The One Who Rises from Darkness

Kain stood up straight. His gaze was fixed on the robed man. The whispers still buzzed in the air, tempting his mind to doubt. But this time, his mind was clear.

"Who controls your destiny?"

The question echoed throughout the room, like a hammer hitting his consciousness hard.

Kain took a deep breath.

"I once believed my destiny was determined by others," he said, his voice calm but firm. "The gods. The system. This world."

He clenched his fists.

"But if I keep thinking like that, I'll never be able to move forward."

Kain stared at the man with determined eyes.

"So my answer is: I am. I control my destiny. Even if the world is against me. Even if the gods play tricks on me. I will still choose my own path."

DING!

[Answer Accepted]

[Coffin Requirements Fulfilled]

The sound of invisible chains breaking rang through the air. Blue light burst from the gaps in the chest, erasing all the symbols that bound it.

The chest slowly opened. Inside… not gold, not weapons… but a tattered book with a magic seal on its cover.

[Item Obtained: Sealed Book of the Witch]

[Description: Holds forbidden magic spells and profound understanding of the spiritual world. Can only be opened by those with the "Eye of Clairvoyance."]

Kain took the book. As soon as he touched it, the magic seal immediately lit up and dissolved into his body.

His eyes trembled. A stream of information—spells, symbols, understanding of spiritual energy—flowed directly into his mind.

He staggered, but Lazu supported him.

"Hey, slow down. This kind of book can drive you crazy if you're not ready," the god said with a small smile.

Kain nodded slowly. "I'm fine… I can feel it. This knowledge… isn't just power. It's understanding."

Lazu looked at him with a different gaze. No longer a pawn. But a potential player.

"Congratulations," Lazu said. "You've just taken your first step as a game changer."

But before they could turn around, the floor beneath them began to shake.

DING!

[Warning: Seal 1 of 5 has been broken]

[World Response: Old Consciousness Awakens]

Kain and Lazu looked at each other.

"…What do you mean 'old consciousness'?" Kain asked quietly.

Lazu sighed. "We just knocked on a door that probably shouldn't have opened so soon."

From behind the hallway they had come through earlier, a rumbling sound began to be heard.

Something was awakening.

And it was coming towards them.

The rumbling grew closer. The ground shook beneath their feet. From the previously silent dark passageway, a thick black mist emerged—moving like a living creature.

Kain held the newly acquired magic book tightly.

"What is that?"

Lazu stared at the mist with a serious look—the first time the Lazy God had not been casual.

"…That is not part of the trial."

From within the mist, something emerged. A tall figure in torn robes, his face covered by a cracked mask. In his hand, he carried a stone staff that radiated an ancient and rotten energy.

[Unknown Entity Has Appeared]

[Name: Reminder of Lost Time]

[Class: ???]

[Status: Remnant of Ancient Consciousness]

The figure raised its head. Its voice was like the voices of many souls speaking at once.

"The bearer of the legacy… has awakened us…"

Kain took a half step back. "What do you want?"

The entity did not answer. It raised its staff, and the ground around them began to crack, revealing black hands that tried to drag them inside.

Lazu raised a finger. A simple magic circle appeared and stopped the hands. But his expression remained wary.

"He's just a fragment. But if we let him free… he'll attract other parts of the Old Consciousness."

Kain gritted his teeth. "Then what should we do?"

Lazu turned to him. "Use the book. You now have the 'Eye of Clairvoyance'. You can read the spell on the first page."

Kain quickly opened the book. On the first page was written a single sentence that seemed faint, but it seemed to light up as he read it:

"Soul Separation Spell: Separate the remnant from the remnant."

He read it out loud. Energy flowed from his body, his left eye glowed purple, and a new magic circle appeared beneath their feet.

The entity screamed.

"That's ours! Don't touch that inheritance!"

But it was too late. The light from the spell enveloped the hall. The entity was torn into black shreds, and the sound of its screams slowly faded.

DING!

[New Spell Learned: Soul Separator (Lv.1)]

[Threat Temporarily Suppressed. Old Awareness Recorded.]

Kain staggered, exhausted. "We won…?"

Lazu helped support him. "We postponed the problem. Not solved it."

He stared at the now-quiet hall.

"And now, the entire underworld is aware that someone… has one of the Five Ancient Books."

Kain stared at the book in his hand. On the back, small writing began to appear:

"1 of 5. The Possessors will pull each other. Fight or unite. The choice is not yours."

Kain narrowed his eyes. "But I told you… I decide my fate."

Lazu chuckled. "We'll see."

And they left the hall—carrying power, threat… and a call of destiny deeper than they had imagined.