Asthon was leaning against the wall of a dark room, letting out a groan as he stretched his arms. He hadn't received too many wounds after awakening.
But his muscles were sore, burning from overstraining them. Every moment hurt like hell.
"At least I am not dead…"
He let his gaze to drift around, spotting countless toppled shelves full of goods crushed under the weight of debris.
But not all goods were destroyed, a lot of medicine and food remained that he could use for days.
As he observed the supplies scattered around him, he heaved a sigh of relief.
"Thank god I found this convenience store."
Afterall, he used the medical supplies in the store, to tend Krylian's injuries afterward. His condition improved, stabilizing completely.
He shot a glance at Krylian beside him. Krylian was calmly having a loaf of bread and a bottle of water, recuperating his strength.
Asthon remained silent but kept staring at him like an impatient child wanting to ask something.
Asthon had briefed him on everything that had occurred while he was unconscious, from the arrival of alien reinforcements to their escape.
But the most important question still remained unanswered. That was how to access the powers that he had awakened.
The sooner he found the answer to it, the better… Because they lacked time.
By now the aliens were probably out for their blood. With the arrival of their reinforcements, it was unknown how many among the aliens were awakened.
He didn't dare to face them… At least not until he discovered what kind of power he has and how to wield it.
He had tried numerous times to access the power but failed miserably. Krylian could wield his power so that only he could teach him, hence increasing their chances of survival.
Krylian ate the remaining crumbs of bread, gulped a mouthful of water, shot a glance at him, and asked.
"You seemed to have a lot of questions, Asthon; is that right?"
Asthon nodded, his jaw tight.
"Questions? Of course, I do. I don't even know what power I awakened, and there was this strange voice whispering in my ears during the awakening. I have no idea what that was."
Krylian smiled bitterly, looked around him, and stated.
"Anyone would be worried so let me explain. Where should I start from…"
Krylian paused for a moment and added.
"When a human awakens, something called the Development System anchors itself to the soul. It whispers to you once the awakening is complete that was the voice you heard."
"Its existence is kept hidden from the general population. That's why you know nothing about it."
Asthon's expression darkened. His mind raced with questions about its purpose, origins, and… intentions. Could something hidden from everyone really be trusted?
Doubts crept in his mind immediately. Powerful, yes… but can he trust it? How many humans have unknowingly become tools of this system?
Sipping a bottle of water, Krylian chuckled and shook his head.
"It's futile, kid. We spent years coming up with countless theories about the system but every single one was proven wrong."
Asthon raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"How were you able to read my thoughts?"
"Have you already forgotten my class?"
"Hmm…"
The class was like a package containing all the powers an Awakened receives. Better the class, better the powers.
Krylian's class granted him powers that allowed him to access one's mind. As far as he knew, Krylian could attack one's mind. If successful, the target could become brain-dead.
As for reading people's thoughts? That was new to him… and unsettling.
"From what we can tell… the system isn't harmful to humans. If anything, it's the opposite. The system is actually beneficial to us."
"Beneficial to humans? How so?"
"It allows humans to see what power they have awakened…"
Asthon's eyes narrowed. So even the strongest warriors are dependent on this unknown system. What if it decides who succeeds and who dies?
Something had to be done about it… but for now, survival came first.
"We are too weak to worry about this subject. We should focus on our survival instead."
Asthon blinked in confusion, then remembered Krylian's power. He threw a glance at him and snorted.
"Don't invade my mind."
Krylian shook his head, frustration in his expression.
"I am afraid I can't, kid… The skill that allows one to read people's thoughts can't be deactivated. So if you don't want me to read your thoughts, I suggest you stay 2 meters away from me."
Asthon frowned and cursed under his breath.
"Well, that's just damn perfect…"
Nonetheless, he admitted internally focusing on survival was smarter than obsessing over a mystery he couldn't control.
He kept staring at Krylian and asked.
"How do I view my powers then?"
"Just say 'Summon Status Window' in your mind. That's all."
Nodding, Asthon cleared his throat and said the words. His body shook slightly as an interface with dozens of lines of words, visible only to him, flashed before him.
It read…
(Name: Asthon
Rank: Awakened
Class: Sage of Wisdom
Class Description:
[You are a wise sage who has wandered the world for decades, gathering knowledge. With that wisdom, you tamed the Absolute Flames, capable of reducing your enemies to ashes or shaping metal with flawless precision. Using those very flames, you forged weapons so powerful and exquisite that even the Absolute Rulers gazed upon them with envy.]
Skills:
Master of Flames
Description: Flames obey your command. They won't burn you and will do anything that you command them to do.
True Flames
Description: You can ignite your mana into flames. The flames will burn anything you deem a target.
Peerless Eyes
Description: You possess the Eyes of a Sage, a symbol of power and wisdom. When activated, the world slows, drastically enhancing your perception. By channeling mana into your eyes, you can grasp even the tiniest details instantly, understanding the structure, properties, and weaknesses of any material you observe.
Mark of Dominion
Description: You carry traces of royalty within you, making your mana extremely potent.
Mana essence: 0/1000)
Asthon grimaced, dumbfounded. A sage who had wandered for decades? Hell he wasn't even 20 yet.
Ignoring that, the class still looked incredibly powerful. He had fire and craftsman-related skills.
He read the skills description and almost fell over.
"Powerful…"
Though this wasn't all…
At the very end of the status window, a few words carved in pure gold, slightly shimmering, waiting to be read:
(System Skills:
Innovation
Description: …
Will of the Absolute Kingdom
Description: …)
Asthon's mind lingered on the system. Powerful yes… but trustworthy? That was another matter entirely.