Atticus's Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground novel Chapter 1661

Chapter 1661: Can’t Stop

It was only after Atticus had rounded the tower several times that he settled on his next course of action.

To enter the tower, it was apparent he would need the seven clones, despite how impossible it seemed.

With the brief time he had spent with each one, he had already determined the emotion each clone embodied.

Rage. Grief. Betrayal. Vengeance. Injustice. Loneliness. Resolve.

Atticus still wasn’t completely certain what the purpose of all this was. His best guess, given the situation, was that the clones were manifestations of Solvath’s emotions. And his role here was to overcome them.

If that were true, then it would support his hypothesis that the sixth trial was meant to teach him a way to break free from Solvath’s hold.

Regardless, it also meant that to achieve his goal, he would have to overcome each emotion.

Still... there was a faint silver lining to all this, no matter how small.

He had access to all the clones at once. Which meant... he could choose which one to face first.

’If I’m lucky, killing each clone could strengthen me.’

Atticus shook his head, dismissing the thought. He wasn’t the type to rely on luck.

Even so, of all the emotions, after weighing everything, his first target was clear.

A moment later, perched atop a tree, Atticus fixed his gaze on the clone staring at the small lake with a somber expression.

’Grief.’

Of all the clones, grief had been the most passive. It had only tried to wear him down, never once attacking. Compared to rage, who seemed intent on tearing him apart, it was the most favorable option.

’I should be able to take him by surprise.’

He moved slowly along the tree branch, his gaze fixed on the clone as he observed him for a few more seconds. After steeling himself, Atticus dropped down and approached.

"What’s the point of it all? Why even try?"

As he neared, the clone began to ramble. Atticus instantly felt an ache stir within his chest, then burst.

He clenched his teeth as an overwhelming surge of grief flooded his senses.

’Hold on.’

Biting down on his tongue, Atticus forced the surging emotions at bay. Only a few steps left...

"In the end... they all die anyway. So what’s the point? Why keep going? We should just... stop."

Finally, Atticus reached him. By then, blood had filled his mouth from how hard he’d bitten down. But his gaze remained clear as he locked onto the clone’s unguarded neck.

He tightened his grip on his katana.

’Now.’

Atticus drew his blade in a flash, only for it to cut through empty air.

His eyes sharpened.

’Where—’

"Why... why do you still act?"

Atticus spun, fixing his gaze on the clone now standing behind him.

’How?’

"Why? Why do you keep doing this?"

The clone stared at him with a twisted expression, tears streaming down his face.

"They’re all going to die anyway... so why do you keep moving?"

Atticus tightened his grip on his katana. The more the clone spoke, the more the emotions threatened to overwhelm him.

His eyes sharpened as a faint killing intent washed over him. The clone was now staring at him with a fierce intensity.

"You... you just don’t get it. You keep pushing forward like it means something. It doesn’t. You have to understand."

The clone slowly drew his blade, his eyes glowing with a deep purple light.

"I’ll make you understand."

He vanished.

"!!"

Atticus threw himself aside as a blade carved through the space his head had occupied. He hit the ground in a rough roll and rose instantly.

The clone was nowhere to be seen.

His instincts screamed. He spun and slashed. Sparks burst as his blade collided with the clone’s.

Atticus locked eyes with the twisted expression on his face.

’I was wrong.’

The grief clone wasn’t passive. If anything, it was even more lethal than rage.

’I have to escape.’

The clone’s eyes flared with a blinding light.

"I need you to understand!"

The clone vanished again, and Atticus barely managed to evade the thrust by snapping his head aside.

The clone blurred through the air, unleashing a relentless torrent of thrusts. Atticus was immediately driven back, barely keeping pace with the speed.

The clone raised his katana, blinding purple light gathering along its edge. As it began to descend, Atticus turned and bolted.

"Wait! Why are you running? Just listen to me! You don’t get it, you have to see it!"

Atticus didn’t stop. Only after he had put distance between them did he slow to a halt.

’He won’t follow.’

Each clone was bound to a section of the forest. As long as he left it, they wouldn’t pursue him.

Atticus began pacing slowly.

’Now what?’

Clearly, he had been catastrophically wrong in his assumption. The grief clone wasn’t the weakest, it was just as dangerous. Which meant...

’They’re all the same.’

They could use Solvath’s power. They were faster, stronger than him. He couldn’t win in a direct battle.

Atticus shook his head, a deep frown settling on his face.

’Think. What am I missing?’

The katana never gave impossible trials. If a direct battle with the clones was impossible, then there had to be something else. He was missing something.

Atticus replayed every clue in his mind.

A forest that forced constant movement. Seven clones embodying different emotions, each trying to make him lose control. What was the connection?

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify