As the sun rose over the kingdom, its inhabitants began preparing for the day's activities, including organizing their shops and other various tasks. Mary awakened from her slumber as sunlight illuminated her room. Upon standing, she yawned loudly. Glancing at her backpack, she retrieved her book titled "The Astronomy of Cosmos." This book discusses the existence of the unpredictable and mysterious phenomena within the realm of the space-time continuum, including the universe itself. Mary consistently engages with this text whenever the opportunity arises, as it elucidates the mechanics of the universe and its contents. While the information contained within the book remains limited compared to the actual complexities of the universe, this era lacks advanced technology capable of observing every aspect of it. Nevertheless, individuals have managed to uncover knowledge that was once deemed impossible to attain.
The book posits that the universe originated from a minuscule, dense fireball, which subsequently ignited an explosion that produced the simplest elements of the cosmos. This fireball serves as a representation of space itself, giving rise to the first stars and galaxies and facilitating the infinite expansion of space throughout the cosmos. Although these theories remain speculative, the enigma surrounding the birth of the universe continues to intrigue scholars. Mary persisted in reading the book from cover to cover until she grew weary of revisiting the same material. Sighing, she resolved to acquire another book during her travels across the continent. She placed her book back into her backpack and exited her room, descending to the inn's cafeteria. Upon her arrival, she noted that Jonathan had yet to appear, likely still asleep. Mary consistently awakened before Jonathan due to the more perilous situations he occasionally faced, which fatigued him and necessitated extended rest before embarking on daily activities.
Mary took a seat and, as is her custom, ordered her usual breakfast. It took approximately ten minutes for the waiter to deliver her meal. After placing the food on her table, the waiter attended to another customer. Mary began to eat, appreciating the consistent flavor of her meal—delicious as always. Meanwhile, Jonathan finally awoke, startled by the sunlight streaming into his room. He stood up and approached the mirror, examining himself. His hair was tousled from sleep, and he bore several minor scars on his face and chest. After tidying his hair and adjusting his shirt for a polished appearance, Jonathan retrieved his Constant Sword, securing it to his back before leaving his room to partake in breakfast. By the time Jonathan arrived at the cafeteria, Mary had finished her meal and departed the inn in search of an engaging new book. Consequently, Jonathan did not notice Mary in the cafeteria and simply placed his order and began to eat.
As Mary traversed the streets, various carriages passed by, and some individuals rode horses. She observed knights patrolling the area to ensure safety, ready to receive reports of any illicit activities. Continuing along the thoroughfare, Mary's attention was drawn to a prominent bookstore, prompting her to approach it. An instinctive sense guided her toward the establishment, a trait she often trusted as it frequently led her to valuable outcomes.
Upon reaching the store's entrance, she observed an array of neatly arranged books on the shelves. Opening the door, she was taken aback by the spaciousness of the interior; while it appeared modest from the outside, it resembled a library within. She pondered whether this could be attributed to a skill that deceived external perceptions of the store's size, a capability she found intriguing and potentially beneficial for their journey. As she wandered through the aisles, she selected several books that piqued her interest. While exploring the store, her gaze fell upon a peculiar room emanating a strong aura. As she approached, however, an employee intercepted her.
"Excuse me, Miss. Are you intending to enter this room? Unfortunately, it is currently not open to the public, and I must kindly request that you refrain from entering."
Frustrated by her inability to access the room, Mary expressed her dissatisfaction, but the employee remained steadfast in denying her entry. After giving up on her pursuit of the room, Mary departed from the employee and the area. Although she could not enter the intriguing room, she left the store with several books of interest, though her curiosity about the enigmatic chamber remained unquenched. Eventually, Mary returned to the inn.
During her walk, Mary encountered Jonathan, who was also strolling down the street. Upon their brief exchange of glances, both expressed surprise but subsequently greeted each other warmly.
"Greetings, Jonathan. What are you currently engaged in? Are you planning to sell your portions again, or perhaps acquire equipment for our forthcoming journeys?"
She inquired with genuine curiosity. It was customary for Jonathan to venture out for either purchasing equipment for their adventures or selling items that he no longer utilized. He chuckled in response.
"Indeed, I intend to purchase some equipment as well as a wagon. I have observed that we do not possess a wagon, and having examined our route on the map, it appears that our journey to another kingdom will take approximately four to eight days."
Upon receiving this information from Jonathan regarding their expedition, Mary advised him to procure additional supplies, particularly food items. Her suggestion was immediately prioritized, as it was logical to prepare for potential shortages during their journey. Given that they would be traversing wild terrain or unknown forests, fraught with potential dangers, it was essential to stockpile sufficient provisions to sustain them over four to eight days. Unlike other adventurers who typically formed teams of three to ten individuals, some even establishing clans to gain influence and wealth, Jonathan and Mary had a singular, albeit ambitious, objective: to uncover the true nature of Creation.
It is noteworthy that few individuals have pursued this profound inquiry; many have abandoned their search, caught in a cycle of confusion about whether the pursuit of such truth is worthwhile. Consequently, they parted ways to engage in their respective activities. Jonathan continued along the street, passing by various people and children playing together joyfully. Occasionally, Jonathan glanced at food and weapon shops, but he remained focused on locating the establishment where he could purchase a wagon and a horse.
After a ten-minute walk, Jonathan arrived at his destination, which was situated on the outskirts of town, owing to the store's considerable size. Upon entering, he was greeted by a variety of wagons ranging from economical to luxurious options. Many individuals were gathered, examining the wagons to find one that suited their needs. Jonathan browsed aimlessly until he discovered a medium-sized wagon constructed from sturdy brown wood, with the capacity to hold between 200 to 500 items. Satisfied with his find, he approached a nearby employee and expressed his intention to purchase the wagon. The employee guided him to the cashier, where he signed the ownership paperwork. After completing the transaction, Jonathan inspected the interior of the wagon, which offered a spacious area for supplies. The cost of the wagon was reasonable, requiring only a small number of gold coins.
Upon exiting the wagon store, Jonathan wandered the town once more in search of a horse vendor but recalled that these establishments were typically located outside the town limits. He promptly made his way outside, taking an additional five minutes to locate the horse seller. Approaching the site, he encountered a variety of horses in pens. The owner of the establishment acknowledged him and led him deeper into the premises.
After introducing him to the available horses, the owner inquired about his preferences. Jonathan surveyed the horses once more and identified a brown horse, known for its common use among travelers, but particularly suitable for pulling a wagon. The price was set at 74 gold coins, which Jonathan paid without hesitation.
The owner, smirking as he received the coins, retrieved a harness from a nearby table and carefully attached it to the horse. Once completed, he opened the pen, allowed Jonathan to mount the horse, and Jonathan found himself momentarily struggling as the horse reacted to his presence. Nevertheless, the horse eventually calmed, and Jonathan was able to ride toward the wagon area. Riding was significantly faster than walking, allowing Jonathan to arrive in just three minutes. He observed an employee waiting for him, with the wagon positioned near the entrance. Dismounting from the horse while holding the harness, Jonathan guided the horse to the wagon. After adjusting the harness for the wagon, he climbed into the carriage, secured the harness, and departed, riding the horse-drawn wagon. Before heading to the inn, he realized he needed to find a suitable place to park his horse and wagon and continued to explore the town.
And so, Jonathan parked the wagon on those place while unattached the harness and lead the horse to specifically place for the horse. And once it's done, he'd paid the cost of parking his wagon and his horse, then he left it proceeded to the inn. After walking about 10 minutes because the parking place is quite far from the inn, beside the inn doesn't provide a parking place for the horse and carriage. He'd enter the inn noticing that Mary Carter read her new books, Jonathan also notices those books were astronomy or something about mystery of Creation information. Thus Jonathan sat next to her which she abruptly closes her book and look who's sit down next to her, when she looked at her side—it was Jonathan who sit down next to her. She relief that the person sit down beside her is Jonathan.
"Jonathan, you startled me. You could have simply informed me that you intended to sit down beside me,"
She said with a slight pout, displaying mild annoyance toward Jonathan. He offered a small laugh as he apologized.
While glancing at one of her books, he took it into his hands, discovering that it was titled "Cosmic Information," authored by various scientists. The book contained theoretical insights regarding the cosmos. Without further consideration, Jonathan opened the book and began reading page by page. He soon encountered an intriguing term attributed to an unknown adventurer. The term stated:
"At times, I find myself contemplating the vastness of outer space. I have perused numerous books that delve into the unpredictable and enigmatic phenomena found in the universe, and I often ponder the mysteries that lie beyond our comprehension. One day, while exploring an exceptionally perilous dungeon with my team, our initial progress was satisfactory; we successfully defeated numerous monsters inhabiting the dungeon... However, upon discovering a peculiar chamber, we made the decision to enter without fully assessing the risks involved, which ultimately proved to be a grave error."
"Inside the room, we encountered a book radiating an unusual and formidable aura. One of my companions seized the book, and subsequently, a legendary red dragon materialized—one that even a team of Level-SSS+ adventurers struggled to combat. As chaos ensued, my friend who had taken the book tossed it to me, urging me to escape as they valiantly attempted to hold off the dragon. Although I was inclined to refuse, the determination displayed by my team left me with no option but to abandon them, recognizing the dire circumstances."
"As I fled the dungeon, I was overwhelmed with guilt, running until I reached the safety of the kingdom. Due to the failure of our mission, I was left without any coins, having incurred significant losses, and was unable to claim any rewards as a result of our unsuccessful endeavor. I ultimately sold the book to a local bookstore owner for 250 gold coins, the only remnant of my ill-fated expedition. This concludes my account of the experience."
Jonathan expressed sympathy for the plight of the unknown adventurer, who had lost a trusted companion. He reflected that one's fate cannot be evaded or avoided. The sudden appearance of a dragon in the room raised questions: Was it guarding the book? The sight was both intriguing and compelling, prompting Jonathan to consider retrieving the book, as it might contain vital information regarding the Ancient Door and Creation. Smiling with curiosity, he immediately showed the relevant page to Mary, who had been engrossed in another book. Upon seeing the phrase "immense aura around that book," she recalled experiencing a similar aura in the peculiar room located within the bookstore. This seemed to indicate a connection to the book in which she had a keen interest.
However, entry to that room was restricted and permitted only for select individuals. Mary then realized that Jonathan had ties to the king of another kingdom. Although she was uncertain about the extent of this connection, it was worth pursuing.
"Jonathan, I believe I have identified the location of the book. It resides in the bookstore, but regrettably, access is restricted to important individuals," she stated.
Jonathan crossed his arms in contemplation and leaned slightly backward. Before he could respond, a newsman entered, announcing to the assembled crowd that their ally, the Terienst kingdom, had received legendary potions in a trade with a solitary adventurer named Jonathan. The newsman distributed newspapers to the audience, including Jonathan and Mary.
Jonathan was taken aback to discover that news of his trade with the King of Terienst had permeated the entire kingdom, and even reached neighboring allies. Consequently, various allied entities were eager to find Jonathan, seeking to negotiate a trade for his potions. Although Jonathan found it hard to believe the trade was significant, the rarity of his potions made them exceedingly valuable. A mere small quantity of the potion could procure two medium-sized mansions and three wagons. The potions were known for their remarkable ability to enhance various attributes, including the healing of serious injuries and near-fatal conditions.
As the news spread rapidly throughout the kingdom, many nobles expressed interest in acquiring Jonathan's potions, albeit in limited quantities. The royal family also took note of this development, which could lead to further trading opportunities between Jonathan and the kingdom. In light of this, the king convened a meeting with all the nobles and the General of Knights to discuss potential trading arrangements for Jonathan's potions.
On the other hand, one neighboring kingdom's officials expressed frustration upon learning that their adversaries had acquired the rarest potions known in recorded history.
"Oh, it appears that someone has gained considerable notoriety,"
Mary Carter remarked teasingly, playfully pinching Jonathan's shirt.
"Please, Mary, do not tease me,"
He retorted, his face flushing with embarrassment, as Mary continued to jest with soft giggles and gentle pinches to his cheek. Jonathan attempted to conceal his face with his hands, while the newsman concluded his announcement and departed the inn. Many patrons began to debate and discuss the identity of the adventurer named Jonathan, whose name remained unfamiliar to the general populace. Due to his low rank, he had not attracted widespread attention. This lack of notoriety was intentional, as Jonathan sought to remain unobtrusive in order to facilitate his journey. Popular adventurers often become embroiled in special missions assigned by the guild or the kingdom, which did not align with Jonathan's goals. However, he would consider accepting a mission if it proved relevant to the clues he needed.
After some time, Mary ceased her teasing and requested Jonathan's assistance in acquiring the book she was curious about. As the individual recognized for possessing the rarest potions in existence, Jonathan was in a unique position. Many individuals had attempted to replicate his success but had failed miserably, often resulting in disastrous consequences in their laboratories. The materials required for the potions were nearly impossible to obtain, as they had become extinct. The exact names of these materials remained unknown, yet their immense potential to create a variety of new items, including potions, was widely acknowledged. Furthermore, the potion crafting process necessitated a complex ritual and meticulous brewing techniques, yielding only a two percent success rate.
Jonathan regarded Mary's imploring gaze, and although he briefly hesitated, he found himself unable to resist her plea. He ran his fingers through his hair and let out a sigh, ultimately agreeing to assist her in acquiring the book. Mary's expression brightened instantly, and she expressed her excitement with a wide smile before dashing towards the inn's exit, gesturing for Jonathan to accompany her. He complied, and they exited the inn, heading toward the bookstore. Jonathan appeared skeptical as he observed the storefront, noting the seemingly small space through its windows, which displayed several neatly organized bookshelves. Unbeknownst to him, an illusion skill created the perception of a limited area. However, upon Mary's opening of the door, Jonathan was taken aback by the expansive interior that resembled a library.
He was momentarily speechless; his surprise elicited a light giggle from Mary, who took his hand and led him inside. As they navigated through the store, they were confronted by an employee who blocked their path, insisting they vacate the restricted area. Mary, with a sense of pride, identified Jonathan as the creator of legendary and rare potions. The employee, taken aback by her assertion, examined Jonathan closely but remained uncertain of its veracity. Noticing the employee's confusion, Mary encouraged Jonathan to present one of his potions. Complying, Jonathan activated his skills and produced a potion for the employee to see.
The employee recoiled in shock, astonished at the authenticity of the rare potion he beheld. Overcome with nervousness, he expressed his regret for not recognizing Jonathan, who graciously assured him that it was of no consequence. The employee subsequently moved aside, granting them access to the restricted room. Mary felt a sense of triumph as she anticipated viewing the book and its contents. Upon entering the room, they were met with a luxurious atmosphere, infused with scents that induced a sense of relaxation, designed for esteemed individuals such as nobles and royalty.
Mary began to tremble violently, overwhelmed by the immense pressure emanating from a room further along. Her legs quaked, rendering her unable to stand, ultimately causing her to lower herself to the ground. In contrast, Jonathan remained unaffected by this pressure, as his Constant Sword nullified any harmful effects, a fact of which he was unaware. He approached Mary to assist her in standing. With his support, she gradually rose, albeit still exhibiting signs of distress.
"Are you all right, Mary? You appear to be shaking considerably," he inquired, concern evident in his tone.
"Y-yes, I am fine, but I continue to feel the immense pressure permeating my body from that room,"
She responded, indicating the source of her discomfort. Jonathan cast a glance toward the room, slowly advancing toward it. Mary, despite her weakened state, managed to follow him, determined to maintain her balance. Upon reaching the door, Jonathan gradually opened it, revealing a dimly lit area containing several small, antiquated, and dust-laden bookshelves. As he stepped inside, Mary placed her hand gently on his shoulder. She leaned against him for support, panting, while her gaze gradually ascended to a book emanating the same pressure and aura that had previously affected her. Her eyes widened in realization, urging her to stand beside him. However, she nearly collapsed to her knees; fortunately, Jonathan caught her in time.
Jonathan unsheathed his sword from his back, wishing for the overwhelming pressure that Mary had experienced to dissipate. This wish was promptly fulfilled; the pressure lifted from her body, allowing her to breathe more easily. With Jonathan's assistance, she gradually stood up, expressing her gratitude to him. In response, Jonathan offered a simple thumbs-up. Although Mary regained her composure and relaxed slightly, she continued to tremble for a brief period. Mary then approached the ancient book positioned in the center of the room, her gaze fixed upon it. The book appeared remarkably old, yet it showed no signs of damage. It was secured with a chain that required a key for access, a key that was, as of yet, nonexistent.
Turning her attention towards Jonathan, Mary focused not on him but rather on his sword. She requested to borrow it, and without hesitation, he relinquished it to her. As she grasped the hilt of the sword, an overwhelming surge of power enveloped her, causing her to momentarily freeze in place. This power was unprecedented, and despite the beads of sweat forming on her brow, she endeavored to maintain her composure. Once Jonathan withdrew his hand from the sword, it became significantly heavier, forcing her to her knees and causing it to crash into the floor, which shattered upon impact.
Mary attempted to lift the sword but found it immovable; its weight was confounding, prompting her to ponder how Jonathan had been capable of wielding it. Utilizing her enchantment skills to enhance her strength multiple times proved futile, as the sword remained entirely still. Eventually, she relinquished her grip on the hilt and stepped back.
Jonathan approached the sword that lay on the ground, easily lifting it without effort. Mary then suggested that he break the chains sealing the book, enabling them to access it. Jonathan complied, swiftly cutting through the chains that bound the book and reducing them to fragments. After this, he stepped forward to examine the title of the book: "The Borhsk." As he attempted to open it, an employee, previously unaware of the situation, entered the room. He was visibly taken aback by the broken seal and the mysterious book in Jonathan's possession, recognizing the improbability of such a development.
"W-what is happening? The seal is broken?"
The employee exhibited a blend of panic and shock, his gaze locking onto Jonathan, who stood holding the book in one hand while maintaining his grip on the sword with the other.
"Excuse me, sir! You cannot take that item; it poses a significant danger. I have heard rumors that if the seal is broken, a disease will be released from that book, potentially spreading rapidly throughout the entire kingdom."
The employee's body began to tremble, his fearful expression indicating that he was concerned about both his job security and the possibility of infection. Jonathan was somewhat taken aback by the employee's claims, as he had never encountered information suggesting that the book could induce an unknown disease unless it contained a specific type of curse magic capable of spreading illness. However, Jonathan was certain that the book in his possession did not contain any such curse magic, as he possessed the ability to detect any curse magic present in living beings, including objects.
"Please remain calm; this book is not hazardous and does not contain any curse magic," he reassured, casually raising the book slightly to demonstrate his confidence. Nevertheless, the employee remained unconvinced.
"You do not understand; the book literally possesses curse magic! It is—"
Before the employee could complete his statement, Jonathan interrupted him.
"You mentioned that this book could potentially spread a disease, correct? Yet here I am, feeling perfectly fine. Nothing has happened to me."
The employee abruptly ceased speaking, recognizing the validity of Jonathan's statement. Despite holding the book that was rumored to be capable of infecting individuals within a certain radius, Jonathan remained unaffected.
"Very well, you have prevailed in this discussion. However, that book is still our property; you must either purchase it or leave the store," the employee insisted.
Jonathan glanced again at the book before directing his attention back to the employee. The book intrigued him due to its title and the information it contained. He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, inquiring about the price.
"All right, how much does this book cost? I am interested in acquiring it,"
Jonathan stated.
The employee responded promptly,
"I hope you have sufficient funds, as the book is priced at 90 gold coins."
His smirk revealed an air of arrogance that annoyed Jonathan. The employee assumed that Jonathan would not be able to afford the item, despite being aware that Jonathan frequently engaged in trade with a king from a neighboring kingdom. Adventurers often encountered large sums of currency, yet many of them squandered their wealth on expensive but ultimately useless items for the sake of appearances. Jonathan, however, was not one to waste his funds on frivolous expenditures.
In response, Jonathan produced a small bag filled with coins from his 'Dimensional Storage' and tossed it in front of the employee. The employee's expression soured, his fists clenching as he struggled to suppress his annoyance. Slowly, he picked up the small bag containing the gold coins. Defeated, he left the room but remained determined to seek vengeance against Jonathan, whom he knew possessed greater intelligence.
Having successfully negotiated with the employee, Jonathan felt a sense of relief and turned to Mary, who promptly snatched the book from his grasp and raised it above her head, beaming with excitement at the prospect of reading it. Jonathan sighed, observing her happiness. He informed Mary that he would return to the inn, and she followed him, closely hugging the book. Upon their arrival at the inn, Mary chose a chair in the cafeteria and expressed her desire to read the book first. Jonathan nodded in agreement and proceeded to his room to prepare his belongings.
As Mary opened the book, she was astonished to discover an array of strange information that she had never encountered before, details that seemed to elude the knowledge of others. The contents of the book revealed that…
"The title "Overseer of Mage" denotes the highest echelon within the mage hierarchy. Individuals holding this title possess the unique ability to transcend both space and time, embarking on a journey to explore the cosmos. Through their endeavors, they have uncovered a plethora of remarkable phenomena previously unobserved within the space-time continuum. Their explorations have revealed that the universe is the progenitor of all aspects, including conceptual frameworks, fundamental structures, and mathematical constructs, alongside various philosophical ideas. Key elements such as causality, space, time, matter, mass and so on that exist within this vast universe. Astoundingly, these Overseers have come to comprehend the immense scale of the cosmos, which can be quantified using cardinality sets that account for quantities extending beyond infinity. For instance, one human step can be likened to an infinite aggregation of entire Cantor's Attic hierarchy, compounded infinitely and layered upon itself (piles), and then stacked upon another infinite piles of an infinite Cantor's Attics and multiplied in an infinite multitudes, establishing an endless cycle. This serves as a simple illustration of the distances present within our Existence, the journeys of the Overseers—whether individually or in groups—have gradually led them to the discovery of countless galaxies. These galaxies are not isolated; rather, they represent an infinite array of formations traversing the space-time continuum. Furthermore, each galaxy encompasses dimensions ranging from zero to infinite—this includes one-dimensional, two-dimensional, three-dimensional, four-dimensional, and so forth, extending to infinite-dimensional. Each dimension entails distinct frameworks of distance and quantity, resulting in lower-dimensional beings perceiving higher dimensions as expansively incomprehensible. It is widely recognized that galaxies host habitable planets, giving credence to theories regarding extraterrestrial life and alternative civilizations. During a particular analysis of the universe's structure, one Overseer encountered an unexpected obstruction in his examination. He noted, "As we engage with this grand design—a vast expanse—we have discerned interconnected planes, comprising physical, spiritual, mental, and conceptual dimensions. Collectively, these form a network that constitutes the cosmos. The universe possesses various attributes, including its composition, shape, dimensionality, and other aspects. Yet, an element disrupted my analysis; I was hindered by an unseen force, akin to a singular system, impeding any further inquiry. This force appeared to function as a restriction on our capabilities, suggesting that significant secrets pertaining to the universe remain undisclosed." He concluded that this particular force served as a reminder of the unpreparedness to access the deeper intricacies of this universe. However, this realization did not lead to despair; on the contrary, it inspired the Overseers to enhance their abilities and seek greater truths. According to one group of Overseers, the universe in which we reside is infinitely expanding, accommodating vast expanses. They also determined that previously identified clouds are expanding similarly to foam throughout the space-time continuum, resulting in infinite formations that ultimately converge into clusters, referred to as "Cosmic Clusters." These clusters consist not of an infinite number of clouds, but rather of quantities surpassing infinite numbers, beyond the Aleph-Null number, which is specifically Aleph-one number amount of such clouds. Moreover, Cosmic Clusters themselves are not singular occurrences; they are infinitely expanding throughout the cosmos. And so-"
Before Mary could further explore the information in her book, Jonathan called for her from his room. She closed her book, marking the page where she had paused to resume her reading later. Ascending the stairs, she approached Jonathan's room, where she found him handing her approximately ten potions of Täzk. Upon observing the potions in her hands, Mary realized that she had never possessed such valuable items in her life. Jonathan also provided her with a map detailing their intended route and explained that they would be departing from the kingdom the following day. Mary acknowledged this information with a nod. As Jonathan glanced out the window, he noted the sun setting and the sky transitioning into darkness.
Before retiring for the night, they decided to have a meal, recognizing the necessity of replenishing their energy for the next day's journey. After dining in the cafeteria, they returned to their respective rooms to sleep. Jonathan quickly fell asleep, whereas Mary stored the Borhsk in her bag and retrieved one of her books. She lay down on her bed and read attentively until she eventually dozed off, at which point the book slipped from her hands and fell onto her face. Despite her interest in the Cosmos, she often resorted to reading when feeling bored, revealing her potential in that domain.
What challenges or successes might they encounter during their upcoming journey? Will their experiences unfold favorably, or will they face difficulties? Well, we'll find out soon enough.
-To be Continued