LORD OF THE KARMIC FATE

While Raven was secretly mulling over why things happened the way they did and tried to find answers, Felix decided to ignore the confused young man on his side for the time being and kept listening to Etia's voice.

"As you can see, those who dared to speak my name out loud all died. Of course, I could easily bring them back from the afterlife if I wanted to, as I am a deity, but I won't as then you would not learn your lesson properly."

'...'

Silence fell on the seemingly vast Empty World as no one had the guts to speak much less move.

Naturally, the occasional sobbing or quiet murmuring from those who were currently mourning over their lost loved ones filled the silence here and there, but except that no one did a thing.

Even those who cried but had the eyes of that vicious beast thirsty for revenge dared not to raise their voice this time as they were forced to accept the fact that this no longer was a game or a prank; this was real life and every act of theirs had consequences!

"Good. Now then, let me explain everything as... Sigh... You know what. I am tired of repeating the same crap over and over again! I will just give each of you a small manual that will allow you to understand things without getting spoiled too much. Here!"

Not even a second after Etia's words silver glow flashed before every individual's face before they gradually formed the shape of a small book and materialized into one!

The book had the width and length of an average human palm while its thickness was about two to three inches. Its cover was made out of some kind of black leather which was rather smooth to the touch.

"Worlds'... Clash Manual? What the hell does this even mean?" reading the three words on the cover, Raven and everyone else felt confused but before they could have given the chance to open it their bodies suddenly got enveloped in silver light!

"Okay, that's is all everyone. Now off you go and try not to perish so soon."

Immediately after, not giving even the slightest chance for anyone to blink much less let out a confused gasp the silver glow engulfed everyone and in a flash, everybody was teleported away!

-

-

-

Back on Earth.

In the middle of a large emerald grass field where each strand of grass had the same height, seemingly five inches each, silver light flashed about two meters high in the air before a young man arose from within and fell face-first onto the ground!

"Urgh..." groaning in pain while holding his nose which was also bleeding, Raven pushed himself up onto his feet and watched the small black book lying on the ground just a few feet away from him.

"So it really was not a dream..." Raven mumbled as he picked up the book, but soon his eyes snapped open and snapped his head toward the right where a luxurious mansion could be seen standing just at the end of the grass field and the start of a dense forest!

"Dad!"

Without any hesitation, Raven began to run toward the mansion almost as if he was chased by someone or something once again. However, strangely, Raven found that his speed was no longer as fast as it was during the Realm Game. His speed was just as average as it was always in the past!

Raven frowned scarcely upon this discovery, but as he had something more important to check he decided to put the matter aside for the time being and kept running.

"Father! Thomas!" exploding through the main entrance like a wild beast, Raven remained motionless and perked his ears in the hope to hear anything.

"Nothing?" Raven's face paled before it became serious once again and dashed into the room where Old Dan used to spend at least half of his days.

Quickly reaching the door, Raven didn't hesitate a second and burst inside, "Thomas! Fat...her... Eh?"

Raven's feet were glued to the floor the moment he stepped inside the room and his eyes widened like saucers from pure shock.

"Raven! Thank God you are alive!"

"You..." watching how a man who looked just like the Old Dan from his memories but at the same time not walked before him and hugged him tightly, Raven didn't know what he should do.

Old Dan in the past was a chunky man with a big belly and a chubby face. It could be said he literally looked like a living and walking meatball in the past!

But right now, that seemed to have changed completely!

Old Dan's chubby face became thin with a sharp chin, his arms became big with shaped muscles, and his upper body which for some strange reason now was naked held a broad chest and an abdomen that contained not six but eight seemingly rock-solid abs!

His whole figure emitted a powerful aura, looking like someone who has gone to the gym twice every single day for several years while also fighting against bulls as a kind of hobby!

"You... Who the hell are you and what did you do to my father?" quickly breaking out of Old Dan's hug like a snake, Raven took three steps back and narrowed his eyes without letting himself be hugged once again.

Old Dan was surprised at first but soon turned angry and said, "Brat, you can't even recognize the one who raised and fed you through the years? Do you want me to slap you so you can gain your memories back?"

"This..." Raven's lips parted as he wished to say something, but unfortunately, no words came to his mouth.

Old Dan looked at Raven with sharp eyes before his lips curved upward and after adjusting his jeans that were several sizes bigger than his legs, he flexed his left hand while resting his right on his waist.

"To tell you the truth, even I am shocked beyond words. That Artifact I have chosen... It stated it could turn my weakness into strength which I first doubted but when I found the way to activate it really did! I am no longer fat, hahaha!"

Listening to the words of Old Dan, Raven was both shocked, relieved, amazed, and stunned.

An Artifact that can turn weakness into a strength? Well, obviously Old Dan's greatest weakness was his body, but to think it could change him to such an extent... There really are many things he had to comprehend and understand.

"Wait..." Raven suddenly snapped out of his daze and looked left and right, "Where is Thomas? Is he..."

"Don't worry, he is okay." Old Dan lowered his arms and while walking behind his wooden desk which was made out of high-quality wood he continued, "I sent him to gather some people."

After saying those words, however, suddenly the smile on Old Dan's face vanished and once he was seated in his comfy tufted leather chair he gestured at Raven to take a seat.

Raven's face changed too when he saw the grave complexion of Old Dan as he clearly understood what that look meant. Thus, without any choice but obey Raven walked before the chair placed before Old Dan's desk and with the same serious expression slowly sat down.

Although he already knew this deep within his heart, now after seeing Old Dan's current behavior he finally realized that things will never be the same as they were before.