With a mixture of excitement and a healthy dose of self-awareness, Ellis continued his funny yet genuine attempt to connect with his inner self. Whether he would find enlightenment or simply end up with a sore back remained to be seen, but one thing was certain—he was fully ready to embark on this cliché adventure within himself.

************************************************

As Ellis persisted in his comical meditation, several minutes passed without any notable progress. His mind occasionally wandered to thoughts of whether he was doing it right or if this was just a futile exercise. Doubts began to creep in, and he contemplated giving up and moving on to something else.

But just as he was about to throw in the towel, a serene sensation washed over him, and a renewed focus enveloped his being. It was as if a gentle hand had nudged him back on track, encouraging him not to give up just yet.

A smile tugged at the corners of Ellis's lips as he felt a shift in the atmosphere. The room around him faded away, and a sense of weightlessness washed over him. Slowly, he opened his eyes, only to find himself in a realm that defied the laws of the physical world.

Ellis stood there, his ethereal form bathed in a soft glow. He marveled at the scene before him—endless vistas of swirling colors, shimmering energy, and whispers of forgotten memories. It was his soul space, a realm that reflected the essence of his being.

He took a cautious step forward, testing the boundaries of this ethereal realm. To his surprise, his movements felt lighter, more fluid, as if he were dancing with the very essence of his own existence.

As Ellis ventured deeper into his soul space, his ethereal form gliding through the vibrant currents of energy, he couldn't help but notice a peculiar sensation—a gentle pull originating from a particular direction. Intrigued by this magnetic force, he followed its guidance, his curiosity urging him forward.

With each graceful movement, Ellis navigated through the ethereal realm, drawn inexorably toward the source of the pull. The surroundings shifted, the colors blending and dissipating, giving way to a void-like darkness that seemed to emanate from a central point.

There, at the heart of this captivating scene, he beheld a sight that held him spellbound—a hovering black cube, its surface absorbing all light and color, as if it were a conduit to another realm. Its presence seemed to both repel and beckon, an enigmatic presence.

Ellis approached cautiously, his ethereal form filled with a mixture of apprehension and fascination. The closer he got, the stronger the pull became, tugging at his very essence. It was as if the black cube held secrets, a gateway to untold realms of knowledge and understanding.

As Ellis's hand extended toward the mysterious black cube, his initial caution gave way to a mix of wonder and trepidation. The pull intensified, drawing him closer with an irresistible force. With a deep breath, he pressed his hand against the smooth surface, expecting the unexpected.

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In an instant, the black cube illuminated with a brilliant radiance, its once dark exterior now adorned with intricate white glyphs and symbols. They danced and swirled, cascading toward Ellis's hand like ethereal tendrils. Before he could fully comprehend what was happening, the glyphs merged with his hand, forming a symbiotic connection.

A surge of energy surged through Ellis's ethereal form, filling him with a profound sense of unity. He could sense something change but what.

A mixture of awe and curiosity filled Ellis's being.

Was this the very thing the system had hinted at when it urged him to visit his soul space? The symbiotic connection between him and the black cube seemed to affirm that notion, as if this encounter was destined to happen.

As Ellis was immersed in the symbiotic connection with the black cube, a sharp headache pierced through his mind, pulling him out of his soul space and back into the real world.

With a gasp, Ellis found himself back in his room, his physical body slumping down from the meditation position he had assumed. The headache throbbed, a residual effect of the profound experience he had just undergone. He rubbed his temples, trying to ease the discomfort, while his mind grappled with the intensity of the encounter.

As he slowly regained his bearings, Ellis couldn't help but feel a sense of longing and curiosity. What had just happened? Why was he abruptly pulled out of his soul space, leaving the floating cube behind?

Just as he thought of that, the back cube manifested in front of him demanding attention.

Startled by the sudden manifestation of the black cube before him, Ellis's eyes widened in astonishment. The floating cube hovered at eye level, its radiant presence demanding his attention. Before he could process this new development, a system notification chimed in his ears, drawing his focus to the translucent blue screen that materialized once again.

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-: System Alert :-

Merging Process Completed !!

Congratulations, Host Ellis ! You have successfully merged with the black cube, unlocking its hidden potential within your being. Prepare to embark on a journey of profound discoveries and self-realization.

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As Ellis stood there, dumbfounded by the floating cube, a mocking voice echoed in his head. It was the system, reminding him of his newfound authority to access the stats and missions tabs. With a sarcastic tone, the voice taunted him, urging him to think of stats and missions if he even had the brainpower for it.

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Congratulations, Host !! You have enough authority to access the stats and mission tabs now. Please, think of stats and missions if you want to open those tabs.

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Rolling his eyes, Ellis couldn't help but think, "Oh great, now I'm stuck with a condescending system that thinks it's all that." He pondered for a moment, fighting the urge to give the system a taste of his own insults, before begrudgingly considering the stats and missions tabs.

Reluctantly playing along with the system's mockery, Ellis thought, "Alright, let's see what pathetic stats this system thinks I possess. Probably as impressive as a snail's speed or a potato's intelligence." He braced himself for the onslaught of mediocre numbers that would surely be displayed before him.