System
I will become someone of importance…
The red light flickers violently, sending bursts of energy that halt the sword's descent. A crimson panel materializes in front of me, shimmering with an intense glow. Trembling, I lower my hands, which I had instinctively raised to shield myself, fully aware that they would have been powerless against the blade.
<System: Grand God of the Tenth Ring>
<Activating… >
Time seems to slow, the god himself slowing down, the sparks stopping in time, which shows the god is relentlessly trying to break out of the spell cast on him.
_________
[System]
One message…
Message playing: "If you are receiving this, it means I, the Tenth Master of the Tenth Ring, have been defeated, and the god who stood by my side has been sealed away. They've likely obscured this truth, perhaps by obliterating the world and inserting something they revere—an entity called 'the system'—to maintain order. Though I am not too sure what timeline this might appear, but this was recorded during the time of the genesis era.
However, You are now the next Grand God of the Tenth Ring, the sovereign of all ten rings of Morgetti. This 'sanctuary' you find yourself in is not what it appears to be—though I suspect you've already discovered that. The gods may be seeking you by now. You will be equipped with a system, crafted by Altia and myself. This system will align itself with your circumstances and aid you in your endeavors.
Remember this: Remain concealed until you are confident you can confront the gods. Everything comes at a cost with the system. Choose your path wisely. Good luck."
_________
The system glitches and errors appear just for a moment and Vitalis manages to break through the spell. The sword cuts through the red shimmer system display, splitting it in half and aiming directly for me. A miracle occurs, and my wants grow even more.
But questions are left simmer, what period was the genesis era? Nevertheless, slicing my thoughts is the system words appearing again.
[Do you accept this journey? Yes (or) No]
I want to survive, to live, to seek vengeance. The only way I can get it and take down this god forsaken universe of lies and mysteries is by using this system. "Yes," I mutter softly.
[System is accepted.]
<Transferring process… Locating the closest body on verge of death…>
<Found! >
Suddenly my body fades into red dust right before his eyes and I disappear.
After what felt like an eternity, my eyes finally flutters open. The robotic voice continues to echo in my ears, though it seemed distant. Blinking slowly, I realized I could barely see through the haze of my vision, interrupted by small strands of eyelashes. The overwhelming scent of blood flooded my senses, drowning out everything else and leaving me disoriented.
<Body rebuilding process is complete…>
The sound echoes once more, jolting me from my reverie. As I glance around, a new wave of shock washes over me, my gaze fixating on the unexpected limbs sprouting out of… me. Hands and legs sprawled out in front of me, I can't help but feel baffled by the surreal scene unfolding.
With a tilt of my new head, platinum blonde locks almost silver cascade over my face, blocking my vision. Yet, as I peer downward, a startling realization dawns upon me. I am naked, vulnerable in my newfound state of existence. My weak, emaciated form seems to cling to my bones, a mere shadow of its former self.
"Where am I?" The words escape my lips, my voice trembling with uncertainty. It that a sound I scarcely recognize, echoing with a fragility that mirrors my current predicament.
A minute ago, I was about to be split in half by Vitalis, and now I'm here, wherever this is.
_________
[System]
You are currently located in a dungeon
_________
The system answers, but instead of happiness, anguish follows. A dungeon, where beasts and other things roam. The only problem is, I'm not able to leave until I defeat the dungeon bosses. Unlike the rings where you can come and go as you please, with dungeons, you have to stay and finish them, unless something disastrous happens, then the gate which keeps us in would open again .
_________
[System]
And your current body's background is restricted….
_________
"Why here…" I murmur , desperation edging my voice.
The encounter with the God still lingering in my mind unforgettable as if the sword was still over my head. I wanted them to suffer, but there's only so far my want can go…Was I truly ready for this journey? Can I kill something so powerful and survive to take on an entire universe?
Then the message I didn't quite absorb flashes in my head again. Even so, one thing is certain: I needed that feeling of inadequacy to flip onto them. I want them to cower and beg for their lives, for them to feel the feeling of looming death.
I sigh, letting go of all my anger and hatred, I recall parts of the message from the first grand god. Though I'm not sure of the path I'm willing to follow, there's only one question I have. "How do I kill a god?" I ask out loud.
[Price: Your exp gain during your time in the dungeon will be reduced to half]
A price? Perplexed, but recalling the last words of the message that everything comes with a price. "I accept that," I say, knowing that the information is more important than anything else right now.
<Adding exp deduction…>
_________
[System]
The only thing that can end a god is another god. But you must be stronger and much more powerful to achieve such a thing.
_________
"I'll do it. I'll kill the gods," I swear, though I still wasn't sure if that's what I want or something else. Was I willing to sacrifice things for that? To become the very thing I hated just for the sake of revenge?
I wasn't.
Shaking my head, I try to get rid of my doubts, I recognize I need to see that message again. "System, please replay that message," I say out loud, moving slightly, but the sudden numbness in my lower body restricts my movement.
<Replaying message…>
Analyzing the message, each of the details creeps its way to me, the fact that I'm the next ringmaster, that the gods will go to such lengths to keep the past hidden from everyone… such lengths just to control this place and the lies that could still be hidden have the potential to shake up the entire universe.
That feeling—the stark realization of my insignificance in the presence of a being so far beyond human—still weighs heavily on me.
The oppressive aura he carried lingers like an invisible chain wrapped tightly around my neck, anchoring me to my deepest fears and self-doubts. It binds me to the overwhelming uncertainty I feel about myself and the world around me.