SWNOVELXO Chapter 3: Victor Cruz [3]
The heavenly wolf's eyes shifted subtly, casting a glance at the Ancient Gate. For a brief moment, Victor sensed a hint of nostalgia and melancholy in its gaze.
The wolf sighed.
[My name…]
It trailed off before shaking its head.
[There's no need for you to know. It's meaningless. I'm the first existence to be released, the Guide. Call me whatever you wish, successor of the Ancient Gate.]
Victor didn't press further.
"Would Mirage be appropriate, Senior?"
The wolf gave a casual response.
[You do you, successor.]
Victor nodded.
"Alright, Senior Mirage… Can you tell me more about the Ancient Gate? What does being its successor mean?"
Mirage turned, gesturing for Victor to follow.
[I suppose it's time to explain. Since I'm the first one released in this iteration, I'll brief you on your situation… Follow me, successor.]
Victor frowned at the odd phrasing but followed quietly.
[Despite my long time being trapped here, I know little about the Ancient Gate. Its existence is as old as time itself. It roamed the universe long before my race was born, seeking worthy successors.]
Mirage's voice was calm yet distant.
[As its successor, the secrets of the Ancient Gate will reveal themselves to you as you unbind its chains. When all locks are broken, you will understand its true nature. Its true form will show itself, shaking the very fabric of the universe. The gate you see now is nothing more than a manifestation of its true form.]
Victor furrowed his brows.
"What does its true form look like?"
Mirage shook his head.
[Even I don't know. Some of 'Them' might know, but not me.]
Victor caught the word.
"Them?"
[The other existences trapped within the Ancient Gate.]
Victor narrowed his eyes. Were the glowing chains each tied to a different entity? If so, that would be terrifying.
There were an innumerable amount of chains, more than he could count. The Ancient Gate was far more terrifying than he thought.
[Inheriting the Ancient Gate is a priceless opportunity—but an incredibly dangerous one as well. There have been many successors before you, and not one of them escaped the threat of erasure.]
The mention of erasure made Victor pause his steps, a solemn expression taking over his face.
"Threat of erasure... Do you mean death?"
Mirage's gaze hardened.
[Death is less terrifying.]
Victor frowned, remaining silent as Mirage continued.
[However, at your level of strength, there's not much difference between the two. So yes, think of it as 'death.' But worry not—it won't come for a long time.]
Victor disagreed internally. A long time or not, it was best to make preparations before its arrival, or else he'd regret it in the end.
Still, he knew Mirage was right—strength was the only solution. Currently, at the very least.
If he grew stronger, perhaps more options would open up to him.
Mirage's tone softened.
[Let's set the grim thoughts aside for now. Let me explain why the Ancient Gate is a priceless gift despite the dangers.]
The wolf gestured to the glowing chains.
[Each chain seals a unique existence. When certain conditions are met, a chain will break down, releasing the existence behind it.]
[Don't worry. Some existences are willing to help you for free. Others... however, are not so kind. You must convince them, or they'll become a danger to you.]
Victor listened quietly, his expression calm.
[Just like me.]
Mirage appeared besides Victor ominouslu. He looked at the man's face, expecting a reaction but he was bound to be disappointed.
[… Boring. You're calm. Tell me, why? Don't you believe me?]
Victor's lips curled slightly. He shook his head, not even paying the slightest bit attention to Mirage's bluff.
"It's obvious."
He turned to the Ancient Gate.
"Why would you be wasting your words if you could kill me? Beings at your level… concepts like good and evil, they don't matter much. You're above that. You must be telling these things to me because you have no choice."
Victor's gaze locked with Mirage's.
"If I had to guess, disobeying me isn't in your best interest. As the successor, I likely hold a great deal of authority over all of you. If those chains keeping the other existences behind are any indicators, then for example, I might be able to return you to captivity if you step out of line?"
Mirage's expression faltered slightly.
"Am I wrong, Senior Mirage?"
Victor pressed on.
[How are you so certain I can't harm you?]
Mirage's voice was cold.
Victor smiled slightly.
"That's simple. You mentioned previous successors. All of them fell to 'erasure,' not to an existence from the gate. If you could kill me, I wouldn't be standing here."
Mirage's eyes narrowed.
[What if I'm lying?]
Victor's confidence didn't waver, beaming a smile.
"Senior, I'm alive. I'm not insulting your intelligence, so don't insult mine. Let me propose a scenario. If someone far weaker than you appear, but he holds extremely great status that can threaten your freedom and safety, and you could eliminate them without consequence, would you do it?"
Mirage said nothing.
Victor shrugged.
"Exactly. The fact I'm alive is irrefutable proof of my power as the successor of the Ancient Gate."
[You're right.]
Mirage sighed, shaking his head. He was too speechless to even reply—the current successor was too shrewd.
It usually worked in the past, according to 'Them'.
[... Let's move on. I'll tell you about the other benefits of the Ancient Gate.]
"There's more?"
Victor was surprised. He had thought that the priceless opportunity Mirage mentioned was the existences behind the Ancient Gate.
[Of course, at my level, there are very few things that can be considered as a priceless opportunity.]
Mirage smiled, finally regaining control of the conversation.
[You should broaden your horizons more, successor. The Ancient Gate is far more terrifying than you think it is.]
Victor smiled, not caring about his remarks. The more opportunities the Ancient Gate provided, the better it was for him.
It'll be even better if the Ancient Gate can increase his natural talent...
[However, some of those opportunities are still locked by the Ancient Gate. It'll open up to you once you reach a certain level of strength.]
[Thus, we'll not be talking about those things. Instead, I'll talk about what the Ancient Gate can give you for now...]
Victor was initially disappointed, but when he heard the following words that came out of Mirage's mouth, he was shocked.