As Ark and Mizan strolled through the shadowy expanse of Everdusk Forest, Ark suddenly smirked and announced, "Dinner's here." Mizan blinked in confusion, about to ask what he meant, when Ark vanished into thin air, disappearing as though he'd dissolved into the forest itself.
Mizan froze, eyes widening in shock. "WHAT?!" he exclaimed, frantically turning his head left and right, searching for any trace of Ark. He found nothing but the stillness of the forest around him. Before he could piece together what had happened, Ark reappeared in front of him, dragging the massive carcass of a boar—no, not just any boar. This one was the size of a cow, its body bristling with muscle and crowned by four thick, menacing tusks.
Mizan stumbled back, startled. "A Magical Beast?" he gasped.
Ark scoffed, his expression full of disdain. "This thing? It doesn't even qualify as one."
Without missing a beat, Ark placed a hand on the boar's body. In an instant, the massive creature vanished into thin air, as if swallowed by the void. Mizan's jaw dropped. "What was that?!" he shouted, staring at Ark in astonishment.
Ark raised an eyebrow and replied nonchalantly, "A storage ring. What, never seen one before?"
Mizan muttered under his breath, still trying to process what he had just witnessed. "A... storage ring? No, I've never seen anything like that!" His eyes sparkled with curiosity, and in an instant, he was like an overexcited child who'd discovered a new toy.
"How does it work? How do you store stuff in it? How much can it hold? Can anyone use it?" The questions poured out of Mizan like a stream, his curiosity bubbling over.
Ark sighed, and retrieved two additional rings from the black ring he wore on his little finger, holding them up for Mizan to see. Mizan's eyes lit up with excitement once again. "Wait—are you saying you can store a storage ring inside another storage ring?" he asked, his tone brimming with curiosity.
Ark raised an eyebrow, giving a flat but confident nod. "Of course. Why wouldn't you?"
Before Mizan could bombard him with more questions, Ark began explaining. "I don't know how things work here, but where I come from, storage artifacts generally fall into two categories." He held up the two rings for emphasis. One was smooth-edged and entirely black, exuding a simple elegance much like the one he wore on his little finger. The other was crimson, adorned with intricate carvings etched into its shank.
Pointing to the black ring, Ark continued, "The first type, which is the rarest, are those forged using the space element. These require an Artificer to channel their understanding of spatial magic into their craft. And let me tell you, people with an affinity for the space element are exceedingly rare."
Mizan's curiosity deepened as Ark explained further. "This type of artifact creates its own sub-dimension, a pocket of space that can store items. The best part? Anything stored inside remains completely preserved, as if frozen in time. Food won't rot, potions won't spoil, and everything stays exactly as it was when you put it in."
Mizan nodded along eagerly, already imagining the possibilities. "H-How much can it hold?" he asked.
Ark smirked faintly. "That depends entirely on the skill of the Artificer who crafted it and their mastery of the space element. The more skilled they are, the larger the capacity." He paused, then pointed at the intricately carved ring in his hand and explained, "The second type of storage artifact is created using quantum technology. This technology allows objects to be shrunk to an extreme degree and stored within the carvings of the ring." He paused before adding, "However, the downside is that whatever you store inside remains affected by time, just as if it were outside."
Mizan's eyes widened in astonishment. "Quantum technology? What's that?"
Ark looked at him blankly for a moment before sighing. Restoring the two extra rings he had taken out, he waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it. Explaining quantum technology to you would require an entire book. You'll come to understand it one day—if you manage to carve your own path in this vast universe and reach great heights, that is."
Ark's tone turned practical as he continued, "Besides, it's still too early for you. Right now, you can't even use a storage ring."
Mizan frowned. "Why not?"
"You need to be able to control your mental power and possess a high level of perception to interact with these artifacts. Without that, they're no different from ordinary jewelry," Ark explained. After a brief moment of thought, he added, "Perhaps if you manage to fully awaken your core energies and break through to the Origin Realm, you might be able to use one."
Changing the subject, Ark glanced at the horizon. "The sun is setting soon. We should find an open spot, build a fire, and spend the night in the forest."
Still reeling from everything he had just seen and learned, Mizan nodded absentmindedly, his mind racing. But then a realization hit him like a brick, and he cursed inwardly. 'So that's why this guy is wandering around the wilderness without carrying anything!'
The thought deepened his frustration. 'If he has a storage ring, why didn't he offer to store my bag instead of making me lug it around?!'
However, Mizan dared not voice his complaint. He cast a resentful glance at Ark's back but continued to trudge along silently, while carrying his bag on his shoulders.
***
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the forest grew dim, the last traces of daylight fading into the shadows. Birds fluttered back to their nests, and the creatures of the night began to stir. Ark and Mizan finally stumbled upon a clear, open space, free of trees and bushes.
Mizan set down his pack, wiped the sweat from his brow, and offered, "I'll gather some branches for a fire."
However, Ark waved his hand lazily, dismissing him with an unreadable expression. Without a word, he stepped forward, his movements fluid and purposeful. He approached a small, slender tree nearby. With a flick of his wrist, Ark extended two fingers, sweeping them across the tree in a single, swift motion.
The sound was like a whisper of wind, and in an instant, the tree trunk split cleanly, as though sliced by an invisible blade.
Ark carried the trunk to the center of the clearing, placing it down with precise care. With another flick of his fingers, the trunk snapped into smaller, evenly-sized segments. Each piece dropped to the ground with a soft thud, forming a neat pile ready for a fire.
Ark raised his hand. With a sharp snap of his fingers, the air around the trunk shimmered, and flames ignited out of thin air, licking the wood with fierce intensity. The heat washed over Mizan's face, causing him to step back, his mouth slightly agape.
But Ark wasn't done. Without saying a word, he lightly stomped his foot on the ground beside the fire. The ground cracked, and then, in one smooth, almost effortless motion, it rose. A chunk of earth, hardened and solid, shaped itself into a bench about half a meter high, as if it had always been there.
Mizan stood frozen, his gaze fixed on Ark. The air around them seemed to hum with a strange energy, and his mind was struggling to process what he had just witnessed. Ark hadn't just conjured fire; he had manipulated the wind to cut the tree, and then commanded the earth to shape itself into something useful. Three elements, woven together in a fluid sequence, each one obeying Ark's quiet command as if they were extensions of his own will.
Mizan's breath caught in his throat, and his heart raced in his chest. The awe he felt was tempered by a creeping sense of unease. Controlling three elements and shaping them so effortlessly—this was unheard of to Mizan. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, torn between excitement and a deep, primal fear.
Was this man truly capable of such mastery? And if so, what else was he hiding?