"You'll get that opportunity after we cross the 'Layer' and reach the 'gap'." The little ghost said.
Then it bent its head and said in a solemn tone "Before that, there is a ceremony that must be finished."
A golden spark appeared in front of Varian and shot into his right hand.
It was too fast and Varian could only see it melting into his skin.
Then a familiar sensation filled his body. It was similar to when he was able to control the formations.
But this time, it was the entire spaceshi—, no, it was the entire ghost ship.
'This is something like a start treasure, but much more precious..' Varian couldn't help but smile.
He remembered the time he travelled to Bell Health Care. He took a normal hover cab.
Even though he wasn't much affected by it, he did feel envious of the rich people. Their entire vehicle was a star treasure. They could control it. Use it to attack, defend and escape.
'Now, I too have a star treasure vehicle. Mine is much stronger.' He nodded to himself.
What transpired just now was a ritual of sorts, where a creature establishes its ownership of an item.
With it, Varian also got bits of information.
The ghost ship's current condition was very bad. The battle 500 years ago left it in near tatters.
It also damaged the 'Space System' of the ghost ship—the subsystem responsible for travel to Inner Space.
Initially, the ghost ship tried to hide itself in Inner space and search for materials to repair itself. It never intended to contact any humans.
But due to the failings of the space system, it ended up appearing to humans several times over the past 500 years.
However, it quickly pulled itself back to Inner space.
This was the origin of the urban legend — 'Ghost ship.'
Varian closed his eyes and grasped the important elements.
The interior of the ghost ship shrunk to one of a normal room.
Varian was now directly in front of the window and smiled.
'This is cool. Too bad there are no attack formations.'
He opened his eyes to meet the black eyes of the little ghost.
"I'll call you Boo from now on." He said.
[Host, please rethink the name.]
It seemed that his naming terrified even the usually cold and aloof system.
'Begone thot.' Varian swatted it away.
[...Host, one day, you'll praise me to heavens.]
'System, are you dreaming or what?'
[....] Like a bullied beast, the System went silent.
Varian thought whether he went overboard for a moment. Then he shook his head.
The System thought he was regretting his actions and was about to reply when he muttered.
"I should come up with innovative waves of cursing."
[...]
"I'm Boo." Boo, the little ghost, nodded. Perhaps it was not aware of the customs or just didn't care.
"Why pick me?" Varian asked, expecting some dramatic revelation.
'You are the one to lead me out. You have the potential. You are the Chosen one. Blah blah blah.' Those were his guesses.
As he gazed at Boo with intensity, it replied, "Abyssals tracked my location. They would chase me even if I escape."
Varian's smile reduced.
"So I conducted a test. You are the most intelligent creature in the dungeon. So I approached you." It stated like a matter of fact.
Varian nearly coughed out blood from the reveal.
"Just kidding. You have great potential." It replied with an honest voice.
Varian didn't choose to believe either of its opinions.
"What is your objective?" This was a sensitive topic, but he needed to know.
"I just want to see if my home star system is fine. But it'd take a long time, if ever, to get there." Boo dropped its head and replied in a slow voice.
Varian was surprised. This was a higher level of empathy, unlike current AIs.
'Maybe it is closer to life than a programme.'
He looked into its eyes and promised."If I'm strong enough, I'll take you."
"I'll be waiting." Boo said and laid on the couch.
'Did it pick up bad habits from humans?'
He thought and stretched out his hand.
The space stones and spacorts flew towards him and were deposited in his space ring.
'Not bad.' He wanted to smile, but recalling his space path, he had a headache.
'Status.'
[Space Path Level 2: 100/200]
'This is a few centuries behind.' His shoulders slumped and he summoned a space stone into his hand along with a couple spacorts.
"Eh, you're practicing already?" Boo titled its head in confusion.
"If not?" Varian was confounded.
The corner of Boo's white mouth twitched. 'Madman. Absolute training lunatic.'
"I'm not mad." Varian tapped his chair, and it expanded into a bed.
He sat cross-legged on it to start his meditation.
"Uh, wait, we're almost here." Boo pointed to the hologram, drawing his attention.
The hologram showed a red dot. It was their position. The red dot crossed the blue layer and now moved into the gap.
Varian glanced outside and realized something changed.
The bright twinkling lights had gone out. There was only pitch black darkness.
"We're in the 'gap'. I'll direct the space power, or should I say, Aura, to enter the inside. The space inside the ship would also partially mirror the one outside. I'll control the intensity to keep it to non-lethal level." Boo smiled.
Varian nodded. After the 'ritual', he was able to perceive Boo — its positive and negative emotions. He sensed no malice and thus wasn't worried.
"Here goes for nothing." Boo snapped its fingers and the ghost ship slightly shook.
Varian felt the space around him tighten. At the same time, it turned chaotic.
He hurriedly concentrated on the space stone.
Carefully studying the space surrounding him, he began mediation.
To progress in Level 2, there were two requirements. First was the most direct: Increase in space power.
Second was the increased coordination between Space sense and Space Binding.
There was a saying on Earth for Space Awakeners.
"Chaotic space is the best space. It shows you all the variations, and you'd have to just figure out the solution from the options given instead of coming up with something new yourself."
Thus, Varian descended into meditation.
The space power in his body resonated with the space outside.
After an indefinite time, Boo's voice broke the silence.
"Master, we're about to reach the Outer Space in two minutes. Where do you want to land?"
Varian slowly opened his eyes. The space around him shook slightly.
The System prompts rang.
[+5 Xp
+5 Xp
….
+5 Xp]
[Space Path Level 2: 200/200]
Nodding in satisfaction, he asked, "How many hours were we travelling?"
Boo tilted its head in confusion and replied, "It's been 20 minutes."
Varian stood up in shock and glanced at a silver wall in front.
He said in a hurry, "Let's stall. I want to practice more."
Boo shook its head in helplessness. "I can't."
Varian wasn't convinced and examined the state of the shuttle.
'The space system is almost broken. If we mess with it even a bit, it'd break apart and we'll be trapped here. Fuck.' He facepalmed.
"Land in a remote location of Earth. Maintain the stealth mode." He ordered.
"Yes." Boo nodded and focused on operating the holographic operator in front.
Even though Varian had the authority, he lacked the operating skills. But with Boo on board, it didn't matter.
Soon, the ghost ship reached the silver wall and crossed over.
All colors exploded into existence and Varian felt like he went to hell, heaven and returned to earth.
The familiar two suns in the sky, the annoying metal box accompanying it—the militarized moon and the red crack in the sky — Demon Abyss.
Everything was the same. Yet it felt so different.
Varian wanted to get out and bathe in the sunlight directly. But he refrained.
Bonk!
A few patrolling hover cars passed by without sparing them a glance.
"Stealth is really good." Varian snickered.
In the information after the ritual, Stealth was the first ability.
Ghost ship specialized in hiding itself using advanced light and space technologies. That was why it was called ghost ship.
Even though its space system was nearly gone, the concealment technology remained. Thus, Varian was able to roam without the fear of being caught.
"I've returned!" Varian yelled. No other human could hear his scream, but his heart was filled with joy and relief.
"Where do you want to go, sir?" Boo asked.
"You can sneak into Dungeons, right?" Varian asked for confirmation.
"Yes. The radars won't be able to find me. Unless really strong, Awakeners can't spot me either." Boo spoke with pride.
Varian nodded with a smile and confirmed another ability of the ghost ship.
"You have extraordinary reconnaissance capabilities. You can detect the Dungeon hideouts of Abyssals?" He held his breath.
Boo nodded again. "Easy peasy."
Varian's smile condensed into a demonic one. "Then let's take some revenge. Go to the nearest Low Dungeon. I want blood."