[Connection to Universal Codex System is online.]
[Would you like to establish the connection?]
Nameless Death narrowed his eyes.
“No,” he muttered, and the prompt vanished.
He didn’t trust it.
No matter how he looked at it, the Universal Codex System was suspicious. And the one who had pushed him toward it—the Berserker—was the worst part.
At first glance, one might think the Berserker was a straightforward warrior. Brutal, loud, and obsessed with combat.
Someone who’d never hide his intentions behind twisted words.
But that was only the surface.
The Berserker possessed people, walked out of the the Sites, and pretended to be them. He was a shrewd being.
His reckless image only hid the truth of his core personality.
Nameless Death clenched his fists. Trusting someone like that? He would never do that.
Then a voice echoed in his mind.
O the Supremes, please tell me this is a joke. This idiot lost his memory, but he’s still as stubborn as before.
His eyes darted around, and he tried to search the source of the feminine voice. It sounded irritated, but somehow it was familiar.
No matter how much he looked, he couldn’t see anyone.
“Who’s there?” he asked aloud.
No response came at first.
Then the voice returned, more composed this time.
Don’t bother searching. Your mastery over death is still too weak. That’s why you can’t see me properly. Or hear me clearly.
Nameless Death frowned. He didn’t recognize the voice exactly, but it stirred something deep in his chest. It felt like a memory—or the feeling of one.
Despite the annoyed tone, the presence behind the voice felt calming.
“Do I know you?” he asked.
Yes, you do, ■.
There was a pause, followed by a strange attempt to pronounce something. But the words never came through.
“What was that?”
We tried to say your name… but we couldn’t.
He blinked, confused. “Why not?”
Names carry weight. The are the representation of the person themselves.
At your level, your name is part of your core. Your being.
Unless someone is strong enough, they can’t say it.
And since we’re elementals, we can’t influence the world or exert any power to call your name unless he have a medium.
He didn’t fully understand it. But he nodded anyway.
“Anyhow, why did you call me an idiot?”
The voice chuckled, this time with a bit more warmth.
Because you’re still acting like one. Just connect to the Universal Codex System. And use the reward that bastard gave you. We hate to say it, but right now… he’s not trying to trick you.
“You’re sure? What if that berserker is scheming an elaborate plan?”
This little… No, calm down. Don’t get angry, the voice spoke to itself. Just calm down. He has always been stubborn. We should be used to it by now.
Nameless Death felt a slight pressure in the air, like the voice was taking a breath.
The Codex is just a status screen. And it will also give you Cole’s Path. That’s it. It doesn’t lock you into anything. You can walk more than one Path, you know?
He stayed silent.
Just do it.
“I see,” Nameless Death said, thinking about the unknown beings words. “I will take your words into consideration. Thank you.”
Thank you? We didn’t do it to help you—
The mist suddenly shifted. Thick streams of it coiled through the air. The connection between him and the unknown being was abruptly cut off.
Nameless Death waited, listening for the voice. But no answer came.
Only silence.
…
??? (Berserker) POV
A deep laugh echoed through the mist.
“Now, now. Don’t disturb my challenger, master,” the Berserker said, his voice thick with amusement.
The voice was carried by his Intent and transferred to the Death Elementals.
Challenger? You just want to fight him to the death after he’s strong enough. You sick freak.
“Hahaha. You’re not wrong,” he admitted. “But I’m helping him grow, am I not? I even gave him one of my prized Intent techniques.”
The Death Elementals didn’t reply immediately.
They knew the Berserker.
This wasn’t charity. It wasn’t mentorship. It was anticipation.
He was waiting, making sure the little flame grew bright enough, so he could extinguish it in the most satisfying way.
But for now, he was holding himself back, and supporting Nameless Death. That alone was proof of how much potential he saw in Nameless Death.
“Anyway,” the Berserker continued, “don’t interfere again, master. If you do, I’ll have to force you out.”
Tsk fine.
Death Elementals could not exert influence in material plane (Non-Elemental Words) without a medium, so they had to listen to the man.
Even if they did find a medium, they doubted it would be strong enough to bear the burden of strength of Death Elementals’ they would use against the berserker.
‘This time things would be hard for you Neo. So please, just connect to the damn Codex.’
…
Nameless Death’s POV
Nameless Death slowly opened his hand. The screen had disappeared, but he could still feel the lingering connection. It hadn’t been severed, just dismissed.
He could bring it back at will.
This time, he didn’t hesitate.
“Connect,” he said softly.
[Establishing connection to Universal Codex System…]
[Connection successful.]
The screen flashed before his ‘eyes’.
[Installing Achievement Path of Ascension. Please wait….]
[Installation successful.]
[Achievements are a Path of Power created by Cole Calloway. It grants the user Titles according to their feats, and the Titles grant powers.]
[Just like Divinities, the Titles are divided into four ranks: Common, Rare, Exquisite, Legendary.]
[Your Achievements are being calculated. Titles will be granted soon.]
Nameless Death had to wait for only a few second before the next screen came up. Somehow, he felt like the other system should learn from this one.
[Calculations completed.]
[Following Titles have been granted to user:]
1. The Man Who Stood Against Adversity (Common, Rare, Exquisite, Legendary)
2. Immortal Slayer (Rare)
3. Owner of True Soul Weapon (Legendary)
4. Watcher of Eternity (Legendary)
5. Immortal (Rare, Exquisite, Legendary)
6. Hope (Common, Rare)
7. Heavenbreaker (Ancient)
8. Walker of Multiple Paths (Legendary)
9. God Slayer (Common, Rare, Exquisite, Legendary)
10. The One Who Gazed At the Shadows (Exquisite)
11. Reincarnator (Common, Ancient)
12. Loved One of Darkness (Legendary)
13. Apostle (Legendary)
[You have attained achieved a hidden rank Title: Ancient.]
[New Title granted: The One Who Walks the Path Of Truth (Ancient)]