Chapter 27- Unknown

"In any case, what I wanted to tell you is this… Even though the current political situation in the World Beyond is calm, it is far from stable." Cipher said. "Every faction is on the edge, barely holding themselves from igniting another war simply because they knew the loses are going to be horrible."

Malice nodded faintly, he could imagine why they wouldn't want that to happen as they already experienced what a war could lead to before. Losing countless souls wasn't worth it in most cases.

"However, that could change very quickly and it only needs one change," Cipher said.

"..." Malice took a second to understand what the blonde man was hinting at before his eyes flashed with a hint of understanding. "The shards."

"Exactly, if a shard appears in the World Beyond. Forget about another war, every faction is ready to sacrifice everything just to get it. After all, no one in history has ever been able to gain two shards so the power they might wield was simply incomprehensible." Cipher said. "A power so enticing, the entities that sought it are ready to throw everyone away to get it."

Those words were dark, ominous, and terrifying. The idea that millions or even billions of souls are only alive simply because the entities in control have no reason to kill them filled him with endless dread. It didn't matter whether they were humans or not, they were truly devils, leashed by the risk of losing all that power they had.

"That is why, as much as I don't want you to poke your nose into this matter, you will have to be aware of it. The future is as uncertain as ever and people are blissfully unaware of it."

Malice closed his eyes for a moment and inhaled a deep breath. 'Blissfully? I doubt, they already have too much in their hands to care about some bleak future. Their present is bleak as it is.' He thought to himself.

Even though Cipher was clearly telling him as a warning, he still didn't understand the problem here. In the end, this man was still a Marked Noble. Even if he wasn't a piece of scum, he still lived a life of luxury and success. Something that others couldn't get.

'I don't blame him. Even I already started growing numb to that life a few days after leaving it behind.'

Not even for a second did Malice miss that place after leaving it. There was really no attachment he had to the slums. In fact, he is thankful he was able to leave it and live a better life now. So, he could only imagine what someone who never even lived in the slums would think about it. Of course, they would have no idea how cruel life is there.

"In any case, now that we are done with the history part. We will start with the more important things. Get ready." Cipher said seriously.

'Even though it's tough, this is definitely a far better, humane life.' Malice looked up at Cipher. 'I will take full advantage of it.'

"I'm ready."

***

Then, for the next 8 hours or so, Malice's brain was basically bombarded with information. They first started with a physics lesson, where Cipher went through the basics that every child should know.

Malice was quite shocked by the things he heard. Things like how gravity worked, the molecules in the air, and many other stuff. It certainly changed his perspective of the world. He also surprisingly liked those first hours as they felt like he was learning something truly interesting and worth his while.

Then, they moved to some biology, mainly the biology of the World Beyond. He learned about certain ecosystems, a few types of abominations that can exist there, and many other, anatomical and behavioral analyses of different creatures.

It was a lot more complicated and required more focus from Malice but it was still quite enjoyable too as he was able to get to know more about this mysterious realm he never visited before. 

He also had never seen it on the TV or in the news as electronics didn't work in the World Beyond. He didn't know why that was the case, but it was a fact and so people there had to live in the old ages compared to this world.

Finally, at the end of the session, Cipher continued Malice's previous lessons and taught him more words, amplified his understanding of grammar, and further pushed his understanding of the language. He was slowly starting to learn how to write full sentences on his own and read words that he had never seen before purely from the rules he learned.

The improvement was simply amazing, and Malice felt quite satisfied as that was just another fruitful day where he pushed himself to the limit.

By the time the sun vanished, Malice was finally done with the lesson and he quickly went back to his room. After taking a shower and changing his clothes, he quickly sat down on the bed and then closed his eyes.

'Avatar, bring me back.'

He didn't waste a single second before he quickly vanished from sight. He could've not been any more eager to go meet Avatar to ask her about the Shard.

The moment he opened his eyes inside the chamber, he said. "What is the meaning of this?" 

[Welcome, Marked Malice.]

"I've heard about the seven shards and how they're related to primordial gods. But, the Shard Of Hatred isn't one of them. What is the meaning of that?"

[What is the issue with that, Marked Malice? The Shard Of Hated is indeed a godly remnant.] Avatar replied.

"But, it isn't one of the seven shards, is it?"

[I have never said that it is one of those Shards, Marked Malice. The Shard Of Hatred is something of its own and cannot be categorized in any way.] Avatar replied in a surprisingly annoyed tone. It was as if she was offended by the fact that Malice compared it with the other seven.

The young boy blinked with a frown before he lifted his hand. "Wait, so the Shard Of Hatred wasn't supposed to be one of the Seven Shards in the first place?"

[No.]

"Then, where did it come from?"

There were precisely seven gods, and each god left a shard, so if the Shard Of Hatred wasn't a part of them. Who left it behind?

[That I cannot disclose, Marked Malice for I myself have no access to that information. Everything I tell you is what the Shard Of Hatred wants you to know and I have no control over that, as I said before.]

"Damn it…" Cursing under his breath, he held his forehead. "It's really trying to play games with me, huh?"

Malice felt naturally irritated by the lack of an answer. He knew that this was perhaps something Cipher and most other people weren't aware of, but it didn't satisfy him to know that he was possessing something only he knew of. It felt like he was an experiment being conducted by the Shard for a grander reason than merely helping him.

But, then again, he had no proof of that and even Avatar said that it meant him no harm so even if he asked her again, she would give him the same answer.

'Tsk, why does it have to be this convoluted?!' Sighing, he sat there for a while, contemplating the matter deeply. On the one hand, the Shard Of Hatred has only been helpful so far and provided him with a way to get stronger. But, on the other hand, it also was hiding too many things from him and it was starting to feel dreadful to even think about.

'Is there really a point of being suspicious anymore? At this point, I went far too deep to go back. It has already brought me where it wanted me to be. My only choice is to tread forward and see where I go.'

If the Shard Of Hatred wanted to do something he didn't like, it had already pushed him to the point of no return. His only chance was to simply do what he could and see how things developed.

Slowly, he stood up and walked to the bed. His things were still there like he left them before. He also noticed that there was another healing potion resting on the bed.

"You're giving me another one?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

[Potions are necessary so I provide you with one every day. The number will certainly increase in the future.] Avatar replied.

"I see, thanks." He replied coldly before he stored the potions away.

Putting on the armor, he picked up the weapons silently and walked toward the gate. "I'm leaving to explore more." He said. 

[Good luck, Marked Malice. May the darkness be with you.] Avatar said in her usual cold tone.

"Darkness is going to be with me. That's all there is in that place." He muttered with a scoff as he passed through the gate into the dark abyss, vanishing instantly.