"What do you want to know?” the Godess asked as she studied Joe with curiosity.

  “Everything,” he replied plainly. “Tell me all that you know about this world’s system.”

  The Godess had a thoughtful expression on her face. “Well, for starters, you should not refer to it as the system. Its true name is the Whispers of the Universe.”

  Joe had only called it the system because that was what the novels he read named it. He was pleased to learn it had an official name, though it would take time to adjust to it.

  “The first aspect of the Whispers you need to understand is Specialties,” she continued. “They refer to what a person is most proficient in. Everyone in this world can acquire or awaken one. Specialties are separated into two categories: Combat and Non-Combat. Examples of Combat Specialties include Warriors, Mages, Assassins, Archers, and many others. These can be divided further. For example, within the Warrior Specialty there are Swordsmen and Tanks. Within the Mage Specialty, you can find Elementalists and Witches.”

  Specialties were identical to the classes Joe had seen in video games, even down to their names, so he had no difficulty following.

  “Non-Combat Specialties include proficiencies unrelated to battle and are no different from ordinary professions. Painters, Farmers, Bakers, and numerous others fall within this classification.”

  Joe nodded. Jenny, who worked in a tavern, likely belonged in this category.

  “Specialties have ranks,” the Godess added. “They can be advanced as you gain experience and learn to use your Specialty to its maximum potential. Cultivation plays a vital role in the early growth of a Specialty.”

  “What’s Cultivation?” Joe asked.

  “It refers to how well you can manipulate the Energy of the Universe, or mana for short. As your Cultivation improves, your control over mana increases, which leads to the growth of your Specialty. At higher ranks, Specialties require more than Cultivation to advance, but you will discover that as you grow stronger.”

  “I don’t have mana,” Joe said. “Does that mean I can’t cultivate?”

  “You can,” the Godess answered immediately. “You and I substitute mana with Spirit Energy. You can advance your Specialty by improving your control over essence.”

  Joe nodded in understanding.

  “A few other aspects of the Whispers include Titles, which are granted for impressive achievements in the eyes of the Universe. Another is Skills, which are tied to your Specialty but there are also common abilities available for everyone to learn.” She met his gaze. “Did you understand all that?”

  “I think so,” Joe replied. “My only question now is how do I check my Specialty?”

  “You don’t even know what your Specialty is?” The Godess sighed. “Just think of the word status and you will receive an overview of your information.”

  Joe slapped his forehead. He was disappointed in himself for not trying that sooner. Status was a common trigger word in the novels he had read.

  Before he could follow her instructions, a collection of messages appeared at the edge of his consciousness. Joe immediately summoned them.

  [Title Unlocked: Divine Survivor]

  ? Condition: Stand in the presence of a Divine being as a mortal.

  ? Reward: Divine Aura effects reduced by 75%. Willpower increased by 50%.

  The title reminded him of what the Godess had said earlier. Simply standing before a deity should have erased him. He assumed surviving her aura was due to being in his Soul Space, the abnormal resilience of his spirit, and the fact that she was only a fragment of her True Soul. If those factors had not aligned, he likely would have been vaporized the moment he appeared before her.

  ‘I really dodged a bullet,’ he thought.

  The effects of the title were excellent, especially the increase in Willpower. That boost would help him face the madness of his new world without losing his resolve.

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  [Your Cultivation has advanced.]

  [Cultivation: Lvl 1 (Essence Gathering Stage)] – Enables you to absorb souls by draining their essence to empower your spirit and form a Spirit Heart.

  [Cultivation: Lvl 2 (Essence Circulation Stage)] – With your Spirit Heart created, you can now circulate spirit energy throughout your body. At this stage, you must unlock the Ten Great Meridians to enhance the quantity and rate of spirit energy channeled through your form.

  Joe felt a surge of satisfaction. Previously, he could only access his essence when emotionally unstable and had no control over it. Now he could consciously circulate it through his body. He suspected the lingering essence from the billion souls he devoured had pushed his Cultivation forward.

  [Skill Acquired: Essence Enhancement (Silver)]

  Knowledge of the skill flooded his mind. It allowed him to channel spirit energy through his body and reinforce his muscles and bones, amplifying his physical attributes. It was basic, but useful.

  [Skill Acquired: Spirit Flow (Bronze)]

  This skill reduced essence expenditure and allowed smoother, faster circulation. It would extend the duration of [Essence Enhancement] and [Soul Charge].

  [Your Specialty has advanced]

  [Essence Wielder (Beginner)] → [Essence Wielder (Apprentice)]

  The notification confirmed both his Specialty and its advancement. Since the Godess had said early growth was tied to Cultivation, it made sense they progressed together. The name Essence Wielder suited him perfectly.

  A thought crossed his mind, and he looked at her. “Is it possible to possess more than one Specialty?”

  She nodded. “Yes, but you can only possess one of each type. Your maximum is two.”

  Joe grinned. Maybe he could still obtain a reading-related Specialty one day. It might be useless in combat, but reading was important to him.

  After reviewing everything, he summoned his full status.

  [Status Sheet]

  Name: Joseph Miller

  Specialty: Essence Wielder

  Bloodlines: Carnivorous Spirit

  Bloodline Skills

  ? Soul Consumption (Gold)

  ? Soul Charge (Gold)

  Specialty Skills

  ? Spirit Flow (Silver)

  ? Essence Enhancement (Silver)

  Common Skills

  ? Dash (Copper)

  ? Heat Resistance (Copper)

  ? Inspect (Copper)

  Titles

  ? Starving Spirit

  ? Underdog

  ? Divine Survivor

  Equipment

  ? Golem Guardian Spirit Core

  Joe was stunned by one detail in particular. He possessed a Bloodline.

  When Rina had mentioned Bloodlines, he assumed he did not have one because he was Unawakened. Yet he had possessed one all along. Carnivorous Spirit explained his ability to devour souls. [Soul Consumption allowed him to absorb the spirits of the deceased, while [Soul Charge] converted them into usable essence. The synergy was perfect.

  He dismissed his notifications.

  “So, did you find everything you were looking for?” the Godess asked.

  “Yes.” Joe rose to his feet. His soul felt nearly restored and that was evident in the small cracks to the orb behind the Godess. “I’m ready to leave now.”

  “Before you go, why don’t you become my Chosen?” she asked.

  Joe frowned. “Chosen?”

  “It is a sacred bond between a mortal and a god. Similar to marriage. You would—”

  “Not interested.”

  Joe had no intention of marrying anyone at this stage of his life.

  “At least hear me out,” she insisted. “You would gain access to some of my Divine abilities.”

  “I’m not marrying you.”

  “Fine. Consider it an engagement.”

  “No.”

  “Dating?”

  “No.”

  “Then friendship,” she said, crossing her arms. “That is the lowest I will go.”

  Joe hesitated. Divine abilities were tempting.

  “…Friendship is fine.”

  She stepped closer until only inches separated them. “To formalize the bond, you must kiss me.”

  “No.”

  “It is the proper ritual.”

  “No.”

  “A hug?”

  “No.”

  “A kiss on the hand?”

  “No.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “A handshake.”

  “Deal.”

  They clasped hands.

  A violent surge of energy flooded his body. It was dense and suffocating. It dwarfed the sensation of devouring the Golem’s soul, though it still paled compared to the billion souls he had consumed.

  “Now we are friends,” she said with satisfaction.

  Joe pulled his hand back. “What did you just do?”

  “I transferred a portion of my essence into you. Our souls are partially connected now.”

  That was only a portion? The gap between them was absurd.

  “Now can you tell me about the exit?”

  She smiled. “This is your Realm. You can leave whenever you wish. Just imagine a gate connecting you to your original body.”

  “That’s it?” Joe blinked. “I thought it would be more complicated.”

  “Just because it is magic does not mean it must be difficult,” she replied.

  Joe focused and imagined a gate. The void responded instantly. A glowing circle formed ten meters away.

  As he walked toward it, she called out, “Mortal. About our fight. Did you enjoy it?”

  Joe stopped and turned with a grin. “Yeah. It was fun. But I want to fight your real body one day.”

  “For that, you must become the strongest in the Universe.”

  Joe extended a clenched fist toward her. “Then that’s what I’ll do. I’ll be number one."

  She gave him a small smile.

  He stepped into the circle. A pillar of light covered his body as it began to dissolve. He turned to face the Goddess. “You never gave me your name.”

  Her eyes widened slightly before softening. “It’s Serene.”

  Joe smiled. “Nice to meet you, Serene. I’m Joseph, but you can call me Joe.”

  She smiled gently. “Until we meet again, don’t forget me, Joe.”

  “I won’t. I promise.”

  With those final words, the last traces of his body vanished, and everything went black.