"Awakening complete."
I wake to the sound of the robotic voice.
Blinking, I sit up, the memories of the past events rushing back to me. The gauntlet, the lineage of summoners, the overwhelming surge of energy before I blacked out-it all feels like a dream. But as I move my hand, the gauntlet responds, confirming its reality.
Summoner and Awakening. What exactly does that mean? I ponder their significance, but what stands out the most is the sensation coursing through me now. I can feel a strange energy all around me, a flowing red strand of energy interwoven with everything-objects, the ground, and even within myself. It's as if I've been granted a new sense, one that reveals the hidden currents of power in this world.
Cautiously, I remind myself not to look at the star at the center of the sphere. If the pain I felt before is any indication, it's not something to be trifled with.
A surge of excitement bubbles up inside me. After all these years of chasing after magic, I've finally found it. I can't contain myself and shout, "I've finally found it! Magic!"
Suddenly, the voice interrupts my moment of triumph. "Please enter a name."
I blink, momentarily taken aback. Then, with a clear voice, I say, "Minoru."
The gauntlet hums in acknowledgment.
"Name registered: Minoru."
After taking a moment to absorb everything. I stand up, feeling the red strands of energy pulsing around me, through me. It's an incredible sensation, like I've tapped into the very fabric of existence. This power, this magic or whatever it's called, is something I've dreamed of for so long, and now it's finally within my grasp.
The voice interrupts my thoughts again. "Hello, Master Minoru. I'm Burroughs, a navigational AI. I've acknowledged you as my user. It's nice to meet you."
I blink, momentarily surprised. "Nice to meet you too, Burroughs," I reply, regaining my composure. "Can I ask you some questions?"
"Yes, Master Minoru. You may ask any question within my capabilities."
I pause for a moment, considering my first question. "What is this world?"
Burroughs responds without hesitation. "This is the Vortex World. It is a Dyson sphere-like construct with a star at its center named Zorya. Most structures of this world are exactly the same as those of your own, encompassing the entirety of our world but with a surface area a thousand times greater. The terrains are separated by expanses of sand and unfamiliar structures, cities, and lands never seen in our world. The inhabitants of this world are called demons. No human can normally survive here as they would dissolve into Magatsuhi unless they are a summoner or belong to a summoner lineage."
The information is overwhelming, but it starts to make sense. A world so similar, yet so different, populated by demons and sustained by some form of energy called Magatsuhi. I glance around, taking in the strange familiarity of my surroundings. This Vortex World is both a mirror and a distortion of my own reality.
"Demons and summoners, you say?" I muse aloud. "Can you tell me what are they?"
"The term "Demons", in our world, refer to any supernatural entity that can bring harm to human beings or interfere with their lives in one way or another. These demons are drawn from various mythologies, religions, and folklores around the globe. They encompass gods, spirits, monsters, and other supernatural creatures.
I listen intently, absorbing each word. The idea that these beings are drawn from the mythologies I've read about adds a surreal twist to my new reality.
Most demons are born or reside in a place known as the Expanse, which exists between the material and spiritual worlds and is intrinsically tied to the human realm. However, for reasons unknown, the Vortex World can also serve this same function.
Demons are beings made purely of Magatsuhi, the Magatsuhi is an omnipresent energy in the universe. It is visualized as flowing red strands of energy, a shining red liquid when allowed to pool, or even in crystal form when it takes on a physical form; these crystals are called Magatsuhite. It affects the summoning, strength, and sustenance of demons, serving as a powerful medium. Magatsuhi can be born from the flow of strong emotions, and humans have an abundance of it, especially when they are in a panicked or fearful state."
Burroughs pauses, and I take a moment to process everything. If these demons are real and if gods truly exist within this world, then my journey to become an eminence in shadow has just become infinitely more complex. It's no longer just about surpassing the power of a nuclear bomb; I need to transcend the boundaries of human potential.
I take a deep breath and say, "Burroughs, please continue."
"Of course, Master Minoru," Burroughs responds. "A Summoner is the classification given to people who can summon demons without the need for rituals or demon summoning programs. Summoners are humans who have evolved to become demi-spiritual life-forms. They possess the unique ability to communicate with, summon, and control demons using Magatsuhi. Summoners or humans who belong to official organizations are called Devil Summoners, while rogue or malicious Devil Summoners are referred to as Dark Summoners."
I nod slowly, processing the gravity of what Burroughs is telling me. So, summoners are not just ordinary humans-they are beings who have transcended normal human limitations, existing in a state that bridges the material and the spiritual. This explains why I can now perceive and manipulate the Magatsuhi to a certain extent. My thoughts pause on a point Burroughs mentioned earlier: "Summoners or humans who belong to official organizations are called Devil Summoners." I need to understand how an ordinary human becomes a Devil Summoner.
"Burroughs," I ask, "how can a human be a Devil Summoner?"
Burroughs responds immediately. "If a human who does not belong to a summoner lineage wears a COMP, the device will not initiate the awakening process because the chances of that person dissolving into Magatsuhi are nearly certain. Therefore, their power relies solely on their COMP. If a human Devil Summoner is deprived of their COMP, they will no longer be able to use magic, skills, or summon their demons. They will only retain the physical enhancements they have accumulated. The COMP translates the language of demons, so without it, the human will struggle to communicate with them. Additionally, the COMP has a function called Harmonizer which tunes to the wavelengths of humans, making their physical attacks effective against demons while lessening the damage taken from them."
I ponder this for a moment. Hmm... So this gauntlet is called a COMP. Without it, a human Devil Summoner is significantly weakened and disconnected from their demons. In contrast, summoners, as semi-spiritual life-forms, don't need a COMP to interact with demons. They can still use magic and skills independently.
The idea of borrowed power grates on me. I've always hated the concept of relying on something external to achieve greatness. To truly become the master puppeteer I aspire to be, I need to master my own abilities, not depend on a device.
"To become a Summoner," Burroughs continues, cutting through my thoughts,"a human's body and soul must adapt to Magatsuhi. The more they adapt, the higher the chances of a successful awakening."
"Thank you, Burroughs," I say, nodding as I process this new information. "I have one last question. How can I get out of the Vortex World?"
"To exit the Vortex World," Burroughs replies, "For that, Master Minoru, you need to find an Amala Drum, a magical artifact resembling a cylindrical prayer wheel, or a large leyline fount. Leyline founts are large red glowing pillars of light emitting from the earth. Normal leyline founts are smaller and blue, but they do not allow one to return to Earth. I advise you to seek an Amala Drum, as they are human creations and usually kept by an official organization. This could create an opportunity for you to join them. Additionally, powerful demons often guard the large leyline founts, making them dangerous to approach. The nearest Amala Drum is located in the National Diet Building."
I nod, absorbing this information. "Thanks again, Burroughs." And thank you, divine spirit of the shrine, for keeping the zombies at bay.
With my new goal in mind, I gather my resolve and step out of the Meiji-jingū shrine, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead on my path to the National Diet Building.
----------
As I walk, I start to notice something odd about myself. After becoming a Summoner, I had been too focused on the Magatsuhi and my questions to realize that my body had also changed. After only a minute of walking, I find myself back on the street where I had started my desperate escape earlier. Curious, I ask Burroughs, "How far is the Meiji Shrine from here?"
"The Meiji Shrine is 6.3 kilometers from your current position Master," Burroughs replies.
I am stunned. A quick calculation reveals that I was moving at a speed slightly over 100 kilometers per hour without even trying. A smile spreads across my face as I realize my newfound abilities. Just then, I spot a group of five zombies shambling towards me.
I draw my katana with a swift, practiced motion, feeling its weight and balance in my hands. Taking a combat stance, I position my feet firmly on the ground, ready to spring into action. I hold the katana in front of me, blade angled slightly downward, prepared to strike. I take a deep breath, feeling the power coursing through me.
In a flash, I sprint toward the closest zombie. With a swift, vertical slice, I cleave it in two from head to groin. The blade moves through its decaying flesh as if it were air. Without missing a beat, I pivot and bring my katana up, slicing the second zombie diagonally from hip to shoulder. Its lifeless halves collapse to the ground.
Three remain. I tighten my grip on the hilt and execute a horizontal slash, cutting through all three zombies simultaneously and severing their torsos in a single, fluid motion. Their bodies crumple to the ground, and I stand there, katana in hand, blood dripping from its edge.
As I watch, the blood and bodies of the zombies begin to decompose, transforming into flowing strands of Magatsuhi-that flow into my body. The sensation is both strange and invigorating.
"Zombie of the Undead race has been added to the Demonic Compendium," Burroughs announces.
The name catches my attention. "What's the Demonic Compendium?" I ask.
Burroughs explains, "The Demonic Compendium is an archive of every demon killed, fused, evolved, and recruited since the discovery of demons. Normally, it is synchronized with other compendiums to provide a comprehensive database. However, upon the death of the previous owner, the Demonic Compendium resets. To synchronize with the server and obtain the true Demonic Compendium, you must leave the Vortex World."
I take a moment to process this, then ask, "Why did the Magatsuhi from those zombies enter my body?"
"One of the functions of the COMP," Burroughs replies, "is to absorb the Magatsuhi from defeated demons. This allows the wielder and their demons, if they have any, to increase their capabilities. There is even a small chance of obtaining one of the abilities of the defeated demon."
I reflect on what Burroughs has said, a smile creeping across my face. The idea of growing stronger with every battle is exhilarating. This power, this potential, it's everything I've dreamed of. My path to becoming an eminence in shadow is clearer than ever.
Before I can get too lost in my thoughts, Burroughs interrupts, "Master Minoru, please be more cautious in your next encounter with demons. The COMP is equipped with an analysis function that can determine the strength and weaknesses of a demon."
"Understood," I reply, appreciating the advice. "How do I activate this analysis function?"
"Simply focus your attention on the demon and give the command," Burroughs instructs. "The COMP will handle the rest."
"Why don't you try the analysis function on yourself, Master Minoru?" she suggests.
I follow her instructions, focusing my attention inward and say aloud the comand, "Analyze."
Almost instantly, a window opens on the screen of the COMP, displaying information about me.
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Name: Minoru
Race: Summoner
MP: 350/350
Resistances: [Physical][Dark]
Weakness: None
Strength: E
Endurance: E
Magic: E+
Agility: E
Luck: C-
Skills: None
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