Chosen Path

The vast cosmos stretched infinitely before Alex, an endless expanse of intertwining paths that shimmered like celestial rivers. Each pathway pulsed with its own unique energy, some barely flickering while others blazed with brilliance. He stood suspended in this ethereal space, a mere observer in the presence of forces beyond comprehension.

As he turned his gaze, he noticed four particularly intense paths—ones that seemed to call out to him, resonating with something deep within his soul.

The first path glowed with a boundless neon light, its radiance pulsating in sync with his very being. Alex instinctively knew what it represented—the Path of Cloning. It was linked to his talent, perfectly in tune with the abilities he had already awakened. It was familiar, predictable, and powerful in its own right.

Next was a pathway illuminated in fluorescent blue, its glow almost electric, crackling with unseen energy. The Path of Replication. This was similar to cloning but extended beyond merely creating copies of himself. Instead, it seemed to involve duplicating objects—an ability that, if harnessed correctly, could be just as overwhelming.

The third path was an abyssal black, consuming the very light around it. It did not pulse like the others but rather seemed to drink in the surrounding energy. The Path of Absorption. Alex couldn't understand how this path was linked to him. His talent had no mention of absorption—at least, not yet. Could it be something he would unlock in the future? The thought sent a shiver through him.

And then there was the last path.

It was unlike anything else. Instead of a single hue, it constantly shifted, cycling through nine distinct auras, each carrying a unique essence. Yet, when he focused on it, his mind refused to assign it a name. Where the others had been clearly labeled, this one was a garbled mess—

"&$+*($?2?)"

His breath hitched. Why was this path nameless? What kind of force could warp even the simplest of perceptions?

He considered his choices carefully. The Cloning Path was the safest—he had a clear idea of how to use it, and it would enhance his existing abilities. Replication was intriguing, allowing him to duplicate weapons, tools, or even precious resources. Absorption, while enigmatic, could lead to unimaginable power, provided he discovered its mechanisms.

But then there was the mystery path.

Everything about it was unknown. No requirements, no defined abilities, no guarantees. It could be a trap. It could be a mistake. But it could also be something far beyond his understanding—something greater than all the others combined.

His heart pounded. Every logical fiber of his being urged him to take the path of Cloning—it was the sensible decision. Yet, his curiosity gnawed at him. If he walked away from the nameless path, he would never stop wondering. The unknown potential, the ever-shifting nature… it was calling to him.

He took a step forward.

The moment his foot touched the mystery path, its chaotic auras ceased their flux. In an instant, everything turned white—an all-encompassing, blinding white that swallowed all sensation.

Pain.

A tidal wave of information flooded his mind, crashing into his consciousness like an unrelenting storm. Visions, voices, concepts—too much, too fast. His brain felt like it was tearing apart, his very soul straining under the weight of the knowledge being forced into him. It was as if the universe itself was pouring secrets into his mind, branding them into his very existence.

Then, just as quickly as it had begun, it ended.

Alex gasped as he was violently ejected from the ethereal plane, his eyes snapping open. His vision swam, his breathing ragged. He felt as if his entire being had been rewritten in an instant.

"Alex!" Liam's voice was sharp, filled with concern. He was shaking him by the shoulders. "Are you okay? You've been out for a while."

Alex blinked, dazed, then let out a slow, breathy laugh. A grin—one that was equal parts exhilaration and eerie—stretched across his face.

"Memory overload…" he murmured, chuckling to himself.

Liam narrowed his eyes. "Why are you smiling like that? What the hell happened? What path did you get?"

Alex swallowed, still trying to process the sheer magnitude of what he had experienced. His hands trembled slightly as he pulled up his status panel.

Alex barely registered the frantic voices around him. Liam was calling his name, and the attendant was watching him with concern. But his focus was elsewhere.

His mind, still reeling from the overwhelming influx of knowledge, latched onto one thing—the shimmering panel before him. His vision tunneled as he honed in on it, his breath hitching when he saw what had changed.

[Path Section Added]

Path: The Invincible Path

A path to invincibility, to reach it one must have the highest realm in not only cultivation but the Paths of Life, Death, Time, Space, Karma, Fate, Destruction, Creation and #-$#.

Error: Unknown Path detected. Path exceeds system limit. Failed recognition. Please proceed with caution.

Path Requirements: The Supreme Path, one that kills its walkers. In each realm, one must reach the invincible state by comprehending all 9 Paths to the realm limit. Failure to do so will result in the impossibility of breakthroughs to further realms.

Alex's breath came in shallow gasps as his eyes flicked across the screen.

The words 'Supreme Path' stood out like a beacon, the weight behind them pressing down on him. A Path that kills its walkers? His throat went dry. That didn't sound like a metaphor.

He reread the description. Life, Death, Time, Space, Karma, Fate, Destruction, Creation… and one the system itself could not identify. His fingers clenched into a fist.

A part of him wanted to question what he had just done, whether he had made the right choice. Another part? It was thrilled.

If there was a limit, he had surpassed it. If there was an unknown, he had stepped into it.

He didn't know if he had just secured his future or doomed himself, but one thing was certain.

He had chosen the Invincible Path.

[Class: ???]

[Path: The Invincible Path]

Liam leaned in, staring at the words with wide eyes. "The… Invincible Path? What the hell is that?"

Alex had no answer.

Because even as he looked at the panel, even as his heart raced, he still didn't fully understand what he had just chosen. But one thing was certain—

Nothing would ever be the same again.