Aldric's time at the Library of Nesharvad seemed to go by in a blur. His concentration was unchanging, his mind exploring ancient history that seemed like a fairy tail from his world. But as he turned each page, it became evident how vast and unknown Brasshal's past was.

  He had come looking for answers, but now, as the pale brightness of sunset seeped through the arched windows, he departed with more questions than he had arrived with. He could hardly comprehend the tapestry that was created by the Dawn Era, the Otherworlders, and the collapse of magic.

  Eryndra had approached him as he prepared to leave . Her presence was as quiet and unassuming as always. “You’ve been diligent,” she said, her soft voice carrying a trace of approval.

  “I hope the knowledge you’ve found serves you well.”

  Aldric gave her a weary smile. “ It’s like trying to drink from the ocean . The more I learn, the more I realize my ignorance .”

  Her lips curved slightly, her gaze was steady. “That is the nature of learning. ”

  He nodded, adjusting the strap of his satchel over his shoulder. “Thank you for everything, Eryndra. I’ll return if I need to use the library again .

  As the massive doors of the library creaked open, the chill of the evening air greeted him. The streets of Nesharvad were alive with their usual rhythm: the calls of merchants closing their stalls, the laughter spilling from taverns, and the faint glow of lanterns guiding the way. For a moment, Aldric allowed himself to breathe, letting the hum of the city ground him.

  But even as he walked through the bustling streets, his thoughts churned. The weight of what he’d read clung to him, a shadow that refused to fade.

  Suddenly he hears the system's usual notification .

  [System Update Complete.]

  Aldric’s heart raced as the words [System Update Complete] flashed before his eyes. His breath caught in his throat.

  He paused, taking a deep breath to steady himself. “Finally, the update is complete.”

  The world around him seemed to go still as the system’s interface appeared—sleeker, more intricate than before. Patterns shifted and pulsed like living things, drawing his attention.

  Then, the next prompt appeared, heavy with weight.

  [System Is Evolving]

  [Do You Want To Evolve It?]

  [Yes / No]

  System Evolution? First update and now evolution . His mind raced with questions. He didn’t have time to figure it out here. Without hesitation, he rushed home.

  Inside, he took a deep breath, trying to steady the nerves running through him. His hand hovered over the screen. He didn’t know what was coming, but he couldn’t wait any longer. With one final breath, he pressed [Yes].

  After a few seconds …..

  [System Evolution Complete: Devouring System Activated.]

  “Devouring System?” Aldric gasped, his voice barely audible. He clenched his fists, trying to steady himself as more notifications flooded his vision.

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  [Shop Unlocked.]

  [Chat Feature Unlocked.]

  [Body Potential Forcefully Increased By The Fragment]

  The words blurred together, overwhelming him. He barely had time to process

  as energy enveloped him, suffusing his body with a wild, uncontrollable force. His muscles tensed, his veins burning as mana surged through him in torrents.

  [Excess Mana Absorbed By The Fragment.]

  [Warning: Mana Overload Imminent.]

  “Overload?” he hissed through gritted teeth. The pain was searing, as if his very being was caught between implosion and explosion. The world around him blurred, and for a terrifying moment, he thought he might lose himself entirely.

  But then, as suddenly as it began, the energy stabilized. The heat faded, replaced by an overwhelming sense of clarity. Aldric blinked, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

  [Mana Stabilized.]

  [You Acquired A Trait ]

  [ Mana Body , Mana Soul]

  He stared at his hands, flexing his fingers as the last remnants of the surge dissipated. His senses felt sharper, his body lighter. It was as though he had been reforged, each fiber of his being strengthened.

  The notifications weren’t done yet.

  [ You Have Acquired A Fragment: 1/7.].

  [Seven Fragments of ???: A piece of ????? ???? ???. Seek the remaining six

  For Unlocking ?????.]

  A sense of foreboding filled him, but there was no time to ponder it. Something had changed within him, something he couldn’t yet fully understand, but one thing was clear: his journey had just taken an unexpected turn.

  The newly unlocked Shop icon caught his eye first. Hesitant but curious, he selected it. The menu that appeared was unlike anything he had seen before, its sleek design brimming with options.

  Portable Shelter (Uncommon): 200 P

  “A foldable safe space for rest and recovery in hostile environments.”

  Basic Health Elixir (Common): 50 P

  “Heals minor injuries and restores vitality.”

  Basic Mana Elixir (Common): 50 P

  “Restores a portion of lost mana instantly.”

  His eyes darted across the items, marveling at their utility. But a quick glance at his Points revealed a harsh truth.

  [Current P: 0.]

  “Of course,” Aldric muttered, closing the shop with a sigh.

  Next, he turned his attention to the Chat feature. A blank screen greeted him, save for a single message already waiting:

  [System: Welcome to the Chat Network. Communication with other system users is now possible.]

  Aldric stared at the message, unease prickling at the back of his mind. Other users? Did that mean there were others like him—people with systems of their own? Is it talking about otherworlders like him?

  He hesitated before typing a single word:

  [ Unknown User: Hello ?]

  For a moment, there was no response. Then, just as he was about to close the interface, a new message appeared.

  [Ronin_master56:My my it seems we have another newbie among us .]

  Aldric's eyes narrowed as the message appeared on the screen. The tone was casual, almost mocking, but there was something else beneath it—an undercurrent of amusement, or perhaps a challenge.

  [Ronin_master56: Don't be shy. You’ll need all the help you can get in this place. You’ll find your way... eventually.]

  [King_of_man0: Which world are you from?]

  Aldric blinked, his mind racing. Which world? The question struck him like a jolt. His hand hovered over the interface as his thoughts scrambled to make sense of it. Are there more worlds?So... all otherworlders aren’t from Earth?

  Aldric took a deep breath, his fingers trembling as he finally typed his response, unsure of what he might be getting into.

  [ Unknown User : I... I’m from Earth. Is that not where you’re from?]

  He hit send, feeling an odd mix of curiosity and dread.

  [King_of_man0: Of course , we are from earth .Did ya not check the congratulation message after completing the Main Quest ? ]

  [King_of_man0: Sigh…… whatever I am talking about the world you were sent to ? Which Training Ground was it ?]

  Aldric blinked his eyes . He doesn't understand what they are talking about .

  Congratulations message? Main Quest? Training Ground?

  He leaned back, trying to process everything. Are they talking about Brasshal? The world I’m in right now?