The once brimming waterfall in the nameless Domain, filled with spiritual water, had now run dry.
In an instant, the river was completely drained. The cave where Jin and Albedo were began to burst with vibrant colors of light, like a rainbow blooming between the two hills. The radiant display startled Jay and Luke, who were in the mansion, unaware of Jin's Awakening.
"You dried up the spiritual river so fast, but don't worry—I have more," Albedo said.
He lifted his left hand slightly, his right hand still resting on Jin's back. A dark portal appeared, and from it, countless glowing marbles spilled out.
These were spiritual orbs, each containing a high amount of spiritual energy. They fell from the portal, yet never touched the ground.
As soon as they emerged, Albedo shattered them, releasing their energy and directing it into Jin.
This process continued for hours until, finally, no more spiritual orbs fell from the dark portal.
'I prepared ten million spiritual orbs for him, yet even that wasn't enough. It seems there's no other choice.'
Albedo had foreseen this outcome, as he could glimpse the future. But he still went through the process, needing to convince someone for the next step.
'See that, Dahara? There's only one way,' Albedo spoke in his mind to the presence within him.
"I suppose... very well, I agree," replied the dragon inside him.
'Perfect.'
With the dragon's approval, Albedo could finally begin the true purpose for bringing Jin here. He started pouring his own spiritual energy into Jin. Albedo's energy was denser and far more potent, yet Jin absorbed it all without flinching.
"Does he have a black hole for a soul?!" Dahara exclaimed.
"His soul is powerful," responded Chronola, the time dragon, who had been observing silently. "More than ours, more than even Albedo's—it might rival the Great Holy Spirit."
"Holy Spirit?! Come now, you're exaggerating," Dahara scoffed, though he knew it was no lie.
The process continued for three days. At last, Jin gave the slightest flinch, showing his first response.
"I think... he's nearing Awakening," Albedo said.
He raised his left hand, summoning a small dark portal beside him. Reaching inside, he drew out an old, dark sword.
The sword was shadowy, rusty, and fractured—so battered that even a scrap dealer wouldn't take it.
"Albedo, are you truly planning to use that?" Dahara asked, stunned.
"Yes, it's been the plan from the start."
"You can't be serious. Chronola, say something!"
"This is for the best, Dahara," the time dragon replied calmly.
"But that sword contains Chaos. Have you forgotten who was slain by it?"
"I know, Dahara."
Albedo slowly reached for the sword, hovering ominously beside him. As he touched it, his fingers began to decay.
"But we need this power for the future—to face them. Only Jin's soul can contain it; anyone else would be erased instantly."
Dahara softened, understanding the stakes.
"And what if he dies because of this?"
"He won't," Albedo said.
His lime-green eyes flashing as he remembered the moment he met Jin of the future.
****************
"Are you really a future version of him? If so, why can't I see you with my Eyes? It's as if you don't even exist,"
Albedo asked Future Jin inside the Blank Page.
"How are you still here, when the past has already been changed?"
"There's a favor I need to ask of you."
"A favor? Go on."
"I will create a soul for Jin, one that can harness the power of Chaos."
Hearing this, Albedo chuckled softly. "Really? No soul can withstand Chaos…"
Future Jin raised his hand, sending a series of numbers toward Albedo. The data entered Albedo's mind, and his calm expression shifted to one of shock and disbelief.
"Th-this is… Are you certain?" Albedo asked, his voice trembling.
"Do you believe me now?"
Albedo clicked his tongue, considering. "Fine, but what do I get in return?"
"The one thing you desire most—I will be the reason for your Enlightenment."
*****************
With a smile, Albedo plunged the rusty sword into Jin. The sword trembled and shattered into pieces upon contact, then was absorbed into Jin's body.
Jin screamed in agony as the fragments of the sword sank deeper into his soul.
*****************
Inside his Soul Realm, Jin opened his eyes. He couldn't speak, couldn't think—only see.
He saw three forms: his body, his soul, and his consciousness, each taking on a human-like shape. They reached toward one another, yearning to connect, to hold each other forever, but failing each time.
From the outside, streams of spiritual energy flowed, gently nudging them closer. Yet it was never enough for them to truly touch. The soul's weight was simply too great.
After countless failed attempts, the spiritual energy ceased. Silence settled over them—until a massive wave of dark, ominous energy surged through. In an instant, it forced them together.
At last, they touched, filled one another, and held each other close. Forming a triangle, they finally united.
Now they could become one. Now they could reach Perfect Harmony.
*****************
Carrying unconscious Jin on his back, Albedo descended the mountain. He sighed, then smiled.
"Oh, my dear disciple, we used up millions of spiritual orbs and a top-tier treasure just to get you to the Awakened state. At this rate, I'll be broke by the time you hit your first limiter."
"Don't worry—you've still got plenty of treasures," Chronola reassured him.
"I also have two other disciples to support, and they're monsters in their own right."
Albedo sighed again. "Taking on disciples is a lot more work than I expected."
Seven days passed. Jin slept the entire time in his room until he finally awoke.
"W-What happened?!"
Jin sat up, surprised to find he felt no pain. In fact, he felt more agile than ever, with no trace of sleepiness, not even the urge to rub his eyes.
Congratulations, Master. You have reached the Awakened state. You have obtained the gift: {Memories Fragment}.
"Oh, of course! No wonder I can feel spiritual energy flowing through me. Albedo must have poured a massive amount of energy in, so my spiritual energy reserves must be higher now."
He commanded the floating screen to display his status.
In response, the screen appeared, showing all his attributes and abilities.
---
Harmony Completion Level : 1
Name: Jin Asmodeus
Age: 28
Race: Human (Noble)
State of Existence: Awakened
Spiritual Energy - 48
---
Body: Greater Tempered Body
Mind: Chrono Mind
Soul: Forgotten Black Void
Will of Ascension: None
---
Traits: Undying Soul
Adaptation
Understanding
Null All
Limitless
Copy
Protection of
Stigma of Crimson
---
Paths: Path of Sword
Path of Martial
Path of Magic
Path of Illusion
---
Innate Ability - None
Unique Skill - Seer of Unseen, Equal
Skill - None
---
"Nope, still just a 48," Jin muttered, annoyed.
Master's spiritual energy has been adjusted to balance other attributes.
Jin clicked his tongue, then continued examining his status.
He started with his physique: the Greater Tempered Body. This was a strength-focused type, granting him exceptional power and durability. His mind was the Chrono Mind, an high tier that gave him heightened processing speed and the ability to think in stopped time.
"As for my soul... 'Forgotten Black Void'? Never heard of it before," he mused.
The screen remained silent. Shrugging, Jin decided to leave it for now.
"I don't have a bloodline? That's strange."
Master can obtain a bloodline through future evolutions.
Jin shifted his attention to his chosen Paths.
"I have the Path of Sword, Path of Martial, Path of Magic, and Path of Illusion—just what I wanted. Though I wouldn't mind the Path of Crafting."
He knew he didn't need it for now, as he could summon equipment directly through the floating screen.
The Paths were chosen ways of mastery. To follow the Path of Sword meant dedicating oneself to mastering the blade. Paths didn't grant instant skill but enhanced his affinity and potential within that path.
"This unique skill is intriguing. It seems similar to my Information Calculation ability—allowing me to perceive what's unseen. And then there is this.. Equal."
But what intrigued him more were the eight Traits he possessed. Most Awakened could hope to have only one.
"This Undying Soul Trait explains why I don't feel tired; it grants sleep nullification, tireless body and regenerates my spiritual energy instantly after use."
It was perhaps his most valuable Trait, granting him boundless spiritual energy, a tireless body, and freedom from the need for sleep.
"Maybe I can finally master that technique with this."
He moved on to his other Traits. Adaptation allowed him to quickly adjust to any situation, while Understanding enhanced his ability to grasp concepts with ease. Null All provided resistance to effects like poison or paralysis and everything else, and Limitless promised him endless potential. Copy allowed him to replicate abilities and techniques after a single observation.
"Combining Copy and Understanding would be a deadly combination."
Jin then reviewed his last two Traits: Protection of
"I know about Stigma of Crimson, but I'm clueless about this Protection of
He glanced at the floating screen, which stayed as silent as ever.
"Completely useless," he scoffed. "But now I understand what this is—it's a Numerical Cube."