[CH598+ Continued] Dungeon Diver: Stealing A Monster's Power

Chapter 638

"What is it that I have to offer?"

The old man thinks to himself for a moment, then speaks again.

"I could offer many things. Our ancient techniques, allowing one to let go of their physical body and even separate from the system itself; however, you have awakened your true core and have begun to walk down a far different path. Learning our way would only be a hindrance to your progression."

He smiles.

"What I can offer you is new information. I've studied this world and awaited this day for over three centuries. My natural end is near, and I feel it is my duty to pass on knowledge to a candidate for the throne I believe will serve this world's future the best."

He chuckles to himself while looking back up at the ceiling.

"And what is it that I want? Nothing is free in this world anymore, isn't that right...?"

He sighs, and the two younger men by his sides, who look not much older than myself, still stare at me with eyes of awe.

"All I want is to make sure this world stays in the hands of the humans. That we do not become merely a number, forgotten in the cosmic scale of the system's great game. Could I at least have your word that you will never forget your humanity?"

I raise an eyebrow, and after a pause, reply.

"That's an easy enough request. I'll accept... What do you mean by the system's great game...? And before—you said you couldn't challenge the throne even if you wanted to because you're not connected to the system... How is this so?"

The old man's eyes tighten their gaze, and the corner of his lips turn upward.

"Right down to business, that does seem to be your style."

I nod and await his next words.

"It is true, I am not connected to the system as some of my disciples, and a majority of this world, are. This is because I started my progression down this path long before this world linked to the source. I tempered my body and mind using a power source that is actively being forgotten by this universe—Qi."

I open my mouth to ask more, but the old man continues his speech before I do.

"It is the remnant of an old system that has long been forgotten and eroded away into nothing but a pure and strange energy source left behind. Who made it? Who controlled it? Why is it everywhere—in our soil, air, and imbued in undetectable artifacts scattered among this world? There is no definitive answer to these questions..."

He stares me in the eyes.

"Just as in a million years, a new race born on a planet far away may begin their exploration of the stars and find thick mana shielding that has decayed for millennia here. There is no correct translation for the ancient texts, just as many scientists and craftsmen today debate the correct or most efficient use of mana to create potions and gear."

He lets out a sigh and looks back up at the ceiling.

"So know this: what I tell you are my personal predictions and observations. Reality has a way of shifting its gaze when great forces interact with it."

His words resonate deeply with other conversations I've had with Ember, Celia, and many others, but I've never heard anyone contextualize it quite like this.

The old man is saying that Qi wasn't always in this form, and there's no way for us to know the true secrets of what it was, as they're lost in time. An ancient technology, belonging to a long extinct race that most likely spread its power throughout many stars and worlds...