[The Night of Primordial Chaos becomes highly suspicious of your supposed-to-be-rotten Luck.]
[The Night of Primordial Chaos advises you to combine the four keys.]
...
"Suspicious...? I smell something here."
Russell thought that the Goddess of Night became suspicious, but at the same time, advised him to combine the four keys.
'I won't be surprised if the Goddess knew I would get a key.
'It's not impossible... after all, these items came from "Her".'
...
[The Night of Primordial Chaos smiles mischievously.]
'Ha... I knew it.'
Without wasting any more time, he proceeded to take out the "Jar of Nothingness", as well as the "three" keys in his Dimensional Inventory which he acquired through the Ancient Treasure Chest from Chaos.
His Trait: Nihility was reminding him of the "concealment" of Chaos as any Chaos Miasma or expelled Chaos Aura was very problematic when it's detected in the academy premises; unless it was from Monster Processing Facility or Laboratories, it wouldn't be suspicious.
Even without the order to combine the four keys, they already floated mid-air along with the Jar of Nothingness. Russell quickly scrutinized the physical features of the four keys.
The so-called "Crystal Key" that he just acquired was a plain-looking key that was transparent; the Key of Chaos contained a symbol that looked like a small moon; the Key of Tartarus was literally on fire, but it doesn't damage anything physical, and lastly, the Key of Abaddon has a dark physical feature, which exuded dark aura.
After some time, he turned his attention to the holographic screen.
[Would you like to combine the following items?]
[Yes or No?]
He pressed the "Yes" holographic button, and just like earlier, although the items were different this time, they were sucked by the "Jar of Nothingness" that began to wriggle mid-air.
...
[The Crystal Key, Key of Chaos, Key of Tartarus, and Key of Abaddon will be combined!]
[The combination of materials is in harmony with each other!]
[A specific item will be given!]
As though Russell unknowingly met certain untold requirements, a specific item will be granted to him.
...
[You have acquired the "True Key of Chaos"!]
[True Key of Chaos]
One of the keys of the [Night of Primordial Chaos] that holds mysterious power as it precedes the beginning of time, though this key is now considered 'useless' by the [Night of Primordial Chaos].
Rank: ???
Classification: Miscellaneous
Different usage:
1. Access to the place called "Chaos Dungeons".
2. Opens the door of a specific "Close Mystery Tower".
3. Access to the place: "Chaos Training Grounds".
4. Opens the entrance to the Tartarus and Abaddon's Keep.
5. Unlocks any normal door or locked treasures.
...
[You have acquired something that is extremely coveted by some gods and demons!]
[The presence of the "True Key of Chaos" has been completely concealed from the prying eyes of some Constellations with your Trait: Nihility!]
[You have acquired the Title: Holder of a True Key of Chaos!]
[The Title: The One Who Witness the Impossible, The One Who Saw the Night up Close, and Holder of a True Key of Chaos are in harmony!]
[The effects of the titles have been unlocked.]
[You have acquired the Title: Resident of Chaos.]
...
Russell's mouth was agape as he stared at the numerous System messages that he received after he just decided to combine the four keys with the help of the Jar of Nothingness.
He felt like he would pass out, at the same time, he felt like a jolt of lightning hit his head. He didn't remember the previous two titles that he received upon the Goddess of Night's materialization due to being extremely anxious and his thoughts were clouded by death at that time.
With the bountiful rewards that he received; the Skillbooks, Equipment Set, Skills, Traits, and Authority, although he checked his Status Window, he didn't take note of the titles he acquired, instead, he paid attention to the leap of his overall stats except for Luck and Charm, as well as the Traits, Skills, and Authority. He felt incredibly oblivious to the Title in his Status Window that was placed just below his name.
He let out a self-deprecating laugh as he recalled the System's message earlier about his idiocy. But after some time, he composed himself, forgetting the frivolous matters, and he read thoroughly the System messages that he received.
...
[Resident of Chaos]
The [Night of Primordial Chaos] considers you to be a resident of Chaos.
Rank: Forbidden
Effects:
- All Variable Stat increases by 20
- Chaos Power increases by 100
- Enhanced proficiency of Chaos-related "passive" skills by 100%
- Amplifies the power of Chaos-related "active" skills by 100%
...
"F*cking hell."
His mind couldn't catch up to process what he just read, or even scream the curse of disbelief with a mix of exhilaration that escaped from his mouth.
"This..."
Russell looked at the changes that were happening in his body as a dark blue aura emanated from his body, along with the System's message about his Trait: Nihility that's concealing the emanating Chaos.
Even though he hasn't read yet the other three titles, he already felt their impact on his body as though he was on steroids at this very moment.
After a few seconds of successfully manifesting the effects in his body, he then read the descriptions of the other three titles he didn't manage to read as he leaned his back to the wall of his dormitory room, seemingly getting tired of just sitting on the bed with his feet on the floor.
...
[The One Who Witness the Impossible]
You have witnessed the materialization of the Primordial Goddess, an event that is not seen since the creation of the world.
Rank: Nigh-Impossible
Effects:
- All Variable Stat increases by 20
- Willpower and Tenacity increase by 30
- Chaos Power increased by 100
- Gain the Skill: Gaze of the Abyss
[The One Who Saw the Night up Close]
You have seen the Primordial Goddess of Night personally that even some Constellations are not aware of such an existence.
Rank: Nigh-Impossible
Effects:
- All Variable Stat increased by 20
- Willpower and Tenacity increased by 30
- Chaos Power increased by 150
- Amplifies the power of Authority: Void of Chaos
[Holder of a True Key of Chaos]
You have become a holder of a true key that is very limited in number in the Great Universe.
Rank: Nigh-Impossible
Effects:
- Chaos Power increased by 20
- Agility increased by 10
...
"...Sorry, Freya."
He muttered poignantly as he was reminded by his younger sister, that, at this very moment, have overall stats that are lower than his. Though he acknowledged that when it comes to combat, she was more experienced.
"Sigh..."
After taking a deep breath, he stood up from his bed, and picked up the die of Chaos that slipped off his left land earlier, then, as he's feeling like doing it, he bowed down to whatever direction he was facing as he genuinely thanked the Goddess of Night with everything that had transpired even though the clear reasons "why" were something that's still enigmatic to him.
Ding-!
As he did that, a notification sounded in his ears, prompting him to look at the holographic screen as he slowly raised his bowing head.
[The Night of Primordial Chaos is greatly embarrassed by what you are doing and tells you to stop!]
A chuckle has been painted on his expression before he went to bed to rest his exhausted mind.
...
May 16, 2062
Over a week had passed since Russell's dungeon adventure. The Goddess of Night barely talks through the System for some reason, maybe because "She" was deeply embarrassed by Russell's action of showing reverence even though he knew that "She" despised such behavior.
The dinner had just passed as he and Freya went their separate ways. Russell — who was sitting on his bed at this moment — checked every item in his Dimensional Inventory as he's preparing to venture or visit for the first time the "Chaos Training Grounds" that's accessible to him through the True Key of Chaos.
He also confirmed that he couldn't go yet to a Chaos Dungeon as he was pretty certain that he would get killed easily — "Fear of the Unknown" was better than "Curiosity".
In this world that he somewhat designed, Russell knew that venturing into some place without prior knowledge and preparation was tantamount to suicide. It's one of the dumb ways to die in the world where Constellations, System, Strayed and Tower Dungeons exist.
Apart from being oblivious to the Chaos Dungeons, their ranks were high... That even if it's not labeled as "Chaos", Russell wouldn't dare to raid one with himself.
...
[Chaos Dungeons]
Dungeons that were created by the [Night of Primordial Chaos] on a whim a very, very long time ago.
[Choose the Chaos Dungeon to be accessed:]
1. Lair of the Rabids (C)
2. Fog of the Willow Tree (C+)
3. Desert of Wandering Stars (B+)
4. Tomb of the Lost (A)
5. Forest of Nothingness (A+)
6. …
7. ...
8. ...
...
There were countless Chaos Dungeons that the Goddess of Night created. Russell didn't bother to check everything as he instinctively knew that the more he browsed down, the rank of the Chaos Dungeon seemed to increase.
With the increased Growth Rate, Russell calculated, that he would be able to go to the Chaos Dungeon: Lair of the Rabids (C) in a few months, if and only if everything goes smoothly.
But he was reluctant he would reach at least C- rank in a few months due to one reason; his very own unpublished "failed" novel. Although his increase in Growth Rate was a blessing, it would still certainly take arduous effort to increase his stats through training... even with the good news included, which was the existence of the Chaos Training Grounds that he could access anytime, same with the Chaos Dungeons, with the True Key of Chaos.
...
Sitting on his bed after sorting everything out in his Dimensional Inventory, he took out the True Key of Chaos as the System reminded him again of his Trait: Nihility.
In the holographic screen in front of him, he checked the information about the Chaos Training Grounds as he held with his right hand the True Key of Chaos — a majestic key that depicts the sea of stars.
[Chaos Training Grounds]
pAn,Da-n0v e1,c It was a place that had been used by the [Night of Primordial Chaos] during "Her" boredom or if "She" wanted to train "Her" swordsmanship.
– When using the Chaos Training Grounds, the player will benefit from the following:
1. Stamina Regeneration increases by 500%.
2. Mana Regeneration increases by 400%.
3. Chaos Power regeneration increases by 300%.
4. Growth speed increases by 200% (2 times).
5. You can set the time difference between your world and the Chaos Training Grounds: Minimum Time Difference: 1 is to 3
Maximum Time Difference: 1 is to 31
6. You cannot die in this place.
...
After reading the Chaos Training Grounds information, he recalled what he asked about with the Goddess of Night... If he could bring more people to the Chaos Training Grounds, and he received a positive reply, though he needed to use to the person he wanted to bring the Unique Skill: Chaos Buff (EX) he received.
It would grant them the Trait: Chaos, making them compatible with Chaos Miasma, or else, without it, they would suffocate or become something unimaginable and die.
"10 P.M...., I guess it's still alright to try it."
Checking the time in his smartwatch, he muttered softly. Although it's been a week since he acquired the True Key of Chaos, it's only at this time that he would attempt to enter the Chaos Training Grounds.
"This is it! Whoo..."
He stood up from his bed as he felt a myriad of emotions; elated, anxious, and excited.
Prepared with some cheap meals he bought earlier, along with Dimensional Water Bottle (30L) he bought at Player General Store — Russell thrust the True Key of Chaos through space, then a crack appeared as though the space was made of fragile glass.
He looked at the dark blue Portal that appeared before him which depicted the deepness of the night, as well as the starry sky.
Then, he slowly walked through it as the dark blue Portal which resembled a galaxy of stars, sucked his entire being as though he became formless.
[You have accessed the Chaos Training Grounds.]