System(II)

The reason why Amon seemed startled wasn't because he was unfamiliar with the concepts of Gods; in fact, it was the total opposite.

On Earth, for as long as records had existed, entities known as Guardians were born.

Guardians were entities gifted with power from the very Heavens, wielding the elements and laws of the world.

During each generation, a Guardian would be born with the task of protecting Earth from a race of invaders known as Otherworlders, who had been vying for Earth's resources for as long as humans had existed.

After each generation, as a new Guardian was born, the previous Guardian would undergo a ceremony of ascension and ascend to the skies, transforming into a God and joining their predecessors to protect and watch over the Earth.

It could be said that Earth had thousands, if not millions, of Gods, and that the supernatural wasn't unfamiliar to its inhabitants.

[The accumulation of aether within your planetary core has caused it to evolve and connect to its aether pool. In turn, a wave has begun on Earth.]

[Waves are events where portals open in the skies and monsters from foreign dimensions flood the Earth. Your goal is to clear them out and kill them, using their aether aura to form runes and ascend.]

Amon's heart suddenly constricted.

'What?! Earth is in danger?'

Though it was true he only had his father in his life, Amon still had people he cherished from his past left on Earth.

[Yes, but thanks to the presence of your Guardians, this shouldn't be an issue.]

[To conclude my explanation, the Planetary Awakening has allowed all humans on Earth to awaken their latent abilities. Even beyond that, Dungeons of varying grades have appeared all over the planet, and this is currently where you are.]

Amon took a deep breath and calmed down once more. Like most teenagers on Earth, he'd read a myriad of books and novels and could already guess the rest.

He didn't need his system to explain to him that to escape his current predicament, he'd have to clear this Dungeon, somehow.

'Status.'

~~~

[Name: Amon Celekria Thanakree]

[Titles: Dungeon Diver, <••••• >, <••••• >, Son of <•••• >, <•••••• >, Beginner's Curse]

<Realm of Power: Awakener (early)>

<Race: Lower Human (Tierless)>

<Lineage: Impure Human Lineage (Tierless)>

•Aether Mark Quality: N/A

{Physical Stats: 0.1}

{Soul Stats: 0.3}

{Aether Stats: 0.9}

{Core Stats: 0.1}

{Affinity Stats: 1.9}

[Status: Healthy, mentally unwell]

~~~

Seeing the screen that had popped up in front of him, Amon couldn't help but involuntarily smile. This truly wasn't a dream.

'Alright, now explain to me what you are. What did you mean by abilities, and how do I form runes?'

[Master, I am your system, a part of you birthed from the reflection your soul created upon coming into contact with aether. In essence, you could say I am your progeny, master. I am a sentient entity.]

Just as Amon began to nod, the system continued.

[Normally, when one comes into contact with aether, they connect to the Cosmic System of their universe and gain access to its features. But if your soul is powerful enough, you can birth your own system, and if your soul is of exceptional quality, you can form entities like me. While the easiest thing to call me is a system, the appropriate term is Innate Symbiar. The purpose of my life is to serve you, master.]

Hearing these words, for some reason, Amon felt his heart move, something that rarely happened. Innately, he could tell this system wasn't lying, and perhaps it was a trick of the mind, but he was inclined to believe its words.

Either way, did he have a choice? He was in the middle of a planet-sized forest with trees the size of Earth's largest and tallest buildings, while being alone and entirely surrounded by a world he knew nothing about.

It was reassuring to know he wasn't alone in this mess.

'Alright then, I'll call you Mordred. Let's try and get out of here alive.'

Amon wasn't one to hesitate when it came to it. He accepted the reality of his circumstances and moved to save himself.

He had too much to do and fix back on Earth.

SHHH!

A rustling of leaves echoed, and from the biome facing him, a small feline-like creature shot out.

It was the size of a cat with reflective silver fur that contained blood-red stripes and piercing golden feline pupils.

Its claws were sharp, as were its bared teeth, but this wasn't the most shocking part of its existence. All around the beast's body, flickering white flames emitted a terrifying heat.

Faced with such a beast, Amon moved on instinct, ignoring the aching of his muscles as he stood and jumped toward the cat, diving at the last second to roll under it, then swiping an arm backward to grab a branch.

His stance widened, and his core lowered as he brandished his spear-sized branch.

[Master, use your branch to immobilize it, then touch it.]

Amon didn't even try to argue as he shot forward at the same time as the small cat. Just as they were about to clash, his other hand moved and threw a handful of dirt in the cat's eyes, blinding it as his branch violently rammed into its side. A shriek of pain escaped its tiny body as it flew back and crashed into the trunk of the tree.

Amon rushed forward, his hand extended to touch the cat, unsure of what would happen when he did. He was in a trance, and at that moment, all he could do was trust his system.

His hand felt the scorching heat the cat emitted, but soon, his eyes widened as the cat's body began to melt into a foul green liquid.

As this happened, Amon saw a bundle of golden energy escape its body and enter his.

[As I said, master, humans of your planet have awakened abilities, and you're not excluded.]