The Unknown... The Unknown is not a thing. It is not a person. The Unknown is a concept.
Some people fear the Unknown, some love the Unknown, and some aspire to unravel its secrets. But the most terrifying effect of all these feelings toward the Unknown is the corruption and consumption it can bring.
Only a scant few have been able to uncover even a fraction of what lies beyond the Unknown.
The **corruption effect** applies to those who fear the Unknown. The fear they feel slowly creeps into their minds, continuously sapping them of their sanity. Over time, they slip into a frenzied state, slaughtering everyone around them while becoming deformed. In the end, they run away from the Unknown. Only **love** can save them.
The **consumption effect** impacts those who strive to unravel the secrets of the Unknown. With knowledge of the Unknown comes great strength, but also a steep price. Many who seek such knowledge fall into an immersed state, trapped in their worst nightmares and traumatic experiences. The consumption effect progresses in three stages:
- **Stage 1**: They become a shadow of their former selves.
- **Stage 2**: They grow stronger and more aggressive.
- **Stage 3**: They lose their minds completely, transforming into creatures of the Unknown.
*"Then why do people even think about the Unknown?"* Eason thought as he slowly closed the book.
Wait, there's writing on the first page. *I didn't see that before.* It says:
*"Everything in this book is real. Do not read if you will get scared, because if you get scared... IT WILL COME FOR YOU."*
"You know what? I gotta sleep now," I said, walking out of the library with a tired expression.
That was a little scary, but I'm not scared. I'm excited because I'm closer to awakening now. Yes, I'm 14.
---
### The Next Morning
"Good morning, kid," Denim said with a smile on his face.
"Your dream is getting closer."
"What do you mean by that?" I asked with a questioning expression.
"There's an event starting soon. The winner will have a chance to register for the academy. It's the five-year fighting competition. I know you've learned how to use a sword well, but you'll have to work harder now. There are teenagers from all over the kingdom coming to this tournament."
I was surprised to hear this because this town was usually very boring, and not many people came here.
"I guess I'll just win, then," I said with a smirk.