Chapter 188: The Journey So Far

After quietly roaming around the city for a while, checking shop after shop to find something interesting to enjoy, he finally learned the name of the area. It was Verrant City. Located in the Western region of the Human Empire, it was famous for its runes and artifacts. Alen could see runic artifacts placed in each and every shop, functioning as air conditioners, light bulbs, freezers for storing cold objects, and many other everyday things.

All of the items were imprinted with runic magic, a specialized form of magic which gives the object a bizarre power and protection, upgrading the original item’s level several times over.

If we take a normal barrier formed for protection as an example, applying runic magic over it would make the barrier far stronger than a normal one. Similarly, if we take a standard artifact, runes can be used to imprint new features onto it, making it a far superior version. It can even be said that the artifact actively evolves through runic magic.

It is even possible to imprint a literal affinity for the ’Laws’ of the ’World’ into the artifact. But that is incredibly difficult and near impossible for most of the normal Ascenders to achieve. From ancient times, several of these powerful artifacts had been made by legendary beings. They had either been passed down through prestigious families through generations, or had been forgotten somewhere around the world.

It is also possible that some runes were deactivated because specific conditions weren’t met. Even to use the artifact, the user needs to possess that specific affinity for the ’Law’ of the ’World’.

If the person using the artifact has zero affinity for the specific law, then the artifact might backfire on them. Or it will simply deactivates, it will become nothing more than an empty shell with no actual power, as it requires the user’s affinity to power the rune.

Some powerful runic artifacts also have side effects, which may be mental or physical. It is not mandatory for every artifact to have side effects, but some specific, world-bending ones definitely do.

After wandering through the whole city and feeling mentally drained from finding nothing interesting, Alen decided to take a short rest. He sat on a wooden sidewalk bench under the shadow of a tall building. Looking at the warm, bustling atmosphere, he couldn’t help but feel peaceful. But for some reason, even that peacefulness began to affect him.

’Now that I think about it, whenever I return to Asterion from the Ascension Realm, I always fall into some kind of trouble...’

’On my first time, I was lost on where to go and what to do. Then I met the policeman named Kailas who guided me to Principal Clara, and that shit old woman told me a few useless things. I also participated in the tournament where I met L, who schemingly ate my food. I still feel regret about losing that match. But whatever. In the second trial, I met that naive lady, and when I returned from the Ascension Realm, I had to face several embarrassing moments because of her, including her tantrums...’

’After my third trial of Stage 1, I met the grumpy boy Zane. And when I returned after that trial, I literally got to meet the ’Supreme Sage’, one of the beings who was able to reach Stage 7 of the Ascension Realm. What was his name again? Sigh... I forgot again. Damn, I have a bad memory for remembering names.’

’Then I got to meet the notorious spirit, my little weapon, who was actively planning to scam me but later became my bond. Then I had to attempt the fourth trial, as there was no option left to cross the realm to reach Asterion except by engaging in it. I still don’t understand what the exact mechanism of the Ascension Realm is, and why it only transfers me to Asterion. Why not some other planets which are also linked with the Realm? But my thoughts remain just thoughts, as there is no one around to answer my questions...’

’So after attempting my fourth trial, I again met the former mysterious guy L, who was hiding his identity. During that trial, we also met another companion, Ava, who was a brand new mystery we couldn’t solve. She was a centuries-old lady, but she looked exactly like a girl in her early twenties. After passing that trial, we again faced trouble because of that guy named Kalos, who held a grudge against L because of some tournament incident...’

’After that, I entered my last trial with L, or more appropriately, Lyris. We passed through the whole Spire with much difficulty and were finally able to reach the very top. That was the time I actually learned about Lyris. I am still curious about her and what her real story is. But it is her decision if she wants to share that with me or not; my role is limited to being a temporary companion. I am still indebted to her because she taught me various techniques without any selfishness or expectations...’

’Even during my journey through Stage 2, I faced various troubles like battling with several Walkers and meeting Sylvia Veridius. It was the moment I truly realized that my life is a constant wave of troubles and incidents. But truthfully speaking, I don’t feel even an ounce of hate or disappointment for it. Rather than living a life of pure peacefulness with nothing interesting to enjoy, I would prefer having trouble and facing different trials. At least that way, I won’t just be ’existing’ around. Making friends, getting into a relationship, making a family, and living peacefully is a later story which everyone expects to live in the end. But right now, the primary thing I have to do is become stronger, to become the best version of myself, which I wasn’t able to become in my last life.’

’Even if I die while achieving that dream, I have no regrets while walking this path. I am giving my absolute best up to now. Success is a later story, but giving my best is the finest thing I can do.’

’I chose this path not because anyone wanted me to, but because it is my own will. So I will continue to walk this path until the very end of my life.’

He closed his eyes, letting the warm city breeze brush past his skin, under his cloak.

Suddenly, a piece of paper flew out of nowhere and slammed directly onto his face.

He immediately raised his hand to throw the trash away, but his movement paused midway as he held the pamphlet and read the text.

’Wait a second. This is the exact place where I wanted to go! Wow, perfect timing.’

A wide, excited smile curled up on his lips. He stood up, stretched his stiff body, and began to walk in the direction he had passed through earlier, heading straight to the location where he might find exactly what he was looking for.