Infinity, The Arcade Age - Chapter 19: Splitting Up

“Ride this, my beloved consort!” Instantly rewarded with a punch in his charming face. He looked hurt, “I just wanted you to try out the mythical beast mount!”

Athen had always lived a solitary life, as without any family or friends, he struggled to survive in his poor, forgotten hometown. The only escape from this grim reality came in the form of tales of magic told by rare visitors from the distant capital.That was, until one day, Athen discovered that magic wasn't just a dream. It was within him.With his newfound power, Athen completed a desperate heist, stealing a priceless diamond. But his triumph was short-lived when he realized the diamond was a fake.Yet... what seemed like a cruel trick turned out to be a blessing in disguise, for the fake diamond held the key to unlocking Athen’s greatest desire: the chance to truly learn magic.

Facing extinction, humanity seeks salvation in the Astral Verge, a dangerous dimension accessed via portals that threatened to wipe out the entire planet.Few years later, aspiring recruit Daniel Vance enters the Verge for his final assessment, hoping to Awaken a Talent and secure his future. While others gain common abilities, Daniel secretly Awakens the mythical SSS-Grade Talent: [Soul Assimilation]. This allows him to absorb essence, enhancing gear, gaining stats and EXP from slain creatures, and crucially, absorbing attributes and skills from fallen Awakened.Witnessing the swift death of the arrogant Jaxon Rex, Daniel makes a grim choice: he assimilates Jaxon, gaining his first skill, [Kinetic Pulse]. This sets his path: scavenging the aftermath of others’ battles. He enhances gear and, after achieving his first kill on an injured beast, waits patiently to assimilate two more fallen recruits, acquiring [Quick Step] and the invaluable passive [Aura Sense].Starting as average, Daniel rapidly gains power in secret, enhanced gear, multiple skills, and boosted stats , far exceeding his peers while remaining outwardly unremarkable. He navigates the lethal Verge alone, using its inherent dangers to fuel his growth, wrestling with the moral cost of his unique, overwhelming power.

'Death' It was meant to be the end, but it brought a new start.After a destructive nether storm consumes his world, Jack finds himself face-to-face with a powerful being who tasks him with a mission he can’t refuse.Reincarnated as Asriel—the most tragic, doomed character from a novel he once read—Jack’s frustration grows: “Damn it, why this fool?”Now, he must navigate Asriel's cursed life, facing relentless supernatural beings that threats him with a single hope:[Necromancy System Activated!][Ascend as the Ruler of the Undead!]But can Jack rise above Asriel's fate, or will he, too, fall prey to the shadows lurking in his new world?