Single Wish: Rise Of The Omniscient Paragon
Chapter 845 - 842: A Thousand Thoughts

Chapter 845: 842: A Thousand Thoughts

In the past, Corey had not had the thought of abandoning the Thirteenth Dawn because he saw no use in doing that.

Even when the system trial changed because of the words he said, he did not have the thought to leave behind the Thirteenth Dawn despite the dangers he could sense throughout the city.

However, the appearance of the system rule changed everything.

The system rule was something he could not fight, something he could not defeat no matter what.

And it was something that threatened his life.

Which was why he knew that he had to come to a decision.

Abandon the Thirteenth Dawn?

Or

Stick with them till the end and protect them?

Many would say that abandoning the Thirteenth Dawn was the wisest choice. Even Corey would say this.

Because abandoning them meant freedom.

It meant that he could move faster, he could reach the source of the corruption faster. He could explore the city faster. He could use any of his abilities. He would have no reason to act or feign weakness. He would have no reason to hold back.

He could use all his powers without raising eyebrows or answering questions.

But there were cons.

The Hunter Association, and the Kingdom of Miracles.

If he ran off without the Thirteenth Dawn and passed the trial alone?

If the source of the corruption becomes something he could not handle, and it becomes something so dangerous that the battle that occurs would shake the entirety of the city, and maybe the whole trial real?

If he survives and comes out the victor, Kieran and the others would know the extent of his combat prowess, which would eventually be known by the Hunters Association and the Kingdom of Miracles.

And this would lead to a lot of annoying situations for him.

If for instance, Kieran and the others died due to the final battle of the trial, he would surely be asked questions and investigated if he passes the trial alone.

"Where were you when they died?"

"What powers did you use to survive?"

He could lie or give half-truths which they would later believe.

However, he hated lying. Not out of morality, but because lies were exhausting. They bred suspicion, and once the seed of suspicion was planted, it’s usually very difficult to remove.

Corey knew that he could also use Cognitum Erasure to erase their memories, making sure that they could not recall anything they see about his abilities.

However, there were possible problems with this.

Assuming one of them died without him, it would lead to complications despite him removing their memories.

He could remove memories, not manipulate and create new ones.

The Hunters Association might dig deeper.

The Kingdom of Miracles might also dig deeper.

And even the Outsiders who were secretly in various parts of the Kingdom of Miracles might investigate and be interested.

There were too many variables, and Corey’s Stars of Consciousness and main consciousness were constantly coming up with countless scenarios that could occur.

He looked at the unconscious Kieran and the others with a strange glint in his eyes.

’They’re not exceptional, but they’re not average... Apart from Zeke whose talent is a little bit higher than the others, the others are not so bad.’

’Kieran’s leadership is good. Myra’s conviction and warrior mentality. Aelric’s focus and desire for knowledge. Even Zeke’s ability to joke in a dangerous situation is something that could be useful.’

’They have potential, and they are worth observing... They are worth using.’

Numerous thoughts flashed in Corey’s mind as he looked at the group.

He then thought about his other option... Staying with them.

If he decides to stay with the Thirteenth Dawn till the end of the trial, it meant he was going to have to continue his acting.

He was going to have to mask his power. He was going to keep on allowing others to lead when he alraady knew the way to go.

However, it also meant he could influence the decision of the group.

He could gather more information from the group and with the group, and he could use them to deepen his influence in the association.

They were already beginning to trust him.

Corey suddenly looked at Yara.

Well... They trusted his abilities.

And Corey knew the value of trust.

But all of it, all the pros and cons, paled compared to one factor.

The Universal System’s rule of Taking.

The law, enforced by a force even he could not override, had torn out his tongue in seconds.

There was no mercy from the Universal System, and he could not resist it.

This was the major deciding factor that influenced Corey’s decision on what to do.

He would rather face a Tier 7 monster, creature, or being than face a rule that could not be reasoned with, and had only one goal.

That was the real danger for him.

The System’s will.

It wasn’t a monster to fight or a spell to counter.

It was basically a law.

A law he had no desire to face once again.

’Besides... Whose to say that on the Third Night, three things would not be taken from a single person?’

’And whose to say that the single person would not be me?’

’For all I know, I caused the system trial to change... And I’ve also learned the secrets of the past of the Dying City... I know its name, history, and so much more about it... Virendell.’

’I might be a target of the Universal System or even the most powerful being in this realm... I have to leave the group and try to reach the source of the corruption as fast as possible.’

’I can’t take my chances with another Night.’

’Now, I just need to find the best possible way to leave the group.’

He stood up slowly, and then he brushed the dust from his clothes.

The grey sky filled with red lights of the Third Day finally settled over the horizon, releasing a soft and humming tension all over the Dying City.

And that’s when a movement occurred.

A faint groan drifted into Corey’s ears, and Kieran stirred first. His hand twitched toward his saber.

Then Zeke. Then Myra. Aelric. Rhys.

And finally... Yara.

They blinked slowly while struggling through the fog of unconsciousness that enveloped their minds.

Their expressions were filled with confusion and the memory of dreams they hadn’t lived.

Corey watched them all.

His pure white eyes hidden behind a veil of illusion were calm. But beneath that calm... were a thousand thoughts.