Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 51, 5th Epoch · 1068

Upon entering the White Mist Gate, he didn't feel anything out of the ordinary, merely stepping forward as usual. The ground beneath his feet was still firm, and everything around him was shrouded in white fog, as if he had entered the world of a surreal dream. Explore more at empire

In the midst of this hazy and strange fog, just as Professor Garcia had said, the whispers in his ears seemed to speak more words than ever before:

[Outlander, you have stepped into "Time Corridor".]

[A message from the Ancient God, "Father of the Infinite Tree":]

[Autumn of the year 1068 of the Fifth Era, Southern Continent, Hope Town.]

[Event: The Old God "Creator of Innocence" has fallen.]

[Duration: 10 minutes.]

Apart from the sudden appearance of specific nouns "Time Corridor" and "Ancient God", the information so far matched what Professor Garcia had discussed.

[You have received additional information.]

[The visage of the Father of the Infinite Tree watches over you.]

[The Ancient God of time presents you with a challenge.]

[Witness the last wish of the Old God "Creator of Innocence" before His fall.]

[The Father of the Infinite Tree will award you a gift: the Arcane Technique—Blade of Chaotic Time, and the Miracle Soul Rune—Echo.]

The voice ceased, and Shard's eyes widened as he stood bewildered in the mist:

"Ancient God? Time Corridor? What are all these?"

[Your soul is sensitive, so I've received more information than the "other self" of an average Circle Sorcerer. I don't understand the meaning behind it, either.]

"And the task?"

[The Ancient God of time gives you a challenge...]

"There's no need to repeat what I've already heard, I know you're not a parrot. I'm asking, what does this mean? Have I encountered one of the rare situations that Professor Garcia mentioned? And, this... Ancient God, why does His 'visage watch over' me? Could it be that He has always existed and has not fallen?"

He strained his eyes to peer into the depths of the fog but could discern no clues, as if this world known as the "Time Corridor" contained nothing but fog and endless void. Thinking this, Shard couldn't help feeling a chill run down his spine. This world was definitely not as simple as what he was seeing now.

Deities are high-dimensional beings, which if they do not wish to warp the rules of the physical world upon appearance, must have avatars within the physical world to descend, which is known as a deity's Saint Form.

The man behind the counter, without a doubt, was the Saint Form of the Old God "Creator of Innocence," and if it weren't for the fact that the other party had no malice and had reduced its power to the lowest level, the damage Shard suffered would be much more severe.

He leaned against the door behind him, barely able to stand, as illusions and hallucinations took over his senses, but his spirit was exceptionally focused at that moment, even feeling a delusion like he was about to leave his body. He heard a song, a childish voice combining into a melody, incessantly luring his spirit towards madness.

The whispering reminder of the "miracle" element's presence rang in his ears, but without "Desecration," indicating that this deity was a Benevolent God.

"Interesting, Man of the Future."

The young man behind the counter said softly, which certainly wasn't Draleon language, but Shard understood.

"Didn't Professor Garcia say that witnessing was enough? How come I'm facing an Old God directly?"

He leaned in pain against the door, the woman's whispering in his ear seeming to say something, but it was no longer distinguishable. However, the woman's whispering seemed to have a power that helped him at least not pass out immediately.

"What do you intend to do?"

The deity of Bygone Days asked softly, its appearance as a young man inexplicably making Shard feel as if it had aged. Seeing Shard's pained expression, it reached out towards him.

There was no light or shadow effect, but the pain in his body and senses vanished. Shard felt as if he was about to be soaked in sweat, with only a faint memory of pain lingering in his brain.

"I want... to witness your last wish. Thank you for the healing."

Shard spoke with a quivering voice; although the pain was gone, the terrifying pressure he perceived still caused an instinctual discomfort in his body. The gods of this world were truly high-dimensional entities, and not merely powerful mortals. Mortals cannot directly gaze upon deities.

The Saint shook its head:

"I merely protected you from the essence of the god, a protection that can't last too long. As for my wish? No, you are still too weak. To do such a thing, you need at least the God's Afterglow. Go back, at least for now, you shouldn't be here."

"What is the God's Afterglow?"

"I cannot tell you, it's God's secret. Knowledge has weight, and you cannot bear it."

The Saint's voice was very gentle.

"Then, can you at least answer one question for me, just one?"

Shard extended one finger, seizing the rare opportunity; he couldn't let it slip by. Although at the moment he felt a swelling sensation in his head as if he lacked oxygen, he was still lucid and knew what he wanted to ask:

"What is... an Ancient God?"