LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 68: Fragmented Tongue of Babel
As Jake's hand touched the compressed orb, the ancient and otherworldly energy surged through him like a river of light.
It didn't resist; instead, it merged seamlessly with his very soul, bringing no pain but an overwhelming sense of vitality and experience.
Jake felt a transcendent sensation, a state beyond the definition of being alive, as if his existence was being rewritten into something more profound.
Thoughts cascaded through his mind like a torrential flood.
It was as though he had read entire libraries, absorbed knowledge from countless realms, and glimpsed truths that defied comprehension.
His soul form, translucent and radiant, began to shimmer brighter than ever before.
Symbols—ancient, intricate, and glowing with untold power—etched themselves into his soul's surface, their meaning far beyond his understanding.
Floating mid-air, Jake's mind replayed flashes of memories that weren't his.
He witnessed fragments of battles, philosophies, and lives.
Among them, a vivid image stood out—a girl with peerless beauty, clad in witch-like attire, standing against a being so vast and terrifying that it seemed to embody infinity.
Her being clashed with a deformed humanoid monster in an environment that defied the boundaries of any reality Jake could comprehend.
The onslaught of knowledge didn't stop.
It pressed on, relentless and overwhelming.
Jake's soul brimmed with energy, yet fatigue began to creep in, the weight of the information pushing him to his limits.
Despite the exhaustion, it felt strangely euphoric, as if this state of clarity and power was something his soul had yearned for.
Amid the chaos, a single phrase emerged in his mind, echoing with a commanding presence:
"I have a tongue to speak, a mind to seek, but never a sight to see. Inherit my will and seek what I lack—the sight to peer."
As if compelled by the words, Jake opened his eyes within the astral space.
There before him stood the being—the unfathomable presence of the humanoid monster he had glimpsed earlier.
Its size dwarfed anything Jake had ever encountered, a creature of incomprehensible scale and form.
But it was not fear that filled him as he gazed upon it; it was peace.
The creature's eyes, vast and ancient, held a serenity that belied its monstrous form.
Its voice rumbled through Jake's very soul, gentle yet profound:
"Inherit my wisdom, but not my memories. Embrace my peace, but not my anger."
"Ponder the stars, remember your beginnings, and utter the genesis."
"These shall be the words I last utter as the Heaven's Herald of the Worldview of Tower of Babel, Zephyrion Babel."
And just as quickly as it appeared, the vision dissolved.
[You have acquired an Origin Skill...]
...
In a small, unassuming shop filled with seeds and plants, a lone woman sat by a window, sipping tea.
At that moment, her teacup slipped from her grasp, shattering on the floor. Her lips curled into a malicious smile as she chuckled softly.
"It seems that little Alphaterium has finally managed to complete its evolution," she murmured, her tone tinged with both amusement and curiosity.
She reached up, brushing her fingers along her cheek, a grin spreading wider across her face.
"A little pity, though. I can no longer see that boy's path. It was rather… entertaining, watching him struggle."
She sighed dramatically before her grin returned, sharper and more menacing.
"But no matter. The needle has been threaded, and the Sagefruit has fulfilled its purpose."
With a casual wave of her hand, the shattered remains of the teacup disappeared as though they had never existed.
She stood, the air around her heavy with a sinister aura.
"I suppose all that's left is to wait. Diligently, of course."
Her eyes sparkled with wicked anticipation.
"A few more years, and the gate to this wretched 'Worldview' will finally appear. Then, I'll be free from this endless cycle."
She threw her head back and laughed, a chilling sound that filled the room.
It carried with it the weight of countless years of frustration, malice, and an insatiable hunger for liberation.
...
In a distant realm, far removed from the Worldview of Solo Leveling, stood a gargantuan tree of unfathomable mystery.
Its branches stretched endlessly into the sky, each leaf shimmering as though containing entire worlds within its delicate structure.
Beneath this ancient, awe-inspiring tree sat a man of serene yet commanding presence.
His flowing green-and-white hanfu robe seemed to merge with the earth itself, while his radiant white hair, tinged with green, swayed as though tethered to the life force of the realm.
His gaze rested on the rippling space before him, his piercing eyes observing a singular figure—Jake—existing in his soul realm.
A soft smile graced the man's lips as he murmured, "It seems this little sage of mine still longs for his family. How envio—"
He paused, his expression shifting to one of quiet melancholy.
"How laughable. Even after thousands of years, I still crave familial affection."
"What kind of celestial being am I to feel such… mortal desires?" His voice trailed off into the rustling of the eternal leaves above him.
Sitting amidst the verdant grass, the man glanced upward at the sky, where three suns bathed the realm in warm, golden light.
His tone grew contemplative as he sighed and spoke to no one in particular, "Master, your methods remain as elusive as ever."
"Why would you banish a being of pure anomaly into this realm instead of ending them, as you've done countless times before?"
"You should understand better than anyone that nurturing a Fateless with the innate ability to usurp fate can disrupt both realities."
"Sigh, I truly cannot fathom your reasoning. Did you send him here to die, or was there another purpose?"
A shadow of worry crossed his serene face as he added, "If Jake were to learn the truth—that he holds such power—just how disastrous could it become?"
"I even lied to that witch, convincing her that he's the key to finding that 'Book' and her freedom. If only things were as simple as she believes."
Time passed, the man's focus never wavering from the rippling space.
He studied the countless crystal pillars within Jake's soul realm, their brilliance illuminating the vast expanse.
Yet his peaceful demeanor began to crack, his brow furrowing deeply.
"For years, he has unconsciously stolen strands of fate in the form of memories," the man muttered.
"I doubt he even realizes what he's doing. If this continues unchecked, he'll lose himself entirely—especially in a Worldview where powers and magic govern existence."
"I just hope nothing wors—"
His words faltered as he froze, his eyes widening in shock.
In the rippling space, a scene unfolded that took his breath away.
He watched as the thread of fate from the remaining energy of the Sagefruit was usurped into Jake's soul.
"Crap!" he exclaimed, standing abruptly
"This mouth of mine. I've jinxed it! To think he managed to usurp the thread of fate tied to that fruit's remaining will!"
He ran a hand over his nape, closing his eyes in exasperation.
"Why didn't that bitch refine the fruit more thoroughly? This is bad. Worse still, I don't even know whose soul she used to create that artificial Sagefruit. This could spiral out of control."
With a wave of his hand, two figures materialized before him—a young woman and a man, their forms distinctly non-human.
Their luminous appearances radiated authority, their voices echoing as one:
[Master, your command?]
The man's voice carried urgency as he ordered, "Open the Master Key privileges and connect to the Alphaterium Cell of Worldview #20040426."
[Understood.]
The twins responded in unison.
[Opening and logging into the system using the Master Key.]
Countless translucent panels materialized around them, filling the air with the hum of ancient mechanisms.
The man's eyes scanned the data, each flicker of light reflecting the gravity of the situation.
As his gaze fell upon Jake's skill panel, he inhaled sharply and shut his eyes.
"Should I be thankful for this... or not?"
"He won't go crazy, right?" he muttered, his tone laced with a mixture of frustration and resignation.
His attention lingered on one line, glowing ominously on the screen:
_______________________
...
Origin Skill:
— Fragmented Tongue of Babel [???]
Grants the ability to understand and speak all languages known under the heavens upon hearing them once. This includes ancient, forgotten, and even mystical tongues, enabling seamless communication with any being. This is an incomplete inheritance.
...
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