THE VILLAIN'S POV Chapter 780 The Truth of the System (2)

The mysterious device enabling Frey to forge the inconceivable…

a strength that even Nameless could never comprehend.

Frey had long harbored suspicions that the System linked to Nameless in some way.

He was certain Gehrman had tampered with it once—such as when the System replied to his query following the Victorriad.

'Gehrman serves only as a guide I permitted to help you harness your abilities. He remains ignorant.'

The being grinned—demonstrating its ability to perceive thoughts.

'So… what precisely is this System? And why has it been granted to me?' Frey inquired.

The being inclined its head.

'The most straightforward explanation is:

The System represents your innate ability as an Author.'

'Author?' Frey scowled, encountering a word he had abandoned ages ago.

'Do you refer to the story I penned back then?' he questioned.

The being denied with a shake.

'No. That bears no relation here.

I refer to the capability that lets you generate objects from nothingness—

to bring tangible reality into being from emptiness.'

Nameless interjected for the initial instance.

'That's implausible. Irrational. Such an ability doesn't exist.'

The being directed a finger his way.

'Right. As one would anticipate from you. However—'

It indicated the surrounding environment.

'Your accuracy holds true solely in the material realm.'

Frey's and Nameless's gazes expanded in astonishment.

'The origin of this ability lies outside the physical plane.

It emerges from this domain.'

The being indicated below.

'Right here… within the Aether Realm.'

The disclosure struck them both with an astral jolt

A force originating from another dimension…

a dimension inaccessible to any corporeal entity.

It clarified numerous enigmas…

though insufficiently so.

'Where are we? What is this location truly?' Frey urged.

The ashen figure beamed softly.

'This realm… serves as the birthplace of the Writers of History.'

Frey's countenance grew somber.

An utterly unfamiliar concept… Writers of History.

Luckily, the being proceeded.

'Explaining the essence of the Writers of History proves challenging. Even I lack full knowledge of them… yet for the present, consider this: they represent the creators who constructed the physical universe as it stands now.'

As the being uttered those words, Frey stiffened briefly… then erupted in sudden mirth.

His laughter boomed.

'What absurdity is this? Creators of the world? Are you implying deities or the like?'

Frey derided, struggling to accept the revelation.

'No falsehood here. You wield the identical might they commanded. Recall… your talent for scripting, for bringing creations to life.'

'However, your essence remains splintered. That's why your abilities falter. Thus, I reshaped it into a System, incorporating achievement points to curb and control your power's output.'

The being paused momentarily.

Frey balled his hand, grappling with the disclosed information.

'I fail to grasp… who am I, truly? If the Writers of History were as mighty as described, then why have they vanished? Why do they ignore the chaos unfolding in the world today?'

The being's grin disappeared briefly before reappearing instantly—this time laced with grief.

'The Writers of History have ceased to dwell in this existence. They perished eons ago, during the ultimate clash with the Pale Devastation.'

Frey responded without delay.

'Pale Devastation?'

'Indeed… I suspect you know him as Odin in the material realm.'

In that instant, Frey recalled Audrey's caution.

'The Pale Devastation emerged here as well, in the Aether Realm. An absolute abomination, brandishing might that defies all logic.'

The being pivoted to face the barren void encircling them.

'I must hurry. He has detected our presence.'

A ghostly fog materialized from the ether.

An indicator that a terrifying force had sensed them—restrained solely by the being's strength.

'Heed my counsel, Frey. Time flees us.

The Aether Realm holds reality. Countless entities arose from it… some kind-hearted, others malevolent and warped.

The most evident evidence of its reality… lies in the foe you two recognize intimately.'

Nameless affirmed.

'Agaroth,' uttered the veiled fighter.

The being applauded.

'Precisely. The Demon King didn't originate in the Aether Realm. Yet he channels a force stemming from this domain. I presume Nameless realized this, having battled him previously.'

Nameless confirmed once more.

He had perpetually puzzled over the Demon King's horrifying strength—something that defied natural order.

If sourced from the Aether Realm, a realm transcending reason, then all aligned perfectly.

'Agaroth stands as a beast attaining a potency that crowns him the contemporary Odin. He matches or surpasses in menace.'

The being's grin gradually dimmed while discussing him.

'He embodies sin… a betrayer demanding destruction above all. And that duty rests with you, Frey.'

It aimed at him.

'My duty?'

'Affirmative. After all… you birthed him through your very hands.'

The declaration jolted Frey like a thunderbolt.

Even Nameless swiveled to him in dismay.

At that juncture, Frey recollected his initial encounter with the Demon King.

That evening… Agaroth had stated directly:

You are the one who made me.

The Demon King spoke truth.

While Frey remained dumbfounded, the emptiness quivered abruptly. Fractures propagated along the borders of the pristine canvas.

The being exhaled.

'Evidently, I can't restrain him further.'

'Restrain whom?!' Frey bellowed.

The being approached nearer.

'Pay close attention. I'll reveal your forthcoming path.

Fulfilling the Final Mission utterly demolished the System. No restraints remain on your might. You'll now access your authentic prowess… your genuine aptitude.

Shattering the restraint propels you straight to SSS tier. Your amassed strength suffices for this leap.'

It delivered swiftly, imparting maximal knowledge to Frey.

'You'll attain complete capacity. Yet to wield your Authorial might properly, mend your broken self and reveal your identity's secret.'

The fissures extended, enveloping all.

Still, the being persisted.

'To pursue that secret… discover it in the Land Beyond Beginning and End—the landmass that departed the Aether Realm and breached the physical plane!

There, knowledge awaits. There, truth unfolds!'

The being yelled as the whole area crumbled, ghostly fog inundating everything.

Time expired.

The being reached out, unleashing an unseen surge that propelled Frey and Nameless aside while it rotated gradually toward the Pale Devastation.

As Frey tumbled rearward, he witnessed the being's soft smile directed at him.

'If only… more moments together… discussions aplenty. But such indulgence eludes us.'

It gestured farewell once more.

'Protect Audrey for me, Frey. I rely on you!'

The concluding plea altered everything.

Frey's eyes bulged as the ghostly visage assumed a corporeal shape.

In a fleeting instant, the being transformed into a youth.

A youth featuring golden locks, azure gaze, a delicate frame, and a pure, kind expression.

He beamed radiantly, flailing his hand as the Pale Devastation assaulted from the rear.

'Don't let me slip your memory again, Frey!'

The youth wailed while being consumed.

Frey soared deeper into the shadowy abyss.

And abruptly…

A droplet escaped from his left eye.

A droplet spawned from an oppressive ache in his heart—as though a cherished treasure… an utterly vital element… had been lost.

An element long erased from memory.

That youth's grin… that visage…

Something stirred within Frey.

And gradually, with tears flowing, Frey shut his eyes.

Enfolding himself, he plunged into the boundless gloom.

---

Simultaneously, within the material world…

The Shadow Sect's fighters recoiled as a ferocious shadowy energy burst from Frey's form, encasing him in a colossal ebony pod.

A pod of such intensity that Gehrman stood abruptly in awe.

Confronting that shadowy force, comprehension dawned on him.

'He is… advancing…'

Advancing beyond the barrier that had confined him for ages… into a wholly novel domain of strength.