"Where… is this?"
The bizarre scene before him had Eren on edge. Carefully observing his surroundings, he realized he was floating at the edge of an infinite silver river. The dense white mist clouding his vision seemed to emanate from the river, glimmering like liquid mercury.
In front of him loomed a massive, ethereal silver scale, standing resolute at the riverbank like an ancient monolith. It continuously drew in the mist that rose from the river's surface.
"What is this…?"
Curiosity piqued, Eren cautiously extended his hand toward the scale's ghostly image. The moment his fingers touched it, an inexplicable wave of information surged into his mind.
Through this enigmatic transmission, Eren began to grasp the nature of the scale.
The Scales of Fate.
A supreme artifact born from the River of Fate, now tainted by an unknown entity and displaced into Eren's previous world. Under the guidance of fate, it had found Eren and saved him at the moment of his untimely death, transporting him to this new world.
"So, I died before crossing over?" Eren muttered. "I guess this thing actually saved my life."
Then he frowned. "But of all places, why send me to the dangerous Marvel universe? Couldn't it have been a safer world?"
The scale remained unresponsive, silent and unmoving like a lifeless object.
Yet Eren, having received some of the transmitted knowledge, knew it wasn't just a simple artifact. While its external form was a scale, it could manifest its abilities in ways most comprehensible to its host.
For a programmer like Eren, what could be easier to understand than a system?
With a single thought, the white mist began to swirl and coalesce before him, forming a simple interface.
[Name: Eren Lin]
[Fate Compass: 100 Fate Points required to spin the compass.]
[Fate Manifestation (Unlocks items from the River of Fate): Locked.]
[Talent: The Unpredictable (Your fate is ever-changing and unknowable. As the host of the Scales of Fate, no one can capture your destiny or predict your future.)]
[Skills: Driving (Beginner), English (11th Grade), History (11th Grade), Math (11th Grade), Chemistry (11th Grade), Antique Appraisal (Novice), Programming (Advanced)]
[Power Rating: Weakling]
[Fate Points: 100 (A gift from fate)]
Looking at the interface, Eren felt mixed emotions.
Midtown High's high-standard education was evident in the solid foundation of his academic skills, even despite the personal losses his predecessor had suffered.
As for his Programming (Advanced) skill, it was likely a remnant of his past life as a professional programmer. Having lived until 2023 in his original world, it wasn't surprising that his expertise in coding had carried over as a valuable asset.
The Weakling power rating, however, didn't surprise him. It only heightened his sense of urgency to grow stronger.
Turning his attention to the only available option, the Fate Compass, Eren focused on it.
Spinning the compass cost 100 Fate Points. Was that expensive or not? He had no reference, but at least he had one spin thanks to what seemed like a "newbie gift."
Without hesitation, Eren activated the Fate Compass.
There was no elaborate animation—just a fleeting image of a colossal compass spinning rapidly before the pointer stopped. In the next moment, the compass dissolved into light, leaving behind a pale blue orb floating before him.
A reward!
Heart pounding, Eren reached into the glowing orb. His hand closed around something cold and smooth, and as he pulled it free, a message appeared:
[Ding!]
[Congratulations! You have obtained the "Seer's Potion."]
What emerged was a vial of deep blue, viscous liquid contained in a test tube. Checking its details, Eren read:
[Seer's Potion]
Origin: From a world tainted by Outer Gods, utilizing a unique sequence-based power system.Grade: Sequence Nine.
Effects: Upon consumption, moderately enhances physical attributes and grants the "Seer" aptitude for mysticism. This includes efficient learning and utilization of divination abilities, partial resistance to the dangers of divination, and the ability to perform rituals such as spirit summoning.
Note: Any power system from a world polluted by Outer Gods carries inherent risks of madness and corruption. Consuming this potion may erode the user's sanity. Failure to fully assimilate the potion could result in losing control and transforming into a monstrous entity.
Holding the Seer's Potion, Eren felt conflicted.
As a fan of Lord of the Mysteries, he had once marveled at its world-building and fantasized about wielding its powers. But now, faced with the reality of its perilous system, he wasn't so sure.
The madness inherent in the sequence system was a well-known double-edged sword. Even reaching godhood wouldn't free him from its grip. It required "anchors" to maintain one's sanity—a burden he wasn't eager to shoulder.
Still…
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! For Only $5!!][www.p@treon.com/zaelum]
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[Thank You For Your Support!]