He had hit the lowest point, where he was the most miserable and weak. When he was the most defenseless.
It was unfair...he worked the hardest out of all of them. Yet he remained weak.
Why? Is the wall known as Talent that absolute?
It was, unfortunately for him.
Very few individuals, bound by their low aptitude could reach some form of enlightenment. Some point where they could break the wall f Talent.
Unfortunately, he was not one of them.
And as if taking advantage of his weakened mental state... 'it' came at the perfect time.
[Don't you hate it?]
He began to hear a voice, A voice in his head that he couldn't quite place, A voice that seemed to know his deepest desires.
It was a persuasive, manipulative voice. it instructed him to do as it said, for ultimate power.
[Why must you be the one that remains weak? When you are the one that works the hardest.]
It was a pleasant voice sometimes, A voice that spoke to him like a friend... yet Adam remained firm.
He resisted it, thinking that maybe he was drinking too much lately.
But the voice did not stop.
[I can promise you power]
[I can promise you wealth.]
[I will fulfill your deepest desires...]
How long had it been since he was hearing this voice...?
How long?
It interrupted him during his work at the Guild, It interrupted him during his sleep, It...was mentally exhausting.
Slowly but surely it was getting to him, It was incredibly persuasive, He tried.
He tried to resist the urges, the promises the voice spoke of...yet with every passing day it becomes more insistent and its offers more tantalizing.
Eventually...it felt as if he was being watched, Adam could feel it instinctually, someone...something was watching him, his every movement, his every breath, during his work hours and rest.
He wondered if it was just him...But it got louder and louder and more persuasive.
It had devolved to the point where he was questioning his sanity...Was his grip on reality weak?
It was persistent and persuasive, it was manipulative and devious.
[Why do you disobey?]
What?
[Why do you not follow me?]
Shut up.
[Hoho...I can grant you everything you desire.]
Fuck off. You are not real.
[Adam...Listen to yourself...you weak...pa-poor little thing...]
SHUT UP!
It got on his nerves. It wouldn't let him sleep, it wouldn't let him work, it wouldn't et him train...
Strange things started to happen, whenever he would meet his guildmates and other people...their faces were distorted. His grasp on reality was becoming weaker and weaker.
His guildmates expressed their concern...yet he saw it as scorn.
Do they dare to scorn me?
[Yes.]
...no it's just m-
[It isn't...]
[Why not just accept it?]
And then it happened.
[Skill: Demonic Coercion(S) has been activated.]
[Skill: Persuasion(A) has been activated]
[Skill: Mind Break (B) has been activated.]
[Skill: Call of the Devil (A) has been activated.]
[Your mind weakens.]
He couldn't see these prompts... The thing had messed with his vision.
Slowly...he was losing his sanity...as its voice become more prominent his will to resist became more inconspicuous, and his mind became weaker.
And then, he faced the ultimatum. To be or not to be. To choose or not to choose.
[Come on...you know this is the only way.]
No...
[Yes...]
no...
[Yes.]
this isn't...real.
[Isn't real? Then how about this...Adam?]
what...?
[ ********* Issues you a quest.]
[Quest: To change your destiny.
Rank: A
Reward: Fractional Bloodline of the White Tiger( ~Corrupted~)
Become the apostle of the *******, It will accomplish your innermost desires and your deepest urges. It will fulfill its promise. Become its devotee, AND NOTHING WILL STOP YOU!]
And there it was.
The Ultimatum.
Bloodline...apostle?
He could not see the quest information very well...the only thing that was on his mind...was the bloodline of the white tiger...even though he could not read fully.
His vision was flawed...his mind was breaking apart.
And the weakened mind of Adam could no longer fight back. He wanted solace, peace, and sleep.
But most importantly, he wanted power.
The demon's words were absolute, its coercion was perfect, and its...promises were enticing.
[Do you wish to accept this quest?]
[Yes/No]
...uhhh.
[Everything you ever wished for, everything you will wish for.]
[Strength]
[Power]
[The top]
It highlighted his deepest desires...
[Worth]
[Approval]
It highlighted everything Adam wanted...
[All of it...will be given to you.]
...
It's voice...so enticing...so mesmerizing.
[All you to do...]
So tantalizing...
[Is say...]
...yes.
[Yes.]
Yes.
[The Quest has been accepted]
**************
Things changed ever since he accepted the quest.
Adam looked at his bare body in the mirror.
His skin was more fresh, lively, and glossy, his muscles had been enhanced.
But most importantly...There was a bloodline mark on his back.
A marvelous, beautiful white tiger.
One of the four symbols of the Chinese Constellations. The White Tiger of Autumn, A Symbol of Metal and the West.
It was the fierce animal, the beautiful animal. A strong, powerful, firm, and resolute beast.
It represented Bravery, determination, Will, and fierceness.
It was mesmerizing to look at...even though it was hard to see because of its location.
The white fur, the ferocious eyes...the overflowing strength Adam felt...It was amazing.
He had broken the wall that blocked him...he was overflowing with strength...he was feeling powerful for the first time in multiple months...Yet.
Why did he feel so incomplete?
Why did he feel as if the tattoo on his back lacked substance?
What was this?
[The right of succession.]
It lied. The voice lied but Adam did not know.
[It has yet to accept you...my descent will make sure it will.]
What?
[ Do as I say...]
And...? Adam was expectant, this sudden boost in power was addictive.
[Do what I tell you too...and it will be more complete]
And so he did, he did as told.
He gathered more devotees for it, it rewarded them with bloodlines as well.
It was astonishing, to see bloodlines...the things which were so mysterious and extremely rare being handed out like gifts. All for following 'him'.
He gathered allies and did what he was told, And then he was rewarded.
He became powerful, he surpassed his limits...
He slowly built up more power, and more followers...and did as told.
Until it caused the Aror incident...
The source of this c𝓸ntent is fr𝒆e(w)𝒆bnovel