[You are awakened!]
Lux looked around. There was no ground. Or rather, it stretched far downward, so deep that the bottom could not be seen. The red glow of the sky was all that was visible. Lux's gaze returned to the black, glowing text floating above him. He blinked. The letters trembled violently, then shattered into thousands of tiny black fragments before rebuilding themselves.
[You have received: your chain!!]
Lux's eyes sparkled. Out of nowhere, a black chain wrapped itself around his arms. It slithered forward like a snake and tightened.
[The chains bind themselves tightly to you. There is no turning back!]
Lux blinked."No turning back?"
He waited for an answer. He moved his arms slightly and felt the full weight of the chains. Only now did Lux realize it. This was his awakening room. This world belonged to him. Well, it consisted of only one massive, wide stone, but here Lux could start the first trial whenever he wished.
He waited and read what the chains said.
[Child of the great demon acknowledged. First world is being processed!]
"C-child of the demon? W-who is that supposed to mean?"
Lux stared at the words and swallowed. He read them again and grew pale.
[First trial difficulty has been increased!]
Lux was given no pause. Text after text flooded him. The black letters shattered and reformed again.
[Your chains are evolving. White eyes shine brightly even in darkness!]
A heavy force pulled on the chains. Lux was dragged downward and slammed onto the hard stone. He watched as the black glowing chains tightened around him. After a few seconds, the weight eased slightly.
[Evolution status: loose. Evolution 1 out of 5]
"One out of five evolutions? W what is happening here? I just want"
The system interrupted Lux's thoughts with a question. Black letters glowed before his eyes. He read them quietly, his heart pounding.
[Start first trial?]Yes or No
Lux swallowed. His hands began to tremble. With effort, he raised them. As his arms moved, the chains released their weight, making it harder to move. Luckily, chains could be summoned and dismissed at will. Lux's mother had told him much about the Chain World.
He focused, and the chains vanished. The weight disappeared, and Lux felt freer. He raised his arm into the air.
"That would be suicide to start it now. I'll wait until the others arrive!"
Starting the first trial alone was a terrible idea. Lux looked around, but nothing had changed. The chains still slithered through the air.
He chose.
[No!]
The words shattered into thousands of fragments.
[Then not yet. But soon.]
"Soon?"
That was the last message the chains left him.
Lux's eyes snapped open. Bright morning light from the rising sun flooded his room through the window. His room was separated from the rest of the house and located upstairs. One had to climb stairs to reach it.
Lux sat up abruptly. He felt stronger. More confident. He had received his chains. At last, his true life would begin.
Perfect timing.
His bedroom door opened. His sleepy mother stood there, smiling.
"Lux! Good morning. Today is the big day. You will show them all!"
Lux smiled. He had to succeed. For his mother. She had done everything for him, including making the blindfold. She had told Lux it was one of her three rewards for completing the first trial.
The blindfold hid his eyes. He never knew why. Luckily, he could see perfectly through it. Despite wearing it, Lux could see his surroundings almost completely. He had never taken it off in his entire life.
"Mother? Why do I wear this blindfold?"
She stopped, seeming to think. Then she smiled.
"Survive, and I'll tell you."
After a short pause, her expression grew more serious.
"Now come on. We need to leave."
Lux was led to the place where the awakened children gathered. Quickly, he and his mother left the house before his father could wake. They walked quietly through the village for several minutes until they reached a large tower.
Inside were many beds, always stacked three high. Many children were already lying there, saying their goodbyes. Suddenly, a deep voice filled the room.
It was an older man. He carried a long sword, and his expression was serious. Lux studied him. He had long black hair and a scar over his right eye. He seemed experienced.
"Awakened ones, and those who are not yet awakened. It is about to begin. Everyone will awaken. The chains will unleash their power when the sun reaches its peak."
They waited. One by one, children collapsed, awakening and receiving their chains, just like Lux had during the night. An hour later, everyone had received theirs.
Lux still thought about what the chains had said. Half demon.
"Maybe it was an attack," Lux thought.
His mother whispered, "What is it?"
Lux shook his head. "Nothing. It's fine. Do we really have to listen to all of this?"
The old man spoke about his own experiences. Lux listened for a moment.
"You must hunt your own food. Explore the world and remember everything. It is important."
His mother looked at Lux. "It is important that you listen now, Lux."
Lux sighed. "Okayyy."
"Enough of my experiences. Now it is your turn. Lie down on a bed and say goodbye to your parents."
Lux hugged his mother tightly.
"Lux, do not die. Do not do that to me."
Her words filled Lux with hope. No. He would not die. He would succeed. For her.
"No, Mother. I won't. I promise."
She smiled one last time.
"Parents, leave the tower now," the older man commanded.
Parents moved down the stairs. The tower seemed to have many floors filled with beds for children.
Lux did not think much anymore. He climbed onto a bed. They were stacked in threes. He climbed to the very top. He could not see who lay beneath him. They would be his allies in this world, but he had no chance to see them.
Suddenly, Lux was pulled into the Chain World.
His eyes closed. He felt the world shift around him.
When he opened them again, he lay beneath the massive red sky once more, on the cold stone.
Text floated above him.
[Start first trial?]
Lux swallowed. A chill ran down his spine.
There was only one answer.
Yes.
When he selected it, the text changed.
[Trial started!]
Instantly, Lux was teleported.
Cold yet warm air brushed against Lux's face. The air felt neutral, and the familiar village scent was gone. It no longer smelled of bread, dirt, and smoke. Instead, the fresh scent of nature filled his nose.
A grin escaped his lips. His thoughts ran wild.
Where will I be now?How often will I need to use my sword?If I pass the trial, will I really be much stronger, or only a little?I want to meet my two companions. Hopefully, they are kind.
Lux could barely contain his excitement.
When he opened his eyes again…...