Chapter 25: The Forbidden Choice

The black mist slithered across the cracked stone, writhing like a living thing. It pulsed with an unnatural energy—something ancient, something powerful.

And I could feel it calling to me.

[System Notification!]

[Entity Recognized: ??? (Sealed)][Requirement Met: Catalyst for ??? Unlocked][Would you like to Accept?][Y/N]

My hand trembled over the system window.

Rhia stepped closer, her silver eyes locked on mine. "Leon… don't."

Her voice was steady, but there was an edge of fear beneath it. She could sense it too—whatever was in this shrine was not normal.

But… the system never gave me random choices.

This had to be something important.

Something I needed.

The whisper came again, curling around my mind like a shadow.

"You seek strength. I can grant it. Power beyond limits… beyond fate."

My throat was dry. "What… are you?"

The voice laughed softly.

"A prisoner. A god. A mistake."

That didn't help.

The system prompt was still there, waiting for my answer.

I glanced at Rhia. Her grip on her dagger was tight—she was ready to fight, if necessary.

This was it.

A choice I couldn't take back.

[Accept the Catalyst?]Yes – Embrace the unknown power and risk whatever comes with it.No – Reject it and escape before the seal weakens further.

I took a deep breath.

And I made my choice.