Looking left, right, and up, Murai was thinking of a way to go back to the tower rather than waste time. However, he didn't have to worry about it as he was far from everything in this barren and flat arena. It was his place of battle for the last 20 or so minutes, and now it was over.

There was terrible access to all the other platforms, and it didn't seem well designed with a duck in mind. Some stairs would be good, but there were none. Maybe it was nature that made this strange cave, but Murai didn't think that. It looked more artificial than anything else. Manmade, even.

At least, for a duck, this place was too large. Unfit.

Well, I am getting hungry—was his thought when he wavered on the spot, tired. His fight against the Acaman Golem was well-planned on his part, but he used everything he had. Such as the vast space of this arena, which was perfect for this fight. His mana was spent, and his mind tired. Adding to that many rising platforms and pillars, it was the perfect choice to get all kinds of tactics going and hide behind a few pillars in bad situations.

However, it was a deep pit with many platforms like small hills or pillars, making the motion to get out of there out of the question.

Noticing the section that was destroyed at some portions, Murai recognized the entrance which wasn't that far away. It was around an 18-meter-high cliff and it had no access to get to it from his current position. While he was looking at it, he got an idea of how to get up, and it wasn't something bad. It was that kind of idea that he did recognize, but never cared to think about before.

“Lisa... I got a hunch of something. A terrible idea. I think I am an idiot, but a fortunate one.” he said, eyeing Lisa with somewhat of a sorry tone.

She nervously winced her body, backing away from this sudden topic. She hoped to not listen, but not like it would change the outcome.

“W-what do you mean?” she said nervously.

“It's clear that if you can take some shards with your feeble body, you should have a small possibility of moving me upwards a little, don't you? I am not as heavy, I reckon. Your physicality may be limited, but I fear you aren't making yourself clear to me about it. Push me ahead, while I use my beak and legs as support. That seems like a good idea to get up. Let's climb up.” Murai said, smirking as if his idea was greater than it sounded.

“I... What... N-no... No way. My Soul Form is really weak. I swear I am...”

.

.

.

5 minutes later, Lisa was clutching Murai's neck, wings, and feathers, cursing this freaking Anatidae to oblivion. With her limited strength and physicality as a Soul Form, she was pulling him up the wall as much as she could, turning her hands into physical realms and stressing her soul.

She was stabilizing him as well while he was doing his best to climb the tall cliff with his use of a beak and crawling upwards thanks to his clawed fingers on his tiny legs. The wall had some flatter, uneven stones at some parts, helping him with some troubles of his climb.

Grunting in displeasure, Lisa cursed Murai in many languages in her mind, but Murai wouldn't care, nor complain about it. Not as if he heard her inner complaints.

Soon enough, they reached the top of the cliff, and the tunnel back to the tower was unnotched by the golem's first attack.

“That wasn't that hard, see? I did at least half of the work.” Murai said, huffing for breath since he did pretty much most of the climbing. Lise helped offset the possible fall by pushing him to the cliff so he wouldn't slip.

“S-shut up... I feel used and terrible, but I don't want to leave until I see the full reward of this mess that you accomplish. Everything when it comes to that room, I want to see that with my own eyes.” she insisted, not backing down in the slightest.

Murai understood her desire since he wanted to see the rewards as well. They piqued his interest and the path towards then was basically over. Whatever it was, he already reached success, so that put his mind at ease.

Although, he was damn hopeful that the possible reward would be something great, and he couldn't wait to choose his reward. The precious stuff from that World Essence Trove was now gliding around his memories. A form of possibility to leave this dungeon and get back to the surface was also there, but it wasn't as important in his head.

Murai had been on this cave adventure for quite some time, and running out of patience and mana, caused his fatigue to become noticeable. He needed some food and a steady form of that. There's nothing that he could do about it in such caves.

The dungeon can't be a source of food. Living beings and how to hunt them in this place was impossible. The only reason he was full before was this Tower, but he can't just dive into that water and start hunting, right? What if the dungeon punished him with an opponent that would kill him? He would do so if someone played a joke in his own backyard, so that idea quickly escaped his mind.

Food or not, he still felt fatigued, even though his Will was tremendous. This wasn't the case in his soul, which felt fine. It was a common sense of body that he understood. Part of losing a lot of mana and continuous physical actions were the cause. He used too much Shaping which stressed his body in incredible proportions, while his Beast Core was another issue altogether.

Murai was, quite frankly, exhausted in more ways than he was willing to admit.

The 100-meter journey toward the Tower took a while. Back at the glowing room of radiating mana that both of them expected with excitement, Murai hoped to seek his choices.

As he did so, a steady and powerful descent of the Will of the Battleworld came forth, encompassing the whole room and flickering even the mana itself. It wasn't pleasant. Maybe it wasn't even that. It was different, or crazed with its purpose?

Murai frowned while feeling something within it. It was the intent of a higher being, which wasn't a good thing to feel right now. It shook his mind, accompanied by some intense pressure for a purpose that was different than usual. It wasn't the usual Will of the Battleworld. It was a feeling that Murai felt many times before. A Descent of God's Will and the pressure of being watched that was well over the limitation of a common Path.

Though, this time, he felt utter despair, since his basic power was like an ant being in front of a human. That's how far apart he felt his current self and this figure. Even Lisa nervously backed down, shuddering with some form of the message only she could hear. It was wild, lofty, and powerful until she was kneeling on the ground in helplessness. She wanted to apologize for her mistake, pleading for something, but she couldn't even do that, lest Murai got a hunch of it.

It was right, or perhaps purposefully done since Murai didn't care about Lisa nor he sensed anything about her. The thunderous voice and intent penetrated his Will and shuddered his soul.

He barely kept his face and feet straight, feeling the words while his Robust Spirit underwent mysterious changes that dispersed the effects of this Will away.

“I heard that the strangest thing can happen when one least expects them.” A God spoke, talking like thunders hitting one another. “Here I am, watching the plays of the land of the living and a freaking duck is playing in a part of Somalis Dungeon that I purchased centuries ago? The Somalis part, even? Acaman Tower too. A Blessed Player? No... Citizen. What in the bloody world is Lordis thinking? Am I seeing things? It also accomplished and succeeded my Dungeon with its ridiculous demands that none should've taken. Ridiculous.”

A deep masculine, yet somewhat cheerful voice said. It was strong and full of the intent that was seeing power over something... Chaotic. Shimmering whispers of Chaos definitely accompanied this voice, and Murai felt it like a hammer hitting his head.

Murai knew it wasn't coming from the statue, nor it was related to the God of Battle but there were more Gods of this Battleworld. The way he viewed the God of Battle, the power of this voice indicated another problem. According to his hunch, this God was most likely in shackles with him.

He should be taking part in some form of entertainment or grudges against others like him. It shouldn't be that surprising, but making it happen in the land of the mortals was somewhat strange to Murai. This God was questionable if he wanted to have anything to do with that, but it seemed he had no choice but to take this God's Will against his own.

He wished to ignore it, but such a figure could force himself on him as easily as lifting a finger. That was what happened, and Murai didn't question it that much, since the Gods were less than normal in his opinion. Be it in the power or in personality.

“Not talking nor commenting on this? Hmmm... a proper Citizen is there, in the mess that others gifted me... I can see problems in that straight away. It is strange too, but not really up for me. Well... you are weak. Young too. Let's see... Huh?” He paused for a few moments, thinking or viewing Murai in a much better light.

“Less than a year in the Battleworld and you already finished the second-rate Somalis Dungeon of 23-level difficulty? Unexpected, but... your soul... You are that one? I heard a few mentions... Rumors too. An Old One? Strange rumors, but.. oh well. It's not like I remember hearing the details or the past. Forget it for the time being.” The voice laughed as if unafraid of the consequences that Murai inevitably forced.

“Let's play a game where I will be talking and you won't do a whisper because you can't because of my power! Hah! Good. I never thought someone would clear this thing that I made up on a whim. I created this thing with so many worries in mind, while the Acaman Family was just an excuse and fools of the past.” The voice said and sighted at the end.

“Anyway, the talking part is normally how gods do stuff, but you know it already. This is Batttleworld, so it's the case of rules that I had to take part in since this is what Lordis forced on all of the Origin Dungeons and their subversion, and so on. There are rules I had to act with. If not, I will get punished by the Divine Pact. I have no choice, but you do, but it still makes me hesitant, since it is my Dungeon... which... I didn't plan to put it to use.” He voiced as if he was deeply sorry and disappointed that someone found this dungeon.

“Yeah. Rules are there too. Blessing is due according to my Authority. This dungeon is... mine to say the least, so I should do what I have. I know. You are the first to do this one, which is surprising, considering you also cleared the part that is underwater which was something that was supposed to prevent any challengers from accessing the real part. Dozen died there many centuries ago, but you didn't. That isn't that bad. It is terrible for both of us, maybe?”

Murai kept himself shut, but he listened attentively to what this damned God had to tell. He seemed overly chatty and spoke without much thinking, which was either: part of his Godly status, his personality, or he had nothing to hide. All of those were weird choices and things that Murai wasn't taking for granted. All Gods had some form of issues, and their personality was often shit.

“I hope you won't take the rewards I put into this place into too far heights. It is a place. A secure trove, which I doubt... Yeah. I can feel it. You wanted to take that. Of course, you would want that. It's no wonder, but you won't take that, unfortunately. Too bad.” The God said as if he understood all of Murai's intentions, emotions, and worries.

In fact, he did feel it all, since his Divine Sense washed over Murai's mind, seeing the Chaos within that was part of this exchange. The accompaniment of this Will somewhat pushed Laws in place, so this God realized the barebone surface of Murai's thoughts. It wasn't everything, but it was enough to seek emotions and surface-level intentions.

“As for the Blessing that I am meant to give you, that is the reason I have descended with my Will. I have 3 choices to give, which is a number that Lordis likes a lot. That's how many wives he has, funny, isn't it?” voice joked, and kept talking, pestering himself more than Murai. Although he was watching over the information, provided by the Will of the Battleworld, he feared what this God had to offer or tell.

“The following Blessing are choices of my specialties as a God under what Somalis can endure. It's nothing fancy since I am a Rank 2 God.”

“1st is Blessing of Anguish. It's making use of the pain in the statistical approach to improvements that Battleworld has. It can increase the Body Attributes a lot, along with the Will. It has quite a significant power boost depending on how one uses its properties or endures its... effects.”

“2nd is Blessing of Rage. It's a passive ability that can cause you to remain clearheaded within the blood-related abilities, strengthening, or agitation. It also adds a certain benefit in mana overdrawn state, or so I heard. It also provides some pretty effects on the Attributes and gives possibilities for some fusion, growth, and Boosts. Basily how any Blessings works. When it comes to enduring the battles and affecting the actions, this Blessing of Rage shines in battle..”

“As for the 3rd one, it is my favorite and more intricate one. A Blessing of Ferocity. It's rather well suited for the Demonic Beasts, rather than humans, which you aren't... that. I can't help but give you this sort of choice. It's not like I have more Blessings, but I don't see a lot of humans, you know? That's quite said since its effects are good! Anyway, I am getting ahead of myself with this, and you are clearly having none of this as I see your painfully angry soul. How funny. Heheheh.” Laughter echoed into the Murai, but he had enough Will to scowl inside and curse this god to eat grass.

Though this God didn't seem bothered.

He continued with what he should do.

“Its effects will add a tinge of my Divinity, with not a single redeeming quality or intent. It's like a small piece of a great treasure, which I can't change, or control, so don't worry about some hidden property. It's part of the Law I have, so it's nothing to be concerned about. Upon fusion with it, thanks to the helpful addition of Lordis's system, It can lead to a series of changes to the species and evolutions. I don't think humans like that, so what about beasts? Though, it's your choice... Not like I can influence you in any way. Is it the 3rd choice? You chose it, right?” He talked as if the only entertainer in its life was himself, and no one else.

This God insisted on the 3rd choice for whatever reason. That was suspicious. Though, Murai knew this God was taking a deep pondering look over the choices of his words, and also at his soul. That was... something he hated. To be seen. To be watched. It made him recall many unpleasant memories.

This voice... maybe Murai heard it before too, but he wasn't sure if he did or not. Maybe it was too long ago? It could be the case since the Rank 2 Gods shouldn't be more than a few thousand years old to tens of thousands of years old. He could have met this person when he wasn't the god yet, but Murai had a hunch. A hunch that could be possible since he believed in his senses.

After hearing those choices, Murai figured he was supposed to answer, but did he want to do that? Voicing and talking to God was pretty damn bothersome at the moment of his short New Beginning.

Still standing, Murai was under the watchful gaze and pressure of this Chaos, and this Will. So, he put forth his own, which spoke much more clearly than he thought. “What benefits does the 3rd choice entail, and what part of Divinity does this Law of yours have? Is that what you are Blessing me with, or is it some rundown Law that you found later? So far what you've told me, the choices aren't enough to decide or give enough incentive to care about them.”

“NOW we are talking! Finally putting some use of this soul of yours. Good, but... Wait... of course, you didn't refuse straight away. EXCELLENT!” the voice cheered, as the flickering whispers became that much crazier.

“I haven't introduced myself yet, as it isn't a procedure to tell, but I find it fitting because of this chance. Pakutan is my name. A Rank 2 God with a Law of Pain, with its Divinity too. I am under the influence of Chaos, but I was temporarily under the help of Lordis, who has some beef with his friends and enemies alike. It's complicated. Anyway, I am boring you, and you are running out of your languages. I can tell that already, so let's get back to the business I am here for.” Pakutan turned much more serious, glad that Murai was finally speaking out loud to him.

“You did ask a good question. Blessing of Ferocity can provide someone with a chaotic Chimera Bloodline that I had when I was coming to terms with Godhood in the part of certain... unquestionable Universe. It has some tingle of deep madness, but nothing too crazy. It should be something that your Species hasn't met, so something crazy could happen. Lordis should rejoice in this, so I hope you will decide on that. It is a good choice since your species should manage it and your Will would endure it.”

“Does it have any problems that you are leaving out of your... Will?” Murai spoke simple words. Pakutan hesitated a little since he wanted to do this right and force this choice upon him. It was more for himself and his experiments, but it may not be as simple with Murai and his skepticism. This sort of madness with Anatidae in question was... fitting. Something that Pakutan was aware of and he wanted to see what would've happened if he took this choice.

“Well, it's right to assume that. There are also some... variables, which stem from the complicated parts of Evolution pathways that Lordis put a high incentive in the Battleworld. I am unsure what it can cause in the pretext of this Law for your Anatidae bloodline. It should be a Blessing though, and they are good things. Any kind of Blessing is beneficial. It can add change and changes can lead to many benefits, and mine is no different. So you chose the 3rd. Right? Right!” Pakutan haggled his way out of the trouble, talking better and making it seem like a good deal.

“Yeah... right? God of Pain... Law of Pain? A fancy way to put Madness hidden in the Dark or Chaos. What a pain in the ass... I never heard of such a madman who would ignite a Diving Spark of that kind. You must've been quite desperate or a complete idiot.” Murai said without a speck of politeness.

“Oh! You don't take any regard to your words right now. I like that, but you... You are completely right, which... makes me angry...” Pakutan said, sounding depressed but not really. His voice turned weaker, but the pressure didn't weaken at all.

Murai continued upon hearing his hesitation. “Chimera is a source of Madness in almost every shape or form. Chaos cherishes it, thus many whispers and problems can create more trouble. Such bloodline is subsidiary to the demons, and devils, and should be crazed in the sense of Chaos. Why should I make that choice? It doesn't seem beneficial to me at all.” He tried to bargain and see what else this God had to offer.

He didn't have much issue with taking something from him if it benefitted him, but too much involvement in such Blessings may end up in trouble. They could hide something, and he never liked Gods and their gifts.

“It's under my Godhood, so I can't change it much, but I can make some specific adjustments to the Blessing themselves. It would require time and effort, but I have already done so in the past. I began to experiment a lot with many variables but making the Ferocity something special was hard. For the beast, it seems like... another mess altogether, but not in a bad way. But, this is different from the past. A Citizen such as yourself is a different thing altogether so the World finally gave me a better chance! I had just 4 others who took the bait, but all of them are dead. So...”

“Yeah? They died in Madness, I presume?” Murai asked.

“Maybe... Not like it mattered. They drowned in it instead. Bunch of weaklings.”

“Thought so. God of Pain, it seems your usage of the Divinity isn't that great. They died because the level of Madness was weak. Control over your Law, or Divinity when you create such things should take priority. Descending with such a Blessing is like offering a Punishment instead. No one clever would take this bait. Having no redeeming quality could also be a problem, or your words and explanations do.”

“Hm? What do you mean by that? Are you questioning God's Blessings? My power!?” Pakutan uttered, raising his voice along with the pressure of his Will.