New Game+

Returning to the time when Seeker and Arthur continued to make their many preparations for the upcoming battle, Arthur finally decided to ask a certain question.

"There is a question that I am afraid to ask. It's because as someone who does not have this blind faith like your other friends, I fear that if answer this question, my own intellect will limit my unlocking." Arthur began.

"Let me guess… You want to ask for a way to perfect your Path?" Seeker sighed.

"Yes. My Path is an incomplete one. Hence they call it a Pseudo-Path. Considering how you made things vague and broad for Lowengren, I have a feeling that it may be better if you did not tell me. But still… with the upcoming battle, I also want to tamper myself."

"I knew you'd ask this eventually. I've already thought long and hard about it. If my master is right, and I do tread the Ancient's Path… That's what I'm calling it by the way. Do you like it?"

Arthur gave a bored look at Seeker but nodded.

"Yes yes. A brilliant name. Can we just move on?"

"Alright, fine. Sheesh, Arthur. I was just asking for your opinion." Seeker complained.

"If I do tread the Ancient's Path, then your Path can be completed." Seeker went straight to the point.

Arthur's expression changed.

"How?"

"My foundations in this timeline are extremely strong. Vastly stronger to the ones in my past and I still have the potential to push it further. I have the advantage of memory, of knowing what an Unlocked should have in terms of their foundation, and I have the memories of breaking the one hundred percent mark of the Unlocking. This is something that has never been seen before. If I can pass on a firm foundation that others can build upon, then it's possible. Especially if I get certain foundations."

"Certain foundations? And those are?"

"The first requirement is obtaining a certain Pseudo-Path. Several promising soldiers in the future timeline had it. However, none of them showed any potential to reach Ranked Hero. This is because it was a Skill. It was useful enough so we deemed it a Pseudo-Path. We called it Perfect Rhythm. It should be what you believe Alean to have now."

"So it's actually that formidable? No wonder she had absolute control over the momentum of a battle…"

"Righto. I'm guessing that's what you need to perfect it. You see, at this point, you are able to see and calculate everything with that amazing eye. Now imagine, if you have Alean's Path?"

"I see. I would in sense, be in control of the flow of battle. Far greater than Alean's potential."

"Yes. it's honestly a cool thing. If you have it, you'd be a step closer to an Overcomer. You see, most Overcomers have that either naturally, or have something else to replace Perfect Rhythm. Your father has his hundred thought process, Richie has his instincts and so on and so forth. However, there are some who have Perfect Rhythm. The Tyrant Empress, Hermes, and even Meng. Although in Meng's case, it could be attributed to his experience as an Assassin and years of being trained as a warrior. But what I'm saying is, they all have this Pseudo-Path."

"Then, why don't you have it? If there are other Champions who have this, why haven't you developed it yet? I thought you fought Meng on many instances?"

"The easiest way to explain it... is that, it's not their Path." Seeker shrugged.

Arthur was silent. He pondered on Seeker's words.

"They developed this Pseudo-Path, but it's not their Path so you cannot grasp their foundation?"

"Let's put it this way… I can't tread on a road that isn't the main road. Alean may have this as her main road. The Overcomers merely have an offshoot of this. Like a supporting skill. But I need someone who has the Perfect Rhythm as their primary. And truth be told… If I had known this, then I would have spent more time trying to absorb or study the cells of those Inhumans with that Pseudo-Path."

"Then tell me, is what I have, a Path? From my observation, my Pseudo-Path is merely a support. I may not have developed my Path yet." Arthur finally asked.

Seeker smiled.

"Feeling a wee-bit insecure, are we Arthy? Don't worry. What you have is a Path for sure. The proof of it is that you're able to have it when you were an Inhuman. And even right now, at the early stage of the Unbecoming, you've already made it. You see, this skill of yours, there is a reason why we call it a Pseudo-Path and not just a Skill. I mean, having momentum doesn't sound strong right? Why do we call it a Pseudo-Path, making it stronger than a skill but weaker than a real Path?"

Arthur was in contemplation.

"Just a guess… You said that other Champions have it.  Does that mean that it's something necessary to surpass Ranked Hero and reach World Champion?"

"Righto! Maybe I should call you Arthur Conan Doyle for such great detective work! That's right. The reason why we call what you two have a Path, and not a skill, is because it's something that many World Champions possess. In fact, in terms of Paths, there were other paths that could just be as strong as these World Champions. Yet what sets them apart is because they have a Pseudo-Path to accompany it."

"I see. Richie's instincts were that powerful?"

"Yes. The Empress has a Rhythm that is wondrous. Perhaps the best Perfect Rhythm as a Pseudo-Path second only to Richie's instincts and Meng's own version due to his martial skill. So although it falls into the category of being a skill, because World Champions have it, they elevated it to a Path. Your Father, my Master, and Eagle can also do instant calculation which is was the basic form of Chaos Order. You were only more proficient in using it."

"Then why are you certain, that what I have is indeed a Path? Isn't it possible to awaken a Pseudo-Path first before an actual Path?"

Seeker was silent.

"You really want a new Path, that much? Trust me, Arthur. Your Path is strong!" Seeker suddenly turned serious.

"Don't desire for another Path. Although you may be able to develop another Path, trust in yourself. Trust in the foundation that brought you so far!"

"My desire to change my Path is simply because I'm afraid I'm cultivating the wrong one. What if I could develop a Path greater than this? But my own faith and knowledge limit me. Isn't it written? By the measure you use, it will be used against you? What if I've been limiting the development of my real Path because I was so caught up in this one?" Arthur's voice was calm but serious. He did not speak hastily and was quite calm.

But this façade was easily seen by Seeker.

Seeker shook his head.

"I'm sure that Chaos Order is your True Path."

"How can you be certain?" Arthur spoke with his tone slightly rising.

"Simple. Because of what happened to me. I have always been skeptical about my own miracles that even when I made them, I unintentionally downplayed it and thus, it limited my shot at becoming an Overcomer. But now I would never look down on such apparently useless issues. And just like me, the reason I believe it is because you've awakened it earlier! While it appears to be an improbable event, I believe, it is impossible! You have a Path! Not everyone can do what you do if they were at your current stage. Even Overcomers! Let's take Cliff as a good example. You mentioned something about Cliff having a strange memory that could match or surpass yours, right?"

"Yes. Are you saying that Cliff has a Skill?"

"Yup. But, I never saw that coming! Who would have guessed that it would be a memory? I mean, have you seen his grades?" Seeker threw his hand high in exasperation.

"Seeker." Arthur's voice was slightly frustrated.

"Relax. I'm kidding around so you could calm down. I know you're in a hurry to save your sister. But the appearance of these pseudo-skills are miracles, Arthy. Just like my miracles, it may seem faint and obscure. But the strongest miracles could be the ones we take for granted. For Cliff, his new skill can be developed by most Unlocked at later levels. But the fact that he could do it earlier makes it his skill! Who knows? Maybe its a Pseudo-Path! Regardless, I am certain that this would be the root of Cliff's road. And that's what you also have."

Arthur was silent. He avoided Seeker's gaze.

"Trust me, Arthy. What you have could be far powerful than it is. You told me the measure you use, will be used against you. That applies to you. If you think that your Path is only limited to become a Pseudo-Path then it will be. But the future you believed in it. He wouldn't have traded his Path even for the Path of an Overcomer!" Seeker smiled.

Arthur glanced at Seeker.

"It's interesting…"

"What's interesting?"

"The way you talk about that future me… I'm starting to understand why you wanted that romantic get-away with me." Arthur gave a smirk.

A chilling sensation ran through Seeker's spine.

"Then tread on Alean. I am ninety percent certain that it should be her Path. At Charles' request, we have been preserving our cells every day. You can browse through it and study it all. You'll notice the changes quite evidently." Arthur immediately spoke.

"Then all that remains… is for me to have faith in you…" Arthur sighed.

"Correct. And considering that you aren't a Believer but someone who relies on cold hard facts, the way for you to actually believe me is that if you can think of or develop a scientific explanation of how you can acquire the foundations from me."

Arthur was silent.

"So, I have to ask, what would it take to make you believe in me? The theory is there… but awakening your Pseudo-Path earlier is all you… I doubt it was because of me. I don't have the foundations that can increase your Path after all."

The thin figure of Lennox came to mind. It was then that Arthur realized it. The powerful and impossible tasks that he had done were far too great. Arthur had tried to kill Lennox on several occasions but simply by being in front of his father, he couldn't even do anything.

"Become like my father. Be on his level. His shadow is what hinders me from having faith in you. In my eyes, people like my father are still the only ones who can do miracles. Not even you can top him. I can believe in Miracles. But in my eyes, only Overcomers are those that bring it. That is the measure I use on myself." Arthur answered immediately.

Seeker sighed.

"I expected that. And truthfully I somehow get the feeling that if ever I step out of being a human and on to the grand stage of the Overcomers...  only then can I actually pass on these foundations at will. I need to believe in myself and have that sense of will that can somehow move my own cells to pass on these foundations to others. Perhaps becoming an Overcomer would achieve that. You see, it's harder for me to grasps and pass on a pseudo-Path. This is because there is nothing generally different in terms of biology that I can observe…" Seeker sighed.

Going back to the present time, the chaotic battle ahead continued to rage and rage.

None, not even the assassins of the Dragon's Fang could hope to survive such chaos. They may even die not from the Tyrant Empress but the chaotic attacks of Meng, Lennox, and Richie.

It was as if a man would walk into a den of lions fighting and killing each other.

But Arthur scoffed at the sight of such battle. Such chaos was nothing in his eyes.

He moved with incredible speed and zoomed towards the center of the battlefield.

The chaos of lightning bolts, desolations, and the Empress's own Realm drew no danger to this man.

"I can see it." Arthur couldn't help but smile as he moved forward.

His sight was not that of sight, but of knowledge. Chaos Order has finally been made perfect. His mastery over his Selective Unlocking had also reached its critical point.

Arthur had been holding in great joy since Seeker appeared before him with his father. He knew, that all of the requirements that Seeker claimed he needed, had already been met.

Seeker had treaded on the Ancient's Path and got the foundations of Alean's Pseudo-Path. It did not surface until he broke through and had the Will of an Overcomer.

And Arthur's faith in Seeker finally manifested in the short time they spent talking. Arthur could sense the way his father treated Seeker was a way he would treat his equal. Witnessing how Seeker didn't hesitate and led the way to fight the Tyrant Empress, and how his father seemed to be pinning his hopes on Seeker, it made Arthur realize that Seeker had become a monster like his father.

This truth and all the other evidence that Seeker had always revealed about himself had finally turned Arthur's head-knowledge into faith.

The lightning bolts were crackling everywhere. A weapon that was classified as a weapon of mass destruction was erupting its powerful bolts that could destroy the Wall of Jericho within seconds.

Entering this zone would lead to death. The Overcomers themselves were in danger of death.

But Arthur saw through it. His faith in Seeker had caused him to finally have faith in himself and in his Path.

With his Selective Unlocking, Arthur limited the Unlocking in the way that his eyes were weakened. All he could see around him was the blurring figures of the Overcomers and the Empress. But his thinking process, his senses, and everything else remained at Inhuman.

In fact, a new phenomenon that has never occurred before, be it on the present timeline or Seeker's original timeline, happened.

The limitation of his sight, allowed Arthur to enhance others part of his Unlocking.

Arthur could see it all. Where the next bolt would hit, where the Empress would move next. He knew where the safe zone of not being hit from his father's random lightning attacks was, and where he should not go to be affected by the powerful desolation that leaked out of Meng.

He could see it all and could move through it.

"The Threshing Floor won't be the only thing I tread." A strange haughtiness appeared in Arthur's cold and stoic heart.

"The Lions Den was it? That's nothing in the eyes of the Prophet Daniel." Arthur smirked.

"This will be my final act, Seeker." Arthur mouthed as he noticed Seeker give him a quick glance as he entered the chaotic warzone.

"I won't be the Atomic Thresher of his future but I'll be a real hero this time. I, the Prophet Daniel. He Who Treads in the Lion's Den!"

With incredible speed, Arthur dove deeper into the chaotic zone of thunderbolts and desolation.