Chapter 7: (The Beginning and the Unknown)
"Roasted cricket and mushroom slices sound good," I thought, but still hesitated because the cricket was as big as my fist.
As I remembered the last time I tried to cook crickets. It was during one of those hot summer afternoons when I was helping an elderly neighbor clear out his overgrown backyard. He had shuffled by with a twinkle in his eye, saying, "Young one, you should collect some crickets. They can be eaten, you know. We survived on them when there was nothing else." He chuckled, as if sharing a fond memory, and added, "Just fry them."
But still this cricket too felt strange to me. Its size was daunting, yet i hope it might still be good to eat or at the very least its edible enough.
"I dont have many option if this is the only type of meat I can capture in this place for now."
"Wait...."
I placed my finger on my chin, my eyes narrowing as I sank into deep thought. My mind wandered back to the past, flipping through memories like pages in a book.
"To think about it…" I muttered under my breath. "I remember reading somewhere that not having meat as a source of protein could be a huge problem. Without enough protein, my body would get weaker over time."
I let out a small sigh, feeling the weight of that knowledge. Surviving without a proper protein source would be tough.
"And if I only ate mushrooms for a week or two, my body might start to have serious issues, like swelling, stunted growth, a weak immune system, and changes to my skin and hair. I could even face bone weakening and muscle loss."
"Mushrooms are full of vitamins and minerals, like selenium, zinc, and vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6, and B12. They're also a good source of dietary fiber and contain a small amount of protein. But still, mushrooms can't replace meat."
"And that problem will be solved if I am able to eat this cricket. Crickets naturally have between 65% to 69% content of complete protein. This means crickets have a protein content higher than beef, pork, or salmon, and they also contain all the essential amino acids that the body cannot produce."
"A normal cricket weights around 0.2 grams giving me about 0.13 grams of protein if dried. And if this cricket is 50 times bigger than normal it's weight might be around 10 to 25 grams, it means that 2 to 5 grams of protein. They were considered of the best sources of protein, but I still need to gut this cricket. Eating its big organs makes me feel sick. If it's smaller, then I'm ready to gobble it."
Then I once again scanned my surroundings, hoping to find more edible food. As I looked around, the forest felt even more surreal as I wonder. crickets called (great woods grass eaters) the size of my fist hopping past me, their legs crackling against the grass. Overhead, moths (aviagapes) as big as birds, fluttering through the air, their wings casting strange shadows on the ground. A centipede (Verdanthorn crawler), longer than a child, slithered up the trunk of a massive tree's, its countless legs moving in a slow, sinister like waves.
Then, something caught my eye on the rocky slope to my left — a strange, glistening shape crawling along the stones. I stepped closer and saw a snail called (stonecap mosscrawler), it's larger than human head, inching its way up the rock face. Its shell was thick and covered in patches of moss and rocks, blending almost seamlessly with the environment. A trail of shimmering slime marked its slow progress.
"Snails are edible, right?" I muttered to myself, my stomach tightening with hunger. "Looks like I found another food."
"Eating one would give me plenty of protein to keep my muscles strong — about 16 grams per 100 grams of snail meat. They were also loaded with iron, magnesium, and vitamin B12, all things my body needed to stay energized and sharp."
"Snails also have omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats were good for my heart and brain, which meant eating snails could help me stay alert and focused. Plus, they had collagen, which helped keep skin and joints healthy."
"And they were low in fat and calories, so I could eat as many as I want without worrying about feeling sluggish."
"The problem is I still had to think what method to cook this slimy thing. And If I could just get past the texture, this creature might be one of my secret weapon for survival."
I carefully picked up the enormous snail from the stones, feeling its weight in my hands. Then, I carried it back to the cave where I planned to stay and gently set it down, already thinking about how I'd cook it.
After gathering my food, I started collecting dried leaves and twigs near the cave to make a fire. But even the smallest twigs were as thick as a grown man's arm. So i don't have any other options but to use my sword to chop them into smaller pieces.
Once I finished, I spotted some (Brownbark Quencher fruits) scattered on the ground — the same ones I had seen earlier. They looked like they just freshly fallen from the tree's, so I picked a few to use as a drink later.
With the firewood and fruit ready,
I turned to prepare the food, gripping my sword tightly. But the sweat on my hands made it harder to hold the sword's hilt. My fingers kept slipping, and I had to squeeze even tighter to keep my grip. The giant cricket lay before me, its legs curled and twitching slightly.
I placed the cricket carefully on the ground, holding it steady with one hand. With slow, deliberate movements, I slid my sword along its belly, pressing just hard enough to pierce the tough exoskeleton. The blade sank in with a faint crackling sound as the shell split apart.
A thick, pale greenish-yellow liquid began to ooze out. It was the cricket's blood. It flowed over my fingers, warm and sticky, staining my palm with its strange color. The blood didn't stop — it kept gushing out, dripping onto the ground in slow, steady drops. It smelled faintly sour, like damp grass mixed with decay.
I carefully pried the shell open, revealing the cricket's insides. Its organs shimmered wetly in the dim light, packed tightly together in a slimy tangle. I reached in with my bare hands, feeling the slippery texture as I gently pulled the organs out. They stretched and clung to the body, connected by thin strands that snapped as I tugged them free. The heart, small and pulsing weakly, beat a few last times in my hand before going still.
Next, I moved to the head. I gripped it firmly, twisting it until I felt a sharp pop. With a steady pull, I separated the head from the body, careful not to damage the fragile antennae. The mouth, lined with tiny, jagged teeth, hung open as if frozen in a silent scream.
Finally, I turned my attention to the wings. They were thin and translucent, like delicate sheets of glass. I pinched the base of each wing and slowly peeled them away from the body, careful not to tear the fragile membranes. They shimmered faintly, catching the light as it slightly fluttered in my hand.
When I finished, the cricket's body lay hollow — an empty shell. My hands were covered in blood and bits of flesh, but I wiped them clean on my clothes without hesitation.
"It was ready. Now, all that was left was to start a fire and cook it."
I carefully placed the rune stone under a small pile of chopped twigs and dried leaves, making sure it was in the center. Then, I gently collected some water from a cave stalagmite using a large leaf, careful not to spill a drop. Slowly, I placed the stone into the leaf filled with water.
At first, nothing happened. But after a few moments, the stone began to smoke and spark. Tiny flashes of light crackled around it, and soon, a small flame appeared. The water around the stone started to vanish, disappearing as quickly as if it were boiling away.
As the fire grew, I quickly gathered dried leaves and small branches, placing them close to the flames. I did this so that if the fire from the rune stone went out, the dry wood would catch fire and keep burning. That way, I could still cook my food without starting over.
Once the fire was steady, I carefully impaled the cricket on a stick, holding it over the flames like a barbecue. I skewered a few mushrooms on smaller sticks and placed them next to the cricket so they could roast together. Beneath the fire, I carefully set the snail, letting the heat slowly cook it in its shell.
As the fire crackled, the delicious smell of roasting mushrooms and cricket mixed with the smoky scent of burning wood. The mushrooms slowly turned golden, their edges crisping up, while the cricket's body darkened, its shell crackling in the heat.
Below, the snails began to cook, their entrances bubbling as steam escaped. Bits of ash floated through the air, some sticking to the snails' shells like black dust. The food was slowly cooking, and the promise of a warm meal filled the air.
My stomach growls loudly, and I wipe my lips with my hand. I can't stop thinking about how hungry I am.
"I don't know if I'm just really hungry and tired," I whisper to myself, my voice soft and shaky. "But this smells so good... even though the cricket and snail look strange to me."
The small fire, which I started using a rune stone, begins to fade. The water in the leaf slowly disappears, turning to steam and rising into the air. But luckily, the dry branches and leaves I gathered are already burning, so the fire stays alive. The flames flicker and crackle, keeping the food cooking.
I wait patiently, though my hunger makes every minute feel longer. After more than 10 minutes, the mushrooms finally cook through. They look soft and smell earthy. I carefully take them off the fire and place them on a large leaf.
Next, I watch the cricket as it roasts over the flames. Its body turns dark and crispy, its legs curling in as it cooks. I check it over and over, counting the minutes in my head. After 24 minutes, it's done.
The snail takes even longer. I turn it carefully, making sure it cooks evenly. Time crawls by, and I feel weaker with every passing minute. Finally, after 31 minutes, the snail is fully cooked.
I let out a deep breath of relief, my body shaking from hunger. "Finally, it's all done," I whisper, my voice filled with exhaustion. "I'm so hungry... I kept checking to make sure it was okay."
I stare at the food in front of me — mushrooms, a roasted cricket, and a cooked snail. It's not what I'm used to eating, but right now, it feels like the best meal in the world.
But before eating, I decided to drink something to quench my thirst. I carefully removed the soft spot at the top of the Brownbark Quencher fruit. The husk felt smooth and sturdy in my hands, but the soft area gave way easily. I tilted it and took a small sip of the liquid inside.
The cool juice flowed over my tongue, instantly refreshing me up. It tasted naturally sweet, with a hint of mint that made my mouth tingle. It was like drinking ice-cold, pure coconut water, but even more refreshing and less sweeter. The coolness spread through my body, easing my thirst and calming the heat of hunger that burned inside me.
"Pheww!!... That was refreshing!" I said out loud, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. The drink gave me a small burst of energy, enough to keep me going.
I turned back to my food, placing everything carefully on another giant leaf I had picked earlier. It was large and flat, perfect for using as a plate. I grabbed my sword, its blade dull from overuse and old but still sharp enough to cut through what I needed.
Slowly, I began slicing the cricket into small, bite-sized pieces. The blade scraped against the crispy, charred exoskeleton, making a soft cracking sound. The shell broke apart, revealing the flesh inside. To my surprise, the meat was white and tender, almost like crab meat. The sight made my stomach growl even louder, and I had to stop myself from eating it all in just one sitting.
I carefully cut the rest of the cricket, making sure each piece was small enough to eat easily. The snail and mushrooms sat beside it, completing the strange but satisfying meal.
I took a deep breath, feeling both relieved and thankful. After everything I had been through, this simple meal felt like a priceless treasure.
I carefully picked up a small, chopped piece of the cricket, examining it closely before bringing it to my mouth. The fire had charred the edges, leaving the shell a dark, golden brown. I hesitated for a moment, then popped the piece onto my tongue, feeling the rough texture of the exoskeleton against my teeth.
As I bit down, the cricket's shell crunched loudly, like biting into a thin, crispy chip. The smoky flavor from the fire spread across my tongue, adding a rich, roasted taste. The meat inside was tender and juicy, a strange mix of flavors that reminded me of chicken and shrimp. It was an odd combination, but surprisingly delicious.
I chewed slowly, savoring the unexpected taste. The crispy shell blended with the soft meat, creating a satisfying contrast. The smoky flavor lingered, making each bite feel like I was tasting something completely new.
Next, I reached for the mushroom pieces, the piece of its cap are slightly blackened from the flames. I picked one up and turned it over, noticing how the edges had curled and crisped from the heat. The mushroom smelled earthy, with a hint of spice.
I popped the mushroom into my mouth and bit down. The juicy flesh released a burst of flavors — sweet, earthy, and slightly spicy. The burnt edges added a smoky bitterness that balanced out the sweetness, creating a rich, complex taste. It was refreshing, like a little burst of natural savory flavor, that are enhanced by the fire's heat.
I licked my lips, nodding in satisfaction. "Hmm, it's crispy with a hint of charcoal," I muttered to myself, my voice barely above a whisper. "The cricket is crispy and tastes like chicken and shrimp at the same time. The mushroom taste pretty good too earthy, smokey, sweet and slightly spicy especially with those crispy edges."
Finally, I turned my attention to the big snail. Its shell glistened in the dim light of the fire, its smooth, spiraled surface reflecting flickers of orange and yellow. I grabbed the stick I had sharpened earlier, the rough wood scraping against my fingers.
Carefully, I slid the sharp end of the stick into the snail's opening, twisting it slowly to loosen the meat inside. The snail meat is resisted at first, clinging stubbornly to the inside of the shell. But with a gentle pull, the white meat began to slide out, glistening with moisture.
As the meat emerged, I noticed the dark, bulbous end of the snail — its stomach. I held the snail up to the firelight, inspecting it closely. The stomach looked gritty, filled with bits of dirt and whatever else the snail had eaten before I caught it.
I grabbed my sword, its blade still warm from resting near the fire, and carefully sliced off the stomach. The piece dropped onto the ground with a soft thud, i throw it away into the grass. I wiped the blade on my sleeve and studied what remained — the clean, white socket of the snail, the part it used to crawl over stones and leaves.
"The end of the snail, also known as its stomach, isn't edible," I whispered to myself, as if explaining it to someone who wasn't there. "It might be full of dirt or parasites from what it ate. It's safest to cut it off and only eat the clean part."
I took a bite of the small piece of the snail meat, chewing slowly as I tried to understand the taste. It felt slippery on my tongue, with a chewy, rubbery texture that reminded me of octopus. The longer I chewed, the more the earthy flavor spread through my mouth, like the smell of damp soil after rain.
There was a faint smokiness from the fire, but it wasn't enough to hide the strange aftertaste. It was a bit wild, almost like the meat of a wild pig that had lived its life freely in the forest, eating whatever it could find. There was also a subtle fishy flavor that lingered at the back of my throat, making me wonder if I had overcooked the meat or if that was just its natural taste.
I swallowed and took another piece, trying to get used to the flavor. It wasn't terrible — just unusual. Maybe if I had some salt, herbs, or spices, I could make it taste better. Or perhaps cooking it a different way, like roasting it on a skewer or boiling it in some kind of broth, would help mask the stronger, unpleasant flavors.
"Still, it was food, and it filled my belly. That was enough for now." I finished the rest of the snail, wiping my hands on my clothes sleeves before leaning back on the grass. The fire crackled beside me.
Feeling the fullness in my stomach, i let out a soft laugh. "How long has it been since I completely stuffed my belly like this? Haha..." I muttered to myself.
I leaned back, rubbing my stomach with a contented sigh. The feeling of being full was strange — almost unfamiliar. It was a new sensation, one I hadn't felt in what seemed like forever. I tried to think back to the last time I felt this satisfied after a meal, but my mind came up empty. It must have been so long ago that I had forgotten what it felt like to eat until I couldn't take another bite.
"Yeah... right," I muttered to myself, a faint smile tugging at my lips. "It's been a while since I felt this full."
The fire crackled softly, its orange flames flickering and swaying as they danced over the burning wood. The sky above was warm, a cool breeze swept through the air, carrying with it the faint scent of smoke, charred mushrooms, and roasted cricket. The smoky aroma lingered, mixing with the earthy smell of the forest around me, reminding me of the meal I had just devoured.
I stretched my legs out in the grass, feeling the gentle tickle of the blades against my skin. The warmth of the fire kissed my face, while the breeze cooled my back, creating a perfect balance of comfort.
I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the peaceful silence wrap around me. My mind drifted back to my life on Earth — those lonely days when finding a decent meal felt like a battle. I opened my eyes and stared into the fire.
"The one thing I really learned about food when I was living alone on Earth," I whispered, "was that food is expensive. If you're poor, you don't get to be picky. You eat whatever you can find."
I picked up a stick and poked at the fire, watching the embers rise and like tiny fireflies. My voice grew quieter, almost like I was afraid to say the words out loud.
"It could be anything... a penguin, a lost chicken, a rabbit, a snake as long as it's not venomous. Wild fruits, bitter vegetables, or roots you dig up from the ground. It doesn't matter what it is, as long as you can eat it."
I clenched the stick in my hand, feeling the rough texture of the wood against my fingers.
"Whether it's rubbery, sour, bitter, bland, fishy, slimy, or even smells awful... as long as it fills your belly and doesn't cost money, you eat it. Because that's what survival looks like when you're poor."
I let out a dry chuckle, shaking my head.
"People like us... every day is a struggle. If you only get to eat one or two meals a day — or none at all — that's just normal. Food in the city is expensive, especially for people like me. The work is hard, but the pay is barely enough to scrape by. Even when you break your back working all day, sometimes you still go to bed hungry."
I lifted my hand to the sky, my fingers spread out as if trying to catch the sun.
"That's why I should be grateful," I whispered. "Grateful that I had eaten a lot. Because for people like us... a full belly is a rare blessing."
As I said that, I still felt a little bit pang of sadness and add.
"... Yeah, maybe I just miss the kids, Grandma, and Mom. I want to eat with them again, just like we used to. But still... I don't have any vegetables to eat. If Grandma saw me now, eating only meat and mushrooms, she would scold me. She would march straight to the backyard, pick some fresh vegetables, and make me eat them. I can almost hear her voice saying, 'You need greens to stay strong!."
I stretched out on the grass, letting my body sink into the earth. The sun's rays warmed my face, while the cold breeze caressed my skin like nature's way of comforting me. I just lay there, staring at the endless sky above. The clouds slowly shifting/change and lazily drifting somehow... it was comforting.
For the first time in what felt like forever, I didn't feel the gnawing ache of hunger in my stomach.
My body was tired, but my heart felt lighter than before.
And so, I closed my eyes and let myself rest, feeling at peace under the vast, bright and warm sky.
After resting for just 20 minutes, I noticed the sky slowly changing colors. The bright blue faded into soft shades of orange and pink as the sun began to sink lower. The warm glow spread across the horizon, casting long shadows on the ground. The gentle shift in the sky's colors was a quiet reminder that night was coming.
I slowly stood up and stretched my arms. The fire had burned low, the flames now just glowing embers. I carefully poured dirt over it to put it out, making sure there were no sparks left behind. Then, I gathered the leftover sticks I had used for cooking. They were still sturdy enough to use again, and I didn't want to waste anything. I tied them together with a vine and set them aside for the next meal.
After collecting the sticks, I went back to gather more branches. Some were as thick as my arms and legs, heavy and rough against my skin I carefully drag them. I also picked up a bunch of large, soft leaves to use as a cushion for my bed. It wasn't going to be anything close to a real bed, but it would be better than sleeping on the cold, hard ground.
I kept some branches aside for firewood, while the rest were for blocking the entrance of the cave where I planned to sleep. There was no way I was going to just lie down on the damp, uneven floor of a dark cave, especially in a place like this. I had no idea what kind of creatures might be lurking around — giant bugs, strange animals, or even monsters. The thought of waking up to something crawling on my face made me shiver. I wasn't about to take that chance.
I carefully started stacking the branches at the cave entrance, choosing the right sizes to fit together like puzzle pieces. Then, I explored the area to find heavy stone for the second layer and accidentally found some ruins of old stone buildings scattered nearby maybe from the old civilization of [draconis Aeternum]. The stone ruins were heavy, but I carried them back, one by one, and chipped some of them into smaller pieces to fit tightly between the branches as a second layer of protection.
Not satisfied with just two layers, I made a third layer with more branches and bigger stones, stacking everything carefully to make a sturdy wall. It wasn't perfect, but at least it could block out the wind and make it harder for anything to get inside.
"I needed to make a door, even a simple one, so I tied up some branches together. Luckily, I didn't have to look far for rope. Thick vines had fallen from the massive trees nearby just like what I used to tie the sticks but bigger. They were tough and heavy, almost like cables, but they were exactly what I needed."
I knelt by the entrance, struggling to tie the vines around the branches. The vines were stiff and hard to bend, and my fingers started to ache from pulling so hard.
"Having a part-time job at a weaving company came in handy," I muttered, wiping sweat from my forehead, "but still, tying these huge, hard vines is really difficult."
Even though it was tiring, I kept going. I knew that building a secure shelter was the most important thing right now. "At least if something tried to get in while I slept, I would hear it struggling with the wall and the door. It gave me just a little bit of peace of mind in this unfamiliar place."
"It seems like it's really getting dark now," I said, realizing that two hours had already passed. I stepped into the cave and quickly and blocked the entrance with the door that I created and started making a fire. The cold was unbearable. Even with the fire burning, I couldn't feel any warmer.
"It's freezing," I muttered, shivering. "It's not even winter, but I feel like I'm going to get frostbite. My country doesn't even have snow, so my body isn't used to this kind of cold. The air blowing through the cave feels like a giant air conditioner."
I rubbed my hands together, trying to warm them up, but it didn't help much.
"If I can hunt a rabbit or a wild boar, I'll use their hides to make a blanket or something to keep me warm," I thought. The idea of warm fur covering me felt like a dream, but.
If this cold didn't let up, I might not last more than a few weeks.
I stared at the fire, my body trembling. "Why does time feel so slow here?" I wondered. "Are the days and nights different in this world?"
The questions lingered in my mind as I hugged my knees to my chest, hoping the fire wouldn't go out before morning.
I still wasn't feeling sleepy, so I decided to read a book called Mystery of the World to help me relax and sleep afterwards. I picked up the lantern with the glowing stone, placed it carefully beside me, placed the silver monocle in my right eye and slowly opened the book. The gentle glow of the lantern cast soft glow on the cave walls, making the space feel a little less cold I guess....
As I started reading, I quickly realized how strange and different this world truly was. Everything here felt unfamiliar — the size of the land, the creatures, and even the flow of time itself. A single day lasted a long 34 hours, stretching far beyond what I was used to. And a full year was even longer, with 671 or sometimes 672 days. It felt like this world moved at a completely different pace, making me wonder if I would ever get used to it.
The more I read, the more curious I became. This world was vast and filled with mysteries I couldn't even imagine. I kept turning the pages, eager to understand the place I now found myself in.
As I turned the page of the book, I saw detailed drawings of towers rising from the ground, appearing suddenly in every corner of the world. There were also sketches of dungeons that seemed to pop up out of nowhere, as if the world itself had created them overnight. Some pages explained strange events, like monsters regaining consciousness — as if they had minds of their own, waking up from a long, dark slumber.
The book also described how the human body worked in this world. Inside every person there was *seven small cores, or orbs,* used to channel mana. These cores were placed in specific parts of the body: one in each arm, one in each leg, one in the brain, one in the heart, and the last one deep in the abdomen. These orbs were the source and container of MANA and life energy of everything in this world, yet they held many secrets that even the people of this world didn't fully understand.
As i continue to read I found out that there are over *88 types of power sources* in this world. People call them [Multidimensionalanchornexusace], or just (MANA) for short. It's the name for the ultimate source of energy that exists across endless worlds and dimensions.
There was a big drawing of a big circle/wheel graph. Inside the wheel/circle graph, all the 88 types of power sources are listed.
*Nagual, Orenda, Teyolia, Iká, Pneuma, Axé, Yachay Æther, Odic force, Glamour, Nauthiz, Lebenkraft, Asè, Nyama, Moya, Sereti, Qi, Chakra, Ki, Reiki, Prana, Ling, Baraka, Ruach, Sekhem, Ka, Mana essence, Tapu, Wairua, spiritual essence, nature essence.*
*Malefic Essence, nether force, soul Energy, abyssal energy, infernum, blightflow, sin Energy, blood sacrificial essence.*
*Divine energy, Divinum, Luxforce, Aetheris, Grace essence, Halo Flow, Seraphic Flame, Auracrest, Ethereal Chorus, Virtue Stream, Luminara, heroic mana, apocalyptic essence, dracora enythis, aura essence, force essence, mythren, animara, vitalis, lunaris. Cosmic essence, holy essence, phantasm essence, mythical energy, epic essence, ancestral mana, primal essence*
*Nyxith, antilumina, chthonic Resonance, primordials death star, madness Surge, Lurker's veil, Genesis mana, world pulse, astral Vitae, leystream, voidseed, eonflow, omniforce, essence of the origins, Aetherium, starforce, star dust, galaxium, nebulight, cosmara, Celestia Vitae, singularity spark.*
Inside the 7 core/orb, this are the *88 different types of power source*, almost like elements. But you can only use one type, and it depends on who you are — your strengths, race, habitat, personality, and your connection to a host. That host could be a *god, heroic spirits, historical figures, legends, epics or mythical being* and etc... It's like they're your other half, your twin soul.
Because of this, everyone's MANA is Unique, like a finger print. No one can copy or steal your MANA — it's something that belongs only to you.
Each MANA type is connected to a percentage inside you, ranging from 0.1% to 1% or more. If one type has the *highest percentage*, that's the MANA you can awaken and use to unlock skills, powers, and more.
In short, your MANA is one of a kind, and the stronger your connection to it, the more powerful you become.
I felt really confused and bored, so I quickly flipped it without hesitation.
As I read further, I discovered countless mysteries that had shaped the world across different epochs. Each event sounded very interesting.
One section talked about the *Unknown destruction of the great kingdom of Silver* during the 3rd Epochē. No one knew what caused its downfall — one day, the kingdom thrived, and the next, it was reduced to ruins.
Another chapter detailed *The unsolved greatest massacre in human history*, which wiped out the kingdom of Velmorra during the *8th Epochē*. It was said that the kingdom drowned in blood as countless lives were taken in a single, brutal event that no survivors lived to describe.
Then there was the horrifying tale of the *Night of the hundred towers* in the *2nd Epochē*. Without warning, countless black towers erupted from the ground across the region of Ashford. The towers unleashed endless waves of monsters, which swarmed the kingdom like a plague. By sunrise, the entire region was nothing but rubble, and every last civilian had been slaughtered/crushed.
And these were also few of the countless disasters written in the book like the *Uncontrollable green pests that cause famines* during the 3rd Epochē and the *Great plague (the ticking death) that killed 70% of the population of the empire of velanthar in just 1 night* during the *7th Epochē*.
As I continue reading the book, it talked about the *17 Ancient highly restricted forbidden civilization*, including the kingdom of *Draconis Aeternum*. The illustrations were so detailed that they looked like photographs taken with an advanced camera. Every line, shadow, and texture made the drawings feel real, as if the places and creatures might come to life at any moment.
As I turn the page once again, something catches my attention and interest.
one of the pages, of the book used a whole two pages just to draw a massive map of the entire world. The map was incredibly detailed.
In the very center of the map was a massive landmass called the *Human World*, located in the very center. this massive land is where the human kind live and almost all of the land of the human world is territories of the *Undisputed Rulers* where they ruled, some of them are like neighbors like the northern center part, northeast, west, south, southwest, and east.
Because these rulers were not just ordinary kings or queens. Their power was so immense that even the divine realms of the gods sometimes fell under their control. The sacred domains of the Greek, Norse, Mayan, and Egyptian pantheons etc... is the place where the gods once walked among mortals — could not always resist the influence of these rulers called *Undisputed Rulers*.
"Their words are law. One mistake brings death — disobedience is never forgiven."
The smallest lands were as big as continents, but even larger than anything I could imagine. The *Forbidden Forest*, where I stood at this very moment, stretched over 50,456 miles — and this was only a small part of the northwest.
Outside the Human World was a ring-shaped land with rough edges called *Mýrkwud*, also known as the *Food Chain World, intermediate enclosing monster continent or Hollow Earth*. This land was home to colossal creatures, plants, tribes and specially a place where terrifying monsters kill and eat each other, every single day.
And *Mýrkwud* has Four enormous gates, called the Gates of the *the gate that lead to the outside world*, stood in each direction, blocking the intruders from entering the Human World.
Next to the *Mýrkwud/Hollow earth* were the *Great Lands* it was four separate regions to northwest, northeast, southwest and south east is outside the *Mýrkwud/hollow earth*. These lands were ruled by the four *highest orders* — beings even stronger and more powerful than the undisputed rulers. They also held the highest status in the entire world, both inside and outside of the Human World one step above the *UndisputedRulers*.
Scattered beyond the *Great Lands* were slightly smaller lands maybe around 150000 or 200000 miles. These lands were filled with terrifying monsters, including beings known as the *6 World's Greatest Masterpiece/ king of monsters* they are creatures so powerful they were considered as unstoppable calamities.
Finally, surrounding everything was the *The Devils Continent/ the place where evil begins*. This dark, stormy land completely encircled the Human World, Mýrkwud, great lands and the territories of the king of monsters. It was home to countless demons, criminals groups, demonoids, cults, dealers with the devils, monsters etc... the continent ruled by over a thousand demon lords, a hundred demon kings, god of death, god of the underworld, eldritch great old ones/outer gods And more.
After reading just a small part of the book, my eyes grew heavy trying so hard to understand it. I closed the book, lay down next to the lantern, and quickly fell asleep as its glow softly glow in the darkness.
The night felt long on my first day in this strange world. 3 hrs passed I suddenly woke up, my eyes heavy and my body aching all over. My bladder felt full, and I knew I had to go outside.
I sat up slowly, rubbing my face. My fingers brushed against dried drool on my cheek, but I was too tired to care. My muscles hurt from all the walking and working I had done during the day. Even as the cold breeze slipped into the cave and made me shiver, I didn't have the energy to react.
I had no idea what time it was. The nights in this world were almost twice as long as normal, stretching on and making it hard to tell how many hours had passed. I let out a long yawn and forced myself to stand up, wobbling a bit as my legs protested.
"Ahh... is it still dark?" I mumbled, rubbing my eyes. "I need to pee. the cave will smell terrible if I do it inside, so I don't have any choice but to go out."
I glanced at the door and sighed.
"I hope I don't see anything... creepy like giant cockroaches or centipedes crawling around," I whispered to myself, still drowsy. "If something jumps out at me, I might just faint right here."
With sluggish movements, I walked to the door I had made to block the entrance. I pushed it aside, the rough material scraping against the cave floor as I stepped outside.
I realized forgot to bring the lantern with me because I was too sleepy and only focused on going outside to pee. My body felt heavy, and my eyes were still half-closed as I stepped outside the cave.
I expected the night to be pitch dark, with only the moon providing a little light. But to my surprise, the forest itself was glowing softly.
All around me, thousands of tiny, glowing orbs floated through the air. They were yellow-orange, gently moving like stars that had fallen to the ground. I realized they were *Lantern flies* its big maybe around 4 inches, their light dancing bellow the massive trees. The forest looked magically beautiful.
I stood still, completely mesmerized.
I tilted my head up, and my breath caught in my throat. The sky above me was filled with endless stars, twinkling like precious gems scattered across a dark sky.
My eyes widened, and I whispered to myself, "i never knew there could be so many stars... They're shining so brightly. It's like a treasure chest of diamonds and pearl up there."
The sky stretched out forever, filled with countless sparkling stars. The sight overwhelmed me, filling my heart with wonder and admiration. I felt so small under the vast sky, yet so lucky to witness something so breathtaking.
I stood there, lost in the beauty around me, completely forgetting why I had come outside in the first place.
"Beautiful..." I whispered, my voice barely audible against the stillness of the forest. "This is the first time I've seen something like this."
I stood there, mesmerized by the glowing forest around me. The lantern flies drifted through the air like tiny living stars, their yellow-orange light pulsating gently with each beat of their wings. The sight was breathtaking, far more vivid than anything I had ever seen in books.
"They glow even brighter than regular fireflies," I muttered, my gaze following a cluster of lantern flies as they twirled around each other in the air. "But the color is similar... maybe they use the same chemical to produce light."
I rubbed my chin quietly talking to myself.
"Fireflies use a chemical called luciferin. It reacts with oxygen, ATP — adenosine triphosphate — and an enzyme called luciferase to produce light. The whole process is called bioluminescence," I explained to no one in particular, my voice soft but filled with fascination. "It's a little different from the glow of sea creatures like jellyfish, though. Jellyfish produce light using chemicals like coelenterazine and aequorin, along with green fluorescent protein — GFP."
I exhaled slowly, watching my breath disappear into the cool night air, my mind still racing with scientific facts.
"The reaction itself is complex... it involves oxidation, enzymatic catalysis, and energy transfer," I continued, my words tumbling out like I was giving a lecture. "And jellyfish have photoproteins — something you won't find in fireflies."
I chuckled, shaking my head. "I sound like a complete nerd," I muttered, embarrassed by my own rambling. But the forest didn't judge me. The lantern flies just floating peacefully around, their soft glow illuminating the surrounding like stars.
Despite my exhaustion, I couldn't bring myself to look away.
Then, I suddenly felt my bladder again and muttered, "Oh, right... I need to pee. I almost forgot."
After relieving myself, I stayed outside for a while, sitting near the entrance of the cave. The cold night breeze brushed against my skin, carrying the fresh scent of the forest. Crickets chirped in the grass, and the leaves rustled softly as the wind passed through the trees.
Everything felt so peaceful, so unreal.
"This is really beautiful," I whispered, completely lost in the moment.
"This place really is surreal/otherworldly, but although I'm here, I still miss my old world because almost all of my memories are there. But even though I don't feel the suffocating sadness like before, but now, there is no worrying about money, the stress of being in school and working at the same time, and going home tired. Hearing your classmates and neighbors say bad things about you is finally gone. Maybe I should forget the things that happened to me in that world."
"I know that I might seem harsh to say that I should forget the happy memories and the important people that came into my life and forget about it easily. But the dead can't be revived, and memories will fade as we grow older. A memory can't be overwritten by anyone; you will forget it yourself or accept all the things that happened.
After sitting and watching the beautiful view for a while, I finally stood up, stretching my stiff limbs. The cold night air clung to my skin, and my body still ached from the exhaustion. I decided it was time to go back to the cave and rest.
But as I turned to leave, something caught my eye.
In the corner of my vision, barely visible through the shadows, stood a figure.
My heart skipped a beat.
It was tall and disturbingly thin, with arms and legs that stretched too long for a human. Its body swayed slightly, as if floating in place. The skin — if it even had skin — was fuzzy and out of focus, like it wasn't fully solid. Its face was the worst part: a smooth, white oval, completely blank, like a lifeless mannequin.
I couldn't move. My breath caught in my throat.
Dark, shadowy tendrils slithered out from its back, twisting and curling like living tentacles. They stretched and waved slowly, blending into the night as if they were part of the darkness itself.
For a second, I thought it was staring at me, even though it had no eyes. I felt a heavy weight pressing down on my chest, like something cold and unseen was wrapping around me.
Then, without warning, the figure blurred and vanished.
I gasped and spun around, but there was nothing there. The forest was quiet, except for the soft hum of crickets and the rustling leaves.
I rubbed my eyes, my body trembling.
"Maybe I'm just tired... maybe I imagined it," I whispered to myself, my voice barely above a breath.
I tried to brush it off, convincing myself it was just my drowsy mind playing tricks on me. It was late, and I was half-asleep. That had to be it.
Still, as I walked back to the cave, my skin crawled with the feeling that something was still out there — watching, waiting, hidden in the dark.
● First poem was given by the ■■■■■■■.
"I never knew," I softly said,
My voice as small as all my dread.
The stars were countless, bright, and far,
A tangled web — not what they are.
I traced them with a trembling hand,
A pattern vast, too strange to stand.
Each line I formed, each path I drew,
Revealed a shape I somehow knew.
The stars aligned, a hidden mark,
A silent echo in the dark.
I felt their presence pressing near,
A distant voice I couldn't hear.
The night grew heavy, cold, and deep,
The air so still, I couldn't speak.
And that's the name they gave to me:
"The First to See What Should Not Be."