A System That Beats Death

When the darkness dissipated, Wuyue and Nanling stood facing each other motionless as if they were actually just exquisite statues. Moments passed followed by some subtle rumbling before both individuals finally reacted. To his disappointment, their mental state did not fluctuate greatly. Wuyue grabbed Nanling by the collar and with bloodshot eyes snarled, "You don't even love Master, you are just using him to fulfill a fantasy"

With an empty look in her eyes, Nanling turned towards Wuyue and said, "I would argue that your love is imm.a.t.u.r.e", she started but then revealed a self-deprecating smile, "But then again, it's genuine compared to mine"

"If you know then why are you stopping me?", Wuyue asked.

Ignoring Wuyue, Nanling then addressed Atlas, "Guren?"

"Yes?"

"Did you really not recognize me?"

"I did", Atlas admitted. After all, the System wouldn't only give text for the synopsis. If there was no visual information then that would be a critical oversight that needed to be patched immediately as it would inevitably result in many complications when the body he inhabited mistook a family member for a stranger.

"So you were just toying with me the whole time", Nanling continued in a soulless manner.

"In a way, yes. After all, people often hide themselves most from the people they know. But I'm not as black-belled as your preference", Atlas replied in an indifferent tone.

As soon as he stated this, the aura of envy burst forth from Nanling. Even stronger than Wuyue's pillar of darkness, Wuyue released her grip as she felt overwhelmed. This aura of envy was incredibly unique as it pertained to only those experienced with escapism and yearning for what they perceived as unattainable. Those completely enamored by the glorified aspects of an exaggerated and filtered reality which was experienced in a vicarious manner. Stories of fantasy told in an epic tale that would inspire, entertaining excursions between an unknowing pair which blossomed into genuine affection that warmed the heart, and biographies of incredible individuals which succeeded in surpassing the impossible that motivated would instead rot and harm the soul due to a person neurosis.

He had expected something like that to appear in this type of world where fights were aplenty and glory was attainable anywhere. In a world where greatness was possible, romance could flourish in the most dramatic manner, and legends were born, there was actually someone that would prefer to be apart of a fictional story. It irked him intensely and even though he was suspicious of it, the confirmation of it only caused greater disdain.

This was also exactly why he despised the people who were given power but would rather be normal. What was so good about being normal?! So you could fit in with your pathetic peers that would never amount to anything?! So you could be free from the troubles that came from having great power?! It was still possible to live that type of life while having that power, they just lacked true conviction and vision.

It was not that he couldn't relate to how she felt. In fact, he was able to heavily empathize with her. If not for the System with its infinite possibilities, he would have preferred to indulge in fantasy as well until he inevitably started to decay. A life without wonder was not worthwhile even in hindsight.

However, fundamentally their issues were different. He and that person had both been yearning for a sense of true wonder in a world where all experiences were essentially meaningless while she merely wanted a heart moving romance but was distracted by the depictions of others.

Angered by her definitely overblown personal issues, his expression darkened. Her problem had a clear and simple solution. She was just too caught up with her fantasies and unable to see past her delusions which had harmed both her and Guren. Meanwhile, his problem could only be solved by shattering reality itself.

Of course, her hamartia was stronger than Wuyue's. It was pure envy that blinded her to the point that she couldn't even consider self reflection. It would be frightening to imagine how powerful it would have been if she indulged in fantasy not due to romance but due to being disillusioned with life like he once was. Even the strongest obsession could not compare as it often focused on a singular aspect that could be appeased through mere symbolism and required possession for something tangible.

"You heartless bastard!", she cursed through gritted teeth. Her heart had been crushed twice by the same man and even if it was not as pure as Wuyue's, it still had the potential of becoming something genuine and that possibility pained her.

"I will not help you chase chimeras. Especially since your's is negligible", Atlas said while the Steel Slayer started to glow crimson. Flames emerged from the palm of his hands and began to envelope the blade.

Turning into a blur, Nanling dashed straight towards Guren. As she neared Guren, she anticipated that Wuyue would attempt to retaliate. Spikes suddenly erupted from the ground and all twisted as if they were heat-seeking missiles. Prepared to dodge the barrage, Nanling was bewildered when all of them targeted Guren.

"What have you done to my Master?", Wuyue scowled. Even if it was hard to recognize Master due to that makeover, she could still tell that it was him due to his unique sword, that frigid disposition, his exact height, the color of his eyes, the numerous calluses on his hands that made his hand slightly rough...

Wuyue's visage immediately changed from a wistful expression to a cautious one as her suspicion was confirmed and hastily changed her target from Nanling to Guren.

"Hands again? Wouldn't my face be more concerning?", Atlas sneered as he had paid attention to where Wuyue looked. She only gazed at his sword and his face before but her eyes suddenly widened with a meaningful glint showing when noticing him grip the sword. He was seriously considering gloves now to avoid this bothersome situation in the future.

[System: Host, provoking them is redundant. The Spirit has already fully assimilated with their souls and purging them would kill them as well]

[Soul Supremacy: Time to end this farce then]

Calmly approaching her spikes, he then grabbed one which halted the rest. Nanling had halted in order to reassess the situation as Wuyue could fight with her or against her. To Wuyue's surprise, she then began to shiver intensely.

"Physically I am still Guren", Atlas stated indifferently. As Wuyue's obsession with Guren was driving her, physical contact would shake her will. After all, she was the type to lock someone in a maximum security prison in order to remain with them.

"You are not Master but you have his body. What did you do with him?", Wuyue demanded with gritted teeth as she tried to suppress the mania rising within her.

"Due to despair, he died-"

As he was about to continue, Nanling abruptly flashed across the battlefield and slashed at Guren. Letting go of the connected spikes, they immediately retracted back to Wuyue. Immediately, he defended with his sword and sparks formed as he resisted her pressuring.

"I will avenge him!", Nanling shouted as she channeled more and more power into the dwarven sword which began to quiver.

Noticing that she was about to tap into her life force, Atlas immediately retrieved Dark Revelation. At the same time, Nanling unleashed a supersonic blade draw which caused the ground to cave in around them.