I reached out, my fingers hovering just above the carved lines. The air here was thicker, heavier, like the moment before a storm broke. I could feel something pressing against the edges of my perception, not quite there, but waiting.
Don't touch it.
The thought came sharp and immediate. Not from the system. From somewhere inside my mind. Instinct, maybe. Or whatever remained of the original Cassian's battle-hardened intuition.
Was it because of the new skills I obtained? That was definitely something new.
I pulled my hand back.
"System. Scan the circle. Tell me what it's for."
[Analyzing...]
[Purpose: Creates a stabilized tear between dimensions, allowing entities to pass through without destroying the surrounding area.]
[Status: Incomplete.]
[Estimated time to completion if unattended at current pace: eight days]
Eight days.
That's... not long.
