Akin stood silently amidst the clearing, the remnants of the energy storm still crackling around him like phantom lightning. His skin tingled, his muscles thrummed with strength he had never known. His very being felt... reborn.
Inside his mind, the deity's voice resonated, calm but now layered with awe.
"Now I recognize it... this energy is not of this world. It is the remnant force of a fallen high-ranking god — Nexis."
Akin flexed his newly steady fingers, his fists clenching instinctively.
"Nexis?" he echoed.
"Yes," the deity replied, his tone dropping low. "Nexis was one of the revered gods we once worshipped in Elarian before our downfall. His domain was limitless potential — foresight, strength, spirit mastery... unimaginable power."
A pause followed, as if even the ancient spirit needed a moment to process what had just transpired.
"I believe the only reason you could absorb it," the deity continued, "is because the ancient runes of Elarian now flow through your veins. You are more... Elarian than you realize, Akin."
Akin wiped the sweat from his brow, laughing dryly.
"So what, I'm a godling now?"
"Not yet," the deity chuckled. "But perhaps... soon enough."
A soft breeze stirred the ruined clearing, carrying with it the scent of scorched earth and the electric tang of raw magic. Akin took a breath, the air vibrating against his skin.
Every heartbeat now felt heavy with power — the kind that could tear mountains apart if left unchecked.
Then, the deity spoke again, sharper this time.
"Before anything else, you must forge your weapon. Something worthy of channeling Nexis' power."
Akin raised an eyebrow skeptically.
"You mean like a sword or something?"
"Not just any sword," the deity corrected. "Use the ore left from the comet. Imagine the finest weapon — one born from your instincts, your desires. It will be yours alone."
Akin glanced at the strange glowing stone left embedded in the dirt. He frowned.
"...You peeked into my memories again, didn't you?"
"Guilty as charged," the deity said, sounding far too amused. "Those Manhwas you read — exceptional inspiration."
Rolling his eyes but smiling, Akin stepped closer.
Closing his eyes, he summoned the clearest image he could: a dagger sleek as moonlight, sharp enough to cleave the air itself, yet light enough to dance with.
The comet shard trembled, then floated upwards, melting and twisting in midair. Molten light spun into form, cooling rapidly into a beautiful, lethal dagger.
The blade was obsidian black, shot through with deep electric blue veins, as if holding a storm captive within it.
Akin reached out and grabbed it.
The dagger felt perfect in his hand — an extension of his will.
Curious, he ran a finger along its edge... and nicked himself.
He winced instinctively — but the sting never came. Instead, before his eyes, the shallow cut sealed shut, the skin flawless once again.
Akin stared at his arm in stunned silence.
"Regeneration?" he whispered, the grin that spread across his face unstoppable.
"Now this... this is awesome."
He twirled the dagger once before sheathing it at his hip.
Testing his newfound powers was almost irresistible.
First, he reached inward, focusing on his senses.
Immediately, the world exploded into clarity.
He could hear a rabbit thumping underground. Smell the distant wetness of a river he hadn't even seen. Feel the faint tremors of insects crawling beneath leaves.
"Enhanced senses..." he muttered, marveling.
Second, he pushed harder — and reality itself seemed to blur.
For a heartbeat, he glimpsed the future — a leaf breaking loose before the wind even touched it, a bird angling for a dive seconds before it moved.
He could predict moments ahead.
"Precognition..."
Third, he pushed outward.
A tidal wave of pressure erupted from him — an overwhelming aura that bent trees away and stirred the ground into trembling.
"Intimidation field... terrifying."
He grinned, wild and giddy, drunk on his rising strength.
Finally, he reached deeper still, daring something crazier.
Visualizing a portal — a rift in space itself — he pictured the clearing where he'd first fallen into the cursed land.
With a roar of power, a shimmering crack tore open the air before him. A swirling gate, pulsing with electric energy.
Akin laughed out loud.
"I'm like a one-man army now."
He stepped forward, letting the portal's light wash over him, the dagger gleaming at his side.
At last, he had the tools to carve his own destiny.
But somewhere deep in the earth, forces stirred — forces that had felt the awakening of Nexis.
And they were not pleased.