Upper-Level World

Hifung continued reading.

Hifung (in his thoughts): "The upper-level worlds come in many forms. I once arrived in a world where dragons roamed in great numbers-fire dragons, water dragons, even thunder dragons."

Hifung (in his thoughts): "There are several ways to ascend or descend between higher and lower worlds. To ascend to a higher world, one method is to seek out ancient ruins, which are usually found at the farthest corners of the world. To find them, you must explore the entire realm. Another way, if you wish to ascend without relying on ruins, is to kill one hundred thousand human souls and use Solutio magic-also known as soul-breaking magic. By using Solutio to shatter a hundred thousand souls, a gate to a higher world will appear. However, the gate only lasts for ten minutes, and once you arrive in a higher or lower world, you'll appear at a random location."

Hifung was shocked after learning how to travel to the upper-level world.

Hifung (in his thoughts): "Unlike ascending, descending to a lower-level world requires opening a portal using Solutio magic to break ten thousand souls. The second method is by using space-time magic."

Hifung was stunned.

Hifung (in his thoughts): "Space-time magic...?"

He turned the page to the next chapter.

Hifung (in his thoughts): "World Level Sixteen."

Hifung (in his thoughts): "When I arrived at World Level Sixteen, I appeared in an empty field-no trees in sight. I was stunned when I saw armies in the distance, fighting with mythical-level magic-spells never recorded in the libraries of the lower worlds. They were using magic from a category beyond SS: the Demon class."

Hifung (in his thoughts): "Some of the Demon-class spells they used included RealBuster-a yellow fire explosion spell, with flames reaching about 1,500 degrees Celsius. Other spells were just as powerful."

Hifung (in his thoughts): "Some individuals, likely generals, had black wings and could fly at incredible speeds."

Hifung (in his thoughts): "But then, two people-one from each kingdom-stood out. Their hands were engulfed in a dense, ominous aura. When they clashed fists, their auras exploded, releasing waves of black lightning everywhere. Many soldiers from both sides fainted instantly. The black lightning blasts grew larger and more frequent, and one of them struck me. I tried to block it with a powerful lightning-element wall spell-but the wall shattered effortlessly. The black lightning hit me directly, sending me flying and burning with pain."

Hifung (in his thoughts): "When I awoke, I was in someone's house-a native of World Level Sixteen. He spoke to me and said I had been hit by a powerful aura. Because aura is the natural enemy of chi energy, it rendered me completely unable to use magic ever again."

Hifung (in his thoughts): "That was the moment I realized I had reached the limit of what I could accomplish in life. I began to reflect deeply."

Hifung (in his thoughts): "But then that person said to me, 'Young man, you seem like a traveler from a lower world. Why not return and live out the rest of your life peacefully?'"

Hifung (in his thoughts): "I was shocked. I told him I couldn't return-I didn't have any soul reserves left. But he replied, 'I'll take you back. No souls needed.' I was stunned."

Hifung (in his thoughts): "'Which world did you come from?' he asked. I told him I was from World Level Five. He nodded, raised his hand toward me, and suddenly-I was blasted away. When I opened my eyes, I saw Milty City-my birthplace."

Hifung (in his thoughts): "For the next three years, I lived in the Milty Kingdom as someone who could no longer use magic. I told many people about the upper-level worlds, but no one believed me. So I decided to write a book about my journey."

Hifung (in his thoughts): "And from what I understand, that man must have used space-time magic to return me to World Level Five. That's why I lost part of my memory of the other worlds."

Hifung (in his thoughts): "That is the end of my story. Signed, Stephanus Hery."

Hifung closed the book.

He felt inspired.

He let out a breath, then began to organize the books and return them to the shelf where he had taken them.

Hifung (in his thoughts): "So aura is the natural enemy of chi energy... and strong aura can completely erase all chi from someone's body."

Hifung exited the library. The sky was already turning to dusk.

Hifung: It's almost night already?

He walked toward his home.

As he walked, someone suddenly called out to him.

Micyl: Hifung! (shouting)

Hifung turned and saw Micyl running toward him.

Micyl reached him, slightly out of breath.

Hifung: Micyl? What's going on?

Micyl: You left the hospital without saying anything! Ray, Vlyn, Elric, Feds, and I have been searching for you all day.

Hifung: Searching for me? Why?

Micyl: The king is looking for you. We have to go to the palace-right now.

Hifung: W-what? The king is looking for me!?

Micyl: Hurry!

Micyl grabbed Hifung's right hand and pulled him as they ran toward the palace.

Hifung followed, flustered.

They arrived in front of the palace.

Hifung (panting): Why is the king looking for me...?

Micyl: I don't know either. But we have to hurry-just in case something serious happens.

They entered the palace.

They ran through the halls, looking for the king's chamber.

Eventually, they ran into the Defense General.

Defense General: What's going on? You two seem to be in a rush.

Micyl: We're looking for the king. He wants to meet my friend here.

Defense General: Oh, the royal chamber is upstairs. The staircase is down that hallway-take a left.

Micyl: Thank you, sir!

They ran to the stairs.

Once upstairs, they searched for the king's room.

Micyl: There it is!

They arrived at the king's chamber.

Micyl: Knock. (urging Hifung)

Hifung: O-okay...

Hifung gently knocked.

He slowly opened the door. Inside, the king was seated on a sofa, with Feds sitting on another sofa beside him.

The king and Feds looked up as Hifung entered. He quietly closed the door behind him.

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[A/N]: Hi everyone! Just a quick note: starting from the next chapters, I'll be uploading 4-5

chapters every week-on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (if I have time). Thanks for your support!