Derek gasped in disbelief as he read the System messages. Suddenly, the die on the ground started to rumble and the air around it began to vibrate, releasing a dark blue aura that formed a key.
"[You have obtained the 'Crystal Key']," the System announced.
Derek looked at the crystal-colored key in his hand, unsure of what it was for. As he examined it, information about the key appeared in front of him.
"[Rank: Ancient. Classification: Miscellaneous]," the System read out loud.
Suddenly, he received another message from the System.
"[The Jar of nothingness is reacting!]" it exclaimed.
Derek's heart began to race as he read the next message.
"[The Crystal Key can be combined with the Key of Eternity, the Key of Infinity, and the Key of the Void]," the System revealed.
Derek felt his luck turn and his mind raced with possibilities. It was almost too much to take in all at once.
"What should I do?" he whispered to himself.
Suddenly, another message appeared on the screen.
"[The Mistress of Twilight is highly suspicious of your supposed-to-be-rotten Luck]," the System warned.
"Suspicious...? I smell something here," Derek thought to himself as he looked at the System messages.
It seemed strange that the Mistress of Twilight was both suspicious of his luck and also advising him to combine the four keys.
"I won't be surprised if the Goddess knew I would get a key. It's not impossible... after all, these items came from 'Her,'" Derek mused.
Without wasting time, Derek retrieved the "Jar of Nothingness" and the three keys from his Dimensional Inventory acquired from the Ancient Treasure Chest in Chaos.
As he examined the four keys, he noticed their distinct physical features.
The Crystal Key was plain and transparent, the Key of Eternity had a small infinity symbol, the Key of Infinity was on fire but didn't damage anything physical, and the Key of Void exuded a dark aura.
After a moment's hesitation, Derek pressed the "Yes" holographic button on the screen, causing the items to be sucked into the Jar of Nothingness.
The jar began to wriggle mid-air as the items were combined.
"[The Crystal Key, Key of Eternity, Key of Infinity, and Key of Void will be combined! The combination of materials is in harmony with each other! A specific item will be given!]" the System announced.
Derek felt a sudden surge of energy as he met the untold requirements for the specific item.
"[You have acquired the 'Chaos Key of Ascension']," the System declared.
[The Chaos Key of Ascension was a mysterious key with the power to unlock seals placed on the Mistress of Twilight.]
[It was said to precede the beginning of time and could be used to access places such as the "Ascension Training Grounds", the "Chaos Tower", and the "Void Chambers". It could also unlock any normal door or locked treasure.]
[You have acquired something that is extremely coveted by some gods and demons!]
[The presence of the "Chaos Key of Ascension" has been completely concealed from the prying eyes of some Constellations with your Trait: Nihility!]
[You have acquired the Title: Holder of a Chaos Key of Ascension!]
[The Title: The One Who Witness the Impossible, The One Who Saw the Night up Close, and Holder of a Chaos Key of Ascension are in harmony!]
[The effects of the titles have been unlocked.]
[You have acquired the Title: Resident of Chaos.]
...
[Resident of Chaos]
[The Night of Primordial Chaos] considers you to be a resident of Chaos.
Rank: Forbidden
Effects:
– All Variable Stat increases by 20
– Chaos Power increases by 100
– Enhanced proficiency of Chaos-related "passive" skills by 100%
– Amplifies the power of Chaos-related "active" skills by 100%]
...
Derek couldn't help but feel excited as he went through his inventory, checking and double-checking all the items he had acquired.
The Mistress of Twilight had been quiet lately, making him wonder if he had somehow offended her with his actions. But he knew better than to question the System's motives.
As he prepared to visit the "Ascension Training Grounds," he felt a sense of anticipation and curiosity.
The Chaos Key of Ascension was a powerful artifact, and he knew that he had to use it wisely.
He was also aware that he couldn't rush into a Void chamber, as he was still unsure of what to expect.
Derek sat on his bed, lost in thought. He knew that he had to be cautious and patient. "Fear of the unknown is better than curiosity," he reminded himself.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to push away his excitement and focus on his plan.
In this world that he somewhat designed, Derek knew that venturing into some place without prior knowledge and preparation was tantamount to suicide.
It's one of the dumb ways to die in the world where Constellations, System, Strayed, and Tower Dungeons exist.
Apart from being oblivious to the, their ranks were high… Even if it's not labelled as "Void", Derek wouldn't dare to raid one with himself.
[Void Chamber]
Chambers that were created by the [Mistress of Twilight] on a whim a very, very long time ago.
[Choose the Void Chamber to be accessed:]
Lair of the Rabids (C)
Fog of the Willow Tree (C+)
Desert of Wandering Stars (B+)
Tomb of the Lost (A)
Forest of Nothingness (A+)
…
…
…
Derek sat on his bed, lost in thought. He knew that the Mistress of Twilight had created countless Void chambers, but he didn't bother checking them all.
He was more focused on his own growth and how he could improve his stats.
With his increased Growth Rate, he calculated that he would be able to go to the Lair of the Rabids (C) in a few months if everything went smoothly.
However, he was hesitant, knowing that he still had a long way to go before he could face the challenges of the Void Chamber.
The unpublished novel he had written weighed heavily on his mind.
Despite his concerns, Derek knew that he had to stay focused. He had the Ascension Training Grounds at his disposal, and the Chaos key of ascension would grant him access to any dungeon he wished.
He had to make the most of his resources and work hard to increase his stats.
Sitting on his bed after sorting everything out in his Dimensional Inventory, he took out the True Key of Chaos as the System reminded him again of his Trait: Nihility.
In the holographic screen in front of him, he checked the information about the Chaos Training Grounds as he held with his right hand the True Key of Chaos — a majestic key that depicts the sea of stars.
[Ascension Training Grounds]
It was a place that had been used by the [Night of Primordial Chaos] during "Her" boredom or if "She" wanted to train "Her" swordsmanship.
– When using the Ascension Training Grounds, the player will benefit from the following:
1. Stamina Regeneration increases by 500%.
2. Mana Regeneration increases by 400%.
3. Chaos Power regeneration increases by 300%.
4. Growth speed increases by 200% (2 times).
5. You can set the time difference between your world and the Chaos Training Grounds: Minimum Time Difference: 1 is to 3
Maximum Time Difference: 1 is to 31
6. You cannot die in this place.
…
After reading the Chaos Training Grounds information, he recalled what he asked about with the Mistress of Twilight… If he could bring more people to the Chaos Training Grounds,
And he received a positive reply, though he needed to use to the person he wanted to bring the Unique Skill: Chaos Buff (EX) he received.
It would grant them the Trait: of Chaos, making them compatible with Chaos Miasma, or else, without it, they would suffocate or become something unimaginable and die.
"10 P.M…., I guess it's still alright to try it."
Checking the time in his smartwatch, he muttered softly. Although it's been a week since he acquired the Chaos key of ascension, it's only at this time that he would attempt to enter the Ascension Training Grounds.
"This is it! Whoo…"
He stood up from his bed as he felt a myriad of emotions; elated, anxious, and excited.
Prepared with some cheap meals he bought earlier, along with Dimensional Water Bottle (30L) he bought at Player General Store — Derek thrust the Chaos key of ascension through space, and then a crack appeared as though the space was made of fragile glass.
He looked at the dark blue Portal that appeared before him which depicted the deepness of the night, as well as the starry sky.
Then, he slowly walked through it as the dark blue Portal which resembled a galaxy of stars, sucked his entire being as though he became formless.
[You have accessed the Ascension Training Grounds.]