The Mortal Evolution

"No-No-No, I can't die like this. Something... There must be some way."

"Think Hao-Yun, think! You don't have enough time."

"System, where am I supposed to go?"

[Detected Host has successfully reached the 2nd Dimension.]

[Objective Update: Reach the Floating Cave of Mytora.]

"Huh? That's too vague!"

"At least tell me the directions or give me a map."

****

"So, you choose to remain silent, huh?"

"Mr. Bleu, do you know about a place called the Floating Cave of Mytora? You don't know, right?"

"I do."

"Yeah, I knew it! How could it be this simple to just ask someone for directions... Wait, you do!"

"Yeah, who doesn't know about Famous Caves of Mytora in the Ethereal Earth?"

"S-So, can you possibly tell me the directions?"

"Of course! You are also after the Ethereal Cores, right?"

"W-What? H-How do you know?"

"Well, a Lot of people in the past tried taking those Cores, but all of them were defeated by the Cave's guardian spirit."

"There's also a guardian spirit?"

"There is, and it's quite a strong one. Without its permission, no one can touch the Ethereal Cores."

"So, that's how it is. Still, I must visit the Cave at least once."

"If you are that determined, let me take you there."

The Creature, calling himself Bleu, expanded his semi-transparent Ethereal body and engulfed Hao-Yun in it.

The Next Moment Hao-Yun opens his eyes and finds himself surrounded by white clouds, the sky was clear and bright blue, but he was able to see stars.

"How can there be such a beautiful place in the world?"

"Bleu, where did you bring me?"

"Where you say, it's the same place."

"Same place, are you kidding me?"

"No-no, it's the same place, we are in the same place, just 10 Thousand Feet above the ground."

"What? You mean we are in the Sky?"

"Yes, Look! There is the Cave you wanted to visit!"

Hao-Yun took a Glance where Bleu was pointing and noticed that there was really a Big Rocky Cave floating in the Sky.

"How could this be so simple and easy? It's not even half a Day since I got the new task, and I'm already in front of my destination."

Both of them walk towards the Cave. Hao-Yun is too surprised by the fact that instead of falling, he is easily able to walk in the clouds.

For some reason, he is also feeling quite light, like his body is losing weight.

"Is there any hidden mechanism that's making me feel so light, or is it because of the Purity of the air?"

"It's Neither. Wait for a few more days, and you'll find yourself roaming in this world with a near-transparent body."

"What?"

"Didn't figure it out yet? It's because of this Dimension's law, Flesh bodies can't sustain here.''

"Look, we have reached your destination."

Hao-Yun got yet another reason to complete this task within three days and leave this place immediately.

"Looking from here, this Cave is not that Big. Still, how is it floating in the air?"

"Who knows? The Folks here one day found this Cave as it is, and because it was Floating here right beneath the City of Mytora, they named it The Floating Cave of Mytora."

"Hmm... That's Intriguing, but I didn't ask for a history lesson."

"Listen, Kid, from here on, you are on your own. I can't go inside with you; no matter what you do, it's your responsibility. So, Take Decisions Wisely."

"Thanks a lot, Bleu..."

"But, before you go, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"Why did you help an alien person like me without any obligation?"

"T-That's a secret. You are not worthy enough to know it yet."

"Now, don't worry about unnecessary things and go do the thing for which you came here!"

"Okay! See you again, Bleu!"

Hao-Yun chose not to probe any further since Bleu wasn't willing to tell him anything. He also felt like some things should come out when the time is right.

With that in Mind, Hao-Yun took his first step in the Cave.

Unlike outside, the Cave seemed bigger, like it's connected to somewhere else.

Hao-Yun was confused about why he was not encountering any difficulties at all. From the Moment he teleported into this place to entering the Cave, he didn't face any challenge or problem. He is not a Child of Luck.

It didn't sit right in Hao-Yun's mind, yet he continued walking deeper in the cave.

At one point, Hao-Yun began doubting his own Existence, the System's intention, and why he accepted the Existence of the System and the death of those 1 billion people so easily.

The Further he thought, the Further he felt down, as if someone was making him carry a large boulder; the weight of the pressure was too much.

Tears begin flowing out of his eyes as Hao-Yun suddenly sees some memory flashes, the dream of a happy family he admired so much, the lonely time he spent in the Orphanage while watching most of his friends getting adopted by their new mother and father.

All of this made him very sad; he felt the pain, like something was eating him from the inside. It made him forget everything and just wish he wasn't born on Earth.

[Detected Host has been influenced by the Aether Mist of the Floating Cave of Mytora.]

[Initiating Process to Negate the Influence.]

A Few Moments pass, as Hao-Yun begins to feel better and opens his eyes again.

"Why am I lying on the ground?"

"What happened to me?"

"Didn't I walk to get the Ethereal Cores?"

One by one, Hao-Yun remembers each thought.

"Oh shit! Why in the world was I thinking about such things? And why were they affecting me so much?"

He opened his System Panel, read those System Messages, and realized everything.

"Today, if it wasn't for System, I could have died here. And here I was doubting its existence."

"Wait! What? Only 24 Hours Left to Complete the Task!"

"Is this some kind of joke?"

"I entered this Cave in barely 7 hours, does that mean I was passed out for nearly 2 days?"

[Replying to Host, Please don't jump on wild Conclusions.]

[The Time flow is different in the Second Dimension than in the First. The host was just unconscious for barely 10 Minutes.]

"Oh..."

"Right, I don't have time to waste. Let's go get those Cores and return to Earth."

With that, Hao-Yun walked to the deepest part of the Cave, in front of him, were lying three circular balls emitting a yellow light.

"This must be the Ethereal Cores." Hao-Yun Thought and ran towards it.

"BzzzzzzzRRRR!"

Hao-Yun felt a pressure beyond human comprehension; it was as if he moved even an inch further, he would be crushed like a mosquito.

"Looks like this time an Intelligent One came..."

The Voice boomed in the Cave, sending chills down Hao-Yun's bones.

A Huge Ethereal Being that showed itself, floating just in front of the three balls. Hao-Yun is unable to imagine what would have happened had he not stopped.

From the looks of it, it doesn't seem to be similar to any Creature we could find on Earth. It had a semi-transparent Ethereal body just like those weaker beings on the ground, but the Pressure and aura it is emitting alone is enough to tell how monstrously powerful it is.

"It's been Centuries since someone came."

"Tell me what's your name, Little One."

"H-Hao-Yun."

"Hao-Yun! What a weird name."

"Even You..."

"What?"

"Nothing! Nothing..."

"Hmm... Let me get straight to the point: if you want to get the Ethereal Cores, you have to defeat me first."

"What?! Who are you kidding? If you wanna eat me, say so, don't play with my feelings."

[Objective Updated: Get past the Spirit Guardian and obtain three Ethereal Cores.]

"Even you, System... Why is everybody so eager to see me dead?"

"Can I assume you accept the Conditions?"

"No!! Wait! Don't you, Ethereal beings... have something called pity or unfairness?"

"Take a look at you, do you think a puny person like me can fight properly, let alone defeat you?"

"Don't you think it's too unfair?"

"If you don't want to fight, then why would you come here?"

"I don't have time for a coward like you. Leave at once."

Hao-Yun was too scared; he knew from a glance that the difference between them was like a water flea and a Human.

But, that said, he couldn't afford to leave, even if it's a retreat to gather more information or come back with proper preparation. It was too late.

He didn't have any more time to waste; it was like no matter where he went, only death awaited him.

He took a brief moment to think and said:

" Say, Mr. Guardian Spirit, are those Balls extremely precious? "

"I don't know, their use and purpose are unknown."

"Myriad years ago, I was assigned to watch over these Ethereal Cores."

"Only the Worthy person has the right to own them."

"Use or purpose is unknown; he was assigned to watch over these Cores, not protect them, and only a worthy person can own them."

"Suddenly, Hao-Yun Thought of a Brilliant Idea that might get him out of this trouble."