---
The sound of the stream below the cliff reached Alex's ears—the birds, the wind, even the faint drop of a leaf. The silence was almost deadly, until Alex broke it.
"Gemi, I want the truth. This isn't a request…" He paused.
"…It's a command."
"Understood," Gemi replied. "What information do you want truth about?"
"First—The weird aether," Alex demanded.
'To put it simply, it's a dark form of aether. The aether possessed by demons, entities, and creations of that nature,' Gemi explained.
'The Demon King egg, and Ivy's Black Beetle Katana.'
"So is the egg beginning to hatch, or did Ivy's katana cause me to release Umbral Aether?" Alex pressed.
'It's more complicated than that. Even I'm not entirely sure. But I have some guesses.'
"Okay," Alex muttered, impatient.
'My first and most likely guess is that when you came into contact with the katana, the Umbral essence in it ignited the hatching process of the egg. That, in turn, released a portion of the Demon King's aether into you.
'My second guess is the opposite—that the egg ignited the katana. Meaning the egg has already started hatching and its aether is leaking out. That leakage could have activated the katana.'
"This makes sense, but something's missing. If it was really the Demon King's aether leaking, we'd have been jumped more than three times already. And if it was just the katana, the aether wouldn't have returned to me," Alex muttered. "Gemi, run analytics again with what I just said."
'Affirmative. Analytics complete. Would you like the report?'
"Wow… that actually worked. You're starting to feel more like the AI from my former life," Alex thought. "Yes, give me the report."
'Observation: my likeliest conclusion is that sealing the Demon King egg to you had already begun the hatching process. For the egg to hatch, it needs considerable energy—which it draws from you. My guess is that when you unlocked your aether, the egg began feeding on it. Every bit of aether it takes, it gives back, but corrupted with Umbral energy. That's why your aether itself has become tainted.'
"But that's good, isn't it? I mean, having aether that strong is a win, right?"
'I'd love to agree, but using this kind of power comes with more downsides than benefits,' Gemi warned.
"…Enough questions for now. I don't want to keep Ivy waiting. I'll arrange my stats and head back."
[NOTIFICATION]
[ENEMY DEFEATED]
[2000 ETA GAINED]
[ELITE TIER CRYSTAL OBTAINED]
[50 EXP GAINED]
[CONGRATULATIONS]
[LEVEL UP]
[LEVEL 3 – 20/20]
[+5 STAT POINTS]
[LEVEL UP]
[LEVEL 4 – 35/40]
[+5 STAT POINTS]
'2k eta that's a lot' Alex said 'I've got 10 stats points, let's see my previous stats'
[STATS]
Strength – 27
Speed – 7
Stamina – 8
Agility – 7
Durability – 11
'My strength is way up there, I should increase my durability and stamina for now' Alex concluded as he split the stats point equally in the both.
Agility – 12
Durability – 16
---
Taking the same route back to the cave, Alex felt the same strange pull as before.
"Oh—you're back. Why… why did you take off your bandages?" Ivy asked.
She sounds genuinely worried. Is she pretending, or scared? Alex thought.
"Alex, please… be careful," she added.
"Wow, I appreciate it, but why do you care so much all of a sudden?" Alex asked, surprised.
"It's complicated. Ever since you saved my life, things have changed. These past days, taking care of you—it's changed everything," Ivy admitted. "I don't know, Alex… I can't explain it. I just want you safe."
"I get it. But Ivy, you owe me nothing. Don't stress yourself over me. By the way… your cooking smells amazing."
"Thank you," she smiled faintly. "Actually… why don't I just tell you this while we eat?"
"Before you start, there's something I need to say too," Alex interrupted.
"Alex, what are you thinking?" Gemi whispered in his head.
"Ivy," Alex said, gesturing to the log opposite him, "sit."
"Yes?" Ivy sat, wrapping her arms around herself.
"…I'm not from around here," Alex confessed.
She chuckled nervously. "I know, you're from the far west."
"No." Alex's eyes hardened. "I mean I'm not from this world."
The silence grew heavy. Ivy froze, unsure how to respond.
"Maybe this isn't the right time to explain," Alex sighed. "But one day, I will."
"Ehh… I don't really know what to say. Honestly, I'm confused. But true or not, we still need to reach the capital. I suggest we move by sunset." She pulled a stick of meat from the fire and began eating.
'She's still dead set on the capital,' Alex thought.
'Huge mistake, Alex,' Gemi warned.
'Don't worry. She doesn't believe me. What makes you think her superiors would?'
"Hey—this is really tasty," Alex said, taking a bite.
"Thank you," Ivy answered with a wide smile.
"What's in this?" Alex asked, mouth full.
"Just things I found nearby," she replied.
"That's insane. How the hell did you adapt so fast?"
"Survival training," Ivy said simply, eating more.
"Well, looks like the sun's about to set. After we eat, we move."
"Yeah," Ivy agreed.
"Also… sorry about your katana," Alex added.
"It's fine. Grandsmith Roy can fix it. I wanted to ask, but I'll wait until you're ready… Ready to tell me what that Umbral force was doing in my blade."
"Even I don't know. But if I figure it out, I'll tell you. You deserve to know," Alex promised.
Time passed quickly, and soon they were back on the road. Silence blanketed their march as they pushed hard toward the capital.
"How long from here?" Alex finally asked.
"By noon tomorrow, if we don't take breaks," Ivy replied.
"Damn, that's a long—" Alex was cut off by a distortion warping the air ahead.
"Move!" Ivy shouted, shoving him aside.
Space itself tore, forming a hole in the air.
"Holy shit! Is that a portal?!" Alex yelled.
'Maybe this world's even crazier than I thought,' he muttered to Gemi.
'Oh, it is,' Gemi replied.
'Damn right. We're in for a ride,' Alex said, eyes wide with excitement.
---