While Lynn was thinking, his confused mind suddenly sensed a strange but powerful energy. He felt as if there was a force field around him, crushing his body to death. He felt like he was being held in a death like choke-hold.

Where am I? Am I dead? Is this heaven or hell? Lynn asked himself curiously.

He tried to open his eyes to look around him, but he couldn't open them. Instinctively, he took deep breaths and tried to calm himself, but realized he couldn't breathe at all. He was shocked and confused and began to struggle, but his arms and legs seemed to be tied to something around him. They still couldn't stretch out.

While he was struggling, he vaguely heard a voice. The voice sounded so close and yet so far away. He was really shocked beyond words.

After several long minutes, his mind gradually calmed down, and he gradually gave up the fight. He unconsciously moved forward, looking in the direction of the vague voice.

He tried to move forward, thinking that if he could break free, he would be able to see what was happening. If he hadn't died, maybe he would go and find his girlfriend and the two of them would have a great time drinking together.

As he gradually regained consciousness, Lynn suddenly thought of the explosion at the gas station and the bloody looking corpses flying in the air.

Did he die in that explosion? What are these sticky things sticking around? Is it blood or fat? He kept wondering if he was dead or insane.

He tried to scream several times, but could not open his mouth. He couldn't help but feel greatly uneasy. It was as if his body or perhaps his soul, was being transformed in a terrible manner. He struggled for a while, until suddenly, his body became light. It was as if he had escaped from the deepest part of the Amazonian jungle.

He immediately reached out his hand and tried to grab something, but he caught hold of nothing. He tried to open his mouth, but spat out some of the liquid which appeared to be blocking his throat.

Immediately afterwards, he coughed violently and finally realized he could open his mouth. He couldn't resist taking a greedy breath of what seemed to be fresh air. He tried his best to open his eyes, but couldn't open them.

A vague voice reached his ears, but Lynn couldn't hear it clearly. So, he gave up his struggles because his mind was a little tired.

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He had to try to open his eyes to see who was helping him. He didn't know how long it took, but Lynn felt that his eyes were finally able to open a little.

Through this gap, Lynn could only see the gray surroundings. He couldn't see anything clearly, but he could still see something moving.

Once again, the vague voice reached his ears, but he still couldn't hear what or who it was. He wanted to scream, but something seemed to be stuck in his throat again and he could only made a muttering sound.

After some difficulty, Lynn finally realized that his eyes were open. Now he could see clearly. He was cheering in his mind when he suddenly stopped.

He raised his hands up again and saw that they were nearly transparent. What was happening?

[The Unbound system activated]

[Host: Lynn Stormfire]

[Race: Human (Mortal)]

What's all these? Lynn's clouded mind wondered.

[At long last]

Then the voice in his ears became clearer and clearer.

[Welcome to the unbound realm, mortal]

What...who are you?

[I'm the Remnant. One of a kind....hm...the last of a kind]

The Remnant? Lynn couldn't help wondering if this might all have been some sort of hallucination. What am I doing here?

[You're here because you're dead]

Lynn frowned, thinking of how this strange voice seemed to know what he was thinking. How am I talking to you if I'm dead?

[You died in a fire incident, burnt to ashes. So, without any doubt, you're dead] The Remnant uttered in a form of affirmation. [I'm what remains of the essence in the crystal that's fused to your soul. That's why you can talk to me]

The obsidian crystal?

[Yes, it's what kept your soul alive]

If you don't mind me asking, why are you here?

[I'm the crystal guardian]

You're a guardian?

[Yes, I am, and once I served a powerful refiner, a divine mage. But now, only a shadow of my old self is left]

And the mage, what happened to him?

[Dead, as the dead can be. This I believe you've already guessed]

A chill ran down Lynn's spine. So, he died only to know he was going to die again?

[It was a daunting task to become a true immortal. I was with him as he traveled all over the realm, searching for the scroll of divinity] The Remnant sighed before continuing. Now that I think about it, I believe the gods were against him...]

After the Remnant finished recounting the ordeals, Lynn finally understood the situation.

All those who harnessed ether in this world were called refiners. No matter the class of a refiner, the highest level any essence refiner could reach was the Omnium level, a realm mortal.

Only if a refiner found the scroll of divinity before entering the gates of Hades, would he break through the mortal realm to become a true immortal.

[The crystal in your soul was supposed to be his way out, but....] The Remnant sighed and continued. [...my essence has been fading ever since. This is what remains of me to guide you]

[Dexterity is initiated]

[Constitution is initiated]

[Strength is initiated]

[The Twilight Skill is acquired]