Eternal Thief

Ace wasn’t hurried to challenge another trial of sin, for he was exhausted after what happened in the prosecution of Sloth.

Furthermore, Ace now knew that these trials were all about overcoming sins and then comprehending their mystical abilities. That’s why he wanted to recover to an optimal condition, not to mention that the voice never established any trial entry time.

However, right at this moment, just when Ace was about to sit cross-legged to recover, the violet sin pillar, which glimmered with the jagged glyph of a crown, right next to the pillar of sloth, suddenly pulsed and released a brilliant light.

Ace instantly felt something amiss the moment the pillar suddenly reacted, and a powerful light enveloped his tired body. He was enveloped in a profound majesty so suffocating that just looking upon it made the air in his lungs feel heavy.

’I guess I concluded too soon…’ Ace smiled wryly as he could guess what was going to happen.

Nonetheless, he wasn’t too frustrated as he quickly took another pill to recover his primordial spirit Qi as the violet light around him became blinding.

Thereafter, a crushing scion force erupted from the pillar the moment the pillar light fully covered Ace’s body.

Unlike Sloth’s weight of lethargy, this was a suffocating blaze of arrogance, like a tyrant’s gaze bearing down upon his very soul. Ace’s mind suddenly flickered with delusions of grandeur.

Right at that moment, a faint, beguiling voice surfaced in the depths of his mind, “You are above all. None is your equal. All others exist to kneel.”

The words clawed into him like hooks, whispering lies that felt like truth, and darkness swallowed the plain.

At that moment, the voice of the ancient resounded once more, echoing like a sovereign decree…

“Pride is the sin that crowns the self as god, denying flaw, refusing submission. It is the sin that blinds the Kings and buries Empires…”

Almost instantly, Ace’s eyes snapped open, and the law of Sin churned before his mind became slightly cleared.

However, what he saw shocked him to the end. For now, he stood upon a golden throne, towering above a countless ocean of faceless beings prostrating themselves. Endless mountains of treasure, weapons, and crowns lay at his feet, and above his head hung constellations in the shape of a radiant crown.

’The Sin of Pride…but what kind of trial is that?!’

Ace wasn’t expecting this kind of scene at all, because it was simply too unexpected; not to mention, he had no idea how he was supposed to overcome something like this or comprehend anything from it.

Right at that moment, the faceless masses suddenly began chanting his name, causing his eyes to widen as an overwhelming tide of worship washed over him. Moreover, as a thief, Ace was accustomed to living in darkness and hiding his true self; now, seeing this scene, he had no idea how to react.

But as the worshiping continued, every word sank into Ace’s bones, and a peculiar intent started fueling him with intoxicating power. The more he listened and observed their adoration, the stronger his soul grew.

Yet, with each surge of strength came the corrosion of intent. A whisper inside him grew louder:

“Why stop at the mortal heavens? Claim divinity. Claim eternity. You are the one and only…”

Ace was almost tempted when his inner world suddenly trembled with darkness, and his intoxicating expression stiffened.

His mind again became clear as he recognized it—this was not simply temptation, but corruption of will. If he indulged, his soul would warp, consumed by an endless arrogance that would leave no room for comprehension.

’The Sin of Pride is not simply about arrogance—it’s about dominance, self-deification, and blindness. To overcome it… I must master its intent without losing myself…’

Furthermore, Ace suddenly sensed something and looked up, startled as the golden crown above him blazed. While he had been busy indulging the worshiping, it had descended at some point.

Moreover, what made Ace’s heart palpitate was that the crown was almost over his head, and the faceless masses roared, urging him to accept. However, with a clear mind, Ace could feel that irresistible corruption of pride in that crown!

’Is this the real trial?!’ Ace gritted his teeth and his eyes turned cold, ’This crown is filled with the Sin of Pride, and it might be the key to overcome this trial because if Pride crowns itself as god, then its true mystic lies in command, not worship. I don’t need to bow to Pride—I must bend it to me!’

Although Ace wasn’t sure how much he was right, he let the crown descend and seared his soul.

But he didn’t wait and invoked the Sin Law’s resistances, which were now stronger after he comprehended the Law of Sloth. He steadied his mind, refusing to be drowned in delusion.

However, it was easier said than done because step by step, he wrestled with the torrent of Pride’s will. Every moment felt like fighting against an entire world demanding he kneel before himself.

Slowly, through agony, Ace suddenly felt something new emerging in his mind, and he knew he was right as he began to extract meaning.

After an unknown time…the crown suddenly released a brilliant light filled with profound intent, which seemed to disdain the whole reality…

At that moment…the Sin of Pride unfolded its mystic abilities in his soul just like the Law of Sloth as three mystical glyphs appeared.

Without hesitation, Ace started to comprehend those mystic abilities. The first one was the Crown of Dominion, a mystic ability that imposes absolute suppression upon enemies, forcing their will to bow or shatter.

The second was called the Eyes of the Sovereign, which grants piercing perception to see through weakness, disguises, and even illusions of equality, laying bare hierarchy.

The third was called the Authority Reversal, which allows the user to invert power structures, stealing dominance from the mighty and imposing it on the weak!

However, as Ace comprehended each of those mystic abilities, the ocean of worshipers warped, twisting from faceless submission to chaotic rebellion.

Furthermore, the golden crown upon his head cracked, turning jagged, seeking to crush him beneath its weight!