Awakened Human

It was tricky because June accepted the Heritage knowing full well that he was already a nobody with nothing to offer the world.

This was why he didn't fight his fate or condemn Dusk for choosing him.

In eleven years' time, he'd be glad to die.

On the other hand, for Dusk, bearing it was a different situation altogether. 

Unlike June, Dusk had family and friends who cared for him, which meant he had to keep this secret from them for the span of eleven years.

And even in the end, he couldn't reveal it.

Unless it was directed towards the next Legacy on the very last day, it was still forbidden.

Dusk likely felt eternally free when the Passing came.

Now, it was June who'd have to deal with it.

But for him, it'd undoubtedly be easier.

He didn't desire things like friends or love.

In fact, he was a rather gloomy guy, so even if he did desire such things, no one would want to be his friend or lover.

Usually, his gaze repelled people more than it invited them, so before they could even get to know him, he had already chased them off. 

Perhaps it was his eerie gray eyes or the way he carried himself. He wasn't the best-looking guy, but he wasn't exactly bad-looking either; it was just the aura he exuded.

Either way, something about him made it difficult for people to approach.

The only time they did feel the need to associate themselves with him was simply out of pity for his situation.

With a sigh, June dismissed the Runic Web and stared out into the distant horizon.

His mind was filled with many emotions that he decided to bottle for now.

The air around him was refreshing, far better than the horrid depths of the Great Serpent.

He hadn't realized just how used to the Serpent's stench he had become.

'W-what…'

Out of nowhere, before he could properly process it, his legs buckled and he fell, using his hands to keep himself up on his knees. 

'W-what was that…'

Something inside him suddenly didn't feel right… 

A moment later, he realized why as the Entity spoke:

[Element Forming…]

Following that, a piercing pain that he had never thought possible before shook his body, causing him to collapse completely into the small body of water. 

He let out a gut-wrenching scream as he rolled over, his hand clenching the loose fabric of his shirt.

'F-fuck!'

He couldn't describe it… it was just everywhere, all at once.

His limbs soon went numb under the torment of pain, and his mind felt like it was slowly slipping away.

At one point, he couldn't even hear or see anything, fearing that he had lost both his hearing and sight.

Thankfully, he was wrong, and what felt like an eternity finally passed.

[Element Formed. Core Still Dormant.]

With that, June rolled over and tried to regain control of his breathing. He was soaked once again, from his head down to his toes.

Luckily, the water wasn't as cold as the one from the river deep in the ravine, so he wasn't left shivering uncontrollably.

"W-whew…"

After he regained his bearings, June summoned the Runic Web once more, wondering exactly what changed.

Besides one thing, nothing much had.

June: Trial Rank - [Awakened]

Element: Infinity - [4th Dimensional]

Pathway Threads: 0/5 - [0/55]

Forbidden Techniques: 1/?

'Forbidden Techniques..?'

The Runic Web responded to his question by once again providing the description, reading:

[Forbidden Technique]: A technique learned through the practices of one's Element. Requires resolute training and the knowledge of the Essence behind said Element. Without refined Essence, the technique will always end in failure.

If that's the case… how did he already have a Forbidden Technique?

Did it have something to do with the Heritage itself..? If so, why didn't Dusk inform him that he'd automatically receive a singular Forbidden Technique.

With questions floating in his mind, June dove deeper where he read the Technique he now had.

Forbidden Technique - [Infinite Void]: By the conjoining of one's Element and Heritage, a technique that is derived from the Voidspawn is born. A spherical orb of swirling white energy, coalescing and distorting space, bending to the user's will. Upon release, the ball of energy destroys anything unfortunate enough to cross its path.

'That just sounds crazy to me…'

Shaking his head, June dismissed the Runic Web for now.

He'd come back to it another time. There was just too much to process all at once and if he tried now, his head really would just explode.

He had completed the Trial, earned his Element as well as the Heritage — even a bizarre Technique, so what now?

Was he supposed to find his way out of this endless space himself? 

Cause that wasn't happening.

June turned around and actually peered into the distance, maybe thinking he had missed something. 

But nope, everything consisted of both water and gliding stars that covered the sky. 

Other than that, it was just June standing amidst it all.

At least that's how it was for a small while.

About a minute or two later, June felt the soil beneath him rumble, and a large breach unveiled itself from thin air.

It appeared like a swirl of cosmical stars, all compacted together and coalescing in place, resembling a huge circle that pierced through reality.

It was finally time to return to the Mortal Realm.

He had gone through a lot over the last few hours, or was it an entire day by now..? He didn't know, but he was surprised he was still standing.

Obviously, he wouldn't have had to deal with the events that happened to him today if it weren't for Dusk, but that's just the way his fate turned out.

He had entered The Ark as a simple nobody.

But now he was leaving as a curse bearer and an awakened. 

The people were probably going to be shocked, and he'd likely have to explain his side of the story to some form of Government. 

Nevertheless, his future was about to be an unpleasant one. But at least there was going to be a future.

He still remembered his promise to Dusk.

June would make sure to be the last holder of the Heritage.

With a deep breath, he began walking toward the breach, its otherworldly light inviting him.

Immediately, he could hear muffled voices echoing from the other side.

"A breach has opened!"

"Requesting immediate assistance!"

"Prepare yourselves!"

"Send for backup!"

Shortly after, he stepped through and let it engulf him. 

The feeling was both weird yet surreal, just like before when he had been sucked in, transporting him from one reality to the next.

Before he knew it, he was outside in the night of day, feathers of snow cascading down softly and the feeling of cold wind caressing his skin. 

Breathing out a chilling plume of air, he noticed several people looking at him with their jaw agape.

June looked back at them with a troubled yet piercing gaze of his own.

"Hello."

[End of Volume One: The Fate Of A Nobody.]