Philosopher Stone.
It was a mythical item on earth that had countless rumors surrounding it.
'An item that would turn every item it touched to gold.'
Well, of course, later, as science advanced and the chemistry field developed, those rumors were discarded as a bunch of nonsense.
However, the developers didn't pass such an item and used that in the game.
As a reward for this dungeon.
And it was a very OP item that made some of the mage players put their points on physical stats just for the sake of it instead of their magical stats.
'An item that makes you connect to the plane.'
It was such an item.
And right now I am holding it.
A bright red gem that was shining with an ominous aura that was imposing like a death in front of me.
In the game, using this item was a simple click on the tab that appeared in front of you, but since it was the real world, I needed to start the process.
'What an ominous-looking thing….'
Inside I was still questioning my decision to absorb this thing.
'It is what it is.'
With that thought, I grabbed the stone.
'Let's start.'
And then first started releasing the mana inside my core.
The mana I had finally had access to.
The piece that was missing for a very long time, although I wasn't able to use that for long before….
'Now, let's first start with injecting pure mana….'
Although in the game, the player didn't do the process manually, if you had watched the cutscene with attention, then you would be able to see the process.
'I am glad that I paid attention.'
And I was one of those nerds that would like to pay attention to those details that now save my life most of the time…
With that being said, I started injecting the pure attributeless mana I had generated in my core.
/SHINE/ /HOWL/ /RUMBLE/
And the results were something I had seen.
'A bright red light coupled with a storm.'
It was a scene that was put by the developers to intimidate the player players, making them feel the price of such power.
'It is starting now.'
The moment I said that, suddenly, everything around me changed.
Taking the color of blood…
"SHRIEEEK!" "SHRIEEEK!" "SHRIEEEK!" "SHRIEEEK!"
A bunch of screams came to my head, filling everything with madness.
Slowly but surely, the sounds started gradually increasing, filling my head with the thoughts…
'Kill… Destroy…. Hate… Recent…. Avenge…. Destroy….'
Thoughts that contained such desires….
<Ding! The host's mind is being affected by the status effect, Madness.>
<Ding! Trait [Ego] is resisting the status effect madness.>
<Ding! The resistance is successful.>
However, as being said, such desires that were trying to take control of my mind….
They were nothing but a bunch of leaves that were just there to be crushed.
There was just no way for me to get crushed by mere desires.
I am Callius.
A being that is born to rule that is born to stand on the peak.
I am not a person that would give in to such simple desires. I can't be that simple.
'The first part of the trial… Madness…'
In the game the Philosopher's Stone was really a broken item that would any mage droll.
However, there was one weakness.
Just as it did while awakening, this process also requires a very strong will to finish the trial.
Both for the first case and for the second case.
'Now, it starts. The second phase.'
The moment I thought that, suddenly, a bunch of faces appeared in front of me, swirling around.
"Give me! Give me your body."
"My child. I need to see my child!"
"Father! Father! I want to see my father!"
"Help me! It hurts."
"Mother, it hurts!"
"King Xenon, why?"
"WHYYYYY!"
"I GAVE MY EVERYTHING TO YOU! WASN'T THAT ENOUGH!"
And a wave of screams came with the faces, filling everything with madness again.
"Help me! Please help!"
A sound of a young man that was filled with hate….
"Save my child, please!"
A sound of a woman that was sorrowfully trying to raise her child….
"It hurts! Someone, it hurts…."
A sound of a little child whose voice had yet to mature….
"My wife… At least leave…"
A sound of an old man whose only wish is saving his wife….
With every sound that was coming to my ears, the feelings were being transmitted as well.
Sorrowful feelings of those who didn't wish to die….
The feeling of resentment for those who wanted to live, whose lives were taken away….
The feeling of the longing of those who lost someone they held dear….
The feeling of vengeance that was burning inside….
The feeling of wrath that filled even the calmest and purest souls' minds…
<Ding! The host's soul is being invaded by the souls trapped inside the Philosopher's Stone.>
<Ding! Trait [Ego] is resisting the invasion.>
However, just as before, there was no way I would lose my control over something this trivial.
'Your screams of hatred, resentment, sorrow. They are nothing but a lullaby to me.'
The moment a person steps on the path of being strong, on the path of standing above everyone, he/she has already accepted the fact that he/she will trample on others, regardless of their circumstances.
This is how it goes, how it should be.
'Now, Kneel! Kneel before me!'
<Ding! Trait [Tyrant's Aura] is active.>
<Ding! The resistance to the soul invasion is successful.>
Ignoring the system's voice in my head, I focused my attention on the sounds disappearing one by one.
'Your sacrifice won't be in vain, the Citizens of Xerxes. Your endless anguish ends now.'
Releasing a pitch-white aura, the red aura inside me started enveloping everything.
<Ding! Trait [Perfectionist] is active.>
'If you are getting something from those anguished, at least give them salvation.'
<Ding! The host's desires are being fulfilled. The lost souls are being cleansed.>
And with each passing time, the souls that were once anguished with the feeling of hatred started being possessed by the white aura.
'If you do something. Do it fully.'
With that slight mumble, I released my hand.
"""""Thank you…. My lord….""""""
And a smile bloomed on my lips, hearing the sounds of gratitude coming.
"Farewell… Agonized ones of this story…."
'The second phase, The Anguish of the subjects of Xerxes Kingdom.'
With my hand waving, I looked at the screen appearing beside me.
'Completed.'
<Ding! A new trait, [Child of Mana], is acquired.>
