CHAPTER SIXTY SEVEN

You can get to the core of an issue but be lost

~

Automated System Message

Mana incompatibility is increasing

Chances of natural integration decreasing

All subjects aware of this message seek an Admin

System scans must be performed for updates to begin

This time the message made Twig feel much closer to something

Like every step would bring him nearer to understanding

And finally, after walking until his feet were sore

Suddenly, he felt like he needn't walk anymore

In front of him appeared another little spark of light

Then another, flickering like little stars at night

Twig held out his hand and thought of trying to catch one

When suddenly a little spark shone brighter than the sun

Blinded for a moment he fell back onto the ground

Then when his sight had returned, he slowly looked around

He found himself in a big room of bricks made of grey stone

The floor was tiled but covered in layers of dust and bone

The stone brick walls and pillars were engraved with strange patterns

Nothing like the natural face of the rock caverns

And in the middle of the room, a gem-like stone now shone

As dignified as the pedestal it rested upon

The glowing stone vibrated slightly then began to dim

And Twig noticed its light began to only shine on him

He stood up and approached it, feeling warmth in its faint glow

Something other than warm feeling greeted him though

Core Message

It’s been a long time since someone could resonate with me

I wonder how the System allowed this to come to be

Let’s have a quick look at you and see what this could mean

Don’t mind me while I take a look at your status screen

Twig read the words carefully and mostly understood

And hoped this thing could help explain his status if it could

Then, beside the stone, Twig saw his status screen appear

Still as strange as ever and still far from being clear

~ xxmx: Txxx ~

xxxxx: xxxxxxxx

Stolen novel; please report.

xxxxx: Pxxxxxx

xxxx

[x]

xxxxx

[0]

xxxxx

[x]

xxxxx

[x]

xxx

[0]

xxxx

[x]

xxxxx

[x]

xxxx

[0]

Xxx xxxxx xxx xxxxxx xxxx xx xxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxxx

Xxxxxxx xxx xxxxxxxxxx xx xxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxx

Xxxxxx xxxx xxx x xxxxx xxxx xx xxx xxxx xxx xxxxxx

Xx xxx xxxx xxx Gxx ox Txmx, xxx’xx xxxx x xxxxxx xx xxxx

Core Message

This should be impossible after the last update

This screen’s not compatible, it should be lost, but wait

No, if the old gods had gained access to you somehow

That might explain how your screen is still that colour now

“Is the colour special? How about the hidden text?”

Twig couldn’t decide what questions he should ask it next

He wanted to know more about the messages in red

And why a guardian deity still wanted him dead

Core Message

I guess it’s been quite a while since the update occurred

That’s the strangest question that I think I’ve ever heard

This is basic System Knowledge anyone should know

I sure have been dormant for a very long time though

In frustration Twig looked at the message from the core

Not unsure what he wanted to ask it anymore

“Tell me how to fix it and get a new deity

How do I stop letting gods control my destiny?”

Core Message

Gods controlling destinies? That doesn’t sound quite right

All a god has reason to do is help heroes fight

If your god is holding you back, I cannot guess why

It seems the System has let a lot of things slip by

“Please, just tell me what I need to do to fix the screen

How come it’s all hidden, why can’t my levels be seen?

Why do the gods hate me, I’ve never done any crime

And why did those strange gods say to seek the God of Time?”

The air suddenly froze, as if the cave itself was scared

Reacting to the final words that Twig had just shared

The mysterious stone’s light seemed to glow more anxiously

And Twig only had time to take one step back cautiously

System Message

Verbal confirmation has been given at this time

Awareness of an unsanctioned entity is the crime

Update will be carried out without further delay

Deletion of all local entities now underway

Twig stared at the System Message until is was gone

Then looked back to see the stone’s like now angrily shone

“What does it mean ‘entities’ will soon be ‘deleted’?

Why is that a word that so often gets repeated?"

Core Message

Why'd you have to mention that old adventurer here

Now the both of us are soon going to disappear

What that means is you're aware of the impossible

And your fate is now completely inescapable

Achievement: Could this be it?

Could this really be the moment I've been waiting for?

Thanks to this weird rock you can't run away anymore?

I'm not sure what it just told you but I do not care

The system's finally coming, so don't you move from there

"Twig what are you doing here, what is this place you've found?"

"Who knew there were ancient ruins so far underground…?"

Leaf and Sky appeared abruptly in the entranceway

Just in time to see what the System next had to say

System Message

Two entities noted and confirmed for deletion

Update will commence after the next calculation

Please stand by and do not interfere with the update

There is nothing you can do to undermine your fate

~