The Achievement Junkie

"The name's Oli," the man introduced himself with a proud grin. He scanned over the gods and continued, "Daruun allowed you all to come early as residents of the home planet, so you'll have to wait another half hour before I explain everything in depth."

Jack's mind was going insane for many reasons. First off, Jack's system had no luck in identifying anything about the man before them. Even after stating his name, Jack's system didn't load the name into its database. Second, the mention of this being the "home planet" gave Jack many different ideas and changed all of his assumptions of Glacier Keep.

Raising his hand, Jack also introduced himself, "My name's Jack. When said we're residents of the home planet, does that mean Glacier Keep is a dungeon for multiple systems?"

"Hey, at least you know about systems," Oli chuckled. "It's nice to meet you, Jack."

"So that's a yes?"

Oli nodded, "Yup, you're right about that. Since you're here early and it's your first time, I'll answer what I assume are your biggest questions and concerns, apart from what happens inside Glacier Keep. I'll explain that when everyone else gets here.

"Glacier Keep is a challenge that Daruun frequently puts on for different zones. Normally, there's one every month."

"That often…" Jack sighed and shook his head.

"This month it'll be your own zone, surprisingly. But I doubt that's by surprise given Daruun's track record," added Oli.

"And how strong are you?" Torian asked, sharing the same thought as everyone else.

"Stronger than all of you, but that doesn't matter right now. Let me explain something very important that Daruun wants you to know before the others arrive." Oli explained, "Your planet thrives on a power system based on levels, something very rare in the void. Every other planet participating in this month's challenge will have come from different power systems and may even speak a different language. Lucky for you, Daruun made sure your planet's natural language was Uncommon."

"What do you mean?" Tralbok asked with a questionable stare.

"Uncommon, the language that every traveling cosmician is encouraged to learn. Though the majority of the void doesn't speak it, the majority of cosmicians do, hence the name Uncommon," stated Oli. "But don't expect to understand the strength of others without a special skill or extreme sensitivity to energy. Though, by the look of it, a couple of you may be able to after all."

Oli's eyes lingered on Jack but mostly focused on Rynheart, trying to see through his helmet. But there was one other person that continued to catch Oli's eye. Walking closer to Jack's party, Oli extended his hand. "What's your name?"

"Moranti. It's a pleasure to meet someone so powerful." Gladly, Moranti firmly shook Oli's hand and nodded his head in respect.

"You're the one I've heard about…"

"Hmm?"

Oli smiled and slapped Moranti on the back. "Dominus will be proud to see you…"

"DOMINUS! You know Dominus?!" Moranti shouted, catching Jack's party off guard and puzzling the others further.

With a nod, Oli answered, "I know him pretty well, even better than I know Daruun, as a matter of fact."

"Then… are you from the Fate District or the Mirror District?"

Oli started blinking, startled to hear Jack's question. "You know about Mirror District? Who are you exactly? I thought Kartonia has been closed off?"

"I guess you could say that I'm the one Daruun has been planning for since a few millennia back."

"OH! That's you?!" Looking over Jack's party once again, Oli began nodding and laughing hysterically. "Oh… you guys are going to be fun to watch…"

"Excuse me, but what is this place exactly?" asked Torian, getting back to the topic at hand.

"Right… This is the waiting chamber for Glacier Keep," answered Oli, stepping toward the legendary gods. "Here is where all challengers will congregate to learn of this month's challenge. After that, I'll open the entrance rift and you'll be on your way."

"And… what are the zones you were talking about earlier?"

Sighing, Oli looked disappointedly at the legendary gods. "So, none of you know about the void, do you?"

When they either shook their heads or looked away in arrogance, Oli explained, "basically, the void governing system goes like this. At least one thousand plants make up a system, one thousand systems make up a precinct, and five hundred precincts make up a zone. Today, you'll be facing people from your own zone, but Daruun mentioned that you'll be allowed to participate in each month's challenge from here on out."

"... How many planets? That's… five hundred million planets?!" Torian shouted, putting it into perspective and shriveling up everyone's understanding of the universe beyond Kartonia, apart from Jack.

"Yeah, that's the basics. So don't expect your competition to be pushovers. You'll be facing the best of the best from the Emerald Zone today. Give it your all or you'll leave without anything to show for it," continued Oli.

"The best of the best… So we're a part of the Emerald Zone?"

Surprised by Jack's question, Oli asked, "Why would you know about Mirror District but now know about your home zone? I find that a little hard to believe…"

"Excuse me… I have a question." Tralbok then asked, "Does teleportation work to get here?"

Oli shook his head. "No, teleportation won't work for anyone as weak as you guys. But since it's your homeworld, you should be able to leave via teleportation."

"Why's that?" Jack questioned.

"Because sensing this place via spatial energy is impossible. The only hope of getting someone here, apart from spatial gates like the one you all took, would be via summoning with a powerful item as the guide. That's your only hope of getting someone else here, but that would only work for you guys since I assume you would summon someone from this world."

"So… we're still in Kartonia?" asked Jack. He tried to find himself on the map but it was hopeless.

"Yup, but you're far below the world you know. Daruun made sure it was impossible to find from the outside and only found via signals from the inside."

Without warning, a brilliant, holy light flooded the chamber. Oli was the only one to look directly at the source unfazed. "Oh… So you wanted to bring another challenger?"

As the light faded, everyone else spotted the newly-arrived figure in human form standing beside Tralbok.

Like many others, Jack mumbled under his breath, "Halmut…"