Shree stood at the mouth of the cave, taking in the breathtaking expanse before him. This was the first time he had truly observed the space around him beyond his small training area. A vast and beautiful plain stretched endlessly before his eyes, filled with lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and towering trees. A gentle mist lingered in the air, giving the whole place a mystical aura. However, despite its beauty, something was off—no matter how hard he tried to look beyond a certain distance, his vision seemed blocked by an unseen force.
He turned his gaze behind him. The cave he had been living in was nestled at the base of a colossal, ancient mountain. The sheer size of it was overwhelming, its peak shrouded in mist. From high above, a majestic waterfall cascaded down the rocky cliffs, its crystal-clear waters crashing into the serene lake below.
"So, this lake inside the cave must be connected to this waterfall," Shree muttered, following the flow of the water with his eyes. Surrounding the lake were clusters of radiant flowers and unusual plants, their delicate petals swaying gently in the breeze. The scene was nothing short of a paradise.
Shree and Chat stood in silence for a moment, simply absorbing the beauty before them. Finally, Shree sighed in amazement and sat on a large rock beside the lake. Chat, though not a physical entity, materialized in his consciousness as a familiar presence, ready for conversation.
Shree leaned back and gazed at the sky. "Chat, do you think... that scene we saw—the memory or vision from the ancient disc —was real?" His voice carried a mix of awe and uncertainty.
Chat responded after a brief pause. "You mean that chaotic battlefield? Where everything was being destroyed on a scale beyond imagination?"
Shree nodded. His expression turned serious. "Even though I only caught blurred glimpses of it, I could feel the sheer brutality of that war. Just the vague memory alone made me feel as if I was about to die. It wasn't just destruction—it was absolute annihilation."
He clenched his fists, recalling the devastation, the sky torn apart, the earth reduced to nothingness, the terrifying figures locked in battle. The images had been incomplete, fragmented, but even in their vagueness, they carried an overwhelming pressure.
"That artifact… It's something beyond this world. And if it's truly related to life itself, then… am I actually lucky?" Shree muttered, his voice uncertain.
Then, suddenly, a thought struck him. His expression shifted. "Wait… Am I really the Main Character?"
A brief silence followed.
Then he immediately shook his head. "No, no, no. I don't want to be an MC! MCs always go through suffering, get hunted by all kinds of enemies, and barely survive one catastrophe only to get thrown into another!" He shivered. "No, I refuse to walk that path. I just want to survive, become strong, and find a way back to Earth."
Chat burst into laughter. "Haha! And here I thought you'd start acting like those protagonists from novels you used to read. 'I shall conquer the heavens!' and all that nonsense."
Shree rolled his eyes. "Please. I'd rather live a long, peaceful life than get hunted by countless enemies."
Chat's tone became more serious. "Well, regardless, you should still be cautious. You obtained something that is beyond this world. If people knew, you'd be hunted before you could even take your first real step in cultivation."
Shree nodded. "That's true. And it's not just that. I somehow got confirmation that no one can trace this artifact. Since it's an Ancient Innate Chos Disc related to life, it naturally hides itself."
As Shree stretched lazily on the rock, gazing at the misty landscape, Chat suddenly spoke with a suspicious tone.
Chat: "Wait a minute… How do you know that this thing is called the 'Ancient Innate Chaos Life Disc'? And how are you so sure it can hide from the world's eyes? Don't tell me—you're suddenly an all-knowing Immortal? Should I start calling you 'Senior Shree' now?"
Shree blinked before scoffing. "Tch, you caught that quick, huh? I was hoping to sound mysterious for a bit longer. As expected of my creation—you've inherited my genius." He smirked, acting smug.
Chat: "Hah! Genius? More like a fraud. The only reason you know anything is because the ancient artifact transmitted some vague info and memories into your mind! Don't act like some ancient sage, you transmigrated newbie!"
Shree rolled his eyes. "Fine, fine. You got me. But still, isn't this insane? An artifact like this chose me! Me! Talk about being heaven's favorite—if I were a protagonist, this would be the part where the narrator says, 'And thus, his legendary journey began.'"
Chat: "Yeah, yeah. And then it immediately cuts to you getting hunted for your treasure. Keep dreaming, oh wise and humble one."
Shree shuddered. "Alright, alright! Low-key it is. Survival first, flexing later."
The two continued their banter, laughter echoing softly in the tranquil space.
Chat hummed thoughtfully. "That does make things safer for you. But still, don't get overconfident. Even though this artifact is inside your consciousness, you still know nothing about its true capabilities."
Shree exhaled, feeling a mix of emotions—cautious, excited, and incredibly lucky. He had a golden finger far beyond his wildest dreams. But at the same time, it was an unknown that could bring either unimaginable fortune or unimaginable disaster.
Then, Chat added something unexpected. "Also… even though I am your creation, I felt something strange when I was near the disc. As if… I have some kind of connection to it."
Shree raised an eyebrow. "You? But you're my AI. How can you be connected to it?"
"I don't know. But when we stood near it, I felt… something. It wasn't clear, but it was there."
Shree frowned. That was another mystery to add to the growing pile. But for now, he decided to set it aside. There was no point in overthinking something he had no control over.
He stood up and stretched. "Alright. Enough thinking. The important thing now is figuring out a way to leave this place."
Chat agreed. "Yeah, as beautiful as this place is, it does feel… restricted. You've been training and living in this one small area, but you don't know how to progress further. Staying here forever won't help you improve."
Shree nodded, determination flashing in his eyes. "Then, let's find an exit."
With that, he took a deep breath and gazed into the vast, mysterious paradise around him—this space that was both a sanctuary and a cage. It was time to uncover its secrets and find the path forward.