MMORPG: Rise of the Primordial Godsmith

Chapter 1589: Shattering Space?

”Hmm...”

Though the man’s identity as the Undying Ancient Monarch briefly caused the thoughts in Ataraxia’s mind to become an utter mess, it did not take long for Ataraxia’s train of thought to get back on track, prompting him to glance at the four paths ahead of him.

Briefly glancing at Aeramis to see if there were any hints in the man’s gaze just like before, the young man eventually returned his attention back to the paths, seeing that there were no hints from the man whatsoever this time around.

”I choose...”

With how the final path would pretty much give him the ability to cross space unimpeded if he were to complete it, the young man went ahead with what he felt was the most logical decision, choosing to proceed with the path of Shattering Space for his inheritance.

However, just before the name of the path he chose left his mouth, Ataraxia felt a sinking feeling envelop his entire body all of a sudden, making him feel as if he was just about to make the worst choice he could ever make in his life.

Slightly caught off guard by the suddenness of the sensation, the young man stopped his sentence before he could finish it, falling into a silence as he pondered over the four paths once more.

’...Am I overthinking this?’ asked Ataraxia to himself, wondering if the sudden feeling he got was just brought out by the exhaustion that had accumulated after grinding the Realm of New Horizons for over five days straight.

Though, as he went through the four paths in his mind in more detail, the young man eventually dismissed that thought.

Instead, he slowly came to the realization that the overwhelming sensation from before... indeed came from the decision of proceeding with the path of Shattering Space.

’If that’s the case, then why did my gut instincts react so strongly towards it?’ asked the young man to himself, finding it odd that his instincts would react that way over what seemed like a simple decision.

Even though he recalled a considerable number of cases in the past where his gut instincts also reacted to his decisions, this was the first time Ataraxia experienced his gut instincts react that intensely to a decision he made.

’I’ll probably find out why my gut instincts reacted that way soon enough.’

With the thought still lingering in his mind, the young man eventually came to a new conclusion, prompting him to look at Aeramis once more as he opened his mouth.

”I choose... the path of Breaking Barriers,” said Ataraxia, his expression now a measured calm.

”Breaking Barriers, huh?” In response, rather than be surprised by his decision to forgo choosing the new path he had introduced, the man calmly looked back at him.

”Is there a reason why you’ve chosen to forgo the path of Shattering Space?”

Listening to Aeramis’ words, the young man bitterly smiled. ”Although the rewards for clearing the path of Shattering Space is very tempting, I have a strong feeling I wouldn’t even be able to clear the first trial it throws at me.”

Taking a bit of time to collect his thoughts, Ataraxia’s expression turned solemn. ”You mentioned earlier that the path is something only trekked by those who push themselves to the limit over and over again.”

The man nodded in response.

”This might be just me, but...” Taking in a deep breath to compose himself, the young man’s gaze turned firm. ”A path that constantly pushes one’s self to one’s limits is a path that will ultimately lead to failure.”

”Instead, a path that maintains a balance between knowing one’s limits and pushing them according to the situation... is the right path.”

Seeing the man remain silent in response to his words, Ataraxia looked at him and waited for a bit, only to then speak up once more to conclude what he had to say about the matter.

”Of course, it wouldn’t be surprising if the path of Breaking Barriers throws trials at me that are far harder than what I expect.”

”However, unlike the path of Shattering Space, I could at least see the possibility of succeeding on the path of Breaking Barriers.”

The young man let out a wry chuckle at those words. ”I don’t really feel like I’d be able to clear the path of Shattering Space at all.”

”...” Continuing to remain silent, Aeramis stared at Ataraxia in the eyes, causing the latter to briefly feel as if every inch of his body was laid bare for the former to see.

Fortunately, just as the sensation of being entirely exposed began to feel uncomfortable for the young man, the man eventually retracted his gaze from him, only to let out a loud cackle not long after.

”Well said!” Aeramis grinned, giving the young man a proud gaze. ”Recognizing where your limits lie while also challenging it at the same time is the key to getting far on the path to the pinnacle.”

Whoosh!

Just as those words left his mouth, the fourth path gradually began to dissolve into nothingness.

After that, the first three paths slowly returned to their previous spots, making it seem as if the option of the fourth path wasn’t a thing in the first place.

”For showing me something I failed to recognize on my journey to the pinnacle, you have passed the hidden test of the inheritance,” said the man after that, briefly leaving Ataraxia at a loss for words.

”Wait...” Taking a bit of time to process the thoughts that were swirling in his mind, the young man eventually looked back at Aeramis in slight disbelief as he asked, ”Are you telling me the fourth path... was a test?”

”Indeed.” The man nodded.

”Does that mean the fourth path doesn’t exist, then?” asked the young man after that, inwardly thanking his gut instincts for warning him in advice.

”It actually exists,” clarified Aeramis in his reply. ”However, you wouldn’t have liked what would’ve happened if you were to force yourself to proceed on the path.”

Understanding the underlying meaning behind the young man’s gaze, he continued, ”Ideally, you would be able to inherit most of the abilities I’ve honed if you were more than capable enough to clear it.”

”But at your current capabilities, it would be fortunate if you were to be transported out of this realm without obtaining any rewards.”

”And if you were less fortunate...”

At those words, Ataraxia could only shudder, understanding what the man meant even without saying it.

”In any case, since you’ve passed my hidden test, you shall obtain a personal reward from me alongside the other rewards you may obtain while going through the path of Breaking Barriers.”

Not wanting to dwell on the topic further, Aeramis changed the topic of their conversation towards the young man’s choice of difficulty.

”As long as you remember to not overstep your bounds and recognize your limits, it wouldn’t be a problem for you to achieve great things on the path you’ve chosen.”

Saying these words, the man removed the first two paths of the inheritance, only leaving the path Ataraxia had chosen behind.

”Now, off you go, inheritor,” said the man soon after, forcing Ataraxia on the path with a strong gust of wind.

”Show me what you can achieve on the same path I trekked.”

Whoosh!