Chapter 5 – Awakening of the Supremes
Far away from the academy...
Far beyond the reach of hunters, kingdoms, and ordinary civilization...
An ancient temple stood beneath a crimson sky.
Time had worn away most of its walls. Massive cracks covered the black stone pillars supporting the structure. Vines crawled across the ruins like living snakes.
Yet despite centuries of decay...
One thing remained untouched.
A colossal statue standing at the center of the temple.
A Supreme.
One of the legendary beings said to have descended upon the world during the Age of Origin.
Most people considered them myths.
Others called them monsters.
And some denied their existence entirely.
Yet in this forgotten temple...
They were worshipped as gods.
A lone priest knelt before the statue.
His forehead touched the cold stone floor.
His body trembled with excitement.
"My Lord..."
His voice echoed throughout the empty temple.
"The time of your return is near."
Silence.
Then the eyes of the statue glowed faintly crimson.
The entire temple shook.
The priest lowered his head even further.
"We have finally discovered a way."
"A way to break the chains that bind your power."
The crimson light intensified.
The priest smiled.
For generations, his order had searched for the answer.
Now they had finally found it.
"The Origin Stones."
"The barriers created after the First Battlefield of Origin."
"They protect this world."
"They prevent the Supremes from influencing reality directly."
The priest slowly raised his head.
"If the Origin Stones are destroyed..."
"The barrier will collapse."
"And your power shall once again flow into this world."
The temple trembled violently.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
The priest stretched both arms toward the statue.
"My Lord..."
"Allow us to begin."
A dark smile appeared on his face.
"The Awakening of the Supremes."
Behind him, dozens of cloaked figures emerged from the shadows.
Each one lowered their head.
Each one repeated the same words.
"Awakening of the Supremes."
"Awakening of the Supremes."
"Awakening of the Supremes."
The ritual had begun.
---
Meanwhile...
Inside the academy.
The ceremony had already ended.
The Elite gathered inside a private meeting room.
Arc sat casually near a window.
Nami was eating enough food for three people.
Mona quietly sat in a corner.
Miro remained silent as always.
Redo simply watched.
After several minutes, Nami suddenly spoke.
"Arc."
The Golden Sword King looked up.
"What?"
Nami pointed toward him.
"You caught that Inventer."
Arc smiled.
"I did."
"Why?"
For a moment, the room fell silent.
Arc looked toward the academy grounds outside.
Then he answered.
"I don't know."
Everyone raised an eyebrow.
"You don't know?"
Arc shook his head.
"I saw him for only a second."
"But..."
His expression became serious.
"There was something strange about him."
Miro finally opened her eyes.
"I felt it too."
Everyone looked toward her.
That alone was unusual.
Miro rarely spoke.
Arc nodded.
"It wasn't mana."
"It wasn't killing intent."
"It wasn't a class ability."
He frowned.
"It felt like something much older."
The room became silent.
Even Redo seemed interested.
Arc leaned back in his chair.
"Whatever it was..."
"It was powerful."
---
At that very moment...
Rayan sat alone in his room.
The blue screen floated before his eyes.
[Emergency Mission Received]
[Protect the Origin Stones]
Mission Rank: Unknown
Failure Condition: Catastrophic
Rayan stared at the screen.
His expression was serious.
The system had remained silent ever since his awakening.
Yet today...
For the first time...
It had given him a mission.
"Protect the Origin Stones..."
He repeated quietly.
"From what?"
No answer came.
Sketch landed on his shoulder.
"Master."
"Hm?"
"I don't think the system gives missions for no reason."
"I know."
Rayan looked toward the night sky outside his window.
An Origin Stone capable of protecting the world.
A vision of a destroyed battlefield.
A mysterious man running for his life.
And now...
A warning.
Something was coming.
He could feel it.
"If danger is really approaching..."
His eyes narrowed.
"Then I need answers."
Sketch tilted his head.
"And where are we supposed to find those?"
A small smile appeared on Rayan's face.
"Dungeons."
The next morning...
A newly issued S-Class License rested in his hand.
Most students had ignored his ranking.
To them, an Inventer was still an Inventer.
No matter how high the score.
But Rayan didn't care.
For the second time in two different lives...
He had reached S-Class.
And this time...
He intended to find out exactly what he was capable of.
Standing before the entrance of a B-Rank Dungeon...
Rayan took a deep breath.
"Let's begin."
The giant gate slowly opened.
Darkness waited beyond.
And somewhere inside...
A Stone Golem opened its eyes.
To be continued...