Binding Strings of Fate

The wind whistled softly through the dense forest, blending with the melodic chirping of the trial's artificial birds. The tranquil ambiance betrayed the chaos that had unfolded moments earlier.

Lying motionless on the grassy ground, I clung desperately to consciousness, my right arm crushed beneath me.

[Congratulations, Mr. Lumian, you have successfully conquered the trial.]

The words reverberated through my mind, the voice feminine and omnipresent, as though it came from every direction at once. But none of it mattered. What truly mattered was one simple fact: I survived.

I couldn't move. My body, battered and broken, refused to obey my will. Blood from the monster's savage assault obscured my vision, leaving my face a grotesque mask of crimson. Each shallow breath sent a searing pain through my shattered ribs. My left arm hung limp, my face swollen and barely recognizable.

Death loomed close, a shadow creeping over me with every passing second. My wounds were too grave—my ribs, my arm, my face—everything screamed the end. But I couldn't give in. Not yet. I had to stay awake. The trial would take me home, but only if I endured a little longer.

The weight of my eyelids grew unbearable. Darkness clawed at the edges of my vision, each second pulling me further into its embrace. No matter how hard I tried, my strength was spent. My eyes closed, and I drifted into unconsciousness, my fate left to the whims of the trial.

***

I opened my eyes, but instead of the room I was familiar with, I was met with another void-like world.

This time, it was different.

Thousands of black, shadowy hands extended upward, camouflaged perfectly with the umbral expanse. Yet, somehow, I could see them—or perhaps feel them—like invisible strings connecting me to their essence. They were rooted in the ground, reaching for the void sky as if yearning to grasp something beyond their reach.

The ones nearest to me behaved differently. They lowered their hands—or perhaps their heads?—as though bowing in reverence, like loyal subjects acknowledging a king they deeply admired.

For the first time, I could feel my body in this void. Previously, I had been a mere consciousness adrift in nothingness. But now, everything was clear.

I raised both hands, flexing my fingers, watching as they opened and closed. My gaze shifted downward. My body was intact, fully clothed as always. The black blood left by the monstrous creatures was gone, along with the agonizing pain that had wracked me moments ago.

I was completely fine.

[Due to awakening your Soul Core, you have gained access to the System.]

A voice rang out, calm and mechanical, followed by a holographic blue interface materializing before me. The text glowed white, thick and clear:

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Awakened Name: Lumian

Title: Transmigrator, Incarnation of the Shadow, The Anomaly, Otherworlder

Soul Core Type: Blessed

Soul Core Name: Shadow Bound

Soul Core Description: You are bound to the shadows. The shadows are your most trustworthy ally and your strongest weapon.

[See More...]

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"So this is my ability... Shadow Bound," I murmured, absorbing the information.

It reminded me of my previous life, of the ability I once wielded: Crafting. Both powers shared similarities, especially the concept of creating something from nothing. The process of materializing objects with Shadow Bound felt eerily familiar. Instead of manipulating the air to create, this time, I controlled shadows.

With five years of experience mastering Crafting, adapting to Shadow Bound came naturally. I just needed focus—to gather the shadows, visualize the desired object. Back in the Trial Zone, I had struggled due to my lack of familiarity with this new Soul Core. But now, I felt confident. This ability was mine to wield.

[Mr. Lumian, you will now return to the real world. Thank you for your hard work, and I wish you good luck on your journey.]

A voice resounded in my head, and suddenly, a blue vortex materialized before me—the same portal I had seen in my bedroom.

I raised my right hand, reaching toward it. The moment my fingers touched its surface, everything was engulfed in a blinding white light.

When I opened my eyes again, the first thing I saw was a wooden ceiling.

A faint smile crept across my lips, and I muttered in my mind:

'I survived. That was a fucking nightmare.'

As expected, my body felt as good as new. Picking myself up, I immediately noticed something was off. This wasn't my room.

I was in a large room with six beds lined up against one wall, each separated by a few centimeters. I had been resting on the farthest bed near the wall at the end. The space was vast, clearly meant to accommodate multiple people, but I was alone.

It took a moment before it hit me: I was in a hospital. Or at least, that's what it resembled.

'What is this room called?'

"I believe this is called a ward," I said aloud, though there was no one to hear. I'd never been to a hospital before. Despite being awakened and knowing the dangers of Trial Gate raids, I had never sustained an injury severe enough to land me in one.

'It's a good thing and a bad thing... I guess?'

Still, I wasn't reckless enough to anger someone stronger than me.

Not that there was anyone.

'Why am I bragging to my readers?'

My internal musings were interrupted as the door handle twisted, and the door opened to reveal a young woman. She wore a pristine white lab coat over simple clothes and matching white pants.

Despite this world's medieval setting, it had certain hints of modernity that disrupted the theme. There weren't advanced tools like stethoscopes, but the attire and overall atmosphere felt... off.

The woman's eyes widened in surprise before she spoke in a loud, relieved tone:

"Mr. Lumian, you're awake! Please wait here; I'll inform your family immediately!"

As she left, I sighed, piecing together what must have happened.

When an individual awakens, they often fall into a brief coma for an hour or two. That explained why I was here.

But something nagged at me.

'They'll be shocked when they find out I have a Blessed Soul Core.'

Fear crept into my thoughts. 'I don't want them to know. I'm terrified they'll use me as a tool again, just like before.'

Before I could dwell on it further, the door opened again, breaking the silence. Three familiar faces entered—Owen, Eleanor, and Donrel. Their expressions radiated happiness and relief, but their reactions seemed excessive.

Eleanor rushed to me first, wrapping her arms tightly around me in an overwhelming embrace.

"Thank God you're awake! You've been in a coma for three days!"

'I knew it!'

'Unlike regular awakened individuals, those with Blessed Soul Cores remain in a comatose state for three days after completing a trial.' I cursed under my breath, frustrated with myself for forgetting this critical detail.

But my thoughts were interrupted by another realization—one I wasn't proud of.

'She's... suffocating me... with her big and round... Damn it, what the hell am I even thinking!?'

"Mom... I can't... breathe," I managed to croak.

"Oh dear," se said, quickly pulling back. "I'm so sorry, honey. I was just so worried about you. You've been out for three days."

I coughed violently, gasping for air. "I'm sorry for making you worry," I said between breaths, guilt gnawing at me.

Owen placed both of his hands firmly on my shoulders, his excitement bubbling over as he exclaimed, "Lumian! You've finally become an awakened! We've taken one step closer to our dream!"

Donrel, on the other hand, had an entirely different reaction. His cheeks were flushed, and he looked oddly proud of both himself and me, as though he had accomplished something extraordinary.

"Judging by how long you were unconscious, I know for sure you can control more than two Fused Elements!" he declared confidently. "As expected of me! Even though we're not blood-related, it seems like my talented blood flows through your veins."

'Umm… I don't think that's how it works,' I thought, suppressing the urge to roll my eyes.

Our moment was interrupted by an unfamiliar voice. "I'm sorry to disrupt your family reunion, but I believe it's time to find out what Core your son has."

An elderly man had entered the room. He wore the same pristine white lab coat as the young woman from earlier. His face was etched with deep wrinkles, and his hands bore the marks of age. He adjusted a pair of small, round glasses that obscured his eyes completely, making it impossible to discern their color. In his hands was a mysterious object, spherical in shape, covered with a red cloth.

"Dr. Edward Erlich!" Eleanor exclaimed, her voice tinged with both surprise and respect.

If I remember correctly, he's the same man who determined Owen's Soul Core, I thought. My gaze shifted to the object in his hands.

'That orb wrapped in red cloth will determine my Core. They're going to be blown away when they find out.'

Dr. Erlich carefully removed the cloth, peeling it back as delicately as one would peel a banana, revealing a flawless, reflective orb. It had no discernible color, appearing almost like a convex mirror, distorting the reflection of my face as I stared into it.

"Place your hand on the orb so we can establish what kind of Fused Elements you can possess," the doctor instructed.

I nodded, lowering my hand as my thoughts raced.

By inserting you power to the orb, it would emit a glow corresponding to the color of my Soul Core. That's how most Soul Cores were identified. However, Blessed Soul Cores didn't emit any color, making them impossible to discern with this method. The only way to confirm a Blessed Core was through demonstration—unleashing a power completely unrelated to the four main elements.

'Or so it says in the book,' I thought, recalling the text I'd read about Blessed Soul Cores. It had been written by Jaggrete Brail, the first Blessed individual in history and the son of the king, and the strongest pillar.

I positioned my hand above the orb and closed my eyes.

"Now concentrate," the doctor instructed. "Feel your Core inside your body. Draw its power and channel it into the orb. Do you feel it? Your Soul Core?"

I took a deep breath, reaching inward. I could feel it—the undeniable presence of my Core. But then, I froze.

There's another one.

As I channeled my power, the orb glowed brightly, illuminating the room. The color it emitted caused the doctor to smirk, while my family stood frozen, their faces masks of shock.

I stared at the orb, my mind whirling in confusion.

"Would you look at that," Dr. Erlich said, his tone filled with awe. "It seems your son here is a hidden gem."

Turning to me, he continued, "Congratulations, Lumian. You can control four Fused Elements at once."

'This doesn't make sense!' I thought, panic rising in my chest. Yet deep inside, I knew the truth.

I have two Soul Cores.

End of Chapter

:)