Zick entered a state of deep contemplation, after using the red mist to discard any unnecessary elements.
An unbelievable level of clarity took over his head. It was as if nothing could escape his senses, he could feel the restraints that were blocking his way melt away to oblivion.
The things that were obscured before, appeared like an open book right now. He could sense the presence of the world's core, and the strange black particles wafting around him.
'This must be my divinity, huh?' Zick could feel that these particles were deeply connected to him, both in soul and body. Though his divinity was not complete yet, they were stronger than their prior state.
Zick's skin appeared healthy with the pale glow nowhere in sight. His hair appeared smooth and firm, exposing some of his mindset.
The connection between the two dragons did not escape his eyes. He was made aware of them being able to peek at his feelings and thoughts.
'But now, I can just transmit fake feelings and thoughts as I want. Everything that is connected to my body is perfectly under my control, this applies to this connection too. This is one of the benefits of truly rising to the demi-god rank.'
Zick was no longer a demi-god just strength-wise, he had truly become one now flesh. And he could tell that he received quite a boost in strength.
Merging with the frenzied energy, Zick's quasi-divinity which gave an intimidating feeling before, now gave out a malicious feeling with it. It was blatant malice that stocked close to others' skin, making them feel apprehensive and uncomfortable.
The sunlight fiercely shone upon the sea, highlighting the beutiful scenery. Or at least it was supposed to.
A few giants with white beards breathed out a white cloud from their mouths. Instantly, the water in the sea began freezing, and this effect traveled to the bottom of the sea, to the ocean bed.
Coldness covered the sea merely in a few seconds. Black clouds covered the clear sky, blocking the sun.
The giant god, Kururu moved forward with its majestic figure, leaving the land and walking on the ice.
Reikel returned to his impassive look, seeing that Zick had truthfully completed the agreement.
The demon race had already become one with the giant races' army.
"Zick, I always keep my promise, no need to worry needlessly. I hereby bestow upon you the space core." A dark purple crystal flew before Zick from the giant god's hand.
Getting his hands upon the thing that he wanted the most, Zick smiled, but with contempt.
Zick's eyes flashed with coldness as they met the Giant god's eyes.
"Why are you bothering to hide it now? Do you think I am stupid enough to not realize? Where is the dragon lord?!" Zick's words made the giant god freeze for a second, but a smile adorned his face the next moment.
"Nothing goes unnoticed by you in the end. Alas, you were too late. You should not stick your nose into this matter anymore, if not, I will have no choice but to dispose of you." The giant god did not see Zick as a threat and instead, thought highly of his skills in being able to plan.
After becoming one with himself in the first timeline, Zick noticed this fact. The mist barrier could be passed using brute force, and though they might suffer many losses, it was still feasible.
Then, why didn't the dragon lord do just that?
If the dragon lord was alive, just to whom did the heart in that lair belong? A trap?
Things were not predictable anymore.
This realization led to Zick being aware that something was happening behind the scene. But as to what this exactly entailed, even he was not sure.
'Abandoning both of her daughters...Just what is the dragon lord planning?' Zick felt an invisible pressure, he felt that nothing good would come from being unaware of her motives.
The reason why there was no remnant soul of the dragon lord in Aurel was also found. It was because the Zick from the first timeline had used it up.
The power used to reset the world does not affect beings or things possessing genuine divinity and it can't restore something that required divinity either.
Reikel moved forward: "Are we ready to set off then?"
"Yeah...." Zick had second thoughts as to whether he should stay on this planet anymore.
Levienel was already dead, Reikel granted her last wish not blinking an eye. Destroying some external blessing was child's play in his eyes.
Zick and Reikel did not exchange many words and began moving in a certain direction.
The giant race started heading toward the center of this world too. The core of the world could only be entered from there.
....
Zick arrived above his mansion with Reikel, different from the atmosphere above the sea, there was peace here.
Zick took out some clothes and wore them in a flash. The red mist condensed into a ball as he stored it and the space core in the space ring.
Immediately, Arianell and Aurel flew out of the house, revealing an unhidden happy face. They could sense that the evil energy affecting Zick had vanished.
Being embraced by both of them, Zick patted their head, transmitting affection through the connection between them.
'It's not like I hate them, and neither am I dissatisfied with them. I quite like them truthfully, but still, I do not have the right to choose all the time.'
No one has their rights, that's what Zick would like to say. However, it always depended on how you looked at it.
People would proudly proclaim that — I have a very high position in society, with smug faces. While some looked at the person treating the restrain, the chain that was binding everyone like a restrained dog, telling that he is proud of being a chained dog.
'Human mind is unpredictable and complex, we are nothing but a slave to our mind, the values we build specifically. People believe what they want to believe.'
'Only the ones who can surpass such limits and look at everything with a broad mind have the right to be true to themselves and be free of any contradiction.'
Nevertheless, there was something that could rule out all kinds of human feelings — powerlessness!
Hence, though Zick might like these two, they would never truly become someone important to him until he was free of the curse of being on the side of the powerless. There was nothing that could change Zick's mind.
Be it may that at the end of his journey, nothing remains, Zick would still walk on this path till the end.
Zick grew obsessed with his goal.
'I will march to my death, or till I reach my goal without stopping.' Zick's smile deepened with contentment, he wanted to stay true to his feelings till the end.
Zick entered the mansion and sat on the sofa. Closing his eyes, he sorted out all of his thoughts one by one.
Arianell, Aurel, and Yuriel looked at Reikel, who sat opposite Zick, with blatant hostility and caution.
No one moved, waiting for Zick to sort out his thoughts.
Zick opened his eyes, which blazed over with fierceness. His eyes turned back to being deep red after he removed the black miasma from his body.
'Let's take a gamble, If I try to ascend to godhood normally, an astronomical amount of time is needed. I can't run away for long, my safety isn't guaranteed either.'
Zick narrated his plan to everyone in the room.
Reikel was the first to speak up: "Are you aware of what you are trying to do? There is no way the giant race would reconcile once that happens."
"Of course. It wouldn't matter if this plan succeeds anyway." Zick dismissed Reikel's worries.
Reikel just wanted to get out of this planet right now. He gained his long-awaited freedom, which was always in the giant races' hands, but it seems like he had to take another risk.
Zick was the only one who knew how to get out of this world. After struggling internally for a while, Reikel transmitted something to Zick.
Reikel secretly lamented: 'Boarding two ships at once is really stressful....'
....
A report arrived to the giant god, Kururu.
"I see, so that is what you have chosen. It's a disappointment, I really would have liked to cooperate with someone who has so many skills. Alas, it is not possible anymore."
Philine, who was supposed to be dead by Levienel's hand, was actually in the demon race's hands. And now she was in Kururu's hand.
Philine's potential was recognized by Kururu, Levienel, and Reikel. As she had an unawakened ability, her second diviner ability was capable of taking a peek at the future.
Zick's betrayal was already predicted a long time ago, but the future is ever-changing. Kururu gave Zick a chance and it seems in the end, their clash was imminent.
'Still, I don't want to suffer unnecessary casualties before fighting those gods. Everyone has not gathered yet, but they will be here soon. I have already sent them the coordinates of this world.'
Undercurrent brew in the background, but one thing's sure — Chaos is all that awaits them.