Godfrey smiled at the somewhat composed Al as if he had finally met the requirements for acknowledgment.

"So, what is your full name?" Godfrey asked. Al clenched his jaw, then calmed himself. He remembered the humiliating punch he had delivered to the man standing before him.

Staring at the ground, Al answered, "My name is Alexander Adamos, but everyone calls me Al,"

Godfrey looked at the black hair covering the top of Al's eyes. He had seen the thoughts running through Al's mind. "Well, Al, given what you have just witnessed, understanding what I am about to tell you should be easier," he said.

In a monotone voice, Al calmly responded to Godfrey. "Please, go on."

Godfrey momentarily paused before responding, "Hahaha, very well. I've already introduced the 23rd Supreme Seed. There are six God Leafs in the world. Each God Leaf is under a single cultivator in the God Chasm. Under him are those of us in the Immortal Chasm. Under us are those in the Mortal Chasm."

Al was prepared to hear some outlandish things, but everything seemed too ridiculous to believe. "A chasm? Six Gods and Leaves," Al noted but somehow felt even more confused.

Godfrey noticed Al's perplexed expression and snapped his fingers before saying, "I understand that what I said may have raised more questions for you, but don't worry. I can provide clarification, but only under one condition." Al nervously cleared his throat.

Godfrey looked at Al kindly before continuing, "If you ever find yourself filled with promise and opportunity, please consider joining our esteemed Supreme God Leaf."

Roman and his team were stunned.

They had been cultivators of the Supreme Leaf for decades. Yet none of them had ever witnessed an Immortal personally extend an invitation to join the Supreme Leaf to someone who had just awoken their Will.

Jeanne, the man with the spear, initially felt resentment at the idea of someone easily gaining what he had struggled for years to achieve. However, he quickly let go of his negative feelings and looked at Al with genuine care.

The entire 23rd Supreme Seed regarded Al with the affectionate gaze of older siblings. They could all appreciate the bittersweetness of stumbling upon fortune after enduring misfortune.

Godfrey reached into his pocket and retrieved a metal emblem with a blue stone in its center. The disk was about the size of a small rock.

As he handed it to Al, Godfrey spoke with clarity and purpose, "If you remain unbroken and still seek to know more about cultivating Will, use this. Meditate upon it, and it will guide you to your destination."

Al placed the metal emblem in his back pocket, feeling a faint tingling sensation in his head. Despite the sensation, he maintained a clear mind, contemplating the intentions behind the gift.

"He wants me to use this and follow up with them. However, who's to say his intentions are true?" Caught in thought, a fresh memory resurfaced, taking him by surprise.

Despite his body being completely healed, the memory brought unbearable pain. Mark was dead.

Godfrey stared at the grimacing Al. "We all have to choose. Either we surrender to the laws of nature, or we compel them to yield to our own will." Godfrey mused to himself

When it came to Al, Godfrey had no answer to two questions. However, he wasn't in any hurry whatsoever. He had lived for a very, very long time. All he had to do was keep Al close and let the events unfold naturally.

"We will be taking our leave. If you decide to accept my offer, go to the 15th Mortal Blood Ring. Mention, the name Superior-Immortal King Godfrey, they will take care of you. I hope our paths cross once again. 23rd Immortal Supreme Seed, let's go!" After saying that, they vanished.

Silence engulfed the park, amplifying Al's sense of emptiness. He looked at where Mark and the demonic sheep had been, but there was no trace of their bodies.

Only the shattered trees and the metal emblem in his back pocket confirmed that the events were not a figment of Al's imagination.

Raindrops began to fall, gently caressing Al's face as if Heaven acknowledged his sorrow. The truth of what had happened was beyond belief, and he knew that revealing it to others would likely result in questions he had no answers to.

His mind was a mess, so he left his car parked and began walking in the rain.

The idea of running away crossed his mind, escaping from the truth that seemed impossible to explain. But the thought of leaving his parents filled him with even more guilt.

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A wave of nausea washed over Al, his body still reeling from the adrenaline coursing through his veins. He questioned how he would face Miss Sandra, Mark's mother, and confront the inevitable question of his friend's whereabouts.

The truth was too horrific, too unbearable to share. The prospect of concocting a lie weighed heavily on his conscience. How could he deceive a mother who had lost her son?

Al's stomach churned, and his body stiffened, refusing to release the tension. Amid his internal turmoil, Al realized that no one would believe what had transpired: the encounter with supernatural beings and Mark's transformation.

Al continued to walk, talking to himself in an attempt to process his thoughts. His footsteps echoed as he approached a pink house, its warm glow contrasting with the cold rain outside.

Al's heart pounded in his chest as he ascended the front steps, his hand shaking as he reached out to knock on the door. He saw the lights inside the house.

'Knock,' 'knock,' 'knock.'

His mind raced with scenarios of how Miss Sandra would react, the possible disbelief and anguish she would experience upon hearing the news.

As the door stood before him, Al braced himself for the unknown, knowing that his life and those around him would never be the same again.

Al's face was ghastly pale, and his mind filled with static white noise. Al swallowed everything he felt, bracing himself as he heard footsteps approaching the door.

Sandra opened the door and laid eyes on the drenched Al, her face twisted in confusion.

Seeing Al soaked from head to toe, Sandra's expression turned from confusion to worry. She pulled him inside, bringing cold rain with him, her voice filled with relief and apprehension. "Al, what happened? Why are you out in this rain? And where's Mark?"

Al's throat tightened, his voice barely a whisper as he struggled to form coherent sentences. "I... I'm sorry," he managed to choke out, tears streaming down his face.

The weight of guilt and sorrow bore down on him. He couldn't bear to meet Sandra's gaze.

Sandra's voice softened, and she realized that something terrible had occurred. She placed a gentle hand on Al's shoulder, her voice filled with compassion. "Al, it's alright. Just take a moment to catch your breath. We'll figure this out together."

Al's sobs grew louder as the loss of his best friend, Mark, overwhelmed him. Sandra embraced him tightly, offering what comfort she could to Al.

What's wrong, Al?" Sandra asked, gently rubbing his back. Al tried to calm his racing mind as scenes of what had happened flashed before him, Mark's insect-like body ripping his face and throwing it towards Al.

"He... he... He vanished! We were in the park. He just vanished. I'm so sorry," he stammered, his voice filled with anguish.

Sandra let go of Al and stood up, pressing her fingers against her temple as she struggled to comprehend his words.

"Vanished? What do you mean? Like in those news stories?" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with exasperation. Al looked at her before quickly turning away, unable to find the right words.

His silence spoke volumes, and he felt his body betraying him in his desperate attempt to explain to Sandra how Mark was dead. "I just want to tell her everything, anything at this point, but my words fail me." His mind was clouded by memories of what had occurred.

Gradually, a shadow of understanding crossed Sandra's face as the weight of the situation settled upon her.

"Mark... he told me what you were planning to do. I always had a sense that you were trouble. You... you're not right in the head," she said, her voice trembling as tears flooded her eyes. "I'm calling the police."

Visibly trembling, Sandra held the phone to her ear, her voice quivering as she spoke to the police dispatcher. "Yes, hello. My son's friend is outside my doorstep. Please send someone over. I think he might be on drugs, too. Please hurry." she whispered the last part.

As Sandra made the call, Al slowly rose to his feet, his gaze empty and haunted. His disheveled appearance and detached countenance sent a chill down Sandra's spine.

Her heart ached with worry and fear. "Tell me the truth, Al," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "Did you and Mark get involved in something you weren't supposed to? Oh my god, did you do something to Mark?"

Sandra covered her mouth in horror, shocked by her own words. Al remained unresponsive, his silence intensifying Sandra's distress.

Minutes later, Al was questioned by two police officers outside Mark's house. His mind was a mix of emotions and thoughts, and he struggled to focus on the conversation. He understood the officer's words, but they seemed distant, as if they were being spoken underwater.

"I shouldn't be surprised by her reaction," Al reflected. "It's only natural. After all, a mother's intuition is strong, and I'm blatantly lying to her about Mark, her son."

"Still, her words cut deep, and my well is dry," he lamented.

Lost in his thoughts, Al was momentarily unaware of the officer addressing him. Startled, he refocused his attention on the conversation. "Alexander, did you hear me? We will call your parents before we take you in for further questioning."

Al took a deep breath. He reached for his phone, his fingers trembling as he dialed his parents' number, preparing himself for another difficult conversation that awaited him.

After several hours of intense questioning, the police finally released Al. His parents had been informed of the situation early on, and his father, John, a lawyer specializing in cases related to the mysterious vanishings, swiftly took charge. With his expertise, he managed to navigate the legal proceedings and ensure Al's release.

A heavy silence hung in the air as they drove home that night. Understanding the gravity of the situation, John and Linda chose not to press him for details.

They knew that their son would open up to them in time. As soon as they arrived home, Al retreated to his room. He locked the door behind him, isolating himself from the outside world.