"What kind of bullshit is this?"

Alden just couldn't hold his calm for a moment.

If killing the ones he cared for was the only way, then what is the reason to grow stronger?

He knew from long before, the first goal he had was to survive…

But humans, as prideful and selfish as they are… They're still social creatures.

No matter how reserved, how greedy, or how closed-off someone might be—They form bonds.

Connections they never planned for. Unexpected threads woven into their journey they called Life.

Maybe those very connections are what define them.

Alden was no different.

No matter how cold he tried to act, he had made a few connections too.

People who cared for him.

People he cared for.

His goal had never changed but the definition of survival had taken a new shape along the line.

Before, he only thought of protecting himself. Now, it meant protecting the people he couldn't imagine losing.

The socially awkward maid, Alice.

That dumb idiot, Aziel.

The cold but strangely warm princess, Amyra.

The weird but caring gourmet, Nyx.

The battle maniac, Zephyr.

The always calm Cecilia.

The always suspicious and mischievous Cipher.

The innocent and naive Vanyaa.

And of course… Kyun.

They weren't just names anymore. They were part of his life.

He knew he couldn't always save them. He knew death would come for them, just as it would for him. No one cheats death forever.

But at the very least… It wouldn't be by his hands.

And yet, the one sitting before him —

This future version of himself was saying he would be the one to kill them.

How am I supposed to believe this shit?

Or is this supposed to be some psychological trial?

The possibility didn't flinch. Instead, he gave a bitter smile. "I know it's hard to hear… to accept."

"But beliefs are fragile things."

"Sometimes, they crumble not with proof…

…but with a single sentence from the wrong mouth."

He leaned forward slightly. His golden eyes never left Alden's.

"You are walking the same path I did."

"A path where choice becomes an illusion… and where your own hands…

…become the reason your loved ones die."

Alden didn't know what to believe anymore.

Am I supposed to accept this?

Is this so-called "failed possibility" even real?

He failed… doesn't mean I will fail, right?

What if this was all fake? A trick? A mind game meant to break me?

Thousands of questions haunted his mind but somewhere deep inside, he knew better than to hide behind delusion.

If this was just an illusion…

Then he was already dead.

Because anything capable of pulling him into something like this—without his knowing, without resistance—had to be far beyond what he could fight.

And then there was that attack.

He had seen it with his own eyes. That wasn't an illusion. That was power.

Real, tangible and overwhelmingly suffocating power.

And worse… it felt familiar.

It was similar to his own bloodline.

This wasn't a dream.

This wasn't fake.

This was real.

Alden took a deep breath.

He couldn't afford to overthink anymore.

If this is what I could become… then there must be a way to change it.

He looked up, his voice quiet but steady.

"How do I avoid it?"

His mind was eerily calm now.

The possibility didn't hesitate.

"You can't avoid it, Alden. And I can't say anything important as the system would restrict me before I could do it."

Before he could speak, the man continued.

"But I can help… so that when the moment comes, you'll have a choice."

"A choice no one else will understand. A choice that only you can make."

Alden nodded.

The failed possibility rose from his seat.

With slow, deliberate steps, he stopped just in front of Alden.

Then, he raised his hand and extended a single finger toward Alden's forehead.

"The system is strict, yes… but it's full of holes. Or maybe," he paused, "maybe those aren't holes… but the only kindness it knows how to give."

A warm glow covered Alden's forehead.

Alden wasn't naive, he wasn't delusional to trust some strange glow but it was the only choice he had.

What else could he even hope to do?

As the glow slowly receded, Alden frowned.

I don't feel anything different.

Wasn't he transmitting some memory or some power? But I can't feel anything.

He raised his head to look at the possibility.

"What did you do?" Alden asked.

The possibility's breathing was rough. His face looked exhausted and the once golden pupils looked considerably dim.

Still, on his face was a small smile,

A smile that wasn't for Alden but for hope.

That maybe… just maybe this immature self of his wouldn't follow his path.

"I gave you two things," he said.

"First, an upgraded version of our Mana Tome."

He paused, his voice softer now.

"And second… a single strike from me at my peak."

Alden blinked.

"They'll unlock when you need them most. But that power isn't without a cost."

His voice dropped.

"I used the [Limit Break] skill you had… as part of the trade. But that was only half the payment,"

The man continued.

"The other half… will have to be paid by you when you use it."

Alden closed his eyes, feeling his skills and true to the words of his possibility, he couldn't feel the skill.

Ever since he awakened his supreme ability, he could feel every one of his skills, ready to be activated at any time.

It was like each of them had a slot of their own.

But the slot of [Limit Break] was gone, consumed as if it never existed to begin with.

As for his Eclipse Codex, he didn't feel a single thing.

Then came the voice again.

"The strike will help you… when you truly need it."

"And the tome—The Heavenly Tome of Lightless Realms—is the only legacy I want to leave behind."

The man smiled faintly.

"It won't help you anytime soon. Not now. Maybe not ever, if you don't survive."

"But I created it after I lost everything."

His voice cracked, just a little.

"And I just want to pass it on… before I vanish for good."

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