Atticus's Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground novel Chapter 1550

Chapter 1550: Center

There was no way to know what had happened without the others talking. And Atticus knew just how unlikely that was.

Still, the possibilities narrowed quickly.

’Either the one who reached the center created this game... or chose to leave it after reaching the center.’

The latter was worse. It meant ’end the game’ didn’t mean ending it for everyone. It meant the winner alone. It meant abandoning Anorah and the others.

Atticus shut the thought down.

The assumptions didn’t matter right now. What mattered was the implication.

’There’s something about the center that’s making them hesitate.’

Something dangerous.

Still... Atticus exhaled slowly.

There was no choice. He had to reach the center before the next turn or else it would be too late.

The round continued until it was his turn.

’Please... please. I’ll hold off on committing genocide for a year if I get a three...’

He rolled, eyes locked on the die as it clattered across the board. It teetered at the edge, swaying between one and three.

Atticus cursed under his breath at the unbearable suspense. Then, in a sudden turn of events, the die tipped and settled on three.

’Good.’

He curled his fists and exhaled. In that brief moment, he’d already informed the others of his plan. Now they all stared at him with narrowed eyes.

A three meant he could reach the middle in a single stretch, but Atticus doubted it would be that simple. The universe had never been that kind to him.

"Me. Three domains forward."

He didn’t miss the way the others stiffened.

Ordan turned toward him, staring at him silently. Dravek’s expression instead, hardened.

The contrast unsettled Atticus. Ordan’s silence was impossible to read, but Dravek’s anger made no sense. The center was supposed to be dangerous.

Why would that upset him?

Moments like this made Atticus wish for a blabbermouth. He’d thought Ordan was one when they first met, but the game had proven just how calculating the man truly was. There was no chance he’d help him willingly.

"Hidden rule triggered."

The sudden announcement pulled Atticus from his thoughts. He frowned.

’Hidden rules? What the hell is that?’

"The last two domains before the center must be traversed sequentially, according to your movement count."

Atticus’ frown deepened. If each domain had to be traversed, then he’d have to claim all two before reaching the middle.

’So I have to face the restrictions...’

Was this why the others had refused to approach the center?

He dismissed the thought almost immediately. Even the harshest penalties could be contested with power points. That alone wasn’t enough to stop them.

’Here goes...’

Light flashed, and Atticus found himself transported to the first domain.

"Sacrifice one of your champions."

He frowned. That had to be a joke.

But board merely continued.

"Do you choose to claim, or deny?"

"I contest."

The board fell silent for a moment, then said:

"Five power points required. Do you wish to proceed?"

Atticus checked his reserves. He’d avoided spending his power points until now for this exact reason.

’Twenty three.’

"Proceed."

"Five power points have been deducted. Your new penalty is..."

"...a player selected at random will choose any of your champions to execute. Do you choose to claim, or deny?"

’No difference.’

His frown deepened.

"I contest."

"Seven power points required. Do you wish to proceed?"

’It increased...?’

Atticus’ eyes widened. He couldn’t help but glance up at the white sky and ground his teeth.

"...Do you choose to claim, or deny?"

"Claim."

"Domain claimed. Do you choose to proceed, or utilize your movement on your other pieces?"

Atticus clenched his fists.

"Proceed."

Light shifted, and he was transported to the next domain. He held his breath, hoping the penalty would at least be survivable.

"All your champions will be permanently open to challenge across the board."

Atticus narrowed his eyes. It was better than he’d feared, but not without risk. He trusted the others to handle themselves, but...

He shook his head.

His grandfather had just survived a battle with a Willguard to send him a message. Refusing this because of him would be an insult.

’Do it.’

He cleared his throat as Magnus spoke, having clearly noticed his hesitation.

"Claim."

Atticus watched as the domains of his champions flared red.

"Domain claimed. Do you choose to proceed, or utilize your movement on your other pieces?"

A soft laugh escaped Ordan as he shook his head.

"My, my. You’re finally about reach the prize. Bravo. But... will it truly unfold as you intend?"

Atticus had never felt more hesitant about the center than he felt now. But if he let the turn pass without reaching it, Raziel would get to Anorah.

He was confident he could face whatever awaited him there, at least survive it.

He exhaled once.

"Proceed."

Light swallowed him, and he appeared at the center in a burst of radiance. Before a second could pass, the board spoke.

"Congratulations on reaching the center, Marquis Atticus Ravenstein. The Great Verge welcomes you. A hidden rule has been triggered. The center domain’s penalty is mandatory."

"Domain penalty: You must wait one full round to claim your prize. During this time, any god may challenge you without contest."

"You will claim the domain when your turn comes again."