Yggdrasil? Isn’t that tree connecting like seven worlds in Norse mythology? Archie asked, confused.
“Norse mythology? There is no such faction related to Yggdrasil…” Thalindra replied, her eyes furrowed, before widening momentarily, "The records of great beings often seep into new universes that will be integrated into the multiverse. Mind you, this process doesn’t occur in mere seconds or months; it unfolds throughout millenniums. As this occurs, the records of these great beings intertwine with the fabric of the universe, binding themselves to similar concepts to properly integrate. So this... Norse mythology might have a connection with Yggdrasil, but not in a way you believe."
Archie somewhat understanding nodded his head in acceptance, I can see how that would work. I assume this is done so that once a new cycle starts it doesn’t immediately explode due to the sudden influx of records from these great beings.
“It’s more complicated than that, but you are somewhat right. Nevertheless, saying things that are untrue about a God or some other powerful entity in charge is often met with death and or torture as a kindness. I understand that this might seem weird to you, but that is the law of the multiverse; power is everything.” Thalindra said, her face growing hard towards the end, conveying the severity of her words.
That’s...something. We have equality in my world, where all are equal. We’ve advanced as a society to not follow the law of the jungle anymore. Archie replied, taken aback at the harshness of her voice.
“Equality means nothing. It never works out, no matter the race or time. Once a being gains power, their word is law. Tell me on your planet, are there Kings? Money? Non-sentients? If so, then you cannot tell me that there is not a separation in power within your world. Kings signify a superiority in terms of status, beings with money flaunt their superiority over those who are poor and do the sentient beings care about the opinions of non-sentients, even though with the system they eventually become fully sentient.” Thalindra said, her voice raising towards the end.
Archie paused, staring into Thalindra’s eyes silently as he took in everything she said.
She wasn't wrong.
Some countries do have dictatorships, rich flaunt over the poor in every country. All three of those were different forms of power and segregation, the law of the jungle never left. Hell, even social media follows it.
No, you are right…I guess I’m just realizing that the law of the jungle still existed in society; I never realized it before. Archie said, backing down from his defensive attitude.
“That is alright, many newly integrated universe beings end up learning the hard way that power is above all,” Thalindra said with an understanding tone. “Keep that in mind as you progress down your Journey.”
“Nevertheless, would you join the Nature’s Covenant? We welcome all who have a Nature Affinity and provide resources to all members.” Thalindra asked once more.
I doubt that they offer them for free, to all members. Archie inquired, he didn’t believe that he had anything much to offer for a membership, especially one on a multiversal scale.
“Of course not, all members can do quests made by others within the covenant and get rewarded with usually points which can be exchanged with resources. Unless you have a patron within the covenant who can shower you with resources, which I might be able to help you with.” Thalindra answered with a wink.
How so? Archie asked, intrigued about getting potentially free resources to help him out. But suddenly a realization came to him, I’m getting a sugar daddy?
Thalindra blinked, owlishly for a few moments before covering her mouth and looking away, her shoulders shaking. After a good minute, she turned back to face Archie. “Ahem, my patron within the covenant is the god, Bralmir the Forgefather, the greatest smith as well as the greatest father in the multiverse. I shall grant you an item and once you leave the dungeon, break it. It shall inform both my father and my original body of what I recorded, including this conversation and If I’m alive I become your sponsor, else my father will.”
Wait, what did you mean by if you’re still alive? You’re right here, in front of me right now. Archie asked, just now realizing what she said.
Thalindra chuckled a bit before saying, “I am a soul imprint, created for this dungeon to interact with those who have completed the dungeon and provide them a reward. As such I do not know anything my main body has done after my creation.”
After a light pause, Thalindra continued, “My imprint’s body masks my current grade with that of an F-Grade, this is the only reason why you are not crushed by the weight of my aura. Another reason as to why equality is not truly possible is that those with lower racial grades instinctively view themselves as lesser to those with higher racial grades.”
Nodding to her words, Archie did a mental recap before responding, Alright, I guess I can join the covenant so long as I am not forced to do anything.
“The covenant has two types of members, inner and outer members. Outer members only have to follow the basic etiquette rules, such as no killing within the covenant's domain and they must complete quests to gain points. While inner members of the covenant gain both responsibilities and rewards. Such benefits include point multipliers per quest difficulty and various other rewards. But the responsibilities vary between raising a few plants and committing genocide on the enemies of the covenant.” Thalindra explained calmly, gaining an owlish look from Archie.
Seeing such a look she continued, “This is a common thing among all factions throughout the multiverse.”
I think I’ll stick with the free membership when joining, Archie replied. I don’t think I’m ready for such a commitment yet.
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“Excellent!” Thalindra replied, producing a green orb in between her fingers.
Archie attempted to Identify the orb but was met with nothing.
Smiling at Archie’s attempt to Identify the marble-like object, she answered his unspoken question; “This was created by a B-Grade crafter, so you cannot observe it nor use it, however with assistance from the system based on an agreement with Yggdrasil and the system it can be used by you once you leave the dungeon.”
Thalindra passed the green orb to Archie, and Archie rolled it around his fingers for a bit before placing it in his spatial ring.
What cycle do you remember last? Archie questioned.
“The 23rd cycle,” Thalindra responded with a wistful look.
Oh, wow. The system said this is the beginning of the 72nd cycle, Archie replied, shocked at her answer.
Thalindra closed her eyes with a complicated expression on her face upon hearing Archie’s words.
Archie felt uncomfortable realizing that everyone Thalindra loved was probably dead by now, probably her original body as well, and he was the one to tell her.
I apologize for my words, Archie said while looking at the bright white ground. I have a habit of talking out of my ass.
“It is all right, I appreciate your concern…Please pass me the orb, I wish to add a few things to it.” Thalindra softly spoke while opening her eyes.
Sure, Archie said as he took out the orb from his spatial storage and gave it back to Thalindra.
Thalindra started to channel something within the orb causing it to gain a molten red hue, that perfectly mixed in with the original green color, producing a golden color.
After a bit of channeling, Thalindra passed back the orb to Archie, who in turn placed it in his spatial ring.
As soon as Archie put away the orb, he gained a system message.
Gauntlet Challenge Dungeon
Objective: Survive ✔
Reward: Mask of the Jungle (Epic), Nature-Attuned Class Skill Book (Uncommon), Transmission Orb (?)
Archie then saw motes of light start to appear all around him as well as from Thalindra.
“It’s been nice speaking with you Archie; I wish you luck on your Journey,” Thalindra said while she started to slowly disappear into motes of light.
Thank you! It was great meeting you, Thalindra! Archie shouted as everything around him started to glow gold and then a bright flash of white encompassed his vision.
“Oof!” Archie produced as he found himself launched from within the portal and ten meters away from where it previously stood underneath the snow.
Looking up Archie saw the cloudy night sky.
Getting up, Archie took out the now golden orb from his spatial ring and rolled it between his fingers.
Archie then placed pressure on the orb with his fingers and it easily shattered, creating a scene he would never forget.
Upon the shattering of the orb, a beam of gold emerged from the broken orb and pierced the cloudy night sky, to reveal the stars hidden behind the clouds.
The beam lasted for only a few moments before vanishing.
Archie continued to stare at the place where the beam previously shined, for he was still in awe. That beam was the most ethereal thing he had witnessed throughout his whole journey through the tutorial.
“A craftsman made that in B-Grade? And all it does is relay information?” Archie said as he stared into the night sky wondering what he could potentially be making when he reached B-Grade.
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High atop a towering mountain, where the winds bite with cold fury and the sky is painted with streaks of storm clouds, a massive being stood within a cave, staring at a frozen-over forge. At the top of the forge was a framed core that had the color of a dark green that was cradled in between rich mahogany roots, that emitted a warm glow.
A being with eyes that glowed a dim fiery-orange color stood, fixed in front of the frozen-over forge. The being’s tree-branch-like horns spiral outward like ancient oaks, dripping with glowing moss, swaying gently despite the harsh winds. Runes pulse across the twisted wood of his horns, their red-orange glow beating like a heart, casting flickering light against the walls of the cave. His beard—a wild tangle of braided vines—embedded with chunks of ore and vine.
The being’s body appears to be formed from spiraling wooden tendrils that shimmer with veins of molten bronze, moving with heavy precision. The cracks between the tendrils reveal glowing embers that pulse like molten rivers beneath the bark-textured surface of his body.
Beside the being is a massive hammer, half his size in length, and an intricately crafted tool, that looked to be perfect for forging and war. Its handle looked to be made from living wood, strong yet flexible, adorned with vines and leaves that seemed to shift and grow with every swing. The hammerhead's surface was etched with runes that pulsated with untold power. Veins of ember trailed across its form, not unlike the ember-like veins atop the being’s body.
The being exhaled through its nose, producing a large puff of steam, and turned its body intent on leaving the cave.
Just as the being was about to leave the cave, a golden orb appeared in front of it.
"Hmm, what is this?” the being said, its deep masculine voice reverberating throughout the cave and brow furrowed. His gaze lingered on the strange orb until a flicker of recognition softened his expression—an aura, familiar and unmistakable, pulsed gently from within.
In an instant, the orb was nestled in his massive right hand, with a subtle breath, he sent mana through his fingertips. Motes of light spiraled upwards from the orb, tracing their path into his forehead.
As the motes entered his forehead, his dim fiery-orange-colored eyes widened.
A singular orange-colored tear fell across his cheek as he inhaled deeply, the weight of old emotions stirring within him. The tear landed on the ground and melted straight through the stone of the cave.
"Thalindra…my child…even after death you try to comfort me,” Bralmir muttered, his voice filled with emotion. “I did not deserve you…”
Looking out the cave and staring at what seemed to be a random place within the stars, he observed a human male running down a hill with a smile sprawled across his face.
Bralmir sent a surge of mana throughout the multiverse that rocketed toward the 72nd universe to join the multiverse.
"For providing me the blessing of hearing my daughter’s voice once more, I shall provide you a blessing of my own,” Bralmir announced, heading back into the cave.
Gazing at the green core entwined with mahogany roots, he felt his resolve harden, his dim fiery-orange eyes and the embers that trailed across his body ignited themselves, turning into something akin to magma. Bralmir grabbed the hammer that stood beside him, its veins of magma igniting at the touch.
Walking out of the cave, Bralmir rubbed the cave’s side before vanishing.
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Archie was running down a hill when his body suddenly cramped mid-run, causing him to miss his footing and tumble down the hill.
Sprawled across the snowy ground with scrapes covering his midsection, Archie stared in confusion at the system prompts that suddenly appeared mid-tumble.
*Blessing Granted*
Blessing of the Forgefather (Moderate):
Granted by Bralmir, the Forgefather, the one who paved the forging Journey for all the myriad races. You have proven your worth through the eyes of the Forgefather as such you gain his blessings. Through your connection with Bralmir, the strength and endurance of the Forgefather flows within you. Grants: +5% Strength and +5% Endurance. Enhances all records & Opens many Journeys for you to venture down.
“Is this what Thalindra said when she would help me out?” Archie looked at the system prompts in shock, a smile growing across his face. But that smile quickly vanished as he realized what the blessing meant.
Thalindra was dead.