As I ran deeper into the forest, desperate to escape the monstrous bear chasing me, a new notification popped up in my vision: "Fatigue." It seemed that the more I ran, the higher my fatigue level rose, directly linked to my low stamina and agility stats.
With stamina and agility both below double digits, the toll on my body was immediate. My legs burned, and my breath came in short, ragged gasps. But stopping wasn't an option. Waiting for a miracle wasn't an option. I had to act.
I scanned the area, searching frantically for anything that could give me an edge. Then I spotted it a massive fallen log with a hollow center just large enough for me to squeeze into.
"That's it!" I shouted, sprinting toward the log and diving into the hole.
The bear snarled, clawing at the log in frustration. Taking the opportunity, I scrambled out from the opposite end and resumed running. My heart pounded as I hid behind a nearby tree, watching the creature from a safe distance.
This bear if it could even be called that was unlike any predator I'd ever read about. Its desperation was unnerving. A creature of that size and ferocity shouldn't be so driven for a single meal. Was it starving after hibernation? No, this was something else.
It wasn't just its size or crimson-scaled hide that set it apart. Despite its bulk, the bear showed no signs of using its sense of smell a trait that most bears excel at. Instead, it relied solely on sight and hearing. If I could exploit that...
Steeling myself, I crept around to its blind spot. Slowly, carefully, I climbed onto its back, its rough scales masking my movements. Once I reached its head, I jabbed a finger into one of its glowing blue eyes.
The bear roared in agony, thrashing violently. I clung on as tightly as I could, but it wasn't enough. The beast flung me off, sending me hurtling into the trunk of a nearby tree.
"Argh..." I groaned, my body screaming in pain. I looked up to see the bear rising on its hind legs, towering over me, ready to deliver the final blow.
I braced myself, closing my eyes. This was it.
But then the ground rumbled. A jagged thorn of rock erupted from the earth, piercing the bear's throat and driving upward through its skull. The beast let out one final gurgled roar before collapsing lifelessly to the ground.
An elderly man stepped into view from the grass, his white robe trimmed with black linen and adorned, a long white beard and, with intricate jewellery that shimmered in the fading light.
"You did well, child," he said, extending a hand toward me.
Weakly, I reached for his hand. But as I did, my vision blurred, and darkness consumed me.
When I woke, I was lying in a soft bed. The room around me was simple yet elegant, and the same elderly man sat nearby, engrossed in a book.
"You're awake," he said without looking up, flipping a page.
I sat up slowly, my body still aching. "Where am I?" I asked.
"You're safe," he replied, finally setting the book down. "My name is Ishtar Lothar. And you, child, are not of this land, are you?"
His words stunned me. "How... how can you speak my language?" I stammered, noticing the book he'd been reading was written in an unfamiliar script.
He smiled and raised a finger, pointing it at my forehead. "Magic. Specifically, a spell I developed to bridge language barriers."
As his finger touched my skin, a surge of energy flooded my mind. I gasped, overwhelmed by the sudden influx of knowledge.
"There," he said, withdrawing his hand. "The magic of language is now embedded within you."
I took a moment to steady my breathing. "Thank you. May I ask where I am?"
"This is the land of Aetheris," Mr. Ishtar explained. "A realm born of myths and legends, created by the Gods after the great war in the outer realms."
He handed me a map. The sheer size of the land left me speechless; it dwarfed any continent on Earth.
"And what about the system?" I asked. "The one that shows my stats?"
"Ah, the Mythos System," Mr. Ishtar said, his tone reverent. "A gift from the Gods to aid mortals in their growth. It allows individuals to gain strength, unlock skills, and one day shape the fate of this world."
He went on to explain the history of Aetheris. The Mythos System was a by-product of the ancient war between the beings of the First Beginning and the Gods and Goddesses of concept. The resulting catastrophe had merged multiple realms, including Earth, into one interconnected cosmos. The system was the Gods' way of empowering mortals to thrive in this new reality.
"And what about UA?" I asked, pointing to the unexplained section in my stats.
"Unique Ability," Mr. Ishtar said. "A power exclusive to you, determined by your essence. Unlike skills or magic, it cannot be taught or inherited."
He showed me his status window. Though most details were hidden, his level 512 was visible. I couldn't hide my shock.
"How do I level up?" I asked, showing him my own stats.
Mr. Ishtar sighed. "Your starting stats are... modest. You'll need to gain experience by hunting, learning skills, or practicing magic."
He handed me a book. "Start with this. Knowledge alone can help you grow."
I sat down and began reading. After just a few minutes, I felt a strange sensation. Checking my stats, I saw that both IQ and Mind had increased by four points while the rest only raise by one point. Even my level had risen to 4.
"You've leveled up already?" Mr. Ishtar asked, returning with tea and bread. "Impressive."
"Thank you for your help," I said, standing to introduce myself properly. "My name is Ezekiel Rhea."
Mr. Ishtar shook my hand. "Welcome to Aetheris, Ezekiel. You may stay here until you're ready to venture into the world."
Grateful, I smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Ishtar."
With a safe place to rest and a plan to grow stronger, I resolved to unlock my UA and prepare for the journey ahead.
"By the way, Mr. Ishtar, all my stats increased, but my mana stayed at 0. Why is that?" I asked, puzzled by the anomaly.
"That is strange. Normally, every being is given a certain amount of mana depending on their lineage," he said, crossing his arms in thought.
Of course, he doesn't know that I'm not originally from this land. I don't even belong to this world's natural order.
"Well, that would limit your capacity to learn magic," he added, handing me another book.
"Keep reading these books and let me know when you've leveled up to 10," he said before leaving the room abruptly.
I began reading the books he gave me. As I delved into them, I could feel my mind absorbing their contents with startling ease. Each page I turned brought the same sensation I had felt earlier when levelling up.
After finishing both books, I decided to check my status.
"Status window," I called out.
Name: Ezekiel Rhea
Age: 17
Sex: Male
Level: 12
UA: [Conditions 90% met]
Stamina: 9
Strength: 7
IQ: 14
Mana: 0
Mind: 14
Skills: [None]
I was surprised. I had levelled up so quickly in just three hours. While my physical stats remained unchanged, my IQ and Mind had increased significantly, alongside my level.
I immediately called Mr. Ishtar to show him my status. When he saw it, his reaction was one of astonishment.
"This is outstanding gaining so many levels just from books! Normally, reading levels you up the slowest compared to hunting or direct learning. Your case seems... special," he said, clearly intrigued.
"Mr. Ishtar, what do the IQ and Mind stats do?" I asked, noticing these were my strongest attributes so far.
"IQ improves your ability to learn and understand concepts quickly, while Mind enhances your capacity for knowledge and mental resilience. The higher your Mind stat, the more you can withstand attacks that target your psyche," he explained.
"These are stats that mages usually prioritize, alongside mana, of course," he added.
It was strange that my strongest stats aligned with those of mages, even though I had no mana at all.
"Mr. Ishtar, about magic can you create it?" I asked, curious about the possibility.
"Magic itself cannot be created, but you can create magic skills if you have the required knowledge and talent," he replied.
"For instance, my magic of language. It's a spell I developed by traveling across different lands and realms, learning countless languages, and condensing them into one spell that allows individuals to understand the languages of different races," he explained.
"So, as long as I have the knowledge and skills, I could create a spell too?" I asked, flipping through one of the books he'd given me.
"In theory, yes. Magic skills are created by understanding their origins. As I did with my language magic, you must grasp the concept's root to form your spell," he said.
"Then, may I know how your magic works?" I asked, intrigued.
"You can observe, but understanding how I use my magic won't mean you can replicate it. Knowing the caster isn't the same as knowing the origin," he said.
We left his house and climbed to a mountaintop, where he raised his arms toward the sky and began a chant:
Mother of life, Keeper of Earth, Ancient guardians of stone and soil,
By roots that bind and rivers that coil,
Unleash the power of the land's great birth.
From the depths of earth, where secrets lie,
Awaken strength as mountains rise high.
By seed and stone, by bark and vine,
Bring forth the balance, divine and fine.
Giver, hear my plea,
The steady, grant your decree.
As earth and sky in harmony meet,
Show this world your might and rule.
As the chant ended, the ground trembled. Mountains shifted and crumbled, forests grew wild, and barren lands revived into lush greenery. The sheer display of power left me speechless.
"This is my UA, Titan's Grasp," he said as an aura of green surrounded him, radiating the might of earth and nature.
"Now tell me, Ezekiel, what is my origin?" he asked.
I thought carefully. This world was crafted by gods and goddesses, so his origin likely aligned with mythical beings tied to nature and earth.
"Your origin is Gaia and Geb," I finally said.
"Correct," he replied, a satisfied smile on his face, as he ended his spell.
At that moment, my system reacted:
"UA conditions met... Unlocking UA."
Suddenly, an immense pressure enveloped me, and my body seized in pain. Blood trickled from my left eye as the agony intensified.
"Ezekiel!" Mr. Ishtar rushed to my side, pouring his magic into me in an attempt to stabilize my condition.
My left eye felt as though it was rotating in its socket, and the pain was unbearable. I screamed as the transformation completed. Then, the pain vanished.
When I opened my eyes, Mr. Ishtar was staring at me with concern.
"Ezekiel, your left eye..."
"My left eye?" I asked, touching my face.
"It turned white, with strange symbols etched around your cornea," he explained.
A new notification appeared:
Congratulations on unlocking your UA.
UA: Mimic Eye [???]
I inspected its description:
UA: Mimic Eye
Description: A unique, anomalous power beyond this world's established system.
Traits:
Eyes of Analysis: Grants enhanced perception, comprehension of written and spoken language, and the ability to decipher complex knowledge.
Replication Origin: Requires deep understanding of a skill's source to replicate it.
Knowledge Growth: Mimic Eye's Strength increases with accumulated knowledge and frequent use.
Humanity Diminished: Prolonged use may alter psychological traits, dulling empathy and social connections.
Current Power Replications: [None]
Resource Drain: [Incomplete]
"This ability... It's incredible, but we must be cautious. Its drawbacks could have dire consequences," Mr. Ishtar said grimly.
He carried me back to his home and laid me on a bed.
"Your body is already changing becoming more athletic to accommodate your new power," he observed.
"Does this happen to everyone who unlocks their UA?" I asked weakly.
"UA usually unlock automatically, but for you, it required special conditions. That makes it unique," he explained.
Despite the power's overwhelming nature, I was determined to master it while staying mindful of its risks.