“Sounds good,” Lucian nodded and said calmly. Gaining more power wouldn't hurt.

“Jump into the River whenever you're ready. The blessing relies heavily on how long you can last in the river. The longer you endure the torment, the stronger the blessing you receive. With my help you will not suffer any major damage, however, do be careful to not go too deep into it” he said as he summoned his paddle once again. He smiled as he motioned to him with his paddle to move into the water.

Lucian moved towards the water, walking directly into it. Usually, he would be reluctant to put himself in such a position but he decided to anyway mostly because of the current plan. He didn't believe Charon would do anything to him considering how far through the plan they had gone. He trusted his gut, moving a couple more inches into it until he was half covered in the water.

Immediately, Intense pain wracked his whole soul nearly inciting a roar in pain from Lucian. However, he endured as he moved in deeper till he was about 1 meter under the water. The water bubbled and sizzles similar to hot water as the silver water forcefully attacked his surface. It seemed to seep through his soul as he endured the excruciating pain. The deeper he went, the more pain he felt and it only seemed to get worse with time. However, Lucian grit his teeth and endured. If what Charon said was true about the river, the benefits he would receive would be worthwhile.

After a while, he felt his energy slowly depleting as lasted through the pain. It seemed like the longer he lasted, the more energy it took from him as well.

On the surface, Charon watched as he got deeper into the river. Seeing that he stopped 1 meter he sighed. 1 meter was far below what is needed to gain the ultimate blessing. However, if that is the best he could do, then that is what he deserved. Just as Charon was about to begin his using divine ability, He saw Lucian move another meter into the water surprising him slightly. He looked to be in incredible pain but he seemed to be able to move out of sheer will.

With a Nod of appreciation, he began his using his ability. “That’s much better. Now let's ge- oh? He moved once again?” seeing that Lucian moved once again to 3 meters, he stopped his action and decided to see how far he could get into the water.

Soon Lucian moved to the 4th meter

5th meter

“From 6 meters onward only legendary geniuses from the Demi Races are known to survive past there. It shouldn’t be possible for a weak human soul to pass the 6th meter” he thought to himself in certainty. He had seen many different people attempt and try to break that record but it was all but useless if they did not have at least a divine spark.

“I should prepare the divine sp- what?!” he said in shock. “He has reached the 6th meter! Is he not a mortal human? How can he surpass the limits of a human?” He said as his face distorted between confusion and disbelief. This was normally impossible to achieve as a mortal. Has the quality of his soul changed that much? Enough to subvert the abilities of mortals? If that is the case, this man should not be allowed to escape the Underworld. He didn't know what to expect so he waited until he saw that Lucian can move up no more.

7 meters

8 meters

Dumbfounded, he watched as Lucian eventually got to the 9th meter. “Can he reach it? Only someone at the level of a god can be able to reach the 10th and final meter...”

Lucian himself however was barely hanging on in the river. The pain had become so unbearable that the only thing he could think of was forward. Any other thought would break him out of his concentration and he might heavily injure his soul.

However, the moment he reached the 9th meter, he tried to take another step forward only to find himself forcefully pushed back by the huge currents under the ocean. It seems like the 10th meter was far harder than the rest. Not willing to stop after he'd come so far, he willed himself to take the next step. He was again forcefully pushed back, unable to take the next step.

Out of options, Lucian thought of compromising and making do with what he already had. He was sure 9 meters was still pretty good. Giving up here would still be very respectable and the reward should still be nice. He could probably still get a nice upgrade to his soul from it.

However, Lucian was greedy. He wanted more. He didn't want to settle for just normal, he wanted to surpass the standard. To be beyond whatever limits have been placed on him. Even if that meant the whole world hated him for who he was, he wouldn't relent until he reached the peak.

During this time, his thoughts unconsciously moved back to what had happened to his soul before; the desolate energy that Charon described enveloping him.

The majority of his motivation was to gain revenge on Elijah for his actions. He made it the only reason he needed to escape this hell and return back to Earth.

However, with his path to Earth shut, he lost the motivation to truly escape. He needed a different goal to achieve.

"I will not be able to return to Earth, but I can return once I am strong enough. My goals need to change. If I must become strong to return, then so be it! I will gain the strength I need to reach that world myself."

A sinister red glow surrounded him for the briefest of moments as he thought to himself.

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"And when I do, I will kill you myself..." He whispered.

With extreme hatred in his heart, he took another step forward, this time with renewed determination. However, just like before he was being pushed back.

“No! I Will not be stopped!” he roared. Suddenly he began to glow as a symbol similar to the ones on his skeletons surfaced on his soul. Instantly the pressure was washed away as he took the step.

!!! He’s moving forward once again! Is he truly strong enough to match the will of a god?” he said. A mysterious light flashed in his golden eyes

Step after step Lucian moved and eventually reached the utmost depth of the Styx. He then stood in place for a while to get used to the pain the 10 meters brought however, he realized that he lost a significant amount of energy suddenly, preventing him from fully recovering. The world seemed to lose its color as he suddenly felt faint. He was slowly losing consciousness.

Seeing Lucian's current predicament, Charon immediately activated his Divine spell. Suddenly bright, multicolored light filled the space as a giant spell hung in the air over the Styx. the energy from the spell then began to rush towards the river, surrounding Lucian in multicolored lights. The energy slowly began to replenish his energy reserves, allowing him to spend more time being refined in the Styx.

As the Spell was ongoing, discreetly, Charon made another spell. This one looked much more sinister with black and red energy coursing through it. It looked like an extremely powerful curse.

“You are truly quite the human. It's a shame you were not born a god. Unfortunately, my job requires me to protect the reincarnation realm with my utmost capability. This means in the end I must end an abnormality such as you. you are far too dangerous to be left in the multiverse. However, you do not deserve to die such a painful death. I will only place a little curse on you to die a peaceful death at my command. To die like this is a little unfortunate but you should be glad to contribute towards a greater cause.” he mumbled under his breath with mixed feelings as he combined the curse with the divine spell.

He watched the spell pour into Lucian’s soul. His face was somber with regret like he was the one being hurt himself but behind his eyes, fierce loyalty and determination stood strong. He did not dislike Lucian but for the Supremacy of the gods, he must end such a threat.

Soon enough the spell began to dissipate as the refinement from the Styx was complete. Lucian woke up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. The Styx water seemed to have no effect on him. He took out his Skeleton as he walked out of the river, controlling the skeleton with ease. Charon however, was having the shock of his life due to the familiarity of those bones.

"Those are the Legendary bones of Old! How did he gain such a thing?!" Charon roared internally in a panic. He knew Lucian gained a body but not such a body! And now that he had also gained the blessing of the Styx- something unheard of in the eons of the reign of gods- He couldn't imagine just how much more powerful he had become.

"Good thing I planted that curse on him. I can't let him live at all!" He thought as he forcefully calmed himself down. If he had known about the skeleton he would have never let him use the Styx river.

Lucian took a look at his bones and soul. He noticed a major difference in the weight of his bones, being 10 times denser than before as well as 5 times heavier which might be both a good and bad thing. However, the most obvious change was the change in his soul. His soul was now about 50% bigger with now a golden orb of energy floating around him like a moon.

Pulling up the system he took a look at his stats

Basic Stats

Name: Lucian Villin

Class: ---

Profession: ---

Race: Human Skeleton/Soul

Strength - [0][0.03] [Locked]

Constitution - [0.05][0.1] [Locked]

Endurance - [0][0.03] [Locked]

Perception - [0][0.03] [Locked]

Agility - [0.05][0.1] [Locked]

Dexterity - [0][0.03] [Locked]

Willpower- [0][0.3]

Intelligence - [0][0.3]

Soul - [0.4][0.8]

Health [3]

Stamina [2]

Physical Attack [3]

Magical Attack [18]

Mana [7]

Critical Chance [0.04%]

Critical Dmg [1.5]

Health Regen [0][0.14/Min]

Stamina Regen [0][1.1/min][0.018/sec]

Mana Regen [0.14/min]

Soul Essence [7]

Soul Essence Regen [3.4/min][0.057/sec]

Body -The Imperishable 6 Paths of the Hegemon (Unique) (locked)

Soul - Grand Myriad Dao Soul (Unique)

So the names have changed for his body and soul, however, he gained no stats bonuses for either. He did find it a bit weird for none of his upgrades to increase his stats but he believed he would see their effects soon. He did notice a significant increase in his soul strength though as it effectively tripled in distance and strength.

Turning back towards Charon, the man forcefully smiled as he acknowledged him.

“How do you like the upgrade?” he asked in an unusual voice.

“Honestly I don't know the effects of having a unique body or soul so I can't really tell much from my system screen” He replied vaguely.

“Ah, yes indeed as you are now, you will not see much of a change in your attribute from the upgrade. In Fact, as you slowly get stronger or as you humans say ‘level up’ you'll probably see a decrease in leveling speed compared to other people. However, as you grow stronger and unlock your unique body’s capabilities, you will be much stronger than other people of similar levels. By chance what kind of body and soul do you have?

“Ah thank you for the advice. I'll make a note of that once I am finally living” he replied respectfully, ignoring the god’s question. He would much rather keep that to himself.

Noticing he didn't get a response, Charon's eyes flashed as he smiled in acknowledgment. He would be dead soon anyway.

“Well, then I shall see you soon! I wish you the best of luck!” Charon said as he began to turn back to his ship.

“Oh, one more thing Charon” Lucian interjected before he left.

Charon stopped and turned slightly in surprise "Oh? What is it?”

Knowing this was the make or break of his plan, he steeled his nerves. “I believe Thanatos knows you are helping me.”

Charon stared at him. Lucian grit his teeth. Did it work? Is it the truth?

“Ah, so he should be more prepared than we thought” Charon replied as his smile turned into a frown. Worry was etched onto his face as he contemplated what he needed to do.

It wasn't a lie.

“Yes, I would suggest you tell Hades what he is planning so we can also acquire his help. In case of any mistakes, I would rather have someone that can contain him in case he attacks us” Lucian offered nonchalantly as a form of advice.

Nodding in agreement, Charon seemed to like the idea. “Hmm, yes that is a sound idea. I shall let him know as well.”

Looking at Lucian once again, he smiled warmly “Once again, I must thank you. You did not have to tell me of this, yet you did. I will be forever grateful for your help.”

Nodding in acknowledgment, Lucian turned and walked back up the path. His expression was a mask of calm and indifference.

"I hate snakes."