After forcibly stopping Aiden from shattering whatever strange "fourth thing" he was about to tamper with, Rey finally turned his attention back to the system.
The white room grew quiet.
Floating before him, new panels began to unfold one after another, each one heavier than the last.
He took a breath.
And opened the first.
~~~
A variant of the human race deeply attuned to darkness. While still in its foundational stage, this being possesses an innate connection to the dark and its various aspects, laying the groundwork for future evolutions.
Affinity:Darkness,Death,Shadow,Void,Curse,Abyss, etc.
Racial Traits:
→ Darkness Affinity (Basic) → Slightly increases proficiency with darkness-related abilities.
→ Shadow Adaptation (Minor) → Blends better in low-light environments, making detection slightly harder.
→ Void Constitution (Initial Stage) → Minor stamina recovery boost in dark environments.
//Note//: This race is at its earliest evolutionary phase, with potential to grow into something far more powerful as it advances.
~~~
"…So I'm still human," Rey muttered.
But the word human felt strangely hollow now.
"Fully aligned with darkness… that sounds more like a curse than a race," he added.
Aiden frowned slightly, clearly intrigued.
"I've never seen a human race aligned this completely to a single concept."
Rey shrugged and moved on.
The next panel caught his attention immediately.
~~~
A physique aligned with the essence of darkness, providing fundamental enhancements suited for dark-attribute beings. While currently at its initial stage, it holds the potential for further evolution, unlocking greater powers over time.
Effects:
→ Darkness Affinity Enhancement (Minor): Increases efficiency in absorbing and utilising dark-element energy.
→ Shadow Resilience (Basic): Slightly reduces damage taken from darkness-based attacks.
→ Night Vision (Lesser): Allows clearer vision in low-light conditions but does not work in complete darkness.
→ Dark Energy Circulation (Beginner): Enhances stamina regeneration slightly when in dark environments.
→ Corruption Resistance (Low): Provides minor resistance to dark-based debuffs and curses.
//Note//: This physique is currently in its early stage and can evolve further, strengthening its connection to darkness and unlocking more powerful traits.
~~~
Rey stared at it for a long moment.
"…Thank god," he sighed. "Something normal for once. If everything was Origin-grade, I think I'd actually lose my mind."
Aiden clicked his tongue.
"You're underestimating this," he said. "That 'upgradable' tag is terrifying. If this physique matures naturally, it could reach Sovereign… or Monarch tier."
Rey blinked."…So it's still abnormal."
Victor laughed softly."You're the only idiot I've seen who complains about being handed power."
Rey ignored him entirely.
His gaze shifted to the next panel.
The one he had been dreading.
~~~
Curse: Nirzveil's Covenant {Origin-Grade}
Type: Curse / Blessing
Requirement: Must possess the Darkness Law (Origin Grade) & Direct descendant of the Shadowthrone family.
Origins & Nature: A contract woven from the very essence of primordial darkness, Nirzveil's Covenant is not a mere curse but an eternal pact, whispered into existence by the first shadow before light was ever born. It is neither granted nor learned—it awakens within those chosen by darkness itself, reshaping their very existence into its perfect vessel.
Effects & Characteristics:
↠ Singularity of Darkness:
→ All elemental affinities are consumed and rewritten into their darkness-infused counterparts, forming an absolute monopoly over the element.
→ No wielder of any other affinity can withstand direct exposure to this power. Their elements will fracture, corrode, or shatter under its influence.
↠ Abyssal Transmutation:
→ Weapons, artifacts, and even raw materials in contact with the bearer will undergo Nirzveil Corruption, warping into darkened entities bound to their will.
→ Even legendary or divine relics will fall to this transformation, evolving into Abyssborne Forms, forever severed from their original nature.
↠ Eclipsed Soul:
→ The wielder's soul itself becomes part of the Darkness Law, making them resistant to spiritual corruption, mental control, or divine influence.
→ With each ascension, emotions will be stripped away, leaving behind only the void of will and purpose.
↠ Evernight's Domain:
→ The bearer is surrounded by an ever-present Nirzveil, a shroud of living darkness that bends reality around them.
→ Any attack made within this veil will be enhanced, and any opposing force will be weakened or consumed.
↠ Charisma of the Abyss {Mutated}:
→ The bearer's presence is irresistibly compelling, radiating an aura of inevitable corruption.
→ Any being who approaches the host with impure intentions will be afflicted by a Curse of Corruption, which can manifest as madness, servitude, or an irreversible descent into darkness.
→ This influence extends to even the most stubborn minds, making betrayal, hostility, or deception a costly act.
↠ The Inescapable Path:
→ Once bound by Nirzveil's Covenant, it can never be undone. Even death will not free the bearer—it will bind their essence into the endless dark, reforming them in another age.
→ Only those who embrace the void in its entirety may truly wield its full power.
//Note//: Half Curse? More like a full blessing for the host. Getting such immense power to rule, but it's pointless to hand over the power to such a being who didn't have the potential to grow and hold the power.
~~~
"…Oi, Veylen," Rey said slowly."You told me something different before."
Veylen finally stood, approaching the panel.
"…The fifth effect changed," he murmured. "The name, too."
He frowned.
"I don't know why. Perhaps the Lord weakened it for you. When I awakened the Covenant, my emotions began eroding almost immediately. By Tier 3… they were gone."
Rey's chest tightened.
"But not now," Veylen added. "You're still safe. For the moment."
That didn't comfort Rey at all.
He moved on.
~~~
<
An advanced repair ability infused with the essence of darkness. Not only does it restore damaged equipment, but it also enhances and corrupts items over time. Items repaired with this skill slowly adapt to the abyss, increasing their resilience and affinity for dark energies.
~~~~
<
A refined stealth ability that allows the user to blend into darkness more efficiently. Movement while in stealth is smoother, and enemies with lower perception struggle to notice the user unless in close proximity. Unlike conventional stealth, Shadowmeld grants an affinity with surrounding darkness, further reducing the chances of detection.
~~~
<
An enhanced movement skill that allows the user to burst forward with exceptional speed, briefly phasing through shadows. The acceleration is smoother, reducing strain on the body while improving reaction time.
~~~
<
A basic combat skill that momentarily surges the user's body with abyssal energy, enhancing physical strength and striking force. This energy briefly amplifies attacks before dispersing.
~~~~
<
A movement-based ability that enhances agility and adaptability in combat, allowing the user to navigate obstacles with near-effortless grace. The user instinctively moves through terrain like a fleeting shadow, reducing unnecessary motion and improving traversal efficiency.
//Note//: Even though the skills are enhanced, the user is still the same.
~~~
Every skill.
Every line.
All rewritten under darkness.
"So the Singularity of Darkness already took effect," Rey muttered. "But Veylen… you said this should start at Tier 1."
Veylen shrugged."Then your curse is simply different."
Rey exhaled sharply and opened the final panel.
~~~
<
Proficiency: 0%
Tier: 0
A transcendent ability that embodies the highest authority over darkness, surpassing all conventional limitations. DARKNESS (EX+) is not simply a mastery of darkness but the foundation of an ultimate force, waiting to be shaped by its wielder. Unlike fixed skills, its growth is not predetermined—it evolves solely through the host's experiments, understanding, and mastery over darkness itself.
This ability holds limitless potential, but it starts as a blank slate—the true power within remains sealed until the host discovers how to wield it. Every use, every breakthrough, and every test will unlock new sub-abilities, moulding the darkness into a force that aligns with the host's will.
The direction of evolution is unrestricted—it is neither bound by tradition nor confined to any existing rules. Whether it becomes a devourer of existence, an all-consuming abyss, a supreme authority that overshadows, or something beyond comprehension is entirely up to the host's journey.
<
→ None.
~~~
"What is that thing? It doesn't even have any usefulness. What can I do with it in this state? I thought I could use it, but now it's ruined," Rey said as he read the description of the ability. With his talent, he was certain that even this item was doomed to fail.
But perhaps others did not think like him.
"Are you certain? I don't believe anything else you possess can compare to it," Aiden said, equally astonished by the cheat-like ability.
"What do you mean? If this thing is a cheat, then maybe I can fly right now," he said, attempting to fly, but nothing happened, proving Aiden's words baseless to him.
"Will you come here quickly, or should I bring you here myself?" Aiden said with an irritated expression.
"No, sir, I'm here," Rey said, hurrying over.
"Listen, imagine you have two things: a lump of clay and a pot. What can you do with both? Or rather, which one would you choose?" Aiden asked seriously.
"What kind of question is that? Obviously, I would take the pot because it has a use, whereas clay is just for playing with."
"That's your way of thinking, Rey. You don't think outside the box. Conventional thinking doesn't work in the real world. A true genius like me would choose the clay. It's a blank slate, a formless substance that can be shaped into anything we desire. I can create a cup, a bowl, a vase, or even a beautiful statue. This concept applies here as well. You have the ability to nurture it into something you can rely on in the future."
"But what if that ability turns out to be ineffective? There are always two sides to every coin."
"Why do you have such negative thoughts about it?" He made a strange face in response to his negativity.
"That's my entire life, which has turned negative. My life doesn't seem good enough now, especially after meeting all of you.
I've been caught by my mother more than three times, unconscious in my room, over something that people just can't understand. Do you really think that with my talent, this talent will transform into something impressive or of high quality?
Aiden, you know, and we all know, that with my luck, what you see as an overpowered skill will just end up being something average—perhaps a tool for repairing or devouring waste. It won't become a devourer of existence, or an all-consuming abyss, or even a supreme authority.
It will just be ordinary, just like me," Rey shouted, expressing the frustration he had been holding inside for so long.
"You might think that I didn't try to stand up for myself. I just smiled or stayed silent when you all called me trash or worse. Even during training, you said I lacked talent. That didn't hurt me too much; perhaps it was true.
However, that caretaker, Xeleth'Ruun, who didn't even know me, acted in a way that made a fool out of us and was about to send us off with a random, subpar technique. Though that technique may seem bad to you, it felt acceptable to me.
People will continue to do the same in the future, and I will likely do nothing about it, as I don't have the intelligence or capability to prove my worth.
I once believed those books were something I earned through my own potential, with you being a significant part of that journey.
But even that belief was shattered by your so-called lord. She came in, pretending to be great, and punished him, which was good, but afterwards, she didn't allow me to have any books. Instead, she gave me what she called compensatory books.
While they might look like gifts, in reality, they were acts of mercy designed to protect her image from being tarnished in front of others for bullying someone weak.
That's why she showed me mercy and gave me those eight books, which I didn't even know how to use, and I don't even know where they are right now. So what's the use of them if I can't find them? Didn't you hear what Ruun said while leaving? He remarked, 'I will see what you can do even with those books.' He understood that even with those books, and despite your opinions, my value might increase. But do you know how much it will really increase?"
"From zero to one or two, and that's it. I will always be a loser—a damn loser—who, even if given the entire world to rule over, would just ruin it with my own hands. Hah… Hah… But why am I saying all of this to you?
You all, with your will, Eye Lord, imposed these things upon me, thinking that maybe, just maybe, I might shine. Did I ever tell you I wanted this? No, I DIDN'T. What I wanted was a normal life with my family.
But you all came into my life and became a part of it that can't be removed or cut away. Like a leech that doesn't just suck my blood, but poses a danger, as if walking on a thread between life and death. Hah… Hah…
Do you remember the time I fought with Jacob in the factory? I couldn't do anything. You were the one who killed him.
My contribution there was just to be a vessel for you to shine. And do you remember that dream you created, where I watched my family die in front of me and couldn't do anything? It felt like my soul was breaking into pieces. Seeing that scene again and again is something I still can't handle.
I am not some novel protagonist who will escape despair with the help of family and love. This life is real, and that was an imaginary world woven by someone's mind. I wish I had just died there. Maybe that would have been the right option for me."
Rey said all of this without stopping, pouring out everything he had been holding inside for so long as he sat, leaning against the wall, tears of frustration welling up in his eyes.
Aiden, who listened to his entire speech, chose not to interrupt because he understood that the shouting and crying were essential for him. Imagine living a normal and happy life, only to be suddenly thrust into a world where you must kill or be killed to survive.
"Hah, Rey, I know what we did was not right, but we did it for your own good. Do you think I chose you to use you as a vessel? No. I chose you over millions of geniuses who rule over billions of common people because you have something unique—not just the mind of a hero or a villain, but a heart that never gives up. You always stand your ground, even when the obstacles in front of you seem insurmountable.
Even though you knew you might be in danger if Jacob found you while you were saving your friend, you still stopped to help. That may seem like a heroic quality, but remember that even heroes are human, and they often choose the many over the one, and their own safety over the safety of others.
I also know that putting you in that dream was wrong, but it was for your own sake. What I showed you may happen in the future when mana appears on Earth. Being weak helps no one. So just accept the reality and move forward; moving forward is a truth that no one should disagree with. If you still want to cry like a child, that's your choice. But if someone comes to harm your family, don't come to us begging for help," Aiden said as he stood up and began to walk away.
"Wait, I didn't say I didn't want to get stronger. I was just expressing the sadness that has been building up inside my heart," Rey said hesitantly. Despite his uncertainty, he spoke up because Aiden, facing the other way, had a clear smile on his face.
"Now that's more like our little Rey. You shouldn't cry like that." He moved around and said to him.
"Who said I was crying? It was just some dust in my eyes and nothing else."
"Yes, a dust particle inside your soul and mind. Wow, now you even have dust in your soul," Aiden said, teasing him.
"No, it's not like that."
Later that evening, Rey returned to reality, checking the day to be 28th April.
Dinner passed quietly.
Too quietly.
No one questioned his changes.
That disturbed him more than anything.
Night fell.
He lay on his bed.
Eyes open.
Wondering if sleep would ever come the same way again.