Apocalypse: Infinite Breaker Online-Chapter 64: Axir’s Decision

Axir looked at the moon as he swam on his back, lost in thought.

’Prime Boons are strong. Each one has already acquired four cards, and the capacity of a Tier-1 Prime Boon deck is 15 cards. The Tier-2 Prime Boon deck Robin got has an initial capacity of 12 cards.’

’I have an advantage in terms of knowing close to 50% of the World of Belkris, and I won’t fall behind despite not having a Prime Boon, but... the Devils won’t stop.’

’And Gods can’t stop them alone. They need players.’

’My belief... the entity I want to manifest is not ready. My path hasn’t even begun.’

’What do I want to become? To acquire an answer to this, I have to start by writing the first page of my ideal entity. The first building block of my belief.’

He didn’t want the pain he felt thanks to the life he lived, trusting Selena and others, and only thinking about doing "good" things overall.

There was no clear definition, but the world had a concept of "good," and he embraced it, pairing it with hard work to excel in life.

And he did excel... until he didn’t. Until his "goods" were unraveled.

So, he wasn’t going to walk the same path as his past life. That was decided.

Veins on Axir’s temple flared as he bared his desire to understand himself more.

’What do I want to do then? What to do... to live a life unfettered, one that derives pleasure from inflicting pain on those who like to give pain to others?’

’I want that kind of life.’

Axir wryly smiled.

’This sounds more and more like a devil. Well, so be it.’

’Being good and saving everyone? No. That’s the wrong approach. I just have to make sure I hunt those who like to hunt others. Give them the pain they like to give to others.’

’And the best way to do that is by mingling among them, watching them, and picking them off one by one.’

’This is the first page of the belief I want to forge, and it will start with me being a devil.’

Axir looked at the time.

11:59

He first sent a message to everyone—Siddha and the gang.

[Axir: I’ll log in three hours later than usual. Aunt Kira, you can log in as usual and then we’ll swap so we can keep an eye on Mio. Now that you all got not one but two Unique decks, enjoy exploring the game on your own.]

[Aunt Kira: Sounds good. I was worried about Mio as well.]

[Siddha: Indeed, you are worried, and rightfully so after what we experienced. I am also worried about my people here. But we’ll need time to build a secure place. Until then, we’ll have to find and kill the vermin when we get the chance.]

[Sakamoto: Gods can fortunately give quests about that, so that’s a plus.]

[James: Anyway, we’ll be entering the game soon. Let’s get as strong as possible so that we can beat whatever comes out of those Abyss Gates.]

’Gods can only give quests about big things. Not small ones,’ Axir thought. ’Gods are restricted. They may be able to observe everything, but can’t tell us, or the Devils won’t rise to shape the world according to the game’s desire.’

Axir got out of the pond and put on his clothes before calling Selena and the others to the mansion’s hall.

Looking at them, Axir felt disgust.

These were devil spawns as well.

But he was going to make sure they were only used by him, and not by other Devils.

"I have an announcement to make."

[World Announcement! World of Belkris will end the beta early due to the activation of the Abyss. After 12 hours, the World of Belkris will synchronize with another planet alongside yours, with the players of both planets sharing the same server.]

’Huh?’ Axir frowned. ’One more change. But why would it synchronize early because of the Abyss... unless the game will add some kind of cross-world event after 15 hours, when the Abyss Gates open? That should be the case.’

"Woah, so we’ll be sharing the game with people from another planet?!" Yuta exclaimed. "That’s rad."

"You think they’re human?" Kazuo rubbed his chin. "Maybe they’re lizard people."

"Or maybe elves and dwarves?" Aoi wondered.

"Whatever it is, we’ll find out later. For now, listen," Axir said. "Selena, you will not log in with the others. You and I will stay outside for three hours, as I have work for us."

"No." Selena refused. "I am not listening to you this time. I’m going to log in."

’Huh? Are they fighting?’ Jason was surprised, his eyes lighting up. ’Selena got a Unique deck, so she doesn’t want to pretend anymore?!’

’Damn, they’re really fighting,’ Lexi thought in surprise. ’It looks like Selena decided to peel off her mask after getting a Unique deck, hehe.’

’Ehhh?’ Aoi blinked. ’Is Selena stupid?’

Kazuo and Yuta were startled as well.

"Are you still upset about that thing?" Axir frowned. ’Good acting, bitch. Keep it up.’

"It seems I can log in." Ignoring Axir’s question, Selena snorted. "I’m logging in. Bye."

And she vanished.

"Look, I am not going to help anyone today. Once I enter the game, I have something to do. However, I’ll save the good stuff for you to make you all strong. But you have to listen to me for that."

"Whatever you say, boss. We’ll listen to you," Kazuo slammed his chest. "Just say it."

"Since Selena went inside, I’ll change the plans. Aoi, you’ll stay with me outside to help me. It might take three hours minimum. The rest can log in, but..."

Axir narrowed his eyes. "Ignore Selena. And do as I say. I am going to tell you the locations of three areas, and the locations of treasure chests in those areas, as well as Elite Dungeons. But if you dare include Selena in this expedition or even tell her about it..."

An arcane pressure oozed from Axir as he applied Mana to everyone, making them feel slightly suffocated.

"Let’s just say I won’t take kindly to that."

"Whatever you say, guild master!" Yuta nodded solemnly. "We will exclude Selena. Let her farm and play on her own."

"Good."

Axir then told them the locations and sent them away.

In the hall, only Aoi remained.

She blinked. "What’s the work, Axir-sama?"

Axir’s eyes glinted.

’Aoi... I have to test you. You didn’t concern yourself with most of the evil deeds those five committed due to the difference in status between you and them. But you are indifferent to everything other than yourself—though not yet.’

’So I have to test and shape your future self. You will not be spared from my clutches, but as long as you become a useful tool, I won’t throw you into a coffin of despair like the others.’

"Let’s go to the garden." Axir connected a thread of Mana to Aoi’s body and used Librated Drift, taking her along as they appeared in the garden.

"Sit." Axir sat at the table and gestured toward the chair across from him.

Aoi sat down. "I’m getting some serious vibes."

"It’s very serious." Axir smiled. "I had a great epiphany while swimming in the pond to relax. I found the perfect way to punish some pieces of trash. I can’t wait to begin, but it’s a step-by-step process, so I need a few more days to fully execute it."

"And I was thinking of including you as my assistant."

Aoi was surprised, her eyes shining. "Well, well. If there’s anything I can do to help, it would be my pleasure, Axir-sama."

"Then start by telling me—what do you want most in your life right now?"

Aoi blinked.

’What do I want most?’

"Well, that’s not a difficult question." Aoi grinned.