Dark. Niche. Dark everything.
There was no light—not an ounce of it. Not the shiny, spilling light, nor the hard sunlight.
In the depth of the black, there was Alex.
Beside him, a very soft bloom was showing only his body, his face. His hands were cuffed in the air, his legs as well.
He was suspended midair. A chain on one hand. A chain on the second. A chain on one leg. A chain on the other.
more thing—at his shoulder, a woman. Her hands were choking his shoulders.
He was barely conscious. He had injuries from the battle.
He asked something to that woman:
"Did you check? Is there anything? Is there a route?"
The woman nodded.
"I did. I told you, Master. There's only one way to free ourselves."
Alex laughed—a bitter laugh.
"I know you told me everything about the route… but could you enlighten me on who you really are? What are you doing with me? And… were you the one who saved me?"
"Master…" the woman started.
Alex interrupted.
"Yes? And why are you calling me your master?"
I am no master.
The spirit nodded in confusion.
"Yes, Master. Let me tell you everything.
"I'm a spirit, like I already told you.
I was captured in the forest by the King of Dragons. He claimed I was a calamity—even though I didn't do anything wrong.
"I fought. He captured me. But when you stole—I mean, when you captured the Sutra of Uxil—I was freed."
Alex nodded.
"you're referring to that artifact?
Anyway, continue."
The spirit said, "Yes, I am.
"I'm a spirit, so I have to choose someone who can avenge me.
I've almost lost my powers for the time being, so I chose you, Master."
Alex nodded.
"How can I believe your ridiculous story? And how can I believe you won't harm me?"
"I don't know if you can believe me or not. But spirits have an agreement—they cannot harm the man they serve."
"I'll believe you on that. I've read similar things in some books as well."
"Let me ask you one more thing. Did you save me?
And what happened to that being who almost killed me?" Alex said with a bitter taste.
"No. I didn't save you. What I saw when you were unconscious, my master—
That being was really angry. But he left after a while."
"And about who that being was… I know. He was the God of Dragons.
The one you fought—I also know about that. And you know as well, don't you, Master?"
Alex nodded in anger.
"I know who they were. I have a question—was there anyone else when I got unconscious? Tell me in detail. How did I end up here?"
"The King of Dragons and the master of holit city.
I also saw four young kids with them.
I was able to hear everything because I was in your consciousness—your magic world."
"What is that?" Alex asked, interrupting.
The spirit gave him a look.
"Master… you don't know? Let me tell you.
When someone awakens, where they see the colors of their magic.
That's the magic world."
Alex sighed.
"Oh, I see.
Continue."
"The bastard king said, 'Arrest him.'
And the Golden Dragon took you to this place—where neither magic nor aura works."
"Haha… one last question," Alex asked.
"How were you able to form a contract without my permission?"
The spirit said, "You permitted me."
"Aha… I see. I must've been pretty desperate and miserable."
Alex thought:
I'm really miserable but i didn't agree to any contract.
I have to do something.
First, I have to cultivate to heal these wounds.
I must achieve the Nascent Realm.
"You will not wake me. Do you hear me, spirit?
And tell me—what's your name?"
"Orochi. My name is Orochi, Master."
"Orochi… I command you not to disturb me unless something important comes up."
Orochi said,
"As you wish, my master."
Alex's thoughts conjured a bitter poison.
I've lost.
Though I predicted this outcome from the start.
Still, with some cunning, I managed to absorb that artifact inside me.
I have to see what it can do.
Why did I even do all this?
The main reason was… something awakened in me.
That day, when I wandered into that forest.
The day I hallucinated.
I felt the presence of my worm—the one that chose me in my last life.
I felt his presence.
I had to fight a dying battle to awaken him.
But now… I'm confused.
Who saved me in this critical condition?
Was it the spirit?
The artifact?
Or my worm—
The one I have an assumption about…
That he must have transmigrated with me—
Because I felt his presence somewhere inside my dantian.
The worm which was the major source of my power,
Parasite of the ninth vein.