I groan as I open my eyes. What the heck happened? Last time I checked, Wind, Yuri, and I were trying to get through the
Hang on...
"WIND!!!" I scream as I get up from the ground and look around my surroundings. "Wait, where am I?"
I notice that instead of a wall of trees, I’m in some sort of room made of gray concrete walls and a floor. In front of me is a pair of large closed stone doors and behind me is an altar and another pair of pairs behind it. It doesn't seem like there are handcuffs or bindings around my wrists and ankles, but looking around, I can't seem to find Wind or Yuri anywhere. Even if I scream their names, it seems like there are no walls or anything that might hide either of them. Only an altar stands behind me. I try using my whisper feature on my friend list and tap Wind's name...
> [NOTICE]
>
> [You are not allowed to use this feature at this time.]
I thought so. I try walking around the room next. I'm still bound by that [Guardian Player] feature with Wind, so knowing the system, there is no way it will ignore it.
Although, a few minutes pass and no notice related to it shows up. Odd... Did something happen to it? I look around for answers, even tapping Wind's name and the [Guardian] feature on the dropdown menu. When I did, a new window appeared and I gasped at what it said.
> [NOTICE]
>
> [Please note that while you are required to play alone for this [Hidden Quest], your [Guardian Player] will keep track of your status for the duration and the settings they’ve provided will still be up per the game rules.
>
> However, they have no right to stop the [Quest] nor leave their current location unless the minor experiences any mental issues during this segment. Player discretion is advised.]
Seriously?! They’ve allowed me to take on this [Hidden Quest] alone?! Not only that, they’ve managed to separate me and Wind by bypassing the feature that’s supposed to protect me from scary stuff from players and whatever it is (though it did say the child protection settings are still up). Now I feel lonely and scared... What am I going to do now? Whatever this [Hidden Quest] is, I have a feeling I won't able to escape here without completing it. I can't do it without Wind. I can't...
[Oh? Are you giving up already, young one? We haven't started the ceremony yet.]
I gasp when I hear a new voice right behind me. I quickly take out my [Prototype Crystal Staff] (I'm relieved that I still have my equipment and weapons with me) and aim it behind me. But I stop to see an old man wearing a brown hooded robe and a wooden staff that you might see in fantasy novels, films, and tabletop RPGs. I'm taken aback at his sudden appearance, but seeing that he doesn't look hostile or aim his staff at me, I slowly lower my staff. Sure, that might be a dumb move considering he suddenly appeared out of nowhere in a room that I can't seem to get out of. But I want to give him the benefit of the doubt.
"U-Uh... Sorry..." I apologize. "I'm just completely lost. One minute, we're in a forest with my brother and friend. The next thing I knew...I’m alone in this strange place..." I swallow hard, knowing the next question might be a bit blunt for me to ask an old man like him. "Did you kidnap me?"
From the looks on his face when I ask him, he doesn't seem to be horrified nor not care (or apathetic as Razul calls it) about my well-being.
[Well, I understand your concerns about your current situation, Kazu. But I assure you, I summoned you here because you accepted our call.]
"Call?" I ask. "I didn't get any calls or mysterious voices in my head lately."
Other than the quest window, I didn't seem to hear anything other than that library incident where I got the book. But before that, I realize something else...
"And how the heck did you know my name?!"
Ever since I started the conversation with him, I’d never said my name in front of him! Heck, I doubt NPCs could see my name above my head like the other players.
[Let's just say I have a special ability granted by the gods. As for your summons...] I watch the old man raise his arm and point at my chest. [I recall from the Seer that you accepted a certain hardcover book, correct?]
My eyes widen. I quickly take out the said book and show it to him. "You're related to that Seer I met a while ago?"
To my surprise, the old man nods his head and says, [More like an old apprentice of mine. You may call me
"Progress? What kind of progress? And what is a [Sign Sage]?" I ask.
[We are Sages who study under the Signs created by the Gods,] Sentio explains as he removes his hood, revealing his long pure white hair, something I’d never see from someone his age. [In other words, we are [Insignis] sages following the original paths our ancestors set out for the world. As for why you are here, your desire to discover the mysteries behind the Seer's book has led you to accept a secret invitation we added to see if you have the qualifications to take the ceremony.]
"Okay. And what is this ceremony you've mentioned?"
[It would be better if I show you.]
I watch him tap the tip of his wooden staff on the ground and before I know it, the walls around us started to glow with white runic-like letters. Before I knew it, another white light flashes in front of me. When the light fades, I open my eyes and gasp to see that I’m not in the bleak dark room anymore, but in the middle of a city or town, which I could quickly guess is not
"What is all of this?" I slowly ask.
When I turned around, I gasp in surprise to see Sentio appear behind me as he walks forward with his eyes still seemingly closed.
[What you are seeing is a ceremony that I conducted two years ago in a little country of
"Sig-natio?"
I hear him chuckling next. [It's where [Insignis] call home. It's not a large kingdom like Lucidus, but it is sacred for a reason. There are some of our kind who left home to explore the world or spread their knowledge in other kingdoms. This is why we have [Seers] to search for young wayward [Insignis] such as yourself to ensure the heritage and culture of
Really? I know that it might be the race's [Storyline Bonus], but I’ve never expected that I would have to encounter this story so soon.
"So the book I was suddenly given..."
[Is an invitation or rather, a test to see if you were curious enough to learn more about our culture. In reality, the ceremony is somehow secret outside the country and we have to make sure it is observed in secret to ensure the young one's safety. That's why we had the help of the
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
An invitation, huh? I look at my book again and to my surprise, the details of the book have suddenly changed.
> [Book of Presence]
>
> [A hardcover tome that was given by the Seer of Eyes. Owning this book and discovering the secrets behind it gives you the right to perform the Sign Creation Ceremony.]
So this is the true name of the book. But hang on...
"Guardian..." I hum at that term. Then, I gasp, realizing what he means. "So you mean you knew Mr. [Bai Hu]?!"
[That's right. The old coot told us of your achievements in
This time, I chuckled next, albeit sheepishly as I scratch the back of my head. "Well, we can't say no to saving someone's home when it’s in danger. It's natural for us to help someone in need, even if they are non-humans."
[Well, your good deeds have not been forgotten. Same with your brother's.]
"Y-Yeah..." I decide to change the subject a bit, especially regarding the part he just said. "So you said I'm half-[Insignis], right? I don't look like one since I have white hair and everything."
Well, it's because of character customization, but I rather not break the 4th wall and the immersion itself.
[Yes, we heard rumors that there was a young [Insignis] mage roaming around with a [Human] hunter at
I freeze when he mentions this. Did that news even spread around to the NPCs as well?! I’ve figured a lot of time has passed since that embarrassing incident!
"R-Right... And about the ceremony, what is it all about, and will my brother, Wind participate in it? And what about Yuri?"
[Right... I almost went off-topic there.] Sentio then clears his throat. [The [Sign Creation Ceremony] is a ritual where a young [Insignis] must undertake a small journey to create their very first [Sign] once they turn 10. It's very important to our culture as it represents individuality and the start of their journey throughout
"Really? That's awesome!" I said in glee, glad that Yuri won't miss out on the festivities.
[As for your brother...] My smile drops when I heard his voice turn a bit grim when the topic of Wind comes up. [We're a bit perplexed by him since unlike you, he mostly has [Human] than [Insignis] in his blood, yet [Bai Hu] also gave him his blessings as well.]
Perplexed?! I don't know what that means, but it sounds bad.
"Does that mean Wind won't do the ceremony?"
[No, he won’t. However, we did decide on another ritual in mind for him. Fear not for his safety, Master Kazu. I assure you that he will leave the ritual unscathed regardless of the results.]
I sigh in relief. But I hope he does pass it, though. I don't know what his ritual is, but I don't want him to fail the [Hidden Quest]...
"Well, he better pass it! I know Wind and knowing him, there's no way he’s gonna fail because of me! I have high hopes he will succeed the same way I will!"
Sentio chuckles again. [Well, don't be too confident in your skills. I trust you that despite the enhanced security for the ceremony, you must keep a vigilant eye on your surroundings. I hope you keep that in mind later on.]
"I-I will!" I say with a nod. "So what should I do first?"
The sage stretches out his hand to me and the locked book in my hand suddenly opens right in front of my eyes, revealing strange symbols that glow on all of the pages.
[That book contains the cipher system used for these special ceremonies for the outsiders. The [Symbol Speech].]
"The...[Symbol Speech]?" I repeat in confusion.
[You did recall how you were suddenly able to communicate with Bai Hu, correct? That's the [Symbol Speech], a special cipher language created by the [Mana Nexum] and the Guardians themselves,] Sentio explains. [Normally, we hand over books in the Common language, but since you seemed to be special, I had my apprentice give you that [Symbol Speech] version to test your capabilities as a mage.]
So that explains why! I'm guessing that book Bai Hu gave Wind must have helped him communicate with him without me.
[As for your first task, you must create your own pen for creating your first [Sign]. To do that, you must do what you normally do as an [Adventurer].]
What I do...as an [Adventurer]... I hum in thought about the task and soon realize what he means.
"You mean gather materials and make them with my own two hands?!" I exclaim. "But I already made one before I crafted my tomes. Is that enough?"
[I'm aware of it, but it's not enough. This isn't like any other character you’ve written before, Master Kazu. Creating a [Sign] requires more Mana and an ordinary pen will break it if an attempt is made with it. I recommend rarer materials to craft along with special ink made alongside it. The book should give you plenty of information in its bestiary. It can also teleport you to its habitat, though searching for it is up to you. Of course, the altar behind you will serve not only as a rest area in case you're exhausted but also double as a crafting area. As long you're careful around mana this time.]
I feel the strength in my legs start to waver when I hear all of this from Sentio. "Are you not going to give me hints on what kind of pen should I make?"
[If I do that, it won't be a test after all. Independence stems from relying on yourself and not too much on others. Besides, I think you have an inkling of an idea on your first pen. All I'm asking is that be yourself and don't let anyone say about where you came from and the talents behind it.]
"My...talents..."
He might be right. Not only did I create two awesome staffs on my own without using a crafting menu, but I’ve managed to master making tomes with some hints from the strange mage from [Force Blade]. If I really want to be strong like Wind, then I have to do so without relying too much on him.
But when I look up, I gasp to see Sentio's legs starting to fade as he continues smiling while looking down.
[Oh? Looks like we're out of time, Master Kazu.]
"Out of time?! But I still have so many questions, Sentio!" I call out.
[It's alright, young one. We will be watching your progress from afar,] Sentio tells me in a calming tone, similar to Mom's when she assures me everything was alright. [We wish you the best, Master Kazu. May the Gods smile upon your favor.]
With that, I watch him disappear in thin air, leaving me alone at an empty altar behind me. So it's all up to me now, huh? I'm a bit nervous about this, but if I want to finish this quest, then I have to step on it. First things first, I check on my new [Quest] through the menu.
> [Hidden Quest: Sign Creation Ceremony ***
>
> You have accepted to be part of the special ritual for the young [Insignis]. To complete the ritual, you must follow the traditions set upon you and never diverge from said path. Doing so will cause the quest to lose its meaning. Good luck and may the Gods smile upon your favor.]
So that's all it says, huh? Guess I really need to be creative with this one. With no recipes beyond the usual ones I have so far, I have to think about what kind of pen I want for my [Sign]. Regardless, I can't stay here and think about it for too long. The first thing I need to do is to get what I need first and go from there. Looking at the book in hand, I see that I should get some feathers first, the most essential material needed for a pen and I know what kind of monsters will drop them. I tap on the habitat that is displayed on the image and true to Sentio's words, the portal suddenly appears right in front of me, seemingly leading me into a jungle.
"Alright, I can do this," I say to myself while gripping my staff tightly. "Wind, Yuri, I will succeed. So wait for me, guys!"
Once I say these words, I step into the portal to start my hunt for feathers.
----------------------------------------
> Current Quest: Sign Creation Ceremony ***
>
> Type: [Hidden]
>
> Status: In Progress
>
> Party Members:
>
> [Kazu]
----------------------------------------
Kazu's Masteries
[Arcana] Level 20
[Thunder] Level 18
[Wind] Level 15
[Alchemy] Level 18
[Magecrafting] Level 15
[Magical Affinity] Level 19
[Scribe] Level 18
[Earth] Level 6