The mystic text of the System high above in the turbulent and ashy clouds had come with a lot of information this time. Charlie had nearly leveled to Level five, [Devour] somehow almost reached Level two, and most importantly, a new {Power} appeared that was linked to the new entry under [Desecrated Thief].

Charlie was starting to worry he would never reach Level five, but it seems that even with the very few uses of [Devour], he almost there. Hopefully the random Attribute spread of the next level would increase his Vitality again, as even though he was already far stronger than before, it wouldn't be enough to face against any of the caves deeper creatures. Being able to survive an additional hit could be the difference between victory or defeat.

On that thought, how did [Devour] skyrocket in experience like that? Charlie couldn't remember what the experience percentage was exactly before, but he knew he had been nowhere near Level two. Now that Charlie was so close to leveling up [Devour], Charlie wondered what would change about it, if anything at all.

[Hollow Fang] had a minor change to it's description, and a quantifiable leap in power after reaching Level two. What would happen to [Devour], though? How does one make it more powerful? What would power even mean in it's situation? Can he [Devour] more creatures? Faster? There were too many unknowns, and Charlie decided to keep his unending questions to himself for now. There wasn't much experience left to go before he met the threshold, so he might as well wait and see.

Charlie couldn't wait any longer and dove into the new goodies he had received - not that the changes so far had been lackluster, they simply needed a bit more time before he reap their rewards. Charlie had gained something entirely new this time. Instead of a new {Epitaph}, Charlie received a new {Power}. Even understanding the difference between meanings, Charlie was no closer in understanding what made them different at their core. He was still missing key information in unlocking that mystery, but hopefully with the new addition, he might glean a new understanding.

[Worm of Envy], named after Nirina herself, the new {Power} was a mystery. It's description did not quite explain what it's intended function was. It had a Level, and a percentage number beside it to represent his experience in its use - they were both at zero, sure, but at least it meant Charlie could somehow find a way to use it. Outside of his own conclusions, the System was not silent, whispering hints of its use and providing the bare-bones of understanding.

It was hard to piece it together from what made it's way into his mind, but it didn't seem to be difficult to use in its own right. He'd put the Power into practice as soon as he awoke, and maybe the logistics would slot into place in his mind with some practice.

The new {Power} was exciting, truly, but what the System whispered into his mind about the new entry in [Desecrated Thief] blew him away.

Sorcery. The Arcane. True Darkness.

Concepts completely alien to Charlie filled his mind, unlocking understanding and bringing clarity to the experiences Charlie had undergone completely blind.

Even if the information was bare-bones, it allowed Charlie to link some of the final words that Nirina left him with and find meaning in his struggle.

Magic.

The world was filled with magic, a concept so foreign and preposterous that Charlie found it hard to believe. Yet, there was no way for him not to - he had seen, with his owns, wonders beyond comprehension so grand, that this was the only answer.

A mystical power to do and achieve the impossible, a power that could make dreams into reality and subvert all expectations of what is real all by itself. It was a power that could break the rules of the natural world, and create miracles from thin air.

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Though, nothing in this world or the last, was free. The Systems whispers were incomplete, but they were enough to allow Charlie to bridge some of the gaps with his own experiences.

Magic required a fuel, a source of power to complete miracles - Mana. It's what permeates the world, the stone, the trees, the clouds, the air and even the living. It's what Charlie felt when he connected with the unnatural shadows in the cave, it's what he felt when hidden amongst the thick foliage in the forest. It was his connection to the mystic power of Mana - his connection to Magic.

What type of Magic, Charlie could not yet answer. Sorcery and the Arcane were still merely words to him, the Systems whispers were unfortunately vague and indecipherable, granting him no deeper understand than what he already had.

Still, Charlie did not complain - finally having even a simple crumb of the truth, a measly morsel of foundation could be formed on the concept of magic. It was more than he could have ever expected, simply too ignorant of the world around him to even conceptualise these foundational truths. It allowed Charlie to view the world around him, the creatures and the humans, in a new light. It answered what the strange pull on his being had been when he overused [Hollow Fang] and [Devour] - his Mana was simply being used, converted into Magic.

Charlie wasn't certain, but the discovery of Magic and Mana might have even answered what substance his soul was surrounded with. The mysterious shallow pool of, previously thought, sacred water could have been his Mana in its physical form - made real. If that were the case, then it explained why the sensation didn't have a direct origin, and instead pulled on the entirety of his being at once. It was simply tugging on his very soul.

The more Charlie explored the thought, the more confident he became in the plausibility of the idea. He was certain that one day, he could have a definitive answer for this riddle, but was happy to put it to the wayside for now.

The final piece of information, the True Darkness, was a most curious whisper. The System, in its usual fashion, was cheap with its explanation, but it was fine. Charlie was used to unraveling the strings of clues left behind by the System and looked forward to the challenge.

Though, even Charlie could admit, the information was seriously lacking this time. All he could gather was that darkness and shadow were not the same as True Darkness. Granted he had felt the same when he first plummeted into the den of worms, as his connection with the shadows was severed right then and there. What it meant, though... Charlie found himself with another un-answerable riddle to untangle.

Charlie pulled himself away from the Systems mystic text, and made his way over to the sweet embrace of the radiant soul. He had been through a lot in the last few days, and allowed himself the simple pleasure of basking in its rejuvenating presence.

It felt healing, and in a strange sense, it felt soothing for his soul too. Charlie wondered if this, too, was some form of magic - to be able to not only see, but interact with ones soul surely was beyond normal reason. Right?

Whatever the answer might have been, it's question was quickly forgotten. The worldly worries simply melted away, and his mind was set back to a warm emptiness, devoid of all thought.

After an uncertain amount of time and with a painful sigh, Charlie unlatched himself from the sacred embrace of his soul, and took a few steps away. He knew it was addicting, he knew it probably wasn't the smartest move to indulge himself in such pleasure - but he needed it. Ever since coming to this world, his emotions had been all over the place and finding ways to manage them had been nearly impossible.

They flowed from one extreme to another, one day overcome by the grief of his previous life and then feeling nothing at all when pushed past the brink of exhaustion. Rarely did Charlie find himself able to control his emotions, so the soothing and almost resetting nature of his soul felt that bit extra indulgent. Whatever the cause was, Charlie hoped that he'd be able to reign in his extreme emotions soon, finding other ways to set himself straight without having to rely on the addicting properties of the soul.

Returning back to the Lightless Doorway, Charlie brought his mind back to when the robed man made the pen float, the ball of fire he threw at him, the robed woman unleashing the ocean of shadows from the pedestal, and finally to how the men used the shovels without lifting a finger. These were all possible due to the presence of Magic and Mana.

If they could do it, what was stopping Charlie from learning the same? Would he be able to wield the power of fire? To make objects float and do his bidding?

I guess... There's only one way to find out.

With that final thought, Charlie stepped through, and woke up.