That was an unexpected development.
Depending on how it worked, the implications could be enormous.
Before he could consider them further, the announcement continued.
"Finally, the third party."
"The players."
"That would be all of you."
"By now, every participant should have received their SYSTEM."
"It will provide the information necessary to begin your journey and guide you through the challenges ahead."
"Now, humans."
"The rules have been established. The stage has been prepared."
"Fight for your survival. Entertain us with your struggles, your victories, and your failures."
"Survive the World's End Game."
"Or face extinction."
The voice disappeared.
For a while, Faust said nothing.
The boat continued moving across the ocean, leaving a trail of ripples behind it.
His attention remained fixed on the black monolith.
'Imagin... fictional beings manifesting in reality.'
He rubbed his chin.
'If they can turn something that doesn't exist into a living organism, could they also resurrect someone who has already died?'
The possibility immediately caught his interest.
'But how exactly would they accomplish that?'
He thought back to his own experiments.
'Could it be similar to how I created the worm?'
If these beings possessed the means to construct or reconstruct living organisms, then their so-called manifestation process might have an explanation.
Perhaps they could assemble biological structures directly from available matter.
Or manipulate genetic information on a level beyond anything humanity had accomplished.
'In that case, it might just be a more advanced form of genetic engineering.'
Faust smiled faintly.
If that assumption was correct, their technology alone would be worth investigating.
He shifted his attention toward the sky.
"And those self-proclaimed Gods..."
A scoff escaped him.
"More likely an advanced extraterrestrial civilization. Perhaps Type II on the Kardashev scale."
A civilization capable of harnessing the energy output of an entire star would possess resources and technology far beyond humanity's current reach.
However, that alone would not explain everything he had just witnessed.
There were still the Imagin, the monoliths, and the strange energy pulse to consider.
"Well, I'll find out eventually."
Faust lowered his gaze.
Agony was still busy absorbing the liquid crystal.
The black material covering it had begun vibrating, occasionally producing small ripples across the boat.
"Hey, Agony. Enough with the crystal."
He tapped the surface with his foot.
"We'll need that thing if we want to participate in this game."
Agony ignored him.
Faust frowned.
"They mentioned something called a system. Is that what this crystal is?"
A low growl came from beneath him.
"System?"
Agony's voice sounded strained.
"Oh. They must be referring to the signal coming from this crystal."
"A signal?"
"Yes. It's transmitting information and attempting to establish a connection with your body."
Faust looked down at the remaining liquid.
"Interesting."
"Don't worry," Agony continued. "I can hijack the signal and establish a connection with you once I finish consuming it."
Faust considered that for a moment.
"So I won't need to absorb the crystal myself?"
"Correct."
"Good. Then continue."
Agony resumed consuming the liquid.
However, before Faust could turn away, it added something else.
"Besides, this crystal isn't suitable for your body."
"Why?"
"It behaves like a parasite. Once it enters your body, it begins altering your biological structure."
Faust immediately became interested.
"A parasite?"
He crouched again.
"That's an interesting description, but I doubt it's that simple."
He watched the black material slowly absorb the last traces of the crystal.
"Agony, isolate a small portion before you finish. I want to examine it later."
"Understood."
Faust stood and looked toward the distant monolith.
'If my assumption is correct, that crystal should be similar to the one inside the Kraken.'
He recalled the structure of the crystal he had previously encountered.
'An organic nanomachine capable of altering human DNA.'
The resemblance was difficult to ignore.
If both crystals operated through the same principles, then he might already possess some understanding of the technology behind the system.
Of course, he would need to examine the sample before reaching any conclusion.
'There are too many things I still don't understand.'
He looked at the sea.
By now, the boat had traveled considerably closer to the impact site.
The surface of the ocean had returned to normal, and there was no visible trace of the massive object that had fallen earlier.
"It seems the monolith sank all the way to the ocean floor."
Faust peered into the water.
He could not see its exact location from the surface, but the energy coming from below was enough to confirm its presence.
"Well, there's no hurry."
He turned his attention back to Agony.
"Finish what you're doing first."
Time passed as the boat continued moving toward the impact site.
Agony remained focused on the crystal, its body occasionally trembling as it processed the material.
Then, without warning, a loud retching sound came from Faust's clothes.
"BLEEERG!"
Faust looked down.
"What the hell?"
Agony let out another wet, disgusting belch.
The black material covering the boat shuddered one last time before finally settling down.
"Finished," Agony announced.
Faust stared at it.
"Was that really necessary?"
There was no response.
He shook his head and examined the changes occurring within his companion.
Almost immediately, he noticed something different.
The energy circulating through Agony had become considerably more concentrated.
'Its energy has increased?'
Faust focused on the sensation.
The difference was substantial.
'Almost twice as much as before.'
He looked toward the place where the liquid crystal had disappeared.
"So those crystals can increase your energy reserves?"
"Yes."
"Interesting..."
Faust rubbed his chin.
'I should find more of these cores.'
Considering how many monoliths had fallen across the planet, there was a possibility that similar crystals existed elsewhere.
Before he could think further, Agony began to move.
The black fabric covering his shoulder bulged.
Then a portion of it separated from his clothes, stretching outward into the air.
Faust watched curiously.
"What are you doing now?"
The detached material twisted and compressed.
Four small limbs emerged from its body, followed by a head and a short tail.
Black fur spread across its surface.
A pair of white eyes opened, staring directly at Faust.
Its jaw split into a wide mouth filled with rows of sharp, needle-like teeth.
Two small horns grew from the top of its head, curling slightly backward.
Finally, a pair of bat-like wings unfolded from its back.
The creature flapped its wings several times before rising into the air.
Faust stared at it.
The creature resembled a small black dog, although its horns, wings, and unusually large mouth made it difficult to mistake for an ordinary animal.
It was small enough to fit comfortably on his shoulder.
After circling him once, the creature landed there.
Faust turned his head.
"Agony?"
"Yes?"
The voice was different.
Previously, Agony had spoken with a rough, growling tone. Now its voice sounded much clearer and more articulate.
Faust examined the creature closely.
"What happened to you?"
Agony stretched its wings.
"I've assimilated enough energy to create a body separate from yours."
"A separate body?"
"More precisely, an avatar."
Agony raised one of its front paws.
"My core is still inside your body. This form allows me to operate independently without constantly relying on you."
Faust reached out and touched the creature's head.
The black fur felt surprisingly real.
"So you can move around by yourself now?"
"To an extent."
Agony nodded.
"At my current energy level, I can only operate within a ten-meter radius of you."
"Ten meters?"
"Yes. If I move beyond that distance, I won't be able to maintain this avatar."
Faust considered the information.
"Well, that's still useful."
He examined Agony's wings, then its small body.
"Do you have any additional capabilities?"
"Naturally."
Agony puffed out its chest.
"I can transform into anything you want, provided I have enough energy to maintain the transformation."
"Anything?"
"Within my current limits, yes."
Agony continued explaining.
"The more energy I accumulate, the more mass I can produce for transformations. My new body also allows me to perform tasks separately from the material attached to you."
Faust nodded.
That would give him considerably more flexibility.
Previously, Agony had been restricted to operating through his clothes and whatever structures it formed around him.
Now, it could maintain those functions while simultaneously controlling a separate body.
"Excellent."
Faust looked at the small creature perched on his shoulder.
"That should make things more convenient."
Agony gave a satisfied growl.
Faust smiled and turned his attention back to the main problem.
"Now, let's establish my connection to this system."