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Chapter 2 - Bound Initiate.

Strrr!

Burning logs were placed in the center of the cave, and the entire group gathered around them, each roasting their meat on them.

It had been a couple of hours since they took shelter in the cave, and if they hoped to stay alive, then they would either remain there until the next day or once the moon was out.

While the group was eating and chitchatting, the naked young man, who was now covered with a white fabric, was lying on the ground next to the wall of the cave.

Except there was one small issue: the young man had been awake for a while now. But instead of waking up, he chose to act as though he was still unconscious.

For two main reasons.

One, he wanted to gather as much information as possible without them noticing him.

And secondly, he was preoccupied by something else.

Right in front of him, a green glowing rune presented itself.

[Host has been registered.]

[Access to the Book of Tareck has been secured.]

[Host—Ashen Grimblade.]

'What the hell is this?'

For starters, he was sure he had died from the lightning strike. There was no doubt about it; he could still remember the painful sensation of his skin peeling from his bones.

So, how was he still alive?

Another notification popped up again.

[The first page of the Tareck book has been unlocked.]

[Page 1.]

[You may now view your personal data and that of others.]

'Open data.'

[Ashen Grimblade's data.]

Name: Ashen Grimblade

Title: Cordex of Tareck

True name: None

Rank: Bound Initiate (Echo rank)

Book pages: Book page 1 (Unlocked)

Ability: [Echoes of Death], [Life Leech]

Passive: [Soul Retention]

Pathways: [Path of Vitalis]

'No way…'

The status screen in front of him was almost unbelievable.

In this world, every soul is born with a life thread (Essence), a metaphysical tether to the source of the divine tapestry, the remnant of the twelve gods that guided the universe a long time ago.

From the moment you were born, you would undergo certain stages due to the influence of this life thread.

The first stage was the Threadless, who were normal individuals unable to see or use Essence.

The second stage was the Awakened; this was when most people received their first spark of Essence, being able to interact with the raw energy at will.

Only then could they advance to the third stage, the Bound Initiate—the chance to form a bond with a path, unlocking new forms of power beyond human comprehension.

Not many people ever got to this stage, as before you could, one would need to visit the respective altars of the Cordex guardians and ask for a chance to obtain a pathway.

While you'd be given a chance, if you passed, you would undoubtedly be blessed with a pathway; failure, on the other hand, meant you'd be sent into the Abyss and forced to fight your way out.

This was why many people avoided it altogether.

And to think, Ashen, who was a Threadless, was somehow now a Bound Initiate.

'This has to be fake. Am I dreaming? Wait, my path is Vitalis?'

Of all the twelve pathways in the world, the Path of Vitalis was considered nonexistent.

Because no one in history had ever gotten hold of it, little research had ever been gathered about the path.

According to what Ashen knew, the god who the pathway belonged to refused to share its powers with the world; this caused a war that led all twelve gods to perish.

'I got the path of a selfish god? I guess I can't complain since it's free and all.'

Then again, is it really, though?

After listening in on the strangers' conversation for a while, Ashen realized where he was.

The Abyss.

A place where people who failed to obtain a pathway were sent.

Not many people survived this place, but those who did were gifted artifacts from the world—special items with abilities from the gods.

In a way, it was generosity.

One that Ashen didn't care for, especially since he never recalled going to any of the Cordex altars to partake in a path bond.

'I think that is enough.'

The multiple screens disappeared from his sight.

Then, in a single motion, he sat upright.

Turning his gaze to the group.

At once, they all stopped their chattering and looked at Ashen.

"Wha-? He is awake—" the muscular man was the first to speak, his mouth stuffed with meat.

Ashen still didn't say anything.

Sharkteeth leaned in closer. "There you go, big guy, you're finally awake. Do you remember anything about how you got here? Which Cordex altar did you visit?"

Not a word left his mouth.

Sharkteeth wasn't one to have patience, as seen by the frown growing on his face.

"Do you not speak English or something?!"

"Hey, calm down," Smart spoke up. "He's probably just hungry. We should let him eat first."

He then shifted his attention to Ashen, handing him one of the roasted meats. "Here, what's your name, friend?"

Without hesitating, Ashen snatched the meat from Smart's hand and shoved it in his mouth.

"The unma is Hahumm!" he mummbled.

"What?"

Ashen swallowed, banging his chest with his fist in order not to choke.

"The name is Ashen, Ashen Grimblade."

He moved closer to the group.

There was nothing to worry about, at least for now; his observation showed they meant no harm.

That said, he could already see how it was going to end, and he was prepared for it.

Everyone watched him eat, chowing down on the food like a starving dog.

Ashen didn't stop there, as he even went for seconds right after.

The muscular men felt intimidated. How could such a small, short person eat so much?

"Hey, so which Cordex did you come from? I came from the Cordex altar, Aeon," the muscular man hinted.

Of course, now he wanted Ashen to reveal his own.

The Aeon altar was for the god of time.

He must be strong if he went for such a problematic pathway.

Ashen glanced at him.

"Right, I am from the Cordex altar of Mortus."

They all looked surprised.

Sharkteeth then spoke, "You chose the Pathway of Death? Pretty ballsy, don't you think?"

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