Ariel sat deep in thought, Walter's words echoing like thunder in the stillness of his mind. Then, after a heavy pause, he finally spoke:
"So every rank—human or monster—it all means something? Like…a step toward the Origin?"
Walter smiled. "Exactly. I didn't even have to explain it. Each rank reflects your proximity to the Origin. Dormant means you haven't started the journey yet. Awakened and Tainted? Those are the first real steps. And so on, until Rank 7—Origin."
Ariel hesitated. "Doctor… could you tell me all the ranks? I only know up to Rank 3. And Origin."
"Sure." Walter nodded. "For humans, it's:
Rank 0 – Dormant
Rank 1 – Awakened
Rank 2 – Blessed
Rank 3 – Transcendent
Rank 4 – Pristine
Rank 5 – Herald
Rank 6 – Graceborn
Rank 7 – Origin
And for the corrupted:
Rank 0 – Dormant
Rank 1 – Tainted
Rank 2 – Forsaken
Rank 3 – Hollowed
Rank 4 – Aberrant
Rank 5 – Dread-fiend
Rank 6 – Abyss-wrought
Rank 7 – Origin"
Ariel nodded slowly, absorbing the names like they were pieces of a larger truth finally being revealed.
"Let's move on," Walter said. "Next is your Origin Ability—that's your core. Unique to every person, and sometimes monsters too. Everything you gain in the future—attributes, abilities, even ascension—stems from that one ability."
"Why only some monsters, though?" Ariel asked, frowning.
"It's simple. Not all of them are Awakened. Some are corrupted, yes, but lack the spark of awareness. And most low-rank monsters lack the intellect to use their Origin Ability even if they have one."
That explains why some monsters were smart enough to kill… and some weren't. Ariel thought back to the gate.
Then Walter leaned forward, curious. "So, Ariel… what's your ability? If you cleared a Rank 2 gate solo, it must be powerful. What rank is it?"
"I… don't know," Ariel said. "There was only a name, no rank listed."
Walter blinked. "Oh, right—I forgot to mention. You have to focus on it to reveal more. Think of it like a book: you've seen the cover, now open the pages. Try it."
Ariel closed his eyes and focused.
Runes began to shimmer in the dark of his mind.
- [ ECHOES OF ORIGIN ] -
[• Rank: 0 – Dormant]
[• Origin Ability: The Void]
[• Origin Attributes: Empty Vessel]
[• Echoes Collected: 938]
[• Soul Core: Dormant]
He honed in on the words—The Void. A second wave of runes bled into his consciousness, far more cryptic.
- [ Origin Ability – The Void ] -
[• Ability Rank: Rank 8??]
[• Ability Description: ????????????. You can distort time and space, teleport, ????, ????, ????]
Ariel's eyes snapped open, more confused than ever.
'What the hell? Is this thing broken? Am I broken? Why Rank 8?? There's only supposed to be up to Rank 7… right?'
"I think there's something wrong with my ability," he said. "Everything's just… question marks."
Walter looked just as puzzled—but for a very different reason.
"What did you just say?"
"Huh?"
"The sentence you just said. That wasn't Common Tongue. What language was that?"
"I said my Origin Ability's all question marks?" Ariel said again.
Walter's expression shifted—confusion warping into realization, then fear.
"Wait… don't tell me—no, that's not possible. Is it?"
"Doctor?"
"Ariel, what's your Origin Ability's name again? And the rank, please."
"It's The Void. The rank said 8 and then… question marks."
Walter stood up like he'd been struck. "I knew it. I knew I wasn't going crazy."
"What is it?" Ariel asked.
"You're speaking in the Language of Echoes, Ariel. That only happens when someone awakens an Origin Ability above or Rank 5. Whenever someone like that tries to talk about their power… everyone else hears gibberish—unless they're also Rank 5 or higher."
Ariel stared at him. "But… how do you know that?"
"Arenya told me. She has a Rank 6 ability too," Walter said, still stunned. "It all makes sense now. How you cleared the gate. Why no one else stood a chance."
'Rank 8…? But there's only Rank 7. That's supposed to be the realm of gods. What the hell does this mean?
Walter shook his head. "This is both good and bad news."
"I get the good part," Ariel said. "What's the bad?"
"The government will value you more than ever. But if the great clans find out…" Walter didn't finish the sentence. "It's best you lie. Say your Origin Ability is Rank 4. Safer that way."
"Even from the government?"
"Especially from the government. If they know, the clans will know. It's not worth the risk."
Ariel's shoulders slumped. "Alright. I trust you, Doctor."
Walter smiled faintly. "Now—what about your Origin Attributes? How many do you have?"
"Only one. It's called Empty Vessel. I haven't read the description yet."
"Well, at least that isn't locked behind Echo-speak," Walter chuckled. "Go ahead. Check it."