Free Web NovelChapter 4: Nine Realms Tree & Terroreign
The most dangerous form of will is madness given purpose.
...
Aidan’s eyes opened in an empty, dimly lit room.
He got up.
The moment he did, the room lit up, and an alarm began to ring.
"What the fuck?"
Aidan frowned and got off the bed.
Woosh!
A slight gust of wind blew, and a white-haired woman looking in her thirties, wearing a white nightgown, appeared.
"Well, well... so you returned." Beatrix’s eyes curiously looked at Aidan. "Sit down for a bit. Your body... seems a bit strange."
Aidan looked down and saw that he was completely naked.
His eyes landed back on the woman, serene and indifferent.
"How long?"
’His mental state is also strange...’ Beatrix’s eyes glinted, surprised. ’That temperament doesn’t match his age nor his previous personality.’
’Where was his soul all this time?’
"It’s been a year since you supposedly died." Beatrix smiled and sat down.
She waved her hand, and a simple shirt and pants appeared out of nowhere, flying towards Aidan.
"Help yourself."
Aidan wore the track pants and T-shirt. Clearly, they were her clothes.
"Don’t worry, they are fresh out of the laundry. I put them in the storage ring to preserve their temperature and state."
Aidan was seeing things.
[Congratulations. You are recognized as a Transcendent Player.]
[System activation will proceed within five minutes.]
’What’s this?’ Aidan was startled.
"So, Aidan. I don’t want to beat around the bush. Would you mind telling me where you were in the past year?" freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
Aidan couldn’t help but chuckle. ’A year? Well, damn. More like a billion fucking years.’
Beatrix blinked.
Aidan smiled, except that it was not a warm smile at all. "I was in a darkness that kept me awake and fed me lives of despair. In short, I’ve lived an unknown amount of lives, all of them unpleasant to put it lightly."
"And I am not interested in recalling any of that."
"For now... I want water." Aidan paused as he gulped. "And I want food."
"I want to feel alive."
Beatrix smiled and stood up. "You are at my private mansion, and I have both food and water. Follow me."
Aidan followed her out of the lab, walked down the corridor, and arrived at the dining table.
"Sit. I’ll bring it here."
A minute later, several floating plates filled with food and water arrived with her as she put them on the table.
"Listen while eating."
Aidan started eating before she finished speaking.
"Technically, you are dead. It was a hassle to explain your situation to the Federation, and I also wanted to leave there and become a core member of a guild, so you are officially dead on paper, and your body was burned and cremated."
Aidan paused for a moment as he looked at her and then continued eating.
"Your hair somehow turned white ten months ago, and your eyes are also different from before, turning a honey-brown color, so there’s no need for you to disguise yourself. I’ll make a new identity for you. A fresh start as my nephew."
"Whatever happened to you, it was an anomaly. Your body state has reverted to pre-awakening." Beatrix’s eyes glinted. "So you will awaken a new talent."
"If it’s good, I’ll recruit you into the guild with a recommendation. If not, I’ll get you a suitable job, and you can live however you want."
Aidan finished a chicken leg and looked at her.
"Who are you?"
Beatrix smiled. "My Hunter name is White Raven. My real name is Beatrix Filcrow. I was the principal of the academy where you had your awakening. Presently, I am the vice leader of the Blue Vortex Guild."
Aidan nodded.
"Thanks for taking care of my body."
"You’re welcome, but it wasn’t much effort. You were in complete stasis, with no need for any external support. Time stopped for your body, so I just put you on that bed. I would check in once a week or so, and I put a motion detector alarm in place in case you woke up."
"I see." Aidan nodded. "Thanks for the food."
Beatrix blinked.
"You ate quite fast."
[2 minutes 12 seconds until system activation.]
Standing up, he rubbed his stomach and smiled.
"I need a toilet."
"Alright." Beatrix stood up. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
She led him to the toilet.
Aidan entered inside, pretended to poop, and waited.
[3 seconds until...]
[Service connected.]
[Hello, Transcendent Player Aidan. This program was made through the sacrifice of Zelveria Realm’s Ruler, whose inhabitants failed to stop the advance of the Terroreign.]
[With the support of the other eight Realm Rulers, this program was bolstered and encompasses the whole Nine Realms Tree to find individuals with the potential to stop the advance of the Terroreign forces, who seek to destroy all things and devour all lives of the Nine Realms Tree to increase their power and ranks.]
[The chosen individuals are given the opportunity to grow stronger via the completion of quests based on their current location in the Nine Realms Tree, as well as other activities, with the aim of forging one individual possessing the ultimate power from all Nine Realms to completely eliminate the Terroreign.]
[You were in the Darkness of Despair, which is a special dimension of the Terroreign where they break down souls over a long period of time and turn them into their minions. You... persevered and even used the Darkness of Despair to sublimate your soul.]
[You are granted a title—The One Beyond Despair.]
[Please cherish your life and use this opportunity to grow stronger. All the best, Transcendent Player Aidan.]
A surprise box floated in his mind as the information panel shifted.
A blinking [Status] tab was flickering at the corner of his mind as well.
’It is choosing people to become Transcendent Players from all over the Nine Realms Tree, but only one will be forged with the ultimate power?’ Aidan’s eyes narrowed sharply. ’Is this like a super-advanced version of a poison jar where all insects fight each other until all except one insect die?’
[The Transcendent Players would not die if they chose to give up their own power given to them through the system, and opt out of this program. But to enjoy the program’s services and become stronger, it is inevitable that you will clash against other players as well. In the end, only a single player will be forged with the ultimate powers, for only someone like that can truly stand up against the Terroreign and destroy its ruler.]
’Fair point.’ Aidan nodded, and he focused back on the surprise reward box and his status.
’Now then, let’s sort this out quickly first.’
Aidan focused on the [Status] tab.
