The promised rewards and subsequent divine pronouncements from the god of magic did not arrive as expected.
Silence reigned within the steel firmament; the expected divine favor, or at least new instructions, did not penetrate the dimension to arrive.
Linde waited for several days, and the initial expectation in his deep purple eyes gradually cooled, turning into cold mockery and a hint of anger at being fooled.
"Oh……"
A soft snort echoed in the empty control room, carrying an absolute chill, "Truly... stingy and arrogant."
He went to great lengths to deal with the "Silent One," risking his life to guide the Shadow Abyss, and almost triggering an uncontrollable disaster.
And what was the result? The high and mighty god acted as if he were merely a janitor casually discarding a piece of junk, not even bothering to offer a "well done," let alone any substantial reward—whether it be knowledge, power, or the mysteries of the divine realm.
This attitude of using and discarding completely solidified the idea that had already taken root in Linde's mind.
Relying on divine favor? Seeking divine guidance? Following the old paths of so-called legends?
No.
He, Lind Truk, absolutely not!
His gaze swept across the database of information about Kamran, Varak, and even Esmeralda.
These paths of existence became clearer in his eyes, yet also more... tragic.
"Soul Forger" Kamran, bound to the Earth's Vein Forge, is incomparably powerful, yet has become an eternally bound spirit, his world confined to the Red Mountain Range. His existence depends on that specific land and energy source.
"Deep-Rooted Elder" Valak, coexisting with the ancient forest, had a scattered consciousness and bore the deep-seated problems and decay of the entire ecosystem. Ultimately, he was silently erased amidst internal stagnation and external threats.
His power is two sides of the same coin as his pain and bondage.
Even the seemingly invincible "Silent Saintess" Esmeralda, whose power originates from the God of Magic, may be an out-of-control tragedy or a shadow of divine power. Her actions may seem autonomous, but she may just be another form of prisoner, following some cold instinct or command.
Which of these legends didn't embark on some extreme path, gaining immense power but also paying a huge price, trapped in their respective "domains" or "states," with no way forward, and even their own existence becoming, in a sense, a "flawed product" or "incomplete entity"?
They are explorers who fell at different crossroads on the path to godhood, "demigods" defined and limited by the forces they chose or were forced to merge with, rather than true, complete "gods" who control everything about themselves!
"Their paths are all dead ends, or... lead to distorted side halls, rather than the true kingdom of the gods."
Linde's voice was cold and firm, carrying a transcendent insight and decisiveness.
"But I am different."
He has something they don't have!
The [Halo System]—this strange entity, stolen from the gods and capable of continuously analyzing and devouring divine power to grow, is his sharpest spear and strongest shield, as well as the key to a higher level! It itself is encroaching on the realm of the gods, foreshadowing a shortcut to plunder and advancement!
The legacy of the Zedo civilization—the Iron Sky, an interstellar fortress, and its technological tree that transcends the current era—provides near-limitless energy, unparalleled computing power, the potential to traverse the galaxy, and tools to combat and even understand rule-based phenomena.
This is a platform and foundation that no legend that sticks to its homeland can imagine!
His own will and path—he never thought of forming a deep bond with any existing massive entity (the ley lines, the forest, or even the Shadow Abyss).
What he wants is control, mastery, and analysis, not assimilation.
His goal is the stars and the sea, the mysteries of the universe, and the truth itself!
Why follow their flawed old path?
Linde slowly stood up, and his aura began to change.
It is no longer simply powerful or cold, but possesses an ineffable "completeness" and "possibility" that seems to be nurturing something supreme.
Why bother begging for divine favors?
His gaze seemed to pierce through the steel sky, reaching the boundless starry sky and the source land where laws intertwined.
"I'm going to walk my own path!"
"What I want to build is my own divine kingdom!"
"It is not about merging with something, not about becoming the 'spirit' of a certain land, not about relying on faith, and not about following any existing divine authority!"
"My divine kingdom will be built upon a steel sky, with Zedo technology as its framework, and its core principles will be the deconstruction of all things, the revitalization of all things, and the illumination that dispels illusion. It will devour countless rules and divinity as its resources, constantly evolving and expanding!"
"It will be mobile, it will grow, it will transcend dimensional boundaries! It is me, and I am it!"
“I will no longer seek to become ‘a god,’ I will become… ‘Lind’! His very existence is a completely new and supreme ‘concept’!”
A grand vow, like a silent thunderclap, exploded in the deepest part of his soul and resonated with the core of the steel sky like never before!
The entire interstellar fortress trembled slightly, and the azure energy flow became even more dazzling, as if cheering and responding to their ultimate dream of dominating the mundane and the legendary!
From that moment on, Lind Truk completely severed his last hope for divine blessings and saw clearly the limitations and pitfalls of the traditional legendary path.
His goal is no longer to become another "legend," or a spokesperson or henchman for some god.
His journey is to forge an unprecedented path, one that belongs only to him—the Ascension to the Divine Realm!
With steel and stars as its body, and analysis and devouring as its soul, it forged... a god of machinery and evolution? No, it is more fundamental... a god of control and truth!
The path is clear, and there is no precedent for it.
The next step is to put all of this into practice.
His gaze once again fell upon the rift in the Howling Abyss, upon the deeper database of the Zedu civilization, and upon the ever-evolving halo system within his body.
Resources, knowledge, power... he needs more to build the foundation of his unique divine kingdom.
The indifference of the god of magic became the final spark that ignited his path to becoming an independent god.
The storm will be stirred up by his own hand, heading straight for the supreme throne of God.
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