''What is that? '' Elara asked, taking a nervous step back as the black object transformed into an eye.
The presence that they felt emanating from the eye was not as powerful as the one that they sensed emanating from the gate, and they did not perceive any immediate threat. Nevertheless, the fact that it looked so much like the Observer was enough to make everyone nervous.
''Dad, why did you bring it into this world? '' Zephyr asked nervously, ready to unleash his skills if necessary.
Samuen had been working very hard to remove any traces of Raydon's creation from the fallen world because he was afraid that the Observer would bring its destruction to this dimension as well. On the other hand, it was incomprehensible that he would have brought something that resembled the Observer into their world.
''Calm down. I don't believe it is the Observer itself. '' Samuen made an effort to reassure everyone, but it was clear that he was the one who was most anxious.
He then turned to Raydon and asked him, "Can you understand what is that?," in the hopes of eliciting a response that would satiate his anxiety.
''I don't know, but it appears to be some sort of inheritance key. '' Raydon responded thoughtfully.
Looking at the most recent system message that had been displayed in front of him, he further reasoned that this object wasn't the Observer itself and believed it to be a key to an event.
'Should I accept this invitation? ' Raydon pondered.
Even though his feelings toward the Observer had not changed, he continued to be repulsed by the publication, and he began to wonder if the invitation was actually a ruse to trick him.
'Why am I hesitating so much? ' Raydon chuckled inwardly.
If it wanted to hurt him, it could have already done so with the power it possessed, and even at this point, Raydon was probably no more than an ant in comparison to this thing. However, that did not alter the fact that there was still a chance that this thing posed threats to his life.
Nevertheless, Raydon had already made up his mind. Regardless of what awaited him, he was determined to unravel this mystery and would not shy away from any challenges along the way.
"I think that man's prediction might actually come true, '' Raydon said with a childlike smile on his face.
''Hm? What prediction? '' Diam interjected, a frown etching across her face, filled with a sense of foreboding.
Raydon opened his mouth and recollected one of the final words written in the diary. ''That is... My love for excitement will shorten my life.''
And then, with all of the excitement that was building up within him, he said it.
''Yes. ''
And at that precise instant, he experienced a total loss of vision and the sensation of his mind being drawn into abyssal obscurity.
—
"Why on earth am I back here again?" Raydon found himself standing in an empty space that was completely engulfed in pitch blackness.
Even though he could not see anything, his eyes continued their instinctual search for the anticipated being that was concealing itself within the darkness.
'Where is that eye?' he muttered to himself.
The location that Raydon is in now is the same one in which he experienced his awakening as an item holder.
However, the last time he came here, it only took him a single glance to locate the enormous eye, which was even darker than the gloom that surrounded him, and after that, an incredible pressure began to bear down on him, causing him to experience discomfort and pain.
But now that a few seconds had passed, he was unable to see anything other than pitch blackness all around him.
Raydon kept looking around in the hopes of finding something when all of a sudden he felt something touch his back. He quickly turned around to avoid whatever it was and then looked at the thing.
''What the hell? ''
When he saw what it was that had touched his back, he was completely taken aback, and he was unable to hide his surprise. It was, in fact, the Observer; however, there was a significant difference in that it did not radiate any existence and was only the size of a palm.
It was the miniature Observer he had been holding earlier.
"Now, what are you planning? " Raydon muttered with a frown as he looked at the Observer, who was flying around him in an inquisitive manner and even managed to look kind of cute.
''Hey, stop bothering me!'' Raydon scolded, swatting the Observer with the back of his hand and tossing it away like a ball.
However, it didn't take long for the Observer to come back and stand motionless before Raydon, this time avoiding eye contact and remaining still.
''Are you kidding me? What's with this behavior?'' Raydon was taken aback by the sudden change in the Observer's demeanor. It no longer buzzed around energetically but instead seemed somber, fixating its gaze on the ground.
"Is it because I hit it that this thing is upset? " Raydon had this thought as he watched the thing floating there, looking dejectedly at the ground.
This thing, which had the capability to destroy an entire world, was absurdly behaving like a scolded child right at this moment.
''It looks like you're having fun. ''
Raydon was attempting to make sense of the situation and was wondering what he was supposed to do with this thing when all of a sudden, he heard a voice inside his head echoing with a chuckle.
'Who? '
Raydon turned his head in search of the origin of the lilting voice of a woman that he had just heard, but all he could see was a vast expanse of darkness.
''It's pathetic that the one we're waiting for turns out to be a mere human. Unable to resist their emotions, they resort to violence to solve even the smallest problems,'' a hoarse male voice resounded within Raydon's mind this time.
And another voice chimed in, ''Hmm, it may be premature to analyze his character. Unfortunately, having one of those seven problematic souls could pose a challenge.''
As Raydon listened to the voices reverberating in his head, he noticed that the Observer was fixated on a particular spot within the darkness.
He turned his attention toward that focal point and gradually discerned figures materializing within the abyss. Twelve colossal thrones stood aligned in the darkness, and though not entirely distinct, someone occupied each throne, leaving only one seat unclaimed.
'Who are they? '
Raydon was incapable of concealing his astonishment in the face of this sight. Aside from the darkness that was still obscuring his vision, these people imbued him with a distinct sense of mystery as well as an incredible power.
''Oh? He has noticed us. How intriguing,'' a voice remarked, filled with curiosity.
''Who are you?'' Raydon repeated his question, determined to elicit a response.
''You don't need to know that. However, I can tell you that we are the creators of that thing you just slapped away, the one that brought you here,'' another voice replied, laced with a hint of anger.
'They made this disgusting thing? 'Raydon remained composed as he thought, casting a glance over at the Observer who was floating next to him.
''If you continue to address our creation in such a manner, you may genuinely provoke some of us. Creating it was no easy task, after all,'' another voice expressed, sounding slightly indignant.
"Irritation towards those parasites is only natural, given that we utilized their materials while constructing the system," the sweet voice that Raydon initially heard interjected, attempting to diffuse the tension.
'System? Parasites? ' Raydon contemplated, trying to make sense of their conversation.
However, it became apparent that these individuals could hear his thoughts, and an answer soon followed.
''Knowing our identities is of little consequence at this moment. What truly matters is why you are here," one of the voices responded.
"Yeah? Then tell me why I'm here," Raydon inquired.
But this time, there was no immediate response to his query. The gentle voice eventually resumed speaking after there was a brief pause.
''You are here because the system we created is not suitable for you. It needs to be altered," the voice explained.
'The system is not suitable for me? ' Raydon contemplated with curiosity.
"That's correct. Your potential has surpassed the purpose for which the system was created. Therefore, we will bestow upon you the original one," came the response.
With those words, an overwhelming pressure descended upon Raydon, reminiscent of the very moment he awakened as an item holder.
He had the sudden sensation that needles were pricking him all over his body and that his flesh was being pulled away from his bones.
Raydon's body contorted and writhed in response to the searing pain, while the voice echoed one last time, now infused with an unmistakable urgency in its tone.
"Time is limited. May our paths intertwine once more."
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