[Ding! Connection successfully re-established! Artist, congratulations on clearing the dungeon!]

Just then, an icy voice suddenly echoed in Silvanus’s mind. It was clearly not Nine’s voice, but the system’s automated notification.

Silvanus couldn’t help but glance at the pop-up window floating before him, as if it had understood the question in his mind.

A new line of text quickly appeared:

[If I block every connection from the Happy TV Network, we may arouse suspicion.]

Silvanus: "..."

Fair enough.

Having two systems at the same time was certainly... interesting.

Though to him, the blue pop-up was undoubtedly far more adorable than Happy TV Network’s automated system.

The automated system continued its announcements without pause, accompanied by bursts of dazzling fireworks.

[Dungeon "Crimson Inheritance" Final Rank: D

Achievement Unlocked: Closed the Loop

Achievement Unlocked: Permanently Sealed the Dungeon

Review: You may be a newcomer, but your strength certainly isn’t!

With your mysterious identity, you’ve attracted a massive audience. Keep actively participating in livestreams to continue expanding your fandom!]

Silvanus watched as his credits kept climbing, the numbers racing upward before finally stopping at a total of 10,356 credits.

Of that, 5,000 credits came from his outstanding dungeon clear, while the rest were gifts from the viewers.

He genuinely hadn’t expected that the viewers who spent all day criticizing him would end up giving him so many credits!

No wonder the system had called this a pretty good start. He had to admit, it really wasn’t bad at all!

There were also all kinds of popularity rankings and other miscellaneous rankings displayed nearby, making the interface incredibly rich.

However, what caught Silvanus’s attention even more was the skill box bouncing nonstop off to one side.

The moment he tapped it, a description immediately appeared.

[Fixed Skill: A suitable ability will be created based on your own capabilities.]

[Choose your ability now.]

Silvanus looked at the accept button bouncing eagerly in front of him and pressed it without hesitation.

The next instant, a brilliant flash engulfed everything, so bright that Silvanus had no choice but to squeeze his eyes shut.

When he opened them again, he found himself in an entirely different space.

Countless stars revolved around him, each one the heart of a different soul. Ethereal flames floated around them, casting a soft glow into the darkness.

[Countless masks... which one is your true face? Every script you create is another life entirely your own.]

[Skill: The World Is My Stage!

Description: Who are you? You can be anyone—a nobody, a doctor, an assassin, or even something that isn’t human. Your path through life is one endless stage, and you are a performer whom no one will ever truly see through!

Rank: C (Sounds impressive, but it’s all style and no substance. Strongly recommended to acquire more powerful props.)

Current Masks Available: 1]

One of the stars drifted down into Silvanus’s hand before dissolving into his body.

At the same time, he was teleported back to his own personal space.

The blue pop-up quickly typed:

[Among those with a C-rank skill, the survival rate beyond the fourth dungeon has never exceeded 35%.]

Silvanus: "..."

"Thanks for that... not-so-helpful piece of information."

[You’re welcome.]

Silvanus: "..."

If that thing had possessed a body, it probably would have taken a punch from him by now. Unfortunately, it didn’t.

[Break time is over. It’s time for your training.]

"Training?"

Before Silvanus could even finish the word, the ground beneath his feet suddenly split apart. He instantly leaped to the side as countless razor-sharp spikes erupted from the earth, shooting directly toward him!

Silvanus: "!!!"

"Hey! Are you trying to assassinate me?!"

[Use the Faith you’ve gathered to deal with everything. I believe you can do it.]

The pop-up’s dry attempt at encouragement wasn’t nearly as motivating as Matt, who was frantically shouting from the sidelines.

Silvanus frowned. He jumped onto his throne, scooped Matt into his arms, and immediately fled from the sea of spikes chasing after him.

His speed was now as swift as a cheetah’s, far beyond that of an ordinary person. Unlike the first time he had used this power, however, he now wielded it with complete control. There was no longer any risk of running so fast that he would trip over his own feet.

Yet the spikes grew just as quickly—if not even faster.

Holding Matt tightly, Silvanus spoke with absolute confidence.

"Matt, don’t worry. No matter what, we’ll—"

Before he could finish, Matt suddenly struggled free, flapped his wings, and shot forward at an unbelievable speed.

That was definitely not the speed of a swan!

And since when was even Matt faster than him?!

"Whoop! Whooop!"

Up ahead, Matt cried out twice before turning back to look at Silvanus.

Silvanus couldn’t help frowning.

"Matt... you’ve really changed."

Even as he spoke, he leaped into the air to avoid another wave of spikes while reaching out with one hand to grab Matt by the leg.

He had carried Matt while running away. If he lost now, then Matt was losing with him.

Of course, that was assuming this wasn’t a fight to the death.

Matt let out a loud cry, as though condemning Silvanus’s shamelessness.

Watching the spikes draw closer and closer, Silvanus couldn’t help wondering if the God Realm had no intention of retracting them. This was only supposed to be a training session... wasn’t it?

Even so, he instinctively squeezed his eyes shut.

Yet the pain he expected never came.

Not because the God Realm had withdrawn the spikes.

But because of Matt.

Silvanus immediately opened his eyes and looked at him.

Matt held his neck high, his wings beating frantically with every ounce of strength he had.

And somehow...

He was actually lifting Silvanus into the air.

Only a little, but enough.

At the very least, it kept Silvanus suspended in place instead of falling onto the forest of spikes that lay less than a few centimeters beneath him.

"Hook! Hook!"

Matt’s cries had become strained and distorted.

Then, all at once, his eyes snapped open.

Surging darkness burst forth from his wings, transforming into an enormous cloak that spread across more than ten meters of space before carrying Silvanus soaring high into the sky.

Wave after wave of darkness unfurled into dense black feathers, their glossy sheen reflected in Silvanus’s eyes.

He stared at Matt’s strange new form and, for a brief moment, genuinely couldn’t tell whether this training session was meant for him...

...or for Matt.

Was this really his swan?

No...

More importantly—

Was this really Matt?