A brilliant light took over my vision. Moments later, as my sight returned, what greeted me was a boundless courtyard. In the distance stood an unimaginably massive manor.
I spread out my magic sense—from infinite to true infinite, then beyond infinite, into the unknown and uncharted, also known as ??? Level—then beyond ??? in its totality, endlessly so. I couldn't go any further, yet I never reached the end of this boundless courtyard. There was no end, but even so, it kept expanding. No logic, no concept—just is. Normally, if something is endless, there is no expansion because it's already boundless; however, there are cases where it simply is.
Behind me stood a pillar of light, endlessly stretching toward the infinite skies of the boundless courtyard. At its base was a wall and a gate.
That was the exit—and the beginning—of this endless place. The pillar of light was five miles in diameter and of infinite height.
In the distance, you could only see the endlessness of the courtyard. After taking in the view, my gaze returned to the unimaginably massive manor far away.
The distance between me and that structure was beyond the furthest reach of my magic sense. I didn't know the exact scale, but one thing was certain—it was unreachable without their help. The fact that the manor still appeared massive despite the unimaginable distance spoke of how truly boundless it was.
I stood frozen, my mind unable to keep up with the scale I measured, nor the calculations of its theoretical extent. My mind and soul began to tremble under the sheer immensity of it all, so I blocked my thoughts—emptied my mind, letting it think nothing. I couldn't let curiosity and the thirst for knowledge kill me.
The beautiful and seductive goddess knew exactly what I was doing, yet she said nothing—only stared at me, unblinking.
"Are you done? Let's go."
As soon as she said that, a teleportation array formed beneath our feet, and the next moment we found ourselves on a small island, about thirty square feet wide, with a single huge coconut tree at its center.
Beneath the shade of that tree was a wooden table and a sofa.
I sat there, stunned once again, while Demeter still clung to my arm.
Wherever I looked, I saw only a boundless ocean with no end, as vast as the courtyard itself. Blue skies, the sun above—and behind us, a lone door stood without walls or frame. You couldn't even tell its front or back.
In a cheerful tone, Demeter spoke to the air, as if talking to someone. "Thank you, Mei. I'll give you your favorite later."
She was speaking to someone I couldn't hear or even see.
"Who are you talking to, lady goddess?"
"Oh, I was talking to the Wheat Manor herself."
I nodded in understanding.
"So, where are we? I know we're inside the manor, but I want a specific answer, lady goddess."
"Just call me Demeter. Or even better—call me honey," Demeter said, pressing her entire body against mine. She leaned close and whispered into my ear; her breath tickled, and its sweet fragrance was almost intoxicating.
"I'll pass on the honey, Demeter."
"What a shame," Demeter said dejectedly, her sadness clearly written on her gorgeous face.
I wasn't affected at all—or so I told myself. Truthfully, I felt a twinge of guilt, like I was supposed to call her that… or once did.
I pushed that feeling aside for now.
"We're in the smallest guest room of the manor—and also my favorite."
"A guest room, huh?"
"John, take off your clothes and I'll start engraving my Falna on you," Demeter said eagerly.
"How do you know my name? I never told you."
"A trade secret. But here's a hint—if there's a gap in power, privacy doesn't exist for us."
"Well, if it's you, it doesn't feel strange."
Demeter smiled gently and murmured softly, "Despite your state, you still…" Her smile grew even more breathtaking.
"What?"
"It's nothing. Lie down."
I took off my shirt and lay on the sofa.
Without warning, a soft and warm feeling enveloped my lower back—smooth, bouncy, and full. I knew what it was, but couldn't resist turning to confirm it.
Behind me, Demeter sat astride my waist. She conjured a needle from nothingness.
I couldn't see her full face—those two massive, divine torpedoes on her chest, larger than my head, blocked my view. I turned back around, ignoring what she was doing.
"This will be a long process," Demeter said. "My Falna isn't simple to engrave. I'll engrave my best onto you, so sleep for now while I work."
"Okay." I did as she said, and instantly fell asleep.
Demeter admired John's muscular, perfect back. The lines and form of his muscles looked so beautiful to her eyes.
She traced her finger across his back—it gave her ecstasy. She calmed herself and whispered, "It's not the time yet."
With the needle she created—a needle capable of instantly killing a ??? Level—she pricked her index finger. Once its purpose was fulfilled, the ???-level needle dissolved midair, fading into nothingness once more.
A drop of divine blood fell onto his back. As soon as it touched his skin, her crest manifested, engraving itself onto his body and soul.
A holographic form emerged from the crest, displaying his parameters and stats.
Deep within John, some of his countless potentials—unknown and long unawakened—were released, adding to the already boundless and absolute power he possessed.
Now finished, Demeter printed John's status on a sheet of paper, then fell asleep on top of him, comfortably nestled against his back.