Chapter 50 - Level 27 [p6]. Hunters are out (1/2)
A few hours passed since I received the information from Athena.
Initially, I was considering what to do and how to wrap my head around all the information Athena told me. But soon I understood one simple thing. I am powerless.
I won't be able leave the current Universe in the foreseeable future. And changing the future is practically impossible unless you have enough power to overpower the Order.
So, in reality, the only thing I can do is to continue my leveling. Now I had a clear goal for now. Don't be involved with the original storyline and get powerful. Powerful enough to straight-up ignore that Order bullshit. Moreover, I have plenty of ideas on how can I become stronger.
Time to travel.
The first stop is Greece. The task of getting manticore skin is long overdue I think. But first sleep.
***
In the meantime, 2 men were moving towards the last location where Magnus was last spotted. In other words, the Burrow.
”Markus, there is still an option of going back. After setting up the blockage and communicating with Universal consciousness, there will be no way back. I am saying this to you because you showed a lot of promise. You can reach incredible heights with time.”
”No point in talking about possibilities. I am ready to sacrifice my life to kill Athena.”
Dark stopped at his words and put his hand on Markus's shoulder.
”Bullsh*t! If you are doing this, then no need to create good excuses. We both know. After this, we both will be hunted by Order. Maybe even die. So rather than lying about sacrifice, isn't it better to just tell me the truth?”
”Truth?”
”You want Athena dead. You are scared. Anger and Fear are your motivators! Not righteousness!”
”Result is the same, so what's the difference!?”
”Goal is different! The methods are different! We are no heroes. If there will be an innocent person between me and my goal. Then that person dies. Nothing will stop me. No mercy. No benevolence. I suffered enough for the Creation. So now, I just here for vengeance. Capiche?”
A long period of silence followed Dark's question. Markus was in doubt. He wasn't ready to go to such lengths, but at the same time memories of his homeland's destruction were not letting him say no.
”I understand.”
”Then? You can still go back and become a great person. Save lives and be a good guy, you know...”
”I can't. Every second of my life, I see them. I see their faces. I remember the moment when I promised my family that everything is gonna be alright. And I also remember how my planet was burning from inside. How Athena, suċkėd planets dry, sapped lights of brightest stars and collapsed black holes of my Universe. Numerous lives were just ants living on top of the gold mine to her.”
”Our path will be cruel. Athena won't leave this timeline, but neither will we get any reinforcements. After Universal consciousness gives us a green light to exterminate progeny, all paths to and from the current timeline will be blocked. We are on our own.”
”I know... I am ready. Let's start. We are close to his last registered location. I'll request blockade.”
***
I was moving towards Greece, but rather than doing one big jump with the apparition, I jumped shorter distances and had some rest in between jumps.
Somewhere halfway through Italy, I felt something. I wasn't sure what it was, but it was certainly strange.
'Athena, was that my imagination or something bad just happened?'
'Athena!?'
[...]
'System?'
[Yes. What is it that you need?]
Strange. Athena ignores me or she just can't talk? Either way, it can't be good. Although I said that I have a goal and all that crap about being strong, I am still very concerned about the Order's activities.
'I felt something happening. Was it my imagination or something actually happened?'
[System registers no changes. Would you like to start the diagnostic procedure?]
First time I hear about this functionality.
'What does it do?'
'Run it.'
[Diagnostic protocol is activated. The scan is in action. Please wait...]
This whole situation is strange. I have this feeling that something is coming but don't understand why. Let's hope that it is just me overthinking.
***
”Blockade is active. Universal consciousness agreed to cooperate with us. We can proceed.”
”Great.”
Markus turned around and started walking, but was once more stopped.
”Markus!”
Markus turned his head a little towards Dark.
”Yes?”
”Remember... no mercy. Find progeny and annihilate him. Destroy his body, scatter his soul and wipe his very essence of this world. Do you understand?”
Another period of silence followed. So Dark continued.
”You know this right. The progeny might be an innocent boy who just got his hands on the system. He might even be a saint inside, that wishes for peace and prosperity in the Universe. But...it does not matter... he needs... to die! Please promise me, that you won't doubt your actions and you will do everything... and I mean, absolutely everything to find and kill him!”
Markus turned his body to face Dark and asked:
”You are doubting me? Or have you forgotten how much I lost to Athena?!”
”I remember. But I also know that you believe in the teachings of the Order. And I know that when the moment will come... The moment when you will need to murder an innocent man, not erase from a timeline or just move him to another Universe, but... Murder... that will feel different... You will hesitate.”
”... I killed before. There will be no hesitation.”