The first rays of sunlight descended upon Aetherwyn Village, spilling softly over rooftops and quiet paths. Within a modest house near the edge of the village, that same golden light slipped through the window, gently brushing against Selarion's face. His eyes fluttered for a moment… then slowly opened.
The first thing he saw was her.
Tarya lay peacefully on his chest, as if she belonged there,as if the world itself had placed her in his arms with care. Her breathing was soft and steady, her chest rising and falling in a calm rhythm that soothed something deep within him. A faint, serene smile rested on her lips, untouched by worry or burden. Strands of chestnut hair were scattered messily across her face, catching the morning light. The sunlight kissed her flawless skin, tracing her features with a golden glow, making her seem almost unreal… as if she were radiating light from within.
She didn't look mortal. She looked like a goddess who had descended into his arms.
A quiet warmth spread through Selarion's chest.
I'm a lucky man… I'm truly happy she is mine.
Then… a faint shimmer appeared in his vision. A system panel materialized.
"The hidden mission you completed yesterday night, Host."
Selarion blinked once.
Oh right… that mission.
His gaze returned to Tarya.
I'll check it later… I don't want to stop looking at her yet.
Time passed quietly. Almost an hour later, Tarya stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, revealing her soft-colored irises, still hazy with sleep.
"Good morning, beautiful," Selarion said gently.
She rubbed her eyes slightly. "Oh… good morning, Selarion…"
She muttered something under her breath, then suddenly became aware of their position. A faint blush spread across her cheeks as she quickly stood up and walked toward the bath. Selarion smiled faintly and followed shortly after.
As water filled the space, he stepped in and wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her gently against him.
"Let's bathe together… my dear Tarya."
She relaxed into his embrace, her hands resting lightly over his arms.
"Of course we can," she replied softly.
The moment was quiet… warm… peaceful.
After some time, they finished and began dressing. As Selarion put on his shirt, Tarya spoke.
"I have to go somewhere… I think I'll be back around nighttime."
He nodded.
"Alright. I'll head to the forest to get some fresh air."
She nodded in return. Selarion stepped closer and placed a short, gentle kiss on her lips.
"Bye."
"Bye," she replied softly.
They left the house together… then parted ways.
Now that she was gone… I kept staring at the place Tarya had left from for a while. Longer than I should have.
…She's going somewhere, huh…
I shook my head. Focus.
I think it's time…
…to check those rewards of mine.
"For completing that hidden mission."
My gaze sharpened.
"Hey, System… show me the rewards for completing that hidden mission."
…Silence.
Then… a panel appeared. Only one word was written on it.
NO.
My eye twitched.
"What the f@#k?"
"What do you mean 'no'?"
A moment passed… Then another panel appeared. This time, words slowly formed across it.
"I asked if I should show you the rewards, but you either ignore me or say 'I'll see it later.' So no."
I stared at it.
…Seriously?
Another message appeared.
"Don't think I can't leave you and go find a new host. I can. It's just that I don't want to."
My expression stilled.
"The stronger a being is, the less rules there are that can bind them. And I, for one, am the strongest, smartest, most talented… and most beautiful being there is."
It stopped. I almost scoffed.
Yeah… definitely full of itself.
But something about it felt real. Too real.
Then… another panel came. And this one hit me worse.
"Heh… and there is you."
My body went still.
"You were once one with power equal to the Concepts… maybe even above them. I don't know."
A pause.
"But because of your mistake… your brother's betrayal…"
My jaw tightened.
…your family and friends have been killed.
Silence. Heavy. Suffocating.
"You had so much power that even I… and Father… thought you were stronger than us."
Another pause.
"But because of that betrayal… where are you now?"
A faint, cold tone followed.
"You know nothing of your past. Nothing of yourself."
The words hit harder than they should have.
From a God… to a mortal.
…Another panel began formingbbut I cut it off.
"Wait. Wait, wait." I exhaled.
"Let me say two things about you I've learned from this conversation."
A pause.
"First… you're very cocky."
Another second passed.
"Second… you have no patience. And your temperament?"
A faint smirk formed.
…is terrible.
Silence. Then A sigh.
The panel shifted.
Meanwhile… far beyond Aetherwyn, deep within the void.
A colossal building stood, one hundred stories tall, forged from a block so black that even the void's darkness seemed pale in comparison. Inside, Tarya walked through the long corridors. Her chestnut hair flowed down to her waist, soft and radiant even in the dim light. She wore a flowing emerald tunic, cinched with a golden belt, the fabric moving elegantly with each step. Silver embroidery lined the sleeves, giving her an aura of quiet nobility. Her amber eyes were calm… focused… yet distant.
Beside her walked a black-haired woman, her posture sharp and controlled. She wore a fitted dark coat over a high-collared outfit, her piercing gray eyes constantly scanning the surroundings. A faint scar marked her cheek, adding to her cold, composed presence.
As they passed by several rooms, a few people glanced at Tarya. Their expressions were clear: scorn. Pity. And above all… fear.
A playful voice suddenly echoed.
"You ain't gonna do anything to those two fools who are looking at you like that, Tarya?"
A crimson-haired girl, no older than fourteen, appeared out of nowhere beside them, grinning mischievously.
Tarya smiled warmly, hearts almost visible in her eyes.
"No… I won't do anything to them," she said softly as she walked. "I have to focus on what I came here to do… so that I can go back home and be wi,"
She stopped. Mid-step. Mid-sentence. Her expression slowly changed. The warmth vanished. Her face turned completely blank.
…There.
Her voice was calm. Flat.
"That answers your question. Let's continue."
She resumed walking. Behind her, the black-haired woman and the crimson-haired girl exchanged a glance.
…Something's up with Tarya.
They said it at the same time.
Back with Selarion…
"Hahaha… I've won the game."
A grin spread across my face.
"Now… the rewards."
The system responded with a sigh.
"Fine."
The long-awaited panel appeared.
Hidden Mission
Status: Complete
Objective: Make the future Queen of Void your woman
Time Limit: 30 Days
Rewards upon Completion:
Lv Up ×10
Unlocking of Elements: Void and Space
100 System Points
100 Stat Points
Sword
Punishment upon Failure: Your soul is sold to the Lord of the Underworld
I stared at it.
…Are you serious?
My expression darkened.
"You're adding a punishment like that… for a quest I couldn't even see?"
The system replied instantly.
"Because it's a hidden quest."
I reread the panel. Again. And again. Then I sighed.
…Fine.
"I don't have the energy to argue right now."
My eyes sharpened.
Better to focus on something useful.
"Distribute my stat points…"
A faint grin formed.
…and head to the forest to test my new sword.
The system responded calmly.
"Good idea."
I nodded.
"Status."
The familiar red and gold panel appeared.
Celestium Aetherion System: Status
Name: Selarion Aetherion
Age: 16
Race: Elasian
Status: Weakened, Healthy, Lost Memories
Titles: Reincarnator, Primordial Dark Gods Sealer, Divine King, etc.
Bloodline: ????????
Physique: ????????
Level: 15
Health: 96/96
Strength: 95
Agility: 90
Stamina: 96
Constitution: 96
Energy: 70/70
Intelligence: 96
Charisma: 96
Concepts: 0
Mastery of Concepts: 0%
Concepts Met: 0
Mastery of Basic Sword Techniques: 70%
Mastery of Energies Wielded: 20% (Terra Essence, Aqua Vitae Flow, Ignis Inferna, Ventus Gale, Aetherial Pulse, Lumen Flux, Umbral Veil, Nihyra)
Axions: Convergence Slash | First Slash (Still Learning), Divine Perception, Protection of the Forest, Plant Manipulation
System Shop
System Points: 270
Unassigned Stat Points: 110
Coins: 20 Silver, 56 Bronze
Experience: 42 XP (toward next level)
Missions: "Add enough to make each of them reach hundred"
The system replied, "Okay."
I saw my stats rising. Now that was solved. It was time to get the sword.
First, I asked, "Hey, System, where is my sword?"
It answered, "Oh, your sword? Buy the system's inventory."
I asked, with hope in my voice, "Can't you just give it to me?"
The system's next words were contrary to what I expected:
"Nope. Let me ask you a question ,what do you think would happen if you completed a quest whilst fighting and things appear? It would be annoying for you, so just buy the damned inventory already."
I nodded and went to check how much the inventory cost.
System Shop
Item: System Inventory
Description: Your personal inventory that no one but yourself can access, where you can put anything and where your reward items will be stored after completing a quest.
Price: 10,000 system points
The moment I saw that price, I stood up and went to get Luminara. Then I started running to the forest. The minute I got there, I inhaled air, added energy to my voice with the elements Nihyra, Umbral Veil, Sylthar, Aetherial Pulse, and Ventus Gale, and screamed at the top of my lungs:
"What the hell! Are you trying to rob me?! That is WAY too much!!"
"You know what,I'm gonna hunt to my death! Hey, monsters ;COME TO ME! Hahahahaha!"
After I was done screaming, I looked around ,only to see there were no trees, no ground, nothing within about a hundred-meter radius of me.
And as I was observing the destruction I made with my voice I heard multiple sounds to my right so I turned only to see...…
Authors note
Sorry for not posting a chapter earlier.