Atticus's Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground-Chapter 1659: Sixth Trial

Darkness. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

In this emptiness, Atticus could feel everything. It was surreal, as though he existed, and at the same time... didn’t.

For a moment, Atticus wondered if he had died and become a ghost.

Then, his senses came flooding back.

His thoughts came first.

’Where am I?’

Then came the intense rush of wind battering his body, followed by the sinking realization that he was... falling.

A moment later, Atticus’ eyes snapped open.

’This...’

A familiar endless grassland stretched beneath him, while above, nothing but boundless sky. He was falling.

The memories surged through him the next instant, and Atticus immediately stilled his beating heart.

’The katana world.’

It was strange. Only seconds ago, he had been locked in battle with Solvath, and losing, badly at that. Yet now, here he was, completely unharmed, without even a trace of Solvath’s presence.

Atticus’ eyes narrowed slightly.

He definitely hadn’t entered the life weapon by himself.

’I was summoned.’

More importantly, he couldn’t feel even a shred of Solvath or its emotions. For the life weapon to sever that connection so completely... it meant it could interfere in the affairs of a Primordial Star.

A moment later, he landed on the grassland without the slightest disturbance and immediately swept his gaze across his surroundings.

If he had been summoned, then something was about to happen. Would he encounter another trapped spirit? Or... would the avatar finally speak to him?

His eyes narrowed as he spotted the avatar standing just meters away.

’So... the avatar.’

The man raised a hand and pointed to a spot beside him. As Atticus turned, a flight of stairs ascending into abyssal darkness materialized out of nothing.

Atticus frowned.

’The sixth art?’

Solvath was on the verge of taking over his mind, how could this possibly help in such a situation?

Aside from that, he had already attempted the sixth art before coming to the Willguard domain. Just like then, he had been forced to stop at the sixth step, unable to ascend any further.

His will was still being capped by the Span. Even after everyone he had killed, his strength hadn’t increased.

’Hmm...’

Atticus studied the avatar for a moment. It remained as it always was, silent and devoid of any emotion.

’It’s worth a try.’

If the katana was urging him forward, then something must have changed.

Exhaling softly, Atticus stepped toward the stairs and paused at the base, as though steadying himself. Then he moved.

He took a step, expecting the familiar crushing weight to descend upon him, yet... nothing.

Atticus frowned.

He took another step. Still nothing.

Then another. And another. And another, until he reached the sixth step.

He narrowed his eyes, his frown deepening. The last time he had attempted to climb these stairs, each step had felt like he was on the brink of death.

But now... he was ascending as though there was nothing there at all.

’What changed?’

Atticus’ brows drew together.

Given everything that had happened, only one answer came to mind.

’Solvath.’

He had just gained more than fifty Solvath fragments. Then... did that mean his will had never been the true quantifier to begin with?

’Makes sense.’

The first time he had attempted it had been before he faced the combined might of the Willguard and the major factions.

Back then, he could barely move a single step.

After that battle, he had gained a fragment, and the next time he tried again, he reached the sixth step.

Now, with more than fifty fragments, he could barely feel anything at all.

Atticus’ gaze lingered on the seventh step for a moment before he steeled his mind and stepped forward. Nothing. He took the eighth step, then halted.

He now stood right before the abyssal darkness.

He turned to the avatar.

"Can I die in the sixth trial?"

A moment passed before the avatar gave a slow nod.

Atticus’ gaze narrowed slightly. He could die...

He wasn’t certain how a weapon’s art could possibly help him deal with Solvath, but he had no other options. Refusing the trial meant certain death.

He would take the chance, even if it meant risking his life in the process.

Throwing one last glance at the avatar, Atticus stepped into the darkness.

The sensation of endless emptiness lasted only a second before his senses came rushing back all at once. Atticus’ eyes snapped open, his hand already moving to grasp his katana.

He cautiously scanned his surroundings, taking in the towering trees, the gentle breeze, and the firm soil beneath his feet.

’A forest.’

Ahead, a tower loomed in the distance. The forest was quiet, serene, in fact, yet Atticus didn’t relax for even a moment. He could die. Which meant any mistake here would be lethal.

With no immediate threat in sight, Atticus moved to inspect himself. A moment later, he frowned.

’I can’t feel anything.’

His will. His aspect. Nothing. Even his mana was gone.

Atticus felt like... a human. The last time he had felt like this had been back on Earth.

’It’s different.’

During the other trials, there had always been a defined energy in use. While his bloodline was usually sealed, his mana and will were usually left untouched.

’Hmm...’

Given everything, there was still one thing he could try. Despite his better judgment, Atticus reached inward and attempted to summon Solvath’s power. But several moments passed, and nothing answered.

Atticus furrowed his brows.

’I’m supposed to complete this trial like this?’

As he was about to mull over the implications, a sudden light drew his gaze downward. A faint glow began to spread across the ground beneath him.

"What th—"

Atticus’ eyes widened as a surge of heat rose beneath his feet. He threw himself away in the next instant, rolling roughly across the forest floor.

He turned toward where he had been standing. The light had intensified, illuminating the forest. Then—

Boom!

Atticus dropped low, pressing himself to the ground as a violent blast tore through the area.

A moment later, he lifted his gaze toward the aftermath. A large crater had formed at the center of the forest.

Atticus narrowed his gaze.

Had he stepped on a mine? How was that even possible? He hadn’t moved from the spot he was spawned on.

’Except I was spawned on a mine.’

If that was the case, then he had truly been unlucky. However, a moment later, another glow caught his attention... from beneath his feet.

Atticus’ eyes widened. He shot up and darted away instantly. Another explosion ripped through the forest behind him.

As the aftermath settled, Atticus’ gaze turned frigid.

’What’s going on?’