Sachihiro

I lounge in the steaming pool of thick water going through the book compilation of Dao Master Jung's teachings. This is an answer to exactly the question I asked myself while seeking to answer the question of who I am. It details his understanding and strategies of how to bring more of his inner self to outward consciousness without even needing outside stimuli to bring it forth.

He derived strategies to activate the inner parts of himself life experiences has not consciously brought to bare. This, in order to bring more of his inner self to consciousness thus achieving outer realisation of his inner self. Individuation he calls it.

Mmmm...

I can use this to unlock the inner me in terms of these Archtypes he describes. Bring to realisations the inner parts of myself that already are, the untapped potential. Awaken the various aspects of my inherent inner self like the shadow, persona, anima, the self. Bring forth main inherent archetypes focused on here like warrior, mage, sorcerer, hero, villain, lover and more out of many theorized to exist.

The Dao Master postulates the unconscious deeper inner parts of me as something shared by my entire historic bloodline to the original man of early creation. A collective unconscious well inherent to all humanity there for any and all to unlock. It sounds plausible in genetic potential but how can that be true in how we experience the world?

According to Master Jung I have predispositions to behave in certain ways inherent in my blood that I share with most of humanity. Predetermined psychological reflexes as it were like fear of darkness or fright of predators. Am I understanding this right?

Mmmh...

A water bubble blooms under me traveling up my torso caressingly to pop under my chin releasing a pleasant fragrance of subtle crisp cleanliness.

I close the heavy book pushing off the wall to float luxuriously through the water enjoying the water’s feel on my naked skin, the freedom that comes with being buoyed by water all around. I let the book float next to me holding up my hand to test the enchantment on the storage sack I paid 10pts for.

It flies from the side of the pool to my hand easily under the enchantment. I catch the pouch without issue. Not bad.

Reaching inside I grab the stone I bought easily without having to rummage around as I bring it to mind. The pouch expanding into a sack and retracting as I insert and extract my hand with the egg shaped stone in hand.

For washing the label said.

I let the now retracted pouch float next to the book, dipping the stone in water I run it across my body.

It digs deep into my skin, scrubbing with a smooth foamy substance exfoliating deep bringing dirt, oils and flaked skin I didn’t know I had out to the fore.

I scrub my entire body, the rock’s texture changing continuously depending on which part of the body it’s run across. Some places as smooth as soap others rough, scraping fricticiously against my skin.

Somehow spirit-body lightens as I get clean, spirit aura coming to bare without conscience effort as though leaking. It fills the area of my awareness passively, who I am coming out naturally with no burning pain or effort of will from me. To care for the temple is to enrich the spirit, care for the material body is eflected onto the spiritual.

Spiritual energy fills me inwards to outwards. No struggle to maintain it, no forced association between the physical and spiritual that burns a phantom burn within my body. My spirit is truly my own, calm and at peace within and without fitting perfectly with my flesh in synchronous harmony for the first time in what feels like forever.

My Awakening is more than just a physical manifestation of improvement. I have searched myself, maybe only the barest part of myself Master Jung describes as the ego. But I have searched myself and come out the better for it, more whole and secure in what it means to be me.

I have Awakened twice as it were. Physically and spiritually, there is an alignment between those parts of me now that I’ve never before enjoyed. Is this unique to me or are all Awakened Kings similarly blessed with inner growth? Is inner realisation the prerequisite to 3rd tier or would I eventaully Awaken without introspection into the self?

Mmmm, let me find out. I look within the orb. Finding a relevant scroll I start reading up on the thoughts and experiences of those that Awoke before me.

*

Pleasantries

It has cost you 20pts to have me write you this letter so I’ll be brief. The eye is usually used by level 1 to 3 members to accrue points and quickly returned.

As a level 5 member there are resources at your disposal that could be used to circumvent it’s more invasive glances. I have taken the liberty of providing a skill scroll that circumvents spirit scrying for you to practice.

It is important to study and practice this skill as soon as the orb has been passed along, not while it is within your possession. At which point a less invasive orb, more appropriate to your level may be purchased.

You are more important to the library than you realise. The resources at our disposal are vast but we lack agents to help spread out reach.

The library hasn’t been this blind and out of date in an age. A state of affairs that will be rapidly changed thus opportunity to accrue points amass is unprecedentedly laid before you as one of the first agents.

Do not be deceived into laxity by the speed at which you have currently accrued points. It is the new and original that the library values most, very little is new or original to our vast archives.

Thus, points are hard to come by, usually. Strike fast and true while the iron is hot.

This letter is written in ink made from the blood of a Argus giant and is beyond the eye’s gaze.

At service:

Mooletré

I didn’t expect this letter, I appreciate it.

Two things immediately stand out. The orb of Argus is as invasive as it feels and I need to get it replaced, should I do that immediately? No.

I look within the orb and through it I check the catalogue of similar library objects that can be purchased. There, a tiny palm-sized crystal ball used by level 5 members to remotely communicate with the library.

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

I purchase it at 50pts. I’ll claim it before I leave this place. I’ll pass along the orb of Argus as soon as the opportunity presents itself.

Also the letter emphasizes accruing points. I check how many I have remaining.

290 points.

I upend everything in the sack there at the side of the pool.

A bedroll, a rock, potions, a bodysuit, a rug, books galore, two full length transportation mirrors covered with a security cloth, a large round shield capable of flight. Six one use spell scrolls that need only a mote of mana to activate.

Greater Healing Scroll

A spell of healing when activated will restore it’s targeted subject to full health.

I got six of those as soon as I saw them. I’ve been frugal with my points until I see the equipment they have in store for me. I’ll empty out my points before I leave this place though.

I put everything besides the bodysuit and a mirror back in the sack. It takes a few minutes to work out how to put it on but it fits comfortably, elastic material I’ve never seen before. Tough yet flexible, not constrictive to movement at all.

I move around a bit, jumping between the pillars pushing off with hands, doing some summersaults between the pools.

This clothing feels nice on my skin, but how will I take a shit?

I stand upright one of the mirrors then pull off the cover.

It’s beautiful.

I look at myself and can’t help but be impressed with the image gazing back at me in a dark blue full body elastic bodysuit. I look handsome, strong, healthy. Awakening to king tier filled me up with meat on my bones.

I’m bald still but I can feel the stubble of roots when I run my hand over my head. Not having a beard is a new experience as well but I actually look good clean shaven, fresh, young.

I flex, the bodysuit framing my muscles nicely like a second layer of skin on top of my own covering me from ankle to neck. I’m presentable enough for now but I definitely need a second layer of protective clothing. I feel naked still.

I look at my teeth, study my eyes, taking in my changed skin tone. Pale ashen but not unpleasant aesthetically. I look good. The differences may have startled me to begin with but I haven’t really lost anything overall. Recognisable as me but I’m a bit different now, not disfigured or anything of the sort but different. Still me. My face is full, no longer a gaunt visage with eyes too big for my face.

I cover the mirror again. Each cover having cost me 4 pts to purchase but a necessary security feature I feel.

"We are ready for you sir," an unfamiliar librarian says appearing between the maze of pillars amist the pools.

I nod stowing the mirror in the sack that expands obscenely to allow it in.

Making sure I’m not leaving anything behind. I follow the librarian out.

There are three librarians in the room with only Mooletré familiar to me. The walls are tiled with white transparent enchanted tiles that burst with tiny sparks here and there to my spiritually activated eyesight.

A section of the wall extends into a table on which various implements and equipment is laid. My equipment for this mission they want me to do for them.

"This is fire based Este heavy-light armour. It will stop any weapon graded below epic easily but it’s main function is to protect from fire based attacks. This should help you get close, we expect the lava pools down there to be extremely hot," one of the librarian says.

The armour is a full plate with red outlines of enchanted script that cover the plate, the ribs are covered in a black mesh where the straps are, the back is again plated. Shoulder plates and upper-thigh plates finish the ensemble. Everything is enchanted against fire and heat.

I run my hand through the pieces, feeling the metal with my vibrational senses, studying the enchantment under spiritual senses. It looks nice, rare black metal, probably grade A stuff. Strong without needing to be thick.

It’s surprisingly weighty but not to the extent that it will become a burden. They’ve gauged my carrying capacity quite well I think, I’ll enjoy carrying this weight. Use it as training weight.

The armour itself is classified as epic. The fire enchantment having increased its value though it’s made of rare and not epic material. The shoulder plates are nice, divided into three plates stacked coming right below my deltoid. Each thigh plate a single piece but concaving to hug the leg.

There are a lot of gaps I could fairly easily stick my blade through to kill a wearer of this armour. But all the easiest to reach places are covered, the gaps make it easy to move in. The black metal and red enchanting contrasting to give the armour a slightly menacing feel.

I like it.

I nod to the librarian who points at four potion vials.

"These two are potions of greater healing, in case you get injured. These other two manna restoration."

Self explanatory, I nod.

"These are sturdy boots, also fire enchanted but please don’t walk in lava with them."

Black boots that come up to my shin, a metal tip at the front and the heel that’ll make too much noise on the hard stone. Buckles on the medial side that can be strapped tight. Not for distance traveling these but for fighting.

I nod the librarian on.

A wide long cloth shimmering black is unfolded for me to see. It’s a cape, dark grey on the inside jet black on the outside. Just feeling it through my awareness makes me want to run my hand through the material.

"This cloak will keep away the cold but more importantly it will help hide you in the dark. We understand you aren’t native to the underground, this should help you be less conspicuous to the natives if you’d choose to avoid them."

I take it as it’s presented to me. Silky with tiny rubbery indentations all along it’s inseam. It has a hood that can be pulled in and out the neckline to be worn as a cloak or a cape. I’m tempted to put it in my storage pouch immediately.

I put it back, nodding to the librarian to continue.

"A dagger, uncommon A grade. Should fit perfectly in your hand."

I unsheathe it, spinning it around my left hand. Good balance.

I test the edge on my finger, sharp. About 16cm blade length, multi utility item. I sheath it and put it back.

The librarian nods at me.

"A single vile of noxious smoke, highly poisonous to any creature without poison constitution. In case you run into anything beyond you that’s likely to be susceptible. A single dose of antidote to go with it."

I nod my acknowledgement.

"Meal bars. You’ve got 16 here in this pouch, they should keep you fed for a while."

He moves on.

"Canteen, this will slowly refill itself with water when left open in air. Quicker in humid environment."

The next item is a chest, dark wood inlaid with metal gilded around the corners and lid.

"This is a gift you will present to Draug if you get to that point," the beastman librarian places an ordinary key next to it, "do not open it until within the presence of the Smouldering."

I nod.

"Three reusable wound bandages of different sizes, very helpful with bleeding but they’ll wear out with extended use."

I acknowledge.

"Rope, in case it becomes necessary. Lastly the mirrors."

Two full length mirrors are uncovered for me. They stand on the bottom of their frames without issue, stable, clear, captivating in the way they depict my figure. The librarian looks subtly different in the reflection than in person, nothing I can put my finger on.

"Only one of these is necessary, the other a backup. You are familiar with these mirrors?"

"People can travel through them with special keys."

"Yes, place your palm on the mirror."

I place my palm on the mirror and feel it 'turning on'. Figures, symbols, script appear on the glass glowing blue.

"It wants a key code since it isn’t already keyed to be activated by you. This is a manna stone, it’s placed at the back here and directs power to the mirror if, for whatever reason the frame gets damaged."

He keys the mirror in a way I can follow. Then does the other one so they are keyed to each other.

My hand sinks into the mirror coming out the other one to my left, it’s surreal.

I flex it, touch my fingers. Why not.

I walk through one mirror immediately coming out the other. It’s unreal!

Through my awareness I witness myself disappearing whilst appearing from this mirror simultaneously. This is a very convenient item.

"There is no range on these mirrors?"

"There is sir, they must be within 13000km between each other. You will set up the mirror, it’s already keyed to the library. A representative will come through and treaty with the Smouldering."

I assumed they can’t leave the library at all otherwise they wouldn't need me.

"Why doesn’t the representative just accompany me there?"

"There are extenuation circumstances."

I glance at the other librarians in the room, none saying a word.

"Right. Anything else?"

"This is all sir."

Right, I start filling my sack with loot, I currently feel too comfortable in the bodysuit to put on the armour but I’m excited to try it on.

In no time the table is clear and Mooletré is leading me out of the enchanting room.

"Mooletré."

"Yes sir."

"There is a place I accessed, before entering the library’s main entrance. It, it allowed me to realise some things. I’d very much like access again."

"Unfortunate sir no one can be directed to such places, you have to find them yourself within the libraries domain."

Right. Too good to be that easy anyways.

I still have points to spend, "take me to the Items Store."