All Chapters of The Ascendance Deceiver: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20
55 chapters
Reciprocity and Beauty
Amidst the somber atmosphere of the darkened realm, where gray clouds closed in on the majestic sky, a sprawling cathedral-like palace stood, emanating an ethereal grayish glow that permeated every corner of its illusory structure. It appeared as a boundary, a threshold between the realms of good and evil, encapsulating the essence of all things. Above this grand palace, raven-like creatures soared, their wings brushing against the palace's pinnacle or perching on its sides, their piercing gazes penetrating the depths of the human spirit. Within the palace, at the farthest end, rose a throne fashioned from spears and thorns, an imposing sight to behold. Seated upon this majestic throne was a being bearing a human-like resemblance, their countenance blurred and enshrouded in a mystical gray light and swirling mist. With a gaze that seemed to encompass the entire world, as if privy to the past, present, and future, they held the very fabric of existence within their grasp. A smile see
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About Authority
After another half-hour elapsed, the man known as Mortis approached the majestic golden door, signifying the completion of the entire team's first transactions and the utilization of their bonus questions. "I believe it's time to share the information we acquired from the one-time bonus questions," Luvern suggested, adjusting his thin glasses by pushing them up his nose with his index finger. He glanced at Mortis and then gave a subtle look in Aria's direction. Alayn couldn't help but inwardly facepalm at Luvern's obvious attempt to avoid eye contact with Aria. Luvern's behavior inadvertently conveyed that Aria's ability was genuinely affecting them. "As I mentioned earlier, my question was about the true purpose of this game," Luvern stated, adopting a serious tone. "And the answer I received was a single sentence." He paused for a moment, his gaze shifting to Alayn as if recalling their earlier conversation. "'Gods made this game to find the most powerful authority among all the
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Gods
"So, it appears there is another option for us to survive besides dying or completing the game," Luvern pondered aloud, a glimmer of hope in his voice. "But the question remains: how do we make our superior give up on the game? I'm quite certain that when Solarael mentioned 'superior,' he was referring to the gods." Alayn quickly interjected, casting a shadow of doubt over the conversation. "Hold on a moment. While it's true that Solarael mentioned our superior giving up as a means to exit the game, let's not forget that he also stated we can exit by simply dying. What if, even if our superior were to give up, we weren't transported back to our original world and instead remained here, powerless and vulnerable? Or worse yet, what if we met our demise the moment our superior relinquished their role? There are far too many uncertainties in this regard." A wry smile tugged at the corners of Alayn's lips as he silently contemplated the situation. "Well, I did concoct that question and a
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Let the Game Begins
As Alayn contemplated how to convey his intentions and address the matter of his bloodlust to Serene, Aria's voice resounded once again. "And finally, for the last but not least, the god supporting Mr. Mortis," she said, casting a glance in Mortis's direction. "Well, this is also quite a complicated situation," she continued, wearing a wry yet innocent smile. "What do you mean?" Mortis asked, his expression one of puzzlement. "You see, Solarael did tell me the name of your god and the domain he is in charge of, but I didn't understand a single word he said," Aria explained, her smile still present. "What do you mean you didn't understand?" Luvern inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity. "I mean, I do remember what he said, but I didn't comprehend the meaning behind the words," Aria clarified, her wry smile unwavering. "Allow me to share what he said. Even though I didn't understand it, I can still repeat those words, or rather, the sounds that resembled words," Aria continued,
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Parking lot
"I bet on our team," spoke a mesmerizing figure, veiled in an ethereal beauty that transcended the boundaries of existence itself. Her countenance, though shrouded in a captivating blur, exuded an allure that could melt the very fabric of one's being with the mere glimpse of her presence. She sat gracefully beside a grand round table, adorned with stars of shimmering silver and the essence of golden radiance. Her face, hidden within the enigmatic haze, bore an illusory smile that hinted at a profound understanding of the game's intricacies. "You really think your team could beat ours, Aphrodite?" a manly figure sitting next to the ethereal beauty asked, his voice laced with a mocking tone. His face, too, remained hidden within an illusory blur. The mere existence of this enigmatic figure emanated a mysterious anesthetic aura, as if his very being could effortlessly ensnare one in an eternal slumber, a ceaseless slipping of consciousness. The dark cloths that draped his form seemed to
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Campfire
"Heater, you say?" Solarael inquired, his brows raised in curiosity as Alayn requested to purchase a heater from the Cosmo shop. "Well, I can certainly sell you a human-made heater, but how do you plan on using it without electricity?" Solarael questioned, a puzzled expression on his face. "Can't you sell one that's battery-powered?" Alayn replied, mirroring Solarael's puzzled expression. "Ah, right. That's a valid point. But wouldn't it be better to just buy a blessing from an angel? They do expire after a while, but you can easily replenish the blessings using credits, and they're quite affordable," Solarael suggested with a smile. Alayn stared at Solarael, his annoyance palpable on his face. Letting out a deep sigh, Alayn raised his voice. "So you're telling me I can buy blessings from angels, huh? I suppose I should thank you for enlightening me with this 'precious transaction information' without my asking. Oh, wait~ I did ask in a way, now that I think about it," Alayn said
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Friend Triangulation
Time passed, and Mortis dutifully maintained the temperature blessing at the camp in the parking lot. The seven players devised a plan for taking turns to keep watch, and Alayn skillfully used framing bias to convince the others to let him be the first to keep watch for the initial hours. To keep track of time, they relied on Mortis' watch, which he had decided not to sell to Solarael, considering it a precious gift he had received. Alayn pondered to himself that being the first to keep watch would allow him to patrol more easily. It would grant him the freedom he needed to proceed with the plan he had devised. Despite lacking any special powers at the moment, he was determined to become one of the most formidable players in the game by the end of the second day. And he already knew exactly how he would achieve that. As the moonlight completely engulfed the darkened sky, sprinkling it with countless shimmering stars, Alayn settled onto a crumbling concrete ledge nearby. Sitting dow
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Time
With the moon ascending to its peak in the sky, casting an illuminating glow over the once concrete forest, now transformed into a verdant landscape of lush vegetation, the team of three—Alayn, Luvern, and Aidan—delved deeper into the darkness, their mission clear: to find a water source and gather any available resources.Amidst the trees and bushes, bathed in the gentle silver light of the moon, Luvern lowered his voice, speaking in a tone audible only to the other two players. "Are you certain about the direction we're taking, Alayn?" he inquired, a hint of confusion marking his face in the dim light."To be honest, I'm not entirely sure. It's a fifty-fifty chance, I suppose. I acquired this information from Solarael using my credits. He advised us to head east from our camp, and judging by the sunset and moonrise, I believe we are indeed moving in the right direction," Alayn responded, sharing the situation with his teammates."The only remaining uncertainty is the distance we nee
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Consent
Luvern rushed toward the counter with a sense of urgency, his footsteps quick and determined. As he reached the counter, he slammed his hands onto its surface, trying to convey the gravity of the situation."Please, Solarael, we need to be teleported back to our camp immediately. I'll pay whatever credits you require," he implored, his concerned expression reflecting the turmoil of thoughts racing through his mind. His heart was heavy with worry for his sister's safety, and it showed in every line of his face and voice.Alayn chuckled inwardly, amused by the turn of events. "Well, it seems like I don't even need to intervene," he thought to himself with a mischievous grin. Luvern's concern for his sister had taken precedence in his mind, making him forget about that he they could also use Solarael to send a message to Aidan or guide the situation in their favor.Alayn found himself impressed by how circumstances had unfolded naturally, aligning with his hidden agenda without any direc
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Dagger
Darkness swathed the forest, enshrouding Alayn's team in an unsettling cloak of obsidian. The distant symphony of crickets, once a comforting melody, now fell into an abrupt silence, as if nature itself was holding its breath. A sense of foreboding encircled them, catching them off guard and rendering them unprepared for the impending onslaught. Approaching footsteps echoed ominously, each one drawing closer, raising the hair on their necks and sending shivers down their spines. The cold wind whispered chilling secrets, but it was not the sole harbinger of unease. It felt as if death itself prowled these woods, inching ever nearer to the six players gathered in the desolate parking lot. Amidst the darkness, their faces painted with moonlit pallor, the team exchanged anxious glances, searching for a glimpse of reassurance in each other's eyes. The tension in the air was palpable, as they braced themselves for the unknown threat, their senses honed, alert to every rustle of leaves or
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