[Redacted]

The Guardian of Reality, so strong and so true,

With a watchful eye and a heart that's pure blue,

Stood tall and proud, his duty to uphold,

To protect the world from stories untold.

But as time went on, he began to see,

That reality was not as it used to be.

The lines between fact and fiction blurred,

And the Guardian's heart began to stir.

Slowly, surely, he began to feel,

A longing for the unreal,

a desire to steal The magic and wonder of stories untold,

To make reality what he wanted it to hold.

So he made his move, the Guardian so bold,

Usurping reality, his power to behold.

He twisted and turned it to his own will,

Creating a world that was both strange and surreal.

But in his quest for power and control,

The Guardian lost sight of his original goal.

For reality, though sometimes mundane,

Is the foundation on which all else sustains.

So let this be a warning to all who guard,

That power and ambition can leave you scarred.

For the Guardian of Reality learned too late,

That sometimes the best thing to do is just wait.

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The area seems peculiar; it appears to be a hideout, perhaps to protect from the likes of the Thurars. However, despite the possible danger, people are walking around freely without any sense of concern.

When I asked Clara if there had been any confrontations with the Thurars, she mentioned that a few were seen by the guards, but they appeared to be in a weakened state, as if disintegrating into dust.

They were fleeing from something even more terrifying…

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.

.

After checking on Clara, I knew that I had to bring the children here, to this safe and distant place, far away from the Thurars and the battlefield. I couldn't risk their safety by bringing them into harm's

As I made my way out of the shelter and ran through the relatively empty streets of Chamenopolis, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that crept over me. It was as if someone or something was watching me from the shadows, waiting to pounce.

I looked around, trying to identify the source of my discomfort. But everything seemed normal - the streets were deserted, and there was no one in sight.

And yet, the feeling persisted, growing stronger with each passing moment. It wasn't a metaphysical sensation, like the Guardian of Reality. It was something more tangible, more real.

"How many have you been able to detect thus far?"

[Did you know that Thurars can change the color of their skin, much like chameleons?]

"Just give me the number."

[There are approximately one hundred of them, and they have surrounded you. They're ready to attack the moment you stop running.]

"Damn it, I was planning on meeting the children, but I can't risk it. I don't know if I can handle them all by myself and I don't want to put them in danger."

Change of plans…

I stopped in the middle of the street and noticed a group of refugees at the end of the road. With my enhanced vision, I realized that going in that direction was not an option. Going back was not an option either. The only possible route was to enter the nearby building.

And end them once and for all.

As I stopped, I noticed the building around me start to shift colors. Upon closer inspection, I realized that it was actually the Thurars clinging to the walls that had changed their skin, revealing their disgusting eldritch appearance.

I charged towards the abandoned six-story building, yelling loudly to lure any nearby Thurars.

I could sense multiple Thuras following me, their shrieks and roars echoing in the empty streets. But then, a plan struck me –

"OH boy! I really wanted to do something like this just once… just once"

[Wait a minute... I knew it! You had the same idea, didn't you?]

"…"

[Ah s**t! that mischievous grin… hey tell me what memory are you ready to sacrifice?]

I noticed that the letters around me have developed, and Brook explained how this occurred. According to Brook, the letters have entered the second stage of development, which has allowed them to understand and use more complex incantations using simpler language. As a result, the letters have become more refined and are shining brighter than before.

[Magic of light, make me deft. Increase my dexterity's breadth. Swift and sure, my movements be. Steady hands, fingers quick, aim true. So, mote it be.]

To navigate the cramped interior of the building and avoid obstacles, I've been prioritizing the development of my agility and dexterity.

As I rushed through the doorway, the Thurars tried to follow me but their high speed caused them to crash into the walls. I sprinted up the stairs, with a couple of Thurars attempting to block my path by leaping through the windows on each floor. On the third floor, I encountered a particularly unsettling sight - a Thurar was already inside the building, staring at me with drool dripping from its mouth. Its reaction to me was a disturbing mix of hunger and disgust, as if it found me particularly appetizing.

"Here comes the airplane!"

With my current stats:

Strength: 19 --> 32

Constitution: 16 --> 22

Dexterity: 22 --> 49

Intelligence: 30 --> 38

Wisdom: 22 --> 25

Charisma: 15 --> 19

I spotted the Thurar from 10 meters away and charged towards it, focusing all of my power in my left arm. As I closed in on the creature, I dodged its acidic tentacles and unleashed a powerful punch directly at its forehead. The force of the impact penetrated the Thurar's exoskeleton, allowing me to feel the solid organ of its brain with my hand. Without hesitation, I crushed the organ with my bare hands, instantly killing it at the spot.

As I crushed the Thurar's brain in my hand, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disgust as some of its parts stayed in my hand and a dirty liquid, not blood, stained my clothes.

Despite the revulsion, I didn't stop running towards the rooftop, taking down any monsters in my way. It was a shame that I wouldn't remember this incredible feat to show off to my friends.

I realized that the feat I was about to attempt was beyond my current capabilities, and that my attempt could potentially affect reality. In order to avoid any unintended consequences, I decided to pay a price by willingly forgetting this moment. For me, the cost of forgetting this moment was relatively cheap, since I can choose which memory I burn.

As the letters ascend to the next stages, the price of using higher powers will also increase. Using powers that affect reality will come at a higher cost, which will be the loss of memories.

Using powers that affect reality will have a severe impact on one's memories. As the power of these abilities increases, the cost of using them will also increase. Those who use these abilities risk becoming like overpowered Alzheimer's patients, losing their memories as a result of their powers. It's a dangerous path to take, and those who choose to wield such abilities must be prepared to accept the consequences,

those who choose to wield such abilities must be psychopaths… like me

"I request that you provide me with the second level incantations, Brook."

[what's with the sudden polite tone?]

"I'm going to forget it anyways, so it's okay"

[In that case, let me share a spoiler with you, but I will make sure to erase it from your memory since I am the intermediary between you and the letters.]

"I don't mind it."

[Well... Solomon is [redacted] and you [redacted]. It was all part of [redacted]'s plan. Every change that has come to this world is [redacted].]

"Brook… no guardian of the path… F**k you!"

[it's my honour]

As the last words flooded into my mind, I felt my consciousness expanding, my neural pathways firing with new connections. The transfer was complete.

As I reached the rooftop, I ensured that everyone remained inside the building before leaping five meters into the air. With a deep breath, I began to recite the incantation, my voice ringing out across the cityscape.

[By the force of a thousand suns, let my hand be filled with power. With the strength of a gigaton, let my palm strike true. Gigatonus Palma!]

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I opened my eyes and stared blankly at the destruction surrounding me. Buildings flat on the ground and a black liquid leaking of the one I'm the closest to, but I couldn't make sense of them. Why was everything in ruins? And why did I feel so disoriented?

As I struggled to sit up, I noticed that my hands were covered in dust and debris. Had I been here the whole time? My mind was blank, devoid of any memories from before this moment. Panic began to rise within me as I realized that I had no idea how I got here or what had happened.

It was as if an atomic bomb had gone off.

But how? I couldn't recall any details, any actions that could have caused such destruction.

Until my eyes fell on Ruby, she started to emerge from the settling dust. Her expression was one of terror, her eyes wide open.