As he retraced his steps through the tunnels, the weight of the moment pressed down on him like a physical force. This wasn’t just a memory, not simply a glimpse into his past - it was a reckoning. A reclaiming of his purpose, of his self. The rage that had fueled him still simmered beneath the surface, but it was joined by something else, something heavier. He had been the hunter, the avenger, the storm incarnate. Before he had failed, and died. He knew that.

And he realized that was the key. These events -in a way he was changing the past, his past. Rewriting history. And that would change his future.

He paused in the dim corridor, the glow of the Prismata Orb flickering faintly beside him. The orb seemed to resonate with his emotions, its facets shifting in color and light. He raised it before him, his fingers brushing its smooth surface as he focused his thoughts.

“There’s something here,” he muttered, his voice raw and ragged. “Something I need.”

The sands of time were slipping away; he could feel it. The memory, the reverie, the tether to this past moment - it was all fraying at the edges, pulling him back toward the present. He had seconds, maybe less, to find what he was looking for.

The orb pulsed in response, its light intensifying as Liam’s will sharpened. He pushed deeper, searching through the myriad facets for the skill he sought. His breath quickened as he felt the familiar weight of power settling into place.

Notification: Identify skill acquired.

The words flashed briefly in his mind before the world shifted again, the tunnel dissolving into light and sound. The tether snapped, and he was yanked back into the present, the suddenness of the transition leaving him disoriented and unsteady.

When his vision cleared, he found himself lying on the cold, rocky floor of the cave. His body ached, and his throat felt as if it had been torn raw from screaming. He blinked, the dim glow of the Prismata Orb and the soft hum of Umbra’s presence grounding him in the here and now.

He looked down at Umbra, who had fallen into a quiescent state. Her normally vibrant form was smooth and still, her colors muted as though she, too, had been drained by the experience. A notification hovered in his periphery:

Umbra Evolution Detected. Sapience Level: +1.

“Well, look at you,” Liam rasped, his voice hoarse. “Evolving while I’m busy losing my mind.”

Umbra didn’t respond, but her quiet stillness was almost reassuring. He reached out, resting a hand on her smooth surface. “Thanks for the assist, little buddy. But let’s not do that again without some kind of plan, yeah?”

His lips twitched into a faint, weary smile before his exhaustion finally caught up with him. His head hit the ground, and the world went dark.

When Liam awoke, the faint glow of the Prismata Orb illuminated the cavern, casting its strange, rhythmic light across the jagged walls. A notification pulsed persistently in his field of view, drawing his groggy attention.

Umbra Evolution: Complete.

He blinked, rubbing the back of his neck as he sat up, his body stiff and sore from his unconscious state. His eyes shifted down to Umbra, who rested on the ground beside him, her surface unusually still yet radiating a faint, soft luminescence.

“So,” he said aloud, his voice rasping from disuse, “you’re evolved, huh? Does that mean you’ve gotten some new powers? Because honestly, you’ve already been a big help.” His tone was light, teasing, but the warmth in his words was genuine.

Umbra gave a faint ripple in response, her surface flickering with iridescent hues. Liam smiled, shaking his head as he ran a hand through his disheveled hair. The thought of his little slime companion gaining new abilities filled him with a strange sense of pride, as though he were witnessing a child taking their first steps. He still couldn’t fully wrap his head around the absurdity of it all, but here he was, talking to a sentient slime and feeling like a proud parent.

He exhaled, his breath visible in the cool air of the cavern. What had started as some surreal, dreamlike fantasy had quickly become a harsh and unyielding reality. The battles, the pain, the narrow escapes - it was all too visceral, too raw, to dismiss as some kind of strange hallucination. This was his life now, and if he didn’t come to grips with it soon, it would consume him whole. He needed to adapt - or he wouldn’t survive.

“Survive.” The word came not from his own thoughts but from somewhere else - soft yet clear, resonating in his mind like a distant echo.

He froze, his gaze snapping down to Umbra. The little slime pulsed faintly, her colors shifting in a mesmerizing pattern. Master. Thoughts. Yours. Mine. Clearer now.

The words were not spoken aloud, but they rang through his consciousness as clearly as if they had been. Liam’s heart skipped a beat. He stared at her, wide-eyed, unsure of what to make of this sudden development.

“Well, aren’t you just full of surprises, little one?” he said after a moment, his voice tinged with amazement. A grin spread across his face as he leaned forward, lifting her gently in his hands. He gazed into her swirling depths, the colors within her shifting like the mists of a crystal ball in some fortune-teller’s parlor.

“Mysterious,” he muttered, chuckling softly. “You’ve got that whole enigmatic vibe down, Umbra. Madame Maeve would be jealous.”

Umbra pulsed faintly again, the telepathic bond between them silent but warm. He set her down carefully, brushing his hands on his knees before turning his attention to his gear. The mismatched collection of items was spread out before him, each piece holding the promise of potential - or danger.

He picked up the chainmail, holding it up to the light. The interlocking rings shimmered with an otherworldly sheen, the silver surface tinged with an ethereal blue hue. It was surprisingly light for its size, far lighter than any armor he had encountered before.

“It’s like something straight out of a fantasy novel,” he mused, turning it over in his hands. “Mithril, maybe? Or some kind of alien alloy?” He sighed, setting it aside. “Definitely need to figure that out.”

Activating his newly acquired Identify Skill, he focused on the chainmail. Information flowed into his mind in a series of flashes, each piece fitting together like a puzzle. It was as though the armor itself was speaking to him, revealing its secrets. The same happened as he worked through each of his items. He quickly realized that touching the object made the process clearer, the connection stronger. There was something psychometric about it, something that went beyond mere observation.

“Interesting,” he muttered, turning the dagger over in his hand. Its wickedly sharp edge gleamed menacingly in the dim light, and the Identify Skill revealed intricate details about its craftsmanship and hidden enchantments. Each discovery added another layer to his understanding of the tools at his disposal, and with each revelation, his confidence grew.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

A sudden notification jolted him from his focus:

Quest Update Alert: Legacy of the Immortal.

Quest: Path of the Reincarnator

Objective: Reclaim your legacy.

Follow the path laid out by your past selves. Use psychic link with Umbra to enter the Path of Legacy and reclaim lost skills, achievements, and titles.

Progress: 2/∞.

Rewards: Regained skills, achievements, titles.

Liam’s eyes flicked over the quest details, his mind racing. This wasn’t just about survival anymore. It was a calling, a challenge issued to him by the universe itself. The path before him wasn’t just about living in the moment - it was about reclaiming the strength and power of the lives he had lived before. It was about proving the immortality of his soul.

A grim smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “So that’s it, huh? The Path of the Reincarnator. Guess I’ve got my work cut out for me.”

Umbra pulsed faintly, her warmth radiating through their bond. Master. Path is ours. Together.

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Yeah, together,” he agreed. “Guess I don’t really have a choice, do I?”

The glow of the Prismata Orb intensified slightly, as if in response to his resolve. He reached out, his fingers brushing against its smooth surface, and felt a faint hum of energy resonate through him. The orb was more than just a tool or a relic - it was a part of him, a bridge to his past and a key to his future.

Liam sat back, taking a deep breath as he began to plot his next steps. If he was going to reclaim the Legacy of the Immortal, he would need to get stronger - and fast. He had no intention of following in Gilgamesh’s footsteps, giving up immortality in favor of a legacy that he would never see come to fruition. To Liam, immortality wasn’t just about existing forever - it was about being there for the people you loved, about building something that lasted while you were alive to see it.

He thought of Sarah, of his little girl. The memory of their faces filled him with a sense of purpose so powerful it nearly overwhelmed him. They were his reason for fighting, his reason for enduring. If he was going to carve a path through this strange, brutal world, it would be for them.

With renewed determination, he began to gather his gear, his movements steady and purposeful. Holding the chainmail, he marveled at how light it felt. Umbra pulsed faintly from her perch, her presence a constant reminder that he wasn’t alone.

“All right,” he said as he gathered his things, his voice firm. “Time to get moving. The Path of the Reincarnator isn’t going to walk itself.”

Umbra rippled in agreement, her telepathic bond sending a faint echo of approval through his mind.

And that’s when he was interrupted by a crash of sound as a deafening roar shattered the relative silence of the cave, overpowering the constant sound of the falls, as it echoed through the valley like a thunderclap. The sound reverberated off the stone walls, a primal call that sent a chill racing down Liam’s spine.

“Shit,” he muttered under his breath, his muscles tensing instinctively. There was no time to waste.

He moved quickly, pulling on the chainmail and securing it around his torso. The silvery-blue links felt heavier now, as though the very air around him had thickened with the weight of impending danger. He strapped the climbing claws to his boots and gloves, the sharp edges glinting faintly in the dim light of the cave. He secured the war-fork to his back and finally, he sheathed his dagger, the wicked blade resting securely at his side.

“All right,” he said aloud, more to himself than to Umbra, who pulsed faintly on his shoulder. “Looks like we can’t stay here forever.”

His voice was steady, but his heart hammered in his chest. The roar had come from a distance, but he knew better than to assume it meant safety. Whatever was out there - dragon or otherwise - was a threat he couldn’t afford to ignore.

Liam took a moment to scan the shallow cave, his eyes flicking over the jagged walls and uneven floor. There was nothing here to help him - no tools, no resources, no escape routes. The space offered only temporary refuge, a fleeting pause in the chaos of his flight.

He turned his gaze toward the cave entrance, squinting at the blinding light that poured in. The cliffside loomed before him, its sheer face stretching upward like an insurmountable barrier. It was a daunting sight, but one that filled him with a strange sense of determination.

“Up it is,” he murmured. His voice was quiet, but there was no hesitation in it.

Liam stepped out into the open, the cool wind biting at his face. The sky above was a pale, unforgiving gray, the clouds swirling ominously as if heralding a storm. Below, the jungle stretched out like a sea of green, its dense canopy hiding whatever predators lurked within. He felt exposed, vulnerable, as if the world itself was watching him.

He tilted his head back, assessing the cliff. The stone was smooth and unyielding, offering little in the way of footholds or handholds. There were no alcoves to shelter him, only the one convenient ledge to rest upon. The rest of the sheer wall seemed to mock his ambition, daring him to attempt the climb.

“This is a one-off,” he muttered. “No way I’m getting another chance at this.”

Umbra shifted slightly on his shoulder, her surface rippling faintly. Master, watchful. Eyes above. The mental nudge came with a warning tone, and Liam’s gaze darted upward.

Nothing.

But he knew better than to dismiss the possibility. The dragon could be circling out of sight, its massive form hidden by the clouds. Or worse, it could be lying in wait, coiled and ready to strike the moment he made himself vulnerable.

The faint howl of distant predators reached his ears, carried on the wind. The sound was eerie, mournful, and far too close for comfort. He clenched his jaw, forcing himself to focus.

“Not now,” he muttered, dismissing the noise. Wolves - or whatever passed for wolves in this world - were nothing compared to a dragon. They were a threat, sure, but a manageable one. The dragon, however, was something else entirely.

He cast one last glance at the horizon, wishing he had some way of knowing where Kaelin was, what she was up to. The thought of her filled him with a mix of worry and frustration. Was she still alive? Was she safe? Or had she been caught in the chaos he had barely escaped from? He shook his head, forcing the thoughts away. There was nothing he could do about her now. His focus needed to be on survival - his own and Umbra’s.

“All right, little one,” he said, his tone softening as he addressed the slime. “Let’s see if we can make it to the top.”

Umbra gave a faint pulse, her surface shifting to a determined blue-green hue. Liam chuckled despite himself, her silent encouragement enough to bolster his resolve.

He approached the cliff face, the wind tugging at his clothes as he looked for the best way up. The wall was unforgiving, its surface slick with moisture and streaked with patches of moss. There were no obvious paths, no natural grooves he could see to guide him. He would have to rely on the climbing tools - and his own determination.

Liam took a deep breath, the air filling his lungs like a calming balm. Then he reached out, the claws on his gloves digging into the stone with a satisfying crunch. He pulled himself up, his muscles straining as he tested his grip. The tools held firm.

Slowly, methodically, he began his ascent. Each movement was deliberate, every handhold and foothold carefully chosen. His heart pounded in his chest, a steady rhythm that matched the tempo of his climb. The wind whipped around him, threatening to throw him off balance, but he ignored it, focusing solely on the next step.

The higher he climbed, the more indistinct the world below became. He could hear nothing over the rush of blood in his own ears as he ascended. The cliff seemed to stretch on forever, an unending wall of stone that challenged his every move.

About halfway up the cave, Liam paused, his arms trembling from the effort. Warden’s Endurance barely seeming to help, in the face of the mental struggle. He pressed himself against the cliff face, his cheek resting against the cold stone as he caught his breath. Umbra pulsed gently on his shoulder, her presence a steadying force.

“Thanks, buddy,” he murmured. “Couldn’t do this without you.”

She rippled in response, her surface shimmering faintly. He smiled, the small gesture enough to push him forward.

But then a shadow passed overhead.

Liam froze, his heart skipping a beat as he glanced upward. The shadow was fleeting, disappearing into the clouds as quickly as it had appeared. His pulse quickened, every nerve in his body screaming at him to move. He didn’t need to see the dragon to know it was there, somewhere above, watching, waiting.

“All right,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “No more breaks.”

He resumed his climb, his movements faster now, driven by a sense of urgency. The claws bit into the stone with renewed force, the strain in his muscles becoming a dull ache that he pushed to the back of his mind. Every second felt like an eternity, every foot gained a victory against the looming threat above.

The wind howled around him, and the jungle below was now a distant sea of green, obscured by mist. He felt exposed, vulnerable, but there was no turning back. The top was still a ways away, but it was far closer now than the ground.

Liam gritted his teeth, his resolve hardening. He tightened his grip on the climbing tools, his gaze fixed upward.

“We’re getting out of here,” he said, his voice firm. “One way or another.”

Umbra pulsed faintly, her surface glinting like polished steel. And so he continued the climb.

He hoped Kaelin was having a better time of it, than him.