Chapter 2: The Peculiar Black Monolith

The use of innate talents was instinctive. Ain simply willed to use Scan, and some of the aether in his body was automatically consumed. Just like the previous instances, data emerged in his mind, organizing itself neatly.

[Name: Prismatic Void Stone]

[Aspect: Void]

[Rank: Rank-1]

[Description: A stone originating from the Ink Domain. A Rank-0 Ink Revenant is sealed within. Injecting aether into the Prismatic Void Stone will release the Ink Revenant while transmitting an unknown signal.]

The manifested data was no different from earlier. Ain’s knowledge of spirit masters was limited to some commonly known facts. Spirit masters could form contracts with spirit pets and cast astonishing spells. They also required meditation techniques to condense an aethercore and reach Rank-0.

As such, Ain had difficulty grasping some of this new information. Nevertheless, he still discerned something of grave importance. There was a creature sealed within the Prismatic Void Stone, and releasing it would send out some sort of signal. This unknown signal was a source of concern. Where did it send the signal? Was it related to his past? Was it dangerous? These questions were the ingredients in the soup of confusion stirring within him.

As for what an Ink Revenant was, that was also unknown to Ain. However, Rank-0 sounded a little weak. For a moment, he’d also reached Rank-0. But learning that an unknown being had always been so close-by was still a bit unnerving.

He suddenly felt a sense of unfamiliarity as he held the Prismatic Void Stone. The black stone, as Ain had always called it, was his companion since childhood. In the orphanage, other kids would fight for the scarce toys while he only cherished his black stone. Discovering an utterly foreign side to it now welled up uncertainty inside him, and a hint of hope.

The hope was due to its potential link to his past. A regular stone only held sentimental value, but this Prismatic Void Stone was far from ordinary. Along with Heavenly Secrets, Ain felt himself inch closer to his forgotten past. The expectations for the future were reignited, filling him with warmth in this frigid landscape.

Ain pondered on the Prismatic Void Stone’s description while simultaneously observing his surroundings. The desert in his vision seemed endless, forming a horizon with the sable sky. A hazy radiance was formed by the brilliant stars reflecting off the rain of white sand. The only anomaly in this desolate world was a dark monolithic silhouette visible in the distance.

Of course, what he noted most critically was the lack of danger. However, this action was introspective, highlighting a mistake for him, “I should’ve scouted for danger first…”

Ain realized that his usual city-vigilance was insufficient outside. The slums weren’t a wondrous experience like what was before him. The unknown possibilities here could be much worse than what he’d encounter in the slums.

“I’ve figured out a few things, but still, where am I? How do I leave?” Ain pondered after gathering his wits. The large silhouette in the distance seemed most promising, but the journey to it still seemed daunting. His safety wasn’t guaranteed during the long trek.

At this moment, information appeared in his mind again, courtesy of Wisdom Root.

[Quest: First Step]

[Description: Reach Rank-1 and form a spirit pet contract.]

[Reward: Heavenly Whisper x1]

“It’s the quest again…” Ain thought back to Wisdom Root’s third ability – Issues quests to guide your spirit. “Is this meant to guide me now? Can I leave after reaching Rank-1 and contracting a spirit pet?” Ain paused and contemplated seriously. His trust in Wisdom Root was fundamental. It was his innate talent, after all.

“The meditation technique from the stone monument is clear in my memory so reaching Rank-0 isn’t an issue. But it has no mention of reaching Rank-1…” Ain furrowed his brows when he recalled the mediation technique. Were meditation techniques even required to reach Rank-1? Maybe they were only necessary to condense an aethercore. But even if that were to be the case, Ain still lacked the relevant information.

“If this quest is meant to guide me, then it’s not doing a good job of it…” He muttered in a low voice. After briefly considering things, Ain refrained from moving and took a seat on the sand again. Rank-1 was out of the question, but reaching Rank-0 only required him to recondense his aethercore. It wasn’t difficult with his previous experience.

With his eyes closed, Ain gradually submerged himself in a tranquil state of mind. The meditation technique occupied his thoughts as he urged the aether within, encouraging a refreshing stream to begin flowing through his body.

Aether was scattered throughout his body, much like free-flowing vapor. The stream controlled by Ain’s will, with strained effort, originated in his chest, commencing its sacred pilgrimage. It followed the pathways indicated by the meditation technique, outlining mystical patterns throughout. The stream walked past his head, rested inside his internal organs, and climbed along his limbs. Its ultimate destination was still its origin, his chest.

The stream was akin to a magnet, attracting the free-flowing aether along the way. After completing its journey, the small stream transformed into a raging river, threatening to erupt out of Ain’s governance. Beads of sweat adorned his face as all his concentration was siphoned by his efforts to control his surging aether.

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Although he’d already experienced this once before, the pressure and difficulty didn’t seem to lessen. The aether gathered into a point, requiring Ain’s constant attention to suppress it. With another thought, the second pilgrimage commenced to supplement the first.

Days seemed to crawl past, but in reality, only fifteen minutes had elapsed. The meditation technique had circulated a few times already, and a mystical bead had almost condensed in his chest.

One last time! Ain subconsciously gritted his teeth, completing the final circulation with much effort. The stream of aether returned to its origin and merged into the spherical phenomenon. With a silent explosion, the surrounding air seemed to tremble as the surging aether gradually reached serenity.

In his chest, a radiant bead hovered in place, existing in a metaphysical plane.

The aethercore was successfully condensed!

“Phew!” Ain let out the breath that he’d held unconsciously as a small smile crept up his mouth. “I’ve reached Rank-0 again.”

The free-flowing aether within his body was now gradually converging at the aethercore. Along the way, some of it seeped into his flesh and blood, transforming his physique.

Ain hadn’t fully experienced the changes brought upon by the advancement last time. He basked in the rejuvenating and empowering sensation for a while longer before exerting force in his arms.

“I think my physical strength has increased a little…” Ain muttered softly. He examined a bit further but failed to discover additional changes. The next step should’ve been to reach for Rank-1, but he lacked the method to do so.

“I can leave the quest for later. I need to know where I am first.” Although that was Ain’s intention, the barren surroundings complicated the task. Or inversely, it could be said to have made it easier. The undulating dunes of white sand were only exceeded by the monolithic silhouette in the horizon. It was the most instinctive destination in his current predicament.

After a few seconds of hesitation, Ain firmed his resolve. He hadn’t discovered any other options, so the journey was unavoidable. The rain of white sand had gradually ceased. He turned to face the monolith, taking his first step on the glimmering white sand.

When his foot grazed the sand again, Ain’s vision suddenly dimmed as if a march of clouds had concealed the sun. Ain’s eyes simultaneously widened as goosebumps crawled along his spine. Because at this moment, the vast expanse of white sand had been suddenly replaced by a pitch-black wall.

Adrenaline immediately surged in his veins as Ain turned around and bolted. However, this sprint only lasted momentarily. The scenery as he ran back was the familiar white expanse, and the sky above had brightened once again. Maybe it was due to Wisdom Root, but he formed a likely conclusion soon after his brief escape.

Ain paused to look behind. He was farther away now, affording a better view of the black wall. “It’s the monolith…” He mumbled in shock and disbelief when his conjecture was proven true. His mouth hung open as he craned his neck to trace the monolith’s peak. He then moved around to search the horizons but failed to discover the sight from earlier.

“It really is the monolith from before.” Shock was still prevalent in his heart, but Ain collected himself swiftly. His appearance in this desolate world and Wisdom Root were already mysterious, so it wasn’t too much to add another item to this list.

Ain’s thoughts churned as he thought of a possibility. He quickly moved roughly half a kilometer away from the monolith. Facing his destination, he enacted what he did previously. Just like before, his vision abruptly shifted, and he found himself before the black monolith again.

“I see! If I have the intention to come here, I’ll be teleported here automatically.” Ain repeated this small experiment once more with identical results. He sighed in amazement at the strange phenomenon. It was unlikely for him to experience this if he hadn’t become a spirit master.

Amidst his wonder, Ain’s natural vigilance hadn’t diminished, and neither had this occurrence altered his plan. He circled around and arrived at a semicircular entrance he spotted earlier. The entrance protruded from the monolith’s wall, enclosing a radiating gray vortex.

Ain readily recognized its appearance as a portal. “This should allow me to enter the monolith… or even leave this place.” He pondered. While deep in thought, Ain failed to notice a slight change around him. However, it soon grew in magnitude, finally attracting his attention.

“Hmm?” He peeled his eyes away from the portal to glance around. To his surprise, he saw the air around him filled with white sand. Right under his incredulous gaze, more and more sand left the ground and headed up into the sky.

At this moment, a sense of weightlessness also struck Ain as his feet left the sand. With some panic, he grabbed ahold of the entrance’s protruding edge hurriedly. As his feet were raised into the air, his eyes naturally turned away from the black monolith, and what he saw left him utterly flabbergasted and fearful.

“What is happening now?!” Ain watched on as, what seemed to be the entire world, was gradually uplifted and began ‘falling’ towards the sky with thundering roars. Oceans of white sand left the desert at a devastating velocity, hurtling towards the black canvas above.

The vicinity of the monolith also suffered a similar fate, albeit a bit delayed. Glancing down, the floating granules were growing denser as some even crawled up his shirt as he floated upside down anchored to the entrance. At this point, white sand drowned his figure, threatening to drag him along. The friction from the tiny particles shrouded him in a tearing sensation. Only one solution seemed viable at this moment.

I need to leave! Ain invoked his newly obtained strength with astonishing vigor, aiming for the portal. When he reached a prime position, he snapped his muscles forcefully, propelling himself into the gray vortex that was barely visible.

When Ain entered the portal, nihility became the law. The deafening roars of the desert were no more and the same for the frenzy of sand. The sole color in his eyes was darkness. Only the thumping heart in his chest, akin to a boisterous drum, rooted him to reality.

However, this sensation was fleeting, and Ain reached the portal’s destination soon after. When his feet touched the floor, he first noted the firm push, unlike the soft sand from before. When his vision recovered, he found himself in a magnificent hall with a ceiling that he estimated to be at least thirty meters high.

The entire hall consisted of an azure marble, with thick pillars running along its sides. The walls and pillars were a masterwork of intricate designs and etchings, exhibiting numerous mystical creatures. At set intervals, there were brilliant sigils of an hourglass. Upon closer observation, the white sand within seemed to be flowing ever so slightly.

Ain had arrived at the end of this hall, his back facing a wall. Vigilance was apparent in his form as he appeared, but he was still awed at the exotic sight, nonetheless.

After a brief inspection for safety, he moved forward unhurriedly while wondering, “What is this place? Is this inside the monolith?” Seconds ago, when the entire world seemed to be falling towards the sky, only the monolith had remained unfazed. That could explain the tranquility here. Of course, Ain couldn’t rule out other possibilities.

These were just some fleeting thoughts. He quickly put them aside and focused on the sights before him.