The Path Of All Things

Opening the system felt different for everyone.

For me, it was… relaxing, as if my body drifted through a sea of stars, bathing itself in freedom. For some people, it was a furious thunderstorm, or a raging lava river. I never understood why my travels into the system were so peaceful. I was called Zen of The Blind Fury, after all.

What was [The System]?

Its name was [The Path of All Things]. A mysterious interface which appeared after the [World Merge], capable of granting the user tremendous power as it advanced. It wasn't something we could explain, yet it was something all living things in this world could experience.

The key to opening the system seemed to be [Experience] and [Talent], but there had been cases where people opened it through life or death situations, or even consuming items.

For all intents and purposes, time stopped outside this space right now, even if it seems only in my mind. A stopped clock as long as I was in here, but the system wasn't one to stay idle.

To be honest, I wasn't sure where that was, why the hell it existed or who created and controlled it.

For gamers like me, we could understand it as a [System Menu], ruled by a voice, and capable of bestowing immense power to the user through its choices. I stopped drifting, a ghostly, ethereal form in front of me, one that made little sense, and even less sense as time went on.

"Welcome, user, to the Path of All Things. With enough power, all living things choose their fate. The user may choose which trail to follow. There will be no answers. The user will know all that is needed to be known. The Path grants power to all. Choose wisely, for the Path cannot change."

I kind of missed this part. I already knew it wouldn't answer anything else, so I didn't bother asking. Trails of light danced around in a dazzling spectacle. Inside each one of them was a class or a job, a certain archetype of powers and skills familiar to anyone who ever played an RPG in our world.

Each trail was a path, each path had many possibilities. Even if someone started on the same trail, experiences in the world changed your choices. Sometimes hidden and powerful classes became available. Not all people were blessed with the same opportunities. Unlike an RPG, there was no intentional balance.

The first time I opened this system, only one trail was available: The Swordsman Class.

I couldn't hide the excitement in my face as many trails appeared. Swordsman. Fighter. Martial Artist. Scout. Defender. Commander. Wizard. Poisonous Assassin.

Poisonous Assassin? A hidden class!

Did the Ath'Taren poison trigger its requirements?

Concentrating on a trail brought forth some information. However, it was a mistake to think it was complete and focus solely on it. From my experience, there was no limit to the system, and even the weakest of trails could become amazing with some luck and effort.

It was a pity I didn't plan to follow that path.

I was used to being a warrior. In my higher ranks, I added some magic, but the sword already became a part of me, and it would be foolish to give up years of experience. Fighter, Swordsman, and Martial Artists could use swords, each in their own way.

I followed the Trail of The Swordsman. Information flowed into my brain, explaining abilities and their uses.

[Sword Mastery] granted intuitive use of swords at a beginner level if the current level was lower. [Flow of Qi] granted knowledge of Qi and its flow at a beginner level if the current level was lower. [Sword Slash] was the only offensive skill. [Physical Boost] used Qi to enhance physical abilities for a short duration.

There wasn't any information on the exact duration or something like a cooldown of the skills. Those things had to be tested and changed from person to person according to their characteristics. Sword Mastery and Flow of Qi also added "if the current level was lower".

It meant that with no experience with a sword, it would grant the user knowledge to use it in what it assumed to be the "Beginner level", the same with Sensing the Qi flow. In short, it turned the user into an experienced person on their trail instantly.

This was the main reason opening the system raised our survival chances.

Next, I received [Ath'Taren poison Immunity] and the innate ability [Quick Thought].

As anyone would have noticed, my innate ability allowed me to think and react fast. It was especially handy on a battlefield, and the reason I grabbed a spot as a commander, despite having a late start in the system. The Ath'Taren poison immunity was a welcome addition that could save me from a lot of headaches.

There was nothing else to do other than to wait for the system to send me back.

But nothing happened.

"Huh? System, send me back." Could it be a bug? Suddenly, another wave of Trails of Light appeared, "What? But I already chose... unless..."

What?!

Multiple Trails?!

How could this happen already?!

There was a reason humans from our world would stand after the [World Merge], despite this chaos and everything stacked against us from the beginning. Tremendous potential.

Unlike most of the invaders and people from other worlds, Old Earth Humans opened the Path by their own will and chose their trail. Most of the other beings had a fixated trail from the beginning.

But that was not the only reason. The true potential was our ability to receive multiple trails at higher ranks. It didn't appear for everyone, but it happened a lot more to Old Earth Humans than to the people of other worlds.

Multiple trails at the first rank were rare. Soojin was one of them, becoming one of the most powerful beings before her death. This opportunity now appeared before me.

I had a second chance, knowledge and experience of a lifetime, and even a perfect start into the system with multiple classes. I was not used to having such benefits, but wasn't against it either.

The trails were the same as before, without the Swordsman Trail. I didn't need another physical class. Commander, Wizard, and Poisonous Assassin would be excellent choices.

However, the Commander Trail wouldn't give me any immediate help as it focused on leading. My situation was dangerous, even with the Path. Any other trail gave me more help. The Poisonous Assassin Class was good at subterfuge, making my survival easier, and the natural ability with poison was deadly.

But I wasn't the type to go around things. More like straight through them with power.

The Wizard Class. Versatile, powerful, and familiar, which meant a start with experience. Also, without access to a sword, it would definitely come in handy. It would give me access to MaQi, the flow of Magic Qi, allowing both a Qi and MaQi pool, and several possibilities.

I grabbed the Wizard Trail, prompting another flow of information to my brain.

[Magic Mastery] granted intuitive knowledge of magic at a Beginner level if the current level was lower, which increased cast speed, range, and power. [Flow of Magic] granted knowledge of Magic Qi, or MaQi, and its flow at a beginner level if the current level was lower. Qi was internal, Magic Qi was external. Qi burdened the body, Magic Qi burdened the mind.

Their inner workings had similarities, but possibilities and mysteries were endless and difficult to master.

As a Wizard, one had to choose a [Category of magic]. It was crazy how many types of magic were out there, but not all of them were open to me. I could choose a path of pure offensive magic, try my hand at defensive spells, support, or healing magic, or focus on spells to increase my physical abilities.

It was a tough choice without a right answer.

I smiled, shaking my head. What was I confused about?

My place was on the front lines. I would be the vanguard, the damage dealer, the unyielding sword. It made no sense to think about anything else. I only needed the greatest physical firepower, agility, and resistance I could get. I wasn't a true magician, but a true crazed sword wielding warrior.

If I tried to do everything, I would be amazing at nothing.

I chose the [Body Enhancement Magic] category. The system gave me two initial spells: [Power Up] and [Defense Up]. I intuitively knew how they work and how to cast them, the same as with my Swordsman abilities. [Power Up] amplified both Qi and MaQi power for a set duration, and [Defense Up] physical and magical resistances.

"The user has chosen and The Path has started."

The system finished abruptly. My consciousness drifted back to reality as if it never left. I was on the ground, the claws about to pierce me.

I grabbed the longclaw by the wrists, breaking them with no effort as I activated [Physical Boost].

New Qi flowed through my body, giving it newfound strength. I grinned as the once frightening Ath'Taren shrieked in pain.

Behind it, Ben's face went from happiness to surprise, and despair.

That's right. Despair. I'm coming for you.