Chapter 11: Echoes of Creation

Levi, Kaizo, and Aric made their way through the winding corridors of the Nexus of Luminaris, eventually arriving at the Eldrin Lab. The lab, renowned for its arcane research and vast troves of knowledge, was a place where only a select few were granted entry. The trio had just returned from a mission in the nearby forest, where they had encountered an array of strange and powerful monsters.

The grand doors of the lab opened silently as they approached, revealing a chamber filled with floating runes, ancient tomes, and mystical devices that pulsed with energy. In the center of the room stood Eldrin, a figure of immense presence, his silver hair cascading like liquid starlight. He was deeply focused on a crystal hovering above a pedestal, glowing with an otherworldly light.

As they entered, Eldrin looked up, his piercing gaze falling on the three adventurers. "Welcome back," he greeted them, his voice calm but laced with authority. "I assume your mission in the forest was successful."

Kaizo nodded. "Yes, we managed to clear the area of the monsters, but there were more than we anticipated. They seemed… different."

Levi, still puzzled by the creatures they had faced, stepped forward. "Eldrin, the monsters we encountered—where do they come from? They didn't seem like ordinary beasts."

Eldrin regarded Levi for a moment before responding, his expression serious. "What you faced in the forest were not ordinary creatures. They are born from the same source as the monsters found in dungeons—manifestations of the excess energy left behind after the world's creation."

Levi's curiosity deepened. "Excess energy? What do you mean?"

Eldrin gestured for them to sit as he began to explain. "When the Seven ancient beings also called The Primordial Seven created this world and the seven species that inhabit it, they infused the land with immense amounts of mana, life force, and elemental power. This energy was so abundant that it began to accumulate in various places across the world—forests, mountains, lakes, and, most notably, dungeons."

Levi asked him, "I've read that dungeons have rankings, can you tell me that?"

Eldrin replied, "Ofcourse, why not?" He explained to him. Here is a brief summary of it.

### Dungeon Grading System

#### 1. Storm Plains

- Description: Dungeons that are barren and rugged, representing the raw and untamed aspects of nature. These serve as the initial testing grounds for beginners.

- Monsters: Primitive creatures, earth-bound beasts, and early elemental forms.

- Threat Level: Low. Suitable for gaining basic experience and honing skills.

- Rewards: Fundamental resources and minor relics.

#### 2. Forgotten Chambers

- Description: Ancient dungeons that have been lost to time, filled with remnants of past civilizations and their secrets. These chambers are moderately challenging.

- Monsters: Undead creatures, magical constructs, or beings with old-world powers.

- Threat Level: Moderate. Requires understanding of ancient traps and puzzles.

- Rewards: Ancient relics, unique materials, and historical knowledge.

#### 3. Shaded Labyrinth

- Description: Dark, maze-like dungeons where shadows conceal dangers and illusions abound. These dungeons challenge an adventurer's ability to navigate through deception and misdirection.

- Monsters: Stealthy predators, shadowy apparitions, and illusionary creatures.

- Threat Level: High. Demands sharp perception and keen instincts.

- Rewards: Rare enchanted items, elusive magical resources, and considerable experience.

#### 4. Cataclysmic Havens

- Description: Dungeons born from catastrophic events or conflicts, presenting extreme challenges and chaotic environments. They are for seasoned adventurers ready for intense trials.

- Monsters: Powerful and chaotic entities resulting from past disasters or conflicts.

- Threat Level: Very High. Requires advanced skills and teamwork to navigate.

- Rewards: Valuable treasures, rare resources, and powerful artifacts.

#### 5. Eclipse Crucible

- Description: Legendary dungeons that exist on the fringes of reality, where the rules of the natural world are distorted. These are the ultimate tests of an adventurer's abilities.

- Monsters: Mythical beings, cosmic entities, and otherworldly horrors.

- Threat Level: Extreme. Only the most elite adventurers can attempt these dungeons.

- Rewards: Legendary artifacts, cosmic materials, and unparalleled glory.

Eldrin said, "these dungeons are very dangerous. Even the easiest dungeon can take out a lot of ascendants. You'll need to be skilled to even enter the easiest dungeon".

He continued, " Well anyhow, as i was saying,Over time, the concentrated energy began to take on a life of its own, giving birth to creatures shaped by the environment and the residual magic. In the forests, these energies can create beasts that are far more powerful and dangerous than natural wildlife. The monsters you encountered are a result of this process—creatures that have been twisted and enhanced by the overflow of creation."

levi,always eager to learn, asked, "So, the monsters we face are essentially products of the world's creation? Does that mean they're a natural part of our world?"

Eldrin nodded. "In a way, yes. They are a byproduct of the immense power that still lingers in our world. The forests, like the dungeons, are teeming with this energy, which manifests in the form of these creatures. While they may seem unnatural, they are, in fact, a crucial part of the balance that governs our world."

Aric, frowning slightly, spoke up. "But if they're part of the balance, why do they seem so hostile? Why do they attack anything that comes near them?"

Eldrin's gaze softened as he answered, "Because they are born of chaotic energy. The power that created them is not always stable, and as a result, the creatures themselves can be unpredictable, even aggressive. It's our duty to manage this balance—to keep these monsters in check so they don't overrun our lands."

Levi absorbed Eldrin's words, the pieces slowly falling into place. The creatures they had fought were not just random beasts; they were products of the world's creation, shaped by forces far beyond their understanding. It was a humbling realization, one that made him see the world in a new light.

Eldrin continued, his tone grave. "Remember, the monsters you faced today are just a fraction of what exists in this world. The energy that created them is vast and powerful, and it is our responsibility to ensure that it does not consume us all. The balance must be maintained, and that is a task that falls to those who are strong enough to face it."

The room fell silent as the gravity of Eldrin's words settled in. Levi, Kaizo, and Aric exchanged glances, each of them more determined than ever to uphold the delicate balance of their world.

After a moment, Levi asked, "Why did the ancient gods create this world and the species within it?"

Eldrin paused, his eyes taking on a distant look. "Ah, nobody knows. The reasons behind the gods' actions are beyond our understanding. Some say it was out of a desire to create, to fill the void of existence with life and purpose. Others believe it was a grand experiment, a way to test the limits of their power. But in truth, their motivations remain a mystery."

Levi absorbed the answer, but another question quickly formed in his mind. "Where are these gods now? And what happened to the species they created?"

Eldrin leaned back in his chair, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Well, scholars say that the gods have long since faded from this world. As for the species they created, it is said that their spirits live on as 'mythical artifacts.' These artifacts are powerful relics, each containing a fragment of the gods' essence, and they are said to hold unimaginable power. Some even believe that the gods themselves are still watching over us through these artifacts."

Kaizo, who had been listening intently, suddenly grinned and turned to Eldrin. "Eldrin, do you even teach at the academy? I've never seen you in any of the classes."

Eldrin chuckled, a lighthearted sound that echoed through the lab. "Teach? No god or demon would want their precious children studying under a guy who had his mana restricted. My past… let's just say it wasn't without its controversies. But the academy can't kick me out either, because I'm too valuable. My knowledge, my research—it's something they can't afford to lose."

After a moment, Eldrin's expression turned serious as he addressed all three of them. "Speaking of which, don't forget about the weapon selection ceremony in a few months. There's a chance you might get your hands on a legendary artifact—or, if you're really lucky, a mythic one. Those weapons are not just powerful; they're game-changers."

Levi, Kaizo, and Aric exchanged determined looks, the weight of Eldrin's words settling on them. The thought of wielding a legendary or mythic artifact, something that could potentially hold the essence of the ancient gods themselves, filled them with a renewed sense of purpose.

"Thank you, Eldrin," Levi said, standing up with newfound resolve. "We'll be ready."

Eldrin nodded, his gaze following them as they left the lab. "I'm sure you will be," he murmured to himself, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. The three of them might just be the ones to uncover the deeper mysteries of this world, the very mysteries that even the ancient gods had left behind.