Shortly after, the strange book vanished, leaving behind only a faint, shimmering mist that quickly dissipated into nothingness. Its brief presence seemed like a fleeting illusion, as if it had never existed in the first place.
''This... What now? What the hell is going on?!'' The man uttered, distracted at the sudden disappearance of the book before him.
And then all of a sudden, the man was enveloped by an inexplicable force. He found himself floating in mid-air, drifting aimlessly without any control over his movements.
''Wo... Woah! Woah! Fuck, what now?!'' The man's voice cracked in panic, his words tumbling out in a frantic cascade as he struggled to wrap his mind around the bizarre and bewildering events unfolding before him.
Initially, his eyes only went wide with shock as he felt himself lift off the ground. But as he soared higher and higher, his shock gave way to sheer terror. He let out an ear-piercing shrill cry, as if he wasn't a man but a lady.
The sudden occurrence made it well obvious. It was painfully clear that he was afraid of heights.
''What the hell, he is flying...'' People gasped in disbelief, each with their own opinions in the form of hushed chatter. Some marveled at the miraculous sight, while others exchanged nervous glances with their faces etched with fear.
That said, some of them recoiled, instinctively taking a step back to create some distance between themselves and the stone statue.
Still, quite a lot of them remained curious as they stood close to the statue to watch. Who knew, perhaps that thing would bring them a likable surprise? If, instead, it would only bring them harm, they figured they could always make a quick escape.
''Who wants to try next?'' Someone suddenly spoke as that sudden voice sent a ripple through the crowd.
Then all eyes turned to Jonas, the man standing closest to the statue.
His imposing presence and air of command were unmistakable, and the villagers exchanged nervous glances, their faces reflecting a mix of fear and respect for the man who seemed to rule over them.
Jonas's gaze lingered on the spot where the man had levitated earlier, his eyes narrowing as he turned his attention and memory to the mysterious book that was now gone into nothingness. A spark of curiosity ignited within him, mixed with a hint of trepidation. He was drawn to the book's aura of power and secrecy, and his desire to uncover its secrets became almost palpable.
A calculating glint appeared in Jonas's eyes as he contemplated his next move. To unravel the mysteries of the stone statue, he required willing participants. He couldn't possibly try it himself when he wasn't sure of the risk yet, right?
So, with an air of confidence and authority, he prepared to make his move, his gaze sweeping across the crowd in search of his next test subject.
''No one wants to try?'' Jonas's eyes continued to scan the crowd, his gaze lingering on the hesitant faces as he repeated his question. The silence that followed weighed heavily in the air.
No one stood to step up nor answer him. The crowd's reluctance was even palpable as their eyes darted away in unison and they collectively hesitated. Each of them waited for someone else to take the first step, their faces reflecting a mix of curiosity and trepidation.
Jonas's expression darkened, his features clouding with discontent as he sensed the villagers' reluctance. His displeasure was palpable, his eyes narrowing in annoyance at the collective cowardice that seemed to have gripped the crowd.
''You, over there! Come here!'' Jonas pointed at a random villager, his voice firm and commanding. To his joy, he'd chosen a certain nobody who wouldn't be missed or mourned, someone whose fate wouldn't stir up trouble or outrage among the villagers.
''What? Why me?'' The young man's eyes widened in alarm as he stuttered a protest, his finger trembling as he pointed to himself. A nervous smile faltered on his lips as he struggled to process the sudden summons, his mind racing with the uncertainty of what lay ahead.
Even if it was great that someone could suddenly fly away after touching the stone statue, he still didn't know the potential risks and consequences of it.
What if he suddenly fell from a high place and died on the spot? The thought sent a shiver down his spine, and he envisioned himself plummeting to the ground, his body broken and lifeless, a terrible fate that seemed all too possible.
Or how about he was brought up into the clouds, never again to come down? Another alarming possibility crossed his mind, and he pictured himself soaring higher and higher, lost in the clouds, forever trapped in a lonely, weightless existence.
No matter what, it would be a good thing if other people tried it first before him.
Kick.
But to his shock, a sudden kick from behind sent him stumbling forward. He struggled to regain his balance, as he looked up only to find himself face to face with Jonas. His imposing figure loomed over him like a giant, casting a long and ominous shadow, making him feel small and vulnerable.
''Go, you useless bastard!''
''Try and touch it already!''
Then the crowd threw persistent jeers and taunts that weighed heavily on him, forcing him to consider doing something against his will.
''No, don't look at me...'' The hapless fellow had his face drained of all color, his eyes darted wildly about, as if searching for an escape. His very soul seemed to writhe in agony, yearning to flee from the weight of the crowd's scrutiny, or dig a hole to bury himself alive.
His deepest desire was to slip into oblivion, to escape the suffocating weight of everyone's attention. But now, as a multitude of scorching stares converged upon him, his body seemed to betray him, freezing into a rigid, helpless paralysis.
Panic began to simmer beneath his surface as his deep-seated fear of facing people suddenly flared to life, threatening to consume him whole.
But before he could utter another word, Jonas swooped in, grasping the back of his garments with an iron grip. He hoisted him aloft with an effortless strength, as if he were a helpless pup dangling in mid-air.
With a fluid motion, Jonas deposited him in front of the imposing stone statue, positioning him with calculated precision. Until the unfortunate man's face was pressed uncomfortably against the cold, unforgiving surface of the stone tablet.
After a few heartbeats, a soft, ethereal glow began to emanate from his face, casting an otherworldly light upon the surrounding air. The radiance lingered briefly before parting from his face and turning into a bead of light.
Shortly after, another tome coalesced from the fading luminescence. As the book materialized, its pages revealed a message identical to the one before.
[The conquest of fear will now begin...]
[First Trial: Master's Quest]
[Conquer your greatest fear.]
Jonas didn't understand it, but the unfortunate young man's eyes seemed to hold a sudden understanding. And then, as if a certain kind of magic had been woven around him, the young man's entire being was enveloped in a strange, yellowish luminescence, casting an eerie, golden light upon the surrounding air.