Entering The Third Gate

Mack moved fast as lightning. Running in the dark tunnel for hours.

He passed several safe zones during this time, but each time the safe zones became farther from each other.

His ancestor clearly wanted to make the ones who entered to adapt to the increased Essence density.

'Why?' asked himself Mack, because he could not figure the motive. He became faster and stronger, but clearly it was not for this reason only.

Then, while running, Mack came to a realization.

'Must be because in other worlds or dimensions, the Essence density is several times stronger compared to Earth.' guessed Mack.

~tap~

Mack stopped running.

This time, the Essence density was several times more stronger than when Mack did his self-mutilation training.

He did not count the steps anymore but was over a hour already that he passed the last safe zone.

He could not run anymore.

For the first time, he had to walk since he left the first safe zone.

'Maybe this is the last one.' Thought Mack, walking in the dark tunnel.

...

After a few more minutes of walking he finally saw something different in the dark tunnel.

Indeed, this was the last part of this test, because Mack could recognize, far in the distance, another gate like the one he came from, and after walking a few more meters, he saw another distinct figure he already saw before.

A cube on top of a small altar.

Mack kept walking forward toward the small altar. He guessed this was like the last time. A gift for the ones who passed the test.

After walking half the distance, he heard the familiar voice in his head.

[Congratulations human, you have passed the Gate of Sloth, go to the altar for your reward.]

'Cold as always, Tsk.'

[You know I can read your thoughts, right?]

"I don't know what you talking about. I was thinking about this tunnel. It's way too cold here." Mack raised his hand and shook them in the air, pretending to not know what the voice was talking about.

[...]

Walking a few more meters, Mack finally approached the altar, and just like before, a sign was there and with the same inscriptions too.

Mack made a small cut on his finger and dripped blood over the cube.

The cube glowed, and after a few minutes of waiting, a very small cylinder appeared. The cylinder had the size of a baby thumb and was bright red in color.

Mack took the cylinder from the Cube and inspected it for a few seconds.

(Modified health monitor device, common grade, made by Cube Inc)

"Is common for all aliens to have so many devices in their bodies?"

[No. Most people use spells for this, but some wealthy people that can't use spells end up using those. Some warriors use it too, but only the rich enough to afford for it.]

"I see, spells again. My life would be much easier with them."

"How should I use this?" Mack asked, because the thing was not a syringe like the previous one.

[Just use it as a pill. Swallow.]

Hearing that, Mack gave a look at the small device one last time and threw it at his mouth.

~gulp~

And nothing happened.

"Let me guess. Need to wait a bit?"

[Indeed. This device was changed by my creator to communicate with the one in your eyes. Wait a few minutes and then say 'Status'. Be it aloud or with your mind, just like you do to inspect objects.]

"Ok."

After a few minutes.

[You can try now.]

'Status'

Then, like magic, a screen appeared in Mack's view.

| GENERAL INFORMATION |

RACE: HYBRID 

HEIGHT: 1.90 CM 

WEIGHT: 85 KG

AGE: 29

CONDITION: NORMAL

| BODY DEVELOPMENT|

CONSTITUTION: 02

DEXTERITY: 02

STRENGTH: 13

AGILITY: 11

| ESSENCE SATURATION |

BODY: 14

ENVIROMENT: 16

"So, I'm indeed an alien. Tsk." Mack said while reading at the first information that displayed his race.

[You are human from Earth but your ancestor was not from there, it is expected.]

"But it still leaves a bad taste in the mouth..."

"What about those numbers? I mean... Why constitution is 2 while strength is 13?"

[Those numbers are based on before you entered the Tower of Chaos versus your current situation.]

[01 is equal to you when you entered the Tower]

"So that means I'm 13 times stronger than before?"

[Correct.]

"I indeed knew I was way faster while running, but 11 times faster? That's a lot"

"What does constitution means? Is it my bones or something else?"

[Constitution represents your body toughness as a whole, bones, skin, muscles, etc. For example, if a normal human punches you in the face now with all his force, he probably will break a bone in his hand while leaving you with small scars on the skin.]

"So this is more of my body sturdiness. I see."

[For now, you can consider this, yes.]

"But why is the difference so discrepant?"

[Normally, a body constitution should actually be forever the same. It rarely increases. It's more related to the species characteristics. It's not something easy to change.]

"But mine changed."

[As said, normally, it would not change]

"You are not going to give me one of your long explanations?"

[Why? You already know how you achieved this change.]

"Indeed."

"The rest of the stuff is not really important. It's not like I didn't know those information's. I just didn't have the exact numbers."

[The most important feature for you is to know the Essence saturation in the environment and the device can also inform if you get poisoned and which poison was used, the same is valid for many disabling and lasting spells that may influence you negatively.]

"I see... So his most useful function is to monitor my health and provide accurate info about whatever may be wrong. That alone is indeed very useful" Mack said, while pondering on how far those aliens had advanced in combining technology and magic.

Truly marvelous.

"Alright, let's move to the next game. I'm eager to know what gifts grandpa left to me." Mack said, already walking toward the giant door.

After walking for a few meters, he approached the gate, touched it with his hand, and disappeared.