After exiting the shadowy confines of the alleyway, Ethan found himself back on the streets. He made a conscious decision to avoid the shortcuts and stuck to the main street on his way home, minimizing any connections to the recent demise of the demonic duo.
As he melded back into the flow of the city, a system notification blinked into existence before him, commanding his attention.
._._._._._.
[DING! DING!!]
_New quest unlocked: "The Survival of the Fittest"
_Objective: Having eliminated two of the district master's underlings, an inevitable enmity has been forged. Retribution will come; it is now a survival of the fittest. Defeat him or face defeat yourself.
_Quest duration: 2 days
_Reward: 10 Strength [STR] points and 10 Unallocated stat points.
._._._._._.
"Two days," Ethan murmured, a furrow of concern etching his brow as the screen hovered in his vision.
Why had the system stipulated precisely two days for this quest? Was it suggesting that within this time frame, the district master would learn of his actions and seek vengeance, or was there another underlying reason for such a specific duration? Ethan's mind swirled with possibilities and uncertainty.
The System's cryptic and unpredictable nature had always left Ethan more puzzled than enlightened, its patterns elusive and confounding. Yet, he couldn't shake the conviction that there had to be significance to the two-day window.
Ethan conceded that the System's capabilities were beyond his current understanding. He had no reason to doubt its capacity to predict the district master's discovery of his involvement in the twins' demise. Thus, he chose to trust its judgment, accepting the two-day duration as the only logical inference.
"Well, it seems my time frame for the Iron Tooth Rat mission has just been cut short," Ethan muttered, his hand instinctively rising to massage his temples as a sudden headache took hold.
Ethan was convinced that once he had eradicated every Iron Tooth Rat, including the corrupted level one, he would have gained sufficient experience and strength to confront the district master.
With a flick of his wrist, he waved the notification away, intent on resuming his journey. Yet, as he took a step, another chime signaled the arrival of a new notification.
._._._._._.
[DING! DING!!]
_You have unlocked a path: "The Path of Vengeance"
._._._._._.
The message on the notification screen sent a jolt of surprise through Ethan.
"What in the world is a 'path'?" he pondered, his confusion evident.
As if in direct response to his silent query, the System began to elucidate.
._._._._._.
_A "path" is akin to a personal quest, fueled by your deepest aspirations. It becomes the central pursuit of your life within the system. Every venture you embark upon, each quest you are given, aligns with the realization of your most profound ambition. This path becomes your guiding force, shaping your choices and steering your deeds. The trials you face and the companions you encounter are woven into your path, fostering your development and driving you toward your ultimate aim.
._._._._._.
Ethan's expression morphed into a complex tapestry of emotions as he digested the message.
"So, a path is akin to destiny," he speculated, his gaze locked on the screen in confusion.
Ethan was quick on the uptake, immediately understanding why he had unlocked the Path of Vengeance. The deep-seated hatred for the War God faction and his traitorous friend, Noah, lay at the root of this development; it was this animosity that had set him on the path of vengeance.
'Well, that's not bad at all,' Ethan mused as a wry smile appeared on his face.
Even if the system had not presented him with this path, seeking vengeance would have been his primary focus after his revival. His loathing for the War God faction and Noah was intense, surpassing any emotion he had experienced in his life. He intended to hold them accountable, without exception.
His reflection was interrupted by another message that materialized on the system screen.
._._._._._._.
_Your progress on your path will be displayed.
Path of Vengeance: 0%
._._._._._._.
Upon reading the message, Ethan let out a long sigh and dismissed the screen. It was a stark reminder that he needed to become stronger quickly if he hoped to exact his revenge. His adversaries were formidable, and he was, by comparison, still weak.
Another sigh escaped him as he refocused on his journey.
Opting against the alleyway shortcut had added an extra ten minutes to his travel time. Ethan finally arrived at a dilapidated three-story building that was typical of the third district's landscape, its exterior walls covered in slick, green moss.
He scanned the building, already familiar with its appearance from the memories he had acquired from the body's previous owner. Yet, seeing it in person and smelling the odors that permeated the area was an entirely different experience.
A wave of revulsion hit Ethan as the stench of urine and decaying waste assaulted his nostrils. His stomach churned in disgust.
'I'm not staying here a moment longer than necessary,' Ethan vowed silently, resolving to relocate to the second district as soon as he received the reward for clearing out the Iron Tooth Rat nest.
Without further delay, Ethan began to ascend the side steps that clung to the building's façade.
Reaching the first floor, he stopped in front of a door that led to a long corridor lined with ten apartments.
He passed the first three doors and paused at the fourth one. Without knocking, he opened it and stepped inside.
The room he entered was hot, damp, and dark, the air stale as if it hadn't been disturbed in ages. Ethan knew the residents here didn't dare leave their rooms open for long; the foul odors from outside would inevitably seep in and taint the already musty air.
Heaving a heavy sigh, Ethan carefully navigated through the darkness, mindful not to stumble over unseen obstacles or crush anything beneath his feet.
From the depths of the room, he detected movement. The sounds indicated someone was drawing near, and soon he could see the warm glow of what appeared to be a candle's flame moving toward him.
"Ethan, is that you?" came a small, sweet voice from the direction of the approaching light.