Ith'kal's shadow tendrils coiled and shifted, as if amused by his words. The glowing eyes scattered across its form blinked in unison, casting a faint light on the chaos around them.
"You're bold to speak so freely, mortal," Ith'kal's deep voice echoed through the air. "Most would break before me, their wills shattered. But you… you stand your ground."
He struggled to understand Ith'kal's words. The creature's presence was overwhelming, shifting constantly, yet he didn't feel the fear he had expected. Was it this strange place dulling his instincts? Or was Ith'kal holding back?
"Why am I here?" he asked, surprised at the calmness in his voice.
Ith'kal shifted, as though pondering the question.
"You are here by chance—or the result of countless possibilities."
"That doesn't explain anything," he said, frowning. "What do you want from me?"
A low, rumbling chuckle filled the air, like distant thunder.
"Want? No, little one. I desire nothing from you. I am a sentinel, a keeper of this Threshold. You've crossed into my domain uninvited."
"If you're a keeper, shouldn't you send me back?" he asked.
Ith'kal's form shifted slightly. "You jest. I do not stop wanderers unless they threaten the fragile threads of existence itself. You are merely a guest, and I, though unwilling, must treat you as one."
"Bound? By what?" he asked, confused.
"The custom of the Threshold," Ith'kal explained, its shadowy form drawing closer, but showing no hostility. "I must offer you counsel, as is the way of this place. But beware, mortal. Stay too long, and you risk the attention of beings who are far less forgiving than I."
A shiver ran through him at the warning. "Then how do I leave?"
"I can send you away," Ith'kal said, its voice growing deeper, "but it comes with a cost."
"What cost?"
Ith'kal's form rippled, its presence heavy. "Let me live within your shadow. I wish to experience existence beyond this realm."
"Live in my shadow?" he repeated, unsure he had heard correctly.
"Yes," Ith'kal answered. "To witness the world through you. To know what lies beyond this Threshold."
He hesitated, considering his options. Staying here meant risking the attention of the beings Ith'kal had warned about.
"Fine," he said with a reluctant sigh. "If it gets me out of here, I accept."
Ith'kal pulsed, and the air grew thick. "Your acceptance shows strength—or perhaps desperation. Fear not, mortal. The shadows will guide you."
The space around him began to twist and swirl, like ink dissolving in water.
As the abyss collapsed, his vision cleared, and he found himself floating in the vastness of space.
[Congratulations on returning from the Abyssal Threshold. You are the first to emerge, earning the title: "First."]
[Congratulations on forming a pact with an Outer God, earning the title: "Enemy of the World."]
"You're active again?" he thought, feeling a wave of relief.
[Affirmative.]
"Why were you silent when that Outer God appeared?" he asked, still processing the enormity of what had just happened.
[The Outer Gods are powerful beings beyond reality. There was a chance they might detect my presence.]
"So, you were scared?" he said, a hint of amusement breaking through his tension.
The system didn't respond, instead changing the subject.
[You seem to have accepted your situation. I thought you might still be crying about it.]
"…What do you mean by 'cry about it'? What else am I supposed to do except accept this and go with the flow?"
As he hovered in the void, two notifications appeared in front of him. He glanced at them.
"What do these titles mean?"
[Title: First – Bestowed upon the first individual to successfully return from the Abyssal Threshold.]
[Effect: This title grants you the gift of Rebirth. No matter how you die, you will be given another chance at life.]
"An extra life," he murmured, staring at the words.
His gaze then shifted to another line that he hadn't noticed at first.
[Congratulations on forming a pact with an Outer God, earning the title: "Enemy of the World."]
"Wait... what?" he muttered, a chill running down his spine. "What do you mean by 'Enemy of the World'?"
[Notice: Interaction with Outer Gods is considered a grave taboo and an unforgivable sin. Revealing your pact with an Outer God will turn all beings against you.]
[Warning: It is strongly advised to conceal all knowledge of Outer Gods and refrain from discussing your connection to them under any circumstances.]
[Effect of the title 'Enemy of the World': The probability of encountering enemies is significantly increased, while the chance of finding allies is greatly diminished.]
He stared at the message, rereading it several times, but the words didn't change.
"So... not only am I marked, but now I'm on a fast track to making enemies everywhere I go," he said bitterly.
He swallowed hard.
"What should I do now?"
[Reassessing environment... Initiating survival protocol. You must find a safe location.]
[Displaying Status Panel…]
_____________________________
[Status Panel]
Name: [Blank]
Constellation Title: Keeper of Unseen Chains
Titles: First, Enemy of the World
Authorities:
Authority of Absolute Nullification: Nullify anything—physical, magical, or even abstract concepts like emotions.
Authority of Unseen Chains: Summon and control unseen chains that bind both the body and mind of any target, even concepts.
_____________________________
He stared at the blank name section, confusion settling in.
"Wait, wait, wait! Why can't I remember my name? What happened to the name I had in my past life? Why is it gone?"
[Constellations don't have inherent names. They are given names by those who acknowledge them. You can't remember your past name because your past no longer matters. This life is your reality now.]
"So, I need followers to get a name?"
[Correct. It could be a follower, or anyone whose recognition you accept as valid.]
[Where would you like to go? Three nearby options are available:]
Lifeless PlanetDeserted MoonLonely Misty Forest Planet
He scanned the options, unimpressed. A lifeless planet, a deserted moon, and a lonely misty forest—all sounded equally bleak.
He lingered in the void, hoping something better would appear, but nothing did. Finally, he spoke.
"Lifeless Planet? That's probably just a barren rock."
"Same with Deserted Moon," he muttered, glancing over the options. "No real appeal there."
His eyes landed on the last option: Lonely Misty Forest Planet. It didn't seem better than the others, but at least it was different. It wasn't completely void of life like the others.
"Lonely Misty Forest Planet…" he mused aloud, hovering over the option. "I mean, it sounds better than a barren wasteland or a deserted moon. I'll take the forest. At least it has trees, wood, life, oxygen—things I can work with. The other places? Pure isolation."
"Fine," he sighed, giving in to the silence around him. "I'll take the misty forest planet. Not like any of these places will be a paradise, but it's got something. Maybe I can at least get a feel for the world there."
He confirmed his choice, ready to take his chances.
He tapped the option, and immediately the void around him seemed to dissolve.
[Confirmed. Transporting to the Lonely Misty Forest Planet...]
The space around him began to shift. The endless void blurred and twisted, pulling him into a swirling vortex of light.