All the candidates stood outside the exit of the human settlement.
There were 8 of them, to be exact. Most of them were malnourished, with heights no taller than 5 feet and 3 inches; furthermore, there was not a single woman in this group.
That being said, I didn't pay much mind to this group.
I decided to shorten the journey by grafting us, or well, that was the plan, but it seems that within a radius of 1 km, the ability of the spirit world had been reduced to a measly tenth of its original ability.
I looked at all the people that had gathered around us and spoke.
"We will walk for this whole journey. Within this duration you are under my complete authority; unlike the Sun God, I don't really care about what happens to you all. That being said, as long as you follow me and run when I run, you will be perfectly fine, even in better shape than before."
With that said, we departed south of the neutral territory. Like the charlatan that the fool pathway was, I, too, took a similar role as a means of acting.
"Listen well, including you, Amanises; I am going to impart much-needed mystical knowledge that should help you make a good choice."
Everybody nodded, and I continued.
"The human body is made up of multiple layers: physical projection, spiritual projection, and astral projection. Each layer offers different meaning to the human body.
The physical body contains tangible aspects, strength, dexterity, and anything you could do in a physical sense is controlled by these projections.
The spiritual projection contains knowledge aspects of things such as your actions, spiritual perception, and spirituality control.
The astral projection consists of who you are, your conscience, and symbolic meaning to your entire existence."
Once again everybody nodded.
After that, I explained to them about what the pathways are and how they are distributed, but I didn't tell them any names of the 22 pathways.
After all, 'He' should have control over just his 5 pathways, and I would only explain the five pathways of God Almighty to these humans.
****************
"Now, you're going to choose a pathway so as to walk the path of the divine. Know that when you become a beyonder, you will most certainly lose a part of yourself.
The aspect of becoming a beyonder is not just the boon that comes with it but also the bane of 'will' that comes from it.
These are not your abilities, and the price of wielding the power of gods transforms into losing not just your humanity but even yourself.
The mutated creatures that rule this place are a very good example of this, and more likely than not, you too would become them if you walked this path with greed."
Amanises looked rather pale as I was explaining these gruesome facts about this world, while the humans had already lost most hope, and thus even this did not frighten them.
One of the humans asked, "Mr., is there no way to remove this bane or suppress it?"
I continued while nodding to Amanises and the human.
"There is a way to control this issue till a sequence; what that sequence is depends on your fate and constitution. For some it's a measly sequence, 7, and for some it's complete angelic status.
But you must make a commitment that you will not tell any other person until I oblige it."
Once again everybody nodded, and I quickly made a pact with everybody present there.
"The technique lies in the name of the potion formula. The name not only symbolizes the ability but also is the key to acting.
You must act according to the name of the potion formula. Now as for acting, it can be thought of like this:
You are but a worm in the eyes of the pathway, trying to use it for your own, but the pathway already has a one true owner whose will lies in it and governs it.
Thus, you must act like the will, for it acknowledges you and does not corrupt you with its godhood, but keep in mind you are just acting."
*************************************************
Having reached 80% of the journey, I spoke
"Since I don't know the formula of most pathways, Amanises and I will go ahead and collect the pathway's formula."
One of the humans with brown eyes and thick black hair asked, "What about us?"
I looked at him and spoke with a sense of indifference that came naturally to me as an angel.
"You lot are going to stay here."
"But what about the monsters and demons that might kill us?"
Without looking, I spoke, "We have enough food and water for a week. And as for monsters, look around. Do you see even a hint of life?"
The group looked around, and yes, this place was completely barren.
The ground didn't look dry, but the surroundings lacked all life. The sky was darker blue, near-black.
I then looked at Amanses; 'she' gave a look back but didn't ask or intervene.
That's interesting; I had expected Amanises to intervene even if a little. I guess she is just observing.
With that said, Amanises and I departed.
**************************
Amanises, having a bunch of doubts, asked me, "Why did you go against Mr. Sun?" "He did ask us to give them a free choice."
Sigh, you finally asked. I was afraid you had lost a bunch of your humanity.
I looked and said, "It's best to spread your own pathway to your underlings, and in most situations it's a merit."
I took a breath before continuing.
"I would also recommend you to just spread a darkness pathway or a pathway whose god is a good friend or a pathway that doesn't have a god yet is best."
Amanises nodded, having enough understanding to piece together that Gods had complete control of the pathway, and this could influence the beyonder of it.
I further continued, "Here is some advice: Separate your God self and angelic self; it's going to be easier to recruit more angels further down the line.
It's also a good idea to make your god name much more symbolic rather than a true name."
Amanises: "Wouldn't I be strong enough to take most of my enemies down?"
I smiled and replied, "Your goal is not strength but survival. At high sequence, you're not just facing your enemies but also the will of the pathway itself.
To maintain humanity, one must have believers that could make symbolic ideas about you so as to confuse both the pathways and give more fluidity to your own symbolic nature.
Humans are a good source of believers, and the only way human trust is comparison, not absolute, all gods would be competing once they realize this thing; thus, each religion would have a god.
What's different is the number of angels under a god."
Amanises, trying to get the gist, said, "So it's just a marketing strategy."
I chuckled. Why didn't I think of that? "That's correct, and since it's a marketing strategy, make your God's name as cool as you can. It has to be edgy; it has to feel cool."
Amanises nodded, having figured it out.
I looked at Amanises and asked, "You know how to calm a person's soul?"
Amanises pondered for a moment before nodding.
She had understood the meaning and matched it with abilities she could find in her memories.
I continued, "I would like to record it."
"Record?"
"Yes, copying is what it is since both you and I can lose control in this place, and it's the only way for us to recover at hand."
She nodded.
I haven't given myself an honorific name yet. What must it be?
Magician? Since I intend to shift to Door Pathway.
Or, Lover, since I can go to the error pathway by convincing ASG.
Or should I keep the Fool , I mean, it worked for him, and it does sound cool and has a symbolic meaning.
Guss, it's Mr. Fool then.
"Chant my honorific name."
I entered the Sefirah Castle and waited for a moment.
A crimson red star began to glow, and I quickly pulled her into the Sefirah Castle.
As the grey fog swirled around my body, the long, mottled table and chair gave a majestic look to this already majestic palace.
"Wow, quite a spacious place, I must say." 'She' said as she looked around the place with the gaze of a child.
It seems that Sefirah Castle suppresses the will of a pathway that does not belong to it.
"Well, there is more to it, and I would love to show you around, but unfortunately we lack both time and our bodies aren't in the safest place, are they now?"
Amanises nodded. "So what do I have to do for you to record?"
"Use your ability; I will tell you once the record is finished."
...…
I had recorded the Requiem ability at least 13 times just in case.
I then nodded and said, "I think we have record enough of it that most seniorities can be avoided."
Amanises said in a teasing tone, "How are you so overpowered?
Teleporting, wishing, and now even copying—what is it that you can't do?"
I merely smiled before disconnecting her projection.
*******************
We were now much closer to Chernobyl, and now it was time to tell Everynight the truth; it's best that she learns it earlier so that way she can make a better choice.
I said, "Do you know why I am pushing you to become a god with me?"
Amanises pondered for a moment before speaking. "So I can go back?"
I sighed, so my conjecture was indeed correct. I then corrected her. "No, that's not the case. The reason you must become a god is simple: that is the only way you can choose who survives and who doesn't."
Amanises was a little confused and immediately asked, "Then how can I go home?" Becoming a god should let me do that right."
I looked at her and said, "This is home. This is the very earth you and I were born on. You have not transmigrated; you are merely sleeping till the end of time. The wolves that you see are your time's lineage.
They are our successors; all the beings here were once humans."
Oh, look at that; we have reached it. I welcome you to Chernobyl, Miss Amanises."
Amanises looked dead into my eyes; all manner of emotions must have been brewing in her mind.
Suddenly she dropped to the ground; a minute must have passed but felt like a day or so.
She then looked at me. "Is there truly no way to go back home?"
This was inevitable, so the earlier I fix this, the better it will be.
I nodded and said, "It's better you know this now than you realize this after becoming a god."
Amanises didn't say a word.
This much was manageable even.
I quickly used Requiem and attempted to calm her soul down a little.
"Is this the reason you recorded Requiem?"
I nodded and used spiritual vision to figure out the next attempt.
I used Requiem once again.
This time the effects were much better.
Amanises, who had been sitting on the ground with little to no emotion, had suddenly begun to cry.
Suddenly the surroundings became still, dull even.
Concealment, but this level of concealment was very weak.
Must be suppressed due to the sun's authority that chaos sea has.
Another Requiem, 'Requiem.'
The surroundings didn't change. I guess there is no choice but to fight.
Amanises looked at me with not a hint of emotion that she had displayed before.
As I looked at her, I suddenly felt a deep sense of horror.
An indescribable loneliness packaged with anxiety.
I quickly used 'Requiem' on myself to calm this madness-inducing aura.
I wish that my mental strength were at its peak.
With that wish, I quickly restored my mind from this aura.
The darkness in my surroundings began to form a sword.
Using the clown's danger-sensing ability, I quickly created a projection and grafted myself out of the attack range.
A giant black sword struck the projectile, consuming it into darkness. Worst of all, it was unavoidable.
Suddenly I felt a sting as the surroundings around me got even more bizarre before turning liquid and into a dream world.
Sigh, it seems that I have been dragged into a dream; I guess I am dying.
I looked around in hopes of finding something in this empty space of complete darkness.
Once again the surroundings turned liquidy before a room appeared.
As I entered the room, all that was around me had become completely white.
I looked beneath my feet; yep, it feels like I am stepping on marble.
There I saw a man in the dead center.
Flegrea! No, that's not him. This man doesn't have that kind of presence.
Without waiting on ceremony, I quickly asked
"Who are you?"
The man who had been looking down all this time now looked at me.
He then gave a sarcastic laugh before speaking. "Shouldn't I be the one asking that?"
I closed my eyes to think about who this man could be, but the man spoke once again.
"I am Antigonus." He spoke with a sense of superiority.
Antigonus, the real Antigonus, what is he doing in this place?
Before I could further ask, he continued.
"It seems you are going to die without much of a fight."
It was indeed true; even with knowing how Klein had fought, I wasn't familiar with the seer pathway that Antignous or Klein had.
"What are you getting at?" I asked in a wary tone.
"What you are fighting isn't your friend but my Goddess of Misfortune that was released because of emotional imbalance."
I had some guesses with regards to that.
"Since you are telling me that, you must have a plan of some sort."
"Well, you are quick; I will give you that."
I looked around just in case to see if there was an opening here to exit this world.
"So how do you intend to help?"
"Simple, let me use your body; I will turn her into a marionette."
I looked at him with rage. "Fuck off."
"Ha ha ha, I was just kidding. Why don't you make a wish? I am certain I had enough wishes collected to get more powerful things."
"What kind of wish?"
"You really are lacking. The acting method you mention, I think you should do some acting."
"I don't think we have time for banter like that."
"Sigh, I wish that Amanises regains control of the Goddess of Misfortune."
"How would that work? Would this specific wish be distorted"
"Pfft, where did you get such an idea? The wishes are dependent on one's collection; the distortion occurs in the collection."
It seems I have no choice but to trust him.
With that, I stood there and snapped my fingers.
'I wish that Amanises regains control of the Goddess of Misfortune.'
I felt Antignous's miracle being consumed, and even then there was still some remaining.
The dream was shattering like glass, but just before disappearing, I said, "Since you have been a great help, I will come back here to see how I can repay."
But I didn't get a reply.
The world shattered.
Amanises who had just stabbed my body, which had been in a dream, stood there.
She had gained control back; this time the darkness didn't engulf me.
I looked at her and said with sarcasm, "Please remove the sword; it feels rather weird."
Tears began to flow from her eyes, removing the sword.
She began to cry.
This time 'She' cried with humanity rather than madness.
"Yes, cry it out; there is no reason not to."
As I hugged Amanises,
She cried for at least 5 minutes.
She then said with a shaky voice, "What do you think of the Evernight Goddess?"
I smiled instinctively. She must be trying hard to calm her emotions.
I replied, "Then let's get you a status becoming of a Cthulhu god."