Plane," she said, turning and sprinting away without another word. Draven quickly dug his hand into the split crab, retrieving the monster crystal. He absorbed it as he ran after her. [+2 Mana Absorbed.] The girl''s speed was far beyond his, making him realize she must have already ascended to the Second Order. She slowed slightly, allowing him to catch up. ''I need to ascend to the next rank,'' Draven thought, his eyes darting warily around the terrain. Just as he was about to reach her, something burst from the ground and lunged at the girl. It moved too fast for Draven to react. The girl swung her swords in a swift counter, but the monster¡ªa massive crab at least twice the size of the previous one¡ªcaught both blades in its pincers and pinned her under its weight. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. Draven skidded to a halt, cursing under his breath. "Another ambush?" He watched as the girl struggled beneath the crab''s crushing weight, her swords locked in its vice-like grip. Its maw opened wide, ready to bite down. ''She''s faster and stronger than me. I still need her.'' Draven clenched his fists and charged, his heart pounding like a wild horse. But before he could reach them, the girl unsummoned her swords, causing the crab to lose its grip. She tilted her head and headbutted the monster with surprising force, sending it stumbling back several steps. Draven''s eyes widened in shock, his steps faltering for a moment, but he quickly regained his focus and sprinted at the crab. The crab swung one of its massive pincers at him, but Draven dodged and launched himself forward, slamming a powerful punch into its skull. The creature shrieked in pain, flailing its pincers wildly, but Draven had already retreated. The girl reappeared at the crab''s side, her swords back in hand, her movements almost a blur to Draven. The crab spun to face her, raising its pincers to attack. Draven sprinted to the opposite side, positioning himself at the crab''s rear. The girl and the crab collided with a thunderous clash, swords against pincers, sending dust swirling into the air. Draven seized the opportunity, launching himself at the crab as it slid backward from the impact. He snapped his arm forward and delivered a crushing punch to its side, sending it tumbling toward the girl. The crab shrieked in agony, but the girl was already on it, slashing two deep gashes into its underbelly. The duo kept up the relentless assault, never giving the crab a chance to fight back. After seven grueling minutes of cuts and blows, the crab finally collapsed, its shrieks fading into silence. Draven only realized it was dead when the girl stopped attacking. He was panting heavily, his right arm armor cracked and battered. The girl, barely winded, turned to him. "Why are your attacks making it squeal like it''s being strangled?" she asked, her tone curious. "Maybe it was, in a different way," Draven replied with a shrug. "You could''ve just said you wanted to keep your skill or gear hidden instead of lying," she said, rolling her eyes before walking over to the crab. To Draven''s surprise, she dismissed her twin swords and summoned a new weapon¡ªa dark brown, heavy, serrated single-edged sword. She swung it experimentally, the blade whooshing through the air. "Heavy¡­" she muttered. ''She got that from the crab? That thing must''ve been a Second Order Transient rank.'' She turned to Draven, noticing his gaze. "I''ll take this sword and give you the monster crystal, plus my previous one," she offered. "Deal," Draven agreed instantly, having witnessed the advantages of the Second Order firsthand. Throughout the battle, he''d avoided direct clashes with the crab, and even his strongest punches had only cracked its carapace. Meanwhile, the girl''s headbutt alone had sent it staggering. She extended her hand, and Draven shook it. [+1 Gear received.] "Nice doing business with you, Miss¡­" Draven trailed off. "Vera," she replied with a smile. "And don''t be so formal with me." "And I''m Draven, not ''thug,''" he shot back as she walked over to the monster. "Hohoho," she laughed, throwing him a knowing glance. "Says the boy who beat his classmate with a fire extinguisher until he was in a coma." Draven''s face twitched as he watched her effortlessly split the crab''s skull with a single heavy slash and retrieve the crystal. She tossed it to him, and he caught it, absorbing it immediately. ¨C¨C¨C [+9 Mana Absorbed.] [Saturated Mana Core.] [Ascending From First Order to Second Order.] ¨C¨C¨C [Soul Covenant (25% Unsealed)] ¨C¨C¨C [Evolution Added Stat: +10 Physique; +5 Constitution; +3 Will.] [...Error¡­ Due to the lack of a physical body, Physique and Constitution cannot be added.]