Chapter 24: The Choice That Changes Everything
Chapter 24: The Choice That Changes Everything
Jin stared at the two paths before him. The Path of Power shimmered with divine energy, pulsating like a living heart. The Path of Truth was an abyss of swirling darkness, whispering secrets beyond mortal comprehension.
The Keeper of the Forbidden Floor stood silently, his gaze unreadable.
"Choose," he commanded.
Aerin clenched her fists, watching Jin with narrowed eyes. "Whatever you pick… there's no turning back, Jin."
Jin exhaled. He already knew his answer.
---
Stepping Into the Abyss
"I choose truth," Jin said.
Aerin's breath hitched. "You're serious?"
Jin stepped forward, his boots echoing against the stone floor. "Power without understanding is meaningless."
The moment he crossed into the Path of Truth, a monstrous force pulled him in.
Darkness engulfed him.
The floor beneath him vanished, and suddenly, Jin was falling.
---
The Forgotten Records of the Gods
Jin's body hit something solid, yet it did not hurt. He blinked as his surroundings came into focus.
He was in a vast, ancient library—the walls stretching infinitely, lined with floating tomes bound in celestial silver and abyssal black. The air smelled of old paper and burning stardust.
A voice echoed from the void.
"Welcome, Seeker of Truth."
Jin turned sharply. Before him stood a woman—or rather, an ethereal being wrapped in golden chains. Her form flickered between human and something beyond comprehension.
> [??? – The Bound Librarian of the Gods]
The keeper of knowledge erased from history. She has existed before time itself.
Her eyes glowed with galaxies.
"You are the first in eons to step into this place," she said, her voice a mixture of countless others. "You wish to learn the truth?"
Jin nodded. "Tell me everything."
The Librarian raised her chained hands, and the books trembled.
The space around them shifted—reality itself bending.
---
The Gods' Secret & The System's True Purpose
The tomes flipped open, pages moving on their own. Images formed—moving like living memories.
Jin saw:
A colossal war among the gods.
A divine betrayal that shattered the heavens.
The creation of the System—not as a blessing, but as a chain.
The Librarian spoke. "The gods did not create the system to aid mortals. They created it to control them."
Jin's eyes widened. "What…?"
The vision continued.
The system was designed to suppress mortal potential.
Every blessing, every level-up—it was all scripted to prevent true ascension.
Those who grew too strong were silently erased.
"The true gods feared mortals," the Librarian said. "So they created an illusion of progress while keeping ultimate power beyond reach."
Jin's fists clenched. "Then why do some people break through?"
The Librarian's expression darkened. "Because not all gods agreed with this plan."
Some rebelled. These gods whispered forbidden knowledge to mortals, creating anomalies—people who could surpass their limits. Jin was one of them.
That's why he was given the chance to choose.
That's why the gods were watching him.
Jin's mind spun.
The entire world—the entire system—it was all a lie.
---
A New Path Unlocked
The Librarian turned to him.
"Now that you know the truth, what will you do?"
Jin inhaled deeply. His pulse pounded in his ears.
If the system was meant to limit him…
If the gods were controlling fate…
Then he would shatter it all.
The Librarian smiled knowingly. "Then, let me give you something forbidden."
A single book floated toward him. Its cover was blank.
> [You have obtained the Hidden Codex: The Path of the Unshackled.]
A manual containing the knowledge to break free from divine restraints.
Jin grabbed the book—and light exploded around him.
---
Return to the Divine Tower
Jin's eyes snapped open. He was back in the Divine Tower, standing before the golden gate.
The Keeper of the Forbidden Floor studied him, then nodded. "You have chosen wisely."
Aerin rushed forward. "Jin! You were gone for—" She stopped. Her eyes widened.
Jin's presence had changed.
Before, he was powerful. Now… he felt untouchable.
"I know what I have to do now," Jin said, his voice steady.
Aerin swallowed. "And that is…?"
Jin looked at the towering gates beyond.
"I'm going to break this system apart."
> [Path of the Unshackled has been unlocked.]
[The Divine War is inevitable.]
Jin smirked.
"Let's raise some hell."