At the last spatial expansion of the Mini Game Dungeon, all the other races had been exterminated by the Human's. On a throne of bones, corpses and blood sat a bored but matured woman. Behind her was a chiseled middle aged man, he had streaks of gray in his beard and jet black hair.
"Fenrich had a pause for the greater part of nine full days, now my kid brother is rapidly climbing the Leaderboards again." The woman smiled proudly, but deep within her eyes was an unspoken sorrow.
"Destiny, Fate, Karma or whatever else you want to call it, it is a truly frightening existence. To think of all the suffering he had gone through already, and now our family must slaughter one another."
The middle aged man sighed ruefully, "You know Fenrich just as much as I do. He will not raise his blade against us. And even if he could, his distraught heart will be what reaps his current life at either of our hands."
A single tear dropped from their fathers eyes, "Allow me to put my son down, as long as I do it we have a high chance of preserving his Soul."
The woman also had a sigh of her own, "little bros new found allies will pave the way, and he will fail them because of us. Don't forget we must act our role in this storm of Fate."
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Fenrich and company remained on their crazy climb, blitzing through the expansion layers at an incredible pace, every five to seven levels on average they left one of their group members behind. Past enemies, new enemies and the peak powers of Humanity that previously blossomed stood before their way. Fenrich could have easily subdued and crippled all of them, but to Garen, Laura, Lukas and the others, it meant they were unworthy if Fenrich had to act and stop at every little roadblock.
Now all that remained was Isabella, Jackson and Laura, and their cycle had been broken by now more than ten expansions back. No more people stood in their way, but the insane amount of zombies, mutant beasts had been doubling or even tripling per layer they crossed through. It was obvious that no other groups had made it this far, but Fenrich's instincts were screaming at him. An overwhelming surge of reluctance and powerlessness began feeding on his psyche.
With their enhanced bodies, attribute points and Dao's by now they were all starting to burn out. It had been twenty-seven hours straight they had blitzed through a total of 84 expansion layers, Fenrich only stopped to gather the most important treasure chests or hidden treasures. Due to his newly heightened Luck stat and Sense stat, the most useful treasures "called" out to him, through the Sense stat, Fenrich could feel the condensed Mana, Qi or Dao in the treasures that remained silent.
Of course they had missed even far more opportunities, but from the words of the letter in Obliviscaris (the sage) foretelling. Fenrich couldn't let himself stop. Even his gut and instincts were acting up, if he stopped now it may be for the best. But… if he stopped now, who was going to bear the weight of his group's lives? Who was going to make Ren's sacrifice worth it? Who would repay Chiaki and Ren for their remaining belief in Fenrich, Sasha, Julia and Alex's survival? Most important of all, who would be the one to bear the countless sins and tragedies that had to be performed by human hands?
Fenrich had already done it once before, his hands were steeped in the foul karma, sin and misery of humanity and the lives of countless other races, demi-gods, Gods, Goddesses and Divine Beasts. With what little of the memories that were retained and could be actively viewed upon, Fenrich would be the Sin Bearer of humanity, even if it meant Karma and Fate was to actively be fighting against him.
When the Dao fought back against you because of how "corrupt" you've become, even God's would fall to the Dao. That would go doubly and triply for mortals who couldn't even resist the Dao, or shield their own Karma and Fate from the higher "eyes."
"You're overthinking things too much and it is making your Will fluctuate up and down. There is nothing we can do or any plans we can make until we reach the top." Laura came up by Fenrich who was so deep in thought that he hadn't even noticed her nudging him.
"You remain strong, but your Will is dampening and it will make whatever sword you wield brittle. At least that's what my Sword Dao is conveying to me. Allow us to share your burden, but do not go weak. We're relying on you, Fenrich." Laura said, letting her words sink in.
"My bad, my gut and instincts are screaming at me for something… I don't know what yet, but whatever it is, they're telling me to back down now to keep my life. But if I do that, I cannot keep my word or promise to those who have stayed behind, or you who still remain with me now." Fenrich said, drained and unstable. Causing his aura and Will to violently fluctuate up and down.
"Well, whatever it is. You will need to pull yourself together. Bring back that Will and Sharpness that refused to bow your head to Immortals. I saw a lot in that vision, you certainly do not look like the ruthless killing machine you make yourself out to be. I rather prefer this side of you where you would accept to share the burden, but now is not the time for you to be weak, Fenrich. Ryan needs you to keep him in check, his aura is weaker but is a clone to your own Abyssal aura. If you can't do this for yourself, do it for the people who are relying on you and put their lives in your hands to safekeep."
Fenrich nodded as he began looking at the single notification that came through in the last twenty-four hours. Thankfully, it was something related to the Soul. It alone would be able to truly understand his unspoken words.
[Ding! The Firmament Defiance Greatsword (Abyssal Attunement) has successfully been converted into a Soul Weapon, and is permanently bonded to your Soul. Inside is the budding intelligence of a young sentient Soul that is reliant upon your own Soul to nurture it.]
[Partner, this weapon's details hasn't changed a single major detail since you last saw it, but fundamentally and on a spiritual level, it has completely changed. If before it was but a small mote of light, it is now the equivalent to a star capable of radiating enough light for multiple galaxies.]
Fenrich nodded as he felt the appearance of his new Soul Weapon made its place known on his back and shoulders, from it a different kind of heat was transmitted. The anxiety and doubts were wiped away and replaced once more with his calm and confidence.
Firmament Defiance Greatsword (Pseudo-Legendary) (Evolvable)
Soul Weapon: Peak F Tier [Abyssal Attunement]
Durability: Unbreakable
Strength: + 30%
Agility: + 30%
Endurance: + 30%
Vitality: + 30%
Passive Effect 1: Increases the equippers basic and advanced attribute points by 40%
Passive Effect 2: Absorbs the Qi, Dao, Mana, Life Blood Essence of all slain enemies, converting all the energy into consumable attribute point orbs (quality and quantity decide the gained amounts of attribute points) 0/????????
Passive Effect 3: Increases the overall power of the equippers Mana by 45%
Passive Effect 4: Foundational Furnace - Drastically increases the overall quality and quantity of the equippers Mana, Dao and Qi. 0/25 Days to reach Bronze Foundation.
Passive Effect 5: Increases all the equippers Sword related Skills by +8 levels
Passive Effect 6: All Mana, Stamina, Qi, Dao energy, Soul energy, Sword Intent energies have their costs reduced by 70%.
Passive Effect 7: Increases the users Life Rating by 1 tier no matter how heavy one's foundations are that hold back Life Rating evolutions.
Passive Effect 8: Increases the overall power of equippers known Combat Techniques, Mana Combat Techniques by 55%
Active Effect 1: Firmaments Wrath - Increases the attributes of all party members, or designated allies by the equipper by 50% for 20 minutes, cooldown time - 15 hours.
Active Effect 2: Firmaments Domain - Converts an area of 250 meters into the Firmaments Domain. Weakens the natural senses of all enemies trapped within the domain, reduces the enemies basic and advanced attributes by 40%.
[Epic] Soul Weapon Skill 1: Tenebrous Abyssal Genesis Uses 1/12 regenerates 1 user per 2 hours (Fuses quick draw Combat Techniques with the Dao of Thunder to increase the power and speed by 3x. Deals 1,750% total burst damage, each use opens the gateway to the Dao of Thunder and Lightning which can later be combined into the Tenebrous Dao. (The true effects of this Skill cannot be quantified by the Omniverse Alpha System due to the change to a Soul Weapon.)
[Legendary] Soul Weapon Skill 2: Omni Abyssal Divide Uses 1/1 regenerates 1 use per 4 hours, (The current effects of this Skill cannot be quantified by the Omniverse Alpha System due to the change to a Soul Weapon.)
[Mythical] Soul Weapon Skill 3: Heavenly Wolf Multiverse Upheaval Uses 1/1 regenerates 1 use per 8 hours. (The current effects of this Skill cannot be quantified by the Omniverse Alpha System due to the change to a Soul Weapon.)
[Divine] Soul Weapon Skill 4: (Locked - Reach level 30 to unlock.)
[False Divinity] Soul Weapon Skill 5: (Locked - Reach level 75 to unlock.)
[True Divinity] Soul Weapon Skill 6: (Locked - Reach level 180 to unlock.)
[Ancestral God] Soul Weapon Skill 7: (Locked - Reach level 400 to unlock.)
Fenrich and group had been continuing on with their needless massacre as he was going through his notification and the reworked stats and Skills of his Soul Weapon, and all he had to truly say was damn.
[You see that broken piece of equipment there, partner? I did that!]
"No, you didn't. It was due to a -"
[Blah, blah and blah. Do you like listening to yourself talk? I'd have far more intellectual and fun conversations with a schizophrenic cow.]
The hours passed on evermore, Isabella passed out due to physical exertion and constant slaughter for thirty hours straight. She had gained numerous levels and due to the physical exertion she had awakened the first lock to her Holy Priestess Divine Body.
Even now while unconscious, the milky-white aura emitting from Isabella's body was washing away the physical and mental exhaustion. Not everybody's minds had been trained yet to accommodate long periods of time without some form of rest or sleep, the higher their attributes points and Life Ratings, the less sleep and food one will eventually need.
After another seven hours, the group had finally climbed to the top of the spatial expansions. Before them stood a dual pair of giant doors engraved with bones and skeletal ornamental decorations, some blood red rubies which Fenrich wasn't shy about swiping off the door. Soon, gems of all kinds would be able to be embedded into sockets within equipment to provide various unique effects or add extra attribute points based on their gem type, level, rarity and essence within them.
Upon standing before the obvious "boss room" doors, Fenrich gained an incredibly deep and incomprehensible feeling of weakness, reluctance and despair to the point that tears began uncontrollably falling down.
Without any control over his own body, let alone his emotions, Fenrich began walking toward the doors. Each step that Fenrich took, his aura was like a solitary flame sitting atop a candle. The slightest of gales could snuff it out.
Laura didn't say anymore, now she understood what Fenrich meant by his gut and instincts dampening his Will to the point it almost got snuffed out.
It was due to her Oathbound status as Fenrich's Blade, that those emotions were now being transmitted to her.
Laura cupped her head with her hands, a sudden and overwhelming headache assaulted her as she began seeing visions into a not so distant future.
Two individuals stood before Fenrich, his body shaked, tears fell pounding onto the concrete floor like thunder, a mature lady and a middle-aged man stood atop two pillars that were erected 80 meters into the air. The lady sat on a throne of skulls and bones, and the middle-aged man looked down to view Fenrich.
A small smile of sadness flashed on the mans face, then the vision was like when you fast forward a recorded or paused TV show, the scenes that played out was the man ripping out two hearts from Fenrich's chest, the lady then "pulled" out Fenrich's Soul in which the man inserted into a lifeless wooden puppet.
Tears ran down both figures' faces as they solemnly spoke.
"Sorry it had to end this way, baby brother."
"May you rest at ease, my son. Allow these old bones to carry the Sin that you've taken upon your shoulders. Rest, recuperate, and live in another lifetime away from the pain you have suffered twice."
Laura's vision snapped open as she shouted at Fenrich, "FENRICH, DON'T OPEN THE DOORS!"
But it was already too late, Fenrich pushed both doors open as if his Soul had been guided to do so without being able to regain control.
The two doors creaked open loudly, showing an interior like throne room solely lit by rows of candles with multi-coloured flames leading up to the pillars, followed by steps with a fiery red carpet and golden trim outline.
Due to their Oathbound connection, Laura felt the incredulous despair, agony, remorse, hatred and helplessness that Fenrich's Soul radiated. Fenrich visibly shook as if a dead leaf was still clinging onto the branches of its mother embrace. Laura could feel the increased rhythm of Fenrich's hearts beating in rapid succession.
"Father… sister… Why?"
Fenrich muttered as his voice was poisoned with weakness, despair and unwillingness to believe the scene he was viewing.
A golden wave of aura rippled out from the throne room, expanding and extending as it rippled across the entirety of Earth itself. Every human being had a prompt appear before their vision.
[World-Wide Karmic Event Ripple Alert: The current timeline is now at a sensitive point in time in which three key figures have reunited. One of those key figures is a Time Regressor that has traveled through the pools of Time from 100 years into the Future, causing the most extreme Time phenomenon that even True Gods could not achieve with the Dao. One of these key figures had seen the destruction of Humanity, and survived for fifty years as the only living Human being across the entire Omniverse. Whereas the other two are family members now sucked into the vortex of Karma and Fate that connects the "waters" of the womb. Humanity is now reaching upon a climatic event, will the Mortal Immortal Slayer fall to the blade that is "blood." Or will he cut through the "blood" to lead humanity onto a path far, far away from annihilation?]