The Ascendance Deceiver

In the depths of the human psyche, an enigmatic tapestry of desires and tendencies weaves its intricate patterns. Humans, with their unpredictable nature, harbor a multitude of behaviors that both mesmerize and disturb. Beneath the facade of complex personalities lies a dormant instinct shared by every individual—a clandestine yearning to witness the world consumed by flames. Though many may display love, fight valiantly, or sacrifice selflessly, deep down, a hunger for control and a perverse pleasure in the suffering of others lurk within their hearts. This inclination often hides in plain sight, camouflaged by the innocent enjoyment of prank videos, concealing the darker truths beneath the veneer of laughter. Yet, amidst this paradoxical existence, a distinct breed of humanity emerges—those intimately acquainted with their own shadowed depths. Bound by societal norms and the laws that govern, they are compelled to shroud their true nature within veils of normalcy. These individuals

As Alayn descended the staircase, he stole a glance at three passengers seated at the end row of the train car. Previously unnoticed, they caught his attention. Among them were a man and a young girl, the latter tugging at the man's right hand. The man had short hair and a remarkably attractive face, complemented by thin-framed glasses perched on his nose bridge. His attire, a black suit, white shirt with a bowtie, gave off an air of a university professor. The young girl beside him wore white sneakers, a black skirt, and a stylish yellow blouse, appearing to be around sixteen to seventeen years old. The man seemed to be in his early thirties or late twenties. After stealing a glance at the three passengers, Alayn turned his attention to the boy who had suggested calling 911. Clad in a hoodie like Alayn, with blue denim jeans and white sneakers, he appeared to be a college student around sixteen, similar to the other girl. Meanwhile, the other boy, who had scoffed, was not in proxi

As Solarael greeted the seven players, they looked at each other with puzzled expressions. Despite having teleported several times before, they were still unfamiliar with the experience. Curiosity painted on her face, a woman clad in a beautiful blue dress inquired of Solarael, "Are we the first visitors to your shop, or do you possess some form of cloning ability that allows you to have multiple shops at the same time?" "Is that your question for the first-time bonus?" Solarael asked, his vibrant face devoid of any discernible emotions. "If not, you can wait for your turn to ask questions. I don't have to answer unless it's part of the first-time bonus." Without giving the woman a chance to reply, Solarael continued, "Now, let's begin. The first order of business is acquiring your ability card. To do so, please extend your right hand and follow my guidance." Solarael's confident voice resonated through the room. As the group extended their right hands, Solarael demonstrated a flu

As Alayn's eyes adjusted to the luminous golden light, they fell upon the resplendent figure of the majestic door before him. Standing alongside him were the six other players, their expressions brimming with curiosity and anticipation, eager to glean insights from Alayn's encounter within the Cosmo shop. It was evident that they yearned to hear every detail, their eyes fixed on him, awaiting for Alayn to enable his voice. Alayn keenly observed the anticipation radiating from the other players, understanding their eagerness to hear his account. With a casual smile, he began to share his experience, "Well, as it turns out, the Cosmo shop I entered this time was exactly the same as before. There were no noticeable changes or alterations." His words hung in the air, and the expressions of the other players subtly shifted, some with a tinge of disappointment and others with a hint of relief. Alayn couldn't help but inwardly chuckle at the sight of some disappointed expressions among th

"One thousand credits!?" Neo blurted out, his voice filled with disbelief and a hint of uncertainty, unable to fully trust what he had just heard. "Yes, indeed," Solarael replied with a smile, a tinge of amusement lacing his words. "By selling your one-time question back to the shop, you can receive a generous sum of one thousand credits. I assumed that Player Alayn had informed you about this option and the potential value it holds. Did he not mention the amount you could obtain by selling it?" Neo didn't answer Solarael and remained silent, as his mind consumed by a single question that echoed loudly within him: "What the hell did Brother Alayn do with those thousand credits he obtained?" Neo refrained from voicing his thoughts and chose not to ask Solarael about Alayn's use of the thousand credits. He realized that obtaining an answer from Solarael would require spending some of his own credits, and Alayn was someone he could approach directly without such expenditure. In Neo's