Chapter 284: Regulation II

Destiny flowed into him like liquid gold.

But as it did, his Existence began to shudder.

Corruption.

He was human. He was the Adrastia Emperor King.

He was too different from Planar Destiny as this terrifying Regulation…altered hid existence too much.

His existence registered a rapidly rising Existence Corruption Value that was spiking faster than any Assimilation prior.

Yet…

He didn’t stop.

Instead… he smiled.

The clouds screamed as they were torn apart and drawn into him. All across the continent, the skies began to clear, their unseen burden of destiny devoured by a single will.

And then…

His internal reality expanded again.

A ripple of golden light passed over his skin.

His consciousness shook.

A new interface blossomed within him as two new Abilities manifested from the leap to a new Assimilation Echelon.

[Destiny Perception – Rank III]

You can now instinctively sense the broad fate of individuals: whether they are destined for greatness or ruin, brief joy or eternal despair. You can feel shortened lifespans, sudden rises or imminent betrayals, like reading the intent of a story before it unfolds. (Example: You may look at an Entity and sense they were fated to die next week. You can now choose to accelerate, delay, or intervene in that destiny.)

[Probability Manipulation – Rank III]

You can alter the likelihood of minor to medium events in localized space. You can increase the chance of success, twist the outcome of chance-based decisions, or reduce the probability of hostile powers succeeding against you. (Example: If a trap was 70% likely to activate, you can reduce that chance to 0%. If an unlikely breakthrough is needed in battle, you can raise the odds to ensure it occurs instantly.)

…!

As the power settled into him, the Primordial Avatar breathed out. Steam rose from his lips. The stars above bent just slightly in his direction.

And the sea itself, a reflection of all fate, trembled.

His eyes shimmered with pure will.

His thoughts turned coldly analytical as his gaze rose again toward the rest of the golden clouds still littering the skies of Adrastia.

“So this is what the Ancients seek.”

Planar Destiny!

This was what the fight was all about.

And now…he could do a great deal with it.

A silent moment passed.

The Primordial Avatar stilled midair, golden threads of Planar Destiny retreating as his Existence Corruption Value surged to 49%.

He clenched his hand once, shutting down the assimilation immediately.

The raw heat of Destiny’s friction still pulsed through his veins. Power, terrifying in its reach, buzzed beneath his skin.

Something impossible for him to even inagine days ago.

It truly was power this time. Control.

And control…was everything.

He exhaled slowly, starlight blooming faintly from his pupils as he diverted his focus back to his main body aboard the Vessel of Adrastia a few thousand miles away.

Across distance, his gaze settled on the figure of Sun.

The Mythological Monkey King.

As he looked at this being, Achilles wanted to test out the sheer wonders of the new qualities he could use.

He willed it.

Destiny Perception III was activated silently by him.

The world did not change.

But he did.

The starlight in his eyes refracted, shimmering into concentric runes, subtle as whispers.

Around the vibrant form of Sun, nine golden pathways unfurled like constellations across the air.

Destiny!

Each one a destiny. A potential future.

Some paths pulsed like miniature suns, brilliant and warm.

Others glowed dimmer, curling like faded branches in winter.

But none… were negative.

None.

Every single path this creature could walk was laced with fortune, power, and mythic providence. He was bound to succeed no matter which path he took. The threads of failure were entirely absent!

“A being with no downfall in fate…’

Achilles murmured softly to himself, eyes sharp as blades as he asked himself…how he could use such a being.

He didn’t need to ask permission.

He shifted his perception again.

Probability Manipulation III was activated.

The air curled with unseen math.

And in the unseen layers of Existence around Sun, possibility bloomed.

Three primary branches of local probabilities unfolded from the present moment as he was truly able to percieve destiny in a simple manner!

1. High probability: Sun becomes wary after witnessing his feat. His curiosity wars with caution. He decides to leave after a brief pause.

2. Moderate probability: Sun’s curiosity overrides caution. He lingers on the Vessel, watching, questioning, scheming to understand.

3. Low probability: Sun becomes hostile. A battle erupts. The skies over the Vessel of Adrastia burn.

…!

Three Probabilities of the future.

Achilles studied them.

Analyzed…and then chose.

He extended his influence like a guiding hand toward the second path.

The path of curiosity.

Of lingering.

Organic Planar Regulation – Destiny.

He enforced it!

Not forcefully. Not loudly.

A subtle nudge. A whisper behind the veil of Destiny.

He altered Destiny for the first time!

No one noticed.

No fluctuation was visible. No bells of warning rang.

But the result came moments later, with a glide of wind.

The golden staff of Sun hovered a few feet away, the Monkey King’s feet planted casually atop it. His sharp, amused gaze lingered on Achilles with glowing caution.

“Just who are you really?” he asked, eyes narrowing, tail flicking with activity. “Because surely, you cannot be a normal human. Even I cannot touch Planar Destiny. Nobody can. So how did you do it?”

Achilles stood calm.

Composed.

His golden eyes narrowed a fraction as he answered coolly, “I am simply… in tune with my own Destiny. I have merely taken control of it.”

He did not explain further.

Sun tilted his head, not believing him, but choosing not to press.

Not yet.

“I see…” he murmured. “You’re interesting, friend. A dangerous, mind controlling Spore spreader, but interesting…”

Achilles nodded as he shifted the topic smoothly.

“We’re heading to a congregation between Humans and the Ancient Ones,” he said. “If you are interested, I have a few more questions, and many more Fruits. There should also be interesting Entities for you to meet there, even though you do not take sides as you said.”

.. !

Sun’s ears twitched.

The Primordium Evolutius Fruits shimmered in Achilles’ hand once more, perfect bait.

“…Hmm.” Sun smiled, golden fur shimmering. “I’ll got some time, lets see what a stealer of Destiny is upto!”

The Monkey King smiled.

But…his eyes never left Achilles.

They were cautious, measuring, and still wary.

Achilles… didn’t mind.

He had already seen the probabilities. The outcomes.

And now?

Now he began testing Destiny Perception further, weaving the golden lens across everyone aboard the Vessel.

Each soul… each path… each possible ruin or rise…became clear.

This ability relating to destiny was more than rare.

It was more than powerful.

Because unlike raw energy or blinding authority, Destiny cut through it all.

A being might be leagues stronger than him…

But if they didn’t understand the layers of fate?

Achilles could subtly tip the scale.

He could twist probabilities.

Warp possible futures.

And if he mastered this?

The Ancient Ones. The Mythological Creatures. Even the mighty enemies he had due to his lineage across the Star Seas…

Would unknowingly walk…the paths he chose and manipulated.

Paths laced in gold.

Paths designed by him.

His golden purple eyes dimmed slightly.

But the gleam of intellect behind them never did.

‘They won’t even know… who’s moving the strings!’

HUUUM!

Onwards!