The air outside the Queen's residence shimmered with lingering mana as Kael stepped into the twilight. The lessons of Queen Salix still echoed in his mind — the Pantheon, the divine Systems, the legacy of his father.
Yet something restless stirred within him.
"Come on, Zephyr," Kael said softly.
From the shadows, a pair of sapphire eyes blinked — Zephyr, his loyal beast companion, emerged and padded beside him, feathers and scales rippling faintly in the dim light.
"I need to clear my head," Kael murmured. "Let's train a bit before nightfall."
They ventured beyond the luminous borders of Elarion, where the trees grew darker and thicker. Whispers of danger drifted through the forest — tales of a monster lair that had been troubling the elves for days. That was where Kael went.
After nearly an hour's walk, they found it: a massive cave swallowed by tangled roots and hanging moss. The air was heavy, charged with a strange vibration.
Kael stepped closer, his hand tightening on his goblet blade. With a breath, he muttered,
"Shift—Sword Form."
The weapon shimmered and elongated into a gleaming sword. With one powerful stroke, he sliced through the living roots blocking the entrance.
At once, a wave of mana surged outward, rippling through the forest. Zephyr flinched, wings twitching uneasily.
Kael's eyes narrowed. This mana… it's immense. Could this be a dungeon? Or just… an ordinary cave hiding something deeper?
He took a steadying breath. "Either way," he said, "we'll find out."
Together, they stepped inside.
The deeper they went, the thicker the air became — like wading through liquid magic. Ancient runes glowed faintly on the walls, whispering in forgotten tongues.
Then Zephyr began to growl, feathers bristling. His body quivered, instincts screaming danger.
Kael reached down, resting a hand on his companion's head. "Easy. I know. I can feel it too."
But inside, his heart pounded. If I make one mistake here, we're done for.
Still, he pressed on.
After a few more steps, the tunnel widened into a vast chamber. At its center stood a colossal stone door, etched with sigils that pulsed with light.
Kael's breath caught. "A door…?"
He stepped closer, drawn by the hum of power. The sigils flared brighter, reacting to his presence.
Without fully thinking, Kael reached out — his hand pressing against the cold surface.
The moment he did, light exploded across the room.
A voice echoed directly inside his mind — calm, mechanical, yet ancient beyond measure.
"Welcome to the Finder Dungeon."
"You have awakened the Ultimate Supreme System."
"Synchronization currently at twenty percent."
"Please remain still. Full synchronization will be complete within one minute."
Kael froze, every nerve in his body alight with energy. His vision blurred as streams of golden data spiraled around him, embedding themselves into his soul.
Zephyr screeched, wings flaring wide as arcs of mana crackled across the cavern floor.
Kael clenched his fists, struggling to stay conscious. The Ultimate… Supreme System? What in the gods' name is happening to me?
The countdown pulsed behind his eyes.
[Synchronization: 45%… 67%… 89%...]
Then, as the number reached one hundred, a blinding column of light erupted skyward — piercing the heart of the forest.
The Everflowing Blackwood trembled. Every elf, beast, and spirit turned toward the light that crowned the horizon.
And at its center stood Kael — eyes glowing gold, his voice whispering through the storm of magic:
"System… Online.