By the time Heflin helped me settle down in a temporary apartment, it was already a few minutes before midnight. Apparently it was an unoccupied apartment that was part of a complex owned by the Arbiter's Association.
In the time until now, I also got to learn more about this world. Although I was left unaware of the specific names of my location, Heflin taught me a lot about some important concepts. For example, the tutorial and the Ark of Passion I came out from.
This world is threatened by constant monster invasions and a multitude of other supernatural phenomena. Humanity on its own was unable to combat the otherworldly threats, but through the help of a higher race known as divines, humans were able to thrive in the face of danger until now.
The Ark of Passion was one of many arks, and its purpose was to awaken humans to gain the power to fight against the monsters. They were created by the divines to enlist the help of humanity in their quest to fend off evil. Each ark consists of a tutorial tailored to every individual. Although the contents of the tutorial varies from person to person, the beginning always consists of a "rite of passage" relevant to the ark's theme. For me, it was the fight against a clone of my sister Isana, which required my passion to be lit in order to win.
After the rite of passage, the tutorial imposes trials that hone an individual's capabilities so that they are prepared for the Wellspring's elixir—something that I was unfortunately unable to do. Normally, though, it awakens the ability to use the arcane arts in a person's body, which is the point at which they officially become an arbiter, an awakened human.
In addition, arbiters can enter an ark multiple times to climb it. By ascending the floors and overcoming greater trials, arbiters can grow in strength even during times of peace. However, access to the arks are heavily regulated by the Arbiter's Association.
Lastly, the insides of the arks are managed by chosen arbiters known as "administrators", such as Merlin. They possessed the authority to adjust the trials of the arks as they pleased, though only if the situation calls for it.
Because gaining an administrator's acknowledgement is rare, showing off Merlin's mark was a rather large mistake on my part. Helfin said that I should try to hide my face to avoid getting bombarded by recruiters or news reporters for the time being.
It was all unreal to me, but somehow, I felt oddly accustomed to it already. Maybe it was because of how surreal the past several hours have been.
I sat down on the unfamiliar bed, processing the events that led up until now. I could hardly believe it, but it really was just yesterday that I was watching the world end. Or maybe it was just earlier this morning. I wasn't quite sure how the time translates. In any case, it felt like I shaved years off my life.
I felt exhausted, but didn't quite feel like sleeping. Honestly, I don't even think I can fall asleep with all these thoughts running through my head. Instead, I opened up my status window, hoping something of interest would be there. Then, I noticed a strange message appear.
[A divine, "Perfect Blonde" is watching you.]
...What?
I wasn't even confused about the meaning of the message. I was baffled by the name. What kind of name is "Perfect Blonde"?
Suddenly, a message pop-up appeared as well.
> It's been a while, Ilyin.
"Who are you?" I asked in a low, anxious voice.
[The divine "Perfect Blonde" is now revealing their identity to you.]
[The divine, Hela, has revealed her identity to you.]
[Synchronization rate: 9%. Warning: Approaching the currently set safe limit.]
A sudden headache struck, eliciting a couple unpleasant words from my lips. I felt a surge of emotion rush through my body and disappear just as quickly as it came. Vague memories flashed through my mind, but they vanished before I could process them.
What was that?
Another message appeared.
> Synchronization is already at nine percent? That's odd... nevermind, I see. That girl must've done something she shouldn't have. To think she prepared for something even I didn't expect would happen.
A realization slowly dawned upon me. Was this the person Merlin and Gestalt were talking about? Before I knew it, I was fumbling over myself to find answers.
"Who are you? And what the hell has been happening?"
> ...
> Let's take this slow, Ilyin. The night is young... and we have all the time in the world. You'll also want to listen very, very carefully. Steel your heart. Otherwise, everything you are might just fall apart.
The eerieness of the message put me on edge. I wasn't sure what to expect.
"Then let's start with the first question. Who are you?"
It took a while for Hela to respond, as if she were deeply deliberating over such a simple question.
> I am Hela, a divine. Our relationship is that of contractor and contractee, and it is intentional that you don't remember it. However, I have nullified the contract some time ago, and all that is left is the remains of the authority I gave you. If you don't believe me, the truth is in your status window.
I frowned. There was nothing like that in my status window, but I opened it anyway.
[Status Window]
Name: Ilyin Gray
Titles: [Arbiter of Passion], [Adherent of Hela]
▷ Primary Stats // [VSL: 3.6] [DEX: 4.7] [PRJ: 3.2] [PSY: 3.1] [PE: 4.1] [ARC: 3.8]
▷ List of Skills
▲ Synchronization (Incomplete) [LV. N/A]
▲ Hela's Authority (Weakened) [LV. N/A]
▲ $#&$^@?? [LV. ???]
▲ Arbiter's Ardor [LV. N/A]
—
As it turned out, she was correct. The missing skill and title are now revealed.
"Adherent of Hela"—the term "adherent" is used to describe those chosen to receive the divine guidance from a higher being. Now that I think about it, the tutorial mentioned something about "divine guidance" before kicking me to the end of the tutorial. I was reminded of my irritation, but I decided to postpone my angry complaints for later.
I was more interested in the skill named 'Hela's Authority'.
[Hela's Authority (Weakened)] ▲
The remains of Hela's Authority that was originally bestowed upon the adherent Ilyin. The authority can be physically manifested, taking the form of a wilted magnolia. As synchronization increases, life will gradually return to the authority, further increasing its strength.
Bearing the powers of pale flame and phosphorescent flowers, the wielder of Hela's authority can burn away falsehoods and unveil hidden truths, exposing illusions and a target's weaknesses.
"The magnolias will bloom again in summer."
—
> Do you understand now?
I was still a bit doubtful, but I nodded. I needed to move onto my next question.
"What happened to the world?"
> Simply put, a calamity born from a breach in the dimensional walls that separates the different worlds. Beings that seek to take over this planet to reap its bounty set out from their original homeworlds to begin their violent conquest. Us divines were aware that this event would occur ahead of time, and we spent ages combining our authorities to build the seven Grand Arks, which would help guide humanity and aid us in purging the otherworldly threat. The Ark of Passion that you've experienced is one such Grand Ark.
Her mention of the Ark of Passion reminded me about my rather unfortunate experience with the tutorial. From what I've gathered, the reason why I got booted to the Wellspring from the get-go was because of her.
"Why didn't you help me out during the tutorial? At the very least, why didn't you disable the 'divine guidance'?"
> It was a necessary decision to get you out as fast as possible. It would do neither of us good for your synchronization to increase too much without my supervision, at least this time around.
"Then, what is 'Synchronization'? What am I synchronizing with?"
A silence followed that felt chillingly foreboding. It felt like several minutes had passed before I finally got a response.
> 'Synchronization' is a skill that you were originally granted by me in order to complete our mission as part of the contract.
I felt a bit annoyed at her short response.
"Is that all?"
> Are you prepared to learn the truth?
I froze. Of course, I wanted to know, but a part of me was oddly afraid. What was she hiding?
> Your synchronization rate is higher than I originally planned. Learning the truth can have a significant negative impact on your mental state for more reasons than one.
Her warning made me reluctant, but I couldn't run away here. I had to understand what was going on, so that I can work towards my goal of protecting my family.
"I want to know."
A brief pause followed.
> The ability of 'Synchronization' allows you to inherit the skills and memories of your previous incarnations. As you gain strength and come closer to the world's truths, synchronization increases. However, increasing it too fast can come with severe consequences because your mind and body aren't yet strong enough to handle it.
[Synchronization rate: 10%. Warning: The synchronization rate has reached the currently set safe limit.]
What? Previous incarnations?
"I don't know what you're talking about. Previous incarnations? Is that like my ancestors or something?"
I didn't realize until now, but my body was breaking out into a cold sweat. An ominous feeling weighed down on my shoulders, but I couldn't pinpoint the source. The aching in my head only continued to get worse.
> Ilyin. Listen carefully to what I'm about to tell you.
I suddenly grew afraid. I don't want to know. I don't want to. Something in my mind was telling me to go back... an almost nostalgic yet completely faint memory was warning me to run away. But I can't.
> Through the contract, you are able to return to the 'you' from when you entered the tutorial for the first time. The activation trigger for this is your death, and the cost for it is all your memories and skills.
[Synchronization rate: 11%. Warning: The synchronization rate is exceeding the currently set safe limit.]
No. Stop.
> Ilyin.
Don't say it.
> For the sake of our mission, you have been 'reset' a countless number of times.
Ah.
[Warning: The arbiter's mental state is in critical danger.]
> The current year is 2181.
I remember now.
[Warning: The arbiter's mental state is in critical danger.]
> 157 years have passed since our mission began.
What she said to me 'that day'.
[Warning: The arbiter's mental state is in critical danger.]
> The contract is null. This is your last life. Try to live it well, Ilyin.
[Warning: The arbiter's mental state is breaking down.]
[The hidden skill $#&$^@?? has activated on its own.]
[The hidden skill 'Voice of Nihility' has been revealed.]