Extract from the -{ Tome of the ‘Forgotten One’ }- Divine scripture of the Church of the ‘Forgotten One’.

"Amidst the swirling currents of destiny, glimpse the shadows of a forgotten betrayal that birthed the falsehood now threatening existence. Await the arrival of the chosen one, destined to untangle the web of lies." (The Abyssal Prophecy 3:7)

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A pang of jealousy flickered across Asher's face as the system lavished praise upon the two horrors. The emotion was fleeting, quickly replaced by a warm swell of pride and relief. His companions were thriving, carving out remarkable paths for themselves in this strange new world.

Jormu and Inky, eager to reconnect with their master, moved towards Asher. As they approached, they noticed his face grow pale, suddenly remembering the vast difference in their size and mass. With a thoughtful gesture, they released a swirling mist and inky black haze around their bodies. Their imposing forms shimmered and shrank, replaced by miniature versions that clung to Asher without overwhelming him.

Jormu now resembled a small, white dragon, no larger than a house cat. Her body was pearly white, adorned with delicate red horns reminiscent of a deer's antlers. The once-ghastly blue mane had transformed into a soft, fuzzy line of white fur that ran from her head to the tip of her tail. Inky, on the other hand, took on the appearance of a plush octopus toy, its body an impossibly deep shade of black that seemed to absorb light. Despite its squishable exterior, there was an unsettling emptiness to its touch, as if it wasn't truly there.

"This isn't my real body," Inky explained, his voice a whisper that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. "Unlike Jormu, who can truly shrink, my physical form remains hidden in your shadow. This is merely a puppet, connected to my consciousness."

Jormu chimed in, her voice a melodic trill. "And I'm not fully here either. This is my spirit form – half spectral, half corporeal. I can shift that balance at will, becoming invulnerable to physical attacks by turning completely spectral."

Asher's brow furrowed. "What about the Wraith? Where is it?"

Jormu's eyes gleamed with a predatory light. "I consumed it. It had grown too weak to be of use. Don't worry, though. I'll find a more capable servant soon enough."

A wary smile played across Asher's lips as he contemplated the rapid growth of his companions. 'I guess the "lord" in their descriptions isn't just for show,' he mused, a mixture of pride and trepidation swirling in his chest.

Seeking a moment of respite, Asher lowered himself to the forest floor, the loamy earth cool against his skin. The air hummed with an unfamiliar energy, thick with mana that made his skin tingle. Exotic plants swayed in a breeze he couldn't feel, their vibrant colors unlike anything he'd seen before. As Jormu and Inky nestled close, Asher's mind raced, processing all he had learned during his period of unconsciousness.

"So, we're in a completely different world?" Asher's voice wavered slightly, the full weight of their situation settling upon him. He had expected – hoped – to wake up on Earth, but once again, he found himself cast adrift in an alien realm.

Memories of his family surged unbidden, threatening to overwhelm him. Asher closed his eyes, taking deep, steadying breaths. The scent of unfamiliar flora filled his nostrils, grounding him in the present. He knew why he was here – it had to be connected to the mysterious "sponsor" and the contract he had so recently signed.

Just as Asher was about to open his status window, Jormu and Inky began excitedly sharing more information about their surroundings. They recounted skirmishes with local beasts, describing them as weak and unawakened. More intriguingly, they mentioned spotting humans in the distance – hunters, all clad in identical black robes with brown belts.

A cold tendril of worry snaked through Asher's gut. "Jormu," he said, his voice low and urgent, "I need you to scout the area. We need to secure a safe location before we do anything else."

Jormu nodded, her form shimmering as she projected a spectral version of herself. The transparent dragon soared silently through the forest, its keen eyes taking in every detail.

Upon her return, Jormu painted a vivid picture of their surroundings. They were situated in a medium-sized forest on a broad mountain with two distinct peaks. To the south lay a settlement with buildings reminiscent of ancient Japanese architecture. As one left the central forest, a medieval-style town sprawled out between the peaks. The northern part of the mountain was shrouded in dense forest, eventually giving way to sharp peaks and deep valleys.

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Asher's pulse quickened as Jormu described what she had seen on the northern peak – a serene lake and a solitary wooden cabin. The description stirred a memory, harkening back to the place where this journey had begun. The cabin where he had first awakened, surrounded by a blood-red forest under nine ominous moons.

"We need to investigate that cabin," Asher declared, his voice tinged with a mix of anticipation and dread.

As they trekked northward, Jormu suddenly let out a pained gasp. "What's wrong?" Asher asked, concern evident in his voice.

"I tried to scout the southern peak," Jormu explained, her voice strained. "But I sensed powerful presences there. I had to disperse my projection to avoid detection. It... stung a bit."

Asher's hand instinctively moved to comfort the miniature dragon. "Are you alright? Do you need a soul crystal?"

Jormu shook her head, her eyes closing as she rested on Asher's shoulder. "I'll recover soon. It was a basic projection."

As they neared the cabin, an oppressive stillness settled over the group. The air grew thick and heavy, as if reality itself was holding its breath. Asher's heart hammered in his chest as he approached the weathered wooden door, memories of his first encounter with this place threatening to overwhelm him.

'I'm not alone anymore,' Asher reminded himself, drawing strength from the presence of Jormu and Inky. 'I have to be strong – for them, and for the family I must return to.'

With a deep breath, Asher pushed open the door. It creaked ominously, the sound echoing in the unnatural silence. The cabin's interior was just as he remembered – sparse and empty, save for one chilling addition.

Opposite the entrance stood a grim steel door, seemingly detached from any wall. Skeletons with mournful expressions clung to its surface, their bones etched with dull black and white patterns. The aura of death emanating from the door was palpable, filling the air with an otherworldly chill.

Asher felt an irresistible pull towards the door, his feet moving of their own accord. Jormu and Inky, still clinging to him, had fallen into a trance-like state. As Asher's hand reached out to touch the cold metal surface, clarity suddenly returned to his mind. A series of system prompts flashed before his eyes:

[ Contracted quests have been accepted by Asher Whitlock ]

[New quests:

1: Climb the tower of Fortuna's Folly.

2: Help the soul custodian clan regain its status and strengthen it. ]

[ According to the contract's terms, failure of the tasks will result in the death of the contractee ]

The weight of these new objectives settled over Asher like a shroud. As his fingers hovered mere inches from the door's surface, a single thought echoed through his mind: 'What have I gotten myself into?'

Asher then selected the quests separately to see their details.

[ Quest: Climb the Tower of Fortuna's Folly

The Tower of Fortuna's Folly stands as a testament to ambition, betrayal, and the capricious nature of the divine. Crafted by the greatest artisan to ever master the intricate arts of arcane rune inscription and celestial blacksmithing, its very existence is shrouded in myth and tragedy.

Legend speaks of a time when the 'divine' commanded this nameless architect to construct the Tower of Eternity, bestowing upon him temporary access to the sacred creation system. But power, as it often does, corrupted the architect's noble intentions. In secret, he used this divine authority to forge a replica of the Tower of Eternity, driven by motives known only to himself.

The 'divine', ever-watchful, sensed disturbances in the flow of creation. Enraged by this betrayal, the deity struck down the architect, condemning him for his folly of greed. Yet the tower remained, a shadowy twin to its celestial counterpart. It was forever condemned to be sealed.

During the cataclysmic war between light and darkness, the tower was lost to the void, vanishing from the tapestry of reality. The 'divine', seeking to erase all traces of this embarrassment, commanded Fortuna herself to sever all ties of fate binding the tower to the realms under divine purview.

Now, in a twist of cosmic irony, the Dusk’s Herald has beseeched Fortuna to allow the tower to re-emerge from the mists of oblivion. Your task, should you accept it, is to scale this impossible structure, reaching its zenith to prove that Fortuna's acquiescence to the Dusk’s Herald's request was not, in itself, an act of folly.

As you climb, you'll face challenges that defy the laws of nature and magic alike. Each floor is said to be a realm unto itself, shaped by the architect's fevered imagination and the residual energies of divine creation. Remember, the tower is more than a physical structure – it's a manifestation of ambition, betrayal, and the eternal struggle between order and chaos. Your ascent is not just a test of skill, but a journey through the very essence of creation itself.

Current floors cleared: (0/10) ]

Asher's mind reeled as he contemplated the magnitude of the task before him. The description offered no clues about the tower's location or how to access it. A chill ran down his spine as he wondered – would he have to venture into the void itself to find this mythical structure?

Seeking further, Asher turned his attention to the second quest.

[ Quest: Revitalize the Soul Custodian Clan

In the aftermath of the great war between light and darkness, a figure of immense power and wisdom emerged – the Soul Custodian. This enigmatic being, in the twilight of their existence, founded a clan destined to safeguard the delicate balance between life and death.

For generations, the descendants of the Soul Custodian carried out their sacred duty with unwavering dedication. They became the silent guardians of the realm, their very presence a deterrent to those who would disrupt the natural order. The clan stood as a beacon of hope and a bulwark against chaos, maintaining equilibrium among the orthodox sects and waging a relentless war against forbidden practices that threatened the cosmic balance.

Their methods were esoteric, drawing upon ancient wisdom passed down through the ages. They wielded powers that blurred the lines between the physical and spiritual realms, allowing them to perceive and manipulate the very fabric of existence.

But even the mightiest of trees can be felled by a persistent wind. An unnamed calamity befell the clan, causing their influence to wane and their numbers to dwindle. Now, this once-great lineage teeters on the brink of extinction, their legacy in danger of being lost to the annals of history.

Your task is to breathe new life into this fading clan. Uncover the secrets of their past, rediscover lost techniques, and attract new disciples worthy of carrying on the Soul Custodian's mission. As you progress reshape the clan's structure to face the challenges of a changing world.

The Dusk’s Herald, recognizing the importance of this clan to the cosmic balance, has taken a personal interest in their revival. As you reach various milestones in the clan's restoration, you'll receive rewards directly from this enigmatic entity. These boons are separate from the inheritance that was promised in the contract, adding an extra layer of incentive to your noble quest.

Remember, the path ahead is fraught with danger, political intrigue, and moral dilemmas. Are you prepared to shoulder the weight of such a monumental task? ]