Chapter 2: The World That Breathes Magic
The twin suns rose higher, painting the silver fields with gold and blue light. Mack stood in silence, still feeling the pulse of raw energy moving through his veins. Every heartbeat carried power. Every breath reshaped the world.
But then, hunger hit him.
It wasn't physical hunger. It was something deeper a hunger for understanding. For control. For purpose.
> [System initializing interface.]
[Welcome, Mack.]
[Power Classification: Undefined.]
[Potential: Infinite.]
A transparent screen unfolded before him, glowing with runes and numbers. Skills. Attributes. Energy flow. Reality bending formulas.
It was like the entire universe had become a video game… and he was the only player.
He touched the panel, and it shifted like water beneath his fingers.
> "So this is the System of Origin," he whispered.
"A world built by will. Then let's see how far will can go."
He focused, willing his body to strengthen. Instantly, glowing threads of data coiled around him, entering his flesh. His strength multiplied, his senses expanded. He could hear the heartbeat of the world, feel the wind's thoughts, sense creatures miles away.
> [Skill unlocked: Reality Sense.]
Mack smirked. "Now we're talking."
The sky trembled.
A shadow swept across the field. Wings the size of buildings spread wide above him. A beast of molten crystal and dark flame descended from the clouds, its roar shaking the ground.
> [Entity Detected: World Guardian Class: Divine Beast.]
The creature's voice wasn't sound. It was pressure, burning through his mind.
> "Mortal soul detected. You do not belong here."
Mack didn't flinch. He looked up, eyes glowing with divine fire.
> "Yeah? Then maybe the world should fix that mistake."
Lightning tore through the air as the creature lunged. Mack raised his hand and time slowed.
Energy spiraled around his palm, reality warping at his command. The ground split open in a surge of golden light, swallowing the beast's fire.
> [Skill created: Origin Burst.]
He released it.
A shockwave of creation erupted outward, bending the sky, reshaping the terrain for miles. When the light faded, the Divine Beast was gone dissolved into radiant dust.
Mack dropped to one knee, panting. His power was overwhelming… but uncontrolled. The System pulsed with warnings.
> [Energy Core unstable.]
[Recommend calibration.]
He grinned through his exhaustion. "Unstable or not… I'm still standing."
He looked to the horizon. In the distance, mountains floated in the air, glowing with blue fire. A city of crystal towers hung above them, and somewhere inside, he could feel hundreds of divine presences watching.
> "So that's where the gods live." He clenched his fist. "Then that's where I'm heading."
The System's voice returned, quiet and resolute.
> [Quest 2: Claim a Worldshard.]
Mack stood tall, eyes blazing with purpose.
He didn't know who made this world, or why he was brought here. But one truth had already written itself into the fabric of reality.
This world might belong to gods.
But soon, it would remember the name Mack.