Buzz!
The dream statue responded, granting phosphorescent dreamlight that merged into their hearts, soothing the madness of their beyonder characteristics.
"This is…" Even Hermes, a Spectator, could barely contain himself, his face shocked. This defied the knowledge he'd learned!
Madness was eternal, almost synonymous with the extraordinary!
"It's only neutralized, calmed. The madness still exists—I just put it to sleep," Truman said softly.
The astonishment on Hermes' face faded. As a Spectator pathway saint, he instantly "diagnosed" himself, finding his state the best in years!
Combined with his own "soothing," he could experience the long-lost tranquility of ordinary humans.
"Dreams…" Hermes looked at Truman, utterly convinced, his faith growing more genuine.
A pure human, immense power, formidable connections, and an ability in this mad world that was nothing short of dream.
Such a person was extraordinary, vital to humanity. Hermes even saw Truman as humanity's light.
Having connected with these human pioneers, Truman turned his gaze to the city-state. The missionaries faced no obstacles—after all, the city's guardian believed in the Dream.
"You can later move the entire city-state to the Sun God's divine kingdom. It's not safe here," Truman suggested.
This city-state was once under the Mutant King, but with the king dead and his subordinate saints and demigods scattered, who would care for these cities?
"No," Hermes refused, surprising Truman. "Now that ordinary people have faith, the missionaries will protect them. We need a turbulent environment to temper ourselves."
"…Well said." Truman paused, nodding lightly. He hadn't lived through the trials of this era's humans, unable to fully grasp their hunger for strength.
"If you face insurmountable trouble, try praying to me," Truman added. He had plans for humanity's first secret organization. "Alright, go back. The missionaries won't bother you."
"Yes!" Hermes led the young men and women away.
Truman, holding the Book of Dreams, looked beyond the city-state.
"Something feels off…" His expression was odd. With the Sun God's divine kingdom descending and missionary work spreading, the ancient gods and their extraordinary races wouldn't stay idle.
Even now, Truman sensed something approaching, yet he couldn't pinpoint its trace.
…
Around the time the Sun God's divine kingdom descended, all ancient gods watched the radiant figure seemingly upholding the heavens.
Their reactions varied. The Phoenix Ancestor glanced briefly and looked away. Devil Monarch Farbauti, in poor condition, dared not venture out. The Giant King was too weakened to act.
The Dragon of Imagination and Elf King were in similar states, sending only their saints and subordinate gods to monitor the Sun God's movements.
In Truman's direction was a subordinate god of the Elf King—the God of Luck.
This was a Mercury Snake.
"Strange!" Truman, unaware, flipped through the Book of Dreams, now inscribed with several pages.
The first page was the Dream Parliament, representing dreams themselves.
The second was his often-used world intervention ability, a near-miraculous power that made dreams reality, surpassing even a "Writer's" capabilities.
The third was "Dreamweaving," a branch of dream power he'd inscribed.
"I can't detect it because I have no knowledge or concept of its existence, and it remains independent in fate," Truman mused.
"Hiss!" He felt the challenge. Such an abstract battle, with an unclear enemy, required a contest in fate.
No power was invincible. Making dreams come true had its limits.
As Truman grappled, the Mercury Snake, hidden in the forest, dared not approach.
This silver-white serpent, scaleless, bore patterns and symbols forming a cohesive whole. Its crimson eyes fixed on Truman's city-state.
Truman was at a loss, but the snake was equally wary.
It erased its distinctiveness in fate, yet it wasn't enough. A gaze seemed to pierce through, landing on it.
"Restart!" The Mercury Snake cautiously used this divine skill. Its complex symbols rose, linking into a wheel. The snake curled, biting its tail.
Suddenly, fallen leaves returned to branches, and the snake's body rewound, seeking a state before the mysterious gaze.
But it failed.
The gaze from an infinite height was inescapable, evoking the Mercury Snake's memory of seeing the Sefirah Castle during the last divine war!
It was an absolute dominance of status, leaving no room for resistance.
The Mercury Snake, facing such a bizarre foe for the first time, engaged in a tug-of-war over fate.
"What is this thing?!"
It dared not act rashly, activating luck accumulated over countless years, waiting quietly.
Luck's power brewed, influencing the surroundings, quelling factors that could lead to discovery.
It was somewhat passive… but for this pathway, perhaps the best response.
On the other side, Truman scratched his head. During the "Restart," he sensed something about to vanish from his perception, so he pressed the Book of Dreams, anchoring his intuition.
"This ability feels familiar!"
After the "Restart," Truman gained clarity. The ability was too distinctive!
"Mercury Snake? God of Luck? Likely the Elf King's subordinate god," Truman deduced.
"Hiding its existence in fate…" He recalled the Blasphemy Slate's records.
Beyond potions, it detailed various pathway abilities.
"So that's the effect—almost like the secrecy authority."
"Fate itself…" Truman sank into thought. Knowing the other was lying low, he didn't rush. A spark of inspiration struck, refining the second page of the Book of Dreams.
Like "Dreamweaving," witnessing the Monster pathway's fate intervention sparked an idea to perfect the second page.
(End of Chapter)