Lord Of The Lost

William wasn't interested in the gambler at all. He could easily see through him.

The gambler, deeply addicted to gambling, was a classic case. It was clear why he'd disappeared abroad and hadn't returned for so many years, he likely owed massive debts that were impossible to pay off, forcing him to flee the country.

William had seen people like him before in his previous life. A man whose family fell apart because of his gambling addiction, who ended up on the streets. Too scared to use his own ID, he took work at an illegal factory, only to pour every penny he earned back into the gambling pit. Such people didn't deserve any sympathy.

If the gambler hadn't become a player in the sequence game, William figured he would probably still be hiding abroad, too afraid to come back. Las Vegas was a gold mine for high-level players like him. In fact, William suspected that the gambler had started preparing to return home after making a fortune. He'd once sold 15 silver coins to the Forum Master, netting a tidy profit of 10 million. If he wasn't planning to return after getting rich, it would be like walking around in fine clothes at night, showing off without truly belonging.

When the gambler smiled bitterly at William's refusal, William didn't care. The gambler was in his forties, well-seasoned, and sharp enough to read people. He could tell William didn't like him, and honestly, he didn't need to guess why. He'd been through it all before, and it was just another case of people avoiding him because of his past.

If it weren't for their shared adventure, William thought, they probably wouldn't have spoken much at all.

Soon, the Forum Master, Metatron, and the others shared their real-world contact details.

The Forum Master, a successful businessman with personal assets exceeding 100 million yuan, was the boss of a company dealing in antiques and cultural relics. His refined demeanor and wealth were clear signs of a man with deep family ties. "I'm often in the art circle," he said casually, "posting photos of my collection in a art forum. People started calling me the forum Master after that."

William could tell the Forum Master was proud of his achievements, but he didn't mind. The man was successful, and his background was undeniable.

Metatron, on the other hand, was a mystery. He lived in the Middle East, and while William had some prejudices against religious people, he had never felt uncomfortable around Metatron. The man was calm, with tranquil eyes and the demeanor of a missionary. But William had never heard him mention anything about faith or God, only when he was emotionally invested did he show any hint of fanaticism.

"I live in America now," Metatron said, "and I'm a killer by profession. The Forum Master has my contact info."

William's eyebrows shot up in surprise. No wonder Alex had chosen the "Assassin" path. It seemed that Metatron's true profession had shaped his in-game persona far more than William had realized.

After exchanging their real-world contact information, the group quickly dispersed.

But Metatron lingered behind. He watched the gambler leave and then turned to William. "About talent," he began, "it might not be as simple as we think."

William paused and turned to face him.

Metatron continued, his voice thoughtful. "I've always believed that talent reflects our true nature. Sure, there are acquired skills and personal preferences, but ultimately, each person's path and origin are set from the start."

William raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more to this. "And now?"

Metatron had been diving deep into extraordinary abilities recently, and William knew it. Metatron's eyes darkened slightly as he spoke. "But talents... they can change."

William's curiosity peaked. "Change? How?"

Metatron hesitated, then said, "After we step onto a certain path and become a transcendent, our talents don't just evolve, they vanish."

William's heart skipped a beat. He'd heard of talent shifts before, but this sounded different. "Why would they disappear?"

Metatron met his gaze seriously. "Think about it. If I became a transcendent of the warrior path, do you think I could still use [God's Perspective]?"

William frowned, his instinctive reply ready. "Why not?"

Metatron seemed surprised by his certainty. "You don't understand. [God's Perspective] would vanish."

William paused, processing. "But… why?"

Metatron elaborated patiently. "In the warrior path, there are four abilities that define you:"

[Unparalleled] – You can unleash your inner energy to enhance your skills.

[Physique] – Your physical strength grows, allowing you to fight barehanded.

[Unyielding] – You can endure more damage, improving your overall resilience.

[War Will] – Your spirit matches your body's strength, allowing you to exert your will through physical power.

"Once I become a transcendent in the warrior path, these abilities will be integrated into my body. They're incompatible with my [God's Perspective]," Metatron explained. "It's not that I can't use [God's Perspective], but it will either suppress my new warrior abilities or force a compromise between the two."

William's eyes widened as the pieces began to fall into place.

"If the two paths try to coexist," Metatron continued, "it will limit my potential. I'll have five abilities, but none of them will reach their full power. Alternatively, the warrior abilities might overwhelm [God's Perspective] entirely, leaving me with just the warrior path."

William frowned, thinking deeply. "So, your [God's Perspective] will simply vanish?"

"Exactly. The odds of the latter happening are very small, like an egg smashing against a stone. But it's still a possibility. [God's Perspective] is powerful, but it can't compete against a complete, transcendent warrior path."

William remained silent for a moment, taking in the weight of what Metatron was saying. This wasn't just about talent changing; it was about a complete transformation, a decision that could shift the course of their power forever.

Metatron had made a startling realization: the mysterious characteristics and talents players had gained were, at their core, just another form of ability. In fact, there was little difference between something like [God's Perspective] and extraordinary abilities like [Unparalleled] or [Physique].

Why are extraordinary beings considered extraordinary? Is it because their attributes are off the charts?

Not exactly.

It's because they can do extraordinary things. All extraordinary traits essentially transform ordinary people, granting them magical abilities.

Similarly, players' talents do the same. They bestow magical powers, allowing them to perform feats that would be impossible for an average person. In essence, players' abilities aren't so different from those of transcendent beings.

However, the talents awakened in players are varied and unique. There's no guarantee that these abilities will align perfectly with others. Even when similarities exist, there are bound to be subtle differences.

William listened quietly for a moment, then asked, "So, you're saying the talents aren't as fixed as we thought?"

Metatron nodded, then added, "I don't know how you changed your job, but your talent should have faded, right?"

William's expression shifted. He didn't answer directly but instead gave a noncommittal hum. His own talent, 'Killing to Prove the Way', hadn't disappeared despite the job change.

Metatron, sensing the hesitation, continued thoughtfully, "I wonder if our talents are tied to our original nature or if they're driven by a strong personal will. For example, I grew up in a very poor, war-torn place. As a child, I often stood on cliffs and gazed at the world below, wondering if there was some omniscient, omnipotent force watching over us from the highest point."

He trailed off, realizing he might be saying too much. He turned to look at William, gauging his reaction.

William tilted his head slightly, "So, what's your point?"

Metatron seemed to gather his thoughts and shifted the conversation. "What kind of talent do you think 'Gambler's Dice' is?"

William blinked, pausing to consider. "It's powerful. If you roll a 6, your Constitution is doubled, right? That means your overall attributes, reaction speed, strength, agility; would all increase dramatically. And the gambler can roll more than just a 6."

Metatron's eyes glinted with a touch of mystery. "If you heard that name for the first time, what kind of talent would you think it was?"

William thought for a moment. "It sounds like a talent based on randomness, where the outcome depends entirely on luck and probability, right?"

Metatron nodded, but there was a twist in his expression. "That's what most would assume. But the truth is different. I think, if someone's will is strong enough, they can shape and change their talent."

William chuckled. "So, all this just to tell me you think 'Gambler's Dice' is more than just luck? You're trying to defend the gambler, aren't you?"

Metatron shook his head with a smile. "No, not just that. This is something I mentioned in the forum yesterday. I'm telling you now because I realized you didn't see it. And yes, maybe I am saying a few good words for the gambler."