MMORPG: Rise of the Primordial Godsmith

Chapter 1448: Myriad Prodigies: First Round - Valyr (6)

”…Man.”

Whoosh!

Watching his mental strength slowly tear the 8th illusion apart, a wry smile adorned Valyrʼs face, the situation heʼd been in earlier still lingering within his mind.

ʼTo think these illusions would make use of my memories to the fullest in bringing out certain emotions,ʼ thought the young man to himself, briefly thinking back to the various illusions heʼd gone through.

Naturally, with how many of them heʼd gone through already, he was more or less able to figure out that each illusion invoked a certain feeling from him. Thanks to the 7th illusion, he was able to come to the conclusion that every illusion he needed to go through would be based on negative emotions.

For the first seven illusions, it was the seven deadly sins.

For the illusion he just completed, it was betrayal.

However, aside from each illusion focusing on a certain negative emotion, every illusion also made use of a certain memory in his mind that allowed that emotion to magnify to the fullest.

In fact, the illusion heʼd just gone through was based on his memory from the final battle, specifically the moment where all their efforts in trying to resist the other sideʼs onslaught had turned to naught.

ʼIn one fell swoop, over 40% of our people decided to switch sides and help the opposing side claim victory.ʼ As these words echoed within Valyrʼs mind, the young man gazed at the gradually fracturing sight before him.

Similar to how his memories from back then unfolded, incessant bouts of fighting could be seen throughout the vast battlefield, the expressions of the people on his side filled with immense disbelief at the sudden twist of the situation.

Although a part of him continued to remain detached from the effects of the illusion, Valyr still could not help but feel a slight ache in his heart the moment he saw his comrades fall to their foes once more.

Yet, with a calming breath, he was able to return himself to the task at hand, reminding himself that he was inside an illusion.

”Letʼs just hope the final illusion isnʼt too bad,” muttered the young man, the illusion surrounding him finally shattering as he was brought to the 9th and final illusion of the test.

…

”To think heʼd be able to break through the first eight illusions in less than two hours…”

Continuing to watch Valyrʼs progress on the test by the side, the woman was left at a complete loss for words at the utter speed he proceeded through the test.

”Since I explained the criteria for the grades earlier, thereʼs no problem if he stops his test now and admits defeat before the 9th illusion,” she muttered to herself. ”After all, heʼs already lit up eight of the nine pillars. Thatʼs already enough for Platinum.”

”However, with his mental strength, it also wouldnʼt be surprising if he clears the final illusion and completes the entire test all the way through.”

”But then again…” The woman frowned. ”That might be difficult.”

Having been approached directly by the tournamentʼs organizers to come up with a test for mentality, the woman eventually came to the conclusion that utilizing negative emotions was the best way to do so.

After all, if one couldnʼt remain calm and composed even in the worst of scenarios, would one be considered to have a strong mind?

With that in mind, she was able to quickly formulate the test Valyr and the others were currently taking, using the seven deadly sins to let those taking the test understand what they had to withstand.

Of course, to truly make it a test that allowed those with talent to stand out from the rest, the last two illusions were different from the rest, focusing on emotions that even she found difficult to endure.

Betrayal…

…And remorse.

…

Whoosh!

Being greeted by the dark void of space the moment he entered the 9th illusion, Valyr already formed a rough idea in his head the moment he took a look at his surroundings.

Shifting his gaze towards his front, the young man was immediately greeted by the sight of the massive Earth. However, unlike the Earth he knew, its cerulean waters and verdant lands… were razed and shattered beyond recognition.

Bang!

Seemingly containing a powerful energy deep within, the planet he knew as Earth eventually blew up all of a sudden, turning the planet where billions upon billions of people previously lived into an agglomeration of lifeless chunks of rock.

Gazing to his sides, the young man could see a massive number of people also floating in the darkness of space, their faces covered in tears as the destruction of Earth appeared before them.

ʼFuck me…ʼ Although the sight before him led up to the part where the heavens gave him a second chance, the young man could not help but continue looking at the sight from a negative view.

After all, with a disgusting feeling deep within him beginning to intensify at the broken Earth, Valyr immediately knew what kind of emotion he had to endure for the 9th and final illusion.

ʼRemorse.ʼ

ʼThese illusions are really harsh,ʼ thought Valyr to himself, silently chuckling as he shook his head.

Then, with a low sigh, he returned his gaze towards the shattering Earth in front of him, briefly glancing at the other people that slowly withered away from the inhospitable void.

Vividly recalling the moment Earth imploded in his past life, the young man knew that it was around that time he began to list down the many what-ifs he had in mind, the multiple questions he asked himself that could have changed their odds at winning.

It was also around that time that he asked the heavens to grant his wish, to give him the opportunity to start over anew and correct the wrongs heʼd made.

Yet, with the opportunity to see the same exact scenario unfold before him a second time, Valyr was calm.

ʼI still feel regret for the things I couldʼve done… the things I shouldʼve done…ʼ murmured the young man to himself inwardly.

ʼIf I was stronger… if I was smarter… if I was a better leader… then perhaps, the tides of battle wouldʼve gone to our favor.ʼ

ʼPerhaps Earth would have remained ours… and I wouldnʼt be here reliving this moment a second time.ʼ

Letting out a slight sigh, the illusion surrounding Valyr began to crumble.

ʼHowever, there is no point dwelling in it. The heavens have accepted my plea, and I am continuing to make an effort in righting the wrongs that shouldnʼt have happened.ʼ

ʼThereʼs no point mulling over what was happened,ʼ he inwardly muttered, the cracks throughout the illusion expanding.

ʼThe past cannot be changed. And even if it was possible, could one still call that the past?ʼ

ʼIf anything, I should focus on the present, and aim towards the future.ʼ

ʼFor only then… shall history be rewritten according to my will.ʼ

Bang!