Blood Assimilation

Hearing the Grand Librarian's command, Randy hesitated for a moment, his gaze fixed upon the enigmatic symbols beneath his feet. The platform upon which Randy stood was adorned with intricate symbols and glyphs that seemed to pulse with otherworldly energy. They shifted and morphed, reminiscent of ancient runes yet infinitely more complex.

They were unlike any runes Randy had ever seen, their complexity hinting at their origins as the very foundation of the runic language itself.

Randy was mesmerized by the ancient runes beneath, but he forcefully extricated himself, making up his mind as he looked toward the Grand Librarian. As he took his first tentative step, he felt a surge of power wash over his entire spiritual body.

Remaining motionless, he felt a profound pressure bearing down upon his soul, as though the very fabric of his being was being scrutinized by an unfathomable consciousness.

For a moment, he felt like he was on the brink of oblivion, as if his existence hung by a thread. Pressure mounted upon his psyche, threatening to obliterate his very essence. But then, just as suddenly as it began, the pressure subsided, leaving Randy trembling with cold sweat, even though he knew he possessed no physical body nor sweat glands in his spiritual form.

Suddenly, he became aware of a new sensation — a sensation of a body, heavy and more imposing than his original physical form. He stared down at his hands. To his astonishment, he realized that he truly had been granted a physical form — a body that felt alien and cumbersome, larger than his mortal frame. It felt foreign and unnatural, and he struggled to maintain balance.

Before he could stumble, the Grand Librarian rushed forward, his expression a mix of shock and solemnity. As he approached Randy, his true form was revealed as a cosmic entity, looking quite enigmatic. His skin tone was uniquely, covered with starry luminosity and sprinkled with glittering nebulae, and his eyes shone with a mystic glow of galaxies.

Closely observing the Grand Librarian's humanoid form, Randy determined his appearance to be reminiscent of an old man due to the wrinkles on his face. He wasn't sure if that was merely the preferred appearance of the cosmic being or if that was its true appearance.

Appearing beside him, the Grand Librarian held Randy's shoulder, supporting his body, but secretly, he was assessing Randy's body. Randy was startled by his presence beside him, but he chose to disregard such a detail, focusing on something else.

"What... What is happening to me?!" Randy exclaimed, feeling shocked by the strange phenomenon occurring to him.

He asked about the pressing matter regarding the sudden change in his body, from a human-sized spiritual body into a humanoid giant body that matched the towering figure of the Grand Librarian.

"So you are their progeny. To think they left you to grow in a mortal world. Not just any mortal world but a null mortal world that had only recently gained enlightenment due to the awakening of the Cardinal Gnosis. It all makes sense now. No wonder your fate led you here." The Grand Librarian commented, observing Randy's towering and imposing body.

Pensively, the Grand Librarian observed the physical features of Randy's current appearance, only to discover that his current form was shrouded in mist, obscuring his aura and preventing his presence from leaking. Not even Randy could observe his own appearance. In his perception, he had a kaleidoscopic nimbus surrounding his body, almost similar to the Grand Librarian's starry skin completion.

This discovery was what caused Randy's initial panic when he saw his new body.

After the Grand Librarian spoke meaningfully, Randy became perplexed by his remarks. How could this cosmic being know anything about his parents? As far as he was aware, his parents were mere humans who had never left Earth, his home planet.

"My parents... How do you know them? They're just ordinary humans. As far as I'm aware, they've never left Earth." Randy inquired directly, sensing that whatever secrets his parents were hiding might be related to their identity.

The Grand Librarian seemed to ignore Randy's question, his attention diverted to the matter at hand.

"Regardless of your origins, young aspirant, you have indeed been chosen by the Universal Library. Your destiny awaits."

"What do you mean chosen by the Universal Library? Earlier, you also mentioned the wisdom of the cosmos and those chosen by fate. Did I end up here because of the Universal Library?" Randy pressed, seeking to confirm his doubts regarding the sudden phenomenon that befell him.

"Indeed." With a solemn nod, the Grand Librarian gestured toward the heart of the chamber, where a shimmering light pulsed with cosmic energy. His sonorous voice entered Randy's ears as he began to walk in that direction.

"Follow me, young aspirant." He beckoned.

Pondering for a moment, Randy followed behind the towering Grand Librarian with his colossal body. Oddly enough, he didn't feel any discomfort as he felt before the Grand Librarian held him up. He steadily walked forward without any hassle.

He could only attribute the comfortable state of his body to something the cosmic being had done when he touched him. Besides feeling comfortable in his towering body, Randy realized that every step he took covered several miles, feeling amazed by how tall his stature had become.

As they walked, Randy couldn't help but ask some questions to pass the time. While he felt intimidated by the appearance of the cosmic being, the Grand Librarian's demeanor reassured him that he wouldn't cause any harm to him. Before he could utter any words, the Grand Librarian suddenly spoke.

"Within these hallowed halls lie the mysteries of existence itself — truths that transcend mortal understanding." The Grand Librarian explained, gesturing toward various pedestals adorned with shimmering jade stones and lustrous pearls.

"Amazing…" Randy unconsciously muttered in wonder as he looked at some of the magic scrolls and more familiar storage artifacts scattered around the chamber as if they were discarded trash.

"These are but a fraction of the treasures within the collection. Each holds a fragment of the universe's vast tapestry, waiting to be unraveled by those who seek enlightenment." The Grand Librarian added, not bothering to even look at the scrolls and artifacts strewn on both sides of their pathway as if they were insignificant.

Witnessing the illustrious treasures that seemed to be calling out to him, Randy felt breathless. Clearing his distraction, he further inquired about another pressing matter.

"Old man, what am I truly here for? Where are were headed?" Randy questioned, his tone sounding serious.

"Old man?" The Grand Librarian was amused by Randy's choice of address, but he solemnly replied: "You, young aspirant, have triggered the divine resonance prematurely. As a result, you have been chosen by the cosmic forces to receive a gift — a mere glimpse into the boundless depths of knowledge that will aid you on your journey to apotheosis."

"Apotheosis?" Randy was perplexed by this new terminology.

"Attaining the divine status. Isn't that the reason you began your journey, young aspirant?" The Grand Librarian clarified, his wisdom-filled eyes peering into Randy's soul.

As soon as the gaze landed on Randy's body, he felt as though he had become completely naked with all his information laid bare before the mysterious cosmic being claiming to be the Grand Librarian of the Universal Library.

A moment later, a sense of realization dawned on the Grand Librarian, breaking into a monologue.

"So, he has no idea of his true identity, nor did he begin his journey to reach apotheosis…? Fascinating… As for the reason for such development… As I chose to not meddle in the lives of mortals, I have no idea why his parents concealed his identity from him. However, as always, I'll let things progress in their natural course. I would not interfere with their arrangements.

It shall be as they determined."

Overhearing the monologue of the Grand Librarian, Randy's interest was piqued, his brow rising. This was particularly so when he heard the former mention his parents.

"Do you know my parents? Have you met them before?" He inquired once again, eager for answers. He added: "And don't dodge my question this time."

Pondering for a moment, the Grand Librarian replied: "Indeed. I met them a few times in the past."

"Then, do you know what secrets they're hiding from me?" Randy ventured, attempting to pry the mystery surrounding his parents from the Grand Librarian.

"Secrets? Yes, there are secrets shrouded in mystery surrounding you, but your parents chose not to inform you. I do not know their reason, but I believe their decision serves an ultimate purpose." The Grand Librarian confirmed.

"What purpose could it be?!" Randy became agitated, recalling his disconcerting experiences with his parents in the past.

Increasing his pace, Randy overtook the Grand Librarian, obstructing his path, as he continued.

"At one point, they cherished and loved me, but the moment I failed to awaken, my whole life was overturned. They chose to neglect me because I couldn't meet their expectations. What ultimate purpose could they possibly have for casting me aside in my vulnerable state?"