SYSTEM ASCENSION

They had expected to be dropped off at Salvador empire, mostly the A rank portal they wanted to clear, but instead, it was a strange field.

At first glance, it almost look like the forest where they had been dropped off in Quora empire, but it was not. The trees here were twisted and most unreal.

The sky was red, and the atmosphere warm. Two moons perched the sky.

"I don’t think this is Qld." Zeal spoke first.

Elias observed the area through his mask. This was indeed not his world.

"Do you think we’re inside the A ranked gate?"

"Might be," the older man looked around. "We’re supposed to be inside the domain, but I guess.. we crossed?"

He took few steps forward and summoned his system.

"At least the Quora empire mission is clear. It’s been a while my stats increased through a mission. We have only been sparing for six months."

This drew Elias’s attention.

"Stats?"

Zeal frowned. "Are you kidding me Elias?"

"No."

"Your stats?! Strength? Vital points? HP? Agility?"

Elias just shook his head.

"You never checked it?!"

This question pushed Elias into thoughts. He had never really explored the system.

He summoned the screen.

[World 0252: Qld]

[Name: Elias Morail]

[Age: 16]

[Height: 6’3"]

[Weight: 86kg]

[Species: Mortal?]

[Occupation: S rank raider]

[Status: Chosen/Sector seven sole survivor]

[Ability: Creation]

[Number of mission: 1/10]

Other than this, the only place he had checked was inventory.

Of course, like he had expected. It was empty.

’A stat?’

He glanced at the man staring at him, then back at the system.

"Stats."

The system disappeared instead.

"Huh?"

It reappeared with a different side Elias had never seen before, yet it display was forced. The screen glitched several times before showing information.

CORE STATS

[Strength: ???]

[Agility: ???]

[Vitality: ???]

[Endurance: ???]

[Will power: ???]

[Luck: ???]

[Stamina: ???]

[Talent grade: ???]

[Authority: ERROR]

[ERROR!]

[Unable to provide stats]

"So?" Zeal noticed his poker face.

"Hella helpful." He dismissed the system and turned away. "Let’s find out more about this place."

"What reward did you get?" Zeal went after him.

"A chance to breath."

"How is that a reward?"

No reply. They entered an open cave like space.

"Why do I feel like Omeo is toying with you?"

Elias halt on track.

"Omeo?"

"Yeah. The creator of this world. Why does it sound new to you?"

"I have never heard it before."

"Black empire don’t teach that?"

"Black empire says, your life is yours. Impress your creator by living your best life."

Zeal huffed. "That sound like them."

"Tell me about this Omeo person."

"Why are you suddenly interested?"

Elias mind drifted back to the dream. The fight, the deaths, and the hand cutting out of the sky at the very end. It made him realise that he hasn’t been seeing the dream since he left the scorched trial ground.

"Just curious."

"I’m not sure either. I’m not into those stuffs. Lord of the void or something like that." He scratched his head. "Although I do know that Omeo is hand picking people for whatever reason I don’t —"

"Omeo is what?"

Zeal stopped. He schooled his expression to neutrality and just looked at the boy for a long time. "It says it on the system. Omeo’s chosen."

Elias narrowed his eyes. "That name is not on mine."

Zeal stare was starting to get bothersome.

"What?"

"You might have been chosen by the other party."

"The other party?"

"Here is a rough guess. Two forces are at war. We’re on Omeo’s side as Upholders."

"Upholders?"

"Your rank after a chosen." He explained. "If you weren’t chosen by Omeo, then you might have been chosen by the other party."

"Who is the other party?"

"..."

"..."

Zeal suddenly cast a smile that didn’t match the situation and shrugged. "Dunno."

Elias frowned.

"Then, are we enemies?"

"I don’t pick sides." The older man shrugged again. He threw his hand around Elias’s shoulder. "You’re still my little highness!"

"Leave me alone." Elias shoved him.

He just laughed and hug the boy tighter.

"When you both are done," a voice vibrated through the air. "pay attention to why I summoned you here."

They both flinched, flying two feet away from each other and assuming a fight stances. Elias summoned double dagger, while Zeal glanced around.

"Who is that?"

He glanced around. There were only trees, cave like structures and only the faint rustle of leaves swaying beneath the crimson sky.

Zeal narrowed his eyes.

"I know you’re here."

A low chuckle echoed through the cavern coming from every direction at once.

"You humans have always been amusing."

Elias tightened his grip around the twin daggers.

"Relax. I have no interest in killing either of you."

"I’d rather not believe the words of someone hiding." Zeal snapped at the air.

"Hiding?" The cave trembled, small pebbles rolling from the walls. "You’ve been looking at me since the moment you entered."

The two exchanged a glance.

Then together, they looked toward the enormous cave formation standing beside them. It resembled a mountain, covered with vines and centuries of moss.

Zeal fold his lip and raised a brow.

"...okay?"

A deep cracking sound echoed making them flinch again. The mountain suddenly moved.

Dust poured into the air as the vines hanging from its surface snapped one after another. Two colossal horns slowly emerged from beneath layers of rock.

A single golden eye opened. It alone was larger than an entire house. Then more golden eyes opened. About ten of them.

Numerous pupil contracted, fixing itself upon the two tiny humans below.

It inhaled and exhaled.

The resulting wind tore through the valley, uprooting ancient trees and forcing Zeal and Elias to plant their feet down with vital energy to avoid being thrown away.

The creature slowly raised its head. Its neck stretched endlessly. Its wings emerged, slicing the mountain behind them in the process.

For several long seconds, neither Zeal nor Elias spoke.

Finally—

"So..."

Zeal scratched his cheek.

"I suppose that’s the cave?"

"Talking cave." Elias muttered.

"It’s like a giant...." Zeal narrowed his eyes. "Null? Is it a Null Elias?"

"Why are you asking me?"

The dragon lowered its massive head until one eye hovered before the pair. A low rumble escaped its throat.

"I have lived for ninety-two thousand years. I witnessed oceans become deserts. I watched kingdoms rise from dust... only to become dust once more."

Its gaze lingered on Elias.

"...Yet never..."

The enormous pupil narrowed.

"...have I seen a mortal whose soul is split into two and dwelling in the same body."

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