Sinny closed his eyes, then opened them, only to shut them again, praying he had imagined it.
But the information written for his Mythic Ability remained clear as day as though to mock him.
| Mythic Ability: [Flatten]
| Mythic Rank: Divine †
| Mythic Description: [You can flatten small objects into a two-dimensional state.]
'What is this supposed to mean? I don't understand at all.'
By Oxford's definition, "flatten" simply meant making something flat, or did it imply pressing, crushing, reducing? Either way, how was that supposed to help him if it only worked on small objects?
Helplessly, Sonny stared at those stark lines of text, as if a bottomless abyss had opened beneath his feet. He wanted to believe he hadn't been saddled with something so useless, to cling to some hidden meaning, but the description was too blunt, leaving no room for doubt.
Whichever way he looked at it, his future seemed bleak.
His journey as an Esper had barely begun, yet it already felt finished.
"Fu..."
The curse caught in his throat as the scenery shifted. Christopher was now watching him, his brows furrowed in confusion.
It seemed like the Black Mire had dumped his consciousness back into reality.
"Awakened Song? Are you alright?"
"Huh? I'm back here?"
"I see. So there was no complications with your awakening."
Christopher let out a breath of relief while Sonny remained disoriented. Shortly after, he regained charity and a deep frown settled on his brows.
With a relaxed smile, the executive officer said,
"Congratulations on your awakening, young Squire. From this moment forward, you are recognized as an Esper. But tell me, how do you feel about your awakening?"
In response, Sonny flashed a dangerous grin and growled with all his might.
"It was absolutely terrible! Hell would've been preferable!"
† †
"This is your identification card, sir."
"Ah, thank you."
The receptionist bowed politely as she handed over his Awakened Association card, though it was commonly known as an Esper ID.
Sonny lowered his gaze, carefully studying the words inscribed on it.
Esper name: [Nightingale]
Age: [Eighteen]
Rank: [Squire]
Issued date: [03/10/2135]
Specialization: [Archer]
'So this is an Esper's Identification Card. It doesn't look that special up close.'
He wore a complicated smile.
Countless people had dreamed of standing where he stood now. Even knowing the dangers of an Esper's life, many still longed for the chance. However, in this pivotal moment, the most important event of his life, the start of something that could shape his future, Sonny felt nothing.
Because unlike them, he had never wished for this path.
And so, the one who wanted it least was the one chosen to walk it.
A simple, merciless cruelty of fate.
From this moment on, he would be known as Awakened Kim or Awakened Sun to be exact. That was how people would address him in the future. Ordinary titles no longer suited him; such was the weight of becoming an Esper.
Of course, he was nowhere near the so-called big shots of the Awakened world. Still, by awakening, Sonny had stepped into the ranks of the remarkable, an individual with potential.
To be precise, the proper term for his current standing was Squire. Humans had long since created their own hierarchy to classify Espers, and those who had only just awakened were called Squires. It was the beginning of the path, the first step into a much greater world.
Squires typically lingered on the lower floors of the Tower, considered rookies among Espers. Even at this stage, exceptional talent sometimes revealed themselves. Those fledglings who shone brightest were always sought after and recruited by the great clans.
Once a Squire gathered enough spirit essence within their Soul Slate, they could undergo the Ascension Ritual, advancing to the next stage: Knight. Knights were permitted to explore the intermediate floors of the Tower and could dispatch lesser Chaos Creatures with ease, particularly Fiends.
Beyond Knights stood the Masters, individuals recognized as true powerhouses among Espers. And higher still were the Saints. Saints possessed strength akin to demi-gods and served as the luminous beacons of humanity. Only a handful existed, and their names alone carried immense pressure.
Returning to the topic of Masters, Christopher was a former one, known for leading his cohort in raids across the Tower's floors. For personal reasons, he had retired from active duty and now served as an executive officer, overseeing newly awakened Espers and managing Infested-related affairs.
Upon closer observation, Sonny had noticed that Christopher seemed burdened. Though the older man masked it well, the dark circles under his eyes gave him away. At least, they were apparent to him.
Perhaps this was the passive effect of his "Perception" at work. Certainly, it was very useful but...
'What should I do now? Does this mean I can start climbing the tower?'
Come to think of it, since he already had his Esper ID, nothing was stopping him from entering. The Tower itself almost seemed eager to draw more people into its unknown depths.
The real question was why would he?
For most people, the motivation to become an Esper was money. Some even saw it as a golden opportunity to cheat the old system. And that was true, at least, if you survived. But if you died inside the Tower, it meant nothing.
Reality was cruel. Many learned they weren't worth a damn the moment they stepped inside.
Dying and getting eaten by monsters didn't sound like a sweet ordeal, especially with the ability he had just awakened. But his expression remained uneasy.
Sonny slowly recalled his conversation with Christopher from just moments ago.
"Huh?"
"I asked what you're planning on doing right now. You're still a student, right? Would you drop out and focus on climbing the Tower of Worms?"
"Um... That..."
The young man scratched his head, hesitating before finally answering,
"I would like to finish highschool I guess."
Christopher smiled.
"That's a good decision. Most people rush headlong into the Tower, thinking it's their shortcut to fortune or glory. They forget it's just as likely a shortcut to their graves." He leaned back slightly, his eyes narrowing with the weight of experience. "Education may not save you in a fight, but grounding yourself outside the Tower is what keeps many Espers sane. Those who abandon everything too quickly often lose more than their lives."
Sonny nodded his head, though hope still lingered. In the end, he asked what was on his mind.
"Are you saying that it's possible not to enter the tower at all?
Christopher's gaze changed suddenly.
"My apologies. I'm afraid something like that isn't possible."
Confused, Sonny frowned.
"Why?"
The executive officer didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned toward the window, his eyes fixed on the horizon as if searching for something beyond sight.
There, the outline of that massive structure could easily be seen, a grotesque spire clawing at the skies.
Staring at the abomination, Christopher finally spoke.
"When you awakened, you must have heard a voice… like a whisper, yes? We call it the Murmur. Only the Awakened can hear it, but don't mistake it for a blessing. The truth is, at some point, you'll be forced into the Tower. If you resist for too long, you'll lose control… and become a monster."
Sonny's eyes widened in shock, accompanied by horror.
"Wait, hold on… I thought Espers could only turn into monsters during their awakening?"
Christopher turned to face him.
"No. Becoming a monster at awakening is only the first risk. The Murmur is a different scenario. It's a call the Tower sends to all Awakened. If you Ignore it, and its influence will slowly overwhelm you. Both your mind and body will begin to warp until you're no longer 'you.' The longer you resist, the harder it is to come back."
Sonny could only give a weary smile at the blunt explanation.
"So... there's no other choice?"
Christopher shook his head.
"Not really. Some rare Espers can suppress it longer than others, but everyone must enter the Tower sooner or later. It is inevitable. Eventually, all things will return to the Mire."