The moment Kieran passed through the stone gateway, his eyes were opened, and his mind was expanded and astonished by what he saw.
Two massive hills covered in verdant life sandwiched crystalline waters with a light blue mystic glow, stretching as far as Kieran could see.
Glancing below, Kieran felt as if the water wasn't exclusively water. It was hard to describe, but he felt these waters were responsible for the safe haven behind that mysterious stone door.
"Compared to the murkiness on the other side, I can understand why Illiueta claimed the Wykins were content. They have created something truly marvelous. Still, it doesn't detract from the fact they're confined to an area they never move from," Kieran said to himself, picking up a small pebble.
He tossed the pebble into the waters a few meters and watched as it floated at first before passing through the water like liquified jello.
Aside from the waters that ran through the center of this gorge, Kieran noticed two paths alongside the massive hills.
After taking a step forward toward the left path, Kieran received a few notifications.
〈System: You have entered the core of the «Enitic Valley of Illum».〉
〈System: You have entered the «Mystic Rune Colony»〉
〈System: As the first to enter another race's homeland, you have gained 300 World Fame!〉
"300 World Fame for discovering a place? I guess locating the homeland of a race is more of a significant feat than I gave it credit for," Kieran murmured, gently sliding his hand across the air.
Upon dispelling the notifications, Kieran couldn't take more than two steps before a sense of danger overwhelmed him from all directions. Some parts of the mystic water bubbled and rippled beside him as he froze in place, unsure about what was to come next.
After all, what he dealt with before was merely a prelude—a Guardian's attempt to stop him from entering the genuine dwellings of the Wykin. However, the situation was much different now that he was inside this place.
'This feeling,' Kieran thought.
Kieran felt bound in place, but it wasn't Mana or Will that restricted his movement.
It was a profound feeling that he couldn't begin to unravel. Solving the mystic sequence on the door was merely something he committed to memory after players leaked it.
It wasn't something Kieran accomplished with skill or comprehension, so he was completely unfamiliar with how he should approach this.
While he considered his options, the activity in the water beside him stopped, but four figures ascended from the calm water. Their skin color was pale blue with deep white lips. All four of these individuals bore mystical markings, but they were unique.
Their eyes were also unusual, either completely white, silver, or blue.
Surprisingly, Kieran wasn't startled by their presence but not because he wasn't scared. Despite floating before his eyes, Kieran couldn't sense that these four individuals had arrived.
"What is a human doing here?" The lead individual asked.
Her markings were the deepest and most profound as her crimson hair cascaded down her back, flowing against her mix of cloth and leather tunic.
"You ask a question which fails to beget an answer. We have arrived at the same time, and as such, we are all unaware of the events leading up to this point in time," the second individual said.
It was a male with indigo hair braided into a strange style.
"Rather than aimlessly question our knowledge, why not interrogate the culprit? Only they hold the answers. Additionally, Illiueta must be questioned later on. As the Guardian, such a situation should not arise," a female with ethereal silver hair commented.
"Very well."
The crimson-haired woman snapped her fingers, shattering the mystical veil that kept their presence hidden from Kieran. As soon as this happened, Kieran looked at them in utter silence.
"Young human, boy. Why have you trespassed into the domains of the Wykins? More importantly, how did you do so successfully? Depending on your answer, we'll determine the appropriate way of dealing with you."
Rather than immediately respond, Kieran's heart sank to his stomach as he gazed at the information that appeared before his eyes.
「 Lv.??? Aciayla, First Keeper of Serenity (Mythic NPC)
Class: Mystic
Health: ??? (100%) 」
「 Lv.??? Serexia, Second Keeper of Serenity (Mythic NPC)
Class: Mystic
Health: ??? (100%) 」
「 Lv.??? Zaerune, Third Keeper of Serenity (Mythic NPC)
Class: Mystic
Health: ??? (100%) 」
「 Lv.??? Indhira, Fourth Keeper of Serenity (Mythic NPC)
Class: Mystic
Health: ??? (100%) 」
The Keepers of Serenity were essentially the four enforcers of the Wykin Race meant to uphold peace and serenity within the Mystic Rune Colony. As their information implied, they were beings that transcended Kieran's capabilities many times over.
Such presences would only appear in the event of an unprecedented situation. Considering that no human had even successfully opened the gateway into this place, the problem at hand was unquestionably an unprecedented one.
"I have come to seek knowledge from the wise Wykins," Kieran openly answered. There was no reason to lie here.
Not only would it serve no purpose, but it also wouldn't get him anywhere. He had come because of the Shard of the Ancient Knowledge and the unknown fragment he received from Lord Veradin.
Additionally, Isadora had also suggested that he visit the Wykins. But, to be more specific, she proposed that he search for Agatha, who would undoubtedly be more understanding than the Wykins.
"A human… seek knowledge from us?" Aciayla, the crimson-haired woman, who was also the First Keeper of Serenity, questioned. After a moment, she added. "And what of our second question? How did you come to enter our segmented homeland successfully?"
"I… opened the stone gateway," Kieran answered truthfully. Although unbelievable to the Keepers of Serenity that floated before him, his words were entirely true.
"Young human, do you regard us as incompetent fools?" Zaerune, the Third Keeper of Serenity with the strange braided hair, said. His voice was raised, and his brows knitted with a tinge of anger.
"I speak the truth. I indeed opened it. And I did it like so."
Kieran began to explain how he conjured the dials on the door, and the more he spoke about it, the more mystified the Keepers of Serenity grew. How he described it in such detail proved Kieran somehow understood the meaning of the sequence and could truly unlock it.
But how could that be true if he were a mere human without a set of mystic eyes?
There was a reason why the eyes of a Wykin looked so strange. It was because they perceived energy forces rather than outward appearances.
These concerns consequently led to them analyzing the flow of Kieran's internal energy, and what they saw confused the Keepers of Serenity.
"What a terrifyingly chaotic flow of energy. How can you muster any strength in this state? No… I believe I overlooked something. This level of unrefined energy means you are a budding human," Aciayla spoke, struggling to understand Kieran's existence.
"I believe this young human has yet to enter the true domain of power. I… truly don't know what we should do with him," Indhira, the most silent of the Keepers, remarked.
She possessed a head of soft brown hair adorned with a few crystalline ornaments and bands.
"What do you mean you don't know what to do? We uphold the law of the Mystic Decree and expel him from our land," Serexia chimed in, blinking her silver eyes indifferently.
"I understand your suggestion since it is typically how we do things, but we can't overlook the issue here. This human can open the Stone Mystikum Doorway as they please, and we're powerless to change that. None of us has the authority to change the core sequence," Aciayla reasoned.
Serexia, Zaerune, and Indhira released soft grunts that complied with Aciayla's point of view.
"Then… should we perhaps just kill the boy? That'll solve our issues, yes?" Zaerune suggested.
"Under normal circumstances, yes. But… take a look at the boy's hand. Do you sense what I sense?" Indhira said, urging everyone to consider Kieran's identity.
After following her suggestion, everyone's expression changed, darkening immensely.
"An acolyte of that damned entity! Young boy, do you not know our history with that background of yours?!" Zaerune scowled. The mystical waters rippled, threatening to burst out and attack Kieran at a moment's notice.
"I am aware of the sordid history, but this organization does not define me as an individual. They are an agency of massive power, which means it is the avenue of least resistance for me. I do not seek to garner hostility with the Wykins. I only ask that you share a piece of your knowledge with me. In return, perhaps I may be of assistance to you," Kieran offered.
"His words are genuine… there are no changes in his energy flow. How odd this is…." Aciayla sighed, pondering the right course of action.
Based on his current power, she understood Kieran wasn't a threat. But, could she really allow him to explore the Mystic Rune Colony as if there were no enmity between their race?
"Regardless of his authentic words, to claim to be useful to the Wykins is a grand affirmation. Also, request our knowledge? Why not seek what was stolen and make use of that?" Serexia said, her expression growing cold.
Kieran's request naturally sparked disgust from the Keepers of Serenity. It was well within the behaviors of human greed in their eyes.
All of a sudden, a voice sounded from not too far away as a figure passed through the Stone Mystikum Doorway. "It's fine. Let him pass on account of my identity. In the end, we'll let the Enchantress decide how we handle this matter."
