NOVEL NEXT Chapter480-The Result of the Conversation
"My dear little brother, I can feel it—you're exhausted, aren't you?"
"If you're willing, I'd like to give you a big, warm hug."
"Forget about everything else for a moment—at the very least, we're friends, aren't we?"
Daniel heard the suggestion and, without hesitation, shook his head decisively.
"Thanks, but no need."
After that brief dance just moments ago, Daniel could already sense Isabella's seductive influence strengthening once more. He knew better than to give her any further opportunities.
"Actually," he said calmly, "I'm not as miserable as you imagine. I do have my own ways to relax."
"Oh? I see, so it's just me overthinking again," Isabella replied with a soft, wistful smile.
"There are only ten minutes left. Let me feel the warmth of this world just a little longer."
"Come on, little brother—let's leave together."
At the same time, across the vast human communication network,
the quiet net that had been silent for some time suddenly erupted like a storm.
"Breaking news! The Human Emperor was seen with an unbelievably beautiful woman at his side!"
"I've never seen such beauty—she must be the most stunning woman of this era!"
"First beauty of the age! Disagree? Post your pictures—let's compare!"
"So jealous of His Majesty the Human Emperor! To have such a goddess with him—unbelievable!"
Meanwhile, in the Mental Plane, Daniel could sense the wave of thoughts and imaginations blooming about Isabella—countless minds now filled with her image. He didn't hesitate for a moment.
In the next instant, all those thoughts—every mental ripple and dream—were obliterated by his will.
What a joke, he thought grimly.
If someone like Isabella were allowed to be known and talked about among the human race, their destruction would only be a matter of time.
Daniel had no intention of letting the race he had built with so much effort become nothing more than Isabella's dowry.
As far as he was concerned, Isabella's visit to humanity should be forever erased—buried deep, hidden from history, never to resurface again.
The last ten minutes weren't long at all.
Elizabeth didn't ask to stay longer; she didn't cling to the moment. When the time came, she simply and willingly returned to the Corridor of Time.
Once she left, Daniel activated Flashback, appearing once again within that infinite temporal expanse.
The Corridor of Time stretched endlessly, a place vast beyond comprehension. The laws that governed this realm were utterly unique—strange, shifting, like the abyss itself, extending without end.
Since Isabella had been sealed, she could no longer appear by Kalbira's side.
Daniel turned his head toward Kalbira, who was now free of the lingering charm and illusion that had bound her mind.
With the activation of the Clock of Life, Kalbira's fate began to unfold before Daniel's eyes.
[Fate 1]: Become a god of the Ancient Deity system in the domain of time. (Already fulfilled.)
[Fate 2]: After reaching the Fake God level, battle with Kartora. (Already fulfilled.)
[Fate 3]: Enter the River of Time.
[Fate 4]: Participate in a great project involving a God Rank Skill.
[Fate 5]: Fuse with Kartora and become the true God of Time.
Daniel rubbed his temples and exhaled softly.
"So it's all destined after all," he muttered.
The more he experienced this ability to glimpse destiny itself, the more uneasy he became. It was both awe-inspiring and deeply terrifying.
He had to admit—the Clock of Fate's power had far surpassed his expectations.
It wasn't merely a device to foresee possible futures; it revealed a person's true and inevitable destiny.
But what truly made it terrifying was not its ability to foresee fate—
—it was its ability to alter it.
From a philosophical standpoint, wasn't that equivalent to rewriting the laws of determinism itself? To defy the inevitability of cause and effect?
Daniel's mind trembled at the thought.
Then, something caught his attention: Kalbira's fourth fate.
"To participate in a great project involving a God Rank Skill."
His gaze sharpened. "A God Rank Skill… could that mean… she'll be part of my project?"
In his mind, a flash of light. He recalled one particular God Rank Skill he had previously unlocked—one intimately tied to fate and time.
God Rank Skill — [Fate]
Required Materials:
Circle of Destiny, Scroll of the Clock of Fate, Gate of Infinity, Temporal Shards, Threads of Time, Fruit of Time…
Daniel's expression grew calm as he read through the long list of materials.
Compared to other God Rank Skills, [Fate] actually required fewer components.
He already possessed several of the main items. For instance, the Circle of Destiny—though not currently stored within his spatial inventory—was hidden in the underground chamber of the ancient castle. He knew exactly where it was.
As for the rest of the materials, perhaps he could synthesize some of them through universal currency alchemy.
The truly difficult part was the Fruit of Time—an artifact so elusive that even Kartora, a god who ruled the domain of time itself, had no idea where to find it.
Which meant, realistically, that locating it in this era was almost impossible.
Still, Daniel wasn't without options. He smiled faintly.
He had something else—something extraordinary—up his sleeve.
The God Rank Skill Core.
That item had the power to substitute for any single required material in a synthesis ritual.
And since his God of Thieves' Dagger could be split into 128 fragments, the same principle applied here: the core itself could also be divided into 128 portions.
He might not have much to spare—but for synthesizing [Fate], it would be more than enough.
He shook his head, half amused, half resigned.
"Well, one step at a time. I'll search for the Fruit of Time first. If I can't find it… then I'll just use the core as a replacement. It's not ideal, but it'll work."
After all, [Fate] ranked among the top ten God Rank Skills.
Even if he had to pay a heavy price, it would be worth it.
Daniel took one last look toward the distant end of the Corridor of Time, where Kartora lingered, and then quietly departed.
What he didn't expect, however, was that the moment he left the corridor—
Kartora followed.
"You're done talking?" Daniel asked, raising an eyebrow.
Kartora nodded, though a trace of melancholy shadowed her expression.
"Yes… we had a long, deep talk," she admitted softly. "But she still refuses to merge with me."
Daniel wasn't surprised. He had already seen Kalbira's destiny clearly.
The fusion with Kartora would happen eventually, but not now—not yet.
This stage wasn't the destined time for their union.
So her refusal was entirely natural. There was no need to rush what was bound to come in its own time.
He smiled slightly and patted Kartora on the shoulder, offering comfort.
"Well, things are as they are," he said gently. "No point worrying too much."
"Let's head back."
But Kartora didn't move.
Instead, she stepped closer—so close that Daniel could feel the warmth of her presence—and suddenly wrapped her arms tightly around his.
Her tone was hesitant but carried a strange, almost childlike curiosity.
"Lord Crossbridge… that beautiful woman who was just with you… were you two… together?"
Daniel blinked, stunned for a moment, then gave her a helpless smile and shook his head.
"You seem to misunderstand," he said dryly. "She and I simply had a deal. Nothing more. You know I needed her help."
Kartora's expression immediately softened into relief.
"I see," she said, exhaling a long breath. "That's good. I'm glad to hear it."
Then, lowering her head slightly, she added quietly,
"Daniel… I understand your choices."
Even as her words faded, Daniel's mind drifted back toward the immense, invisible network of destiny that spanned the cosmos. Threads of time, fate, and causality—interwoven, shimmering, shifting endlessly.
Every person he met—Isabella, Kalbira, Kartora, Elizabeth—all of them were pieces of the same grand tapestry.
But unlike them, he now held the power to look upon that tapestry and rewrite it.
Perhaps this was the true meaning of the Clock of Fate—
not merely to witness destiny, but to stand above it.
And yet, every revelation brought a deeper burden.
For when one becomes capable of altering fate itself, one also bears the weight of every choice—every consequence that follows.
Daniel inhaled deeply, feeling that weight settle within him once more.
Then, with calm resolve, he turned his back on the Corridor of Time and walked into the endless expanse of light.
He had work to do—
and destiny itself was waiting to be rewritten.