Atticus's Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground novel Chapter 1644

Chapter 1644: Voidmarks

"F-first... you have to promise me something!"

Thomas clenched his fist, his expression resolute.

"I need—"

"Do I look like I’m here to negotiate?"

Atticus’ eyes glowed crimson, flooding the space with a suffocating pressure. Thomas’s mouth snapped shut before he could finish, the words dying in his throat.

"Tell me everything about the tattoos."

Under Atticus’ overwhelming gaze, Thomas swallowed before giving a shaky nod.

"T-these tattoos... they’re called Voidmarks. They combine life force and will, letting the user unleash power far beyond what they should normally be capable of."

The Evoli elder furrowed his brows.

"How are they made?"

Thomas hesitated briefly before answering.

"They’re created using the extracted essence of Solvalth... along with another unknown essence."

Atticus’ eyes widened.

"...What?"

Thomas nodded.

"Solvalth is the primordial star of harmony and balance. His essence is what makes the linkage possible."

"And the other essence?" Azeron asked, a deep frown forming on his face. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Thomas shook his head.

"I don’t know where it comes from... or what it is. They just deliver it to me. No explanation. But whatever it is... the presence coming from it is overwhelming. Its source must be something extremely powerful."

A long moment of silence passed as Atticus processed everything. What he had just learned sounded completely insane. Yet he could sense no trace of falsehood in Thomas’ words.

’Why?’

It was the only question that came to Atticus’ mind. Solvalth’s fragments were the Willguard’s sworn enemies. Using them to hunt other fragment bearers was one thing, but it made no sense that they would abandon their hatred and use them as fuel.

’I might be wrong.’

For all he knew, they might have chosen to harness the power of the very enemy they despised most.

Yet Atticus slowly shook his head. There was a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that something more was at play here. He refused to believe their motives were that shallow.

"So... in that lab, you were draining other fragment bearers?"

Thora’s eyes were wide open, her fists clenched.

"...Yes."

"That’s sick!"

She stepped forward and grabed Thomas by the collar.

"Do you think anyone chooses to become a fragment bearer? None of us asked for this fate! They’re people with dreams, with lives... and you turned them into fuel!"

Thomas’ gaze darkened as he clenched his teeth, his head lowering slowly.

"...I’m sorry."

"Sorry? Save that apology for the people you’re draining!"

She shoved him back harshly against the wall before turning to Atticus.

"We have to rescue them."

Atticus came out from his thoughts and met her firm gaze. He remained silent for several seconds, countless thoughts running through his mind.

"This is not a rescue mission."

"But—!"

"But nothing." Atticus narrowed his gaze. "They’re not our responsibility."

Thora ground her teeth, glaring fiercely at Atticus. A moment later she clicked her tongue and shook her head before turning away to stand at the opposite corner of the cavern.

Ignoring her, Atticus turned to Azeron, who was staring at him.

The Evoli elder gave him a look.

"What will you do with them?"

Atticus did not answer, but he didn’t miss the cold glint in the elder’s eyes.

’He wants me to kill them.’

The elder clearly didn’t care about the fragment bearers, nor did he have any intention of rescuing them.

However, there was no mistaking the implications of Thomas’ words. The base contained weak, defenseless fragment bearers. With the convergence approaching, it was the perfect opportunity to harvest fragments and increase his power.

Atticus frowned.

Killing and absorbing the fragments of enemies trying to kill him was entirely different from murdering weak and defenseless people simply for power.

’Is it necessary?’

He had committed genocide more than once. Both times had been for the sake of protecting his family. Something he considered necessary.

However, Atticus wasn’t sure if gaining power alone could truly be justified as necessary.

Wouldn’t that make him a... monster?

He shook his head.

’Later.’

Ignoring the Evoli elder’s gaze, Atticus fixed his eyes on Thomas.

"What is their goal?"

Thomas’ expression turned confused.

"...Goal?"

"Yes. What are they trying to accomplish with all this? Why create those tattoos? To make super soldiers? Increase their strength?"

Although the tattoos significantly increased one’s power, Atticus found it difficult to believe that simply strengthening their overall power was their true objective.

Thomas’ eyes widened in understanding, but they darkened almost immediately.

"...I believe it’s for control."

"Control?"

Thomas nodded, his expression turning serious.

"Yes. Someone of higher rank can take control of them at any moment... even force them to unleash the Voidmark’s full power."

"So they’re trying to control fragment bearers." Azeron muttered under his breath.

"...Yes."

Thomas suddenly hesitated, as though he wanted to say something more.

Atticus furrowed his brows.

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