Chapter 472: The Game that determines all

While everyone was doing their own thing trying to grow stronger, trying to learn new things, or just trying to recover to their peak state within a limited time frame, there was a person deep within Ren's soul realm who was in a very deep meditative state sitting in front of a board that had billions upon billions of pieces. The board in question was stretching out almost infinitely towards the horizon, and the pieces in play grew more and more for every second that passes.

The one who sat there without moving an inch was the Original incarnation of the Strongest Mortal Soul. This was the most fearsome and most powerful of all the incarnations, a mythical figure that could hold his own against the creator of all, the ORIGIN.

After he was summoned for that one battle and talked to the current incarnation, he has been in this state since then. Usually, he wouldn't bother with any of his reincarnations for as long as they continue to grow strong and fight, but this time he was forced to make a move and against a pathetically weak opponent at that. He wanted to move a bit since he could see that the end game was near.

The Orignal opened his eyes and stared at the opponent sitting at the other side of the infinitely expanding board. The person was not one of his incarnations but was still able to enter his soul realm, despite not even Ancient Gods being able to achieve such a feat. It was the creator himself, the ORIGIN who sat before the Original.

"My son, surely you have felt it as well. The game that we have played for eons has finally reached this stage. You and I have set the board, and I have to say that I am truly proud of you. Among all the creatures that I have created, you and only you alone could play this game with me. Not one except for you could stand at the same stage as me, and for that, I am truly grateful. So my son, can you please concede on this game and quit."

The Original looked at the ORIGIN his eyes looked as deep as the universe itself. The Original didn't respond immediately and looked at the ORIGIN for a very long time. It was then time suddenly stopped and everything outside of the realm were the Original and the ORIGIN were staying had frozen into place. Even the Ancient Gods of the different universes were affected by this time stop and had no idea that they were frozen in place. Once he was sure that time had frozen, only then did the Original finally speak to the ORIGIN.

"I can never concede in this game of ours. You should know what I had to bet into this game and the reason I play... Each move I made had led to a sacrifice I was never willing to make."

"You already know that you're not someone who can win this game using the other pieces. The only true piece on your side that could affect the board at this stage, is only you."

"True, compared to your near omniscience, my moves may not impress you. The pieces I have collected in all lifetimes might not be any worth to you. Well, that is to say, they are worthless individually."

"I know my son, you think that these pieces that you have gathered can come together and become a force that could threaten the pieces on my side. Yet how many of your pieces would be sacrificed just to take one of my pieces away?"

"Do you think I'm not aware of that? I have already sacrificed more, so much more than you may think. Even if I need to sacrifice every piece I have, including myself, this game of ours will be won by me."

"... My son, even though my omniscience, and omnipotence may not affect you, it will affect every other being. Though I must admit those that come into contact with you and your many reincarnations have shifted a little bit away from the flow of fate, they are still within its confines. For as long as your pieces are within the flow of fate, they aren't fully your pieces to play, they can suddenly turn into my own pieces to play."

"Hmph, of course, I already know that. Still, wasn't I in the same state as them long ago. Who's to say that those pieces will remain that way?"

"It has been countless eons since then, and not one not a single one has been able to do the same thing as you."

The Original didn't immediately respond as he looked at the ORIGIN trying to see how forgone was the madness within.

'Of course, the mortals would never improve since you always reset them back to the beginning just as they are advancing in the right direction. On the other hand, the Gods would never try to improve since before and now they still think they're perfect... You too have lost your perfection the moment you felt lonely. The game cannot be won if we go about your rules. So I created the reincarnation system, but in your head, it was you who created that system. That was the one move, you have never seen coming.'

As the Original was deep in thought, the ORIGIN smiled in glee.

"Among all the beings in all the universes you are the only one whose thoughts that I cannot see through, not even a little bit. I do not wish to lose you, so will you quit the game and come back to my side?"

"No matter how many times you ask, I will continue to play this game with you until the last piece has been taken, until the final move has been played. I will never retreat nor will I ever surrender. This is the game I have placed everything into." Seeing the never diminishing conviction in the Original's face made the ORIGIN sigh.

"Very well my son, if this is what you truly wish for, as your father I will play this game with you, until the day of your demise. I have been the ever-proud father to see you struggle and fight. I had witnessed your creation, and I will be there to witness your end...Your loss has always been a certainty... "

The ORIGIN took one piece from his side of the board and placed it forward. Once he was done with his move the ORIGIN disappeared and time once again began to flow. The Original looked at the ORIGIN's move and frowned.

"Defeat may be inevitable in your eyes, but I will show you how I will fight to the bitter end. Surely the victor will come to the one who endures the longest."

The Original lifted a hundred pieces from his side of the board and moved them forward to face the one piece the ORIGIN had moved. The solemn look on the Original's face disappeared as it was replaced with a very vicious-looking smile.

"A game that has already an ending predetermined, that kind of game is boring. Oh father, if I can't win with the rules that you yourself set, then all I need to do is not listen to those rules and flip the board at the right timing. I will then restart the game under my own rules."