Bob observed the contenders, shaking his head with barely perceptible regret. Before him stood young men and women, their ages ranging from eighteen to thirty-five. The youngest had barely reached adulthood, while the eldest was no older than three decades. Each of them was about to face the Ascension. The mere fact of it was both awe-inspiring and insane.
Yet, such were the rules of the second round.
Bob could only sympathize with them. In the past, he had achieved Ascension naturally, through years of practice, meditation, and reflection. It had taken him 941 years of his allotted thousand as a Mortal Master of Level 120.
He remembered how his body and mind changed with each passing decade, slowly preparing him for the moment of transformation. The Ascension had been the pinnacle of his efforts, extending his lifespan to 5,000 years.
But the contenders standing before him now didn't have that kind of time. They were about to undertake the Method of Extreme Ascension, a process banned for its lethality and ruthlessness.
This method required one to pass through five stages domains where a Mortal Master would confront the primordial laws of existence, shatter their limitations, and transform into a Higher Being. All of this had to happen in the shortest time possible, without years of preparation.
Ascension itself was a process most Mortal Masters regarded as nearly sacred. It symbolized the slow yet inevitable growth of understanding and strength a journey where mistakes could be corrected, and failures were seen as part of the learning process.
Even failing Ascension through the natural method or safer practices left room for recovery and another attempt. A failed Ascension might damage the body, crack the mind, but with time, everything could heal.
However, Extreme Ascension was a different story.
Failure here didn't mean merely falling short. It meant complete annihilation. The consciousness of the contender, their essence, everything that made them unique, dissolved into nothingness. It was an absolute erasure that even the Eternals beings capable of resurrecting the fallen could not reverse.
The only hope in case of failure was the intervention of the Supreme Beings, who could recreate an essence from scratch. But who among these young people could expect such an unimaginable intervention?
Eighty-five percent mortality.
These numbers echoed in Bob's mind like a hollow drumbeat. Most of those standing before him wouldn't make it to the end. Neither strength, nor skill, nor determination could save them. And yet, in their eyes, he saw not just fear. He saw something more: the Fire of Life.
This fire didn't belong to those who had lived for centuries and grown accustomed to a slow, measured path. It was the fire of young souls ready to fight for their destiny, even if the path to their goal was lined with mortal traps.
Bob took a deep breath.
- May Baios be with you, - he said quietly, more to himself than to the contenders, who had already taken their first step into Extreme Ascension.
A moment later, he transported himself to the edge of their floating island. The wind, piercing through magical barriers, made his cloak billow, but Bob stood unmoving. His gaze was fixed downward, where true chaos was unfolding.
Below, a bloody battle raged for the Crown of Dominion. A world created for war boiled with magic and steel. The ground trembled from explosions, the air was thick with the cries of combatants. Bob saw every moment of this chaos, every movement of warriors, mages, and monsters.
Behind him, almost soundlessly, five more figures appeared. Their presence was impossible to ignore each radiated power comparable to his own. They were Guides for other contenders, their strength beyond mortal comprehension.
The first to speak was Venlas a tall man with silver hair. His light smile seemed out of place, as though he saw the unfolding events as mere entertainment.
- Yo, Bob, - he began cheerfully, stepping closer. - How's your batch? How many of your thousand do you think will make it?
Bob didn't turn his head, continuing to watch the chaos below. His voice was even, like a distant rumble of thunder:
- Four hundred forty-one. Not a thousand
- Ah, what's the difference? - Venlas waved dismissively, smirking as though it was a trivial matter. - Lord Gamegod still wants five hundred High Beings. How he expects that to happen remains a mystery
- Venlas, - interrupted Lisarin, a woman with long fox tails and golden eyes. Her low, velvety voice carried a hint of mockery.
- That's not our concern. We've been tasked with observing and guiding. The rest is up to them
Her gaze slid over the contenders, her face remaining utterly expressionless. She seemed to regard the players as pieces in a complex puzzle.
- You're too calm, Lisarin, - Venlas muttered, his smile fading into a slight frown. - But what if they fail? What if intervention is needed?
- There will be no failure, - Neebus interjected, a man with piercing blue eyes. He sat on the edge of a stone, letting his legs dangle into the void, his voice carrying lazy confidence.
- There's no third option here. Either they become Higher Beings, or they disappear. It's that simple
Venlas scowled but seemed unsatisfied with the answer.
- But what if someone can only succeed with our help? What if someone is on the brink? Are we just going to watch? - his voice grew quieter, almost doubtful.
- Yes, - came the cold reply from Shantha, a woman in black attire with eyes that shone like stars. Her words carried the weight of a verdict: - We are observers, not their saviors. Do what you're tasked with, and don't ask questions
Her words brought a heavy, tense silence. Even Venlas, known for his defiance, said nothing.
- Well, if anyone feels like intervening, be my guest, - Zenkaros drawled lazily, leaning on the crossed hilts of his swords. His smile was barely perceptible, as though he found amusement in the conversation.
Venlas scowled deeper but remained silent, clenching his fists. The others turned away, focusing on the events below. No one dared to continue the discussion.
Bob stood motionless, his face calm, but there was a flicker in his eyes that could be mistaken for contemplation. A moment later, he vanished, transporting himself to his contenders, observing their first steps into the Domain of Beginnings.
The other Guides dispersed as well some moving closer to their contenders, others staying on the island to observe from afar.
Meanwhile, in the Game House Zircol, the atmosphere was lively. Thousands of tables floated in the endless expanse, resembling tiny islands surrounded by holographic projections of worlds and contenders.
At each table, games, discussions, and deals unfolded, capable of altering the very laws of reality. But one table drew particular attention: the one where Gamegod, Lido, Pharaoh, Grizzly, Tritot, and Faeria sat.
Each of them exuded a unique aura. Gamegod seemed to fill the entire table with his energy, palpable to everyone present. Lido, seated beside him, appeared calm, his attention fixed on the screens.
Grizzly, the embodiment of physical might, lazily drummed his fingers on the table's surface, occasionally casting interested glances at the events on the screens. Tritot, ancient and wise, observed in silence, as though analyzing every move. Faeria, full of enigmatic grace, studied the table as if reading the hidden magic permeating the proceedings.
Lido caught a few glances from nearby tables. Some of the Supreme Beings were clearly intrigued by Gamegod and his companions but didn't dare disturb their solitude. The surrounding space seemed to quiet when the attention of these powerful entities focused on the screens.
- Are you serious about giving them such a chance? - Pharaoh, seated across from Gamegod, spoke lazily, his voice deep, like the rumble of distant thunder. He glanced at one of the screens, where one of Lido's contenders was struggling, teetering on the brink of defeat.
Gamegod didn't turn, his gaze remained fixed on the game.
- It's not a chance, - he replied softly. - It's a choice. They will either succeed or disappear
Grizzly let out a grunt, leaning back in his chair, the massive frame creaking under his weight.
- A boring game so far, - he muttered. - Not sure it's worth the effort
- You'd be surprised, - Faeria interjected, her voice like the rustle of wind. - Sometimes even the weakest can rise beyond expectations
Tritot finally looked up, his aged voice deep and deliberate:
- Worlds are created and destroyed because of games like these. And yet, Gamegod, you always find a way to surprise even us
Lido sat at the table, paying them no attention, his focus locked on the screens where his contenders fought for their place in the game. The silence at the table was tense but filled with hidden meaning.
Each seated figure appeared entirely absorbed in their own thoughts. Magic swirled in the air, saturating the space around the table with a dense, almost tangible mist.
Pharaoh, his figure exuding refinement and nobility, slowly passed his hand over the table's surface, creating gentle waves of light. His golden eyes gleamed as he shifted his gaze from the screens.
- You're too quiet, Lido, - he said softly, his tone devoid of aggression but filled with an intent to read his companion. - Unusual for someone participating in these games for the first time. I haven't seen you here before
Lido lifted his eyes for a moment but, instead of replying, returned his focus to the screens. His silence brought a faint smile to Pharaoh's face.
- A wise decision, - Pharaoh noted approvingly, as though drawing a conclusion for himself. - They say the game speaks for itself. But… sometimes, it's better to know who your opponents are, don't you think?
- Pharaoh, - Faeria interjected, her voice calm yet tinged with a melodic quality. - Are you trying to distract him from the game? Surely you don't have time for conversations when your own contenders aren't exactly in leading positions
Pharaoh glanced at her with a gentle smile, his expression radiating tranquility.
- Isn't that part of the game? - he asked, casually leaning against the back of his chair. - To observe, analyze, uncover weaknesses… That's always been our strength, Lady Faeria. But you're right, - he nodded slightly toward the screens, where images of his contenders flashed.
- My contenders are managing. For now
Grizzly, who had been silent until now, simply grunted. His massive figure seemed immovable, but his fingers drummed lightly on the table's surface.
- You two talk too much, - he said in a low voice, his eyes fixed on the screens. - In the end, if someone fails, it's only their failure
Tritot, the elder with quiet wisdom, raised his gaze. His words were unhurried but carried weight.
- Failures are an integral part of the path. But it is their absence that makes the game dull, - he remarked, as though addressing everyone at once.
Gamegod silently observed, his face calm and almost detached. Yet, within his gaze lay an interest hidden behind an indifferent mask.
- Everyone has their own way of playing, - he finally said, his voice quiet yet resonating as though emanating from the space itself.
Pharaoh's faint smile deepened, his calmness spreading across the table, dissipating the remaining tension. Yet the silence following his words only heightened the magic in the air. In that silence, each of those present kept a watchful eye on their contenders, whose battles on the screens increasingly captured their attention.
A familiar face appeared on one of the screens. It was Fenri, one of Lido's friends. He was in the center of the Domain of Beginnings the first stage of Extreme Ascension. Shadows swirled around him manifestations of his fears and weaknesses. Voices, filled with threats and reproaches, echoed through the space, pressing on his consciousness.
Fenri fought with all his might, but it seemed he was on the verge of giving up. His knees trembled, his movements grew uncertain, and the shadows tightened their grip. Yet, he still held on.
Lido shifted his gaze to the other screens. His 441 contenders, each isolated, faced similar trials. All stood on the brink of failure, surrounded by their fears, which bore down on their minds. More than 98% of his contenders couldn't take the decisive step forward. They hadn't completely fallen, but their strength was waning like a flame deprived of air.
The first domain greater than I expected, Lido thought, watching as most of his contenders remained motionless, unable to continue.
- Amusing, - Pharaoh said mockingly, his gaze landing on Lido's screen. - It seems your contenders are ready to surrender before the real game even begins.
Grizzly, lazily drumming his fingers on the table, smirked.
- If they can't pass the first domain, what comes next? Maybe you should focus on the ones still moving
Lido frowned, his thoughts slowly piecing together a larger picture. He observed the other screens, where the contenders of other Supreme Beings had already begun advancing through the first domain. Their movements were confident, their decisions deliberate. In contrast, his own contenders, under the same conditions, clearly lagged behind.
For a moment, he pondered. The contenders of all Supreme Beings were summoned through the same system. They weren't seasoned masters who had spent years preparing for Ascension. They had only recently gained their powers, with little understanding of their nature or limits. Yet, the difference between his group and the others was stark.
Lido turned his gaze back to the screens. On one, a contender of Pharaoh's tore through clusters of darkness, surrounded by a sparkling light that clearly didn't originate from him. On another, a contender of Faeria's, encircled by magical whirlwinds, muttered something, and the shadows before them dissipated.
Their steps are precise, their actions deliberate. They act as if they know what to do, Lido thought, his gaze catching a flicker of magic. This isn't their doing. It's their patrons' work.
His gaze returned to Fenri. The shadows around his friend thickened, each one becoming almost tangible. These weren't fabricated illusions or artificial magic they were real fears, deeply rooted. Lido knew that Fenri had no external aid, no support other than his own strength. Yet, perhaps that might be enough.
They're helping them, the realization struck Lido. The others at the table had already intervened in the game. They weren't helping all their contenders, of course just the ones they favored, the ones they had chosen as their champions. This subtle guidance didn't break the rules but significantly eased the contenders' progress.
His gaze shifted back to Fenri. The shadows around his friend were pressing in, every movement draining him. Another of Lido's contenders, Isabelle, stood before a swirling barrier. Her breathing was labored, her hands trembled, yet she took a step forward. The barrier quivered in response, sending a wave of force that knocked her back.
She rose to her knees, despair filling her eyes. Lido lingered on her for a moment but didn't interfere.
- They're fighting as best they can, - he muttered to himself. - Let it remain their battle
On another screen, another contender a young man with disheveled hair struggled to maintain control over a torrent of magical energy threatening to crush his mind. Instead of succumbing, he focused, and golden sparks flared around him. His steps grew surer, and the barrier before him dissolved.
- Interesting, - Pharaoh drawled, his voice soft as silk but with a sharp edge of mockery. - Lido, your contenders seem to be searching not for a way forward but for an excuse for why they're here. Is that your strategy? Or are you just watching as their own shadows suffocate them?
He made a slight motion with his hand, and one of the screens before him expanded. On it, one of his contenders confidently crossed a zone of darkness, their steps precise, the voices within the domain falling silent.
- There, mine, - Pharaoh continued, tilting his head slightly. - They've already realized fighting the darkness is pointless. It fears only one thing light
Faeria smiled, her golden eyes glimmering.
- Perhaps Lido is waiting for the right moment to act, - she said. - Isn't that the essence of the game? Watching and intervening when no one expects it
Grizzly chuckled, his massive hands resting on the table.
- Or he's just decided to let them die on their own, - he added with a lazy smirk.
Lido ignored their remarks. He knew his contenders were on the edge. More than 98% were nearing failure in the first domain, with only a handful managing to push forward. He realized that if he did nothing, they would fall one by one.
His gaze fixed on Fenri once again. It would take only one act of will to change everything. He didn't need to save them from their trials that would violate the spirit of the game. But he could give them a spark, a reminder that they were capable of fighting.
Taking a deep breath, Lido let go of his doubts. His will, invisible but palpable, began to gently weave into the space around Fenri, like a breeze touching the faintest shadows. For a moment, everything froze, as though reality itself held its breath.
Fenri raised his head, his breathing steadied. He took a step forward, then another. The shadows began to retreat, and the light that Lido had subtly infused into the space brought strength back to his friend.
- Interesting, - Tritot said, his ancient voice echoing like a whisper through time. - It seems you've finally decided to intervene, Lido
Everyone at the table turned their attention to Lido's contenders. For such ancient beings, it was obvious when someone manipulated reality, even subtly. Each of them had lived through countless epochs and could recognize the faintest touch of interference.
Lido's hesitation had intrigued them for some time. Unlike the others, who subtly guided their champions from the beginning, Lido had refrained from intervening. This restraint puzzled and amused them in equal measure. Why was he holding back? What was his plan?
- So, you've finally joined us, Lido, - Pharaoh said lazily, his tone carrying a clear note of mockery. - Your contenders look like they've long forgotten why they're here. And you're letting them suffer
Faeria's smile deepened, her gaze fixed on the screen where Fenri took his first confident steps after Lido's intervention.
- You made us wait, - Faeria murmured, her voice soft, like the rustling of leaves. - But what I find curious, Lido, is whether you waited for their failure… or their realization? You remain a mystery to us. You're clearly in no hurry to make them stronger. Do you have special plans for them?
- Perhaps, - Lido replied calmly, his eyes still on the screen.
His subtle guidance began to show results. Fenri was moving forward, shedding his fears as the shadows around him dissipated. Still, Lido knew it wasn't enough.
The other contenders at the table were already confidently advancing through the second and third domains. Their steps were precise, their actions calculated. This wasn't a result of their own effort it was the work of their patrons.
- Your methods are too obvious, Pharaoh, - Tritot remarked suddenly, his voice like the whisper of ancient winds. - You're far too noticeable in your manipulations. But Lido… Lido operates differently. I didn't expect him to intervene at all
- Noticeable? - Pharaoh repeated with a faint smirk. - We're playing, Elder Tritot. The game is meant to be engaging, not dull. If I want to guide my contenders to make them better, I will. There's no shame in that
Grizzly snorted, crossing his massive arms over his chest.
- True, but there's no finesse in it either, - he added, watching his own contenders. - Lido, you've surprised us. You let them struggle long enough to catch our attention. What's your plan from here?
Lido didn't respond. He felt their stares, heard every word, but it didn't faze him. Everyone at this table knew his contenders were on the brink, yet Lido saw more than they did.
Lido's gaze remained fixed on the screen, his expression calm, though his thoughts turned over slowly, like pieces of a puzzle coming together. He reflected: You think they're weak because I haven't interfered… But weakness isn't about falling. It's about not getting back up.
His focus returned to Fenri. The shadows surrounding the contender pressed in tighter, weighing heavily on his mind. Lido concentrated, his will moving invisibly through the space to touch Fenri. A faint flash of light rippled through the domain surrounding the contender. It wasn't a command or a gift of power it was merely a reminder:
You can do this. Just take the step.
He wasn't going to walk their paths for them. His goal was different: to help them discover their potential and learn to rely on themselves.
It's their journey, Lido thought. I'll guide them, but I won't take the steps for them.
A subtle flow of strength spread around Fenri and a few other contenders. None of them noticed the interference, but each felt a flicker of awakening within. Their steps grew surer, their eyes glinted with renewed determination.
- This will be a long journey, - Faeria said softly, her golden eyes sparkling. - But it seems he's ready to truly play now
- Let's see how long he lasts, - Grizzly added, his voice laced with hidden amusement.
Lido allowed a faint smile to touch his lips as he returned his focus to his contenders. The Ascension had only just begun.
Deep within the meditative trance, Fenri fought against the shadows of his fears. His mind was filled with voices whispering:
- You're not strong enough. You'll never pass this trial. You were chosen by mistake
He closed his eyes, trying to concentrate. I'm stronger than this. I won't let them beat me. But each step felt like struggling against the current of a river that grew stronger with every moment.
Even with the support of the Supreme Beings, not all contenders could overcome their challenges. Their own mistakes, recklessness, or lack of preparation often became fatal.
Bob stood before the meditating contenders, his gaze focused on their still forms. The expansive field resembled a battlefield, though instead of weapons, the contenders fought themselves. Their bodies were motionless, yet their faces betrayed the intensity of their struggles: some grimaced, some murmured, and others appeared lifeless, though their breathing was still faintly audible.
Bob noticed one contender twitch. His eyes snapped open, but there was no light in them. They were empty. His body remained here, but his consciousness… his consciousness was gone.
- Another one lost, - Bob muttered, turning away. - They're falling slower than I expected
The contenders were in the process of Extreme Ascension, traversing dangerous realms within their minds.
Bob didn't need to guess what was happening. He saw how some of them, once seemingly strong, suddenly ceased moving. Their auras dimmed, their eyes opened, but they were void of life. These contenders became hollow shells, their consciousnesses vanishing, taking everything with them.
- They're losing themselves, - Bob said quietly, his voice echoing through the stillness of the island. - Their bodies remain, but their minds and souls are no longer here
His gaze fell on one contender whose body had just stilled. It was a young man who, only a moment ago, had worn a tense expression, clearly grappling with something immense. Now he resembled a doll: his face indifferent, his eyes staring blankly ahead.
Bob understood this was a failure. The contender's consciousness had shattered, unable to withstand the pressure. The Supreme Beings wouldn't intervene to restore him this was part of their game.
Bob continued his silent observation while, far away, beyond his understanding, the forces deciding the contenders' fates sat at a table in the Game House. Lido and the others, existing in their own realm, watched as their chosen faced shadows and fears. The images flickered across the screens before them.
- Another hundred lost, - Faeria remarked, her voice calm but tinged with mild frustration. - Even with our help, they continue to vanish
- They're too weak, - Grizzly said lazily, leaning back in his chair. - You can give them all the power in the world, but if they lack sense, they'll destroy themselves
- Lido, - Pharaoh addressed him, his gaze fixed on the screens. - Do you realize your group is on the brink? Or are you planning to keep pretending it doesn't matter?
Lido didn't respond to Pharaoh's words, though his thoughts churned. His contenders were nearing failure in the fourth domain. He watched as some clung desperately to life, barely advancing, while others slowed as if sinking into their own darkness.
Why am I still holding back? he wondered. The others support their favorites, but if I interfere too soon, they'll remain dependent on my strength. Yet if I wait too long… it will be my failure.
His gaze returned to Fenri. Lido understood that his friend could be the one to lead the others, but he needed a push a subtle nudge. This was the moment when intervention could tip the balance.
Lido focused again, his eyes locked on the screen where Fenri, one of his favorites and closest allies, was fighting with all his might to complete his Revelation in the fourth domain. Sparks of light flickered around him, as if he were finding a path through the darkness.
- He's starting to understand, - Lido murmured, his voice barely audible at the table.
The Domain of Ascension
Fenri stepped into the final domain, where light enveloped him, as though he had reached the heart of a star. This light didn't just surround him it permeated every particle of his being, filling him from within. There was no peace or silence here. Everything churned, as if the very energy of creation sought to test him.
Every cell in his body burned, every nerve screamed. But Fenri knew: this wasn't the end it was only the beginning.
- Here, you will leave behind everything you once were, - a voice echoed, filling the space. It sounded louder than anything Fenri had ever heard, as though it came from the light itself. - You stand at the threshold. Can your steps cross this boundary?
Before him, something materialized. It wasn't a physical barrier but a wall woven from his fears, doubts, and old beliefs. Within it, he saw everything he had left behind: the dense darkness of the Domain of Beginnings, the sparks of power from Genesis, his reflection in Revelation, and the inner chaos he had released in Enlightenment.
Everything was gathered here, forming a single knot the final barrier.
Fenri took a step forward. The barrier trembled, reacting to his presence. A wave of energy pierced his body, forcing him to halt. It felt as though he was being torn apart, the light burning away everything he was.
- Leave behind your essence, - the voice intoned like a spell. - Abandon your mortal nature
Fenri closed his eyes, feeling his body consumed by flames. This wasn't merely physical heat but the burning of his very self his mortality, his former identity. He recalled everything he had endured to reach this point: every pain, every sacrifice, every step forward.
Is this me… or who I used to be? he whispered, his voice trembling but filled with determination.
He slowly inhaled, sensing pieces of his old self begin to crumble. His fears, his goals, his weaknesses all dissolved, becoming mere memories. This wasn't just a renunciation it was the birth of something new. He allowed the light to destroy the old so it could build anew.
The barrier shuddered and resonated, as though resisting, but it slowly began to dissolve. Fenri took another step forward, feeling the light saturate every fragment of his being. At first, there was a sensation of disintegration, as though his body was being broken down into the smallest components. But then came understanding.
He no longer felt his body it was gone. All that remained was energy: pure, infinite, free. It pulsed within him, like the very breath of the universe. He realized he had become something entirely new.
As the light receded, he stood at the center of the domain. His hands glowed softly with inner radiance, his thoughts were clear, and his body felt light yet immensely powerful. He was no longer the same. He was greater. He was now Ascended.
Before him, a radiant door materialized, leading beyond the Domain of Ascension. But standing at its threshold was another figure. It was him a childlike version of himself from long ago. The boy looked up at him with curiosity, as though seeing a stranger.
- Who are you? - came a voice, clear and familiar.
Fenri froze. Standing before him was himself as a child. The boy's gaze was searching, almost skeptical.
- I'm Ascended, - Fenri replied, his voice steady, though doubt flickered in his heart.
- Ascended? - the boy repeated, frowning. - That's what you've become. But that's not who you are. Do you even know who you are?
- I… I'm the one who fought to become this, - Fenri answered hesitantly.
- No, - the boy shook his head, his gaze stern. - You've forgotten. No matter what you become, you are always who you were. No one can take your true self away unless you let them
Hadn't he become what he had always strived for? A higher being, free from mortal weaknesses?
- I told you I'm Ascended, - he repeated, though now with less confidence.
The boy shook his head again, his eyes flaring brighter.
- How could you forget who you are? No matter what you become, no matter who you were, you always remain yourself
The words pierced him like a lightning strike. Fenri felt an arrogance he hadn't even recognized within himself dissolve. He suddenly understood: his status didn't define his essence. His power wasn't what made him who he was. He was simply… himself.
- That's right, - he said slowly. - I am who I am. No more, no less. Even if I become Supreme, I will remain myself. I won't let anyone change me except me
A smile brightened the boy's face. He stepped closer and embraced Fenri. There was a warmth in the gesture, a kind of comfort Fenri hadn't felt in ages.
- Don't forget who you are, and remember why you keep moving forward, - the child whispered.
Ahead, the door swung open, its brilliance dazzling but serene. It led to a new world, not one of trials, but of his own making. Fenri stepped forward, knowing that power wouldn't change him or corrupt him. He would remain true to himself.
This new life was only the beginning.