Rion stood by the secluded edge of the cliff and gazed at the vast expanse of red and black mountains before him with eyes that shone in determination.
It appeared that he had finally made up his mind to let go of the very thing... he always wanted.
He always wanted a life where he could be normal.
A life where he is not connected to some wires and machines to breathe.
A life of worth and meaning.
"I once read that the meaning of life is that it stops," He mumbled.
He wasn't frowning, nor was he smiling. He felt neither sadness nor joy. He knew he was running away from his fear but he didn't care.
"This life means too much to me... I may not stay what I am, but I will continue to live... isn't that what matters at the end?" He mumbled, trying to convince no one but himself.
He closed his eyes and bathed in the moment. His black hair fluttered with the wind, and ripples appeared in his light leather vest.
A minute later, he opened his eyes and muttered, "Inventory."
A video game-like Inventory screen flickered before him. It was mostly empty, but its first three slots had three books.
He focused on the books, and three tabs appeared beside the inventory.
————
Skill Book: Predator's Eyes
Type: Active
Description: Allows you to perceive the weak points of the targeted being.
[Assimilate?]
[Yes / No]
————
————
Skill Book: Heaven's Vector
Type: Active
Description: Aura-infused projectiles — be they arrows, daggers, or stones — will never miss their mark, unless blocked or interrupted.
[Assimilate?]
[Yes / No]
————
————
Skill Book: Immortal Body
Type: Passive
Description: Your body holds endless life essence. Your body can't be killed.
[Assimilate?]
[Yes / No]
————
He read the details listed before him with the same indifference and muttered, "Yes."
[Assimilating with skill book: Predator's Eyes!]
Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain at the corners of his eyes; it was as if someone was poking the ends with needles. He placed a hand on his mouth to stop any screams from leaving.
Tears rolled down his face, and a soothing sensation surged across his eyes.
The pain eased, the tears stopped, and a message appeared.
[You have assimilated with Skill book: Predator's Eyes!]
He opened his eyes, and they had turned piercing red, similar to his father's.
He looked around, but there was nothing for him to test them on, so he blinked again, and his eyes turned back to blue.
Right then, another message screen popped up.
[Assimilating with skill book: Heaven's Vector!]
His hands instantly moved to cover his mouth, but surprisingly, there was no pain; instead, he felt the same soothing sensation at his heart.
[You have assimilated with Skill book: Heaven's Vector!]
He didn't feel much change in himself, most probably because he still couldn't use aura. He heaved a sigh and waited for the final message to appear.
However—
[Bloodline — Demigod: God of War is being forcefully awakened due to the presence of Predator's Eyes!]
His lips dropped into a confused frown, and he exclaimed, "What?"
More messages began to flood before him.
[Error!]
[Found another Bloodline!]
[Bloodline — Demigod: God of Throne is being forcefully awakened to complement the Bloodline — Demigod: God of War!]
"What is going on?" He mumbled with a deeply puzzled look.
[Error!]
[Bloodline — Demigod: God of War is much potent than Bloodline — Demigod: God of Throne!]
[They can not complement each other!]
[Ding!]
[The bloodlines are being assimilated with the Immortal Body!]
[Assimilating with the skill book: Immortal Body.]
"The what?" He muttered before his incorporeal soul was thrown out of his physical body.
Rion, now a soul floating without a physical body, watched as golden fractures appeared all over his body, and it turned into fine golden dust, leaving nothing behind but fine powder.
His eyes went wide. As a soul, he had no mouth, yet he wanted to scream.
Suddenly, the dust stirred, swirling upward as if moved by an unseen wind, and slowly gathered into the shape of a human body as if being sculpted by the divine.
A few seconds later, more cracks appeared on the body, and it fell to dust, only for it to be rebuilt again. The cycle repeated itself a few times until his body stood whole again.
He looked the same, but there was something different about his body — something he couldn't glean or understand.
A few moments later, he felt a pull at himself, and he was back in his body.
He looked at his palm, clenched his fingers, and a smile appeared on his face. A message screen appeared a few moments later.
[You have assimilated with Skill book: Immortal Body!]
[Ding!]
[You have awakened the Blood of War without shedding a drop of blood.]
[You have awakened the Blood of Throne without ever sitting upon one.]
[Your Bloodlines have merged into: Bloodline — God King: Monarch of The Crimson Throne!]
[Congratulations! You have obtained the moniker — The Crownless King of Unsullied Throne.]
[You have obtained an active skill (Divine Ascent)!]
"What in the seven hells is going on?" He muttered, disbelief flickering across his face.
But it was still too early for him to rest his heart.
[Ding!]
[Lucky spin is in effect!]
[Congratulations, you have obtained X10 Rewards!]
[You have obtained active skill (Godflare)!]
He stood in utter disbelief and barely managed to mutter, "Blasted hell..."
He felt the change in his body and mumbled, "I feel more alive... I feel stronger and I feel something I can't describe in words..."
He clenched his fists and gazed at the golden sun hiding behind the white clouds before turning around and leaving.
When he walked back to the settlement of Redwood Den, his legs were slow as if they were trying to tell him to enjoy the moment.
That is what he was doing until someone pulled him behind a heavy bush.
His eyes widened in surprise and—
"What are you doing here, Rion?" A soft voice asked in a tone full of worry.