Ch 194.

  ‘Congratulations on completing the B rank advancement trial.

  Level increased directly to 65.

  Please pick an aspect of your path before stats are applied.’

  Instantly Matt found several possible paths names displayed before him as he took a long moment to narrow them down to just five that he was considering.

  Available paths:

  Willful Fate Changer (Through your intervention, the fate of yourself and others can be changed, though whether it is for the good or bad is another question.)

  Fate’s Enduring Luck (Fate will ensure to sustain you as luck will always come through at the needed moment. Though each time it does, it will cost those connected to you in someway.)

  Fated Counter Master (Fate seems to bend to your will when countering others.)

  Confluence of Truth (One who wields the essence of multiple true powers and yet knows not what they hold. Yet, through them things greater than themselves can created or be destroyed.)

  Disruptive Fate Executive (Fate means nothing to your ventures and those who would target your organization can only hope that their fate is stronger than yours.)

  Just like before, Matt hadn’t dismissed the option that emphasized his role as the leader of an organization, even though he felt that pursuing it might be irresponsible. However, a second glance brought back a stark realization: if what he understood was accurate, there would inevitably come a day when he would be forced to either halt his leveling or step aside entirely. With ambitions set on ascending to the pinnacle of power and influence, Matt recognized that the path of Disruptive Fate Executive wasn’t aligned with his aspirations.

  Confluence of Truth felt dissonant to him, as he grappled with its significance in relation to his journey; it seemed to promise something that aligned with the weighty concept of fate. Anything less than that would render the term "true powers" meaningless. As he pondered what could possibly sit alongside fate, confusion tightened its grip on his thoughts, leaving him with a void where clarity should have been. Concepts like free will, luck, and omnipotence floated into his mind, yet none of them felt like tangible gains—except for luck, which he already possessed in abundance. In a way, he sensed that he had achieved a form of freedom through his defiance of fate, a rebellion against the constraints that sought to bind him. Yet, despite the uncertainty surrounding this path, the allure of acquiring power that could rival fate and luck was tantalizing, almost too tempting to ignore.

  Matt weighed his options carefully, revisiting the Fated Counter Master path, which seemed to align perfectly with his combat style. However, he couldn’t shake the feeling that it was merely a trade-off—exchanging damage for results, a deal with uncertain benefits. Fate’s Enduring Luck struck him as similarly flawed; the potential consequences loomed large in his mind. He imagined that each stroke of good fortune would likely come at a steep price, extracting a toll from those he cared about and leaving them in distress. Despite his efforts to limit his emotional attachments, several individuals lingered in his thoughts—friends and allies whose well-being mattered to him. The idea of inadvertently causing them suffering weighed heavily on his conscience. Even though the allure of a supernatural advantage that could help him navigate challenges was tempting, the shadow of its repercussions left him uneasy.

  Finally, there was the Willful Fate Changer, a path that almost seemed to beckon Matt with an urgent whisper. While he had already discovered his ability to defy fate, the name implied that true alteration of destiny remained out of reach. The description, however, was unsettling—it suggested that any changes he might make wouldn't necessarily lead to positive outcomes. This realization prompted him to reflect on the drawbacks of Fate’s Enduring Luck. He envisioned a scenario where for every fate he altered in a beneficial manner, another would inevitably shift toward misfortune. Such a notion hinted at a cosmic balance, a delicate equilibrium that governed the very fabric of reality. It drew his thoughts back to the Confluence of Truth, where the weight of fate and choice intertwined, leaving him with a sense of both intrigue and trepidation.

  For some reason, Matt felt that such a path sounded far too powerful for someone at just B rank; he would expect such an opportunity to be reserved for those who had reached the elusive S rank. Yet, there was a nagging sense that he had always been granted chances to ascend higher than others, a gift tied to his mysterious bloodline. He understood it to be a prime bloodline, one without a rank above it, but its true implications eluded him. The visions he had experienced, which he assumed were glimpses of his bloodline's cosmic origin, lingered in his mind like half-formed dreams. Additionally, his encounter with Vassilis had included cryptic assertions about their shared connection, leading him to suspect that his bloodline played a crucial role in that bond. This swirling confusion ignited a deep desire within him to uncover the truth—not just regarding his relationship with Vassilis, but about the entire system, the essence of his bloodline, and ultimately, the universe itself. With a resolute heart, Matt decided to trust his instincts and selected Confluence of Truth.

  The moment he made his choice, an overwhelming sensation engulfed him, as if he were being torn apart from the inside out. His world dissolved into a whirlwind of agony, unlike anything he had ever experienced before, rendering him incapable of thought, even erasing his very identity. Time seemed to stretch infinitely, and when the torment finally subsided, he found himself staring blankly at his stats, unable to process them for what felt like an eternity. There was an indescribable profundity intertwined with the excruciating pain, making everything he had endured up to that moment feel trivial in comparison to this new reality. As he slowly regained his senses, he finally noticed the staggering increases to his stats, a testament to the transformation he had just undergone.

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  Matthew Pierce.

  Level 65

  Strength: 35187

  Dexterity:45017

  Durability: 65976

  Stamina: 170870

  Spirit: 518683

  Mind: 110778

  HP: 34220844

  MP: 18928531

  Luck: 61

  Species Humanoid chimera(B)

  Bloodline: (Undocumented Prime bloodline)

  Path: Confluence of Truth (Increase Spirit by 180% Stamina by 75% Durability by 30% Dexterity by 15%)

  Titles: Integrated, Front runner of species (5% boost to all stats), Lord of the Tomb of the Restless Defenders (Control the accessibility of fort associated with dungeon such that those within can enter and leave with or without challenging the dungeon. Can also relocate/repair the fort and dungeon associated with dungeon if needed resources are gathered.), King slayer (Increase in distrust from those who serve a monarch not allied with you. Deal double damage to any monarch and those in the line of succession), Lucky (Unlocks and doubles hidden luck stat), Defier of Fate (Your life was meant to end, and it didn’t, Fate will work to correct this), Rank crosser (Fighting those above your rank will be slightly easier), Fate Shifter (You have forced a fate meant for you upon another satisfying Fate for a moment).

  Skills: Auto translate, Cellular Regeneration, Injury control, Essence of selflessness, Essence of determination, Luck’s Essence, Adaptive body, Essence of hope, Essence of Fate, Essence of Time.

  Enhanced Skills: True copy.

  The first thing that struck Matt was the sheer magnitude of his stat increases, so dramatic that it felt surreal. He had anticipated a boost upon reaching the next rank, but what lay before him exceeded any expectations he had dared to entertain. As he absorbed this astonishing revelation, his gaze shifted to his newly acquired essence, which was time itself. Memories of Tempormr, the Roaming Time Sovereign, flooded his mind, and he couldn't help but wonder if there was a connection between that legendary figure and the ability he now possessed. Just as he began to ponder this intriguing link, his attention was drawn to a new section labeled "Enhanced Skills," showcasing a single entry: True Copy. With a sense of urgency overriding his curiosity, he ignored the other details and selected the skill, just as a pair of fresh notifications materialized before him.

  ‘Notice: Full system has been unlocked. For more details, open the tutorial menu.

  Warning: Sharing any details with those who have yet to unlock the full system will result in sudden brain damage to the one sharing it. Additionally, all such information that is recorded will be unviewable to those without the full system unlocked.’

  The message was straightforward, yet it weighed heavily on Matt. He realized he would need to access the tutorial menu soon, a necessary step to navigate this newfound complexity and understand why prior information had been withheld from him. His thoughts drifted back to the implications of this warning, a stark reminder of the risks involved. Nevertheless, his attention returned to the intriguing enhanced skill before him, prompting him to acknowledge the notification and the cautionary warning. A new set of information materialized in front of him, detailing his latest ability.

  True Copy: Create a second body that is considered as real as the main body, complete with all of its stats and abilities. Only one such body can be created at a time. When either body dies, the other will instinctively know and will only be able to create a new True Copy after the one responsible for killing the spare body has also perished. If one of the True Bodies kills the other, both will perish unless an external force is controlling the one that dies.

  Matt blinked a few times, his mind racing as he began to grasp the significance of the text before him. For the first time, he could see a complete description of a skill, and he immediately attempted to do the same with his Injury Control skill. However, to his frustration, nothing happened. With a frown creasing his brow, Matt clicked on the words "Enhanced Skill," and to his astonishment, new lines of text materialized in front of him.

  "Enhanced Skills are derived from abilities that the system has recognized as integral to the individual in some manner. These skills possess a potency far beyond what could be achieved without the system’s assistance and are often regarded as the trump cards of those fortunate enough to possess them. Not everyone who fully integrates with the system will gain access to these skills, but the maximum number one may have is determined by their level, minus 55, then divided by ten."

  Matt stared at the information before him, a dawning realization settling in: his newfound skills were intricately tied to the puppets he had tirelessly crafted over time. Yet, the implications of possessing two true bodies remained uncertain. Would they share a single consciousness? The thought of managing both simultaneously sent a shiver down his spine, as he envisioned the potential chaos that could ensue. He leaned back, contemplating the likelihood that once he conjured a second self, they would exist as entirely separate entities, each with its own autonomy. The idea of merely sensing the other’s existence felt insufficient; he craved a deeper connection. However, a solution began to take shape in his mind. If he embedded a puppet within his true copy and reciprocated the action, each would have a tangible link to the other. This way, regardless of the circumstances, they would remain aware of each other's actions and intentions, creating a link that could prove vital in the trials ahead.

  Immediately after this realization, Matt's mind raced with the implications of how this ability could address the challenges posed by Radoznaormr's unpredictable plan to send him to other worlds. Even if he found himself stranded in an unfamiliar realm, at least he could navigate it with only a minor inconvenience. However, the danger loomed large; if his copy were to fall, he would have to ensure that the one responsible for its demise met the same fate simultaneously. This led him to ponder another crucial question: would his duplicate even be an "it," or would it possess a distinct identity, perhaps even a "he"? After all, this was a true copy—an entity as real as himself, not a mere puppet limited to a fraction of his capabilities. Yet, even half of his current power still eclipsed everything he had wielded just moments before, igniting a flicker of hope within him as he contemplated the potential of this newfound strength.

  This thought shook Matt as he realized that if all his puppets had absorbed power from his recent growth, he likely possessed the strength needed to confront any obstacles in his path. Aside from Spencer, who remained a formidable challenge, he could at least dispatch a puppet to assist Zara in the north while also claiming control of the other dungeon entrances. However, he set those thoughts aside and activated his new enhanced skill to create a true copy. He felt a rush of warmth envelop him as his body split cleanly down the middle. In an instant, he found himself staring at a mirror image, but it was clear this was unlike anything he had attempted before.

  “Which one of us is the real one?” asked the Matt standing before him, his expression one of clear confusion.

  “I think we should see if going to sleep lets us gain each other’s memories, as well as those of our puppets,” replied Matt, though he hesitated, unsure if he was truly the original.

  “What happens if we both can?”

  “Flip a coin to decide who goes by Matt and who goes by Matt-two.”