Ryo's normally composed manner was tinted with distrust as Orion's piercing gaze lingered on him. With his glistening robes following him, the ancient creature lowered himself gently from the sky, folding his arms. The passion in Orion's voice felt far more menacing than the battlefield, which was now covered with the burning ashes of the Golem.

"That light," Orion said in a forceful but measured tone. It was neither an oddity of mortal genius nor celestial energy.

"What are you truly hiding, Ryo? Tell me. And where did you find such authority?"

Ryo cocked his head, pretending not to notice. "Oh, Orion, hurry up. You are behaving as though I caused some illegal disaster. I only possessed a small secret. Just instinct, really."

He pointed at the fading sparks surrounding the Golem's remnants while grinning lopsidedly. "Besides, the big evil Golem's toast is what matters, right?" Orion remained still. "Boy, do not dodge the question."

With a groan, Ryo's shoulders drooped drastically. "All right, all right. I was caught by you. I inherited this old family recipe, which is a secret sauce for dire situations. Effectively combats overgrown rock monsters. He gestured hazily, like he was throwing made-up ingredients into the air. "With a dash of flair and a bit of sass, the problem is solved."

Orion's face grew serious. "You will not be protected from the truth by mockery. Something more deeper and more dangerous was imprinted on that power. You handle it as though you are aware of its weight. But you are kidding. Why?" Ryo's smile wavered, and for a brief moment, Ryo's mask of humor broke and his smile wavered. Every time Ryo used the very power he detested, memories that he had hidden deep inside his mind tormented him and made him more determined.

Inside Ryo's psyche

The word reverberated like a tolling bell in his mind. In his head, a familiar voice muttered venomously as he gazed at the violet shimmer that was vanishing from his palm.

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"They deceived you. threw you into the pit after promising you the heavens."

Ryo's hands clenched. "Yes, I do recall."

How was he able to forget? A cosmic competition that takes place in innumerable realms called the Game of Eternities. Power, glory, and the prospect of ascension were bestowed upon each hero, who was chosen by the gods. It was meant to be an opportunity to break free from mediocrity and rewrite fate. What about Ryo? He had done a great job. exceeded expectations. Both the gods and the ancients were impressed by his wit, guile, and sheer determination.

He was the most promising player the game had ever seen because of the blessings they had bestowed upon him. However, that was the issue. He had become too prominent and powerful.

The voice mockingly said, "They dreaded you." "They could not control you, so they broke the rules." Ryo's mouth twisted. Bitterly, he thought, they feared me enough to break their own sacred commandments. He recalled the last seconds—standing on top of the broken body of his last foe, victory just a step away. Then came the bitter betrayal.

A pantheon of gods descended upon him, their wrath unending, their divine light blinding. Most of his power was stripped away, and his spirit was sent into the abyss as the torrent of their judgment swept away his shouts of defiance.

However, they had not ruined him. Not entirely. It was their error.

Returning to the Present

With a slack smile on his face again, Ryo looked back to Orion and blinked, his inner storm subsiding. "You know, for someone who enjoys floating around and acting mysterious like a chunni, you ask a lot of questions." Orion's eyes narrowed. "Your quiet and your deflections reveal just as much. Something ancient, older than even the gods of this world, was marked by that light. Tell me what you really want, Ryo."

Ryo was silent for a while. His eyes were far away as he looked off into the distance. His tone was deceptively light as he shrugged. "What am I pursuing? Not much drama. Just a little retaliation."

Orion's forehead wrinkled. "Payback?" Ryo turned to face him, his smile as piercing as a knife.

"Oh, you understand. Restoring equilibrium, dismantling a corrupt institution, and rescuing a few unfortunate people who were imprisoned in a cosmic nightmare. that kind of thing."

Beneath the laughter was a spark of steel in his voice. "And perhaps removing some arrogant deities from their thrones in the process." Orion's face was unreadable as he gazed at him.

"You talk about rebellion like it is a joke. But underlying your words, I detect something much more sinister."