Dante woke up to the pungent smell of hospital disinfectant, invading his nostrils. The room was silent apart from his heavy breathing and the beep-beep sound you often hear in hospitals. He slowly opened his eyes, squinting in an attempt to sharpen the blurred images before him.
''Where is this? How long have I been here?'' Dante shut his eyes, trying to recall what had exactly happened. Then it all came rushing back. The memory of it all started to occupy his thoughts.
The blistering air hit his face as he plummeted towards the hard crater floor. Crashed. He could remember the pain jolting throughout his body. It didn't hurt as much as the realization he was about to die.
He knew what Eldrid said about aiding him in escaping but he didn't trust him. But with no other options, he charged toward the dragon hoping that Elrid will have a shred of honor to keep his word. After miraculously defeating the dragon with Elrid's help, he collapsed on the scathing crater floor. A full minute later, with no signs of any form of escape presented, his slipping consciousness was suddenly lost.
'' Who brought me here?'' Out of impulse, his hand traveled across his body, with more focus on his chest region. He felt the original sword scar across his chest but no other signs of an injury. He tried to get up.
Stepping on the cold tiles, he instantly fell back onto the bed. His body was engulfed in pain as if in opposition to his decision to stand up. He laid back on the mattress, waiting for the pain to wash away. With nothing to do, he glanced around and took in the deserted, blue and white color schemed hospital bedroom. After registering his location, he attempted to get up again but to no avail.
Staring at the ceiling, illuminated with a white fluorescent light. In the silent room, he appreciated the comfort provided by the plushy mattress as opposed to his worn-out futon in his living arrangement.
Waiting for someone- maybe a hospital staff. he attempted contacting Elrid. After the series of crazy and near-death occurrences, he had a hard time believing everything that happened today. Even for a supernatural world with magic and demons, the existence of a spirit ruling a dimension that seemed as big as Earth was mind-blowing.
He still didn't know how he got here, who took him here, and how long he had been here but he knew Elrid will have some answers.
(A/N: Even though a millennium had passed since magic first appeared, the shock as a result of its existence was still new. Since most of Earth's population had no access to this supernatural and otherworldly phenomenon.)
After repeated attempts, Elrid finally replied to Dante's call. His voice resounded in Dante's head.
''Hey, kid. What is with the persistent calling? Can't an Abyssal Spirit have any silence here?'' Elrid said in an annoyed tone.
Dante was shocked as he heard the voice in his head.
'' Where are you? Why can't I see you?'' Dante asked scanning around the room.
''Are you stupid or what? Is that really what you should be asking me? Can't you see the blinking light before you?'' Elrid's voice said as he drew his attention to the blinking green light before Dante.
With his attention drawn, he focused his vision.
Right, previously he seemed to have received the so-called ''mana signature''. This could only be present if he had finally awakened.
This should have been a source of joy since he had finally awakened but the circumstances didn't allow that.
Just after the appearance of Elrid, he had miraculously awakened. He would be a fool if he believed it to be a coincidence.
''Of course. It isn't a coincidence. Just read the contents displayed on the system screen. After that, I'll explain everything to you.'' Elrid's voice rang in his head answering his doubts.
This shocked Dante because he didn't voice out his concerns but somehow Elrid answered him as if he had read his mind.
Pushing his thoughts aside, he read the contents projected on the screen.
[Welcome Back]
A set of mysterious characters started appearing on the projected green screen. The languages the characters were written in were new to Dante but he somehow understood them.
[The system is the joint manifestation of the combined soul of the host and the Abyssal Spirit.
The host has been requested to sign a contract with the Abyssal Spirit, Elrid. Will you accept?]
[ YES ] [ NO ]
[You may choose to reject this contract but the host will lose the acquired elemental mana signature]
The characters projected this puzzling information before Dante. The expression of surprise and confusion plastered on his face said it all. He called Elrid out hoping for some clarification.
''Just accept the damn thing. If I could harm you, I'll would have done it already. Just accept the damn thing and everything will be made clear.'' Elrid said in annoyance, urging Dante to select the ''Yes'' option.
After finding merit in what Elrid said, he hesitantly clicked ''Yes''.
[Congratulations on the successful conclusion of this contract. The host will be bound forever to the Abyssal Spirit, Elrid. The contract is irrevocable.]
[The host's body will be examined and evolved to be able to contain this power.]
Dante's facial features sunk as he registered the two important pieces of information. First of all, he will spend his lifetime with the hateful Elrid and secondly, which evolution was the system talking about?
Before he could ponder further, his eyes suddenly felt heavy, as thoughts of sleep weighed heavy on his mind.
[The host shall now go into a deep slumber. System merging Initiated]
With this, his vision darkened, entering a deep slumber.
____________
Twenty-three hours later
In the illuminated hospital room, Dante lay on the hospital bed as the changes that happened in the throne room occurred once again.
But this time with much more ferocity. A black aura surrounded him and devoured the waste substances excreted from his pores.
His eyes trembled slightly from time to time as if he would regain consciousness anytime soon.
[Merging complete-99%]
[Merge complete]
The floating, smoky body of Elrid appeared before him. This time his body looked a bit corporeal and his usual psychotic expression was rid off his face.
Dante opened his eyes running his hands across his body. The previous pain seemed to have disappeared as he swung his arm and moved his body in a jumping motion.
'Hmm....he has awakened it. That forsaken art from our clan, who would have thought that a halfling could awaken it? Even after all the terrifying Cursed Brands he has, the kid keeps on attracting more ominous things. Is this a good or bad sign? I hope it turns out well.' Elrid thought to himself after thoroughly inspecting Dante and recognizing his transformations.
Unbeknownst to Dante, he had unknowingly acquired Magnus' Unique Meta Trait ability and a forsaken art of the Abs race.
Once he settled down, he finally registered that he was not back in the hospital room. He found himself in a dimension surrounded by a roaring endless sea with pitch-black mist floating on top.
He discovered a beautiful pitch-black sky and storm clouds surrounded by lightning. The tide of the roaring sea seemed to change from time to time. In the center of this dimension, there is a bright silver orb surrounded by black flames.
''Hey, Elrid. Where have you taken me again?'' Dante asked with a hint of annoyance. This dimension brought back bad memories. Memories about that damn tough-scaled dragon.
'Is he really special as I thought? Or does this kid just have talent because of his genealogy but is actually dumb' Elrid muttered to himself as he felt that he had overestimated Dante based on his lineage.
''I have nothing to do with this. This is your sea of consciousness. Or in other words, your subconscious. We can discuss whatever you wanted to ask here. It is much safer than the hospital'' Elrid said.
''Alright,'' Dante replied with a bashful expression on his face. He was embarrassed that he jumped to conclusions before assessing the situation. With all the tedious and near-death experiences in a single day, he was in a foul mood.
Among many of these experiences, he could have died leaving his dreams unfulfilled.
''So how did I arrive at the hospital? How come no one has ever heard about your race before? What was the strange dimension I discovered you at? Why did I awaken just after my short encounter with you? How come...''Dante was cut off before he could ask all his series of questions.
''That's too many questions. The first two questions are irrelevant.''
''But.....'' Before he could chip in Elrid cut him off once again.
''Let me finish answering a question before you ask another.'' Elrid said as he massaged the brows on his see-through forehead.
''I will answer your fourth question first. The answer will give you some insights about the answer for the third. Basically, awakening is a general term for when any being of the world has an access to the ''Mana Signature''. To be able to access the mana signature, that individual needs to be able to use mana. Mana powers the mana signature which grants these individuals magical abilities to perform incredulous feats. Those who are unlucky, remain in their life of mediocrity under the mercy of the lucky ones who awaken.'' Elrid took a pause allowing his words to sink into Dante's memory. He needed to remind him of the cold truths of the world.
During, Dante's sleep he scanned through his memories and had an abridged but precise summary of Dante's painful life. But in the real world with much more cruelty, his painful life in just a small segment of the world didn't mean jack.
He may not have known Magnus personally but he had heard of his brutal side from tales told in his race about him. But surprisingly, with the little he deduced after seeing part of the memory of those six months, he realized Magnus didn't open up about the cruel side of the world.
Therefore he made a conscious effort of reminding the kid. Their lives were now tied together. Any misstep.....
''As you already know, there are other forms of power. With the most mysterious being the Cursed Brand. Even with my extensive knowledge about them, I haven't uncovered all their secrets. Another form of power is the abyss power commandeered by individuals of the abyss race and since you are bound to my soul, you can access that power. The power of devouring and with that power you can devour the elemental signature of any pure breed living being. Like the fire dragon, you defeated. But such an opportunity is not common due to the lack of pure breeds. But with my dimension, you can have such opportunities.....'' Elrid was saying just as he was interrupted.
A knock on the door of Dante's hospital room resounded into the room.
Suddenly Elrid's speech was interrupted as someone finally entered Dante's hospital room. Even though Dante engaged in a heated conversation in his consciousness, mysteriously his body's senses were actively functioning. With a thought, he suddenly reverted from his subconscious. He felt lightheaded for a while since this was a new experience.
A devilishly handsome man, with black hair and mesmerizing green eyes, emerged from the hallway door into Dante's room. The man's smile brightened up as he scanned the kid he had saved.
''Hey, kid. My name is Rogers and I am an enforcer in the Armed Operative Task Force.'' The man said revealing his golden badge with a double-crossed skull pinned to his white long sleeves underneath his trench coat.
''I received a call from my subordinates about an unusual activity in the Glacier Forest. I received information about a kid entering the cave that had suddenly appeared years ago. The son of a local lord wanted to arrest you for questioning until I stepped in'' The man called Rogers narrated with a smile still etched on his face.
''Okay, thanks. I guess.'' Dante thanked the man as he decided to overlook the obvious attempt in edging him to talk about what he saw in the cave. Dante kept on with an emotionless facade while in truth he was sweating bullets.
The unintentional pressure emanating from the man seemed to coerce him into submission. It didn't feel powerful and unrestrained like Magnus' but it felt much more mysterious.
''Alright, here is my Holophone number. If you need anything, you know how to contact me.'' Rogers said as he turned his back heading toward the door.
He spun around with a smile on his face asking Dante a question.
''Do you know a man called Magnus? I have been looking for him since he committed a murder five years ago. You look an awful lot like the kid stated in the report.''
''I am sorry but I cannot help you.'' Dante lied through his teeth barely maintaining his cold exterior. The tension in the room significantly rose until it suddenly....disappeared.
''Alright, I must be mistaken then.'' Rogers headed for the door, then, stopped once again. He reached into his pocket and flicked something toward Dante.
Dante caught it as he inspected it. In his palm was a silver coiling dragon token.
''That is a token that will grant access to one of the best academies. You have just recently awakened, it might be your best path.'' Rogers said as he finally left the room.
Back in the hallway, he closed the door behind him. He reached into his pocket revealing a golden token with the same design as the one he gave Dante.
''With the standards of that place, let's hope you will be worthy of this token one day'' His smile lit up with his gaze reminiscent of a man remembering his past.
In the hospital room, Dante wiped the sweat off his brows. He could not determine whether he had successfully misled the enforcer. But he knew in his heart that he had done all that he could.
Assured that Rogers will inform the medical staff of his recovery, he decided to put off his conversation with Elrid for now. He didn't want to be perceived as a mentally ill person having a conversation with the air.
After constant checks and completion of the medical procedures, he was successfully discharged from the hospital. Rogers paid his bills and even left money for him. He vowed to repay him whether he had any motives behind the gesture or not.
Right after exiting the hospital, hovering cars and tall skyscrapers limited his field of vision. The difference in the technological advancements between the slums and the city filled him with awe and surprise.
Inhaling the filtered air which felt different from the slums he grew up in, he contemplated his next destination.
With the academy trials happening in about a month, he had to keep himself occupied till that time. He needed to find ways to improve on his awakened element and find out the other changes in his body after his evolution.
With a particular place in mind, he headed towards the nearest Hunter Association branch.
*******
A month later.
After a month of constant battle in the real world and the Abyss Dimension, the aura around Dante seemed to have changed. And he had gained some distinguishing physical features.
Stepping into the teleportation circle, Dante prepared to start a new chapter of his life with the sole thought of fulfilling his dream- To become the best swordsman....
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Second Character Illustration
Rogers cuts a dashing figure, with his devilishly handsome looks, mildly wavy short black hair neatly combed back, and narrow green eyes. He stands tall, with a slim physique that adds to his elegant appearance. His outfit consists of a white long-sleeved shirt and black tie, paired with black pants, all worn underneath a black trench coat that reaches below his knees. The coat hangs loosely on his shoulders, with the sleeves flying behind him. His right hand is covered by black gloves, and his arm is bandaged. A golden badge with a double-crossed skull is pinned to his white long sleeves, adding to his mysterious demeanor.
########
(A/Given the urban setting's emphasis on modernization, I want to highlight the subtle sci-fi elements. After a millennium of mana's presence, it's natural to expect some technological progress. However, the advancements are carefully balanced to avoid categorizing the story as pure sci-fi. While there are innovations like hovering cars and hologram technology, the world hasn't progressed to the point of developing spaceships or intricate mechas.)
(A/N 2: I plan to update the character illustrations periodically. Once a character is fully illustrated, they will have an impact on the novel and the protagonist's journey. However, I've made the decision not to fully develop some crucial characters who have already begun to demonstrate their importance. This approach allows for spontaneity and flexibility in the storytelling process.)