Atticus's Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground

Chapter 1616  Pay?

"We must put this fool in his place!"

"The major factions are not to be trifled with!"

"Where is my successor?"

The Archdukes began calling for their heirs and champions, scanning the map and calculating distances to Atticus's location.

Each of them intended to make an example of him.

Meanwhile, several disdainful glances continued to drift toward Rhexan.

But this time, he offered no reaction.

Not after the disgraceful spectacle of his son divulging confidential Redflame secrets before dying.

'That worthless fool.'

Rhexan gritted his teeth. He did not even mourn the boy's death.

What gnawed at him was the humiliation.

After such cowardice, how could he ever lift his head before his peers again?

This was disgrace in its purest form.

…

"Is she alive?"

Atticus approached Zair, who was brushing dirt from his sister's clothes.

"…Yes."

Zair gave a small nod, his eyes never leaving Atticus.

'He's still cautious.'

It was understandable.

A stranger with unknown motives had enslaved him, and was moments away from doing the same to his sister. Anyone would be cautious.

"Good. Pick her up. The dome has already begun closing in on the forest. We need to move."

Atticus's gaze shifted toward the distant dome, frowning.

He had lost time dealing with the Redflames, but he hadn't regretted his actions. It had been necessary.

"…okay."

Moments later, they started moving toward the next resource location. Throughout the journey, Zair's intense gaze remained fixed on Atticus, his fists tightly clenched.

'What is this guy…?'

Contrary to what Atticus believed, Zair wasn't wary because he had been enslaved.

No.

He was wary because of what he had just witnessed.

Atticus had killed the bald twins, the same individuals who had defeated Zair before he could even react, with a single strike.

Zair replayed the fight again and again in his mind. Yet no matter how many times he went over it, he couldn't grasp what had happened.

The twins' attack had been so fast that he had barely managed a flinch before it ended. That alone was insane.

But Atticus's movement was the true shock.

The movement. The slash. The timing.

Zair hadn't seen any of it.

It was as if Atticus had never moved at all, yet countless invisible slashes had carved the twins into pieces.

That overwhelming display of power stirred something deep within Zair's chest.

'…I want that.'

The strength to silence all opposition. The strength to protect the people he cared about.

That was what he wanted.

And that was why he had swallowed his pride, cast aside his rivalry, and accepted this enslavement.

There was no better way to learn than from the source itself.

Still, he cast a worried glance at his sister resting in his arms.

'What kind of person is he?'

The desire to grow was there, but he was still cautious.

What if he had just submitted himself to some hidden monster? Some tyrant in disguise?

Then everything would be ruined.

'I'll watch.'

Resolving himself to observe Atticus carefully from this point onward to see the kind of person he was, Zair subtly increased his pace, following a step behind.

…

"Ah~."

Whisker lounged comfortably atop a throne woven from thick vines, one leg lazily crossed over the other as a procession of twisted, grotesque humanoid figures carried him through the forest like royal attendants.

A gentle breeze brushed across his face.

He sighed blissfully.

"This… is living."

The 'creatures' beneath him were none other than gods and champions he had encountered along the way. After defeating them, Whisker had come up with what he proudly considered a revolutionary idea. Why let powerful bodies rot uselessly when they could function as transportation?

Efficiency. Environmental consciousness. Leadership.

At least this way, they contributed to society.

"Hm…?"

His brows furrowed when one of them stumbled, causing the throne to tilt awkwardly.

"Hey! Watch it, you incompetent oaf! What exactly am I paying you for?"

The former god slowly lifted his head and stared at Whisker with hollow, empty eyes, as if to ask… pay?

"…Ahem."

Whisker coughed lightly and adjusted his posture.

"Compensation comes in many forms. Now walk."

He leaned back again, perfectly shameless.

As they continued moving, the gentle sway of the throne and the cool forest breeze soon lulled him into a comfortable nap.

Thud.

"W-what… huh?"

Whisker jerked awake at the sudden stop. He blinked several times, wiped the thin line of drool from his chin, and squinted ahead.

"Ah… we've arrived."

His eyes lifted toward the cave entrance ahead. From the center of the mountain, a pillar of yellow light shot skyward.

"Hah…"

Whisker exhaled, his expression turning tragically burdened.

Work.

A resource always meant the same thing.

Other gods. Other champions.

Unnecessary effort.

"To be such a hardworking individual in this cruel world…"

He shook his head slowly.

"…truly exhausting."

Letting out a dramatic sigh, he lazily waved a hand forward.

With a collective groan, the creatures carried him into the cave, traversing a long tunnel before emerging into a vast, open cavern.

The space was empty, save for the small yellow dome glowing at its center.

"…"

A faint smile appeared on Whisker's lips as his eyes slowly swept across the cavern.

"Let's go."

The creatures moved toward the dome. But they hadn't taken more than a few steps when a voice echoed through the space.

"Dome of Cultivation."

A brilliant flash of light flared across the ground, swallowing Whisker and his humanoid escorts whole.

When the glow faded, Whisker calmly shifted his gaze.

Thick, pulsating roots had exploded from the ground, coiling tightly around him and sealing him within a massive enclosure.

"Hm… seems I was discovered at the last moment."

A figure stepped forward.

Azure hair. Light red eyes. A faint frown on his face.

It was clear he was responsible for the trap.

"Uncle," the man said calmly, "you sensed me before you entered the cavern, didn't you? So why walk in anyway?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Hm?"

The man tilted his head slightly, as if confused.

"Because you were stepping into a trap. Or do you simply not value your life?"

"Hahahaha!"

Whisker burst into laughter, clutching his stomach as though he'd just heard the greatest joke in existence.

"What's so amusing?"

The man's frown deepened, his light red eyes turning cold.

But Whisker only waved a hand dismissively, still grinning.

"Everything."

The smile slowly faded from his face.

When he looked back at his nephew, his eyes were detached. Empty.

"A pup who's barely weaned thinks he poses a threat to me."

His gaze lowered slightly.

"I haven't heard anything so ridiculous in a very long time."