The path of the Soul Emperor

Chapter 20

Alex hesitated for a moment as he stepped through the temple's entrance, his breath catching in his throat.

The contrast between the mundane exterior and the extraordinary interior was staggering.

The outside had been nothing more than an ancient, weathered structure, forgotten by time, with crumbling stones and moss-covered walls giving no hint of what lay beyond.

But within? Within was something entirely otherworldly—a vast, sprawling dimension that defied logic and reason.

Towering above them was a castle-like structure, its intricate spires piercing a sky that shimmered with hues of violet and gold, as though the very fabric of reality had been stitched from stardust.

Kevin stood beside him, his mouth slightly agape, his wide-eyed expression betraying the wonder he felt. "This is... incredible," he murmured, almost as if speaking louder would shatter the fragile beauty of the scene.

Alex, on the other hand, was silent, his gaze sweeping across the space with both fascination and trepidation.

His mind raced as he attempted to comprehend the sheer complexity of what he was witnessing.

It wasn't just a castle; it was a world unto itself, crafted with such precision that every stone, every ripple in the air, seemed to carry the essence of the being who had created it.

The architecture was ornate yet efficient, with details so intricate they appeared almost alive, shifting subtly under the ever-changing light of the dimension.

He could feel it—no, sense it—on a level deeper than sight or touch.

This place wasn't simply built; it was woven together with threads of power, forged through an extraordinary mastery of the space and void elements.

While those elements might appear similar to the untrained eye, Alex knew better. Space was the canvas, the framework that defined boundaries and dimensions, while void was the abyss, the infinite potential within the nothingness.

Together, they formed the foundation of this surreal realm, a place that existed beyond ordinary comprehension.

"How…?" Alex whispered to himself, his voice laced with a mix of awe and curiosity.

The complexity of the dimension's creation was staggering.

It wasn't just a demonstration of raw power; it was an unparalleled act of artistry and precision, a balance between simplicity and intricacy that few could achieve.

Whoever had crafted this dimension was not only powerful but also deeply attuned to the elemental forces they commanded.

He quickly realized that finding such a place would be nearly impossible for most.

Without a natural affinity for certain rare elements, one could wander the world for a thousand lifetimes and never even brush against the edge of this hidden realm. Space and void were only part of the equation.

And even if someone were to stumble across the general location, they would need extraordinary sensory abilities to discern the hidden pathways leading here.

Only those with highly specialized skills could even hope to navigate the barriers concealing this place from the rest of the world.

Alex, however, was no ordinary person.

His unique ability to sense souls had been his compass, guiding him through the labyrinth of distortions and illusions that masked the entrance.

And his eyes—those starry, gold-flecked eyes that could pierce the veil of reality itself—had been the key. Where others might have seen only a dead end, he had perceived the subtle ripples in space that marked the trail.

Kevin turned to him, his voice breaking the silence. "How do you think this is even possible?" he asked, awe still evident in his tone.

Alex didn't answer immediately.

He was still taking it all in, feeling the weight of the place pressing against his senses.

"It's not just power," he finally replied, his voice steady but quiet.

"It's understanding. Whoever created this didn't just manipulate space and void—they mastered them. They made them dance."

And as he spoke, he couldn't shake the feeling that this place wasn't just a display of strength but also a declaration.

It was a statement, a testament to the creator's unparalleled skill and their ability to command forces that most could barely comprehend.

As they walked down the hallway, they passed paintings of a man with red eyes and black hair, a figure who seemed to be the opposite of Alex. The air grew heavier as Alex sensed a powerful soul ahead. He turned to Kevin with a warning.

"If we continue, there's a 90% chance you'll die here," Alex said bluntly.

Kevin looked confused for a moment before asking, "How powerful are they?"

Alex was surprised at Kevin's calmness. There was no fear in his eyes, only concern. "You don't seem afraid."

"Why should I be? In the end, we'll all die anyway. What's the point of fearing it?" Kevin replied.

"Haha! I like you, Kevin. Don't ever lose that mindset," Alex said with a grin.

Kevin chuckled, scratching his head. Alex then added, "The enemy is powerful, and I'm not sure I can protect you while fighting. It's better if you go back to the others."

Kevin was silent for a moment before replying, "I want to see you fight."

Alex stared into Kevin's eyes without saying a word, then turned and continued walking. Soon, they arrived at enormous doors that opened on their own.

[Ding! 300 Arcane energy consumed]

[Strength, Agility, Endurance, and Senses have all reached (C-)]

[Ding! 100 Arcane energy consumed]

[Fury has been upgraded to King's Rage]

[(C-) King's Rage: A calm, controlled rage ignites in your heart, boosting all stats by 50% (except Charm). Requires 500 Arcane mana per second.

[Ding! 50 Arcane energy converted into 50,000 Arcane mana.]

[Arcane Mana: 60,000 / 60,000]

Stepping inside the room, Alex's gaze locked onto the throne at the center. Floating before the throne was a sword, and as they entered, a dark-skinned being began materializing.

Its face was obscured except for glowing red eyes. Though its body appeared lean, its presence was overwhelming, and the air seemed to tremble around it.

Who was this being?

The novel never clarified its identity. No one had ever been able to claim the sword it guarded.

The sword itself was steeped in mystery, said to have once belonged to the greatest swordsman in the world.

Consumed by darkness, the swordsman and his blade had fused into a single entity, creating a soul weapon—a weapon that grew with its wielder.

As Alex scanned the room, he noticed a demon's corpse pinned to the wall by a bloodstained sword.

The demon appeared powerful at first glance, but it was already dead.

"So the demon lord's seed is here after all," Alex muttered, relieved they wouldn't need to track another demon to find it.

The being on the throne finally stood, and an ancient voice echoed through the chamber. "The Soul Emperor still lives."

Alex froze, confused by the title. Kevin, standing nearby, also looked perplexed. Playing along, Alex replied, "And who might you be?"

The being stopped moving, its glowing red eyes piercing into Alex's starry blue and gold-flecked eyes. "To think you have fallen to this point," it said, its voice heavy with disdain.

Alex's mind raced. Was this somehow connected to the secrets the system was hiding from him? He steadied himself and asked, "Who are you?"

The being opened its mouth to speak, but no words came out. After a moment, it sighed and replied, "Something prevents me from telling you."

'Is this your doing, Agnes?' Alex questioned inwardly.

[Sorry, Alex. Even I want to know, but the system and I are both bound by rules. Some things I simply cannot override.]

Alex shook his head and unsheathed his sword. "Then are you going to give me your weapon without a fight?"

The being chuckled. "You have my respect, but I will not make it easy for you, young Soul Emperor."

"Kevin, stand back," Alex warned.

"Show me your might, your will, and your swordsmanship!" the being shouted, shifting into a combat stance.

[Arcane Mana Skin + King's Rage + Orc Transformation activated]

[Soul Emperor activated.]