Chapter 35: Two Halves
That night, Rean and Roan finally got some time to take a look at the Soul Gem System. Or to be more exact, into the Soul Gem Dimension. Previously, the Soul Gem System sent them some information on how to enter it. They just had to focus on the Soul Gem and wish to enter at the same time. Yes, it couldn't be helped, they had to do it together as well.
Finally, the Soul Gem activated, and Rean and Roan disappeared from their room. The only thing left behind were their clothes. Sure enough, other than Rean and Roan, nothing else could come with them.
It only took a second for them to appear in the Soul Gem dimension. Obviously, they noticed the other side naked body but ignored it completely. After being forced to bath together thousands of times by their mother, they simply couldn't feel care anymore. Instead, they started to look around.
The dimension turned out to be very small, no more than a few meters from one side to another. It was also almost empty except for the ground and a Black and White Orb at the very center. Rean and Roan nodded at each other and moved closer.
But as soon as they gave the first step, the system voice appeared in their minds again.
[Hosts detected.]
[Hosts Authority Level: 01]
[Awaiting Orders.]
Rean couldn't help but comment.
"It looks like some sci-fi movie, don't you think?"
Roan nodded.
"Still, it doesn't look like a machine at all."
Rean then touched the orb, but nothing happened. He pondered a bit and then sent some Spiritual Energy inside. This time, the orb answered.
[One Host Detected.]
[Awating Next Host.]
Roan understood and touched the orb before sending his Spiritual Energy inside too.
[System activated.]
[Please Select An Option.]
[1- Reward List]
[2- Information]
[3- Weaponry]
[4- Missions]
Rean and Roan looked at each other and immediately selected Information.
[Please State Your Question.]
Rean took a deep breath and asked.
"What are you?"
[This is the Soul Gem System. This System is responsible for helping and guiding the hosts during their cultivation path.]
"What is your objective?"
[Connect the two halves of the Universe.]
Rean and Roan were taken aback.
"What do you mean with two halves?"
[Hosts Previous Universe is only half of its whole. The Universe that hosts are present at the moment is the other half.]
It would be one thing if Rean didn't know about it. But even Roan (Death) had never heard about it before. One must remember that Roan had lived for countless years in the previous Universe and enjoyed a high status. Still, even he didn't know that his former Universe was only half of a whole.
"Well, that is considering that what this thing is telling is the truth."
Roan then looked at the orb and asked.
"How did the Universe get split in two?"
[Users' authority level is too low, access denied.]
Rean and Roan finally understood why there was an authority level.
Rean then asked something he had been curious about all this time.
"How come you appeared inside my Soul?"
[Host was selected at random. There were no requisites for the selection.]
'That was quite plain...'
"Was it you the one responsible for my lack of emotions during my previous life?"
[Host is correct. In order to keep the Soul Gem as clean as possible before reincarnating, the Host could not be allowed to have emotions.]
Rean's eyes narrowed.
"Why?"
[Emotions would affect the Soul Gem, which could severely impact its ability to save memories.]
"Then why didn't you activate before? Do we really need to come here to do that?"
[The process was necessary. The previous Universe has lost its capability of generating Spiritual Energy, which is essential for the Soul Gem System to work.]
Roan, on the other hand, was more preoccupied with the Universe Unification thing.
"What will happen if we don't Unify the two halves?"
[The two halves are approaching the breaking point. Once the threshold is surpassed, both Universe's halves will be sucked into a singularity. Everything will be compressed into this point, a new Universe shall be born from scratch. All actual existent life will cease to exist.]
Rean and Roan were shocked to hear that.
"Doesn't that look like the Big Bang Theory of your Earth?"
Rean nodded.
"Still, is such a thing possible?"
Roan shook his head.
"I don't know, I haven't been there at the start. But I can't say that it is all a lie from everything we have seen so far."
Rean then thought about something else.
"Wait. If that is the case, why did you bring us here? Wouldn't it have been better to simply select someone in this half of the Universe?"
[Authority Level is too low, access denied.]
"It seems like there is a big secret behind this choice as well."
Roan then asked another question.
"What is the level of authority necessary to unlock those answers?"
[Authority Level is too low, access denied.]
Roan's mouth twitched.
"I can't even know how much I need? Fuck you!"
Rean pondered a bit and then suggested.
"What if we deliver this orb to some strong cultivators' Sect? They should be able to do a lot more than the two of us can. Truth be told, I don't want to get involved in this mess."
Roan couldn't help but nod as well.
[Warning! Soul Gem Removal will provoke the Hosts' deaths.]
[Warning! Soul Gem System detected that Hosts are not willing to help.]
[Soul Gem Detachment Started, Initiating search of new Hosts.]
Roan and Rean felt a chill on their backs.
"Cough, cough. I've always thought that I wanted to save the Universe. Now look at that, my chance is finally here!"
Roan nodded vigorously.
"I've always wanted to be a hero. Which hero hasn't saved one or two Universes before? You can count on me, yes, definitely!"
[Search of new Hosts canceled. Detachment Process Stopped.]
If one looked closely, they would be able to see drops of sweat falling from Rean and Roan's faces.
"Errr... so... What should we do then?"
[Hosts' power is too low. Hosts must increase their cultivation level first.]
Rean and Roan nodded.
"What level of cultivation do we need?"
[Analysing...]
[Lack of Information. The System can't determine the cultivation realm necessary.]
The twins sighed and then made a few more questions. In the end, some could be answered, others needed a higher level of authority.
"Anyway, let's take a look into the reward list."
[Acess Denied, Authority Level is too low.]
They finally started to get annoyed.
"What level is necessary to open the reward list?"
[Authority Level 2 is necessary to open the first rewards.]
Rean and Roan's eyes brightened. At least they know the level to open the list this time.
"Do we need to complete a mission to increase the Authority Level?"
[Correct.]
Rean and Roan then select the Mission Option. But surprisingly, there was only a single mission available. It would be okay if it was only that, but...
[Mission 01 - Increase of Brotherly Affection]
Immediately, Rean and Roan's expressions went dark.