MTLNOVEL Chapter 9
“This is… easily big enough to fit five warehouses.”
The Guildmaster and others had come around to peer into my Room, surveying the massive space within.
“This kind of Blessing is completely unprecedented. It doesn’t fit into any known categories—specialized, support, or production,” the Submaster remarked, flipping through her documents with evident fascination.
“So, what does that make Erik, then?” Miranda asked, her eyes still fixed on the vast expanse inside the Room.
“Typically, those with specialized Blessings join schools tailored to their abilities. Support and production types follow similar paths. However, there are exceptions that don’t fall under those classifications,” the Submaster explained, turning her gaze to me.
“Those exceptions are known as the special category. Each individual in this category possesses a unique and rare Blessing.”
Apparently, these Blessings stood apart from the more common ones—like fire or earth magic, swordsmanship, or spear techniques—focused on enhancing a single ability. Blessings that didn’t fit those molds were referred to as special-category Blessings.
“There’s a wide range of special-category Blessings, from incredibly useful to utterly pointless. But this one is undeniably practical.”
“Yeah,” the Guildmaster agreed. “Even if it were just used as storage, this Blessing could let someone live a carefree life forever.”
The Guildmaster and Submaster exchanged words while I stared blankly at the scene before me. Then suddenly…
“…Master…?”
“Huh? Rex, did you say something?”
“Nope, didn’t say a thing.”
“That’s strange… I thought I heard something…”
“So, Erik,” the Guildmaster interrupted, “where’s the Dungeon Core?”
“Oh, right… uh…”
The Dungeon Core was a fairly large stone—it wasn’t something I could just overlook.
“It’s not here. Are you sure you even have it?” my father asked, his skeptical eyes boring into me.
“That’s odd…”
A fog seemed to settle over my mind, and I fought to keep my eyelids from closing as I searched the Room.
“Enough already! Erik just got back from the dungeon, and he’s exhausted! This can wait until tomorrow!” Miranda protested.
“Exactly. He looks utterly drained. We should let him rest for now and handle the rest later,” Selene added, persuading the others to relent.
Thanks to their intervention, I was finally able to get some much-needed rest.
“…Master?”
“Huh?”
I woke with a start, feeling like someone had called out to me. The night had fully settled in, and stars glittered in the sky outside.
After returning home earlier, I had barely managed to eat before collapsing into bed. Exhausted from my time in the dungeon, I had fallen into a deep, death-like sleep.
“Was I dreaming…?”
My head felt heavy, perhaps from oversleeping. It had felt like someone was whispering to me, but the room was empty.
“…Can you hear me… Master…”
“No… that wasn’t my imagination. I heard it.”
The voice—a clear, beautiful tone, perhaps a woman’s—resonated in my head, though I couldn’t quite make out the words.
“…Please… respond…”
The voice grew more insistent, as if pleading with me.
“Where are you speaking from?” I asked aloud.
After a brief pause, the voice responded:
“…The World…”
The words were unfamiliar, but the sensation was undeniable. It felt as if someone was within me, calling out from deep inside.
“Open!”
I opened my Room and stepped inside.
“…Please respond, Master.”
“Who are you? Where are you?”
“Ah… I’m glad. You can hear me,” the voice replied.
Guided by the voice, I made my way further into the Room. When I reached the center, the ground began to rumble.
RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE
The floor rose, forming a pedestal. Embedded at its center was a crystalline sphere, glowing faintly. Beside it, the red Dungeon Core I had placed in my Room earlier was also nestled into the pedestal.
“What… is this?”
I couldn’t make sense of what was happening. As I tried to gather my thoughts, the voice rang out clearly once more, this time directly in front of me.
“I am so pleased to meet you, Master.”