Read Novel Full Chapter 1509 Challenge
Chapter 1509 Challenge
"So, how does it feel, Lord of Fartonia?" Whisker appeared beside him with a wide grin.
Atticus cringed at the name and blamed himself for not stopping it.
He gazed at the people, eating, crying, hoarding food, arguing over who owned which loaf, even fighting over a random bone.
"It's crazy."
The better part of the morning was spent pacifying the babies. The title had been courtesy of Ozeroth, and Atticus hadn't seen any lies in it. They were babies.
Afterward, Anorah and the council members took over organizing them. They already had preset community roles. Some were soldiers, some chefs, some cleaners, and even absurd roles like children at play and emotional support weepers. The one who almost took him out was the village screamer. He had to stop himself from cutting down the loud bastard. Anorah did a great job calming them down and assigning roles. In a sense, she was more of a lord than Atticus. Still, she left him with the role of turning the territory into a livable space.
He burned the trees and greenery to a crisp, then controlled the earth into consistent paved roads across the territory. He built more houses and any building he felt a territory needed, barracks, granaries, wells, bathhouses, training grounds.
As the people settled into their assigned homes and the territory began looking like an actual one, Atticus let out a long sigh.
"You look like you've been through hell," Whisker said beside him.
"That's because I have."
They hovered above the territory. Ozeroth and Ozerra were fighting to win the people's favor. Ozeroth, of course, winning.
Ozerra had disdained the idea of getting 'conquered' but Atticus hadn't accepted his request. As Ozeroth was considered Atticus' general, he was revered. While Ozerra was considered a rival god. Atticus constantly had to intervene to prevent them from attacking her.
Whisker laughed. "The Verge left everything intact except their fear. This would be Eldoralth without fear."
Atticus shuddered. An Eldoralth without dread sounded like a nightmare. He might have ended up killing everyone by now. "Calm down, my star actor," Whisker chuckled. "It won't happen."
"What do you want?"
"Oh now I'm hurt. Why do you always think I want something?"
"Because I know you. If you didn't, you'd be watching Ozeroth and Ozerra argue."
Whisker cleared his throat. "Alright. Honestly? I'm here because of you. You seem… different."
Atticus raised a brow.
"I noticed after you finished assimilating the viscounts' wills. Something happened, didn't it?"
'He's sharp.'
Atticus had to admit, though Whisker joked around, he had yet to meet anyone more perceptive. Well, except for himself.
"Sounds like you've been watching me."
"I stalk you. I thought you knew this?"
Atticus rolled his eyes and fell silent before speaking.
"I think I… manifested my will."
Whisker's expression sharpened. "Tell me everything."
After a few seconds, Atticus finished narrating everything that had occurred in his mindscape. Whisker held a wry smile, rubbing his face.
"This boy… you're nothing but a walking cheat."
"A… cheat?" Atticus frowned.
"Yes. A… cosmically rigged, universe breaking cheat. You've barely been in the middle planes a year and you're already manifesting!?"
Whisker dragged a hand down his face. Atticus had never seen him so rattled.
"Is it that great? It felt natural."
"Of course it did! You… you… infuriating prodigy! You make centuries of effort look useless!"
"Ah, I see." Atticus cleared his throat.
Whisker released a deep breath. "Ah… I haven't been this worked up in a while. Another reason you're dangerous."
"Quit whining and tell me what this means."
"Zen… zen…" Whisker muttered continuously under his breath. Then he turned with a strained smile.
"Alright. Manifestation is the physical representation of your will. It's what your will is, given form. It's the strongest representation I know of, condensing your entire will into a single form. Without manifestation of your own, fighting a god of your rank who has one is impossible."
Atticus' expression didn't change. He knew this much already. It was expected that the next level of mastery after impose was stronger. "I've been wondering… why haven't any of the gods I fought used manifestation?"
He had fought against numerous gods in the verge, and yet not one had used manifestation. Even Merek, who had supposedly lived for millennia. "Because none of them are at that level. Most gods only dream of it after ascending to the Span. Only children of powerful gods, who trained and achieved it in either the Span or the Crown, and descended to the verge to grow often use it."
Atticus' eyes glinted.
"That means…"
"Yes." Whisker nodded seriously. "Awakening it would make you unstoppable."
Atticus' expression grew serious. He needed the power. He still wasn't sure about the dangers of the count layer, and he had the marquis layer to worry about after this. He needed anything he could get his hands on. "I tried to call it after that, but it's not responding."
Whisker's expression grew thoughtful. "During your assimilation, did it come out of you?"
"No. I saw it as a vision, then it wrapped around me."
"Hmm. Then you're at the stage of manifesting, but aren't there yet. You need something… more."
"What do you mean?"
"My will is called Untamed Wild. Before I could manifest it, I had to spend decades living in the wild, free without any burdens. You need to experience what your will represents. That's the best way to bring your manifestation out."
Atticus frowned.
'Blade and shield.'
The only way to experience that was…
'No… it's too dangerous.'
He was about to ponder when a panel appeared before him. As he read the contents, his eyes darkened.
Notice: A challenge has been issued to Fartonia.
Accepting challenges is mandatory.
You have 1 day to accept.
…
A/N: I apologize for yesterday. I wasn't able to keep to the threechapter schedule. I'll continue today and hopefully go on for as long as possible. Thank you once again for your support. I hope you enjoy reading. Cheers.