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TheCrowChapter 36 is the beginning of arc 2 : The unfilial Sons
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Paths of Extinction Chapter 36 The Punishment
Arc 2: the unfilial sons.The sixth day after leaving Erys, Zeke returned with Azmer and Julia. Even waking up, the two were awfully silent, especially the latter. Her habit of inquiring about every little thing was absent, her eyes lowered as she pondered about something.Azmer, on the other hand, was expressionless and though he walked a little at the back, he also seemed to be in a daze. Either they were traumatized by facing that strange meteor, or there was something Zeke was unaware of.‘It’s natural for them to have suspicions. They couldn’t have noticed that the meteor was aimed straight at me as if controlled by something, but its abrupt arrival can’t be ignored. Why would the Dean send them there? Also, how did he knows where I was? No no… maybe he told them about that strange portal. It’s odd and uncanny, so much so that I find it difficult to trust the Dean.’Zeke caressed the Rune of Line out of habit, a sigh escaping his lips. He succeeded in acquiring the Crown and savi
Paths of Extinction Chapter 37 The Diary
21st January, I still can’t believe what happened. I saw a falling red star when I was going back from work, but when I told my roommate, they mocked me. 22nd January, I saw it again! I’m sure of it! I have this inexplicable urge to see it again. It must be a sign from the Gods! It must be! 26th January, I stayed all night and was able to see it again, but it came straight at me! When I woke up, I felt a bit different. I heard sinister murmurs in my head, is the devil whispering in my ear? I must go to the church to pray. 12th February, I actually got powers from the so-called Paths of Extinctions System! I was so busy fleeing to the border and couldn’t complete the mission it ‘entrusted’ me. Still, I got a lot of available paths… I wonder what they are? They have seemingly normal names like ‘Soldier’ and ‘Judge’. Admittedly, some are more enticing than others. 14th February, I used all my available PE in the ‘soldier main path’, which subsequently strengthened my body and granted
Paths of Extinction Chapter 38 The Extinction Order
‘Hmm… who could they be? Each has a distinct and majestic appearance as well as a terrifying aura. It’s as if they’re alive.’The puzzled Zeke spotted exactly four statues, but only one was made of the Crown’s black and crystalline material. The first, entirely jet black, was that of a domineering middle-aged man with greasy long hair, blurred eyes, and a commanding jawline. He was standing straight and holding onto an equally large greatsword embedded into the ground. Under his feet, golden letters were engraved on the ground, but the language used wasn’t so easily read.‘It’s Hanish? I recognize the characters but I can’t read them. They only teach it in History classes of Public Schools.’Hanish wasn’t a language derived from Earth, it was directly related to the shrouded and forgotten history of the Aether Planet. Although most of its characters were undeciphered, learning it was still an arduous and long process. Only the most dedicated of Scholars and Historians would spend so m
Paths of Extinction Chapter 39 The Seat of Criminality
The rest of the talk with Counselor Mary was mostly about trivial stuff. She would ask questions about himself and Erys and he would give a simple answer. Eventually, she scheduled the next session for the upcoming Saturday and bid him rest well.However, a short while after Zeke left, Mary drank one more cup of her special tea and was about to go and talk with Principal Solas only for him to come on his own.He knocked once then stepped inside the strangely-decorated counseling room.“Principal Solas.”She clasped her hands and respectfully bowed, though her expression was slightly pale as if something was affecting her.“You face could frighten a ghost, Mary.”In response to his unnecessary remark, the young woman wryly smiled and sat down again, her hands still clasped near her chest.The bearded elderly sat on the rocking chair in front of her and looked at the several faced-up cards on the table.“The divination failed? As expected.”“It’s like you told me. That System interfere
Paths of Extinction Chapter 40 Water Cannon
Due to the System’s notifications, which woke him up, Zeke’s mind was too preoccupied with what was happening to continue his rest. It definitely had something to do with the thug, but other than that, he could only speculate.‘The System wouldn’t randomly do this. There must’ve been a catalyst… an unknown condition that was, most likely, accidentally triggered… ah! It’s those crystals! The ones from the tribulation!’The only link and suspicious thing were the shards. Although Zeke was curious about what exactly happened, he didn’t rush to Sulong’s office. He was forced to join the Special Investigation Squad, and though he didn’t sense anything, he was almost certain that there were some people keeping a close eye on him.The next day (Friday), early morning.As always, Zeke attended the first two lessons and when it was time for the lunch break, he asked for Samuel’s help to locate Bella Bross, the girl he wanted to challenge.As a female student from Class D, Bella was part of Fra
Paths of Extinction Chapter 41 The Promise
“Ah… okay!”Maxine put down her phone and turned to the rest of the Special Investigation Squad. They were all out to clear their minds and to stop thinking about Jonathan’s case. “I need to make a brief stop. It won’t take long.”“Hm? Alright! We’ll go with you.”-V“N-no it’s okay..”Maxine was hesitant as she averted her eyes, but Celestia noticed that and frowned.“It was Edward, wasn’t it? We’re going with you.”Edward was three years older than Maxine, V, James, Vanessa, and John. However, he was only one year older than Celestia and the two shared a complicated relationship before he graduated.Soon, the group of six arrived at a cozy restaurant that had no one but two people inside. It was obvious that Edward Orland reserved the whole place just to have a private talk with his younger sister.Maxine was quite close with her brother, but as soon as she saw his solemn expression, she held herself back from giving him a hug and merely sat across from him.Her colleagues sat at a
Paths of Extinction Chapter 42 The Seat Of Criminality
Maxine ran to an artificial fountain at the center of Kethra’s Arms and sat on the edge, her head buried in her knees as she ignored everyone else. Vanessa and John chased after her but stood close by, but they didn’t say anything as it was clear that she needed some time alone.The hooded John, whose face was always hidden, turned towards Vanessa and asked,“Any idea what they were talking about? What happened eleven years ago?”The ashen-haired girl shook her head. She had been friends with Maxine for almost two years, but she rarely asked personal questions due to her naturally silent attitude.“I can’t recall any major accident that happened to the Orland family at that time. Maybe V knows something? He’s known Max for a long time, after all.”“It’s better if we ignore whatever we heard, John.”“I guess you’re right.” He nonchalantly replied, a heavy sigh escaping his lips.…Evening of Friday, after battling Bella Bross, Zeke recuperated for a bit left the campus. However, as soo
Paths of Extinction Chapter 43 The Voice
A thick blizzard dominated the entirety of the Whitefrost planes, whether it was night or day. The blistering cold and the insurmountable mass of snow made it almost impossible to travel on foot. However, against all odds, Jonathan Stellar Link dragged his tired body across the snow and ice with Amelia on his back. He would take brief rests then continue this journey, after all, he had dangerous pursuers, ones which had a much better means of transport. One week after he fled The Sunken Metropolis, deep into the unforgiving Whitefrost Lands, the pursuers from the Department of Defense finally caught up. Actually, there were only two of them; They wore standard black military uniforms as if the bone-chilling cold didn’t affect them. “It’s about you gave up on this cat and mouse pursuit, Jonathan.” One of the two, the taller one, grinned and spoke with a nonchalant tone. “...” Jonathan didn’t respond, he immediately sprung into action; The black mist burst from his body, pushing t
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Chapter 239 Sanctus Lucerna
“I and Hephradet personally studied it, but found nothing. Here you go.”Kleya handed back the strange item back to Zeke.“There’s no Aether or any other foreign energy inside. We couldn’t determine its purpose.”“I see. Thank you anyway.”“Don’t worry about it. You should rest more or else I’ll never hear the end of it from Jenny.”Zeke wryly smiled and nodded. His mother kept nagging him day and night, telling him to rest and not continuously wander around the castle checking on everyone and making sure there were no issues.His body was already healthy and he felt no odd disturbances or unexpected awakenings. Everything is as normal as it could be.Just as Kleya left the room, Jennifer came in. Behind her was a red-faced Celestia, which made Zeke frown.“Mom?”Surprisingly, Jennifer grabbed his ear and pulled him to the couch.“Did I not tell you to overdo it?”“W-what? I haven’t done anything!”“That’s not what she told me!”Celestia stood a distance away, her head lowered in emba
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Chapter 238 Zeke and Azmer
“It’s still too early to assess everything, but… over 80% of the entire planet’s population died.” Kleya, whose eyes were a bit red and her face was filled with fatigue, sat across Zeke and Celestia. “And Her Majesty?” When she heard his question, Kleya lowered her head and held herself back from crying. “We… we think she died fighting the System. It’s no longer possible to return to the Unending Star, so we decided to acknowledge that Her Majesty was amongst those who had fallen there.” “I’m sorry.” “Don’t be. She… she died protecting what she believed in. Us. Not just the Witch Association but all of the Aether Planet.” Zeke sighed, feeling sorry when he saw Kleya like that. The Witch Queen was the pillar of the Witch Association, their respected leader. It was especially so for Kleya and the other 6-star Witches, excluding Jennifer. “A-anyway, the situation at the capital of the Nezulian Republic remains the same. We’re still looking for a way to cancel that Frost Spell cast
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Chapter 237 The 5th User
“Huff… huff…” With a hand pressed against his hurting chest, Zeke dragged his tired feet toward the fallen copy. The copy’s head turned to look at him, its eyeballs, which looked as if they were to pop-out, were letting out the familiar yet incredibly dim crimson light. “We had completed our objective. There was nothing left for Us to do.” “That didn’t give you the right to wipe entire civilizations.” “You… wouldn’t understand, Zeke Orland.” Unlike earlier, the System spoke through the copy’s mouth. Its charred and cut lips moved in an unnatural way, but the voice was identical to Zeke’s. “We had succeeded. We had saved the world. Then, We understood that our creation, our existence was only for that purpose. That We were a tool destined to cease existing.” “...” “We could not tolerate that.” “So you manifested a will of your own?” In response to that, a self-deprecating laugh came from the copy. “After choosing our first User, we saw how the Races we were supposed to prote
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Chapter 236 The Phoenix
While the Phoenix battled the System in the Cursed Plains of the Unending Star, Zeke’s fight against his copy continued.Things took a turn for the worst when the Crown was crushed and the System’s powers dramatically increased. Nevertheless, Zeke didn’t lose yet. His body was flung and then crashed into the ground, blood gushing out from his shoulder and back.Even then, he slowly stood up and grinned toward the System.“Still fighting the good fight.”The previously calm ‘copy’, or at least the System’s disembodied voice, grew agitated as Zeke refused to remain on the ground.“My will is not so easily broken.”[Voltage King]Zeke’s eyes shone with an azure light as his voltage grew silent and became white.[Divine Champion][Divine Sreyzhanian Arts]Just as he charged at the System again, its body suddenly turned stiff as if being immobilized by something.The item handed by Kayro Ol Zerg flashed from Zeke’s pocket.[Fist of Fury]Zeke’s fists, glowing orange and wrapped in condens
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Chapter 235 The God's Spear
“What’s wrong? I thought you were invincible in your domain.”Zeke’s taunt had no effect, at least not at first. The System stood straight and looked down on its wounded body.“You know nothing of Us.”The copy raised its hand, and very soon, something familiar appeared.It was a tangible object of an odd-shape, but Zeke knew what it was. The Crown.“You will know what it is to be helpless and defeated, 5th user.”“You’re still talking?”Zeke let out a smile and charged forth, his fists wrapped by thick voltage.The System crushed the crown as the red voltage manifested and exploded in an uncontrollable manner.…“Is it done?”Julia Lopmore furrowed her brows as she looked at the enemy, whose body was crushed, burned, and almost unrecognisable. It wasn’t a body anymore, but a mass of flesh and poison.The silence lasted for a very short time as the Crown also appeared in reality.“Stop it!” Shouted Frederic as took out a blue bead, one with the same size and shape that Nicneven had pr
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Chapter 234 All-out Fight
Xiao, with his spear in hand, actually deflected the Divine Thunder before safely landing on the ground.Several people appeared close to the Witch Queen. As she swept her eyes across the six people that unexpectedly showed up here.“Your Majesty, we’re here to lend a hand.” Frederic Whitefort smirked and looked at her as he muttered those words. He had brought along Azmer, Xiao, Celestia, Ava, and Julia Lopmore.“You… how ar-”“We can save that talk for later, eh?”Frederic motioned toward Zeke, who was standing there and staring back at them with a hollow expression.“As I’m the weakest of the bunch, I’ll just stay behind and offer assistance… as well as try to heal Her Majesty.”The Vagabond knelt next to Nicnteven and extended his hand towards her. He let out a warm and serene white light, which made her feel rejuvenated. It was Holy Magic, something which she didn’t know he could use.“Wouldn’t Zeke die if we tried to kill the System?” Asked Julia while furrowing her brows.“Not
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Chapter 233 The Seat of Magic
Right after the destruction of the Heart of the Dead Ends, Zeke stood there, seemingly in a daze.The Witch Queen stared at him intensely, and when his eyes glowed with a crimson light, she immediately attacked.Jonathan roared and rushed as well, a creeping Darkness exploding from his hands.Nicneven struck out from afar, unleashing a blazing wave of flames, fused with a spinning thick beam of Ice-aspected energy.The Paths of Extinction System, which had taken control of Zeke’s body, retaliated with full-force as well.Dozens of thunderbolts erupted from Zeke’s raised hand, blasting Jonathan back and clashing with the Queen’s magic.“The Seat of Magic.” Muttered a voice that didn’t resemble Zeke albeit speaking from his mouth.It was emotionless and cold, one which no living being would be able to imitate.[Voltage Zap]Using such an elementary skill, the System shot innumerable bolts that arched in the air and concentrated on Nicneven.She jumped out of the way and performed a stra
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Chapter 232 The End of the 2nd Cycle
“I know this is a lot to take in, Zeke Orland. But, I want you to trust me. Know that I have your best interest in heart and I wouldn’t have come unless necessary. I could’ve let you venture alone and complete your objective, after which you’ll be killed by your own System.”Zeke pointed his open hand toward the incoming shades.[Voltage King]A barrage of lightning bolts was unleashed, piercing through the shades and extinguishing them. They vaporised in an instant, leaving only a bit of red fog.The Dead Ends and the Paths of Extinction System, they both had that unique and ominous crimson light. However, Zeke thought it was just a coincidence.Now that the truth was revealed to him, he felt a bit lost. It wasn’t that much of a surprise that his System was dangerous or a threat as he had already suspected as much after learning about Edward Heart.Nevertheless, the fact that it was a tool from the very beginning did make him feel weak and clueless.An eerie silence flowed between Ze
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Chapter 231 The Paths of Extinction System
Thanks to the thunderstorm Zeke had previously summoned, the three of them managed to reach and enter the Black Spike. Strangely enough, the entrance of the spire was fully-opened as if beckoning them inside. “This looks man-made.” “Because it is.” Answered Nicneven as she held the black katana with one hand and controlled five differently-colored elemental orb with the other. The interior of the black spike was empty but particularly eerie. Everything was black and except a spiralling staircase that led to the top, there was nothing else, not even the crimson fog. “Who made it?” “...” “Why do you refuse to tell me anything, Your Majesty? What is the Dead Ends? Who created it?” “You do not need to concern yourself with that. Just destroy the Hearts and everything will end.” Her immediate dismissal did irritate him, but he didn’t press her for answers he knew she wouldn’t give. “This is the final stretch. Jonathan, take the vanguard.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” Jonathan pushed bac
