Chapter 89: Nether Pond


After traveling for most of the day, the group reached a wasteland known as Dread Land and noticed that the sky had become dark.


Abium also thought of taking some rest and was about to search for a suitable place but soon froze as he saw something up ahead.


At that moment, a large pond that covered up to 2 to 3 sq. km appeared ahead of them.


"It's similar to the one we saw once we arrived at this undead plane," Nicolaus said as he followed Abium's gaze and looked at the pond.


"But these skeletons aren't showing any sign of wariness towards the pond." Fennelis also joined their conversation.


After walking for a few moments, they soon got closer to the pond and were shocked.


The pond was as flat as any mirror. It lay without any ripple in the silver-blue water as if time was frozen. In contrast to the eerie black pond, this one gave the surrounding area an impression of warmth and calmness.


"Why does this pond look different from the other?" Nicolaus muttered out loud.


"It's the Nether pond. This pond is still not corrupted by the chaos power, but I don't think it will last for a year or two." Grurdin maintained a considerable distance from them and answered Nicolaus's question.


"May I have a look at it?" Abium became curious about this pond.


"You can. We are going to camp next to the pond." As Grurdin spoke, the Dark Knight raised his hand and ordered everyone to stop their march.


As the undead started clearing the poisonous weeds and plants from the surroundings, Abium put the metal case on the ground and walked to the nether pond.


Within a minute, he arrived near the edge of the land and looked at the mirror-like bluish water. But when he looked deep into the water, he saw skeleton-like figures floating inside that seemed to be connected through strange roots.


Suddenly, the Dark Knight Rit'zyk came closer to him and spoke.


"They are unborn skeletons. Unlike you fleshy mortals, we were born from these Nether Ponds. These Nether Ponds are connected to the Sacred Bone Tree and receive mysterious power from the tree to create undead lifeforms. It is more like a mother to us. If our sacred Bone Tree becomes corrupted completely, the Nether Ponds and almost every part of the plane will become chaotic."


Abium nodded his head in understanding, squatted down, and asked.


"Is it drinkable?"


"We don't drink water. We live by consuming nether stones and nether-elemental crystals in their purest form. But I advise you not to drink it."


Nodding his head, Abium reached out his hand and touched the pool's surface.


He felt some suction force pulling his consciousness a moment later and soon found himself standing in a familiar empty void.


'Astral realm? How did I come here without doing the chanting ritual?'


Abium noticed countless white clouds hovering next to his body and moving towards him one by one as he thought.


In a blink, two white clouds landed on his chest and attempted to absorb his soul form but were repulsed by something within.


'Something is blocking me from absorbing the white clouds. No, I feel like my soul has reached its limit.' A strange golden ray appeared from the faraway void and spread towards him like a root at an incredible pace.


Simultaneously, a warning ring appeared in his head.


'I'm going to die!'


Before he could understand the situation, a small branch of golden arc managed to land on his chest, broke the invisible shackle that blocked his soul from absorbing the white cloud, and further moved deep to destroy his soul!


But just as it was about to break his soul, another invisible force appeared out of nowhere and nullified the golden arc.


A second later, all the nearby white clouds began to move towards his direction and soon absorbed into his soul form like a raging storm.


His thinking speed increased twofold, and he felt refreshed.


Slowly, he noticed that his soul form transformed more like his original figure and looked clear instead of foggy.


But soon, Abium noticed that more than ten golden arcs started approaching him from all directions and grew gloomy.


'No good. I have to leave this empty void.'


Just as he muttered, Abium felt that his vision turned blurry and soon found himself staring at the water pool in the real world.


Meanwhile, Nicolaus and Fennelis arrived much closer to him and looked at him in concern.


He soon noticed that Rit'zyk grabbed his shoulder and dragged him away from the pool.


Noticing his action, Abium raised his hand and spoke.


"I'm alright now. It seems only Undead Skeletons can touch this water." He paused for a moment, turned his gaze towards Fennelis and Nicolaus, and warned them.


"Please refrain from getting near this pond. It's far more dangerous than I thought."


He abruptly paused as he saw a blue notification appear in front of his eyes.


[Spirit core rebooting…]


[Reboot completed!]


Just as he was shocked by the notification, Azolla's voice appeared in his head and startled him greatly.


'Kid, why do I feel miasmas everywhere? Where are we?'


'Azolla? How are you able to speak to me so soon? Ahem, we are in an Undead Plane right now.'


'Oh? No wonder I felt the lack of mana in the air. Anyway, check your status first.' Azolla said calmly.


A blue screen popped up in front of his vision in the next instant.


[Name: Abium


Age: 16


Race: Half-elf (???)


Health: Normal


Affiliation: Lawful Neutral.


Class: Apprentice mage


Attributes:-


Strength- 3.4


Agility- 3.4


Vitality- 3.4


Mana- 32.0


Spirit- 16.0


Skills: Master Swordsmanship, Advanced Sword Aura. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ noⅴ


Spells:-


Zero tier spells:


Blink, Red Orb, Blazing Shield, Mirage.


Affinities:


Fire- High


Darkness- High


Space- Average


Time- Average]


[Affinity Levels= Zero➡ Low➡ Average➡ High➡ Good➡ Genius➡ Prodigy➡ Divine.]


'Oh? You only built four spell models? Why do I sense the divine power of 'Time' in your body? Wait, how did you even increase your 'Time' affinity?!' Azolla was startled by what she saw in his body and asked.


Meanwhile, Abium let out a deep sigh and started explaining everything while skipping everything about the past.


He told her about how he 'coincidentally' got himself pulled into Nobles' schemes and saved two princes.


As for entering the pocket dimension, he made up another lie and told her that he had received some information from an explorer. He wasn't wrong, though. But the only difference was that he got that information from another timeline.


By the time he explained Goddess Nyara's scheme and their arrival to the undead plane, it had already become night.


"You have bad luck, kid."


At that moment, Azolla suddenly thought of something and asked.


'Did you gain some kind of enlightenment when you ate the 'Time Fruit'?'


'No. But my thoughts and my body moved at an incredible speed when we were battling against a Tier-1 Magical Beast. Unfortunately, I ended up falling unconscious after that battle. Then, I also saw strange visions much earlier.' Abium added.


'Past vision? Or future vision?' Azolla's strange question caught him off guard.


'There are two types of vision?' Abium asked in surprise.


'Actually, there are three types of visions called Past, Present, and Future. Past vision will let you peek into an object's or person's past with the help of information. Present vision will help you see where a person or an object is located and give you detailed information about the surroundings. Finally, future vision will help you peek into the future and give you information about what will happen next.'


'Unlike the other two visions, this future vision is more complicated and difficult to understand. So, combining all these three types of visions will let you experience some real power of 'Time.' But these visions are just a part of the power of time. The quickness you experienced during the battle against the Magical Beast is also a type of 'Time' power. It's called 'Present Time' power. You can think at lightning speed and even freeze the surrounding time if you master this one.'


Abium quietly listened to the new information and asked his next question.


'How can I gain these abilities? Are there any spell models out there?'


'Unfortunately, there is none. Time power is not something anyone can comprehend easily. Moreover, it's almost impossible to create a 'Time' spell model using runes. If you want to master the 'Time' power, you have no choice but to learn more about it and gain through natural enlightenment.' Azolla's words made Abium sigh in disappointment.


'So, what should I do with the current situation? Betray the undead or betray the Goddess?'


'It doesn't matter. Either way, you won't get anything from this game, right? Go and get some sleep.' Azolla quickly cut off the discussion and fell silent.


Abium nodded his head and soon started taking some rest while asking Nicolaus to do the guarding job.


He slept for a long time without any worry and woke up with a weary look.


After noticing the sky was still dark, he asked in confusion.


'Azolla, how long have I been asleep?'


'9 hours 34 minutes have passed. Your friends also slept in midway, so I chose to do the guarding instead.' Azolla responded calmly.